Chapter 191
Chapter 191
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World Part 2 Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Na Baek-ho had hit puberty.
It started with him not wanting to stick right by my side.
At first, I thought it was just aftereffects from moving from Jongno to Independence Gate, so feeling sorry for him, I gave the little guy some time and space to himself.
Looking back now, that was a mistake.
"I should have nipped that bad habit in the bud from the start."
Then he would have known to fear his big sis.
"Ugh, so damp."
I roughly wiped the dripping water from my face with the towel in my hand.
My thoroughly soaked clothes had already crossed the Jordan.
At least my pants were still intact, though they bore two perfect prints of Na Baek-ho's paws.
His front paws had been caked in dirt, so I'd been washing them in a hurry at the bathroom sink when he shoved me away and bolted.
That was another sign of puberty—trying to overpower me physically.
"Na Baek-ho, get over here right now!"
He wasn't some baby tiger who couldn't understand me, but Na Baek-ho stayed put far away, not budging an inch.
He even scratched at his ears with his hind paws, pretending not to hear.
"Argh, that little... Hoo, right. Puberty. Puberty. Gotta endure it..."
"Snuff! Snuff!"
[ ᕙ(`▽´)ᕗ ]
"What the heck, kid?"
"Kyaaang, snuff!"
"Where do you get off talking back to your big sis like that?"
"Krrhing, snuff, kyaaang!"
[ (•̀ㅂ•́)✧ ]
Now that he was a bit bigger, he wasn't as obedient anymore.
Whenever he got even a little dissatisfied, he'd snap back like this.
"You're done for. Time for a good spanking to bring tears to those eyes. Get over here!"
"Kyaaang!"
As I started chasing him again, Na Baek-ho hopped around teasingly, knowing I was slower than him.
We must have circled the break room three times like that.
That's when I spotted a familiar figure entering.
"Guild Master! Catch Na Baek-ho!"
At my shout, Kang Han blinked in surprise for a moment before snatching Na Baek-ho up with S-rank speed.
"Kyaaa, kyaaang!"
[ •°⎝(°`ㅁ´ °)⎠°• ]
He wriggled desperately to escape Kang Han's grip, but no chance.
"Huff, huff. Gotcha, you rascal!"
"Krrung, kwoong!"
[ ( >д<) ]
Na Baek-ho huffed through his nose indignantly at being caught by Kang Han.
I quickly grabbed the towel from around my neck and wiped down his now-gray front paws.
"You gonna keep showing off your strength against your big sis? I just wanted to clean your paws, and you run around like this? Is that any way to behave?"
Seizing the moment, I unleashed all the nagging I'd been holding back, but Na Baek-ho turned his head away sharply while nestled in Kang Han's arms.
His plump lips pursed tight—he looked thoroughly sulky.
"Pouting won't help, Na Baek-ho. You almost made me slip in the bathroom. You were really in the wrong today."
"Krrwoong!"
"Tsk. Keep talking back, and I'll tell big bro Guild Master to give you what for. Think I won't? Look here. Guild Master, Na Baek-ho won't listen to..."
I was trying to borrow Kang Han's intimidating presence since the kid wasn't scared of me.
"Kang Han?"
But even when I called him, Kang Han didn't look at me.
Like Na Baek-ho, he'd whipped his head the other way, leaving only his flushed ear visible.
"What's wrong?"
"Well... Ahem."
Kang Han ran his free hand down his face and said,
"You should probably put something on top."
"Huh? Oh."
I could see my white t-shirt had gone sheer from the water.
...But so what?
This wasn't the Joseon era where a bare ankle caused a scandal.
"I'll finish cleaning Na Baek-ho first."
Were my clothes the priority right now?
I still had barely a third of my scolding left for him.
"Na Baek-ho, you really stepped in it today..."
"People will start gathering soon. Go change quickly."
"Come on, it's not like my clothes are torn and exposing skin or anything..."
"Nayeo-ju, please."
Kang Han had even covered his eyes with one hand now.
Not just his earlobe—his whole ear was red as if pinched.
...Was I that embarrassing to look at?
"Ugh, fine. I'll go change."
Grousing, I draped the big towel over my shoulders and warned Kang Han,
"I'll run up, swap clothes, and be right back, so hold Na Baek-ho tight!"
"Got it."
At least I could count on Kang Han.
Even if he slipped up and let go, he'd promised, so he'd catch him again.
As I walked away, an outraged Na Baek-ho shouted after me.
"Snuff! Snuff! Kyaaa!"
"Shut it, you brat!"
While I was at it, I changed into a short-sleeved tee back at the dorm, threw on a thick hoodie over it, and returned to the break room—which was already packed.
"Oh, Nayeo-ju's here?"
"Unnie, sit here! I made you an iced Americano."
"Nayeo-ju, long time no see!"
Justice Guild hunters greeted me one by one as I entered.
It was heartwarming, like a big family reunion on Lunar New Year's.
I sat in my usual spot that Lee Yu-eul had saved for me and waved to Yu Ga-young on the sofa in the back.
"Ga-young's here too? How've you been?"
"Nayeo-ju unnie! I came in first in the relay race today!"
"Whoa, impressive."
Yu Jin-rok's daughter Yu Ga-young was getting healthier by the day.
Attending Awakener Academy had built up her stamina, so she wasn't as sensitive to dark addiction anymore.
According to Yu Jin-rok, her physical abilities were improving steadily, and signs of awakening were appearing soon.
When I checked with Know as Much as You See, Yu Ga-young had S-rank potential.
But I hadn't told anyone.
I didn't fuss over her more or give extra treatment beyond what was needed.
'S-rank or C-rank, what's the difference?'
I wouldn't let things get so bad that even a kid like Yu Ga-young had to fight.
"You're here?"
Kang Han said from the seat next to my usual spot.
"Yeah. Where's Na Baek-ho...?"
"He fell asleep waiting for you, Nayeo-ju-ssi. Probably tired from all the playing."
"That little punk."
Na Baek-ho, who had infuriated me with all that snorting earlier, was curled up asleep in Kang Han's lap.
"Pretty face is all he's got going for him."
He was a bit annoying lately, but still cute.
When I poked his nose with my finger, Na Baek-ho sleepily cracked his eyes open.
"...Krrung."
Drunken with sleep, he slipped from Kang Han's lap and tottered over to me.
I scooped him up, stroking his head.
"Nap a bit, then we'll eat dinner, Na Baek-ho."
"...Kyaaang."
At least he answered that time.
As I patted his sturdy little butt while he drifted back to dreamland, I felt a twinge of guilt over my earlier anger... or not.
I had no intention of raising a spoiled tiger.
When he grew into an adult, he'd be much bigger and insanely strong.
To help him fit into society, it was better to correct him now, even if it hurt a little.
"...Grow up slowly, Na Baek-ho."
I whispered in his ear and pressed a kiss to his round forehead.
Even in sleep, he seemed to feel it—his tail swayed like a willow branch. I chuckled at the sight.
"Oh, looks like it's starting!"
Lee Yu-eul cranked up the TV volume as she shouted.
The chatter among the Justice Guild hunters quieted in kind.
Familiar opening music played, and the commentator's desk filled the screen.