<Episode 6>
“Is this the place?”
The man looked up at the two-story red brick building.
No wonder he couldn’t believe it. A cocktail bar in the middle of a forest.
‘Of course. Even I still can’t believe it.’
I let out a small, hollow laugh and opened the door.
“Oh, there’s a sign. The name is—”
“P-please, come inside.”
I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him in.
I hadn’t really noticed before, but after living carelessly for a week, the inside of the bar was a bit messy.
Quest Complete!
With a customer’s visit, this world has regained its presence. Electricity supply has resumed.
Reward: 100 carbonated drinks, electricity restored
Thankfully, since I brought a customer, the system turned the electricity back on.
‘That was close. I almost had to serve drinks in a dark bar.’
That would’ve looked incredibly suspicious.
“……”
The man silently looked around the bar, as if checking for danger.
“Please, take a seat wherever you’re comfortable.”
“Alright.”
As expected, he chose the bar counter seat—where he could easily observe me.
He scanned the shelves full of alcohol once, then glanced at the second floor and the back door.
And whenever I moved, his gaze followed me.
‘He still doesn’t trust me.’
It annoyed me, but I forced a polite service smile. Once someone steps into the bar and sits down, they’re a customer.
“Excuse me, sir. Could you move your weapon aside? It’s a bit… intimidating.”
“Understood.”
He calmly removed the massive greatsword from his back and placed it on the floor.
Only then did the tension in my chest start to ease—
Thud.
“?”
More weapons kept coming out.
Five daggers. A pair of knuckles. Even a spike.
‘Did he come here to wage war?’
No wonder he shot arrows without hesitation.
If that arrow had hit me directly…
‘I would’ve died.’
Even if I had decided to live recklessly, I didn’t want to die like that.
Maybe he noticed my expression.
“When a dungeon appears, nearby villages are destroyed.”
“…What?”
“Monsters that grow around a dungeon eventually come out and devour people—young or old.”
He lowered his gaze and gave a bitter smile.
“I protect the North to prevent that. Please forgive my rudeness.”
I couldn’t respond.
He was clearly at fault—but I couldn’t bring myself to blame him.
He had only done his duty.
I still felt a bit upset… but I could understand.
“Words alone are not enough of an apology. Please accept this.”
He reached into his clothes, took out a coin, and placed it on the counter.
It shone brilliantly with a golden light.
You have obtained 10,000 coins!
What?!
My jaw dropped.
The lingering resentment I had disappeared instantly.
‘Money really is the best cure.’
I didn’t know I was this shallow.
Basic payment completed.
9,800 coins have been deducted.
The system took the money without even asking me.
‘Why does this feel so unfair?’
I almost died from a poisoned arrow to earn that!
I glared into the air, imagining the system watching me.
It’s not like I even had anywhere to spend the money—but it still made me angry.
Still, I couldn’t keep such a generous customer waiting.
I calmed myself and spoke.
“Would you like to order?”
“You said you make mixed drinks. I’m not sure how to order such things.”
That made sense. He didn’t even know what cocktails were.
I could prepare a menu, but I preferred finding the right drink through conversation.
“What kind of alcohol do you usually enjoy?”
My voice came out softer than usual. I didn’t mean to—it must’ve been the effect of “financial healing.”
“I usually drink beer or whiskey.”
“I see. Do you drink whiskey straight, or on the rocks?”
“Straight. I can’t really imagine mixing alcohol.”
I nodded and organized the information in my head.
‘He drinks strong alcohol. Prefers clean flavors. Doesn’t like mixing.’
And since he was working, something light would be better.
“I’ll make you the best cocktail using beer.”
“That sounds… unusual.”
There was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
The cocktail I chose was Black Velvet—made with champagne and dark beer.
You pour both at the same time in equal amounts to mix them naturally.
‘Both are carbonated, so it could overflow…’
If I messed up, the foam would spill and ruin the mood.
‘But I’m confident with Black Velvet.’
I had a regular who loved it so much that I’d make it the moment they walked in.
My coworkers even whispered, “The Black Velvet customer is here.”
I held a champagne bottle in one hand and dark beer in the other, slowly pouring into a chilled glass.
The key was to pour gently so they mixed naturally.
“You’re pouring both at once?”
His eyes widened.
Presentation matters just as much as taste.
I carefully filled the glass in a perfect 1:1 ratio without letting the foam overflow.
“Here. A Black Velvet, made just for you.”
I placed the glass down.
The tall glass looked like it held the night sky—dark black with a clear line of white foam on top.
He lifted the glass elegantly and drank.
His throat moved as he swallowed.
He finished it in one go and looked at me.
No matter how experienced I became, this moment—waiting for a customer’s reaction—always made me nervous.
“Did you like it?”
“…Yes. The sweetness of the champagne fills the mouth first, then the bitterness of the dark beer follows. It goes down very smoothly—it feels almost luxurious.”
“Yes. The light champagne is balanced by the richness of the dark beer. They complement each other.”
I explained calmly.
“I’m impressed. To create such depth from ordinary dark beer… The foam felt full and soft. I don’t know how to describe it… but it feels delightful. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
I smiled.
‘He explains things very carefully.’
As expected of a rich duke—kind and thoughtful.
He made it feel like this one drink was truly special.
“It seems you’ve finally relaxed. You look much prettier when you smile.”
“Ah—th-thank you…”
The sudden compliment caught me off guard.
He chuckled softly. His smile felt restrained, as if he had strong self-control.
‘But he was different when he drank.’
A good drink loosens people up and reveals their true selves.
Even bringing out that side of him briefly made me feel proud.
“I should get going now.”
“Already? Won’t you have another drink…?”
“My subordinates are waiting.”
He quickly gathered his weapons and stood up.
Hidden Quest Complete!
You have served a protagonist from another dimension for the first time.
Reward: ‘Character Information’ unlocked
I glanced at the notification casually—then froze.
‘A protagonist?’
