How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 27
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 27
Why did Lee Hyun-woo suddenly appear here?
As I blinked blankly at the unexpected question, he let out a meaningful hum.
“Getting to know each other slowly? Or perhaps a deeper relationship?”
He had the audacity to ask such a rude, incomprehensible question out of nowhere.
Lee Hyun-woo and I had no relationship whatsoever, but even if we did, I had no reason to answer a stranger’s prying questions.
As my frown deepened in displeasure, he stepped back half a pace with a light smile.
“I apologize—I was so eager I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Park Jae-min, Leader of the G-Alpha Team.”
“…G-Alpha Team?”
“Surely you don’t mean to say you don’t know me.”
He gazed at me with absolute confidence, his expression suggesting it was inconceivable that anyone wouldn’t recognize him. And unfortunately, he was indeed quite a famous person.
He was the commander of the Hunter Management Bureau’s only independent team—the G-Alpha Team.
The Hunters of the Hunter Management Bureau are divided into two main categories: support teams and field teams. The Gate Field Management Team, to which Lee Hyun-woo belongs, typically handles Gate clearances.
Usually the numbering goes Field Team 1, Field Team 2, and so on, but the G-Alpha Team—or simply the Alpha Team—was different.
‘It’s a direct independent team established by the Vice Director, after all.’
The word was that it operated in innovative ways, breaking free from the existing rigid system. Since I knew nothing about Gate clearances, I couldn’t precisely understand what made it independent or anything else about it.
‘In any case, Park Jae-min is an incredibly famous Hunter.’
The leader of the Hunter Management Bureau’s only independent team—that title alone was impressive enough, but he was also the son of the Vice Director of the Management Bureau. In other words, he had both a high rank and powerful connections, making him the very definition of a golden boy.
That such a person would take such keen interest in baseless gossip left me inwardly clicking my tongue.
“Hunter Park Jae-min, I’m not sure what rumors you’ve heard, but Lee Hyun-woo and I are not what you’re thinking.”
“Is that so? Then that’s a relief. I suppose I misunderstood.”
Unlike his sudden appearance and questioning, he withdrew cleanly. Or so I thought he had.
“What about me, then?”
“…Didn’t we just meet for the first time?”
He smiled shyly, brushing back his tousled hair.
“Would you believe me if I said it was love at first sight?”
Please. Love at first sight, my foot.
Yet his eyes remained as cold as ice. I turned away with deliberate indifference.
“I’m a realist.”
“Ha ha! You really are entertaining.”
“Hello! I’m here to pick up my fish-shaped pastries… oh?”
A customer who had come to collect their reservation at perfect timing blinked in confusion upon seeing him.
He seemed to have no intention of continuing such shameless banter in front of others, so he left his business card and waved goodbye.
“See you next time.”
He even threw in a subtle wink as he left.
‘What on earth is that guy doing…?’
The moment he left the shop, the customer’s eyes sparkled.
“That was the G-Alpha Team Leader, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was. You know him too.”
“Of course! He’s so skilled, and his character is wonderful too. I’m really envious that you’re close with Hunter Park Jae-min….”
A clean Gate clear, periodic volunteer work and sponsorships, even corporate events. Without my asking, the Customer enthusiastically shared all this trivial information about his role model.
Thanks to that, I could accurately identify who this man was—the one who had appeared suddenly, asked rude questions, and left.
‘Park Jae-min, Leader of G-Alpha Team.’
After the Customer who had kindly explained everything left, I retrieved his business card and examined it carefully. Ha-nyang approached quietly and leaned against me.
“Don’t get close to that human, meow. His energy feels off, meow.”
“Does he seem strange to you too?”
“Strange doesn’t even begin to cover it, meow. Every hair on my body is standing on end, meow.”
Just as Ha-nyang said, his beautiful tricolor fur was bristling upright like it did when he sensed something unfamiliar. I slowly stroked his fur while lost in thought.
‘Love at first sight? As if I’d believe that.’
I tore his business card to shreds and threw it in the trash. If Ha-nyang said no, then I’d have nothing to do with him.
“Running a shop means all sorts of strange customers inevitably show up, doesn’t it?”
This was the sorrow of self-employment. Like the scattered pieces of his torn business card, I quickly brushed the strange man from my mind.
* * *
“Unnie, I’m here! Hello, Cat!”
“Young human. You’re overflowing with energy this early, meow.”
Ari’s Grandmother had finally been discharged from the hospital. In other words, today was Ari’s first day of work. When Ari eagerly said she wanted to start working immediately, I used the staff recruitment right on the spot.
Apparently, employees hired through the staff recruitment right could bestow blessings upon food. That meant anyone—including Awakeners—could taste delicious food I prepared. It seemed the System granted abilities through this “recruitment right” mechanism.
‘So not just anyone can bestow blessings? The System is quite particular about this.’
Still, being able to grant my staff similar abilities was an incredible benefit. I had been overwhelmed thinking I’d have to cook alone, but now I could confidently expand the menu.
“Wow! So I’m a full-time employee now?”
As I handed her an apron and a headscarf, Ari bounced excitedly in place, unable to contain her joy. Simultaneously, a status window appeared before my eyes.
*Staff Recruitment Complete*
The Convenience Shop has grown this much. That’s truly amazing!
Recruitment Commemoration Gift: Shop Upgrade + Random New Menu Unlock Ticket
Wait. The Convenience Shop has grown this much? What’s with the mockery? I grumbled but dutifully clicked to receive the gift. The shop then began slowly reassembling itself, like a transforming robot.
“Whoa! Unnie, the shop is moving!”
After moving this way and that for a while, the shop finally completed its upgrade.
“Wow… is this really the same shop we saw before?”
The flimsy structure that looked like it would blow away in strong wind had been completely transformed through the upgrade. The exterior was now made of sturdy material, and it even had a proper entrance door.
Inside the shop, which now resembled a small tteokbokki restaurant, sat a cooking apparatus for making pastries.
‘A new space has appeared. What is this?’
It seemed to be related to the new menu that would be unlocked. The one thing that concerned me was that the menu would be random….
‘Has anything ever not been random?’
It didn’t matter that I hadn’t chosen the next menu myself.
“Should we unlock the new menu right away?”
“Of course! I’m so curious!”
Seeing Ari’s excited expression, I clicked the Random New Menu Unlock Ticket without hesitation.
-Beep beep beep beep~
A strange sound accompanied the spinning roulette. Surely it wouldn’t produce something inedible? Like mint chocolate pastries….
Whether aware of my anxiety or not, the slowly spinning roulette finally came to a stop at one spot.
And the menu written there was,
Chewy Fish Cake
: Premium chewy fish cake made from Devil Fish that lives 250 meters below the sea
*Special Effect: Self-Generated Heat (Cold Resistance +20%)
‘…Fish cake?’
It wasn’t pastry at all—it was an entirely new menu item. And it even came with a special effect.
“Sister! What kind of pastry is the new menu?”
“Oh… it’s not pastry. It’s fish cake.”
Ha-nyang tilted her head and interjected from beside me.
“Fish cake? What’s that, meow?”
“It’s a food made by mixing minced fish with flour and frying it. But this fish is….”
Devil Fish? Such a creature exists?
I searched immediately and found it was a monster living in Gate Lake. Apparently, it’s a rare species and difficult to find.
‘…Is it actually safe to eat this?’
While I stood bewildered by this unexpected new menu, a space for brewing fish cake broth suddenly appeared in the empty corner of the shop.
Ari let out an exclamation and rushed toward the transformed space.
“Wow! So I’m supposed to brew the fish cake broth here, right?”
“Looks like it. And conveniently, I just received all the necessary ingredients. The broth, skewers, and fish cake.”
“Can’t we make it right now?”
We decided to prepare the new menu before opening the shop. Fortunately, since it was Ari’s first day and we’d met early, we still had plenty of time before opening.
With Ari’s help, I threaded the fish cake onto skewers in a wavy pattern, creating thirty pieces of fish cake on skewers.
“First, fill the prepared pot with broth, and once it starts to boil gently, add the well-threaded fish cake skewers. Simple, right?”
Threading the fish cake onto skewers was a bit tedious, but overall it was far simpler than making pastry.
‘The new menu should be Ari’s responsibility.’
Pastry required skill to bake without burning. Even with gloves, the pastry mold got quite hot and could cause burns. But fish cake didn’t require constant cooking, making it relatively convenient.
I quickly wrote the new fish cake menu on the menu board and created a price tag. The price was the same as pastry—ten thousand won per skewer. Of course, the broth was free with any fish cake purchase!
“Should we open the shop now?”
“Yes! I’ll work hard! Fighting!”
And not long after, I came to understand what an A+ ranked talent truly meant.
“Welcome! If you tell me your name, I’ll serve your pastry right away!”
What? She’s already checking the reservation list and confirming orders? I only told her about it ten minutes ago?
“We’re also selling a new menu starting today, so please try it!”
And she’s promoting the new menu without forgetting?
Even Ha-nyang, who had been lying indifferently in the back, had gotten up and was watching Ari.
“Where did you lock her up and give her special training, meow?”
She truly was a talent chosen by the System. Watching Ari work so diligently, I smiled with satisfaction.
At that moment, I had no idea what was happening in the back of the shop.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————