Kaden was an idiot for reasons that you could count on all ten fingers. For one, when his parents joked about what he’d do if they died, he never took their concerns seriously. What child would.

The second reason was that he never considered that when the customer had ordered an americano with caramel, they had meant that they wanted a frozen mocha with caramel drizzled on top. But yes, that must have been his fault too.

“Sir, your reciept says you ordered an americano…” Emi sighed, once again showing the unruly man the item, “I can remake it for you, but you would have to pay for the extra syrups and milk.” She glanced over at Kaden for backup.

This had been the third hunter that they’ve gotten this morning. Each one more unplesant than the last. But, it was typical for them. Kaden knew from the second he walked in that he would be trouble.

The guy groaned, his eyes darting to the time, “Look. Do you not see the urgency that I’m in,” the wannabe hunter tapped on his guild badge. Iron Valley. They had the most douchebags. His voice raised, “I risk my life everyday to protect incapable people like you, bitch.”

Despite Kaden wanting to focus on the register, he politely excused himself from the person that was ordering, “Give me a second Ma’am” he smiled, she seemed to understand the situation. Kaden walked over to try to save Emi.

A message popped up that only he could see:

[PERCENT OF FAILURE: 50%]

It was fine. He could swing that. Emi looked over for help and seemed to take a sigh of relief when Kaden stood next to her.

“What’s the problem?” Kaden sighed, already knowing what the issue was. After all, it was impossible not to hear this guy’s voice across the entire cafe. His eyes already scanned the receipt that was laid out on the counter.

“The problem is that this weak rank is telling me that I ordered the wrong thing.” The customer huffed, his veins popping out of his forehead. ‘What was his deal?’ Kaden thought.

“Emi, can you handle the register? I feel like I should practice some of my bar skills.” Kaden said simply. Emi nodded without much of a question and headed over to greet the lady at the register.

“Look Sir…” Kaden tried his best to look interested in whatever this douchebag had to say, “I can get the manager if you want?” He was the manager, by the way. At least when the owner wasn't here, which was most of the time. 

“Get them out right now! That should have been done ages ago!” The hunter yelled, seemingly happy that someone was attempting to solve the problem.

Now this is where Kaden lived up to being an idiot and was quite literally playing with fate. He was used to the probabilties by this point of his life. It was like dopamine to him. A high without the health risks. Well mostly.

He nodded and ducked under the counter, changing his hat to the green one that he should have been wearing when he clocked in that day that had the words: MANAGER. He popped his head above the counter and smiled with a shit-eating grin.

“….You’re talking to the manager. What seems to be the problem?” Kaden smiled, but it never reached his eyes. The guy clenched his fists. And Kaden wasn’t dumb enough to not have a plan.

“Putting on a green hat doesn’t make you a manager.” Well, it kinda did. 

“And picking up your own coffee doesn’t make you that important, does it?” Kaden went on, “I mean, if you’re working a gate, shouldn’t a staff member be picking up your coffee for you? Maybe they would have gotten the right thing for you.” He picked up the ticket and crumpled it.

“Do you want to die?” The hunter threatened.

“Harassing a civlian now?”

[PERCENT OF FAILURE: 100%]

He ignored it. It wasn’t his first time dealing with hunters. Before the guy was able to react, Kaden glanced at his name tag, reading it loudly, “Jonah Helion…. C Rank Hunter. You’re from the West Branch, correct?”

[PERCENT OF FAILURE: 60%]

The other customers around them quieted and listened in on the conversation. The whispers had already started.

‘Aren’t they working the portal in the yellow district today?’

‘Wow he’s kinda scary.’

‘I was behind him in line. He’s just being an jerk now’

It wasn’t long till Kaden heard what he was looking for. These types of people only listened when their reputation was on the line. Because only one thing mattered in this world. Your rank, power, stats, and the guild that you sell your soul to.

‘I should report him to the WOC for harassing civilans.’

[PERCENT OF FAILURE: 0%]

With that comment, the hunter’s demenor changed. Still frustrated, he glared at Kaden, who only contiuned to give him a service-quality smile.

“Please leave my cafe. We have the right to refuse service to anyone that we choose.” Kaden repeated again, only this time the smile dropped.

Without another word, the guy slammed his americano on the counter and muttered under his breathe, “I’m never coming back to this dump.”

Honestly, good riddance. The cafe didn't need more trash sitting around. 

There was no use simmering on the conversation, as another ticket printed through the hot bar. Americano. Black. Ironic.

Kaden qued up the espresso, placing the shot glass under the dispenser. He grabbed the cup and a seperate pitcher that he filled with hot water. Once the shots were done, he dumped them into the cup and pouring in the hot water.

He smiled as he handed the cup to the woman that was previously waiting at the register. She was dressed in a trench coat, her expression understanding to a fault, “Sorry that you had to wait for your coffee. Thanks for being so understanding.”

She gave a small laugh, “I deal with hunters for my job. I know how they get. It’s nice to see them get humbled every once in a while.”

“We get them occassionally at the shop.” Kaden explained, “Nothing that I can’t handle...” He grabbed a cookie and threw it in a pastry bag and passed it across the counter, “This is for being understanding.”

She took it with a smile, “Thanks.” She pulled something out of her purse, “This is the contact information for the complaint center of the WOC. If any hunters cause issues, you can call this number to report them. The WOC has a branch that handles public relations and hunter disturbances. They also have a website, but it’s more useful to just call them directly.”

Kaden took the card, tucking it in his pocket, “Wait, thank you. This is great. I’ll make sure to use it.” It was a lie for the most part. The last thing he wanted was to be associated with the WOC unless he was forced to.

The woman checked her watch, “Alright. Thanks again for everything! Remember to call that number if needed.” She hurried off with a wave.

Emi came over, “She seemed nice. I wonder if she works at the WOC.”

Kaden shrugged, tossing the card to Emi, “Catch.”

She barely caught the card, “What’s this?”

“In case that happens when I’m not here. Call that number. Think of it like pest control.” Kaden crouched down to remove the manager hat.

“I’ll have to thank her next time she comes into the shop.” Emi nodded.

“Yeah. It was nice of her. You normally can’t call them without a number.” It was notorious that whenever you needed the organizations help, they were hard to contact. Getting a card would be helpful in the shop, especially because they tended to get a lot of hunters that visited.

It was only a glimpse that he caught of her work badge. Kim Min-Jae. Rank S. World Order Council. Asian Branch.