Logan Hart's last memory was of his computer screen flickering with the words "Harvest Complete" before his vision went dark. He had been seventy-two hours deep into his favorite farming game, living off energy drinks and instant noodles, when his body finally decided it had enough.
The irony wasn't lost on him that he had died the same way he had lived for the past three years: hunched over a keyboard, desperately trying to reach the next level in a world that didn't actually exist. So when he opened his eyes to find himself lying in a field of golden wheat, his first thought was that heaven had a surprisingly specific theme.
The wheat swayed gently around him, each stalk gleaming under a sun that felt warmer and more alive than anything he remembered from his old life. The sky above was impossibly blue, dotted with clouds that looked like they had been painted by someone who actually cared about their job.
Logan sat up slowly, half expecting his back to protest after lying on the ground, but there was no pain. In fact, he felt better than he had in years. His hands, which had been soft and pale from years of avoiding sunlight, now looked tanned and calloused, like they belonged to someone who actually knew what manual labor was. He flexed his fingers experimentally and felt strength there that definitely hadn't existed before.
"What the hell is going on?" he muttered, pushing himself to his feet.
The moment the words left his mouth, glowing text materialized in front of his eyes, hovering in the air like some kind of augmented reality display. Logan stumbled backward in surprise, nearly tripping over his own feet.
[Welcome, Logan Hart.]
[New Life Initialized.]
[Profession: Farmer.]
[Rank: SSS.]
Logan stared at the words, his brain struggling to process what he was seeing. This was exactly like the interface from the farming game he had been playing, down to the font and the way the letters shimmered with a soft golden light.
But that was impossible. Games didn't just become real. People didn't get second chances at life complete with status screens and profession rankings.
"Okay," he said slowly, reaching out to touch the glowing text. His hand passed right through it. "So either I'm hallucinating, or I've somehow ended up inside a video game. Neither option is particularly reassuring."
[Your assessment is partially correct,] the text changed, responding to his words.
[You have been granted a second life in the world of Florencia. Your previous existence has ended, but your knowledge and passion have earned you a unique opportunity.]
Before Logan could respond, the glowing text began to swirl and condense, forming into a small sphere of light that hovered at eye level. The sphere pulsed once, twice, and then burst apart in a shower of golden sparks. When the light faded, a tiny figure remained floating in the air.
She was no bigger than his hand, with translucent wings that caught the sunlight and scattered it in rainbow patterns. Her hair was the color of fresh wheat, tied back in a practical braid, and she wore what looked like a miniature farmer's outfit complete with overalls and a straw hat. She crossed her arms and gave Logan a look that clearly said she had seen his type before and wasn't particularly impressed.
"Finally awake, are we?" the pixie said, her voice surprisingly clear despite her size. "I was beginning to think you were going to sleep through your entire first day. Not exactly the best start for someone with an SSS rank."
Logan opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. "You're... the system?"
"System, guide, partner, whatever you want to call it," she said with a shrug. "The name's Terra, and I'll be helping you navigate your new life as a farmer."
"Though judging by the way you're gaping at me like a fish, we might need to start with some basics."
"This is insane," Logan said, running a hand through his hair. It felt different too, thicker and healthier than he remembered. "I died. I know I died."
"My heart gave out after three days of nonstop gaming. And now I'm here, wherever here is, talking to a tiny fairy about farming."
Terra flew closer, hovering just in front of his face. Up close, Logan could see that her eyes were a deep green, like the first shoots of spring grass.
"You're not wrong about dying," she said, her tone gentler now. "But you've been given a second chance."
"The world of Florencia needs farmers, real ones who understand the craft and care about it. Your rank isn't just for show. SSS means you have the potential to grow things that others can only dream of."
Logan looked down at his hands again, then out at the endless field of wheat surrounding them. In his old life, he had wasted years chasing virtual achievements, neglecting his health and his relationships for the sake of digital crops.
But this felt different. The sun on his face was real. The earth beneath his feet was solid and true. And if what Terra said was correct, he had been given a chance to do what he loved without the screen between him and the world.
"So what happens now?" he asked.
Terra grinned, and for the first time since appearing, she looked genuinely excited. "Now, Logan Hart, you become the farmer you were always meant to be."
"Your SSS rank means you can grow anything, from common wheat to legendary herbs that can cure any disease. You can raise animals that don't exist in normal farms. You can turn barren soil into paradise." She paused, her grin widening. "But first, we need to get you to your farm."
"It's not much right now, just a small plot of land and a cottage, but with your abilities, it won't stay small for long."
Logan took a deep breath, feeling something stir in his chest that he hadn't felt in years. It was hope, mixed with excitement and just a touch of fear.
He had spent his first life running away from reality, hiding in games and virtual worlds. But this time, he had a chance to build something real.
"Alright," he said, looking at Terra with determination. "Show me where to start."
The pixie's wings fluttered happily as she spun in the air. "That's what I like to hear! Follow me, farmer. Your new life begins now."
As Logan followed Terra through the golden wheat fields, he couldn't help but smile. He had no idea what challenges waited for him in this new world, but for the first time in longer than he could remember, he was genuinely looking forward to finding out.