The Chick Class Hunter is Being Filial

Wooju studied Guru’s face. If anything, she looked more like a doll than he did.

Even in the entertainment industry, where he had seen countless adorable and pretty child actors, she stood out at a glance.
Wooju suddenly asked, “Are you in the industry too?”
“In… dus… try?”

“You don’t know? I mean, do you do something similar to what I do?”
Something similar? No way…
Was Wooju a Hunter too? Now that she thought about it, she had sensed mana from him.

The thought of another Hunter her age standing before her made Guru’s guard rise. She scrutinized Wooju like a hawk.
Unlike most kids, his pronunciation was crisp and refined, and the way he dressed and spoke was mature.
Why does it feel like I just lost…?

“Are you in the industry too, Wooju?”
“You don’t know me?”
He’s even famous?! No wonder his face looked familiar. Guru hesitated before mumbling,

“G-Guru hasn’t been in the industry for long…”
“I figured.”
What’s that supposed to mean? Did she seem too inexperienced? Guru pouted in frustration.

It’s fine. I’ll show him my S-rank skills now.
“But, pretty Wooju, so where’s the stolen stuff?”
“I told you to stop calling me that! It’s right next to us. I saw her put it in the toilet tank.”

“Then let’s grab it and go!”
Guru flipped her backpack around and pulled out an item.
“Ta-da!”
It was a claw grabber with a propeller attached—something you’d see on an arcade claw machine.

“W-What is that?”
“It’s a grabber-grabber! If I use this to grab it, we can pull it out.”
Wooju stared at Guru, then at the item, looking utterly dumbfounded.

“This is why kids are…”
“Huh? Wooju, you’re a kid too.”
“I’m more of an adult than you!”

Wooju huffed. He grumbled about how a toy wouldn’t help, but Guru just grinned and told him to watch.
She lifted the claw grabber. The propeller started spinning.
Buzzzzz—

The grabber wobbled in the air before gliding over to the next stall.
“That thing flies?”
Wooju gawked at the grabber, as if wondering if it would actually work.

Then—
Clack!
Thunk—

Something knocked the grabber to the ground. At the same time, the door rattled violently.
Both of them flinched, shoulders stiff.
They slowly lifted their heads.

A woman with a scar on her lips smirked down at them.
“Well, well. What do we have here? Hiding in a place like this, huh, kids?”
Eeep!

The woman took a step closer, moving to enter their stall. Guru frantically rummaged through her bag.
Anything! Just throw anything!
At last, something popped out—a chick toy. Its tiny head shot up.

“Kyarararararak! Kyararararara! Kyarararararara!”
As its beak split unnaturally wide, it let out an eerie, horror-movie-like cackle.
[Updated: Creepy Laughing Chick Toy (D)]

Automatically detects a target and lets out a disturbing laugh. Anyone who hears it has a high chance of entering a 10-second panic state.
Guru had used this toy before when sneaking into Hyeonak.
In front of the pickpocket’s eyes, a swirling effect appeared—then vanished. The skill had landed successfully.

Thud!
A loud crash echoed from the next stall as the woman collapsed.
“Run!”

Guru grabbed Wooju’s wrist and bolted.
“W-Wait!”
 

****
“Hck!”
Jung Miryeon staggered to her feet in the restroom, slapping her own cheeks.

What the hell was that? My vision just spun…?!
Before she could even process what had just happened, she rushed out of the bathroom.
Of all the things to go wrong, kids had been in there. She couldn’t let her plan be ruined because of this.

Sure, she had been momentarily distracted by the flashy accessories kids wore while asking for photos, but that wasn’t why she was here.
The real reason she had dressed up in this ridiculous outfit and come to this amusement park—
Was to steal Chairman Nam Jiwon’s USB.

She had been hired a week ago.
The request had been clear: steal the USB containing the will.
She didn’t know the details—whether it was a family feud over inheritance or a succession battle—but the client had insisted on checking the will’s contents and promised a hefty sum in return.

Chairman Nam Jiwon carried the USB with him at all times. She just needed to steal it and hand it over.
After that, everything had fallen into place.
Nam Jiwon, likely due to a troubled childhood, had always invested heavily in amusement parks.

A crowded theme park. The perfect disguise through costumes. Everything had pointed to today being the moment to strike.
There would be no other chance for a mere pickpocket to get this close to a man like Nam Jiwon.
I won’t let this fail.

Gritting her teeth, Miryeon scanned the exhibition hall before sprinting toward her partner.
 
****

Peek.
Peek.
Guru and Wooju poked their heads out from behind a massive display statue, one above the other.

"Gone?"
"Can’t see her."
Guru’s eyes rolled around as she scanned the area.

An elderly lady with a younger woman, a family of four, a staff member leading a group of kids… Nope, no sign of her.
"Let’s go tell an adult."
Even though it was an exhibition hall for children, there were plenty of adults around—guides, teachers leading groups, and other visitors.

They had plenty of people to ask for help.
But…
"Who are you gonna tell? Without proof, any adult would just believe that shitty woman over us little kids."

Sh-shitty?! Guru’s shoulders jerked at the improper language, and she turned to Wooju with a strict look, as if scolding him.
“B-bad words not allowed.”
“Id—idiot! You can say them when it’s about a bad person!”

“…Really?”
“Yes!”
Well, in that case…

Nod, nod.
As Guru calmly accepted it, Wooju, still feeling uneasy, mumbled in a small voice.
"I picked it up while filming. I don’t use it often either."

"Mm, got it."
Pouting slightly, Wooju turned his head away.
"But still, Wooju, if we tell an adult, maybe they’ll believe us."

Wooju hesitated for a moment, then bluntly muttered,
"No, adults are all the same. Every single one."
Guru pressed her lips together, unable to argue.

Because she knew.
Most adults didn’t take kids seriously.
"Even if I tell them… that woman will just say I lost my necklace on my own."

Wooju sounded resigned.
If he can’t find the necklace his mom gave him, he’ll be really sad.
And if Guru lost her watch, Guildmaster would be disappointed too.

I have to get it back no matter what!
"Then… bathroom again?"
"We have to go."

Hmmm. Guru narrowed her eyes ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) at the restroom.
It was right in the center of the exhibition hall, visible from all angles.
If they tried going back now, they might get caught.

And if they were caught this time, they’d probably be tied up and stuffed into a tin can or something.
Shivering at the thought, Guru rummaged through her bag.
Maybe there was something that could help…

Ah!
"Then…"
Guru leaned in and whispered into Wooju’s ear.

"…What about this?"
"Can you really do that?"
Nod, nod.

"You saw earlier. Guru doesn’t lie."
Wooju still looked skeptical, but he recalled how Guru had surprised Princess Saurus with that weird toy.
"But it’ll take a little time."

"…"
"Can’t?"
Guru tilted her head, curious.

"No."
Sighing, Wooju took a step out from behind the statue.
"Guess we have no choice."

He reached out his hand.
"Let’s go."
Guru grabbed Wooju’s hand, and together, they headed toward the entrance where the supervising teacher was standing.

"We’ll meet there."
And then—
"Hey, Chickpea."

Huh? That voice…
"Why’re you so late? Did you find anything?"
The delinquent toad!

He and his gang blocked their way.
This villain. He’s after Guru’s treasure again!
Guru clenched her fists, glaring at him with open hostility.

Next to her, Wooju asked,
"Who’s that? The villain?"
"How you know?"

"Just look at him."
Wooju was clearly a kid with strong opinions on appearances.