The Landlord's Extravagant Bakery Empire
Cheon Yura glanced sideways at the lobby.
The hunters who'd just been stuffing snacks into my hands were frozen solid, not even daring to breathe.
What the hell do they usually go through to be this terrified...
Cheon Yura treated the petrified guild members like they were invisible and leaned down toward me, whispering in a gentle voice.
"Arang, how about we move somewhere else instead of hanging out here? I've got something I want to show you."
"Something to show me?"
"Yeah. You're gonna love it."
I nodded and glanced down at the armful of snacks crammed into my embrace.
...What am I supposed to do with all this?
After a moment's hesitation, I bowed politely to the frozen guild members.
"Um... thanks for the snacks. I'll enjoy them."
They didn't even respond to my greeting, just kept stealing glances at Cheon Yura.
Man, she must really keep them on a tight leash.
In that intimidating atmosphere, I took the lead and headed outside.
The only thing I could do right now was get rid of this scary guild leader fast.
……
……
The moment the guild leader and the cute little kid passed through the lobby's automatic doors and vanished from sight, sighs of relief erupted all at once in the ice-cold lobby.
"Haa... it was like meeting the king of hell himself..."
"Tell me about it... Did you see the guild leader's face? I wasn't seeing things, right? First time I've seen her smile since I joined."
"...For real, I thought she'd been brainwashed for a second... The way she looked at that kid, honey was practically dripping from her eyes."
Confused and buzzing, the guild members turned to each other and started chattering away.
The lobby grew lively with talk of the guild leader's unbelievable change from her usual cold, ruthless demeanor—and the tiny kid at the center of it all.
"But... honestly... wasn't that kid super cute? Those sparkling eyes... cheeks looked so soft and squishy."
"Agreed. No wonder the guild leader's obsessed. I'd wanna keep her around too."
"It's a good thing that little one's here, right? The guild leader seems a bit softer now."
Everyone around nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Yeah. This version's way better... I hope that kid visits the guild more often..."
The vice guild leader, who had been quietly observing the chatter with her arms crossed, glared in the direction where Cheon Yura and Baek Arang had disappeared.
"The guild leader... favoring her that much...?"
As a woman, the change hit her harder than anyone.
The guild leader she admired had never cracked a smile like that—she was iron-blooded through and through.
"Did that kid... make the guild leader change like this...?"
Her eyes narrowed.
If it was just a little softening, it wouldn't be bad.
She was already strong; adding some gentleness would be perfect...
But this was dangerous.
It was nothing like the guild leader she knew.
The Cheon Yura she knew would never show such a soft side to anyone.
If this keeps up, the guild leader I know might change completely... That kid... I need to keep a close eye on her from now on.
……
"Here we are."
Cheon Yura's voice carried a subtle hint of excitement as I looked straight ahead.
The building's facade was sleek and polished, the entrance grand like some major corporation's headquarters.
Cheon Yura proudly gestured toward it and turned to me with a grin.
"This building is your new workshop, Arang."
"......Huh?"
I blinked dumbly.
What did I just hear?
Flustered, I alternated glances between the glimpse of the interior through the glass and Cheon Yura.
"Whoa... it's huge. But which part's my workshop? The back of the first floor? Or the second?"
At my question, Cheon Yura let out a short, amused chuckle.
"Which part? The whole building is yours."
"......For real?"
The entire thing was mine to use?
My voice came out all dopey without me realizing.
A whole building just for my bakery?
For baking bread...? Wasn't this total overkill?
"Of course. I told you I'd prepare everything perfectly to welcome you. From the first floor to the rooftop—it's all your workshop."
Cheon Yura shrugged like a kid bragging about a new toy.
...This is insane.
As I stared up at the building in a daze, Cheon Yura approached with a soft smile and slipped beside me.
Smoothly,
her warm hand gently enveloped my small one.
"Come on, no more peeking from outside. Shall we take a look inside?"
Cheon Yura led me inside the automatic doors, her grip firm on my hand, her steps light.
Weeeing—
The doors slid open, and as we entered the first-floor lobby, several men in crisp black suits turned in unison.
The building security, I guess?
Spotting Cheon Yura, they snapped to attention and bowed sharply.
"Guild Leader, good to see you!"
Their booming voices made me flinch and hunch my shoulders.
...Anyone would think she was a mob boss... Oh, right, she kinda is.
Cheon Yura acknowledged their greeting nonchalantly and lightly tapped my shoulder with her finger.
"Say hi. This little one's the new owner of the building. From now on, treat her right—no slip-ups, got it?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The guards whipped around toward me the instant she spoke and bowed again in perfect sync.
"Pleased to serve you!"
"Eek... Y-Yes..."
Muscular suit guys bowing in unison like that—it was overwhelming.
...Gotta tell them not to greet like this later.
Embarrassed and tense, I unwittingly gripped Cheon Yura's hand tighter.
"Ah, y-yeah... Nice to meet you too..."
My voice came out all squeaky as I half-hid behind her back.
I could feel my tail trembling inside my pants from the nerves.
...I know the guild leader and Kim Hyunah are way stronger, but... that intimidating vibe from her build is scary.
Seeing Baek Arang panic and lean on her like that, Cheon Yura's lips twitched in secret delight.
Feeling the sensation of the little hand clinging to hers, she inwardly cheered.
Haa... She's adorably cute. Look at her holding on.
Cheon Yura suppressed her leaking smile, acting casual as she led Baek Arang along.
"We'll check out the first floor later. Let's head to the main attraction—the bakery first."
Cheon Yura guided Baek Arang straight upstairs.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened with a chime, and Cheon Yura flung open the door labeled "Bakery."
"This is your bakery workspace."
The sight beyond the door made a gasp escape my lips.
"Whoa..."
The space before me felt less like a bakery and more like a high-tech lab.
Commercial-grade premium fridges and freezers lined the walls.
Expensive ingredients were neatly displayed on shelves above them like museum exhibits.
In the center loomed a massive marble counter big enough for several adults to lie on, surrounded by state-of-the-art mixers, ovens, and every baking machine imaginable, all gleaming.
...Just the equipment here must cost tens of millions.
As I gawked around with wide eyes, Cheon Yura quietly closed the bakery door and sidled up beside me.
"What do you think? You don't seem to use a proofing box or mixer much, so I skipped those and went all-out on the rest."
"How... how much did all this cost?"
My voice trembled as I asked.
The Baekya Guild's bakery from Guild Leader Cha Eunwol was already top-tier, but this... this was on another level.
I doubt even overseas facilities match this.
Cheon Yura shrugged lightly at my question.
"Beats me. Didn't check the receipts."
She grinned and leaned toward me.
"So, your honest take?"
"To be real... I feel like I don't deserve to bake bread in a place this amazing."
"What else would you do in a bakery?"
A thick smile spread across Cheon Yura's face at my frank reaction.
She subtly gauged my response, fishing for more praise.
"Right? Way better than what that Cha Eunwol bitch set up, huh?"
Her eyes burned with childish rivalry and a thirst for validation.
Catching on, Baek Arang sighed inwardly but nodded.
"Yeah. It's incredible. Never seen anything like it... Thank you."
At Baek Arang's perked ears and shy smile, Cheon Yura clenched her teeth to keep her face from melting.
"Then I'll make you some bread right now."
"Uh... Oh, right... bread. Gotta make bread."
Seeing Cheon Yura staring blankly at her own reflection, Baek Arang felt awkward and bolted to the counter.
