Chapter 40: Don’t Take It Away…?

What’s this mischievous little girl up to now?

The Guild Master couldn’t help but chuckle after hearing the whole story from the guild members.

Handing out candy and telling them to take dolls instead of the monks’ belongings?

How is everything she does so harmless?

She must have some strange misunderstanding again.

Right. What kind of misunderstanding could it be this time?

If I had to guess, she probably thinks the guild members are taking the monks’ things on their own.

He could clearly imagine her shouting, “Ah! N-no, you can’t! Take this instead!”

Seriously.

He wasn’t sure how he could read her so well after knowing her for such a short time.

He couldn’t stop smiling, amused by his own thoughts.

My goodness, to think that stern Guild Master could smile like that.

Maybe the rumors about her being his secret child were true!

“T-then I’ll get back to work!”

“Alright.”

After the guild member who had been waiting for the girl with a goofy expression disappeared like a new recruit, the Guild Master pondered what he could do for this adorable child.

She couldn’t even wait after he’d ordered her to rest and enjoy herself following the all-nighter incident.

He had several plans prepared for the girl, but most of them were meant to be implemented after moving to the city.

…Hmm?

Wait.

Come to think of it, did I ever tell the child we were moving?

…I didn’t.

The Guild Master, who had been standing there blankly, scratched his head slightly.

It seemed his mind had gotten dull from spending too much time with the sisters.

He’d forgotten because so much had happened overnight.

So that’s why she’s running around so frantically.

This is actually good.

Since it’s come to this, I should tell her about the temple’s move and take her home so she doesn’t disturb the employees.

Though momentarily flustered, the Guild Master maintained his usual stoic expression, living up to his reputation of being like an AI.

As he naturally followed the commotion to find the girl, he soon came face to face with her.

“Are there any other flavors?”

“Th-that’s all I have…”

“Wow, it’s been ten years since I had red ginseng candy. My elementary school teacher loved these.”

Employees had gathered around, hoping to receive candy.

Among their burly figures, all that could be seen of the fragile girl was her striking blue hair.

It was a scene where even someone with keen observation skills might have missed the girl’s presence, but.

“Ah! Guild Master!”

With the girl’s call, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

Gulp.

The sound of dry swallowing in the sudden silence.

“There you are.”

At the Guild Master’s unusually gentle voice, the guild members instinctively stepped back, trying to escape the area.

They had belatedly realized how their behavior of surrounding the child might look to others.

It looked like grown adults bullying a child.

It was a mistake to be captivated by such rare, pure cuteness.

Aaah! We’re going to get scolded so badly!

We might even get fired for slacking off.

In that short moment, their faces grew increasingly pale.

“Here, Guild Master, have one too!”

The girl suddenly unwrapped a candy and held it out to the Guild Master’s mouth.

Oh no, the child’s going to get scolded because of us.

They thought he would surely get angry, given how much he valued hygiene and discipline.

“Hmm, thank you.”

The Guild Master smoothly accepted the candy and rolled it around in his mouth.

This time it was red ginseng flavored.

It had a bitter, strong taste, but it was much better than that insanely sweet tanghulu.

“It’s delicious.”

The guild members were shocked by the Guild Master’s unexpected praise.

Had the Guild Master always been capable of such a gentle response?

He’d always been the same even when meeting the other top three guild masters.

However, the girl looked at the Guild Master with narrowed eyes, making a “Hmm…” sound.

Her slightly furrowed brow and steady gaze.

For a moment, the Guild Master wondered if he’d done something wrong as he met her cat-like, bright yellow eyes.

“Guild Master.”

“…What?”

The Guild Master’s voice trembled slightly at the girl’s call.

What’s this? Our Guild Master can’t stand up to some little kid!

Murmur, murmur. Whisper, whisper.

Though he wanted to scold the guild members for their immaturity,

“Please lend me more money! You can give me any order this time too!”

“…What?”

At the girl’s sudden outburst, a chilling silence fell over the entire temple.

Whoosh- An ill-timed breeze broke the awkward silence.

Roll- The guild members’ eyes turned to the Guild Master.

Then, as if on cue, they looked back and forth between the girl and the Guild Master.

Um…

Did he give money to that little kid and order her to do something?

Order? What kind of order?

Even if he is the Guild Master, this is a bit…

This, this could make the news, right?

It could be a scandal that brings down Chungseong Guild, right?

And so, as the guild members’ suspicious gazes filled with wariness.

“Come here, little one.”

Flustered, one of them carefully grabbed the girl’s arm and pulled her away, leaving the frozen Guild Master behind.

It was as if they were trying to hide her from the Guild Master’s gaze.

“Huh? N-no! I need to get money!”

The girl couldn’t understand this atmosphere at all.

Everyone’s acting like this because of money!

They’re rummaging through and taking the monks’ precious things because of money!

They’re even kicking them out of their home, so why is everyone glaring at the Guild Master?

Could it be that this wasn’t just about getting money, but about bullying the monks?!

Feeling wronged, the girl shouted again.

“We need to give money to these men…!”

Whoosh- Once again, an ill-timed breeze blew.

And as if expressing the feelings of those listening, the sparrow family chirped and circled overhead in the awkward atmosphere.

Men?

What’s this? Are there some crazy bastards extorting money from this tiny child?

Though the guild members ranged from D-class to B-class, at this moment, everyone’s hearts were united.

“Guild Master! What on earth is going on here!”

As decent adult men of South Korea, we can’t just stand by and watch this!

We’ll tear apart those trash who are extorting a child!

“Hah…”

The Guild Master could only sigh, finding himself publicly accused without saying a word.

Since when were these guys so good at coming together?

They’re all just mediocre Awakened, yet they divide themselves into classes saying “I’m B-class” or “You’re C-class.”

First generation, second generation. A team, B team. Playing hierarchy games.

Now they’re suddenly acting like they’re on the same side.

And what they’re doing is ganging up on their own Guild Master.

He wanted to challenge them, saying “So what can you do about it?” and show them the difference in their abilities, but.

“Answer us!”

“D-don’t raise your voice to the Guild Master…!”

“Tsk, little one, we’ll help you. Don’t worry and just watch.”

If he left things as they were, the misunderstanding would spiral out of control.

He could punish them for their insolence later.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. First of all, this child is an Awakened. She’s scheduled to take the Awakened grade test soon.”

At the Guild Master’s calm explanation, the guild members hesitated.

They tilted their heads, thinking, “Huh? What’s this? He shouldn’t be this calm.”

Could it be that we’re wrongly accusing an innocent person?

If she’s an Awakened, it wouldn’t be strange for her to receive missions from the Guild Master.

And so, half of the quick-witted guild members slipped away to do their work.

However, it was a law of nature that when people gather, there are always some oblivious ones mixed in.

“Then please tell us what kind of work you ordered the child to do for money!”

If you have nothing to hide, you’ll answer confidently!

But if you do have something to hide, aren’t you just avoiding the question!

“She wanted to buy gifts for the monks, so I asked her to investigate Gate contamination near Bukhansan.”

“Uh…”

Oh.

That was it?

We just misunderstood because we didn’t listen to the whole story?

Whoosh-

The guild members who had been so aggressive turned pale.

So this is why our ancestors always said we should listen to the end when someone speaks Korean…!

We’re all screwed now!

However, there was one person who didn’t care about the Guild Master’s chilling response.

Why are these people who came to collect money pressuring the Guild Master!

They’re all strange people.

Is it because they have such weird personalities that they’re taking other people’s things?

Taking advantage of the gap as the guild members retreated, the girl strode forward and grasped the Guild Master’s hand.

She could feel the heat from his palm, his blood pressure having risen in the moment.

“So, is everything resolved now? Can you lend me money?”

“Haah…”

He had shown an unseemly display of excitement, unlike his usual self.

“Go and do your work.”

“Yes sir!”

These guys might misunderstand again if they overheard his conversation with the girl.

After sending away the guild members who were carefully watching,

“Come, I’ll explain as we look around.”

He naturally picked up the girl.

“Eep!”

Though the girl was startled by the sudden change in height,

“Hehe.”

The Guild Master really is kind.

Now I can borrow money!

I need to pay off the debt quickly and kick them out!

He seems to understand me, maybe because he was chosen by the Almighty God!

The girl naturally wrapped her arms around the Guild Master’s neck and adjusted her position.

She had gotten used to being held like this after several times.

“You seem to have a misunderstanding. What did you think those people came here for?”

Thump, thump.

Pleasant footsteps echoed as he walked without using telekinesis.

In that calm atmosphere, the girl poured out her thoughts without holding back.

“They came to collect the monks’ debts, right?! They’re going to put red tags on things and sell them!”

She has quite a vivid imagination.

Kids this age do tend to have great imaginations, but…

Don’t they usually go in lighter, funnier directions like imaginary friends or poop jokes?

How on earth did she come up with this kind of thought first?

The surprised Guild Master quickly realized.

He remembered that the girl was better at using the internet than he’d thought.

Seeing her use memes even he didn’t know, it seemed she’d seen all sorts of things online.

There must have been some morning drama among them.

Hmm…

He wanted to tease her a bit to see how she’d react, but.

The Guild Master lifted the girl onto his shoulders and answered.

“Those guys are Chungseong Guild members… in other words, my subordinates. They’re helping move the temple.”

“Huh…?”

As if it was her turn to be surprised.

The girl’s large eyes widened as she gaped blankly.

“H-has this all been a hidden camera prank?!”

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