Because public interest in On Jurim was so intense, the kindergarten had already dealt with a few inappropriate visitors. But every time the principal made a call somewhere, mysterious people claiming to be from Hyeonak would show up and escort the intruders away.
Truth be told, On Jurim didn’t exactly scream “ideal guardian,” so it was only natural for Jung Yoon to worry. Still, it didn’t seem like he was neglecting the child.
She remembered...
Back when Guru had been struggling with some friend troubles, Jurim had personally brought her to school.
‘She really did seem attached to him.’
The two of them, talking quietly in front of the kindergarten, had looked just like a real father and daughter. Yoon had even caught a glimpse of affection when Jurim picked Guru up in his arms.
Hmm. What was it? Something was off. Yoon stepped closer and gently asked,
“Guru, is the nanny coming to pick you up again today?”
“Yes...”
When ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Guru turned her head, Yoon knelt down in front of her and took her small hands in hers.
“I’ve been so worried about you lately.”
“Why?”
“You’ve seemed so down. You even gave away your favorite yogurt today.”
“...Yeah.”
Guru nodded sadly, recalling the yogurt that had gone into her friend’s mouth instead of hers.
“Did something happen? You’re still getting along with your friends, right?”
Nod, nod.
“It’s not because of them.”
“Then what is it?”
Guru blinked slowly.
What had made her start dragging her shoulders around like that... was the card she saw back in the Guildmaster’s office.
That memo, written in what looked like blood, had burned itself into her mind.
Jurim had acted like nothing was wrong. Just his usual self.
But Guru had been angry.
Back when the Cataclysm first struck and dungeons and towers erupted across the world, the first generation of Hunters had awakened.
The time limit to clear a tower: five years.
Just like a dungeon break posed a threat if a dungeon wasn’t cleared, it became accepted truth that failing to clear a tower would endanger the world.
Someone had to clear them—for the sake of the world.
Many first-generation Hunters had gone into towers... and never come back.
Jurim was the only one who survived.
But that wasn’t his fault. Saying he survived by “eating” the others—that was cruel. That kind of comment hurt.
That was why Guru wanted to give Jurim strength. She wanted to support him. But just thinking about how to do that had ended up weighing her own shoulders down instead...
Yoon watched Guru’s silence and thought hard. Then she asked,
“Guru, did you tell the Guildmaster about the parent visit day?”
“Umm... he’s busy... And tired...”
“He said he’s tired?”
Guru pouted slightly, fidgeting with both hands.
“Maybe...”
“So you didn’t actually tell him about the visit day, right?”
Nod, nod.
That’s it. Yoon’s eyes lit up.
Guru hadn’t told him because she thought he was too busy and wouldn’t be able to come—and that was what had her down.
Yoon leaned in and spoke firmly.
“I think it would be really special if the Guildmaster got to see our Guru give a presentation. You’re so smart—you already know how to write so well, don’t you?”
Guru rolled her eyes around a bit, then gave a single nod.
Her round cheeks flushed pink, and Yoon smiled softly at the adorable sight.
“There are still fifteen nights left until the visit, so you’ve got time to think about it. Try telling him, okay? Then let me know how it goes. Got it?”
“Okay...”
“Until the nanny comes today, wanna play with me in the playground?”
“Okay!”
Guru slowly got to her feet and headed toward the cubbies.
“You can even put on your shoes all by yourself now.”
Only then did Guru manage a tiny smile.
As she tapped the toes of her sneakers and headed toward the kindergarten entrance...
A sleek black sedan pulled up and parked outside.
Yoon took Guru’s hand and walked toward the car.
“You’re not allowed to park here, sir...”
“Apologies, ma’am. I’ll just pick her up and move along.”
A man stepped out from the passenger seat, dressed in a crisp, tailored suit. He bowed politely.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Teacher Jung Yoon.”
“Ah, h-hello.”
She’d never seen this man before. A parent?
“Are you here to pick up a student?”
Trying to hide her confusion, Yoon began rapidly turning over names in her head. The man offered her a warm smile and handed her a business card.
Doan Construction?
That was the company that had been plastered across the media back in the day, accused of corruption and favoritism during its meteoric rise. The coverage had been so aggressive that even she, who barely paid attention to current events at the time, had remembered the name.
Something about monopolizing government contracts, shady deals, all that.
“I’m the personal secretary to Chairman On Suhyeong, Miss Guru’s grandfather. I’ve come to escort her home.”
“...What?”
Yoon’s head jerked up. Guru’s mouth fell open.
‘Grandfather?’
When Guru turned her head toward the car, the tinted window of the limousine slowly rolled down.
Inside sat an elderly man with perfectly groomed white hair slicked back.
Even just glimpsed through the window, his presence was overwhelming.
His posture was straight as a soldier’s, and his face was cold, rigid—like something that wouldn’t crack no matter the circumstance.
He stared at Guru, his expression unflinching.
Guru blinked, tense.
If there was anyone she would ever call “Grandfather,” it was only one person.
‘The Guildmaster’s dad.’
Well... he looked even older than that title would suggest.
‘They kind of look alike...’
The shape of his eyes, the line of his mouth, and the overall vibe he gave off—it all faintly echoed Jurim.
The man stared at Guru for a long while before finally speaking.
“I’m Jurim’s father.”
“Hewwo. I’m Hanguru fwom the Chick Class at Saebom Kindewgarten.”
Guru gave a deep belly-button bow, and he gave the faintest nod in return.
“I’ve already spoken to the nanny. You may come with us.”
Yoon was still on the phone with the sitter, seemingly confirming everything. She gave Guru a nod, signaling that it was okay to go.
The secretary walked over and opened the car door. As Guru hesitantly climbed in, On Suhyeong scooped her up and set her beside him. The backseat already had a booster seat prepared.
Guru sat down as if falling into a soft hug and gave a shy smile.
“Thank youu~”
On Suhyeong stared at her again—so intensely that Guru started fidgeting. After a long pause, he gave her the slightest nod once more.
Is he made of steel?
That was the first impression she had of the Guildmaster’s father.
He had that same intimidating aura as one of those terrifying mafia bosses from movies or dramas—cold, dangerous, commanding.
Guru sat in the back seat beside him, playing with her fingers, sneaking glances at the chairman.
“You don’t need to be so tense. I’m just taking you home today.”
“Yes sir.”
‘But Guru is tension incarnate!’
If the chairman was made of steel, Guru had turned into a walking embodiment of anxiety.
In the silence, On Suhyeong pulled out a file containing Guru’s personal records and opened it.
“I looked into it a bit. They say you’re quite intelligent. Scored at a profoundly gifted level on the WIIPSI—Wechsler Preschool Intelligence Scale... And you’ve awakened, yes?”
Suddenly, Guru sensed her moment.
Now was the time to brag. It had been forever since she had a good chance to show off.
Guru rummaged through her kindergarten backpack and proudly pulled out her Hunter license.
With her eyebrows raised high and her tiny face lit up with hopeful anticipation, she looked up at him—clearly fishing for praise.
On Suhyeong glanced over it in silence for a while, then said simply:
“Well done.”
“Thank you!”
‘The Guildmaster’s dad praised me.’
He examined the license a bit longer, then said quietly:
“Hanguru... Once the process is finalized, it’ll need to be reissued.”
Guru had been ready to whip out a high-octane duck clip performance if needed, but the chairman seemed satisfied with just the license and handed it back.
Guru giggled with pride and carefully tucked her license away, zipping the pouch all the way shut.
When she looked back up, the chairman was staring at her so intensely it made her blink.
Guru offered a shy smile.
On Suhyeong remained silent, just gazing at her, before placing the documents away and pulling out a stack of booklets.
He handed one to her and asked,
“Would you like to take a look?”
“Yes!”
The booklet featured illustrations of old, elegant buildings, with both Korean and English text written across the front.
SCAT Test Prep Class
CTY Camp Preparation Program
Guru spotted a few words she could read.
“Overseas gifted program... study abroad prep...”

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