“Have you tried this bread? It’s a new product that came in yesterday, and it’s really great!”
“Huh?”
When Hyejin winked at the flustered Eunwoo, he alternated glances between Hyejin and the customer for a moment, then, seeming to catch on to her intent, replied nonchalantly.
“Oh, yeah. Of course I’ve tried it. You know I can’t rest until I try every new item that comes out, Manager. That bread, man. It’s the real deal, right?”
Hyejin had seen countless customers who had trouble deciding.
She usually just waited quietly for them, but a friend had once heard her story and said this.
‘I’d actually prefer if you stepped in and recommended something first. I’m too shy to ask, but I’m curious about what’s the best seller, or what this tastes like. It’d be good to have simple info like that next to the menu too.’
That conversation stuck vividly in her memory.
Of course, she couldn’t know if this customer wanted the same kind of help as her friend, so she couldn’t recommend too hastily, but this much seemed okay.
Well, it might come off a bit exaggerated.
“If you heat it in the microwave for just 10 seconds, the cream melts warmly, and it feels like eating soft cream-filled taiyaki.”
“Exactly! If there had been a bit more stock, I would’ve bought them all on my way home yesterday.”
At Eunwoo’s expression of genuine regret, Asha, who had been lazily sprawled on the counter, let out a snort.
What terrible acting.
Like that.
But at this moment, Hyejin was grateful that Eunwoo was at the convenience store.
Nodding, Hyejin now picked up a kimbap.
“And this cheese sausage kimbap is delicious too.”
“I haven’t tried that one yet, but it must’ve suited your taste, Manager?”
“Yes. It matched my palate perfectly, and it’s popular too. If you microwave it for just 10 seconds, the rolled-up cheddar cheese melts just right for eating. Of course, even without heating, it’s chewy and a treat.”
At that moment, the customer, pretending not to listen, subtly turned around with a curious expression and glanced toward where the kimbap was.
Before he was a quest, he was a precious customer who had come to the convenience store. Hyejin wanted to recommend products that he could truly be satisfied with, not just for the quest, but for him.
“You probably need a hearty meal before entering the dungeon. Koreans live on rice power, after all! Oh, right. Eunwoo, what’s the tastiest thing at the convenience store for you?”
Hyejin’s act showed no signs of ending. At her question, Eunwoo quickly racked his brain, and Asha whispered small enough for only him to hear.
“Calm down a bit. It’s too obvious you’re acting.”
Asha seemed to be quite enjoying the situation. Eunwoo shot her a mildly annoyed glare with narrowed eyes, took a deep breath, and replied.
“I liked the popcorn varieties here, and the instant foods are good too. Even for a chaebol’s palate, convenience store food fits pretty well. Or maybe this place is special? Haha, what else was tasty. Everything’s good, so it’s hard to choose.”
Hearing Eunwoo’s words, the customer now openly turned his body toward Hyejin.
Noticing his gaze, Hyejin nodded slightly to him with the most natural expression, as if she had no intentions.
“Oh, were we too loud? My voice is a bit loud, sorry. Don’t mind us and take your time choosing. We often eat convenience store food for meals, and sometimes the staff recommend to each other what’s good.”
“No, it wasn’t that loud. The part-timer seems to really like this convenience store’s food.”
The customer didn’t snap back sharply like before.
He just glanced at Hyejin awkwardly, as if embarrassed for having been so sensitive earlier, and cautiously spoke to her.
“Actually, I’m not that into eating, but I’m really hungry. If I buy just enough, I worry, and if I buy everything I like, I worry about what the other hunters will think.”
“What they think? If it’s not rude, may I ask why you’re worried about that?”
At Hyejin’s cautious question, the hunter answered with a sigh.
“You never know what’ll happen in the dungeon, so they say you shouldn’t carry a lot of stuff so you can run anytime.”
“I see. Yeah, everyone seems to minimize their luggage.”
“Yeah, so. Anyway, why doesn’t this convenience store do 1+1 promotions?”
“Ah, well…….”
Hyejin trailed off.
Actually, the promotion she had boldly started was because of the quest; before that, she hadn’t even thought promotions were necessary.
Maybe everyone had been disappointed but just didn’t say it.
Hyejin suddenly felt down, thinking she might have taken this job too lightly.
Of course, she quickly shook off the gloomy thought.
‘Now that I know, I can do better from here on.’
“Our convenience store hasn’t been open long. We’re steadily adding more promotions, so next time you come, you might find the one you want.”
When Hyejin replied with a bright smile, the customer scratched his cheek and nodded.
“Yeah, well……. I might seem like someone who loves freebies by saying this, but that’s not it—I’m looking for promotion items to buy plenty and share with my guild members.”
Hyejin nodded repeatedly.
It made sense to look for promotions since buying drinks for all the guild members would be pricey.
“Next time, I’ll definitely run a 1+1 drink promotion.”
“Well, I’d appreciate that. Ah, but what should I eat anyway?”
The conversation ended nicely, but he still hadn’t decided what to eat.
Hyejin decided to give him one more indirect recommendation.
‘Satisfying him doesn’t necessarily mean he has to buy something today, so let’s recommend something he can come back for.’
With that resolve, Hyejin clasped her hands together tightly.
Watching from the counter, Asha shook her head side to side.
“Eunwoo, do you like corn soup? It’s hearty and mild, perfect for a meal. We’re planning to make and sell corn soup at the convenience store soon. I used to make soup at home sometimes, and it’s not too filling but warm and nice.”
“Ah. Our house chef used to make corn soup whenever I wanted it.”
“Oh, so you like corn soup too, Eunwoo.”
That’s when it happened.
The customer suddenly approached Hyejin with sparkling eyes.
So abruptly that it startled her.
“Corn, corn soup? Do you sell that now?”
Hyejin was flustered seeing the hunter ask with wide, sparkling eyes.
She hadn’t expected such an intense reaction……?
Corn soup was a product in the planning stage. That meant it wasn’t available now.
Had it been a mistake to mention a menu for later?
Seeing Hyejin’s troubled expression, the customer let out a big sigh.
“Actually, I didn’t come today just to buy for myself. Sometimes we take turns treating the guild members, and it’s my turn this time. That’s why I’m agonizing like this. And of all days, why today. I only have 20,000 gold today…….!”
Hyejin finally understood his situation in an instant. Convenience store food that could feed the guild members with 20,000 gold.
That’d be hard for anyone to find.
‘What to do.’
This customer might be quite tricky.
“You don’t sell corn soup now? Right?”
She hadn’t planned to sell corn soup like this.
After finishing the exterior interior of the convenience store, she wanted to make and sell corn soup, omelets, and even healing-infused drinks all together.
If she suddenly started selling haphazardly, the already hectic convenience store work would get even busier, and if she sold corn soup without a taste test and word got out that it tasted bad, it’d be a big problem.
So she wanted to take more time and sell it slowly, but the hunter’s eyes were fixed only on Hyejin and Eunwoo standing next to her.
Eyes sparkling like a cat in some anime when begging.
As if he had no intention of eating anything else but corn soup.
But Seojun had long since gone home, and next to her was only the chaebol young master.
There was no way Eunwoo could make something like corn soup.
‘What should I do?’
After pondering, Hyejin excused herself to the customer and went into the staff room, immediately pulling out her phone. To contact Seojun.
Ring, ring.
Hyejin anxiously waited for Seojun to pick up.
She felt guilty contacting him like this when he was off and resting, but Seojun was the only one she could rely on now.
Fortunately, he answered not long after.
Hello, Manager?
“Yes, yes. It’s Cha Hyejin. Sorry to call suddenly when you’re off and resting. Is it okay to talk now?”
Yes. It’s fine. What’s the matter?
“Actually, it’s…….!!