Chapter 1: Five Years Gone

I was an avid reader of the niche web novel, Heroine Wars. When I congratulated the author on the finale and requested a happy ending for my favorite defeated heroines, guess what? He knew my real name!

Just as I was about to question him, I blacked out. I awoke in the heart of Horizon, the massive holy nation protected by the goddess Astraea, a place I’d only seen in the novel’s illustrations.

That was five years ago.

‘Five years already? I’ve adapted pretty well…’

Surprisingly, I, Jin Jaehan, was reincarnated into the world of the novel as my 25-year-old self from South Korea. To be honest, I’m not even sure it was reincarnation. It feels more like I just transferred my consciousness into a generic body here.

Special abilities? Reincarnator perks?

Of course, I have them. Don’t be too shocked. I possess the amazing power of [Knowledge of Farming Techniques], [Miscellaneous Agricultural Knowledge from University], and… hard work.

‘Yeah, right. I have no powers whatsoever!!’

I have no idea what the author was thinking when he moved (?!) me here. Usually, protagonists in these reincarnation stories get cheat abilities to save their favorite characters or possess a talented extra’s body, receiving praise like…

“He’s from a nameless family, yet he possesses such powerful magic!!”

“And he’s so handsome~!”

…And become the strongest in the world.

Honestly, I didn’t even want praise. During my first year, as I came to terms with being inside the novel and adapting to this world, my biggest wish was to help my favorite heroines win. I’d read every chapter religiously; I thought I could change their fates.

Reality, however, proved more difficult. Without any cheat abilities, meeting the high-ranking protagonist and heroines in the holy nation of Horizon was near impossible.

I tried for two years. I desperately searched for any hidden abilities, made plans… but the results were predictable.

‘Well, obviously I failed, or I wouldn’t be here.’

Actually, I did meet one… but it wasn’t a pleasant memory. Let’s just move on.

Five years after my… arrival, I’ve abandoned all plans. I live a peaceful life as a farmer in a small village on the outskirts of Horizon.

‘By now, all the episodes should have played out.’

This life isn’t so bad. I’m healthier thanks to a regular sleep schedule, and my body is in better shape from actually doing the farm work I only studied in theory.

Today, I’m trying to cultivate Star Soufflé, a rare fruit unique to this continent. I heard the key is preventing pests… and I have a plan.

“Squeak?”

“Morning, everyone! Sleep well?”

“Squeak squeak!!”

“Good. You seem to have adjusted to the environment. Now, go play in the farm!”

Green slimes are small and harmless, unlike other colored slimes, feeding only on insects. My so-called “Slime Farming Method” relies on them to deal with any Star Soufflé pests.

“Now… let’s see…”

“Squeak!!”

I open the farm gate where the Star Soufflé trees grow. The green slimes excitedly rush towards the trees…

“Okay, just eat the bugs…”

…And promptly begin devouring the blossoming Star Soufflé flowers along with the bugs.

“No! Stop! Do you know how much those trees are worth?!”

“Squeak squeak!!”

“Stop it! Noooo!!”

“Squeak squeeeeak!!!!”

“Hey! Jin Jaehan!”

“Mr. Kim? Just… give me a second! I just need to deal with these… Stop eating, you littles!!”

Mr. Kim, the owner of the only vegetable shop in this small village (and my only customer), sighs at the chaotic scene.

“Just get today’s produce ready, and stop messing around.”

“Yes, sir. But you still haven’t paid me for the last batch…”

“You should be grateful I even buy these low-quality crops! Don’t talk back to your elders.”

“Right… Then I’ll bring them over later…”

“Are you telling me to carry them? I’m busy. Just leave them in front of my shop. I’ll pay you later.”

“…”

It’s annoying that he treats my hard work like garbage, but I need to survive. I load the produce and head to his shop.

After selling everything for a pittance, I head to the market. There’s a larger crowd than usual gathered around the newspaper stand. Something big must have happened for news to reach even this remote village. Then, I hear a familiar story…

“Did you hear? The ‘Villainess’ who was scheduled for execution escaped!”

“They say she broke through the magically reinforced prison.”

“Why was such a criminal still alive?”

“I heard she was the First Prince’s fiancée.”

“No way! He married the Saint.”

“Well, rumor has it that this Villainess…”

‘I don’t need to hear any more.’

I know this story all too well. The escaped “Villainess” is Vega Spica, head of the Spica family, one of the heroines from the first episode of Heroine Wars. She did everything for the First Prince, only to be abandoned when he chose the Saint.

‘So, she really did escape.’

No one knows where she went or what became of her. The novel only mentioned her heartbroken escape and a single sentence about her last moments.

‘I hope she finds happiness now that she’s free.’

I silently wish Vega well and head home.

Another day done. Mr. Kim’s exploitation is getting worse, but it was still a fulfilling day.

“Haa…”

Squish.

I lie down on my bed and feel something soft and squishy.

“Squeak!!”

“Oh, it’s you guys…”

The green slimes that ruined my Star Soufflé crop.

“Hungry? Sorry, I have nothing to feed you. No money either, thanks to you…”

“Squeek squeek!”

“What’s wrong? I said there’s no food.”

They desperately try to pull me up. Suddenly, a disturbing piece of information from the slime encyclopedia flashes through my mind. Green slimes are incredibly weak, even to ordinary humans. They live in groups and call for their strongest member if their habitat is invaded.

If they consider my house and farm their habitat, their behavior means only one thing…

‘There’s an intruder in my house?’

Someone is inside my farm, far from the village, in the dead of night.

‘…..’

I grab my hoe and rush outside.

‘Is… is my farm always this big?’

It seems unusually vast tonight. I’ve never wished for cheat abilities more in the past five years. I curse the author for dropping me into this world filled with man-eating monsters without a single power.

“Squeak! Squeek squeek!”

The green slimes huddle between my legs, oblivious to my inner turmoil.

“I’m scared too! And you ruined my crops!!”

“Squeak!!”

As if exasperated by my hesitation, one slime darts from between my legs, heading somewhere.

“Hey! Where are you going?!”

It’s surprisingly fast. Worried it’s leading me to the intruder, I chase after it. It leads me to my second farm, where the Star Soufflé trees grow. They glow at night, making it less terrifying than my front yard.

But I can’t let my guard down. If light-attracted monsters or Star Soufflé-loving wyverns are here, I’m dead even if I run now.

“Squeak! Squeak squeak!!”

The slime calls to me from a tree at the edge of the farm. The slimes clinging to my legs seem to confirm the intruder’s location.

I take a deep breath. As the “Slime Leader,” I cautiously approach the tree to deal with the intruder.

And then I see her, collapsed behind the tree.

“No way…”

Raven hair like the night sky. Snow-white skin. An unforgettable face.

Vega Spica, head of the Spica family, the defeated heroine of the first episode of Heroine Wars, the one who sacrificed everything for the protagonist, the “Villainess”… lies injured on my farm.