The morning sun rose above the trees, warm light bathing the village fields. Sylas stepped out of his house, arms crossed, eyes on the rows of carrots and onions. They were growing faster now—thanks to his Greenthumb skill—and he had no plans to slow down.
Hollow Roots Trading had already made its first few sales. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Now, it was time to grow. Not just crops—but the business.
He walked across the field, boots crunching dry grass, and approached Garen, who was helping repair the shed.
"Garen," Sylas called out. "We need more space. Think you can expand the shed to store larger harvests?"
Garen wiped sweat from his brow. "You got it. I'll need more wood and nails. Maybe a few strong arms too."
Sylas nodded. "I'll take care of it."
The system chimed in his mind:
[Quest Updated: Growing Hollow Roots]
Expand your storage shed (0/1)
Hire 2 villagers to assist you (0/2)
Prepare your next batch of crops (0/20)
Reward: 100 XP, 1 Silver Coin, Bonus Skill Unlock
He didn't waste time. First, he headed toward the cluster of homes near the south end of the village. The people there were cautious, but over the weeks, they had grown to trust him.
Sylas knocked on a door. It opened slowly to reveal a young man with a lean build.
"Rett, right?"
"Yeah?"
"You looking for work? I'll pay copper a day. Food too. We're expanding Hollow Roots."
Rett's eyes lit up. "You serious? Yeah, I'm in."
One down.
He picked up another helper—Lina, a quiet woman who had a good eye for planting. With both onboard, he returned to the field.
Garen had already laid out the frame of the expanded shed. "This'll hold double what you've got now. Maybe more."
The team worked quickly. Lina organized the seeds. Rett carried planks. Garen hammered nails. Sylas oversaw it all, feeling something shift.
He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was building something real.
By midday, sweat coated everyone's skin, but the shed was up—simple, sturdy, and ready. The system chimed again:
[Quest Complete: Growing Hollow Roots] Reward: 100 XP, 1 Silver Coin, Bonus Skill Unlock
[New Skill Unlocked: Efficient Storage - Doubles item stacking in your storage structures.]
Sylas grinned. That would help a lot.
He checked his pouch: 2 silver, 18 copper. Still not much, but with High Roller, that could stretch further.
Next, he returned to the soil. With help, he planted 10 more rows of carrots and onions. Greenthumb pulsed lightly under his skin as he worked, making the process faster.
As the sun dipped low, a cool breeze picked up. The shed stood proudly in the field. Beside it, two workers shared bread and talked. Garen leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching the sky.
Sylas took a deep breath. Hollow Roots was no longer just a dream.
It was growing—one carrot at a time.
The system rang again:
[Reputation Increased: Hollow Roots Trading is gaining notice.]
[New Quest: Secure Trade Route - Speak to the village elder about setting up a supply path.]
Sylas smirked. One step at a time.
He turned toward the village path, dusting off his hands. Tomorrow, he'd speak to the elder.
And the day after that? Who knows.
But one thing was clear:
He wasn't just a farmer anymore.
He was a builder.
And Hollow Roots will rise