Reward unlocked:
Moonlight Core Upgrade — Stage 3,
₤5000
+1 Agility, +1 Intelligence,
New Skill Acquired [Basic Contract Law (TradeSense Boost)]
+100 System Reputation.
As the rewards registered, a surge of energy rose from her core, filling her body. The exhaustion of the previous days evaporated, and sleep suddenly felt miles away. Lyria glanced at Tessa, who was sleeping like a baby, undisturbed by the sudden magical surge. She smiled and decided to check her updated status.
——————————————
[HOST STATUS PANEL]
Name: Lyria Snowpelt (formerly Ariella Vaylor)
Race: Moonlight Nekolet (Rare Variant)
Age: 19
Rank: Mid-Tier Moonlight Core
Energy Affinity: Lunar Essence / Cold Element / Emotional Resonance
Beast Form: Snow-furred Nekolet with blue luminescent markings
ATTRIBUTES
Strength: 3/10
Agility: 6/10 (+1)
Intelligence: 10/10 (+1)
Charm: 7/10
SKILLS
TradeSense (Passive)➡️Basic Contract Law
Charm Resonance (Minor)
Basic Moonlight Claw
Beginner Beast Instincts
Culinary Intuition (Beginner)
SYSTEM ASSETS
Storage Pocket (25 Slots)
Identity Shield
Fragment of MoonPelt Legacy
Beginner Business Pack
SYSTEM REPUTATION POINTS: 150 (a little famous Host)
HOST TOTAL ASSETS: ₤15,750
________________________________
"Not bad," Lyria whispered, careful not to wake Tessa.
While Lyria enjoyed her quiet victory, Eron was in a far more precarious situation. On his way home from work, a black car had pulled up beside him. He was "invited" inside, and the vehicle sped off toward a surprisingly familiar destination.
The success of Moonpetal had not gone unnoticed. While Ferin Avenue flourished, a few blocks away at The Golden Crust, a massive commercial bakery, the tables were empty and the ovens were cooling. Eron sat in his former workplace, facing his shrewd former boss, Jake.
"Eron, it's nice to see you again," Jake said with a lazy smirk.
"Mr. Jake," Eron whispered, his voice tight.
"I won't waste your time," Jake began, fixing a predatory gaze on him. "Eron, we've realized there was a... slight misunderstanding at the bakery. That supervisor who gave your position to his cousin? He's been fired. We realized his bias was hurting our bottom line." He paused, leaning in. "We want you back. We'll double whatever pittance that girl is paying you. You'll be Head Baker of this branch, and if you perform well, I can put in a word for you at the main headquarters. You don't belong in a small café kitchen. You belong at the top of the industry."
Jake spoke as if he were offering Eron a lifetime opportunity. Eron looked at the sleek business card. He remembered the men who had watched him get kicked onto the street with nothing but a torn sack and flour-stained clothes. Then, he thought of Lyria, who had fed him when he was starving, and Tessa, who called him a brother. He thought of the contract he had signed, the one that promised him respect.
"You fired him?" Eron asked quietly.
"Gone this morning," Jake said confidently. "The head baker position is yours."
Eron took a deep breath. He didn't take the card. Instead, he stepped back. "You fired him because you're losing money," Eron said, his voice gaining strength. "Not because you cared about me. When I was down, you didn't even look at me. Miss Lyria didn't just give me a job; she gave me my dignity back."
Jake's smile faltered. "Don't be a fool, Eron. That place is a fad. Your employer will be broke within six months, and you'll be begging for work again."
"It doesn't matter if we go down," Eron countered. "I would rather go down with the café than work for the likes of you ever again."
As Eron walked away, Jake tucked his card into his pocket, his eyes flashing with malice. Drumming his fingers on the desk, he picked up his Clawcom and made a call.
The next morning, the café was bustling. The scent of fresh pastries drew in the early crowd, but Eron moved through the kitchen with dark circles under his eyes.
"Eron, didn't you sleep?" Tessa asked as she came in to help move the pastries to the display glass.
"I'm just... feeling a little uneasy," Eron admitted, debating whether to tell her about the encounter.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, nothing at all," Eron replied, forcing a smile.
By noon, the crowd peaked. Among them was a popular food influencer, Chubbycat, who was livestreaming to thousands of fans.
User123: Wow, the interior is gorgeous!
BeautyQ: [Sent 2x Magic Castles!]
HungryFan: Is the food actually good?
Chubbycat ordered three different beverages, flavored cupcakes, and matcha mooncakes. "Umm mmm! Guys, you have to get this. It is shho amazing!" he mumbled with a full mouth, eventually ignoring the camera to finish his meal.
Suddenly, the doorbell chimed, followed by the sound of heavy, rhythmic footsteps. Several inspectors in uniforms and sunglasses entered, toothpicks tucked into the corners of their mouths. Lyria came down from the office, her heart sinking.
"Good day. What can I help you with?" she asked.
A hyena beastwoman glared at her. "Are you Lyria Snowpelt, owner of Moonpetal?"
"I am. What is this about?"
"We've received a tip," a boar fecund announced, his voice booming theatrically for the benefit of the customers, "that this establishment is illegally using Black Ember Powder in its food."
The air in the café froze. Customers began retching, trying to vomit. Black Ember was a banned alchemical stimulant extracted from corrupted beast cores and are violently addictive and capable of turning a person into a corrupted beast.
"That's impossible! We don't use additives!" Tessa shouted.
"Then you won't mind a search," the hyena, Jacinta, said with a smirk.
"You can search," Lyria said, her voice trembling but calm, "once you show me a warrant."
Jacinta pulled out a document with a smirk, waving it for the room to see. Chubbycat's camera zoomed in, broadcasting the document to the world.
Fannymei: OMG, Moonpetal is using contrabands?!
Chubby2: I just ate there yesterday! Help!
Across town, Jake watched the stream, smiling as he paid for more trolls to flood the comments and also bought a place in hot searches.
Suddenly, Lyria's new skill, Basic Contract Law, flashed in her mind's eye. The document was a forgery. The signatures were invalid.
"Please, search all you like," Lyria said, her eyes narrowing.
The inspectors moved with unsettling precision. They didn't check the flour or the sugar; they headed straight for hidden corners that a stranger would never have found and even workers ignore. They pulled out small packets of dark powder which was tested with a device, beeping twice showing it was black ember.
Gasps filled the room. Eron realized then what Jake had meant. This was the setup.
As the inspectors moved to arrest Lyria, Tessa stepped forward, her face pale. "Wait! It was me!" she cried. "I placed those there! I haven't used them yet... I was just jealous of my friend's success!"
The inspectors glanced at each other. They weren't entirely convinced, but they had a confession. They cuffed Tessa instead, declaring the shop under investigation.
The customers murmured, some shaking their heads at the "betrayal" of a best friend, while Chubbycat's stream reached record breaking numbers. It happened so fast. Before Lyria could even speak, Tessa was led away, and the once vibrant café was left deserted.
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