Chapter 10
“Haaah… You saved my life.”
“Oh, not at all! This is what people do for each other.”
I smiled warmly at Walter.
Even though it meant I had to unpack my “just-in-case coffee bundle” and go through the trouble of brewing coffee for him.
‘How was I supposed to ignore that…’
He honestly looked like he was about to collapse.
That was the real reason I couldn’t refuse his sudden request for coffee.
With how exhausted he looked, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, asking so desperately… how could I say no?
‘…I’m not heartless, after all.’
And who knew? Through school ties, regional ties, or customer ties, maybe he’d end up becoming my golden goose.
I spoke to Walter as he gulped down the coffee like it was a life-saving potion.
“I have about one more cup left, so feel free to ask if you want more. Oh, and I can give you ice cream too!”
“Ah…”
Only then did he seem to realize how he looked. He gave an awkward smile.
“This isn’t exactly a dignified sight. I haven’t slept properly for over a week, so I look even worse than usual.
If I hadn’t had your coffee back then… I probably would’ve lost my mind by now. I’ve held on this long thanks to you.”
“Oh, I just gave you some coffee.”
“No. This time, and last time too… meeting you exactly when I needed help… it feels like the god is watching over me.”
Walter glanced briefly toward the temple, then finished the last sip of coffee. His complexion, which had looked like he might collapse at any moment, finally brightened a little.
Just when I was starting to feel relieved, he spoke again.
“So, about that… have you ever thought of offering a tribute to the god?”
“…What?”
‘A tribute? All of a sudden?’
I looked toward the offerings piled in front of the temple. I saw grains and jewels, but no food that could be eaten right away.
And he was telling me to offer a tribute?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Walter hurriedly added,
“Actually, His Holiness has been looking for coffee to offer to the god. There hasn’t been any coffee among the offerings yet, so he’s been quite anxious.
And since you make the best coffee I know, and you helped me…”
He trailed off, carefully watching my reaction, clearly worried it might sound like he was forcing me.
Meanwhile, my brain was spinning at full speed.
‘If I use this well, this could become an amazing catchphrase.’
Coffee so good even the god seeks it out.
What a powerful line.
Faith was especially strong right now, since miracles had just happened.
‘This could attract even hardcore coffee lovers who wouldn’t move for ice cream alone.’
So my choice was obvious.
I nodded eagerly, the corners of my mouth lifting.
“Of course! Absolutely! Please leave it to me. I can give it to you—no, offer it—right now!”
My voice rose with excitement. I slammed my hand on the stall, but didn’t even feel the pain.
That’s how much of a celebration was happening in my head.
‘All I need is a proper opening.’
Once I open, it’s going to explode. Seriously.
There was still the furniture shop issue, but still!
When my eyes sparkled, Walter smiled faintly.
“Then I’ll deliver the offering to His Holiness. Since you can’t enter the temple yet, I hope you understand.”
“Oh, that’s totally fine. As long as Yonggari Café’s coffee is safely offered, I don’t care who takes it.”
“That’s a relief. Then please give me the coffee when it’s ready.”
“Oh, I’ll give it to you right now.”
I winked playfully and moved quickly. I poured the single remaining cup of coffee into a pretty teacup.
Just in case, I had brought along a rose-patterned teacup, and it turned out to be the perfect choice.
‘It’s a shame I don’t have tumblers or takeout cups yet.’
But there was nothing I could do about that for now.
I handed the prepared coffee to Walter.
“Will this be okay?”
“Yes. I’ll return the teacup when I visit Yonggari Café later.”
With that, Walter carefully held the cup and headed toward the temple.
I watched him leave, then started cleaning up the stall. The sky had grown quite dark, and it was time to head back. I didn’t want to collapse face-first in the plaza.
‘And I have to come back and do this again tomorrow.’
I clenched my fist and pumped myself up.
***
After everything was cleaned up—
“…Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”
I stared at Millun with wide eyes. As soon as I finished, he approached me with a frightening expression after silently watching from afar.
Because of that, both Hugh and I became cautious.
“Hugh, what’s wrong with Mr. Millun?”
“Uh… Hugh doesn’t know either! At some point, he got really grumpy. Um, was it when he smelled the coffee? Hugh’s not sure…”
“That was around the time I was talking to Sir Walter.”
‘What is it?’
I pouted.
‘Did he not like the smell of coffee? That wouldn’t erase everything amazing I showed him today… right?’
As my worry grew, he parted his lips and let out a long breath.
“…For now, follow me. There’s somewhere we need to go.”
“Huh? Somewhere? Uh… are we going to eat?”
“Well, that too.”
With a slight frown, Millun grabbed Hugh and started walking briskly. Startled, I hurried after him.
We didn’t exchange a single word until we reached our destination. Partly because Millun kept his mouth shut—
And partly because—
‘Why are these alleys so complicated?!’
It was hard just to keep up.
Right turn, then left. A blue sign, then another right.
A maze guaranteed to confuse anyone with bad sense of direction. Millun, however, walked through it with ease.
Then he stopped.
“Here we are.”
“Huh? This is—?!”
[Frisia’s Fine Furniture Shop]
“A furniture shop?!”
‘It really is a furniture shop?!’
The very furniture shop I planned to visit after getting Millun’s token for the café interior was right in front of me.
I stared back and forth between the sign and Millun, eyes wide.
‘Why are you helping me?’
My face twisted in shock. Seeing that, Millun chuckled.
Crossing his arms, he spoke.
“Well, that expression is worth seeing. But more importantly, isn’t there something you forgot?”
“…Forgot?”
‘What did I forget? Hugh’s food? I gave him that earlier. Energy?’
But my energy was still fine.
No matter how much I thought about it, I hadn’t forgotten anything.
I did everything I needed to do today. I showed everything I had to show.
When I couldn’t figure it out, Millun sighed deeply.
“I can’t tell if you’re stupid or acting… wipe that dumb look off your face before I change my mind.”
At that, I reflexively smiled politely.
Millun shook his head, pulled something from his coat, and held it out to me.
“Take it. You’ve earned the right to use my tools.”
‘…Is this real?’
I stared, mouth slightly open.
This was—
‘The token!
You’re giving it to me already? There’s still a day left!’
When I just blinked at him, he spoke again.
“Are you not going to take it?”
“No! I’ll take it!”
I grabbed the token—and his hand—at the same time.
Then—
Prove It! Completed!
Would you like to receive the reward?
– Millun Bash & 1,000 Gold
[Accept]
The quest completion window appeared.
So excited, I shook his hand enthusiastically.
‘And if I go into the furniture shop too…
Nothing is stopping my café from opening now!’
The café opening was finally within reach. There were still details left, but the biggest hurdle was over.
I beamed at Millun.
“You made a great decision. I’ll take really good care of you.”
“…Just do your own job properly.”
“You saw my skills.”
I gave a thumbs-up and winked. Millun shook his head and sighed.
Afraid he might take it back, I quickly stuffed the token into my pocket.
Once given, it’s done.
‘Seriously, today was insanely lucky.
I offered a tribute and got the token right away!
Please let tomorrow be just like today.’
I’d never really prayed to a god before, but today I felt like making an exception.
After silently making a short wish, I dragged Millun and Hugh into the furniture shop.
And maybe because of that—
***
The next morning.
Special Quest!
Let many people know about the coffee that even the god was moved by!
– Sell 20 cups of coffee per day at the café for 10 days.
Reward: 1 Diamond
Failure: Energy -50% debuff
The debuff resets daily at 00:00.
“…Are you kidding me…”
‘…Please, just let me open the café already.’
