The Bread That Felled S-Ranks
“Try some of this.”
I thrust the paper bag I’d been cradling toward the guild leader and Kim Hyunah.
When the mood gets awkward, nothing beats shoving food in their faces.
“What’s this?”
Cha Eunwol blinked at the bag’s contents. Kim Hyunah’s eyes went wide too, peering in with obvious curiosity.
“Freshly baked turtle bread. Thought you might want to try it.”
Their eyes bulged at my words.
“Bread…? Another new one?” “This… feels too valuable to just take for free…”
A mix of tension and hunger flickered across their faces.
Cha Eunwol and Kim Hyunah exchanged a glance, then nodded solemnly.
“Alright… I won’t make a fool of myself this time.” “I’m ready too.”
Over a piece of bread? Anyone’d think we were heading into war.
Why make such a fuss over a snack? I crossed my arms, inwardly clicking my tongue at their dramatics.
Cha Eunwol gingerly picked up a turtle bread and took a big bite.
“Then… me too.”
Kim Hyunah watched her reaction before carefully tearing off the shell part and popping it in her mouth.
And the next instant—
Thud.
“……Huh?”
Cha Eunwol and Kim Hyunah’s eyes rolled back, and they collapsed to the floor.
“……What the hell?!”
They’d passed out side by side in a blink.
What in the world…?
“G-Guild leader?! Hyunah?!”
I dropped to my knees between them in a panic.
“You’re not dead, right?! I didn’t put any poison in it…?”
I’d eaten some myself and been fine… Why were these powerhouses, thousands of times stronger than me, like this?
I tentatively poked Cha Eunwol’s cheek with a finger—no reaction. Held it under her nose; she was breathing. Shone my phone flashlight in her eyes; pupils reacted normally.
Shook Kim Hyunah’s shoulder; it just lolled limply. But she was clutching the bread tight even now—creepy as hell.
“What do I do…?! A-Ambulance…? What do I even tell them…?”
If I said two S-rank-level hunters passed out from bread I made… they’d think it’s a prank call and hang up.
Worried some Baekya Guild member might pass by, misunderstand, and cause a scene, I shook them roughly, pacing in circles.
Wake up already, you damn idiots.
“Please, just open your eyes!”
Tears welling up, I grabbed their shoulders and shook like mad.
“Gasp…!” “Hnnngh…!”
Finally, they sucked in deep breaths, eyes snapping open as they jolted upright.
“Phew… I survived…”
I let out a huge sigh of relief, patting my chest. My tail swished happily in my pants.
That was… hands down, the scariest moment of my life. This year, anyway.
Cha Eunwol and Kim Hyunah stared into space, pupils dilated. Then, as if on cue, they gazed mesmerized at the turtle bread in their hands.
“Th-This taste…” “……Haa.”
Their hands trembled.
After catching their breath, they opened wide again and chomped down.
Chew. Gulp.
Thud.
“……”
Out cold again.
“You… crazy people…”
I clutched my head, staring at the pair sprawled on the floor in disbelief.
What the hell are they doing?! Like junkies or something!
“Should I… get it tested for drugs or what?”
As I muttered helplessly, staring blankly, they came to a bit faster this time.
“Puhah…!” “Hah, haa…”
Cha Eunwol and Kim Hyunah gasped like they’d just surfaced from holding their breath underwater.
“What’s wrong with you two?! You scared the crap out of me!”
I couldn’t hold back and yelled.
Never imagined I’d see hunters faint from bread.
Cha Eunwol sat on the floor, panting, looking up at me with dazed eyes. Her red irises swam with shock.
“You… kiddo, this bread…” “Yeah. Turtle bread. What about it?” “You haven’t tried it? And you’re fine?”
No… it’s just bread… Sure, it tasted great, but…
Now I sound weird.
I nodded emphatically at her shaky voice, feeling wronged.
“I ate one just now and was totally fine. It was tasty, yeah… but not faint-worthy.”
Cha Eunwol swept her hands over her face in disbelief. Kim Hyunah, straightening her clothes nearby, shot me a stunned look too.
“Arang… you really felt nothing? No white-hot mind blank, no body heating up, no waves of ecstasy?” “Huh…? Just felt good, like eating perfectly baked bread…?”
What the— that sounds terrifying. Bread or drugs?
High-rank hunters feel it different, maybe?
I answered hesitantly, and Cha Eunwol grabbed my cheeks with both hands.
“Eek!” “You’re one weird kiddo.”
She stretched my cheeks, muttering in amazement.
“Are we the weird ones…? Nah… that taste was brutal… Ugh, whatever, you’re the freak.”
She released my cheeks and ruffled my hair. After all that petting, it actually felt nice now.
“Every bread you bake gets more ridiculously buffed… The first ones were insane, but now I’m scared of what’s next.”
Your reactions scare me.
“But this one’s a pain to make in bulk.”
I smoothed my messy hair and pulled my hoodie back down over my ears.
“Takes forever. Gotta bake low and slow for hours without burning, and it’s super hands-on. Annoying.”
“…That’s it?”
Cha Eunwol snorted in disbelief.
“For that taste and buff? That’s a light downside.” “Easy for you to say. I’m the one doing the work. Plenty of other tasty breads that aren’t such a hassle.”
I grumbled, tail thumping in my pants, and she eyed me like I was some mutant.
That look’s downright irreverent.
“Anyway, I gave you the bread, so I’m heading back to rest. I only came ‘cause I was bored today.”
As I turned to leave the lobby, Cha Eunwol snagged my hoodie hem.
“Kiddo. Hold up.”
Glancing back, she stared with an intense, complicated gaze.
Didn’t suit the guild leader at all.
“Later… way later.” “Huh?” “When I ask personally… could you bake one more turtle bread for me?”
All her usual playfulness was gone from her voice. It was heavy, laced with wistful regret, like she was thinking of someone.
“Just one. I’ll pay whatever you want.”
“…That’s kinda heavy. Just give me a fair price.”
I didn’t want things getting awkward over too much cash. No debts here.
Or… ask for gold bars?
“Sure. Tell me when you need it. I’ll bake it.”
I nodded with a bright smile, and her tense face softened into a faint grin.
“Thanks. Really.”
“…If it’s for a boyfriend… should I put some extra care into it?”
She stared blankly at that, then pressed down hard on my head.
“Boyfriend? As if I’d raise one… But you? I’d wanna keep you…? What do ya say?”
“…Back off.”
I scooted far away, hiding behind Kim Hyunah.
Pervert.
“Can’t even joke.”
Cha Eunwol dusted her hands lightly and stood.
“You worked hard baking that treat. Let’s grab food. My treat—Hanwoo today.”
As she strode ahead cheerfully, I quietly rubbed my belly.
Stomach, got room for more?
My desperate plea got a firm no.
Damn…
“I’m good… no space for meat.” “You don’t mean…” “One bread filled me right up. Can’t eat more.”
Her steps halted. She turned, scanning me head to toe in disbelief, then let out a baffled chuckle.
“Haa… No bread to bulk up that puny gut? Shouldn’t you be starving again by now? Right, Hyunah?”
“…That’s my biggest worry.”
Think I don’t wanna stuff myself with goodies?
My white ears drooped sadly atop my head.
I’m seriously… looking into stomach enlargement surgery.