Chapter 8

I was a bit flustered.

Is there an entry restriction at this mart?

Or did I look a bit suspicious?

In an instant, a million thoughts crossed my mind.

—

First, I decided to respond.

“I came to do some shopping.”

“Huh? You came just to shop?”

“Yeah? At least I didn’t come to rob the place.”

“Then what’s with the camera…?”

—

The employee glanced at the selfie stick I was holding.

Was it because of the camera?

I suddenly felt embarrassed.

This was definitely my fault.

The employee’s response was completely justified.

I had tried to enter and film without getting permission from the mart’s management.

—

After clearing my throat, I started with an apology.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m not used to broadcasting, so I made a mistake.”

“You’re a broadcaster, right?”

“Well, yes. Though I only have two viewers.”

“Huh? Two?”

“Yeah. I just started not long ago. But is filming inside the mart prohibited?”

“No… You can film, but…”

“Really? Then who do I need to get permission from? I’m not familiar with these procedures.”

“…You don’t need separate permission.”

—

What?

Then why did they stop me?

I made a puzzled expression, and the employee mirrored it.

An awkward atmosphere hung in the air.

—

The employee broke the silence first.

“Um… You’re not here for the promotional filming at our mart today, are you…?”

“Promotional? No. I’m just doing a hobby broadcast.”

“……”

—

Seems like there was a minor misunderstanding.

From what I gathered, today was the day for promotional filming, and my visit coincidentally overlapped with that.

The employee seemed to have figured it out too and quickly bowed to apologize.

“I-I’m sorry! I heard someone was coming for filming today, so I got confused!”

“It’s fine. It happens.”

“I’m really sorry! They said a really handsome guy was coming, so I thought it was you…”

—

You should’ve asked clearly from the start.

Making people misunderstand like that…

If you’d just asked, “How can I help you?” even the promotional broadcaster would’ve been confused.

Whether they’re a new employee or not, they seemed a bit scatterbrained.

—

“Can I go in now?”

“Yes, yes! Feel free to go in! Sorry for holding you up!”

“Alright. Take care.”

—

And so, the incident ended.

As I entered the mart, I checked the chat window.

—

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—What’s going on! What happened! Did Gyesekkihoon get denied entry? Why aren’t you checking the chat, you jerk!!

【Yoho】—Room Master. What happened?

“It’s nothing. They just mistook me for someone else.”

【Yoho】—That’s a relief… I was worried something big had happened. ㅜㅜ

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—What, that’s boring. I wanted to see you get denied entry, you bastard ㄲㅂ

【Yoho】—Room Master isn’t at the level to get denied entry anywhere.

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—True ㅋㅋ You’d probably get a free pass at clubs.

【Yoho】—Men usually get free passes anyway. Room Master would get VIP treatment. Well, Gyeongsaeng, you’d probably get denied entry though.

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Shut up, you idiot. But how many times has our Gyesekkihoon been to a club?

“Clubs? Never been.”

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—For real? Don’t act all innocent, be honest.

“Why are you so suspicious? I’ve never been. And I don’t plan to go.”

【Yoho】—That’s a good mindset. ㅎㅎ Don’t get interested in places like clubs!

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—If that’s true, I’ll put you on my husband candidate list.

“Don’t you dare, you bastard. Take it down right now.”

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—ㅜㅜ

“But have you guys been to clubs?”

【Yoho】—Just once. With family.

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Nah, I hate clubs.

【Yoho】—Is it because you got denied entry?

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Huh? I’ve never been denied entry. How could I when I’ve never been? ㅋㅋ

“Really? Anyway, I have no interest in clubs, so let’s end this topic… I have a lot to buy, so let’s focus on that first.”

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—What’s that?

“You know, that thing.”

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—So what is it, you bastard?

【Yoho】—He’s probably talking about the cart. Use some common sense.

“Ah. Right, the cart. I couldn’t remember the name for a second. But it feels bigger inside than it looked from outside? Finding the cart is going to be a task.”

—

The inside of the mart was much larger than I imagined.

I heard it’s about 3000 pyeong.

Of course, it’s probably similar in size to other large marts. This one’s just a single-story building.

Anyway, to make shopping easier, I decided to find a cart first.

—

***

—

I recently got a job.

It was in the security team at Nobel Mart.

The salary was a whopping 3.5 million won.

The competition was fierce, but I got lucky.

And today was my first day.

—

‘Sigh… I messed up on the first day…’

—

While working in a state of high tension, a man visited the mart.

He stood out even from a distance.

His clothes and shoes were all black.

Not only that, but his proportions were so good they could rival models.

He had a visual that naturally drew attention.

He must be the broadcaster here for the promotional filming today. With that thought, I rushed over.

But I was wrong.

I mistook him for someone else.

He was a broadcaster, but he was just here to shop.

—

‘…Up close, he’s so handsome I couldn’t even speak properly.’

—

I even asked, “How can I help you?” What a weird question.

I’m still embarrassed to death.

—

‘This is all because of my senior…’

—

My senior was mostly to blame for this situation.

She had only joined a week before me.

Anyway, she had stepped away for a moment.

She said she was going out for a smoke.

—

‘What’s the point of leaving a newbie alone? She even mentioned the broadcaster was coming right before she left to smoke… Does she not think?’

—

This is what she said.

If a handsome guy with a camera comes, guide him to the VIP room.

He’s a famous broadcaster, so treat him well.

That was it.

Shouldn’t she at least tell me the broadcaster’s features or name? How am I supposed to know just by “handsome”?

So this mistake wasn’t entirely my fault.

My senior definitely shares some responsibility.

—

As I was thinking that, I saw a large man approaching the entrance.

He was holding a camera.

—

‘…….’

—

Is he a broadcaster too?

Hmm… He’s somewhat handsome, but…

Would I call him handsome?

Normally, I might’ve thought he was good-looking.

But the face of that ultra-handsome guy from earlier was still stuck in my mind, so I felt nothing. Compared to that guy, this one’s looks were lacking.

—

‘He’s probably not the one.’

—

So I just greeted him and let him in.

—

***

—

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—The cart’s over there on the right!

—

I found the cart quicker than expected.

Just a short walk from the entrance, and there it was.

—

【Yoho】—Did you bring coins? You might need them for the cart.

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Coins? LMAO, did you live in the Stone Age? These days, carts don’t need coins. ㅋㅋ

【Yoho】—It depends on the mart, you know? ㅡㅡ

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Yeah~ Shut up~

—

Guburi was right.

The cart didn’t have a coin slot.

The mart I usually go to had them, though.

And the cart’s design was a bit odd.

—

“What’s this? Why does the cart look like this?”

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Oh. That’s probably a smart cart? I’ve never seen one in real life.

【Yoho】—Gyeongsaeng, the screen isn’t real. Please distinguish between reality and fiction. ㅜㅜ

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Why are you picking fights, you bastard!

【Yoho】—^^

—

A smart cart?

Technology’s advancing so fast these days, they’ve got all sorts of things.

“How do you use this cart? It doesn’t seem to need coins… What’s this monitor for?”

“Is this your first time using a smart cart?”

“Holy crap, you scared me!”

—

As I was fiddling with the cart, a nearby female employee quickly approached.

What the hell.

Is she on a five-minute standby?

I was so startled I even cursed.

I immediately apologized.

—

“Ah. Sorry. I was just surprised…”

“It’s okay, sir. Anyway, it seems like it’s your first time using a smart cart. Would it be okay if I explain how to use it?”

—

The employee asked in a friendly tone.

She didn’t seem to mind the cursing.

—

【Gyeongsaeng Guburi】—Be careful with that employee. She’s been sneaking around since earlier. I saw it all~ Don’t hit on her, you bastard~

【Yoho】—Is she a stalker? You should report her immediately.

—

I ignored the chat for now.

A stalker? Really?

She’s clearly wearing an employee uniform.

I couldn’t ignore her kindness, so I nodded and replied.

—

“Ah, yes. I’d appreciate that.”

“Then let me explain!”

—

The employee started explaining with a bright smile.

She was very enthusiastic.

It seems like the mart trains its employees well.

Their service spirit is exceptional.

The explanation about the smart cart went on for five minutes.

Turns out, it’s not that complicated.

It’s just a cart with a built-in scanner.

It has a barcode reader.

—

“There are other types of smart carts too. Some have cameras and scales to identify products, and they automatically pay at unmanned counters. There are even self-driving carts that follow customers around.”

—

This mart has really invested a lot.

I decided to use the cart with the scanner.

The other carts were located elsewhere.

—

“And to use the smart cart, you’ll need to download a separate app.”

“…That’s a bit of a hassle.”

“If the smart cart is inconvenient, would you like me to guide you to the regular carts?”

“No. I’ll just download the app and use this one.”

—

After downloading the app, I could finally use the cart.

By the way, the employee mentioned that all the other carts here have coin slots. After that, Guburi’s chat messages stopped for a while.

—

“Then enjoy your shopping!”

“Yes. Thank you.”

—

After exchanging greetings with the employee, I headed straight for the aisles.

That’s when a new viewer joined.

—

『‘Handsome Licker’ has entered the chat.』

—

“Oh. It’s been a while since we had a new viewer. Welcome.”

【Handsome Licker】—Hi hi. You’re a guy. Can you show your face?

“My face? Hold on.”

—

It wasn’t a difficult request, so I immediately switched the camera angle.

Then the chat started again.

—

【Handsome Licker】—Churp!

【Handsome Licker】—Lick!

【Handsome Licker】—Churrp!

【Handsome Licker】—Churrrrrrp!!!

—

…What the hell is this guy?

It seems like another lunatic on Guburi’s level has joined.

---