At the end of the day, the System was just being stingy.

  Still, since the reward was essentially a free handout, Kael decided he had to fight to get it.

  Weighing his options, Kael headed downstairs, knocking on Shier’s door along the way to wake her up.

  "We aren't having buns this morning," Kael mentioned casually as they descended the stairs.

  "Huh? Boss, are you sick?" Shier gasped, her face pale with shock.

  "What kind of nonsense is that? Starting today, the shop provides breakfast." Kael led Shier to the Snack Vending Machine and showed her how to use it.

  The process was simple: insert Spirit Crystals, select the desired snack, and wait for it to drop into the collection slot at the bottom.

  "This thing is called a Bacon Sandwich. It serves as breakfast." Kael retrieved two sandwiches from the slot.

  "Bacon Sandwich..."

  Shier memorized the strange name. She took the breakfast Kael handed her, mimicked his movements to unwrap the packaging, and took a small, tentative bite.

  A sandwich was a culinary form this world had never seen before.

  The toast was crispy, golden, and sweet; the lettuce inside was fresh and crisp; the cheese was rich and aromatic; and the bacon was savory and delicious.

  All these ingredients melded together in a single bite, transforming into a harmonious explosion of flavor.

  It was a taste Shier had never experienced. She couldn't stop herself, taking bite after bite until the entire sandwich vanished. And this wasn't a small snack—a single Bacon Sandwich was nearly the size of two hands. If it weren't substantial, Kael wouldn't have called it breakfast.

  "Still hungry?" Kael asked calmly from the side.

  Though his tone was flat, the words carried a hint of care.

  "Thank you, Boss. I'm full." Shier’s face flushed red as she answered quietly. She had seen the price tag—20 Spirit Crystals.

  "Good." Kael nodded. He then pulled out a bag of Potato Chips and a cup of Fruit Flavored Jelly.

  "These are chips, and this is jelly."

  "Both are snacks—things you eat when you're bored, not necessarily when you're hungry. Try them."

  "Mmh!" Shier nodded obediently. Under Kael’s guidance, she tore open the bag of chips.

  "How is it?" Kael needed an honest review of these three items.

  "Delicious. It's the best thing I've ever eaten," Shier mumbled, her mouth full of crunchy chips.

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  Her tone was firm. Even though she had just feasted at the Drunken Cloud Restaurant last night, she didn't hesitate in her judgment.

  "That's good to hear. If you need anything, just call me." Kael nodded, ignoring the untouched jelly for now, and strolled over to one of the crystal ball booths near the entrance to sit down.

  "Yes, Boss." Shier continued munching on chips, her eyes drifting repeatedly toward the Vending Machine.

  Merging the two storefronts into one had definitely made things more convenient. With one less counter, they saved space, and more importantly, the entire ground floor was now open and visible. If anything required Kael’s attention, Shier wouldn't have to run back and forth anymore.

  Although the beast tide had been repelled, the Blood Wolf Squad remained as diligent as ever.

  Hunting magical beasts was just one part of a mercenary's life. More often, they took on quests, enjoyed life, or pursued their own goals—adventure, or challenging their limits.

  Blood Wolf led his team to the street corner outside Kael’s shop. He gave a quick pep talk to boost morale—something about not getting discouraged and winning at least once today—before heading toward the shop.

  But today seemed to be a special day.

  "Did I remember the location wrong? Where's the Boss's shop?" Blood Wolf stared in disbelief at the double-story building that stood before him, completely out of place with the surrounding architecture.

  "A shop that huge... it was definitely right here yesterday. Where did it go?"

  Blood Wolf looked around the corner. The two ice sculptures of the Hunters were still standing there.

  This had to be the right place.

  "Captain, why don't we go in and check?" a teammate suggested.

  "Right." Blood Wolf snapped out of his daze and pushed the door open.

  Immediately, he saw Kael sitting in the booth near the entrance.

  "Hello," Shier greeted them.

  "Hi, Shier." Blood Wolf returned the greeting before turning to Kael. "Boss, when did you... renovate the place?"

  He wanted to say "renovate," but looking around, this level of change was beyond simple renovation.

  "Just last night. Need anything?" Kael replied without turning his head, already seated in his booth.

  They were regulars; there was no need for excessive formality.

  "As expected of the Boss. In just one night, it's like a completely different shop." Blood Wolf marveled at the interior, clicking his tongue in wonder.

  The old wooden counter had been replaced by one made of Obsidian. It looked high-end, atmospheric, and classy. The floor was paved with polished marble so smooth you could see your reflection in it. Just by looking, one could tell the materials were extraordinary.

  To execute this speed of transformation, using such lavish materials... only a powerhouse like the Boss could pull this off.

  Subconsciously, the awe Blood Wolf and his teammates felt toward Kael deepened yet again.

  But awe was awe; business was business. They still had to buy what they needed and train as planned.

  Blood Wolf paid his Spirit Crystals with practiced ease, sat in the booth next to Kael, and spoke familiarly. "Boss, carry me for a round today? I promise I won't be dead weight."

  Kael had just finished a round and was staring blankly at the arena screen. Hearing Blood Wolf, he exited Single Player mode and created a room in Multiplayer.

  "Blood Wolf, have you eaten breakfast?" Kael asked suddenly, thinking of his mission.

  "I have. Why? Did you skip breakfast, Boss? I think I have some ration bars on me." Blood Wolf moved to call over a teammate who had just sat down.

  "No, I've eaten too." Kael immediately dropped the subject. "Join the room."

  "Oh, okay." Blood Wolf nodded and unhesitatingly joined the room titled [Noobs Enter].

  "Boss, are we starting?"

  "No rush. Wait a bit. Two people is too few."

  Multiplayer mode required at least three opponents. Going in with just two people was suicide.

  Kael propped his chin on his hand, staring at the crystal ball. He felt like something was missing. If this was supposed to feel like a "LAN party" or a gaming cafe, wasn't it lacking...

  "Wow! I thought I walked into the wrong building!" Xiao Ya’s voice drifted in as the door was pushed open.

  "The speed at which the Manager remodels his shop is truly breathtaking." Lan Ye added, her face full of wonder.

  The others followed them in, gazing around the shop’s new decor as they entered.