Chapter 08
We arrived at the restaurant called “Breath of Noren,” following Millun. The inside and outside were packed with people, making it loud and lively.
I looked around and shook my head with a tired expression.
“There are so many people. Is the capital always like this?”
‘Seoul was already crowded enough… this place is no joke, either.’
There were way too many people. It felt almost like the area around a stadium on the day of a famous idol’s concert.
‘If I worked part-time in a place like this, I’d die.’
Endless customers, nonstop orders, piles of dirty dishes, and those awful customers who always appear when it’s busiest.
Ugh. Just imagining it drained me.
Memories of working at a bar near a baseball stadium came back, and I shut my eyes tightly. When I opened them, Millun, who was sitting across from me, was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
“You were excited about eating just a moment ago. Where did that person go? Why do you look so fed up?”
“Ah… there are just too many people.”
“That’s because a miracle happened at the Dael Temple yesterday. Normally, the capital Noren is much more boring than this.”
“So this is only temporary?”
“Yes.”
I nodded slowly and looked around again.
Now that I knew the reason, the surroundings felt different. No—more accurately, my perspective had changed because I was no longer a part-timer. I was a café owner now.
‘This is when I should be promoting the café.’
It wasn’t even open yet, but this felt like a perfect opportunity.
In Korea, I’d use social media like Starstagram or NewTube. But this world had neither.
That meant I had to promote it in person.
And preferably somewhere crowded.
And if that place was here and now?
‘Even if I die tomorrow, I can’t miss this chance.’
Especially for that famous “opening buzz.”
I looked at Millun with sparkling eyes. Before making a move, there was something I needed to settle first.
“Millun, can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“I want to buy magical tools made by you. I heard I need a token… How can I get it?”
Millun’s token was the condition to use the Tool Shop.
Without it, I couldn’t use the shop. Without the shop, I couldn’t open the café. If I planned to promote it now, I needed to open within at least a week or a month.
So—
‘I have to get that token. No matter what.’
I smiled politely at him. Millun crossed his arms and smiled deeply, his eyes clearly saying he found my desire amusing.
“I don’t give my token to just anyone. My magical tools are powerful, and if misused, they can cause serious problems. You know how effective my tools are, don’t you?”
“Of course. I used the Master Craftsman’s All-Purpose Hammer. That’s why I want them even more. To run a café properly, I need your tools.”
“Naturally. Otherwise, you’ll just keep crushing precious beans with rocks.”
He raised an eyebrow and continued calmly.
“But that’s your problem, Leila. It has nothing to do with me anymore.
If you thought you could easily get my token just because you’re Basha’s granddaughter, drop that idea right now.
I’ll pay for this meal. Once we’re done, we part ways.”
He smiled with one eye slightly narrowed and looked toward the restaurant staff approaching our table with the food.
So I stayed quiet and watched his mood.
If I spoke while the food was being served, he might really get up and leave. His expression didn’t look good at all.
‘He’s awfully sensitive, considering I haven’t even said my main point yet.’
I complained silently while looking at the dishes being placed on the table.
First came a fresh salad with lemon dressing, followed by a rich and smooth mushroom soup and warm, soft bread.
Then the main dishes arrived: seafood pasta with tomato sauce, frutti di mare, and a thick-cut sirloin steak.
There was even a plate of nuts and fruits for Hugh.
‘He said he’d treat us… and he really meant it.’
I glanced at Millun. He made sure Hugh was taken care of first, then cut a large piece of steak and placed it on a plate, pushing it toward me naturally.
“Take it.”
“…Oh.”
“Don’t you want to eat?”
“No, I do!”
I quickly took the plate. The steak was tender, juicy, and delicious.
And that’s when I realized—
‘This isn’t just about getting the token.’
I needed him too.
I had to make him stay at my café, no matter what.
At first, I thought I’d keep him around only until I got the token. But that wouldn’t do.
With manners this perfect, he couldn’t just be a “temporary business partner.”
‘So what should I do…?’
Which experience should I use?
‘Ah—this is it!’
I’d combine two part-time job skills.
After a short moment of thought, I looked at Millun with shining eyes. He noticed my stare while cutting his steak and flinched slightly, lifting his head.
“…What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I want to continue the conversation we didn’t finish earlier.”
“…Hm?”
He frowned and put down his knife, clearly thinking I meant the token again.
Ignoring his reaction, I spoke confidently.
“I just need to win your approval, right? Enough for you to give me your token.”
“…Well, yes. But do you think that’s possible?”
“Of course. I haven’t even shown you half of what I can do yet.
If you see my ability, you won’t just give me the token—you’ll want to stay at my café.”
“…What?”
“So give me exactly two days.”
I’ll prove it.
I confidently raised two fingers.
Just two days.
With the method I had in mind, two days would be enough.
‘More time would be better, but this kind of thing is all about momentum! Just push forward!’
Millun Bash looked completely stunned.
I smiled brightly, forcing him to respond. He covered his mouth with one hand and nodded lightly.
And then—
Ding!
***
Prove Yourself!
- Prove your ability to Millun Bash within 48 hours
(47:59:59)
Reward: Millun Bash & 1,000 Gold
Failure: Tool Shop permanently closed
What a perfect reward.
I get Millun Bash and gold.
That’s killing two birds with one stone.
The failure condition was terrifying, but without the token, opening the café would be difficult anyway. That would lead straight to failing the main quest.
‘Die early, or die in a year.’
Same difference.
And besides, I was going to succeed.
With a satisfied smile, I enjoyed my meal.
“The food is really delicious, Millun.”
I even made sure to leave a polite compliment.
Millun stayed frozen the whole time I finished eating. Even while paying, he looked distracted.
Finally, he muttered in a confused voice,
“…What kind of woman is she, really?”
Very confused.
***
Millun Bash was a brilliant tool craftsman. The magical tools he made always showed revolutionary effects.
Even the Jenon royal family wanted to buy his tools.
He could have grown arrogant and looked down on others—but Basha was always by his side.
She taught him manners, proper speech, and the mindset of a true merchant.
Even if his style changed as he grew older, Millun Bash was someone raised on her care.
That’s why—
“Do you know me?”
Leila Token’s innocent question annoyed him.
‘…That girl is really Basha’s granddaughter?’
He couldn’t believe it.
The Basha he knew was strong and exceptional.
But the granddaughter standing before him—
‘She’s… nothing like that.’
He came all this way at Basha’s request, only to see this?
It would be better to return to Basha and help her recover.
With that thought, he rejected Leila’s handshake.
He only planned to greet Hugh and leave.
As a final kindness, he’d buy them one meal and go.
But that resolve didn’t last.
***
“Everyone, come try a bite! Yonggari Café’s special menu—something you can’t taste anywhere else! Free samples, so don’t hesitate!”
Watching Leila from afar, Millun muttered,
“…What on earth is that woman doing?”
Once the question formed, it refused to fade.
