The Strongest Guild Kidnapped Me

Chapter 160

The shelter was set up, and the tent was pitched on top of it.

Thanks to everyone working together, we managed to finish earlier than expected.

"Hmm..."

My arms weren’t sore, and I wasn’t out of breath.

Even though the work had been tough, I felt no discomfort—only joy.

This unfamiliar feeling, so different from what I knew, made it hard to fully enjoy the moment.

"Gyeoul, are you feeling unwell?"

My worries must have shown on my face. Midsummer knelt down to meet my eyes, gently stroking my cheek with her familiar soft touch.

"No, I’m not in pain at all."

"Really? You didn’t look so good. If something’s wrong, make sure to tell me, okay?" @@@@

"Okay."

My overthinking had made others worry about me.

Getting lost in these thoughts during such a happy moment felt like a burden on everyone.

Clap clap—

I lightly slapped my cheeks to shake off my concerns and stepped into the tent, determined to put unnecessary thoughts aside for later.

"Wow!"

Levinas was running around inside the tent, her excitement radiating.

Her pure joy over something as simple as a tent was truly heartwarming.

"Your Majesty! It’s a secret base!"

"Yes, a very big secret base. Do you want to be the leader, Levinas?"

"No! The leader is Your Majesty!"

Levinas rejected the idea firmly.

To refuse a role that most kids would love—it was unexpected. I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

"Don’t you want to be the leader, Levinas?"

"I like being the leader! But I like Your Majesty more! Your Majesty as the leader is even better!"

Her sweet words always made me feel good.

Just as always, my tail wagged freely without any resistance.

"Alright. I like you too, Levinas."

I smiled warmly at her. Just then, someone tugged lightly at my sleeve.

When I turned around, Saebyeok stood there with her usual blank expression.

Even without words, I could tell what she wanted.

"I like you too, Saebyeok."

"..."

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Even though she didn’t say much, I could feel her emotions clearly.

"Alright, little ones, come outside," Midsummer called.

Together with the others, I stepped out of the tent. We all took a seat in the clearing in front of it.

"What’s going on?"

"We’re getting ready to eat."

"Oh! Then I’ll show you what to do."

"Sure. Is there anything specific we need to prepare?"

Everyone turned their attention to me.

Even though it wasn’t anything extraordinary, I suddenly felt a strange sense of responsibility.

"When you’re outdoors, securing food is the most important thing."

"Securing food... yourself?"

Jeong Yuna, who had been quietly listening, paled.

For someone who had always lived a luxurious life, the thought of finding food herself must have been completely foreign.

"In the wild, if you don’t find food, you go hungry. Even one day without food can really take a toll."

"That... um..."

Jeong Yuna seemed like she wanted to say something, but she just kept opening and closing her mouth.

Before she could finish, Argo stomped the ground with such force that dust flew into the air.

"Hunting! Survival! Leader!"

Argo, who had a wild and primal side, seemed extremely excited.

Usually, his speech was simple, but now he could only manage to string words together.

"What do you usually eat, Gyeoul?"

Jeong Yuna gripped the staff she had resting on her lap.

Levinas, watching her, took the staff and moved it to the side before climbing onto her lap. Her innocent, smiling face as she looked up at me was simply adorable.

"It depends on the situation, but usually, I catch minnows."

Midsummer crouched beside her but refrained from interfering, worried about disrupting her focus.

"Just... a little more... It’s not about strength—it’s a skill..."

"I see..."

She regretted not just suggesting they use magic earlier.

Still, amidst her concern, she saw a faint joy in Gyeoul’s determination.

Starting a fire through friction was a skill practically useless in modern society.

But here, Gyeoul was using that seemingly worthless skill to help everyone.

It was only natural for her to feel proud, knowing that her past hardships hadn’t been in vain.

At this moment, stopping her wasn’t the right choice. Encouragement was.

"Gyeoul, you’re incredible. Even I can’t do this. Sophia, can you?"

"...My frail body wouldn’t allow it."

"Wow, so Gyeoul’s the only one who can do it?"

Midsummer clapped enthusiastically, and Jeong Yuna chimed in.

"Survival skills like this are essential for adventurers. Gyeoul already knows so much."

"Honestly, I should learn from her."

The women’s praises made Gyeoul’s ears and tail perk up.

Her hands moved even faster, becoming a blur that Jeong Yuna’s non-magical eyes could barely follow.

And then, it happened.

A spark appeared in the dry straw.

Carefully, Gyeoul transferred the ember to the prepared firewood.

Fwoosh—

With a few gentle breaths, the fire grew.

She added it to the campfire she had set up earlier, and soon flames were flickering brightly.

"Wow! Your Majesty! Amazing!"

"That’s incredible," Saebyeok said, settling down by the fire like a cat.

A mat beneath her kept her clean as she lay near the warmth.

"As expected of you, Gyeoul. Beastfolk have an unmatched natural instinct."

"It’s just lighting a fire with wood..."

"You shouldn’t dismiss it as a trivial skill. It’s the foundation of survival instincts, an essential trait for beastfolk."

"Exactly! Leader!"

Encya and Argo’s enthusiastic compliments made Gyeoul’s face flush.

"It’s really not a big deal," she mumbled softly, but her tail wagged happily.

"Hmm..."

Something still felt strange.

Usually, starting a fire would leave her completely exhausted, but now she felt energized, almost invigorated.

She knew the reason.

It was because her family was here with her.

It was an unfamiliar sensation, one she couldn’t quite adjust to.

"Gyeoul, you’ve looked uneasy for a while now," Hanyeoreum observed.

"Yes... It’s just the situation feels strange."

"What’s so strange about it?"

Sophia patted the chair beside her. Without hesitation, Gyeoul sat next to her.

The chair was small, so the two had to sit close, their bodies pressed together.

"This should be incredibly difficult, but since everyone’s here, it’s been fun instead. I understand why, but it’s hard to accept."

"That’s..."

Sophia, her face close enough for their noses to almost touch, gave a soft laugh.

"Sophia?"

She placed a hand on Gyeoul’s shoulder and patted it gently.

Though her hand was small, it felt larger and more comforting than anything else in the world.

Gyeoul wanted to ask why, but she stayed quiet, unwilling to tarnish the warmth of Sophia’s touch with negative thoughts.

______________________

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars and likes of the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!