Hyejin hurriedly activated the time-machine wristwatch.
The moment she did, time inside the convenience store completely froze.
She had used it in excitement, but then the warning flashed in her mind: wasting the item was a bad idea.
I definitely need to hire more part-timers. I can’t keep relying on this watch every time.
As if reading her thoughts from her face, Asha answered,
“If you need more people, just hire them.”
“Yeah, I will. For now, stay with Seojun-ssi. I’ll go grab ingredients real quick.”
Hyejin took off her uniform vest, activated the artifact, and instantly arrived at a nearby supermarket.
What should I buy… Holy crap, cabbage is ten thousand won!?
Hyejin instinctively covered her mouth in shock.
She knew prices had skyrocketed after the dungeon gates appeared, but coming out after so long made it hit even harder.
A single head of cabbage that used to cost over five thousand won was now a full ten thousand.
All the food factories kept closing because ingredient costs went through the roof, right?
Ingredients that used to be commonplace had become literal gold.
Korea had changed drastically since the gates opened.
The gap between those who thrived and those who didn’t had become painfully clear.
I can’t even curse anymore…
Hyejin knew she was one of the beneficiaries of the dungeons now.
She used to call people who profited from disasters sly foxes and opportunists, but now she had become one herself.
It was an unavoidable reality, and even if people hated her for it, she couldn’t give it up.
Because the present was far better than the days when she could do nothing at all.
***
“Let’s see… eggs, butter, cooking oil, cheese… and that bru—bruschetta thing? He said it’s baguette with stuff on top, right?”
Hyejin racked her memory and piled ingredients into the cart.
Since she was already out, she decided to spend every won she had.
Whatever.
This is the kind of money you need for ingredients these days.
She finished shopping and returned to the store.
Asha was circling the frozen Seojun like a guardian.
Hyejin gave her a little wave of greeting, then turned the watch again.
Time resumed, and Seojun immediately spoke in a loud voice much louder than before.
“You said you were going to buy ingredients for an omelette, right?”
Hyejin shook the shopping bags and smiled.
“Yep, got everything. The supermarket’s pretty close.”
“Huh? Didn’t you just say you wanted an omelette a second ago? You already went shopping?”
“With an artifact, anything’s possible.”
“Ah… an artifact.”
Seojun nodded as if it finally made sense.
To stop any further questions, Hyejin quickly thrust the bags toward him.
“I bought whatever looked useful. I wasn’t sure if you’re picky about origin or brand, so I just went with reasonably priced stuff.”
Seojun took the bags with a smile.
“This is more than enough. Then please wait just a moment.”
He neatly stored the groceries Hyejin bought in the medium-sized fridge in the staff room, then pulled out the ingredients he needed for the omelette: three eggs, milk, butter, cherry tomatoes for garnish, and cheese for the filling. He lined them up on the counter.
Hyejin wanted to watch him cook the whole time, but she couldn’t just stand there gawking, so she stayed behind the register, stealing glances.
It was morning, so customers were slowly trickling in.
Sssssizzle.
The sound of the gas stove being turned on came from the staff room.
Then the whisking of eggs, the hiss of batter hitting hot oil, and finally the rich, buttery, cheesy aroma began to spread.
The moment the smell leaked out, every hunter in the store tilted their head.
Fresh-cooked food smell in a convenience store? That was weird.
One curious hunter walked up to the counter and asked Hyejin,
“What’s that smell? Are you guys… cooking food now?”
“Ah, well, haha… a friend dropped by and is making something quick.”
A friend who suddenly shows up and cooks at a convenience store?
It was a bizarre excuse, but oddly convincing, and everyone inside nodded.
“Anyway, it smells amazing. I thought you were actually starting to cook food. Convenience stores already sell everything, right? Steamed buns are nice, but I’d love something different. Simple food you can eat inside the dungeon, but not too simple, you know? I’m not even making sense anymore, haha.”
“Hey, don’t be rude to the manager. Acting like a Karen in someone else’s store is peak Karen behavior!”
“Who cares if I’m a Karen? I’m gonna Karen. At least talking about it makes me less hungry. Eating inside the dungeon is so hard. If only there was food, I’d be happy. Finding water is already a pain. Even wild fruit can give you stomach cramps, and packed lunches from home always spoil because it’s so hot in here.”
“Alright, alright, I get it. Let’s just buy bread and go.”
The hunters finished paying and left.
Hyejin, who had been listening with a smile, once again realized how much the store needed a Cooking Master.
If we sell freshly made food, we’re definitely going to hit the jackpot.
When the last customer left, Hyejin slowly walked into the staff room.
The moment she saw what was on the table, she couldn’t help but gasp.
“Wow!”
On the small table sat a pure-white plate, and on that plate rested a perfectly plump, moist omelette.
Beside it, a diamond-folded napkin held a fork and knife. It looked straight out of a hotel.
It was an undeniably luxurious omelette.
Steam gently rose from the soft yellow surface, making her mouth water instantly.
“It looks insanely delicious.”
“I thought just an omelette might be too little, so I roasted some cherry tomatoes too. Be careful, they’re hot.”
“Are you sure I can really eat this?”
“Of course. You asked me to make it and even provided ingredients and a kitchen. Please enjoy.”
“But it’s so pretty I almost don’t want to ruin it…”
Hyejin said cautiously. Seojun smiled warmly.
“It’s been a very long time since someone asked me to cook for them. Thanks to you, Manager-nim, I was able to cook today while looking forward to seeing someone’s reaction. I’m happy.”
How can someone speak so gently?
Hyejin suddenly remembered putting his hiring on hold and felt guilty; she couldn’t even lift her head.
Still, that earlier decision had been sincere.
As manager, she wanted to be careful.
“Thank you for saying that. I’ll enjoy it.”
She stopped refusing and picked up the fork and knife.
When she cut into the omelette, it felt plush and tender, and melted cheese oozed out. Hyejin let out another exclamation.
“Wow! Look at that cheese pull! I love this cheese!”
She practically lost her mind.
Eating food made by a real chef while working at a convenience store?
This wasn’t normal.
And lately she had barely ate proper meals anyway.
Hyejin speared a piece with her fork and brought it to her mouth.
Soft texture, gentle egg flavor, rich buttery aroma, and creamy milk all danced together perfectly.
After savoring every bit and swallowing, Hyejin was certain.
I want to sell this at the store!
A Cooking Master—especially someone like Seojun—wasn’t something you could just find again.
Eventually people would get tired of the usual gimbap and bread sold at convenience stores.
Preparing in advance was the smart move.
If she was this sure it would help the store, refusing to hire him would be the weirder choice.
So… Cha Seojun-ssi…
“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”
Seojun asked nervously.
Hyejin quickly swallowed the bite in her mouth and answered,
“Honestly, until a minute ago I wasn’t sure. I was worried hiring you might just be my selfish desire. But after eating this omelette… my mind’s changed.”
“What do you…?”
“Please work at our store. I want to sell simple meals that hunters can eat their fill of before heading out to fight. Nothing’s decided yet—we’d have to create the whole menu from scratch—but I believe you can do it.”
Seojun stared at her, completely dumbfounded, mouth slightly open.
Hyejin sighed, watching his reaction.
“I kept flip-flopping, so you must feel bad. I’m sorry.”
“No! Not at all. I’m not upset in the slightest. Actually…”
He handed her a cup of warm milk he had prepared earlier and smiled.
“I’m really happy. I’ll do my very best.”