Chapter : 8
The restaurant Milun led us to, “Breath of Noren,” was packed inside and out, making it extremely noisy.
I looked around the restaurant and shook my head with a weary expression.
“There are way too many people. Is the capital always like this?”
‘Seoul was already a suffocatingly crowded city, but this place isn’t any better…’
There were just too many people. It was almost like the area around a gymnasium on the day of a popular idol’s concert.
‘Working part-time in a place like this would be hell.’
Customers constantly pouring in, nonstop orders, piles of dishes waiting to be washed—
and of course, the inevitable nightmare customers who always show up when things are busiest.
Ugh, just imagining it was exhausting.
Memories of working at a bar near a baseball stadium surfaced, and I squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them, Milun—who was sitting across from me—was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
“The person who was excited about eating just moments ago seems to have vanished. Why do you look so sick of everything?”
“Ah… it’s just that there are too many people.”
“That would be because a miracle occurred yesterday—the statue at the Dael Temple was restored. Normally, the capital of Noren is far more boring than this.”
“So this crowd is temporary, then?”
“That’s right.”
I nodded slowly and looked around again.
Now that I knew the reason, the scene felt different somehow. No—rather than that, it was because I was no longer thinking like a part-timer, but like a café owner.
‘This is exactly when I should be advertising.’
The café wasn’t even open yet, but this felt like a golden opportunity.
Back in Korea, I would’ve used Starstagram or NewTube—but this world had neither!
So I’d have to rely on good old-fashioned footwork.
And where better than a place packed with people?
And if that place was right now?
‘Even if I die tomorrow, I can’t miss this chance.’
Especially if it was for that all-important “opening rush.”
My eyes sparkled as I looked at Milun. There was something I needed to resolve before making a move.
“Milun, may I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“I want to buy one of the magical tools you make. I heard I need some kind of token… How can I obtain it?”
Milun’s token—the requirement to use the tool shop.
Without it, I couldn’t use the shop. Without the shop, I couldn’t open the café. And if I was going to promote it now, then to actually benefit from that promotion, I’d need to open within at least a week or a month.
Which meant—
‘I have to get that token. Fast.’
No matter what.
I smiled warmly at him. Milun crossed his arms and smiled deeply in return—his eyes clearly saying how ridiculous he found my desire for his token.
“I don’t give my token to just anyone. As you know, my magical tools are extremely powerful. Used carelessly, they could cause serious trouble. You understand how effective my tools are, don’t you?”
“Of course. I’ve used the ‘Master Craftsman’s All-Purpose Hammer.’ That’s exactly why I want them. I need your tools to run my café.”
“Naturally. Otherwise, you’d just be smashing precious coffee beans with that rock.”
Milun raised an eyebrow casually and continued.
“But that’s your problem, Leila. It has nothing to do with me anymore.
If you thought you could easily obtain my token just because you’re Basha’s granddaughter, you’d better abandon that idea right now.
I’ll cover the meal out of courtesy. If you understand, let’s eat quietly and part ways.”
With a smile that narrowed one eye, Milun glanced toward the server approaching our table, arms full of food.
So I stayed silent and watched his mood carefully.
If I spoke while the dishes were being set down, he might actually get up and leave. His expression certainly didn’t look pleasant.
‘He’s touchy, and I haven’t even brought up the main point yet.
It’s not like I expected to get the token easily, you know?’
I grumbled internally and watched the food being served.
First came a fresh salad drizzled with tangy lemon dressing, followed by a rich, smooth mushroom soup. Warm, soft bread accompanied them.
Then the main dishes arrived: Frutti di Mare pasta, made with a variety of seafood and tomato sauce, and a thick-cut sirloin steak that looked incredible.
There was even a platter of nuts and fruits for Hugh.
‘So when he said he’d treat us… he really meant it.’
I glanced at Milun. After making sure Hugh was taken care of, he cut a large piece of steak and placed it onto a plate, then casually pushed it toward me.
“Take it.”
“…Oh.”
“Don’t want it?”
“No! I’ll eat it!”
I quickly accepted the plate. The steak he’d cut was incredibly tender, juicy, and delicious.
And that’s when it hit me.
‘This isn’t just about getting the token.’
I need that man too!
No matter what, I have to make him settle into my café.
I’d only planned to keep him around until I got the token because he seemed prickly and difficult—but that wouldn’t do anymore.
Someone with manners this perfect couldn’t just be a “business partner.”
‘What should I do…?’
Which experience should I use?
‘Ah—this is it!’
I could combine my two part-time job experiences.
After a moment of thought, my eyes lit up as I looked at Milun. He must’ve felt my gaze, because his shoulders twitched and he looked up.
“…What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I want to continue the conversation we didn’t finish earlier.”
“…Hmm?”
He frowned and set his knife down. “So, the token?” he muttered, grimacing as if his appetite had been ruined.
Ignoring that, I spoke confidently.
“All I have to do is win your favor, right? Enough that you’ll give me your token.”
“…Well, yes. But do you really think that’s possible?”
“Of course. I haven’t even shown you half of what I can do yet.
Once you see my abilities, you won’t just give me the token—you’ll want to stay at my café.”
“…Huh?”
“So give me exactly two days.”
I’ll prove it.
I confidently held up two fingers.
No more, no less—two days.
With the method I had in mind, two days would be enough.
‘Sure, more time would be nice… but this kind of thing is all about momentum! Just push through!
Look at Milun Bash—he’s totally stunned by my confidence.’
I smiled brightly, silently pressuring him for an answer. Milun covered his mouth with one hand and nodded faintly.
And then—
Ding!
Prove Yourself!
- Prove your abilities to Milun Bash within 48 hours
(47:59:59)
Reward: Milun Bash & 1,000 Gold
Failure: Permanent closure of the Tool Shop
I really liked the reward.
Milun Bash and gold.
A perfect two-for-one deal.
The penalty for failure looked brutal, but without the token, opening the café would be nearly impossible—leading straight to failure of the main quest.
‘Die early or die a year later.’
Same difference.
Besides, I’m definitely going to succeed.
With a satisfied smile, I enjoyed my meal.
“The food is amazing, Milun.”
Naturally, I even left a kind review.
Milun remained frozen in the same state the entire time I finished my food. Even while paying, he seemed lost in thought.
Finally, he muttered under his breath in a bewildered tone.
“…What on earth is that woman?”
Utterly baffled.
* * *
Milun Bash.
A genius tool craftsman whose magical creations always produced revolutionary effects.
Even the Zenon royal family had tried to approach him to purchase his tools.
He could have easily grown arrogant and dismissive of others—but Basha was always by his side.
She educated Milun to be a respectable man: the manners and speech of a gentleman, along with the mindset required of a merchant.
Though what he became differed somewhat from what he’d learned as he grew older, Milun Bash was still someone raised on her devotion.
That was why—
“Do you know me?”
—he disliked Leila Token, who asked him that question with such an innocent face.
‘…That’s Basha’s granddaughter?’
He couldn’t believe it.
The Basha he knew was strong—greater than anyone else.
But the granddaughter standing before him, Leila Token…
‘She’s… nothing at all.’
He’d left Basha’s side and rushed here just to hear her request—
He would’ve been better off returning immediately and helping with her recovery.
That was why he refused Leila’s handshake.
He planned to greet Hugh and leave.
As a final courtesy, he intended to buy them one meal and be done with it.
But that resolve didn’t last.
“Everyone, come try a bite! A special menu unique to Yonggari Café—something you can’t taste anywhere else! Free samples, so please come without worry!”
Watching Leila from a distance, Milun muttered—
“…Just what is that woman doing?”
Once the question formed, it refused to fade.
