<Episode 96>
“Wow, it’s already gone up this much?”
After closing the shop, I stopped by the construction site for the first time in a while. Just a month ago they had still been laying the foundation, but now the building’s framework was already standing. At this rate, completion seemed only a matter of time.
“I can’t believe the center’s name was really finalized as ‘Side Effect Treatment Center.’ Isn’t that a little too straightforward?”
“This one likes it, nya.”
As I watched the construction workers directing activity all over the site, I fell into thought.
‘So this means red bean bungeoppang is going to be mass-produced here now.’
They hadn’t revealed the details at the press conference, but I had told the Director everything. Namely, that I could use a skill called Blessing Touch on red bean bungeoppang to negate awakening side effects.
As soon as she heard that, the Director confidently declared that she would install an automated bungeoppang production machine in the new center.
I’d heard that no machine with the functions we needed existed yet, so they’d have to commission a custom-built one. But after that, my schedule became packed with interviews and detailed examinations, making it difficult to keep up with the progress.
‘Still, judging by the Director’s expression, things must be going well.’
Besides, insisting that matters like this needed to move quickly, the Director had already set an opening ceremony date.
‘It feels like she’s planning a much grander opening ceremony than I expected…’
Just looking at the guest list the Chief Secretary had shown me was enough to make my eyes widen.
Feeling a faint sense of pressure, I let out a small sigh.
“Ah, whatever. Thinking about it won’t solve anything. Hanyang, aren’t you hungry? Want to go home and eat something delicious?”
“My tummy’s already gone flat from hunger, nya! Let’s hurry home, nya!”
Holding Hanyang in my arms, I turned around.
The center continued to be built smoothly, and before long, the day of the grand opening arrived.
***
“Are all these people really here for the opening ceremony?”
I looked around with a somewhat overwhelmed expression.
The area in front of the center was absolutely packed.
Not only were there domestic and international reporters, but television broadcasting vans had crowded the entrance as well. Behind them were countless ordinary citizens who had gathered just to catch a glimpse of the ceremony from afar.
“Hunter Jung Haneul! Please look this way!”
“Could you give us a few words about today’s opening?”
Flashes exploded from every direction while voices called out to me.
Unused to so much attention, I darted my gaze around awkwardly.
“Stop flashing those lights everywhere, nya!”
The barrage of flashes had finally become too much for Hanyang, who shouted in protest.
I quickly covered Hanyang’s mouth and forced a smile toward the cameras.
Standing beside me, the Director shook her head and stepped forward.
“Now, now. Everyone, please calm down. We can’t have our SS-rank Hunter getting startled!”
The Director’s exaggerated fussiness made the reporters burst into laughter.
The members of Team 1 beside me also chuckled and shook with suppressed laughter.
‘Wait, even Hyunwoo-ssi is laughing?’
When our eyes met, Hyunwoo-ssi immediately returned his lips to a neutral position as if he’d never smiled in the first place.
Honestly, I’ll let it slide because he’s handsome.
Fortunately, the next part of the ceremony soon began.
“Now then, we’ll proceed with the ribbon-cutting ceremony!”
At the host’s signal, the Director and I simultaneously picked up golden scissors.
“Three, two, one! Please cut!”
Snip!
The moment the red ribbon was severed, thunderous applause and cheers erupted toward the sky.
Multicolored flower petals scattered through the air, officially announcing the center’s opening.
“Congratulations, Director. The center is finally open!”
“Thank you, Reporter Kim. It’s all thanks to Hunter Haneul here.”
After exchanging warm congratulatory remarks with the reporters, the Director selected several members of the press and guided them inside.
She intended to show them the facility that served as the heart of the Side Effect Treatment Center.
“This is the production room where side effect treatment items will be manufactured. And we’ve installed a very special piece of equipment here.”
The Director proudly pointed toward the center of the facility.
At her signal, employees pulled away the white cloth covering the machine.
Shrrrk
“…Wow.”
Beneath the cloth stood a gigantic silver machine.
Its imposing appearance resembled a miniature version of a state-of-the-art factory, causing the reporters’ eyes to widen.
“Shall we start it up?”
As the Director pressed the power button, the machine began operating with a majestic roar.
Vrrrrr! Clank!
This cutting-edge bungeoppang machine consisted of three sections.
First was the batter section.
Perfectly mixed batter, blended according to a golden ratio and free of lumps, was simultaneously dispensed into dozens of fish-shaped molds in precise quantities.
Next came the filling section.
A generous amount of red bean paste filled with plump beans was placed on top of the batter.
Finally came the baking section.
The machine rotated while browning the bungeoppang evenly on both sides.
At last, the molds opened, releasing perfectly baked bungeoppang along with a delicious aroma.
“Once Hunter Haneul applies her skill, the side effect treatment item will be complete.”
The Director caught my eye and gave a slight nod.
Following the script we’d prepared beforehand, I stepped toward the finished bungeoppang and extended both hands.
“Then I’ll apply the skill!”
The moment I activated Blessing Touch (SS), warm golden particles poured from my fingertips and drifted down onto the freshly baked bungeoppang like snow.
Before long, all of them began emitting a brilliant glow.
“Ooooooh…!”
“My goodness, the items are actually glowing!”
Gasps erupted throughout the room.
The sound of camera shutters became faster than ever.
“Director, would you like to try one?”
I picked up a steaming golden bungeoppang and handed it to her.
She accepted it with both hands as though receiving a sacred relic.
“…So consuming this item really eliminates those dreadful side effects?”
“Technically, for about 720 hours.”
“Even that’s more than enough.”
She took a deep, trembling breath.
“Thank you for the meal.”
After quietly expressing her gratitude, she finally took a bite.
Crunch.
Silence fell.
A moment later, after the sound of her swallowing echoed softly…
“…Ah, this can’t be.”
The Director’s eyes reddened.
As though unable to believe it, she repeatedly pressed her temples.
“The chronic headaches that tormented me for over ten years are gone! Ah, so this is what it feels like. I’m really, truly happy.”
Her voice trembled faintly.
I let out a sigh of relief.
I’d been worried the skill application might somehow fail, but thankfully it had worked.
“I can’t be the only one experiencing this happiness. Everyone, please try one!”
The Director distributed the remaining bungeoppang to the people around us.
The reporters’ faces brightened.
“Oh, so this is the item created by an SS-rank Hunter…”
“I never thought I’d get to eat one in my lifetime. It’s an honor.”
“Oh my! Everyone, hurry and try it. It’s the most delicious bungeoppang I’ve ever eaten.”
The moment they took a bite, each of them widened their eyes and nodded.
“I never imagined red bean bungeoppang could have this kind of flavor! It’s a shame I’m not awakened. Otherwise, I could have experienced the sensation of the side effects disappearing too.”
“Still, it’s wonderful that Hunters suffering from side effects finally have a solution.”
Listening to the cheers rising from every direction, I smiled with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, the Director began giving a brief briefing about how the treatment items would be supplied in the future.
Since my cooperation was essential, she explained that the center would be operated as efficiently as possible.
I drifted into thought.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t there a way to run my own shop more efficiently too?’
In truth, I planned to manage both the center and Branch No. 1 simultaneously, even if it meant overworking myself.
The treatment center required me to continuously use my skill, so I couldn’t simply leave it to someone else.
At the same time, I couldn’t dump all responsibility for Branch No. 1 onto Ari.
But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed that Branch No. 1 could operate without me physically staying there all the time.
Just like Branch No. 2 and the food truck.
‘It might be better to hire someone new for Branch No. 1… The problem is that I don’t have time to post a job listing and conduct interviews.’
Ding!
I had just let out a small sigh when a blue system window flashed before my eyes.
—
A new customer is highly satisfied with the taste and effects of your bungeoppang. New shop registration requirements fulfilled!
Would you like to register “Side Effect Treatment Center” as a new shop? [Yes / No]
Current Shop List:
– Haneul’s Shop Branch No. 1
– Haneul’s Shop Branch No. 2
– Haneul’s Shop Branch No. 3 (Food Truck)
—
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