Goblin Library - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 16

While I learned how to brew coffee from Kim Hyang-i’s book, I had somehow managed to read all the way to the final page.
“This is entertaining.”
Since each episode wasn’t particularly long, the total volume seemed to amount to roughly one and a half standard novels.
I closed the book and looked up. The Bamboo Sword Goblin was sipping coffee while typing rapidly on the keyboard.
Tap-tap-tap… tap-tap…
The soft keyboard sounds echoed through the Goblin Library.
‘He really knows how to concentrate.’
While I finished reading an entire book, the Bamboo Sword Goblin hadn’t even stood up, continuing to write.
Watching him work, I rose and approached the coffee machine.
I placed the coffee beans into the grinder and turned the handle.
Crunch-crunch-crunch! Crunch-crunch!
As I turned the handle, I recalled a passage from the book.
“When grinding coffee beans, you must turn slowly while being careful not to generate friction heat. If heat develops, the taste and aroma of the beans can change.”
Murmuring the passage to myself so I wouldn’t forget any detail, I ground the beans carefully and slowly.
Then I glanced at the Bamboo Sword Goblin.
‘The taste changes depending on the particle size of the beans—I wonder what flavor he prefers?’
According to what I’d read, the coffee’s taste varies depending on how finely the beans are ground.
Coarser particles mean less water contact area, resulting in a lighter, more delicate flavor, while moderate grinding produces a clean, balanced taste.
Very finely ground beans, on the other hand, yield a deep aroma and the strong bitterness characteristic of coffee.
The most likely reason the Bamboo Sword Goblin disliked my coffee was probably the particle size.
I had ground the beans as he instructed, but the particles were inconsistent in size.
While the Goblin himself could judge by touch how much to grind, I couldn’t.
‘I should practice making coffee that suits the boss’s taste.’
Murmuring to myself, I slowed my grinding until I felt it was ready, then stopped.
I placed the ground beans into a paper coffee filter and slowly poured water over them.
“To extract a rich coffee aroma, what matters is the bean particle size, water temperature… and the duration the beans are in contact with the water. Pour the water as slowly as possible to maximize contact time.”
After murmuring softly, I poured the water in a circular motion.
Glug-glug! Glug-glug!
As the water touched the ground beans, a delicate coffee foam began to rise.
Watching the foam form in coffee-colored swirls, I licked my lips.
‘The book showed the foam rising more abundantly than this.’
Comparing it to the illustrations in the book, my coffee seemed even more pathetic.
‘What am I doing wrong?’
Even as I puzzled over it, I continued pouring water slowly to finish brewing the coffee.
Once it was complete, I divided it into two cups and brought one to my lips.
The fragrant aroma of coffee seeped into my nostrils.
‘Good aroma.’
Typhoon murmured inwardly and took a sip. He wasn’t well-versed in coffee, so he couldn’t quite tell if it tasted good or not, but he sensed a smooth, roasted flavor.
‘Is this delicious?’
Hoping this would suit the Bamboo Sword Goblin’s palate better than the previous attempt, Typhoon picked up another cup and brought it to him.
“I’ve brought your coffee.”
At Typhoon’s words, the Bamboo Sword Goblin paused his writing hand and glanced at the coffee cup.
He then took the cup, inhaled its aroma, and took a sip.
The Bamboo Sword Goblin nodded.
“The taste has improved somewhat.”
“I learned a great deal from books. Oh! I read that the flavor and aroma change depending on the size of the coffee bean particles. If it doesn’t suit your taste, should I grind the beans less? Or more?”
At Typhoon’s words, the Bamboo Sword Goblin gazed at the coffee for a moment, then took another sip.
Seeing him nod as if pleased, Typhoon asked.
“Then, shall I serve it as it is?”
At Typhoon’s question, the Bamboo Sword Goblin thought for a moment before speaking.
“I’d prefer the aroma and flavor to be a bit more intense here.”
“The aroma and flavor… I understand. Then I’ll grind it a bit more.”
Typhoon picked up the tray and walked back toward where the coffee machine was.
He took a sip of his own coffee and began grinding the beans.
Whirrrr! Whirrrr!
As Typhoon ground the beans slowly with utmost care, he stopped after turning the grinder about four more rotations than before.
Then, suddenly, Typhoon picked up the Kim Hyang-i book that had been placed on the Goblin Library counter.
He then opened the book, seemingly lost in thought.

***

“You don’t know how many times to turn the grinder when grinding coffee?”
“I wrote down how many times you do it, but the number always changes.”
“You wrote down how many times I turn the grinder?”
“Yes.”
At Kim Hyang-i’s response, the owner looked at her and spoke with a smile.
“The fineness of the grind isn’t determined by how many times you turn the grinder.”
“Then what is it?”
“Even beans from the same bag have different levels of hardness. And the hardness changes depending on the humidity that day. So how could grinding them the same number of times work?”
“That’s… true.”
The owner spoke to Kim Hyang-i.
“What matters isn’t the number of turns—it’s the sensation in your hands.”
“The sensation in my hands?”
“You remember the sensation you feel in your hands when turning the grinder. And you have to remember that sensation for each customer’s preference.”
“For each customer?”
“Some customers enjoy light coffee flavors and tastes, while others prefer rich, heavy ones. You have to grind accordingly for each person.”
Then the owner patted Kim Hyang-i on the head.
“The most delicious coffee in the world isn’t made by someone who’s skilled at making coffee—it’s coffee tailored to that person’s taste.”

***

Taepung nodded as I read the conversation between Kim Hyang-i and the owner.
‘It’s true—I’ve had times when food I thought was delicious, other kids didn’t like. Everyone has different taste preferences.’
Muttering softly, I focused on the sensation of the beans grinding and turned the handle.
When I thought it was enough, I poured out the grounds and added water.
Glug, glug!
The coffee began dripping slowly through the grounds. Once it finished brewing, I poured it into two cups.
And I took a sip.
The aroma and flavor were a bit richer than before.
So I brought a cup to the Bamboo Sword Goblin.
“I’ve brought you a fresh cup.”
At my words, the Bamboo Sword Goblin looked at the coffee cup beside him. There was still half a cup left.
“Should I bring it later?”
“Give it to me.”
At the Bamboo Sword Goblin’s words, I set down the cup. The Bamboo Sword Goblin picked up the cup and took a sip, then thought for a moment before speaking.
“This level will do going forward.”
“Does it suit your taste?”
“Not quite. But this isn’t coffee I’ll only drink today. It will improve over time.”
I nodded. While working here, I would make coffee for the Bamboo Sword Goblin often.
That way, I could gradually adjust it to suit his taste better each day.
“I’ve updated the manuscript. Read it if you want.”
At the Bamboo Sword Goblin’s words, Typhoon picked up Lim Sung-un’s book.
“Have you finished reading it?”
“Not entirely, but I’ve gotten through a good portion….”
Typhoon opened the book, and the last section I’d been reading appeared before us.
I began reading from that point onward.
The narrative took place when Go Gwang-jin, facing drug charges, asked a friend to arrange a meeting with a different lawyer.

***

“Prosecutor Lim Sung-un has been… assigned to the case?”
The Lawyer’s eyes widened in shock, and Go Gwang-jin squinted.
“That’s what I’m telling you. So what kind of man is he?”
At Go Gwang-jin’s question, the Lawyer hesitated before speaking.
“Lim Sung-un is our number one target to avoid. Among ourselves, we commonly call him a mad dog.”
“Number one to avoid? A mad dog?”
“Bribes and entertainment have absolutely no effect on him. You may not know this, but the second son of Korean Milk got caught by Lim Sung-un and is now in prison.”
“Korean Milk?”
While it couldn’t compare to the Daelyeong Group, the company still ranked among the top three in the food industry.
It was a company ordinary people would readily call a conglomerate, yet the second son was imprisoned?
Watching Go Gwang-jin squint, the Lawyer pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his forehead, and spoke.
“That’s why people usually make arrangements beforehand to avoid being assigned to Lim Sung-un….”
At the Lawyer’s trailing words, Go Gwang-jin clenched his fist.
Crack!
“You’re saying my family didn’t make any arrangements?”
At Go Gwang-jin’s question, the Lawyer hesitated before responding.
“The Chief Prosecutor assigns cases. While it’s difficult to influence Lim Sung-un, the Chief Prosecutor Bae Jeong-un above him can certainly be influenced.”
“So did my family make arrangements or not?”
Despite Go Gwang-jin’s pressing, the Lawyer couldn’t bring himself to speak openly. He’d come because he was ordered from above, but this was a conglomerate family matter.
He had no idea what might happen if he misspoke. The Lawyer remained silent, hesitating. Instead, his eyes conveyed the answer. He seemed to say: You fool, please understand from this.
Observing the Lawyer’s silence, Go Gwang-jin nodded.
“I’ll need to find a new lawyer.”
At Go Gwang-jin’s words, the Lawyer sighed and rose from his seat.
“Then I’ll be going….”
Seeing the Lawyer hurriedly stand as if to say don’t hire me, Go Gwang-jin let out a short laugh.
“I’ll have to meet with the prosecutor.”
And after that, Go Gwang-jin met with Lim Sung-un again and underwent what was ostensibly an investigation.
During that meeting, Lim Sung-un made Go Gwang-jin a deal: confess to the various crimes entangled with Go Gwang-jin’s Uncle, and he would recommend the minimum sentence.
That was the offer.
Of course, Go Gwang-jin wanted to be cleared of charges, but Lim Sung-un refused. Instead, he showed the comparison between the maximum and minimum sentences, explaining that accepting the minimum sentence would be more advantageous.
He then presented evidence of Go Gwang-jin’s criminal charges that he’d separately investigated.
He said that if Go Gwang-jin didn’t cooperate with him, he would prosecute these matters as well.
So Go Gwang-jin accepted the deal. In return, he made one demand.
He insisted that Go Gwang-jin’s Uncle be arrested and imprisoned—specifically in the same Prison where he was being held.
Since it was an easy request to fulfill, Lim Sung-un readily agreed.
After that, Go Gwang-jin explained the illicit acts that his Uncle had committed for business purposes or personal gain.
Though I didn’t know all the details, Go Gwang-jin knew enough about them.
Of course, there was no evidence. But that didn’t matter to Lim Sung-un. Once he knew what suspicions existed, he could conduct the investigation himself, including securing evidence.
Whether through legal or illegal means.

***

‘He got caught while trying to catch evidence.’
As I read the book, I understood how the crisis had come to Lim Sung-un.
The text stopped at the part where the swordsman from China confirmed Lim Sung-un’s information and received his flight ticket to leave Korea immediately after the job was done along with the payment.
Using a Korean would risk exposure, so he shrewdly made the request through a Chinese broker, completed the job, and had him leave Korea right away.
After reading that far, I looked at the Bamboo Sword Goblin. The Bamboo Sword Goblin was drinking coffee while looking at his laptop.
“Does he die at the hands of the swordsman?”
“Well… we Goblins don’t know the future either. We only see the flow of causality….”
But the Bamboo Sword Goblin’s face as he spoke was gloomy. Looking at that expression, it seemed he had already sensed that the protagonist he had grown attached to would die.
Watching the Bamboo Sword Goblin like that, I spoke.
“Should I go meet him and tell him? That there’s someone targeting him?”
“You?”
“When a Goblin uses his power, it’s author intervention… but I’m human, so it would just be adding one more character to the story. I don’t think it would seem strange.”
“You would do this?”
“Yes.”
At my words, the Bamboo Sword Goblin thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Hmm… well, uh…. No.”
Seeing the Bamboo Sword Goblin about to ask something but then shaking his head, I asked.
“What were you about to say?”
“I was going to ask how you’d do it… but if I know your thoughts, it would become author intervention. If you want to do it, go ahead on your own.”
“Is that really alright?”
“A workplace doesn’t interfere in an employee’s personal life.”
“That’s… true. I understand.”
The Bamboo Sword Goblin nodded at my words and pulled a small shoehorn from his pocket.
“Take this with you.”
‘A shoehorn?’
True to the Bamboo Sword Goblin’s name, the shoehorn carved from bamboo was so small it fit perfectly in the palm of my hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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