How to Survive as a Trash Extra Villain

Chapter 3

ID Recola. I’d thought of them so much I’d investigated them. In Spanish, it meant “summon.” Intentional or not, I was convinced Recola was the one who’d possessed me into Martin.

They wanted Martin, the trash extra villain, to survive until the apocalypse, unlike in the original story.

And I, Kim An-hyun, was the tool for that.

Why me?

What was this novel’s world?

Why had my original villain character, Martin, been added to Recola’s novel, and why was I possessed into him?

I knew nothing.

It felt like my head had been struck by a battering ram, but I wasn’t a novelist for nothing. Instead of collapsing in despair, I decided to adapt to this world.

“Hm… to the bank.”

Of course, I didn’t leave without a plan. Surviving the apocalypse would be tough, but securing basic needs in this world… would be easier than expected. I’d even gotten a hint. I already had a plan in mind.

“Welcome to Imperium Bank. How may we assist you?”

“Check my account balance.”

The Imperium Bank’s main branch, towering in the capital’s center, made people look like ants. As the continent’s largest bank, also serving as a post office, telegraph office, and real estate agency, the crowd was inevitable.

“Yes, we’ll check the balance for customer Martin von Targon Ulvhadin.”

The result: 100 gold, 92 silver, and 41 copper remained.

One copper was 100 won, one silver was 10,000 won, one gold was 1,000,000 won. 100 gold, used only by high nobles, was 100,000,000 won.

In total, nearly 200,000,000 won.

Even a rotten noble is still a noble.

My lips twitched. Holding back a laugh was this hard?

Martin, despite his vile temper, was a kid who didn’t know how to spend money. He’d stashed his allowance and earnings from his violent circle in the bank.

“I’d like to use the transfer function. Send 100 gold with this letter to the Imperium Academy administration, and 50 gold with this letter separately.”

I sent three pre-written letters.

The fine, compensation, and public apology demanded by the Imperium Academy’s disciplinary committee.

The academy wouldn’t welcome it. Even for a noble, a 150,000,000 won fine, 200 hours of community service, and a public apology was essentially a “don’t come back.”

But what could I do? To survive the apocalypse, I had to go.

“That leaves… about 43 gold.”

Slightly short for the second semester’s tuition. I’d paid the first semester upon enrollment, but three years required far more than 43 gold.

Worrying about the world’s end while securing living expenses—what a life.

“Master, it’s getting dark. Shall I book an inn?”

“Yes.”

I wandered with the maid, looking for an inn.

Honestly, I don’t know if this is the right move.

I didn’t understand why this maid was so devoted to Martin. Especially when she prostrated herself before the patriarch to defend me, I was more shocked than anyone.

I’d clearly given her a chance to leave, yet she stayed. Whether it was acting or sincerity didn’t matter anymore.

This maid was my only chess piece.

“Master, this inn seems the cheapest with decent rooms.”

“Fine.”

“Shall I book it? Since… we need to save money… a single room…?”

“Do as you like.”

What had happened to make her so loyal to Martin?

The patriarch and maid implied Martin had brought her. Probably true.

It was strange. This world had become independent in its creation. Parts not revealed in the novel had been automatically set.

I’d never created this maid or detailed Martin’s past.

“Master, I’ll prepare the bedding.”

The maid swiftly straightened the single bed’s sheets and neatly arranged the blanket.

…She was good at her job.

Which made her even more suspicious. Could I really trust her? There were ways to find out. The most certain was entrusting her with “money” and “work.”

“Do you know anything about coffee?”

“Pardon?”

The maid blinked in surprise.

“Yes… I only know it’s a southern drink.”

“I’m going to sell coffee.”

“What?!”

Her shock doubled, her eyes blinking rapidly.

“A-Are you saying you’ll start a food business…?”

“Yes. You’ll have to work.”

At my bombshell, the maid stared wide-eyed, then politely clasped her hands and bowed.

“If Master commands, I’ll do anything.”

After unpacking lightly, we headed to the market.

Sourcing coffee beans, cocoa, sugar, milk, and cream was easy. The Imperium Empire was the world’s strongest nation, and its capital was where all goods converged.

“But why coffee…?”

Because my only qualification from Earth was a barista license. I’d even started a café.

That damned Recola mentioned coffee in the note for this reason, didn’t they?

“It’s delicious, coffee.”

I, Kim An-hyun, loved coffee. I hoped Martin’s body wasn’t allergic to caffeine.

It probably wasn’t. When I created Martin, I explicitly made him a coffee enthusiast.

The maid, learning something new, jotted it in her notebook.

“Master likes coffee. I didn’t know.”

“Hm, the mansion didn’t have coffee.”

As usual, tea was a fine delicacy for nobles and commoners alike.

The Imperium Empire mainly drank black tea; coffee and green tea weren’t mainstream. But from the early-to-mid story, green tea became trendy, and by the mid-story, coffee gained popularity. Despite the timing, Imperium citizens loved all kinds of tea.

Knowing customer preferences and mastering a winning menu made things much easier.

I’ll show them the spicy taste of Korean coffee.

Not bland tea made by pouring water over coffee, but sweet coffee—unknown in this world—made with heaps of sugar and cream.

“Watch closely. This is how it’s done.”

I roasted and ground coffee beans, added water, and mixed various brews.

“This is espresso. Add water, it’s an Americano. Add milk, it’s a café latte. Add chocolate syrup, it’s a café mocha.”

The maid watched my barista skills with sparkling eyes.

“Master knows so much about coffee.”

Back then… I’d gotten a barista license and started a café. It was good for writing novels and earning money. The start was promising, but I was outcompeted by big franchise chains.

“Go out and sell coffee. Can you do it?”

“Yes, Master. Understood.”

The maid bowed in submission.

At a carpentry shop, I had a small but sturdy handcart made. Using special durable wood cost a pretty penny, but it was manageable for now.

“And.”

This was a test.

“We’ll stop by Imperium Bank again on the way. Keep that in mind.”

My trap to test this mysterious maid’s true intentions.

“Yes!”

I pushed the coffee cart with the maid, roaming markets and squares. Seeing the world I’d only read about was a fresh experience.

I wanted to prepare leisurely, but securing a revenue stream now would help later.

“No one’s buying coffee…”

The maid pouted, disappointed.

It was a new business, so I’d expected low sales. Coffee was an exotic drink, and we had no proper advertising.

Today wasn’t our day. Tomorrow, I’d hold a free coffee event to attract people.

“Hey, you, maid!”

An old man, watching the stall from a bench, stood and approached slowly.

“Yes!”

The maid greeted him with a bright smile.

“Are you selling this?”

“Yes! It’s called coffee, a type of tea often drunk in the southern continent.”

“Tea? Hmm, foreign tea is nice. Give me a cup.”

At the old man’s order, the maid smiled at me, then asked.

“Sir, what kind of tea are you in the mood for today?”

“It’s spring, so something sweet.”

The maid quickly mixed ingredients and brewed the coffee.

The old man took a sip.

“Mmm!”

His eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh… the aroma is wonderful. Sweet, and so delicious. What’s this coffee called?”

“Café mocha.”

“Pack three more for my friends.”

“Yes, sir!”

We got lucky.

But few bought coffee afterward. It was the first day, so I’d prepared for this.

“Let’s head back.”

“Yes!”

It was late, so we closed shop.

As planned, I took the maid to Imperium Bank. It was crowded even at night, and it took a while to finish. I withdrew 40 gold—a staggering sum—from my 43 gold.

That fortune…

I handed it all to the maid.

40 gold. 40,000,000 won. A dizzying amount.

“I have business regarding my academy return, so go back first.”

“What? No, I’ll wait until you’re done, Master.”

“No, go back. You need to rest for work tomorrow. That’s an order.”

“I-If you say so… yes.”

The maid bowed politely, then left with the coffee cart. Her reluctant look stirred an odd frustration, but it couldn’t be helped.

Pretending to enter the bank, I began tailing her.

In this familiar yet alien world, caution was a virtue. I couldn’t trust people blindly. They needed to pass a test or be held hostage for certainty.

What would she do? She’d left the mansion vowing to follow me to the ends of the earth! Could she resist the temptation of 40 gold?! No way! Humans were all the same! They’d betray and kill family for money! She had no reason to stay loyal to me, now barely a noble!

…Or so I thought.

The maid went straight to the inn with the coffee cart.

“….”

I stood for a while, feeling as if a raging fire had been doused with cold water. I couldn’t go in right away without raising suspicion. After wasting time in the cold night air, I returned, speechless.

In that time, the maid had cleaned the bedding, prepared bathwater, and set out light snacks.

“Oh, Master! You’re back! Would you like to bathe first? Or eat? If you’re tired, maybe just wash your face…”

“I’ll wash up.”

“Yes, Master.”