I Was Kidnapped By The Strongest Guild
Chapter 169: Actually, I

Breathing softly, the children quickly fell asleep.

Saebyeok curled up on Gyeoul's belly, and Levinas hugged Gyeoul's legs tightly.

"Uuuh..."

Feeling uncomfortable, Gyeoul wiggled her fingers in her sleep.

As Saebyeok's tail slipped between her fingers, Gyeoul smiled happily, as if all discomfort had vanished.

"Hehe."

Levinas, too, slept with Gyeoul's tail in his mouth.

Even in their sleep, our kids were adorable.

Yeoreum gently stroked each child's head before quietly leaving the bedroom.

"...Alright, let's go outside for now."

Even without setting a destination, the two women moved towards the direction of the portal as if they had planned it.

In front of the red portal, flickering like a rose, Sophia came to a stop.

"Did you confirm it?"

"...Yes. It's definitely Gyeoul's home."

"How did it appear so quickly..."

If they cleared the dungeon, they would have to part with Gyeoul.

With the child who had become their entire world.

Unlike usual, Sophia didn't hide her emotions.

She let out a long, troubled sigh.

"But there's no need to go in right away."

"Did the dungeon tell you that?"

"Yes. It revealed more than usual."

The dungeon was a mystery born from a world seeking help.

It was something Saebyeok had mentioned in the past.

"It means we need to prepare thoroughly."

"...I suppose so."

In a world without mana, all of Yeoreum's combat skills would be useless.

She resolved to train even harder for Gyeoul's sake.

"When do you plan to tell Gyeoul?"

"I'll tell her bit by bit when I'm ready. If I tell her everything at once, it will be too hard for her."

"Yes, both we and Gyeoul need to be prepared."

"...Yes."

Gyeoul's home had been destroyed.

Her family and friends had all died, becoming living corpses unable to find peace.

How painful it would be for Gyeoul to hear about that terrible situation.

She couldn't even imagine the child's feelings.

Trying to understand would be arrogant.

'If my family and friends were like that...'

If they became horrible monsters and I was the only one who survived.

Could I live in this world with my sanity intact?

Grit-

Yeoreum bit her lip and forced a smile.

"I'll ask Yu-na to build a wall."

"A wall?"

"Yes. Gyeoul said she wants to go into the portal."

"Must be an instinct to return home."

So it was true that beyond there was Gyeoul's home.

Sophia tapped the ground with her staff.

For now, they decided to act normally for Gyeoul's sake.

---

---

It was morning.

Because I went to bed early yesterday, I woke up before the sun rose.

Rubbing my eyes, I headed to the living room.

Sophia, who usually slept in, was sitting on the sofa.

"Sophia, did you stay up all night?"

"No, I just woke up."

"Ah."

I thought she had stayed up all night and worried.

Stretching, I sat next to Sophia.

I sat as close as possible so that we could feel each other's warmth.

"Sophia, I have something I'm curious about."

"Curious?"

"Yes. It might be a bit rude."

As I spoke, I observed Sophia's condition.

She felt different from usual, a strange feeling.

"...What are you so curious about?"

"Well, I was wondering why you don't grow."

Gulp-

Sophia, who had been tense, seemed relieved and even chuckled.

It didn't seem like a rude question.

"It's because I stay away from water. Nature plays a role in the growth of beast-kin."

"Oh... So if you go into the water, you will grow again?"

"Unless I do it regularly, growth is impossible."

Tsk-

Sophia expressed her regret.

I might have had some attachment to a body that didn't grow.

I decided to comfort her in my own way.

"I'm glad."

"Are you glad that I don't grow?"

"Yes. It's comfortable, like being with a friend. There's none of the distance that adults have."

"Hmm..."

Sophia cleared her throat.

She seemed embarrassed but didn't dislike it.

"But Sophia, what if I grow taller than you later...?"

If I grew while Sophia didn't, it would hurt her pride.

I started feeling sorry even though I was still shorter.

"Well... actually, Gyeoul, you might not grow."

"Sorry, what?"

What was she talking about?

My eyes widened in surprise.

"The growth of beast-kin requires the energy of nature. It doesn't exist in the city."

"But there's a park."

"It's a nice park, but it can't compare to the great outdoors."

"Oh..."

So, I'd be stuck in a child's body forever?

I felt uneasy but pretended to be fine for Sophia's sake.

"Don't worry too much. There are ways."

"I'm sorry."

It was strange to worry about not growing taller in front of Sophia, who didn't grow.

It wouldn't have been odd for her to scold me.

"No need to apologize. How could I get mad at a child for wanting to grow taller?"

"Um..."

I wasn't really a child, but that's how Sophia saw me.

Feeling sorry, I fiddled with my fingers.

"If you really want to grow, you can live in nature like other beast-kin."

"Well... okay..."

I didn't want to leave here, but it was better than having no solution.

Beast-kin seemed to live longer than humans, so I decided to think about it slowly.

'This is a big deal.'

Not growing was unfortunate, but it wasn't a major problem.

An ageless body had its advantages.

The problem was how people around me would react.

If everyone else grew while I stayed the same, it would be uncomfortable.

'According to Sophia, Levinas and Saebyeok wouldn't grow either.'

Kids who remained unchanged in a world where everyone else grew up.

Would they be called monsters and pointed at?

It made me anxious.

I decided to seriously look into this matter.

---

---

The sun rose, and everyone woke up.

Gyeoul eagerly went to find Yeoreum.

"Um, excuse me..."

Tap-tap-

Gyeoul tapped at Yeoreum's sleeve.

Yeoreum, who was making a snack, looked down at her with a smile.

"Yes? What's up?"

"What if I never grow up?"

"Well..."

"Well...?"

"Well..."

Yeoreum raised both thumbs.

It was a positive gesture, meaning it was very good.

"Don't you mind?"

"I already can't wait."

A Gyeoul who never grows up.

Wasn't that paradise?

Yeoreum showed a genuinely happy smile.

"Why can't you wait...?"

"Just kidding."

Yeoreum's reaction was strange.

But she didn't seem to dislike the idea.

"I thought you'd dislike it, so I'm relieved."

"Why would I dislike a Gyeoul who doesn't grow?"

"Because it's a hassle...?"

A hassle?

How much did Gyeoul underestimate herself?

Yeoreum gave a bitter smile and handed over a snack.

"I always think this, but you worry too much, Gyeoul."

"I do...?"

Even with the snack in her mouth, Gyeoul's words were clear to Yeoreum.

"Yes. Most of what you worry about isn't a big deal."

"Um..."

"You don't need to worry alone. It might not be a big deal, just like now."

Yeoreum wanted one thing.

Gyeoul revealing that she came from another world.

People only divulged all their secrets when they had complete trust.

'I'm sure she remembers her original world...'

Saebyeok had told her.

She retained all memories except the destruction.

But Gyeoul had never told anyone that she was from another world.

"Sometimes I get the feeling that Gyeoul came from another world."

"Th-that..."

I'm sorry, Gyeoul.

I need to push a little more.

I'll hug you and comfort you later, so just bear with it for now.

A cracking sound came from Yeoreum's tightly clenched fist.

'She still doesn't trust me completely, huh.'

There was plenty of time, but she had to hear the truth from Gyeoul before then.

How could she earn Gyeoul's trust?

As Yeoreum pondered, Gyeoul murmured softly.

"...Actually, I do have a secret I've kept from everyone. Something I've been struggling with alone..."

"...Really?"

"Yes..."

She hesitated.

Whether to reveal it or not, Gyeoul's indecision made Yeoreum's heart race.

The trust she thought was lacking was actually overflowing.

"Can't you tell me?"

"...You'd be disappointed if you knew."

"Really? Have I ever been disappointed in you?"

"N-no, never..."

Though she caused a lot of trouble, Yeoreum never showed disappointment.

Yeoreum was kind enough to help when she was living miserably.

Yeoreum would surely understand her past.

But.

This was an absolute secret.

It would complicate things in many ways.

Let the past be hers alone to know.

As Gyeoul reached her conclusion.

Vroom-

The portal flickered, resonating with Gyeoul.

The sudden scent of home was indescribable.

I want to go home.

I want to see my family and friends.

An unbearable longing arose.

"A-actually..."

A secret she would normally never reveal.

It was the longing for home that made Gyeoul open her mouth.

---

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