Chapter 79: Coffee Among Colleagues [1]
Liam continued staring at the model on the worktable.
The longer he looked at it, the less he understood how that collection of small structures, platforms, and figures could become a tool capable of simulating an entire dungeon.
Lydia stood beside him, leaning slightly over the table.
"So... the selection will have three phases?"
James nodded.
"That’s right."
Liam raised his gaze.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
James let out a small laugh.
"I’m afraid that’s one of the things I still can’t explain to you."
Liam sighed.
"I understand."
Lydia crossed her arms.
"Then why did you bring us here?"
James stared at them for a few seconds.
"Because I think the two of you are quite promising."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"Promising?"
"Yes."
James placed one hand on the table.
"I’ve been watching you since you arrived at the guild. You’ve progressed quite quickly, and lately, you seem to be far too focused on the squad selection."
Lydia glanced at Liam.
James continued.
"Especially you, Liam."
Liam let out a small laugh.
"Is it really that obvious?"
Lydia smiled.
"I told you."
"Well, I thought that was normal."
James shook his head.
"You weren’t."
Liam looked back at the model.
"I suppose I appreciate the information."
James smiled.
"I’m glad."
"Although now I’m even more curious about what it’ll be like."
"That’s exactly what I was trying to avoid."
The three of them chuckled.
James walked around the table.
"If I could, I’d give you more information. But you’ll have to wait."
"I understand."
James stopped.
"The only thing I can tell you is something you should keep in mind."
Liam and Lydia looked at him.
"Many prospects fail because they believe the selection is a competition."
Liam frowned.
"Isn’t it?"
"In a sense."
James raised one finger.
"They’ll evaluate each hunter’s abilities individually, but you mustn’t forget what the ultimate goal is."
Lydia answered:
"To become part of a squad."
"Exactly."
James smiled.
"There are hunters who work completely alone. Some are excellent and can function perfectly well that way. But even they face more risks than someone who has teammates."
Liam slowly nodded.
"So it’s not just about proving who’s the strongest."
"Correct."
James pointed at the small figures on the model.
"A squad needs people who are capable of complementing one another."
Lydia smiled.
"That’s quite a bit more reassuring."
Liam nodded.
"Yeah."
For some reason, hearing that made the pressure he’d been feeling over the past few days ease up a little.
’Maybe I don’t have to worry so much about being the best.’
James smiled as he noticed their expressions.
"I’m glad to hear that."
After a few seconds, James seemed to remember something.
"Oh."
He walked toward one of the cabinets in his office.
"Since you’re already here..."
He opened a door and began searching inside.
Finally, James pulled out a strange device.
It looked like a small metal machine with several buttons and a transparent container on top.
Then he took out two laboratory jars.
One contained a dark powder.
The other contained a white powder.
James placed both on the table.
Liam looked at him in confusion.
"What’s that?"
James didn’t answer. He simply opened the jars and placed small amounts of both powders into another, much larger container.
Lydia stepped closer.
"Does that look like gunpowder to you?"
"That’s what I thought."
James looked at them with a smile on his face.
"Have you two never seen someone make coffee at work?"
Liam fell silent.
"That’s coffee?"
"Of course."
Lydia pointed at the white powder.
"And that?"
"Sweetener."
James closed the container.
"What else could it be?"
Liam scratched the back of his neck.
"I don’t know."
James burst out laughing.
"You’re both too young."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"And why do you keep coffee in jars like they’re laboratory materials?"
James placed the mixture inside the machine.
"Because they’re the kind of gifts children give to a scientist."
Lydia smiled.
"You have children?"
"Yes."
James pressed a few buttons, and the machine emitted a small sound.
Several rods descended from the top and began mixing the contents.
Then hot water began pouring into the container.
Liam watched the process with curiosity.
"That’s pretty advanced for making coffee."
James shrugged.
"My daughter says the same thing."
Lydia let out a small laugh.
"I think I want one too."
"You can buy one."
"How much does it cost?"
Liam laughed.
The machine began emitting a soft humming sound.
Then someone knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
James looked toward it.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Amber appeared on the other side.
The vice-captain wore her usual calm expression.
"James."
"Amber."
She entered and closed the door behind her.
Then she noticed Liam and Lydia.
"Oh."
Amber smiled.
"Hello, you two."
"Hi, Amber."
"I hope you don’t mind, but I came to talk to James about some suggestions I made regarding the squad selection."
Liam shook his head.
"No problem."
James raised a hand.
"I was just making them some coffee."
Amber smiled.
"Coffee?"
"Yes."
James pointed at the cups.
"If you don’t mind, you can stay until you finish it. Then you can leave, and we’ll have our confidential discussion."
Amber shrugged.
"I don’t mind."
She sat down in one of the chairs.
"Besides, today’s my day off."
James picked up the cups.
"Then you can take the opportunity to relax."
The machine emitted a louder sound, and James smiled.
"Done."
He opened the top and began pouring the coffee.
Liam received a cup.
"Thanks."
Lydia took hers.
"Thanks, James."
Amber received one as well.
"Thanks."
James finally sat down.
The four of them drank.
Liam immediately tasted the bitterness.
He couldn’t help but make a slight grimace.
Lydia noticed.
"You don’t like it?"
"It’s pretty strong."
James laughed.
"That’s how it’s supposed to be."
Amber took a sip.
"It’s good."
Liam looked at her in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Lydia took another sip.
"I think I need some sugar."
James pointed at the jar.
"Right there."
Lydia added a little.
A system window appeared before Liam’s eyes.
[Your Slime has consumed Bitter Coffee.]
[Your Slime has learned Fatigue Block.]
Liam simply smiled when he read this, believing it was some kind of joke from Pix.
◇◆◇
The conversation became more relaxed.
Amber placed her cup on the table.
"So..."
She looked at Liam and Lydia.
"How has this past month treated you?"
Liam thought for a moment.
"Well..."
He looked at Lydia, who was already smiling.
"Actually, we haven’t done much."
Amber raised an eyebrow.
"You haven’t done much?"
Lydia burst out laughing.
Liam shrugged.
"Not much."
Amber looked at them.
"Are you sure?"
Liam smiled.
"Well..."
’Maybe saying we haven’t done much is a little unfair.’
They had explored several dungeons.
They had obtained and sold materials.
Lydia had gained several levels and was even close to evolving again.
But compared to what experienced hunters like Amber probably did...
"Yeah."
Liam took another sip.
"We haven’t done that much."
Amber smiled.
"Then I suppose you’ll have plenty to tell me about."
Liam looked at Lydia, and Lydia looked back at him.
And they both smiled.