Luxury Cafe Owner

As Alan stood by, he looked around the area behind the counter.He saw a set-up that, while he had never seen one before, somehow felt familiar.It was that information from his reward from his first mission.

He decided to make himself a cup of coffee to test himself.He went up to the manual drip coffee maker.He grabbed a filter and placed it into the cone of the coffee maker.Then he turned and checked the temperature on the machine to make sure the water was properly heated.It was at a nice 200 degrees farenheit.He poured water through the filter into the dripper to preheat it.Then he dumped the water he had poured in down the sink.Next he turned to look for the coffee beans.

To his horror he found the coffee had been pre-ground."What the heck is this?" He asked in shock.Wendy walked over and took a look.

"It's coffee...don't you even know that much?"She said, eying him disdainfully.

"Why is it already ground?"He persisted.

She shrugged."That's how we do it."

Alan's newfound coffee knowledge told him that coffee beans had to be freshly ground to make the ideal cup of coffee.

"System, is it going to be alright?" He asked in his head.

"It is fine, Host.When Host owns his own cafe he can use the proper method then.In the meantime, the system's brewing method remains peerless, and if Host follows the method the benefit will remain."The system assured Alan that it was fine.

Wendy walked away and leaned against a wall, staring at her phone.

Alan shook his head and grabbed the pre-ground coffee.He placed the coffee in the filter and took a knife to even out the top of it.Then he began pouring fresh hot water over it.He poured 30 mL of water, no more, no less.He made sure to pour it evenly, so that all of the coffee was infused.

After he finished pouring he left it for 30 seconds, waiting patiently for the ground coffee to bloom with flavor.

A wonderful nutty, earthy aroma began to permeate the air.Wendy even looked up from her phone out of curiosity.

After thirty seconds passed, he began pouring another 100 mL of water over it for 30 seconds.He stopped at the minute mark and waited another thirty seconds, letting the flavor bloom further.

The wonderful scent grew stronger and stronger in the cafe as he continued.Finally, after thirty seconds passed he continued pouring the remaining 100 mL of water over the coffee.He had decided to make a light brew, since the coffee was pre-ground.Thus, he didn't try to increase the length of the drip process.

He took the pot of coffee he had made and poured himself a steaming hot cup of coffee.He personally liked his coffee with a bit of sugar, so he added a small sugar packet to it.

He took a sip and sighed in contentment.

"That will be $3.00, Host."The system said aloud.

Alan nearly spit out his coffee and started choking.As he recovered he thought, "System, what do you mean?Why do I need to pay for the coffee?"

"Is Host asking why people pay for things?I believe it is an advent of human society.Humans must pay for things they do not have, but desire.Host did not have the ingredients for the coffee.Thus, Host must pay for the coffee."

"But the price of the coffee also includes my own effort?Shouldn't there be a price reduction since I don't need to charge myself for my own efforts?"Alan tried to argue.

"If Host does not value his own effort, then how can Host expect anyone else to?"

Alan gave a thumbs up."Wow.As expected of the system, I can't argue at all."Cursing his luck, he pulled out his wallet and looked at the last remaining $5.00 bill in it.Muttering to itself he took it out and gave it to Wendy."Get me $2.00 in change please."

Wendy eyed him."You do know we can have coffee for free here?John doesn't really care."

"$2.00," He said firmly, while his heart bled.This cursed stingy system.Wendy got him his change while giving him a strange look.He ignored her and returned to drinking his coffee.As expected of the ultimate cup of joe, as he drank more of it and it entered his system he felt his taste buds celebrating more and more.

"The effect of the system on the taste is surprisingly good."He thought.

"Of course," The system replied."Everything provided by the system is high quality Host."

Alan ignored the system's voice and continued sipping his coffee.

As he stood, enjoying his coffee, a man walked down the street.The man was dressed in a dark suit.He had greying hair and lines on his face, indicating either that he was middle aged, or that he worked too hard.Possibly both.He carried a leather briefcase in one hand, and walked with a purpose.

He approached the cafe as if he was familiar with it.The door opened and the bell rang, announcing the customer had entered.Wendy went to greet the man.Alan observed him from behind the counter.

The man looked at his watch impatiently before approaching the counter.

"Hey! You!" He called to Alan."Are you the new barista?"

Alan went to the man."Good morning, sir.I am indeed the new barista.How can I help you today?"

"Yes, fine, just get me a cup of coffee to go please." The man said impatiently, looking at his phone as he spoke.

"Do you have any preferences on the type of coffee or manner of brewing?Would you like cream or sugar?"Alan asked politely.

The man scoffed."I come here because it's cheap and on the way to the office.Coffee is coffee, I just need the caffeine.I'll take it black, no cream, no sugar."

Alan stared at him before shaking his head.Clearly this man had no appreciation for coffee.He probably expected Alan to serve him instant coffee or something like that.

Alan just told him, "Your coffee will be ready in a couple of minutes.Can I get a name for the order?"

"The name is Tom." He said impatiently.Alan grabbed a to go cup and used a pen to write Tom on the side of it.Then he went back to the brewing machine.He repeated the same process he had before, substituting the to go cup for the mug he had used before.

The man stood by the counter impatiently, not bothering to take a seat.Wendy had gone off somewhere after collecting the money from the man.

Alan finished pouring the coffee into a to-go cup, put a coffee sleeve on it to keep the man from burning his hand, and put a lid on the coffee.

He walked to the counter with the cup of coffee and said, "One cup of coffee, black, for Tom."

Tom walked over and grabbed the cup.Noticing that Alan had put a coffee sleeve on it he grunted in appreciation and dropped a dollar in the tip jar.

He walked out, sipping his coffee absently as he checked emails on his phone.

"System, is it really alright?He didn't seem to notice anything special about the coffee."Alan asked the system doubtfully.

"Host will see.That customer will be back tomorrow.More importantly Host, you poured half a milliliter extra into that cup of coffee.You must endeavor to improve your accuracy.The system can't do everything for you.Work hard Host."The system said mechanically.

"System was that supposed to be encouragement?" Alan wondered.

"Host can take it as such if it's easier."

Alan shook his head in exasperation.Who designed such a rude system?