The large bearded man continued staring suspiciously at the coffee cup in Lina's hands.
Then at Ren.
Then back at the cup again.
"…So," he finally said, "this abandoned place is actually operating now?"
Ren gave a small nod.
"More or less."
"That's not a reassuring answer."
Lina sighed loudly from her seat.
"He talks like that all the time."
"I noticed."
The man stepped farther inside while setting his wooden crates near the entrance with a heavy thud.
Up close, Ren could immediately tell he was built like a bear.
Broad shoulders.
Rough hands.
Weathered skin.
A merchant, probably.
Or someone used to carrying heavy goods daily.
Yet despite his intimidating appearance, his attention remained entirely fixed on the coffee.
More specifically—
The smell.
"…Seriously," the man muttered. "What is that?"
Ren moved behind the counter calmly.
"Coffee."
"That word means nothing to me."
"It's a drink."
"That black thing is a drink?"
Lina took another sip proudly.
"And it's amazing."
The man narrowed his eyes.
"You're too easy to impress."
"You literally walked in here because of the smell."
"…That's unrelated."
"It's completely related."
Ren quietly watched the exchange while hiding a smile.
Their banter felt natural.
Familiar.
Like they had argued this way for years.
The bearded man eventually looked toward Ren again.
"…Name's Boris."
"Ren."
"You're new to this town."
It was not a question.
Ren nodded carefully.
"Recently arrived."
"Hm."
Boris crossed his arms.
"This building's been abandoned for almost five years."
Ren blinked slightly.
"Five?"
"Previous owner disappeared."
Lina immediately leaned forward.
"Wait, disappeared?"
"You didn't know?"
"Nobody tells me anything."
"That's because you spend more time blowing up monster nests than listening."
"I blew up ONE nest."
"You blew up the wrong nest."
"It still worked!"
"It destroyed half the road!"
Ren silently listened while organizing cups behind the counter.
So the café already had history.
Interesting.
Slightly concerning.
But interesting.
Boris suddenly sniffed the air again.
"…Alright."
His eyes locked onto Ren.
"I'll try one."
Lina immediately grinned triumphantly.
"See?"
"Quiet."
Ren naturally reached for the grinder.
The moment he began preparing another cup, Boris watched carefully.
Every movement.
Every step.
Grinding.
Pouring.
Brewing.
The rich aroma spread once more through the café.
And once again—
The atmosphere softened.
Even Boris visibly relaxed without noticing.
"…Weird."
Ren glanced up slightly.
"What is?"
"This smell."
Boris frowned.
"It's calming."
Lina smirked immediately.
"That was my reaction too."
"Still weird."
"You walked into the café."
"Still weird."
Ren chuckled softly.
A few minutes later, he placed the finished cup before Boris.
The large merchant stared at it cautiously.
"…Looks like muddy water."
"I said that yesterday too," Lina complained.
"You came here yesterday?."
"And I was right."
Boris ignored her while carefully lifting the cup.
Steam drifted against his beard.
Then—
He took a sip.
Silence.
Ren waited calmly.
Lina leaned forward eagerly.
Boris slowly lowered the cup.
"…Huh."
Lina immediately slammed both hands on the table.
"RIGHT?!"
Boris frowned deeply at the coffee.
Then drank again.
Longer this time.
"…This is dangerous."
Ren blinked.
"Dangerous?"
"I can already tell I'm going to waste money here."
Lina burst into laughter.
"That means you like it!"
"I didn't say that."
"You literally took a second sip immediately."
"That proves nothing."
"It proves everything."
Boris grumbled quietly but did not deny it again.
Instead, he glanced around the café slowly.
Unlike the previous night, morning sunlight now filled the room warmly.
Dust no longer dominated the atmosphere.
The wooden interior looked rustic rather than abandoned.
Comfortable.
Peaceful.
"…This place feels different now," Boris muttered.
Ren paused slightly.
Different.
That word lingered strangely in the air.
Perhaps because Moonbean Café itself was beginning to wake up again after years of silence.
Boris eventually placed the cup down.
"How much?"
Ren froze.
"…Right."
Money.
He had absolutely no idea how pricing worked here.
Lina immediately noticed his hesitation.
"You didn't decide prices yet?"
"…Not exactly."
Boris stared blankly.
"You opened a café without deciding prices?"
"When you say it out loud, it sounds irresponsible."
"Because it IS irresponsible."
Lina laughed into her coffee.
Ren awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"I only started yesterday."
"That somehow makes this worse."
A blue screen suddenly appeared before Ren.
[Suggested Beginner Pricing]
Coffee:
3 Copper Coins
Bread Set:
2 Copper Coins
Breakfast Set:
5 Copper Coins
"…Convenient."
Boris raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Ren quickly cleared his throat.
"Three copper coins for coffee."
Boris looked surprised.
"That cheap?"
Ren blinked.
Cheap?
Lina nodded immediately.
"Most taverns charge more for watered-down alcohol."
"…Seriously?"
Boris looked at him strangely.
"You really know nothing about this town."
Ren forced a calm smile.
"Still learning."
Thankfully, Boris did not press further.
Instead, he casually placed several coins onto the counter.
"I'll take another cup before leaving."
Lina gasped dramatically.
"Addiction already."
"It's called appreciation."
"It's addiction."
"It's appreciation."
Ren quietly brewed another cup while the two continued arguing.
And strangely enough—
The noise felt nice.
Back on Earth, cafés often became loud and stressful.
But this?
This felt alive.
Comfortable conversation.
Warm food.
Morning sunlight.
The smell of coffee drifting through the room.
A peaceful atmosphere slowly forming around strangers.
Perhaps…
This was the kind of café he always wanted.
Then suddenly—
The front window rattled slightly.
A group of passing adventurers had stopped outside.
"…What's that smell?"
"Food?"
"No, something else."
"Was this place always open?"
Boris noticed them immediately.
Then—
A slow grin spread across his face.
Lina instantly pointed accusingly.
"Oh no."
Ren looked between them.
"…Why do I feel concerned?"
Boris grabbed his coffee proudly.
"Because," he said while standing up, "this town is about to hear about your café."
Lina groaned loudly.
"We're doomed."
"You're overreacting."
"You gossip for a living!"
"It's called networking."
"That's just merchant gossip with better branding!"
Boris ignored her completely before walking toward the entrance.
But just before leaving—
He stopped.
Then glanced back toward Ren.
"…Good coffee."
The words were simple.
Quiet.
But genuine.
For some reason, hearing that made Ren smile more than he expected.
The merchant soon disappeared outside.
And almost immediately—
The adventurers surrounding the street began talking curiously among themselves while staring toward Moonbean Café.
Lina buried her face into her hands.
"…There goes the peaceful life."
Meanwhile—
A new notification quietly appeared before Ren.
[Moonbean Café Reputation Increased.]
[New Customers Will Arrive Soon.]
.
.
.