I Was Kidnapped By The Strongest Guild
Chapter 337: Smart Home

Kwon Arin's account suspension was quickly resolved.

The game company posted an official notice about the incident and lifted her suspension.

[Notice Regarding Wrongful Account Suspension]

The company's notice explained the situation.

There was a retired adventurer working in the company's security department who was famous for their motion vision.

They said this person was so famous in their prime that everyone knew them.

One day, a playful developer created a card game with shuffling so fast that even the retired adventurer couldn't track it.

The result was a huge success.

The company employee had created a card game that even an adventurer famous for their motion vision found difficult to perceive.

They said they applied this monumental game to this event because it seemed wasteful not to use it.

[Who's this retired adventurer?]

[└There was that guy famous for being fast like 10 years ago]

[└?? That guy retired from adventuring and went there?]

[└Yeah]

[Wait, Gyeoul saw something that even an adventurer famous for motion vision couldn't see?]

[Gyeoul must really have amazing eyes]

[I wouldn't have thought anyone could track this speed either.]

The comments on the notice were positive.

People seemed to understand both the game company's and our positions.

The fact that this card drawing event used in-game currency rather than real money probably helped reduce the backlash.

"I'm glad it turned out as expected."

Kwon Arin put down her smartphone after reading the notice and comments.

She stretched with a groan as if relieving built-up tension.

"Expected? You predicted all this?"

"Yeah, more or less."

"Wow..."

Kwon Arin's mind worked incredibly well when it came to gaming matters.

When I looked up at her with admiring eyes, she scratched her cheek.

"It gets messy when streamers fight with game companies. It means taking a stance against fans."

"Ah..."

"So I chose a way for both sides to come out okay, and luckily the company apologized."

"Yes, that's fortunate."

If the company hadn't apologized, this wouldn't have ended so easily.

It was good that both sides could resolve things smoothly.

"But Gyeoul, just how good is your motion vision?"

"I'm not sure...? I've never properly measured it."

"Really? You should test it sometime. It's important to know your abilities."

"Yes, I should."

Kwon Arin was right.

Knowing the limits of my abilities was important.

But how do you measure abilities?

As I pondered this, Kwon Arin handed me a paper the size of a bill.

"Here."

"What's this?"

"A department store gift card. I don't need it, so it's thanks for helping out."

"Um... thank you."

I hadn't done it expecting anything in return.

But since it was a reward for working hard, I decided to accept it.

**

The next day.

I went to the department store with the children.

We were going to use the gift card Kwon Arin had given me.

On our way to the department store, we took a walk around the neighborhood.

We watched the fountain in the plaza that looked like a waterfall and shared snacks together.

It was a peaceful day.

Dong-!

Piano notes rang out from under Gaeul's feet.

Dong-dang-dong-!

The piano sounds played every time Gaeul took a step.

Why were there suddenly piano sounds?

Looking down, I saw a piano on the ground.

It was a giant screen piano that played when stepped on.

"...?!"

Finding it strange that piano sounds played with each step, Gaeul opened her eyes wide.

With ears perked up, she looked around before carefully extending a foot.

Dong-!

Piano notes rang out again.

Startled, Gaeul looked down at her feet.

"Huh?"

Crouching down, Gaeul tapped her shoes.

She seemed to think the piano sounds were coming from her shoes.

But no matter how much she tapped, no piano sounds came out.

The sounds only played when stepping on the ground.

Gaeul looked up at me with a disappointed face.

She seemed sad that her feet weren't making piano sounds anymore.

"Gaeul, the sound comes from the ground."

"...?"

"See the piano on the ground? It makes sound when you step on it."

I demonstrated by stepping on one of the piano keys on the ground.

Doong-!

Hearing the bright piano note, Gaeul's eyes grew round.

Levinas seemed equally fascinated, crouching down in front of the screen piano.

"King!

Levinas has never seen such a big piano!"

"Yeah. Actually, it's my first time too."

"Is this a piano for giants?!"

"Hmm... I think it's a piano meant for stepping on. But giants could use it too."

A piano for giants.

Children's imagination was truly amazing.

Giggling, I stepped on the piano keys.

"Ya! Ya!"

Gaeul stepped on the piano keys while making her signature exclamations.

Levinas seemed to find the stepping piano fun too, jumping around on the keys.

Even Saebyeok seemed interested, repeatedly stepping on one key.

Dong-dang-dong-dang-dang-

Mixed piano notes rang out everywhere.

Though there was no rhythm to it, somehow the sounds the children made felt good.

Passersby seemed to feel the same way, watching the children with warm smiles.

"Kids, should we go now?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

Though Gaeul nodded, she seemed reluctant to leave just yet and moved to the end of the piano.

Then, dong-dang-dong-dang-!

She ran toward me while stepping on the piano.

"Master!"

After stepping on every key, Gaeul jumped into my arms.

She smiled brightly while wagging her tail vigorously.

Was this a game of running to me while playing the piano?

I could understand why Gaeul played this way.

After doing something fun, hugging someone you love must feel the best.

Understanding Gaeul's feelings, I couldn't help but smile.

**

I went to the department store's stuffed animal section with the children.

With the gift card from Kwon Arin, I bought a dog plushie.

It was meant as a gift for Gaeul, who didn't have many toys.

Though we shared all toys, having something of your own was still nice.

Happy to have her own plushie, Gaeul smiled with her eyes.

"Master thank you!"

"Yeah. I'll buy you more later."

"Oh...!"

We returned home in good spirits.

In the living room, Yeoreum was installing something next to the TV.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, just installing a smart home system."

Yeoreum tapped a small monitor installed next to the TV.

The monitor showed only a black screen.

"A smart home?"

"Yeah. It works like this."

Yeoreum plopped down on the sofa.

Leaning back comfortably, she spoke to the smart home.

"Sunny, how's the weather outside?"

-The current external temperature in your area is 19 degrees.

Sunny answered Yeoreum's question in a distinctive mechanical voice.

Surprised to hear a voice when no one was there, the children's eyes grew round.

"Who's Sunny?! Where are you hiding?!"

-I am by your side.

"...!"

Levinas's fur stood on end.

She looked like she'd seen a ghost.

Flinching and backing away, Levinas suddenly raised her eyebrows fiercely.

She was clearly showing hostility toward the invisible Sunny.

"See? Sunny's really smart and answers whatever you ask."

"Amazing! But Levinas can answer questions too!"

"Really? Levinas, how's the weather outside?"

"It's good weather for growing carrots!"

Ahem.

Levinas puffed out her chest.

Unlike Sunny's answer, it was abstract, but it was true that it seemed like good weather for growing carrots.

"Wow, Levinas is impressive too!"

"Yeah!"

Happy to be praised by Yeoreum, Levinas giggled.

Seeming to feel a bit better, Levinas turned to look at Sunny with lowered eyebrows.

"Sunny, why can't we see you? Do you not have a body?"

-That's right. I don't have a physical form.

"A-are you... a ghost...?"

There was no answer to Levinas's question.

It seemed to be because they hadn't called Sunny's name.

Scared by Sunny's silence, Levinas pressed close to my side.

"King, what should we do...?"

"Well, maybe we should try becoming friends?"

"Hmm..."

After thinking it over, Levinas nodded.

She seemed to choose friendship over fighting.

"Sunny, want to watch TV with Levinas?"

-Yes, of course.

The TV screen turned on with Sunny's answer.

Not expecting the TV to actually turn on, a surprised Levinas froze in place.

While Levinas was frozen, Gaeul moved instead.

She walked confidently to where Sunny's voice had come from and held out both hands.

It was a gesture asking for something.

"Meat!"

-...

"More meat! Nom nom!"

-...

"...Chicken?"

-...

Gaeul asked Sunny for meat.

She seemed to be acting this way because of Yeoreum saying Sunny answered everything.

Of course, Sunny remained silent.

The children didn't seem to understand Sunny's limitations.

"Master..."

Gaeul's eyebrows drooped.

She looked quite dejected.

Following Levinas, now Gaeul had also been defeated by the smart home.