Not a Bad Punishment
A woman stood before Levi Nas, brimming with fury. She looked ready to swing her fist at any moment. No matter what, I had to stop her from laying a hand on Levi Nas. I rushed over and tugged at the hem of her clothes in a panic.
"U-um..."
The woman turned to look at me. I'd managed to halt her, but I had no idea what to say. It wasn't intentional, but Levi Nas had started the provocation, so I decided to lead with an apology.
"I-I'm sorry... Please forgive us just this once..."
"......"
Even after my apology, she just glared at me with her lips pressed tight. She seemed a little calmer at first glance, but that was unlikely. This was the kind of woman who dragged in-game drama into real life.
"Whoa, Wang-ah...?"
Levi Nas's horn-rabbit eyes went wide, shocked that I had apologized first. The woman still said nothing, just glaring at us.
"Levi Nas, you apologize too."
"S-sorry. Will Levi Nas be forgiven...?"
At my scolding, Levi Nas apologized without question. Even though she showed genuine remorse, the woman kept her mouth shut. How mad was she?
I backed away until I was next to Levi Nas.
"Whoa, Wang-ah, we're in big trouble... Is UltimateSupremeKwonArin gonna beat us up...?"
"W-well...?"
If her anger had boiled over, yeah, she'd probably hit us. And the woman in front of us looked that furious. She just stared down at us without a word. I knew the type who went silent when they were really pissed.
She might be one of them.
"Wang-ah, Levi Nas knows. We're definitely gonna get hit..."
"R-really?"
"Yeah! She called Levi Nas a horn rabbit! Bad adults call you that and then beat you up...!"
Levi Nas's hand, clutching my clothes, started trembling. I could tell how scared she was.
"What was that? I just heard her say she's gonna hit kids?"
"Yeah, me too."
"The kids look terrified?"
Everyone in the park turned to stare at us. Thanks to Levi Nas's loud outburst. Would she really swing with all these people watching? If so, she was seriously dangerous.
I fidgeted with my fingers and looked up at her.
"Wang-ah, it's Levi Nas's fault you're gonna get hit... Levi Nas is really sorry..."
"I'm fine. Getting hit is something I'm used to."
"N-no, I..."
Before she could respond, people from the park started approaching us. Were they good Samaritans who couldn't stand for violence? A bit of relief washed over me.
"Um, could I take Levi Nas's punishment instead...? She's still just a kid..."
My terrified tail had curled up to my belly button on its own. My ears drooped flat. I needed to act brave, but I hated how my ears and tail always betrayed me like this.
"N-no, no, you're a kid too..."
She waved her hands and let out a strange sigh. I couldn't understand why she'd suddenly call me a kid like that. Was she the type who didn't make sense?
With no other options, I clutched my tail with both hands. A middle-aged man with a furrowed brow placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, why don't you come with me for a sec."
"N-no! I-I'm not, that's not..."
"No excuses. Come on."
The man yanked her hand. He was strong—her body staggered.
"I-I'm not, I didn't mean to hit kids..."
Hiiik!
As she let out a weird squeak, someone pushed through the bushes toward us. It was Han Yeoreum, who'd been watching from afar.
"Hold on a minute."
The man froze at Han Yeoreum's voice. He sighed deeply and released the woman's hand.
"Those kids were almost hit by her."
"Yeah, I saw."
"Then handle it well."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
Han Yeoreum bowed politely, and the man walked off without a word. I glanced at them nervously, then grabbed Levi Nas and ran to Han Yeoreum's side.
"Hmm..."
Han Yeoreum stroked her chin, eyeing the woman. The woman seemed intimidated too, head bowed and body trembling.
"I-I, um..."
"UltimateSupremeKwonArin?"
"......"
Was she embarrassed that Han Yeoreum knew her identity? Her eyes started to redden.
"UltimateSupremeKwonArin-nim?"
"U-uwu..."
Drip— Unable to withstand Han Yeoreum's pressure, tears finally spilled from UltimateSupremeKwonArin's eyes. I knew that fear all too well, so I didn't think she was pathetic. Han Yeoreum was terrifying as an enemy. I was just surprised that the woman who'd scared us moments ago was the one breaking down.
Yeomyeong Guild's reception room. Kwon A-rin sat alone inside, still sniffling with a runny nose.
I'm done for.
She'd terrified young beastkin children. Beastkin kids under the protection of the nation and Yeomyeong Guild, no less. She wouldn't get quietly eliminated, right?
Kwon A-rin dropped her head in despair.
"UltimateSupremeKwonArin-nim?"
Han Yeoreum approached with two cups of coffee. Even in the top guild, they just used instant coffee sticks. Clinging to that human touch, Kwon A-rin found a sliver of hope.
"J-just Kwon A-rin is fine..."
UltimateSupremeKwonArin. Why'd she pick such a cringy nickname? Kwon A-rin felt her face burning with shame.
"Got it. Kwon A-rin it is, then."
"Y-yes..."
Kwon A-rin nodded, and Han Yeoreum took a light sip of her coffee. Kwon A-rin just clutched hers without drinking.
"So, you were yelling at kids in the park? Even tried to hit them."
"N-no, it's not like that..."
"The kid doesn't know how to play the game properly. We're truly sorry about that."
"U-uwu..."
Even though Han Yeoreum apologized first, Kwon A-rin didn't hold the upper hand. Yelling at a kid who didn't even know the rules made her feel pathetic.
"Still, chasing them down in real life to hit them? That's on you."
"Y-yes. But I never actually tried to h-hit anyone..."
Of course. Han Yeoreum had seen it herself. Kwon A-rin had frozen up the moment she saw they were kids. She'd come without realizing and got caught off guard. A clear mistake, but still her fault. Couldn't just let her go.
"So, what are you gonna do about it?"
"W-what...?"
"We can't just sweep this under the rug."
"R-right..."
It was unacceptable even against regular kids, let alone endangered beastkin. She deserved serious punishment.
"You know how terrified those kids were? They're so scared of humans they won't even leave the house..."
Click—!
Before Han Yeoreum finished, the reception room door opened. In bounced an excited Levi Nas and a fidgety Han Gyeowol.
"Wang-i is amazing as always! She just apologized and defeated the villain! She knew she didn't need to fight!"
"That's not it..."
Han Gyeowol's face was red, but her tail swished happily. She didn't hate the praise.
"Th-they don't look that scared..."
Kwon A-rin muttered cautiously, glancing at Han Yeoreum. A bit embarrassed, Han Yeoreum scratched the back of her head.
"Kids bounce back quick."
"R-right."
Either way, she had to agree with Han Yeoreum. Kwon A-rin nodded, and Levi Nas hopped onto Han Yeoreum's lap. Han Gyeowol scooted close until their thighs touched. This clingy behavior was a beastkin kid's instinct for security around scary people—a secret only Han Yeoreum, who'd studied beastkin, knew.
"Yeoreum-ah, I heard from Wang-i earlier!"
"What?"
"Levi Nas started it this time!"
"Really?"
Han Yeoreum chuckled and petted Levi Nas's head. The mood lightened, and Kwon A-rin sighed in relief.
"Levi Nas was trying to tell her she's a horn rabbit, but it sounded like an insult!"
"Yeah, it kinda does."
"Right! So Levi Nas wants to make up with UltimateSupremeKwonArin! Wang-i said we have to!"
"Aw, how sweet."
Han Yeoreum smiled at their innocence. But she wouldn't forgive easily. Kwon A-rin had to pay for her actions. Though the punishment wasn't too harsh. It might even be good for Kwon A-rin.
"Do you want to make up with the kids too, Kwon A-rin?"
"Y-yes! Absolutely!"
"Hmm... How about this?"
"H-how...?"
Gulp.
Han Gyeowol's ears perked up at Kwon A-rin's swallow. Bored, Levi Nas grabbed them. Han Gyeowol didn't pull away, just wagged her tail.
"You just play games at home all day, right?"
"Y-yes..."
Yeomyeong Guild knew everything if they wanted. As Kwon A-rin's face flushed and she bowed her head, Han Yeoreum dropped a bombshell.
"Then work as a baggage handler for the guild. We're short on them."
"P-pardon...?"
Yeomyeong Guild baggage handler. A spot even connections couldn't easily snag. They weren't just porters—they trained aspiring hunters. Kwon A-rin's eyes bulged in shock.
"Oh dear."
Only Han Gyeowol failed to grasp it, feeling sorry. Because of her, this woman was being forced into guild baggage duty.