The Rise of Village Farmer with a System

Chapter 4

As Grey stepped out of his yard, he was immediately spotted by a group of neighbors gathered outside their homes. Like every morning, they were preparing to head to the fields.

One of them, an elderly woman named Marites, noticed him first.

"Grey!" she called. "You're up early today. Where are you going?"

She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"Don't tell me you're skipping work again."

"You should be helping your wife for once."

The people around her looked at Grey with obvious disapproval.

He stopped and gave a respectful nod.

"I'm going into the forest," he replied. "I'm hoping to find something I can sell... or at least bring home for my family."

His answer was met with doubtful looks.

"Listen to him."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"He probably just wants another place to sleep."

"Poor Laura..."

"What a tragic life."

"A university student from the city... ending up married to a man like him."

"She could've had such a bright future."

"Instead, she's working herself to the bone while her husband spends his days drinking and gambling."

"I feel more sorry for the children."

"They deserve a better father."

None of the whispers escaped Grey's ears.

But he didn't stop walking.

There was no point arguing.

His actions would speak louder than any excuse.

Just as he was about to leave the village, two familiar figures stepped in front of him.

"Hey, Grey!"

It was Jericho.

Standing beside him was Lyjohn.

The memories of the original Grey surfaced almost instantly.

These two were his closest friends.

Or rather...

His drinking companions.

All three of them were notorious throughout the village for being lazy, avoiding work, and causing trouble for their families.

Jericho grinned.

"Come on, let's go drinking at my place."

Lyjohn laughed.

"It's still early. We'll have plenty of time to sleep afterward."

Grey shook his head.

"Not today."

"I'm heading into the mountains to look for food."

The two men stared at him as though he had lost his mind.

Jericho blinked.

"...Since when do you go looking for food?"

Lyjohn burst into laughter.

"Did someone hit you on the head?"

Grey only smiled.

"Maybe next time."

"See you around."

Without waiting for another word, he walked past them.

"Hey, Jericho!"

A loud voice suddenly echoed through the village.

Jericho froze.

His face turned pale.

His wife stormed toward him with a broom in her hand.

"So this is where you are!"

*Smack!*

"Ouch!"

"What was that for?!"

"What was that for?" she shouted. "You haven't done anything useful since you woke up! And now you're dragging your lazy friends around again?"

Jericho quickly covered his head.

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!"

"Go home!"

"Y-Yes, dear..."

He turned toward Lyjohn.

"Lyjohn... maybe later?"

His wife, Daisy pointed the broom at him.

"What do you mean 'later'?"

"You're coming with me to the fields!"

Then she turned to Lyjohn.

"And you!"

"Go home too!"

"The three of you are nothing but trouble for this village!"

Lyjohn scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"...Right."

Around them, the villagers could only shake their heads in disappointment.

Everyone in the village knew the three men.

Grey.

Jericho.

Lyjohn

The three most useless men in the village.

After Jericho was dragged away by his wife, Lyjohn sighed and slowly walked back home.

An eight-year-old boy was waiting quietly outside the house.

His son.

Jhony.

The child looked at him without saying a word.

Lyjohn's smile faded.

A memory surfaced.

Years ago, Jhony's mother had abandoned them.

Unable to endure Lyjohn's laziness any longer, she left, leaving their son behind.

Lyjohn had been his mother's only son, spoiled since childhood and never taught responsibility.

The moment he stepped into the yard, another familiar figure was already waiting.

His father.

Darris.

The old man's face was dark with anger.

"So you went looking for your worthless friends again?"

"Instead of helping me in the fields, you're out drinking and wandering around!"

"For heaven's sake, Lyjohn!"

"You're already a father!"

Before Lyjohn could answer, his mother hurried outside.

"Oh, stop yelling so early in the morning!"

"You're embarrassing our family in front of the neighbors."

Darris glared at her.

"And whose fault is that?"

"He's become this useless because you've spoiled him all his life!"

"What are you saying?"

"You've always been too hard on him!"

"I'm hard on him because someone has to teach him responsibility!"

"I'm done talking."

Darris snorted and walked away.

His mother sighed before gently patting Lyjohn's shoulder.

"Don't mind your father."

"He's just in a bad mood."

"Come inside."

"I've prepared breakfast."

Lyjohn forced a weak smile.

Then he looked toward his son.

Jhony was still standing there.

Silent.

Disappointed.

The look in the boy's eyes stung far more than his father's harsh words.