Jun stared at the digital overlay floating in front of his eyes as he packed up his gear.
[Temporary Brewing Permit – Valid: 3 Days]
Restricted to low-traffic zones. No commercial transactions allowed. One warning per violation.
The permit icon glowed soft blue—proof that for the next 72 hours, he had the right to brew without fear of being kicked out or fined. It felt almost... official.
He zipped the canvas tote shut and started walking, each step lighter than yesterday.
He returned to the same bench near the park. No sign this time—just the gear, the motion, the focus.
The cups came slowly. One student. A quiet office worker. A delivery guy who left with a double nod.
Jun didn't rush.
[Buff Active – Clear Head]
Brewing Precision Slightly Increased (15 minutes)
His hands flowed smoothly. The water poured in spirals. Angles sharp. Pours clean. Even the bloom had a symmetry he hadn't seen before.
The difference wasn't dramatic—but he felt it.
[Buff Expired – Clear Head]
He wiped his brow and leaned against the bench. Still good. But not perfect. That buff was no joke.
By afternoon, he had served eight cups, earned a few coins in the tip jar someone insisted on leaving behind, and most importantly—no one complained.
But as he packed up, he noticed something new.
Across the street, taped to the window of Bean & Bite, was a printed flyer:
Barista Throwdown – This Sunday @ Noon
Sponsored by the District Café Guild. Open Brew Battle. Entry: Free. Public Voting.
Jun read it twice.
Then the system pinged:
[System Update – Community Opportunity Identified]
Event: Local Brew Battle (Public Voting)
Exceptional performance may trigger advanced system sensitivity.
Rival presence confirmed. Visibility stakes elevated.
His mouth felt dry.
He didn't even know how to do latte art yet.
And yet…
Three days to train. No budget. Barely a permit. And a café rival already waiting.
He slid the flyer into his tote and walked home in silence.
The path wasn't clearing.
It was narrowing—and he was walking straight into it.