A Chain of Misunderstandings
"Will you be my daughter?"
...What the heck was that?
For a moment, I couldn't process the words coming out of the man's mouth and just stared up at him in a daze.
'Daughter...?'
Do people do adoptions like this these days?
Like, what, picking up a stray pet off the street?
I was so flabbergasted I couldn't even respond, and the man twitched one eyebrow as he asked,
"What, you don't wanna?"
"Um... that's..."
His voice carried this tone like rejection wasn't even an option—like it was already decided.
Forget like or dislike... he was scary.
His face was scary enough, but his massive build made it even worse!
If I gave the wrong answer, I felt like he'd grab me by the collar with those huge hands and drag me off right then and there.
...How are his hands literally the size of my head?
Are those even human hands...?
I freaked out and quickly ducked behind Kim Hyunah, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly and shaking my head furiously.
"N-no, I don't wanna..."
Cha Eunwol watched me answer in a terrified, quivering voice and felt her head heat up with rage, grinding her teeth.
"Ha, what the hell. We were having a nice meal, and this asshole barges in pulling this dogshit stunt?"
Cha Eunwol shot up from her seat and snarled at him viciously.
She looked ready to start a fight any second, thick mana rising from her body as she glared like she wanted to kill him.
Kim Hyunah stepped in front of me to block his view, roughly loosening her tie and rolling up her sleeves.
Faced with their killing intent, he just silently scanned the room once, then threw his gaze toward me hiding behind Kim Hyunah.
I was trembling, clutching her clothes, tears welling up in my eyes. He nodded to himself slightly at the sight.
"Fine. Looks like I messed up today, so we'll talk next time."
He tossed out that line casually and turned without a hint of regret, heading for the restaurant door.
Cha Eunwol ground her teeth at his one-sided declaration, hurling a warning laced with thick killing intent at his back.
"Remember this. If you so much as touch a hair on our Arang's head, Gerang or whatever the fuck, I'll kill you all."
"Looking forward to it."
The Gerang Guild leader stepped out of the restaurant and looked up at the clear sky, letting out a smirk.
The image of that little kid from moments ago was vividly etched in his mind.
Her innocent face, cheeks stuffed full of food, staring up at him in shock.
Hiding behind Cha Eunwol's hunting dog, clutching her clothes in fear.
'Cute.'
For the first time, his brain—always chasing profit and efficiency—seemed to accept something else.
A pleased smile crept onto his lips.
He'd initially seen her as just a useful tool, but now that he'd met her face-to-face, he wanted her for more than that.
'...What an interesting kid.'
At that moment, his secretary who'd been waiting outside approached quietly and bowed.
"Guild leader. With Cha Eunwol and Kim Hyunah guarding her personally, it won't be easy... Should we proceed as planned?"
Kidnapping and all sorts of dirty tricks were Gerang's usual way of snagging talent, but he shook his head dismissively.
"No. Cancel that."
"Pardon? But... that kid's abilities are essential for our guild's growth..."
"Don't make me say it twice."
His secretary flinched at the firm tone and shut her mouth.
He stopped walking, turned back, and stared quietly at the restaurant where the kid remained.
Then, out of nowhere, a random question popped from his thoughtful expression.
"...What do little girls like?"
"Pardon...?"
Words she'd never imagined coming from his mouth left her stunned, blinking in confusion.
She stared blankly at the guild leader's face, wondering if she'd misheard, but his expression was dead serious.
"You mean like... dolls or sweet snacks... something like that?"
When she asked hesitantly, he seriously stroked his chin and nodded.
'Forcing her by force is out. She'd just break that way.'
For the first time, a path beyond brute force opened in his mind.
Only after the man had completely left did the heavy tension suffocating the restaurant finally lift.
The staff clutched their chests, panting from the aftermath of the S-rank hunters' clash.
...Gotta leave a bigger tip on the way out.
It wasn't my fault, but I still felt bad.
"Um... Hyunah."
"Yes, Arang. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm not hurt, but... who was that guy just now?"
As I cautiously poked Kim Hyunah's side and asked, the guild leader—who had plopped back into her seat—let out a deep sigh.
"Sigh... Arang. You know about Gerang Guild, right?"
"Gerang?"
"Yeah, you know. One of the top massive guilds in the country? They're always on the news, loaded with cash."
They say they're on par with Baekya and Cheonroe.
All I knew about Gerang was that they recruited hunters in droves every year.
But the guild leader stared at me with utter pity in her eyes at my response.
'...I've only been a hunter for less than half a year. How am I supposed to know.'
Feeling wronged, I puffed out my cheeks a bit and turned my head away.
"They're not just big in size. Those bastards are really dangerous. If they want talent, they'll kidnap, threaten, do whatever it takes—no holds barred. Total psychos."
"...They can get away with that in Korea?"
Hunters might have some leeway with the law, but openly doing that? No way, right?
I gawked at her in shock, and the guild leader sighed before continuing.
"Obviously not by common sense—that's why they're called psychos."
Whoa... this is worse than I thought.
"Those guys have gotten info on your abilities and are now seriously targeting you. The guild leader showing up himself? Just to check your face."
The guild leader pinched her brow, her face grave as she warned me firmly.
"So, Arang, from now on, never go out alone. If you go anywhere, it has to be with me, Cheon Yura, or Hyunah. You have those items from before, right? Wear them all the time."
"Got it... I'll even wear them in the shower."
I nodded quickly.
...My life just got way harder all of a sudden.
Satisfied with my nod, the guild leader sat back down and clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Ugh, seeing that asshole's mug on a good day ruined my appetite completely."
She'd been enjoying her meal just fine until the Gerang Guild leader showed up and killed the vibe.
I'd nearly choked myself.
'But we're already eating fancy food—might as well enjoy it.'
I glanced at the guild leader's face, then picked up some fresh lettuce from the table.
I piled white rice on the lettuce, added tender braised galbi, slathered on some ssamjang, and wrapped it into a neat little bundle.
Then I held it right up to the guild leader's mouth, who was sitting there with her arms crossed.
"Ahh~"
"...Huh?"
She blinked in surprise at me suddenly offering her a wrap.
"You said it doesn't taste good anymore, so I thought I'd help. Come on, ahh quick."
I wiggled the hand holding the wrap, and she rolled her eyes around in flustered confusion.
Then, cautiously and obediently, she opened her mouth and took the wrap I offered.
Nom nom.
Unlike her usual self, her cheeks puffed out full as she quietly chewed and swallowed.
I watched her, licking a bit of ssamjang off my fingertip, then beamed at her.
"Better now, right? When you're stressed, you gotta eat something tasty to recharge."
As I licked the ssamjang, her chewing stopped dead.
Her gaze flicked to my lips, then hastily dropped to the floor.
"Uh, uh yeah...."
Her face flushed bright red like it might explode, and she ducked her head.
'...? Was it not tasty?'
Clueless, I tilted my head and went back to my galbi.
Kim Hyunah, watching quietly from the side, let out a small sigh.
'No matter how I think about it, she's way too natural...'
After all the drama, we finished eating and made it home safely.
The guild leader and Kim Hyunah escorted me right to my door, drilling in warnings one last time.
"Lock up tight. Windows too. Like I said, no wandering alone for a while—be careful. Got it?"
"Arang, even when you sleep, keep your smartphone within reach. Call right away if anything happens."
I nodded vigorously, assuring them I got it amid their endless cautions.
Only after the front door clicked shut and the double deadbolt locked did I let out a long sigh and kick off my shoes haphazardly.
"Huaaah...."
I tossed my outer clothes aside and dove straight onto the soft bed.
I pulled out the gold bar I'd hidden under my pillow and hugged it tight to my chest.
Finally feels like I'm home...
To shake off the unease, I kneaded the gold bar firmly.