I Have An SSS-Rank Service System: Hire Me For Anything!-Chapter 27: The Need To Speed Things Up [2]
Morning came faster than Liam expected. The sky was still soft with early light as he stepped out of the house, a tray balanced carefully in his hands. The air was cool, a sharp contrast to the heat of the forge, and for a moment, he enjoyed it. Behind him, the others were already awake, preparing for another long day, but this part was his job now. Delivering the snacks, dealing with people, and bringing back results. He adjusted his grip on the tray and started toward the market, trying to keep his steps steady so nothing shifted.
Today felt different. Yesterday had gone well, but this... this felt bigger.
’Maybe I should stay a bit longer at Lola’s parents’ shop today...’
He looked ahead, already picturing the stall.
’...you know, just to build trust or something...’
He scratched the back of his neck lightly.
’...not like I’m trying to marry their daughter or anything...’
He let out a small breath and kept walking.
The market was already waking up when he arrived. Shop owners were setting up, arranging goods, calling out to early customers. But something stood out immediately. There were more people gathered near the food stalls than usual. Not a full crowd, but enough to make Liam slow down. Some of them were standing around, looking down the street like they were waiting for something.
Or someone.
"That’s... new," he muttered.
He headed straight for the first stall—Lola’s parents’ shop. Her father was already there, standing with his arms crossed, watching the street with a serious face. Her mother was arranging bowls on the counter, but she kept glancing up every few seconds.
The moment her father saw Liam, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"You’re late."
Liam blinked.
"I’m not late—"
"Where are they?" the man asked, stepping forward.
Liam lifted the tray.
"Here."
That was all it took.
The people standing nearby immediately moved closer.
"That’s it?"
"I’ve been waiting since sunrise!"
"Give me two!"
"Move, I was here first!"
Liam froze for a second as hands started reaching forward before he even set the tray down.
"Wait—one at a time—"
"Back up!" Lola’s father barked, stepping in and taking control. He grabbed the tray from Liam and placed it firmly on the counter. "Line up! You’ll all get your turn if you stop acting like animals!"
It helped... a little.
Not much.
Coins were already being pushed forward, people trying to get ahead of each other. Lola’s mother moved quickly, handing out the snacks as fast as she could, her hands steady from years of working the stall. Her father kept the line from collapsing completely, though he still had to push a few people back.
Liam stood to the side, watching.
’...They’re not even asking what it is anymore...’
No hesitation nor questions. Just buying.
Within minutes, the tray was empty.
"That’s all?!" someone complained.
"You ran out again?"
"I came early for nothing!"
"Come back tomorrow," Lola’s mother said, not even slowing down as she counted coins. "If you want it, come earlier."
The small crowd slowly broke apart, some annoyed, others already talking about coming sooner next time.
Lola’s father turned to Liam.
"You."
Liam straightened slightly.
"Yes?"
"You need to bring more tomorrow."
"I’ll try—"
"Don’t try. Do it."
Liam hesitated, then nodded.
"...Alright."
There was a pause, then the man added, his tone a bit less harsh.
"It’s good."
Liam blinked.
"The snack," the man clarified. "It sells."
Liam gave a small nod.
"Yeah."
As he picked up the empty tray, Lola’s mother gave him a quick smile.
"Tell my daughter she did well."
"I will."
He stepped away, already feeling the pressure building in his chest.
---
The second stall belonged to Maya’s parents, and it was even worse. Before Liam even reached it, he could see a group of people gathered in front, talking loudly among themselves. The moment one of them spotted him, they pointed.
"He’s here!"
That was enough.
The group shifted toward him instantly.
"You brought them, right?"
"How many today?"
"I need three this time!"
Liam tightened his grip on the tray.
"Let me get to the stall first—"
"Don’t run out again!"
"I was here earlier today!"
He pushed through carefully, trying not to drop anything as he reached the counter. Maya’s mother was already there, arms on her hips, watching the crowd with sharp eyes.
"You’re cutting it close," she said.
"I’m not late," Liam replied, a bit more confident now.
"Doesn’t matter. They’re ready to fight over it."
Liam set the tray down.
"They might."
The moment the snacks were visible, the crowd surged forward again.
"Line up!" Maya’s mother snapped.
No one listened.
It sold even faster than the first stall.
Liam barely had time to breathe before the tray was empty again.
"That’s it?" someone asked.
"You’re joking!"
"I didn’t even get one!"
"Tomorrow," Maya’s mother said firmly. "Come earlier or go without."
The crowd slowly scattered, leaving behind a mix of frustration and excitement.
Maya’s father, who had been watching quietly from the side, stepped forward.
"This is good business," he said.
Liam nodded.
"Yeah."
"You tell Dory this," the man added. "If he can keep this up, we all benefit."
"I’ll tell him."
"And bring more."
Liam let out a small breath.
"...I will."
---
By the time Liam finished delivering to all five stalls, the result was the same. Each one belonged to one of the girls’ parents, and every single one had the same reaction. Surprise at first, then urgency, then demand. The snacks sold out fast—faster than yesterday—and the pressure to increase production was clear.
By the end of it, Liam wasn’t just carrying an empty tray.
He was carrying expectations. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
As he walked back, the market noise faded behind him, replaced by the quieter sounds of the village. He adjusted the tray under his arm and stared ahead.
’...We’re not making enough...’
He thought about the forge, about Horg, about the girls working late into the night.
’...If this keeps up, we’ll need to double everything...’
Then he thought of Lola again.
’...And I really should stay longer at her stall tomorrow...’
He shook his head quickly.
’...focus first... then think about that...’
By the time he reached the house, he already knew what he was going to say.
They needed to move faster.
Because now, it wasn’t just about finishing the contract anymore.
People were starting to expect them.
