novelraw Chapter 3: Pelican Town
Chapter 3: Pelican Town
With each sweep of the scythe, patches of weeds fell away, leaving behind fibers, hay, and the occasional mixed seed. Leon gathered them all, sweat beading on his face, yet the smile of satisfaction never left his lips.
The spring weather wasn’t hot, and the cool breeze brought an unprecedented sense of comfort. As the weeds fell to the swing of his scythe, Leon could faintly sense a strange, subtle energy quietly seeping into his body.
Only when his arms began to ache and grow numb did Leon reluctantly stop. He surveyed the farmland, now far cleaner and tidier than when he first arrived. The earth lay fully exposed under the sunlight, and a surge of pride welled up in his heart.
Standing on the steps of the small cabin, Leon gazed at the transformed farm. He was truly happy. It was only a small step forward, but it had been far easier than he had expected.
With the weeds gone and the soil exposed, it was time to dig and plant.
He silently thanked the system for the scythe. It was far superior to ordinary ones, cutting weeds clean down to the roots instead of just trimming stems above the ground. No need to turn over the soil to clear them completely.
Weed control had always been a major part of farming. After all, weeds consumed the soil’s nutrients and water, competing with crops. If they weren’t removed thoroughly, the yield and growth of any planted crops would inevitably suffer.
Now, without those weeds to interfere, Leon could till the land in peace and plant the mixed seeds he had gathered earlier.
But first, he needed to rest. Clearing nearly half the farm’s weeds was no easy task, even with the scythe’s efficiency. The physical toll was real, especially given the sheer size of the property.
Sitting on the steps of his cabin, Leon wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and took deep breaths. His eyes roamed over the still slightly wild-looking farmland, his mind already spinning with plans and ideas.However, before his thoughts could run far, his stomach grumbled loudly.
"Hungry."
He rubbed his belly, finally noticing the emptiness inside. Earlier, he had been so caught up in the joy of clearing weeds that only now, during this pause, did his body truthfully remind him of its needs.
Looking around the farm, Leon realized with some dismay that he had nothing to eat. The cabin had water and electricity, but no kitchen or fridge—meaning no food reserves.
This wasn’t a game where the player could go without eating or drinking, work for twenty straight hours, then crash for four and wake up fresh the next day.
Since there was nothing to eat on the farm, Leon decided not to sit and starve. Without hesitation, he grabbed his savings and left the farm, heading east along the dirt road he had traveled when he first arrived.
Pelican Town lay just east of the farm, under Mayor Lewis’s jurisdiction. It was the only town in Stardew Valley—a central hub for socializing, festivals, and shopping in the game.
Unlike the game, where the town was only a few steps from the farm, Leon spent twenty minutes walking before stepping onto a neatly paved stone road.
Even before entering, he could see Pelican Town’s general layout—a traditional European-style settlement, most buildings two stories tall with a mix of stone and timber. Greenery peeked from some sloped rooftops, ivy crawled along weathered walls, and trees grew freely without ornamental trimming, blending the buildings seamlessly into nature. One glance was enough to tell this was nothing like the concrete jungles of the modern world—the town lived in harmony with its surroundings.
Following the stone path a little further, Leon passed a sign reading “Welcome to Pelican Town” and emerged into a wide, open square. The plaza was large, with stone-paved walkways and street lamps around its edges, but few structures with a modern look.
That didn’t stop it from being a gathering place. Unlike the game, which only had a few dozen named NPCs, here Leon saw many unfamiliar faces. Some wore miner’s gear, others blue uniforms, and others still dressed casually in shirts or dresses. They gathered in small groups, chatting, while a few parents kept an eye on children running wild in the plaza.
Most faces wore smiles. Leon noticed then that it was already close to dusk.
“Oh, a stranger? Are you visiting?” As Leon tilted his head up to watch the sky, a brown-haired woman with what he could only describe as a “dangerous” hairstyle—straight out of a Japanese drama—happened to pass by and spot his unfamiliar face.
“No, I’m the new farmer. Red Star Farm, not far from here, is under my care now,” Leon replied with a smile.
“Oh, you’re the one Mayor Lewis mentioned would be arriving in the next couple of days. Hello, I’m Jodi, a resident of Pelican Town. Pleased to meet you.” Jodi’s expression showed surprise as she introduced herself.
“I’m Leon.” He returned the courtesy, studying her with curiosity. She was a very ‘familiar’ resident of Pelican Town indeed.
“Leon, that’s a nice name. Welcome to Pelican Town. We’re neighbors now, so I hope your farm brings some surprises to our local market.” Jodi smiled warmly.
“By the way, is this your first time in town? If you’re free, I can show you around. It’s bigger than it looks.”
“I’d be delighted. But doesn’t Mrs. Jodi need to prepare dinner for her children?” Leon asked. Even though he was fairly familiar with Pelican Town from the game, reality was different. Having a guide was more than welcome, but he also knew she had two children.
“So I really am getting old, huh? Even at our first meeting, you pegged me as a housewife right away.” Jodi’s expression turned a bit downcast, though Leon suspected she was only joking. Her smile hadn’t faltered.
“But the kids have their own plans today, so I’m free for once. Are you sure you don’t want me to give you a tour of Pelican Town?”