Acquired Client (Not a Butler)
“Um… that’s…”
My hands froze in place.
What should I say…? A chill ran down my spine.
My head, burning hot at the thought of pocketing 10 billion won, cooled in an instant.
What do I do…? How can I play this off naturally?
Call it a support item? Bluff that it’s my work gear? Or… say it’s a rat that cooks instead?
A flood of excuses raced through my mind.
While I stood there flustered, lips clamped shut, eyes darting around, the ears under my hat betrayed me miserably.
Flap.
Twitch, twitch.
The more anxious I got, the wilder my ears flailed.
The white chef’s hat bobbed nonstop.
It screamed, “There’s something in here! Come see, neighbors!”
‘Damn… I’m screwed. If they find out I’m a beastkin, this is gonna be a hassle…’
Honestly, if a cutie like me—pretty, with a great personality and all—was a beastkin too, the world wouldn’t leave me alone.
Kim Hyunah let out a soft sigh at the sight of me, tail tucked tight, eyes rolling nervously.
“Sorry, that must’ve been a tough question.”
“Huh…?”
“Every hunter has their secrets or backstory. I overstepped. You don’t have to answer.”
Kim Hyunah’s voice had softened without her realizing it.
In her eyes, I looked like an adorable little critter, eyes spinning, peeking around cautiously. Even the hat flapping like crazy seemed cute, like a tiny animal puffing itself up.
‘Phew…’
I sighed inwardly in relief.
I’m saved…
Good thing this customer’s quick on the uptake. If she’d pried, it would’ve been a real pain.
“Guess it’s time to bake. Want me to pop them in the oven?”
Kim Hyunah smiled gently, smoothly changing the subject.
“Oh, yeah! Gotta bake ’em! Hold on…!”
I nodded, shaping the dough into neat rounds.
Lined up on the massive industrial oven pan, dozens of dough balls filled it to the brim.
“Ngh… ungh, heavy!”
I hefted the pan with both hands.
Man, this body… the lack of strength is the hardest to get used to.
Stuff I used to lift easy feels twice as heavy now.
I shuffled heavily to the huge oven.
But then—problem. The oven racks are too high. With these short limbs, sliding the pan in is impossible.
‘Why the hell is this oven built so stupidly tall?’
Obviously, it’s because I shrank, but right now, I’m pretending otherwise.
Grumbling inside, I stood on tiptoes, arms stretched overhead, struggling to shove the pan into the top rack.
But my arms were shorter than expected, and my legs even shorter.
The result? Barely the edge of the pan hooked on the oven lip.
‘I swear… I must’ve grown up scrawny as a kid.’
“Hngh… just a bit more…!”
“I’ll get it for you.”
A kind voice from behind, and her long arm took the pan from my straining grip, sliding it smoothly into the oven.
Gratitude mixed with utter defeat washed over me.
‘God… so embarrassing…’
Imagining myself grunting over a single pan, I felt my ears flatten against my head under the hat.
“Thanks…”
“No trouble. Wouldn’t want you hurting yourself.”
Up close, she carried a mix of scents.
Refined adult perfume, and that bitter tang unique to hunters. Probably the awakening agent.
My nose tingled from how deeply it clung to her—like she’d been chugging it instead of water.
‘Man… how hard did she push herself?’
I looked at her with pity.
As my gaze traveled up to her face, a question popped into my head.
She’d been covering her mouth, desperately holding something back while looking at me.
“…? What’s up?”
“Ahem… nothing. Just… got some flour in my throat, I think.”
“Really?”
Her face looked kinda red, though?
Kim Hyunah fought back the laughter bubbling up as I tilted my head.
The image of me on tiptoes by the oven, scrunched face and all, wouldn’t leave her mind.
‘I just wanna take her home.’
All the dough was in, and some time passed.
A violent bread aroma started leaking from the oven.
Fermented wheat and butter mingled, amplifying each other, filling the room.
I eyed the oven eagerly amid the sweet, nutty scent.
Grrrooowl—!
Then, a thunderclap echoed in the quiet bakery.
“...Huh?”
I whipped my head toward the sound.
It came from Kim Hyunah’s stomach, standing beside me.
Her face flushed beet red in a flash.
Surviving on awakening agents, her rotten guts rejecting food—now her shriveled stomach screamed for sustenance at the brutal aroma.
It wailed, reminding her it was still alive.
Kim Hyunah clutched her belly with both hands.
“Th-this… it’s not… I mean, it’s not what you think.”
Even her neck burned crimson, head bowed.
‘Tsk tsk, how busy do you have to be to let yourself go like this, earning all that hunter cash?’
Must be mortifying.
My image of her as a classy career woman shifted to a pitiful soul skipping meals.
I awkwardly looked away.
Pretend I didn’t hear that.
Beep! Beep!
The oven timer rang like salvation for her.
“All done.”
I ignored it, slipping on thick mitts and flinging the door open.
WHOOSH—!
Hot air blasted out, followed by a waterfall of buttery fragrance.
On the iron pan, golden Morning Bread gleamed invitingly.
Crusts ballooned taut, surfaces glistening, teasing the appetite.
GROOOOWL!! GRRRUMBLE—!!
The second the oven opened, her stomach roared twice as loud.
‘What was that, a cannon?’
Sorry, Kim Hyunah, but I couldn’t hold it.
“Pfft… hahahaha!!”
I doubled over, laughter shaking the bakery.
She panicked, waving her hands wildly.
“It’s not hunger… I mean, anyway… it’s not a stomach growl! Stop laughing!”
Her cool facade cracked; words tumbled fast in embarrassment.
I let her excuses slide past one ear, reining in my laughs.
Push it more, and she might really get mad.
“Okay, okay, got it. Time to inspect if they’re perfect.”
I snatched a steaming golden loaf.
And without warning, smashed my little fist down on it.
THUD!
“Gasp…! What are you—?!”
She yelled, forgetting her shame at the sudden punch to the bread.
But the next instant, she doubted her eyes.
Squashed flat under my fist like a living slime, the Morning Bread bounced back with a boing!, perfectly restored.
“Perfect. Just the right bounce.”
Proof my Kneading skill infused it flawlessly.
Regular bread would’ve crumbled.
Mine? Tougher than that.
I thrust the freshly punched loaf at her.
“Here. Try it.”
“Me? This one…?”
“Eat up. Your stomach’s been protesting for food nonstop.”
The warm bread touched her lips, heat seeping in.
Insanely nutty aroma. Sweet tang teasing her tongue.
Her throat bobbed hard.
Gulp.
The swallow echoed loud in the quiet room.
Her trembling hands fumbled in her suit pocket for her wallet.
“Th-this is extra, outside the order. I’ll pay separately.”
“Nah, it’s fine. Service. Just eat.”
I forced it into her hands.
She made me 10 billion richer—a single bread’s nothing.
Plus, poor thing can’t even eat properly.
Kim Hyunah cradled it carefully in both palms, warmth spreading.
Entranced, she opened wide and took a huge bite.
Crunch—
Crispy thin crust shattered; fluffy, chewy innards like clouds filled her mouth.
Sweet-salty butter danced wildly on her tongue.
“Oh my god…”
Way better than the auction ones.
Face be damned, she shoveled it in frantically.
Cheeks ballooned hamster-style.
As it slid smoothly down, warm energy bloomed from her belly, flooding her body.
Fatigue melted away in real time.
Tears welled in touch; she devoured the rest like a madwoman.
I watched proudly.
A grin lit my face—
Active Skill: Kneading Lv. 1 is responding.
“Wha—?”
I blinked. Why’s the Kneading that only showed during dough popping up now? Dough’s all done.
A transparent blue hologram flickered in the air.
Conditions perfectly met.
Skill target designated.
Target: ‘Kim Hyunah’
Target confirmed eligible for Kneading.
Cast Kneading?
“Holy shit.”
This thing works on people…?