Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Come Play in Lulu-chan's Pumpkin Field!
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Finally, the stream for the last day of the event went live.
Yesterday was the first day, so I focused on farming and didn't get much decorating done on the field.
Today, I dove in with the intention of really sprucing it up.
I've gathered pretty much all the materials I need now.
This should be enough to make the field look great.
Up until yesterday, watering everything manually was a pain, but starting today, I can set up an automation system.
"Lulu, are the pumpkins growing well?"
I'd just finished tidying up the house and was heading up the hill when Yukiko—the first member to log in—approached and chatted me up.
Come to think of it, yesterday we went exploring just the two of us with Lilith-unnie, so we barely hung out with the others.
"Yeah, I'm making a water pump today too. Wanna come check it out?"
"Let's do it!"
Brushing off the chat trying to slander Yukiko,
we headed up the hill together toward the field.
"Whoa! The field's already gotten so big?"
"Hehe... I worked hard on it yesterday. Today I'm installing the water pump and decorating around it."
"Sounds fun! Mind if I watch?"
"Sure."
First things first, before setting up the water pump, I checked on the plowed field.
Ooh...!
Still, I managed to harvest two fully grown pumpkins.
Including the ones I harvested after giving some to Raku-nim and Cheolgae-nim yesterday, that's twelve in total.
Not a bad haul, if I do say so myself.
Sure, excluding the ones I just picked, I've given them all away to visitors and members...
But that's fine! That's how we help each other out around here!
Pumpkins will keep growing, no worries!
"All these died though, you okay with that?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Pumpkins are super hard to grow, so salvaging this many isn't bad at all."
"Ah..."
Ack!
There's a faction bringing up yesterday again, trying to slander those two.
I know it's just joking around, but I should give them a scolding anyway.
"Hey, what are you all saying! They didn't steal them—I gave them away!"
Jeez, everyone...
At this rate, new viewers today might actually think Raku-nim and Cheolgae-nim stole the pumpkins.
"Whoa, is that the water pump?"
"Yep. Once this is set up, it pulls water automatically from the river."
"Really? Let's do it quick!"
For some reason, Yukiko seemed even more excited than me.
Well, farming's tough at first,
but once the infrastructure's in place, it's got that satisfying growth loop and the joy of just watching it all.
If Yukiko gets hooked, she won't be able to quit. Too bad for her.
Clunk—
I finally installed the completed water pump by the river behind us,
hooked up the rubber hose, and headed straight back to the field.
"What's that?"
"This? A sprinkler. Connect it to the water pump like so..."
I set the sprinkler on the transparent cover over the field,
then pressed the button on the handheld manual controller...
Shwaaaah—
A fine mist sprayed over the field, soaking the leaves nice and wet.
"Whoaaa!"
Yukiko and the viewers all reacted with surprise at the sight.
I couldn't help but puff up with pride.
"So this thing will water automatically from now on?"
"Hehe, actually, I can't make the full automation system yet... For now, I have to hit the remote every hour."
I felt a bit sheepish for dashing Yukiko's hopes, so I grinned goofily as I answered.
"The automation system's different from this?"
"Yeah, later I gotta add a battery, electrical setup, and panels here. Then it'll spray on a timer by itself."
"Whoa...! I wanna see that too."
"If Yukiko-chan wants to see it, I'll make it as fast as I can."
I'd been grinning like an idiot, but her words snapped me serious, and I nodded firmly.
Honestly, I didn't think I'd finish by today,
but this was Yukiko's wish.
No other choice—I'd make it happen!
Of course!
I don't need a liver or gall bladder anyway!
Whatever the Blues want, I'll give it to them!
I clenched my fist with renewed resolve and was about to get back to work when—
"Um... is this Lulu-nim's pumpkin field?"
"...Huh?"
I turned at the unfamiliar woman's voice.
A plainly dressed character came into view.
And not just one—three more people stood behind her.
Hamchi-nim, huh?
I didn't know her well, but I remembered her from the participant list I'd checked beforehand.
But why come all the way here?
Gasp! Don't tell me they're here to trash the field?!
"I heard you could check out the field if you come here, so I stopped by. Mind if we take a look?"
"Ah, sure. Go ahead."
Oh, not that kind of thing.
Jeez, Da-jeong, work on that paranoia!
If they were here to attack, they'd have shot arrows already—why bother asking politely?
"Hehe, thanks! Guys! She says it's okay!"
"Oh, for real?!"
"It's way nicer than when we first came yesterday."
"You even made a sprinkler? Whoa!"
With my permission, Hamchi-nim signaled to the folks behind her,
and the three of them rushed over, crowding close to the field.
One of them was even Raku-nim, our first visitor yesterday.
"Ah, Raku-nim. Hi."
"Hi! You said to come play again, so I brought the leader."
"Oh, so Hamchi-nim's the leader?"
"Yep!"
Ah, got it.
That's why Hamchi-nim approached me instead of Raku-nim, who I already knew.
"Oh, there it is! Right there!"
"Lulu-nim! Here to see the field!"
"Eh? But some people are already here?"
"It's Hamchi-nim's team though?"
And it didn't stop there.
Another group came rushing in from somewhere, leaving me blinking in confusion.
Huh? What?
How did everyone find out and flock here like this?
Raku-nim's team made sense since they'd already visited,
but this new bunch were total strangers.
"I-I didn't do anything like that. But seriously, how did everyone find out...?"
Not that yesterday's visitors were just Raku-nim and Cheolgae-nim,
but even so, this was a lot of people.
"Eh? H-Healing spot?"
I was puzzled when the sudden donation explained it for me, leaving me even more flustered.
A healing spot? Why?
It's nothing special.
"Hamchi-nim's party's already here though?"
"Leader, shouldn't we get revenge for yesterday? Give the order, Master."
"We'll just get flamed if we fight here. Let's hold back."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Even Cheolgae-nim's party showed up, turning the pumpkin field lively in an instant.
"Lulu-nim, thanks for the pumpkins yesterday. Just here to hang out today."
"Ah, uh... More importantly, you're not fighting Raku-nim today, right?"
"No worries. At least not here."
"Phew... Good."
After almost seeing Raku-nim and Cheolgae-nim throw down yesterday, I was honestly worried, but
Cheolgae-nim clearly had no such plans.
Though... "at least not here" implied what exactly?
Did they fight somewhere else?
If so, I couldn't figure why they'd avoid fighting here.
As long as they weren't trying to wreck the field on purpose, fights shouldn't damage it anyway.
"Whoa! Lulu-chan's field is super popular."
"Yeah. Nothing that special though..."
I nodded at Yukiko's words but still tilted my head.
What did they mean by the rumor?
I still didn't get it.
How did Lulu's field become such a hot spot?
To explain, we have to go back to after the first day of the Last server.
The forums were flooded with posts about one noble being dubbed "Mother Lulu."
That's right.
Word spread among viewers of Cheolgae and Raku's streams yesterday,
and clips circulated everywhere.
Soon, among streamers, it became a truce zone and healing spot.
There were two big reasons.
First, Last is a game where brutal PvP is core to survival.
Fights are everyday here—no one stops them.
Hell, people jump in to snag scraps.
But Lulu was the opposite.
Fights break out? She steps in saying violence is wrong.
Even hands out precious food like pumpkins herself.
Everyone was touched by that pure innocence.
Second, pure charm of Lulu herself.
Visitors get the warmest welcome.
No charge for rare pumpkins or tea.
That cute voice, harmless vibe.
Handmade "Lulu's Pumpkin Voucher" souvenirs too.
All synergized into an oasis in the desert.
Thus, unbeknownst to Lulu herself,
interest in her boiled over with voucher bidding wars behind the scenes.
This was the full story of the Lulu pumpkin field incident before Day 2 of Last kicked off.