The sun rose and touched the sides of the wooden windows as Sylas woke up. The last few weeks had been filled with hard work—constructing the shed, selling his produce, and establishing a small business. Now that some cash was saved, he had something new in mind.
He wanted to construct a candy factory.
It was not a spontaneous idea. In his previous world, sweets held a unique significance. They united people, put smiles on children's faces, and even during difficult times, a small indulgence could brighten one's day. He wished to spread some of that happiness in this world.
After completing his plain breakfast—onions and flatbread—Sylas went outside. The village was gradually changing. Some of the villagers had begun assisting him, collecting firewood, repairing paths, and even learning a little bit about how the system functioned. It wasn't quick improvement, but it was consistent.
He proceeded to the small field on which he'd grown onions and carrots. The land was doing well. "Perhaps it is now that I ought to prepare planning the confectionery," he told himself.
Opening his system window, Sylas checked his existing coins:
[Coins: 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 18 Copper]
He'd done good. High Roller had doubled up some of his earnings when he sold the final crops, and Greenthumb ensured his plants were growing stronger than ever before.
[Passive Skills]
Greenthumb (Increases crop yield)
High Roller (Doubles coin reward from sales, 30% chance)
He had enough to begin gathering material for making candies—sugar, flavoring herbs, molds, and equipment. But he needed assistance.
Sylas walked toward the shed where several villagers were stacking planks. "Morning," he called.
Garen, the blacksmith, turned and waved. "Back at it early, I see."
"I need some supplies," Sylas said. "I'm going to set up a little candy factory. Nothing big in the beginning. Just somewhere to make plain sweets. Possibly hard candy, fruit drops, that kind of thing."
One of the younger villagers, a young girl named Lira, perked up. "Candy? You're making candy?"
Sylas nodded. "Yeah. But I'll need equipment. A safe place to boil sugar, some tools molded for candy molds, and possibly some jars or paper to wrap them."
Garen stroked his beard. "Sounds manageable. I can forge metal molds. Perhaps even a stirring pot. What's the deadline?
"No deadline," Sylas replied. "Let's just take it one step at a time. I'll also need help gathering sugarroot and berry leaves. They'll add flavor."
A few villagers agreed to help, and by noon, they had a plan. Sylas marked a small area beside the shed where the candy space could go. It wouldn't be a full factory yet—just a workshop. But it was a start.
Later in the day, Sylas went into the woods to look for sugarroot, a sweet flavoring tuber he had heard mention of from Mira. He took a little shovel and a pouch and followed the thin path beneath the trees. It didn't take long before he found some. They resembled white, stumpy carrots with a sweet aroma.
As he dug them up, a gentle system chime sounded in his head.
[Quest: Sweet Start — Gather 10 Sugarroots and Start Production. Reward: New Recipe - Honey Citrus Drops]
Sylas grinned. "I guess the system agrees."
Late in the afternoon, he came back to the village with his pouch full. He gave some to Mira, who inspected them with a curious grin. "These are sweet even raw. You may be onto something."
The following days went by fast. Garen created two star- and leaf-shaped candy molds. Lira collected bunches of berry leaves, which Sylas cooked down into syrup. Another villager, named Theo, provided beeswax and honey from his hives in return for vegetables. Gradually, all was coming together.
With the ingredients prepared, Sylas started his initial test batch. He boiled sugarroot juice with berry syrup and honey, mixed it until it thickened, then poured the hot liquid into the molds. It cooled quickly, setting into sweet, reddish candy.
He offered the first piece to Lira, who stuck it into her mouth. Her eyes grew wide. "That's amazing!"
Mira attempted one next. "It's easy," she said, "but nice. This might actually work."
A system window popped up:
[Recipe Discovered: Forest Berry Hard Candy] [+100 EXP | Crafting Unlocked: Candy Tier I]
[New Passive Skill Gained: Sweet Touch — Slightly enhances taste and look of homemade sweets]
Sylas experienced a little shiver of pleasure. Not only from the prizes, but from the smiles. It was taking effect. His vision of creating something worthwhile was coming true.
By nightfall, he sat on a bench outside his house, observing villagers exchange candies and giggling. The sun set low, coloring the sky in gold and pink. The air was filled with honey and sugarroot.
He counted his coins again:
[Coins: 2 Gold, 7 Silver, 6 Copper]
He'd sold a few bunch to a traveler who came through the nearby road. It wasn't a large profit, but it was enough for the time being.
Tomorrow, he'd earn more. And the day after that, he'd plan bigger—perhaps introduce soft candies or even caramel.
But for the meantime, he was satisfied. The candy factory wasn't constructed yet, but the groundwork was. One sugarroot at a time.
And with the villagers supporting him, he knew that it was only the start.