The Strongest Guild Kidnapped Me

Chapter 125

Winter’s trembling ears snapped Midsummer back to reality. She had to comfort the frightened girl immediately—there was no time for hesitation.

“Oh, it’s you, Gyeoul! I didn’t recognize you with the costume on.”

“Y-Yes... I’m sorry. I didn’t know promoting here wasn’t allowed...”

With a little struggle, Gyeoul slipped out of the costume, and her familiar face appeared, catching the curious gazes of others in the park.

“Oh, no, Gyeoul, it’s fine for you to promote here.”

“Really? But didn’t you say...”

Her wide eyes seemed to question what Midsummer had said about it being bothersome.

“Well, the park is technically guild property. Usually, selling things without permission is prohibited, but you’re part of the guild.”

“Oh...”

The word “guild” clearly gave Gyeoul a sense of pride, and her tail wagged beneath the costume.

“So, Gyeoul, as far as we’re concerned, you have permission. No need to worry about it.”

“Thank goodness! I was worried I’d caused trouble again...”

Again? Midsummer realized Gyeoul must have been thinking about her past slip-ups, like the time in the beginner dungeon.

Midsummer scratched the back of her neck as she looked down at the bulky costume. It was big and heavy—not at all suited for someone as small as Gyeoul.

“They do say that costume work can be grueling. It’s not a job meant for someone so little and delicate...”

She let out a long sigh and picked up the costume herself.

“Gyeoul, let me take over the promotion.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You’re still little, and it looks like it would be tough for you.”

Gyeoul hesitated but ultimately agreed. The costume’s arms were positioned too high, making it awkward to hold, and she waddled with every step due to its bulk. It wasn’t exactly suitable for her smaller frame.

“Alright... then I’ll give you thirty percent of the proceeds.”

Midsummer stifled a chuckle. Though she didn’t want payment, she knew Gyeoul would insist. Gyeoul took finances seriously, handling everything with the utmost diligence. Midsummer decided she’d spend her share on something delicious for the kids.

“Okay, I’ll get changed then.”

“Go ahead.”

Gyeoul slipped out of the thick costume, and Midsummer couldn’t help but wonder how she’d even managed to move around in it. As Midsummer took hold of the suit, Gyeoul spoke up again.

“I’ll help with the promotion.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Levinas and Saebyeok will handle the selling.”

Midsummer smiled. Gyeoul was so young but so capable and organized. She couldn’t help but ruffle the girl’s hair affectionately.

---

To promote effectively, a bit of performance would be necessary. I understood that, but the current situation was... a little confusing.

“Um...”

“Yes?”

“Is this really... promotion?”

Midsummer, now dressed in the costume, was sitting on a bench with me on her lap.

“Of course! Can’t you see everyone looking over here?”

“I’m sorry... I won’t prank you again...”

“Huh?”

“I haven’t played around much in my life, so I didn’t realize it was too much...”

I glanced up at Jung Yuna, who seemed taken aback, her eyes wide. Choi Jin-hyuk approached her and chimed in.

“I thought it was fun.”

“Yeah, Yuna, you’re just being a little too sensitive.”

“You’re just trying to mess with me, aren’t you?”

With a huff, Jung Yuna let out a long sigh, shaking her head before kneeling down to my level.

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t really angry.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. I just thought you were being kidnapped when I saw you waving, like you were hypnotized by the costume or something.”

“Oh...”

I’d thought we were just having a game of chase, a lighthearted run. I waved to encourage them to chase us, but Jung Yuna had interpreted it as me being taken away. Now I understood why she’d reacted so strongly.

“So don’t worry too much. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“And feel free to play more pranks like this in the future.”

“Yes...”

I knew I was still learning to understand everyone’s perspective, bit by bit. But I’d get there in time. Patience and experience would help me catch up.

---

After finishing our sales for the day, I sat at my desk, notebook open to tally up our earnings and split the profits. Everyone was watching me as I calculated.

“Wow, Gyeoul, you’re so good at math.”

“Well, it’s just basic arithmetic.”

“Basic? For your age, this is really impressive.”

“Hmph.”

There were plenty of adults who struggled with basic arithmetic, after all. Still, it was a little embarrassing to be praised for something so simple, so I kept my head down. Suddenly, I felt a soft tug on my tail.

Squish, squish.

A small hand was playing with it. Without even looking, I knew it was Levinas. Perhaps she wanted to play with my tail, so I swished it around a little for her. The tail’s gentle movements occasionally bumped into her, bringing little giggles.

“Just a bit more like this...”

Then Levinas did something unexpected—she tied my tail to Saebyeok’s. I struggled to wiggle free, but they were tightly tangled together.

“L-Levinas tied my tail...”

“Yep! Next, I’ll tie in my own tail!”

So now we were tying tails? I wasn’t sure how to feel about this new game.

As Saebyeok wagged her tail, my own tail, still tangled, wagged right along with it.

“Wow, does Gyeoul love this too?!”

“Y-Yes...”

Levinas seemed to think it was me wagging my tail happily, and if it made her smile, then that was enough for me. I just nodded along in silence.