Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Titan Guild
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“What are you doing? Come on, Hayang, eat up. It's okay if you spill some.”
“Y-Yes... ”
Just what the heck is this place?
I clearly got into a car.
But the inside looks way nicer than my house. Like a palace or something.
Staring blankly around me, Jeong Yujin handed me a sandwich and a drink.
The drink was super cold, too.
Looking closer, she had pulled it from a fridge in the corner.
Wow, even a fridge in the car.
The sandwich looks so thick and fancy.
If I sold just one of these, wouldn't it cover my meals for two days?
“Th-Then, I'll dig in...”
“Yeah, eat lots.”
“Haaam.”
Taking her kindness, I bit into the sandwich,
and my eyes immediately went wide.
Gasp, what is this flavor?
How to describe it... it's incredibly fresh.
Aren't sandwiches just bread with some ham shoved in?
The lettuce crunching inside was crisp.
Thick ham and... what's this? A little spicy.
And the rich cheese flavor mixed with the sweet-and-sour sauce created a heavenly harmony.
Eating a delicious sandwich temporarily lowers language ability.
“Hehe...”
Hehe, yummy.
Sandwich yummy.
I wuv sandwiches.
“So good, so good. Sandwich so good~.”
“Pfft, what's that? A song Hayang made up?”
Huh? Song? What're you talking about?
Did I sing?
“I-I didn't sing or anything...”
“Kkh, really? Sis must've misheard. Don't mind it, eat lots.”
“Yesh.”
Something about Jeong Yujin's attitude bugged me.
But right now, the sandwich was more important.
“Nom nom.”
One bite, two bites, devouring the delicious sandwich,
before I knew it, my hands were empty.
What? When did I finish it?
I swear I only took a few bites.
Did those sparrows from earlier sneak into the car and steal it?
“Hing...”
“What's wrong? Want more? Want sis's?”
“N-No, that's Yujin's meal...”
Did she notice me glancing?
Jeong Yujin offered her sandwich.
But I quickly shook my head.
It was delicious, sure.
But taking someone else's food is still a no-go.
Glance— glance—
Still, my eyes kept drifting over.
I'm not a kid, how obsessed can I be with food?
Fidgeting awkwardly with my hands,
Jeong Yujin glanced at me and let out a loud sigh, like she wanted everyone to hear.
“Aah, what a shame. Sis doesn't eat breakfast anyway, was gonna give it to you... but if Hayang doesn't want it, oh well. Guess I'll toss it?”
“Huh? Oh, wait, um...”
She wasn't gonna eat it anyway?
This wasn't part of the plan.
Wait, does that mean it's food waste?
That's bad!
Last time I was in elementary school,
they taught us that kids in Africa are starving,
and we shouldn't waste food.
“Oh, if you're not eating it, I'll have it! Wasting food is bad...”
“Right? Hayang's so smart, knowing stuff like that.”
“Hehe.”
Yeah, yeah.
The gallery said I didn't even get proper elementary education.
But I got enough, thank you very much.
Puffing out my chest proudly and shrugging,
I took the sandwich.
Already the second one, but it tasted like the first bite.
Nom nom, scarfing it down in seconds, I glanced up.
“...Ahem.”
“......”
The driver, catching my eye in the rearview mirror, quickly looked away.
Ugh, he's definitely thinking I'm a glutton.
Or judging me for snatching Jeong Yujin's sandwich on top of getting free food.
A bit deflated, but I still enjoyed the sandwich.
Sandwiches are innocent.
“We've arrived. Please step out, Hayang.”
“Th-Thank you...”
Hearing the awkward honorific, I got out through the door the driver held open.
Ugh, Hayang-nim...
I'm not that big a deal.
Still, secretly feeling a tiny thrill at the VIP treatment— that's a secret.
“What do you think? This is our guild HQ.”
“Wow, it's huge.”
“Right? Not as big as Yeohae Guild, but still pretty massive.”
The guild HQ we'd arrived at was smack in the center of Gangnam.
About six stories tall, maybe.
And not just the building— it had a beautifully landscaped garden, like a mansion.
Wow, how much would a place like this in central Gangnam cost?
Over ten billion, easy.
“Come to think of it, Titan Guild's under the Gangnam branch, right?”
“Yeah. Guilds have defense zones assigned— areas we protect. Ours is Gangnam, Yeohae's Gangbuk.”
“Aha.”
Fitting for the top two guilds, splitting Seoul's most influential areas.
“Anyway, enough standing around— let's head in. Master's waiting.”
“We're really meeting the guild master?”
“Of course. He cleared his whole schedule just to see you.”
“Th-That much?!”
Why go that far...?!
What does he expect from me?
I'd made up my mind, but now I worried if I could live up to it.
Still, mustering courage, I carefully stepped forward.
“Hey, Yujin. Hi.”
The moment we entered the building, someone greeted Jeong Yujin casually.
A lively-looking woman about Jeong Yujin's age.
“Hi. Where you headed?”
“Day off today, so hitting a new cafe nearby. Huh? Who's your friend?”
“Friend I made recently.”
“For real? So cute...!”
“Eek?!”
I thought she'd just chat with Jeong Yujin and leave.
But she strode toward me, so I let out a short squeak like a mouse before a cat.
She took another step closer.
This time, I scurried behind Jeong Yujin to hide.
The woman's face lit up even more.
Why's she smiling?!
Is she the type who enjoys bullying people?
“Look how shy...! How'd you make such a cute friend?”
“Ran into her during that raid gate last time. Anyway, Hayang looks scared— back off a bit?”
“Aw, lemme see a little more. She's so picky.”
“She's a guest of the master, y'know?”
“Whoa, really? This little one?”
Little one? Harsh.
Okay, my height's a bit short right now.
But saying it to my face is still rude.
“I-I'm not little...”
“Kyaa...! She heard. Says she's not little. Even her tantrums are cute...!”
“Yeah yeah, go to your cafe. Don't bully our Hayang.”
“Hayang, huh? Name suits her perfect.”
The woman, making a huge fuss, waved “See you later, Hayang!” and left.
Hmph, never gonna see her again.
If I do, I'll walk right past.
“Sorry, she put you through that.”
“It's fine. Elevator?”
“Yeah. Master's office is top floor. Security's tight— no appointment, no meeting.”
“Wow...”
Truly impressive.
Feels like meeting the president.
His influence probably isn't far off.
S-Rank Hunter.
Owner of Titan Guild.
The man who holds both titles.
Feeling my palms sweat from nerves,
I hurried after Jeong Yujin into the elevator.
Ding—!
Soon, the chime sounded, and we reached the sixth floor.
Doors opened to a neatly decorated hallway.
But...
“Welcome.”
The problem: two burly men standing right in front of the elevator.
Gasp, scars too.
I shouldn't judge by looks.
But honestly, scary as hell.
Way scarier than that Kim Taesung guy.
“Brought the guest with an appointment for Master. Heading in?”
“Yes, we've been informed. You're Yang Hayang, right?”
“Y-Yes... that's me.”
Peeking from behind Jeong Yujin and nodding,
the security guy looking down at me scratched his head awkwardly.
The other nudged his waist, giving a look.
Finally, the path cleared.
“Thank you for your hard work...”
“Nah, no problem.”
“Haha, even the words are appreciated.”
Bowing slightly as I passed,
they gave me bright smiles.
Better than dirty looks.
Knock knock—
“Master, brought Hayang.”
—Come in.
At the office door, Jeong Yujin knocked, and a flat voice replied.
Whoosh, the door slid open automatically.
The tidy office interior came into view.
How to put it— perfectly minimal, just the essentials.
And at the wide desk sat a man scanning documents with a businesslike gaze.
He stood up.
“Eek?!”
“Hm?”
In that moment, a yelp escaped me.
Can't be helped— he was huge.
Way bigger than the security guys.
That's gotta be two meters, right?
Not just tall— ripped muscles, thick jawline.
The epitome of manly.
This is Titan Guild's master, Choi Geonwoo.
Ugh, the tension I'd barely suppressed surged back.
No, apologies first!
“S-Sorry for yelling suddenly. You're just... bigger than I thought...”
“No issue. Kids freak out at my size all the time.”
“Hehe, true. Master, you're needlessly huge.”
“Needless? Think I grew like a beanpole on purpose?”
Brushing off Jeong Yujin's jab calmly, Choi Geonwoo extended a massive hand.
“Anyway, I heard about you. I'm Choi Geonwoo, Titan Guild master. Nice to meet you.”
“I'm Yang Hayang. I heard you called for me...”
“Yeah. Sit down, let's talk... Hm?”
About to guide me to a seat, Choi Geonwoo frowned.
Uh, still mad about the yelp?
Or disappointed seeing a kid standing there?
Feels like he's staring at my feet.
Trash or something?
Looking around, nothing in sight.
“Master, what's up?”
“...Nothing. Later.”
Jeong Yujin broke the silence, but he looked away.
Tilting my head, I sat where he indicated.
“Your drinks. Enjoy while you talk.”
Soon, a chocolate latte arrived.
Tastier than the cafe's, my legs couldn't stop swinging.