Chapter 13
I haven’t eaten, but…
I don’t even have time to find John. I was already late leaving the house.
“John!”
After frantically searching the dungeon for what felt like ages, I finally found him.
“Are you here, Awakener…? Haaam.”
Once again, John was dangling from some tree, rubbing his eyes with his tiny hands.
Some people had been sweating and struggling just to find him, and now he’s only just waking up?
I felt like giving this peacefully yawning hedgehog a gentle bop on the head as I looked around.
At first glance, this place looked like a paradise on earth. A section of what used to be a dungeon.
Last night, while lying in bed, I thought maybe I could build a simple home here and live.
It might save commute time, too. But now that I’m here, my thoughts have changed. Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a place I want to stay long.
“From tomorrow, sleep only in the designated spot! It’s too exhausting to have to go find you.”
That tone was surprisingly patient. Isn’t that a proper courtesy for a partner? I added.
“Then shouldn’t you at least build me a house? That much you owe your assistant…”
“I came here to run a restaurant, not raise a hedgehog!”
I snapped, and John met me with a haughty attitude.
“Hey! How dare you call me a hedgehog! What you see is not all there is to me! I am the proud recipient of a system…!”
“Ah, forget it.”
‘This guy’s secretly expensive to maintain.’
I opened the Hunter Market. Pretending not to listen to John, I still felt a little sorry for him sleeping anywhere with no house. Now that I have some money, maybe I can buy him a house.
Small animal house: 200 gold
—Provides 5 times the comfort of a hammock.
“200 gold? Isn’t that too expensive for a small animal house? Isn’t there something cheaper?”
John leapt into a frenzy.
“Nothing cheap befits me!”
I immediately regretted opening the market.
“Not only are you not grateful, you’re angry that the house isn’t cheap?”
I quickly closed the market.
“Fine, just sleep in the hammock! Hmph.”
“Since when is that a rule?”
John jumped onto my shoulders with a flustered expression and started moving back and forth, peeking at my expression repeatedly. I deliberately pretended to yawn.
“Why? Isn’t it the buyer’s choice? I’ll only buy if I’m in the mood.”
“Not in the mood?”
“Would you like me to be?”
“But I am the kind of being with reason for this behavior!”
“Alright. I’ll think about it when I have more money.”
I teased, and John clung to my hair.
“When will that ever be!”
I tried to ignore his pleading tone, but somehow it felt cute.
Now, ignoring John shouting into my ear, a thought popped into my head about a post I saw yesterday on the community forum.
“Ah… I hope Lee Gijun doesn’t come here.”
I muttered, pulling John’s hands from my hair. I was uneasy. I had a bad feeling that the word-of-mouth skill somehow directed its effect toward him.
I held my phone, deep in thought.
I’d never imagined my ex-boyfriend showing up at my restaurant. I can’t exactly tell him not to come, can I?
If he does come, what should I do? Just greet him like nothing happened and take orders…?
‘This feels awful.’
I pressed my fingers to my forehead.
Should I post a bad review right now?
“Restaurant food here is really awful! Terrible taste. I recommend elsewhere.”
But it would be strange to ruin the restaurant business just because of one ex.
Since only Lee Gijun posted, there’s nothing I can do. For now, I’ll handle what I can and watch the situation.
Since I leveled up, redecorating the restaurant was only natural.
Also, with the word-of-mouth skill, I had to prepare for the ‘influx’ of customers anyway.
Happy Restaurant (Lv.3)
Interior: 5 Exposure: 2 Environment: 1
Current Reputation: 0
Remaining Stats: 3
I was a little worried about the reputation points.
“Should I put 2 points in Interior and 1 in Environment? What do you think, John?”
“Paying attention to presentation is an important trait for a restaurant owner. Good idea, Awakener.”
“Oh, so you can compliment me?”
“Do you think I’m just a complainer?”
“No?”
John bit into a strawberry with a frown. Juice smeared across his plump cheeks as he chewed.
I ignored him and assigned 2 points to Interior and 1 to Environment. For now, this stat distribution was satisfactory.
Happy Restaurant (Lv.3)
Interior: 7 Exposure: 2 Environment: 2
As the stats rose, the restaurant started to transform.
Clunk, rumble.
The restaurant shook slightly, more than before. Smoke filled the air, and a decent-looking counter appeared first. On it was a diffuser emitting the fresh scent of oak.
The lighting also changed, soft orange tones creating a comfortable atmosphere. Neatly arranged tablecloths added a soft touch.
The entrance for customers became more splendid, with ornate carvings and fresh vines wrapping around them.
“Wow. Now it really looks like a restaurant.”
I marveled at how my restaurant was transforming.
“Now I should check my stats.”
Basic Info
Name: Kang Sori (26)
Class: Restaurant Owner (Extended) (Lv.4)
Strength: 7, Stamina: 6, Cooking: 4, Luck: 9
Remaining Stats: 3
“Should I give 2 points to Cooking? Or all 3? Hmm.”
But I was also thinking about Strength and Stamina.
“It’s better to increase other stats too, right?”
For fighting in the tutorial dungeon.
Basic Info
Name: Kang Sori (26)
Class: Restaurant Owner (Extended) (Lv.4)
Strength: 8, Stamina: 6, Cooking: 6, Luck: 9
I added 1 point to Strength. Cooking became 6. I felt like recipes would just come to mind if I closed my eyes.
“Satisfied.”
I rolled up my sleeves and nodded.
It was now time to use the restaurant gacha ticket. My heart raced with anticipation.
“Restaurant Gacha Ticket.”
Using 1 Restaurant Gacha Ticket.
Acquired Special Tableware Set x5!
Special Tableware
—Eating boss monster dishes with this tableware triples your HP recovery speed.
Golden forks, knives, and spoons appeared before me.
“Ah, but I’d need to beat a boss monster to use this.”
But I didn’t have the courage to fight a boss yet.
“This is fine for now.”
I set the special tableware aside.
Restaurant business has begun.
Good luck today!
I stood at the counter as the restaurant opened.
But today, even after a few hours, no customers came.
“I still have four whole roasted slimes… why is nobody coming?”
I started feeling anxious.
Tap, tap-tap, tap.
My fingers were busy. Since no customers had come, I just had a meal delivered. John ate about two-thirds of what I had.
Minjung
Today’s another shift
I was chatting with my friend Minjung over messenger even though there was nothing to do.
I did come in… but not as a part-timer, um.
Minjung
What are you saying?
I just took over the place (cute emoji)
Minjung
What????? Took over??? Wait, what’s going on? I thought you were preparing for a new job???
I dunno, somehow it just happened.
Minjung
I’m near your restaurant, actually. Want to come by? I’ll give you something tasty.
One of the slime roasts with a dwindling shelf life was a perfect chance to deal with it.
Minjung
Do you cook too? Or is there a chef?
There’s no separate chef in this empty restaurant.
Don’t worry, the old me is gone. I’ve been reborn today.
Haven’t eaten yet, right?
Minjung
Um… haven’t eaten.
Then hurry over.
Minjung
…
‘What’s with this ellipsis!’
(Note: Minjung had eaten the porridge I made when she was sick before.)
“John, my friend’s coming soon. Don’t say anything, behave yourself. Please.”
John replied indifferently.
“Why can’t you speak?”
“No one can calmly watch a hedgehog talk.”
“Do you think I’m just a hedgehog?”
“Why, I am the recipient of a system…!”
John rambled, but I ignored him.
Soon, Minjung appeared at the restaurant.
“Welcome!”
I greeted my friend warmly.
“Kang Sori!”
Minjung appeared in the Happy Restaurant, her short hair and neat appearance giving her a typical civil servant look.
She worked at the Dungeon Management Headquarters. Her dark under-eye circles suggested she’d been busy the past few days.
“Heheh! Sori, I missed you!”
Minjung immediately hugged me and acted cute.
A system window popped up.
Current C-Table customer’s mood: -90 points!
‘Oh. Can’t even tell if this is a friendly customer.’
Then…
“What? Who bullied our Minjung again!”
“How did you know?”
“Instinct, of course!”
Time to show some Awakener spirit.
