Black Guild Master: Squinted-Eye Psycho Granny is Common Sense
"Early bird rise───!!"
Hmm. Another strong, fine morning.
The moment I opened my eyes, she let out a piercing shout. I stretched lightly, forcing my stiff body from the night awake.
Thud──
"Eek?! What the fuck─ morning already?!"
I folded the blanket, bent the mattress, and neatly stacked them aside before setting the table.
"Eat up, breakfast."
"......You prepared this too?"
The moment the meal ended, I dove into the dishes. A quick clean, then lotion for Kim Dayeon fresh from the shower. Only after seeing her off to her morning lecture did my mind finally settle.
Ugh, what an annoyingly energetic morning.
All because of her.
I couldn't even look at her face without feeling awkward. No way was I letting myself get dragged around by a stepsister nagging her late-night-returning brother for incest porn again. Not after scraping by to earn money.
From now on, I'm living for myself.
Forcing my tension up from the morning made me feel kinda embarrassed. Truth be told, my excitement wasn't just from Kim Dayeon.
Cognitive Protection Barrier (Lv.3)
[B Rank]
[Grants immunity to all mental attacks, perception interference, and reality-altering skills. Slightly increases willpower.]
[Skill is currently active!]
[A selectable trait is available.]
Gacha time?
That's why I'm doing this.
Couldn't sleep last night, so I fiddled with the status window, and it'd leveled up. I wanted to draw the trait right away, but held back in case she woke up. No interruptions now, though.
Brimming with anticipation, I reached out.
[Would you like to select a trait?]
The world paused once more. Time lost meaning, spreading a colorless space where everything was visible yet devoid of hue.
The familiar bundle of cards unfurled around me. Yeah, same up to here.
But today, I brought something different from last time.
"Appraisal Eye, deploy───"
This was a special space created by the status window, blocking tricks like smartphone cameras completely. But what about a skill?
Before, the space closed right after drawing, no time to inspect. Not now.
In a world brimming with watery light, the cards floated. Not hovering in air─drifting beneath the surface.
What did that mean?
"It's a domain battle, and I'm at an advantage."
I scanned the cards before me. Now I could see─feel them.
Three colors, same as before: red, blue, green.
I'd puzzled over their meaning since first sight, but it was simpler than thought. Just a color match game.
Here's how: Appraisal Eye evoked the sea. Water-related traits? Blue.
"Fire, water, grass...... Not picking starters."
Appraisal Eye's effect wasn't water-related itself. But the imagery it conjured─the ocean─linked it.
Thus, 'Appraisal Eye = blue cards' formula established.
Couldn't predict effects from color alone. Not as groundbreaking as hoped.
I thought I'd cheat big this time. Still, one gain.
......Appraisal Eye is blue, huh?
Even in games, I don't glance around─I latch onto one and grind it down. Once I have a concept, I commit.
"When you don't know shit, picking a concept and rolling with it is the most fun......!"
Still down to luck, same as always. So let's have fun.
Who knows? Sticking to one might synergize traits into a hidden skill.
I shut my eyes and thrust my hand out.
[Trait selected.]
[Clear Mirror Still Water has been granted to the skill.]
Light and sound returned, like resuming paused footage.
▷ Clear Mirror Still Water ─ Lv.1
Sharpens and calms the mind, mastering the inner self.
Ah, that concept. Hit me right away.
This is that thing, right? In anime, eyes suddenly glow, guy gets cocky, thinks faster.
"Not bad...... right?"
Solid result. Versatile anytime, anywhere. Huge combat boon. Won't shine now, but later as I grow stronger.
Best part: Appraisal Eye, which I barely expected from, snowballed this far. It'll prove useful someday.
"Alright then."
No rest. No word from Meirin, but solo gates felt risky. Time for exercise.
Steady effort never betrays. Changed into comfy clothes and headed out.
Bounding down the stairs, a unfamiliar black van parked right in front.
Damn, blocking the road like pros.
Waiting for someone? Celeb ride? Famous neighbor?
Then the doors flew open, Chinese-dressed men pouring out.
"He's out!"
"Grab him!"
Fuck. Meant for me.
Tried bolting, but no dice. Mouth sealed with duct tape first, crammed into the van.
......Kidnapped in central Seoul.
*
No clue where. Bound head to toe in duct tape post-load, blindfolded with earplugs─position unknown.
Drove awhile, stopped nearby. Draped upside-down over someone's shoulder like a shot soldier, brief carry, now paused. Waiting for someone?
Means enemies weakest now?
Thrashing might resist. I'm a hunter.
Earlier...... well, caught off-guard. Different now.
Hoodlums or not, non-awakened? I could fold 'em.
Do it now, Kim.
Yeah, of cour─
I tensed, aiming for the temple of the guy holding my legs─
"Urk."
......Slammed face-first into the ground.
What the hell! Don't drop me now!
Hands peeled off the bindings regardless.
Vision cleared, limbs freed.
"Hi?"
Finally clocked my kidnappers.
"......Cheonhwa Munju?"
Master of the mega-guild Cheonhwa Guild. Called 'Munju' by hunters or the Association.
Icon of organized crime spanning Korea, embodiment of evil─right before me.
"Quick on the uptake. I like that. Face...... well, better in person. No wonder she fell for you. Not my type, though."
"Pardon? What do you─"
"But brain's a bit dim, huh?"
Crack── A chill seized me.
Pain hit late─my right wrist already severed.
A guild thug's glaive thudded down.
Motherfucker.
Activated Clear Mirror Still Water first, steadying my breath.
"Oh? Used a skill just now?"
Munju giggled, legs crossed, amused.
......Funny to her?
"Impressive? E-rank lone wolf pulling parlor tricks with pathfinder skills? Association's full of idiots?"
She dismounted her chair, knelt low, petting my head like a pity pet.
"Don't worry. I see true value. Behave, and I'll reattach that hand when you leave."
"......"
Spine chilled. Dangerous woman.
Beyond crime─reeks danger as a person.
How to put it. Doesn't see others as fellow humans......
"Answer me?"
"......Yes, I'm listening."
Crazy bitch. Perfect fit.
Real deal─type to avoid entirely.
"Got lots of questions for you? But I'm busy, so rules."
"Rules?"
"Yeah. Lie or stall? Lose a finger each. My call. Wise to play smart?"
My blood dripped coldly from the blade. No joke.
She'd do it. Clear Mirror Still Water held my mind; pain was all mine.
Damn near passed out earlier.
"First one."
Ignoring me, Munju asked.
"───How much did you hear?"