'Already exhausted...'
With his temple resting on one hand, Jurim scanned the bustling set for any sign of the kid.
He’d never done a variety show like this before, which only added to his confusion.
Guru had said it was a “job experience” program.
But where was she? And why was he sitting alone on the set?
Since it was his first time filming, he had no idea how things were supposed to unfold, and they’d thrown him in without a proper explanation.
'What exactly are they trying to make me do?'
The only thing his imagination could conjure up was a part-time fast food gig with Guru.
Today might be the day she found out he couldn’t cook at all.
Just then, PD Seo waved with a bright grin.
“Alright then! We’ll begin shooting with Guildmastuh On!”
“...Excuse me?”
Jurim’s head snapped up, a sharp crease forming between his brows.
'Shooting what, exactly? What happened to the job experience? Where’s Guru?'
But Seo just smiled as if he already knew all the questions swirling in Jurim’s head.
“For now, please just react while watching this VCR segment.”
Suspicious but unwilling to make a fuss, Jurim decided to see it through.
But that was when he should’ve known.
That was when he should’ve stopped it.
Before he could say a word, the VCR began playing.
Guru appeared onscreen, toddling into the Hyeonak Guild headquarters with a sash around her shoulders.
Jurim stared, eyes fixed on the screen.
The staff at Hyeonak burst into laughter at the sight of Guru’s sash.
In bold lettering, it read: “One-Day Guildmastuh.”
Jurim’s mouth parted slightly.
The camera followed Guru while a producer’s voice narrated.
<Miss Guru, where are you headed today?>
<Gwuu goin’ to wowk!>
Despite the warm weather, she was wearing her signature chick glove—on only her left hand. Jurim’s eyebrow twitched.
<Today, Gwuu da Hyeonak Guildmastuh!>
<Isn’t the Guildmastuh normally your dad?>
<Daddy went on a twip. Gwuu gotta pwotect da giwud!>
She clenched her little fists with determination.
<And the glove? Is it cold? Why just one hand?>
The cameraman zoomed in on Jurim’s own gloved left hand, which was now nervously tapping the table.
<Ah, dis gwuv... need to seeaw.>
<Seal what?>
Guru solemnly raised her gloved left hand.
<Da dawk fwame dwagon.>
Pfft! Laughter erupted all around. PD Seo’s cackling echoed from the front.
Jurim shot him a frosty glare.
Immediately, Seo and the staff clamped their mouths shut and lowered their eyes.
<The Dark Flame Dragon?>
<Yesh! Dani Oppaw taught Gwuu. Gotta seeaw it in da weft hand.>
Jurim shut his eyes tight.
Even now... even now, she was too damn cute, and he hated himself for it.
...Come to think of it, maybe letting the world burn wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
The next scene shifted to the Guildmastuh’s office.
One-Day Guildmastuh Guru was slumped deep into the oversized chair.
'A true guildmastuh’s job is paperwork!'
She reached for the towering pile of files with her tiny hands and pulled out one at random.
All the important stuff was stored elsewhere anyway. These were the “useless” documents—she figured she’d skim them, slap on a sticker, and maybe stamp one or two.
'Wait, what?'
English!
The page was filled with complicated English words, and her fierce determination shriveled like a dried squid.
While she floundered, unsure what to do, the producer asked,
<Guildmastuh, do you normally read and approve documents like these?>
<Uhhm...>
Guru glanced up at the camera, hesitated, then whispered.
<One appow is dewicious...>
<Is that really what it says?>
As the camera zoomed in, Guru quickly hugged the document to her chest and rolled her eyes.
Hesitating, she fished something out of her backpack—a chick sleep mask.
<...Um. It nap time now.>
<Already? Is it okay for a Guildmastuh to nap right now?>
<Yesh. It says on da scwatchbook.>
<You mean schedule?>
<Yup. Dat ting.>
Putting on the mask, she gave a haphazard nod.
<But onwy for one hour. Gwuu got wots to do today.>
<Isn’t that too many naps?>
Guru slightly lifted her sleep mask.
<Gwuu sweep less dan Daddy.>
Then promptly pulled it back down.
PD Seo bit his lip trying not to laugh and asked,
“Guildmastuh On. You look like you’ve got a lot to say. Care to comment?”
“It’s not... It’s not that I sleep too much, it’s just—haa...”
Actually, he did sleep a lot.
Face going blank, Jurim rubbed his temples.
“...Yeah. I figured.”
“Should we stop here? I think we’re good.”
“C’mon, before you rage-quit, let’s keep going.”
A caption popped up: Guru really did nap for an hour.
The next scene opened with Guru zipping around on a bicycle.
A flashing caption appeared below: “CRISIS!!”
'What now?'
Jurim had been away on a business trip—nothing major should’ve happened.
PD Seo voiced the obvious question:
<Guildmastuh! Where are you off to now?>
<To see Nayeon Unnie!>
<Why?>
<The snack woom! We wanned outta snacks!>
Her flustered face screamed urgency.
<Is that really a crisis?>
<Yesh! Wiff no snacks, Unnie an’ me can’t buiwd da snack towah!>
<That is a big problem.>
<It weawwy is!>
A critical mission, clearly.
Managing the snack supply sounded like responsible guildmastuh work.
“Guildmastuh On, you’d better make sure the snack room never runs dry, huh?”
“Can you... not ask me questions right now?”
With his chin resting on his hand, Jurim muttered as if suppressing irritation—and finally, Seo burst out laughing.
While Guru was making a big deal to Nayeon about the emergency snack situation, she glanced at the clock, then hurried off again on her bike.
<Guildmastuh, where to now?>
<The waid team! Gwuu goin’ to da dungeon too!>
<Isn’t that dangerous?>
<Nuh-uh. Dani Oppaw say he onwy showin’ dwones today.>
<Who?>
<Dani Oppaw.>
Jurim clenched a fist.
'Gidan. It’s you again, isn’t it.'
Completely unconcerned with the aftermath, Guru pulled something from behind her back.
<Bwought secwet weapon too!>
<Oh—this is...!>
Recognizing it, PD Seo lit up, and Guru puffed her chest proudly.
<Gwuu bowwowed it fwom Jjapso!>
<Wow... Can I touch it just once?>
<Yesh!>
<This is incredible!>
Guru beamed.
Her cheeks turned pink like mochi, and she stretched her back so far in pride she nearly toppled over.
Jurim squinted. The way she puffed up from one compliment—a skill of its own.
<Dis one made wiff da chickie doww Gwuu gave Jjapso. It on da news wots too. Dis wittwe spot here opens, and inside’s a teensy manastone!>
She was clearly bursting with excitement—couldn’t stop herself from bragging.
<Whoa, that’s amazing.>
<Right?!>
Jurim finally exhaled in relief when the screen transitioned away—he’d been worried she’d accidentally spill something outrageous.
Now Guru was preparing with Serhi, Gidan, and the first raid team.
<One-Day Guildmastuh Gwuu!>
She showed off her sash, making everyone laugh.
Pretending to give serious orders with a solemn face, she spotted some snacks on the table and tucked them into her bag.
<Gwuu gotta get weady too. Snacks super impowtant in da dungeon.>
<Bahahahaha!>
<Pwahaha! Our widdle pwincess is too cute!>
The raid team leader scooped Guru up and rubbed his stubbly chin against her cheek.
Jurim licked the inside of his cheek.
'So... I was the only one who didn’t know, huh?'
No wonder everyone had been smirking whenever they saw him lately.
Clearly, they’d all been keeping the secret for this.
While Jurim folded his arms with a sour look, more and more people began gathering near the dungeon entrance for the raid.

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