How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 29

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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 29
The posts flooding in were all remarkably similar. “Why won’t the Taiyaki Shop owner accept investment?” came the questioning remarks, while “Shop Owner, this is really frustrating” brought the reproachful comments.
When someone commented that “accepting investment becomes a headache,” a cascade of replies followed: “You don’t know anything,” “Investment capital is crucial for shop stability.”
‘This is why customers come to me asking if I’ve considered investment.’
Any Hunter who frequented the Hunter Forum would have seen such posts regularly, and without realizing it, they’d think, “Huh? That’s a good point.” I handed the phone back to Kang Min Hunter.
“Do you check the Hunter Forum often, Kang Min Hunter?”
“Not really… but someone sent me a DM asking if I knew anything about this topic.”
Kang Min Hunter had been actively using StarGram lately to communicate with his fans. He read and replied to every DM he received, and apparently someone had sent him this content.
Looking at the DM he’d received, it was indeed a private account. Zero posts. One follower.
“Thank you for letting me know. It seems someone wants me to accept investment.”
“You want to accept investment? You haven’t received a direct proposal yet, have you?”
“They’re probably spreading these rumors first and waiting for the right moment to make their pitch. People are naturally swayed by what others around them think.”
They must have thought I was running the shop without any awareness, having just awakened to it. Unfortunately, I’ve been rolling around in my parents’ shop for well over ten years.
I’m long past the point where such shallow tactics would shake me.
“If the conditions were good, I’d consider it, but honestly? In cases like this, the conditions are usually terrible.”
Kang Min Hunter tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand my reaction, but he said he respected my opinion.
After he left, Ha-nyang and I headed home, thinking quietly.
‘Someone definitely leaked this on purpose, knowing that Kang Min Hunter is susceptible to others’ reactions.’
Being a former idol, he was sensitive to public opinion. Since I showed no particular reaction, it was certain that someone had shared this with him via DM.
“Whoever it is, they certainly covet our shop.”
Even when I ran the shop with my parents, this happened often. People packaging investment as the key to success, whispering their schemes. But plenty of shops that accepted such investment had failed.
I gently scratched the chin of Ha-nyang, who was tilting his head in confusion at my words. Seeing him purr contentedly, I smiled softly.
“It’s nothing. Our shop is doing so well that someone must be jealous.”
* * *
“Just like you said, similar posts keep coming up endlessly.”
Kang Min Hunter, who had been munching on a Macadamia Taiyaki, spoke with a curious expression. After sharing it with me, he’d kept checking the Hunter Forum out of concern, and apparently similar posts were appearing several times a day.
“Why? Did something happen?”
“Oh, posts about the Taiyaki Shop keep appearing on the Hunter Forum. I told you about it.”
Kang Min Hunter explained what he’d seen for the curious Ari. True to his friendly nature, Ari had already dropped formalities and become close with him.
After hearing the story, Ari stuck her tongue out slightly.
“Why does it matter whether you accept investment or not? They’re all strange, being so interested.”
Whoever wrote this post probably didn’t care what other Hunters thought about our shop. What they wanted was one thing: for me to see these posts and become interested in investment.
And people like that would reveal their true identity when they thought the time was right. Just like today.
It was after I’d sent Ari home first and was finishing up the shop. A man in a well-tailored suit approached me cautiously.
“I’d like to make you a good proposal.”
The man with a gentle smile smoothly extended his business card toward me. As his eyes brightened as if urging me to read it quickly, I smiled awkwardly.
‘NP Investment Partners?’
The man, who introduced himself as Shin Manager, said he wanted to talk nearby for a moment. Despite my attempt to refuse, he persistently insisted it would only take ten minutes, or even just five, so I ended up having a conversation with him at a nearby cafe.
He introduced himself as a sales manager at NP Investment Partners. Noticing that I was examining his business card carefully, he smiled with confidence.
“To explain our company, we were the initial investors in ‘Nutrapill,’ a meal replacement pill for Hunters. Thanks to us, it was able to expand nationwide.”
“Ah, Nutrafile.”
“That’s not all. You know Shin Kyung-ho, the A-rank Crafting Hunter? And what about Kim Sun-joo, the recently trending B-rank Crafting Hunter? We’ve supported both of them generously from the beginning.”
Shin Manager took a sip of his iced coffee before continuing.
“We’ve assessed that you possess similar potential. That’s why we thought it best to move early.”
I smiled faintly and replied.
“Our Shop operates differently from mass-distribution businesses like Nutrafile. We’re just a small establishment, after all.”
“Being small doesn’t mean lacking influence.”
Shin Manager countered immediately.
“If you look at recent Hunter communities, you’ll see it. Some are even saying taiyaki is superior to Nutrafile. It’s still a small voice, but if we invest, that changes everything.”
He seemed eager to expand our taiyaki nationwide, just like Nutrafile had done.
Thinking I’d shown interest, he pulled a brown envelope from his briefcase and extended it toward me.
“If we work together, we can definitely grow much larger. Store expansion, securing distribution channels, even international expansion. Have you imagined it?”
“I appreciate the proposal, but I’m not sure if that’s feasible….”
“Of course it’s impossible for you alone. That’s why we’re here to help.”
The envelope he offered bore the words “Investment Contract” stamped across it.
“Just take a look at the contents. It will provide substantial financial benefits.”
His tone carried the certainty that once I read it, I wouldn’t be able to refuse. He withdrew the contract and flipped through it casually.
The initial investment was 20 billion won, with provisions for additional investment depending on conditions.
‘They’re starting quite high from the beginning.’
Though they claimed to have seen the potential of the items we produce, it was a substantial sum to invest in a small shop that was only just beginning to grow.
“It’s not just the investment. We’ll handle all the marketing support as well.”
“When you say marketing, what specifically do you mean?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, since we’re targeting Hunters, image management is crucial. You might suddenly feel the urge to enter a Gate, after all?”
He said it jokingly, but the implication was clear—he knew I entered Gates.
‘…How do they know about that?’
The fact that I sourced materials by entering Gates was known only to a select few. The timing was far too coincidental to dismiss as mere accident.
“Does the amount suit you?”
“Give me a moment. I’d like to read through it more carefully.”
The thick contract was densely packed with text. Just looking at it made my head throb, but I couldn’t afford to gloss over it. I settled in properly and began reading the contract in earnest.
He asked in an uneasy tone.
“…You’re really going to read all of it?”
“Of course. If you’re busy, feel free to get up first.”
“No, no. Take your time.”
The five minutes he’d promised at the start had long since passed. As I examined each page meticulously, Shin Manager looked flustered and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his perspiration.
“Oh dear.”
As I continued reading, I noticed clauses written in small print in the middle section. Sure enough, there were fatal poison clauses.
[All major matters related to store operations must receive investor approval.]
[The investor may request audits regarding menus, pricing, employment, and all operational matters.]
I smiled wryly. Accepting such an investment would only shackle me later. I placed the contract back in the envelope and handed it to him.
“It sounds like a good offer, but you’re really asking me to hand over all operational rights to the shop. I’m afraid I must decline.”
A crack appeared in his otherwise perfect smile.
“You could interpret the terms that way, certainly. However, we were merely suggesting this as a safeguard measure. If you’d sit down with me and discuss the details more thoroughly…”
“I apologize, but my mind is already made up.”
I shook my head firmly. Truth be told, I had never been interested in investment from the start. I was simply curious about what conditions they would propose.
Investment could be the wings that carried growth, or it could be the quickest path to ruin.
‘My parents warned me to be wary of people who suddenly appear offering to support me without reason.’
They see potential in me and want to invest? At this exact moment when posts about investing in our shop appear on the Hunter Forum every single day? Anyone would find this suspicious.
After a brief silence, he placed the contract I had returned back into his briefcase. Before standing, he looked at me with a meaningful smile.
“Very well. The choice is yours, after all. However… I suspect you’ll find it difficult to locate an investor with better terms than what we’ve offered.”

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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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