After class, in the backyard of Yustitia Preschool.
Guru stood in front of Kang Jei and Gu Hwiyeon.
Gu Hwiyeon glanced around as if looking for Woojoo, but Guru struck first.
Holding up her tablet, she read the results aloud in a clear voice.
“Suwwoundin’ evawuations S, goods sawe vowume 1st pwace, physicaw S, pumhaeng wowsey, attendance award.”
Gu Hwiyeon and Kang Jei clasped their hands tightly together.
“Summing it aww up, da Hyeonak Top is...”
Lowering her tablet, Guru solemnly declared:
“Shin Nayeon Huntuh.”
Grumbling immediately erupted.
“Dat doesn’t count!”
“Are you kidding me?!”
“Suddenly Nayeon Hunter? No way!”
“This is void, void!”
Just as expected, the two refused to accept the judgment.
Gu Hwiyeon angrily demanded Woojoo be brought here, while Kang Jei grabbed Guru’s shoulders and shook her, shouting not to lie.
Surrounded by the two squawking like monkeys, Guru lifted her gaze wistfully, thinking of Nayeon unnie.
'A contest between fwiends is no good. Dat only pushes fwiends apart and huwtz da fwiendship.'
That was why Guru had purposely made sure Woojoo didn’t show up.
'Gwuu enough to be da viwwain...!'
Between “Gidan-is-da-future” and “Serhi-lick-lick” fighting to peek at her tablet, Guru squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears.
Chapter — An Unexpected Helper
“Please, come in. It’s not too modest a spread for us to meet our esteemed Guildmastuh On Jurim, I hope?”
“It’s fine.”
Jurim sat before the extravagant banquet of a luxury restaurant, unable to hide the sour look on his face as he regarded the bigwig across from him.
The gray-haired man beamed regardless of Jurim’s expression.
“Since Hyeonak’s Hunter accomplished such a great feat this time, I thought we must treat you properly.”
The man was Kwon Honggyun, Chief Secretary to the President.
One of the president’s closest aides.
The reason he had requested this meeting was no different from what Jurim had already guessed.
'It’s because of the Mephisto Series.'
Even now, Jurim’s head ached over the leasing contract for the [Mephisto Series mk.3 (S+)].
Development, production, and use of S+-grade equipment or higher were strictly regulated internationally, and by treaty the Mephisto Series mk.3 had to be property of the state under a leasing system.
Guru may have crafted it, but it could not remain hers alone.
He had explained this to her as best he could, though whether she truly understood was unclear. The child had simply blinked dazedly and nodded.
Her expression had been: If Daddy says so, then that’s what it is.
At moments like that, Jurim felt both deep affection and a crushing weight of responsibility.
“I can finally say this: the appearance of an S+ was a national celebration.”
Jurim sipped his water to cover the smirk tugging at his lips.
The intent behind stressing it as a “national” celebration was obvious.
The government wanted to boast that they had managed the leasing contract advantageously.
Especially now, with the ruling party in crisis after a scandal where the leadership’s son was caught taking bribes.
Depending on how this contract was presented, the next election could be won or lost.
And what if they managed to take a picture with Jjapso in the process? The ruling party would instantly seize the spotlight.
Jurim had no interest in politics, but one way or another, having too talented a daughter was the problem.
“I wanted to meet our proud production-type Hunter and say this in person, but you firmly refused—”
“She doesn’t belong in places like this.”
Kwon Honggyun paused to gauge what Jurim meant by “places like this,” then let out an awkward laugh.
It was the laugh of a man who found it offensive that someone so much younger was standing firm against him.
“Since we had this meeting, I had hoped at least you might tell me her name. ‘Jjapso’—the sound of it... don’t you agree it’s hard to use in any formal setting?”
Annoying as it was, this showed he really had failed to uncover her identity.
If a man skilled in intelligence said this, it meant Jurim’s concealment of the child was holding up.
“She wishes to be called that. I ask your understanding.”
“Ah, so it is. Quite an eccentric person.”
Kwon Honggyun smiled as he picked up his chopsticks for a side dish.
'Playing very expensive, aren’t you.'
Just shaking Jjapso’s hand and taking a photo couldn’t be such a difficult request.
Clicking his tongue, he washed it down with water.
“A pity. I had thought there were many ways I could reciprocate the Guildmastuh’s goodwill.”
Jurim sighed inaudibly. He could hear the wheels turning in the man’s head.
“Goodwill?”
Since Jurim had deflected, it was time for threats, surely.
Exactly as he predicted, Kwon Honggyun dabbed his lips neatly and smiled.
“I speak of the S+ production. Legally, there are serious issues. S+ is classified as a weapon of mass destruction. I trust you know development and production are also restricted...”
Jurim narrowed his eyes.
“Amusing. A moment ago you called it a national celebration, but now it’s a liability?”
“It depends on how one looks at the situation, doesn’t it?”
Jurim nodded blandly.
“If that’s how you see it.”
He had little interest in politics, but he knew well enough: anything could be made into a problem if someone wanted it to be.
“We don’t wish to go down a difficult road either. But once an investigation into the S+ development and production route begins, that free-ranging Hunter’s identity will ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) inevitably be revealed.”
“I see.”
“There’s no need for things to get complicated, not between us. We’re not enemies, after all.”
“Yes, well...”
At Jurim’s curt reply, Kwon Honggyun’s face brightened a bit.
Finally, he thought, the conversation was moving.
“Then—”
But Jurim cut him off.
“Former Director Lee Soyeon of the National Defense Research Institute left behind quite an achievement, didn’t she? It was very impressive.”
Lee Soyeon.
Bringing up the woman who had declared, I went to China because the government wouldn’t fund me and Hyeonak wouldn’t share technology, cracked Kwon Honggyun’s smile.
Jurim’s words meant: 'If you push us, we’ll pack up and move abroad.'
Kwon Honggyun swallowed dryly.
“Guildmastuh On Jurim, do you not know what became of Lee Soyeon in China...?”
Reading the urge to shout She was discarded! Jurim asked back as though he’d just heard something amusing.
“You think I’ll end up like her?”
Kwon Honggyun’s words stuck in his throat.
Of course not. Jurim’s very existence could serve as a pillar of the nation.
Even now, brokers from countless countries must be contacting him.
Jurim knew it as well as anyone, which was why he could speak so boldly.
Still, for a man whose entire foundation was in Korea, moving abroad was no simple choice.
With a guild and a family to protect, On Jurim’s circumstances were not the same as Lee Soyeon’s or Amakusa Kazuki’s.
“Guildmastuh On Jurim, let me offer you a word of advice from someone who’s lived longer. Sometimes, instead of clashing head-on, it’s wiser to bend gently.”
Jurim nodded slowly, as if taking the lesson to heart.
“With your years, then, I hope you bend every which way just fine.”
That retort left Kwon Honggyun speechless again.
This young Guildmastuh had a way of cutting off words at the root.
Jurim chuckled faintly and tapped the table.
Fwoooosh—
In an instant, the grand banquet turned to dust and vanished.
“If you have power, you see...”
The only thing left was a glass of water.
“...there’s no need to bend.”
The golden blaze in his eyes faded.
“Thank you for the meal. The water tastes good.”
After sipping a few mouthfuls, Jurim stood, inclined his head politely, and walked out.
Thud—
As the door closed, Kwon Honggyun clenched his fist before the empty table.
Jurim’s final words echoed ceaselessly in his ears.
If you have power.
If you have power.
If you have power...
Lips pressed tight, Kwon Honggyun hurled the water glass at the wall.
Crash—!
“That arrogant brat...!”
'Does he know who I am?'
How dare he lecture the Chief Secretary about power!
Grinding his teeth, Kwon Honggyun seethed.
He absolutely had to uncover Jjapso’s true identity.
Hearing the commotion, his secretaries rushed in, only to be met with his fury.
“What have you been doing until now?! Why can’t you track down that Jjapso no matter what?!”
“Sir?”
But how were they supposed to find someone who had eluded every attempt so far?
“But...”
“It’s just...”
As the secretaries stammered, Kwon Honggyun roared louder.
“Turn everything upside down if you have to! Investigate every guild member! Even that precious daughter On Jurim dotes on—investigate her too!”

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