I Have An SSS-Rank Service System: Hire Me For Anything!-Chapter 24: First Day Of Work [1]

Lola moved past him and tied a cloth over her hair as she stepped into the kitchen space. The others followed behind her, each taking a spot like they had already agreed on it without saying a word.

Dory stood still for a second, weighing the coins in his hand. Then he slipped them into his pocket and clapped once.

"Alright. We start now. No wasting time."

Maya leaned against the table. "Tell us what to do, boss."

Dory ignored the tone. "Dano, Lila, Lisa—you three start with the plums. Wash them first. Then slice. Thin. Same size. No seeds inside."

Lisa raised a hand. "How thin?"

Dory held up his fingers. "About this. Not too thick. Not too soft."

"Got it."

They moved fast. The sound of water splashing filled the room as Dano poured a bucket into a wide bowl. The plums went in, and all three girls started rubbing and rinsing them.

Lola stepped up beside Dory. "What about me?"

"You’re on the honey," Dory said. "Low heat. Don’t let it burn. If it turns dark, we throw it away."

Maya scoffed. "So I guess I’m not trusted with that?"

"You are with me," Dory replied. "We mix flavors."

She smiled. "I like that."

Dory turned to Liam, who was standing near the door, doing nothing.

"You. Forge."

Liam frowned. "Already?"

"Yes. Horg can’t do everything alone."

Liam sighed and dragged his feet toward the back. "Fine. If I die, it’s on you."

"You won’t," Dory said flatly.

Liam waved him off and disappeared into the forge.

The kitchen got busy fast.

Water, fruit, knives, and voices mixed together. The calm from earlier was gone.

"Like this?" Lila asked, holding up a slice.

Dory walked over, checked it, and nodded. "Good. Keep going."

Dano worked faster than the others. Her knife hit the wood in a steady rhythm. Lisa was slower but careful.

"No seeds," Dory reminded.

"I know," Lisa said, rolling her eyes.

Across the room, Lola stood by the fire. She had a small pot over low heat, slowly stirring honey with a wooden spoon.

"Dory," she called. "It’s getting thinner."

"Good," he said. "Don’t rush it."

Maya stood beside him, arms crossed. "So what now, scientist?"

Dory grabbed a bowl and a lemon. He cut it open and squeezed the juice in.

"Mix this with a bit of honey. Not too much."

Maya leaned in. "That’s it?"

"For now."

She smirked. "You make it sound simple."

"It is simple," Dory replied. "If you follow it."

*****

Outside, the sound of metal hitting metal echoed from the forge.

Liam stood beside Horg, sweating already.

"Push harder!" Horg barked.

"I am pushing!" Liam snapped, pulling the bellows again.

The fire roared brighter.

"Not like that. Steady. You rush it, you ruin it."

Liam groaned. "Why is this so hard?"

Horg didn’t answer. He pulled a piece of heated metal out and slammed it onto the anvil.

"Watch," he said.

Liam watched.

The hammer came down again and again. Sparks flew.

"Your turn soon," Horg added.

Liam shook his head. "I’m going to die."

Back in the kitchen, the first batch of slices was ready.

Dory walked over. "Salt."

Dano grabbed the coarse salt and sprinkled it over the trays.

"More even," Dory said. "Not too much in one place."

Lila adjusted her hand. "Like this?"

"Better."

Within minutes, liquid started to form at the bottom.

Lisa blinked. "It’s working."

Dory nodded. "Let it sit."

Maya leaned closer. "Still feels like a waste."

"It’s not," Dory said. "Wait and see."

Time passed fast.

The room grew warm. The air smelled of fruit and honey.

Lola wiped sweat from her forehead. "This heat is crazy."

"Stay focused," Dory said.

The salt stage finished. Dory pointed at the basin.

"Rinse them. All of it. No salt left."

The girls moved quickly. Water splashed again as they washed the slices.

"Careful," Dory said. "Don’t break them."

Next came the flavoring.

Dory stood at the center, directing.

"Batch one—here," he said, pouring the honey-lemon mix.

Maya took over, tossing the slices gently.

"They look nice," she said.

"Keep moving them."

Lola brought her pot closer. "This one?"

Dory checked it. "Good. Add pepper."

She raised a brow. "All of it?"

"No. Small."

She added it slowly making the smell changed at once.

Dano sniffed the air. "That smells strong."

"It’s meant to," Dory said.

---

Each batch followed. One with bitter-vine. One with extra salt and lemon. One plain with honey. One mixed with everything. The table filled with trays of colored slices.

Lisa stared. "They look like glass."

Maya smiled. "Better than anything in the village."

Outside, Liam stumbled back into the house.

"I need water," he said, breathing hard.

Lila handed him a cup. "You look like you fought a bear."

"I fought fire," Liam said, drinking fast.

"Go back," Dory said without looking at him.

Liam froze. "What?"

"Go back. We need the furnace ready."

Liam groaned. "You’re heartless."

"Go."

He muttered under his breath and left again.

The final stage started. Drying.

Dory pointed to the racks near the heat.

"Lay them flat. No overlap."

The girls followed. One by one, the trays went up. Now they waited. No one spoke much. Everyone watched.

Minutes passed.

Then more.

The slices slowly changed. Less wet. More firm.

Lola poked one. "It’s getting there."

Dory nodded. "Not yet."

After a while, Dory took one down and bent it slightly. It held. He bit into it and chewed. Then nodded.

"Done."

The girls rushed forward.

"Let me try!"

"Wait!"

"Give me one!"

Dory raised a hand. "One each."

They grabbed pieces and tasted.

Maya closed her eyes for a second. "Still good."

Lola smiled. "Even better."

Lisa laughed. "We made this?"

"Yes," Dory said.

They worked fast after that.

Sorting. Plating. Packing. Five groups. Each one neat. Each one clean.

Dory carried the trays toward the forge.

The heat hit him at once.

Liam was still at the bellows, looking exhausted. Horg was hammering again. Dory set the trays down.

"Done," he said.

Liam turned, eyes wide. "Already?"

"Three hours," Dory replied.

Liam walked over slowly. "They look... expensive."

"They are," Dory said.

He handed Liam the packs.

"Take them. One to each shop."

Liam nodded. "Got it."

He grabbed the tray carefully.

"Don’t drop them," Dory added.

"I won’t."

Liam took a deep breath and headed out.

Dory turned back to the forge.

The girls were already stepping in, curious.

Horg glanced at them, then at Dory.

"You serious?"

Dory nodded.

"They help you now."

Horg grunted.

"Then tell them not to get in my way."

Maya stepped forward. "We won’t."

Lola followed. "Just tell us what to do."

Horg looked at them for a moment.

Then pointed.

"Fine. You....grab the tongs."