My Food Stall Serves SSS-Grade Delicacies!

Her first customer of the day was a dark elf, the sunlight making his silver hair gleam. When he saw her menu, there was a wide grin on his face. "Fruit soda? I'll take a blueberry one, but I'll give you a tip for free, chef!"

Marron added the blueberry syrup and the lemon-lime soda before putting a lid on it. "Tip?"

The dark elf nodded as he handed Mokko 5 gold and took a sip. "Mmm, I never thought adding some flavored syrup to the fizz bubbles would be so good!"

After finishing half the cup, she noticed some sweat rolling down his temple. He continued chatting while tying his silver hair into a ponytail. "You should know there's a special pipe system running under this marketplace. Your cart—see that latch near the back?"

Marron crouched down, spotting a small, rune-carved port she hadn't noticed before.

"You can connect it to the tap line. Costs a bit upfront, but it'll give you rune-ice. Keeps drinks cold without a mage on payroll. Trust me, it'll save you gold in the long run. Underground, most of us would have to pay mages for constant ice magic, and that isn't cheap."

Mokko's ears perked up. "Rune-ice? That sounds perfect for the sodas, chef."

Marron hesitated only a moment before nodding. "Let's do it."

It cost 100 gold to rent but with a little help, they fitted the cart to the pipe. Soon a stream of magically chilled ice clinked into her storage box. Marron grinned at the convenience—it felt like her cart had just taken another leap forward.

1,900 gold left today. Let's make some magic happen.

+

After the dark elf left, the line formed even faster than before. This time, people craned their necks not only for the beignets and rice balls, but also for the sparkling sodas. Children bounced on their toes, pointing eagerly, and adults murmured about how rare it was to get sweet chilled drinks without tavern prices.

"Five gold? That's a steal!" one dwarf laughed, slapping coins on the counter as he ordered three.

Marron moved quickly, scooping rune-ice into cups, pouring the fizzy soda, and adding a drizzle of berry syrup that swirled like ink in water. The delighted faces around her made every step worth it.

And then, as she handed out another box of food, Marron spotted her from yesterday—the elf with dirt under her nails. The woman stopped in surprise, her eyes widening at the handwritten sign dangling beneath the menu:

Mushroom Custard Toast – 15 gold.

Marron's heart skipped. Would she notice?

The elf stepped forward shyly, voice soft but clear. "You really made… a vegetarian option?"

Marron nodded. "For you—and anyone else who might want it. I hope you like mushrooms."

The elf's hands trembled slightly as she passed her coins over. When she bit into the custard toast a few moments later, her eyes shimmered with gratitude.

"It's delicious. Thank you. Truly."

And just like that, word began to ripple through the line. Marron wasn't just making food—she was listening.

+

The next few orders went out smoother than Marron had ever imagined. Customers marveled not just at the mushroom custard toast, or the fizzing purple-pink sodas, but at the simple innovation dangling from their fingers. Straps swayed as people strolled across the marketplace, laughing, holding their drinks without worry.

It was small, almost laughably so, but Marron couldn't deny the little glow of pride warming her chest.

Cup holders. Something I never even thought about back home, but here… it makes me stand out.

She glanced sideways at Charity, who was too busy charming another customer to notice. But Marron could imagine the merchant's voice in her head, brimming with approval: That's how you do it, chef. You make yourself memorable.

And indeed, the attention came. People pointed to the cheerful straps as they swung past other stalls, murmuring and nudging each other. A little convenience, a little charm—it made her cart more than just a food stall.

The morning closed on a high, her cart buzzing with happy chatter, her gold box pleasantly heavy. Marron wiped her forehead with her sleeve, her heart light.

She wasn't just keeping up anymore. She was creating trends.

By the time the afternoon sun began to slide across the stone streets of Whetvale, another crowd had gathered. Marron rolled her shoulders, steadying herself for round two.

And then the line parted briefly, as someone new stepped forward.

They didn't look like much—a travel-worn cloak, a plain satchel, unremarkable features that blended too easily into the crowd. No crest, no polished armor, no obvious sign of wealth or status.

But their eyes were sharp, and their voice calm as they leaned against the counter.

"One of everything, please."

Mokko blinked. "Everything?"

The stranger smiled faintly, almost secretively. "Yes. I'd like to taste it all."

+

Marron's breath caught. One of everything?

Her menu board wasn't huge, but it was still more than a casual snack. She had fried chicken onigiri, ube cheese beignets, ube donut holes, mushroom custard toast, with sweet fruit soda for a drink.

A few pieces were manageable, but if you ate one of everything for a meal? It would be a mini banquet.

Still, Marron nodded briskly, forcing her nerves into submission. "Coming right up."

She signaled Mokko to handle the gold box while she washed her hands again, settling into her rhythm. Treat this like plating for a judge, she told herself. Neat, hot, balanced, no shortcuts.

Marron got two of Charity's takeout containers and added the neatest fried chicken rice ball she had. The mushroom custard toast went into the middle, its golden edges framing the silky, fragrant custard.

She added an extra chicken rice ball and toast to fill in the empty space, so the food wouldn't move around too much. In the next container went the sweet treats. She fried three fluffy ube beignets and filled them with savory cheese and piled the powdered sugar on.

Then she added six donut holes, their centers ready to gush molten ube jam once bitten. She added more powdered sugar, and finally looked up at the stranger.

"What fruit soda flavor do you want?"

The stranger thought for a moment and looked at the gleaming syrup jars before putting a hand over an iridescent green one. "This, please."

It was a crushed berry flavor that reminded Marron of green apples. Sweet and a little tart.

"Coming right up!"

The lemon-lime soda fizzed and the drink turned into a beautiful gradient of bright green and frosted soda. Adding ice made it even colder, and she put the lid on it before lowering it into a cute cup holder with a strap.

She then grabbed a straw and put a sweet donut hole (no filling) through it before putting it into the drink.

The stranger's eyes followed every motion, sharp but unreadable.

Marron swallowed, set the tray down carefully, and stepped back. "Everything, as requested."

The customer inclined their head. "Thank you."

And then they decided to sit at a nearby bench to eat.