“Kersey’s family’s new café is really beautiful. It feels very classy.”
“I’m not used to drinking coffee, and I rarely come out for leisure, so I’m not sure about aesthetics. However, I also feel the atmosphere here is comfortable.”
Cass and Bried were both wearing their school uniforms.
They had heard about the new shop opening before and specifically came here to check it out.
They still had to enter the Dungeon, but they were waiting for Kersey to finish her shift first.
“What did you want to see me about? Ah, never mind. I don’t mind being called out suddenly. In fact, I’m quite happy about it.”
Cass smiled happily.
It was a rare occasion — the very first time, in fact — that Bried had proactively invited Cass out.
Bried maintained her usual dull, cold expression and said, “There are mainly two things I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
In the past, Cass’s interactions with Bried were limited to school and Dungeon combat.
Being able to come out and chat like this made Cass feel like their friendship was growing closer.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about asking Bried to hang out before, but Cass couldn’t think of anywhere to go other than places to eat.
After all, Bried always gave off the vibe of a dedicated ascetic practitioner.
“The first thing. Cass, shouldn’t we start heading to the next layer? That is, the third layer’s Black Mist Forest.”
“The third layer — ?! Are you serious?”
“Don’t get excited. It’s just a thought, not a strong demand.”
“Oh… I see.”
Cass breathed a long sigh of relief.
Bried glanced at the street outside the window and continued, “During these days we’ve been grinding monsters on the second floor, I’ve started to feel like the level-up speed is a bit too slow… Sorry, that was a greedy thought.”
Bried shook her head.
“I know it’s actually not slow at all. Cass, you reached Level 19 in one week, I’ve reached Level 15, and Kersey is Level 14… Such speed was completely unimaginable before I enrolled. Now, I’ve just grown accustomed to it.”
The higher the Level, the slower the leveling speed became.
The monster types on the second floor were mostly bovine and pastoral-style creatures, and the monsters that truly provided large amounts of experience points usually only spawned at night.
Not only was it dangerous, but he and his partners had school the next day.
It was truly detrimental to their health.
Simply put, if they wanted to level up faster now, they had to challenge more difficult areas.
The key was…
‘I’m not in that much of a hurry.’
Cass was still following the plan provided by Siloque, leading his partners to high-efficiency grinding spots on the second floor, but they were all relatively safe locations.
“Could it be that the duel made you anxious?”
Siloque had mentioned this to him.
His own performance in the team was too dazzling, causing the other two to feel a sense of pressure to catch up.
This was supposed to be a good thing, but if they became too eager for quick results and ended up getting injured, it would be counterproductive.
“That did have some influence, but it’s fine now.”
The corners of Bried’s mouth curled up slightly.
‘Did something good happen?’
Cass was a bit curious, but he didn’t ask.
“Cass. As I said, I was just thinking about it. If you don’t agree, then forget it. When it comes to Dungeoneering, it’s better to prioritize safety. Mm.”
Bried nodded in self-affirmation, her tone relaxed and flat.
It should be said that Cass had never seen Bried tell a lie.
By contrast, he had been telling more and more lies lately.
‘Is it because of Siloque’s influence…?’
Cass closed his eyes awkwardly, unconsciously scratching his cheek.
“Speaking of which, Cass, does your Teacher have any suggestions?”
“Ah… he, her word is that for now, we should just keep grinding on the second floor. You better not leave us behind and sneak off to the third layer by yourself.”
“Of course not.”
Bried looked toward the preparation counter.
Seeing that the items they ordered hadn’t been served yet, she pulled out a bursting croissant from her Ring Chart — which made one wonder if it contained an infinite supply of bread — and started munching.
She still held a great deal of respect for the Teacher he had made up (though he felt truly sorry for spreading rumors that Siloque was a city-toppling beauty).
Cass didn’t want her to follow his example and sneak off to the next layer; it was truly dangerous.
“Bried, you don’t need to worry about leveling up. I actually have something to tell you. I was planning to tell you and Kersey at the end of the month, but I’ll tell you first.”
Cass shared a refined version of his previous adventure in the Dungeon with his “Teacher,” mentioning how they obtained a Monster Teeth Totem and triggered a Lord’s Quest.
“Eh. Isn’t that amazing? A Dungeon Task that no one has ever taken before.”
Bried’s mouth opened slightly, showing a hint of surprise for the first time today.
The Teacher — Siloque himself — had other Dungeon Tasks to do, so they wouldn’t see each other for a while.
Thinking of this, Cass let out a sigh.
“So, what’s the second question?”
Cass prompted.
Bried looked left, then right, her eyes wandering around before she finally answered, “It’s about my childhood friend, Siloque.”
“Oh… Siloque…”
Cass maintained a smile, but his voice dropped a few octaves.
He remembered the two of them kissing on the Ferris wheel.
He remembered the photo stickers from the cinema.
A complicated emotion swirled in his heart.
“I see you have a good relationship with him. His state has been very good recently. I wonder if you have any clues as to why.”
“This… isn’t it a good thing that his state is good? Specifically, what do you mean?”
Bried finished her bread and licked her fingers.
“The way he smiles has increased, he’s happy even when exhausted from training, and he talks much more than usual — usually discussing things like what girls find inconvenient or where they like to play. Even the dishes he cooks are better than usual…”
“You… you’ve observed him very carefully. For these questions, Bried, you could just ask him directly. Don’t you live very close to each other?”
‘I also want to live closer to Siloque so I can greet him every morning.’
Bried’s reaction was intriguing; she silently lowered her head.
“Bried?”
There was no response.
A red flush crept up Bried’s neck, and her entire body temperature seemed to rise, radiating heat.
‘Uh? No way. Is she blushing? That dead-serious Bried?’
Just as Cass wanted to confirm further —
“Sorry for the wait. Blue Mountain coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice, plus two complimentary Special Mango Parfaits.”
Kersey placed the desserts and drinks on the table with a beaming smile.
The moment Bried looked up, she returned to her usual coldness.
“Forget it, Cass. You’re right. The answer is something I should confirm for myself.”
“Oh…”
‘Did I see it wrong?’
Before Cass could doubt himself for long, his attention was quickly drawn to the sweet aroma of the food.
Bried was puzzled.
“We didn’t order parfaits. You must have the wrong table.”
“These are a treat for you from my colleague, Miss Rosie.”
Kersey placed spoons for both of them.
“This nice? Why? This doesn’t look cheap.” Bried stared at the large parfait, feeling suspicious of the free dessert.
“Mainly because she wanted to treat you since you’re my friends. Next time, there will be a charge as usual. Just consider it a new shop special promotion.”
Kersey gave a slight smile, and the two could no longer refuse.
“Then we won’t be polite. Thank you, Kersey, and thank your colleague, Miss Rosie, as well.”
“Thank you,” Bried added.
Cass scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth.
The mango-wrapped ice cream jelly, paired with rich chocolate sauce and crushed almonds, melted deliciously on his tongue.
“So delicious! I feel like I could eat this forever!”
It wasn’t that he hadn’t eaten with friends before, but how should he put it?
The taste was fundamentally different from an ordinary parfait; the taste buds on his tongue were dancing with joy.
He expected Bried to start feasting after one bite.
Instead, her brow furrowed, and she revealed a puzzled expression.
She stared at the parfait and scooped a second spoonful, tasting it slowly.
“Not good?”
Cass was already on his sixth spoonful.
Bried whispered softly, “The ingredients used are no different, but the processing is a perfectly balanced method… Siloque?”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. It’s quite delicious.”
Bried’s eyes scanned the staff in the shop one by one as she asked, “Kersey, who made this parfait?”
“It was the colleague I mentioned, Miss Rosie, our part-timer. It’s delicious, right? The customers have given it very high praise.”
Kersey even took her mobile phone out of her skirt pocket and showed Bried photos left by customers on a blog.
“But because she does it so well, I’m afraid that when customers come here by name and taste what we make, they might be a bit disappointed…”
“It’s okay. You’re a café; as long as the coffee is good, it’s fine.”
Cass encouraged Kersey, then took a sip of coffee and exclaimed, “Delicious!”
“Kersey… what kind of person is Miss Rosie?”
“Huh? Bried is interested in someone else?”
Cass was surprised by Bried.
In his memory, she was someone who strictly followed a three-point routine every day: school, Dungeon, and home.
Unless it was a flyer introducing a new restaurant, which she would glance at twice, Bried would usually ignore any other salesperson who approached her.
“I want to confirm something.”
Bried’s answer left Cass baffled.
“Miss Rosie is very beautiful, her cooking is delicious, and she’s very strong…”
At first, Kersey was enthusiastically preparing to introduce her, but as if she had thought of something, an unnatural pause occurred.
“Sorry, she’s off the clock now. I’ll tell you more on LINE when I’m free, Bried. Cass, take your time eating. I still have some work to do, so please excuse me.”
“Mm… it’s fine.”
Bried replied calmly, not appearing particularly regretful.
Kersey apologized and ran off.
The remaining two continued to eat their parfaits, but Bried’s eating speed was much slower than usual, and her expression was exceptionally serious.
It made Cass wonder if she had an upset stomach.
***
‘Finally over.’
Throughout the whole process, Kersey had treated “Rosie,” whom I was playing, as a member of the same gender, so no romantic feelings would arise.
This showed that the cross-dressing was worth it.
After greeting the Shopkeeper and the others, I asked for my wages.
Aniler gave me quite a bit and said I was very welcome to come back and work again.
However, it was absolutely impossible for me to come back next time, at least not as Rosie.
Having changed back into my casual clothes, I, as Rosie, exited through the staff passage.
Looking at the sky, I rubbed my shoulders to loosen my muscles.
Next, I needed to hurry and find a restroom to change.
The fluttering skirt made me feel very insecure —
“Miss Rosie! Please wait a moment!”
Kersey hurriedly opened the door and stepped out.
‘What now?’
‘I’ve done everything I could do. It’s about time to go to the Dungeon.’
The annoyance in my heart was hidden deep, and my face still wore a kind smile.
Rosie waited for Kersey to catch her breath.
When she finally recovered, she rubbed her bun-styled hair, looking hesitant.
“What is it?!”
Just as Rosie finished speaking, Kersey’s face flushed red, and she suddenly leaned into my ear.
The warm breath made my ear itchy, almost making me jump away.
Kersey whispered, “If I’ve identified you wrong, I will apologize. May I ask… are you ‘Teacher’? The one who held me tight that night… Teacher.”