The Barista's Bold Request

The interior was sensory and modern. The sign reading Lair was written in an elegant script. This was the Lair Cafe near the scene.

Ding—

With the clear chime of the bell, Kim Mi-young stepped inside to find a crowd gathered at the counter.

What on earth is he doing…?

“I-I never expected to see you here. I-I'm a huge fan.”

“Thanks. Here, an Americano.”

“M-Me too! I'm a fan!! I've been to every fan meeting!!”

“I was about to say the same thing. Checkered shirt! Your name's Kang Ji-yeon, right? And your friend is… Hye, Hye-ji!!”

“Whoa!! That's right!!”

“Y-You remembered!!”

“Keep supporting us. Here's your coffee.”

“Guild Leader!! Your apron is so sexy!!”

“My fans have good taste. I am pretty sexy, aren't I? Cappuccino, and the bear-shaped cookie came straight from hell—please understand.”

“I love you, Guild Leader!!”

“Ah, what a sinful man. This charm of mine is impossible to control. Here's your Americano.”

Lee Shin had suddenly become a barista, pulling espresso shots with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠unnecessary skill. The way he handled the equipment while wearing an apron was almost too natural.

Skill wasn't even the point. Look at them—fans drawing numbers like they'd gladly hand over their livers and gallbladders just to meet him. They'd probably believe plain water was coffee if he said so.

“Alright, the person we've been waiting for has arrived. Sadly, the surprise cafe is now closed. What did I say earlier?”

“We were never here…!”

“We won't tell anyone!”

“If you keep your promise, I'll buy you something nice at the next fan meeting. Come here. No photos, though.”

I'll give you a hug.

People embraced him lightly before parting. Kim Mi-young watched the fans' eyes, heavy with lingering attachment, and clicked her tongue.

So this was the rumored taming technique? What a creature. A nine-tailed fox would chase after him with lunchboxes just to learn his secret.

“You really are full of surprises, Representative Lee Shin… When did you learn this?”

“Coffee? I do it occasionally for events. An iced Americano, right?”

“One cup, please. Where's the owner?”

“Probably heading to Yeongdo by now.”

“??”

“A very wealthy customer gifted him a wad of cash and a suite ticket. He couldn't resist a hotel staycation at Lee Do Hotel.”

Lee Shin smiled slyly as he set the coffee down. When he removed his apron, Kim Mi-young felt an odd pang of regret—was that just her imagination?

Finally, the two faced each other.

“You handled it faster than I expected.”

“Are you teasing me?! I told you to wait a little, but you went ahead and caused all this trouble!”

“Haha.”

“This isn't funny. I was seriously stressed. I canceled every schedule this morning, got support from headquarters, came down here, and even negotiated with the police. God, my blood pressure—”

“Hold on. Have some iced coffee first. Drink up. There you go.”

“You're always so smooth.”

The coffee was good. Better than expected. Maybe it was because she hadn't had any since morning, or maybe Lee Shin's skill was genuinely impressive. Either way, it was enough to calm Kim Mi-young down.

“So, where should we start?”

“I'm ready. Whatever's convenient for you, Chief.”

“When I see this side of you, you seem considerate and polite. So why do your actions always go off the rails?”

Well.

“Let's start with a light warm-up. The front desk story.”

“People first. Sounds like a good idea.”

“First, all Haemu front desk staff will be transferred to a hospital ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠under our Bureau's jurisdiction for treatment. From what I've seen, their mental trauma seems worse than their physical injuries. Our side is better equipped for psychiatric care like trauma treatment.”

“And while you're at it, you'll run that ‘inspection’ too?”

“Hmm…”

Kim Mi-young's eyes sharpened. Yes, the inspection meant “contamination testing.”

“Given the nature of the incident, the inspection can't be avoided.”

“I've already identified them for you.”

“That identification relies on your judgment, Representative. Of course I trust you, but the organization has its own rules. I'm not trying to dismiss you, so please don't take it personally.”

“Heh, I was just testing. I am a guild leader too, you know.”

“Seriously… Don't sulk so easily. Remember that your face is a weapon.”

“Yes, ma'am!”

They moved on.

This time, Lee Shin spoke first.

“So the Haemu Guild will be handled as I thought?”

“Yes. Demotion is certain, along with operational suspension and trade restrictions. The exact duration is still under review, but that much is confirmed.”

“Whoa. That's basically dissolution.”

“Even from what's already surfaced, over twenty percent of the guild was involved. More will come out during the investigation.”

In ancient warfare, thirty percent casualties marked total annihilation. And since the involved parties were the leadership, this was essentially a villain branch office. It wasn't just demotion—they needed to erase the guild's very existence.

But—

“I'd love to uproot them completely, but realistically that's difficult. So I'd like to ask you for a favor regarding this matter.”

“You're planning to cover it with other charges. Makes sense, since the league is still ongoing. Embezzlement or breach of trust feels weak. Match-fixing? That seems most appropriate.”

“……”

“Don't worry. My lips are sealed.”

“Did you secretly attend our meeting? Or is there a bug in my ear…”

The Bureau's position, the charge of match-fixing, and exactly what they wanted from him—his assessment was precise enough to need no further explanation. If he'd deduced all this alone without an inside source…

He's really a genius.

No, at this level, he was a monster.

Kim Mi-young felt her wariness return. The previous topics were just side branches. What came next was the real main point—the masterminds behind this incident. The villains.

“Headquarters releases annual guidelines on villain organizations. That includes groups you're familiar with—the Triads, Yakuza, Mafia.”

“They're underground organizations. Are they classified as villains too?”

“The line ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠between underground groups and villains is blurring. Signs have been appearing for years now.”

The most dangerous people in the world were those with nothing left to lose. And when those people gained conviction, they became truly terrifying.

“Crine was unique. They recruited Awakeners from other organizations.”

“You were chosen. In a world made for Awakeners, we can all be free.”

“…I won't ask how you found out. Anyway, just as you said, Crine planted conviction in people with nothing left to lose. Then they slowly took over those organizations. Even in this incident, Japanese Yakuza were involved.”

There were many kinds of Yakuza. Specifically, the “packaging specialists” who profited from hunters' bounties. Neither Kim Mi-young nor Lee Shin mentioned that detail.

“I'm getting sidetracked. What was I trying to say? Ah, countermeasures. The matter is too sensitive for me to share much. But I can promise you one thing.”

“What is it?”

Kim Mi-young spoke with a steady gaze.

“Korea will remain safe.”

The larger an organization grew, the duller it became. The Guild War Bureau was a supranational body spanning the world. It couldn't respond as quickly as smaller groups.

But that didn't mean they were incompetent. Now that the incident had occurred, the Bureau would support Korea and strengthen security accordingly—thoroughly enough that Kim Mi-young could confidently declare it safe.

“It was like a preventive vaccine. You did something truly significant, Representative.”

“Haha, I didn't do much. I just called in people I knew to keep things clean, poured top-grade holy water by the truckload in case anyone died, and moved the police commissioner in case things got out of hand…”

On top of that, he'd spent a fortune to suppress information, resulting in complete silence—no articles at all. He'd also identified all the villains and secured every Haemu Guild member, front desk staff and hunters alike. And, unbelievably, not a single villain had been killed.

Wow. Was this real?

Kim Mi-young stared at Lee Shin with wide eyes as he bragged without pause.

“…Are you finished?”

“Ahem. There's a bit more, but I'm satisfied.”

“If you hadn't done it, things would've gone very wrong.”

“Holding back isn't my style, is it?”

“No, it isn't.”

Honestly, even just silencing the police was enough for Kim Mi-young and the Bureau to bow to Lee Shin. If law enforcement had gotten involved and the media caught wind, it would've damaged the Bureau's authority and crippled the league's progress.

His handling was so perfect it made her wonder if even the Bureau could have done better. She felt grateful for his competence, yet it gave her a headache. Nothing in this world was free.

“There was already a debt between us.”

“Heh, I helped out at the season opening. Time flies.”

“We agreed you'd repay the favor later. How about doing the same this time?”

“I don't mind, but can you handle it?”

He was too competent. When they shared the same goal, he was the most ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reliable person imaginable. But when their interests diverged, that same competence was suffocating.

If I keep racking up debts like this, what will I have to give him later…?

She couldn't even imagine what it would take to satisfy Lee Shin. That handsome, smiling face was almost frightening.

In the end, Kim Mi-young chose.

“…Let's settle halfway.”

She raised the white flag. Lee Shin grinned as if he'd expected it.

“A wise choice.”

“The league is still ongoing, so please go easy. During the off-season, I'll accommodate even unreasonable requests.”

“Of course. Don't you trust me?”

Lee Shin loved this league more than anyone. He wouldn't trouble Kim Mi-young, the future Korean League Bureau Chief. He'd keep it light and modest.

“Let's start with one Level 8 Gate Priority Conquest Right.”

“…That's not light at all.”

Here, “gate” naturally referred to an unauthorized Level 8 gate. These were extremely dangerous, with the potential for irreversible disaster if a reversal occurred. Every nation watched them closely.

But to hunters, these dangerous gates were different. They offered the chance to obtain Legendary Items—miracles that defied human laws. Such items dropped starting from Level 8 gates. A proper Legendary Item could change someone's life. The Mountain King of Mir Guild was living proof.

Any hunter would risk their life for such a place. And now Lee Shin was demanding exactly that.

“Any gate is fine. No need for prior scouting or information. As long as the location is confirmed, I'll accept it. With these terms, it's not just a gift, right?”

“…Impressive confidence. In that case, we have a deal. But can you handle it?”

Could she really hand over an unsecured Level 8 gate? Lee Shin shrugged.

“It's fine.”

He already knew everything. How many times had he said there wasn't a single hunter he didn't know? A mere gate, which was less than one-hundredth the complexity of a hunter, was nothing to him.

“Let's move on to the next item.”

“There's more?”

“Heh, don't be scared. This one's actually much simpler than the last.”

“Alright. Tell me.”

It really wasn't a big deal. Unlike the conquest right, it needed no long explanation. He just had to point and claim it.

“That.”

“That?”

Lee Shin's finger pointed beyond the window—specifically, at the Haemu Guild's stadium rising between the buildings. In the game, each guild could only build one stadium. That was simply how the programming worked.

But this was reality. They'd already dealt with an unexpected villain outbreak. This much was only fair!

“Give me that stadium. I'll put it to good use.”

A 50,000-seat stadium, a large venue on a regional scale, neatly packaged and delivered.

Please.

Lee Shin winked cutely. Kim Mi-young thought to herself—

Should I kill him…?

* * *

Meanwhile, at that same moment, somewhere along Busan's coastline.

Thump-thump-thump. A fishing boat skimmed along the shore. Moments later, a black torrent surged onto the deck, revealing a masked figure.

“You've arrived.”

“The Bureau has moved.”

“Confirmed. We're cleaning up all traces.”

“Whose doing was this?”

“My apologies. We're still investigating.”

“What about the ‘Candidates’?”

“They probably won't have the capacity to worry about that.”

“Tsk.”

The masked figure clicked their tongue soundlessly. Korea was the most talent-rich country in Asia. That was why Crine had focused on Korea to secure these talents. But now everything had gone wrong in an unexpected place.

“At this rate, the ‘target’ might change.”

What a shame. The masked figure turned away. The fishing boat sank beneath the surface.

* * *