📖 Chapter 13 – The Second Stall Challenge
The morning after the system announced the new mission, Raj stood in front of the cart with his arms crossed, staring at the panel glowing faintly in his vision.
[Expansion Mission: Open Second Stall within 14 Days]
Reward: Advanced Staff Training System
Penalty: Customer Loyalty –30% if failed
Raj's pulse quickened. This wasn't just a suggestion anymore—it was a command. The empire would not wait.
Arjun noticed his serious expression and asked nervously, "Bhaiya, what happened?"
Raj exhaled slowly. "The system has given me a new mission. We have to open a second stall in two weeks."
Arjun's eyes widened. "Second stall? But… bhaiya, we're already struggling with this one! How will we manage two?"
Raj placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll find a way. If we stay small, we'll be crushed by others. To survive, we must grow." His tone was calm, but inside his mind was already racing with questions. Where would the new stall go? Who would run it? How would he fund it?
Later that day, Raj scouted locations with Arjun. The railway station was bustling, filled with commuters grabbing snacks on the go. The marketplace was equally promising, thronged with families buying vegetables and groceries. Both spots had massive potential, but also fierce competition. As Raj weighed his options, the system gave a soft suggestion:
[Recommended Location: Railway Station – High Footfall, Low Loyalty. Ideal for fast turnover dishes.]
Raj nodded thoughtfully. The college stall would remain his stronghold, the heart of his brand. The station stall would be the spear, pushing his name into the veins of the city. But for that, he needed hands.
That evening, Raj called Arjun to the hostel kitchen. "We need new staff," he said firmly. "You can't run one stall alone, and I can't manage two at once."
Arjun hesitated. "But who will work for us, bhaiya? Most people in this area already go to Shankar when they need a job."
Raj's jaw tightened. "Then we'll find those Shankar has cast aside. People like you. People who need a chance."
As if on cue, the system shimmered with a new feature:
[Recruitment Drive Unlocked]
Spend funds to attract potential staff candidates. Loyalty varies by background and treatment.
Raj smiled faintly. This was the answer. He set aside a portion of the day's earnings, and by the next morning, three candidates appeared at his stall. A skinny tea-boy from a roadside shop, a quiet widow seeking work to feed her children, and a hot-headed youth eager to prove himself. Raj studied them all carefully, knowing that this choice would shape his empire.
While he considered, Shankar watched from a distance, his mustache twitching with suppressed rage. His stall was nearly abandoned now, his pride in tatters, but when he saw Raj speaking to potential workers, his fury deepened. "He wants to build an army? Then I'll make sure it crumbles before it takes shape."
Back at the stall, Raj felt the weight of the decision. This was no longer about frying pavs or serving gulab jamun. This was about leadership. About trust. About laying the foundation for a future where Raj's Fusion Eats would be more than a name on a hand-painted sign—it would be a chain, a brand, an empire. He looked at Arjun, who nodded with faith burning in his eyes, and Raj knew there was no turning back.
The second stall awaited. And with it, the next stage of war.