Chapter 2
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the absurdity.
On the day I quit my job because I didn’t want to work anymore, I got dragged into this strange world and had to run my own bar.
“I get it. I’ve got the gist of it. This is like some business management game?”
So the goal is to grow the bar into a huge success, right?
They should have explained it that way from the beginning. Saying vague things about growing the world or whatnot just causes confusion.
“But they want me to operate a cocktail bar in the middle of this forest?”
I let out a sigh. The basics of business is foot traffic. Who’s going to come all the way out here for cocktails?
Even if I could properly mix a cocktail, running a business in this remote location would be impossible.
“The difficulty is insane……”
A smooth descent into hell was expected.
“Haaa, whatever. Might as well drink as many cocktails as I can before dying again.”
I trudged my way towards the building.
Stale, dusty air and a stuffy atmosphere greeted me as I opened the door.
“Keh, kuhruck! I should open the windows wide first.”
I started by opening the windows to let in some air, then looked around inside. It was a tiny bar that would be packed even with just 10 people.
There was a bar counter where you could watch cocktails being made, a small kitchen, and just two tables—that was it.
The layout was ordinary, but everything looked old and run-down.
“This is beyond ‘vintage.'”
Going out the back door next to the stairs revealed a small pond surrounded by trees.
I went back inside, up the creaky wooden stairs to the second floor. Unlike the first floor, the upstairs was neat like new.
It had an overall white color scheme, with honey-toned furniture and arched doorways giving it a cute, dollhouse-like interior.
“This is totally a kid’s taste… Huh?”
Without thinking, I opened a closet that was fully stocked, and inside were my familiar clothes. As if my own closet had been moved here in its entirety.
It wasn’t just clothes either. My favorite books, tablets, headsets and other belongings were all there too.
“What is all this……”
Feeling dazed, I went back downstairs.
I ran my fingertips along the bar counter that looked like it would shatter from a punch, then went behind it. The wall-to-wall shelves were fully stocked with liquor bottles.
“The liquor lineup is perfect?”
I uncapped a fancy black bottle with ornate embellishments and took a whiff.
A deep, rich pine scent made me feel like I was in a forest of fir trees.
‘Hmm. Is there a hint of citrus too?’
To check the taste, I took a swig straight from the bottle. It had a crisp, light flavor true to the basics.
“Nice. This is proper gin!”
I exclaimed in delight.
“Now, where’s the tonic water? Not seeing any. Guess I’ll just mix it with something else then. Whiskey and amaretto……”
In my haste, I skipped the ice, but the interior was cool enough that it was nicely chilled. The distinctively coarse yet rich almond flavor of the ‘Godfather’ cocktail struck a chord within me.
“It’s good to be alive.”
It felt like the fatigue that had built up was being washed away with that one drink. Cocktails were indeed the right choice.
Ding!
A notification window popped up in the air.
<Notice> The cocktail bar ‘I don’t know. Stuff like that’ exists in a dimensional rift. Explore the surroundings to find customers from other dimensions.
<Notice> Passing through the ‘front door’ will allow you to travel to other dimensions.
A random tutorial? Is this urging me to get to work already?
“I don’t even want to do this in the first place, and now you want me to actively seek out customers too? Really? I’m not doing it.”
I protested by lying down on the floor. If they were going to make me wake up again, they should have regressed me back to my childhood so I could change my life, or had me reincarnate as someone born wealthy.
“What kind of name is ‘I don’t know. Stuff like that’ for a store anyway. Shouldn’t there be some sort of approval process?”
As I grumbled, the system responded by displaying a notification window.
<Notice> Here’s a hint for you! If you diligently grow your bar, you might earn a ‘Store Name Change Voucher’!
“Ha... I’m getting drunk. One more.”
Ignoring the glittering notification as if telling it to watch me, I mixed another cocktail for myself.
I drank and drank and drank some more.
After chugging recklessly until I was completely wasted, I went upstairs and passed out on the bed until the sun was high in the sky.
I repeated the same routine every day. Had I ever been so satisfied with my life? Apparently, a life of debauchery suited me best.
“Yeah. If not now, then when will I get to fully rest? I’ve lived diligently my whole life. So this must be heaven.”
<Notice> 7 days remain of your free trial.
As if it had never seen someone as lazy as me before, the system fretted and repeatedly displayed the notification window. It kept nagging incessantly for three whole days.
If it was going to push that much, it was time to pull back a little.
“So, what are the benefits of subscribing?”
<Notice> Membership ‘Basic’ Features
- World Expansion Lv. 1
- Dimensional Viewing (Resolution 780p)
- Bar Durability 100/100 (Safety Rating: Lowest) Guaranteed
I pretended to show no interest as I skimmed the notification window from the side of my eye.
Anything with ‘Lv’ seemed to be a skill. Leveling it up would likely make it more useful.
‘World Expansion instead of Store Expansion is a bit concerning. And what’s this about the safety rating being the lowest?’
Doesn’t that mean I could get robbed clean if a thief comes around?
Then again, what safety could there be for a store just sitting out in the middle of the forest?
Wild animals might approach once it gets dark too.
“I get the other stuff, but what’s Dimensional Viewing?”
<Notice> It allows you to view the ‘original works’ that form the foundation of each dimension.
“Original works?”
That piqued my curiosity about what other dimensions might be like.
‘I wonder if any of my favorite novels or games could be there?’
I cleaned up the traces of my drinking bout and quickly tidied up my appearance so I wouldn’t look like a drunkard.
While I disliked working, how could I pass up an opportunity like this?
“Alright, shall we go?”
Just in case, I grabbed a large, sturdy-looking club and stood before the door. As I placed my hand on the handle, a notification window appeared.
<Notice> You can travel to another dimension. If you have a specific dimension in mind, visualize it.
If not…
I opened the door before even finishing reading the instructions.
While inwardly anticipating what kind of sight would greet me, the familiar forest I had seen through the window stretched out before me.
“It’s just the same place?”
I repeatedly opened and closed the door as if to argue with the system.
<Notice> If not visualized, the function will not activate.
With the ‘Random Travel’ command, you can visit a randomly selected dimension allowed at your current stage.
“Why didn’t you just say so from the start?”
Granted, I did open the door first without fully reading the instructions, but who these days sits and reads through long explanations?
My attitude seemed to displease the notification window as it flickered in protest.
Whatever. Since I didn’t have anywhere specific in mind anyway, I yelled “Random Travel!” and forcefully opened the door again.
Suddenly, my body swayed and I barely managed to regain my balance.
“Huh?”
A briny ocean scent wafted in. It was dim around me, but looking up revealed a night sky densely filled with stars.
‘This isn’t the forest.’
My surroundings had truly changed. I was on a ship headed who-knows-where.
Well, what did it matter? I could just check it out.
“Let me view this dimension.”
<Notice> That function is restricted during the free trial.
Ah, right, this required payment.
“This place has terrible service. They should offer plenty during the free trial to convince people to pay.”
As I muttered with a pout, a hearty laugh came from afar.
‘Since I’ve ended up here, might as well try drumming up some business.’
Drinks after a day’s work on the ship would taste like heaven.
With my night vision poor, I carefully made my way towards the customer. As I got closer, I heard voices conversing.
“You failed again?”
“C-Captain. Forgive me……”
“Get lost! I can’t even stand to look at you.”
“P-Please spare m—Aaaahhh!”
After the scream, there was a splash.
This ship’s captain seemed like a madman who threw his crew into the sea when angered.
“……”
Cold sweat trickled down. It would be better to leave and find another dimension.
As I turned to go, one of the captain’s hands glinted in the moonlight.
‘A hook hand?’
A dreadful thought crept into my mind.
“I will never, ever leave Neverland until I have my revenge on that vile brat, you can be sure of that.”
“Of course, sir.”
At that moment, the crest on the wildly flapping flag caught my eye. A raucous skull design. Which means…….
‘This ship is a pirate ship?’
Then that captain must be Captain Hook from ‘Peter Pan’.
‘The Hook I saw in the musical as a child was almost a comic character.’
Always busy fleeing from the crocodile that ate his left arm.
But facing him in person, the sinister atmosphere was no joke.
‘I should really leave….’
It was then that…
🥂
Thank you for reading! ♡
