I woke up before dawn, energized in a way I hadn't felt since arriving in this world. Maybe it was knowing I had premium ingredients to work with, or maybe it was the system's upgrades settling into my body overnight, but I felt... capable.
[Morning Status Report]
[Basic Barrier Formation: Fully Integrated]
[Inn Protection Level: Enhanced]
[Current Threats Detected: None within 500-meter radius]
"Good morning to you too, system," I muttered, stretching as I headed downstairs.
The lobby looked even better in the early morning light. The barrier formation had left subtle patterns in the woodwork barely visible unless you knew to look for them, but they added an elegant quality to the space. The air felt cleaner, safer somehow.
In the kitchen, Yuki was already awake, sitting on the counter and watching the sunrise through the window.
"Morning," I said. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better. The curse marks faded significantly overnight." She extended one leg, showing me. The dark shackle marks that had been prominent before were now barely visible shadows. "Whatever your cooking is doing, it's working miracles."
"Then let's accelerate that healing. I've got special ingredients today."
I pulled out the Premium Ingredient Box and began selecting items. The Cloud Rice had a pearlescent quality that caught the light. The Phoenix Tail Mushrooms were deep red with gold veining. The Spirit Beast Meat practically hummed with energy.
"I'm going to make you a proper recovery meal," I said, my Spiritual Cooking knowledge activating instinctively. "This should eliminate the rest of the curse damage and restore your transformation ability."
Yuki's eyes widened. "You can really do that with food?"
"Let's find out."
I worked with focused intensity, letting my skills guide me. The Cloud Rice needed to be washed in a specific pattern to activate its spiritual properties. The Phoenix Tail Mushrooms required precise cutting to preserve their energy. The Spirit Beast Meat responded to intent I had to visualize healing and restoration as I prepared it.
[Spiritual Cooking (Intermediate) synchronizing with premium ingredients...]
[Recipe creation in progress...]
My hands moved with practiced efficiency, even though I'd never prepared ingredients like this before. Dice the mushrooms. Marinate the meat in special herbs from the box. Cook the rice with a specific water-to-grain ratio that somehow I just knew.
The kitchen filled with incredible aromas. Yuki's nose twitched constantly, and I could see her physically restraining herself from jumping into the cooking pot.
After an hour of careful preparation, I plated the final result: Cloud Rice formed into a perfect mound, topped with glazed Spirit Beast Meat and Phoenix Tail Mushrooms in a rich, golden sauce. Jade Vegetables arranged artfully around the edges. It looked like something from a high-end restaurant.
[You have created: Nine-Tailed Fox Recovery Feast]
[Quality: Superior]
[Effects: Complete curse purification, rapid spiritual energy restoration, transformation ability recovery, permanent minor increase to spiritual foundation]
[Note: This dish is specifically attuned to canine spiritual beasts. A masterwork of spiritual cooking.]
"Kazuki," Yuki breathed, staring at the plate. "The energy coming from this food... it's incredible. How did you..."
"Just eat it before it gets cold," I said, setting the plate down for her.
She didn't need to be told twice. The moment she took the first bite, golden light began emanating from her fur. Her eyes glowed brighter, and I could see the curse marks actively dissolving like ink in water.
She ate with single-minded focus, and with each bite, she looked healthier, stronger, more vibrant. The dull patches in her white fur became lustrous. Her tail, which had been drooping, now fluffed up and swayed energetically.
When she finished, she sat back, and suddenly her entire body erupted in silver light.
"Yuki?" I asked, concerned.
"It's okay," her voice came through the light. "I'm transforming. Finally. After months of being stuck..."
The light intensified, and her form began to shift and grow. When it faded, standing in my kitchen was no longer a small fox.
Instead, there was a young woman.
She looked about sixteen or seventeen, with long white hair that reached her waist and had the same silver markings as her fox form. Her amber eyes were the same, but now in a delicate face with sharp, elegant features. She wore traditional robes that had apparently materialized with the transformation white and silver with intricate embroidery.
Two white fox ears protruded from her hair, and behind her swished a single bushy tail.
"One tail?" I asked. "I thought you were a nine-tailed fox?"
She laughed, a sound even more musical in human form. "I'm still young. I only have one tail so far. You gain more as you grow stronger and older. Right now, I'm just a one-tailed fox." She stretched, examining her hands with obvious joy. "But I'm me again. Kazuki, your cooking broke the transformation seal completely. Do you have any idea how rare that is?"
"I'm just glad it worked," I said honestly. "Though I should probably get you some proper clothes. Those robes look a bit formal for lounging around the inn."
"These are fine for now. They're created from my spiritual energy, so they'll adjust." She did a little spin, clearly delighted to have limbs again. "I haven't been in human form since before the Phoenix Sect captured me. This feels amazing."
[Quest Complete: Swift Completion]
[Yuki fully healed ahead of schedule]
[Reward: 200 System Points]
[Bonus Reward: Yuki has chosen to become inn staff member]
[New Feature Unlocked: Staff Management]
"Inn staff?" I read the notification. "Yuki, you don't have to"
"I want to," she interrupted. "You saved my life, fed me better than I've ever eaten, and gave me sanctuary when I had nowhere else to go. Let me help you run this place. Besides, you said you were lonely. Now you have company."
I felt an unexpected warmth in my chest. "Welcome to the team, then. Though I should warn you, the pay is terrible and we're deeply in debt."
"I work for food. Your cooking alone is worth more than gold." She grinned, showing slightly sharp canines. "Now, what can I help with? I can clean, serve customers, keep watch for danger"
A bell chimed at the front entrance.
We both froze.
"Was that the door?" Yuki asked.
"I think we have guests," I said, suddenly nervous. This would be my first real customer interaction with Yuki here. "How do I look? Professional?"
"You have flour on your cheek."
I quickly wiped it off, straightened my robes, and headed to the lobby. Yuki followed, her fox ears perked alertly.
Three people stood at the entrance two men and one woman, all looking travel-worn and weary. They carried adventurer's gear: weapons, packs, practical clothing stained with road dust.
The woman in front had short brown hair and sharp eyes that immediately scanned the lobby with professional assessment. "Is this place actually open? Sign outside says 'All Guests Welcome,' but the road hasn't seen traffic in months."
"We're absolutely open," I said with my best innkeeper smile. "Welcome to The Lazy Dragon Inn. I'm Kazuki Yamamoto, the proprietor. This is Yuki, my assistant. How can we help you today?"
The three adventurers exchanged glances. One of the men, built like a bear with a massive sword on his back, sniffed the air. "Something smells incredible. You cooking breakfast?"
"We just finished preparing a meal, but I can make more. Are you looking for rooms, food, or both?"
"All of the above," the woman said. "We've been traveling for five days straight. We need real beds, hot food, and a place to rest before we continue to Silverbrook City."
[New Guests Detected]
[Group: Bronze-Rank Adventurer Party]
[Threat Level: Low (Non-hostile)]
[Quest Available: Serve the Adventurers]
[Reward: 300 System Points, increased reputation with Adventurer's Guild]
"We have three rooms available," I said. "Clean beds, hot meals, and complete privacy. The rate is two silver per person per night, including breakfast and dinner."
It was actually higher than I'd planned to charge, but they looked like they could afford it, and I needed the income.
The bear-man whistled. "Two silver? That's steep for a roadside inn."
"Jin, look at this place," the third member of their party said a younger man with scholarly glasses. "It's immaculate. And that smell from the kitchen... I haven't smelled cooking that good since the capital."
The woman, clearly their leader, studied me carefully. Then her gaze shifted to Yuki, and her eyes widened slightly. "Your assistant is a spiritual beast."
"I'm a staff member," Yuki said calmly. "And yes, I'm a fox spirit. Is that a problem?"
"No problem at all," the woman said, though I could see her reassessing the inn with new interest. "Actually, that makes this place more intriguing. An innkeeper who employs spiritual beasts..." She nodded decisively. "We'll take all three rooms. Two silver each is fine."
"Excellent. Let me show you to your rooms, and I'll have breakfast ready within the hour."
As I led them upstairs, Yuki shot me a telepathic message: "You're charging them two silver each? That's six silver total. You're getting better at this business thing."
"Need to pay off debts somehow," I thought back, hoping she could hear me.
Her amused mental laugh confirmed she could.
Three new guests. Six silver in income. And my quest counter now read 5/10.
The Lazy Dragon Inn was finally becoming a real business.
[End of Chapter 11]