"You idiot! It's only natural that it's a happy ending!"
"Who are you calling an idiot, you idiot!"
I snapped out of it at the sound of bickering while watching TV.
Ah, what a ridiculous thought. Why would a big shot be here?
Ah, speaking of the store's business, it's still the same. A few customers came yesterday...
Anyway, one customer did come.
He was a hunter who seemed to be drinking coffee while watching the Hunter Channel. I hope he leaves a good review.
Thanks to that customer, I was able to complete the quest to gather 10 customers.
[Congratulations! You have completed the Main Quest: The Tragedy of an F-Rank Cafe.
Please claim your reward.]
[Main Quest: The Tragedy of an F-Rank Cafe
You have finally obtained your own cafe.
However, it is still F-rank. Very few people know of its existence.
Gather customers and raise the rank to make a name for yourself.
10 customers met: 10/10
Reward: 200 EXP, 1 Golden Ticket, ???]
[You have gained 200 EXP.]
[You have reached Level 11.]
[You have obtained 1 Golden Ticket.]
[The Ether-Wiki has been updated.]
[A great being has taken an interest in you.]
[The name of <Cafe Reul> has been spread among many people.]
[Your gained recognition has been converted to reputation... Complete]
[The cafe's rank has been upgraded to E.]
[As an E-rank reward, the cafe's atmosphere has improved. More people will take notice of the cafe.]
[As an E-rank reward, a new area has been opened in this space.]
[Name: Cafe Reul
Rank: E
Reputation: 20, Popularity: 25]
A series of system notifications appeared, but the cumulative number of customers is only 10, and the rank is just E.
Well, this is the kind of cafe I wanted from the beginning.
I'll save the flower to heal Seo Derrick's sick sister, and now that there's no need to enter the dungeon, it will be peaceful.
"If only it could stay peaceful..."
Huh!
I was startled by the words I had muttered without thinking.
I said the forbidden line.
In novels and manga, when the protagonist says something like "It will be peaceful now," something inevitably happens that ruins the peace.
"I will marry my fiancée when I return to my hometown."
"I will wash my hands of this once this job is done."
... These are among the top 3 things you should never say.
Well... it'll be fine, right?
It'll be... fine, right?
* * *
After the twins with puffy eyes and Ki Yu-hyun left, I checked the time.
It was almost time for Choi E-chan to come, but there was no news from him.
Did something happen? Should I call him?
Ah, right. Choi E-chan still had his phone turned off.
"...Huh?"
At that moment, I noticed a note on one side of the table. It had been hidden by a coffee cup.
What's this?
I unfolded the note.
The note was written by Choi E-chan. The last sentence of the densely written text caught my eye first.
[I have realized my shortcomings.
I will come back stronger.
- Choi E-chan]
...What?
* * *
Is this it?
His steps, which had been slowing down, finally came to a complete stop. Choi E-chan turned back several times.
The cafe building made of red bricks had shrunk to the size of a fingernail, even with his S-rank excellent physical abilities.
【Do you regret it?】
As he paused to look at the cafe, the voice inevitably pierced his mind. Choi E-chan kept his gaze fixed and replied inwardly.
'No.'
【Your expression says otherwise.】
'Shut up.'
【What a difficult contractor.】
The voice started appearing in his head after returning from the Suwon dungeon, asking if he needed power.
Choi E-chan initially ignored the voice.
【Contractor.】
"Wait, I'll go for a run and be back!"
"Huh?! Didn't you say you ran 40 km earlier?"
"I'm going to run another 40 km!"
"What?!"
It must be a hallucination due to lack of exercise. It's just because I'm exhausted.
【Isn't it time to start answering?】
Every time the voice spoke, he ran and ran.
After becoming S-rank, his body never got tired no matter how much he moved. In fact, he often broke cups because he couldn't control his strength, so running became the perfect exercise.
【You got power through the contract, yet you ignore my words. Humans call this a 'meal-and-run.'】
"I'll do some squats and be back!"
"Choi E-chan, again?"
【Contractor, are you meal-and-running me?】
"Huff, huff..."
【...】
After becoming S-rank, his surroundings became complicated, and the strange voice in his head only added to his troubles.
He ate protein and exercised, and exercised some more, saying it was due to exhaustion.
Then the voice started talking about the future.
【Next February, a crack will occur in Jirisan.】
【The phoenix has lost its way.】
【That person is sick.】
From major events to the future of passersby. He ignored the unwanted words with determination.
【Aren't you curious about what will happen to your friend?】
"What?"
But he couldn't ignore the words about his friend, Lee Reul. Especially when the content was...
...She will die?
His heart pounded heavily. The image of Lee Reul, who always smiled warmly, flashed through his mind.
How happy he was to meet her again.
It was a future he didn't want to think about.
"What do you mean? If you're lying, I won't let it go."
The black pendant around his neck heated up. Choi E-chan knew this was the mysterious voice's way of laughing.
After laughing for a while, it continued.
【You said you needed power. So I gave it to you.】
【But, contractor, you can't save everything.】
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me how to fix it."
【To save your friend, you must also give up something.】
"No, I want to save everything."
His voice was unwavering. The pendant heated up again.
【Indeed, it feels like a meal-and-run.】
"..."
【Fine. Contractor, I will give you a mission.】
Ding.
[Quest: Begin the Trial of the Yellow King.]
【At the end of the trial, you will obtain the power you desire.】
Then there's no choice.
Thus, Choi E-chan left a note and departed from <Cafe Reul>. He's not good at lying; his face would give it away.
"Where should I go?"
【First... let's go to the Abyss.】
The voice pointed to the giant dungeon in front of him.
【I am called the Nameless One. Remember that.】
"Like Voldemort or something."
【...】
【Call me the Yellow King.】
"You should have said that earlier."
【...】
* * *
Why did Choi E-chan suddenly leave? What does it mean that he realized his shortcomings?
I was shocked when I read the note Choi E-chan left. I couldn't think of any reason for him to leave suddenly.
I had been glad to have Choi E-chan around, and now I felt a sense of loneliness.
"Is anyone there?"
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Yes! Come in."
"Hello. I am Kang Hyun-woo, the head of the Emergency Dungeon Response Team at the <Dungeon Management Bureau>."
"Lee Reul, it's been a while!"
A civil servant in a suit stood at the door, with Ji-na beside him.
"I came here after hearing that the new S-rank hunter, Choi E-chan, is here. Can I meet him?"
He was here originally, but...
"He just left."
"Then when can I see him?"
"I'm not sure..."
I handed the note Choi E-chan left to the man in front of me.
"..."
The two civil servants who read the note were devastated.
There was an S-rank, and now there isn't.
Chapter 6. The Devil King Working Part-Time! (Self-proclaimed)
"...Here you go."
I made two Americanos for the two disheartened civil servants.
"This is...! It's really delicious. I can't believe it's called 'American' when it's made from beans that are burnt black and only tastes bitter."
"Right? I told you Lee Reul's coffee is delicious."
Ji-na puffed out her chest proudly.
Thus, a brief, warm coffee time. While drinking the Americanos, the civil servants' expressions relaxed, but soon turned gloomy again.
I scanned the business card I had just received.
Kang Hyun-woo, Head of the Emergency Dungeon Response Team.
He's a famous person. He had the best image among Korean civil servant hunters. I remember his stern briefings on the news.
'Other information... '
His parents run a famous restaurant. I was curious but couldn't visit because it was always crowded.
But that's not the important part.
I heard that Ji-na had become a direct subordinate of Hunter Kang Hyun-woo, but I didn't expect him to come here himself.
His neatly combed hair, well-pressed suit, and precise movements, even paying for the coffee and taking a receipt. He was the embodiment of a model civil servant.
His dark expression made me tense up.
"Do you happen to know Hunter Choi E-chan's contact information?"
"I do, but... he won't answer."
Kang Hyun-woo immediately called the number I gave him. As expected, all he heard was "The call cannot be connected..."
"Why did he leave?"
I had a hunch. Whatever it is, it's probably a fine.
Korea has strict laws regarding Awakened individuals. There is a particular fear of uncontrolled power.
Every May, there are posters everywhere saying, "It's the month for voluntary ranking updates for Awakened individuals," and "Tax benefits for ranking updates."
But Choi E-chan, after reawakening to S-rank, cut off his phone and worked part-time at this cafe.
...There are too many suspicious points.
All that's left is a note with the vague message, "I will become stronger."
This could be a big problem. I need to do something to fix it.
Worried about Choi E-chan, I squeezed out an appropriate response.
"He... is contemplating true strength... Ah, it's like a journey to find himself!"
"..."
It didn't work at all. The civil servant is looking at me with a suspicious eye.
Lee Reul is in confusion!
At that moment.
Rustle.
A piece of paper fell from the file Kang Hyun-woo was holding.
The colorful design and 20pt font made it impossible not to read the content.
Perhaps it's fortunate that there's no BonXNo due to copyright issues.
The design, which must have given the designer a headache, read:
It's time to reveal your power.
~Power Breather Prevention Method~
Newly Awakened Hunters of A-rank and above who register will receive the following benefits:
1. Housing stability support (including family)
2. No worries about power control. Access to dedicated training facilities
3. Creation of commemorative items with your rank and name
4. Special tax benefits
24/7 consultation available with Hunter Kang Hyun-woo
(010-xxxx-xxxx / Search for <Dungeon Management Bureau> on KakaoTalk)
...
"Ah, ahem."
Kang Hyun-woo, looking embarrassed, put away the promotional material.