Chapter 07
What the hell is he talking about, that crazy guy…?
I muttered quietly, then suddenly gasped and sat up. My mouth was soaked with drool.
‘Why am I sleeping on the floor?’
I wiped my mouth in confusion, then blinked at the scene in front of me.
“Kyahahaha!”
“Is that really true?”
“Hugh saw it clearly! Really!”
What on earth was going on?
I crossed my arms and looked at them. One was the hamster I had been looking for, and the other was…
“Ugh.”
A sigh came out on its own. Just seeing that face told me everything.
‘Right… I talked to him last night and then went straight to sleep, didn’t I?’
Sleeping roughly on the café floor made my shoulders stiff…
I rolled my shoulders a few times and stretched my mouth wide.
“How do I keep that guy from leaving?”
‘Should I lock him up so he can’t go anywhere?
Dig a basement?
Change the game genre into something dark?’
I stared at him with dangerous thoughts.
That man—the one who forced a potion on me last night and said he had business with me.
And the helper I needed the most right now.
“…The tool craftsman, Millun Bash.”
‘I will definitely catch you.’
For a moment, I recalled how I found out who he was.
***
About four hours earlier.
I stared at the man who said he had business with me, full of suspicion.
‘I knew something was off when he forced that potion on me.’
Noticing my stare, he frowned as if it was ridiculous.
“Hey, Leila Token. This isn’t the time for you to look at me like that.”
“Then start by telling me who you are.”
“Well, fine.”
He brushed his hair back and smiled, pulling up the corner of his lips. It was a smile that said, Go ahead, regret listening.
“I’m Millun Bash, a tool craftsman who makes magical tools. I was Basha’s long-time business partner.
So relax a bit. I may not look like it, but she asked me to look after you.”
‘What? A tool craftsman?’
So he was the one who made the Master Craftsman’s All-Purpose Hammer?
It felt like I’d been hit over the head.
“Oh!”
‘Now that I think about it, when I first got the diamonds, Hugh said the tool craftsman would be coming soon!’
The game had given me hints properly…
I just forgot because of how intense the first customers were.
Ahem. I cleared my throat and held out my hand to him, trying to make peace.
“Ah, Hugh did mention you, but I didn’t expect you so early. Sorry I didn’t recognize you.”
“You can’t help lacking good judgment.”
“…Ah.”
“More importantly, seeing the state of this café, I’ve completely lost the will to help.
Honestly… I regret coming here at all.”
This place being Basha’s café?
He ignored my hand with a clear sneer.
And at that moment—
Ding!
A quest window appeared, as if it had been waiting.
***
Tutorial!
The first step to becoming a café owner!
- Name the café (Completed)
- Repair the café building (Completed)
- Decorate the café interior (Not completed)
- Use the [Tool Shop] (Not completed)
- Use the [Furniture Shop] (Not completed)
Reward: 10 Diamonds, 1,000 Gold
You can use the [Tool Shop] after obtaining the Tool Craftsman’s Token.
The [Furniture Shop] activates only after visiting it in person.
‘…I need a token?’
And after completely ruining my first impression, I had to get that token from that annoying tool craftsman?
I clenched my teeth and forced a smile.
‘Don’t forget. I have to make this café the best within one year.’
Or I die.
There was no time to curse the game or complain.
I had to finish the tutorial, properly open the café, attract customers, and make it the best.
This step was absolutely necessary.
‘I will get that token.
As soon as possible.’
Smiling kindly, I thought about how to keep him here. Judging by his attitude, he looked ready to leave immediately.
While spinning my thoughts, I clapped my hands to get his attention.
“Oh, well, you don’t have to help me… but shouldn’t you at least show your face to Hugh before leaving?”
“…Ah. Since I’m already here, I suppose I should see Hugh. Where is he? He wouldn’t leave this place.”
‘Got him!’
I grinned and replied,
“Hugh isn’t here right now. You’ll have to wait a bit.”
“…What did you say?”
“Hmm, I’m going to sleep for now. I can’t afford to buy another potion, you know.”
I checked my remaining energy. Thirty percent.
It had dropped fast just from talking—probably because of the energy drink earlier.
Sleeping now was the right choice. If I ran out of energy again, who knew when I’d wake up?
‘I’ll sleep for just four hours.
Then I’ll think of a way to keep the tool craftsman here.’
Ignoring Millun’s stunned look, I flopped down on the floor and closed my eyes. Sleep came easily.
“…What kind of woman is this?”
I heard Millun mutter, but I was already asleep.
***
And now—
After waking up, I looked at Hugh and Millun and started thinking hard. Then I jumped up and walked toward them.
They didn’t even notice me approaching and kept talking.
“Hugh is so happy to see Master Millun again!”
“I’m happy to see you again too, little one. But why do you look so thin? Is your owner not feeding you?”
“Ah! Hugh is an adult now and can eat by himself!
I ate properly by myself yesterday! And Master is busy with café work!”
“Huh? So busy she doesn’t even have time to feed a hamster?”
Millun’s gaze turned toward me.
So he knew I was there and just pretended not to notice.
And that hit my conscience hard. I pressed my lips together like a sinner.
I should have fed Hugh, even if I skipped my own meals…
So that’s why he disappeared to eat yesterday.
I gently patted Hugh’s head, full of guilt. Watching us, Millun frowned and spoke.
“Let me ask just in case. Are you eating properly?”
“…Uh.”
“Haa. I knew it.”
Millun let out a deep sigh.
“I shouldn’t have come in the first place…”
He muttered and looked at us like we were a headache.
“Get ready. Both of you.”
“…Why?”
“Instead of calmly asking ‘why,’ get ready to go. I can’t stand watching you like this, so I’ll at least treat you to a meal.
What were you even trying to do without eating?”
He complained nonstop, clearly unable to understand. I could imagine how Hugh and I looked to him.
Probably like beggars.
Still, I had no intention of correcting him.
‘If he’s willingly sticking around, why stop him?’
And he was even buying food.
Just thinking about it made my quiet stomach churn.
I smiled brightly and answered,
“I’ll get ready right away, sponsor! Hugh, say thank you!”
“Gasp! Thank you very much!”
“…Enough. Just hurry up. There are no restaurants nearby, so we have to go to the capital. You have five minutes.
If you’re even one second late, I’m leaving you behind.”
“Okay!”
At my loud reply, Millun shook his head.
“…Ha.”
With a deep sigh.
***
At that time, the capital of the Jenon Kingdom, Noren, was filled with a festive mood.
“Hey, did you hear the news? A miracle happened! A miracle!”
“Of course! Everyone here came because they heard the news. They all want to see the statue!”
“They say the statue isn’t open to the public yet.”
“Still, a miracle is a miracle. Enjoy the festival.”
Naturally so.
The broken statue had begun to recover.
It wasn’t completely restored yet. The light was still faint, and small cracks remained.
Even so, it was a miracle.
The miracle that happened the day before spread quickly, and joy overflowed. In just one day, it turned into a festival.
The most crowded place was the plaza in front of the temple.
The restored statue wasn’t shown yet, but people gathered to witness the miracle. Offerings piled up in front of the temple.
From wheat to jewels and gold.
Knights were dispatched to guard them—royal knights specially sent to protect the temple.
“Oh! Are you Sir Walter?”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“You arrived at the perfect time. Truly perfect.”
Farhan, the high priest of the Dael Church, clasped his hands and looked at Walter as if he were a savior.
He had more work than he could handle, and help had walked in on its own.
After thanking him again and again, Farhan glanced at the piled offerings. Walter followed his gaze.
“There is something I need you to do.”
“Guard the offerings?”
“Yes. But there is one more thing I’d like to ask, if possible.”
Walter nodded.
“Please set aside coffee—the drink the god is said to favor. It hasn’t arrived yet… but if it does, I ask you to secure it.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, Sir Walter. In fact, I received a revelation at dawn.
A revelation to offer coffee to the god.”
Watching the emotional Farhan, Walter thought of Yonggari Café.
‘Yonggari Café… The name is strange, but the coffee was amazing. I want to drink it again.’
At that moment, he had no idea—
That the very next day, he would drink Yonggari Café’s coffee again.
Right here.
