If the Kid I Gave Snacks to Is the Guild Master's Daughter
After finishing the meal and stepping outside, a cool breeze brushed pleasantly against my cheeks.
Man... I'm so full.
"That was delicious... haaah."
I looked down at my slightly bulging belly and let out a satisfied sigh.
As expected from expensive meat—it was so good that I'd eaten more than usual, but my stomach didn't feel bloated at all.
I gotta come back here often.
Do places like this require reservations?
As I smacked my lips and glanced back at the restaurant, Cheon Yura, who was walking beside me, stared at me in genuine wonder.
"You really can't eat much, huh."
"...I'm trying my best, you know."
Her tone, like she was marveling at something purely curious, scratched at my pride a little.
I used to eat three bowls of rice by myself back in the day...
Feeling a surge of irritation, I turned to Cheon Yura and puffed out my scrawny chest.
"I'm really working hard at it, okay? I've been eating a ton lately to build up my capacity!"
"...That was you 'working hard'? How much did you eat before?"
"Two chicken legs and I was stuffed."
"You've come a long way..."
I dodged the hand that patted my head with a wistful look in her eyes.
...Hmph.
"Okay, enough about that. Don't run away."
As I kept avoiding her persistent petting, Cheon Yura apologized softly and drew closer.
Swoosh.
Her delicate touch gently stroked my hair, and I closed my eyes, accepting it obediently.
Just this once.
"Yeah... whatever. Anyway, thanks again for taking my request. I really mean it."
Without thinking, my ears inside the hoodie flicked back happily at her touch.
I could feel my tail, tucked away in my pants, swishing contentedly too.
Lately, it seemed like I was starting to enjoy people petting my head.
Nah... must be my imagination.
I nodded lightly and asked,
"So, should I make it for you today?"
"Huh? No, not today. We'll finish prepping on our end, and I'll contact you separately."
"Prep? You don't need to go to that trouble. I could just whip it up in the Baekya Guild's bakery room in no time."
The moment "Baekya Guild" left my mouth, Cheon Yura's face hardened coldly.
...Oops.
I'd thought things were getting comfortable between us, but nope.
Her expression twisted beyond just stiffening, and I cautiously gauged her mood.
"No. It's fine."
A low, chilling voice slipped through her lips.
Her eyes burned with intense rivalry toward Guild Leader Cha Eunwol.
"I'll prepare it so perfectly that I forget all about that pathetic bakery room of theirs. Just wait a few days."
"Pardon...?"
But the Baekya Guild already has a high-end bakery setup?
I couldn't find words and just nodded quietly.
...What can I do if she insists?
No reason to stop her, I guess.
I gave an awkward smile as I watched Cheon Yura burn with strange determination.
The door to the Cheonroe Guild leader's office opened, and the vice guild leader entered.
"You called for me, Guild Leader?"
Cheon Yura sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, leisurely sipping from her teacup.
The vice guild leader, stealing glances at her, looked like her insides were burning with anxiety.
Lately, for some reason, the guild leader's perpetually furrowed brow had softened, and she couldn't fathom what was behind this gentle summons.
"Buy a suitable building near the guild. Gut it completely and turn the whole thing into a bakery."
"Pardon...? What did you just say...?"
'What did I just hear?'
The vice guild leader stared at Cheon Yura with wide eyes, doubting her own ears.
"A bakery all of a sudden...? What do you mean...?"
Her voice cracked with bewilderment and deep confusion, and Cheon Yura's gaze turned icy in an instant.
Clink.
The sharp sound of the teacup hitting the table rang out.
Swoosh.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the office grew oppressively heavy.
The menacing mana radiating from Cheon Yura choked the vice guild leader's breath.
'Softened my ass... she's as fierce as ever.'
Feeling a chill down her spine, she inwardly smirked.
She'd been worried the guild leader might be going soft.
But the woman before her was still a razor-sharp sword, honed to perfection.
Cheon Yura fixed her with a cold stare.
"Do I have to say it twice?"
"No, ma'am."
"No need for explanations. I'm doing it because I want it. Get it done without backtalk."
Overwhelmed by the irresistible force, the vice guild leader bowed deeply with an inner smile.
"Understood. I'll look into properties right away."
"Don't half-ass it just to check a box. Equip it all with the absolute best gear."
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
As the vice guild leader nodded obediently, Cheon Yura withdrew her killing intent and added,
"Oh, and."
"Yes, Guild Leader?"
"In a few days, we'll have an important guest visiting the guild. Treat them with the utmost respect—like you would me. No, even more courteously."
"Pardon...?"
The vice guild leader's eyes widened at Cheon Yura's words.
A guest worthy of that from her...? Who could it be? She treated overseas big-shot hunters without batting an eye...
Swallowing her questions, the vice guild leader nodded and quietly exited the room.
A few days later, after rolling around in the living room, I got a call from Cheon Yura and climbed into the car she sent.
Whoa... there's a fridge in the car?
The car glided smoothly along the road and pulled up in front of the Cheonroe Guild headquarters, smack in the middle of the bustling downtown.
"We've arrived."
"Thank you, driver."
The elderly driver waved cheerfully as I bowed in thanks.
I entered the guild's massive first-floor lobby.
"Whoa..."
Marble floors stretched everywhere, under an impossibly high ceiling. The sheer scale of the gleaming lobby left my mouth agape.
Cleaning this place must be a nightmare.
I carefully perched on the edge of a sofa in one corner of the lobby.
The expensive cushioning felt amazing.
Cheon Yura said she'd be down soon, so I'd wait here nicely.
I watched the bustling people go by.
But the vibe was weird.
I could feel prickly stares directed at me.
Hunters and guild staff kept glancing my way as they passed.
...Well, yeah, a random kid sitting in the guild lobby would draw eyes.
I waited impatiently for Cheon Yura, trying to avoid the hunters' gazes.
Then, a few whispering guild members sidled over.
As a burly, muscle-bound hunter approached, I shrank back.
What... his hand's as big as my head?
"Hey, little one?"
"Eek, y-yes...?"
I yelped in a weird voice, totally spooked.
He seemed to be trying for a kind face and tone, but with that build... it was terrifying.
"Who are you looking for?"
"No, um, actually..."
I tried to say I had an appointment with the guild leader, but the growing crowd and scary faces froze me stiff.
"She's so cute... I want a daughter like that."
"Look at those cheeks... I just wanna pinch 'em once."
"Kiddo, want this? It's a macaron."
A rough-looking hunter uncle pressed a pink macaron into my hand.
A nearby female staffer dashed off somewhere and came back with chocolate, while another hunter offered candy.
Before I knew it, guild members had gathered around me.
They all looked at me like I was their adorable niece.
Overwhelmed by the unintended flood of kindness, I shrank further.
"Um, I'm here to see Guild Leader Cheon Yura..."
"Want more snacks?"
Suddenly my hands were full of treats, and I blinked in confusion.
Flap flap.
My ears inside the hoodie twitched wildly, beyond my control in my panic.
"What do you think you're doing?"
A cold voice froze the lobby air instantly.
The elevator doors opened, and Cheon Yura stepped out with a frosty expression.
At her words, the guild members surrounding me stiffened up.
Terror flickered in their eyes.
I poked my head out from the frozen hunters and waved frantically at Cheon Yura.
"Guild Leader! I'm over here!"
The moment Baek Arang's voice echoed through the lobby, Cheon Yura's menacing scowl softened.
She strode over and spoke to me warmly.
"Arang! Sorry to keep you waiting. You must be tired from the trip—my bad for being late."
The guild members gawked, mouths agape, as their leader doted on the kid like family, frozen in shock.
