NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 20: 20
The first hint of dawn, a faint grey bleeding into the inky blackness, was still hours away. Yet, Ren was already up, the familiar hum of the inn's early morning quiet a comforting backdrop to his routine. He moved with practiced ease, a silent phantom in the pre-dawn gloom. His first chore was the meticulous sweeping of the main hallway, each stroke of the broom purposeful, gathering the invisible dust motes. Next, he ventured into the garden, pruning the overgrown bushes and raking the fallen leaves into neat piles. By the time he finished, a thin sliver of light was just beginning to peek over the distant mountains.
Even Chitose, usually the earliest riser, remained in the peaceful slumber of her futon, a rare luxury for the diligent innkeeper. Ren, having completed his third chore – tidying the communal living area, straightening cushions, and wiping down tables – felt a familiar tingle.
Ding!
A translucent blue window shimmered into existence before him, displaying his reward.
[Congratulations! You have completed your daily chores. One (1) Reality Ticket has been added to your inventory.]
[Daily chore counter has been reset to 0. Next Reality Ticket will require five (5) completed chores.]
Ren checked his inventory, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. This was his first ticket of the day, and he wondered what power it would grant him. His gaze fell upon the shimmering card: [Ticket of Despair].
Ding!
The System window expanded, providing a detailed explanation of the ticket's use.
[Ticket of Despair: Inflicts a profound sense of despair upon a target, triggered by a specific, pre-determined command. The despair activates only when the target achieves the condition set by the command. For example, if the command is 'having a harem' and applied to yourself, the despair will activate the moment you successfully acquire your dream harem.]
Ren stared at the description, a cynical smirk playing on his lips. "Well, that's utterly useless," he muttered under his breath. What good was a ticket that only activated after a desired outcome? It seemed counterproductive, a cruel joke. He decided to ignore it for now, filing it away as a last-resort, or perhaps, a never-resort, item.
The chore progress reset, and Ren, ever diligent, moved on to his final task for the morning: cleaning the hot spring area. He scrubbed the stone edges, ensuring no trace of grime remained, and meticulously cleaned the changing rooms. The warmth and steam of the hot spring were a welcome comfort after his earlier exertions.
Finally, with all his chores complete, a rumbling in his stomach reminded him of his own needs. He headed to the kitchen, his eyes scanning the refrigerator for a quick bite. He spotted a snack bar, its wrapper promising a burst of energy. Without a second thought, he grabbed it and settled down in the living room, unwrapping the bar and taking a satisfying bite.
Just then, Chitose stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She stretched, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and then her gaze drifted around the living room. Her eyes widened. The inn was spotless, every surface gleaming, every cushion perfectly aligned. A wave of surprise, then a pang of professional pride, washed over her. Ren had woken up earlier than her! As the innkeeper, it was her duty to be the first to rise, to ensure the inn was ready for the day. She couldn't change what had already happened, but a firm resolve settled in her heart: tomorrow, she would wake up even earlier than Ren. Her pride as an innkeeper demanded it.
Deciding to grab a quick snack before starting her own duties, Chitose made her way to the refrigerator. Last night, she had carefully placed a snack bar inside, anticipating a craving for something cold on a cool morning. And this morning was indeed that "sometimes." She opened the refrigerator door, her hand reaching for her treat, but her fingers met only empty space. She searched, her brow furrowing in confusion. She was certain she had put it right here. She closed her eyes, trying to retrace her steps, but her memory held firm. It was definitely in the refrigerator.
Coincidentally, Ren, having just finished his snack bar, was about to toss the empty wrapper into the trashcan, conveniently located next to the refrigerator. Chitose's eyes snapped open, her gaze falling upon the discarded wrapper in Ren's hand.
"Where did you get that from, Ren-kun?" she asked, her voice surprisingly calm, almost too calm.
Ren, oblivious to the subtle shift in her aura, answered honestly. "From the refrigerator, Chitose-san."
A terrifying aura, cold and dense, suddenly erupted from Chitose, filling the entire kitchen. Her eyes, usually warm and kind, were now narrowed, a dangerous glint in their depths. "The… refrigerator?" she repeated, her voice a low, menacing growl.
Ren, caught off guard, felt a shiver run down his spine. He had no idea why she was suddenly so furious. But then, a thought, a sudden, horrifying realization, pierced through his confusion. He wasn't alone anymore. He used to live by himself, putting any snacks he bought into his own refrigerator. He had simply assumed it was his.
"Ah! Chitose-san! I'm so sorry!" Ren stammered, immediately bowing his head in apology.
But Chitose's aura only intensified, the air growing heavy with her unspoken wrath. Ren's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to calm her. He had no idea what to do when, as suddenly as it had appeared, the terrifying aura vanished. Chitose's face crumpled, and she burst into tears, crying like a heartbroken child, a sight that, given her petite appearance, was almost comically fitting.
Ren panicked. He had never seen Chitose cry like this. But then, a flash of inspiration. His 'Real Illusion'! He focused, pouring his spiritual power into the image of a snack bar, identical in every detail to the one he had just eaten, including its refreshing coldness.
A moment later, a perfectly replicated snack bar shimmered into existence in his hand. He held it out to Chitose. "Here, Chitose-san. I made you a new one."
Chitose's sobs hitched. Her tear-filled eyes widened as she stared at the snack bar, then at Ren, then back at the snack bar. She snatched it from his hand like a child receiving a cherished gift, her tears instantly drying. She unwrapped it, took a bite, and a blissful expression spread across her face.
As she savored the snack, Chitose slowly came back to her senses. The events of the past few minutes flooded her mind: her outburst, her childish tears, and Ren's quick thinking. A deep flush crept up her neck, spreading across her cheeks. She was utterly mortified by her behavior.
Ren, seeing her embarrassment, reached out and gently patted her head, just as one would comfort a child. Chitose, despite her mortification, found a strange comfort in his touch. It wasn't so bad, being petted by Ren.
The snack bar Ren had created tasted exactly the same as the one he had eaten earlier. However, the spiritual power consumed by the illusion of taste and sensation was far greater than that required for its mere appearance. Compared to his current spiritual reserves, it was like an ant trying to drink an entire pond – a tiny sip, but still a notable drain.
Soon, the sounds of other residents stirring began to drift from their rooms. Chitose, regaining her composure, wiped her eyes and stood up. "Alright, Ren-kun," she said, a small, embarrassed smile on her face. "I'll go cook breakfast. It seems this is the only thing you left for me to do this morning."