“Team Leader Seok Simyeong was openly displeased that Seong Hyunjae came all the way here. His words were politely phrased, but.”

“Although you are extremely busy, you personally escorting Director Han Yujin is most appreciated. I only ask that from now on you leave matters to us so as not to trouble you further.”

Polite… hm. I know “busy” isn’t meant literally, but the stress feels off. In any case, Seok Simyeong told us to limit our interference at the breeding facility. Seong Hyunjae offered him a gentle smile.

“I had expected you’d remain at Haeyeon Guild for life, Team Leader Seok.”

Uh… you belong to Haeyeon Guild—what right have you to interfere? Have you transferred to the breeding facility already?

“Of course that’s my intention. Ah, this is Mr. Seo Gyeonghun, a new staff member at the Beast Breeding Facility. He’s helping with the handover from Haeyeon.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Guild Leader Seong.”

Gyeonghun bowed awkwardly. So they claim a close relationship with Haeyeon, enough that Haeyeon lent them staff. Seong Hyunjae reached out to shake Gyeonghun’s hand.

“I hope you settle in swiftly. Should any issues arise concerning Director Han, contact me at once.”

Seong Hyunjae’s suggestion to break from Haeyeon and grow closer with Sesung made Seok Simyeong retort that he was already very close to Haeyeon—twisting the words—then Seong Hyunjae playfully pushed past him to check on Gyeonghun. Gyeonghun just wore a smiling face between them.

Work life, huh.

Anyway, Seong Hyunjae departed and Kang Soyeong led me toward the pens.

“To think the Guild Leader of Sesung would wander about so lightly. Director Han, please refuse more firmly. It’s unbecoming.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Granted, Haeyeon is like family, so it’s fine there. In fact, it’s quite admirable.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Is that dragon a new monster?”

Seok Simyeong asked, looking at Han-gyul draped over my shoulder.

“Yes. Sesung agreed to handle its registration.”

“Again with Sesung—”

“You know, the Pegasus deal. Sesung will process all new beast registrations now.”

We decided to register the changeling, Han-gyul, as a normal monster for the time being. We won’t mention its ability to speak yet. Imagine the uproar if word spread that a monster could converse with humans. The interest, the observation requests, the research—too many complications.

That’s why the dokkaebi are still in hiding. Someday they’ll emerge, but for now they’re gathered in a rural village near Yoon-yoon’s homeland for social education. To pass as human, like Yoon-yoon. They still appear human, but most are too innocent.

“Han-gyul, let’s greet them.”

The pink hatchling rose and bowed politely to Seok Simyeong and Seo Gyeonghun. So well-mannered.

“Is he heavy? You’re not in the best condition yourself.”

“He’s much lighter than he looks.”

He barely weighs more than a Chicklet. Even Chicklets are light because of their downy feathers.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

Likely the facility’s name, but perhaps other matters required his presence in person. Naming could be done over the phone.

“It’s to name the Beast Breeding Facility and inspect the building’s facilities, Mr. Seo.”

“Yes. Please come this way, Director.”

Gyeonghun’s “Director” still sounds odd. We left the underground parking and headed upward.

“Gyeonghun, your title hasn’t been decided yet. How about Deputy Director?”

At my suggestion, Seo Gyeonghun looked flustered.

“For now, I’m slated to handle planning, audits, and assist in secretarial duties.”

“I see. And given the facility’s nature, it might be wise for the deputy to be someone who can control monsters. But leaving it vacant is also fine.”

Both Gyeonghun and Seok Simyeong warned me off at once. Half in jest, but is it really impossible? I don’t like leaving it empty. You never know—if something happens in my absence, I want to ensure the creatures remain safe. Even if the breeding function were removed, having a responsible head matters.

“The café’s interior on the first floor is almost complete.”

Crossing the lobby, Seo Gyeonghun said. That was fast—money talks, after all.

“Operations will be overseen by Do Ha-min, though he wants to co-manage with you.”

“Most patrons will be Hunters.”

Ha-min would never shoulder it alone. He hates tasks beyond his ability. Even before regression he complained he wanted to run an info desk for civilians, not Hunters.

“Master, long time no see!”

Entering the café, Do Ha-min greeted us with arms spread wide. Noah stood there in Kim Min-ui’s uniform. I’d told Min-ui he could work here.

“Noah, will you help out here too?”

“Only when I’m free. The brothers worry.”

Noah, in a white dress shirt and apron, emerged from the kitchen. Min-ui is only B-Rank, so they worry, but having certain S-Rank help even occasionally should reduce troublemakers. Still, an S-Rank café part-timer is odd.

“Geum-dong will be here soon, right?”

“Yes. Will it really be Geum-dong?”

“Got a problem with that?”

Not especially. I picked up Han-gyul from my shoulder and introduced him.

“This is the new one. His name’s Han-gyul. I named him.”

Han-gyul bowed politely again. When Noah reached out, he shook his hand.

“We’ll have another plush out soon. Next door’s the plush exhibition, and we’ll put some in the café too. We’ll sell themed drinks and desserts. I need to make a sign—should I name the café?”

I shook my head. I’m better at naming than Ha-min.

“Well, since we’ll sell monster goods too: Love & Peace.”

“Nice. Let’s use English.”

“Right? Fits?”

“Should we use the same name for the breeding facility?”

Seok Simyeong gestured emphatically, then waved frantically.

“Let’s hold a contest.”

I think it was on the shortlist.

“This side is the open café; over there are rooms.”

The main hall is spacious, and the partitioned rooms are sizable too.

“The rooms are only accessible from the lobby. Soundproofing is perfect—even B-Rank can’t eavesdrop using dungeon acoustic derivates.”

“Does that mean A-Rank can?”

“A-Rank would struggle unless they stick their ear to the wall. S-Rank are few, and if they whisper, even in the hall with music on, nobody hears.”

This should guarantee privacy. Cameras outside and good room layout suffice.

“Besides, high-ranks have their own meeting rooms. This is for lower and mid-ranks, especially those without guilds.”

A coffee and soundproof meeting room for lower-ranks—that’s cheap.

“If it goes well, we’ll open the second floor. The mall’s half empty. Okay, Master?”

“Do as you wish.”

Lower-rank Hunters will appreciate a guaranteed safe gathering spot.

“You should come work here sometimes, too.”

“What? Me?”

“With your hatchlings as service. Service service.”

I doubt Noah’s enough service as is. After touring the rooms, we returned to the hall and sat at a table. Noah brought tomato juice.

“You’re letting Noah serve?”

“Take-out only. We’ll minimize work. If he’s free, he might bring orders to the hall.”

He won’t be free much. With him there, it looks like a French café or something.

“Have you decided on the facility’s name?”

Seok Simyeong asked. He said he’d pare down the suggestions—but had only picked a few. At least my decision was easy.

“This one.”

Dodam.

I especially liked Dodam-dodam’s meaning: a child growing up happy and healthy. It suits perfectly. Since Dodam-dodam is lengthy, Dodam seems ideal.

“I think that name’s good too.”

Seok Simyeong nodded in satisfaction.

“The English spelling is easy as well. Then we’ll proceed with that.”

He reminded me not to forget the Peace plush launch event this weekend, then rose with Seo Gyeonghun.

“I won’t forget. Don’t worry.”

“Even if it’s in your head, Director Han, you might not be here.”

…As if I’d want to be elsewhere. Very well, I’ll stay put. After they left, Do Ha-min and I discussed the café menu when the glass door slid open.

“It really was you, Uncle. I’m back from school!”

Yerim burst in cheerfully. Did she see us outside? You have to pass this way to reach the parking lot, so she must have caught sight.

“Oh? The dragon’s awake?”

“Yes. It’s Han-gyul.”

“Sesung Uncle?”

“No, I named him.”

Her unbelieving look stabbed me. I did name him, really—even if I took some advice.

“Is the café opening soon? Should I work here part-time?”

“What? Suddenly want a part-time job? You said you hated those.”

“That was an unpaid BBQ joint job. I’ve always wanted to try a café.”

Yerim said it sounded fun, though it probably isn’t.

“How about serving like this?”

A thin jet of water spiraled, wrapping around the empty juice glass in front of me. The floating glass flew toward the kitchen.

“With temperature control, it keeps things hot and cold~”

“That’d be so handy.”

Her skill is too precious for a café. She could make ice on the spot in summer too.

“Look—this works too.”

Now the water morphed into a glass bowl, then froze in an instant.

“Tada—shaved ice bowl! The shape’s rough, but I’m practicing.”

“A perfect part-timer!”

Do Ha-min clapped in admiration.

“In summer, Hunter Park; in winter, Hunter Han Yuhyun!”

“Don’t sneakily exploit my sister.”

“Tip: Ha-min Uncle, if you’re here, Director Han will ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) follow you. One plus one.”

“We could expand to three floors! With you here, we could pull in Myeong-woo too. Gourmet café! Nationwide chain!”

What are they talking about? The efficiency is horrible. As an event, maybe once or twice, but no more.

“So—Don’t tell anyone Han-gyul can speak yet.”

I reminded Yerim as we walked home.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep