<Episode 50>
“Hmmm.”
I fell into thought.
It would be best if someone with management talent took charge of the second branch.
‘I also received an Employee Recruitment Ticket, so I should probably post a job opening for a branch manager soon.’
There was no need to rush the opening of the second branch, so I planned to take my time and hire a proper manager.
Just then, Ari suddenly shot her hand into the air.
“Unni! What about me? My dream was to become a boss!”
“You’re still too young. Besides, your grandmother’s hospital is in Seoul, isn’t it?”
“I was joking, actually. I’m going to work beside you for the rest of my life!”
Don’t say terrifying things like that.
I have absolutely no intention of working here forever.
Even as I grumbled, I didn’t push Ari away as she clung to me, and instead burst out laughing.
“Alright! The online job posting is up. Now we just wait for applicants.”
“How will we know who’s the right person?”
“Don’t worry about that. I have the perfect skill for it.”
It was time for the Talent Detection Skill to shine once again.
However, a few days later, I heard completely unexpected news.
Juhee had submitted a leave-of-absence request.
“Ever since I awakened, all I’ve done is work. It’s about time I took a break. Plus, there was that gate incident.”
Taking a bite of fish cake, Juhee spoke quietly.
She said she wanted to rest, but it seemed obvious that nearly losing her life due to the gate rank error had affected her deeply.
“If I’m going to take a break, I’m thinking of moving somewhere near the ocean. For healing.”
“…The ocean?”
“Yeah. I heard Busan’s beaches are beautiful. Come visit once I get settled. Bring Ari too.”
Juhee showed us photos, saying she’d already started looking for a place.
It was a small villa overlooking Gwangalli Beach.
“Wow, there’s even a swimming pool? It’s really pretty.”
“It used to be a pension rental. Not bad, right?”
Ari nodded vigorously, saying she’d definitely come visit.
Then Juwon, who had been quietly listening beside us, suddenly interjected.
“That works out nicely. I’ll be moving down to Busan soon too.”
“What? Why would you?”
“You didn’t hear? I’m going to be the manager of the second branch in Busan.”
Juwon’s sudden announcement left not only Juhee speechless, but me as well.
At the very least, shouldn’t you have discussed this with me first…?
“W-Wait, really? We’re opening a second branch in Busan?”
“Yep. Actually, we were hiring a manager, but…”
Apparently, even I was only learning now that Juwon had been hired.
Then a thought suddenly struck me.
“Hold on! What about your company? You’re literally a division manager!”
He shrugged.
“I’ll just quit.”
“What?! Is that really so easy? Your parents are going to oppose it like crazy!”
“I don’t know. The company’s already stable. It’ll be fine without me.”
According to him, the company had already entered a stable phase with professional executives and capable staff.
If anything, his continued involvement might actually be more inconvenient simply because it was a family business.
“My parents said they’re going to spend this year traveling and relaxing too. You saw their profile picture, right?”
“…They went to Jeju Island.”
“Exactly.”
I quickly stopped him from brushing the issue aside.
“Wait a second! Even if it’s you, Mr. Juwon, you still have to pass the interview before you can be hired!”
“Of course. Shall we do the interview right now?”
Juwon nodded confidently.
And that was when I realized just how absurdly competent he was.
“Have you ever managed a business before?”
“I started one while I was a student. And I learned management at the company as well.”
“Can you cook?”
“Of course! I even have a Korean cuisine certification.”
Even the stats I secretly checked with the Talent Detection Skill were perfect.
‘…An A-rank talent specialized in leadership. There’s no way I can pass this up.’
In the end, I surrendered.
“Please take care of us, Manager of Branch #2. This is really… something I never expected.”
“Hahaha! I didn’t plan on it either, but the timing worked out perfectly. Honestly, I’ve grown really fond of this shop.”
Although saying he’d grown fond of the shop wasn’t entirely accurate.
More precisely, Juhee had become fond of the shop, and he’d become attached to it through that.
‘Still, it’s not like he’d run it carelessly.’
Just watching him help around the store was enough to see how naturally talented he was.
And with Juhee also living in Busan, he’d probably work even harder.
“There’s just one problem. I still haven’t found a place to stay. Juhee, if you don’t mind, could I live there too?”
“Uh… well… there are plenty of rooms. I guess I don’t mind.”
Caught off guard, Juhee nodded.
While she scratched her cheek awkwardly, Juwon secretly celebrated with a silent cheer.
‘At this point, his sister complex might actually be a medical condition…’
I could only imagine how devastated he’d be if Juhee ever started dating.
“What’s with that expression all of a sudden?”
“Nothing. I was just imagining something weird.”
Juhee tilted her head at me.
***
<Title: {Breaking News) Bungeoppang Branch #2 is opening in Busan>
I overheard the boss talking about it at the shop lol
–OMG, really?? When??
└ No idea exactly ㅠ But probably soon?
– I heard too, lol. There was even a manager recruitment post for Busan.
└ It got taken down. Apparently, they hired someone they already knew.
└ That guy who was always at the shop? He seemed super capable. He’ll probably do great~
– Just wait till it opens. I’m going every day and clearing them out.
– Ahhhㅠㅠ I thought it’d open in Incheon…
<Title: Exact location of Haneul’s Busan Branch! (Photos Included)>
Looks like it’s opening near the back gate of the Management Bureau, hehe. The building is already finished! (photo)
– I heard rumors, but that was insanely fast! Is the shop itself some kind of item?
└ Yup, seems like it! The Seoul branch basically expanded itself too~
– Will the menu be the same? ㅠㅠ Please let there be tteokbokki…
– Hunters are already camping outside lol (photo)
└ They really are. That’s impressive.
└ Even a famous hunter YouTuber showed up. He’s livestreaming right now. (link)
– Please stop getting more famous. I wanted to keep this place to myself.
└ It’s already insanely famous, what are you talking about…
***
The moment I activated the “Branch #2 Opening Permit,” a building appeared almost immediately.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a humble street stall like when we first started.
Instead, it was a proper two-story building similar to our current shop.
‘The Director strongly recommended the location.’
The recommended site was near the back gate of the Hunter Management Bureau’s Busan Branch.
Fortunately, there happened to be an open lot there.
“Bleh. I can smell the salty air, nya.”
“That’s because the ocean is nearby.”
Han-yang wrinkled his nose and buried his face in my arms.
Apparently, he disliked the salty sea breeze.
[Haneul’s – Busan Branch –]
Our shop name was already displayed on the sign.
As I stood there looking at it proudly, someone approached and started setting up a tent.
Immediately, people waiting in nearby tents popped out and protested.
“Hey! There are already people waiting here. Set your tent up farther back!”
“Oh, sorry. It’s my first time.”
“Do you think the rest of us are waiting here because we’ve got nothing better to do?”
The shop still had several days before opening.
Yet people had already started lining up for the grand opening.
Juwon took a deep breath and joked,
“I didn’t realize we were this popular. It’s suddenly making me nervous.”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ve made thorough preparations for Branch #2.”
Those preparations weren’t anything fancy.
They were special items necessary for running the store.
I’d spent all my accumulated points, including the bonus points earned from completing requests on the Request Board, to purchase every shop-management item available.
Thank goodness the system gave me two Employee Recruitment Tickets as a grand opening gift for the second branch.
Otherwise, things could have become disastrous.
“The new employee, Seo Suchan, starts tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. I thought it would be best to provide some basic training before opening.”
“As expected of Mr. Juwon. You’re so dependable!”
This time, I followed Juwon’s judgment completely during hiring.
And apparently, his eye for talent was excellent.
When I secretly checked the new employee with my skill, he turned out to be a B+ Rank Talent.
Well, except for one person.
“…Do you think I’ll be able to do this?”
“Don’t push yourself too hard! Just think of it as a hobby.”
“No way. If I’m doing this, I’m going to do it properly.”
The other new employee was none other than Juhee herself.
Juwon had casually suggested it, and Juhee immediately said she wanted to try.
“To be honest, I’ve always been curious about jobs other than being a hunter. And cooking looks fun.”
She added that she wasn’t applying lightly and didn’t want us worrying.
Watching her speak with that slightly haughty expression made me smile.
Then I happened to lock eyes with Juwon, who was standing nearby, smiling as well.
“Mr. Juwon… or I guess I should say Manager now? Please take good care of Branch #2.”
“Call me whatever is comfortable. It’s honestly exciting to think hunters will be able to taste food I made.”
“And not only that. As a manager, you’ll be able to see the shop’s system window too. Running things shouldn’t be a problem.”
When I assigned Gong Juwon the position of manager, the system automatically granted him additional permissions.
Now, besides blessing food, he could freely manage unlocked menu items and receive automatic ingredient supplies.
Standing beside us, Juhee widened her eyes and asked,
“Wait. Does that mean I have to call you ‘Manager’ too?”
“Of course. Business and personal matters should remain separate.”
“Ugh! ‘Manager’? That sounds so cheesy!”
Watching the two of them start bickering again, I burst into laughter.
Oh, right.
Besides the Employee Recruitment Tickets, I’d received another gift to celebrate the second branch opening.
A special effect that could be fused into a new menu item.
‘It was something that increased luck, wasn’t it?’
Along with that, a brand-new menu item had been unlocked.
Sotteok-sotteok.
A skewer alternating chewy rice cakes and sausage, generously coated in spicy rice-cake sauce.
‘This would be perfect as a Busan Branch exclusive menu item.’
And so, carried by the spring breeze, the second branch opened.
Before long, word of it began spreading rapidly across social media.
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