The last thing Freddy Flint saw was his computer screen flashing the words "Harvest Complete." Then everything went black.
He had been playing his favorite farming game for seventy-two hours straight, living on energy drinks and instant noodles, when his body finally said it had had enough.
"Yep, that's me." Freddy started to act like a narrator.
"You're probably thinking, "Why does this idiot spend all his time playing a farming game while only drinking energy drinks and eating instant noodles until he dies?"
"Of course the answer is clear, and..."
"...it was so addicting to play a farming game, especially if you can marry lots of girls!!!"
He found it amusing that he had died in the same manner he had lived for the past three years, which was hunched over a keyboard, attempting to level up in a purely fictional world. When he opened his eyes and saw himself lying in a field of golden wheat, his first thought was that heaven had a surprisingly clear theme.
"But thank God it's not over yet. I know that a "respawn" isn't just in a video game 'cause it's also in real life."
"Only it's called reincarnation."
The wheat moved slowly around him, and each stalk glowed in the sun, which felt warmer and more alive than anything he could remember from his past life. The sky overhead gleamed with an unfathomable blue, and the clouds appeared as if crafted by a dedicated artist.
Freddy slowly got up, expecting his back to hurt after lying on the ground, but it didn't. He really felt better than he had in years. His hands, once soft and pale from years of avoiding the sun, now looked tanned and rough, like they belonged to someone who worked with their hands. He bent his fingers and felt strength there that he hadn't felt before.
He said, "What the fuck is going on?" as he got up.
"Why am I outside? Oh no, these are grasses, and I hate grass!"
As soon as he opened his mouth, glowing text appeared in front of him, floating in the air like an augmented reality display. "Oh fuck!" Freddy was so shocked that he tripped and almost fell over his feet.
"That fucking scared the crap out of me..."
[Welcome, Freddy Flint, the one who died because he didn't have a life outside of playing farming simulator games.]
"The system is trying to roast me, but who cares? It's true anyway."
[Just like in your favorite game, your new life has just begun in the world.]
[You are a farmer with an SSS ranking.]
Freddy looked at the words, but his mind was having trouble understanding what they meant. This looked just like the interface from the farming game he had been playing, with the same font and the letters glowing with a soft golden light.
But that shouldn't be possible because games can't feel like real life. Unless respawn is really real, like Freddy said earlier, people don't get second chances at life with status screens and career rankings.
"Okay," he said slowly as he reached out to touch the glowing text. His hand went right through it. "Either I'm seeing things that aren't there, or I've somehow gotten into a video game. Neither of the options is very comforting."
[Your evaluation is partly correct.]
[You have a second chance at life in the world of Florencia. Your old life is over, but your knowledge and passion have given you a unique chance.]
Before Freddy could say anything, the glowing words began to spin and form a small ball of light that hung in the air at eye level. The sphere pulsed once, then twice, and then it broke apart in a shower of golden sparks. When the light went out, a small figure appeared in the air.
The figure had wings that were see-through and caught the sun, making rainbow patterns. She was small enough to fit in his hand. It was the color of fresh wheat, and she had it in a useful braid.
She had on what looked like a little farmer's outfit with overalls and a straw hat. She crossed her arms and gave Freddy a look that said she had seen his type before and didn't think much of him.
"Hey, no-life, you're finally awake!" The pixie spoke in a surprisingly clear voice for her size as she roasted him. "I was beginning to believe you would sleep through your first day. Not the best start for someone with an SSS rank, but I can understand why because you're a no-life!"
Freddy opened and closed his mouth while thinking, "This fucking bitch..." But then he spoke up and said, "You're... the system?"
"System, guide, partner, whatever you want to call it," she said with a shrug. "You can call me Terra, and I'll help you get used to being a farmer."
"We might need to start with the basics since you're looking at me like a fish."
Freddy said, "This is fucking nuts," and ran his hand through his hair. It felt different, too, because it felt thicker and healthier than he remembered. "I know I died."
"My heart stopped after three days of playing games nonstop. And now I'm having a conversation with a tiny fairy about farming."
Terra flew closer and stopped right in front of his face. Freddy could tell that her eyes were a deep green, like the first grass that comes up in the spring.
"You are right about dying," she said, her voice getting softer. "But you got a second chance, like you always wanted in your wet dream."
"It looks like your brain is having trouble processing things, doesn't it? Or maybe you are stupid, yes?"
"It was like a dream. Quick, hit me!" Terra didn't think twice about punching Freddy in the cheek when he said that. He could feel it hurt. "Oh, fuckin' hell! It hurts...!"
"Look? It's true. In any case, this world named Florencia needs real farmers who care about their work and know how to do it."
""Your SSS rank means you can grow things that other farmers can only dream of."
Freddy looked down at his hands again and then out at the field of wheat that seemed to go on forever. In his old life, he spent years trying to get virtual achievements, ignoring his health and relationships to grow digital crops.
But this was not the same. He could feel the sun on his face and the ground under his feet, which was solid and real. And if what Terra said was true, he had a chance to do what he loved without a screen between him and the rest of the world.
Freddy clenched both his fists and then jumped high happily because his dream really came true. "Yippee! I've been reincarnated into something I really wanted!!!"
He stopped, then asked, "So, what do we do now?"
Terra smiled and seemed very happy seeing him overreacting. "Freddy Flint, you are now the farmer you were always meant to be."
"Because of your SSS rank, you can grow anything from common wheat to rare herbs that can heal any disease."
"There are many benefits you can try, like raising animals that aren't usually found on farms, and you can turn land that is empty into paradise." She stopped and smiled even more. "But first, we need to get you to your farm."
"Right now, it's not much because it's only just a little piece of land and a cottage, but with your skills, it won't stay small for long."
Freddy took a deep breath and felt something shift in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. "Alright...! It's fine by me if we're back to zero!"
He had spent his whole life hiding from reality in games and virtual worlds. But this time, he could make something real. "I'll fucking take anything that counts as farming!"
"Show me where to start farming because these hands are years from the farms!"
The pixie's wings flapped with happiness as she spun in the air. "That's what I want to hear!"
"But..." Terra started to punch his face again.
"Aww! What was that for?!"
"Stop swearing or you'll the fist, hahaha!"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. No need to punch that hard."
Terra laughed, and then flew away slowly to guide him. "Now come along with me, farmer. Today is the start of your new life because you are no longer a no-life."
"Can you please stop saying that?" Freddy is starting to get frustrated with the 'no-life' word.
"Ehe~ Sorry."
Freddy couldn't help but smile as he walked behind Terra through the golden wheat fields. He didn't know what problems he would have to deal with in this new world, but for the first time in a long time, he was excited to find out.
"I can't wait to start this new life as a farmer, which is something I always wanted to do!"