SSS-Grade Cafe in Front of The Dungeon

The moment he collected the light nets scattered around the cafe building,

“Aaaah, where have you been?”

“I didn’t expect you to be here.”

People who were chasing Ki Yoohyun found him from afar and ran to him.

They were a male and female, a pair of twins, who wore identical jumpers. They stood next to each of his sides in case Ki Yoohyun ran away again.

“Do you know how many times we need to find the guild leader?”

“The deputy guild leader ordered us to bring the guild leader!”

“I must have told you not to call me guild leader outside.”

The twins turned pale and bowed their heads in unison. They looked so nervous, preparing to be scolded again.

Their names are Joo Shinwoo and Joo Shinhee.

Although it had only been a few months since they’ve awakened, they were talented enough as hunters to join the Cheongna Guild’s first-tier party.

They took on the role of accompanying the guild leader today.

They said it was an important role, but it was nerve-wracking. Both of them were in trouble because of the guild leader who quickly disappeared. They only found him after wandering around for a long time.

Korea’s first and strongest S-class. The man who was widely known under the name ‘Muwon‘.

In fact, the first time they met him, he was kind and had a gentle smile, but they still felt a sense of intimidation that was difficult to deal with. It’s still the same for now. He didn’t get angry at all, but they got goosebumps in their spine.

“How was it?”

Among the twins, Joo Shinhee, a woman, asked while glancing at the cafe behind her.

“There was nothing strange. I don’t feel the ether reaction either.”

“But … didn’t you go to check it out because there’s something that bothered you?”

“Yeah, I did.”

Ki Yoohyun looked at the red brick building in the distance and thought for a moment.

He already looked inside, but he felt nothing strange. To the extent that it seems intentional.

If there is something strange, rather than the cafe … is it that woman?

Ki Yoohyun recalled her dark chestnut hair and surprised eyes.

“This outfit.”

“Yes.”

Ki Yoohyun injected a small amount of ether into the end of the coat. A blue vine mark appeared and disappeared.

“Is it possible for a non-Awakened person to see the mark?”

“No, of course not. It’s a mark that only reacts to ether.”

Joo Shinwoo said so and shook his head.

“Did you have any problems?”

“No, I’m just curious.”

“It’s a guild uniform. Activating the mark and verifying it are things that only the Awakened can do.”

But how did she recognize it? Is she a Hunter?

It may be reasonable to think so … still, doubts remained.

There was no ether in the woman. On the surface, she was like an ordinary person.

Could it be that she hid her power in front of him?

That’s absurd.

The thought gave him goosebumps.

From the moment he signed a contract with the God of Another World, The Great One, Ki Yoohyun was able to freely sense and manipulate the ether of space.

If she can hide her power in front of him….

It will never be at the level of an ordinary hunter. Even the sloppy appearance may be a disguise.

Besides, this watch.

Ki Yoohyun rolled up his sleeve and looked down at his wrist.

Inside the dial of the silver watch that wrapped around his wrist, there were letters engraved with a special technique.

Ki Yoohyun (S Class)

Rank No.1

The Hunter Certificate, specially produced for S-class hunters, has a different design according to the ranking of each hunter.

In the case of Ki Yoohyun, this silver watch showed letters indicating his ranking and special mark when ether was injected.

However, few people know that the proof of the No. 1 ranking is in the form of a watch. Even within the guild, there were only a few people who have this knowledge.

How did the woman know about his watch?

Ki Yoohyun recalled the memories of the past, or perhaps the future.

He returned to the past from the future three years later. However, it was impossible to know how this happened, since he regressed to the past.

The future in three years. Ki Yoohyun gathered the top hunters of each guild to form a team.

This is because the cult that worships demons has succeeded in resurrecting the demon ████.

The top floor of the great dungeon Abyss, the worst demon who slept beyond the Ultimate Gate. The abyss that brings an end to the world upon its resurrection.

Ki Yoohyun thought he’s perfectly prepared. He gathered reliable and strong colleagues, and after being equipped with sufficient equipment, they took on the challenge. It was enough to say that the mankind has done all it can.

But his party was defeated on the last floor.

When he arrived in front of the Ultimate Gate, where the demon was sleeping, he heard a voice in his head. It sounds like a system message, but much lower … it was an eerie voice.

【The key is not ready.】

【You are not yet qualified to open the gate.】

Then, the moment he met the demon’s eyes, instead of the pain that he had expected, an eerie sensation covered his body.

His memory ends here. He soon lost consciousness and when he opened his eyes, he was back to three years ago.

Once again, the opportunity was given.

While he was gathering his strength to prepare for the decisive battle three years later, something different from the past he remembers happened.

The death of an American hunter, James Jack Smith.

In this second life, just like the first, James was attacked by a monster.

This time, however, he survived.

Clearly, the future that should flow in the same way from his memory has changed.

‘Why did the future change?’

When he felt such a question, something different from the first life caught his eye. It was a small cafe located right in front of the desolate dungeon gate.

Obviously it wasn’t there in his first life. If there’s any secret, it must be there.

Today, when he visited to solve the question, there was only an ordinary cafe owner in the store.

Ki Yoohyun recalled a woman with a soft impression he had just met.

‘Should I take care of her?’

If it interferes with the future, he was going to deal with it whatever it was.

He couldn’t repeat the failure of the first round.

‘No, let’s wait and see.’

There are some doubts, but it is too early for him to judge that the woman is suspicious.

Ki Yoohyun quietly shook his head.

‘Anyway … I’ll have to keep an eye on her.’

As he looked at the small red brick building, he concluded.

“But is there any rumors about me?”

“Rumors?”

“For example….”

“It’s true. There were also rumors that he hid his identity because he was ugly, but that doesn’t seem to be the case….”

That voice rang in his ears.

“Nothing. Let’s go back.”

He was quite concerned about what the cafe owner said, but it was not time to reveal his identity yet.

Instead, Ki Yoohyun recalled the coffee he had drank a while ago.

He thought it was a plain coffee mix, but it wasn’t. The sweetness and softness were in perfect balance, and the savory coffee aroma calmed his mind. Moreover, after drinking the coffee, there was a warm energy in his body.

If possible….

‘I want to drink it again.’

***

At last.

Finally, this moment has come.

“Whoaaaaaaahaha……”

“You look like a villain when you laugh like that.”

Ignoring Mieum’s comment, I looked at the flashing system notification in front of my eyes.

I wondered if there was a problem because the system suddenly stopped working, but it seems to be fine now.

[Congratulations! You have completed ‘Tutorial Quest: Coffee is My Dream’.

Please receive the reward.]

I selected the [Receive Reward] button clearly shown below.

[Experience: 100 EXP have been acquired.]

[You have reached Level 2.]

[50 rubies have been acquired.]

[Skill: Extraction of Barista (D) has been acquired.]

[You have acquired a new recipe ‘Americano’.]

Along with the sound effect, the the excellent messages from the system appeared in front of my eyes.

With excitement, I checked the contents one by one.

First, level. At first, the status was poor, but I might get stronger if I level up.

Name: Kwon Rieul

Class: Cafe Owner (F) (Lv. 2)

Health 100/100, Energy 100/100

Strength: 8, Intelligence: 12 (+1), Agility: 9, Luck: 12

“…”

Such expectations were shattered as soon as I checked the status screen.

I must have read the number wrong. I rubbed my eyes and read it again, but nothing has changed. The reward for the level-up was an +1 increase in intelligence.

“Wow, it’s really a lot.”

I spoke sarcastically in a soulless voice. It was amazing. It was clear that this system didn’t want my status to get stronger.

“Congratulations on leveling up, meoong.”

“Just laugh at me….”

“You’re so weak, ahahaha.”

“I can’t believe you’re really laughing at me.”

“What do you want me to do, meooooong!”

Mieum raised her fur and swung a cat punch.

“Cheer up. You’re a precious person with talent that can’t be judged by a mere status. You can comfort me by saying that.”

Without answering, Mieum yawned and sat on the bread-shaped floor. She ignored me.

Well, that’s fine. I’m not hurt. After all, the thing I was looking forward to the most is not leveling up, but the precious 5 million won.

I smiled at the 50 red rubies in the inventory. Of course, it was not a real gem, but a good used in Hunter Market.

Wait, come to think of it, how do I turn this ruby into cash?

I ran into a problem I hadn’t thought of before.

It’s not like I can go to a convenience store and pay with this ruby. What I need is cash, not Hunter’s supplies.

“Don’t you even know that? Just go to the Hunter Market, register, and exchange the money!”

“Do I have to go?”

It’s annoying. Still, Mieum shook her head.

“Ahem, open your ears and listen, Level 2 Human.”

Why do I feel insulted?

Anyway, according to the explanation given by the proud Mieum, it was like this.

Hunter supplies are usually expensive. A low-grade potion set was about a month’s salary, so a high-grade item is really sold at an extraordinary price that ordinary people can’t even dream of.

In order to prevent the money from flowing recklessly into the market and rising the prices, restrictions were placed on Ruby’s currency exchange.

When you exchange more than 100 million won, you have to report it in advance and get permission … it had nothing to do with me who’s only trying to exchange only 5 million won, but I still have to visit the market and register in person.

“Our Mieum is also smart.”

“This is common sense!”

When I scratched her chin, Mieum, whose nose was raised, made a snoring sound.

What an easy cat.

The nearest Hunter Market was a branch in Apgujeong.

In addition, in order to use the Hunter Market, it was necessary to register as an Awakened person at the Dungeon Management Office.

Phew, I can’t help it. I should register myself as an Awakened.

[Next]

Translator’s Corner:

I don’t know why I still need to say this … but please do not repost, especially on social media and w*ttpad. I’m going to lock this blog if I saw someone reposted this on w*ttpad or social media.

Oh, and I hope you enjoy the story so far! It was nice reading the comments, I appreciate it a lot.