The Tenant ⅠI
As everyone knows, navigating the Inunaki Tunnel is exceedingly difficult.
Even as a regressor, I had to sacrifice hundreds of lives across five runs to finally conquer it.
At that mont, I thought,
‘...Isn't this the best security facility?’
It was a complete reversal of thought.
From the perspective of an intruder, the Inunaki Tunnel boasted an incredible level of difficulty, but from a defender's viewpoint, it was an impregnable fortress.
Moreover, this ironclad security applied only to intruders. For those who had already mastered the ‘strategy,’ the Inunaki Tunnel was just a slightly tricky path.
Thus, starting from the 197th run, I did not fully disclose the tunnel strategy on SG Net.
Instead, I posted warnings such as "Entering without caution leads to certain death," "No entry," and "Even the most skilled Void explorers can't avoid instant death." A guilty conscience? None at all. It's not a lie.
After conquering Inunaki alone, I set up a guild hideout in the underwater tunnel. I then sent ‘invitations’ only to a select few trustworthy acquaintances.
The invitations, of course, kindly detailed the walking thod for the Inunaki Tunnel.
Now, without an invitation, no one could visit my café hideout.
“A shop that only accepts custors by invitation? Is this a VIP golf course or sothing...?”
Noh Do-hwa turned the invitation over and over, making a sour face.
“The insane idea of privatizing an anomaly and using it is just what I'd expect from your filthy brain... But this ans you're not planning to do business with the general public, right?”
Noh Do-hwa fluttered the invitation.
“Now, I see that our Undertaker is becoming quite the noble. Soon, you'll want to be king? Shall I hand over the position of National Road Managent Corps Chief to you? Hoo, great. I've been wanting to quit this shitty job anyway. Congratulations in advance, Your Majesty...”
“Oh. Don't worry too much about that part. Corps Chief, do you see the number written at the top of the invitation?”
“Hmm...?”
Noh Do-hwa re-examined the invitation.
[Invitation - Café Hideout]
[Depth 1200m]
Noh Do-hwa tilted her head.
“Depth? 1200 ters? What does this an...?”
“It’s the grade of the invitation.”
“Graaade...?”
“Yes. I have prepared invitations in segnts of 100 ters, 200 ters, 300 ters, and so on. For instance, a 100-ter invitation contains only enough strategy to safely cover the first 100 ters of the Inunaki Tunnel.”
“Hmm...?”
“The 1200-ter invitation is the highest grade, containing the complete strategy for the Inunaki Tunnel. The 100-ter invitation is the lowest grade. And I will make all 100-ter invitations public on SG Net.”
I took Noh Do-hwa into the Inunaki Tunnel to show her an example.
“This is the 100-ter point.”
“Oh...?”
Noh Do-hwa looked around.
“This is... a café.”
Noh Do-hwa's observation was spot on.
From now on, I hope you’ll listen to all my descriptions in the voice of a friendly ho shopping host.
Instead of always damp mold where water trickled from the cracks in the wall, a tiny artificial waterfall had been installed, showcasing its aesthetic point.
Where moss once flourished, there were now colorful aquatic plants. These plants weren't ordinary vegetation but had mutated in the void, thriving without sunlight.
Amidst these artificial waterfalls and planters were antique-style sofas and chairs.
Above all, the chairs sought comfort. Tables of perfect height for sitting were arranged, with small lamps adding to the ambiance.
Victorian-style tables from the 19th century were minimal in number, while the other tables revealed the natural beauty of the wood.
Of course, the lighting was indirect. The overall space was enveloped in a cozy darkness, but the faint outlines of tables and chairs added an edge even to the shadows.
A true space starts with vision and ends with hearing.
From one end to the other, the sound of water trickling from the artificial waterfall filled the air. If sunlight is the mirror of the eyes, darkness is the mirror of the ears. The sound of water flowing beyond the darkness completed this space as the pinnacle of Baroque aesthetics.
If you went up to the tunnel wall, you’d find unexpected graffiti on the concrete surface, adding a unique charm without traditional frad pictures.
The touch of the soft wood of the table and the comfort of the chair. The auditory experience of a Baroque space. And the hidden visual art of graffiti.
If the old-fashioned aroma of coffee were added, it would appeal to the senses of sll and taste――a café that satisfied all five senses, complete.
Even more, the fact that this unique scenery was in the middle of an underwater tunnel stimulated the imagination of the guests.
As the Undertaker, I was confident that even if it weren't for the apocalypse, this place could aim to be the best café in Korea.
Ho shopping broadcast, over.
“...There's no natural light, yet the space doesn't feel cramped.”
Noh Do-hwa touched the table.
She seed quite shocked.
“Was this really an anomaly that devoured hundreds of people...?”
“Hehe.”
“Even that ridiculous regressor's laugh sounds different now. I'm surprised. Undertaker, I didn't expect you to have this talent...”
Considering Noh Do-hwa's personality, this was the highest praise. But there was more to surprise her.
“Noh Do-hwa, Corps Chief.”
“Yes...?”
“Do you see those thin strings next to the bookshelf? They are puppet strings leading to the tunnel's deepest part. I had Hayul set them up. Just a slight tug on them...”
Ting- The string vibrated pleasantly like a cello's string.
“Even just by infusing aura, the vibration reaches my private room at the deepest part of the tunnel.”
“Oh...”
“Then I can imdiately respond knowing there's a guest. No matter how far the distance, I can reach here in an instant.”
“Indeed. This is... quite sothing.”
“The treatnt for the 100-ter and 200-ter levels is different. The deeper the depth, the different the interior, and the more diverse the nu will be. In other words...”
“Yes. It might be a small motivation for the awakeners. There aren’t many enjoynts these days... Hmm. Being isolated from the outside world might actually be a good thing. If one can montarily forget the ruined outside world and enjoy a cup of coffee...”
“Exactly. So, Noh Do-hwa, Corps Chief, I have a proposal.”
“Hmm? What is it...?”
“As you can see, operating the café seriously requires a lot of coffee beans. My reserves will soon run out. So, I plan to ask the Sword Marquess, that old man, to create a coffee farm...”
“......”
“Can’t you make it happen?”
Noh Do-hwa's face filled with worry.
The Sword Marquess was essential for current agricultural endeavors. He was busy cultivating food.
Proposing to use so of that precious land for coffee, a luxury item, was bound to trouble the practical-minded Noh Do-hwa.
Of course, I could persuade the Sword Marquess to cultivate coffee without Noh Do-hwa’s consent, but that would result in Noh Do-hwa resigning.
“But we barely have enough farmland as it is...”
“The world needs luxuries too.”
I whispered.
“Think about it. Adding a new attraction to Busan will elevate the status of the National Road Managent Corps compared to other major guilds...”
“Isn’t it impractical to grow coffee in Korea? It seems inefficient...”
“No need to worry. I’ll plant various coffee trees from the void and eventually create a variety suitable for the Korean climate. I am a void expert, after all.”
“Hmm...”
“There’s also the matter of security. Isn’t it better for to manage the underwater tunnel than leave it unattended?”
“Hmm...”
“Moreover, Corps Chief, imagine waking up with a cup of coffee every morning. The headquarters is just a short walk away. Think of it as a 30-minute morning walk.”
“......”
“It would boost the morale and welfare of the managent team.”
“......”
Contemplation. Consideration. Agony. Deliberation.
Finally, Noh Do-hwa muttered softly.
“Well, if it’s just a small garden...”
“You’ve made a wise decision, Corps Chief! You truly understand . Since you’ve agreed, I’ll start building the café from the next run.”
“......”
“Don’t worry. You won’t regret this decision. You always complain, but when I earnestly ask, you always help. I know how deeply you care for ...”
“Shut up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The café hideout was a grand success!
Naturally, the café hideout received enthusiastic support.
Despite the unease of stepping into the jaws of a continental-class anomaly for a delicious cup of caffeine, brave challengers never ceased.
The segnted access levels of 100 ters, 200 ters, etc., sparked a peculiar sense of competition among the awakeners.
-Anonymous: (300m) At 100 ters, you can only get espresso and Aricano, but here, you can also have café latte lol.
-Anonymous: (400m) Ice coffee lovers must reach at least 400 ters. The barista said ice coffee is available from 400 ters onwards.
└Anonymous: I like espresso too, though?
└Anonymous: (400m) Yeah, right lol.
└Anonymous: Espresso is a sophisticated taste, you idiot.
└CookingQueen: (100m) Everyone, please don't argue over this. We should be grateful just for the existence of the café, shouldn't we?
-dolLHoUse: Pathetic.
-Anonymous: (100m) But I heard Baekwha Girls’ High Guild mbers start at 200 ters by default. Is that true? If it is, isn’t that unfair?
└FourthGrader: (1200m) ( >_
Reviews
All reviews (0)