Chapter 1: Not Your Average Cafe
Adonis Mercy.
A young half-Greek half-Japanese born in Greece, but for most of his life he had lived amongst the people of London. There wasn't anything particularly special about his life, he was just your average teenager living his high school life to the fullest.
While focusing on his studies, he would always make sure to take some time to relax and hang out with his friends. Romance was never something he ever got to really experience, but he didn't really mind, he was more than satisfied with what he already had.
However, good things never last.
On the day of his graduation, Adonis met a terrible end when a crazed murderer that had been reported on the news was sighted in his area. By some form of dumb luck, he was the one that ended up crossing paths with the person, leading to his eventual death.
As the saying goes though, whenever there is bad there will always be good.
Perhaps it was just a stroke of luck, but the Heavens seemed to have given him a second chance as he was now living his years in this new world. It wasn't any normal world either, it was one with its own mysteries to the point that Adonis could only compare it to those from fiction.
At the present time, Adonis could be seen standing inside what looked to be your typical modern cafe. Amongst the other buildings within the city, this cafe stood out like a sore thumb. Its modernised architecture caught the attention of anyone that walked by.
The building itself was relatively big with it being quite tall, but its smooth white marble walls and black window frames were what really made it stand out. The glass that made up the windows had a very clear transparency, far more clear than any of the residents have ever seen before.
However, the most eye-catching thing was no doubt the large letters that were attached to the side of the building's flat roof. They were white with thick black outlines, and together the letters spelt out the words 'Arcade Cafe'.
Inside stood a young man no older than twenty, with jet-black smooth straight hair and a pair of pale blue eyes. He looked rather lean and had a clear complexion, seemingly void of any imperfections on his smooth skin.
His current attire consisted of long sleek black pants, a white button-up dress shirt and a pair of black leather shoes. Over the top of this attire was also a clean black long apron that almost reached all the way down to his shoes, this apron was secured safely with a strap that was tied around his waist.
This was none other than Adonis, a recent reincarnator.
Adonis was currently staring up at the rather large blackboard behind him that looked to have a few things written down on it. The board was the popular items list, meaning it stated the current most popular items here in the cafe.
"Alright, another day of cooking, better get ready." With a sigh, Adonis tightened his apron before cracking his neck. "System, you can really be heartless sometimes. There are over five-hundred items on the menu, yet I'm the only chef..."
Of course, Adonis wasn't at all expecting a response.
True to his words though, the cafe menu was compiled by the system. It had food items from all kinds of different countries, a few examples being England, Japan, Korea, China, India, and so many more as well. He was at least glad the system had imprinted the cooking knowledge into him, he could only imagine the hell of learning all of the dishes one at a time.
Lightly smacking both of his cheeks, Adonis walked on over towards the cabinets before taking out quite a number of cooking utensils. Despite the number of pots and other items he had, he easily lifted them up before walking elsewhere.
Perhaps it was due to the System or whoever reincarnated him, but he had obviously noticed the abnormal increase in physical strength after arriving in this world. He found himself capable of relatively easily punching a tree to pieces in a single strike and more.
He wasn't complaining though, he had come to learn of the few dangers that existed in this fantasy-like world. Coming in the form of those Slimes and those creatures he had come to learn were Hilichurls by a few of the kind citizens in the city.
Aside from that, today was a new day.
After putting down the kitchen utensils, Adonis didn't immediately start preparing the ingredients for the day though, he instead swiped his hand against the air beside him. Doing so seemed to materialise a holographic screen.
.
『Arcade Cafe System』
● Cafe Details
● Bookshelf Details - [Requirements: Cafe Level 2]
● Arcade Details - [Requirements: Cafe Level 3]
● Quests
.
This was the menu of the system he had been given upon entering this world, and he must say, it was truly an interesting one. He knew of the concept of systems from novels, but this was the first time he had seen one so damn bizarre.
Upon opening the menu, Adonis didn't hesitate before tapping the first option.
.
『Cafe Details』
● Name: Arcade Cafe
● Cafe Level: 1 - [EXP: 175/1,000]
● Reputation: 100/100
● Points: 920
● Cafe Restock - [Full Restock Cost: 500 Points] [Partial Restock Cost: 40 Points]
Cafe Owner Benefits:
● The owner is allowed to use all Cafe facilities without cost
● The owner is invulnerable while within the building
● The owner receives a maximum of 1,000 Points every week [Points received are based on Reputation and Cafe Level]
.
There were many important points to the information here, but the part he was mainly focused on was the Cafe Level section. From what he had learnt since opening this place a few days ago, each customer he served, that left satisfied, was rewarded five experience points.
Considering the fact that he had only been open for around three days now, serving a total of thirty-five customers as a newly opened shop wasn't too bad. He had no prior advertisement either, so all of those customers were merely curious individuals at first.
In regard to the reputation, he was glad that the customers that visited were all pleased with their experience. If they hated the food, and experience in general, no doubt the reputation would have dropped to the negatives instead of remaining at the neutral value of zero.
"Alright, if I'm understanding this correctly. Then I should receive one-thousand points by the end of the week, just as long as the reputation remains the same..." Adonis held his chin in thought as he pondered over this. "Hopefully I get more customers soon."
He was certain how the reputation system worked, but from what he had observed, it was most likely based on the customers that know and have experienced the cafe. All others would be neutral, thus not affecting the cafe's reputation.
.
『Main Quest』
● Objective: Keep the cafe's reputation at least 80/100 by the end of Sunday this week
● Time Remaining: 3 Days 18 Hours
Rewards:
● 3,000 Points
● Random Skill Book - [Amount: 1]
● Random Ability Book - [Amount: 1]
.
『Side Quests』
● None
.
This was the current quest that the system had assigned to him, and its requirement for completion was very simple. As long as he did a good job with painting the cafe's face, then he shouldn't be worried about failing this quest.
He was very curious, the two books caught his interest immediately. He'd probably assume they were the same thing if he had been told about them up front, but from what the quest displays them as, they seemed to be entirely different things altogether.
Only time would tell though.
"Damn, that's quite a lot of points." Adonis whistled softly upon seeing the first reward. "Though, aside from restocking the cafe with ingredients, there isn't any other use for them... Oh well, perhaps there will be another use in the future."
*Ding*
"Welcome to the Arcade Cafe!"
With a welcoming and slightly energetic tone, Adonis welcomed whoever it was that walked into the cafe. He obviously knew because the bell that chimed whenever a person entered had gone off, sounding like a faint yet audible chime of Christmas bells.
Near the entrance was an older man, probably in his mid to late thirties, with slicked-back brownish-black hair. His attire mainly consisted of brown and dirty-gold colours, along with donning a cream-coloured vest over the top.
"Oh, Mr Mao. Four days in a row, huh?" Adonis immediately adopted a friendly and familiar expression as he saw the man who entered into the shop. "You're here much earlier than you usually are, opening up shop earlier today?"
The person who had just entered was none other than Chef Mao, the owner of Wanmin Restaurant, a dining place that was close to the cafe. Chef Mao was one of his first-ever customers, and the guy had been coming back every day since Adonis opened up the shop.
"Morning, Adonis." Mao gave a friendly smile as he walked on over before sitting himself down at one of the small tables that only had two chairs placed. "I figured I might as well wake up earlier so I can come on over, I've been needing your coffee ever since I first had it."
"Then I shall prepare it for you quickly, would you like anything else? Perhaps something to eat?"
"Just get me three steam buns if you would, the ones stuffed pork."
"Coffee and steamed buns, an interesting combination. It won't be long." Adonis chuckled before making his way over to the coffee-making area atop the front counter. He'd prepare the coffee first before moving on to the buns. "Is Xiangling not coming today?"
"She definitely will later, she is still asleep right now though." Chef Mao responded as he curiously skimmed through the breakfast menu placed at the table. "You really are talented, Adonis. Most of these dishes I haven't even heard of, and this is only the breakfast menu. You're even more gifted than my daughter."
"Hehehe~, you praise me too much."
"It's true! I have never seen a chef as young as you being so talented at cooking, aside from Xiangling of course, and you seem to be a genius with beverages as well. Being capable of inventing so many dishes and drinks, and with such variety as well is truly astonishing..."
Adonis merely chuckled before shrugging, he didn't really want to take credit for the menu. Most of these items were from his old world across countless different countries, and his cooking knowledge was all thanks to the system.
The person Chef Mao was comparing to him was his daughter, her name being Xiangling. He had first met her on the second day of business when Chef Mao decided to bring her along during his second visit to the cafe.
From what he had learnt, the girl was famous for being a great chef... and a very daring one at that.
Silence was all that was heard in the cafe as Chef Mao enjoyed the calm atmosphere, the only sound that he could hear now and then was the mechanical workings of the coffee-making station that Adonis was currently operating.
He was by no means an expert when it came to coffee, but he was certain that he had never seen any kind of machine designed specifically for making coffee. From what he had seen though, the device was truly a miraculous little thing.
Ever since he took his first sip days ago, he had instantly fallen in love with the drink and had practically made it his duty to have at least one cup before he opened up his restaurant. He has drunk coffee in the past, but he never really liked it since it was sometimes a bit too strong for his liking.
However, the coffee that were brewed here all had their own distinct unique qualities about them. His personal favourite would have to be the one called a Cappuccino, just the perfect amount of bitterness for him personally. From here on, he doubted he could ever not come here and not have one.
Of course, he had come to talk with Adonis as well, the boy was pleasant to talk with.
Speaking of Adonis...
"Here is your Cappuccino, I hope you enjoy." Adonis spoke with a soft smile as he placed a clean white cup of coffee in front of Chef Mao, the coffee cup resting on a black circular pad on the table. "Your steam buns will be finished shortly, please enjoy your coffee in the meantime."
"Thank you very much." Chef Mao nodded in appreciation before smiling down, his eyes widening slightly as an amused look appeared on his face. From what he could tell, Adonis used foam or cream to create a beautiful art of a swan on his drink. How the boy did it, he had no idea. 'Such a work of art... ahh~, it tastes as great as always!'
Just like that, Chef Mao's day was starting off great.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone