<Episode 78>
Using anonymity, the post began with a story about the writer’s mother, who had gone missing during a mock training exercise about two weeks ago and had miraculously returned alive.
—
…The gate my mother was trapped in was an Arachne habitat, a dangerous place that could only be accessed through a rift. The people who personally entered that place and carried out the rescue were Hunter Lee Hyun-woo and Hunter Jung Haneul.
In particular, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Hunter Haneul. Even after the rescue, she stayed by my mother’s side, massaged her arms, and even prepared warm soup for her. Thanks to her, my mother was able to calm down quickly and recover.
Thank you sincerely for allowing me to meet the most precious person in my life again.
—
At the end of the post was a photo showing the backs of a man tightly holding the hand of a woman lying in a hospital bed. It was a picture of the writer’s mother and father.
The sincere words of gratitude caused the comments to explode in an instant.
Comments (1,156)
– I’m so relieved your mother returned safely.
– You’ve really been through a lot, OP. I hope you walk only flower-filled paths with your mother from now on.
The comments congratulating the mother’s safe return gradually began focusing on the “Hunter Haneul” whom the anonymous writer had specifically thanked.
– Isn’t Hunter Jung Haneul only F-rank? But she still entered the gate to save people. That’s amazing.
└ Seriously…. She must’ve been terrified too.
└ She’s the same age as my daughter, so I feel even prouder of her. I’ll always support her!
And riding that wave, comments defending our shop started pouring in.
– Stop insulting Hunter Haneul. She’s genuinely a good person. She even sells her items super cheaplyㅠㅠ
└ Seriously, what’s wrong with the people blindly hating on her? It’s been ages since the article confirmed there weren’t any toxins.
└ Because of those weirdos, only Hunter Haneul’s shop ended up suffering…
When I scrolled down to the newest comments, there were even reactions like these.
– I hope the people who believed the rumors and threw rocks at the shop reflect on what they did.
└ Honestly, I think people bashed her even more because she was F-rankㅜ Everyone’s so cruel….
– Hunter Haneul! If you see this, please reopen the shop now
And so, the next day.
After waking up feeling refreshed, I had no choice but to panic after receiving Shinhye’s urgent phone call.
“Uh… so basically… everyone wants our shop to come back?”
– That’s what I’m saying! Didn’t you read the comments I sent?
“I did. I read them… but it still doesn’t feel real somehow.”
When our shop had been falsely accused in that ridiculous scandal, Shinhye had been even more upset than I was. So the moment positive public opinion started appearing, she hurriedly shared all the posts with me.
– There were always more people who liked you. They just couldn’t step forward and say it before. Everyone’s saying they trusted you all along and that they support you. Even the clarification article released by the Management Bureau is getting boosted again.
Shinhye was right. People were actively spreading the Bureau’s clarification articles and defending our shop. Now and then, there were still comments insulting me, saying they couldn’t believe it yet, but they quickly backed down and deleted them once rebuttals started flooding in.
“I… really can reopen the shop now, huh?”
– It’d be weirder not to reopen at this point. Let’s open today!
I barely managed to stop Shinhye from charging ahead recklessly before hanging up with a dazed expression.
After getting dressed and heading downstairs, I found Hunter Lee Hyun-woo sitting on the living room sofa flipping through a tablet. His eyes curved softly, as though he already knew everything that had happened. After hesitating for a moment, I asked him,
“I heard a post about us was uploaded to the community. Did you happen to see it?”
“Hunter Kang Min shared it with me. He was making a huge fuss, saying I needed to tell Hunter Haneul right away, but judging by your expression, it seems you’ve already seen it.”
I slowly nodded.
Without a word, he went into the kitchen, brought back a cup of warm water, and placed it in my hands. As the warmth seeped into my palms, my floating emotions calmed down a little.
“Thank you. I woke up, and suddenly the reactions were completely different…. It still doesn’t feel real.”
Maybe because all the tension had finally loosened, a hollow laugh escaped me.
Watching me, Lee Hyunwoo asked,
“So when are you planning to reopen the shop?”
Honestly, just like Shinhye said, I wanted to throw the doors open immediately, right this very second. But considering the dust that must’ve piled up inside and the wrecked state of the shop exterior, it wouldn’t be possible right away.
“Hmm, probably tomorrow afternoon at the earliest? Ah, I should tell Ari first!”
After messaging Ari to let her know we’d reopen tomorrow, I collapsed onto the sofa.
It felt as though the massive rock weighing down my chest had finally disappeared.
‘Wait a second. If I reopen the shop, does that mean I have to move back into the dorms?’
I’d been hiding at Lee Hyunwoo’s house to avoid reporters and angry people, but now that public opinion had turned so favorable, there wasn’t really any reason to stay hidden anymore.
Perhaps he noticed my wavering gaze. Lee Hyun-woo suddenly slumped his shoulders and made a gloomy expression.
“…Surely you’re not planning to abandon me and go back to the dorms, are you?”
“Wh-what? Abandon you? No, wait, I didn’t even say anything!”
“I could read it in your eyes. You were thinking about returning to the dormitory, weren’t you?”
Seeing disappointment flicker in his gaze, I hurriedly waved my hands.
“N-no, it’s not that! I was just worried I might inconvenience you….”
“I’m not inconvenienced at all. So I’d prefer if you continued staying here.”
After agonizing for a moment, I finally nodded.
At once, his face brightened completely.
Somehow, it felt like I’d been smoothly talked into it… But maybe that was just my imagination.
***
The next day.
I rode in Lee Hyunwoo’s car to the Management Bureau after he finished applying for his return to work.
‘Technically, I could just use the system to move directly to the shop, but refusing when he offered me a ride would be rude.’
And absolutely not because I wanted an excuse to secretly admire his face during the drive.
“Please contact me when you get off work.”
“I will. Good luck with work today too, Hunter!”
After getting out of the car, I walked toward the shop with light steps.
I was practically humming.
Maybe because I arrived earlier than expected, the area around the shop was quiet. Hanyang, nestled in my arms, swished her tail and perked up her ears.
“Hanyang, what’s wrong?”
“Hmm, it’s nothing nya.”
What was that supposed to mean? I snorted with a laugh and shrugged before grabbing the shop’s door handle.
I took a deep breath and swung the door wide open.
That was the moment…
Bang bang bang bang!
With the loud sound of fireworks, colorful flower petals burst through the air before my eyes.
Startled, I looked up and saw Ari holding a fish-shaped pastry cake.
“Unni, congratulations on reopening!”
“Ari…?”
Behind her stood countless hunters.
All of them were familiar faces… our shop’s regular customers.
“Surprise~ Were you shocked?”
“Haha! Looks like you really didn’t expect this?”
“It’s a celebration party for Hunter Haneul’s return! You’ve worked so hard all this time!”
Apparently, after hearing yesterday that the shop would reopen, Ari contacted all the regular hunter customers and prepared a surprise party.
Smiling, I blew out the candles.
“We even cleaned the entire shop for you~! It’s super spotless, right?”
“Boss, all you need to do is focus on making items!”
My nose stung, and my eyes burned with tears.
I never imagined they would welcome me back this warmly.
“Thank you, everyone. I’ll work even harder running the shop from now on.”
At my promise, cheers and applause erupted from all directions.
It felt like I was standing in the middle of an election campaign rally.
In the end, unable to hold back the overwhelming emotion, I burst into laughter while swallowing my tears.
“Haha! Should we cut the cake now?”
We sliced up the fish-shaped cake and shared it.
The shop became filled with laughter and warmth.
“…I guess everyone really missed our shop. I love how lively it feels.”
At my muttering, Ari playfully burrowed into my arms.
“I was dying of boredom too while the shop was closed! Let’s never shut down again and keep running the shop forever, Unni.”
And so, surrounded by the passionate welcome of so many people, I reopened the shop.
As soon as I tied on my apron and stood in the kitchen, it finally felt like I had returned to the place where I truly belonged.
My chest swelled with emotion, and just as I quietly took a deep breath…
Ding!
A blue system window appeared before my eyes.
—
Your bond with your regular customers has grown to the next stage!
Branch expansion conditions fulfilled
Reward: 3rd branch opening permit, 3 employee recruitment tickets
—
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