CH 115

“Here’s the drink you ordered.”

As I handed the take-out cup to the customer and turned my head, I got startled.

‘WE CONDEMN CAFE RIEUL’

A large banner stole my attention.

“……”

There’s a banner like that right across from the cafe, in a good view from the counter, so what can I say?

It makes me look back at my life.

‘Have I been living in the wrong way?’

I’ve been living a good life, without even jaywalking once.

I was a little lazy after the regression, but anyone would do the same if they’re walking on my shoes. Only people who work full-time and overtime during the weekdays, and still able to go to the gym at 5 a.m. on Saturday, can blame me, shit.

“Waeuung (You speak so proudly).”

“……”

I did recycling yesterday, washed my hands, and renewed my certificate. What’s the problem?

Heck, I almost looked back in the past, fruitlessly searching for something to reflect on.

“Ash, wait a minute.”

Unable to withstand the banner’s self-reflection-inducing effect, I approached the banner. I need to know why they’re condemning Cafe Rieul here.

However, there was no group name or reason written on the banner. All it said was, ‘We condemn Cafe Rieul‘.

Shashashak.

As I approached, there was a sign of someone running from behind the banner. He hid in the corner of the alley and looked this way, but said nothing.

“Hey, if you have something to say, go ahead.”

“…….”

“Why did you put this up?”

“…….”

There was no answer. I guess I have no choice.

I calmly turned on my phone and reported the illegal banner. Before long, a person from the district office collected the banners.

Phew, I think I’ll live.

Later that evening, after the cafe was closed.

“Can I see the warehouse?”

As soon as I took off my apron, Ash asked.

“Sure, but why? What do you need?”

“I’m running low on building materials.”

“Okay, just go.”

Ash has been obsessed with making architectural miniatures these days. However, he was not satisfied with making it according to the instructions of the miniature set and started to remodel the building himself.

I don’t know what on earth he’s making because he haven’t shown it to me yet.

In any case, a proper hobby is welcome as it helps prevent the terrible workaholic disease. Labour detox is important.

After sending Ash to the warehouse, I cleaned the hall with ‘The Floor is Shiny‘ skill.

When I switched off the light at the entrance and was ready to rest, suddenly there was a knock and the door opened.

“I’m sorry. We’re already closed for today.”

“I want to meet the owner of Cafe Rieul.”

A strange man and woman stood at the door. They looked serious as if they knocked on the door with great determination.

I could easily guess who they were. Under their coats, they wore T-shirts with ‘We condemn Cafe Rieul‘ written on it.

Aha, they’re the ones who set up the illegal banner.

I hesitated for a moment, but then offered them a seat, figuring I’d at least hear their story about why they’d put up such a banner.

“Anyway, since you’ve come all the way here … can I get you something to drink?”

“……!”

I said so out of courtesy, but the two looked surprised. There is a clear sense of wariness on their faces.

“No, you can’t take what the enemy gives you.”

“Enemy?”

The woman calmed the man down and answered in his stead.

“It’s nothing. Just give us, uh, some cold water please.”

If you say so….

I gave them two glasses of ice water and made my own hot caffe latte.

The savory smell spread through the air. The soft and savory taste of coffee restored the energy that had been drained throughout the day.

Their eyes focused on my coffee cup.

They looked like they wanted to drink it…….

“Would you like some?”

“A-ahem! No.”

“……it’s all right.”

Well, if you refuse….

I took another sip of my caffe latte and asked.

“So, what is the reason for setting up such a banner in front of someone else’s store?”

“That….”

After exchanging a quick glance, the two introduced themselves.

The man was a healer from the Garden of Blessings, a guild specialising in Healers. He had circles under his eyes and looked tired. Meanwhile, the woman was a potion pharmacist and the head of the Central Pharmacy Guild, which belonged to the Potion Making Alliance. She had a long, flowing hair and an air of intelligence around her.

As for the man, I feel like I’ve seen him before. Hmm … I don’t know. Since I can’t remember him, it’s probably nothing.

“What kind of bussiness a healer and a pharmacist might have with my cafe?”

“Ugh! Aren’t you going too far?!”

The healer snapped.

“What?”

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know. The drinks here at Cafe Rieul!”

“The drinks?”

I blinked in confusion. The healer pounded on his chest and exclaimed.

“It’s too cheap!”

“……what?”

After calming the angry healer, the pharmacist added a calm explanation.

In short, the drinks at Cafe Rieul were so much cheaper than healers’ fees and potion prices that they were driving customers away.

“That Cafe Latte has the effect of restoring 50% of your energy. How much are you selling it for?”

“Two rubies.”

“……!”

“Oh my God, this is…..”

They both sighed and put their hands on their foreheads. I spoke up, hoping to comfort them.

“Well, it’s coffee, after all. It’s not like we can drink it indefinitely … aren’t there a lot of Hunters looking for healers and potions?”

“It’s not that simple. Look at this. There’s stuff like this circulating in Hunchan.”

The grim-faced pharmacist pulled a piece of paper from her coat pocket and held it out. It was a printed copy of the writings from Hunter Channel.

At her urging, I looked at the paper.

[Humor] Potion vs Cafe Rieul Comparison (233)

Upvotes: 227 / Downvotes: 2

Writer: RubyCopyBug

Debate closed.

A landslide victory for CF.

— Pink Jely Granny: agree agree

— app***: agree agree

— OO: agreeee

……………………………

Similar comments followed below.

In this post, they are talking about this.

Potion is much more versatile and storable than coffee. Coffee has to be consumed within a certain amount of time, and there are fewer recipes than potions. There’s also a need to mention the importance of healers who directly participating in a dungeon raids.

It’s just an internet meme, so they’re exaggerating. I don’t think anyone really means it….

“Ha…..”

Although I said so, the pharmacist still had a serious expression on her face. She sighed deeply and drank the cold water.

Trying to cheer her up, I pointed to the last item on the table and said.

“Then, hey, why don’t you try raising a cute animal?”

Even if the rest didn’t work out, she could still get an animal like I did.

“Waeoong?”

“Kkyuu?”

The animals of my house, which were stretched in a liquid state in front of the heater, raised their heads quickly, thinking we were talking about them.

I didn’t call you, guys. Just stay there and play.

“I’m raising one! But my dog doesn’t like the smell of potions, so I can’t take him with me.”

“Wow, do you have a dog? If you have any pictures, please show me.”

“Here, it’s this puppy.”

The pharmacist took out her phone and showed me an Instagram picture of a dog. It was a yellow puppy that looked like Injeolmi.

“Wow, he’s so cute. Can I follow you on Instagram?”

“He’s really smart. He’s still young, but he already understands ‘hand!'”

“Amazing! What’s your puppy’s name?”

“His name is….”

“Keuheum, Ahem! Pharmacist-nim, ahem!”

The tired-looking healer coughed and tapped the pharmacist on the shoulder. The pharmacist regained her senses and shoved her phone back into her pocket with an embarrassed expression.

Ooops. The puppy was so cute that we got sidetracked. Still, the atmosphere has softened a little. I put aside my disappointment and returned to the main topic.

“For now, I understand the situation. But even if you condemn this cafe for that reason … that’s right, why did you run away earlier?”

“Well, I was waiting for the right time to tell you our request in private.”

The healer scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“And what is this secret request you have for me?”

“…..! That’s right, we have one favor to ask.”

Two people with desperate expressions lowered their heads at the same time and shouted.

“Please raise the price of the drinks!”

“…yes?”

“We’d like you to raise the price at least twice, no, five times what it is now.”

“For something like that?”

I asked in surprise, but their expressions were serious.

“It’s not just like that.”

The pharmacist added an explanation, her face devoid of humor.

“Even with the menu called Irish Coffee, that is the case. In order to make a freezing nullification potion, I must use my skill for a long time in a sub-zero freezer. Still, I can’t do anything with the bitter taste.”

“….”

“But how can you defend against freezing damage with just a cup of coffee! Really, ah … I was shocked.”

“On the Healer side, things are similar. Some novice healers are denied joining the party because they already have coffee.”

As I listened to them, I was lost in thought.

My idea that the current price of coffee is reasonable remains unchanged. Considering the low price of raw materials, the current price is just right. I never thought I would hear that the price range of 1 ruby to 5 ruby is too cheap.

However, these two people have a point.

Hmm, how do I do it?

If I’m trying to be humble here….

‘My coffee isn’t that big of a deal.’

I couldn’t say it that way. After all, it would sound like I’m diminishing the hard work that goes into healing people or making potions, not just my own work. If I say it’s not a big deal, these people will become people who put their heart and soul into the trivial things.

Too much humility is also a form of arrogance.

Besides installing the banner that gave me useless worry, they have done me no harm.

Well … I can’t help it.

I didn’t want to hurt other Hunters who were doing similar things to enforce my views on coffee prices. I also have a Healer in my family.

….even though it is irrelevant because Kwon Jiwoon is the best healer in Korea.

“All right. Let’s discuss it.”

“……!”

Two people rejoiced at my words.

[Sub Quest: Decorate the Menu Board]

It is time to make a decision for sustainable cafe management.

Let’s adjust the price of the menu accordingly.

Reset Menu Prices Reasonably: (Incomplete)

Reward: Ether-Wiki Update]

Tiling!

As soon as I made my intentions known, a quest appeared in the system window. The fact that it popped up means that my decision was not a bad one.

The only reward was the update of Ether-Wiki, which I had forgotten existed.

[Ether-Wiki is always waiting for your visit. Forever, always….]

A wistful phrase popped up, as if trying to stir up guilt.

Uh, yeah, sorry.

I answered half-heartedly and turned off the notification window.

Translator’s Corner:

jaywalk: Ignore the traffic light or cross the street at a non-crosswalk.

landslide victory (압승): a term used to indicate that a particular candidate or party won an election by an overwhelming majority.

Injeolmi (인절미): a variety of tteok, or Korean traditional rice cake coated with yellowish bean flour. It’s made by steaming and pounding glutinous rice flour, which is shaped into small pieces and usually covered with steamed powdered dried beans or other ingredients. It’s also used as a nickname for a cute golden retriever puppy.

Passed my exam with flying colors T__T but I’m still not feeling well these days T__T The bad weather didn’t help at improving my health at all T__T you guys, please stay healthy!!!