How to Seduce S-Class Hunters with Bungeoppang - Chapter 43

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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 43】
[(Photo) I ate spicy fish-shaped pastries today. The color is much more intense than other brands. My tongue tingled a bit, but whether that’s the spiciness or… (continued)]
I couldn’t hide my escaping laughter as I read the message. Ever since that day, Lee Hyun-woo had been sending me lengthy reviews about the fish-shaped pastries he’d eaten.
‘It’s kind of cute, honestly.’
Ari, who’d been peeking at my phone screen from behind me, asked suspiciously.
“Lee Hyun-woo? What’s your relationship with him?”
“W-what do you mean relationship! He’s just a close colleague.”
“You’re lying. You’ve been laughing at your phone this whole time!”
I hastily shoved my phone into my pocket and pushed Ari’s back.
“Come on, come on! Customers will be pouring in soon. Let’s start threading the fish cakes!”
“Ugh, seriously. You won’t answer my question!”
“Pfft~ When do I have time for distractions?”
Fortunately, not long after, customers came flooding in. Before I knew it, the day had ended in the chaos of work.
‘Phew… I desperately need my bed.’
I was grateful there was no training today. I wanted to throw myself onto the soft bed in the dormitory immediately, but my plans fell through when a customer waiting for me near the dormitory appeared.
“You’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting quite a while.”
“…Shin Manager?”
It was Shin Manager from NP Investment Partners—the one who’d proposed a 20 billion won investment to me. He’d come looking for me again.
“Have you had a change of heart in the meantime? I came to make you an even better offer.”
“My mind hasn’t changed. I’m sorry.”
Despite my firm response, he smiled faintly and took a step closer.
“I heard you’ve had some unfortunate incidents recently? Our investment terms include protection for the creator as well.”
I instinctively touched my neck. Though the wounds had healed by now, the sensation of the blade cutting into my throat remained vivid.
‘Did Shin Manager orchestrate this after all?’
The Management Bureau had conducted additional investigations, but I was told they hadn’t found any other evidence—apparently it had been handled too cleanly.
Yet my instincts whispered that the person standing before me was the culprit. I hesitated and took a step back, shaking my head.
“I don’t know what you’re implying, but I won’t accept a blind investment just because you’re trying to intimidate me.”
“Intimidate? I’m just expressing my concern.”
“Don’t come looking for me anymore. I’ve already signed a contract with the Management Bureau.”
“What do you mean, wait!”
I passed by him and returned to the dormitory. I heard him calling after me, but fortunately he didn’t follow.
‘Investment, my foot. Like I’d accept that.’
I stuck my tongue out toward where Shin Manager was standing. Since I’d firmly refused, I thought there would be no more investment proposals.
If only Vice Director Park Sung-chul hadn’t called for me a few days later.
* * *
“It’s Luwak coffee. I had it imported from abroad—the aroma is quite pleasant.”
I watched Vice Director Park Sung-chul for a moment as he savored the coffee’s scent with his eyes closed.
Though well into his mid-fifties, his youthful appearance—characteristic of Awakened individuals—made him look like he was in his early forties. His neatly combed hair and silver-rimmed glasses gave him a cold, sharp impression that suggested not a drop of blood would spill if you pricked him.
‘Ugh. This atmosphere… it’s so uncomfortable.’
Early morning before opening the shop. Someone suddenly knocked on the door, and I was told someone was looking for me and was asked to accompany them.
I wanted to refuse because it was too early, but they insisted firmly at the door, claiming it was important. I had no choice but to follow them to the Vice Director’s Office.
“Do you dislike coffee?”
“No, it’s not that….”
“Then please, have some. It’s brewed from premium beans.”
The Vice Director’s lips curved upward in a soft smile—one that made my spine tingle with an inexplicable unease.
After barely wetting my lips with the coffee, I set the cup down, and he immediately posed his question.
“How’s the shop business going? I hear it’s become quite popular among Hunters.”
“It’s doing well. The new menu I recently launched has been getting a good response too.”
“Hmm. I see.”
He nodded slowly.
“You recently signed a contract as a Hunter with the Management Bureau, didn’t you? Since I’m the Vice Director, I should make sure to look after your convenience going forward.”
I laughed awkwardly at his words and averted my gaze. I couldn’t fathom what he was really trying to say.
‘I did flatly reject NP Investment Partners’ proposal a few days ago.’
According to Lee Hyun-woo, Vice Director Park Sung-chul was the actual owner of NP Investment Partners. Perhaps the failed investment proposal had prompted him to step in personally.
‘But he already knows I’m affiliated with the Management Bureau—why take such a risk?’
“Ah, just a moment.”
As he reached into his pocket, I swallowed nervously. If he pulled out an investment proposal, I’d refuse firmly. Our Shop didn’t need investment.
But what he withdrew was a small packet of pills.
“I skipped breakfast. Pardon me.”
After briefly excusing himself, he tossed the pills into his mouth and drank water. The packet was labeled “Nutraphil” in English.
‘So that’s the meal-replacement pill, Nutraphil….’
Noticing my gaze, he smiled while looking at the pill packet.
“Ah, this product? It’s an innovative pill containing all the nutrients needed for one meal. You don’t need to taste anything—just swallow it lightly, so it’s no burden for Awakened ones.”
He added that he had no time to eat properly, so he kept a whole box on hand.
“Of course, now that you have your shop, there’s no need to survive on pills anymore.”
“Our Shop?”
He nodded and took a sip of the cooled coffee.
“The items you create are truly innovative. An intense flavor that even Hunters who’ve lost their human senses can feel—it’s remarkable.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Tok, tok. He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke.
“However, a true professional wouldn’t operate this way. It seems you don’t fully grasp the value of your items since this is your first business venture.”
He leaned toward me and began explaining just how valuable our items were and how to best highlight their rarity.
“If it were me, I’d first reduce supply. I’d filter out all the ordinary Hunters who come to the shop and sell only to the top 1%—the elite-tier Hunters.”
“…Why would you do that?”
At my question, he let out a hollow laugh, as if looking at a child who knew nothing of the world.
“Why? Because you could charge them ten million won for a single pastry. They’d pay any amount if they could buy such a ‘miracle’ with money.”
“….”
“But look at you now. Ten thousand won per item? Come on. This isn’t child’s play.”
His lips twisted into a sneer.
“The value of an item is created by its maker. If just anyone can have it, the rarity drops.”
I knew it too. What I was creating wasn’t merely food—it was something close to a miracle.
‘Wow… I can actually taste it!’
‘This is the first time I’ve tasted something like this since my awakening.’
The widening eyes when they first bit into the pastry, their mouths opening slightly. And the tears that welled up.
The image of the Hunters from our shop, their faces radiant with rapture as they ate the pastry, flickered through my mind.
Abandon them all and earn money by offering it only to the top 1% of Hunters? This was exactly what the Director had worried about. I shook my head firmly.
“I don’t want to do that. That’s not selling ‘food’—that’s selling ‘privilege.'”
“Privilege? It seems you don’t fully understand the value of the items you’re creating—”
“I do understand.”
I lifted my head and met his gaze.
“I know how special the food I make is, and how much money it could be worth.”
I paused to collect myself, then continued.
“But I believe it’s not money that creates that value—it’s people. I care more about everyone’s happiness than receiving ten million won per piece.”
Besides, my ability wasn’t entirely my own. It was a gift bestowed upon me by Ha-nyang, an Unknown Entity. Using it to satisfy my own greed made no sense.
‘And if I did as the Vice Director suggests, my parents in heaven would be furious.’
Thinking of my parents, I smiled quietly to myself. They had always valued people over money.
‘And it’s because of that principle that I am who I am today.’
I didn’t want to abandon the principle my parents had taught me just to earn more money. Hearing my words, he let out a low laugh like a sigh.
“How amusing. Your principle is merely ‘the happiness of the many.’ How fitting for someone who’s just awakened.”
He shook his head lightly and looked directly at me.
“But you’ll soon realize how futile your efforts truly are.”
The moment I heard those words, I subtly curved my lips upward. You’re anxious right now, aren’t you?

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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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