Is This... S-Rank?
“This is... S-rank?”
“Eep... Please let me go now... I can't breathe.”
As I started showing signs of distress, Cheon Yura finally released me with a reluctant sigh.
...Honestly, it wasn't that bad, but twice would be pushing it.
“Cha Eunwol. You're making such a fuss over a little playful hug with the kid.”
“Playful...? You crazy bitch.”
Cha Eunwol ground her teeth, glaring daggers at Cheon Yura.
“Guild Leader Cheon Yura.”
Kim Hyunah stepped in front of me, barely hiding her urge to slap Cheon Yura across the face, shielding me completely behind her back and fixing the woman with a chilling stare.
“So, what's the real reason you barged into our lobby with those flowers?”
At Kim Hyunah's sharp question, Cheon Yura peeked at me peeking out from behind her, flashing a bright smile.
Just looking at this kid melted away all my stress.
“Reason? I told you already. I'm here to say hi and get friendly with you guys.”
“Cut the bullshit.”
“Hey, watch your mouth in front of the kid. Act like a guild leader and show some class.”
“Class my ass—you're the one who trashed someone else's guild yesterday.”
Cheon Yura averted her eyes at that, avoiding Cha Eunwol's gaze.
Well... yesterday was pretty intense.
Even Cheon Yura seemed embarrassed recalling her own antics.
She glanced at me sneaking peeks from behind Kim Hyunah, then shifted her eyes to Guild Leader Cha Eunwol. Her blue eyes sharpened intensely.
“Cha Eunwol.”
“What, you psycho?”
“That kid over there... she's the real reason your guild newbies set that insane mid-layer record, right?”
Cha Eunwol's confident shoulders twitched at the words, heavy silence blanketing the lobby.
“Tch...”
Cha Eunwol clicked her tongue shortly and ruffled her hair roughly.
“You knew?”
“Nah, I had no clue until yesterday. Even when I dug around, I couldn't find a trail.”
Cheon Yura rested her chin on her hand, smirking leisurely.
“But after getting some help from the kid yesterday and her mentioning you when I offered a wish? It clicked.”
“Haa...”
“That's a yes, then.”
Confirmed by Cha Eunwol's reaction, Cheon Yura leaned forward slightly to meet my eyes.
The playful vibe from moments ago vanished; her seasoned hunter gaze carried real weight.
“Kid.”
“Yeah?”
“How about joining my guild for real? I'll hook you up with a penthouse, all the cash you want. Anything you desire, it's yours.”
...Hearing it laid out like that hit different.
Tempting offer, honestly.
“Hey, you crazy bitch!! Poaching my kid right in front of me?!”
The guild leader bristled, but I stepped out from behind Kim Hyunah, stroking my chin with a seriously thoughtful expression.
“Hmm...”
Truth be told, I had no real plans to switch yet.
I hated being tied down anywhere, and regular work sounded like a drag right now.
Still... a little window-shopping couldn't hurt.
“Lemme think about it for a bit.”
“What...? Kid, you're joking, right...?”
“A-Arang...?”
Guild Leader and Kim Hyunah's eyes bored into me at my response, horror dawning on their faces.
I grinned mischievously at their frozen stares.
“You always go with the better offer, right? Heh... Just mulling it over for now.”
Watching them panic felt so satisfying.
Stunned by my half-joking sincerity, they stood there speechless.
...Didn't expect them to freak out this hard.
“H-Hey, kid... Arang! Did we do something to piss you off...? Tell us now—we'll make it right! Just don't go to her!”
“...Arang, are you really leaving us?”
They started desperately pleading, coaxing, and sweet-talking to keep me.
...Is this why NTR stories are so fun? One word from me, and they're begging on their knees. Hilarious.
I chuckled inwardly, etching their images into my mind.
Cheon Yura watched the two guild leaders grovel at the tiny kid a step away, a thick sneer curling her lips.
“This is hilarious.”
“What's so funny... This is your fault—now she's getting ideas!”
“Nah, it's just funny seeing the great Cha Eunwol lose her shit over one little kid, begging like a loser.”
Cha Eunwol's eyebrow twitched at the taunt.
She fired back with a sly grin.
“Without my kid, you'd have been foaming at the mouth on the street yesterday.”
“......”
Cheon Yura's smile vanished in an instant.
Hit right in the sore spot, her eyes chilled, a tense air crackling between them.
“...Talking big, huh, Eunwol?”
“Bullshit—why the fake tears? I spoke facts.”
Man, these two pick fights at every chance.
I sighed deeply at them growling at each other again.
“Haa... Keep fighting here, and I'll seriously scout other guilds tomorrow.”
My warning snapped their jaws shut mid-growl.
“No fighting...”
“Yeah... who said anything about fighting.”
How are guild leaders this childish...
I clicked my tongue and nodded toward the inner lobby.
“Since you're already here, have some bread before you go. Heading to the bakery room—follow if you want.”
I led the way, and Kim Hyunah smoothed my clothes before naturally falling in behind me.
Left alone in the lobby center, Cha Eunwol and Cheon Yura glared at each other a moment longer.
“Haa...”
Cha Eunwol sighed first, side-eyeing Cheon Yura as she muttered low.
“Come on. See our kid's ridiculous powers with your own eyes—you'll change your mind.”
“...Fine.”
Cheon Yura nodded quietly and followed me to the bakery room.
Arriving at the bakery room, I washed my hands, tied on the gifted apron, and started prepping ingredients.
Time for something new today.
I pulled out chestnuts and heavy cream, setting them aside on the counter.
Dumped flour and dough ingredients into a mixing bowl, then activated Kneading right away.
Active Skill: Kneading Lv. 3 activated.
Pat pat, squish squish.
The dough's texture traveling up my fingers made a lazy purr slip out unconsciously.
“Grrooow...”
The pleasant vibration hummed through my throat, my ears twitching to the kneading rhythm. My hidden tail swayed in sync inside my pants.
...Feels so good every damn time.
Leaning against the wall watching me, Cheon Yura's lips quivered.
“...Is she seriously purring while kneading dough? Like a real cat...?”
“Wipe your drool. Don't eye someone else's kid.”
“She's not your kid.”
I ignored their chatter, shaping the dough into rounds, slicing into bite-sized pieces.
Shoved the formed loaves into the preheated oven. While they baked, I prepped chestnut cream.
Mixed finely ground chestnuts into heavy cream bit by bit, blending smooth without separating.
Chilled the cream in the fridge, and soon a cheerful ding rang out as the nutty aroma filled the bakery room.
I slipped on oven mitts, carefully pulled out the loaves to cool, then sliced them and piped in generous chestnut cream.
Not bad for a first try.
“All done.”
Finished by tucking a bit more chestnut paste inside each.
Plated three chestnut cream breads and set them before the trio.
Hoping this chills them out a bit.
“What's this bread?”
Cheon Yura eyed the chestnut cream bread curiously, turning it this way and that.
“Just plain old chestnut cream bread.”
She smiled faintly, reassured.
“Cool. Thanks, kid—I'll enjoy it.”
She carefully took a big bite.
Crunch. Chew.
That instant.
“......!!”
Cheon Yura's eyes glazed over blank.
The soft bread texture carried sweet, rich chestnut cream exploding across her mouth.
The subtle chestnut aroma rode the thick yet fresh cream down her throat, zapping her tongue with thrilling sweetness and flavor.
“Hnnng...!”
A lewd moan escaped her lips.
She clutched the half-eaten bread, eyes rolling back white as she fainted standing up.
...Getting used to this now.
Gonna be sad if they don't pass out someday.
“......”
I clicked my tongue, gazing down at Cheon Yura impassively.
Watching, the guild leader alternated glances between us before asking cautiously.
“Hey, Arang.”
“Yeah?”
“Did I... pass out that pathetically when I ate your bread too?”
At Cha Eunwol's anxious question, I nodded without hesitation.
“Yep. Exactly like that.”
“......Ah.”
Cha Eunwol facepalmed, head bowed in deep shame.
