Chapter 997

EP.997 Part 2 Chapter 10: Patience Prevails

July 19th, noon, New Seoul café Padre Juan.

“Wow, it’s been chaos since this morning.”

Barista Huan sighed deeply as he watched the crowd gathered in front of the café from early morning.

“I mean, they’re making up rules for my café that I don’t even know about.”

Even though the café wasn’t open yet, people lined up like it was an internet-famous spot.

Because it was the first floor of Commander’s New Seoul Studio.

Just for that reason alone, Huan’s café became wildly popular.

Where there are large crowds, naturally some trouble arises.

While typical famous spots might have brazen customers causing havoc, none of that happened here at Huan’s café.

– Hey! Do you know what kind of people live upstairs here?!

– Who are you?!

– An A Rank Hunter, what’s it to you?!

– Oh…nevermind…

Those planning to cause trouble would quickly back off upon seeing the building guards who looked like sentries.

– Excuse me, who are you?

– I’m just a customer looking for the owner.

– …Don’t you come here every day?

– Hehe, not at all. It’s just that maybe I could meet Commander if I stay here long enough, or perhaps Commander will come for coffee, or maybe Commander will notice me if she hears about me being here! Hahaha!

– What’s your name, friend?

– I’m Tae-khan!

– …Would you like takeout?

– Yes please!

Many people gathered around Huan’s café to protect it.

They even made their own rules to avoid causing disturbances.

Without consulting Huan, they started issuing their own numbered tickets,

kept the queue orderly to avoid inconveniencing nearby businesses,

vowed to drive out anyone bringing outside food,

and even established a rule requiring one order per hour.

Thanks to these self-imposed rules, the café remained busy without breaks from opening to closing time.

Sales skyrocketed, but even with help from Moon Mo (32, part-time warrior), the massive crowd was overwhelming.

Still, what can you do?

To keep up with New Seoul’s insane cost of living, you’ve got to sell coffee and bake cakes.

Creak.

Huan opened the door under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Reporters tried to swarm him, but hunters and association members blocked their way.

“Tch.”

“Owner’s here.”

Inside, a raven-haired woman was already finishing up the opening preparations.

She had…a rather prominent bust.

“Right. Young lady Yang, anything unusual?”

“Well, someone tried to get in before opening hours, but I turned them away.”

“Good job.”

Huan looked out the window at the long line waiting patiently.

“Do they really think standing here will get them a meeting with the Commander?”

“Exactly. They want to meet Commander but are too scared to go to Seoul, so they camp out here day and night hoping to at least catch a glimpse.”

The second floor sign still read Oracle Studio.

In other words, this building’s second floor is essentially the New Seoul base for Magical Girls Magical QQQ.

When the true nature of Magical Girls Magical QQQ was revealed, the identity of New Seoul Studio also came to light.

– How did Commander end up renting here?

– Well, I just rented out space to a young man starting a business because the rent was reasonable.

– Are you related to Commander in any way?

– No idea. But hey, reporter sir, is it true I’d make 20 billion won if I sold this place?

People became curious about Huan, the landlord of the building where Commander rented space. To avoid hassle, Huan played the role of a simple, unknowing landlord.

– Would you consider selling this building to me? And transferring the lease agreement…

– Association!!

– You’re under arrest!

– On what grounds?! This is a free market economy! Why are you stopping a legitimate transaction?! I just want to…

-Cough…mint in my throat?! Is this the infamous Mint Assassination?! So Commander has been monitoring this place all along!

There were those who wanted to buy the building from Huan to become Commander’s landlord, or to continue leasing the second floor.

However, Huan refused to sell.

It would be better to tear up the contract and abandon the building altogether than sell it just to transfer the lease. Opening a new café in Yeouido would be more worthwhile.

– Are you considering moving to Yeouido?

– Don’t know. Someone promised to set me up with a four-story Starbucks there if I succeed…

– Of course! Patience pays off!

– I told you, I didn’t know Commander was renting here…

Commander made a promise to Huan.

To open a second location of Padre Juan in Yeouido.

“…Will it be quieter there?”

“Hmm. It’ll probably just be a café exclusively for magical girls. Will that work for you?”

“My ideal situation is selling coffee to people who actually enjoy it, not those just coming for crumbs. Tsk tsk.”

Though the main branch does booming business every single day, Huan isn’t one for the hustle culture – he prefers a relaxed lifestyle.

“…How did things end up like this? Maddening.”

“Maybe hiring more part-timers?”

“Will increasing hires now bring in genuine applicants?”

“Hmm…”

The current state is what you’d call Extreme Boss Syndrome.


It’s great when business is good, but this level of success wasn’t exactly desired.

“Owner, it’s time.”

“…Let’s open.”

Tying his apron strings tightly, Huan began brewing coffee.

Part-time worker Cheon Yeorum went outside to flip the OPEN sign, and immediately people started claiming their spots using their own numbering system.

“Aaaah…”

Not ordering to drink, but paying seat fees.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“Ethiopian today.”

“Hot espresso?”

“You know my tastes well.”

“Come every day.”

Occasionally, genuine coffee lovers enjoy Huan’s brews, but most people order one cup per person per hour just to keep up appearances.

“…I’m craving something sweet this morning. Should I order a smoothie?”

“Hey, don’t bother the owner. He’s friends with Commander!”

Even as just a café owner, Huan commands respect because of his “connection” to Commander.

And there’s another factor…

“Still doing interviews, daughter? Cough!”

The reporter collapsed backward.

A piece of mint chocolate was found in his mouth, unnoticed by the men inside until it was too late.

“…Fell victim to [Mint Throat].”

“Don’t take my seat while I clean this up.”

While the Association member dealt with the mint-slain reporter, Huan quietly turned on the TV.

A café owner turning on a large wall-mounted TV isn’t typically something patrons would tolerate, but when the screen lit up, everyone silently focused their attention.

“This is Yeouido! Many aspiring magical girls have gathered at the scene! There’s speculation that preliminary selections may already be underway given reports of certain women disappearing suddenly…”

“Alright then, we must discuss who the next magical girl selection will be. We have the Hunter Guild Vice President and a Hero Association scout joining us. What are your thoughts?”

The news was analyzing who would be selected as the next magical girl.

Patrons at the tables discussed various candidates while Huan nodded listening to their conversations.

“Everyone’s in an uproar.”

“Owner hasn’t heard anything?”

Sniff.

The crowd perked up at Huan’s voice, to which he gave a wry smile and shrugged.

“Nope. Fill me in. Really… sigh.”

Jingle jangle.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Thinking it was someone returning after dealing with the mint casualty, the patrons were shocked to see who confidently walked in.

A beauty with mint green hair and a white suit.

Even more striking was the mint tail swaying behind her pants – clearly no ordinary person.

“Owner!”

“……”

Huan paused his coffee brewing.

The mint-haired Kim Penril stood before Huan, flicking a list of magical gear.

“Make one of each on this list please.”

Insane concept user.

The crowd realized.

A magical girl.

“Um, excuse me…”

“Hm?”

“Are you…a magical girl?”

“Heh.”

Kim Penril covered one eye with her hand and smirked.

“Here on Commander’s errand for takeout.”

“From Yeouido…?”

“This body is S Rank.”

“Ah.”

The crowd instantly understood.

Some quickly snapped photos of Kim Penril, who smiled coyly at them with crossed arms.

“Anyway, quite the fanbase I’ve got.”

“You’re not taking pictures of me, but of my order.”

“…Huh?”

“Look. They’re analyzing drinks right now.”

Kim Penril turned to the TV.

There, footage from CCTV cameras somehow obtained from Café Padre Juan showed takeout beverages being analyzed to profile magical girls.

“As you can see, there’s blueberry ade. Who else but Seok Harang, formerly known as Princess Snowflake, drinking blueberry… This relationship likely began as early as February…”

“Starting from when Jung Su Ri went on field training, lemonade orders increased. While personal preferences may change daily, ordering three cups a day makes it inevitable to repeat favorites…”

“The presence of mint chocolate ice cream indicates a very proper and wise magical girl. She probably enjoys sweet and sour pork too.”

“Wow.”

Kim Penril shook her head in obvious irritation.

“Scary stuff.”

“They analyze everything related to Commander down to fingernails.”

“Kim Penril, hold on.”

Huan tilted his head looking at her order.

“Is this tea order correct? This says ‘add that’.”

“It’s correct.”

“…One extra?”

“There’s one more person now.”

Kim Penril casually tapped her magical gear.

“It’s for the new face.”

“……”

“……Huh?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew tense.

Looking around, Kim Penril’s eyes widened.

“…Oops? Did I spoil…it?”

Magical Girl of the Month announcement is still two days away.