I filled a glass with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Next, I poured in some lemon syrup and carbonated water, and added a suitable amount of ice to finish it off. Although making the lemon syrup is a bit troublesome, the process of making this drink is quite simple.
[Item: Lemonade (★★★☆☆)
Status: Good (Remaining Time: 00:30:00)
Effect: Purifies the mind.]
Perhaps because it was made with the fruit of the Purification Tree, it had a purification-related effect.
However, when I offered this lemon-less lemonade to the customer, they looked puzzled. Did they not expect lemonade?
"Isn't this what we agreed on?"
"Excuse me?"
Was there something like that?
"This is the new menu item I was supposed to serve you today."
The customer's voice suddenly rose, as if they were feeling stifled.
"Not a drink! Weren't we supposed to trade a Long-Tailed Phoenix today?"
"Long-Tailed Phoenix... What is that?"
Judging by the name, it sounds like a monster. A rare one, perhaps?
"Don't play dumb! I know you're involved with the black market traders!"
"What do you mean you know? Don't talk about the black market! This is just a regular café!"
"Why would a regular café be here?"
...
I don't really have a response to that...
For some reason, this customer seems to have a firm misunderstanding. To clear it up, I explained again.
"Still, this is just a regular café."
"Then where is the Long-Tailed Phoenix?"
"I've never seen such a monster. We only have a cat and a slime here."
"Meow."
"Kyu!"
"......!"
The customer's face contorted, and they hurriedly tried to leave the shop, as if they had no more business here.
But I quickly reached out and grabbed them.
Where are you going? You need to drink this to complete the quest. My golden draw ticket!
"Customer, since I've already made it, please have this."
"I don't need it!"
"Please, just try a sip."
"What is this drink supposed to be...!"
But after I persistently urged them, the customer finally picked up the glass of lemonade and took a sip.
They flinched, looking surprised, and then stared at the lemonade.
Another sip... and another...
They finished the remaining lemonade in one go.
Above their head, a satisfaction gauge began to fill with light. The sparks that flew were so clear that I could guess their reaction without asking.
The sourness, the rich sweetness, and the effervescence of the carbonated water. The customer's face was filled with delight, overwhelmed by the refreshing taste.
[The target really likes your drink. You have formed a deep bond through the drink.]
[Congratulations! You have completed the side quest: Satisfy the Customer.
Please claim your reward.]
[Experience: You have gained 100 exp.]
[You have obtained 1 Golden Draw Ticket.]
[Reputation: +5 / Popularity: +10]
[<Café Reul> Current Level: F]
Just as the quest completion message appeared.
Alright. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, I was about to tell them to go.
"I... I've lived my life wrong."
Huh?
"At first, I had a purpose. I wanted to make a difference as a hunter in the media. But the more I drew attention, the more views I got, and the more money I made."
The customer's story continued.
"From then on, I became a slave to attention. Clickbait, gossip, and advertising articles... I became a yellow journalist."
The flood of TMI was overwhelming.
In summary, this customer is Kim Tae-woon, a reporter for <Hunter Scope>. He writes low-quality articles to gain views, in other words, a yellow journalist.
He came here while investigating an illegal monster black market.
After talking to himself for a while, the customer's face was incredibly clear.
His eyes sparkled to the point of being uncomfortable. His expression was relaxed, free from any wrong desires. His smile was full of goodwill.
You look so clear-headed...
"My thoughts were wrong! True journalism isn't like that!"
His attitude was so different from before. What's going on?
I checked the status window of the lemonade again.
The vague phrase "purifies the mind" caught my eye.
Could it be... the lemonade purified the reporter's mind?
With his now clear eyes, the reporter exclaimed.
"Thank you! You've opened my eyes. Now I will walk the path of true journalism!"
Well, it's better than him continuing to be a yellow journalist, right?
"Um... Good luck. Yes."
Just as I was comforting the reporter.
The café door opened, and Ki Yu-hyun appeared.
"I came because I was worried."
His calm eyes looked at me and the now clear-eyed reporter.
"What's going on here?"
I don't know either...
[Achievement: Purified the Heart of a Troubled Person to Near-Transparency.
His heart is now pure.
It will never be tainted by darkness again.
Reward: Aether-Wiki Update]
Wow, really?
The achievement that appeared was so grand that it felt embarrassing.
"......!"
The reporter, who was preaching about true journalism with a clear face, and Ki Yu-hyun's eyes met.
"Ah, y-you...!"
"You remember me. It's been a while."
His soft voice and smiling lips.
However, the reporter's face turned pale, and his body began to tremble, as if he was afraid of Ki Yu-hyun.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"Today, today was just a coincidence... Just a coincidence! I definitely didn't come here on purpose! I'll be going now!"
His voice was trembling so much that it was hard to understand. The reporter quickly grabbed his bag and left the shop.
Should I keep listening to the endless TMI? Well, it's a relief.
"Do you know that man?"
"We had a run-in due to an investigation in the past."
"Is that so?"
"The <Hunter Scope> he works for is somewhat... famous, but not in a good way."
Now that I think about it, I remember reading something. Some hunter's secret life, or a guild having a powerful backer, all based on baseless initials.
"Because he was so persistent, I had to file a restraining order."
"Wow... What was the investigation about?"
"......"
"Yu-hyun?"
"Thankfully, you're okay, Reul."
He's so obviously trying to change the subject. Hmm, I'll let it go since he came here out of concern.
"But now it's fine."
The reporter was completely purified by the lemonade. It was a scary effect.
Well... Good luck. I silently wished the reporter well.
By the way, the Aether-Wiki was updated as a reward for the achievement.
[A new entry for 'Blue Seraeno Flower' has been added to the Aether-Wiki.]
The update was, as expected, about how to revive the blue Seraeno flower that Choi Se-dric was struggling with.
The timely quest, the bizarre achievement, and the wiki update...
This system seems to have some intention, not just reacting mechanically.
An intention to use me, perhaps.
But I'm grateful for the information on how to revive the flower.
I'm grateful, but...
<Blue Seraeno Flower>
Type: Plant
Description: A legendary flower said to contain the starlight of Seraeno.
How to Revive the Blue Seraeno Flower: [Continue Reading]
"......!"
I was surprised when I checked the Aether-Wiki.
It's the information I was waiting for...
But, uh... Is this real? Is it really okay to do this?
Is this a scam?
* * *
The next day, I headed back to the <Happy Green Life Dungeon Farm>.
My purpose was, of course, to revive the blue Seraeno flower.
As soon as he saw me, Yi Chorok was startled.
"C-c-customer? W-what brings you here?"
"Hello. I have a question today..."
"R-refunds are not allowed!"
"......?"
"Even if you don't like the Purification Tree, I can't give you a refund!"
"But according to consumer protection laws, refunds are possible, right?"
"But... I, I've already spent all the money, so I can't give it back even if I wanted to!"
"All 50 rubies?"
That's quite a lot of money, isn't it?
"Well, I paid the overdue electricity bill and took care of a few things..."
I looked around the farm.
Yi Chorok hastily tried to hide something, but I had already seen it.
The farm looked quite different from the last time I visited. Most notably, a large plant at the entrance caught my eye.
"What's that?"
"Ah, as expected, you have a good eye! This is the Flying Spaghetti Tree! It's a very rare item that I was lucky enough to bid on. It tells a Napoli tale once a day."
"......How much did you bid for it?"
Yi Chorok cautiously held up five fingers. That's what I thought...
"I didn't come for a refund."
"Customer, please, not a refund... Ah, really? I was so worried. I thought I might have to sell a kidney."
Is everything really okay here?
"Then why did you come?"
"The blue Seraeno flower, right?"
"Ah, y-yes, yes!"
"I found out how to revive it."
"Is that true?"
Without asking any more questions, Yi Chorok immediately led me to the greenhouse.
He said that despite using all the methods he knew—soil, water, temperature, nutrients—the flower wouldn't revive.
Choi Se-dric's pressure was increasing daily, and he was desperate to try anything. Even my sudden suggestion was welcome.
"Don't come in!"
Today, Choi Se-dric was standing in front of the flower in the greenhouse, looking depressed.
"Ah, ah! Hunter Choi Se-dric, don't get angry. A customer is here."
"Huh? Oh, that... my fan?"
"I'm not your fan."
This person only hears what they want to hear.
"I told you before, I have a private life. It's difficult to sign autographs anywhere... Oh, you're not a fan? D-don't confuse people!"
His ears turned bright red.
"Then why are you here?"
"I know how to revive that flower."
"......! Don't joke around!"
Choi Se-dric's face contorted.
The embarrassed look from a moment ago was gone, and he was now on guard.