The sun rose over the hills at dawn, sending shafts of gold across the village. Sylas stood by the border of his tiny field, observing the carrots dancing in the wind. The onions had been gathered in already and sold. Hollow Roots, his business, was quietly making a name for itself. His shed was now a bustle of activity. Yet, he knew something was lacking.
He required something… different.
His recent sales had brought him a little coin. Not a lot, but enough to think about expansion. He already had Erik assisting in the fields and a few other hands were beginning to trickle in. Nevertheless, Sylas felt restless. Crops were okay. Vegetables sold. But it wasn't thrilling. It wasn't remarkable.
That's when he saw the little bag of sugar Mira had forgotten to take with her the previous day. It lay on the rim of the table, half-open and glinting in the sunlight. For a moment, he simply looked at it.
Sugar.
An odd memory stirred—of his old life markets, of children pulling on the sleeves of their parents for candy, of colored wrappers and saccharine scents.
A thought struck him hard. "Candy," he breathed. "What if we produced candy?"
He strode, his heart pounding. "There's nothing like that here in the village. No sweets, no snacks… just bread and stew. What if I did something different? What if Hollow Roots was more than just vegetables?"
The system beeped.
> New Concept Detected: Business Branch — Confectionery Unlock condition: Produce first successful batch of sweets.
Bonus XP: 200 | Unlock: Candy Crafting Skill Tree
Sylas grinned. "That's what I'm talking about."
He ran to his workbench and pulled out parchment and charcoal. Ideas poured out as he scribbled:
Sugar from trade
Honey from local hives
Fruit syrup from berries
Simple hard candy with carrot or mint flavor
He'd require some essentials—pots, molds, perhaps cooling trays. He recalled Mira talking about a neighbor who had bees once. That might be where he could find his honey supply. And fruits? Wild berries grew in the nearby woods. He'd merely have to sample it all.
The possibilities ran through his blood.
Later in the afternoon, Sylas summoned Mira. She came in, wondering as always, with a little loaf of bread in her hand.
"You've got that look again," she said, smiling. "The one where your brain's cooking something."
"I have an idea," Sylas said, grinning. "Candy."
She blinked. "Candy?"
"Yes. Sweet, tasty, small food made from sugar and fruit. Kids love it. Adults do too. And no one else is selling anything like it around here."
Mira tilted her head. "Sounds strange. But. it could work."
It will work," Sylas stated. "I require sugar, honey, fruit, and molds. I believe I can begin with boiled sweets. Carrot and mint. Possibly even onion if I feel brave."
She curled her nose. "Do not make onion candy."
"Fair," he chuckled. "But think of this: a small stand, selling multicolored sweets. A workshop at the back of the shed. We continue selling crops, but now we are the sole candy producers in the entire region.
Mira's eyes brightened. "That would attract more people. More trade."
"Right," Sylas nodded. "And it's enjoyable. It puts smiles."
> Quest Updated: Expanding Horizons
Side Objective Added: Establish a Confectionery Line
Reward: Unlock [Candy Crafting] Skill
The following day, Sylas went into the forest, foraging for berries. He spotted redcaps—small, sour berries that were found in clusters—and a clump of sweetleaf mint. He stuffed his satchel, then visited a local beekeeper and swapped some onions for a jar of honey.
Returning to the shed, he made room and began. A pot, water, a bit of honey, and redcaps chopped. The mix boiled and frothed. He stirred slowly, adding sugar at the perfect time.
Steam wafted through the shed, sugary and fruity.
As the mix thickened, he dumped it onto a flat stone slab. With a dull blade, he formed the goo into small disks.
An hour passed, and his first batch of redcap candy was complete.
Sylas picked one up, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.
Sweet. A bit tangy. Sticky. Yummy.
> [Candy Crafting] Skill Unlocked
Level 1: Basic hard candy unlocked
New Stat: Sweetness Rating — Current batch: 3/10
> +200 XP
Current XP: 780/1000
Sylas chuckled. "Not bad for a first attempt."
By the end of the week, he had several little jars of sweets. Redcap mint. Honey carrot. Even a cinnamon berry blend that Mira enjoyed. He built a table in front of the shed and affixed a sign: "Sweet Bites — 2 copper each."
Children came first.
Wide-eyed, they gazed at the shapes and colors. A few parents held back, but once they had sampled the sweets, they smiled and purchased more.
By sunset, the jars were half-empty, and Sylas's pouch felt heavier than it had in days.
> +48 Copper
Total Coins: 3 Silver, 18 Copper
> Passive: High Roller Activated
Sale Bonus Applied: +48 Copper
> Total Coins: 4 Silver, 6 Copper
His grin couldn't be contained.
Mira stood beside him, arms crossed. "You're going to need a bigger stand."
"Yeah," Sylas said, glancing at the empty jars. "And maybe a second pot."
> Quest Completed: Begin Confectionery Line
+300 XP | New Quest: Construct Candy Workshop
Objective: Upgrade shed with candy crafting equipment and workspace
Reward: Skill Upgrade + Blueprint: Sugar Press
> Current XP: 1,080/1000
Level Up!
Level 10 Achieved
+3 Stat Points | New Skill Option Available
That evening, Sylas slept on his tiny bed, gazing up at the wooden ceiling.
The world was just so different from when he got there. From barely being able to read the local language, to having his first crops in the soil, to creating a small business… and now, establishing something no one else in the area had ever done before.
Candy.
It wasn't a dessert. It was a doorway. An opening to something more.
And tomorrow, he'd begin constructing the workshop.