PRB | Chapter 3

Eddie turned around, wondering if everything until now had been a dream and he had finally woken up. But behind him were still the stairs leading to the basement of Eddie’s Inn.

He looked forward again. It was indeed his convenience store, the one he had been in just before reincarnating.

“…Wow.”

The ramen section was packed, along with the triangle kimbap, gimbap, sandwich section, and the various lunch boxes, snacks, jellies, and hangover cures below.

His convenience store was in the same perfect order as always, thanks to his love for cleanliness.

There was even a microwave, despite the lack of electricity. Eddie, as if entranced, approached and pressed the start button. With a whirring sound, it automatically set to 30 seconds and began to operate.

The orange light inside the microwave was clear.

Wait, how is this working without electricity?

Curious, he checked behind the microwave but found no power cord.

“Wow.”

Eddie also checked the coffee machine. He thought he’d never have an iced Americano large size again. He tore open an ice cup, placed it under the machine, and pressed the Americano button. The familiar whirring sound and scent hit his nose.

Naturally, the coffee machine also had no visible power cord. There was no need to supply water or beans either.

Short-shelf-life items like triangle kimbap had no expiration stickers. In fact, nothing had an expiration date.

When he took a triangle kimbap from the shelf, a new one immediately replaced it. The same went for ramen and snacks. It was like an automated factory.

“…Wow.”

Eddie couldn’t gather his thoughts for a while. All he could say was “Wow,” over and over.

A convenience store that didn’t require first-in, first-out logistics management. And everything seemed to replenish for free. What a benefit.

Benefit?

“Oh.”

After a moment of thought, Eddie realized something big.

This was his reincarnation benefit. Just days ago, he had grumbled about having “no perks” in this reincarnation.

This was a secret, but around two days into his reincarnation, Eddie had quietly muttered “status window” to himself. Of course, there was no such thing in the classic fantasy “The Hero Doesn’t Hide His Power Well.”

And this was perhaps much, much better than the status window he had timidly hoped for.

No, it was better.

In his previous life, it was just one of the many convenience stores scattered around, with four in the apartment complex alone. But in this world, there was only one convenience store.

“Oh!”

Eddie had another realization.

The past week’s struggle over the pathetic menu had been pointless.

Why bother developing modern corporate recipes to fit this world’s tastes and experimenting with flavors?

All you had to do was boil water or use the microwave!

“Heh.”

Eddie quickly covered his mouth.

Was it because he was shocked? Because he suddenly felt nostalgic for the convenience store he had grown accustomed to?

No.

Eddie couldn’t hide his twitching lips. Even though no one was watching, he couldn’t help but feel a capitalistic smile forming.

“…This is huge.”

He felt the energy of a jackpot.

Eddie suddenly thought of something and dashed to the ramen section. Recently, convenience stores had been flooded with new products, with a variety of flavors unlike the past.

Of course, there were still strong contenders that maintained their traditional popularity, but there were always new rising stars.

Yes, like that ramen he loved, especially on stressful days when he would add cheese for a hearty meal.

Eddie found the ramen with the fire-breathing character and smiled wickedly.

𐙚 𐙚 𐙚

Eddie first created a large menu board on the wall. He wrote down the simple, almost pitiful menu of fries, fried fish, and fruit platter, then added a new item below.

[New! Fire Chicken Noodles]

Next to it, he added the only alcoholic beverage at Eddie’s Inn, draft beer. Although there were various types of alcohol in the convenience store, he decided not to add them to the menu immediately.

“Oh.”

But as if remembering something, Eddie added milk below the beer. If Fire Chicken Noodles became popular, this would be essential.

Looking at the now-expanded menu, Eddie smiled with satisfaction. It was still sparse for a restaurant and tavern menu, but it was a start.

The convenience store’s infinite stock had much more to offer, but starting with too many items could lead to chaos.

To the people of the Reneba Empire, all of this would be unfamiliar food.

Why choose Fire Chicken Noodles among all the possible menu items?

Because the first impression had to be strong. Especially in a place where customers had no expectations for the food, word of mouth was crucial.

Fire Chicken Noodles were perfect for that. They could bring both taste and buzz.

Business was like a marathon, where consistency was key, but unlike a marathon, the start was also important. Eddie, standing at the starting line, had chosen the menu after careful consideration.

“Heh, Eddie, what is this?”

The day they first made Fire Chicken Noodles, Gerald couldn’t help but ask what it was when the strong spicy aroma hit him as soon as he opened the sauce packet.

“It’s the start of a new chapter for Eddie’s Inn.”

“What?”

“Just think of it that way.”

It was hard to explain. Unlike Eddie, Gerald didn’t even recognize the existence of the convenience store and just believed there was a locked basement door there.

Since it was difficult to explain, Eddie brushed it off, and the loyal Gerald nodded without further questions.

What a good guy.

He was bigger and more muscular than Eddie, who was already tall and well-built, but he was so obedient and kind that he seemed incredibly cute.

Suppressing the urge to pat his head, Eddie watched as the Fire Chicken Noodles were completed.

The Fire Chicken Noodles he hadn’t tasted in a while were a stress-relieving delight. They felt spicier than usual, perhaps because his new body was less tolerant of spiciness, but such things were conquered with willpower.

“Heh, Eddie, it’s too spicy.”

Gerald, who had taken a bite, turned red.

“Drink this.”

Eddie handed him a banana milk he had prepared in advance. Gerald took it without checking and gulped it down, then widened his eyes.

“Eddie, what is this…?”

“Tasty, right?”

Even while struggling with the lingering spiciness, Gerald nodded. Longevity had its reasons. Eddie felt a sense of pride, even though he hadn’t made it himself, and shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ll place the fridge at the entrance, so give one to each customer as a service.”

Banana milk wasn’t on the menu. But any customer visiting Eddie’s Inn would get to taste one.

It was a “bait product.”

And since it was one of the items that replenished infinitely for Eddie, it was free, so there was no loss.

If he failed with this, he really shouldn’t be in business.

Eddie clapped his hands.

“Let’s get started.”

Eddie’s Inn was embarking on a new journey.

𐙚 𐙚 𐙚

Of course, not everything went smoothly from the start. Eddie’s Inn didn’t have any regular customers to begin with.

He needed customers to spread the word, but most were just passing through, not interested in the menu.

Even the occasional customers didn’t pay much attention to the menu. They ordered fries, fried fish, and beer out of habit.

Since he couldn’t serve something they didn’t order, Eddie patiently waited for a chance to showcase the new menu.

Meanwhile, the policy of giving out free banana milk was in effect, so customers took one with a puzzled look.

Most of the guests were travelers with no ties to the Empire, so the chances of them returning after tasting the free milk were slim. But he thought, you can’t be full from the first bite.

Finally, the opportunity he had been waiting for arrived.

“Innkeeper! Three beers and any snack!”

Two weeks into Eddie’s reincarnation, about a week into serious business, someone finally took the bait.

Watching them clink their beer mugs, chanting for hero Arthur, mage Boram, divine Augustine, and the Emperor, Eddie smiled warmly on the outside.

“Gerald, one Fire Chicken Noodles.”

It was the smile of a devil.