"Huh? The slime? Oh, I found it just in front of here."
Actually, it was a slime I met by chance in the tutorial dungeon, but I slightly modified the story.
"I see. I was just asking because I want to raise a slime too."
"How about getting one as a pet?"
Among hunters, raising slimes as companion monsters wasn't that uncommon.
They were relatively easy to tame, harmless, and, well, cute. Slime ASMR videos were also popular, and one hunter's slime even gained popularity on YouTube, leading to merchandise.
The process of getting one as a pet was also relatively simple. You could pay a Tamer, a type of hunter, to adopt one.
However, Choi E-chan shook his head with an ambiguous expression.
"Um... I did look into it once."
"Why?"
Many people want to adopt a slime from a Tamer.
It's fine to wait for a long time. If you draw a number and wait, your turn will eventually come.
The problem is that Tamers started to be selective about who they accept. Only those from large guilds, famous hunters, or high-ranking hunters could adopt a slime.
Choi E-chan's current hunter rank is E. He's at the entrance level.
To summarize:
"That's so unfair..."
"Aha ha..."
It's really petty to discriminate even when giving out a single slime.
Choi E-chan slumped his shoulders and muttered,
"Maybe I should look for a different job instead of being a hunter."
"Eh... Why?"
"Just because I'm an Awakened, I'm only E-rank. I don't think I can do well anyway..."
"...E-chan."
"Aha ha! Just kidding, just kidding! I was just saying!"
Despite his words, the disappointment in his voice couldn't be completely hidden.
I remembered the time he was treated poorly at the <Hunter Market>. Did he go through something similar?
"Then, would you like to work part-time at our shop?"
It was half a joke, but Choi E-chan laughed heartily.
"Sure, that sounds great! Make sure to give me a job."
But from what I know, no one suits being a hunter more than Choi E-chan.
So...
It was just the right time for the coffee jelly to set.
I opened the fridge and took out the glass cup. When I gently pressed the jelly with a spoon, it felt bouncy.
It's done, it set well.
It would be delicious with whipped cream or condensed milk on top, but I skipped that this time since it's not for immediate consumption.
It might also be good to put the jelly, made with less gelatin to make it softer, into a cold drink. I'll try that next time.
[Item: Coffee Jelly (â â âââ)
Status: Very Strong
Effect: Causes caffeine addiction in one dose.
â» Be careful when consuming.]
As soon as I entered the recipe name, the item window appeared. It's done, the 'causes caffeine addiction in one dose' effect is properly written.
Among the unlearned skills I saw in Choi E-chan's profile, there were two S-rank skills.
With the pendant and this coffee jelly, he can obtain 'Light that Shines in the Darkness (S)' and 'Coffee is My Power (S)'.
The rank determined by the sum of stats and the skill rank are separate. But with two S-rank skills, even if Choi E-chan is E-rank, he won't be ignored like before. Even the most petty and unfair Tamer would give him a slime then.
I wrapped the coffee jelly in a bag and handed it to Choi E-chan.
"E-chan, this is... for later, okay?"
"Huh?"
He looked at me with a friendly smile.
"For later..."
"..."
"For later, when you enter a dungeon."
"Dungeon? Come on, I'm not even part of a guild, so what...?"
"Still! You might end up entering one. You could suddenly get caught in a rift. It's a dangerous world, after all."
"...Yeah."
"When you enter a dungeon, make sure to eat this right away. I added a lot of sugar, so it should be easy to eat. When you eat it, it will... help you."
Actually, I hope you don't go.
Whether a dungeon appears in Suwon on a snowy day or people get into danger because of it...
I hope Choi E-chan stays in a safe place and leaves it to the <Dungeon Management Office>, the Big 3 guilds, or stronger hunters.
If not for the system's interference, I would tell him not to enter a dungeon right now.
But... even if I tell him about the future I know, Choi E-chan would make the same choice. He's kind and affectionate. He couldn't ignore children caught in a dungeon.
In the end, even though I've regressed, all I can do is give him the pendant and this jelly.
"Okay, I got it. I'll eat it well."
Once again, Choi E-chan took the coffee jelly without asking any questions.
He didn't forget to add, "I'll definitely come to help next time."
* * *
[Congratulations! You have installed a sign, making your cafe's name widely known.
Your cafe is now ready to open.
System update is starting.
1, 5, 10... 100% complete.]
I was momentarily taken aback by the sudden system update notification.
[Name: Cafe Lee
Rank: F
Reputation: 0, Popularity: 0]
The new window only added the cafe's status, with no special content.
I've given Choi E-chan the pendant, and the cafe is ready to open.
I hope there won't be any life-threatening situations in the future, and only good things happen.
I'll run a quiet cafe as I initially planned.
A life of working less and resting more. I'll strive to be someone who doesn't lose theirććż.
Although I'm a bit dissatisfied with the cafe's F rank... I've finally opened my cafe.
At that moment, a notification window popped up.
[Quest has been triggered.]
[Quest: The Tragedy of an F-Rank Cafe]
[Main Quest: The Tragedy of an F-Rank Cafe
You have finally obtained your own cafe.
However, it is still F-rank. Very few people know of its existence.
Gather customers and raise the rank to gain fame.
Meet 10 customers: 0/10
Reward: Experience (200exp), 1 Golden Ticket, ???]
What do you mean, you won't raise the rank?
* * *
Korea No.1 Hunter Community - Hunter Channel
Free Board
- Ranking, guild chases, and real-life issues are prohibited. Real-life issues should be discussed in the dungeon.
[News] Fire at Cheonggye 3-ga Workshop 'Arson Suspect Identified' Investigation Accelerates (39)
Recommend: 5 / Disrecommend: 1
Author: Article Bot
A fire, suspected to be arson, has broken out at a workshop in Cheonggye 3-ga, and the police are investigating.
According to the police, a fire broke out at a workshop in Cheonggye 3-ga at around 7:15 PM on the 27th. One building was destroyed, and one person in their 70s was critically injured...
(Excerpt)
The police and the <Dungeon Management Office> are investigating, suspecting a planned arson, and have identified a suspect.
However, the authorities have not yet revealed whether the suspect is a hunter.
Pheasant: Why post this here?
âArticle Bot: What's the problem?
âPheasant: Don't you know that only hunter-related news should be posted on the Hunter Channel news board? Don't post random stuff.
ăâHinghanghong: What? This is hunter news. What's the issue?
ăâPheasant: Why is a fire news considered hunter news? People don't come to the Hunter Channel to read such news.
dta***: What's all the fuss about? Don't tell me you don't know what's in Cheonggye 3-ga? Haha.
Fizchija: I'm a new Awakened from last week. What's there? Tell me.
âdta***: Cheonggye 3-ga workshop street.
â10-year Hunter: You don't know about Cheonggye 3-ga workshop street? Haha. Latte used to be more popular than the Hunter Market... Haha. If you go to the underpass below Cheonggyecheon after 8 PM, you can get potions at a great deal.
ăâTamer Seeking: But the overpass was removed a long time ago. Are you stuck in the past? Haha.
red***: They used to sell a lot of rare items there. The Hunter Market's commission was so high, so direct trades were common. Popular workshops would have lines for item drops.
âLegend12: Is it true that an A-rank golden triangle sold there?
ăâred***: Yes, it's true, but not at the workshop street. It was at the monster market next to it. Haha. I've heard rumors that a holy sword was sold at a workshop stall.
âMarket Recommender: But why is it gone now? I just heard about it today.
ăâFlight: Many small workshops merged into large ones. Even with the Hunter Market's commission, large workshops are better for skill training and material acquisition. But some still remain.
Article Bot: This post is ruined because of Pheasant. Haha. It's a newbie's paradise.
âSomeone: I checked Pheasant's profile, and he just upgraded a month ago. Newbies are always the loudest. Haha.
âPheasant: Reporting for rule violations. Posting member information is against the rules.
ăâSomeone: What? Haha. Instead of arguing on the Hunter Channel, go do another dungeon. Haha.
ăâ10-year Hunter: It's fine. Newbies often have a dark history. Haha. If you have questions, send a private message.
ăâHinghanghong: What's with the sudden warmth and chaos? Haha.
Jeju Guild1: I heard the place that burned down is Kim Deok's workshop. Is it true?
âGolem Bought: What? Where did you hear that?
âJeju Guild1: Someone posted it in the free board and then deleted it.
ăârtj***: Haha. Do you believe that? I'm a silver wolf. Haha.
ăâHealer Seeking: Probably a troll. Haha.
1l1I1llI: If it's true, what do we do? I searched for pictures, and the location seems to match. [Link]
âGotohell: What do we do? We need to hire a bounty hunter to take care of it.
ăâmm: Why are you suddenly so aggressive, English Nickname? Haha.
Fizchija: Who is Kim Deok?
âArticle Bot: Delete your comment quickly. The trolls are coming. Haha.
âFlight: He's the best crafting hunter in Korea. He retired a long time ago, but he's the only one with the Master title. A few years ago, he made a 5-star holy sword with 99 critical hit rate, which sold for the highest price at the market auction. The Minister of Industry tried to persuade him to stay, but he refused. Haha.
ăâttl***: Kim Deok hasn't been active for a while. Why are you suddenly so aggressive?
ăâHealer Seeking: If you're a noob, you should know that even a single item from the floor can be at least 3-star.
ăâred***: The pictures show that the workshop is completely destroyed. Haha.
ăâT.T: Haha. I used to get cinnamon candies when I waited at the Master's workshop... What kind of lunatic would target such a place? Haha.
Haha: According to insiders, the suspect is a hunter. The main office is investigating. The victim is indeed Master Kim Deok, and someone saw him at the hospital. He was fine for 10 minutes and then exploded.
âGotohell: Let's raise money to hire a bounty hunter. I've set up a donation account at Hunter Bank. [Link]
ăâmm: English Nickname, why are you suddenly so aggressive? Haha.
* * *
Fortunately, Grandma Kim was able to be discharged two days later.
Thanks to Giuhyun's immediate use of a potion, her injuries healed quickly. In fact, she didn't even need to be hospitalized, but she decided to get a full health check-up while she was there.
However, the burned workshop couldn't be fully restored.
The building is currently under reconstruction by the <Dungeon Management Office>, but the many items that were there cannot be recovered.
"......It can't be helped."
Grandma smiled bitterly.
It's fortunate that she is healthy, but thinking about the culprit still makes her angry. How could someone do such a terrible thing to such a kind grandmother?
The culprit hasn't been caught yet, but the investigator said it's only a matter of time since they have a good idea of who it is. The culprit left the weapon used to stab Grandma at the scene.
Once caught, they won't be let off easily. I'll make them regret their evil deeds.
"Roar (Human, your expression is scary)!"
Cough, cough.
Anyway.
Today, Grandma, who was discharged, came to our cafe out of curiosity.
I repeatedly told her that it was fine to come empty-handed, but as soon as she entered, she handed me a large envelope.