Back to the inn, Leiah and the others couldn't wait to grill Finn for more information. After all, it really hadn't been long since they left. How could so much change?

"How did it expand like this…" Leiah wondered out loud, and it was something everyone questioned.

Finn shrugged. "I guess my master just came by one day and did his magic," he said. "Even I don't know his whims."

The group looked at him curiously, but also in wonder. Such a mysterious master must be very strong.

Finn nodded, as if reading their thoughts. It was best for everyone to believe he had a miraculous, mysterious backing.

Technically speaking, the system was pretty powerful, so it wasn't entirely a lie.

While Finn cooked his C-class meals (with his audience and Pang frequently having to gulp down their drool), they caught up with what happened during the time they were apart.

At the same time, the newcomers listened intently about the adventures they went through, as well as what they could do there.

There were a lot of talks about this place, of course, even before they arrived. More than a hundred adventurers came back after a week, and all of them were significantly stronger and richer. Who wouldn't be curious!?

Staying in the inn might've been too expensive at first (which was part of its reputation), but it was really too practical. They got strong very quickly, and they could gather a lot more resources.

They sold off the things in the auction and the market since the items in the danger zone increased in value the farther they were.

They sold all the cores there, too. Similarly, gold could buy more things than what cores could in the Inn, so they hoarded as much gold as they could and exchanged the cores they were not selling or using for gold. Many were building foundations as part-time merchants at this rate.

Anyway, many people, including Leez, headed here straight after that. Leez, in particular, was even sent by her father to investigate and also to get more deals a while back. However, Leez was busy with her own stuff (especially the farms and factories), so she ignored him.

When he nagged her, he told her who she was partnered with on the sauce, and even gave him a few bottles to taste.

When the old man found out that she already started a business with Finn, he stopped bugging her to investigate, and he looked the proudest as if it were him who closed the deal.

He even gave Leez more resources, so the sauce factories and farms entered a new spike in development just like that.

"So what's up with the empty smithy and pharmacy?" Leez couldn't help but ask. The others stared intently, very curious as well.

Also, they wondered how many he could make? Did that mean they didn't have to worry about their weapons breaking anymore?

"We can make some basic potions, but it depends on productivity. For weapons, we can do repairs for Class D and below. Class C is possible, but our blacksmiths will need practice.

"We lack raw materials," he said. "I'm looking for ways to get good deals."

Leez looked at him, offended. "It's like you've forgotten my existence."

Finn laughed. It so happened that he had finished a few plates, and he placed them in front of her first. "Dear business partner, you can find me good deals, yes?"

The woman grinned, slowly taking a spoon. "Depends on how great your sincerity is— oh my."

Her voice of teasing died down in favor of eating the food. She practically forgot Finn as there and was wholly focused on eating.

Suffice it to say, Leez was satisfied with the sincerity.

Finn smiled and handed the rest of the meals to the others, and they started gobbling it up, and were shocked that each meal was at least D-class, with a few C-class ones!

"C-Class essence food? Ohmygosh."

"This is so good…"

"The food and flavor exploded in my mouth, and the power seemed to immediately be felt in my gut."

"C-Class is not low-leveled…"

Leez nodded. "Even I haven't eaten a lot of dishes at this level," she said. And if she were to trust Marcus' constant praises, this Inn could get at least D-class Essence food every single meal, provided it was Finn who made them.

Anyway, as they enjoyed the meals, business deals were also discussed and finalized.

For one, the sauces were massive hits, especially after getting more investments from her father. It was just the current production limited their supply to very high-end restaurants, which was just as well. Many offered exclusivity rights, too, but Leez wanted to discuss it with the partners.

"Well, it would feel a bit unfair, especially when you already bought the farms."

"I'm sure those restaurants could consume a lot of stock on their own."

"Hmm… what about adding purchase limits, then? Just give higher limits to restaurants that pay extra, and smaller to the rest of the businesses."

"Oh! That's good."

"As for the raw materials…"

"Hmm, list them down and we'll buy them for you. I'll sell them to you at cost price! Provided you give me discounts here, of course."

Finn had actually made an arrangement with Arthur's lot about some herbs, what he needed most was the iron. What was there to reject?

Finn smiled and then asked his friends. "What'll be your itinerary after today?" he asked. Since many of the previous batches had returned already, he had a feeling they had new plans or schedules.

"We'll gather some awakened-level cores for a day or two to secure a long-term stay," Leiah explained. They wanted to secure several days in advance.

One, so they didn't have to think about it too much, and another so newcomers couldn't find an opening and sweep up their rooms, especially since they were fighting outside the barrier when they arrived.

Imagine going back to the inn after tiring days outside, only to find out the room had been booked by someone else?!

Through the adventurers, Finn also received a letter from the Guild Elders. They thanked him for the good service and how he had singlehandedly heightened the reputation of the guild. A lot more people wanted to be adventurers now, in fact, and the next exam was set to have record numbers of examinees!

They vehemently expressed interest in going someday and tasting the essence food that he made (making hints here and there to maybe send some back).

Finn laughed. He noted to send them some food! Lucky for them, he awakened a very interesting [Preserver's Touch] passive skill!

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