Chapter 77
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: A Slightly Special Coffee from the Allotment Garden
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A few days later, a large box arrived from Yu Seo-jin at Valhalla.
It seemed to be her way of showing thanks for helping with the negotiations at the Management Bureau—more specifically, for recommending Old Man No.
Inside the box was a single seed and two flowers.
Moss Flower that Feeds on Sorrow
It grows by feeding on the sad memories of polluted land. At night, it emits a soft glow as if comforting that sorrow.
Fog Flower of Oblivion
It blooms only near the grudges of the dead. When it absorbs morning dew, it lets out innocent laughter as if it has forgotten everything.
They came from a polluted zone, yet they carried an oddly pure energy.
Hasuo was currently obsessed with decorating his own allotment garden, so I called him over.
"Hasuo, want to plant these in your garden?"
"Ppoeng!"
Hasuo lit up at the sight of the new flowers, snatched them eagerly, and bolted to his plot.
I peered at the remaining seed.
Dark Coffee Tree Seed
It grows by feeding on the dark energy of polluted land. The fruit clears the drinker's mind but can also amplify the darkness in their heart.
'Dark, huh...'
The name and description both felt off-putting.
'Gotta purify it first.'
I planted the seed in my allotment and doused it generously with Moon-White Spiritual Water.
But the moment the Moon-White Spiritual Water touched the seed...
Pah!
Trait Yin-Yang Harmony has activated.
The Dark Coffee Tree Seed's negative properties are purified, and its flavor and vitality attributes are maximized.
Just like that, its name and description changed.
Dawn Awakening Coffee Beans
Optimizes the drinker's biological rhythm for a refreshing morning and induces deep sleep. And it's delicious.
It was an unintended outcome, but not a bad one.
"Now, let's see how well it grows."
The next day.
A single coffee tree laden with pitch-black beans had sprouted in the allotment.
I harvested the beans, but...
"What do I do next?"
I didn't really drink coffee.
I had no knowledge of how to brew it from the beans, nor any sense of taste for it.
I needed someone who could properly evaluate the flavor.
-Coffee? I only do instant mixes.
I asked Old Man No for help, but he said he didn't know much either.
'Oh, right.'
Then I remembered Viper mentioning he was waiting for the next crop.
Viper, sir. A small token of thanks for last time. These are beans I grew myself—they're not for sale on Tower Market. Could I ask you to evaluate the taste instead?
Of course! It's an honor to my clan!
After shipping the beans via Tower Market.
The next morning, a lengthy message arrived from Viper.
1. Flavor Profile Analysis: Initial aroma is dark chocolate bitterness, mid-notes of ripe cherry acidity, finish with a subtle floral aftertaste—a perfect balance. Incomparable to any existing beans.
2. Effects Analysis: Measured with Valhalla's [Bio-Rhythm Scanner]: Within 5 minutes of consumption, brainwaves stabilize and focus increases by 37%. After 10 minutes, physical fatigue drops 62% with boosted vitality. Average work efficiency improves 137.2% over 8 hours.
3. Conclusion: A miraculous bean that normalizes the disrupted rhythms of overworked modern bodies, elevating quality of life.
P.S.: Could you possibly send a bit more of the leftovers? ㅠㅠ
I couldn't help but chuckle at Viper's P.S.
Shall I send more?
!!!
Really? Actually, I have an important meeting coming up that I'm hosting. It's full of picky folks, and I was stressing over what to serve.
Would it be okay if I let them taste this coffee?
He asked cautiously, uncharacteristically hesitant for the cool-headed info broker.
There was no reason to say no.
The more tasters, the better for evaluation.
Go ahead. I'll send plenty.
Truly an honor!
Um... then, could I casually mention it's from you, Gorani-man?
Even an adorably out-of-character request from Viper.
Yes, of course.
In the afternoon, at a five-story building in Seoul.
"It's so clean already—nothing much to fix up."
I'd always thought the first floor would make a great cafe.
A quiet, cozy spot to relax while waiting for So-ye or handling business in Seoul, instead of crowded chain cafes.
Plus, a massive franchise cafe loomed across the street, so it wouldn't draw crowds—perfect for peace and quiet.
I surveyed the empty first floor, envisioning the cafe layout.
The walls were already pristine white, so no need for paint. I just laid new warm-toned hardwood floors.
Click—
I printed photos I'd taken, framed them simply in wooden frames, and hung them on the walls.
Gorani yawning.
Muryong sleeping hugging a jelly.
Hasuo drawing Disaster Flowers on the dirt with a stick.
And on the barn roof, a chicken flapping wings with an old badger, teaching it how to fly.
Filling the walls with cute shots gave the place a cozy vibe.
"Put the furniture over here."
I arranged the delivered tables and chairs, then installed the most important piece: the coffee machine.
La Marzocco Strada.
A handmade Italian espresso machine crafted by artisans.
Complete with grinder and all the essentials.
'Not like I'm chasing profits—why skimp here?'
Might as well go top-tier.
Business registration and paperwork flew through smoothly.
"This'll do."
I swelled with pride gazing at my pristine personal space.
My first space of my own outside home.
The building was mine, no headaches over investments.
A place filled purely with my tastes and dreams, zero risk of failure mattering.
The extravagant joy any burnt-out office worker dreams of.
"But... is this how you work the machine?"
Not being a coffee person, grinding and tamping felt clumsy.
For now, open just a couple hours a day to get the hang of it.
A secretive hideout in Seoul's Hannam-dong.
The monthly gathering spot for Korea's info brokers who pull the strings.
Ex-NIS execs, chaebol intel chiefs, underworld powers like Viper.
Sunlit elites and shadowy kingpins who never mix otherwise, united solely for intel swaps.
Today's host: Viper.
The youngest and least influential here.
His usual role: lurking in the corner, gauging the big shots.
"So, Viper. What's the latest flow of Tower intel?"
Asked the Yeouido Shadow, a sitting congressman's intel aide.
"Things quieted down after that newbie Muryong popped up. No big moves past floor 20."
"Boring. Anything else?"
"More importantly, I've prepared a special brew today."
Viper served tremblingly hand-brewed coffee cups.
Faces soured.
Just coffee?
"Last month it was Fairy Spring Water. Coffee this time?"
The host's refreshments symbolized their intel clout and status.
Fall short, and you'd be humiliated on the spot—unspoken rule.
"Don't tell me you steeped World Tree fruit that only grows in the Tower?"
"No, just coffee."
Despite his casual words, Viper beamed with pride.
"What could mere coffee—"
Then the aroma wafted.
'Hm?'
Murmurs hushed.
They sipped silently.
"..."
No exclamations.
Or rather, they stifled them.
But trembling eyes and stiffened expressions said it all.
"...Hah."
Lifetime connoisseurs of the world's rarest luxuries.
Yet this balanced perfection on the tongue made them reevaluate their epicurean lives.
Coffee taste is deeply personal.
Some crave bitter, some acid, some nutty.
This coffee stood at the pinnacle of all preferences—absolute.
Perfect bitter, perfect acid.
Perfect sweet, perfect nuttiness, harmonizing flawlessly without excess.
"Wh-what coffee is this?"
"The aroma... isn't ordinary."
Stifled gasps erupted.
Viper, watching, finally spoke.
"Glad it suits you."
"Viper, come clean. Where'd you get this?"
Viper smiled leisurely.
"A personal gift from Gorani-man12, the talk of the town lately. A rare new variety not even on Tower Market yet."
"!"
"Gorani-man's crop?"
The room buzzed again at the name.
"You think I'd serve ordinary coffee to this esteemed gathering?"
Viper declared boldly.
No trace of his earlier timidness.
"...Viper."
The elder at the head table—who'd kept eyes closed throughout—spoke first.
Black market founder.
The living legend now in seclusion.
His mere presence tensed everyone; now he spoke.
"Yes, sir."
"This brew left quite an impression."
With that, he quietly left.
"!"
"Wh-what..."
"First time I've heard him in five years?"
Gazes shifted to Viper—now laced with envy-tinged admiration.
You could almost hear his stature rise.
"Hey, Viper."
The chaebol intel chief who'd mocked him earlier approached obsequiously.
"Yes?"
"Think you could hook me up with some of that Gorani-man's crops? Bridge the gap for me..."
Requests poured in.
"Viper! Me too!"
"At least his contact!"
"How do you even get those crops?!"
Viper inwardly cheered, feigning distress outwardly.
"Haha, calm down, everyone. Dealing with him is way harder than you think."
Leaning back, he smirked down at the pleading powerhouses.
'Gorani-man's stuff is the best, as expected.'
Gorani-man forever! he cheered silently.