[Proofreader – Gun]
Chapter 108
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The Resident II
3
As everyone knows, walking through the Inunaki Tunnel is exceedingly difficult.
Even I, a regressor, only managed to conquer it after five turns and sacrificing hundreds of lives.
I pondered this:
‘…Isn’t this the ultimate security facility?’
A complete change in perspective.
From an intruder’s viewpoint, the Inunaki Tunnel boasted an imnsely challenging difficulty level. However, from a defender’s perspective, there was no stronger fortress.
Moreover, this impenetrable security only applied to intruders. For those already familiar with the (strategies), the Inunaki Tunnel was rely a tricky path.
Hence, from the 197th turn, I no longer publicly shared the tunnel’s strategies on SGNet.
Instead, I put up warnings like ‘Certain death for those who enter carelessly,’ ‘No entry,’ and ‘Even the most skilled void explorers can’t escape instant death.’ Was this deceit? Not at all. It wasn’t a lie.
After soloing the Inunaki Tunnel, I set up my guild hideout in the undersea tunnel. Only trustworthy friends received ‘invitations.’
The invitations kindly detailed the strategies for the Inunaki Tunnel.
Without an invitation, no one could visit my café hideout.
“A shop that only accepts custors by invitation? What, is it so kind of VIP golf club…?”
Noh Doha examined the invitation with a displeased look.
“It’s not surprising, considering the insane idea of using a supernatural phenonon for private use ca from your mind… But this ans you’re not doing business with the general public, right?”
Noh Doha waved the invitation.
“Now, I see our Doctor Jang has beco quite the noble. Will you be a king soon? Shall I hand over the position of National Road Chief to you? Excellent. I’ve been wanting to quit this crappy job. Congratulations in advance, Your Majesty…”
“Oh. Don’t worry about that part, Chief. Do you see the number at the top of the invitation?”
“Hmm…?”
Noh Doha looked at the invitation again.
[Invitation – Café Hideout]
[Depth 1200m]
Noh Doha tilted his head.
“Depth? 1200 ters? What does this an…?”
“It’s the grade of the invitation.”
“Grade…?”
“Yes. There are invitations for different levels: 100 ters, 200 ters, 300 ters, and so on. For example, the 100-ter invitation only contains strategies for safely navigating the first 100 ters of the Inunaki Tunnel.”
“Hmm…?”
“1200 ters is the highest grade. It contains the complete strategy for the Inunaki Tunnel. 100 ters is the lowest. And I plan to make the 100-ter strategies public on SGNet.”
I took Noh Doha into the Inunaki Tunnel and showed him an example.
“Here we are at the 100-ter mark.”
“Oh…?”
Noh Doha looked around.
“This is… a café.”
He was right.
From here on, please imagine all my descriptions delivered in the gentle voice of a ho shopping host.
The small artificial waterfall installed where damp mold used to grow from the trickling water through the wall cracks was now a highlight of the interior.
Where moss once thrived, colorful aquatic plants took their place. These plants, altered by the void, thrived without sunlight.
Antique-style sofas and chairs were arranged among the waterfall and pots.
The chairs were designed for comfort. Tables were at the perfect height for seated guests. Small lamps on the tables added a cozy touch.
The Victorian-style tables were kept to a minimum, while the rest were designed to showcase the natural beauty of the wood.
Of course, the lighting was indirect. The overall space was warmly dark, but the faintly revealed outlines of the tables and chairs added an edge to the darkness.
True spaces start with visuals and end with acoustics.
The sound of the artificial waterfall flowed from one end of the darkness to the other. If sunlight is the mirror for the eyes, darkness is the mirror for the ears. The sound of water flowing beyond the darkness completed this space with Baroque aesthetics.
If you ventured closer to the tunnel wall, you’d find an unexpected sight.
Graffiti spread across the concrete surface, adding a unique charm without the clichéd frad pictures.
The tactile comfort of the chairs, the softness of the wooden tables, the auditory Baroque space, and the hidden visual art.
If the aroma of classic coffee could be added to this, satisfying the sense of sll and taste―― voilà, an all-sensory café.
The fact that this was in the middle of an undersea tunnel stimulated custors’ imaginations.
I, Doctor Jang, was confident that even if it weren’t the end tis, this café could be the best in South Korea.
Ho shopping broadcast ends.
“…Although there’s no natural light, it doesn’t feel cramped.”
Noh Doha touched the table.
He seed quite shocked.
“This really was a supernatural phenonon that devoured hundreds of people…?”
“Hehe.”
“Even your idiotic regressor’s laugh sounds different now. I’m surprised. I didn’t expect you to have such talent, Doctor Jang.”
Considering Noh Doha’s usual deanor, this was high praise. But the real surprise was yet to co.
“Chief Noh Doha.”
“Yes…?”
“Look at the thin strings next to the bookshelf. They are puppet strings connected to the deepest part of the tunnel. I had them installed by Hayul. Just give them a slight pull…”
The string twanged pleasantly, like a cello string.
“If you infuse so aura, the vibration will be transmitted to my private room in the deepest part of the tunnel.”
“Oh…”
“This way, I’ll know a guest has arrived and can respond imdiately. Even though the distance is considerable, I can cover it in no ti.”
“I see. This is certainly…”
“The 100-ter and 200-ter tiers are treated differently. The deeper you go, the more elaborate the interior and the richer the nu. In other words…”
“Yes. It might be a small incentive, but it could motivate the awakeners. There’s not much to enjoy these days… Hmm. Being cut off from the outside might actually be a good thing. If one can montarily forget the screwed-up outside world and enjoy a cup of coffee…”
“Exactly. So, Chief Noh Doha, I have a proposal.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“As you can see, running the café will require a significant amount of coffee beans. My reserves will run out quickly. So, I plan to ask the Sword Maiden to create a coffee plantation. But…”
“……”
“Can’t we make it work?”
Noh Doha’s face filled with concern.
The Sword Maiden was essential for current farming efforts. He was busy cultivating necessary crops. Allocating precious land for luxury items like coffee was a tough sell for the practical-minded Noh Doha.
I could persuade the Sword Maiden to grow coffee without Noh Doha’s consent, but that would likely lead to his resignation.
“But we don’t have the luxury to plant coffee trees in already scarce farmland…”
“Luxury goods are essential too.”
I whispered.
“Think about it. Adding another attraction to Busan would elevate the National Road Managent’s standing compared to other major guilds…”
“But isn’t the Korean Peninsula unsuitable for coffee farming? It seems inefficient…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll plant different types of coffee trees in the void and eventually create a variety suited for our climate. I’m an expert in the void, rember?”
“Hmm…”
“There’s also a security issue. Wouldn’t it be safer if I managed the undersea tunnel rather than leaving it unattended?”
“Hmm…”
“Most importantly, Chief Noh Doha, you’ll be able to wake up with a cup of coffee every morning. The Managent Office is just a short walk from here. Imagine taking a 30-minute walk each morning.”
“……”
“It will boost morale and improve welfare for the managent staff.”
“……”
Contemplation. Deliberation. Agony. Anguish.
Finally, Noh Doha mumbled like an ant crawling.
“…If it’s just a small garden…”
“You’ve made a wise decision, Chief! I knew we could understand each other. Since you’ve agreed, I’ll start building the café in the next turn.”
“……”
“Don’t worry. You won’t regret this choice. Honestly, Chief, you grumble a lot, but you always help when I truly need it. Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed…”
“Shut up.”
“Yes.”
Café hideout, grand opening success!
4
As expected, the café hideout received overwhelming support. Despite the unease of entering the mouth of a continental-level anomaly, adventurers flocked for a delicious cup of caffeine.
Moreover, the access levels distinguished by 100-ter and 200-ter incrents sparked a strange sense of competition among the awakeners.
– Anonymous: (300m) At 100 ters, you can only get espresso and Aricano, but here, you can have a café latte too, lol.
– Anonymous: (400m) Ice coffee lovers must co at least this far. I heard the Manager only offers iced coffee starting from 400 ters.
└ Anonymous: I’m fine with espresso.
└ Anonymous: (400m) You must be a 100-ter newbie, lol.
└ Anonymous: Originally, espresso is for refined tastes, kid.
└ ChefB: (100m) Everyone, let’s not argue over this. We should be happy that the café exists at all, right?
– dolLHoUse: Pathetic.
– Anonymous: (100m) But I heard the Baekhwa High School guild mbers start at 200 ters. If true, isn’t that unfair?
└ HighSchoolSenior: (1200m) 🖕 >_
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