Menu No. 13 - Vanguard and Kazuha

A new line appeared on the guild café’s chalkboard menu that morning —
“V60” and “Coldbrew.”

Simple words, yet they carried the scent of something new.

The V60 was a hot brew — light, fragrant, and elegant — while Coldbrew was its calm opposite: cool, steady, and refreshing any time of the day. I didn’t expect it, but before an hour even passed, every bottle of Coldbrew was gone. It sold out faster than bread after a dungeon raid.

Somehow, I’d finally returned to the job I loved most. A barista once more.
Even though I still cooked meals when coffee orders ran low, my heart found peace each time I heard the gentle drip of water through coffee grounds.

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Now I was preparing a cup of V60 by hand for a customer — swirling the kettle in a slow, steady motion. The stream of hot water danced like golden threads, weaving into the blooming coffee bed. The aroma lifted, soft and bittersweet, and the guild’s usual clamor faded into quiet admiration.

As soon as I handed over the cup, another order arrived. Then another.

It was strange — my coffee had become popular. Adventurers I had never seen before were coming to this guild, drawn not by quests or loot, but by a cup of my brew.

“This V60 of yours really is something, Mika,” said Kazuha, leaning on the counter with his usual smirk.

“Haha, yeah, maybe a little,” I replied modestly.

“But…” he said, leaning closer until I could feel his breath near my ear, “how about letting Arumi-san be the one who brews it next time?”

I froze and gave him a suspicious look.

“Hey! Don’t look at me like that! Mika! And you too, Asuna?! Tiara?! What’s with those faces?!”

Of course, the girls didn’t need to say a word — they could already tell what kind of nonsense was running through Kazuha’s mind.

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Tiara later told me their latest dungeon expedition went deeper than ever before. They’d even discovered a new hidden path. Meanwhile, Asuna mentioned something curious — after drinking my V60, her vision in the dark seemed sharper, clearer.

I blinked in disbelief. “Could the V60 be… magical?” I whispered to myself, before quickly brushing the thought away. There’s no way coffee could have that kind of effect… right?

But before I could ponder further, the guild doors slammed open.
A familiar voice echoed, followed by the heavy steps of armored boots.

Vanguard and his party, Oathbound, had arrived.

The moment Vanguard spotted Kazuha, his eyes narrowed, and in a flash — shhhk! — his sword was drawn. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. Drawing weapons inside the guild was forbidden!

“Wait—!” I jumped in front of them instinctively, but no one else seemed alarmed. Instead, Tiara caught my wrist and whispered, “Let them.”

The tension thickened.

Kazuha grinned and activated his stealth skill, vanishing in a shimmer of light. Vanguard, however, simply closed his eyes, sword in hand, body steady as a statue.

Then — clang! — a blade met a dagger midair.
Sparks flew, then again, and again — two, three times they clashed.

It was the first time I’d ever seen a duel that close. Not through a screen, not through a quest log, but right before my eyes. Every motion felt raw and alive — the rhythm of steel, breath, and focus blending like music.

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By nightfall, the guild had grown quiet again. The tables were mostly empty, the lanterns dimmed, and the scent of roasted beans lingered softly in the air.

“Asuna,” I said while wiping the counter, “what was that about earlier?”

She looked thoughtful, almost troubled. “There’s something strange going on lately,” she said. “Have you noticed anyone… unusual coming here?”

Before I could answer, a commotion stirred outside.

The guild doors creaked open once more — and this time, silence swept through the hall.

A group entered — their armor gleamed silver under the candlelight, their cloaks embroidered with intricate patterns of gold. They moved in perfect formation, disciplined and composed.

Whispers rippled among the adventurers.
“The Templar Knights…?”
“What are they doing here?”

Even I froze for a second. They looked different from the rowdy adventurers — refined, almost regal. True knights.

They paused near the entrance, scanning the guild with calm authority before walking straight toward the main hall. The clinking of their armor echoed like distant bells.

When they sat at the central table, everyone held their breath. One of them raised his hand, a subtle gesture — yet somehow commanding enough to still the entire room.

Asuna stepped forward nervously, ready to greet them. But before she could speak, the sound of footsteps came from the kitchen.

It was Arumi.

Her expression was calm, but even she seemed caught off guard. She walked toward the knights, her white apron fluttering lightly as she bowed slightly.

“Welcome to the guild café,” she said politely.

The knight leader nodded. “We’ve heard rumors… about a special brew served here. Something called V60.”

The entire hall murmured again. Even Asuna’s eyes widened — she hadn’t expected them to come for coffee.

Arumi turned toward me and gave a small, knowing smile.
“Mika,” she said softly, “prepare one for them.”

The guild fell silent once more as I reached for the dripper.

This time, the moment felt heavier — sacred, almost. The kettle trembled slightly in my hands as I began to pour, the water spiraling down like silver threads weaving a spell. The fragrance spread slowly, like a whisper that wrapped around everyone’s senses.

Even the knights’ stern faces softened slightly at the scent.

In that quiet, I realized something:
Maybe it wasn’t magic in the coffee. Maybe it was simply the warmth, the care, and the will to make something meaningful — even in a world full of swords and monsters.

As the final drop fell, I set the cup in front of the knight. Steam curled like a ghostly ribbon between us.

He lifted it, took a sip — and for the briefest moment, a faint smile appeared beneath his helm.

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The guild held its breath, waiting for his words.

“This…” he said finally, “is extraordinary.”

I exhaled without realizing I’d been holding my breath.

And just like that, the night in Dungeon Caffee changed again — from laughter and brawls, to duels and knights — yet always returning to the same gentle sound of coffee dripping, one drop at a time.