Chapter 49
I thought it was an odd combination where it would be hard to find common ground. But whatever. The important thing was the question marks hovering over these people’s heads.
I quickly made a highball filled with soda water according to the order.
“Sweet? Let me have a sip too.”
The man’s companion took a sip and puckered her face in disgust.
“What’s sweet about it! It’s bitter! Yuck.”
“Haha, that’s just how it is said. Alcoholic drinks are naturally bitter, my friend.”
I slyly inserted myself into their conversation.
“There are also sweet alcoholic drinks. Should I make you a sweet cocktail?”
“Sweet alcohol exists?”
“Yes. Why don’t you try it since you have the chance? It’s not often you get this opportunity.”
I handed them a ‘Fuzzy Navel’ made with peach liqueur and orange juice.
The woman, looking skeptical, gingerly stuck out her tongue to taste it and exclaimed “Oh my!”
“It really is sweet? I can’t taste the alcohol at all. It’s refreshingly sweet?”
“That’s right. Let me know what other flavors you all like. The charm of cocktails is being able to customize them to your taste. I’ll make drinks that perfectly match your palates.”
“I like ice cream.”
“I see. Then a frozen-style cocktail would be…”
After a drink or two, the lively customers offered me a chair to sit with them.
“By the way, why are you wandering around selling drinks? Just rent a booth over there like that guy.”
“Ahh, I wish I could…”
I let out a deep sigh and the customers’ gazes turned towards me.
“I suffered massive losses from getting paid with counterfeit money. I can’t afford to rent anything.”
“Counterfeit bills? Don’t tell me you were a victim of that scammer too?”
“He’s famous? This is what he looks like…”
I quickly showed them the montage image. The people at the table simultaneously leaned their heads towards me.
“Hmm, can’t make out the picture, but that looks like him alright. He gave you the ‘gold chocolate coins’ too, didn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“I figured as much. Anyway bartender, don’t show that sketch around.”
Ah, why not! What’s wrong with my drawings!
Slightly offended, the others chimed in too.
“Just seeing that face gives me a headache…”
“The number of victims is endless. That bastard!”
One of them, seemingly getting riled up, slammed their fist hard on the table.
They reacted like it was a personal matter.
“Don’t tell me you all were victims too?”
“Yeah. We’re all victims of that scammer. We gathered here to lament today too.”
Ah, so a group with seemingly no common ground was actually a victims’ gathering.
The more I learn, the more incredulous I become. To have wronged so many people and still walk around boldly.
“Why don’t you gather evidence and report him? If this many people gang up, I think they’ll have to listen.”
“We would if we could. You probably don’t know, but that guy’s family is loaded.”
Despite already knowing this from the game, hearing it directly made it even more unbelievable.
“Someone that powerful is using counterfeit money?”
“That’s exactly why he’s such a scumbag. He does it for fun.”
The man emphasized by thumping his chest, as if his insides were about to burst.
‘What a truly despicable person.’
Despite having no lack of anything, he tormented people purely for fun.
He may have even enjoyed seeing the helpless despair of his victims.
“He bribed the police too. There’s nothing we can do.”
“Then what about a public opinion campaign…?”
“That Alex guy doesn’t care about his reputation at all. These scandals just make him more famous, and he walks around with his head held high.”
The victims let out dejected sighs.
Looking around, all the remaining exclamation marks had disappeared. It seemed like talking to these victims was the key, but there was no progress.
All I had concluded was that there was no way out.
‘How much did I struggle in the ‘Retired God’ dimension because of that jerk…’
Oh? Wait a second.
“It really feels like having a granddaughter.”
“Indeed. Hey, if any pesky rascals bother you, bring them here anytime! I’ll teach them a lesson, for sure.”
Why was I even hesitating when I had reliable backup?
There was no need to dirty my own hands.
I thought of an easy way to deal with Alex.
“Should I lend a hand?”
I smiled, and the victims’ voices quickened.
“Did you just say you can do something? But the opponent is a big shot, there’s nothing we can do.”
“That’s right. Even if we barge into his mansion, the guards will just kick us out. He won’t even acknowledge us…”
“I have some formidable backing.”
If it’s difficult to resolve within this dimension, I can get help from another.
With the divine gods intervening, some millionaires and guards are nothing to fear.
“In return, please investigate Alex for me. What he does regularly, if there are places he frequents periodically.”
It would be faster to track him down by following the question marks, but I couldn’t be stuck in this dimension forever.
‘I’ve already wasted a day off.’
So I should utilize them as ‘assistants’, the third deduction mode function.
“You’ll all be my assistants.”
As I looked around proposing this to them, a red glint flashed across their eyes for a moment.
<Notice> “Victims’ Group (five people)” has been selected as assistants. (60 seconds)
“Sure. If we can teach that bastard a lesson, we’ll do anything! Leave it to us.”
“Not sure if we can do it well, but we’ll give it our best effort.”
They all responded enthusiastically.
It seemed settled, but strangely the 60 seconds on the notice kept counting down.
‘What’s going on?’
3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second… Soon it reached 0 seconds.
<Notice> The assistants refuse the mission.
Huh?
“Now you’re trying to push work onto us?”
“Treating us like assistants!”
The victims who were eager just moments ago did a total 180 in attitude.
As if reading my bewilderment, another notice popped up.
<Notice> Residents of this dimension can refuse to be designated as the player’s assistants.
However, they will be under your command for at least 60 seconds.
So I have to persuade them first in order to assign them tasks?
I guess there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
“If we investigate, what will you do?”
A victim asked coldly.
Right, my attitude of simply trying to push work onto them was the problem. Even if this dimension is a game, these are living, breathing people right in front of me.
Hmm. I cleared my throat and spoke up.
“Let’s say I’m the leader of operations. If you all investigate for me, I’ll take responsibility and deal with that guy.”
I firmly added, driving the point home,
“I’ll make sure he faces the consequences. So will you be my assistants?”
Exchanging glances and hesitating at first, they slowly nodded in agreement.
<Notice> The assistants will carry out the ‘Investigate Alex’ mission. (Expected to take 5 days)
Success!
🫧
Should I have some fun while the assistants investigate?
…Is what I thought, but the holiday quickly disappeared. If a week is 7 days, having to work 5 days and only getting 2 days off is unreasonable.
“The system should guarantee a 4-day work week…no, a 3-day work week…”
I muttered while blankly staring out the window.
‘I’ve already grown accustomed to this lifestyle.’
How long has it been since I was summoned to the ‘Retired God’ dimension and barely managed to pay the subscription fee?
‘Around a month? I paid the subscription fee again during that time.’
I currently have 3,200 coins. I’ve learned the ropes now, accumulating coins moderately and avoiding going broke.
Because of that, the Milky Way Lounge remained stagnant without any development.
‘Well, whatever. As long as I can pay the subscription fee.’
As I blankly gazed into space, the part-timer who ran away came to mind.
He ate 3,000 coins and bolted, so I considered tracking him down to another dimension for payback, Alex-style… but…
‘Let’s not.’
He did work hard in his own way. I was a bit disappointed there was no contact, but I wanted to believe no news was good news.
If Chris returns and sees how the Mirinai Lounge has changed, what will he say?
‘He’ll definitely find the loopholes and set traps.’
I chuckled as I prepped some fruit garnishes. Having been lazy for the past few days, I was running low on prepared snacks.
Suddenly, the door opened and a lovey-dovey couple entered.
“Welcome!”
“Honey, shall we have that drink?”
“Yeah, that one!”
What drink is that?
But the couple didn’t elaborate on what “that” was. They just looked at me cheerfully.
Since they only knew between themselves and didn’t tell me, I had to ask.
“What cocktail should I prepare for you?”
“The Oasis cocktail!”
The couple exclaimed in unison.
Ah, that one.
The ‘Blue Hawaii’ with a generous amount of blue curacao, so blue it’s almost blinding. People liked to call this the ‘Oasis Cocktail’.
I shook blue curacao, white rum, pineapple juice, and lemon juice together in a shaker full of ice.
Clink!
I filled a rock glass with finely crushed ice and poured the ocean-blue liquid over it.
‘Garnish it with a pineapple wedge and cherry to finish!’
“Here’s your Oasis Cocktail, the ‘Blue Hawaii.’ Since it’s still daylight out, I recommend enjoying it at one of the outdoor tables.”
“Huh? Is there some problem if it gets dark?”
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⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊ Translator Note ₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
The Fuzzy Navel is a simple and sweet cocktail that combines peach schnapps and orange juice for a refreshing and fruity drink. Known for its ease of preparation and vibrant flavor, this cocktail is typically served over ice in a highball glass. The peach schnapps adds a luscious, fruity sweetness that perfectly complements the tangy and bright taste of orange juice, making the Fuzzy Navel an ideal choice for a light and enjoyable beverage, especially popular during warm weather and casual gatherings.
The Blue Hawaii is a vibrant and refreshing tropical cocktail, renowned for its striking blue hue and delightful blend of flavors. Made with light rum, vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and sweet and sour mix, it offers a harmonious combination of sweetness from the pineapple and a citrusy tang from the blue curaçao. Typically served over ice in a hurricane glass and garnished with a pineapple slice and maraschino cherry, the Blue Hawaii is a visually stunning and invigorating drink, perfect for a taste of paradise in any setting.
🥂
Thank you for reading! ♡
