The Life of a Returned Genius Farmer

Chapter 1: Came to Another World – Part 1

The inhabitants of the tower had always suffered. It was only natural. The tower was too barren a land to sustain life. Crops grew too slowly, and those that did mature didn’t yield enough grain to feed them. The tower’s monsters were far too powerful for them to live in peace.

But, as with all pain and suffering, an end came, and with it, hope in the form of strangers who suddenly appeared. These strangers used powerful abilities to vanquish the tower’s monsters and conquer its levels. Among them, one stood apart. While the others focused on conquest, this stranger turned their attention to farming. They transformed the barren soil, accelerated crop growth, and cultivated bountiful harvests where once only meager stalks had stood. The inhabitants of the tower came to revere this stranger, calling him the “Farmer King.”

Amidst the desolate landscape, scarred by conflict and death, a different scene unfolded. Golden waves rippled across a vast field, teeming with life, a stark contrast to the surrounding desolation. In its heart, a lone man harvested the golden bounty.

“Hey! Farmer King!”

The man, stooped from his labor, slowly straightened. This was Lee Han, the stranger the tower’s people hailed as their Farmer King. Turning his head, he saw figures running towards him – comrades he had journeyed with since entering the tower, now reunited after parting ways to pursue their respective goals.

“How’s the farming going?” one of them asked.

“Good,” Lee Han replied, his gaze sweeping across the expansive wheat field. “This should keep us fed for a while. What about you guys?”

The axe-wielding giant grinned, his eyes scanning the field. “We’re about to tackle the final level. It’s time to finish this.”

Examining the plump grains in his rough hands, he remarked, “These look even better than the ones back home.”

“That’s great news,” Lee Han said. “It makes all the support worthwhile. I always felt bad leaving all the fighting to you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” one of the others exclaimed. “We wouldn’t have made it this far without you!”

Another chimed in, “Right! Do you think we could have come this far if you hadn’t been here?”

They had been inexplicably pulled into this tower years ago. Since then, they had worked tirelessly to conquer it, relying on their own resources for everything: gear, supplies, and most importantly, food. While they could scavenge for equipment and supplies, food was a constant challenge.

Lee Han had been their savior. Recognizing the need for a stable food supply, he had stepped back from the front lines to focus on farming. His efforts ensured the raiding party was well-fed and equipped, allowing them to progress to the final level.

“Well, I happen to enjoy farming,” Lee Han said with a shrug.

“Anyway,” the axe-wielding giant declared, “this is it. Time to head back.”

The promise of returning to Earth upon conquering the tower’s final level had been their driving force. As his comrades spoke, Lee Han’s eyes drifted over the fields, taking in the fruits of his labor: wheat, potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, and countless other crops.

These crops had served them well, not only as sustenance but also as a means to forge alliances with other races in the tower who depended on their harvests. They even used them as a form of currency.

Now, his comrades extended a hand. “Let’s go back now.”

“Haha! What are you going to do when you go back? I want to sleep in!” one exclaimed.

“I’m thinking of writing a novel about what happened here,” another chimed in.

“I…” a third began, but trailed off.

The colleagues chatted excitedly while Lee Han prepared to leave. When he finally emerged, their eyes turned to him. He placed a hand on the hilt of his sword and shrugged.

“I’ll probably keep farming. It’s surprisingly suited me.”

☆☆☆

[…Following the tower’s conquest, it has become a treasure trove of resources. Even now, countless explorers challenge the tower, seeking its riches…]

The radio’s voice drifted through the air as Lee Han slowly opened his eyes. Five years had passed since his return to Earth. He had resumed farming, just as he had in the tower. He shook his head, remembering the strange dream he’d just had.

“Ugh, not this dream again. It’s worse than a military nightmare…”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. This dream, a recurring visitor, always left him unsettled. Lee Han got up and walked over to the radio. It was scratched and worn from years of use in the fields, a testament to his life as a farmer. Anyone else would have replaced it by now, but he couldn’t bring himself to part with it. It had been his companion since his return, a constant presence in his new life.

He fiddled with the knobs, trying to tune out the static. Finally, a music channel came through clearly. He adjusted the frequency and returned to his task: preparing seedlings.

Seedlings were the foundation of any successful harvest. Normally, one would buy or cultivate them separately, but for Lee Han, a returnee from the tower, this was a simple matter.

“Growth Acceleration,” he murmured.

With that single word, the ability that had made him a renowned support specialist in the tower manifested. The seeds, nestled in dozens of trays, began to transform, seemingly defying the natural passage of time. Green sprouts emerged, unfurling and reaching towards the sky. Once they had taken root, Lee Han sighed and stretched.

“Alright, let’s get these transplanted.”

He carried the trays outside to his vast field and meticulously planted each seedling. He then fertilized and watered them, ensuring they received ample sunlight. Once more, he invoked his Growth Acceleration ability. A smile spread across his face as he observed the crops flourishing under his care.

‘At this rate, I’ll be harvesting in a few days.’

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, Lee Han headed back to his house. He quickly washed his hair with cold water, then collapsed onto the floor.

Even with his powers, farming was tireless work. There was no rest for the weary, not when tending to crops demanded attention in every season. But Lee Han didn’t mind. He found satisfaction in the honest labor, knowing that his sweat and toil would yield a bountiful harvest.

With a content sigh, he closed his eyes, anticipating the new day to come.

But when he awoke, he was greeted not by his familiar ceiling, but by an unfamiliar sky.

“What the…?” he muttered, disoriented. “Could I have been dragged back to the tower?”

He scrutinized the sky, searching for the distinctive patterns that marked the tower’s celestial dome. But there were none. The sky was a clear, uninterrupted blue.

“Get a grip, Lee Han,” he told himself. “Even a tiger’s bite won’t kill you if you stay calm.”

Of course, the current situation was enough to make him lose his mind, but that didn’t mean he had to panic.

‘I’ve been through this before,’ he reminded himself. The first time he had been pulled into the tower, he had been sound asleep. He’d woken up on the first floor, and from there, his journey had begun. Considering his past experience, this situation wasn’t entirely unfamiliar.

‘First, assess the situation. Let’s see if there are any allies around.’

When he had been dragged into the tower, he wasn’t alone. Many others had been pulled in as well. He recalled how they had worked together to overcome the challenges they faced. With that in mind, he scanned his surroundings.

But all he saw was a dense forest filled with unremarkable bushes and trees—no sign of anyone else.

‘I’m alone then. Alright…let’s figure out where I am.’

He stretched his limbs to loosen up, then began climbing a nearby tree. Thanks to his childhood nickname, “Monkey,” climbing trees had always come easily to him.

In no time, he reached the top and surveyed the area. The forest was vast, making it difficult to get his bearings. The only promising sign was a plain and a river in the distance.

‘In a survival situation like this, water is the top priority.’

Securing a source of water was crucial. After all, a person could only survive for three days without it. A documentary he had once watched emphasized the importance of finding drinkable water in such situations.

Lee Han, who had relied on similar survival tactics in the tower, nodded to himself.

‘Let’s head for the river.’

He climbed down from the tree, frowning as his bare feet met the forest floor. He had been transported in his sleep, without even his shoes. Walking barefoot in this unknown environment was risky.

– Crack!

He scanned the undergrowth and spotted some thick patches of grass. Quickly, he gathered them and fashioned a makeshift pair of sandals. Then, he set off towards the river.

‘This definitely isn’t Earth.’

Lee Han was knowledgeable about plants, but the vegetation here was entirely foreign to him. This heightened his sense of unease. He recalled the monsters in the tower that had disguised themselves as plants. If this was another tower, a different world with a unique ecosystem, or something similar, there was no guarantee such creatures didn’t exist here.

The thought of encountering a hostile entity while unarmed and shoeless was not appealing.

With his guard up, he navigated the forest until he reached the riverbank. He let out a sigh of relief as he took in the open expanse. The riverbank was a mixture of smooth stones and fine sand, and the water appeared crystal clear.

He cupped his hands, scooped up some water, and took a tentative sip. He waited, but no ill effects followed.

‘It’s safe to drink.’

After quenching his thirst, he scanned the area again, but there was no sign of human habitation or any other travelers. Disappointed, he decided to focus on his immediate needs.

“I’ll have to make do here for now,” he murmured.

Survival was paramount. He had found water; now he needed shelter and tools. He turned and headed back into the forest, searching for a suitable piece of wood. He soon found a thick branch that would serve as a handle. Returning to the riverbank, he looked for a sturdy stone.

-Tak! Tak! Tak!

When he found a stone of suitable size, he struck it against another to create a sharp edge.

“Using a stone axe now is a bit ironic,” he thought with a wry smile, “but survival comes first.”

Combining the sharpened stone with the wooden handle, he secured them tightly with bark strips. A serviceable stone axe was the result, thanks to his experience in the tower and his honed skills from years of self-sufficient living in the countryside.

“First things first, I need to build a base camp,” he said to himself. A shelter from the sun was essential.

Lee Han grabbed his newly-made axe and ventured back into the forest. Constructing a proper shelter would take time, but a simple lean-to for temporary respite could be done quickly. Besides, there were plenty of materials at hand.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The axe proved surprisingly effective, easily felling a slender tree. With a few more precise strikes, he fashioned a long pole.

“Haa…” he exhaled. The first frame of his shelter was complete.

He located a few more suitable trees, trimmed them to size, and peeled strips of bark to use as cordage. Soon, he had lashed together a sturdy framework. Without pausing to rest, Lee Han continued his work.

He gathered the same broad leaves he had used for his makeshift sandals. Fortunately, they were abundant along the riverbank. He carefully fastened them to the frame, creating a thatched roof.

Before long, he had constructed a functional shelter, complete with a shady canopy.

And then…

[You have crafted a well-made temporary small tent.]

[A small tent made of wood and grass. It can block the sun and rain, so it’s not bad for a short rest.]

[Durability increased due to the well-made effect.]

[Rest bonus increased due to the well-made effect.]

[Crafting Difficulty: ☆]

“…Huh?” Lee Han muttered, startled by the message that appeared before his eyes.

As he stood there bewildered, another window materialized:

[Life Skills Details]

[Level: -]

[Gathering Lv1]

His confusion deepened. He glanced down at the stone axe in his hand.

[Well-made Stone Axe]

[An axe made of stone and wood. Although the materials are crude, it is neatly made and can be used much longer than a normal stone axe.]

[Cutting power increased due to the well-made effect.]

[Durability increased due to the well-made effect.]

[Crafting Difficulty: ☆]

“…What is going on?” he whispered, still trying to process the strange occurrences.

A voice responded, “Those who enter the Great Forest are blessed with the ability to see the essence of things. That is called ‘Enlightenment,’ nya!”

Lee Han’s grip tightened around the stone axe as he heard the voice emanating from the bushes. It was cheerful and full of excitement.

“A human, no less! I’ve only read about them in books, nya!”

Footsteps rustled through the undergrowth. Lee Han raised his axe, tension coursing through him.

“Who’s there?!” he shouted.

The bushes shook violently. He braced himself for a confrontation, but what emerged was not a fearsome beast, but…

“…A cat?”

A pristine white cat stepped out of the foliage. Its fur gleamed in the sunlight, looking too clean and well-groomed to be a feral creature.

“Did that cat just talk?!” Lee Han exclaimed in disbelief.

“Is there some rule against it, nya?” the cat retorted.