Chapter 29: New Features!
That said, these were all really good things, but he didn’t even have a guest yet. Should he really be using his points in these cases? There were even activation requirements for some of them.
In the end, he decided to buy the [Poison Blocker] and [Basic Rule Maker], which would at least have direct use to him regardless of whether he had many customers.
The former one was important because he couldn’t use [Ingredient Scan] every time, right? With his pitiful overall mana, using it once would consume at least a whole 5% by default.
Not to mention, this feature should be useful if other people brought these things to the inn. He probably wouldn’t use the scan on other people’s things unless there was something outwardly suspicious, causing him to miss a few things.
The [Poison Blocker], based on the descriptions (Pang slapped his head when he asked him to summarize it instead), could block different types of poison and toxic substances, and that wasn’t just limited to plants. Who knew? It could be useful someday.
[Purchased! Poison Blocker Feature. -500 Hearth Points]
He watched as another magic circle—a purplish one this time—surrounded the inn for a second before it dissipated. As soon as the last flicker disappeared, he immediately received notifications.
[Poisonous Widow’s Crown Berry detected, partially suppressed]
[Poisonous Purple Steps detected, partially suppressed]
[Black Ant’s Poison detected, partially suppressed]
His eyebrows rose and he nodded. The first two notifications indicated there were those two poisonous species within the barrier, so he’d have to be careful with them.
Anyway, Finn moved on to the next feature.
[Purchased! Rule Maker Feature. -500 Hearth Points]
[Please purchase the rules applicable to your inn. Note: Rules are only applicable within the Inn’s territory.]
[No Harm Rule - Guests may not inflict harm to other guests, staff, or to the inn itself. Punishment shall be removal from the site premises, 5 Gold, and receive twice the proportional amount of inflicted damage. Cost: 50 Hearth Points]
[No Theft and Trespassing Rule - Property belonging to the inn and fellow guests may not be stolen, moved, or tampered with without permission. This includes vegetation within the protected area, as well as the removal of any belongings or effects within the barrier. Outside of the public-access areas, Guests may only use their assigned accommodations for sleeping.
Punishment: One-time warning, followed by a fine of 1 Gold per hour until the stolen property is recovered. Cost: 50 Hearth Points]
[Respect Quiet Zones - Disturbing guests in designated rest areas will trigger warnings or temporary silencing of the guests. Punishment: One out of two warnings, prior to removal from the premises. Cost: 10 Hearth Points]
[No Mess Clause - Excessive filth or damage caused by the guest may result in fees and possible ejection, depending on the prerogative of the Innkeeper. Cost: 20 Hearth Points]
[No Unauthorized Magic Rule - Offensive or disruptive spells shall be suppressed unless explicitly allowed by the Innkeeper. Cost: 50 Hearth Points]
His eyebrows rose. He had just asked the Panda what would happen if the attack on him was long-ranged. Although they’d be kicked out for hurting him, the point was that he would’ve already been hurt by then!
That said... there seemed to be some inconsistencies. "How would magic be suppressed if even physical attacks have to manifest first?"
"The same reasoning as to how the barrier blocks beasts but not insects and non-awakened animals."
"What?"
The Panda shook his head as if he lacked IQ for not understanding before explaining. Finn wanted to knead that chubby belly so badly, possibly with a bit of violence.
"The barrier is capable of controlling energy, but it cannot block people who only have a motive to do bad. It is only when they expended energy that the barrier would trigger, and I—the enforcer—would be alerted."
Finn understood, but also not really. He also wondered how these rules would be implemented at all. Well, if and when he received guests, he’d just find out then.
In the end, he only chose the [No Harm Rule], [Unauthorized Magic Use], and the [No Theft and Tresspassing Rule] to purchase for now, spending 150 hearth points in total.
[Status]
Name: Finnick Altheus Solthar
Race: Human
Class: Innkeeper, Chef
Level: Dormant
Awakening Type: N/A
Affinity: Unknown
...
VITALS
HP: 70/100
Mana: 100/100
Stamina: 55/100
Wallet: 150 Gold
Hearth Points: 500 Points
...
Skills:
Active: [Scent of Flavor] [ Ingredient Scan] [Dish Analysis]
Passive: [Blade Proficiency - Growth Type (Lv 1)] [Monster Instinct]
Condition: Peckish, -0.5 Stamina per 1 hour]
He gulped. It looked like he still needed to eat more. This was understandable. He hadn’t had decent carbs or protein yet, so it was inevitable his body would ask for more.
He also couldn’t help but look at the money and hearth points, which had significantly been reduced. If he hadn’t figured out how to earn money and points by then, then he’d be destitute.
It was not a good feeling.
It was like you’re unemployed and you could only watch your bank account drain in front of your eyes, and you barely even have the basics covered!
It reminded him of the poor days, and he abhorred it. He truly hated the feeling of being hungry. He was getting—ba dum tss—hangry.
Anyway, the fruits wouldn’t sate him for long. He reckoned a stronger debuff would resume soon enough.
He looked longingly at the carcasses just lying there, his eyes sparkling with determination. He was not as weak as he was when he was a child. Even if he was hungry now, he could find a way!
Then he remembered the panda’s words. Couldn’t non-awakened monsters enter the barrier?