Besides the chili peppers, they were also harvesting vegetables. Spinach, mustard greens, and several other crops grew with unbelievable vitality. Their leaves were broad, their colors deep and vibrant, and their stems snapped with a crisp crunch. Susi shook her head on more than one occasion, still unable to wrap her mind around how drastically the field had transformed in such a short time. A portion of the harvest was sold off to the middlemen. Yet, even after a large chunk of it was carted away, the piles left in the field seemed endless. On a typical harvest day, the four of them were more than enough to clear everything in half a day. They would start early in the morning and head home by noon, exhausted but with the job finished. Today was different. Even as late afternoon rolled around, they were only halfway done. The sun began its descent in the west. A deep amber glow washed over the field, stretching their shadows across the dirt. Sweat soaked through th

By the time they arrived home, the sky had already begun to shift from a warm orange to a cold, dark gray. The evening air carried faint wisps of smoke from the neighbors' kitchens as their stoves were lit. The Jaka family's humble home looked the same as always, with its weathered walls, the modestly sized yard, and the sound of crickets slowly rising from the grass. But tonight, something felt different. In the kitchen, Susi sat beside a large basin, washing the vegetables harvested from their field. Her hands moved with practiced efficiency, but her gaze was anything but calm. Every so often, she would study the leaves that were a little too green, the surface of the potatoes that were a little too flawless, and the chili peppers that looked so vibrant they could have been plucked from a wealthy man's prized garden. Dina was helping beside her, trimming the roots and rinsing the greens under running water. The young girl gulped several times, not merely out of hunger, bu

After dinner, Jaka helped clear the table before heading back to his room. His steps were light, yet his mind was heavy with thought. He closed the door gently and sat cross-legged on his bed. The room was plain. Just a bed, a small wardrobe, a few hanging clothes, and a window looking out into the yard. The hum of night insects and the rustle of wind through the leaves drifted in from outside. Moonlight slipped through a narrow gap in the curtains, painting a pale sliver across the floor. Jaka stared at his own palms. Today, he had witnessed firsthand the sheer power of the Eternal Dew Art. A single drop of spiritual water was enough to transform a dying field into a bountiful harvest. The vegetables it yielded weren't just fresh; they possessed a flavor that completely defied common sense. If utilized correctly, a power like this could change his family's life forever. But if used recklessly... Jaka sighed. It could just as easily invite chaos. He had already forc

Dina hurried to join her parents in harvesting the vegetables and chilies. The bamboo baskets were set out, and their hands quickly went to work. Leaves rustled as red chilies were plucked one by one, the fresh greens gathered with care to avoid bruising them.Jaka let out a sigh and followed suit.That day, he worked twice as hard as the last.He didn't speak much. Whenever Bejo reached for a heavy basket, Jaka was already there to lift it. When Susi paused to massage her aching lower back, Jaka seamlessly took over her section. And when Dina found herself overwhelmed by a dense cluster of chilies, Jaka's swift hands appeared to help her clear it.The sun climbed higher into the sky.The scorching heat beat down on their backs.Sweat trickled down their temples, soaking their collars and the backs of their shirts. The earthy scent of chili leaves and fresh vegetables mingled with the smell of sweat and the warm field breeze. Yet, unlike the days before, the grueling labor didn't leav

"Dad," he said after a moment, "why don't we just sell it ourselves?"Bejo looked up."Ourselves?" His brow furrowed. "Wouldn't that be a hassle?""True," Jaka replied without arguing. "It'll be more exhausting. We'd have to haul it ourselves, find a spot, deal with customers, and probably handle all the haggling."He paused, looking over the pile of mangoes, vegetables, and other crops that looked far fresher than usual."But the profits we'd make would easily double."Dina, who was still busy devouring her mango, immediately turned her head."Double?"Her eyes sparkled even brighter than before.Jaka gave a small smile. "Yeah. With quality like this, people will definitely pay a premium. It'd be a waste to just sell it off cheap."Bejo didn't answer right away."Hm..."He looked down, deep in thought. His rough hand stroked his chin. A storm of thoughts raced through his mind. The fear of taking a loss. The dread of dealing with a crowded market. The deep-seated insecurity of having