Reincarnated into Another World With Chat GTP-Chapter 19: HAMBURGERS

Chapter 19: HAMBURGERS

The capital was loud.

Not in a bad way—just... alive.

Every street twisted like a maze lined with glowing signboards, enchanted wind chimes, and way too many people wearing expensive boots that had never touched dirt. The market district was probably the worst offender.

Spices in the air. Floating perfume bubbles. Some dude selling roasted wyvern tails on skewers.

Kids running between vendor stalls, nobles yelling about silk grades, and merchants smiling like predators.

I loved it.

Noel walked beside me, her cloak fluttering behind her, hood still up.

She was quiet, as usual.

I, on the other hand, was buying everything I didn't need.

Self-cleaning coat? Bought.

Floating tea set? Bought.

Limited-edition "Blow Your Enemies Away" enchanted wind fan?

Yup. Bought.

"Do you need that?" Noel asked after I purchased a set of boots that let you hover half an inch above the ground.

"Nope," I replied. "But it makes me taller."

"...Mm."

She didn't stop me.

Not once.

We turned a corner near the main square, and that's when I saw it.

Tucked between two ridiculous buildings—a glowing gemstone dealer and a singing broom shop—was a little café.

Warm light. Cozy vibes.

And the smell?

Heaven.

Golden butter. Cheese. Crunchy toast.

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

Freshly grilled croques on display behind a clean window pane.

I glanced over.

Noel wasn't looking at me.

She was looking at the croques.

Her eyes weren't wide or sparkly or anything dramatic. But there was a tiny tilt of her head, the way she slowed her steps—

That told me everything.

"You wanna go in?" I asked casually.

She blinked. "No. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"...Maybe."

Yeah.

That was definitely a yes.

The place was fancier than it looked from the outside.

Velvet seats. Enchanted chandeliers that glowed with warm candlelight. Some kind of soft harp music playing from an invisible source.

And, of course, nobles.

Lots of them.

I caught glimpses of velvet robes, family crests, and mana-infused gloves as we walked in.

Some of them glanced our way. Most looked too busy pretending to be important.

We got a booth by the window.

A waiter in a suit floated (yes, floated) over and handed us golden-trimmed menus.

"Two of the croque maison," I said. "Extra cheese. And two lemonades."

Noel didn't say anything.

But she sat with her hands folded neatly, eyes fixed on the window, trying very hard to look unimpressed.

Then the food came.

A plate of lightly toasted bread stacked with melted cheese, savory cuts of meat, and the faintest hint of garlic butter. Slightly crisped edges, steam rising off the top.

She took one bite.

And blinked.

"...It's good."

I smirked. "Told you."

She ate slowly, quiet, savoring every bite like she wasn't trying to finish it too fast.

I was halfway through mine when I noticed it.

A group of noble girls at a table nearby.

They weren't eating.

They were whispering.

"He's cute..."

"Do you think he's from a high family?"

"Look at that jawline—he has to be noble."

One of them actually got up from her chair like she was gonna come over.

And that's when it happened.

Noel didn't say a word.

But the air chilled just slightly.

The noble girl paused.

The silverware on their table rattled. A glass cracked.

One of them shivered.

They stood up. Quietly.

And left.

I blinked. "...Did you just aura flex them away?"

Noel took another bite of croque like nothing happened.

"...Jealous?"

Her ears twitched.

"No."

Her cheeks were pink.

"Liar."

"...You're loud."

* * *

We had just finished walking out of the croque café.

Noel looked calm.

I was full.

And the moment my foot hit the stone street outside, a thought hit me like a money-hungry lightning bolt.

GTP. GTP.

[Yes?]

I want more money.

[Naturally. You spent your last 5,000 gold devouring mana crystals.]

Yeah, yeah. But like... being here. In the capital.

I can feel the cash flowing. This city's full of opportunity.

I looked around.

Nobles flaunting their coats. Merchants riding mana carts. Kids buying five-silver candies without blinking.

I need more income. Shadow ops funding isn't gonna grow on trees.

[Understood. You are currently operating at 2.4% remaining budget. Emergency side hustle recommended.]

So what's the play, genius? Give me something that'll explode.

[A restaurant.]

...What.

[More specifically: a fast food chain.]

I stopped walking.

You mean... burgers?

[Correct. Burgers. Fries. Milkshakes. This world has never seen food designed for speed, satisfaction, and profit.]

Holy crap.

I turned to Noel.

She looked at me curiously. "What?"

"...Change of plans."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't say it."

"We're gonna open a restaurant."

She blinked.

"You're insane."

I grinned.

"We're gonna feed this entire city... and then we're gonna rob them legally."

* * *

I bought the shop the same day.

Right in the center of the capital's busiest market district.

It used to be some dusty potion boutique that closed down a year ago—prime location, decent structure, and most importantly, cheap because it was "cursed."

Yeah. Cursed with opportunity.

By the time the sun went down that night, the inside was completely different.

One big countertop.

A heat-insulated magic stove.

A handwashing enchantment GTP rigged from an old purification rune.

And a storage room now filled with bread, beef, pickles, cheese, potatoes, and oil.

Thanks to the capital's wild market system, I could find literally everything I needed in one afternoon.

High-quality buns? Check.

Spices? Check.

Cow meat from a beast that probably had six horns? Check.

Noel helped me carry the crates without a single complaint.

She didn't ask what a "burger" was.

She just memorized the recipe.

The day flew by in a blur of blueprinting, enchanting, slicing, and setting.

And now—

Morning sunlight hit the glass window of our newly christened restaurant.

THE BURGATORY.

(Credit to GTP. I didn't name it. Don't blame me.)

The tables were clean.

The chairs were simple.

The kitchen was stocked.

And I stood behind the counter, flipping a patty with the confidence of a man who was about to change culinary history.

I looked over my shoulder.

"Noel. You remember the recipe, right?"

She nodded once, already tying her apron behind her back. "Of course."

I grinned.

"Then..."

I cracked my knuckles.

"Let's get started."