The forge burned hot, filling the room with dancing shadows. Garen worked at his bench, each tap of his hammer steady and calm.
"You've got a knack for this," Sylas said. "Ever think about becoming an inventor?"
Garen snorted. "I just like fixing problems. Inventors get the credit; blacksmiths get the burns."
Sylas chuckled. "Well, this village could use more of both."
Outside, the sky was heavy with gray clouds. Rain had fallen earlier, soaking the ground and leaving it with a earthy smell in the air. A few villagers walked by and some stopping to see at the new contraption Sylas had wheeled out of the forge. Word had spread fast about the irrigation system. Now everyone wanted one.
Back in the field, Sylas tested the new sprinkler near a row of herbs he'd started growing—basil, bitterleaf, and something Mira called "smoke mint." The new model sprayed in a soft circle, conserving water and covering more ground. A good upgrade
> Upgrade Successful: Efficient Sprinkler Created.
Water coverage increased by 30%.
Resource cost reduced.
A quiet hum of satisfaction filled him as he turned back toward the village path. Things were falling into place. Slowly but surely.
Not long after, he made his way to the small shed he'd converted into a workshop. Shelves lined the walls now—filled with tools, half-used materials, and a few scribbled blueprints. He sat down at the table and opened his system menu.
> Skill Points Available: 2
Suggested: Construction, Resource Management, Water Manipulation
He looked over the options, thinking carefully. With how quickly the village was growing, he needed to stay ahead. He selected Resource Management and Water Manipulation.
> Skill Acquired: Flow Sense (Passive)
You can sense the movement of water underground. Helps with finding springs or irrigation paths.
> Skill Acquired: Efficient Builder (Passive)
Reduces material usage by 15% when constructing buildings or tools.
Just then a knock came at the door.
"Come in," Sylas called.
Selene stepped inside and brushing damp hair from her face. "You're not going to believe what I found," she said, holding out a worn, an old looking book wrapped in cloth.
He blinked. "What is it?"
"It was buried near the southern edge of the field. Looked like someone hid it years ago." She unwrapped it carefully.
The book's cover was cracked, but the title was still visible in faded gold: On Wells, Water, and the Forgotten Machines.
Sylas took it slowly, flipping through brittle pages. Diagrams. Notes. Strange blueprints that looked eerily familiar.
"This is advanced stuff," he muttered. "Where did this come from?"
Selene shook her head. "No idea. But some of it talks about harnessing underground pressure. And there's something about 'hydro cores.' Do you know what that means?"
Before he could answer, the system flared again.
> New Quest Unlocked: Secrets Beneath the Soil
Investigate the source of the buried book. Follow the clues to uncover a hidden workshop.
Reward: Unknown.
Sylas's grip tightened. He looked up at Selene, eyes focused. "This might be bigger than just farming. Want to help me find out?"
She smirked. "You kidding? I've been bored since yesterday."
They packed light and set out for the southern edge of the field. The rain had softened the ground, making it easy to spot where the book had been buried. Nearby, the soil looked disturbed—unusual, like someone had dug and refilled recently.
Using his Flow Sense, Sylas closed his eyes and felt it: a gentle shift in pressure just a few feet below.
"Here," he said, pointing. "Something's under here. Not water. Stone."
Together, they dug. Inch by inch, the earth gave way until their shovels struck something hard. Stone. No—metal.
Selene knelt beside it, brushing dirt away. "A hatch?"
It was round, iron, and covered in rust, but there was no doubt: it was a door.
> Hidden Location Discovered: Forgotten Mechanist's Chamber
Locked. Requires: Copper Gear Key.
Sylas exhaled slowly. "Looks like we're not done yet."