The silver-haired immortal sat at the counter, his expression calm yet unreadable.
His mere presence made the air tremble — a faint distortion, as if space itself bent to avoid his form.
Li Shen's hands shook as he poured the drink.
The liquid shimmered like molten moonlight, swirling within a crystal cup that had appeared from nowhere.
He had no idea how it got there — perhaps conjured by the Lodge itself.
When he placed the cup before the guest, the immortal smiled faintly.
"You've never served before," he said. "And yet… the Lodge accepts you."
Li Shen forced a shaky smile. "It's my first night."
The immortal chuckled, voice deep and distant. "Then drink with me."
Before Li Shen could respond, the man tapped the counter once.
The world around them rippled — the walls, lanterns, even the stars beyond the windows — and suddenly Li Shen was no longer behind the counter.
He was inside the guest's memory.
He stood upon a shattered battlefield beneath two suns. Corpses littered the ground, each radiating divine power that could level mountains.
Above, a massive figure — the same immortal from the lodge — fought a god wrapped in blazing chains.
Each strike tore open the sky.
Lightning roared. Blood rained. Worlds burned.
Li Shen could feel every heartbeat, every breath, every ounce of despair the immortal carried. The memory was not merely a vision — it was a weight crushing his soul.
Then, the immortal's voice echoed inside the illusion.
"Keeper of the Midnight Lodge… do you see it? This is the fate of gods."
The god of chains laughed as he fell, his divine body shattering into embers that scattered across the cosmos.
The immortal knelt, exhausted, holding the god's fading soul in his hands.
"Power brings eternity," the immortal whispered, "but eternity is a curse."
The vision broke.
Li Shen stumbled back into the lodge, gasping for air. His knees hit the floor as the crystal cup glowed faintly, its light flowing into his chest.
[Essence Absorption Complete.]
[You have gained 0.1% of "Divine Essence – Broken Chain God."]
[New Ability Acquired: Soul Resonance.]
"Soul… Resonance?" Li Shen whispered.
[Explanation: The Keeper can now perceive and interact with the memories, emotions, and spiritual fragments of guests. Use with caution — exposure may damage the soul.]
The immortal stood and set the empty cup down. His eyes, once warm, now glimmered with quiet knowing.
"You saw it, didn't you?"
Li Shen nodded silently.
"Good." The man turned toward the door. "Then remember what you witnessed, Keeper. Every guest who enters this lodge brings their past with them. Whether blessing or curse — that is for you to decide."
He stepped into the starlit path and vanished.
The lodge fell silent again. Only the echo of the brass bell remained.
[Guest Departure Logged.]
[First Quest Complete.]
[Reward: Essence Crystal (Low Grade) ×1]
[Unlocked Function: Essence Refinement Pool]
A golden window appeared before him:
[Keeper's Status]
Name: Li Shen
Realm: Mortal Foundation (Unawakened)
Inn Rank: Wooden Lodge
Abilities: Soul Resonance (Lv. 1)
Essence: 0.1% Divine (Broken Chain God)
Quest Line: "The Guests of Eternity"
Li Shen stared at it, overwhelmed.
"Essence… cultivation through service?"
The System replied softly:
[Every drink poured, every memory shared, feeds the Lodge. The stronger your guests, the greater your evolution.]
[Warning: A corrupted spirit approaches the boundary.]
[Objective: Defend the Lodge.]
The lights dimmed.
Outside, the endless night rippled — and from the mist, a shadow emerged.
It crawled on all fours, its body twisted and fragmented like broken glass, whispering with a dozen voices.
"Keeper… return what is mine…"
Li Shen clenched his fists. The fear was real, but beneath it, something else flickered — resolve.
[Temporary Combat Protocol Unlocked.]
[Absorb the broken essence. Survive the night.]
And as the doors of The Midnight Lodge shuddered under the spirit's approach, Li Shen took his first step — not as a disciple, not as a mortal,
but as the Keeper of the Night.