Morning came fast. Sylas stood outside his house, stretching as the sun rose over the hills. The wind smelled of soil and fresh crops. Today felt different. He could feel the momentum building.
The fields were no longer empty. Rows of green stretched far, carrot tops poking out of the dirt and onions blooming strong. After installing the irrigation system, everything had changed. Now, watering was quick. The soil stayed damp, and the plants grew faster than before.
He grabbed his woven basket and made his way through the field. His fingers worked quickly, pulling up carrots and onions with practiced ease. The sun climbed higher, but Sylas kept going. In no time, the basket was full.
He glanced over the field. There were still more to harvest. Not a bad problem to have.
> You harvested: 40 Carrots 30 Onions
> Inventory Updated Total Coins: 143 copper (after previous sales)
Sylas had sold his last batch for a good price. With his High Roller passive, the coins doubled. A single carrot that might've gone for 1 copper now gave him 2. It added up quickly.
"I need more baskets," he muttered, looking at the overflow. It was time to scale up.
Instead of going straight to the town, he headed toward Mira's house. She was already outside, kneading dough on a wooden table.
"Morning, Mira."
She looked up and smiled. "Sylas. You've been busy."
He held up the basket. "And there's more where this came from. I'm heading to sell these, but I want to talk to you about something first."
She wiped her hands. "Go on."
"I want to start something. A business. Not just selling crops, but growing, trading, maybe even hiring people to help."
Mira looked intrigued. "Like a farming company?"
"Exactly. Something the whole village can benefit from. If I grow more than I need, others can sell it, too. Maybe we build storage, get transport carts, open trade with nearby towns."
She crossed her arms. "You'd be the first to try something like this around here. But if anyone can do it, it's you."
He smiled. "Thanks. I just need a bit of help organizing things. I'll bring it up to the villagers tonight."
"I'll be there," she said.
With that, Sylas returned home, loaded two more baskets, then started his walk to town. The path was familiar now—trees lined the dirt road.
The town gate came into view. The guards nodded at him, recognizing his face now. Inside, the marketplace buzzed. Merchants shouted prices, children darted between stands, and carts rattled down the cobbled street.
He made his way to the produce stall he'd used before.
The seller, a broad-shouldered woman named Delna, waved him over. "Back again? Let me see what you've got."
Sylas placed the baskets down. "Fresh as ever. Forty carrots, thirty onions."
Delna examined them with a keen eye. "These are good. Better than last time. Healthy color, no rot."
She counted out coins.
Sold: 40 Carrots x 2 copper = 80 copper Sold: 30 Onions x 2 copper = 60 copper High Roller Passive Activated: Earnings Doubled Total: 280 copper
> Inventory Updated: 423 copper (14 silver, 3 copper)
"You're doing something right," Delna said, handing over the coin pouch. "If you've got more like this, bring them. People are asking."
Sylas nodded. "Planning on it. I'm thinking bigger now."
She chuckled. "Well, don't forget us little folks when you're rich."
He left the stall, the pouch heavy at his hip. The feeling of progress buzzed in his chest. He had money, crops, and now a plan. All he needed was to take the next step.
Back at the village, Sylas set the coins inside his home and returned to the field. The irrigation still worked perfectly. Plants swayed in the breeze, almost glowing under the sunlight. He began planning his expansion.
First, more fields. He walked to the edge of his land, marking where to till next. Then, he jotted notes in his journal: extra workers, a larger storage area, a tool shed.
> New Goal Created: Start Your Farming Company Tasks:
Expand Fields (0/3 plots)
Hire 2 Workers
Build Storage Shed
Sell 3 More Harvests
> Reward: +300 XP, Title: Farming Pioneer
He looked up from the system prompt. The path was clear.
That evening, he stood in the village square. A few dozen villagers had gathered, curious.
Sylas raised his voice. "I want to start something new. Not just for me—for all of us. I'm building a farming company. I'll need help, but it'll mean more food, more coins, and more trade."
Murmurs ran through the crowd.
Old Thom spoke up. "You think we can really sell to other towns?"
"Yes. With the right system, we'll grow more than we need. I've already sold crops—twice the price thanks to some…luck."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Selene, the young girl who once warned him about the crypt, stepped forward. "If you teach us, we'll help."
That was all it took. Heads nodded. Voices joined.
Mira smiled from the side, arms crossed.
> Quest Updated: Village Support Gained
That night, Sylas sat at his table, candlelight flickering. The plan was working. The wheels were in motion.
Tomorrow, the real building would begin.
Stats Updated: Level: 9 XP: 2,145 / 3,000 Coins: 14 silver, 3 copper Title: Warden of the Hollow Passive: High Roller (+100% coin from sales) Skill: Water's Blessing Ability: Water Aptitude
He closed the system screen and leaned back.
"Let's build something real."