An Ordinary Day
"The taste and effects are great... but mass-producing this would be impossible."
Baking this bread in large quantities while maintaining the color in sub-zero temperatures for extended periods was out of the question.
It took way too much time.
Plus, shaping the turtle form was trickier than expected, and the ingredient ratios were finicky.
I'd bake it if the situation called for it, but I had no desire to churn out batches just for the hell of it.
This was strictly for my snacks—or whenever the guild leader or Hyunah requested it.
"Still, it'd be a shame to eat the ones I already made all by myself."
I swished my tail, which had poked out from my pants, and carefully packed the remaining Turtle Bread King into a small paper bag.
"Gotta give one to the guild leader and Hyunah."
They looked after me in all sorts of ways, so this much was fine.
They worried about me even after learning about my bread skills.
I hugged the bag to my chest and pulled my hoodie low to hide my ears.
I opened the bakery room door and headed down the hall to the first-floor lobby.
The lobby, usually buzzing with hunters and guild staff, was eerily silent today—like a morgue.
What was going on? Tax auditors?
In the center, people had gathered in a circle.
At the heart of it stood Guild Leader Cha Eunwol, her fierce face twisted even more savagely.
There she is.
Tak.
"Huh...?"
I started toward her happily, but someone grabbed my wrist from behind.
Startled, I whipped around to find Kim Hyunah staring down at me with a coldly rigid expression.
She yanked my wrist, positioning me behind her like a shield, and pressed a finger to her lips with her other hand.
"Shh... Stay quiet for a bit... It's dangerous."
Her firm tone and uncharacteristic menace made me gulp and clamp my mouth shut.
They say even a rabbit bites if cornered...
I cautiously peeked past her shoulder at the lobby's center.
Cha Eunwol had none of her usual nonchalance; she clutched her head like she was stressed out of her mind.
Opposite her stood an unfamiliar woman.
Sharp eyes glowing blue, arrogant posture with legs crossed.
A murderous aura rippled around her.
"Who's that...?"
I think I saw her on NewTube and Seed Wiki earlier...?
Right... Cheonroe Guild's guild leader on NewTube. Rival to Guild Leader Cha Eunwol.
"Cha Eunwol. Cut the bullshit and spill. What the hell did you do?"
Cheon Yura's voice, thick with killing intent, echoed lowly through the lobby.
Cha Eunwol let out a disbelieving scoff and glared back.
"Spill what, you psycho bitch? You're the one barging into my guild's lobby throwing a tantrum. Didn't that great daddy of yours teach you manners?"
"Don't change the subject. Your guild's rookies were flailing in the mid-layers just days ago, and now they're shattering records left and right like different people. You think I'm an idiot?"
Cheon Yura stepped forward with a growl.
With each step, the lobby's marble floor cracked, blue sparks flying everywhere.
Why's she so damn scary...?
I clutched Hyunah's clothes and shrank back.
It sure sounded like they were talking about my bread... Getting caught now wouldn't end well, so I needed to stay hidden.
"I'm asking what you got. New item? Bribed those alchemists?"
"Ha, unbelievable... Why the hell do I owe you a report on my rookies busting their asses?"
Cha Eunwol unleashed her own mana, firing back without flinching.
"Even if we did, I don't have to tell you shit. Look at you throwing a fit to steal trade secrets, Cheon Yura. No wonder your daddy's disappointed—you lose to me every time."
"You bitch, how dare you—!"
Cheon Yura's eyes flashed blue at the taunt.
Woooong...!
Suddenly, the lobby air grew heavy, crushing down.
The overwhelming mana from Cheon Yura and the guild leader clashed wildly, as if it would incinerate all the oxygen.
Gasping for breath, I gripped Hyunah's hem tighter with trembling hands.
"...Sorry. Hang in there a bit longer."
"Y-yeah..."
I nodded weakly and leaned into her for support.
"Bring it if you dare. Show your teeth in my guild, and I'll snap those fancy legs of yours."
The two S-rank hunters' mana collided head-on.
"Kuh...!"
"Ugh...!"
The surrounding Baekya Guild members couldn't withstand the suffocating pressure and staggered back.
Ah... seriously... I wanna go home.
My instincts screamed warnings at the twin disasters before me.
My legs shook, tail fur standing on end.
"Haa... What a truly irritating day..."
Then Kim Hyunah, who'd been shielding me, clutched her head and let out a short sigh.
She nodded at a burly guild member sweating nearby.
"You there—protect Baek Arang."
"Ah, yes! Got it!"
At her order, the guild member stepped in front of me, radiating mana to guard me.
His broad back blocked my view completely, easing the oppressive mana just enough to breathe.
I trembled against his back and peeked out.
Scary as hell, but I gotta see what's happening.
What I saw was Hyunah striding unflinchingly into the epicenter where their mana clashed.
Whoa... not scared at all?
"Both of you, stop."
Her calm voice cut through the mana waves.
"Guild Leader Cheon. Rival guild or not, unleashing mana in another guild's HQ lobby is a clear violation. Please maintain some dignity as a leader."
"Tch..."
Cheon Yura clicked her tongue irritably at Hyunah—more than at Cha Eunwol.
"And Guild Leader, withdraw your mana too. What kind of example is this in front of the kids? I'll bill both of you personally for lobby repairs."
"Fine, whatever..."
Cha Eunwol grumbled and reined in her mana.
Cheon Yura bit her lip hard and sucked back the blue lightning crackling around her.
"Just you wait, Cha Eunwol. I'll figure out your little scheme soon enough."
As Cheon Yura turned coldly to leave—
"Ugh...!"
Her body suddenly lurched violently.
She clutched her head with both hands, groaning in agony.
"Ughhh... Haa, haa... Fuck..."
Thick sweat beaded on her forehead; her pale lips leaked ragged breaths.
The overwhelming mana from moments ago was gone; she looked on the verge of collapse.
Like she was suffering a splitting migraine.
What's up with her suddenly...?
"Damn... Of all times..."
Cheon Yura gritted her teeth against the pain, shot a venomous glare at Cha Eunwol and Hyunah, then staggered quickly out of the lobby.
"Haa... Crazy bitch..."
Once Cheon Yura's presence fully vanished, Cha Eunwol smacked her lips bitterly.
Recalling Yura's pained state, she bit her lip hard.
"Everyone, back to work. Don't freak out over nothing."
Cha Eunwol waved them off, dispersing the guild members.
The big guy shielding me gave a quick nod and left.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Hyunah quietly approached Cha Eunwol, staring at the spot Yura had vacated.
"Guild Leader Cheon... Her condition seems to be worsening by the day."
"Yeah... That curse from back then must be flaring up worse. The psycho's burning mana like crazy in that state—how's her body supposed to hold up?"
Cha Eunwol spat coldly, but strong pity lingered in her red eyes.
Curse? Like a debuff?
From what I overheard, Cheon Yura had some fatal status effect.
That's why she was clutching her head in pain?
Hunters regenerated even cancer naturally—yet she looked that wrecked?
The Tower was seriously dangerous.
Cha Eunwol gazed regretfully at the door Yura had exited through, then shook it off and turned.
Her eyes met mine in midair.
"Uh...?"
I froze awkwardly under her gaze.
Aw, crap... Should've snuck back in quietly.
Cha Eunwol blinked at my dumbstruck stance, then let out a small chuckle.
"What're you doing over there?"
"Uh... well..."
I forced an awkward smile amid the tense vibe and held out the paper bag from my chest.
"Ahem... Want some bread?"
God, I sound so stupid.
At my airheaded offer, Cha Eunwol's eyes widened round.
"Ha..."
A disbelieving breath escaped her lips.
She strode up, plopped a hand on my head, and ruffled my hair roughly.
"Aaa!! Dizzy! My hoodie's coming off!!"
"All the annoying crap piles up on our little kid."
She mashed my hood down, messing up my hair wildly.
"Jeez, really... I'm worried about our kid's future."
"Huh...?"
But... why pinch my cheeks?
I stared up at her blankly, enduring her affectionate yet painful pinches.