Chapter 71: Party (6)

Just as Gyeonwoo was reluctantly about to embrace Han Dayeon…

“Sister, mind if I tell brother about this?”

Guild Master Jang Jin-yu, who had been watching disinterestedly with half-closed eyes, suddenly sent a telepathic message.

Even he found his own behavior puzzling. He rarely stepped in to help others, distrusting humans as he did. The few times he had were mostly out of obligation for running the guild.

Could it be…?

Am I actually trying to help this tiny child?

Just because I can’t stand watching her struggle to hug her sister?

The thought was so absurd that Jang Jin-yu dismissed it as mere whimsy.

Right, I probably just don’t like seeing sister taking advantage of the situation.

He casually sent another message to Han Dayeon, who had frozen in surprise.

“Pretty shameless, manipulating an innocent kid at your age.”

It was something she could have laughed off if she had a clear conscience.

“Ugh…!”

Han Dayeon couldn’t argue back, her conscience pricking at her.

True, she had initially stepped in wanting to help Gyeonwoo. But seeing her fidget and blush at a simple request for a hug was just too adorable. She had wanted to squeeze those squishy cheeks and pepper them with kisses.

Before she knew it, she had started teasing Gyeonwoo. Even she could see the ulterior motives in her reflection in Gyeonwoo’s eyes.

But… it wasn’t fair!

I-it was Gyeonwoo who seduced me first!

If they hadn’t accused me of being some yuri-obsessed pervert, I would never have opened my eyes to this!

It’s all Gyeonwoo’s fault, so of course she should take responsibility!

As Han Dayeon’s gaze grew darker, Jang Jin-yu became alarmed.

Uh oh, why are her eyes turning more and more lifeless?

Fortunately, Han Dayeon was saved from becoming a yuri villain.

“S-sister, please tell me…”

Hug

Gyeonwoo finally threw herself into Han Dayeon’s arms.

The warm embrace of both Gyeonwoo and Pureumi in her arms brought her back to her senses.

Sniff Our children are just too sweet.

At this rate, I don’t know if I’ll be able to let them go when they want independence.

Like a spy surrendering after intense torture, Han Dayeon unconsciously stroked both children’s heads as she revealed how to comfort the Guild Master.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Chungseong Guild headquarters.

“Thank you for driving us!”

“Thank youuu!”

Gyeonwoo and Pureumi bowed politely to the smiling driver before rushing off the bus toward Guild Master Lee Sunghwan, who stood stoically waiting.

Though the area was bustling with party preparations and people from earlier buses, Lee Sunghwan remained focused on the road, as if waiting for something important, paying no attention to his surroundings.

His cynical pose with hands in pockets kept others from approaching, but…

“Uncle!”

“Unkie!”

As planned on the bus, Gyeonwoo and Pureumi held hands tightly and hurried over without hesitation, their tiny legs working hard.

Their blue hair fluttered as they ran with those short legs that seemed tiny compared to adults.

Only then did Lee Sunghwan’s lips curve into a slight smile as he pulled his hands from his pockets and stretched them toward the children.

“Careful now, don’t hurt yourselves.”

Onlookers couldn’t help but gasp as Korea’s most powerful figure knelt on the dirty ground.

There had been rumors of children the Guild Master favored, whispers of his hidden children, but without any announcements or clear evidence, people had kept quiet.

“Why did you run like that?”

“Hehe… I missed you!”

Seeing him naturally embrace the two children who had thrown themselves at him…

It was as natural as birds perching on a tree – even strangers could feel the love these children received.

This was the result of his decision to stop hiding the children now that the district chief and cult members had discovered them.

Right.

There would be no more restricting innocent children’s freedom by hiding them away.

Seeing how Gyeonwoo had grown during this time made him realize – she wasn’t just a child needing protection. In some ways, she was more mature than him despite his age.

Better to let the children live without worry and let the adults handle the concerns and hardships.

They were already interrogating the cult spies and district chief locked in the basement. Within days, they would have a chance to eliminate the cult.

Since many already knew of Gyeonwoo’s existence, better to connect her with more influential people. If she became someone loved and watched over by everyone, no one in the country would dare harm her.

Of course, these were all adult concerns. Not something for Gyeonwoo to worry about.

Right now, Gyeonwoo only felt sorry for uncle who had carried such heavy burdens alone.

Though she couldn’t fully understand an adult’s feelings…

Still!

She knew how happy it felt to have others understand her heart!

This time, I’ll be the one to comfort uncle!

As promised, Gyeonwoo and Pureumi held hands tightly and launched themselves full speed into Lee Sunghwan’s embrace like diving.

Thump!

The impact was loud enough to sound painful, but…

“You’ll hurt yourselves doing that.”

He had already activated his telekinesis in concern for the children.

Despite the sound, Gyeonwoo and Pureumi only felt his chilly body temperature.

“Eeek, so cold! Pureumi gonna freeze to death!”

Pureumi instinctively shivered and headbutted Lee Sunghwan’s side.

Her merciless woodpecker-like headbutts made Han Dayeon, who had been excitedly thinking “Go charm the Guild Master, children!”, gasp involuntarily.

Oh no.

Even if he’s cold, she’ll get scolded at this rate!

But Lee Sunghwan didn’t scold the child.

That tiny head couldn’t possibly hurt a body that would emerge unscathed from a truck collision.

Rather than her cute tantrum, what affected him was…

“Mm, if you’re cold, why not go hug Han Dayeon?”

“No! Pureumi can’t freeze!”

“Go to Han Dayeon if you’re cold.”

Though just empty words he didn’t mean, Pureumi immediately fled shivering to bury her face in Han Dayeon’s chest.

Her decisive action left Lee Sunghwan dejected.

It seemed children preferred mothers over fathers after all…

Fortunately, just before he could become jealous of his subordinate…

“You’re an adult so it’s fine. Go to Han Dayeon before you catch a cold.”

Though Lee Sunghwan again spoke words he didn’t mean, Gyeonwoo just snorted.

“I know how much you’ve suffered for us, so I won’t abandon uncle! How long did you wait for your hands to get this cold?”

Gyeonwoo stretched out her tiny hands to grasp his cold ones.

The warm temperature transmitted through their touch.

Though it warmed his heart, he worried the small child might catch cold.

But such concerns proved unnecessary.

“Hm?”

A strange sensation appeared as unfamiliar black leather gloves suddenly covered his hands.

Gyeonwoo’s gift.

“…What’s this all of a sudden?”

Lee Sunghwan was taken aback.

His surprise showed clearly despite the onlookers.

Gyeonwoo must have summoned these gloves using her Awakened ability that even the cult coveted.

But why this sudden gift?

Did something bad happen on the way?

Or did some wretch trick our innocent child into giving bribes?

Seeing his reaction, Gyeonwoo smiled shyly with blushing cheeks.

So uncle was human after all.

He could be surprised by such small things.

Somehow she felt even closer to him now.

Unlike before when she worried about appearing boastful despite doing good deeds, this time Gyeonwoo didn’t hide her thoughts.

“Um, I heard on the bus about all the amazing things you’ve done.”

“Amazing things? Me?”

“Yes! They said you beat up evil villains and blocked Gates. That no one has achieved as much as you!”

He actually considered such things unremarkable.

It was simply an Awakened’s duty to catch villains and close Gates.

Moreover, it had earned him an unsavory reputation unsuitable for children’s ears.

When he unconsciously frowned, Gyeonwoo immediately hugged his waist.

“Unlike me who only caused trouble, you’re a real hero who saved many people.”

Hero, huh.

Could the actions of an S-class Awakened who killed villains in emotional outbursts be called heroic?

Rather, Gyeonwoo maintaining her purity despite the cult’s filth was more admirable.

So Gyeonwoo.

Be confident, know that I…

That Chungseong Guild stands behind you. Do whatever you want, whatever your heart desires.

Gyeonwoo nodded obediently at the Guild Master’s quiet words.

The incident at the district office had already shown her everyone’s feelings.

Gyeonwoo wanted Lee Sunghwan to have someone he could rely on too.

“I’ll… I’ll always stay with uncle no matter what anyone says!”

To think he’d receive comfort from this young child.

He never imagined such comfort could melt his frozen heart.

Just having someone who believed in him made him feel this good.

Lee Sunghwan unconsciously lifted Gyeonwoo, who clung to his waist.

“Eep!”

“…Thank you.”

He started swinging her around.

“Waah! U-uncle! I’m getting dizzy!”

The Guild Master swung Gyeonwoo up and down, left and right so enthusiastically that onlookers rubbed their eyes, wondering if they were seeing things.

Though startled at first as she dangled like a doll…

Gyeonwoo realized this moment alone with him was her chance to implement sister’s “method.”

Ugh.

It’s embarrassing but…

It’s to make uncle happy!

“I-I love you too!”

Though the tiny voice was barely audible…

Lee Sunghwan heard Gyeonwoo’s shy words very clearly.

Right then.

“…A party. This is no time for just a party.”

“Uncle?”

“Wait here. I’ll go bring an entire amusement park.”

Lee Sunghwan strode off with wild eyes.

“You there! Buy out the nearest amusement park right now!”

“Aaaah! U-uncle, you can’t! That’s, that’s wasteful! Being wasteful is bad!”

“How is anything for my child wasteful?”

“S-sister! Please stop uncle!!”

At this rate, he really seemed ready to bring an entire amusement park.

“Oh seriously, that doting uncle…!”

Chaos naturally erupted all around.

Author’s Note

Today’s menu is cafe mocha!

After frequent breaks, I was finally able to write the scene I wanted. I hope everyone is satisfied!

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