Chapter 7: Manual for the Convenience Store Part-Timers
“Just a little more and we’re done.”
By now the organizing was almost finished.
Among the products that needed to be put away, there were many things even more unusual and special than the tents.
Items that could only be sold in a convenience store inside a dungeon.
Canned feed for monsters, first-aid kits for low-rank hunters, recovery mana potions that freed you from poison and infection, never-ending-battery flashlights for entering hidden dungeons or dark forests and caves, small mechanical animals meant to distract monsters when you needed to run away, and more.
“The products are insane. They’re all so amazing. Everything here is useful to hunters, so business is going to be crazy good.”
“The more you look, the more things you’ll want to sell.”
“Really? By the way…”
Seeing that the organizing was more or less done, Hyejin clapped the dust off her hands and continued.
“This is all possible because I’m actually good at this. If it had been a total rookie manager, they’d be panicking at the register and messing up customer service. Asha, you really picked the perfect person.”
“It’s true I chose well. I selected a human I can handle as the manager, after all.”
Asha finished speaking and flashed a teasing grin at Hyejin. Hyejin pulled a sulky face, then shot back.
“Fine, let’s say that’s true. I’ll shut up. But how do I make the manual? I’ve only ever been the part-timer, never the one writing this stuff.”
“If you don’t know, walk around the store and think back on your own experience. What was hard, what order of work felt comfortable… The register is fully automatic anyway, so there won’t be problems there…”
“I’ll have to think about it. Organizing is done for now, so should I turn off the time machine?”
“Do whatever you want.”
Hyejin pressed the OFF button on the wristwatch and stopped it.
Instantly, the hunters outside started moving quickly again.
Judging by the direction they were heading, they were clearly customers coming to the store.
Hyejin took off the strength vest, changed into the uniform vest with her name tag, and tidied her hair.
The slightly wavy strands that poked out near her ears made her already cute face look even cuter.
Swish.
“Welcome! Nice to see you.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Hyejin glanced at the hunters coming in one after another.
These hunters had already visited several times.
She could tell because, despite their expressionless faces, they were among the few who always replied to her greeting.
The hunters stopped in front of the new product corner that hadn’t existed a few days ago.
They stood there for a long time, seriously debating what to buy.
Leaning lightly against the advertisement board behind the counter with her arms folded, Hyejin quietly said to Asha.
“They seem to be worrying because there are so many more items now. Even I would be overwhelmed trying to choose.”
“A week from now there’ll be even more, so we should probably get extra display shelves ready.”
“Got it, got it.”
One hunter picked up some items and started walking toward the register.
Hyejin quickly unfolded her arms, put on a friendly smile, and spoke.
“Did you find everything you wanted? We got new stock today. New items will arrive every week, so please stop by often!”
A faint smile appeared on the hunter’s normally expressionless face.
“I was honestly surprised by how many new things came in. This is the first time I’ve seen a place with so many actually useful items. This isn’t just any convenience store. Thank you.”
It was the first time a customer had ever thanked her. She was used to receiving greetings in return, but never actual conversation.
The unexpected kindness made warmth flood Hyejin’s chest.
Being thanked by a stranger…
“I hope you stay safe inside the dungeon. Let me ring you up.”
After quickly finishing the transaction, Hyejin bowed politely to the leaving hunter.
The next hunter also chose his items and walked over with heavy steps.
She treated him just as kindly, and soon the store was empty again.
Hyejin turned to Asha.
“I’ve never had customers this nice before. Come to think of it, those two just now picked the same items.”
“You’ve got sharp eyes. If you want to run the store well, you have to watch which products sell the most. Also keep track of the ones that just take up space, and return them before it’s too late. Carrying dead stock is a huge risk.”
“Okay, okay! You’re secretly really naggy, you know? Anyway, shall we make the manual for Lee Suho, who’s coming tomorrow? Better do it now while it’s quiet.”
Hyejin sat in front of the computer set up in the staff room.
It was meant for placing orders when needed, and a printer sat right beside it.
“Time to show off the résumé-writing skills I used for job applications. Asha, did you know? I’m actually pretty good at writing.”
“I’m sure you are. I have no idea where they found such an amazing manager.”
Hyejin stared at the blank screen and placed her hands on the keyboard.
She had bragged to Asha, but when it came time to actually write, nothing came to mind immediately.
Then she remembered her very first days working at a convenience store.
Back then she had done the morning shifts.
Because she had to relieve the night-shift worker, being late was absolutely not allowed, and night-shift workers were usually exhausted, so it was best not to get on their nerves.
Hyejin decided to write the first rule of the manual.
1. Morning-shift workers who relieve the night shift must never be late. (Please arrive 5 minutes early for smooth handover.)
The second rule would be about product displays.
Convenience stores generally sold a lot of gimbap, cup ramen, carton milk, bread, etc.
Checking expiration dates and stock counts was crucial, and empty spaces on the shelves had to be filled whenever possible.
“Right, that’s it.”
2. All workers must keep refrigerated foods, cup ramen, bread, etc., fully stocked with no empty gaps. Expired products must be disposed of immediately and never sold.
“And this too…”
3. While working, you may sit and rest when there are no customers, but never leave the store empty for personal reasons.
If you cannot come to work, contact the manager in advance.
4. Assist elderly customers whenever they need help.
5. Never be rude to customers. (The way I treat you may decide the mood of your entire day.)
“This should be good enough. It’s just a manual, nothing fancy, but as long as they follow the basics, it’ll be fine.”
“Once you’re done, print it and stick it up nicely in the staff room. Make sure Lee Suho reads it tomorrow when he comes. Also tell him to let us know in advance if he suddenly has to run off into the dungeon, he’s the type who might do that.”
“Of course, of course, I was already thinking that.”
Hyejin printed the manual and taped it to the staff-room wall, then looked around the room.
There was only one locker, prepared for the manager, Hyejin herself.
There was no space for part-timers, and that bothered her.
Having a space just for the manager is nice, but it would be even better if the part-timers had a place to rest too.
While there were no customers, Hyejin spotted Asha in the corner washing her face with her paws and called out loudly.
“Asha! I have a suggestion!”
“What now? Did you think of something else to stock?”
“No, it’s just… while making the manual, I got an idea.”
“What idea?”
Hyejin walked over to Asha, paused dramatically, then slowly spoke.
“That staff room, there’s only one locker right now…”
“We were in a rush, so we couldn’t bring extra lockers. It’s not that urgent.”
“It’s not just the lockers, I wish there was a rest area for the part-timers. A place where they can actually rest. When I worked at regular convenience stores, I always thought, it’s called a ‘convenience’ store, but it’s never convenient for the people working there. There’s never any space.”
“So?”
“I want to make a break area. So the part-timers can rest, and I can rest too. Put in a sofa, a big table… We might need to hire more part-timers later, so I’d like to prepare that space in advance…”
“You’re such a troublesome human. So you want a proper break room, is that it?”
“Exactly. That’s why I want to buy some small furniture.”
Asha came closer to Hyejin and said,
“Set the time machine. We’ll stop time for a bit and go get them. We can’t leave the store empty, not when hunters might need it.”
“Go where?”
“Just follow me and you’ll see.”