Chapter 312

The problem was, after one burrowed into the vents and reached a certain distance, the space in the middle narrowed and is blocked by what appeared to be a tight, mesh wire net; I could not go further inside.

I tried with all my might to unscrew the screw that held the wire mesh up with my hand, but it was tightened to the point that nothing short of an electric drill could do the job. So, I ended up wasting my strength futilely.

Meanwhile, the siege was steadily narrowing in on me. The voices of people and shining flashlights poking through the ventilation shafts grew gradually closer.

[Not here?]

[I can’t see it…]

[According to the design, they’re all connected internally. Hamsters are quite frightened in temperament, so I believe it’ll be somewhere in there?]

[Does anyone have the ‘Site’ skill?]

Some people even wanted to use their skills to find me.

‘Why are they all searching so hard?’

Even though this search and rescue operation was a direct order from Seo Dawon, I thought this was an excessive display of loyalty.

I curled up, squishing myself as close to the wire net as I could, and swallowed my discontent; nothing good would come of me voicing my displeasure right now. Meanwhile, the light of the flashlight almost reached my feet before passing me by; every time that happened, I was so nervous I couldn’t breathe properly.

Fortunately, the person behind the shining flashlight didn’t discover me at the end of the tunnel; the light soon retracted, and the searchers continued to move. I could hear their distant voices.

[I don’t think it’s there.]

[Honestly, though… How on earth are you supposed to find one hamster in such a large building? Maybe it already escaped outside…]

[Still, if we find it we’ll receive 100 million won.] ¹

“…What…?”

100 million won?

When I heard that the Mage had even offered a reward for my recovery, I was dumbfounded.

The Mage was probably certain that I had run away. Of course, though my acting had been a bit clumsy, I had succeeded. Because of that, within one hour, he had galvanized all these people to search for me; I felt a little ashamed.

No wonder… I had thought these unrelated people were working too hard to find a hamster…

“If I get caught, I’ll really be imprisoned for the rest of my life…”

I moved cautiously through another connected passage, feeling half appalled, half horrified. I was so nervous that my shoulders hurt from the tense muscles, but I couldn’t afford to complain. I continued to move to the right.

“This damn dress…”

The more I walked, the more unpleasant the rough texture of the skirt wrapped around my thighs became. Annoyed, I untied the frill fastened to my hair and threw it onto the ground.

The inside of the ventilation shaft was on the chillier side, but, because I kept moving in this escape attempt, sweat tumbled down my skin like rain.

“Huh?”

Then, suddenly, a savory, delicious scent came from the direction I was heading towards. It smelled so delicious, I couldn’t help but salivate.

“What’s that? Is that… Ramen?” I sniffed and followed the scent; through a hole underneath my feet, I looked into the room. When I saw the head full of colorful pink hair, I almost screamed automatically.

‘That’s Bang Eunji!’

I was made more joyous because this was an unexpected meeting.

‘Who knew I would find her this easily!’

I looked around as I thought of a way to approach her. I was near the room’s ceiling, so I needed a way to descend safely.

However, just as I looked around, Bang Eunji’s gaze focused directly on me.

“Huh……?”

[I found you.]

Startled, I couldn’t even blink my eyes; something shot out from behind her back–its speed was so fast, I could hardly make out the oncoming projectile.

I had no idea when she picked up her [Gunblade]. As soon as I heard her murmur, I felt as if the floor was collapsing beneath me. Dizziness welled up from within my body. Just when I recognized I was falling, I landed in Bang Eunji’s open hands.

“A…Aghh!”

[Jung Garam-chan! You shouldn’t make Guildmaster-nim sad, hm?]

Bang Eunji sternly frowned with her cute face at me who struggled and flapped about in my utter surprise. Of course, the grenadier’s cuteness did not take away from her intimidation.

‘…Just when and how did she catch me?’

Even though I was firmly in her grasp, I couldn’t help but stare at her in dumbfounded disbelief. However, Bang Eunji didn’t seem to care about my mood. She began rubbing and kneading at me; it felt as if my body would explode.

“W-What are you doing?!” Shocked, I screamed out at her. However, Bang Eunji’s relentless touch continued. She pressed at my stomach–not enough to hurt–and, shockingly, spread my legs apart.

“W-Wait! Wait! Wait!!!!!!!”

[Fortunately, he doesn’t seem hurt.]

“Damn it!! Bang Eunji! Get your hands off me! W-What are you looking at!” I tried to push her fingers away with all my might–I really wanted to die at this moment–but I couldn’t shake her off my open legs.

I didn’t even want to think about what on earth she was looking at; my face was already so red I was worried it might explode. At that moment, I really wanted to faint and never awake again.

Furthermore, this humiliation hadn’t come to an end: the door burst open and someone else came in.

Fortunately, it wasn’t Seo Dawon, but…

[Bang Eunji, did you find the cutie?]

[Yu~up. It’s very easy for Eunji!]

[Then, hand him over to me. Guildmaster-nim is waiting.]

Jo Chan-young appeared with a transparent hamster cage.

Of course, I was well aware of the fact that, except with Seo Dawon, I appeared to be a golden hamster to everyone.

However…

“That’s enough! Enough…! Let me go!”

I was not comforted by that knowledge.

In addition, Bang Eunji looked blatantly at Jo Chan-young as she held me, as if she had something to say. In other words, my underwear was still chillingly exposed underneath my lifted skirt as the two conversed.

Bang Eunji tilted her head–as she destroyed a man’s…no *my* dignity–as she responded in a cute tone:

[Eunji will personally hand him over to Guildmaster-nim herself.]

[Then, put him in this cage as you go.]

[Hmmm…?]

For some reason, tension rose between the two. I had already given up and covered my face with both arms. No matter how much strength I placed in my thighs, Bang Eunji’s two fingers effortlessly splayed them wide open. I… couldn’t resist anymore.

The moment I covered my face, Bang Eunji threw Jo Chan-young a seemingly nonchalant question.

[By the way… Why is there a weird skill cast on the cage?]

[……]

[That skill… As soon as Garam-chan is placed in that cage, he’ll be transported elsewhere.]

[Tsk…]

Jo Chan-young, after hearing Bang Eunji’s wary question, clicked his tongue and affirmed her suspicions.

I was surprised to hear his response and lowered the arm that covered my face, wondering what on earth was going on. I looked between the two guild members alternatingly.

Maybe Bang Eunji couldn’t comprehend Jo Chan-young’s behavior either; she placed my strength in her grip as she interrogated him.

[You’re trying to take away Garam-kun, right? Why? Don’t you want Guildmaster-nim’s esteem?]

[No. I’m not interested in receiving Guildmaster-nim’s favor.]

As he answered, Jo Chan-young’s expression was tinged with rare anger. Bang Eunji also hesitated momentarily, surprised by that expression. Soon, she recovered her complexion and interrogated Jo Chan-young with an even sharper tone.

[Then, how will you explain that cage?]

[The Guildmaster doesn’t have the right to raise this cutie. After all, cutie escaped from him. So… I’ll raise him.]

Jo Chan-young replied openly, as if what he said was only natural. Bang Eunji snorted–

[Have you gone insane?]

[Our Guildmaster is the one that’s gone insane. Look at how fancily he’s decorated the hamster house. He didn’t even create a space for this guy to breathe or hide… The clothes that I’ve pointed out as abuse has become even more grotesque. I’m utterly disappointed.]

Jo Chan-young said as he stared at my captured self in Bang Eunji’s hands.

His expression when he talked to Bang Eunji was incredibly cold, but, the moment he met my eyes, his gaze gentled. He looked as if he pitied me.

‘Honestly, how much does that person love animals?’

He wanted to save me so much he’d willingly turn Bang Eunji and Seo Dawon into his enemy…

It was touching, but I felt a bit awkward since I wasn’t a real hamster. Meanwhile, Bang Eunji shouted at Jo Chan-young, as if she felt betrayed.

[Jo Chan-young-kun! This is mutiny!]

[I just want to save the cutie from this fucked up life.]

[What do you mean fucked up? I won’t hold back if you insult Guildmaster-nim anymore!]

[Once again I realize that all humans are fucked up equally. Bang Eunji… I hope you understand that if you intend to return this cutie back to his abuser, I will have no choice but to go all out.]

[Haahh? Does Jo Chan-young-kun think I’m an easy opponent?]

In response, Bang Eunji finally released me from her grasp. Of course, though, she kept me in her jacket pocket so I wouldn’t run away… The mere change from my humiliating posture made me sigh in relief.

Jo Chan-young stared at me before raising both arms and bringing them together in a sharp clap. Immediately, his hands became feathered; his arms were turned into wings.

[…It seems you are serious.]

Bang Eunji stated; she grabbed the [Gunblade] that was mounted on her back with both hands before aiming forward. A palpable tension settled between the two guild members.

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TL: Oh my gosh he loves animals too much T_T My hearttt