Arknights - Echoes Of The Unfound Dawn

A/N: Im becoming a skeleton in the closet

Two days had passed since the restaurant's grand opening, and it was already the talk of the town. On the second day, the place became even more crowded as word-of-mouth spread like wildfire. Nurses, doctors, hospital visitors, and even curious passersby arrived in droves, eager to try the food that had everyone buzzing.

The line extended outside the restaurant, and the kids were doing their best to manage the chaos. Inside, the scene was a whirlwind of activity.

"Table three needs their dumplings-like, right now!" Rico yelled, balancing a tray of drinks as he dashed between tables.

"I know!" Mira replied, her voice almost drowned out by the chatter. She was carefully arranging plates of fried rice while trying not to spill the soup bowls on the same tray.

"Calm down, you two," Elisa said, weaving through the crowded floor with practiced ease. She approached a group of customers. "Your noodles will be out shortly. Thank you for your patience."

"Patience?" one of the customers muttered, glancing at their watch. "I've been here for twenty minutes!"

Finn, overhearing the comment, swooped in with his trademark grin. "Twenty minutes? That's lightning speed in the restaurant business! You're lucky we've got Xian cooking back there; otherwise, you'd be waiting an hour!"

The customer blinked at Finn's playful tone, then chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll wait."

Meanwhile, Tobi manned the cashier counter with Nia, who kept a careful eye on him.

"That'll be 1,480 LMD," Tobi said to a customer.

"Uh... I only have 1,500," the customer replied, handing over the bills.

Tobi stared at the cash for a second, then looked at Nia. "Do we, uh, give them change or...?"

Nia sighed, gently nudging him aside. "Here's your change, sir," she said with a polite smile.

"Thanks," the customer said, taking the coins.

Tobi scratched his head. "I was getting there!"

In the kitchen, Xian was in his element. His movements were precise and efficient, each dish coming together like clockwork. Pots boiled, pans sizzled, and knives flashed as he worked through the endless stream of orders.

So this is what success feels like, he thought, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. Despite the chaos, a small smile tugged at his lips.

He glanced out the kitchen window, watching the kids hustle and juggle responsibilities far beyond their years. Though rough around the edges, they were adapting quickly.

"They're doing great," he muttered, turning back to the stove. "I just need to keep up."

That night, after the final customer had left and the restaurant was finally quiet, the kids collapsed into chairs, exhausted but triumphant.

"We survived another day," Finn said, stretching his arms over his head. "Barely."

"I think my legs are broken," Rico groaned, slumping against the counter.

"Stop being dramatic," Elisa said, though even she looked tired. "We did well."

"Well enough to deserve a bonus, maybe?" Tobi asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Xian emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. "A bonus? How about I double your workload instead?"

The kids groaned in unison, but their attention snapped to him when he placed a stack of papers on the counter.

"What's that?" Mira asked, tilting her head.

Xian smirked. "The new menu."

Elisa grabbed the papers and began flipping through them, her eyes widening. "You're adding twelve new dishes?!"

"That's insane!" Rico exclaimed, snatching the menu to look for himself.

"Do you even sleep?" Finn asked, eyeing Xian suspiciously.

"It's all part of the plan," Xian replied, crossing his arms. "More variety means more customers, and more customers mean more money. Simple math."

"But how are we supposed to manage this?" Nia asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"Don't overthink it," Xian said, ruffling her hair. "I'll handle the cooking. You just focus on doing what you've been doing."

The kids exchanged uneasy glances but eventually nodded.

The third day was even more chaotic than the second. Customers arrived in droves, pushing the restaurant to its limits. But this time, Xian had a plan.

"Listen up!" he shouted, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. The kids stopped what they were doing and gathered around him.

"We're setting some ground rules for the customers," he said. "No crowding the counter, no skipping the line, and no arguing with the staff. Got it?"

The kids nodded, and Xian stepped outside to address the growing crowd.

"Alright, everyone!" he called out, his voice cutting through the noise. "We appreciate your enthusiasm, but we need some order here. Follow the line, wait your turn, and we'll get to you as fast as we can."

The crowd grumbled but complied, forming a somewhat organized line.

Back in the kitchen, Xian worked faster than ever, his hands a blur as he prepared dish after dish.

"Order up!" he shouted, sliding a tray of dumplings onto the counter.

"Got it!" Rico yelled, grabbing the tray and rushing it to a table.

The kids matched Xian's pace, their movements smoother and more coordinated than before.

"Table five needs drinks!" Mira called out.

"On it!" Tobi replied, balancing a tray of glasses as he weaved through the crowd.

Despite the chaos, there was an undeniable rhythm to their work.

At the end of the day, the kids gathered around the counter as Xian counted the day's earnings.

"We made... this much?!" Rico exclaimed, staring at the pile of LMD in disbelief.

"There's no way," Finn said, rubbing his eyes. "That can't be real."

"It's real," Xian said, smirking as he divided the money. "And it's yours to spend tomorrow. You've earned it."

The next morning, Xian gave the kids a well-deserved break.

"Here's your share," he said, handing each of them a stack of LMD. "Go have fun, but don't spend it all in one place."

The kids cheered, their exhaustion forgotten as they planned their day off.

Meanwhile, Xian set out to buy materials for his next project. He browsed various shops, selecting high-quality items and carefully inspecting each one.

These will do for now, he thought, though a nagging feeling lingered. Despite the system's help, he still lacked the foundational knowledge to fully understand the materials' potential.

Taking a deep breath, he made a decision.

"I'll absorb more Originium," he muttered, finding a secluded spot.

As the energy flowed into him, he felt a surge of understanding, though it came with a sharp clarity: the system gave him only as much as he could handle.

The system doesn't hand me everything on a silver platter, he thought. It gives me what I need-but only if I'm willing to put in the effort to understand it.

Learning to talk is easy, he thought. But negotiating? That's an entirely different skill.

Later, Xian stood outside the auction house, his expression thoughtful.

If I want the rarest materials, this is where I need to be.

The auction house loomed before Xian, its imposing architecture a clear display of the wealth that frequented its halls. The building was lined with polished marble, the steps leading up to it illuminated by rows of intricate lanterns that glowed warmly in the evening air. As he entered, the grand interior was no less intimidating. The floor was a glossy black tile that reflected every shimmering light from the massive crystal chandelier hanging overhead. The walls were adorned with gold-trimmed panels, and elegant staff members dressed in sharp uniforms moved about with calm efficiency.

Xian approached the reception desk, manned by a tall woman in a pristine suit. Her demeanor was polite but distant, her sharp eyes scanning him briefly before addressing him.

"Welcome to the Ankar Auction House," she said with a professional smile. "Are you here to participate or observe today's auction?"

"Uh, participate," Xian replied, pulling out his ID card hesitantly.

"Of course," she said, taking the card and scanning it through a sleek machine. The device beeped, and she returned the card to him. "Your participation has been registered. Please proceed to Hall 3. The auction will begin shortly."

Nodding, Xian followed the directions she provided, walking past opulent displays of artifacts and collectibles. Each step deeper into the building felt like entering another world-a world where money and influence ruled above all else.

Xian stepped into Hall 3, and the sight that greeted him was both awe-inspiring and overwhelming. The room was vast, with rows of plush leather seats arranged in semi-circles around a central stage where the auction items would be displayed. The air buzzed with quiet chatter, and the people seated there were a class apart.

Most were dressed in tailored suits and luxurious gowns, their accessories gleaming under the soft lighting. It wasn't just their clothes-these were people who exuded confidence, their very presence a reminder of their status. Xian couldn't help but feel out of place, his own outfit modest compared to the extravagance around him.

Rich people everywhere, he thought, scanning the room. And here I am, with my tiny budget. How did I think this was a good idea again?

Finding a seat near the middle, he sank into it and glanced at the others around him. Their conversations were filled with terms he barely understood-discussions about business deals, investments, and auctions they'd attended across Terra.

As he waited for the event to begin, Xian leaned back and crossed his arms, his thoughts drifting.

Okay, focus. I've got 100k LMD left-that's all I've got from the work Chen gave me. If I'm lucky, I might find something useful in that price range. Not like I have much of a choice.

He glanced at the large screen at the front of the room, which displayed a list of auction rules and a schedule for the evening. The atmosphere was professional and cold, yet there was a tension in the air-a mix of competition and ambition that hung heavy over the crowd.

Materials, he thought, his gaze shifting to the stage. I need materials. Something I can break down, analyze, and figure out how to use. The system can give me a leg up, but I'm still missing so much foundational knowledge. Maybe something here will give me a clue.

His gaze drifted again, this time toward the chandeliers hanging overhead. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and he wondered briefly about the materials used to create such an intricate design.

The system might help me understand it, he mused. But what good is that if I don't have the basics? It's like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

He sighed, tapping his foot impatiently. I'll just do what I can. No point in overthinking it.

The lights dimmed slightly, and a voice came through the speakers, announcing the start of the auction. A man in a crisp suit stepped onto the stage, his confident smile directed at the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. We have a remarkable selection of items for you, ranging from rare artifacts to high-grade industrial materials. Let's begin."

The first item was wheeled onto the stage-a beautifully carved sculpture made from a material that shimmered like liquid gold.

"Starting bid: 5 million LMD."

Xian's jaw dropped.

Five million?! That's just the starting bid?!

The bids climbed rapidly, ending at an eye-watering 28 million.

"Next item," the auctioneer announced. This time, it was a set of rare gemstones.

"Starting bid: 8 million LMD."

The bids shot up again, this time reaching 57 million.

Xian slumped in his seat, staring blankly at the stage.

Why am I even here? he thought, his face burning with embarrassment. I couldn't even afford a grain of sand in this place.

He scratched his head, his thoughts a chaotic mix of frustration and determination. One day, he promised himself. One day, I'll be the guy bidding millions without batting an eye.

As Xian was about to give up and leave, someone grabbed his shoulder. Startled, he spun around, only to come face-to-face with a grinning Swire.

"You?!" Xian blurted out, his voice a mix of shock and confusion.

"Me," Swire replied smugly, taking the seat next to him without waiting for an invitation.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, frowning.

Swire leaned back, crossing her legs casually. "I could ask you the same thing. This doesn't seem like your kind of scene."

"Work," Xian replied vaguely, hoping she'd drop the subject.

"Work?" Swire raised an eyebrow, her smile turning mischievous. "Does that mean you're bidding on something? With what money?"

Xian sighed, knowing she wouldn't let it go. "I'm just looking, alright?"

Swire laughed, her voice drawing a few curious glances from nearby seats. "Looking, huh? Well, good luck with that."

"What about you?" Xian countered. "Don't you have a job to do?"

"I'm multitasking," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Besides, Chen can handle things for a few hours."

At the mention of Chen, Xian perked up. "Speaking of Chen, how is she?"

Swire's expression soured instantly. "Do we have to talk about her?"

Xian smirked. "What, did she yell at you again?"

"Yell at me? Please," Swire scoffed, though her tone betrayed her irritation. "She's just... impossible sometimes."

"Impossible how?" Xian pressed, enjoying the rare opportunity to see Swire flustered.

"She's just-ugh, forget it," Swire said, waving him off. "This isn't the time or place."

Xian chuckled. "You're the one who brought it up."

The two continued to bicker quietly, drawing occasional glares from the surrounding audience. Swire asked Xian what he was really doing there, her sharp eyes narrowing when his answers remained vague.

"You're hiding something," she said accusingly.

"I'm not hiding anything," Xian replied, keeping his tone neutral.

"You're terrible at lying," Swire said, leaning closer. "Spill it, or I'll make a scene."

"You wouldn't dare," Xian said, narrowing his eyes.

Swire smirked. "Try me."

Their back-and-forth was interrupted by the next auction item-a large rough pairs of blue and black stones . Xian's attention snapped back to the stage, his mind racing.

Maybe I can afford this one...

Swire noticed his sudden interest and grinned. "Finally found something you like?"

"Maybe," Xian muttered, already calculating the potential bids in his head.