Can't We Just Fire Him? New Items Unlocked!

Can't we just cut him? We can order new items now?

Was it always like this? The quests popped up rudely, leaving me to figure things out on my own. The rewards were pretty satisfying, so I hadn't minded much, but if it kept going like this, it'd be a problem.

No answer came to my grumbled inner question. Instead, it listed the new orderable items.

There were a ton of other categories now available for ordering too. No wonder everything had been marked [Order Unavailable] until now.

I'd expected it, but not like this. The expanded burger selection at the convenience store was great news. Customers had been complaining for a while that the menu wasn't growing. Sales had dipped too, so this boost should spike revenue nicely.

Cheese doesn't have much appeal here since the local stuff is already top-tier.

Fresh foods weren't bad at all. Even in places with solid magic, preservation spells were pricey and tricky. Eating fresh meat in the capital Oscar required serious cash. Storage magic existed, but perfect preservation? Not easy.

Livestock farming happened on the city's outskirts, but meat wasn't exactly cheap or plentiful. Price-wise, this was competitive.

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More daily necessities were a win too. Especially the women's underwear.

"No idea why there's no men's stuff, though…."

A dizzying array of designs flashed before my eyes. Sheer, sexy ones that let a little peek through. Even some that were just straps.

This has to tie into the third-floor goods, right?

Displaying these on the adult floor would sell like hotcakes. Who wouldn't love underwear this soft, especially silk? Frilly silk panties were a luxury even nobles couldn't wear casually. Time for an underwear revolution—cheaper support for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the girls.

And on top of that.

Magic items from orders. The system meant those special-effect goodies I'd used plenty—like the ointment that regrew flesh fast or the super glue that restored things perfectly.

The biggest hitter? Food, obviously.

I remembered my first enchanted triangle kimbap. Stats ticked up just from eating. Jeonju bibim raised agility by 0.1, tuna mayo boosted strength by 0.13. Tiny individually, but over three years? Massive gains.

Not much effect anymore, though.

Now they fetched premium prices from the Magic Tower or nobles. Higher drop rate? Music to my ears. Endless uses ahead.

Minor buffs all around. The main reward was the unlocked adult shop on the third floor; these just expanded the store nicely.

Best of all, new products after three years. Customers were getting bored of the old stock. Perfect timing.

Time for a big promo push.

I had zero doubt they'd love it. Underwear as the star.

"Center the ads on these, and we're golden."

Store's gonna be packed soon. Solid rewards. The rudeness still bugged me, though.

Elena was still pissed. About the new night-shift hire, Dmitri.

Not just his arrival—it cut her time working with Do-jin.

She already felt short on manager-charging sessions, and now solo overlaps were even rarer.

I could help too.

Night shifts worried her, so she'd begged Do-jin multiple times. Firm no every time.

'No night shifts for you.'

Even "I'm an adult now" didn't sway him. Plan B it was.

"You really gonna do it?"

"Yep. Or our shifts with oppa'll shrink more. Sylvia-unnie doesn't want less time either, right?"

"True, but…."

Elena roped in Sylvia for backup: fire Dmitri, daily wage as bribe. Sylvia flipped instantly.

"Today we tell the manager loud and clear."

"He'll get mad."

"I know. But it's to protect him. Together, he'll listen."

Sylvia didn't get how this protected him but followed. Elena wasn't one for nonsense.

Plus, she knew Elena's crush ran deep. Probably why the firing push.

Just confess already.

Manager was clueless. Rejecting dates so bluntly. Dense uncle.

Sharp on everything else, blind here.

Can't spell it out for her.

Sylvia swallowed her frustration and trailed Elena.

"Manager."

The duo approached Do-jin mid-shelf check.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"We need to talk."

Do-jin's head tilted. Rare for both to gang up.

"Talk?"

"Yes."

He confirmed stock counts, checked the list.

"Important?"

"Yes. Like, 'close ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the store' important."

"Serious, huh. Sylvia too? Need money? I can lend interest-free. But pay back solid."

His face hardened. Always serious, always helping his people unconditionally. That's why Elena loved him.

She steadied her pounding heart.

"Not money."

"Then what?"

"Dmitri."

"Dmitri?"

Hiding her nerves, she blurted it.

"Can't we… let him go?"

"Huh?"

Do-jin's brow furrowed. Did I hear wrong? What the hell?

"Why?"

Better be good. Hard-won worker. No one matched him: fresh after all-nighters, 50 silver/hour plus a tomato juice daily. Killer value. Skilled too. Night-shift vampire? Perfect.

Trustworthy, as long as he didn't mess with the girls inside.

"He's the only one."

"Only what?"

"Night shift. I could've lightened your load, but you just said no. I can help, but no."

"…."

Since Dmitri started, Elena had pushed for nights multiple times. Rejected. Now fire him? What gives?

"For real?"

"Yes. I offered to help, always no. Fire him, I'll cover. Even his share."

I eyed Elena, then Sylvia. Elena was dead serious. Hated Dmitri that much? No obvious beef.

Not like the virgin-hater confessed or anything.

Just clash? But Sylvia looked reluctant. If united, I'd grill Dmitri. Nah.

Can't ditch talent over feelings.

"If I can't fire him?"

"…."

Didn't think that far?

"Th-then no sorting trash! Stock an hour late, ignore customers… uh…."

Elena's eyes darted, hands shaking. Didn't expect pushback? Figured duo pressure would win.

"That'd dock your pay."

Screech from elsewhere.

"Waaah! No way-da! Then I'm out-da!"

"Unnie, traitor!"

"Sorry. Gotta eat."

"Ughhh…."

Alliance crumbled. Sylvia bailed.

Elena's eyes wobbled hard.

"Even if I fired him, no night shifts for you, Elena."

"But!"

"Appreciate the spirit, but no. Sylvia maybe, not you."

"Why! Why just me?!"

Not the night premium. Plenty reasons. She's weak. Too weak solo for lakeside nights.

"Nights bring weirdos. Capital's safe-ish, but prep for trouble. Need someone strong."

"B-but…."

"Drunk wrecks the place? Lake psycho shows? Gambler rage from the casino? Perverted couple crisis? Handle that?"

"Th-that's…."

Trouble had eased, but early days? Chaos. Freaks galore. Cleaner now, but still.

Didn't know her beef with Dmitri, but business first. He's strong. Handles crazies solo. Simple: keep him.

"Dmitri owns nights. No changes. No more on this without better reason."

I eyed tight-lipped Elena.

"Or some reason I don't know?"

"…."

She couldn't speak. How to say: Want more alone time with you. Love being near you. That'd push him away. Silence again.

"Shifts won't shrink, so heads up."

I turned to Sylvia.

"Dmitri or not, hours stay."

"Really-da?"

"New orderables mean busier."

"Extra pay then-da?"

"No extras."

"Eeeh, harsh."

"Performance bonuses on sales instead."

"Ooo! Got it-da!"

Sylvia bought in. Money talked.

"Elena, avoid overlapping with him. More time with me. Cool?"

Her face bloomed.

"Yes!"

Hates him that bad? So obvious.

Max employee gripes, push my way. Best manager ever? Shining talent.

Aaah, this brilliance. Busier ahead. New stock, adult shop now.

Wanted a break, work piles up.

Third floor not ready for them. All me. Annoying.

Rumors spread among noble playboys. Strange new item at the lake.

Sends women soaring instantly. Lake girls' service was elite, but prideful—hard to climax them.

How? Word flew via enthusiasts. Sold at the convenience store.

Buyer Count Xianglulord swore:

"Used it on my fiancée—betrothed future wife. She couldn't move. First orgasm ever. Pure magic. Real deal."

Name: vibrator. Devilish thing.

Rumor drew hordes of men to the store.

"Too many…."

Manager wailed at profits, they said. True or not? Who knows.