Part 1: Abigail's Sleepless Night
Abigail tossed and turned in her bed for what felt like the hundredth time, the blankets completely tangled around her restless legs. The silvery moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her room filled with adventure books and game posters. But no fantasy could distract her tonight—her mind was completely occupied with thoughts of the new farmer.
Ever since Alaric had arrived in the valley, a deep curiosity had begun to grow within her. She had spent the entire night researching his deeds as a combat mage, and each new piece of information haunted her in a delightfully unsettling way.
The Battle of the Abyssal Chasm, which he had so modestly summarized as a "minor disagreement with a disoriented creature," turned out to be something far more significant. The Abyssal Dragon he had faced was no mere beast, but a creature of pure malice and uncontrollable power, very different from the softened version he had told the children. The few records she found showed a formidable creature whose mere presence caused chaos, though nothing on the apocalyptic scale her initial imagination had suggested.
How could someone capable of facing such a monster now dedicate himself to such peaceful tasks as planting corn and tending to chickens? The contradiction fascinated her.
When the first light of dawn began to paint the horizon, Abigail realized sleep would not come. Her body was too alert, her mind too busy. She crept silently down the stairs, her bare feet making little noise on the cold wooden floor. In the kitchen, she mechanically grabbed an apple and a piece of bread but could barely take a bite.
It was while passing through the dark hallway that she heard unexpected sounds coming from her mother's tea sanctuary. The door was slightly ajar, and a curiosity stronger than her common sense made her approach quietly.
What she heard and saw made her freeze on the spot. Caroline was in her favorite velvet armchair, but far from the serene pose she normally maintained. Intense, breathy moans echoed through the room, and her hips moved in a frantic, unmistakable rhythm against something she was pressing between her legs. Her voice, laden with a raw desire Abigail never imagined she'd hear from her mother, cried out between gasps:
"Alaric! Oh, Alaric... yes!"
Abigail pulled away so quickly she nearly tripped over her own robe. Her face burned as if on fire, a deep shame washing over her. She fled the house as if demons were chasing her, her heart pounding in her chest.
Without thinking, her feet carried her along the familiar path toward the old farm—the same place she used to wander on full moon nights, before the new farmer's arrival turned her personal refuge into a place of mystery and temptation.
Arriving at the property's fence, she was impressed by the changes that had occurred in such a short time. What was once an abandoned field was now full of organized rows of crops glistening with morning dew. A new, well-built chicken coop stood at a distance, and she could hear the soft clucking of the chickens. A silo was under construction, with tools scattered around.
Her curiosity pulled her toward the main house like a magnet. Strange sounds came from within—muffled sighs, soft moans. She carefully circled the house until she found a partially open window in the back. As she quietly approached, her breath caught.
Abigail saw Alaric and Claire intertwined in the bed, their bodies moving in perfect unison. The dawn light filtering through the window illuminated their faces, surrendered to passion. Claire arched her back, her fingers digging into Alaric's muscular shoulders as he whispered inaudible words against her neck. The scene was so intimate, so intensely private, that Abigail felt her own body respond involuntarily, even as a wave of shame washed over her.
She quickly crouched down, leaning against the cold outer wall, her mind burning with the images she had just witnessed. She remained there for long minutes, hearing the sounds of the shower being turned on, indicating the encounter had ended.
When the front door opened, Abigail retreated behind a dense bush. Claire passed by her, looking incredibly relaxed and satisfied, a discreet smile playing on her lips. A branch snapped under Abigail's foot, but Claire was too distracted to notice.
In the following days, Abigail discovered she had a new sleeping problem. Her fingers and her vibrator weren't enough to control the excitement that consumed her every time she closed her eyes and saw the scene repeating in her mind, each detail more vivid than the last.
She began to notice that Claire, on her way to Joja, seemed different—more relaxed, with a glow in her eyes that hadn't been there before. And on one of those mornings, upon seeing Alaric entering the Community Center, her curiosity spoke louder once again.
She waited outside, trying to appear casual as he went about his activities inside. When he finally emerged, their eyes instantly met. This time, Abigail couldn't maintain eye contact, looking away like a child caught in the act. When she dared to look again, she saw a mischievous smile forming on his lips—a smile that clearly said he knew. Somehow, he had discovered that she was watching him, that she desired him.
Abigail fled, her heart racing, but even as she ran, she couldn't stop thinking about him—and the disturbing knowledge that her most intimate secrets were no longer safe.
Part 2: The Journey into the Depths
The damp, heavy air of the mines enveloped Alaric as he descended deeper, his Obsidian Sword glowing softly in the gloom as it sliced through slimes and bats. He skillfully alternated between precise blade strikes and bursts of arcane magic—a combat dance that kept the fights dynamic and challenging, far more interesting than relying solely on spells. He had a clear goal today: to reach floor 100 and find what he had been searching for so long.
When he finally arrived at floor 100, his eyes fixed on an ancient chest in the center of the chamber. As he opened it, a soft light emanated from within—there it was, glowing with a celestial radiance, the Starfruit. The irony didn't escape him—after years of searching for this legendary item, finding it here, in the depths of an abandoned mine, seemed like a cosmic joke.
With a smile on his lips, he used the elevator to return to the mine's entrance. There, near the exit, were his furnaces and personal chest. He methodically organized the gold ore he had collected, some coal, and the items left behind by the creatures he had defeated. His experience as a battle mage made these expeditions almost routine, but the thrill of discovery still burned in his chest.
It didn't take long—just over two hours—for him to reach the final floor, floor 120. There, another chest awaited him, this time containing the Skull Key. A significant prize that would open new possibilities for his journey.
Back on the surface, Alaric headed not to the farm, but to the Community Center. With the determination of someone who knew his purpose, he began delivering the necessary bundles to restore the place. First, he went to the vault, where he deposited all the gold he possessed, completing that bundle entirely.
Immediately, Junimos appeared throughout the room, their colorful lights dancing in the air. Alaric watched in awe as the room transformed before his eyes. The magic of the forest spirits worked quickly, turning back time and restoring every detail to its former glory.
Without delay, he moved to the boiler room, completing all the bundles there as well. Once again, the Junimos worked their magic, repairing and revitalizing the space. A deep sense of accomplishment filled Alaric.
As he left the Community Center, the sun was beginning to set. Alaric made his way to the Stardrop Saloon, where the villagers were gathering for the evening. He sat at the oak counter, ordering the daily special—a spicy stew—and a refreshing ale.
His presence soon attracted attention. Leah approached first, striking up a conversation about her latest sculptures, followed by Emily, whose eyes sparkled as she discussed the patterns of her crystals. Alaric engaged animatedly in the conversations, deftly dividing his attention between the two women while still greeting every villager who entered.
During a lighthearted moment, he joked with Pam about her love for cheap beer, made Gus laugh with stories of difficult customers from his past life, and arranged a deep-sea fishing trip with Willy for the coming days. It was then that Willy mentioned something about the dangers of the ocean, and Alaric, in a rare moment of openness, recounted an old mission where he had faced a Kraken that tried to sink the ship he was traveling on.
"You flew to escape the creature?" Emily asked, her eyes wide.
Alaric shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "Basic aerotransportation—any intermediate-level mage can do it." The casual description of such a feat left everyone momentarily speechless, until laughter took over the group—they were already getting used to Alaric's extraordinary stories.
Later, as he left the Saloon, Alaric witnessed a touching scene: Linus, visibly embarrassed, being approached by George, who asked for help scaring away some persistent raccoons. Alaric gently intervened, assuring George that there was no problem. As he walked away, he heard Gus firmly telling Linus: "No member of Stardew Valley will go hungry as long as I'm here—my kitchen is always open to you."
Back at the farm under the starry sky, Alaric arranged his furnaces in front of the house, stored away some items that might be useful in the future—a habit he retained from his gaming days—and sold the rest, including the production from the preserve jars that now nearly filled the additional cabin.
As he lay down to sleep, Alaric knew that by dawn the Junimos would have repaired the mine carts and the bus. His mind was already wandering toward the Calico Desert, where he planned to retrieve his Galaxy Sword, meet Sandy—whom Emily spoke of so fondly—and perhaps encounter the mysterious Mr. Qi. The Skull Cavern would surely present new challenges, and for the first time in weeks, Alaric felt that familiar anticipation for adventure he had known so well in his previous life.