When I returned to the guild, I went to Reina’s counter.
“Welcome back. Have you finished the job?”
“Yes. Here’s the completion report.”
I handed her the report Marina had filled in, and Reina examined its contents.
“It says the client paid you two additional silver coins…”
The report recorded the extra reward, so she asked me about it.
“Yes, she gave them to me directly. Was I supposed to turn them over to the guild first?”
“No. I only wanted to confirm it because it was mentioned in the report. Additional rewards are entirely at the client’s discretion. The guild doesn’t take them from adventurers.”
Her explanation put me at ease. I received the original reward of one silver coin, completing my first request.
“You said you wanted more work. What would you like to do?”
“I received an unexpected bonus, but it isn’t even noon yet, so I’d like another job.”
Reina produced several request sheets, apparently having prepared them in advance. I chose one for assisting at a diner.
They only needed help over the lunch period. The reward was ten copper coins and one free set meal.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Erik, and the Adventurers’ Guild sent me.”
The Sparrow Diner stood about three minutes from the guild, even closer than my inn. It was a moderately large establishment specializing in meat and vegetables, and the staff were still preparing to open.
“Oh, someone accepted the request! That’s a relief!”
The proprietor was Frank, a large, heavyset man.
“One of my workers suddenly called in sick, and I wasn’t sure how we’d survive today. Have you ever worked in a restaurant, kid?”
“Not in a restaurant, but I’ve prepared ingredients and cooked while helping in people’s homes.”
“Oh, good! That’s better than someone with no experience. For now, handle the ingredients in the back.”
Frank showed me where to work and explained what to do. Two other employees arrived shortly afterward, and the diner opened immediately.
Customers flooded in as soon as the doors opened. Frank worked in the kitchen while the other two rushed around taking orders.
“…The meat tastes better than usual today.”
“The vegetables are crisper too.”
“Hey, the pieces are normally uneven and difficult to eat, but there isn’t a bad one today.”
“Delicious! This is twice as good as usual!”
I listened to the customers while steadily continuing my work.
“Is it finally over?”
Five hours passed.
The diner had been packed from the moment it opened for lunch. Although I worked in the back, I occasionally checked the dining room. It was too crowded to seat everyone, and sometimes a line formed outside.
I’d assumed that was normal.
I was wrong. When the diner closed and the last customer left, Frank and the two employees collapsed where they stood.
“B-Boss, why were there so many people today?”
“I don’t know. I’d like someone to tell me. The only thing we did differently was put Erik in the back…”
Frank suddenly looked at a plate of vegetables.
“This is it! This is why we were so busy!”
“You figured it out?”
“Look at this, both of you! Every vegetable Erik cut is exactly the same size. He didn’t just chop carelessly either—he cut properly along the fibers. That’s why the food tasted better than usual!”
Frank shouted as though he’d solved a great mystery.
“Erik, who taught you to cut vegetables like this?”
“Many different people. They taught me how to hold a knife, where to place my hands, and how to cut each vegetable to make it taste better.”
I hadn’t learned from a single teacher. While doing odd jobs in the village, I’d helped in many households. People who were skilled cooks taught me various things along the way.
Thanks to them, even without the [Cooking] skill, I’d acquired enough technique to make reasonably good food.
“You said you’re a novice adventurer. Did you only recently undergo the ceremony?”
“Yes. I had the ceremony in my village a few days ago, then came to the capital.”
“Then you’re ten years old? And you already have this much skill? Even with [Cooking], I can’t cut vegetables this well.”
“Neither can I…” one of the employees admitted.
Both stared at the vegetables I’d cut in astonishment.
“Phew… Let’s eat for now. Working several times harder than usual was exhausting, but a meal is part of your reward. Is there anything you want, Erik?”
“I’d like the meat-and-vegetable set meal. Could I have a large serving?”
“Ha ha! You contributed this much to today’s sales. I’ll make it extra large!”
Frank kept his word and prepared an enormous meat-and-vegetable set meal. It contained far more meat than could possibly be profitable, and my eyes sparkled when I saw it.
“C-Can I really eat all this?”
“Of course! We earned plenty thanks to you today. Eat lots and grow big!”
“Thank you!”
I thanked Frank and happily began my late lunch.
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