"Do you have a specific reason for wanting to work here? There are other places where you could find a job."
However, As shook his head with a determined look.
"No, there are no other places. ...Nowhere."
Thanks to As's quick hands, I had a moment to rest. I made another cup of the cafe mocha that As enjoyed so much yesterday and handed it to him, then cautiously spoke up.
"As, if you said those things because you feel guilty towards me, you don't have to."
His gaze, filled with unease, met mine.
"You looked busy today, so I was worried. As is so kind."
"Wh, who said that! Being kind is such a harsh word! Are you trying to insult the Demon King Asmodeus, who brings about the world's twilight!"
U, uh...? He must be embarrassed by the compliment...
"Yesterday, I let you stay here because you didn't look well, not because I wanted to make you work. You can stay here as long as you want, so don't worry and make yourself comfortable. Okay?"
"That's not it, that...!"
"Is it not?"
As averted his gaze with a sulky expression. He really is sensitive at this age.
"Ku."
"Ku?"
"Coffee..."
"Oh, did you like it? I can make you another one anytime."
"That's not it, I want to work here."
"Working here... you need certain documents first."
As's determination to work was unwavering. I briefly wrote down the necessary documents on a piece of paper.
"...Tch."
"Hey, As! Where are you going!"
As grabbed the list of documents, stood up, and dashed out.
Did I hurt his feelings? He really is a difficult age.
* * *
As stood there, his expression cold and rigid, lost in thought.
Coffee, the source of his magic recovery.
To keep drinking this coffee, he needed to infiltrate the cafe without arousing suspicion.
Through the knowledge he had downloaded about the human world, he concluded that he could infiltrate by working part-time.
Fortunately, this human was also looking for part-time work, making the situation perfect.
However, there was one unexpected obstacle.
The documents.
"Working here... you need certain documents first."
A parade of unfamiliar words.
'Things have changed a lot since a thousand years ago.'
A thousand years ago, he could just cast a Meteor and humans would bring him whatever he needed.
But with his magic depleted, most of his spells were sealed. As needed to find another way to obtain the necessary documents, so he went outside.
Then.
"Ah, aaaaaah!"
On the street, an old man saw As and screamed, falling to the ground. He was a thin man wearing a colorful vest.
His face was pale with fear, his body trembling. Yet his eyes were filled with awe and joy.
"Do you know me?"
"Y... Y... Y... Could it be, the Demon King Asmodeus?"
Nod.
With a light nod, the old man gasped and began to pray.
"Oh, oh... oh! Demon King Asmodeus..."
"You have good eyes, human."
Satisfied with the old man's worship, As smiled.
"Please! Please... I have a gathering of my fellow believers. A great Demon King needs worshippers. Please accept our worship."
"Very well."
Finally, he had met someone who treated him with the respect he deserved. As followed the old man.
As didn't know that the old man was the leader of the Demon King worship cult 'Twilight.'
He had long awaited the Demon King's resurrection and even attempted a summoning ritual.
However, the ritual failed. The Demon King never resurrected, and his fellow believers gradually left.
Currently, his main activities were...
'Is the Demon King really here?'
'Worship! The Demon King will soon be resurrected.'
...posting illegal flyers around the city.
Once a week, he would wave a placard in front of a busy subway station and ask passersby, "Do you believe in the Demon King?"
He had only lost followers to other similar religions...
But the difficult times were over. Perseverance is the key to victory.
"I have a task for you."
"Would I dare refuse?"
The old man, who had long worshipped the Demon King, instinctively knew.
Despite his ragged appearance and frail body, this was the Demon King he had been waiting for.
The cold, mocking eyes, the stern voice, and the strictness with which he issued commands to his worshippers—these were not the traits of an ordinary person.
What would be his first command?
A mountain of sacrifices? A curse on humanity? The blood of his worshippers? Perhaps... the use of a forbidden cursed stake?
But the old man was taken aback by what followed.
"Make me the documents I need for a part-time job."
"Y... Yes, I would never... Yes?"
"Didn't you hear me? I need documents."
* * *
An hour after As left the store to get the necessary documents.
"Is it done?!"
As returned and slammed a envelope containing the documents on the table. Inside were all the necessary documents, including a health certificate.
I carefully examined them to make sure they weren't forged. The guardian consent form was from a children's protection facility run by the 'Religious Foundation Twilight.'
What's his story? There must be a reason he needs to work here.
Name: Kim As
Age: 17
So, As is his real name...
"Alright."
I needed to hire someone anyway, and I was concerned about As's situation.
"..."
He lifted his head in surprise, his joy barely concealed.
"Hehe... I will be consumed by the darkness."
He's happy, huh...? Anyway, whatever his reasons, I hope he feels better.
"Looking forward to working with you."
Ding.
[Congratulations! You have completed the main quest: Hire a Part-time Worker.
Please claim your reward.]
[Experience: +100exp]
[Reputation: +10 / Popularity: +10]
[Current Level of <Cafe Lee>: E]
[Skill Points: 1]
[Please choose a skill to level up.]
The quest completion notification rang, and I received a skill point.
Hmm, which skill should I level up...
After some thought, I chose this one.
'My Cafe in My Hands.'
With business booming, I've been using this skill more and more frequently.
Just like how leveling up 'Shiny Floor' gave me an amazing buff, I expected leveling this skill would have some good effects.
[My Cafe in My Hands (C)
Details: (Lv.2) Drink preparation in the store has a higher completion rate.]
"...Huh?"
At first, I didn't notice what had changed. The description only went from 'higher completion rate' to 'even higher completion rate.'
I'll experiment to see what the difference is later...
Then, ding, the sound rang again.
[※ My Cafe in My Hands (C) Level Up Effect: Drinking coffee will not cause caffeine addiction for up to five cups.]
Wow, that's great.
* * *
While Lee was writing the employment contract with the new part-time worker.
Her cousin, Kwon Ji-won, was banging his head on the desk.
Bang!
"..."
"Vice Guild Master, there was a loud noise just now. Is everything alright?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Okay."
Bang!
"Vice Guild Master?"
"K, kuh, I'm fine."
Kwon Ji-won awkwardly stood up.
The reason for his distress, of course, was his cousin, Lee.
"Brother, I've awakened."
Lee had awakened. His young cousin, who still seemed so young to him.
At first, he was shocked, but Kwon Ji-won's mind quickly started working.
'Then, I need to join the <Silver Guild>.'
It made sense. He was the vice guild master, and his father, Kwon Seok-min, who was currently missing, would agree.
For a hunter, guild affiliation is like another form of identification.
The <Silver Guild> is not the largest, but it has a good position and is one of the important guilds in Korea. Keeping Lee as a member of the <Silver Guild> would be beneficial for any future endeavors.
It would be more convenient to submit the application electronically. Just as he was about to do so, Lee drew a clear line.
"I will never join your guild, so don't worry."
That was a troubling statement.
"...Sigh."
Kwon Ji-won's gaze fell to his empty phone message screen. He typed a few meaningless characters and then deleted them.
His eyes caught the recent report on dungeon progress.
Recently, <C&L Corporation> had been heavily involved in the <Silver Guild>'s dungeon strategies.
Even if he tried to push them away with principles, they were one of the largest guilds, the Big Three. There was no way to stop them from using their numbers to take credit for the dungeon progress.
This had happened in the last three dungeons, and it was clearly intentional.
Moreover, <C&L> had approached <Silver Guild> members to offer them transfers. While the key members were still in place, some had already left.
If this continued, the <Silver Guild>'s power would undoubtedly weaken.
<C&L> was trying to absorb the <Silver Guild>.
'I don't know why I've fallen out of favor, but...'
Was bringing his younger sister into the <Silver Guild> the right choice? The more he got close to his sister, the more likely it was that the enemy would notice her.
Kwon Ji-won briefly looked back at a long-forgotten memory.