Lennox inhaled deeply, his chest tightening with anticipation as he heard the System's prompt.
The idea of his tavern evolving, becoming something greater than what it already was, filled him with excitement and a tinge of nervousness. What if the upgrade caused an unnatural commotion? He clenched his fists and forced himself to steady his thoughts.
The translucent System screen flickered into view, glowing softly as intricate runes danced across its surface. The symbols rearranged themselves, forming words that floated in the air before him.
"Preparations complete. Confirm upgrade of Mystic Tavern to Rank One?"
Lennox opened his mouth to say "yes" instinctively, but something held him back. A memory surfaced—the tense confrontation with three thugs outside the tavern not long ago. His stomach churned at the thought of anything mystical or abnormal attracting unwanted attention in a place like Greywater.
"System," he said hesitantly, "Will the upgrade cause any strange commotion? Something the neighbors might notice?"
The System responded almost immediately, its voice calm but faintly tinged with reassurance:
"Rest assured, Tavern Master, the upgrade will not produce external commotion. All changes will be contained within the tavern's interior. The exterior structure will remain unchanged."
Lennox exhaled, the tension easing slightly from his shoulders.
"Good," he muttered. "The last thing I need is Greywater's entire population showing up outside my door."
The System chimed in with a tone that was almost amused:
"That would indeed be counterproductive."
With his doubts alleviated, Lennox straightened his posture and looked at the glowing screen. "All right, System," he said with quiet determination. "Go ahead and upgrade the tavern."
"Upgrade confirmed. Please stand by as the Mystic Tavern evolves to Rank One."
The air in the room seemed to grow still. A faint hum resonated through the space, and glowing lines began to crisscross the tavern's interior. They traced intricate patterns along the walls, floor, and ceiling, forming geometric shapes that pulsed with a gentle, golden light.
Lennox stood frozen, his breath caught in his throat. The patterns shimmered and moved as if alive, weaving themselves into ancient symbols that seemed to whisper secrets just beyond his comprehension. The tavern felt like it was awakening again—vibrating with energy, but in a way that was oddly calming.
Behind the bar, the shelves glowed softly, drawing Lennox's gaze. He watched as new bottles began to materialize in flashes of golden light. One was deep sapphire blue, its liquid swirling with streaks of silver that resembled falling stars. Another was fiery crimson, pulsing faintly as though it held molten magma. A third shimmered like liquid starlight, its translucent surface reflecting faint rainbow hues.
"What… are these?" Lennox murmured to himself, his voice barely audible.
The System remained silent, leaving him to marvel at the mysterious additions to his stock.
From the kitchen came a faint series of sounds—clicking, shifting, and the hum of magic at work. Lennox couldn't see what was happening, but he could hear the room adapting and transforming to fit the tavern's new Rank. Cabinets rearranged themselves, drawers clicked into new positions, and an aura of efficiency seemed to radiate from beyond the door.
Then, a soft chime drew Lennox's attention back to the bar. Beside the shelves, a small door appeared, its surface etched with glowing runes that shifted and shimmered subtly when he focused on them. The door radiated a faint, otherworldly energy, mysterious and slightly intimidating.
"What's this?" Lennox muttered, taking a hesitant step forward.
The System's voice interrupted his thoughts:
"The function of the newly appeared facility will be revealed in due time, Tavern Master. Please proceed with patience."
Lennox sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Figures," he said under his breath, though his curiosity burned brightly.
As the glowing lines crisscrossing the tavern began to fade, the air grew lighter and fresher, as if infused with a calming energy. The entire room felt subtly transformed—not physically altered, but renewed in a way Lennox couldn't quite describe.
The System's voice broke the silence:
"Upgrade complete. Mystic Tavern has successfully ascended to Rank One (Enchanted Tavern)."
Lennox blinked, letting the words sink in. Enchanted Tavern?
The System continued, its tone calm but carrying a subtle nudge of apathy:
"Tavern Master, you may now access the updated interface to review the Mystic Tavern's enhanced features. Exploring the tavern will also reveal new functions and facilities tailored to its Rank One status."
Lennox's gaze swept across the room. The shelves gleamed with new bottles, the kitchen hummed faintly with unseen changes, and the mysterious door loomed beside the bar, its runes glowing faintly as though inviting him to uncover its secrets.
Running his hand along the smooth, polished counter, Lennox smiled faintly. "Let's see what this tavern can do now," he muttered, anticipation curling in his chest.
His gaze drifted to the mystical door beside the shelves. It stood about two meters tall, etched with shifting, glowing runes that rippled like water whenever he looked at them too long. The door radiated an air of mystery, pulling at his curiosity like a siren's call. He took a hesitant step toward it, his fingers twitching with the urge to open it and see what lay beyond. But he stopped himself.
"Let's not rush," Lennox said aloud, chuckling nervously. "I should leave the best for last."
Deciding to start with something less interesting, he mentally summoned the System's interface. The translucent screen flickered into view, its runes rearranging themselves into clearly labeled tabs:
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Mystic Tavern Master's Info
Tavern Accounts
Tavern Facilities
Tavern Functions
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Lennox's eyes lingered on the first tab, curiosity tugging at him. With a quick mental command, he opened it, and a neat text box appeared:
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Mystic Tavern Master's Info
Name: Lennox
Race: Human (Ordinary)
Age: 17
Stats:
Physique: 0.7 (Below average)
Dexterity: 0.9 (Slightly below average)
Intelligence: 1.2 (Above average due to stronger spirit)
Energy (Mana/Chi): 0 (Nonexistent)
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"Not even average… How inspiring," Lennox muttered, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
"Stat improvement is achievable, especially through training, Tavern Master," the System chimed in helpfully.
"Yeah, yeah, I figured," Lennox grumbled, closing the tab.
Next, he opened Tavern Accounts, and another text box appeared, showing a concise breakdown:
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Tavern Accounts
Drinks Sold: 4 mugs of Emberbrew Ale
Total Earnings: 200 silver coins (2 gold coins)
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Lennox whistled softly, a smile breaking across his face. "Two gold coins in one day? Not bad for a nervous newbie." Of course, he had to subtract the 50 silver coins for the first mug he served to One-Eyed George since he had paid the money himself.
"Efficient management will ensure continued profitability," the System added, its tone as calm and unyielding as ever. "Please work hard, Tavern Master."
"Right," Lennox muttered, closing the tab and moving on to Tavern Facilities. As the new menu loaded, his eyes widened in surprise. The list was longer than before:
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Tavern Master's Quarters
Employees' Quarters (new)
Common Room
Storage Cellar
Enchanted Bar Counter (upgraded)
Enchanted Kitchen (upgraded)
Summoning Circle (new)
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