Logan pushed open the cottage door, half expecting to find an empty shell despite the exterior restoration. Instead, he stepped into a space that made his breath catch in his throat. It was exactly like the starter cottage from the farming game he had played obsessively, down to the smallest detail.
The main room served as both living area and kitchen, with a stone fireplace on one wall that already had logs stacked neatly beside it. A simple wooden table with two chairs sat near a window that overlooked his fields. The kitchen area had open shelving stocked with basic cooking supplies, a cast iron stove that looked well maintained, and even a few clay jars that probably contained preserved foods.
A narrow staircase led to a loft bedroom where Logan could see a bed with a patchwork quilt, a small dresser, and a washbasin on a stand. Everything was clean and functional, radiating a cozy warmth that made the cottage feel like a real home rather than just a building.
"This is perfect," Logan said softly, running his hand along the smooth wooden table. Terra flew in behind him and did a quick circuit of the room before landing on the back of one of the chairs.
"Your SSS abilities didn't just restore the structure," she explained. "They recreated what this place was meant to be. A proper home for a farmer starting their journey."
Logan walked around the space, opening cabinets and examining the contents. He found plates, cups, utensils, and even a few basic cooking ingredients like flour and salt. There was a small pantry stocked with preserves, a cellar door that probably led to storage space, and hooks by the entrance for hanging coats and tools.
"I could actually live here," he said, feeling a sense of satisfaction he hadn't experienced in his previous life. His old apartment had been a mess of takeout containers and unwashed dishes. This cottage felt like a fresh start in every possible way.
He was about to explore the loft bedroom when a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Logan opened it to find Clara standing on his doorstep, looking slightly nervous but smiling warmly.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," she said. "I know I invited you for dinner, but seems like you just got settled in."
"Is there something wrong?"
"My mother wanted me to invite you to dinner at our house right now."
"She heard about the new farmer who moved into the Thornwood place and insisted on meeting you properly."
Logan glanced back at Terra, who gave him an encouraging nod. "I was about to visit you again after figuring out my cottage. Give me a second to make myself presentable."
He quickly checked his reflection in a small mirror by the door. His clothes were dusty from the day's work, but there wasn't much he could do about that now. At least his face was clean and his hair wasn't too disheveled.
"Alright, let's go."
...
...
The walk back to the Cloverfield farm was pleasant in the evening air. The sky had deepened to purple and orange, with the first stars beginning to appear. Clara chatted easily about the village and the surrounding farms, pointing out landmarks and explaining the local geography.
"That's the Miller's place over there," she said, gesturing to a farm with a distinctive red barn. "They raise sheep mostly."
"And past that hill is where the Hendersons grow vegetables. Everyone specializes in something different, which makes market days interesting."
When they reached the Cloverfield farmhouse, Clara led him up the front steps and through the door. The interior was warm and inviting, with the smell of cooking food filling the air.
A woman who looked to be in her late forties stood at the stove, stirring something in a large pot. She had the same blonde hair as Clara, though hers was streaked with gray and pulled back in a practical bun.
"Mother, this is Logan Hart," Clara said. "Logan, this is my mother, Mira Cloverfield."
Mira turned with a welcoming smile and wiped her hands on her apron before extending one to Logan. "It's wonderful to meet you, Logan."
"Clara told me about what you did with the Thornwood farm. That place has been weighing on the whole village's conscience."
As Logan shook her hand, another character profile window appeared in his vision, this one showing Mira's information.
[Character Profile Unlocked]
[Name: Mira Cloverfield]
[Age: 47]
[Occupation: Farmer]
[Affinity Level: 0/10 - Stranger]
[Relationship Status: Divorced]
[Likes: Hard workers, honest people, her daughter's happiness, quiet evenings]
[Dislikes: Gossip, laziness, people who break promises]
Logan tried not to react to the divorced status, but it made him wonder about Clara's father. In the game, both parents had always been present. Clearly this world had its own story that diverged from what he remembered.
"Thank you for having me," Logan said, dismissing the profile window. "Clara was kind enough to help me get started with supplies."
"That's our Clara," Mira said warmly, giving her daughter an affectionate look. "Always thinking of others. Now come, sit down. Dinner is almost ready."
The dining table was larger than the one in Logan's cottage, with enough space for at least six people. Logan noticed there were only three place settings, confirming that Clara's father wasn't part of the household. He didn't comment on it, not wanting to pry into what might be a sensitive subject.
Dinner was a hearty affair of roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, and bread that was still warm from the oven. Logan couldn't remember the last time he had eaten a proper home cooked meal. In his previous life, it had been nothing but instant noodles and delivered pizza.
"This is delicious," he said honestly, and Mira beamed with pride.
"It's nothing fancy, but we grow most of it ourselves," she said. "That's the beauty of farming. You always know where your food comes from."
As they ate, Mira asked Logan about his plans for the farm. He kept his answers vague, explaining that he wanted to start with basic crops and see how things developed. Terra, who had made herself invisible to the Cloverfields, sat on the windowsill and observed the conversation.
"The village has a market every week," Mira explained. "It's where all the local farmers sell their produce."
"Once you have your first harvest, Clara can show you how it works. The community is always excited to welcome new farmers."
"Speaking of the village," Clara added, "you should meet everyone properly. The village chief especially. He likes to know all the residents."
Mira nodded enthusiastically. "That's a wonderful idea. Clara, why don't you take Logan to the village tomorrow?"
"Show him around, introduce him to Chief Aldwin and the other important people. It would be good for him to have a sense of the community."
Clara looked at Logan with a questioning expression. "Would that be alright? I know you probably want to focus on your farm, but it won't take more than a few hours."
Logan considered it. His crops wouldn't need attention for a couple of days thanks to his Growth Acceleration skill, and getting to know the village seemed like a smart move. Plus, spending time with Clara would probably help increase their affinity level, though he felt slightly guilty for thinking in those terms.
"I'd appreciate that," he said. "I don't know anything about the area, and it would be good to meet people."
"Excellent," Mira said, clearly pleased. "The village is quite charming, and Chief Aldwin is a fair man."
"He'll want to know about your plans for the Thornwood farm since it's technically part of the village's agricultural assets."
The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, with conversation flowing easily between the three of them. Logan found himself relaxing in a way he hadn't in years. These were real people sharing a real meal, not characters on a screen or strangers in a chat room.
When the meal was finished, Logan helped Clara clear the dishes despite Mira's protests that he was a guest. "In my experience, the best guests are the ones who help," he said with a smile.
As he prepared to leave, Mira pressed a small cloth bundle into his hands. "Some bread and cheese for your breakfast tomorrow. I'm sure your pantry isn't fully stocked yet."
"Thank you," Logan said, genuinely touched by the kindness. "For everything. The meal, the hospitality, all of it."
"You're welcome here anytime," Mira said warmly. "Clara will come by your farm tomorrow morning to take you into the village."
Clara walked him to the door. "I'll see you around eight," she said. "Wear comfortable shoes. We'll be doing a fair bit of walking."
"Alright."
As Logan made his way back to his cottage under the starlit sky, he felt a contentment he hadn't known was possible. He had a home, neighbors who cared, and a purpose that felt meaningful. His second chance at life was turning out better than he could have imagined, and tomorrow would bring new opportunities to explore this world he now called home.