I've thought about it for a while, but it's clear that this system doesn't just give mechanical responses.
It seems to read my mind, suggesting quests and rewards, and sometimes it even teases me. It uses a friendly tone at times, and other times it displays text that looks like it was scraped from some viral blog.
'Is there actually someone inside?'
No matter what, that's just absurd, though.
If this system is reacting to me, I'm curious about its intentions. It hasn't harmed me so far, but it doesn't seem to be helping me either.
'Anyway, it's clear that it wants to throw me into a dungeon.'
Of course, I'm not going there. I immediately closed that ominous quest window.
I processed the accumulated orders with the mindset that I'd rather be a coffee slave than go to a dungeon, but I soon hit my limit.
My stamina was depleted, and the system window started flashing red. On top of that, the coffee beans were running out.
"Sorry, but we're closing now."
"Huh? Already?"
"Here, I'll give you ten times the rubies, please sell me more!"
"The coffee beans are all gone. Sorry, I'll open again when I get more ingredients."
"Then give me a lemonade at least!"
"Those are all gone too."
"Aaaah!"
After sending the despairing customers out, I didn't have the energy to move a finger.
I put the green beans into the roaster and used the ring's power to start the fire. Then, I collapsed on the table, savoring the smell of roasting coffee.
"Ugh..."
It's a small home roaster, so the amount of coffee it can roast at once is limited. It was fine before, but now that customers are flooding in, it's becoming extremely inconvenient.
Should I buy a commercial roaster? It's a good time, as the last quest reward increased the available space in this dimension. It would be perfect to install one.
"Instead of useless rewards, it would be nice if you gave me a roaster..."
I deliberately muttered this out loud.
If my guess is right and this system has a will, I wanted it to hear my opinion and reflect on it.
"Got it, an automatic roaster that can roast a lot at once and can be installed in this dimension."
"Why are you mumbling to yourself?"
"Mewww..."
Miumi and Lime looked at me with strange eyes. Cough. How could they not understand my grand plan?
By the way, I received a cafe table as a reward earlier. How am I supposed to use it? Just as I was about to reread the system notification, a new message appeared.
[Durable Cafe Table (★★☆☆☆) can be installed. Do you want to install it?
Yes / No]
I chose 'Yes,' and a faint light flickered, transforming the cafe table.
The tabletop was made of thick, dark brown wood, giving it a warm atmosphere. It looked slightly, very slightly, more luxurious than the original table.
[Item: Durable Cafe Table (★★☆☆☆)
Type: Furniture
A wooden cafe table. Sitting at it gives a slightly comfortable feeling.
Note: Satisfaction +1, Comfort +1]
[Clear more quests to collect various furniture and upgrade your cafe.]
"Give me a roaster..."
[Collect various furniture.]
[Collect various furniture.]
I see.
This system does hear me, but it only listens to what it wants to hear...
What I needed more urgently than a roaster was a part-time worker.
Actually, I posted a job ad on the first day when customers started increasing. Despite offering better conditions than average, there were no applicants due to the location. The few who contacted me refused as soon as they heard about the dungeon gate.
"Ugh..."
While I was lost in thought, the shop door opened again. I barely lifted my body from the table and said,
"Sorry, we're closed today because we ran out of ingredients..."
"Ah, I see. I must have come too late."
The visitor was Ki Yuhyeon. Today, he was alone, not with the twins.
Wearing a black coat and neatly brushing his slightly long hair, he seemed to understand the situation by looking at the empty shop and my dazed state, and gave a bitter smile.
"Yuhyeon, are you interested in part-time work at the cafe?"
"Sure."
"Really?"
"Working at Lee Reul's cafe would be an honor."
I didn't expect him to say yes so easily.
"Does your guild have any rules against part-time jobs?"
"No, they don't."
Suddenly, I remembered my days at the company before the regression.
There were employees who, despite having a nearby cafe, would always cross two crosswalks to buy coffee from a distant cafe during lunchtime.
Later, I found out it was because the part-time worker at the distant cafe was handsome. I was curious, but I never went because I was always napping after lunch.
I looked up at Ki Yuhyeon and ran a mental simulation.
His pale, glowing cheeks, well-proportioned features, long legs that suited his long coat, and those sparkling eyes that seemed to have a story just by looking at them.
If he worked here, I think the number of customers would increase.
"I was just joking. I can't hire a guild-affiliated hunter as a part-time worker."
"That's a shame."
"Ahaha..."
Please don't look at me with such a genuinely sad expression. With only busy cats and slimes here, it's fine, but if someone else saw, they might misunderstand.
I got up from the table.
"Sit down. I'll get you something to drink."
"But you said you were closed, right?"
"Well, I have enough for you."
Fortunately, there was just enough coffee beans left in the bottom of the box to make two cups.
Feeling tired, I wanted something sweet. But I wanted a clean finish. What could I make?
Ah, this is it. I had a new recipe I got today that would be perfect.
"I'm going to try a new menu."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Next, the ingredients...
The dimensional shop had the ingredients I needed. I bought some fresh cream made from the milk of a Grade A Golden Triangular Horned Cow.
First, I whipped the cream with sugar. The key was to achieve the right consistency—neither too thin nor too thick.
When the whipping machine felt just right and the cream flowed smoothly, it was perfect.
Next, I poured espresso into a glass, added ice and water to make a strong iced Americano. Then, I topped it with the freshly made cream.
Done, an Eiskaffee was complete.
[Item: Eiskaffee (★★★☆☆)
Condition: Good (Remaining Time: 00:30:00)
Effect: Gradually restores stamina and energy for one hour. (10 points per minute)
A thick, bitter iced Americano topped with a smooth cream. The layered appearance in the glass was visually pleasing.
I decided to try the new menu right away.
The sweet and smooth cream entered my mouth first. The rich milk and sugar flavors created the perfect sweetness.
Next, the coffee flavor. The strong Americano balanced the cream, leading to a subtle and delicate taste change.
This is the taste.
Sweet and smooth, but with a clean finish.
Sipping the Eiskaffee while slouching in the chair, I felt energized. The Eiskaffee's effect started to restore my depleted stamina and energy.
Phew, I feel better now...
"It's really delicious."
Ki Yuhyeon also sipped the Eiskaffee. A glowing bar appeared above his head.
I watched him for a moment, lost in thought.
"..."
Lately, and not every day, but Ki Yuhyeon often came to order coffee.
Considering the distance from the <Cheongra Guild> to the dungeon gate, it seems he comes whenever he has a chance, which is a reasonable suspicion.
But he doesn't do anything special here. He just drinks coffee and chats about daily life before leaving.
His daily chats...
"The guild members went to a lower-level dungeon today. I didn't go because I didn't need to."
It's pitiful.
"I heard you went to a dungeon with Hunter Cedric."
"That's a strange way to put it. I was dragged into it..."
"That's a shame. I wanted to go with you, Lee Reul."
"No, I have no intention of going to a dungeon again, even if I die and come back to life."
It's absurd.
"Hunter Han was very disappointed about missing the new S-rank. He's currently missing. Do you know where he is?"
"I don't know, I, ahaha..."
"It's interesting. Whether it's the new S-rank or the plant dungeon, you always seem to be involved in things different from the past."
"Excuse me, what did you just say..."
"Nothing."
It felt like an interrogation, but...
Anyway, he had the feel of a regular customer, but something changed recently.
When did it start?
"Umm... Hmm..."
"Lee Reul?"
"Hmm..."
Suddenly, a realization hit me.
Ah, it started then.
Then.
After running into Ki Yuhyeon with the twins on the way back from buying a Purification Tree from Ichaek's <Happy Green Life Farm>.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but the meaningful look he gives me and the reduced distance between us...
"Lee Reul."
A soft voice reached my ears. The closeness startled me. He tilted his head slightly, effortlessly drawing my attention. His eyes, filled with light, looked at me, and a cool sensation touched my hand.
"There was powder on your hand."
"Ah..."
My wet hand had coffee grounds on it. Ki Yuhyeon took a tissue and gently wiped my hand.
It seemed that was all he needed to do, but the distance remained close.
What's going on? Normally, I would have thought Ki Yuhyeon had some other intention.
By the way, I asked my friend Shin Mirae about it yesterday via KakaoTalk.
[Me: There's a customer who comes to the shop every day lately.]
[Shin Mirae: That's great, steady income.]
Yeah, that's true...
Okay, let's not think too much and just ask.
"Yuhyeon, you seem to really like coffee."
I didn't ask directly, but asking why he comes every day would be a bit...
"Lee Reul's coffee is delicious."
The coffee is good, but...
"And..."
Ki Yuhyeon trailed off, thinking for a moment. He was choosing his words carefully.
Suddenly, Miumi, who was lying on the floor, butted in.
"Meow, meow (This human can barely taste anything)."