Three days of intensive cleaning had transformed The Drunken Sheep from an abandoned dustbin into something approaching respectability. Cobwebs no longer festooned the rafters. The wooden floor, scrubbed with sand and hot water, had regained its warm honey color. The windows, freed from years of grime, now allowed sunlight to stream into the common room, highlighting the solid craftsmanship of the tables and benches.

  Ryo stood in the center of the room, hands on his hips, surveying their progress. Tomas and Galen had proven to be diligent workers, especially after Ryo started providing hearty lunches made with his increasingly impressive cooking skills.

  "Not bad," he murmured, turning slowly to take in the full space. The bar gleamed with fresh polish, and the brass fixtures had been burnished until they shone like gold. The massive firepce had been cleared of ash and debris, its stone fa?ade scrubbed until the original patterns emerged from beneath the soot.

  "You think we can open soon?" Tomas asked, leaning on his broom. The younger brother had a perpetual cowlick that refused to lie ft, giving him a permanently surprised appearance.

  "Not quite yet," Ryo replied. "We still need supplies—food, drink, fresh linens. And I need to figure out what I'm actually going to serve."

  "Grandpa's recipe book might help with that," Galen suggested, coming in from the kitchen with a bucket of dirty water. The older brother was more reserved than Tomas, with a serious face that rarely smiled. "Grandmother probably has it. I can ask her if you want."

  "That would be great," Ryo said. "For now, let's finish the upstairs. I want to sleep in a proper bed tonight instead of on the floor."

  The brothers nodded and headed upstairs with fresh cleaning supplies while Ryo turned his attention to the celr. He hadn't fully explored it yet, having focused on the more visible areas first. The trapdoor behind the bar creaked as he lifted it, revealing a steep set of stone steps descending into darkness.

  Ryo lit a ntern and made his way carefully down the stairs. The celr was rger than he'd expected, extending beneath the entire tavern. Stone walls and floor kept the space cool, ideal for storing perishables. Wooden racks lined the walls, most empty but some still holding dust-covered bottles. Several rge barrels rested on stone cradles, their taps sealed with wax.

  Curious, Ryo approached one of the barrels, wiping away the dust to reveal a date carved into the wood: "Winter, 1153." According to his acquired memories, the current year was 1158, which meant this barrel had been aging for five years.

  He carefully scraped away the wax seal on the tap and turned it slightly. A rich, amber liquid trickled out. Ryo caught a few drops on his finger and tasted it.

  [Item Discovered: Bertram's Reserve Ale][Quality: Exceptional][Age: 5 years][Effect: Minor Stamina Regeneration]

  The fvor was incredible—complex notes of caramel and oak with a subtle bitterness that banced the sweetness perfectly. It was easily the best beer he'd ever tasted in either of his lives.

  "Holy shit," Ryo whispered, quickly resealing the tap. This barrel alone could be worth a small fortune if the quality was consistent throughout.

  He moved through the celr, checking each barrel. There were six in total, each dated and sealed. The oldest was from 1148, a full decade of aging. Beside the barrels, the racks held bottles of what appeared to be wine, mead, and spirits, all carefully beled in a precise hand.

  [Hidden Storage Assessment Complete][Value: Very High][Brewing has increased to Level 4][New Skill Acquired: "Tasting" - Level 1]

  Ryo sat on a stone step, processing his discovery. It seemed old Bertram had been more than just a vilge tavern keeper—he'd been a master brewer who understood the value of patience and aging. The irony wasn't lost on Ryo; his "Slow and Steady" system had brought him to a pce that exemplified that very philosophy.

  With renewed enthusiasm, Ryo continued exploring the celr, finding preserved foods, spices, and brewing ingredients stored in sealed crocks and jars. Many were still good despite the tavern's closure, protected by the celr's cool, dry conditions.

  By the time he returned upstairs, the afternoon was waning. Galen and Tomas had finished cleaning the upstairs rooms and were repcing the straw in the mattresses with fresh material they'd brought from their grandmother's farm.

  "Found something interesting in the celr," Ryo announced. "Bertram left some aged barrels that might be valuable. And a lot of the stored provisions are still good."

  Galen raised an eyebrow. "Grandfather always said he was saving his best for a special occasion. Nobody's touched the celr since he died."

  "Well, I'd say reopening the tavern counts as a special occasion," Ryo said. "I think we should tap one of the newer barrels for the opening night."

  "When will that be?" Tomas asked eagerly.

  Ryo considered the question. They had made good progress with the cleaning, but there was still much to do. He needed to pn a menu, purchase additional supplies, and most importantly, learn more about brewing so he could replenish the stock as it was consumed.

  "Let's say one week from today," he decided. "That gives us time to finish preparations and spread the word."

  The brothers exchanged excited gnces. "The whole vilge will come," Tomas said confidently. "Everyone misses this pce."

  "Then we better make sure it's worth the wait," Ryo replied. "Tomorrow I need to visit the local farmers and the general store. I want to know what ingredients I can get regurly before I pn the menu."

  They finished the day's work as the sun began to set, and Ryo treated the brothers to a meal he prepared from the preserved foods he'd found in the celr—a hearty stew of dried meat, preserved vegetables, and herbs that reconstituted surprisingly well.

  [Cooking has increased to Level 3][Food Quality: Exceptional][Using preserved ingredients effectively]

  After Tomas and Galen left for the night, promising to return in the morning, Ryo checked his status before heading to his newly cleaned bedroom.

  [Name: Ryo Balvaine (Former Noble)][Age: 18][Unique Skill: "Slow and Steady" (Passive)][Skills:

  Brewing: Level 4Cooking: Level 3Negotiation: Level 3Patience: Level 3Combat Awareness: Level 2Physical Reinforcement: Level 2Foraging: Level 1Ingredient Assessment: Level 2Tasting: Level 1Tavern Management: Level 1][Current Path: Tavern Master][Quest: Open for Business (In Progress)]His skills were developing nicely, particurly those reted to his tavern. The Brewing skill had jumped significantly after his explorations in the celr, suggesting that careful observation and appreciation of well-crafted products contributed to skill growth.

  Ryo slept soundly that night on his freshly made bed, the familiar weight of a roof over his head a welcome change from his nights on the road. His dreams were filled with bubbling mash tuns and steaming ptes of food, served to faceless but appreciative customers.

  Morning brought a knock at the tavern door. Ryo, already awake and preparing a simple breakfast, opened it to find Elma standing there, a leather-bound book cradled in her arms.

  "Galen said you might be interested in this," she said without preamble, holding out the book. "Bertram's recipes and brewing notes. Forty years of knowledge in these pages."

  Ryo accepted the book reverently. "Thank you. This is incredibly generous."

  Elma waved away his thanks. "That knowledge should be used, not gathering dust on my shelf. Besides," she added with a shrewd gnce, "if you're using Bertram's recipes, that means people will still be tasting his work. A part of him will live on in this pce."

  "I'll do my best to honor his legacy," Ryo promised, genuinely moved by the old woman's sentimentality.

  Elma nodded briskly, apparently satisfied. "The boys tell me you're pnning to open in a week. Ambitious."

  "Too soon?" Ryo asked, suddenly concerned. "I don't want to rush things."

  "No, a week is good," Elma said. "Any longer and Morris from the Prancing Pony might try to cause trouble. He's been enjoying his monopoly."

  "What kind of trouble?"

  Elma's expression hardened. "Morris has been trying to buy this pce from me for months. Offered half what you paid, the cheap bastard. Wanted to turn it into a storeroom for his inn. When I refused, he started spreading rumors that the building was cursed after Bertram died."

  "Cursed?" Ryo repeated incredulously.

  "Rural superstition," Elma scoffed. "But some of the more gullible vilgers started avoiding even walking past the pce. That's why you need to open soon—show everyone there's no curse, just good food and better ale."

  "I understand," Ryo said, gears turning in his mind. Competition was one thing, but active sabotage was another. He'd need to be prepared for potential interference from this Morris character.

  "One more thing," Elma said, lowering her voice. "The night Bertram died, he told me there was something special hidden in the celr. Said it was 'for the next keeper of the Sheep.' I never found anything unusual down there, but maybe you will."

  Before Ryo could ask for crification, Elma turned and walked away, leaning heavily on her cane. He watched her go, then looked down at the recipe book in his hands. The leather cover was worn smooth with use, the pages inside yellowed with age but covered in neat, precise handwriting.

  [Item Acquired: Bertram's Brewing and Cooking Journal][Quality: Masterwork][Effect: Significantly increases the speed of Brewing and Cooking skill acquisition when studied]

  Ryo spent the next hour immersed in Bertram's journal, absorbing the old brewer's wisdom and techniques. The book contained detailed recipes for dozens of ales, meads, and spirits, along with notes on food pairings and seasonal variations. Bertram had been methodical in his documentation, recording successes and failures alike, along with modifications made to improve each recipe.

  [Studying Bertram's Journal...][Brewing has increased to Level 5][Cooking has increased to Level 4][New Skill Acquired: "Recipe Creation" - Level 1]

  By the time Tomas and Galen arrived to continue the day's work, Ryo had a much clearer idea of what he wanted to offer at the tavern. Bertram's specialty had been a honey-infused ale he called "Sheep's Delight," which had apparently been the tavern's most popur drink for decades.

  "We need honey," Ryo announced as the brothers entered. "Lots of it. And fresh grain. I want to start a batch of Sheep's Delight today so it will be ready for the opening."

  Galen nodded. "Willem the miller can provide the grain. For honey, you'll want to visit Old Marta on the north edge of the vilge. She keeps more bees than anyone in the region."

  "Can you show me where they are?" Ryo asked. "I need to establish good retionships with local suppliers."

  "I'll take you to Willem," Galen offered. "Tomas can continue cleaning here while we're gone."

  With the pn set, Ryo and Galen headed out, leaving Tomas to tackle the remaining dust in the brewing shed. The vilge was alive with morning activity—women drawing water from the central well, merchants setting up small stalls in the square, children running errands for their parents.

  Many vilgers stopped what they were doing to stare at Ryo as he passed, some nodding respectfully, others whispering behind their hands. Word had clearly spread about the new owner of The Drunken Sheep.

  "Don't mind them," Galen said, noticing Ryo's awareness of the attention. "Small vilge, big gossips. Everyone's just curious about you."

  "I guess I'll have to get used to it," Ryo replied. In his previous life, anonymity had been his preference. Being the subject of vilge gossip would take some adjustment.

  The mill stood on the riverbank at the southern edge of Willowbrook, its massive water wheel turning steadily in the current. The building itself was three stories tall, constructed of sturdy stone with a wooden upper floor where the grain was stored.

  Willem the miller was a massive man with forearms like tree trunks and a flour-dusted beard that reached his chest. He was directing two apprentices in the loading of a wagon when Galen called out to him.

  "Willem! Got someone for you to meet!"

  The miller turned, squinting against the morning sun. "Galen! Haven't seen you in weeks, boy. Who's your friend?"

  "This is Ryo," Galen said as they approached. "He's the new owner of The Drunken Sheep."

  Willem's bushy eyebrows shot up. "Is that so? About time someone took over that pce." He wiped his hand on his apron before extending it to Ryo. "Willem Thatcher, master miller of Willowbrook."

  Ryo shook the offered hand, his own disappearing in the miller's massive grip. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm hoping to arrange a regur supply of grain for brewing."

  Willem's face split into a broad grin. "Music to my ears, young man! Bertram was my best customer for years. Lost a good chunk of business when he passed, gods rest him." The miller's expression sobered briefly before brightening again. "So, you're reopening the Sheep? When can we expect the first round?"

  "Pnning for a week from today," Ryo replied. "But I need to start brewing immediately if we want to have fresh ale for the opening."

  "Say no more," Willem decred, cpping Ryo on the shoulder hard enough to stagger him. "I've got the finest malting barley this side of the capital. Bertram always said my grain gave his ale that special something."

  They negotiated the terms of their arrangement—a weekly delivery of fresh grain at a fair price, with a discount for bulk orders. Willem threw in the first batch for free as a "welcome to Willowbrook" gift, insisting that it was good business to support the tavern's reopening.

  [Negotiation has increased to Level 4][Business Retionship Established: Willem Thatcher (Miller)][Local Reputation: Positive]

  By the time they left the mill, Ryo's wagon (borrowed from Elma) was loaded with enough grain for several rge batches of ale. Galen helped secure the load, then directed Ryo toward Old Marta's bee farm on the opposite side of the vilge.

  As they crossed through the vilge square, Ryo noticed a well-dressed man watching them from the doorway of a two-story building on the north side. The man's narrow face was set in a disapproving frown, his arms crossed over his chest.

  "Morris," Galen muttered, noticing the direction of Ryo's gaze. "That's his pce, the Prancing Pony. Mostly caters to merchants and travelers passing through. Fancy rooms, overpriced food, watered-down ale."

  Ryo nodded slightly in Morris's direction, a polite acknowledgment. The innkeeper's frown deepened, and he disappeared inside his establishment without returning the gesture.

  "Friendly guy," Ryo commented dryly.

  "He's worried you'll take his business," Galen said. "And he's right to worry. Grandfather's tavern was always more popur with locals and travelers alike. Better food, better drink, better atmosphere—and better prices."

  They continued to the northern edge of the vilge, where a small cottage stood surrounded by dozens of wooden hives. The air hummed with the sound of countless bees going about their work, flying in and out of the hives with purpose.

  Old Marta turned out to be a surprisingly spry woman in her seventies, with a weathered face and sharp eyes that missed nothing. She was tending to one of the hives when they approached, seemingly unbothered by the bees swarming around her.

  "Stay back unless you want to be stung," she called without looking up. "These little darlings don't know you yet."

  "Marta, it's Galen," the young man called back. "I've brought the new tavern keeper. He needs honey for brewing."

  At this, Marta did look up, her interest piqued. "Bertram's pce has a new master, does it? About time." She carefully closed the hive she was working on and approached them, removing her protective veil. "Let me look at you, boy."

  Ryo stood still as the old woman circled him, feeling distinctly like he was being assessed for quality, much like her honey.

  "Hmm," she said finally. "You've got a calm air about you. The bees might like that." She nodded decisively. "Bertram always used my wildflower honey for his special brew. Said it had the right bance of sweetness and complexity. How much do you need?"

  They negotiated for several rge crocks of honey, enough for multiple batches of ale. Marta's price was fair, and she offered advice on which varieties would work best for different recipes.

  "The dark honey from the forest hives has more depth," she expined, opening a crock for Ryo to taste. "Good for winter ales. The meadow honey is lighter, better for summer drinks."

  Ryo sampled each variety, his enhanced Tasting skill allowing him to detect subtle differences that would have eluded him before.

  [Tasting has increased to Level 2][Business Retionship Established: Marta Weaver (Beekeeper)][Local Reputation: Positive]

  With the wagon now loaded with grain and honey, Ryo and Galen headed back to the tavern. As they passed through the vilge square again, Ryo noticed more people watching him, their expressions ranging from curious to excited. A few even waved or called out greetings.

  "Word's spreading fast," Galen observed. "Everyone's talking about the reopening."

  "Good," Ryo said. "The more customers, the better."

  Back at the tavern, they found Tomas had made excellent progress with the brewing shed. The copper vats gleamed in the afternoon light, and the stone floor had been scrubbed clean. Everything was ready for the first batch of ale.

  Ryo spent the rest of the day studying Bertram's recipe for Sheep's Delight and preparing the ingredients. The brewing process was methodical and unhurried—exactly the kind of task his system rewarded. He crushed the grain, heated the water to precise temperatures, added the honey at just the right moment, all under the watchful eyes of Tomas and Galen, who seemed fascinated by the process.

  [Brewing Process Initiated: Sheep's Delight Ale][Following Master Recipe with Precision][Brewing has increased to Level 6][Recipe Creation has increased to Level 2]

  As the sun began to set, Ryo transferred the wort to a fermentation vat, added Bertram's specially preserved yeast culture, and sealed it carefully. Now came the waiting—at least a few days for initial fermentation, then longer for the fvors to develop properly.

  "It won't be fully matured by opening night," Ryo expined to the brothers as they cleaned up the brewing shed. "But it should be drinkable, and it will improve over time. We'll tap one of Bertram's aged reserves for those who want to taste something special."

  "This is going to be great," Tomas said excitedly. "Just wait until people taste Sheep's Delight again. Morris at the Pony will lose half his customers overnight."

  "Speaking of Morris," Ryo said, remembering the unfriendly gaze of the innkeeper, "we should be prepared for potential trouble. Your grandmother mentioned he might not be happy about the competition."

  Galen's expression darkened. "Morris is all talk. He wouldn't dare do anything openly against the tavern—too many people in the vilge would turn against him. But watch out for little 'accidents' or rumors meant to keep people away."

  "I can handle rumors," Ryo said confidently. In his corporate life, he'd navigated far worse political waters than a small-vilge rivalry. "Quality speaks for itself."

  As the brothers prepared to leave for the evening, Ryo remembered Elma's cryptic comment about something hidden in the celr. "One more thing—your grandmother mentioned that Bertram left something special in the celr 'for the next keeper of the Sheep.' Any idea what that might be?"

  The brothers exchanged puzzled gnces. "First we've heard of it," Galen said. "Grandfather had lots of secrets, though. He loved puzzles and riddles."

  "Maybe check behind the oldest barrels?" Tomas suggested. "There's a section of the wall that always looked different to me, but Grandfather never let anyone back there."

  After the brothers left, Ryo returned to the celr with his ntern, determined to investigate this mystery. The oldest barrel—the one dated 1148—was positioned against the far wall, nearly hidden in the shadows. Examining the area around it, Ryo noticed that the stones behind the barrel did indeed look slightly different from the rest of the wall—newer, perhaps, or more carefully fitted.

  He carefully moved the barrel aside, revealing a section of wall where the mortar between the stones appeared fresher. Pressing against various stones, he finally felt one shift slightly. With careful pressure, the stone slid inward, then to the side, revealing a small hidden compartment.

  Inside was a dusty gss bottle containing an amber liquid that seemed to glow faintly in the ntern light, and a folded piece of parchment. Ryo carefully removed both items and unfolded the note.

  To whoever finds this—You are now the keeper of the Sheep, and therefore the keeper of my greatest secret. This bottle contains the first and finest batch of what I call "Brewer's Blessing"—a special ale made with water from the Sacred Spring beyond the forest. One sip grants insight into the true nature of ingredients and how best to use them. Use it wisely, for it cannot be reproduced without the sacred water, and I took that location to my grave. May it serve you as well as it served me.

  —Bertram

  [Legendary Item Discovered: Brewer's Blessing][Quality: Mythic][Effect: Temporarily grants perfect understanding of ingredients and brewing/cooking processes][Uses: 3 remaining]

  Ryo carefully resealed the bottle and pced it and the note in his pocket. He would save this precious resource for when he truly needed it. For now, he had a tavern to prepare, ale to brew, and a reputation to build.

  As he climbed the stairs from the celr, Ryo felt a sense of purpose he'd never experienced in his previous life. Here, in this small vilge tavern, taking things slowly and doing them well wasn't just tolerated—it was the path to excellence.

  One week until opening night. One week to prove that The Drunken Sheep was back, and better than ever.