The sky had shifted by the time Jun stepped outside.
Gray, soft-edged clouds pushed against the horizon.
The streets were damp, not from rain, but from the restless breath of the city waking up.
[First Task: Retry Available in: 23h 58m]
[Eviction Countdown: 2d 22h 48m]
Jun read the system logs once—then pushed them aside.
Thinking too hard about the ticking wouldn't make it easier.
His feet carried him nowhere in particular.
He didn't have beans.
He didn't have gear.
He didn't even have money to buy either.
All he had was time.
And even that was borrowed.
He ended up at the park bench—the same one he used to crash at when shifts at the center ran too late to justify walking home.
It looked smaller now.
Or maybe he had just gotten heavier with things unseen.
He sat.
Tugged the battered jacket tighter around him.
And thought.
The task was simple: brew real coffee.
Not instant.
Not half-hearted.
Real.
[System Reminder: Authentic Extraction Required – Definition: Manual brewing of coffee from fresh grounds using heat and filtered water.]
No cheat codes.
No side doors.
Only grind, heat, patience.
The irony didn't escape him.
He leaned his head back, staring at the gray sky.
No beans.
No way to grind them even if he found some.
No way to boil water without risking another blackout.
Unless…
He tapped the system window again.
Scrolled.
Hidden at the bottom of the task details was a note:
[Optional Hint: Task Completion Methods May Include: Borrowing, Bartering, Pop-up Volunteer Opportunities.]
Jun sat up.
Borrowing.
Bartering.
Pop-up kitchens.
His mind turned—slow at first, then faster.
Maybe there was a way after all.
He stood, hands still jammed into his pockets, and started walking again.
Different direction this time.
Not aimless.
Looking for places people might gather.
Places where coffee might spill—literally or otherwise.
He passed tiny bookstores.
Bakery windows glowing gold.
Old men sweeping sidewalks in slow, habitual arcs.
The city wasn't full yet.
There was still a small hour before crowds arrived.
If he moved fast—If he asked carefully—
Maybe, just maybe, he could find what he needed.
[System Log: Passive Quest Activated – Scavenge Opportunity Detection.]
Logged User: Stylsite08
Path: Stillness to Mastery
Unauthorized copies may trigger system disruption.
Original work by Stylsite08. Do not repost or distribute without permission. All rights reserved.