Arang Likes the Bear Doll
I stared blankly at the item thrust right in front of me.
A ridiculously expensive-looking pink bear doll.
...What the hell is going on here?
Is some kind of war breaking out tomorrow or something?
It was shocking enough that a teddy bear had come out of the bag of someone with a brutal appearance and matching track record, but why was he giving it to me...?
I eyed him and the bear suspiciously back and forth before tentatively reaching out to take the doll.
...It's not like I took it because I wanted a bear doll.
I just took it because it seemed like he'd throw it away if I didn't.
Plush.
The texture was ridiculously amazing.
As I accepted the doll without a word, he smirked in satisfaction.
...Smiling made his face twice as scary.
"Ha, fuck."
At that moment, a harsh curse burst from Cha Eunwol, the guild leader standing beside me.
"Hey, Hyunah. Snatch that thing and burn it right now."
"Yes."
As crimson flames flickered to life in Kim Hyunah's hands, I freaked out and yanked the bear doll behind my back.
Even so, burning it right in front of me felt a bit much...
"You're going too far, Cha Eunwol. It's a gift prepared with pure goodwill."
"Bullshit. Cut the crap already."
Cha Eunwol let out a hollow laugh and unleashed a thick wave of killing intent toward him.
"Since when do you know how to show goodwill? If you don't get lost right now, I'll bury you here."
Despite Cha Eunwol's vicious killing intent, he casually gazed at me as if it were nothing.
Ignoring her warning, he turned back to me with a gaze heavy with various emotions.
"Alright, little one. Want anything besides the doll? Money or whatever—just say the word."
"Pardon...?"
Caught off guard by the sudden words, I shook my head.
"No... I don't really need anything...?"
As I answered cautiously while gauging the mood, he stared at me intently, as if intrigued.
...He doesn't have some weird thing for kids, does he?
A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I gripped Kim Hyunah's clothes even tighter.
His eyes felt like they were piercing right through me, leaving an oddly unpleasant sensation.
"Fine. Having no greed isn't bad either."
He stroked his chin and tossed a casual offer my way.
"Then how about joining our guild?"
"......Pardon?"
Did I hear that wrong?
Whoosh—!
The guild leader blocking my front shot forward at a speed I couldn't even see.
"You crazy bastard."
Cha Eunwol strode up and roughly grabbed the Gerang guild leader by the collar.
There wasn't a trace of her usual playfulness on her face.
"You fucker, hitting on our side again?"
Cha Eunwol's grim voice in all seriousness froze the street air solid.
But even with his collar grabbed, he smirked as if mocking her.
"Our side? She hasn't even signed a formal contract yet, has she?"
He glanced down at Cha Eunwol's wrist and sneered.
"And even if she were yours. Wouldn't the side that can't protect her be at fault?"
"What did you say?"
Bloodshot veins burst in Cha Eunwol's eyes.
Ignoring her rage, he fixed his gaze over her shoulder at me, trembling and watching from behind.
"Let's talk alone next time, little one."
With those words, he tried to pry off Cha Eunwol's hand gripping his collar.
Crack.
But Cha Eunwol didn't let go easily.
An enormous surge of mana exploded from her entire body, crushing down on him.
"Where do you think you're running? Let's settle this here today, you fucking dog."
As Cha Eunwol tightened her mana around him, a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes too.
"Ho."
He didn't back down either, drawing up his own mana to clash with hers.
As the two S-rank hunters' mana collided head-on, the road around us cracked and began to shake like an earthquake.
"Killing each other right here wouldn't be bad."
The Gerang guild leader grinned maniacally, radiating killing intent in all directions.
Krunch, craaack!
The aftermath of their immense mana spread instantly through the once-peaceful surroundings.
"...Wha, did an earthquake hit...?"
"Hey, I feel... dizzy... urk."
Civilians passing nearby couldn't withstand the killing intent and started foaming at the mouth, collapsing one by one.
...What the hell is this public nuisance in broad daylight...!
The solid asphalt beneath their feet split with loud cracks, fissures forming.
Two S-rank hunters going all-out in the middle of downtown?
Even if I didn't know much, it'd be a miracle if this ended with just skyrocketing land prices around here.
I forced strength into my shaking legs from their killing intent and stepped out from behind Kim Hyunah.
"Arang-ssi..! You can't come out now!"
"I-It's fine."
I gently pressed down on Kim Hyunah's restraining hand, and though she looked at me with worried eyes, she let go.
"Both of you, stop it right now?!"
My sharp yell made the clashing mana falter.
"If you really fight here, I'll never see either of you again!!"
"......!"
"......!"
At my words, the two who had been growling like they were about to tear each other's throats out widened their eyes in shock.
They looked just like kids caught red-handed after pulling a prank, utterly flustered.
Swoosh—.
As if it had never happened, the killing intent and mana pouring from their bodies vanished in an instant.
......It actually worked.
I'd yelled but was freaking out inside, so seeing them really pull back their mana left me dumbfounded.
The Gerang guild leader dusted off his wrinkled collar and scanned me up and down with interest, curling the corner of his mouth into a low chuckle.
"You've got more guts than I thought. Figured you'd be crying in fear."
He lightly raised his hand toward me.
"Since you put it that way, I'll head out for today."
He gave me a little wave.
"Next time, just the two of us—no interrupters. I'll be waiting."
With that, the Gerang guild leader's form scattered like heat haze and vanished from the street in a blink.
"Haa......"
Tension drained from me, my legs nearly giving out, but I barely held on.
I let out a light sigh and glanced down at the pink bear doll in my hand.
"Haa... Guild leader. Let's just go to our cafe... I'm tired.."
At my suggestion, the guild leader brightened and nodded quietly.
"Y-Yeah. Let's. Our Arang got scared, huh? Let's go get something sweet right away."
I turned and led the way toward Han Serin's cafe, our original destination.
...Maybe I should find a new place and go on a solo trip.
Ah, but I can't go out alone with all these people after me...
Annoying.
I hugged the bear doll in my arms even tighter.
Ding-a-ling—.
With a clear bell chime, I opened the door to Han Serin's cafe.
"......"
I swept my gaze over the interior.
As expected, not a single customer today either.
At this rate, she won't even pay taxes.
Turning to the counter, Han Serin was sprawled out, dead to the world in sleep.
It's a hobby and all... but yeah, I should help promote next time.
I quietly approached the counter and poked her squishy-looking cheek with my finger.
Poke.
"Nngh......"
Han Serin furrowed her brow and groggily lifted her head.
Without even opening her eyes properly, she smacked her lips and looked at me.
"Uh...... Arang, you're here?"
She mumbled in a sleepy voice and naturally reached out to pat my head.
"Yeah. But you've got a customer—gonna keep sleeping?"
"Customer my ass, who comes at this hour besides you......"
Han Serin, mid-yawn, let her gaze drift behind me to the guild leader and Kim Hyunah entering the cafe.
In an instant, her drowsy eyes went wide.
"Oh my. Who's this? You came all the way here because you're curious about my coffee too?"
At Han Serin's provocative joke, Cha Eunwol stared daggers at her instead of replying.
Noticing her unusual reaction, Han Serin dropped the playfulness and asked seriously.
"What? Why do you look so shitty? Did you step in dog shit outside?"
At Han Serin's blunt question, Cha Eunwol clicked her tongue and smacked the table.
"Tch. Stepped in something dirtier than shit."
Cha Eunwol ground her teeth as she answered.
"Ran into that crazy bastard on the street today."
"......"
The moment "that crazy bastard" left Cha Eunwol's mouth.
Han Serin's smirking face froze cold.
Her eyes turned icy in a flash as she stared piercingly at Cha Eunwol.
......Why's the mood like this.
Damn, I was about to order.
In the heavy atmosphere, I hugged my bear doll tight and tensed my stomach so my growling wouldn't show.
