The restaurant shimmered back into existence with the faint scent of ozone and strong curry spice. Agung stumbled slightly, leaning heavily on the counter as the surreal reality of the Overworld Restaurant reasserted itself.
Lady XIII phased back in beside him, her physical form wavering slightly before solidifying. She looked utterly drained, the XIII glowing faintly on her thigh.
"Dimensional travel coupled with cosmic vandalism is taxing," she pronounced dryly, though her silver eyes held a flicker of deep satisfaction. "The Incubator has a processing bottleneck it cannot ignore. That should spoil its appetite for the next... several subjective timelines."
Igor, having apparently enjoyed the whole spectacle, finished his last sip of tea (which had materialized for him during the chaos) and set the cup down with a delicate clink.
"A bold and strategic maneuver, Fool," Igor complimented. "You have introduced a valuable chaos into the Madoka timeline. Now, you must prepare for the repercussions, both here and in that world."
Full Rest and Preparation
Agung felt the emotional and mental exhaustion crash over him—from counseling a future Hokage to comforting a Magical Girl and then coordinating a psychic attack on a cosmic fox.
"I need sleep," Agung said simply, running a tired hand over his face. "And I need to make sure the kitchen is ready. The night is long, and the multiverse is very, very large."
Igor rose from his chair. "My visit concludes, Agung-san. Your next customer approaches. Remain vigilant, Fool. The journey is never finished." With a final, enigmatic smirk, the blue-green light enveloped him, and he vanished.
Lady XIII remained, giving Agung a slow, appraising look. "I will maintain a passive, energetic presence tonight. I will not manifest again, but I will be listening. Go, chef. Rest and prepare."
Agung nodded, accepting the dismissal. His first priority was his physical reality and the integrity of his sanctuary
Closing and Reset
1. Kitchen Deep Clean
Agung methodically set about cleaning the kitchen. He scrubbed the wok, polished the counter, and organized his Halal ingredients. This ritual was not just about hygiene; it was about grounding himself, returning to the simple, comforting reality of his chef life. He made sure his stock of fresh, cold rice for the next night's Nasi Goreng was ready.
2. Service Tally Check
He glanced at the invisible counter in his mind: Service Tally: 2. He still had 48 more services before he earned his first facility upgrade. The small motivation was a necessary anchor.
3. Personal Maintenance
Agung retreated to his small living quarters behind the kitchen. He took a long, hot shower, washing away the psychic grit of the night's travel. He changed into a fresh T-shirt and loose pants, preparing his body for genuine rest. He drank a large glass of water, focusing on hydrating and recovering.
4. The Arcana's Influence
As he lay down, Agung closed his eyes and consciously connected with his Arcana. The energy of The Star's Chef pulsed gently within him, feeling like a deep, powerful warmth that banished the cold exhaustion. He reaffirmed his resolve: The Fool is ready for the next step.
He slept deeply, his mind blank save for the subtle humming of the cosmic hub around him, gathering strength for whatever despair, chaos, or complexity the multiverse would bring to his door when the sun finally set again.
The hours passed. The sun rose and set over Central Java.
As the evening approached, Agung awoke feeling surprisingly refreshed and clear-headed. He donned a clean apron and stepped into his spotless restaurant. The air was charged, expectant. He knew the night's service was about to begin.
He waited behind the counter, the faint glow of the supernatural door visible in the dim light.