Morning light streamed through the trees, golden and warm. Sylas stood outside his home, a small basket of vegetables in hand—carrots and onions, all freshly picked. The garden behind his house had grown well over the last few days. The soil was rich, and his Greenthumb passive skill had done its job.
This was his second full harvest, and he had a plan now. A real one.
Not just farming for survival—but for growth.
He would start a company. A small one, sure, but it would be his. A name had been floating in his mind for a while now.
Hollow Roots.
It sounded right.
He smiled to himself and tightened the basket strap over his shoulder.
Mira was tending to a few chickens nearby. She looked up as he passed.
"Out again?" she asked, brushing dirt off her hands.
"Yeah," Sylas replied. "Going to sell what I've got. I think it's time to start something serious."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
He gave a small grin. "I want to build something here. Not just survive. Something that lasts."
She nodded slowly, then gave him a half-smile. "You've changed, Sylas. Since the day you came here."
He didn't reply. He just walked down the path with steady steps, feeling the morning breeze and the weight of purpose in his chest.
The familiar trade outpost came into view by noon. It was outside the town walls—perfect, since he still wasn't allowed in. A few traders milled about, along with farmers and buyers from the outer villages.
The same merchant from before leaned against his cart, chewing on something. His eyes landed on Sylas.
"You again," he said with a nod. "Got more crops?"
"Carrots and onions," Sylas said, placing the basket down.
The merchant crouched, examining them. "These are fresh. Healthy too."
"Same deal as last time?" Sylas asked.
The man scratched his chin. "Let's see… 4 copper per carrot, 3 for each onion."
Sylas crossed his arms. "Last time you paid 3 and 2. I gave you better ones today."
The merchant laughed. "You're learning fast. Alright. Four and three."
They shook hands, and the vegetables were counted out.
[Sold: 20 Carrots = 4 copper, 15 Onions = 3 copper]
Base: 125 copper
Passive Skill: High Roller activated – x2 reward
Total earned: 250 copper coins
[1 carrot = 4 copper]
[1 onion = 3 copper]
Sylas felt the weight of the coin pouch in his hand and let out a small breath. This time felt different. It wasn't just about earning money.
He had a reason now.
"Thanks," he told the merchant.
"Sure thing, kid," the man said, picking up the vegetables. "You growing more?"
"Yeah. And soon, I'll need bigger baskets."
The merchant snorted. "You planning to run a farm?"
"A company," Sylas said, walking away. "Hollow Roots."
"Hollow what?"
But Sylas was already moving down the road.
Back home, he laid out the coins on the wooden table—adding them to the rest he'd saved.
[Total Coins: 432 copper]
He knew the system: 30 copper = 1 silver, 30 silver = 1 gold. He still had a long way to go, but he wasn't starting from nothing anymore.
He scribbled on a page:
Company Name: Hollow Roots
Short-term goals: Expand land. Build a shed. Hire help.
The system chimed again.
[New Quest: Foundations of Hollow Roots]
Build a Farmer's Shed (0/1)
Expand your growing plot (1/3)
Hire your first helper (0/1)
Reward: Farming Skill Upgrade + Small Business License
Sylas stared at the quest. His heart beat faster.
This was it. His first step toward something lasting. Toward building more than just a life—toward building a future.
He stepped outside, scanning the area behind his house. His land could grow. He had space. He just needed tools and maybe a helping hand.
He walked to Mira's place. She was back to feeding the chickens.
"Mira," he called.
She looked up.
"You know anyone looking for work? Even part-time?"
She blinked. "You want to hire someone?"
"Yeah. Just for a few hours a day. Helping with planting and hauling."
She looked thoughtful. "I'll ask around. Maybe young Bram would be willing. He's been hanging around doing nothing since spring."
"Thanks. And… if you know anyone selling cheap lumber, I need that too."
She gave a small laugh. "You really are turning into a proper farmer."
"Not just a farmer," he said. "A business owner."
That evening, Sylas sat by the small fire outside his house, sharpening a hoe and making notes in the dirt with a stick. His plan was still small. But it was real now.
He had the land.
He had the skills.
He had a name.
And most importantly, he had a reason to keep going.
This world had taken everything from his past life. But here—here, he could build something new. Something that mattered.
Hollow Roots had been planted.
And Sylas was ready to make it grow.