Chapter 214

〈 Chapter 214 〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 17

<July 1, 2020, 10:48 AM, US Ravens 31.>

I Gi-woo, who was preparing to open his store, collapsed into a chair with an exhausted look on his face.

“Ugh, my life…”

Until just two months ago, he had been running a convenience store owned by his parents in Incheon. But after the Dimensional Gate opened in Gwanak, he enthusiastically argued for moving down to New Seoul.

Gi-woo’s parents also instinctively felt that Incheon would become dangerous now that the gate had appeared, but they couldn’t bear to give up their real estate. In the end, they gathered all their remaining cash and sent only Gi-woo down to New Seoul.

“Should I have just stayed in Incheon…?”

Following the death of Light Blade and the snake assault on city hall, the only safe cities left in Korea were Seoul and Busan. While Gi-woo had successfully moved down to New Seoul, he found himself unable to leave.

His parents told him to come back up to Incheon, even if it meant hiring hunters, but he lacked the courage to do so.

“Hmph, I should probably focus on making money.”

If he could get his hands on a black market bus ticket, it would be easy to get back up to Incheon. Gi-woo searched the network to see if any tickets had come up, but the prices had skyrocketed far beyond what he could afford.

“Should I be cheering on the protesters or something…?”

With only five buses running per day, transporting about 200 people, demand exceeded supply by hundreds of times. The government and association had intentionally limited the number of buses running, while citizens wanted more.

“They’re just scared that everyone will leave New Seoul, those dirty bastards.”

Gi-woo was certain.

Of those going up to Seoul, how many would actually return to New Seoul?

Even with 200 people going up to Seoul every day, fewer than ten returned to New Seoul. Including private vehicles accompanying heroes and hunters, nearly 500 people were going up to Seoul daily.

“Tch. Guess I should get ready to open.”

Gi-woo checked the 31 ice cream containers. Spotting the new container introduced for July among the 31 flavors, he winced.

“No matter how much money I want to make, selling toothpaste is just…”

Sticking out his tongue in disgust, Gi-woo inspected his uniform. Now quite accustomed to customer service, he straightened his cap, turned on the lights, and headed toward the door still closed to open for business.

“…What is this?”

Why were there so many people gathered here? Gi-woo worried whether today’s protest site might be right in front of his store.

“They’re being controlled by the heroes…?”

Gi-woo tilted his head in confusion at seeing the heroes he often watched on U-Tube lined up in front of the ice cream shop. Was some VIP coming? Even while opening the still-closed door, Gi-woo kept an eye on his surroundings.

Opening time: 11:00 AM.

As the minute hand reached the hour, the commotion outside began to settle down.

Ding dong.

A woman wearing a beret entered the store first. Under bloodshot eyes, dark circles deeply set, Executioner Baek Hee-a looked like she’d lost her soul as she pointed to the display case for the woman following behind her.

“Please choose what you’d like to eat…”

Baek Hee-a was clearly out of it. Though the world was spinning and her head throbbed painfully, demanding immediate rest, the driving force keeping her moving was her sense of duty as an executioner.

“Hmm, just a moment please.”

Following Baek Hee-a inside, the blue-haired woman Cheongnyeon scanned the 31 varieties of ice cream. After checking a few options, she clapped her hands and approached the register.

“I’ll order mine later, but can I buy one as a gift first?”

“You may purchase anything you wish.”

“Thank you, Officer. Puh-heh-heh.”

For some reason, Cheongnyeon giggled happily at the listless gesture of raising the wristwatch. Opening the door while still closed, Gi-woo observed his surroundings.

11:00 AM.

As the clock struck the hour, the commotion outside began to die down.

Ding dong.

A woman wearing a beret entered the store first. Under bloodshot eyes, deep-set dark circles revealed Executioner Baek Hee-a’s exhausted state as she pointed to the display case for the woman following behind her.

“Please choose what you’d like to eat…”

Clearly drained, Baek Hee-a needed rest immediately as the world spun around her and her head throbbed painfully. Yet what kept her moving was her sense of duty as an executioner.

“Hmm, just a moment please.”

Cheongnyeon, who followed Baek Hee-a inside, scanned the 31 varieties of ice cream. After checking a few options, she clapped her hands and approached the register.

“I’ll order mine later, but can I buy one as a gift first?”

“You may purchase anything you wish.”

“Thank you, Officer. Puh-heh-heh.”

The listless gesture of raising the wristwatch made Cheongnyeon giggle uncontrollably as she pointed to the container before her.

“I’ll have one half-gallon package.”

Click! Click!

Journalists who followed the two took pictures of Cheongnyeon’s back as she selected ice cream while leaning against the wall. Heroes led by Hwakwon formed a protective barrier around Cheongnyeon and the executioner to prevent any sudden actions from the journalists, allowing Cheongnyeon to select her ice cream without interference.

“Wow.”

Gi-woo silently screamed at the crowd gathered outside the window. All the smudges left by people pressing their faces and hands against the glass he had painstakingly cleaned yesterday frustrated him. He had no idea how to handle the massive crowd brought by this single VIP.

“What flavor would you like? Please select your first choice.”

Gi-woo spoke in a stiff voice, pointing to the screen. Though he didn’t know what flavor of ice cream Cheongnyeon would choose, a plan to sell all the ice cream using this opportunity formed in his mind.

“…Tcho-co.”

“Pardon?”

Gi-woo unintentionally asked for clarification. Thinking he might have misheard due to thoughts of meeting his parents in Incheon, he embarrassingly asked again.

“…Puh-heh-heh.”

Cheongnyeon giggled uncontrollably, pointing to the poster featuring the new menu item.

“Mint chocolate.”

“……”

Gi-woo struggled to hide his inner turmoil. When posting the new menu, he cursed under his breath, and when tasting it out of curiosity, he loudly swore.

“Uh, um, taste testing is available for new items. Would you like to try a sample-”

“Mint chocolate.”

Cheongnyeon’s voice slightly softened. As she slightly frowned, the out-of-it Baek Hee-a glared fiercely from behind, giving Gi-woo a warning look. Fortunately, Gi-woo quickly regained his composure and continued taking the order.

“You’ve selected mint chocolate. Next flavor-”

“Mint chocolate.”

“……”

Gi-woo nodded inwardly. With six flavors available, choosing the same flavor twice was acceptable. Convincing himself of this, he cleared his throat and pointed to other ice creams on the display.

“You’ve selected mint chocolate twice. How about our new flavor from last month? It has plenty of strawberries.”

“Well then…mint chocolate.”

“Hmph.”

Baek Hee-a let out a hollow laugh. Filling half the half-gallon container with mint and chocolate was practically a crime. Though curious about the taste, it was hard to imagine combining mint and chocolate.

“Is it really necessary to go this far with a new item…? Miss Cheongnyeon, wouldn’t it be better to order other flavors too?”

“Why? This is so delicious. Officer, would you like to try a sample?”

Cheongnyeon’s eyes sparkled as she pointed to the ice cream container. Though Baek Hee-a’s lips curled, she couldn’t refuse Cheongnyeon’s suggestion. She was essentially in the position of entertaining and hosting the top-priority buyer that was Cheongnyeon.

“Yes…just a little.”

Baek Hee-a stared at the small scoop of ice cream Gi-woo placed in the cup for a long time. Cheongnyeon watched expectantly with shining eyes, and the heroes and journalists murmured excitedly about the new flavor, imagining its taste.

“What is mint anyway?”

“Is it green tea flavored ice cream?”

“With chocolate added, it must be chocolate.”

“……”

The journalists focused their cameras on Baek Hee-a’s hand and mouth. Someone was already ready to title the piece “Executioner Tasting Ice Cream at Cheongnyeon’s Suggestion” and spread the data everywhere as they waited for Baek Hee-a’s verdict.

“…Hmm.”

Gathering her courage, Baek Hee-a took a large spoonful into her mouth.

“……”

Thud.

Baek Hee-a swallowed the ice cream in her mouth and smiled faintly.

“This taste really wakes me up. Yes, to put it simply…it’s like the taste after waking up and brushing your teeth.”

Baek Hee-a’s metaphor spread through the data in the hands of journalists everywhere. No one noticed the tremors in the strands of black hair sticking out from under her beret.

“Puh-heh-heh, the taste of brushing your teeth. That’s right. Let me choose the fourth flavor.”

Cheongnyeon lifted the cup Baek Hee-a had tasted from.

“Mint chocolate.”

“I can’t believe it…such an absurd…no, you’ve selected mint chocolate for the fourth flavor.”

“Mint chocolate.”

“…You’ve chosen mint chocolate for the fifth flavor as well.”

Gi-woo swallowed hard as he checked the screen. On the white screen, five emerald-green masses proudly displayed their presence, leaving only one space remaining white.

There’s no turning back now. Emptying his mind, Gi-woo asked the final question.

“What would you like for the sixth flavor?”

“The last one.”

Everyone’s gaze focused on Cheongnyeon’s lips. The choice was no longer 1/31, but narrowed down to 1/2 – yes or no.

“Of course, mint chocolate.”

“Yes.”

Gi-woo calmly took out an empty container and lifted the ice cream scoop. From the perspective of someone working, this was rather a hassle-free customer.

He filled the container, blank like a canvas, entirely with emerald green. The scattered chocolate chips dotted here and there resembled small archipelagos in a blue sea, proudly asserting their presence. Gi-woo scooped mint chocolate into the container until it was full, maintaining a state of no-thought, and placed it on the counter.

“Would you like gift wrapping?”

“Yes. There’s someone who really loves this.”

Cheongnyeon smiled brightly as she drew an X with her finger.

“Please wrap it in a box, but don’t add dry ice.”

“Yes?”

“Please do so. Since we’ll eat the whole thing sitting down anyway. Puh-heh-heh.”

Upon hearing Cheongnyeon’s words, Baek Hee-a realized something.

This person is undoubtedly a villain in every sense of the word.

“Ah, Officer, since I’m here, can I buy one separately?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then I’ll take one cone.”

Cheongnyeon began selecting her ice cream with utmost seriousness.

“Hmm…what was it again…?”

While Cheongnyeon tilted her head back and forth in thought, Baek Hee-a started considering various scenarios in her mind.

Could she really be planning to eat all of this after gift-wrapping it and heading up to Seoul? Or is this the preference of some unseen divine follower?

“Ah, this is it. Almost forgot. Puh-heh-heh.”

After approximately five minutes—yes, five whole minutes of deliberation, Cheongnyeon finally succeeded in choosing one flavor.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Yes. Single size, cone, <Strawberry Love> coming right up.”

Gi-woo genuinely felt relieved that at least one different kind was chosen. Cheongnyeon picked up the spoon with a happier expression than ever before.

“Ho-ho-hung~”

Whistling a cheerful tune, Cheongnyeon took a bite of the strawberry-flavored ice cream.

***

Let me clarify one thing—I neither particularly like nor dislike mint chocolate.

It’s just that after eating so much, my aversion has mostly disappeared.

Blazing Phoenix prefers strawberry.

Rusalka-related Seok Harang goes for blueberry.

Naturally, there are things that increase or decrease affection when it comes to courting heroines. Given the diverse personal preferences, heroines also have varied likes and dislikes when it comes to gifts—especially food.

And somewhere in this world exists a being—no, a spirit—obsessed with mint chocolate.

<Penril of Gale>.

Simultaneously a wind attribute spirit and the first officer encountered in the original work, Penril fell for the protagonist’s group from the start due to the allure of mint chocolate milk.

Approaching as a spy, she hesitated in battle because of the warmth experienced with the protagonist’s group and, after being weakened by their strong persuasion, ended up joining them in battle.

I don’t know where Penril is.

All I know is that she’s somewhere in Northern Europe—or maybe not.

One thing is certain: Penril awakens from her slumber due to “hunger.” After sleeping in monster form for a long time, her magic power was depleted, and she began her activities searching for food.

Her first prey was Russia’s Round Table, and it was quite unexpected that it turned out to be Anastasha possessed by a Rusalka. Nevertheless, I currently aim to awaken Penril and bring her to consciousness.

The first step is mint chocolate ice cream.

I planned to create a global mint chocolate craze to naturally awaken Penril.

Thus, the project named <Mint Chocolate Challenge>.

Needless to say, I am not the only one attempting this 6-mint rush.