It Seems the Cafe Owner is a Big Shot
The moment the coffee hit my tongue, my mouth plunged into a hell I could barely endure.
Tears welling up, I clamped my hand over my mouth and trembled. The owner scratched her head and approached me.
"Is it... that bad?"
She tilted her head at my reaction, then picked up the sandwich I'd just bitten into—without giving me a chance to stop her—and took a big chomp.
"...Urk...!"
Her drowsy expression twisted in an instant. Her face paled, and without hesitation, she leaned over the trash bin under the counter.
Ptooey.
She mercilessly spat out the chewed-up sandwich and rinsed her mouth with water in a frenzy.
And me...?
"Whoa... I made it, but... this is really disgusting..."
Spotting my resentful glare, she hurriedly opened the fridge, poured a full cup of ice-cold milk, and set it in front of me.
"Sorry. Drink this for now."
I snatched the glass with both hands and gulped it down. The cold milk washed away the filthy taste coating my mouth and slid down to my stomach. Only then did I feel alive again.
"H-hew... I survived."
This had to be the most life-threatening moment of my entire existence.
I set down the empty glass with a deep sigh of relief, wiping the milk from my lips with my sleeve as I shot the owner another reproachful look.
She averted her eyes from my stare.
"Sorry... I had no idea it'd be this bad..."
Her face genuinely fell as she cleared my empty glass. Propping her chin on the counter, she muttered to herself in deep distress.
"Sigh... It's just a hobby, but... this is serious. Maybe I should actually learn to cook properly."
"A hobby? So this isn't your main gig?"
I asked cautiously, and she chuckled softly with a nod.
"Yeah. My real job's being a hunter who climbs the Tower."
My eyes went wide at her words.
A hunter? Well, that explained the tucked-away location... Fancy interior for a place with zero customers.
"Once you climb the Tower a bit, you make enough to live comfortably forever. So with all that money, I figured I'd open a cute little cafe on my days off. Just threw it together."
Talk about blowing cash...
And on a pretty grand scale, too.
"Still, now that you've started, why not do it right?"
It wasn't my place to meddle, but the interior was too nice to just half-ass it and shut down. Perfect for killing time.
"This place looks super expensive... And that coffee machine in the back is top-tier. Want me to teach you some simple recipes?"
Her gloomy eyes lit up at my offer. She leaned forward eagerly.
"For real? You know how to cook for customers?"
"Yeah, nothing fancy, but I'm pretty good. Mind if I borrow the kitchen?"
She happily stepped aside. Surveying the kitchen, I was stunned all over again.
Damn... With ingredients and equipment this good... how'd she make that sandwich?
The coffee machine was a high-end Italian model, and the fridge overflowed with premium ingredients.
No issues there. The chef just had zero skill.
"Let's get started. Watch closely."
I dove right in, making a sandwich. Buttered the pan, toasted the bread until the outside crisped up perfectly. Prepped the fillings on the side and grabbed sauce from the fridge.
"Mix mayo and whole-grain mustard in this ratio. Lightly grill the ham and layer it with cheese."
Sizzle!
The kitchen filled with the nutty aroma of butter and the salty scent of searing ham. I slathered special sauce on one side of the toasted bread, stacked the ingredients neatly so they wouldn't topple, and sliced it in half. A perfect cross-section of mouthwatering toast sandwich.
Ahh... now that's food.
"Your grinder was set all wrong—too coarse. That's why it tasted bitter."
After readjusting, I pulled a perfect espresso with thick, golden crema at the exact right timing. Added hot water for a flawless Americano.
"All done. Give it a try."
I slid the sandwich and coffee toward her. Felt like I was the part-timer now.
She eyed it skeptically, took a huge bite.
"......?!"
Her eyes bulged like a rabbit's. Crunchy bread, buttery savoriness, crisp veggies in perfect harmony with salty ham and cheese.
Entranced, she chewed and swallowed, then chugged the Americano.
"Whoa... insane..."
A gasp like Kim Hyunah's escaped her lips.
"This is so good... Same ingredients, but how's it taste so different...?"
"That's cooking for you. Add a little, subtract a little, and it's a whole new flavor. That's what makes it fun."
I shrugged proudly with a grin.
Guess cooking and baking really are my calling.
Watching her devour it lifted my spirits.
"How'd you do it? Can you write down the exact recipe?"
"Got paper and pen? I'll jot it down."
She frantically dug out a receipt and flipped it over.
What a fun person.
I meticulously noted the sauce ratios, prep methods, and coffee machine settings.
"Here. Use this as a base and experiment slowly."
I handed her the receipt, and she took it reverently with both hands.
"We just met. Why're you being so nice to me?"
I scratched my hoodie and smiled.
No real reason... Just reminded me of my old self a bit...
"Your place just vibes perfectly with me. Feels like a waste for such a cute cafe to have no customers."
She let out a soft laugh at that.
Her lazy, bored face softened into a charming smile.
"Thanks. Now I can play cafe owner a little longer."
Leaning on the counter, she flashed me a relaxed grin.
"If hunters ever cause you trouble or anything annoying, just drop my name."
"Your name, owner?"
"Yeah. Han Seorin. Should work in most cases."
Han Seorin.
First time hearing it.
Well, pre-TS, I was so buried in baking I got flak for being clueless about the world.
Probably a big name in the hunter scene.
"Got it! Thanks, Seorin! I'll come back for more sandwiches!"
I nodded happily and left the cafe.
It wrecked my mouth and stomach, but a fun unexpected encounter.
With light steps, I headed straight to Baekya Guild headquarters.
True to my promise with Guild Leader Cha Eunwol yesterday, I stood at the kitchen counter, diligently crafting strawberry cream donuts.
"Hup..."
Sleeves rolled up, kneading the dough with kneading, shaping them, frying in peanut oil, and filling with tangy strawberry cream.
"Already baking, Arang?"
The bakery room door opened, and Kim Hyunah entered.
Seeing her face triggered kneading flashbacks, but I ignored it.
"Oh, hey. Almost done. Just need to package 'em."
"Take your time. Need any help?"
Kim Hyunah sidled up, propped her chin, and watched me intently. Her gaze felt sticky on my face and fidgeting hands.
Just my imagination...
I pushed it aside and kept chatting.
"This morning, I found this super weird cafe on a walk."
"Weird cafe? Now I'm curious."
"Gorgeous interior, but the owner could not cook."
I grinned and spilled the whole story excitedly.
"So I taught her some recipes myself. She was super grateful."
"...Sounds fun. I'd love to go with you sometime. Your recipes must be delicious."
Kim Hyunah smiled faintly and nodded along.
"Nah, just basic toast. Oh, and she said if I ever have hunter trouble, just name-drop her. Han Seorin."
"...Pardon?"
The smile vanished from Kim Hyunah's face the instant I mentioned the name.
"What did you say just now?"
"Han Seorin. The owner's name—"
Bang!
Before I could finish, the heavy bakery door exploded open with a deafening crash.
"Hey! Where's Baek Arang?!"
Cha Eunwol stormed in, panting hard, then marched over and yanked both my cheeks with her hands.
"Gyaah!! Guild leader! What the hell?!"
My cheeks stretched painfully sideways.
Ow!
I flailed and whined, but she shoved her face in mine, eyes fierce.
"Spill it right now. Where were you?"
"Wha? Jusht came from the cafe..."
"Cafe? That psycho bitch Han Seorin's place, right?!"
Cha Eunwol scratched her head irritably.
What's her deal...?
I shot Kim Hyunah a pleading look, but she just avoided my eyes.