Luke carefully examined all the information displayed on his status panel. The bond strength was at eighty-nine percent, which was high, and he knew the trust between him and Nyx was strong. He hadn't expected to achieve that so quickly in this world.
The staff slot showed '1/?,' meaning the number of staff he could have would increase as the inn itself grew, and if he managed to complete all the quests given by the system.
He also noticed the inn stage was currently at Foundation, which meant they were just starting. Luke felt certain the inn would thrive eventually. He only had to give his best to this business.
Closing his eyes, he sensed Nyx's presence two rooms away. He could feel she was safe, calm, and content.
It was strange to feel another person's emotions like background noise in his mind, but it made him relax. The tension of the past days slowly eased away.
—
Luke groaned and rolled over as sunlight hit his body, trying to go back to sleep.
'Morning,' Nyx's voice suddenly echoed in his head.
Luke jumped and sat up in shock. He still wasn't used to hearing voices other than Arx's heavy, gravelly tone in his mind, Nyx's voice was soft, almost melodic.
"Morning. You're up early," he replied once he realized it was her.
'Couldn't sleep much. Too excited, I guess. What's the plan for today?'
"Breakfast first. Then we clean the guest rooms properly, in case any travelers show up," Luke said, getting out of bed.
'Got it. I'll meet you in the kitchen.'
Luke quickly dressed in a simple tunic and pants he had bought from the storage dimension, splashed water on his face from the basin, and headed downstairs.
The inn felt lighter that morning. Arx seemed more alive, perhaps because the mimic had fed well on the emotions of Luke and Nyx.
The demon girl was already in the kitchen when Luke arrived. She still wore the clothes he had given her, and clearly needed new ones. Seeing her now as a grown young woman sometimes made him swallow hard, and he imagined one outfit that might suit her.
His mind pictured Nyx in a maid uniform. He was sure she would look cute in it.
He also felt relieved that the staff bond tied her to him, preventing her from seducing him. At least, that was his hope. He didn't care if she teased guests, but he didn't want intimacy with a demon girl he had first known as a child, someone he now thought of as a younger sister.
Nyx cheerfully pulled ingredients from the food storage dimension, moving as if she had done it for years.
"Eggs?" she asked without looking at him, breaking Luke's daydream.
"Yeah. And bread. We should make extra in case our first guests show up today."
"You think they will?"
Luke shrugged, walking to the stove to prepare. He couldn't know for sure, maybe it was just a feeling.
They ate breakfast quickly, and while they were sitting at the front counter recording accounts, the front door suddenly opened near midday. Two figures entered.
The first was a lizardman, seven feet tall, covered in dark green scales. He wore worn leather armor, with a massive axe strapped to his back. His yellow eyes scanned the room cautiously.
The second was smaller, more human-like, with dusky grey skin and pointed ears. Her hair was white, almost silver, and her violet eyes seemed to pierce everything at a glance.
A drow. She moved silently but gracefully, twin daggers at her hips.
Both stopped at the doorway, assessing the inn and its occupants.
Luke walked toward them, moving slowly and non-threateningly, though nervous inside. "Welcome to Arx Inn. I'm Luke, the innkeeper. This is Nyx, my assistant."
The lizardman frowned. "A human innkeeper? For a monster inn?"
"That's right," Luke said, growing calmer the more he spoke. "This place is neutral ground. We serve anyone who respects the rules."
The drow's gaze shifted to Nyx, intrigued. "A succubus. Young, but growing into her power," she said, lips curling into a thin smile. "Interesting choice for staff."
Nyx met her gaze without flinching. "I chose to be here," she said firmly.
"Even more interesting." The drow now looked at Luke. "What are your rates?"
"Ten silver per room, per night. Meals are extra. Five silver for dinner, three for breakfast."
The lizardman grumbled. "Expensive."
"The rooms are worth it," Luke assured them. "Dimensional spaces, completely private, climate controlled, and tailored to each guest's needs."
The two travelers exchanged glances. Finally, the lizardman pulled a coin pouch from his belt and counted out a handful. "Two rooms. With meals."
Luke calculated quickly. "That'll be thirty-six silver total."
The lizardman counted the coins and placed them on the counter. Luke stored them in the cash box he had bought from the storage dimension, then opened the guest registry.
"Names?" he asked, ready to write.
"Gralk," the lizardman rumbled.
"Millie," the drow added.
Luke recorded their names, room numbers, and arrival date, along with their length of stay. "Rooms three and five, second floor. Lunch will be ready in about an hour. Any dietary restrictions I should know about?"
Gralk's eyes lit up at the mention of lunch. "I prefer my meat rare."
"And I'm vegetarian," Millie said with a smirk, as if expecting surprise at what the inn could provide.
Luke only nodded. "No problem. I can accommodate both."
'Can you?' Nyx asked mentally, her voice concerned.
'Yep. Don't worry, I'm a cook. I can make anything.'
Luke handed each of their first guests a small wooden token, the room numbers carved neatly into the surface. "These are your room keys. They only work for your specific rooms. Please don't try to enter other guests' rooms. That's one of our rules."
"What are the other rules?" Millie asked curiously.
"No fighting on inn grounds. No stealing from other guests. No harming the staff. And payment is required upfront," Luke replied firmly, his tone steady but not aggressive. "Break the rules, and you'll be asked to leave. Violently, if necessary."
Gralk chuckled low. "I like you, human. You've got spine."
"Just trying to run a good establishment."
"And if someone attacks the inn from outside?" Millie pressed, still curious. A human and a young succubus daring to enforce rules on monsters?
"Then they'll have to deal with Arx," Luke said simply.
Both travelers looked confused. "Arx?"
The inn rumbled faintly beneath their feet, like the growl of something vast and unseen.
Arx deliberately demonstrated who he was.