The moment she imagined it, the fluffy cloud in her head turned into a plump baby bird.
The baby bird was about to be [N O V E L I G H T] roasted golden-brown and eaten by a wolf!
But the [Spy Ladybug], which was supposed to go to Mephisto, was flailing helplessly far away!
—Then? Let’s make the ladybug faster!
Guru’s eyes lit up and she jumped to her feet.
Just then, Serhi and Gidan sensed movement outside the door and quickly turned their heads toward it.
From outside came the pounding knock of Hyeonak’s management team leader, Seol Yeo-jin.
“Guildmastuh! I was supposed to have my salary negotiations today!”
“Guildmastuh!”
Like a herd of cattle, the other team leaders crowded in, clamoring to enter the guildmaster’s office.
They’d been told it wasn’t a big deal—once the abnormal status was lifted, his memory would return soon enough.
But in the meantime, they were all taking the chance to push their own agendas.
Serhi braced his back against the door and muttered,
“I think I’m about to lose faith in humanity.”
“Adults, huh......”
At Gidan’s sigh, Guru pursed her lips in a smug little smirk.
'This is it. Time for Supreme Gwuu to make her move...'
While everyone’s eyes were on the memory-wiped guildmaster, Guru slipped quietly out of the office.
She darted down the hall, skidding into the elevator.
Bouncing on her feet the whole way down to the first floor, she checked her tablet and crossed the lobby.
She’d already sent the [Spy Ladybug] a recall order, so it was heading back toward the company.
Since it hadn’t gone far, the return wouldn’t take long.
“Gwuuya, goin’ home?”
“Da sittew wadyy hewe?”
“Yeeeng~”
“Owkay~ Bye bye~”
“Babbaing!”
At the glass revolving door, Guru pulled her alien hat low over her head.
Once the black aura of “Black Guru” began to seep in, she bolted toward the shrubs beside the building.
The [Spy Ladybug] was perched there, sunbathing to recharge.
Already out of battery?!
'The efficiency’s too awful!'
All the new functions had come at the cost of heavy energy drain.
Guru hopped up, snatched the ladybug, and immediately pulled a bicycle from her inventory.
She loaded the baby rabbit, the [Spy Ladybug], and Veilach into the snug basket on the front of her tricycle.
“Peww, huwg Mumu.”
Lukshifer shook his head furiously, then wrapped his arms around the [Spy Ladybug] from behind.
With him acting as the power source, the ladybug’s eyes lit up and its antennae perked.
Meanwhile, Guru swung into the saddle and set her feet on the pedals.
“Wet’s go! Mumu, teww us whewe Mefi is!”
Twitch!
The antennae pointed like a compass needle.
'Let’s go! Hero Gwuu, off on a quest to save Pwincess Mefi!'
In her mind, the little white tricycle transformed into a gallant steed.
'Hmph! Foolish adults.'
Hero Gwuu would save Princess Mefi and find her real dad, too.
Snorting through her nose like a warhorse, Guru charged into the bustling street.
“Vwooom-!”
She made motor sounds with her mouth as she pumped the pedals.
Her tricycle thundered along the bike lane.
That was when the white hamster in the basket rubbed his eyes, woke up, and clung to the edge.
“Myuut?!”
What the heck was going on? Veilach staggered from the speed and nearly lost his balance.
Lukshifer, still holding the ladybug, grabbed him with one arm.
“Kyuu!” (Careful!)
“Bayii! Hoowd on tight, it’s dangewous!”
“......Myu?”
Seeing his baffled expression, Guru guessed his thoughts and explained plainly,
“Wight now, we’we goin’ to save Mefi!”
At the dreadful image, Veilach glanced around—but of course, none of her guardians were anywhere in sight.
“Myuuuu?!” (Just us?!)
Did this little human honestly think that was reasonable? Did she even know what kind of place they were heading to? He wouldn’t even regain his humanoid form until tomorrow!
“Myu!” (You should’ve stopped her!)
Irritated, Veilach smacked Lukshifer on the head.
The rabbit’s mouth quivered and he sniffled back the snot trickling from his nose—but his grip on the [Spy Ladybug] never loosened.
“Kkyuuu...” (We’ww save big bwuddah Mefi.)
Whether or not Veilach was fuming inside, the tricycle zoomed past a storefront—
Screech, screech, screech—
Then reversed back.
Guru gaped, eyes fixed on a shop plastered with pink characters.
“Myut?”
Suspicious, Veilach followed her gaze.
From her lips came a hushed murmur of awe.
“TinyPing......!”
Boom!
Veilach rubbed his eyes. Above Guru’s head, he could practically see a thunderstorm crackling.
A famous franchise stationery shop’s collaboration with TinyPing.
'For a five-year-old, this is an irresistible trial.'
As if to prove his thought, drool pooled in her mouth as she stared at the sign: “Limited-edition figure giveaway.”
She glanced toward the entrance.
Children holding their parents’ hands stretched in a long line.
One kid came out grinning ear to ear, figure in hand. Guru’s lips trembled. Her grip on the handlebars tightened.
“Myut!” (Hmph!)
Veilach plopped down with his arms crossed and snorted.
He didn’t need to intervene—once she got in that line, the day’s adventure would be over.
By the time she reached the front, the whole day would be gone.
He was about to cover Lukshifer’s worried mouth and take a nap when—
'The tricycle’s moving forward?'
Guru was deliberately turning her head away, eyes narrowed into triangles as she pedaled hard, trying to put distance between them and temptation.
'For a five-year-old, she’s holding out well.'
But then—
“Myu!”
Would she resist this one?
Clang clang~ ding dong dang dong~
“Saurus Kids World is now open!”
A person in a dinosaur costume was handing out flyers, loud music blaring.
It was an ad for a dinosaur-themed kids’ café.
Guru swallowed hard.
“S-Sauwus Kids Wowwd......!”
Veilach smirked at one corner of his mouth.
The street was packed with distractions for curious children.
Resisting them all would be no easy task.
“Just wait hewe a sec.”
Sure enough, Guru pulled over and walked off toward something.
'Knew it.'
She was still a kid.
If she got caught up in TinyPing or dinosaurs, her guardians would notice she was gone and come fetch her.
That’s what Veilach was thinking when—
“Snack!”
Guru was back sooner than expected.
With a castella cake in hand.
“Adventuwes need stwong meaws.”
She cut it into four pieces—two for the rabbit and the ugly hamster, one for herself.
“The west is fow Mefi.”
She crumpled the wrapper and tucked it into the basket before checking the [Spy Ladybug] again.
Lukshifer munched happily. Veilach swallowed his whole without chewing and barked,
“Myu!” (That’s not the point!)
“Ung?”
Confused, Guru looked where he pointed—at the dinosaur mascot and the TinyPing shop.
She shook her head like she knew exactly what he meant.
Sure, the busy street was like a wonderland.
But—
“Gwuu thinks Mefi an’ Daddy awe mowe impowtant than TinyPing ow dinosaurs......”
She said it like a vow, jaw set in determination.
Wiping her damp eyes with the back of her hand, she set off again.
Dodging nosy adults asking where her parents were, she skirted the dark alley lined with intimidating middle and high schoolers.
Before they’d even left the shopping district, darkness was falling, and a raindrop hit her nose.
“Oh......!”
Plip, plip.
A few more drops fell.
'Rain!'
Guru darted under an awning.
She planned to wait for it to pass.
But—
Plop, plop, plop—
The light drizzle turned to steady streams—
Shaaah—
And then the downpour roared in the dark.
Guru squatted under the awning, tricycle parked beside her, gazing at the sky.
She’d thought it would only be a moment. But there was no sign of it letting up.
Unconsciously, she looked at the watch on her wrist.
On a day like this, if she called Daddy, he’d come with an umbrella.
“......Hff!”
The lump in her throat ached so much she held her breath and clamped her mouth shut.
Her jaw quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes.
And then—
“Where are you going?”

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