<Episode 19>
Because I had quickly finished gathering materials at the gate the previous day, the shop was able to open at the usual time today.
‘Good. Let’s start right away.’
Maybe customers had been placing reservations since dawn, because the reservation list that reset every midnight was already full. After scanning through the reservations once, I began preparing to properly open the shop. To make a new bungeoppang for Hunter Kang Min today, the most important thing was unlocking the new menu as quickly as possible.
‘Thank goodness the number I make per day increased after introducing the reservation system. I should be able to fill it all by today.’
There were about 200 bungeoppang left until the new menu unlocked. At this rate, it should safely unlock sometime in the afternoon.
Just as I predicted, shortly after lunchtime, a notification appeared saying it could be unlocked.
—
Conditions fulfilled!
Would you like to unlock a new menu?
> Menu List
- Red Bean bungeoppang
- Custard Cream bungeoppang
- Locked (Unlock Available)
.
.
.
—
When I clicked the blinking words “Unlock Available,” a ding sound rang out, and a new menu appeared. Without hesitation, I immediately applied the special effect synthesis as well.
—
Spicy-Meco bungeoppang: A fiery bungeoppang filled with spicy kimchi.
Special Effect: Hiss-Haah (Stress -50%)*
—
As expected, the newly unlocked menu was the perfect food for stress relief.
A bungeoppang filled with spicy kimchi. I wondered if it would taste similar to kimchi dumplings. Quietly imagining the flavor, saliva naturally pooled in my mouth as I pictured the kind of spiciness that made you breathe out “Sshh-ha.”
‘I should practice making it as soon as today’s reservations are done!’
After the final customer picked up their bungeoppang, I immediately practiced the new menu item, the Spicy-Meco bungeoppang. A sharp spicy scent spread throughout the shop.
“Wow, this is spicier than I expected.”
The completed Spicy-Meco bungeoppang had reddish spots showing through from the spicy seasoning inside. When I carefully took a bite, a pleasant spiciness struck my tongue. By the time I was almost done eating one, it was spicy enough that I unconsciously let out a “Haa–” to cool my tongue.
Watching curiously from beside me, Hanyang twitched his nose and approached.
“It smells incredibly fiery, nya. I want to try some too, nya.”
“It’s spicy, so you can’t eat it.”
“Hing, that’s so mean, nya…”
No matter how adorably dejected he acted, there was no way I could give something this spicy to a cat.
Promising him delicious snacks once we got home, I diligently started baking more Spicy-Meco bungeoppang.
“The shop’s already closed, so why are you making more, nya?”
“To give some to Hunter Kang Min. Since he’s not coming to the shop, I’ll have to go find him.”
Since items kept their condition exactly as they were when stored in the inventory, it seemed perfect for delivering them.
After placing the completed Spicy-Meco bungeoppang into my inventory, I closed the shop.
[Hunter Kang Min, do you happen to have time today?]
Not long after sending the message, I got a reply suggesting we meet at the same bench from last time.
After checking the Spicy-Meco bungeoppang in my inventory once more, Hanyang and I headed toward the bench.
“Noona!”
Already there waiting, Hunter Kang Min waved when he saw me. I plopped down beside him and pulled out the bungeoppang.
“Tada! This is the special bungeoppang I told you about yesterday, made just for Hunter Kang Min. It’s a brand-new menu item!”
“A new menu item? You made it for me?”
Receiving the still-warm bungeoppang exactly as it had been when first baked, Kang Min’s eyes widened in surprise at the words “new menu.”
Taking one out, he examined it from every angle.
“Huh? There’s something red inside. Is this a spicy version of bungeoppang?”
“That’s right. It’s called Spicy-Meco bungeoppang.”
“Wow! I absolutely love spicy food!”
He made a huge fuss, saying his favorite food was spicy tteokbokki.
Tteokbokki, spicy braised ribs, spicy ramen… he confidently declared that he loved all spicy foods.
“Though after awakening, I can barely taste things anymore…”
Drooping his shoulders gloomily, he looked at me and playfully winked.
“But something you made will be different, right? You’re the one who makes bungeoppang that even awakened hunters can actually taste!”
“It tasted good to me, but I’m not sure how it’ll be for you.”
“I’m super excited! Spicy bungeoppang!”
Cheerfully saying, “Thank you for the meal!” he opened his mouth wide and took a huge bite of the Spicy-Meco bungeoppang.
More than half the fish-shaped pastry disappeared in an instant.
“Mmmmmm! This is seriously delicious!!!!”
Before he had even chewed a few times, he sprang to his feet in admiration and started hopping up and down in place. His large eyes sparkled brilliantly, clearly showing how much he liked it.
Stuffing the remaining bungeoppang into his mouth, he immediately picked up the next one.
‘Thank goodness it suits his taste.’
With his mouth full of bungeoppang, Kang Min closed his eyes and completely immersed himself in happiness.
Just as he was about to eat the next one, he suddenly paused.
“Hm? What is it? Is there a problem?”
“Well… ssshh, this is actually pretty spicy?”
The defining characteristic of the Spicy-Meco bungeoppang was the sharp, tingling heat that hit afterward.
He probably hadn’t noticed because he ate so quickly at first, but now the spiciness seemed to be kicking in.
“Wow! Since it’s bungeoppang, I thought it wouldn’t be that spicy. Sshhhp, haaah–”
“Is it really spicy? Want some water?”
“No. I missed this kind of spiciness!”
Breathing in sharply, he bit into the bungeoppang again.
Steam rose from the half-eaten pastry. Since it was hot, it would feel even spicier, yet his mouth showed no sign of stopping.
“I think I finally understand why people say spicy food relieves stress.”
After quickly finishing one bungeoppang, he fiddled with the paper bag before speaking.
“…This has a special effect too, right?”
“Yes. Stress reduction. What do you think? Does it feel effective?”
He nodded repeatedly. He said the tightness that had been lingering around his solar plexus lately felt like it had disappeared.
“You even made a new product just for me. I’m really touched. Thank you, noona.”
Kang Min quietly expressed his gratitude. Seeing his lips slightly swollen from nonstop eating spicy bungeoppang, I smiled and nodded.
‘Looks like the special effect is working well.’
Honestly, unlike the sleep effect, this effect was difficult to feel directly.
There was no numerical way to confirm whether stress had actually decreased.
Still, seeing Kang Min so happy from finally tasting spicy food again made it seem like the effect was definitely working.
“Thanks to you, my gloomy mood has improved a lot. I can see why people love your bungeoppang.”
As soon as he grinned, a pop-up appeared announcing the mission’s completion.
Nice! That was ridiculously easy!
—
MISSION COMPLETE!
Mission “Beneath the Hollow Flame” Complete
Reward: 1,000P <Claim Immediately>
> HIDDEN MISSION Available
—
Grinning as I reached to claim the reward, I blinked at the words underneath.
Wait… Hidden Mission? What’s that now?
“What’s wrong? Is something wrong?”
“Ah, no! I think something got in my eye.”
Pretending to rub my eye, I watched him nod in understanding.
No matter how curious I was about the mission, I couldn’t inspect the mission window with Hunter Kang Min sitting right there.
First, I parted ways with Kang Min and returned home.
“A Hidden Mission, nya?”
“Yeah. I thought it would just end after giving him the item this time too…”
“You should check what it says, nya.”
Following Hanyang’s advice, I summoned the mission window and checked the Hidden Mission.
The blinking selection seemed to urge me to click it, so I did—and a new window immediately appeared.
—
HIDDEN MISSION
: Blazing Flame
What does it take for an extinguished flame to reignite? Sometimes, a small trigger may be enough.
-Target: Kang Min
-Condition (Danger): Anxiety, Emptiness
-Required Materials: None
Reward: Employee Recruitment Ticket
—
What stood out most was Hunter Kang Min’s status.
The stress was gone, but anxiety and emptiness remained at dangerous levels.
‘It doesn’t even require materials.’
That meant this wasn’t the type where I entered a gate and gathered ingredients.
Instead, it mentioned a “small trigger,” but there was no explanation for what that meant.
“Hmmm, a trigger…”
“What does it say, nya?”
“Oh! I’ll read it to you. Hold on.”
I read the Hidden Mission details aloud to Hanyang, who was staring intently at me.
Nodding, Hanyang leapt onto my lap.
“An employee recruitment ticket is a pretty good reward, nya.”
“Since the shop keeps getting bigger and we’re getting more customers, having an employee would definitely help.”
Up until now, no matter how busy it got, I had no choice but to handle everything alone. The shop had simply been too small.
But after several upgrades, it had now grown large enough for at least two people to comfortably stand inside.
‘As for who to hire, I can think about that slowly later…’
Thankfully, there was no failure penalty even if the Hidden Mission failed. The worst-case scenario was simply not being able to hire an employee right away.
‘The problem is whether I can afford to wait until the next one.’
At first, I only needed to make 500 bungeoppang, but the next requirement jumped tenfold to 5,000. Which meant the next step would probably be 50,000…
Just imagining myself baking that many bungeoppang alone already made my vision go blurry. Even at a minimum, it would probably take half a year.
“Alright. I’m definitely clearing this Hidden Mission.”
“Do you already have a good idea, nya?”
Nothing came to mind immediately, but I did know someone who would probably know a good method.
My friend Park Shinhye, who had liked Hunter Kang Min since his earliest idol days.
Without hesitation, I immediately sent Shinhye a message.
[Shinhye, do you happen to need Hunter Kang Min’s autograph?]
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