Chapter 56: Something Seems Suspicious

While Han Dayeon was busy talking with the teachers.

“The district office this and that. The citizens’ council this and that…”

As the difficult and uninteresting explanation continued, the children’s attention waned.

At first they enjoyed exploring the new space and watching the suited people.

Between the civil servant who didn’t care what the children did as long as they didn’t cause problems, and the teachers distracted talking with Han Dayeon.

The children’s attention naturally shifted to more interesting things.

“Did you dye it? How is your hair blue?”

“Mmm? What’s dye?”

Pureumi and Gyeonwoo were surrounded by less than twenty children.

“Wow, so soft! Softer than our cat!”

“Heehee, that tickles!”

The children ignored the civil servant’s explanation and played with Pureumi’s hair.

It was amazing enough being a color they’d only seen in comics, but being softer than blankets or pillows was fascinating too!

“So are you coming to our kindergarten too?”

“Mmm, dunno.”

“Is that your real sister? You look so alike!”

“No! Mama is Mama!”

“Your name is Mama? Ah! You must be foreign!”

But unlike Pureumi chatting non-stop, Gyeonwoo…

As expected, our sweet Pureumi gets along well with other friends.

Since coming to kindergarten was to help Pureumi make friends, I shouldn’t interfere.

I don’t belong here anyway…

As an adult, I should know where I do and don’t belong!

So instead of mixing with the interested children, she pondered adult matters.

Sister Han Dayeon and others might not have heard, but.

Didn’t Pureumi clearly say the district office people take lots of money?

That means there must be some connection with the people who were tormenting Pureumi.

I’m an adult, and Pureumi is my daugh… no, my sister, so I have to protect her!

Gyeonwoo quickly remembered something she’d read online.

Korea’s connections are second only to China’s guanxi!

With connections you can do anything!

And coincidentally, Gyeonwoo had once wished for the district chief’s happiness.

Though less than those called Chairman or Boss, they’d given quite a lot of money as donations.

They might help if I ask them to find who tormented Pureumi!

No!

It’s not asking for something bad, it’s for justice, so they’ll definitely help!

Though this could reveal her existence to the cult.

And demons might come seeking revenge as Mia warned, but her resolve was firm.

Now that she knew Mia was alive, enemies weren’t scary since she could use wishes as long as she could recover.

Even death wasn’t scary.

What was scary was not doing what she could.

It was a sin to ignore people in misfortune!

Gyeonwoo had already been feeling guilty about only receiving help from the monks and Guild Master.

But now she could use her abilities freely and had Pureumi to take care of.

“Come join us and talk too!”

Though other children called to Gyeonwoo and

“Mama! Come here!”

Even Pureumi reached out her tiny hand to pull Gyeonwoo’s arm.

“Mm, no. Have fun with your friends.”

Gyeonwoo thought it wasn’t her place and looked around, shaking her head.

They’d already moved from the first floor civil affairs office to the second and third floors with various departments.

“From here on, please keep your voices down as everyone is working.”

It was quiet enough for the civil servant to quietly warn the children.

There were only a few employees walking around with documents.

Um…

Gyeonwoo tilted her head blankly.

Come to think of it, how do I meet the district chief…?

I know anyone with ‘chief’ after their name is very important but.

So what does a district chief actually do?

Can I even meet them at the district office?

“Hmm…”

Lost in thought, Gyeonwoo unconsciously hummed and nodded earnestly.

Should I ask sister Han Dayeon instead…?

I feel bad about owing another debt, but the district chief’s donation would be enough compensation.

Ugh.

If I’d known those useless paper scraps on the surface would become so important, I would’ve have kept my share!

I don’t want to make wishes for personal gain.

But it’s so frustrating being broke after giving all the “donation” money to the cult.

“Next we’ll go up to the sixth floor where there’s the main conference room used by the district chief and council members, and access to the rooftop garden you’re all looking forward to.”

“Oh boy.”

Gyeonwoo had no choice but to rely on the Almighty God’s grace.

The Almighty God was merciful enough to send Monk Jamyeong when she was suffering in the mountains.

Maybe if she kept going up she’d get lucky and meet them.

Is Pureumi getting along well with friends?

Glancing over, the children’s attention was still focused on Pureumi.

Phew, that’s good.

Then I don’t need to step in and help.

I should keep looking for the district chief!

That’s when it happened.

“Huh? No! Pureumi’s Papa and Mama were killed?”

“What…?”

Whatever they’d been talking about, something shocking was heard.

The other children also mumbled awkwardly, as if not expecting this conversation.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward, but there’s always that one tactless child.

“Then how did you get into our kindergarten? My mom said poor beggars can’t get into our kindergarten!”

The clear voice rang through the previously quiet hallway.

Even the civil servant who’d been ignoring the children flinched at the question.

Even sweet Pureumi might be hurt by this.

How could they say such things without considering others’ feelings, even if they’re young.

That child is a demon’s spawn.

A seed of evil likely to become a villain when grown.

It must be eliminated before it takes root like persistent weeds.

Gyeonwoo, who’d been keeping such a low profile she seemed absent, started emanating a murderous aura.

As her yellow eyes narrowed like a cat’s.

“Mmm… then I won’t go to kindergarten.”

Pureumi’s answer came.

Unlike earlier when she’d been smiling brightly while talking to the children, her drooping eyes and lowered voice clearly showed she was sad.

“Pureumi only needs Mama and sisters.”

Despite her cute way of speaking, it was a mature answer that slowly diminished Gyeonwoo’s killing intent.

Our Pureumi… thinks of me this way?

I was only thinking about her making friends and being independent later…

But even after Pureumi’s mature answer, the girl snorted “hmph” and continued sharply.

“Hmph, I thought so. Is that why your sister can’t play with us too?”

Her hostile behavior suggested asking about parents wasn’t just tactlessness.

Though she wanted to gag that brat and spank them until their behavior improved.

Our smart Pureumi can handle this much!

Gyeonwoo, now a doting parent, puffed out her chest with sparkling eyes watching Pureumi.

My daughter! Show them you won’t lose to demons!

“Eek! Don’t badmouth our Mama! You demon!”

Unfortunately, Pureumi was also a child who couldn’t control her emotions well.

She could tolerate being insulted but not her precious one being insulted!

And Mama said!

First subdue anyone who bullies me because they’re demons!

Water streams began gathering above Pureumi’s hands.

Han Dayeon would have frantically stopped her if she saw, but not Gyeonwoo.

That’s my daughter!

Yes! Demons can’t be reasoned with, so subdue them first!

Fortunately, Pureumi didn’t get to drown a child under 10.

“Both of you stop!”

A handsome boy jumped out and grabbed Pureumi’s wrist, lowering it.

He would have stopped her if he’d been rough, but his movement was quite gentle.

The boy’s sharp voice was directed at the girl instead.

“What did she do wrong for you to keep picking on her?”

“E-everyone’s making such a fuss just over her hair color! She doesn’t even belong at our level!”

“You should be grateful I stopped you.”

“Eek…!”

The girl stamped her feet angrily.

Meanwhile the boy looked strangely pale, checking his surroundings.

Gyeonwoo finally understood the situation.

Ah.

That girl likes that boy?

So she didn’t like Pureumi getting all the attention.

Though Gyeonwoo, who’d only had one friend her whole life, had never felt jealousy, she knew well how ugly an emotion it was.

Most people blinded by jealousy met terrible ends.

Sure enough, the girl was still fuming even after the boy’s intervention.

With clenched fists and red face, she looked ready to do something at any moment.

Hmm… but she’s just a kid, so she probably won’t actually attack?

The boy seemed uninterested in the girl.

Instead he was whispering something in Pureumi’s ear…

“…Eek!”

This brat who’s barely weaned is trying to seduce our cute Pureumi?!

Though she knew it was rude, Gyeonwoo immediately enhanced her hearing to eavesdrop on the boy.

“Your sister’s an Awakened right? Chungseong Guild’s Awakened Han Dayeon. Right?”

“Mmm? How you know?”

“…Y-you won’t tell the Guild Master and get us all killed, right?”

“Mmm?”

Though surprised he knew about Awakened, what a deflating conversation with such a weird misunderstanding.

Well, that figures.

Kids will be kids after all.

This time I should step in as an adult and sort this out.

She trudged over and said to the flinching boy.

“The Guild Master isn’t someone who kills people so easily.”