Hyejin explained the situation as quickly as possible.
She emphasized that she didn’t want to send the customer away disappointed.
-I get the gist. So, to sum it up, you need corn soup right now, right?
“Yes, exactly! Of course, I know you can’t come right away. So, could you possibly tell me the corn soup recipe? I was thinking of trying to make it myself, even if it’s not perfect.”
When Hyejin cautiously asked, Seojun seemed to ponder for a moment over the phone before replying.
Good timing.
I couldn’t sleep at all and was taking a walk nearby. The dungeon isn’t far from here, so I can head over right away.
I’ll help you out, Manager.
“Ah, no, you don’t have to go that far! If it’s hard to share the recipe, I’ll try to find another way.”
I was really bored right now.
Can I come?
“No, it’s not that you can’t….”
See you when I get there.
Seojun hung up abruptly, as if afraid Hyejin might change her mind.
Staring at her disconnected phone, Hyejin let out a deep sigh.
“Who comes in outside work hours like this? Everyone’s just too nice.”
Feeling unnecessarily guilty, Hyejin sighed repeatedly before leaving the staff room and standing before the waiting customer.
“Just a moment longer, customer.”
“Yes?”
“Our chef said he’s coming right now. Could you wait a bit?”
“How long? Ah, but if it’s the chef, it’s Chef Cha Seojun, right? Awesome……. Well, I still have time before meeting my guild members. Got it.”
As if he really had been nearby, right after the customer finished speaking, the convenience store door swung open cleanly, and Seojun entered with his gentle smile.
“I’m here, Manager.”
“Welcome, Seojun!”
Guilt was guilt, but this joy outweighed it!
Hyejin, eyes sparkling as if she’d met a savior, hurriedly led Seojun into the staff room.
“Seojun, as I mentioned on the phone….”
“Yes. I know. The corn soup, right? It’s not that difficult.”
“Phew, that’s a relief. I didn’t foresee this, but when Eunwoo and I went shopping at the mart, I bought corn soup ingredients just in case. Could you check if I got the right ones?”
Hyejin inwardly praised herself to the hilt for having bought the ingredients on a whim and moved to open the fridge in the corner of the staff room kitchen, taking them out to place on the table.
She had checked a corn soup recipe online and bought the necessary ingredients, but she wasn’t confident they’d meet Seojun’s standards.
Huh?
“Why are there no ingredients? I definitely bought them!”
At Hyejin’s indignant cry, Seojun chuckled softly and waved it off.
“Yes, I know. Actually, since there were corn soup ingredients, I tried making a test batch.”
Seojun pointed to the pot on the gas stove.
“Good timing. I didn’t think I’d be able to serve it to a customer right away like this.”
“Wow! Really? Could I offer him a taste test?”
“Of course. From what you told me on the phone, I was worried he might be picky, but it should be fine.”
“Ah…… yeah. He has to pick something for his guild members, and he seems to struggle with decisions at the best of times.”
When Hyejin said it cautiously, Seojun smiled at her.
“Making corn soup isn’t that hard. That’s why I suggested selling it early on at the convenience store. Anyway, I can’t serve cold soup, so it’ll take about 10 minutes to reheat.”
***
Seojun lit the gas stove, and Hyejin quickly prepared paper cups.
“For something like this, I could’ve handled it alone. Thanks and sorry for the trouble.”
As Hyejin mumbled guiltily while watching the bubbling soup, Seojun shook his head as if to say, don’t mention it.
“This is a chance to showcase my food. I can’t leave the moment it’s served to a customer to someone else. That’s my philosophy, so no need to feel burdened.”
Once the soup was adequately warmed, Seojun tasted it from a small bowl, sprinkled on some final pepper and parsley powder, then carefully ladled it into a paper cup.
Just enough for two bites, since it was a taste test.
“Is this amount enough for a tasting?”
“Yes, perfect! Thank you.”
“No problem. I wanted to see the hunters’ reactions anyway, and it’s not a hard dish to make. Hope it suits his taste.”
Seojun said warmly.
Then, he handed the tray with the paper cup to Hyejin.
“I’m a bit nervous too. It’s been a while since I made soup.”
“He’ll definitely say it’s delicious.”
When Hyejin grinned, he scratched his forehead bashfully and smiled back.
That’s when it happened.
From outside the staff room, the customer’s voice rose in protest to Eunwoo.
“How much longer do I have to wait? You said just a bit, but it’s been 15 minutes already! If I’d known it’d take this long, I should’ve just had instant cup soup! Why did I wait like an idiot?”
Oops.
Hyejin hurried out of the staff room and bowed flusteredly to the customer.
“Sorry for making you wait so long. I got greedy wanting to let you taste warm soup. But the corn soup tasting is ready now—would you like to try it?”
The customer stared at the steaming, nutty-scented corn soup Hyejin held out, his face full of dissatisfaction.
Hyejin watched his expression with slight tension.
If he was too upset and refused to even try it, she’d be heartbroken.
“Anyone would’ve thought I was napping in the convenience store! Seriously!”
His eyes seemed shaky, but the customer didn’t readily take the cup, so Hyejin began calmly persuading him.
“As I mentioned earlier, it wasn’t a product we were selling yet, so it took some time—I wanted to explain that. Still, Chef Cha Seojun—er, Chef Seojun—insisted on showcasing the corn soup to you.”
“It really is Chef Cha Seojun who just came in, right?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“There were community posts saying his omelets are legendary and you have to buy them. Are the omelets done for?”
“Yes. Omelets are a morning limited sale. But this corn soup will be really delicious too. The chef said he’s confident in it.”
In truth, Seojun hadn’t said that, but Hyejin could tell just from the finely textured corn soup he’d made.
No, she was certain.
This was truly delicious corn soup!
Seeing Seojun cautiously emerge from the staff room door, Hyejin spoke again with full confidence.
“It’ll really be delicious.”
At her voice brimming with certainty, the customer pouted but replied in a softened tone.
“Alright, I’ll gratefully have it then.”
With that, the hunter reached out his arm as if asking for the corn soup Hyejin held.
When Hyejin offered the tray, he tilted his head after picking up the paper cup.
“Ah, but what about payment?”
Hyejin shook her head at his words.
“It’s a tasting, so feel free to have it. Ah, if you’re okay with it, I’d appreciate some feedback.”
“Feedback?”
“Yes. Since it’s a new dish we’re introducing.”
“Ah, right, you did say that.”
His expression had relaxed considerably, probably thanks to the sweet, nutty aroma wafting from the corn soup.
“The smell is really nice. I’ll give it a try.”
“Yes.”
After receiving a disposable spoon from Hyejin, the customer took a big scoop of corn soup and ate it slowly, savoring.
Later, he even closed his eyes and broke into a satisfied smile.
“How is it?”
When Hyejin asked, he answered in a voice as smooth as melted butter.
“It’s really so delicious. Not too sweet or salty, and the popping corn kernels give it a nice chew, plus potatoes? There are potatoes in it? That makes it so mild. It’s the taste you crave when you’re sick.”
“Glad you’re satisfied.”
A faint smile rose to Seojun’s lips as he watched Hyejin and the customer.
“Um, I’ll buy this. Ah, you said you’re not selling it yet? I want to share it with my guild members—could you sell it to me?”
The hunter scraped the paper cup so clean the bottom showed white.
Then he said to Hyejin.
“Mm, then how about one pot for 20,000 gold? Specially, I’ll throw in extra paper cups and disposable spoons for free.”
After a brief think, Hyejin winked playfully with one eye.
It was a test menu with no price set yet, but having the guild members share it would naturally promote ‘The convenience store’s corn soup is amazing!’—not a bad deal for the store.
Since a single cup soup sold for around 1,000 gold, it was appropriate for a pot worth about 20 servings.
“Great, I’ll take it for 20,000 gold!”
“Thank you for your purchase, customer.”
The customer seemed in very high spirits.
Soon, Seojun packed the pot full of corn soup into a large container, filling it to the brim, and handed it over.
The moment she received the gold,
Quest ‘Show Off the Manager’s Cool Abilities!’ 2/5 achieved!
Special reward for 2/5 achievement to be granted
A ta-da! rang out.
Hyejin lifted the corners of her mouth in a grin. Yes!
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