121.
Epilogue (2)
“Here’s our pass.”
Jian took out a pass from inside his jacket that allowed free access up to the 45th floor. When Sehun also showed his pass, the Hunter Management Bureau employee guarding the Tower’s main entrance looked surprised.
It was a pass that only S-class Hunters could receive. Moreover, Jian and Sehun’s faces were currently as well-known to the public as any celebrity.
“I’m a fan.”
When the employee’s eyes sparkled, Sehun subtly moved in front of Jian. Then he alone shook hands with the employee. Jian smiled awkwardly as he entered the Tower with Sehun.
The first floor was also bustling with numerous people. Bowing his head to greet those who recognized him, Jian headed toward the portal.
Since there wasn’t yet a portal that went directly to the 45th floor, they had to ascend floor by floor.
“I should ask them to make one soon.”
When they finally reached the 45th floor, Jian said with a somewhat tired face. Not only did people’s gazes stick to them with each floor they climbed, but occasionally someone would approach asking for an autograph.
Declining with a smile so as not to offend had drained his energy.
“You’ve arrived.”
Soochul, who spotted Jian and Sehun, came running over wearing a safety helmet. His deeply bowed posture was exceedingly respectful.
Jian let out an awkward laugh as someone who appeared to be much older despite being younger in age showed such deference.
“Hyung, I told you to speak comfortably with me.”
Sehun patted Soochul’s shoulder with a gently smiling face. Soochul, turning pale, quickly straightened his back and raised his trembling lips.
“It’s really all completed.”
The sight of the two standing together was still something Jian couldn’t get used to, so he quickly shifted his gaze toward the café area.
It was fascinating to see a small open café installed within the safe zone. Yongho, sitting at the café bar, slightly raised his right hand. Today, Yongho was on monitoring duty for the 45th floor.
Jian’s gaze moved past the café to the black void undulating in the distance. Goosebumps immediately ran up his arms at the sight of the ominous color.
Yoonjae had proposed that S-class Hunters take turns being stationed on the 45th floor, under the assumption that Cerberus could appear at any time.
Everyone had painfully felt the danger of Cerberus, so there was no one who refused.
Jian had added one idea to Yoonjae’s proposal. He asked permission to open a café. After consideration, Yoonjae processed the paperwork rapidly when Sehun’s request was added.
Jian’s building that had been in front of the Tower had now completely disappeared. This was because the Hunter Management Bureau and the government had bought up all the land within 10km of the Tower and reorganized it.
Although he received sufficient compensation, there was an empty feeling as a place holding many memories had vanished. He also missed the days of smelling coffee every day. That was the motivation behind the idea of opening a café inside the Tower.
A barricade nearly 10 meters high was installed around the Tower. The Hunter Management Bureau quickly built a system that could protect the surroundings for some time even in the unlikely event of a dungeon break.
Thanks to this, opening a café here was practically a monopoly business. Although there were street vendors in front of the Tower, it was difficult to drink coffee made with freshly extracted espresso.
“…But what is that?”
The café, decorated with high-quality natural wood and white colors, had a clean yet cozy feel. This was thanks to the cute decorative items placed throughout.
At first glance, there seemed to be no problem, but the sign was the issue. Jian blinked several times, unable to believe what he was seeing.
“Isn’t it great? Hahaha. We put the most effort into making this.”
Soochul burst into an oblivious laugh at Jian’s disgruntled reaction. Jian covered his face with his palm and sighed. His ears were burning.
[SH’s JN]
Though it only showed consonants, he immediately understood what it meant. ‘Sehun’s Jian.’ What on earth was Sehun thinking when he named it like this?
Heat spread not only across his face but also to the nape of his neck. What would he say if customers who visited the café asked what it meant? His head was already throbbing.
“Because hyung is mine.”
Sehun embraced Jian from behind and smiled happily. Jian groaned at this frank confession confirming exactly what he thought it meant. He couldn’t understand Sehun’s psychology of wanting to announce their relationship to the entire world.
“All products, including the coffee machine, have been prepared with the latest and highest quality models! Of course, we’ve also installed a semi-permanent electricity supply artifact. If you have any inconvenience while using it, please contact us anytime.”
“Don’t tell Soochul hyung, tell me. I’ll resolve everything.”
He wanted to tear down that sign before resolving anything else.
* * *
“Welcome.”
“Hello. But owner, is the Americano really 200,000 won…?”
Jian, who was drying freshly washed cups with a dry towel, nodded with a kind smile.
He had been experiencing this reaction from customers since morning. All the café’s profits were planned to be used as donations for orphanages. Since he was thinking of increasing the number of orphanages to support, the more money earned, the better.
“Don’t you think coffee enjoyed at the top floor of the Tower is worth that much? We prepare only the highest quality beans. The water used is specially purified from water obtained on this floor. You don’t need to worry about toxicity at all. It’s water that has been verified for safety by the Ministry of Environment and Korea Water Resources Corporation.”
The customer’s disgruntled expression gradually softened at the additional explanation. Outside, it might be a gasp-inducing price, but just being able to reach the 45th floor meant one was a top-tier Hunter.
Jian knew well that to such people, 200,000 won was similar to 2,000 won.
“Five iced Americanos, please.”
Business had been good since the first day of the café’s opening. He was so pleased that he found himself humming.
Thanks to the special communication artifacts developed by the Hunter Management Bureau for each floor to facilitate the smooth management of the Tower, communication with the outside world became free within the safe zones.
Jian installed a card terminal so customers could pay comfortably (business would be difficult if only cash payments were accepted).
As a result, the brand-new card terminal was thoroughly emptying the wallets of Hunters.
“By the way, what do these consonants mean? Guardian? Nature?”
Beads of cold sweat formed on Jian’s round forehead at the question from a customer behind him.
“It has no meaning. Please interpret it however you wish.”
Jian paused in the middle of making an espresso shot, turned his upper body, and smiled kindly. Already, Jihwan and Leo had visited the café once and left laughing, holding their stomachs. After trying to guess the meaning of the word among themselves, they got the correct answer on their third try.
“Your order is ready. Enjoy.”
He quickly completed the coffee and handed it to the customer. Whatever he felt inside, his expression remained serene.
When he had sold nearly 50 cups of coffee, the portal connected to the 45th floor rippled. A tall, handsome man brushed back his hair.
Springtime-like affection welled in Jian’s eyes as he sipped a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
A bright smile also formed on Sehun’s face as his eyes met Jian’s. Rushing over in one breath, Sehun embraced Jian and kissed his neck.
Jian’s unique body scent mixed gently with the coffee aroma, soaking into his lungs. It was a scent that stimulated memories. Jian looked up from within the broad embrace and smiled with crescent-moon eyes.
“I thought you’d come at closing time. You had a busy schedule today.”
“I missed you. I finished quickly and came.”
While Jian ran the café, Sehun performed admirably as a mercenary.
After realizing that helping children required more money than expected, he not only diligently raided various dungeons but also carried out special missions from Yoonjae, receiving astonishing fees.
“Let’s go eat something delicious for dinner. My treat.”
Jian stroked Sehun’s cheek with an affectionate hand, finding him admirable. Sehun grinned and tilted his head.
Jian also smiled and accepted the approaching breath. A heated moan was swallowed between their lips.
Sehun cupped the back of Jian’s neck and wrapped his firm arm around his lower back. Supporting the body tilting backward, he sucked in the flesh hidden a little deeper.
“……”
A customer who had come to order coffee turned away with a reddened face. Above the two people kissing, oblivious to their surroundings, eagle-shaped monsters shedding red rain flew in flocks.
It was a peaceful afternoon for just the two of them.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
