Chapter 77
The first thought that crossed my mind was simple.
’Is this a bug?’
The second thought was just as singular.
’It’s definitely a bug.’
Normally, the quota for the first day of business in S2P is 10G.
They don’t hit beginners hard right from the start.
The structure of S2P was to lure them in gently by giving them hope, only to crush them later with absurdly high quotas.
But an amount this insane...
’No, and the revenue is 249.560G!’
After paying the quota, the remaining amount was a mere 560G.
I could have made more money just by selling a few raw lizard tails at a general store.
I was too dumbfounded to speak.
"Trainee. Why is the quota like this?"
Mo Hae-in, who had checked the quota system window, approached me in great distress.
But I didn’t know anything either.
"I don’t know either... I wonder if it’s some kind of anomaly..."
"It’s because of us."
That was when a gloomy voice drifted over.
The twins, who had approached me unnoticed, were standing there with dark expressions.
Ella bit her lip hard before muttering.
"Since you helped us... the Lord must have..."
The moment I heard it was Internums doing, everything clicked.
He wanted me on his dinner table.
According to the restaurant lease agreement, the daily quota was set at the owner’s discretion.
He could tighten the noose on me like this as much as he wanted.
Moreover, since he had the twins as a perfect excuse, there was no room for me to protest or negotiate.
The moment I went to find Internum, he would demand the twins back.
Elun spoke, fluttering one wing slightly.
"Sorry, Little Lamb. We’ll go back."
Ella, who was always chattering, also spoke softly beside Elun with her head bowed low.
"I’m sorry..."
"No. Ella, Elun. Even if you go back, Infernum will act the same way."
I comforted the twins and then told Je Hyun-oh and the captains that it might be a temporary anomaly, so we should wait and see for now.
And after doing business for a few more days.
I only realized the fact that Infernum desperately wanted me on his table.
This crazy Fire Dragon continued to set absurd quotas.
No matter how many skewers I sold, he ensured that only a small amount, around 500G, remained in my pocket each time.
Earning 500G a day made restaurant interior upgrades absolutely impossible.
To achieve the True Ending of S2P, two goals had to be met.
Becoming the best restaurant and conquering the dungeon.
I had to reach a perfect reputation score of 1,000 points to earn the title of the Best Restaurant.
Therefore, the standing restaurant was meant to be used as a way to make money briefly in the beginning, and after earning a significant amount, I had to gradually upgrade the types of dishes and the interior to raise the reputation score.
But in this state, it was impossible to raise the reputation.
I closed the shop early and sent the twins up to the second floor.
Then, I held a meeting on the first floor and explained the current situation to Je Hyun-oh and the captains.
"Right now, continuing business is just a meaningless repetition."
Mo Hae-in was the first to offer an opinion.
"Then why not reduce the restaurant operations and focus on conquering the dungeon for a while? It might be worth checking if the quota decreases when revenue drops."
Kwak Han-mook, who was sitting backward in a chair, spoke with his hands resting on the backrest.
"Wouldn’t someone just get eaten immediately if we fail to meet the quota?"
Kwak Han-mook was right.
Because quotas never decreased.
I glanced at Je Hyun-oh.
Je Hyun-oh was perched on the table in silence.
His gaze was still fixed on me.
I felt uneasy because he hadn’t displayed any emoticons since the incident in the dungeon.
It wasn’t that he was doing anything crazy; he was just doing everything I asked, which made it even scarier.
It felt like giving orders to a time bomb that could go off at any moment.
I am a little worried...
Having seen that scene, I couldn’t help but be concerned.
I wondered what he was thinking, but Je Hyun-oh was a being I simply couldn’t predict.
Anyway, since he didn’t seem to have an opinion, I spoke up cautiously.
"So, I’m thinking of taking a bit of a gamble, and since it requires 500G, I’d like to get your permission."
The entire Special Task Team had entered S2P because of me. For their sake, I had to find a breakthrough.
"There is a device in S2P that can call alien guests. It’s a probabilistic visit, so they might not come, but if they do, they give huge tips. If I receive a tip at a level impossible through normal business, I think I can cause an error by clashing with the
restaurant owners quota."
"So you’re saying we should trigger an anomaly right now?"
At Mo Hae-in’s summary, I nodded and checked their reactions.
Attempting to cause an anomaly in a Trial was an act that directly contradicted the basic principles of the TRA Management Bureau.
"Wow, this is intense. Isn’t it too dangerous?"
Even Kwak Han-mook, who had actively supported my opinions until now, seemed to feel a sense of repulsion this time.
However, there were no other solutions in this situation.
Kwak Han-mook turned his head to look at Je Hyun-oh.
"It. Col. Je, what do you think?"
Je Hyun-oh, who had his metal hands resting neatly at his sides, placed a hand on the table and tapped it lightly.
Tap, tap, tap. After a while of weightless sounds, the metal hand stopped.
A rough voice called my name.
"Goyo."
"Yes..?"
He reached out toward me.
Je Hyun-oh spoke while pointing a black metal blade.
"I’ll eliminate the twins first."
I understood exactly what he meant.
The methods I was proposing were all based on the premise of clearing the True Ending.
But the team was in a precarious situation.
If the quota wasn’t met for even a single day, a team member would be devoured immediately.
If we fail even after employing a dangerous means like triggering an anomaly.
Je Hyun-oh would immediately pivot the strategy toward conquering the dungeon as quickly as possible to achieve a Normal Ending.
At the same time, he meant he would first eliminate the twins, the variables who hadn’t been particularly helpful in clearing the trial and were instead clouding my judgment.
It was a cold, calculated decision as a team leader.
It wasn’t the direction I wanted, but I couldn’t criticize Je Hyun-oh’s judgment.
I only vowed that I would absolutely not fail.
I thanked him.
"Understood. Thank you for giving me the chance, Lt. Col. Je."
Hearing my greeting, Je Hyun-oh gave the order.
"Do as Goyo says."
The next day, after starting business, we split up to work as usual.
Je Hyun-oh and Kwak Han-mook went to the dungeon, while Mo Hae-in, the twins, and I stayed at the restaurant.
While Mo Hae-in and the twins handled the customers, I went to the backyard alone and took out an item.
[Small Dish Antenna: An antenna capable of communicating with very distant places. It might be able to call special guests.]
[(Reputation +3)]
The small parabolic antenna, which I had boldly invested a large sum of 500G to buy from the general store yesterday, was a device to attract alien guests--an easter egg from the very late stages of the game.
If installed on the restaurant roof, it sends an advertisement into space, and if the reputation is 990 or higher, an alien guest visits.
The current restaurant reputation was 18.
Even with the antenna installed, it would be 21, a value where an alien guest would absolutely never visit.
Even if an alien guest miraculously visited, they wouldn’t give a tip large enough to cause an anomaly.
Everything I told Je Hyun-oh and the captains was a lie.
’But if I had told them honestly, they would have never allowed it.’
What I was aiming for wasn’t an ordinary alien guest.
As I installed the parabolic antenna on the roof, a system window popped up.
[Write the advertisement text.]
It was as expected.
Just like the previous malicious advertisement, I could write the text myself this time.
"Roasted Chestnut, where are you sending the advertisement?"
"I’m trying to send it into space."
"So you are inviting special guests."
Listening to the interesting voice of the Pudding Slime, I carefully recalled my memories and entered the text.
PSR Pulsar for delivery. Please contact me.
I intended to call Mr. Black Block.
I couldn’t remember all the space coordinates he had mentioned, so I entered them roughly, but this should be enough.
Since he said he was constantly watching me, there was a high probability he was observing right now.
After sending the ad, I fell into thought for a moment, feeling the squishy sensation of the Pudding Slime on my shoulder.
I had almost confirmed that the alien I spoke with on the phone a few days ago was Black Block.
I speculated that Mr. Black Block was a god-like being. And a fairly high-ranking one at that.
’If he can trigger notifications via the system window every time a Trial ends, he must be something.’
And for some unknown reason, he was favorable toward me.
He had even intervened in the Trials I was clearing.
Especially in Call of the Void, I was able to contact Samra thanks to the newspaper Mr. Black Block provided.
’A god-like being from the outside can partially intervene in the Trial!’
However, it seemed he couldn’t manipulate things entirely as he pleased.
Since Mr. Black Block couldn’t visit the restaurant in person and was happy that he had finally managed to establish a communication link this time.
’Ah, wait. That means he tried before.’
Realizing that he had been trying to contact me continuously made me feel a bit creeped out.
It was even more so because he didn’t seem like a normal alien.
Regardless, since he had been watching me all along and even mentioned he was my fan.
There was a high possibility he would intervene in my strategy this time as well.
Ring ring!
The phone rang. I took a short deep breath and answered the call from the abnormal alien.
"Hello."
- Hello, Little Lamb! I saw the advertisement that you’ve started mail-order sales!
An excited voice came through.
The crackling noise still made the voice unclear, but the sound quality seemed to have improved slightly compared to before.
"Yes. Thank you for contacting me immediately."
- I shall finally taste Little Lamb’s food. I am greatly looking forward to it!
"Actually, I don’t do deliveries."
- What? Why the false, exaggerated, fraudulent advertising!
He was right, but hearing the facts stated so accurately made me feel a bit awkward.
I cleared my throat and got to the point.
"Instead, I want to make you a better offer."
- A better offer! What is it?
"You said you’ve been watching me."
- Of course!
"Then you must know the current situation."
- Hmm, I cannot say I don’t. For I am your fan.
As expected, he seemed to have seen everything, including me being tormented by Infernum’s quotas.
I put on a smile like the Employee of the Month.
"Please pay me a viewing fee. As much as possible, enough to sufficiently resolve the situation."
The person on the other end was silent for a moment.
’Did the connection cut out?’
Given the severe noise, it wouldn’t have been strange if the connection dropped at any time.
Just as I was wondering if I should wait a bit longer or try calling back.
- Uhahahahat! Hahat! Hahahat!
A crazed laughter erupted. He laughed almost convulsively, to the point where I was slightly worried.
Just as I thought he might run out of breath, he finally stopped laughing.
He lowered his voice and whispered secretly.
-Hehe, heheh, a viewing fee! This is too delightful, Little Lamb! You make me happy. I cannot even remember the last time I was this amused!
’Please pay a laughter fee as well.’
I thought to myself while moving my lips.
"If you take care of the viewing fee, I will make you a delicious dish next time. The ingredients here are limited, so even if I delivered food, you wouldn’t like it. I want to serve you a proper meal."
- Ohhh!
"However, the condition is that I decide the place, time, and menu."
According to the system of S2P, it must be judged that ’food was sold’.
Therefore, I intended to make it look as if I was receiving payment for food in advance via mail order.
Also, by limiting the terms of the transaction to ’food served at a time and place of my choosing’, I could ensure stability so that I wouldn’t have to pay an excessive price.
I didn’t mention it, but there was no condition in the transaction that I must be at that place.
In short, I could just leave the food anywhere and run away.
I didn’t intend to meet him, but since I had received things up until now, I did plan to serve him something delicious.
’What should I give an alien?’
Selecting the menu was a bit of a dilemma.
Looking at Dominic, he had a picky appetite and said he only wanted to eat things like Fire Dragon eyeballs or hearts...
Thinking the wicked thought that if he complained about the side dishes, I’d just boil some ramen, and wait for the others.
- Very good. Whenever it may be, as long as I can personally eat the food Little Lamb makes! What wonderful fan service. It is only right that I pay the price!
The deal was a success.
I felt a huge sense of relief, but I didn’t let it show and replied.
"Please send it in currency that can be used here."
- Of course! Do not worry. This currency is easy to transport, so it will reach where Little Lamb is with ease.
The opponent, who had been giggling, suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear!"
- The communication is about to cut off! As your fan, I will continue to watch you, Little Lamb! Well then....
The call ended.
It felt like something was resolved, but I didn’t feel great.
It was like a sticky something had clung to me.
’I wonder how he’ll send the money.’
The strength left my hand. Even the phone felt heavy, so I put it down.
"Roasted Chestnut."
"Ah, Mr. Dominic..."
"It is that person from a few days ago. Are you going to make a dish for him?"
"Yes. Of course, it’s a trivial dish that can’t even be compared to the food I’ll make for you, Mr. Dominic."
"Hmm.. You could have asked me for help."
I could sense bewilderment in Dominic’s voice.
But it couldn’t be helped.
I recalled the hidden boss of the 88th floor who had died while displaying a broken system window.
Dominic’s help is tailored to his own standards.
Since he is helping a ’Young God’ and not a human, it would never happen exactly as I wanted.
If I had asked him for help, it would never have been resolved in such a peaceful manner.
Also, just as he had changed the blazing beam, if Dominic continued to use power close to the essence, the process of recovering his memories might accelerate.
’This isn’t a contract, nor does it leave a trace like a seal; it’s just a simple transaction.’
I explained my plan to Dominic in detail.
I didn’t forget to mention that I would never meet the transaction partner in person.
"This is the first dish I’m making for you, Mr. Dominic, the colleague I trust and rely on the most. I wanted to serve you entirely with my own strength without receiving help. Please wait a little longer."
Dominic asked politely.
"Until when?"
I had a bad feeling. Goosebumps rose along my spine.
I felt like I had to answer carefully....
’It won’t take long."
When I answered cautiously, Dominic replied nonchalantly.
"Yes, Roasted Chestnut. I shall wait."
It seemed the ’Best Colleague buff had worn off.
But there was no other way for now.
Just as I was thinking I should quickly catch and grill a Fire Dragon.
Zzzzt, zzzzt.
A glitch appeared in the air, and light sparked.
Startled, I looked up, and after a short flash, something dropped.
Reflexively catching the falling object, I froze.
This was...
Something I knew all too well.
I hurriedly checked the item.
[Remnants of the Dark Star: Currency carved from the core of a star whose light has gone out. Usable throughout the entire universe. In His glorious name!]
A transparent coin about the size of my palm.
It was the Remnants of the Dark Star that the butlers had given me in 3Clean.
And the one who created this currency.
"It is a beautifully shaped coin. Did that person give it to you?"
He was on my shoulder.