After securing the small handcart, Leon turned and left the farm, heading to the resin collection area to retrieve his harvest.
A small bucket full of resin sat quietly in the collector. To Leon’s surprise, it hadn’t solidified into lumps but remained in liquid form.
He placed a container under the spout and turned the valve. The resin in the small bucket slowly poured into the container under the pull of gravity.
As the glass bottle—holding 1.5 liters—was about to be filled, Leon glanced inside the small bucket. The remaining resin seed just enough to top it off perfectly.
“Did the Traveling rchant’s Guild just happen to give
a container this perfect? Or are resin collectors in this world all built to the sa standard?”
Once the resin collector was emptied, Leon plugged the bottle and looked at the thick, erald-green liquid, speaking to himself.
“Oak Resin (Artisan Good): A viscous, fragrant substance extracted from oak tree sap.”
He stored the bottle of oak resin in his System Backpack, tightened the valve, and moved on to collect resin from the other two trees.
“Maple Syrup (Artisan Good): A sweet syrup with a unique flavor.”
“Pine Tar (Artisan Good): A pungent substance extracted from pine tree sap.”
Three trees, three kinds of resin—each with its own distinct color and scent. Maple syrup was an amber-orange, sweet-slling, semi-transparent liquid, while pine tar was a brownish-black, industrial-scented substance.
These three types of resin were also items once needed for the old Community Center’s craft bundles. Still, Leon planned to gift this first bottle of maple syrup to Brother Bear, since he’d promised it before—and Leon was still curious about that “magic” Brother Bear said he’d teach him.
But after checking the ti, Leon decided it would be better to go tomorrow. It was already dark, and visiting the Secret Woods at night might get him mistaken for an intruder… and smashed.
After a simple dinner, Leon took a shower and went straight to bed.
…
The next morning, his body clock woke him around six. After washing up, having breakfast, and watering the crops, he went to check the cave.
The mushrooms were ready again. This ti, all six cultivation boxes had grown only Common Mushrooms, making Leon frown, though he still harvested them all.
There was still no sign of fruit, nor any trace of fruit bats. Leon’s frown deepened.
It was starting to feel like he’d been played. So many days without a single fruit bat sighting—had Detrius really modified the cave to attract them?
He decided to give the cave three more days. If there were still no bats, he’d talk to Maru—right in front of Detrius.
Leaving the fruit bat–mushroom cave, Leon grabbed his bicycle and headed for the Coal Forest. Once there, he got off and continued on foot.
After climbing over a fallen, dead tree, he reached the entrance to the Secret Woods. But instead of Brother Bear, he was greeted by an eager Sli.
One slash took care of the Sli, and Leon picked up the sli jelly before shouting at the top of his lungs: “Brother Bear! Brother Bear! You ho?”
The trees in the Secret Woods shook at his call. A mont later, a massive brown bear squeezed through the forest and walked toward him with steady steps.
“Haha, Leon, long ti no see! You ca to visit ?”
It was indeed Brother Bear. His fur glead with health, and his massive fra looked impressive.
Unfortunately, the mont he spoke, his deep voice had an unmistakable goofy warmth. Combined with that dopey smile, it was impossible to be intimidated.
“I brought you so fresh maple syrup. See if it tastes right.” Leon took out the bottle and handed it over.
Brother Bear carefully took it in his paw, used a sharp claw to pop the cork, and poured so into his free paw. He licked it with his tongue, and his smile grew even more foolishly content.
“Mmm, yep, that’s the taste. Sweet and delicious. Perfect.”
“As long as you like it. I can bring you more,” Leon said with a smile.
“Haha, no need. Just a treat once in a while is fine.” Brother Bear shook his head, corked the bottle again, and tucked it into the fur on his chest before extending a paw toward Leon.
“I promised you—bring
maple syrup, and I’ll teach you a very useful magic.”
“Is it hard to learn?” Leon asked at once.
“No need to learn.” Brother Bear’s reply was followed by a System Prompt.
“You have obtained a special ability from the Child of the Wilds—Bear’s Knowledge.”
“Bear’s Knowledge: From now on, any blackberries or salmonberries you pick will passively have their sweetness and nutritional value increased. The enhanced berries can be sold for a higher price.”
“Alright, I’ve given it to you. This is a very useful ability. In spring and fall, you can find salmonberries and blackberries in the bushes around Stardew Valley. They’re my favorite snacks. That’s why I developed this magic—to make them sweeter, since they’re usually too sour for my taste. Now you can enjoy sweeter berries too.”
Brother Bear withdrew his paw and patiently explained.
“Thanks. This magic is interesting, and it’s actually really helpful for ,” Leon replied with a smile.
Even though salmonberries and blackberries didn’t sell for much even at higher quality, a single bottle of maple syrup for this magic was more than worth it.
Brother Bear, however, scratched his belly awkwardly. “I’d teach you other magic, but most of what I know isn’t suitable for humans. And the ones that are… well, you just can’t learn them. So I picked this everyday one. Sorry.”
“Wait, I really don’t have any magic talent at all?” Leon asked with a helpless expression.
“You do. You know Forest Magic, right?” Brother Bear said with puzzlent.
“But Forest Magic only keeps
from dropping dead suddenly and helps
find forage. I haven’t found any other use for it,” Leon explained.
“Oh, that’s what Forest Magic is like. And you can talk to animals—that’s part of it too,” Brother Bear reassured him.
“The only talking animals I’ve t are you and a giant python. And that python used to be human… and wanted to eat ,” Leon muttered.
“That snake still alive? If it is, take
to it. I’ll kill it for you,” Brother Bear said, rising onto his hind legs and waving his paws.
“No need. I already took care of it,” Leon quickly said, trying to calm him down.
Inwardly, he had to admit—Brother Bear really did have his back when trouble ca calling.
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