The Noodle Shop wasn't large—just a neat six-by-eight-meter space, clean and efficiently arranged.
Isla looked at the line of different types of wheat noodles in the refrigerated display cabinet. There were thick round noodles, thin straight ones, flat ribbon-style strands, and even curly wheat noodles for better broth absorption.
She opened the sliding panel and chose the medium-thick wheat noodles. The portion for each type was just enough for one bowl. After she emptied the medium-thick wheat noodles, the display cabinet replenished it with the same amount.
Next came the condiment station.
Only five options were currently available, arranged neatly in clean metal containers: soy sauce, vinegar, garlic oil, garlic flakes, and spicy chili oil.
Isla Lane added a drizzle of garlic oil, a sprinkle of garlic flakes, and a modest spoon of chili oil—just enough to warm the throat.
Finally, she reached the broth station. Four large electric kettles stood in a row, each clearly labeled: Clear Chicken Broth, Braised Beef Broth, Pickled Vegetable Broth, and Tomato Egg Broth.
Steam rose from their spouts.
Isla pressed the lever under Pickled Vegetable Broth.
A steady stream of rich, light-yellow soup poured into her bowl, submerging the noodles. The scent was deep and savory, slightly sweet from slow-cooked spices.
Within seconds, her bowl of noodles was ready.
She carried the tray to one of the small wall-side tables facing the glass walls.
Outside, Mr. Bear and his team looked at their current appearance. Since it was a store selling food, they went to wash the grime off their arms and hands before returning.
When they pushed open the glass door, they were immediately greeted by another glass door. Two sleek vending machines were placed on both sides of the entrance.
The vending machine on the left displayed four types of instant noodles in 500-gram thick paper cups. On the side was a hot water dispenser.
Ron read each flavor and swallowed. "Clear Chicken, Braised Beef, Pickled Vegetable, and Tomato Egg Soup…"
Pal looked at the price. His eyes almost fell out of their sockets. "Only 3 F-Class cores per cup?" He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth before saying, "Brother Bear, we must eat our fill before we travel back!" There were so many to choose from—he had to try each flavor and bring some back for his family too!
Bear was also moved by the prices. He fished out twelve cores from his pockets and distributed them to the group.
As they were about to drop the cores into the slot, they saw Isla occupying the seat near the window.
Their eyes were instantly fixated on the bouncy, fresh noodles and condiments floating in her wooden bowl.
"Is that chili oil?" Pal licked the corner of his mouth and approached the glass wall.
The others did the same, taking three steps forward.
The four watched as Isla took a delicate bite of her pickled vegetable noodles, closing her eyes to savor the rich broth—the slight sourness, the subtle sweetness, and the kick of chili oil flooded her mouth. Because it had just come right out of the mill, the noodles were extremely fresh.
She closed her eyes in utter happiness. It had taken her almost a week to conquer the final dungeon, and inside it all she had eaten was beef jerky until she grew sick of it. This pickled vegetable noodle soup tasted so refreshing and heavenly that she nearly chewed her tongue.
It would taste even more amazing with fried chicken and booze from that tavern! She recalled the tavern she used to visit and sighed.
Too bad. I won't be able to visit that grumpy old man's tavern again. Come to think of it, I wonder how he is.
When she lowered her spoon, she noticed a shadow cast over the window and onto her table.
She looked up and saw Mr. Bear and his team staring at her.
It's Mr. Helpful!
She quickly pointed at the "Dine In" machine on the right and gestured for them to come inside and take the seats next to her. Meals always tasted better with company.
Pal was obviously moved by the fresh noodles and condiments. The dine-in option had the same price point.
Just as he was about to drop his cores into the Dine In vending machine to get his wooden bowl and join Miss Lane inside, Bear tugged the back of his collar and gently reproached him.
"Look at the grime on our clothes and the bottom of our boots. If we go inside, we'll leave dirt and contaminate the shop. Anyway, we can come back in the future."
Pal looked down at his clothes and boots. Bear was right.
With reluctance, he ordered a Braised Beef instant noodle cup and filled it with hot water from the dispenser.
His sorrow over the fresh noodles faded when he took a whiff of the instant noodles.
Under Isla Lane's disappointed gaze, the four shook their heads helplessly and ordered the instant noodles before leaving. "I can't believe they passed up fresh noodles for instant noodles."
After a moment's thought, she added, "Or maybe everyone has different preferences…"
She quickly devoured the remaining noodles.
As she went for a second round, she suddenly paused.
The Noodle Shop was soundproof; she hadn't heard the four's earlier conversation. But Pal's earlier action—glancing down at his clothes—made her remember something.
During one of her earlier dungeon runs, she had been inexperienced and lost her supplies while escaping for her life.
Thankfully, she encountered a kind team along the way who spared her some of their rations. Although it was only a small portion of hard bread, a few strips of beef jerky, and half a canteen of water, Isla had been extremely grateful.
In a dungeon, a hunter with no food or water was practically sentenced to death. It wouldn't be long before they ran out of strength and became food for Nightmares.
Because she had just escaped a chase from a high-rank Nightmare, she had been covered in grime from head to toe. When that kind team offered her food, she had worn the exact same look Pal had earlier.
"Oh…"
Isla finally understood and fell silent.
This group was so well mannered. If it was another group, they won't have considered anything and just rush inside.
Just like a lone hunter hoping to find good teammates, a landlord also want to find good tenants.
Her eyes drifted towards the condiment section.
On the small cleaning boat, the four were slurping their broth.
The foodie Pal still couldn't get over the fresh noodles and condiments. "This would've tasted even better with chili oil and fresh noodles," he grumbled under his breath.
Although the others were silent, busy slurping their noodles, they mentally agreed with him.
Ron remembered the garlic flakes and closed his eyes in longing.
But they had no right to complain. Compared to other survivors, the meal they were eating now was already a thousand times better.
From dried kelp and dried fish yesterday, these four had never dreamed they would be able to eat noodles again.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps and saw Miss Lane carrying two trays toward them. They immediately stood up.
As they straightened, they saw what was on the trays—slices of meat floss bread and condiments from the Noodle Shop.
"Mr. Bear, I want to thank you for accepting my work earlier. Once you're done eating, come to the small bread store and I'll pay you your wages."
Isla handed the trays to them.
"Y-Yes… Miss Lane."
Dazed, Pal and Bear accepted the trays.
"I'll be going then."
Isla bid them goodbye and returned to the Noodle Shop, planning to try the Tomato Egg Broth next.
The four watched her retreating figure.
"Miss Lane is so kind," Pal finally got the chili oil he longed for and groaned in satisfaction. "Wah, my tongue is tingling—it's so spicy and delicious! But the spiciness is good. I can't stop eating!"
Ron also got his garlic flakes and was overjoyed. "Brother Pal, you better tone down on the chili oil or it might upset your stomach." Even as he said that, he didn't stop eating.
"You punk, you better tone down on the garlic too otherwise don't sleep next to me tonight."
"Eat slowly or you'll choke," Bear reminded them.
Bear and Wells paired the noodles with bread, drizzling a little garlic oil on top. They closed their eyes in bliss.
The four went back for a second and third round before they were finally satisfied.
Moments later, in front of the small bread store, Isla took their pictures before handing them their e-wallet cards.
The four curiously examined the cards with their pictures and names printed on them.
How did Miss Lane know their full names? They hadn't even told her.
Isla explained, "These are e-wallet cards. In the future, you can use them to buy goods, pay rent, and purchase services here. I've topped up 30 points as today's wages. You can top up more in the future. You won't need to carry so many cores around."
They saw the number 30 displayed on their cards, just as she had said.
They were amazed.
What kind of technology was this? Even banks before the apocalypse hadn't issued cards that could display real-time balances on their surface.
Isla Lane seized the opportunity to advertise her housing.
"Mr. Bear, after traveling at sea for so long, aren't you tired? How far is your base? If you'd like, I'm renting out wooden cabins—the ones in the west. They have a bedroom and living room, a small kitchen, and a small bathroom. Although they're small, the ambiance is good. For just 5 F-Class cores, you can rest inside for a day without worrying about water beasts."
The four remembered the wooden cabins in the west.
What? Miss Lane was renting them out for only 5 F-Class cores per day?!
Isla quickly led them toward the wooden cabins in the west.
The situation in her previous world and this one was nearly the same. As hunters constantly risking their lives, who wouldn't long for an absolutely safe place to rest? Therefore, the allure of the wooden cabin was great.
Even before seeing the layout of the wooden cabins, the four were already considering renting one.