Chapter 6: A Game of Growth and Experimentation

Watching the sprout grow so quickly, as if merely breathing fueled its growth, felt like a scene from a mobile farming game.
It was the same feeling as turning off your phone, finishing your tasks, and returning to find crops ready for harvest.
The fact that a sprout emerged almost immediately after planting was absurd, but rapid growth was a good thing, right?
Everything in this place was abnormal anyway.
Trying to apply common sense would only tire me out, so I had to adapt quickly.

“Fine, keep growing like that and bear fruit soon.”
Besides the Cloudmilk Fruit, the Silverwing Herb I’d saved for farming showed changes too.
The butterfly-like flowers had wilted, and in their place, three cocoon-like fruits had formed.
When I carefully picked one, the outer shell crumbled easily, revealing a single Silverwing Herb seed tangled in fine threads. With three units saved for farming, I’d gained nine seeds in total.

“If I play this right, I could multiply these quickly.”
Focusing on seed farming for a while could fill the garden with Silverwing Herbs.
I’d used Causality to expand the land, but with this reproduction rate, it might soon feel cramped again.

“Hmm… still, using all my Causality on land feels like a waste.”
Simulating land allocation for the herbs in my head made the day feel surprisingly fulfilling.

After much time and effort, I’d secured enough Silverwing Herbs for experiments.
The bar was piled high with butterfly-like herbs, and outside, the Cloudmilk Fruit tree had grown taller than me.
It had grown that much in just three harvest cycles of the herbs, so in another three, it might be a fully mature tree.

“It’s a tree, so it probably grows slower than the herbs.”
I diligently divided the herbs on the bar while setting a kettle of water to boil.

“I wasn’t a tea enthusiast, but I’ll use every memory I have to make this work.”
Silverwing Herb Tea was already on the menu, but my focus was on improving its Completion.
The Thunderbird was thrilled with B-grade tea, earning me three units of Causality and a new plant.
So, I wondered if higher grades might yield better rewards. In games, higher difficulty and ranks usually mean better loot.

‘If I do this right, maybe I’ll get something more.’
The transparent card hinted that finding a new approach could boost Completion.

I pulled out the materials I’d set aside from my first tea-making attempt.
Dried over time, they were now crisp and moisture-free.

Crunch, crunch.
Gathering the dried petals and slicing them with a knife, they shattered like thin crackers.
Fresh flowers had a vibrant scent that refreshed the senses, but dried ones carried a nutty, slightly bitter herbal aroma beneath their floral notes.
Drying alone could create an entirely different tea.

I didn’t stop at slicing—I ground the petals into a fine powder.
Carefully scraping the powder with the knife’s flat side, I transferred it to a lidded container from the shelf.

“Half for boiling in water… half for tea bags.”
Placing some powder on a thin cloth and tying it like a pouch, I made a makeshift but decent tea bag.
I steeped it in a cup of hot water, waiting for the tea to infuse.

“Feels like I’m an alchemist.”
While waiting, I opened the kettle’s lid and scooped in dried Silverwing Herb powder. Estimating by eye, I added it until the water took on color and the aroma intensified, filling the shop with a herbal scent.

Thus, I completed two types of tea using dried herbs.
Then…
Pop!

“Huh?”
I’d expected the card’s text to update, but it was different.
Two separate cards appeared above the cups, each for a different tea.

[New Recipe Discovered!
Registrable Menu: Dried Silverwing Herb Tea (HOT)
Base: Dried Silverwing Herb (Powder) / Liquid: Water / Syrup: None / Garnish: None]

It was a completely different menu from the fresh flower tea.
The boiled powder tea scored B+, while the tea bag version got a C.

“Hmm…”
I’d thought using dried herbs would make a big difference in Completion, but it created an entirely new tea.
Still, my efforts weren’t a total failure.

“Maybe Silverwing Herb doesn’t suit steeping. The boiled version has higher Completion. What’s different from last time? Why B+ now?”
Discarding the C-grade card without hesitation, I examined the B+ card closely and found the answer.

“It used only the flowers, not the leaves! Maybe including leaves was a negative factor.”
Using this insight, I separated fresh flowers from their stems and sliced them again.
One plate held petals cut into chunks, another held petals crushed until their juices oozed. Sniffing both, the juiced petals seemed more promising, their sticky scent lingering longer and offering deeper satisfaction.

I set the kettle on the gas range again, using the differently prepared ingredients to brew Silverwing Herb Tea.
As the water boiled, butterfly-shaped steam rose from the kettle, unlike before.
Each butterfly shimmered with a radiant silver glow, surrounded by halos of light.
The fragrance was as dazzling as the light, enveloping my senses in ecstasy.

This was unmistakably a sign of great success!
Flash!
The original Silverwing Herb Tea card glowed brightly, updating with new information.
As expected, the juiced petals scored higher.

[Registrable Menu: Silverwing Herb Tea (HOT)
Base: Silverwing Herb Fresh Flower (Juice) / Liquid: Water / Syrup: None / Garnish: None
Completion: A (A)
Successfully brought out the ingredient’s true flavor and aroma.
Effects: Fatigue Recovery / Pending
Rating: (+1)
[Thunderbird: Nearly returned to my egg in ecstasy ★★★★★]
Preferred Customer Type: Nature/Bird-Type / Pending]

“Whoa… maybe I’ve got a knack for this?”
The satisfaction of perfecting the tea was huge, but rewriting the recipe card felt even better. A better tea meant more customers, right?

My moment of triumph was short-lived.
Jingle, jingle.
“Is anyone there…?”
The butterflies that flew out the window had already lured someone in.
I hadn’t expected another customer today, so I was caught off guard.

Jingle, jingle.
The sound of bells outside was deep and resonant, like a large instrument with a lingering echo.

“Hold on a moment!”
If it was a customer, they could just walk in, but they stood at the door, as if waiting for me to open it.

‘When the Thunderbird first came, it was like this too. Do they think the door’s locked?’
I hurriedly cleared the ingredients from the bar.
Approaching the door to greet the guest, an unusual pressure weighed on my shoulders.
This was no ordinary visitor.

“Are you a customer? Sorry for the delay.”
Opening the door, a massive black figure filled my vision.
I barely stifled a scream, then calmly observed the new guest.

They were over twice my size, shrouded in black smoke from head to toe, their true form obscured.
Jingle.
The bell sound came from a rugged black ox accompanying them.

“Uh… excuse me, but the ox… might not fit inside. Is that okay?”
The guest alone would make the shop feel cramped.

“…”
No response. Was that a yes or a no?

“Come in for now.”
Whoosh.
As I stepped aside, the guest glided in like seeping smoke, making my hesitation pointless.
Watching them, I briefly regretted letting such an entity into the shop.

The bar had three stools, but none seemed suitable for this massive guest.
So, I reluctantly pulled out my Causality.

‘Think of it as an investment. I might get more guests like this.’
The shop originally had tables, but they were too worn to use, so I’d tossed them off the cliff long ago. The space where tables once stood was now empty.

I decided to use Causality to create a proper seating area.
Pointing at the empty spot by the window, I imagined a table and cushy sofa. The glowing orb fluttered over, materializing my vision: a round table with a single central pillar and a large sofa, in neutral black and dark oak tones, suitable for a big guest.

One Causality for just a table and two sofas…
Slide.
As soon as the table appeared, the guest walked over and sat, as if they’d been waiting.

“What would you like to drink? We have Silverwing Herb Tea and Dried Silverwing Herb Tea.”
I should make a menu board—listing options every time was tedious.

“…”
The guest sat silently, offering no reply.
They’d said “Is anyone there,” so they could speak, right?

‘Are they leaving it entirely to my judgment? A picky customer?’
Waiting yielded no response, so I returned to the bar.

Customers who leave it to the staff are tricky. If the result doesn’t satisfy, they get disappointed—or worse, angry.
But if it’s perfect, they might become regulars.

‘They’re already here, so no choice. With only two options, I’ll just pick one.’
I brewed both teas with a slight time gap, glancing at the guest occasionally.

‘The fresh flower tea hit A-grade, so that’s the safe bet. But the dried tea also sent out steam butterflies, attracting this guest. Maybe developing a new menu unlocked new visitors.’
Both were possible, so I relied on my instincts.

I caught a subtle clue: when the dried tea brewed, the black smoke around the guest thickened slightly.
‘Maybe… that’s the one.’

I focused on the dried tea.
As steam butterflies rose from the kettle, signaling completion, I opened the sink cabinet and retrieved an olive-green, cylindrical ceramic cup, wrapped in layers of thin paper. It felt more luxurious than the others.

The tea’s taste wouldn’t change, but like beautifully plated food, a fancy cup might earn extra points.
My hunch proved right as the transparent card updated subtly.

[Registrable Menu: Dried Silverwing Herb Tea (HOT)
Base: Dried Silverwing Herb (Powder) / Liquid: Water / Syrup: None / Garnish: None
Completion: B+ (A)
Matched with a suitable vessel.]

Discovering that a cup could boost Completion was exciting, but now I had to consider not just ingredients and methods but also tableware.
In other words, the wrong cup could lower Completion.
I might need to use Causality not just for expanding land or renovating but also for acquiring proper dishware.