HLCWB C3

<Episode 3>

The next day, I opened the shop early, dragging along the cat who was still half-asleep and unable to gather its senses.

“Why are we rushing so much, nya…? Yaaawn, I’m tired, nya….”

“I’m holding a tasting event today. That means I need to bake a lot in advance!”

As I poured the batter onto the oil-greased pan, it sizzled—chiik—and a rich, nutty aroma rose into the air. I didn’t hold back on the sweet red bean paste, filling it generously from tail to head.

After adding a final layer of batter and grilling it to a golden brown on both sides…

“Ta-da! Bungeoppang is done!”

“It’s definitely starting to look more presentable, nya.”

Thanks to yesterday’s bulk order customer, it seemed my skills had improved dramatically.

I placed the perfectly golden bungeoppang on the rack and continued baking the rest with enthusiasm.

“Huh? Aren’t you the bungeoppang shop owner?”

“Hello, Team Leader!”

Carrying an armful of freshly baked bungeoppang, I headed toward the Management Bureau, where Team Leader Yoon Kang-hyuk, whom I had met yesterday, greeted me warmly.

“Are those… for me, by any chance?”

“Yes! That’s right. You enjoyed them yesterday, didn’t you?”

I grinned and handed them over. Slightly flustered, he accepted them and broke into a delighted smile.

“Haha! To be honest, I was thinking about bungeoppang since this morning. Thank you, I’ll enjoy them!”

As he burst into hearty laughter, even his sunglasses bounced slightly. He’s indoors, yet he still insists on wearing sunglasses…

Then, from beside him, curious voices chimed in.

“Team Leader! Is that the bungeoppang you mentioned yesterday?”

“The one where you can actually taste it…?”

“So it wasn’t a lie?”

As expected. Given the massive scale of the Hunter Management Bureau, there was no way only a single security officer would be stationed here.

And if he’s a team leader, of course he has team members.

If an ordinary employee praised it, that’d be one thing—but when a team leader raves about it, credibility skyrockets.

“Would you all like to try some? I baked plenty.”

Seeing their curiosity-filled gazes, I smiled brightly. As if enchanted, they nodded in unison.

And the moment they cautiously took a bite—

“Wow! I can actually taste it!”

“It’s not just that—it’s delicious!”

“This is incredible!?”

The same exclamations from yesterday erupted once again. Internally, I cheered.

I knew it would work.

There was a simple reason hunters didn’t eat bungeoppang: no matter what they ate, it wouldn’t have any taste.

Forcing it on them didn’t guarantee the same result as yesterday.

Worst case, it would only damage my shop’s image.

So instead, I decided to use the reactions of other hunters to my advantage. Thankfully, Team Leader Yoon Kang-hyuk, who had already tasted it yesterday, made it easy to get things started.

Already, more people were sneaking glances in our direction.

The key to a tasting event is to give just enough to leave them wanting more.

I cut the bungeoppang into bite-sized pieces, arranged them on a plate, and stuck toothpicks into each piece.

Then, whenever I made eye contact with someone, I smiled sweetly and offered the plate.

“I’m holding a grand opening tasting event—would you like to try some?”

* * *

The tasting event was, quite literally, a massive success.

At first, the hunters hesitated, watching cautiously. But after seeing one or two people react, they began to flock over, and soon everyone was eagerly trying the bungeoppang.

“It’s sweet and soft… What was the shop’s name again?”

“‘Haneul’s.’ We just opened right in front of the Management Bureau!”

Not missing a single opportunity, I diligently promoted the shop’s name and location.

For the record, I came up with the name in a hurry. No matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with anything better.

“How much is one?”

“Ah, 10,000 won!”

“10,000 won for just one bungeoppang!?”

There had been a lot of debate about the price, and everyone’s eyes widened when they heard it.

Of course, not because it was expensive—but because it was too cheap.

“No way! I’m going to buy one every day.”

“Same here! What time do you open?”

“From 8 a.m. Please stop by before work!”

I had brought over twenty pieces, but with the crowd growing, they were already running out fast.

I was prioritizing those who hadn’t tried one yet when suddenly, it felt like the indoor temperature had dropped by at least three degrees.

Did someone leave a door open? It’s chilly…

I shivered slightly, then realized something strange—the area around me had gone unusually quiet.

Why is everyone staring at me…?

“What is going on here?”

“Gah!!!”

Startled by the sudden voice behind me, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

And then—I couldn’t help but be amazed.

Wow… I didn’t know someone could look like that in real life.

Jet-black hair, a towering height that made me tilt my head all the way back, an unreal face as if straight out of a shonen manga, and eyes with a distinctive golden hue.

Wait a second—this person is…?

“…L-Lee Hyun-woo Hunter!?”

He was the country’s only S-rank hunter, Lee Hyun-woo—the one who appeared on TV no matter what channel you turned on.

He looked down at me indifferently.

“I asked what this situation is.”

“Ah! Hunter, well… this person just opened a shop in front of the Management Bureau, so this is a promotional event—”

“An event? Handing out unidentified food—is that what you call it?”

Team Leader Yoon Kang-hyuk stepped in to speak on my behalf, only to become Lee Hyun-woo’s new target.

Ugh, now I feel bad…

At some point, the crowd that had filled the area had completely disappeared.

“You said you opened a shop. Right in front of the Management Bureau.”

Frowning, he glanced at the bungeoppang on my plate.

I hurriedly spoke.

“Hello, Hunter! My name is Jung Haneul.”

Carefully, I held out the plate.

“This is an item I made—it’s a special bungeoppang that hunters can actually taste.”

“You’re saying it has taste?”

I nodded vigorously.

“Would you like to try one? Everyone said it was delicious.”

Everyone had worn the same skeptical expression as him at first—but once they tried it, their reactions completely changed.

I smiled inwardly.

Even if he’s S-rank, he’s still a hunter. Once he tastes it, he’ll change his mind.

But his response completely shattered my expectations.

“I have no habit of consuming unknown substances. It could be poisoned.”

With a displeased look, he brushed past me as if I were offering him something toxic.

“W-Wait, poisoned…!?”

I spun around hastily to stop him—but my legs tangled, and the world tilted.

Ugh—I’m going to fall!

I barely managed to regain my balance—but not the bungeoppang. The pieces on the plate scattered in all directions, rolling across the floor.

“…There were still five left.”

Regretful, but it was already done. I crouched down and began picking them up.

Then, a pair of shoes entered my view.

Combat boots…?

Looking up, I saw Lee Hyun-woo standing there, looking down at me.

“No one has ever succeeded in overcoming the side effects of awakening. Yet suddenly, you claim to have created an item that restores taste…”

He lightly nudged a fallen piece of bungeoppang with the tip of his shoe.

“That’s quite suspicious.”

No, what are you even talking about!?

You haven’t even tried it—why say that!?

“Team Leader Yoon Kang-hyuk.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

In a cold tone, he continued:

“The duty of the security team is to block external threats. That includes distributing unidentified food that may be poisoned.”

“…My apologies. I’ll be more careful.”

I stared dumbfounded at his retreating figure.

Only after he completely disappeared from view did I pick up the last piece and mutter:

“Is he always like that?”

“Haha… he tends to be, yes…”

Judging by his awkward smile, it clearly wasn’t his first time dealing with this.

As I checked the floor for any remaining crumbs, I continued:

“I had no idea Lee Hyun-woo Hunter was like that! It’s not like I was doing anything wrong, but he kept glaring at me…”

“Well… he awakened at a very young age and suffered from side effects for a long time. Those side effects can really torment a person.”

Apparently, he had awakened before even graduating middle school—and as the country’s only S-rank, no less.

Yoon Kang-hyuk shrugged, saying that considering that, his sensitivity was understandable.

“…Even so, I don’t get it.”

“Fair enough. But it seems the tasting event is already having an effect. Looks like you’ve got customers at your shop.”

Lowering his sunglasses slightly, he glanced outside.

My shop? I don’t see anything…

As I tilted my head in confusion, he winked.

“It’s just one of my abilities.”

“You can see that far? That’s amazing!”

“More importantly, shouldn’t you head back? People are waiting.”

Ah! I can’t keep customers waiting!

I bowed in thanks and hurried back toward the shop—only to freeze at the sight of a massive crowd gathered there.

“Owner! What took you so long?”

“I want to order bungeoppang—can you make it now?”

“Do you have any ready? How long do we have to wait?”

What is this? Why are there so many people?

I covered my mouth in shock.

At last, the real business had begun.