Counter renewal has been completed.
You no longer need to scan barcodes for checkout.
The counter computer upgrade has also been completed, and receipts can be sent to customers’ phones if needed.
For simple returns due to a change of mind, press the return button and place the item on the counter to complete the return.
“Wow, this is really going to help a lot with checkout!”
“Since you worked hard, this is a fair reward.”
Hyejin exclaimed in admiration, and Asha responded.
Hyejin smiled and replied.
“Thanks, Asha. Earlier, you helped me assess the customer’s situation in advance.”
“If you know that, I hope you’ll handle things completely on your own from now on.”
“Pfft, okay, okay.”
Chalang—
The renewed counter’s debut! Hyejin, who had turned her head to greet the customer entering through the convenience store door, unconsciously glanced at her watch in surprise. It was Suho who had come in.
While solving the quest, time had flown by so quickly that it was already Suho’s shift time.
“Why is Seojun here at this hour?”
“Why are you here, Suho?”
“Oh, I just came in for my shift.”
It seemed no one had realized how much time had passed.
“No way! Time went by that fast?”
“Haha, yeah. Time always flies when I’m at the convenience store.”
“Aw, today felt even faster because there were so many interesting customers. Oh, Suho hyung probably doesn’t know why the counter changed. Manager, can I tell him about the quest?”
“Of course.”
She was going to tell Suho anyway once he arrived.
Eunwoo excitedly approached Suho and explained the whole story, while Hyejin quietly wiped down the counter.
Who knew changing things one by one would feel this good.
“So, basically, the manager is working hard for the convenience store’s development! We have to help out diligently too.”
Hyejin felt a slight pang of conscience at Eunwoo’s words, but she was relieved to have given them a rough explanation.
Now, no matter what quests came up in the future, the three of them wouldn’t have any doubts.
Today was really tough, but I managed to get through it somehow.
She couldn’t gauge how many more difficult and overwhelming quests lay ahead, but if things continued like this…
As long as no one interfered and no problems arose, it seemed she could become an SS-rank hunter.
Once she became an SS-rank hunter, her surroundings would improve even more, and there would be many places seeking her out.
The Hunter Intensive Management Headquarters, national hunter intelligence agents, the Hunter Constitutional Court, the Hunter Association—they would all come looking for her.
There was no way Hyejin would suddenly become a combat-type hunter, so she would surely awaken with abilities suited for office work.
SS-rank hunters were rare in Korea and were used as national talents.
Hyejin liked being the convenience store manager right now, but she couldn’t do it forever, so she dreamed of a cooler future.
“We’ll have to work hard.”
Hyejin smiled and shook her head at Suho’s words.
“No, you’re already working plenty hard. Thank you all for working with me.”
Hyejin greeted them with a warm smile.
***
Time passed smoothly.
It had been nearly a month since the convenience store inside the dungeon started operating.
“It’s pretty quiet today.”
“Yeah. Should we have a light tea time?”
Hyejin, who was on night shift with Suho today, yawned softly and grabbed two vitamin-packed drinks from the beverage section.
She handed one to Suho and opened the other, taking a sip. Ah, that’s the stuff.
“Suho, how’s the convenience store work going for you lately?”
“Huh? It’s fine.”
In truth, Hyejin had deliberately joined the night shift today.
She was worried about Suho.
Suho worked harder than she could have imagined. He was so diligent that if you molded the word “diligent” into a person, it would be him.
He often worked overtime.
No matter how much Hyejin told him to go home, if there was work left or customers piled up, he would quietly stay and finish.
He frequently worked extra to help the still-inexperienced Eunwoo, and sometimes he even assisted Seojun in making omelets.
Yeah, if that was all, it would be fine.
But after finally leaving, he would wander the dungeon for hours, then briefly go home to change clothes and come right back to the convenience store for his shift.
Hyejin was deeply concerned about when he even slept.
No matter how I think about it, it’s too much. Way too much.
That’s why Hyejin wanted to give him a break. Though Suho himself didn’t seem to guess what she was getting at.
“Working with you all this time, I’ve gotten the strong impression that you work very, excessively, hard. Of course, I’m grateful, but I’m also worried.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m saying this because I’m not fine with it. I’m not an exploitative employer, you know. How about taking tomorrow off? I’ll give you paid leave. The part-timers have been working so hard lately that I’ve had plenty of time to recharge.”
“But…”
He scratched his head hesitantly, and Hyejin continued.
“I’m suggesting this because I want you to rest well for a day. You’ll be able to work hard again only if you rest happily. I’ll give Eunwoo and Seojun one paid day off per month too. It’s not special treatment just for you, so relax and come back refreshed.”
“But won’t it be too hard for you, Manager?”
“That’s why I can only give you one day. I originally wanted to give you two… Up until now, thanks to you, Eunwoo, and Seojun, the store has run without issues, and you’ve all done overtime when busy, so we’ve managed. But this isn’t right. No days off and constant overtime?”
“I can work more. I’m an SS-rank for a reason, after all.”
“I know your stamina is on a whole different level from others. But I’m still worried, that’s why I’m saying this. After running the convenience store for a while, I’ve decided to hire weekend part-timers.”
As she said, Hyejin had been worrying about this for days.
Everyone’s working hours were excessively long, and having to work without days off was something that would be overwhelming unless they were SS-rank.
No matter how strong they were, they were still human.
It wasn’t physical stamina, but mental stamina that would eventually wear out, even for hunters.
Hiring more part-timers would mean headaches over salaries, but for the sake of future operations, weekend part-timers were necessary.
“Is it really okay to take tomorrow off?”
“Of course. I’ll handle the work.”
“But you’ll be alone, and it might be tough.”
“Hehe, it’s fine. I have Asha. She grumbles, but she helps me a lot with my work. So, tomorrow is your paid leave day! That’s how it’ll be.”
Hyejin finished speaking with a determined look, as if she wouldn’t accept any rebuttals, and Suho chuckled, nodding.
“I’ll make sure to rest well.”
“Great! Then let’s power through today. I’ll be in the staff room, so call me if anything comes up.”
“Yes, understood.”
Hyejin strode into the staff room without hesitation.
“Alright, I’ve conveyed the paid leave thing, so now I need to do what I really have to today.”
Muttering to herself, Hyejin headed to the cozy space set up for Bailey in one corner of the staff room.
She’d decorated it bit by bit whenever she had time, and now it looked like a proper dog room.
Bailey was lying on his back, happily asleep, and Asha was using his belly as a pillow, sprawled out.
“Hehe, you two are really close now, huh?”
“I have no choice. I’m the one taking care of him full-time.”
“Yeah, thanks every time.”
Hyejin squatted down in front of Asha and Bailey, and Asha slowly opened one eye to look at her.
“You look like you have something to say.”
“You’re such a mind reader.”
“What is it?”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about what that customer said before.”
Asha seemed to immediately know which customer Hyejin meant.
Her intuition was uncannily sharp.
“You mean the middle school hunter who mentioned delivery.”
“You’re the best, Asha. How did you know?”
“It’s obvious. You want to make it, right?”
Hyejin nodded at Asha’s words.
“I’ve been pondering it for the past few days. I discussed it with the part-timers too.”
[What do you all think about creating a delivery system?]
Everyone was positive about Hyejin’s question, but Suho’s response stuck out clearly in her memory.
He knew the dungeon inside best, after all.
[In the dungeon, there are frequent moments where having or not having even a bottle of water decides life or death. You can’t predict where or how you’ll get injured, so preparations are limited. More than anything, you can’t enter the dungeon carrying a lot of luggage, so a delivery system would be very useful in those cases.]
“Even if it’s difficult, I want to try it at least once.”
“Oh dear, you’re making a big deal out of things again. Can’t be helped. Let’s go then.”
“Huh? Where?”
“To the place where there are people who can make that system.”
Asha slowly got up, stretched thoroughly, then lightly jumped onto Hyejin’s shoulder.