[Ding! Due to your new understanding of how Farmers operate in Solaris, a unique Skill has been assigned to you, Crop Consumption (A). While this Skill is classified as unique, it is not unique in a sense of it being tied to your Harvester Log. It is a Skill other residents of Solaris can learn. Please do keep that in mind. It isn't unheard of, but Farmers do have the opportunity of dungeon-diving.]
"Fantastic. And here I thought it was an overpowered Skill. Maybe it has some limitations I'm not aware of yet. At the very least, I have Points*2, so even if Crop Consumption is a Skill that others can learn, I'll still shine over them just due to the fact I earn twice as many stat points as they do. I can see why this Skill is classified as SS.", Lloyd said, seeing this new prompt before him. But new Skills were welcomed regardless.
One thought did linger in Lloyd's mind while he was presented with this new information. Health Points were the equivalent of life essence itself. Part of one's entire being. And so was the dirt, the soil, and the earth around him. Seeing this Crop Consumption Skill show up...
Perhaps after testing it out once or twice, he might start earning HP? Lloyd wasn't sure, but it was definitely something to test out.
Feeling a renewed sense of anticipation once again, Lloyd's eyes shifted up toward the skies above him. To his surprise, the sun was beginning to set. He realized his plot of land was still only 25% of the way there. After all, he had decided to review all of this information instead of progressing his second Quest. Thanks to that, he had come to a pretty good understanding with how the world of Solaris works, even if there is still a bunch left unexplored.
Still, there was one thing left to do before Lloyd decided to clock out for the remainder of the day.
"Spend the 10 Stat Points into Luck.", Lloyd uttered, keeping his voice to himself. In response, a single prompt followed.
[Ding! You have consumed your Available Stat Points. Your Luck has been increased by 10.]
Seeing this, Lloyd smiled. Since he had other ways to improve his other stats, why bother spending his precious stat points on them? Instead, he decided to spend his Available Points on Luck. He wanted to see what kind of lucky chances he would encounter while farming!
From there, Lloyd placed the Fine Hoe on his back, letting it sit right over his Fine Sturdy Shield. Since he had that 31 day room token now, he no longer had to worry about lodging for the time being. Lloyd bid farewell to the few Earth Spirits floating around his farm, still acting without a care in the world. He wasn't exactly sure how to interact with them yet. Did he need magic for that? Or perhaps once he starts growing crops, the Spirits will behave in some way? Lloyd wasn't sure.
The Earth Spirits didn't seem to react to Lloyd one bit. He could only leave it up to his current progress of his Harvester Log for now. As he left the farm and wandered toward the nearby road which was mostly paved with dirt, he spotted a figure approaching from another plot of land, and soon joined him on the paved road. He waved at Lloyd and greeted him.
"Well if it ain't Lloyd. Looks like ya had some lucky encounters today. How's the farm?", Frank said, greeting Lloyd as the sun continued to set. He took a moment to observe the new pieces of equipment over Lloyd's back, and whistled. "And is it me, or did ya get stronger?"
"Haha. It might have just been a few hours, but let's just say I was a little lucky. Seeing as you're a Rank 2, you probably know about a Farmer's unique skill?", Lloyd decided to ask. It was then genuine shock appeared in Frank's eyes. They turned wide-eyed.
"...Ya know about Crop Consumption already?", Frank asked.
"...Was I not supposed to? Let alone know about it, I learned it already.", Lloyd said, looking back at Frank with equal surprise in his eyes.
"W-WHAT!? It hasn't been a single day since you've arrived on the farm!", Frank exclaimed. His voice was loud enough to attract a couple other farmers from nearby plots.
Presently, Lloyd was assigned to Plot 91, on the very last row of the farm. Much more farmland resided inward, making it very hard to see the town of Rooting Plains all the way north. But in return, that made the area he was heading to next very easy to reach. To the east was a large reservoir of water that had a river cross through the heart of the farm. Various paved roads and communal sheds could be seen around the numbered plots. Lloyd assumed as one went further inward, the number of blocks would increase, and each block was a single acre. More rank, more responsibility, more land to cover. That was probably how things worked here.
With Frank being a Rank 2 Lv10 Farmer, it was possible he was assigned on the second row of plots. It was near his, so that'd make sense. But even someone like him was shocked to hear such a thing. This outburst was enough to cause another couple farmers from nearby plots to enter the paved road Lloyd and Frank were standing on. One figure acted as if he hadn't heard those words spoken just now correctly.
"You must be kiddin'. There ain't a single greenhorn on the first row capable of learnin' Crop Consumption, especially if it's their first day of workin'! If word got out it'll put us second row farmers to shame!", A rough voice called out to the two. Lloyd saw the man wearing a straw hat who was slightly tan and had a couple scars on their face approach him. As he did, Lloyd saw the tag floating above his head, which said who he was.
[Carl - Farmer Rank 2 Lv12.]
'So this is the infamous Carl that Frank warned me of...', Lloyd said, proceeding to squint his eyes at the man.
"Tch. If the boy said he learned it, then he learned it! Ya wanna another go around of fisticups? Who was it that beat yer butt last time?", Frank said, scoffing at the man. It was easy to tell these two weren't on good terms. Perhaps rivals of sorts? And this is new, a Lv10 beating a Lv12. If it was just reliant on stats alone, Carl would have the upper hand...
"Now now. It is still only the first day of the new season. Must you two fight right as we're callin' it quits for the day?", A more calm voice said, calling out to the three. He then glanced toward Lloyd in Particular. "Pardon for these two's rudeness they caused ya. We're part of Plot 88-90. 91 is yours, which is right around the corner. Yer a Rank 1 greenhorn, aint'cha?", The calm voice said. It was another man, who seemed to be in his early twenties. Both Frank and Carl also were of similar age. It was just Lloyd who was younger than them.
Unlike the rough-looking demeanor Carl had, this person had a calm look in their eyes. But his eyes were curved upward into two crescent moons, like he was plotting something. The straw hat he had was placed over his back. He currently didn't have it on. And like Carl, he too was slightly tan. Seeing everyone work under the harsh sun, especially since it's May, it was very possible Lloyd might develop a tan down the line too. Lloyd nodded his head, and greeted this man.
"That's right. Honestly, this is all still pretty new to me. I just happened to get a little lucky, like I told Frank here. I don't even recall how I got here in the first place.", Lloyd said, feeling slightly embarrassed by saying that. That caused Frank to nod his head.
"Haha! Lots of greenhorns behave like that when they come to work on the farm. Ya were ridin' along a carriage with others until they just dropped you here. Nothin' special, I'm afraid. Quite the scene to watch!"
"Well ya are right about that, Frank. All those greenhorns scattered. If ya say you're lucky, then arrivin' here on Plot 91 accounts to that. It's the closest to the second row of plots. What'd they call you again?", Carl asked.
"I'm Lloyd. Lloyd Vantira. I haven't come across anyone else yet on my assigned row, I didn't think the first people I'd meet were my seniors.", Lloyd said, keeping his tone polite. Hearing that, Carl bared his teeth and revealed a wide grin.