Building the Inn at the End of Times

"This... this can't be!" Elder Wei collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. He had just increased the difficulty of the Spirit Trial to its maximum level, and yet... and yet... the young man completed it effortlessly as if he were merely taking a stroll in the park.

The Spirit Trial was designed to test a disciple's connection with their inner self, resolve, and spiritual energy. It was considered one of the most grueling challenges, forcing cultivators to confront the deepest parts of their being.

Throughout their journey of cultivation, many disciples accumulate inner doubts, fears, and regrets. These negative emotions and unresolved struggles form as Heart Demons, entities that dwell within their spirits and obstruct their path to enlightenment. The Spirit Trial compelled disciples to face these Heart Demons directly, turning it into a battle of will and soul.

Because of its notorious difficulty, no one willingly chose to take this trial—except for that troublemaking young man and Wei Xan. Even the talented Wei Xan had failed, and that was partly due to Elder Wei's grudge that he was affected by it. But what about this random, talentless young man with no apparent potential? Surely, he would meet the same fate.

And yet, the troublemaker didn't even seem to struggle. He cleared the trial with ease, and his Heart Demon... it was... it was so lazy that it didn't even bother to resist him. This left Elder Wei utterly speechless. In all his years, he had never encountered a Heart Demon like this.

"Elder, are you okay? You look awfully tense," a voice interrupted his thoughts.

Elder Wei glanced up and saw the troublemaker standing before him. He hesitated for a moment before growling in a begrudging tone, "Just... just who are you?!"

"Huh?"

... 

In another world...

A young woman with black hair carried her groceries, humming softly as she walked down the street. She couldn't wait to get home and see her younger brother. As his only family, it was her responsibility to care for him every day.

"I wonder what I should cook today. Maybe his favorite? Oh, but we've had that so many times lately... Perhaps I should try something new. Yes, that poster I saw at the restaurant! It looked so elegant and delicious—I'll give it a try. Wait for me, Yuri!"

Excitement filled her voice as she quickened her pace. But suddenly, she stopped.

In the middle of the road lay a shiny silver key, glimmering under the moonlight. Strangely, no one else seemed to notice it; people walked past as if it wasn't there, or perhaps they just didn't care.

She bent down and picked it up. The key was warm to the touch. "Oh dear... who could have dropped this? They must be worried sick. Should I wait here? Or maybe leave it so they can find it again?"

She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "But... Yuri's waiting for dinner. I shouldn't keep him waiting. Yes, I'll leave it here, just as it was. Surely the owner will come back for it."

As she moved to put the key back on the ground, its tip touched the surface—a strange sensation rippled through her. Her surroundings blurred, and a breath later, she found herself standing in an expansive, sunlit meadow. The air smelled sweet and fresh, a stark contrast to the familiar streets of her city.

She found herself standing in a vast green field, a lone building standing before her.

"Wh-where... where am I?"

Her heart raced as she instinctively reached for the hidden blade tucked beneath her shirt. She scanned her surroundings, alert and cautious. In all her years of experience, nothing magical had ever happened to her before.

"This can't be real... Is someone playing a trick on me? Or... some kind of dream?"

Her gaze settled on the building ahead. It stood solitary in this beautiful but strange place, emanating a mysterious aura. Something told her she might find answers there.

"I can't just stand here. I need to figure out what's going on."

She began walking toward the building. Suddenly, a loud splash sounded behind her. She spun around, blade at the ready, but it was just a fountain. The sound startled her, but when the water calmed, she relaxed slightly.

"Oh, Yor... don't get ahead of yourself."

She stepped into the building, which resembled a bar. There were tables and chairs neatly arranged on either side, but everything was empty. Despite the emptiness, the place felt cozy and warm, almost inviting.

"Hello, is anyone there?"

No matter how many times she called out, no one responded. Deciding to explore the area first, she moved further in. Just as she was about to leave, a door creaked open behind the counter.

A handsome young man with long hair, listless eyes stepped out. His gaze was uninterested, but she sensed a dangerous aura emanating from him.

"A guest?" the young man said calmly.

"Guest? Um... excuse me, but where am I?" she asked cautiously.

The man took a seat, his movements unhurried, and explained, "This is an inn. You come here to rest when you need a break from the problems in your life."

"That sounds... nice, but I need to get back home. My brother is waiting for me. Could you tell me how to leave?" she repeated, surprised. 

[Congratulations! You got your first customer.

As the saying goes, the first step to success is taking the first step.

Make sure to provide the best experience for your first customer so they'll come back again.

Reward: 10 Achievement Points. Random abilities from the first customer.]

...

Upon seeing the message, Yue Wei straightened his posture and cleared his throat. With a warm smile, he subtly shifted his tone. "Since you're already here, why not stay a little longer? The Inn is the perfect place to rest. You can meet all sorts of people, enjoy great company, and savor delicious food. It's truly a one-of-a-kind experience!"

He tried his best to make the Inn sound as appealing as possible, but his efforts seemed to not affect the young woman. She shook her head slightly and replied, "Erm... can I just go back? I really need to get home. My brother is waiting for me."

To others, the Inn might sound like a dream—a cozy haven for relaxation and socializing. But to her, it was no more than a glorified place where she'd have to pay for a rest she could already enjoy at home.

Her home was where she truly belonged, and nothing could compare to being with her brother. 

Yue Wei didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked toward the kitchen, saying, "Please wait for a moment."

After a short while, he returned, wiping his hands with a towel. Behind him followed a cat walking upright like a human. The cat carried a plate of food with impeccable balance.

"Please find a seat, meow," the cat said in a cheerful voice.

"A cat?!" The young woman blinked in surprise. A talking, human-like cat serving her food was unexpected. Yet, rather than feeling frightened, she found it utterly adorable. Its orange fur and big, round eyes were irresistibly cute. She instinctively reached out to pet it but stopped herself midway, realizing it might be disrespectful.

"I'm sorry!" she blurted out, quickly withdrawing her hand and bowing slightly in apology.

"No worries, meow," the cat replied with a playful grin. "I'm cute, so you couldn't help it."

The cat leaped gracefully onto the table, the plate in its paws remaining perfectly balanced. It placed the dish before her with practiced precision.

"My specialty: Silverfin Royale with Glimmerleaf Essence and Oceanroot Purée. Or in simpler terms—fried fish with a fancy touch. Enjoy, meow!" 

The cat jumped off the table and padded back toward the kitchen, but not before shooting a grudging glance at Yue Wei. Yue Wei, however, ignored the look entirely and took a seat across from the young woman.

"Try it," he said, gesturing to the plate. "It's delicious. I didn't like it much the first time I tasted it, but we all have different tastes. You might enjoy it."

"Really? Can I eat this?"

The dish looked exquisite, far more appealing than anything she'd ever cooked herself.

"Yes, and it's on the house," Yue Wei assured her with a small smile.

"Alright," she nodded, picking up her fork. She hesitated for a moment, then took her first bite.

The moment the food touched her tongue, a wave of sensation overwhelmed her. A burst of flavors danced across her palate, unlike anything she'd ever experienced. In her mind's eye, she saw her mother, her father, and her brother waving at her from the other side. Angels seemed to appear, their presence radiant. For a fleeting moment, her entire life flashed before her eyes.

"De-delicious! But... why do I have a bad feeling about this?" she muttered, her wide smile betraying her confusion.

Yue Wei's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

"Yes! It's delicious! I've never eaten anything like this before!" she exclaimed.

Seeing the joy on her face as she savored the food, Yue Wei couldn't help but be reminded of his own first experience with the dish. Back then, it had felt like some clueless amateur had thrown random ingredients together, hoping it would somehow taste good. When he tried it for the first time, it felt like a battle for survival. He even hallucinated Elder Wei laughing at him during the ordeal. The memory still made him question whether the system had truly provided him with a real chef.

But now, watching the young woman relish every bite, he began to reconsider. Perhaps the food didn't suit his taste, but for others, it could be entirely different. After all, the Inn connected to countless worlds, and it wasn't strange to think there were many people out there with tastes like hers.

"By the way," Yue Wei said, breaking the silence, "I never got your name."

The young woman blinked as if just realizing it. "Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Yor Briar."