The wind nipped at Jun's cheeks as he walked briskly down the street, jacket barely holding back the morning chill. His breath misted in the air, and his hands remained jammed deep in his pockets.
He didn't have a plan. Just a mission—and twelve hours to complete it.
[First Task: Brew Real Coffee – Time Remaining: 12h 06m]
He scoured familiar alleys and backstreets, thinking, hoping. Then he remembered the community center—the one near the park where he used to volunteer for meal handouts. They had a kitchenette. Maybe—just maybe—it still worked.
When he arrived, the center was just opening. A young woman with a name tag reading Mina glanced up from behind the front desk. Her tired eyes scanned him quickly.
"You again?" she said, arching a brow.
Jun gave a sheepish smile. "Hey… is your kitchen still open?"
"For volunteers. And we don't give out snacks."
"I don't need food," he said quickly. "Just… equipment. A kettle. Maybe a French press?"
Mina stared at him. "Why would anyone need that if they're not here to eat?"
Jun scratched his head. "It's… for something important. Please."
She sighed, clearly debating whether to shoo him off. "We've got a kettle and a busted press in the back. No promises it works. You break anything, you clean the bathroom."
"Deal."
The kitchenette was tiny and grimy, but the kettle still hummed when plugged in. He rummaged through drawers until he found the old French press—cracked handle, but still functional.
Then the real problem hit him.
No beans.
He turned, deflated. "Do you have any coffee beans? Real ones?"
Mina peeked in from the door, chewing on a granola bar. "I've got half a bag. Ethiopian. I use it for myself. Why?"
Jun hesitated, then bowed slightly. "Can I use some? Just enough for one cup?"
She looked at him like he was mad, then shrugged. "You're weird. Fine. But only if you clean the sink after."
He nodded gratefully. "Deal again."
She returned a moment later, handing him a small pouch. He measured, ground, and prepped the French press like he'd seen online videos do a hundred times. Water heated. Aroma bloomed. His hands trembled.
[Extraction in progress...]
He waited four minutes. Then slowly pressed the plunger.
Just as he poured the first drop—
BZZZZT.
The lights flickered. The old outlet sparked.
The kettle cut off. The press shook slightly.
[System Error: Extraction Interrupted. Task Failed.]
Jun stood frozen, mug in hand, heart sinking.
[Retry Available in 24h. Time Remaining Until Eviction: 2d 23h]
He slumped against the counter.
"Well," Mina said from behind, sipping her granola bar and coffee. "That was dramatic."
Jun chuckled weakly. "You have no idea."