C24 Chapter 23 – The First Harvest
The morning sun slowly rose above Hope Island.
Golden light spread across the wheat field.
A gentle breeze passed through the stalks.
Instead of green...
The field had turned golden.
Each stalk bent under the weight of ripe grain.
Aiden stood silently at the edge of the field.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"It finally happened."
"My first harvest."
Nearly a week of watering, protecting, and waiting had finally paid off.
This wasn't food he had found.
This was food he had grown.
---
Before harvesting, Aiden walked around the field.
He checked every corner carefully.
No insects.
No broken stalks.
No signs of disease.
Everything looked healthy.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"The island rewarded my patience."
He picked up his Iron Knife.
Instead of cutting carelessly, he harvested each bundle one by one.
The golden wheat fell neatly into his arms.
The work took almost an hour.
When the last stalk was cut, the System finally appeared.
---
Harvest Complete!
First Crop Successfully Harvested
Harvest Results:
- Golden Wheat ×24
- Wheat Seeds ×18
- Straw ×12
Farming EXP +50
Weekly Mission Complete!
Rewards:
- Random Seed Chest ×1
- Survival Points ×100
---
A warm light surrounded Aiden.
For a moment, he simply stood there, enjoying the feeling.
The field that had once been empty soil now held enough grain to feed him for many days.
He opened the Seed Chest.
A soft green light flashed.
---
Congratulations!
You obtained:
Potato Seeds ×8
Quality: Common
Description:
A hardy crop with a high yield. Easy to grow and stores well.
---
Aiden smiled.
"Potatoes..."
"They'll help during the winter."
He paused.
Then laughed quietly.
"I don't even know if this world has seasons."
---
After storing the harvested wheat inside the Storage Box, he immediately replanted part of the field.
This time, he planted:
- Wheat
- Potatoes
"If I grow different crops..."
"My food supply will be safer."
He also left two small sections of farmland empty.
"I'll save those for future seeds."
---
As he finished planting, the System chimed once more.
Profession Requirement Completed
Farmer Profession Unlocked
Requirements Completed:
✔ Plant Crops
✔ Harvest Crops
✔ Maintain Farmland
---
Profession: Farmer (Beginner Lv.1)
Passive Skill:
Green Thumb Lv.1
Effects:
- Crop growth speed +5%
- Small chance of higher-quality harvests.
---
Aiden read the description twice.
"So every profession specializes in something different."
Woodcutter made gathering easier.
Builder improved construction.
Blacksmith improved crafting.
Farmer improved food production.
Each profession strengthened a different part of survival.
---
The afternoon passed peacefully.
Aiden decided to grind some wheat into flour.
Using two smooth stones from the riverbank, he slowly crushed the grains.
The work was slow.
His arms became tired after only a short time.
"There has to be a better way."
Even so...
By sunset, he had produced a small bowl of coarse flour.
Mixing it with fresh water, he shaped the dough into a flat round cake.
He placed it on a heated stone beside the campfire.
The smell soon filled the camp.
Several minutes later...
His first loaf of simple bread was ready.
The outside was slightly burnt.
The inside was soft.
Aiden tore off a small piece.
"...Not bad."
It wasn't delicious.
But it was satisfying.
Because he had made it himself.
---
As he cleaned the cooking area, a familiar sound reached his ears.
"Chi..."
The Forest Hopper appeared beside the wheat field.
It sniffed the air curiously.
Aiden smiled and broke off a small piece of bread.
He placed it on the ground.
The little creature cautiously picked it up.
It chewed slowly.
Its large ears twitched happily.
Then it rubbed its head lightly against Aiden's boot before hopping away.
A blue notification appeared.
---
Forest Hopper Trust
12/100
Relationship Status:
Friendly
---
Aiden couldn't help smiling.
"So we're becoming friends."
For the first time since arriving on the island...
He no longer felt completely alone.
---
As evening settled over Hope Island, Aiden climbed to the small hill overlooking his camp.
The setting sun painted the ocean orange.
His hut stood proudly beside the furnace.
Smoke rose gently into the sky.
The newly planted field rested quietly nearby.
Everything looked peaceful.
Then...
The Island Core suddenly released a bright pulse of white light.
A System notification appeared before him.
---
Hope Island
Island EXP: 185/500
Island Level: 1
Current Prosperity: 12
Evaluation:
"A stable settlement has begun to take shape."
Next Milestone:
Island Level 2
Reward Preview:
- Island Area Slightly Increased
- New Wild Resources
- One Random Island Feature
---
Aiden's eyes lit up.
"So..."
"The island grows with me."
He looked across the small island that had become his home.
One day...
It wouldn't just be a place to survive.
It would become a place where people could truly live.
Far beneath the Ancient Echo Valley...
The mysterious blue light pulsed once more.
This time...
A faint crack appeared on the surface of an enormous stone door.
A deep voice echoed through the darkness.
"...The first harvest has been accepted..."
"...The trial draws closer..."
