Convenience Store 24: The Tower of the End 1st - Chapter 103



Only Krnovel

Episode 103 Latte Cafe

We need to write something and get it out into the public’s mouth within two weeks.

Maren laughed bitterly as she imagined putting her own head, not a song, into the beast’s jaws.

‘It’s definitely a situation where I feel like I’m going crazy… … but I have a feeling something is going on.’

Inseong Cafe.

A hot place that I only heard rumors about on social media.

Was it just an unexpected impulse that made him suddenly head to a cafe?

Or is it God’s confident guidance that will save him?

Maren is an atheist, though.

I couldn’t jump to the conclusion that this feeling was electronic.

Looking at the cup of cafe latte placed in front of him after a long wait.

Maren thought.

‘I’ll find out when I check. Is my intuition gone or is it still useful… ? ‘

Because I can’t take off my mask.

Carefully push the straw under the mask.

I take a sip with a feeling of almost reverence.

“… … !”

At that moment, Maren’s eyes widen beyond her sunglasses.

They say they roast coffee in the fires of hell.

It doesn’t seem to be a lie.

‘No, it’s coffee, but… what is this?’

This milk!

Milk just doesn’t make sense.

While you can feel the power of animal protein, it has a dry, clean taste like vegetable oat milk.

Powerful yet delicate, bold yet cautious.

It has a paradoxical taste that makes it hard to believe it’s milk, but it goes really well with coffee.

Maren moved the straw, finding a spot where there was a little less coffee and sucking it up.

‘oh my god…….’

It tastes shocking.

And in another sense, Maren was shocked.

It was so simple… … but it was a shock that came from such a simple idea that no one had ever achieved results like this before.

‘In a latte… … milk can be the main ingredient.’

Reverse thinking.

Breaking down stereotypes.

The moment when you encounter something you never imagined in reality.

Something breaks in his head.

Inspiration usually comes like a torrent that breaks a dam.

You must always be prepared to contain it, whether it comes in short or long.

And Maren was ready.

He paused for a moment, then hurriedly took out his notebook and began to jot something down.

And after a while.

After rolling the last sip in my mouth.

Maren, who thoroughly enjoyed the scent while exhaling through her nose, soon swallowed what was in her mouth.

Haaah… … .

He sighed.

I feel sad that this sip is the last.

It was a sigh of relief mixed with the feeling that the feeling I had was not wrong.

The notebook in front of him is filled with notes, chords, and lyrics.

There is a title written large at the top in a unique crooked handwriting.

[Latte Cafe]

Maren looked over the notes and closed her eyes, overcome with mixed emotions.

‘I lived.’

and.

‘Inseong Cafe is really the best. When I go back, I’ll immediately like all the posts related to Inseong Cafe.’

The moment Maren decided that it was time to go back now that she had finished a song.

“I’ll help you with the diffuser time guidance~!”

‘Diffuser time?’

Maren boasted of writing three songs that day alone.

* * *

After a while.

After the diffuser time is over, you have some free time.

I thought back to what happened earlier.

‘What was it?’

I have always prided myself on meeting many different types of customers while running a cafe.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen this type.’

Suddenly, he held my hand and kept saying thank you, and then out of the blue, he started marching away.

“Boss! What just happened?”

“I don’t know either. I guess they really liked our cafe.”

“There are quite a few people like that… … .”

“But he was wrapped up a bit tightly. Are you a celebrity?”

“When I see you, I see a lot of people coming and eating here, knowingly or unknowingly. Boss, do you need a photo or autograph? A lot of people do that at other restaurants.”

“No, the walls are messy.”

Sujeong opens her mouth as if she is embarrassed.

“Well, it still helps with things like promoting the cafe, right?”

“That’s true. But why?”

“Well… … the boss is a bit of a jerk.”

Looking at Soo-Jung, who was raising her thumb with her mouth wide open.

I chuckled.

“Thank you. Oh, and there will be two trainees coming later. Don’t order them around, just observe how the café is run.”

“Wow, the new recruits are finally coming?!”

“Yeah. I originally planned to pick it a little earlier, but after choosing and choosing, I ended up being a little late. Anyway, I’ll go, so everyone, please take care of yourselves.”

“Yes, sir! Come in!”

* * *

A few hours later.

Ss …

Arriving at the convenience store with the light, I put my bag on the floor.

Today I came to the 28th floor Elasium.

‘I’ll try to sell hard today too.’

Even though we bought the building, we still needed money.

According to Attorney Kim, the cost of just evicting the tenants would likely be around 2 billion won.

‘Well, I guess it can’t be helped since they asked us to reflect the tenants’ demands as much as possible.’

The problem was that the interior design costs exceeded my expectations.

‘What kind of remodeling cost is over 2 billion?’

This was the result of going to a construction company and asking them to give me a rough estimate for the remodeling.

The dealer says that this is the minimum and that the cost may increase depending on the situation.

‘Well, if you sell it, it’ll come together quickly.’

I walked to the window holding a steaming glass.

‘By the way, are the pioneers doing well? I thought they said they were going to attack the 53rd floor tomorrow.’

The pioneers will do well.

‘Support me with buff food, sell me special stamps, and give me hints. That should be good enough.’

And indeed, the pioneers lived up to my expectations.

‘Hehehe, if we keep going like this, we’ll reach the 53rd floor, the 54th floor… … and the 60th floor will be here soon.’

Everything is going smoothly.

Hureuk-

I glanced out the window.

Today too, the strategists are standing in line in an orderly manner to use the store.

I feel like I’m looking at a group of well-trained soldiers.

At that time.

Daughter-

A bell rings at the door.

There are only a few beings on this 28th floor who can enter a convenience store without permission, even though I haven’t even left the store.

“It’s been a while, my ever-bending heart!”

Prisia was the ruler of all elves and the most beautiful woman and queen of Elasium.

‘That appearance really can’t be hidden even with fertilizer.’

Even after applying fertilizer, she still showed off her beauty.

Smul smul-

This strong smell of fertilizer is really… … .

It’s hard to get used to it.

I smiled broadly, breathing only through my mouth as much as possible.

“It’s been a while.”

“How have you been?”

“Of course.”

While I was chatting about various things with Prisia after a long time.

She smiles brightly.

“I feel this once again, but I think a lot has changed since I met you, Always Breaking Heart. That goes for me, and that goes for this Elasium.”

“haha.”

It’s definitely as she said.

Elasium had changed a lot, and was still changing.

‘A lot has changed, though.’

Dark elf, no.

Since the Deep Dark Elves left the 28th floor.

Elasium entered a period of unprecedented peace.

In the land that was left in ruins after the battle between the two races, nameless grasses and flowers have grown.

Even among the raiders, it was the 6th floor to be given the title of ‘village’, following the 1st, 15th, 35th, 40th, and 45th floors.

‘If the raiders call it a village, then it must be a really safe floor.’

However, despite being called a ‘village’, the number of raiders active on the 28th floor was not that many.

‘I guess the smell of fertilizer is a bit of a barrier… ‘

Elasium is a safe and active place.

This is a place where only those with a strong stomach can operate!

This was Elasium.

“Besides, the number of climbers active in Elasium has increased significantly these days!”

“……yes?”

I felt puzzled.

‘When I watched the video, it didn’t seem like there were that many raiders active within Elasium.’

“But there’s something strange. Most of them don’t stay in Elasium, but rather run away, saying they’re going to explore or pioneer. Do you know why?”

“Ah, that’s… … .”

‘Are you really asking because you don’t know?’

There was no falsehood in her innocent expression.

After a moment of hesitation, I opened my mouth.

“It must be because of the smell of fertilizer. It’s not a very pleasant smell.”

“Huh?! That’s ridiculous!”

Prisia opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Where can you find such a fragrant and beautiful scent!”

“haha…….”

“Climbers really have unique tastes!”

‘It’s peculiar… … . Yes, it is peculiar.’

I smiled awkwardly.

“I guess it’s a virtue to respect differences in tastes. But what’s going on here? If it’s fertilizer, I would have sent it to Isilien.”

“ah.”

Prisia laughs bashfully.

“I have something I want to show you, my ever-bending heart.”

“Is there anything you want to show me?”

Certainly from the videos I’ve seen on YouTube about Elasium.

There was no particular ‘singularity’ to speak of.

‘What on earth are you trying to show me?’

Is this an issue that hasn’t been posted on YouTube?

My curiosity is piqued.

“Okay. Let’s go and see. Where should we go?”

“Follow me!”

I moved to the front of the World Tree under her guidance.

[Oh, what?! Hey, shopkeeper! Where are you going!]

[Even if you go, can’t you sell the product before you leave?!]

Well, in return, I had to see the sad eyes of the raiders.

[Okay, just wait a moment. I’ll be back soon.]

I pointed to a sign hanging on the convenience store door handle that said, “Owner – Temporarily Out.”

‘by the way…….’

I glanced up at the world tree.

‘I really wonder what kind of tree is this big… … .’

Even the tallest buildings of modern times would have to bow down before this world tree.

chuck-

‘Perhaps it’s because it’s around the World Tree, but security is definitely tight.’

At every intersection, there are guards stationed to protect the queen.

But I didn’t really care.

“Hello, Ever-Breaking Heart! How are you?!”

“It’s been a while!”

“Haha, it’s been a while.”

Because they were already one of my long-time customers.

“Come this way!”

She guided me behind the World Tree.

‘Well, I remember there wasn’t anything special here.’

I often deal with elves and Prisia.

I once climbed the World Tree at their invitation.

However, I remember that at that time, the area behind the World Tree was full of trees.

‘What on earth are you showing me… … .’

The moment I reached the back of the World Tree, I stopped walking.

The area surrounding it was clearly filled with trees.

Houm, houm, hooooooo-

Aren’t the trees moving and alive as if they have life?

‘… … Was there such a race in Elasium?’

No matter how much I searched my memories, there was no such race.

‘The only thing that’s similar is the 17th floor tree-turned strategists… … but that feels quite different.’

On the 17th floor, the trees that had transformed after eating Fairy’s full course had expressions on their faces as if they were screaming.

Hohoooooum-

Those trees were humming happily, with nameless birds sitting on each branch.

And there.

Those trees… … are creating something.

Thud, thud-

The more they caressed the dry branches.

The tree branches gradually took on shapes such as bows or statues.

“They’re Ents. What do you think? Isn’t it amazing?”

She looked up at me with a bright smile like a child looking for praise.

“I was a little surprised.”

“Their presence will be a great help to Elasium as well. Ents are said to be very dexterous.”

‘… … Are you good with your hands?’

Judging from what Prisia said.

It was concluded that Ents were a race that originally existed in Elasium.

‘But I’ve never seen it.’

“I see. But those Ents. Are they the ones who originally existed in Elasium?”

“Um, it’s a little difficult to explain… … .”

Prisia looks at me secretly.

She puts her arms on her hips and speaks confidently.

“Ahem! If I had to give a reason for their existence, I would say it’s thanks to you, Always Bendable Heart!”

‘Huh?’

Freesia suddenly points at me.

A sad smile appears on her lips.

“The war we fought against the Dark Elves wasn’t just our war. There were many other races involved in the flames of war. So many lives were returned to nature.”

“… … .”

“It is said that the damage to the Ents was especially severe.”

According to Prisia.

The Ents’ habitat, ‘Pandrian’, has been destroyed to the point where it is no longer possible for life to survive.

Since then, the Ents have also disappeared, it is said.

“But thanks to the ever-bending heart, who cleared out all the dark elves, they were able to start their activities again.”

“Oh… … I see.”

I never thought there would be such a thing.

While I was furtively looking at the Ents.

Grrrrrrrrr-

A large tree strode toward me.

“Thank you, friend of the forest, savior who saved us from our long suffering.”

“hmm…….”

“You are the Millennium Tree. You are the leader of the Ents.”

When Prisia whispered in a small voice.

Only then did I smile and say hello.

“Nice to meet you, my heart is always breaking.”

“Houm! Can you hear it? The sound of birds chirping at dawn, the joyful laughter of spirits! All of this is the peace you have awakened.”

“Haha, it wasn’t me who did it. Everyone did their best in their respective positions, so we could have the results we have today.”

The thousand-year-old tree laughs heartily.

“As humble as a lake. Calm, yet deep.”

“Don’t mention it… … .”

“No! If it weren’t for you, the Ents would still be having a miserable day.”

The thousand-year-old tree looks at me and shouts as if making a promise.

“We Ents never forget the rewards we have received. So I swear it here! The Ents will gladly act for the climbers!”

That moment.

Tiring-

[Ent Chieftain Millennium Tree announces the resumption of activities after a long silence.]

[The hidden area, Pandrian, opens.]

[A reward will be given to the first person to open it.]

[Items, Stones of Change and Birth are given as rewards.]