Ultimately, I only managed to make four raised beds before running out of Energy. It was pretty decent progress. However, I had to figure out how to step up.

If my calculations were correct, I regenerated about 4 Energy per hour, which made sense with my Wisdom being 4. I spent way too long thinking about whether a bigger pool of Energy would be more beneficial than a higher regen rate. In the end, I figured keeping them balanced wasn't a bad choice.

While working on making the beds, I decided that I would have to focus most of my vegetable growing on potatoes.

Potatoes are an amazing vegetable. They are high in calories and delicious, no matter how you prepare them. They keep well and they are kind of like an endless food hack. If you have some, you can grow some more.

In the shed, I found different seeds: carrots, beets, beans, peas, zucchini, and seed onions.

There was only one little problem with my plan to grow food: I was more or less clueless about how to take care of any of these vegetables. Sure, my class ability Tend Plants gave me some idea that I had to put them in the ground with some space in between and remove weeds when they popped up. The only reason why I sort of knew how to grow potatoes was because I once read a book about a botanist on Mars.

"I guess I would have to throw some seeds against the wall and see what sticks, " I sighed. I hoped that it would be enough.

After doing some chores around the cabin, I sat on the porch, munching on some leftover stew. I felt useless just sitting around waiting to regenerate more Energy to make more planks. At least the night was getting closer.

Screech, screech.

The sound echoed from the woods, yanking me out of my thoughts. I was on my feet in the blink of an eye, balancing the almost empty bowl in my hands. I scanned the edge of the forest for the source of the sound and gasped once it caught my eye.

Two grey bunnies the size of a golden retriever ran towards my property. I panicked, my weapons nowhere near me, and dropped the bowl on the wooden floor. It bounced once and didn't break. In practically no time I was inside the cabin, and barricading my doors. I don't think I ever moved so fast in my life.

I peeked through the curtained window and saw the two creatures standing less than ten meters away. They were moving in place like there was an invisible barrier preventing them from moving forward. They were standing right where the end of my property was. At least I had the proof that the Land Claim Token kept the monsters out.

I focused on the rabbit things and a description box appeared:

Rabidasher

These furry little creatures can grow up to be a real manace. Where there is one or two of Rabidashers, there are probably more around. You might have an infestation on your hands!

"Fuck." An infestation would not be good.

I considered my options. I could ignore them and hope they would go away on their own, or I could go out there and kill them for some XP. They were level 1 and 2 respectively, so I probably stood a chance, although fighting them together would be a pain.

"But if I stayed inside the property and they are kept out..."

An idea started brewing in my mind. I unbarricaded myself and picked up my trusty hatchet. Things were about to get bloody, I was sure.

As I got outside, the sun was starting to set through the trees. I could see the monsters more clearly. Their eyes were blood-red and they were foaming at the mouth. Sharp teeth and claws gave me some pause, but they were the proof that I had to get rid of them as soon as possible.

I approached the fuzzy, yet not cute monsters and the sight of me set them off. They started trashing against the barrier, trying to get to me.

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Taking a deep breath, I swung my hatchet and hit the level 1 Rabidasher between its eyes, killing it instantly. Its crimson blood sprayed at me and its companion. I was glad I raised my Constitution because I was sure I would have lost my lunch at the sight if I hadn't.

A siren went off in my head and green script clouded my vision.

Warning: You have initiated a boundary breach. Your property safe zone status is revoked for 5 minutes. 4:59... 4:58...

The timer shifted in the corner of my vision as soon as I read the announcement. I didn't have time to swear because the other Rabidasher took advantage of my distraction and bit down hard on my arm.

Attention! You have gained condition: infected. Healing slowed by 50%

"Fuck you!"

I didn't know if I was cursing at my own stupidity, the monster hanging off my arm or the System. I swung my arm back and forth, until the damned Rabidasher flew off it, taking a chunck off my arm and my shirt. It screeched in pain as it crashed into the dirt but was back on its feet in no time. It flew at me, its clawed paws aiming at my chest. I tried to block it with my non-bleeding arm, but it was useless.

The claws were razor-sharp, and they penetrated through my clothes easily, leaving deep scratches in my skin. Both sleeves of my shirt were soaked in blood, but I managed to keep hold of my weapon, ignoring the pain.

I swung the hatchet at the monster, barely dealing any damage. The clock in my vision showed that less than thirty seconds had passed. My mind raced for a solution as the beast kept coming at me. I knew I'd be done if it got me two times more.

Suddenly I had a flash of inspiration and pulled the vial of Vineslasher poison out of my inventory, just as the Rabidasher prepared to jump with its teeth bared, aiming at my throat.

For years to come, I would look back at this moment and thank the stars that I was able to pull this off. I threw the vial at the creature and it instinctively bit down at it, crushing the glass with its jaws. I dropped down and rolled away from it, its claws missing me this time.

The poison seemed to take over the fuzzball quickly, and it collapsed in a screeching heap. The foam at its snout was now the familiar sickly yellow colour mixed with blood. It twitched on the floor, bringing up a cloud of dust.

I took a second to catch my breath and then doled out the same killing blow that ended its companion. Right between the eyes.

You have defeated Rabidasher, level 2. 15 exp gained

Loot now?

I looted both of the corpses and saw that I received a rabbit skin, a rabbit foot, and two credits. I pulled out the foot, curious to see its description.

Lucky rabbit foot

Some people believe that keeping a rabbit's foot will bring them luck. We cannot confirm nor deny this belief.

I laughed at the sheer ridiculousness of the loot, before doubling down in pain. My arms were shredded in ribbons. It was impressive that I could still even lift them at all.

"I have to get some armour. "

The timer in the corner of my vision showed that I had 3 minutes of vulnerability left. I knew that I couldn't relax until it went down to zero, so I stayed crouched on the ground holding back the trickles of blood on my arms, while still staying alert. The night was almost upon the cabin and it was hard to see if any potential dangers were lurking around.

Seconds passed like minutes, and eventually, the timer went down.

Property safe zone status restored.

I breathed a sigh of relief and just let myself fall and curl up in a ball in the dirt. This was a close call.

I was stupid to think I could exploit the safety barrier to my advantage. Of course, it wouldn't work. It was a too obvious idea and someone must have come up with it before me. The System wouldn't tolerate an easy weakness like that. I was lucky to learn this lesson with some easier monsters, rather than something worse.

"Easier my ass, " I mumbled as the pain in my arms became hot. At least the bleeding had slowed down somewhat at that point.

After some time, I felt well enough to get up and drag myself back inside the cabin. I rinsed my wounds in the bucket of water I pulled out of the well earlier in the day, painting the water pink. Then I went to the couch and let the infection run its course.

It was time for bed anyway.

Name: Diana Mond

Age: 25

Class: Homesteader

Level: 1, 45/200 exp

Strength: 3

Constitution: 6

Intelligence: 6

Wisdom: 4

HP: 14/60

Energy: 7/60

Points to distribute: 0