Stardew Valley’s Farming Master

Chapter 100: Marlon’s Shock

Fully prepared, Leon rode his bicycle straight toward the northern foothills. The trip went smoothly, with no real surprises—aside from the occasional set of steps connecting uneven slopes, where he had to dismount and carry the bike. Still, it was far faster than walking.

When Leon spotted the only house in the northern foothills, he knew he was close to his destination.

The terrain here was complicated, full of sheer cliffs, so Leon didn’t continue riding. Though confident in his skill, he wasn’t willing to gamble on his luck.

All it would take was a pebble catching the wheel at the wrong moment, and if his hands slipped from the handlebars… well, that would be a disaster.

Still, he didn’t put the bike straight into his System Backpack. Instead, he pushed it along, leaving as much space free in the system inventory as possible in case this mining trip yielded a big haul.

He wasn’t sure if the route to the Abandoned Mines was exactly the same as in the game, but he knew following the lake outside the mine would get him there without a problem.

Before long, he was walking along the mountain lake and saw it—a massive, man-made tunnel carved into the heart of the northern mountain, its entry shored up with thick support beams.

What caught him off guard, though, was the figure standing on the bridge near the mine entrance—Linus.

“When I saw that last night’s landslide here had been cleared away, I knew you’d be coming to check this place out today.”

Linus raised a hand in greeting as Leon pushed the bike over. Before Leon could speak, Linus went on.“Your instincts are spot on,” Leon replied with a friendly smile. This wild hermit had long been marked in his mind as a real powerhouse, and Leon wasn’t about to treat him lightly just because of his scruffy appearance.

“I’m just following your grandfather’s temperament. Clearly, you take after him—you’re both adventurers at heart.” Linus smiled back warmly.

“I’ve already told Marlon to wait for you in the mine. When he heard you might be going in, he prepared a gift for you. It’ll help in your journey underground.”

“Marlon?” Leon asked, feigning puzzlement.

“Yes. The head of the Adventurer’s Guild’s Pelican Town branch. A seasoned explorer and a battle-hardened warrior. Talk to him about the mines—remember his advice. It’ll keep you safe when things get dangerous,” Linus explained patiently.

“Thank you, Linus,” Leon said earnestly. For someone who seemed so aloof and hard to approach, Linus was surprisingly thoughtful toward him.

“No need for ‘mister.’ Just Linus is fine.” His expression turned more serious. “The mines are rich in ore, but there are plenty of monsters too. Know your limits. If things get dangerous, retreat immediately. That’s not cowardice—only the smart live long. Safety first.”

“I understand.” Leon nodded, then gestured to the bike. “Linus, could I leave this with you? It’ll be a hassle to take it into the mine.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll be at my camp waiting for you to come back safe.” Linus took the bike without protest, then encouraged him with a nod. “Good luck. May you return with a fine haul.”

“Mm.”

With the bike taken care of, Leon didn’t linger. He bid Linus farewell, crossed the bridge over the mountain lake, and arrived at the entrance to the Abandoned Mines.

From outside, it was nothing but pitch black. It was as if sunlight deliberately avoided the place, making it impossible to see what lay within.

But Leon didn’t hesitate. His Forest Magic’s life-saving protection gave him plenty of confidence.

Inside, he found the difference striking. From the outside, it had seemed utterly dark. Inside, however, lamps hung from the ceiling, casting enough light to let him see the details of the entrance clearly.

“Not bad, kid. You’ve got guts. Most people who come here take one look into that darkness and turn tail, afraid of the unknown. You came in without flinching. That’s the courage of a true adventurer.”

Leon turned toward the voice. A man in a green shirt and red cape stepped inside. His hair and beard were completely white, and an eyepatch covered one eye.

“You must be Marlon,” Leon said, keeping his gaze steady. He didn’t dare underestimate this man. Marlon had approached without making a sound, and meeting his eyes gave Leon a sudden, sharp sense of danger.

Without thinking, Leon stepped back half a pace, his body leaning forward, the muscles in his free right hand tightening—ready to summon his Galaxy Watermelon Knife from the System Backpack and strike at a moment’s notice.

“Oh? You sensed my threat? Good instincts. That defensive posture is solid, too. If you had a weapon in hand, and I stepped forward just now, you could have used that momentum to counterattack. Hah! You’re a fine seed for an adventurer. Interested in joining the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Of course.” Leon relaxed, nodding. His reaction had been pure instinct, and even he was surprised by how textbook-perfect his stance had been.

He guessed it came from the combat skills embedded in his system’s ability panel. His combat level might still be zero, but that didn’t mean his actual fighting power was nonexistent. It was just a matter of experience.

“Good. But the Adventurer’s Guild doesn’t take just anyone. Let’s make this your preliminary test—if you can reach the fifth floor of the mine and return safely, I’ll give you the formal entry trial.”

“Alright.” Leon nodded, then asked, “Linus said you had a gift for me?”

“A weapon I used back in the day. It’s a little worn, but still serviceable.” Marlon pulled a slightly battered short sword from his back.

“There are monsters down there. Mining’s dangerous if you can’t defend yourself, so you’ll need something decent in your hands.”

“Thanks, but I’ve already prepared a weapon,” Leon said politely, declining. A broken short sword would just take up inventory space, and it was nothing compared to his Galaxy Watermelon Knife.

“You’ve prepared a weapon? Where? A dagger, maybe?” Marlon’s gaze swept Leon’s figure, noting he carried nothing visible. He guessed it must be a small, easily concealed weapon.

Leon didn’t hide it. He summoned the Galaxy Watermelon Knife straight from the System Backpack.

Marlon didn’t flinch at the weapon’s sudden appearance. But when he saw the distinctive shape, the shimmering purple surface, and the scattered starlike specks along the blade, his eyes widened.

“You… you actually have a Galaxy Weapon?”