I Have An SSS-Rank Service System: Hire Me For Anything!-Chapter 29: The Need To Speed Things Up [4]

Evening came slower than expected, but it still came. The light outside dimmed, turning the sky a dull orange before fading into deep blue. Inside the forge, the fire still burned strong, casting sharp shadows on the walls. The sound of hammering had finally stopped.

Fifty ingots.

They were stacked neatly by the wall, still warm, their dull shine reflecting the firelight. It wasn’t close to what they needed yet, but it was progress—real progress.

Horg sat down heavily on the stool, wiping sweat from his face with the back of his arm.

"...Fifty, that makes it hundred in two days and remain five days." he muttered. "Tch. We’re slow."

Liam dropped to the ground beside the wall, stretching his legs out.

"I can’t feel my arms."

Maya leaned against the table, breathing steadily.

"You still have arms?"

Lola let out a small laugh.

"Barely."

Dory stood near the ingots, looking at them without speaking. His clothes were stained again, his hands rough from the work, but his eyes were sharp.

’...Fifty in one day... not bad... but not enough...’

He adjusted his glasses slightly.

’...At this rate, we’ll make it... but barely...’

Before he could think further, the door creaked open.

Liam pushed himself up slightly.

"That should be—"

The door opened fully, and Liam walked in again.

This time again, he wasn’t empty-handed.

He dragged in a small sack and dropped it near the table.

"They sold out again."

No one reacted immediately. They were too tired.

Horg looked up slowly.

"...Again?"

Liam nodded.

"All five shops. Same as before."

Maya straightened a little.

"How fast?"

Liam shrugged.

"Not as fast as this morning... but still fast. Before midday."

Lola crossed her arms.

"So it’s stable."

Dano tilted her head.

"Stable?"

"It means people didn’t just buy it once out of curiosity," Lola said. "They came back."

Lila nodded slowly.

"That’s good... right?"

Dory finally spoke.

"It is."

He walked toward the sack Liam had brought.

"What’s this?"

"More ingredients," Liam replied. "Plums, lemons, honey... whatever they could spare. Their parents sent it."

Lisa blinked.

"They sent it willingly?"

Liam smirked a little.

"They want more money."

Horg gave a small grunt.

"Fair enough."

Dory looked at the sack for a moment, then at the group.

’...Demand is growing faster than expected...’

He exhaled quietly.

’...We can’t fall behind...’

Maya noticed his expression.

"You’re thinking again."

Dory looked at her.

"We’re behind."

Liam frowned.

"Behind? We just sold out twice."

"That’s the problem," Dory replied. "If demand keeps rising and we don’t keep up, someone else will try to copy it."

Lola scoffed lightly.

"Let them try."

"They will," Dory said calmly. "And even if their version is worse, it still divides attention."

The room went quiet for a moment.

Horg pushed himself up slowly.

"So what are you saying?"

Dory looked at the group.

"We don’t slow down."

Liam groaned.

"...We weren’t slowing down."

"We also don’t wait until morning," Dory added.

That got their attention.

Maya raised an eyebrow.

"You mean..."

"Yes," Dory said. "We make another batch tonight."

Dano blinked.

"Tonight?"

Lila looked at the others.

"But we just worked all day..."

Lisa rubbed her arm.

"I’m tired..."

Lola didn’t speak immediately. She looked at the sack of ingredients, then at Dory.

"...How much?"

"As much as we can handle without ruining quality," Dory replied.

Horg folded his arms.

"And the forge?"

"We pause it," Dory said. "Just for a few hours. The furnace will hold heat."

Horg nodded slowly.

"That’s true..."

Maya let out a breath.

"...So no rest?"

Dory shook his head slightly.

"Not yet."

There was a short silence.

Then Lola pushed herself off the table.

"Fine."

Maya looked at her.

"You’re serious?"

Lola shrugged.

"We already started this. No point stopping halfway."

Dano sighed.

"...I guess we’re doing this."

Lila nodded weakly.

"Alright..."

Lisa gave a small smile.

"If we finish faster, we sleep faster."

Liam looked around.

"...Why am I surrounded by crazy people?"

Maya smirked.

"You joined us."

Horg let out a low chuckle.

"Enough talking. If we’re cooking, then cook."

—

Dinner came first.

No one had the strength to work on an empty stomach, so the girls moved back into the kitchen. This time, the movements were slower, heavier, but still coordinated. They worked together, cutting, stirring, preparing a simple meal.

Dory sat at the table, watching quietly.

’...They’re tired... but still moving...’

He adjusted his glasses.

’...Good...’

Liam sat across from him, head resting on the table.

"...If I die, tell Lola I tried."

Dory didn’t look up.

"She already knows you didn’t."

Liam sighed.

"...That hurts."

Food was served quickly. Simple, warm, and filling. No one spoke much this time. They ate in silence, focused only on finishing.

Once it was done, there was no delay.

Maya stood up first.

"Alright. Let’s get it over with."

Lola followed.

"Same groups?"

Dory nodded.

"Same system. No mistakes."

—

The kitchen became active again.

This time, there was no hesitation. No confusion. Everyone knew their roles.

Dano, Lila, and Lisa moved to prep. Plums were sliced quickly, pits removed, trays filled. Their hands moved faster than before, even with the fatigue.

Maya and Lola handled the heating and glazing. The honey warmed slowly, the smell filling the room. Lemon was mixed in, the balance kept steady.

Dory moved between them.

"Not too thick."

"Rinse properly."

"Keep the slices even."

His voice was calm, steady, guiding.

’...Don’t rush... don’t waste...’

Liam handled movement. Carrying trays, bringing water, adjusting space. He didn’t complain this time. He was too tired for that.

"...I hate this," he muttered quietly.

"No, you don’t," Maya replied without looking at him.

"...Yeah, I don’t," he admitted.

Time passed.

One hour.

Two.

Three.

The work didn’t stop.

By the end, five full batches were laid out. Clean, bright, consistent. The same quality as before.

Dory looked at them, arms slightly crossed.

’...Good... no drop in quality...’

He nodded once.

"We’re done."

Lila almost collapsed onto a chair.

"...Finally..."

Dano stretched her arms.

"I can’t feel my fingers."

Lisa laughed weakly.

"That means you did it right."

Maya leaned back slightly.

"...Not bad."

Lola wiped her hands.

"We’re getting used to it."

Dory stepped forward and began arranging the finished snacks into trays.

"Liam."

Liam looked up.

"...Don’t say it."

"You’re delivering."

Liam closed his eyes.

"...Of course I am."

Horg, who had been resting near the door, let out a quiet laugh.

"Get used to it, boy."

Liam stood up slowly, stretching his back. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"One day... I’ll be the boss..."

Maya smirked.

"Sure you will."

Dory handed him the trays.

"Five shops. Same as before."

Liam took them carefully.

"...Yeah."

Dory looked at the group.

"Once he leaves, we rest. Then we return to the forge."

Horg stood up again, rolling his shoulders.

"Good."

Lola nodded.

"Let’s finish this week properly."

Maya glanced at Dory.

"We’re not stopping now."

Dory met her gaze and gave a small nod.

"Yes."

Liam moved toward the door, balancing the trays carefully.

"...If I don’t come back, it’s because I fell asleep on the road."

"Don’t drop them," Dory said.

"That’s your biggest concern?" Liam asked.

"Yes."

Liam sighed.

"...Unbelievable."

He stepped out into the night.

The door closed behind him.

Inside, the room finally grew quiet.

Everyone stood still for a moment, tired but moving forward, and outside, the demand was already waiting.