Chapter 65: Unspoken True Feelings

After the incident concluded, the district office returned to normal in the blink of an eye.

“Ah, w-why are the Guild Masters here…?”

Well, two of the three major Guild Masters were present.

Guild members who arrived late after being contacted arrested the villains with pale faces.

Of course, the main culprit who tormented Gyeonwoo wouldn’t just end up in detention.

Guild Master Lee Sunghwan stopped the guild members trying to drag away the district chief and stepped forward himself.

“This is our children’s judgment, so we should follow it properly. Best prepare yourself.”

He quietly warned the district chief who looked like he’d lost everything.

Though he’d held back to trust and consider the children until now…

Gyeonwoo and Pureumi.

These children had more wounds than most adults despite their young age.

Even he, who claimed to be their adoptive parent, couldn’t carelessly hold their hands for fear of hurting them or triggering trauma.

Yet you dare threaten such children?

When you know Gyeonwoo’s ability?

“Oh my, what should we do about the cold food?”

“Pureumi okay! Just drink water!”

“No! Pureumi needs to eat well to grow tall!”

Overhearing Han Dayeon, Pureumi, and Gyeonwoo’s conversation, the Guild Master showed a chilling smile.

“There’s a tried and true method perfect for feeding toilet water through the nose.”

They needed to extract lots of information from the district chief anyway.

Though torture was illegal in this country, well…

That wasn’t something Lee Sunghwan would care about.

And he wasn’t the only one thinking that way.

“Hoho, take it easy now.”

A man casually eating kimbap with his daughter approached with leisurely steps.

The five-star insignia on his shoulder proudly displayed for all to see.

He was Korea’s supreme military commander with presidential-level authority.

“General.”

“People die surprisingly easily, you know. Very weak to stress. I’ll send over some NIS (National Intelligence Service) technicians later.”

He too was a father and an adult who cherished and cared for children.

“You’ve been relaxing without security, must be itching to relieve some stress.”

The general just laughed heartily at Guild Master Lee Sunghwan’s incredulous response.

“I moved to Samgak District to protect my precious daughter. Just trusted the three major guilds.”

He showed his faith in the three major guilds.

Of course, Guild Master Lee Sunghwan knew this was just the surface reason.

“You speak like a politician for someone who would have stepped in personally if needed.”

“Getting another star means more political obligations.”

“…I can’t compete with words anymore.”

“Hahaha! Since I can’t beat you in ability, what’s wrong with losing some verbal spars?”

There were reasons he was appointed as Korea’s only supreme commander.

Like NIS Awakened, the general was also an unofficial S-class Awakened.

Moreover, he was a “Beast Transformation” type known publicly as an uneducated brute.

“Since we caused trouble this time, we’ll gratefully accept your offer.”

At Guild Master Lee Sunghwan’s answer, the general unclenched his fist.

Only then did his forearm, swollen larger than Gyeonwoo’s head, gradually shrink.

The district chief, quietly awaiting punishment, had survived one brush with death.

Technicians? From the NIS?

That meant torture technicians, didn’t it?

He shed tears at the casual conversation between the general and Guild Master.

He thought he’d reached the center of Korean politics by becoming Samgak District Chief…

“Ah, but you’re not planning to let this slide after endangering children?”

“What do you want?”

“Since things turned out this way, how about having a party with the other parents?”

“A party…”

The district chief had never actually gotten close to the center of power.

His confidence came only from the cult’s backing and Gyeonwoo’s ability.

“We know there’s no problem with us, but we can’t let the children be traumatized.”

“Good plan. I’ll have vendors prepare everything – let’s move to our guild right away.”

“Hahaha! Don’t make it too fancy. The children playing together is more important.”

Watching people talk so casually, he realized he’d been a frog in a well.

How painful would the coming torture be?

I don’t know anything about the cult…

Though unfair, he’d brought this on himself.

“Aaaargh!”

The district chief was lifted into the air like a freshly caught tuna.

Guild Master Lee Sunghwan’s telekinesis left him helpless no matter how much he flailed.

It was so humiliating he envied the villains bound and dragged to detention.

Moreover…

“Um… Guild Master!”

“Hmm?”

If they’d just gone straight to the guild his shame would have been brief.

A small figure hurriedly toddled over and pulled the Guild Master’s clothes.

It was Gyeonwoo.

Though the incident resolved positively…

I see she’s not completely fine after all.

Her reddened eyes showed her heart was still wounded, which was quite pitiful.

Yet she still raised her voice with a bright “hehe” smile, pretending nothing was wrong.

“Thank you so much for coming today!”

“What’s there to thank?”

“Sister told me! That you came right away when she said I was in danger!”

Right.

If you’re okay with that, I won’t say anything today either.

Rather than reopening wounds, preparing a party that would make Gyeonwoo happy would be better.

Guild Master Lee Sunghwan silently placed his palm on Gyeonwoo’s head.

“Hehe…”

Gyeonwoo smiled brightly as if truly content.

Then slowly…

Ah… so warm…

The Guild Master’s big hand feels nice.

But why isn’t he patting my head like usual?

Without realizing it, Gyeonwoo gently grabbed and pulled at his rough hand.

“Adults helping children in danger is only natural.”

It was quite different from the past when she’d flinch and keep her distance – now she actively sought affection.

Feeling touched, Guild Master Lee Sunghwan started patting her head.

Such a small head that fit in one hand.

How much had this little head worried about everything?

“I understand now. Not all adults are good! That’s why you’re special, Guild Master, always helping me.”

Such admirable words too?

It seems the efforts to fix Gyeonwoo’s misguided common sense weren’t wrong after all.

“Then, may I ask for one thing in return?”

“Of course! I’ll work really hard now. I’ll repay everything you’ve given me!”

Guild Master Lee Sunghwan quickly added, worried she might say something strange again:

“Then, call me uncle from now on.”

“…What?”

“Or ahjussi is fine too, just something more casual. We’re not strangers, why keep saying Guild Master?”

Though he wanted to ask her to call him dad right away…

Seeing her shock at being asked to say uncle, that would be too soon.

“That should be enough repayment.”

“Eek!”

At the sudden request, Gyeonwoo covered her mouth with both hands, having been unconsciously rubbing her head against his hand.

Uncle! To say uncle…!

Wasn’t that too lewd a term!

According to manga and posts she’d seen online, when a girl calls an adult male uncle, it means that kind of relationship…!

Gyeonwoo’s cheeks turned bright red.

If they were like peaches before, now they rivaled strawberries or apples.

“…Never mind if it’s too hard.”

Maybe changing how she addressed him was too soon after all.

Just as the disappointed Guild Master was about to give up glumly.

The Guild Master couldn’t be that kind of pervert!

I must be misunderstanding things strangely again!

“Um, Guild… U-uncle…”

Gyeonwoo tugged at his shirt hem nervously, worried others might hear.

“Oh, what kind of relationship does he have with that child? First time I’ve seen him be so friendly.”

That strict, brusque Guild Master letting a child call him uncle!

The general and other parents, already curious about Gyeonwoo, perked up their ears with interest.

“I’m having a conversation with the child.”

Naturally, Guild Master Lee Sunghwan immediately used his ability to cut off the surrounding space.

It was an uncharacteristically harsh response they’d never shown Gyeonwoo and Pureumi before.

“If you have something to say, feel free to speak comfortably.”

After all, Gyeonwoo had approached first with a serious expression.

Maybe she’d confess about her past?

Had she finally decided to oppose the cult?

He listened intently, expecting important revelations, but…

“Um, well…”

Mumbling.

Gyeonwoo stumbled over her words several times, ears bright red from embarrassment.

What finally came out was something he’d never expected.

“Are… are you interested in my body?”

“…?”

Huh?

Guild Master Lee Sunghwan unconsciously scratched both ears, forgetting his dignity.

What? Am I hearing things?

“In return for help, compensated dating…”

“No!”

He answered urgently without even thinking.

Good heavens.

If he hadn’t blocked off the surrounding space, this could have caused a huge misunderstanding.

This wasn’t about burying someone alive – where did this suddenly come from?

Had our Gyeonwoo not actually abandoned her strange common sense?

Where did she learn this?

Like facing a boss monster.

Like having a knife at his throat, countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Finally.

Ah.

Could she have learned this from the internet too?

Surely not?

“I just thought of you as daughter-like and wanted you to speak more comfortably.”

“Oh! Everyone always starts by saying they thought of me as a daughter!!”

“…Gyeonwoo.”

Fortunately, after his vigorous denial, it seemed to be a joke.

“Hehee.”

Gyeonwoo stuck out her tongue playfully and smiled with curved eyes.

…It really was just a joke, right?

“Don’t say things like that in front of people. They might misunderstand.”

“I wouldn’t do this with just anyone!”

Gyeonwoo’s thoughts were simple.

Though she really had misunderstood at first…

Mmm.

When he said I was like a daughter…

I know I shouldn’t do this to my deceased parents.

But somehow, uncle feels like a father…

“Can I come play at uncle’s house sometime? With Pureumi?”

Unlike herself, she found herself acting cute in a way she never had before.

“Mm.”

In response, the Guild Master.

Rummage rummage.

Immediately searched his suit pocket and held out a white card.

“What’s this?”

“House key.”

“…Oh?”

His answer clearly meant she could come anytime.