The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 24

 

“As the Guild Master said, we should start with children’s clothes.”

 

“Right. Yun-seo, want to go shopping with Auntie?”

 

When An Bom held out her hand, Ji Yun-seo looked at me first. Seeing that she was waiting for permission, I gave a nod, and only then did she take An Bom’s hand.

 

Her other hand was taken by Gumiho as they entered the department store. The dazzling interior made Ji Yun-seo’s eyes go wide.

 

As we walked, she kept glancing back to check that I was still there, until eventually she became too distracted by all the sights around her.

 

“Alright, shall we start picking?”

 

At Gumiho’s words, she and An Bom immediately latched onto the racks, enthusiastically choosing clothes. Since Ji Yun-seo was quite small for a seven-year-old, the options felt endless.

 

“This one’s pretty too.”

 

“Wouldn’t a skirt be uncomfortable?”

 

“It’s A-line. She can wear leggings underneath.”

 

“True. Let’s take this one as well.”

 

While the two busily piled up outfits, Choi Tae-hyuk stood frozen like a statue.

 

I tapped his arm. “Choi Tae-hyuk, why don’t you pick something for Yun-seo too?”

 

“M-Me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He was wearing a mandarin-collar shirt with black pants today. His physique already made the outfit look good, but his sense of style seemed impressive too.

 

“Guild Master, aren’t you choosing anything?”

 

Gumiho, her arms stacked with clothes, suddenly asked.

 

“I don’t have much fashion sense. Choi Tae-hyuk seems better at this, so I left it to him.”

 

Glancing between our outfits, Gumiho nodded.

 

“That’s true. Then, Mr. Choi Tae-hyuk, please pick something for Yun-seo too.”

 

‘Why does it sting a little when she agrees so quickly?’

 

Choi Tae-hyuk looked at me with pleading eyes.

 

‘Too bad. I’m not rescuing you.’

 

“Go on. Don’t worry about the price—just pick whatever seems right.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

Shoulders slumping, he reluctantly walked over to the hangers.

 

“Guild Master, how about this? Yun-seo, do you want to try it on?”

 

Gumiho held out an outfit she had chosen.

 

“Looks good. Yun-seo, go ahead and try it.”

 

At my words, Gumiho took Yun-seo’s hand toward the fitting rooms. As she walked away, Ji Yun-seo glanced back at me with quiet eyes.

 

“I’ll be right here, Yun-seo. It’s cold, so change quickly and come back.”

 

I gave her a reassuring smile. She let go of Gumiho’s hand, hesitated, then came closer.

 

“You really won’t leave?”

 

☆ My Heart has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Ouch. That little one hesitating because she’s afraid you’ll abandon her…

 

“Of course not. I’ll be right here waiting for you. We’ll all leave together, okay? Change your clothes and come back. Uncle will be right here.”

 

After studying my face for a long moment, Ji Yun-seo finally nodded and walked bravely into the fitting room.

 

“We should try this outfit on too.”

 

An Bom, carrying another set of clothes, also disappeared into the fitting rooms, leaving the once-bustling store unusually quiet.

 

“Guild Master, what about this one?”

 

After much hesitation in front of the rack, Choi Tae-hyuk finally held something up—a dress straight out of that once-popular Winter Princess movie.

 

“That’s not practical for everyday wear. It’d be uncomfortable too.”

 

Scratching the back of his neck, Choi Tae-hyuk awkwardly put it back. He turned back to the racks with determination, and I crossed my arms, watching him.

 

‘What’s with this guy?’

 

I thought he had good fashion sense since he always dressed decently, but every piece he picked was terrible.

 

First a frilly lace dress covered in ruffles. Then a stiff suit better suited for formal ceremonies. Then, bafflingly, a mesh outfit—why that even existed in the children’s section, I had no idea.

 

“How about this one?”

 

His voice carried rare confidence. I turned my head—only to groan at the disaster in his hands.

 

“No. Everyday wear. Everyday wear.”

 

“…Isn’t this everyday wear?”

 

“How is a skirt that barely covers the thigh practical? Imagine Yun-seo playing in it. Or you, trying kendo in it. Could you?”

 

“…”

 

When I shook my head firmly, his expression fell.

 

‘Maybe I was too harsh.’

 

I started to feel guilty. After all, he hadn’t wanted to do this in the first place.

 

“Let’s just stick to being carriers, then.”

 

At my suggestion, Choi Tae-hyuk’s gloomy face instantly brightened, as if his wish had been granted.

 

I slowly scanned the store, then picked up a thick-looking coat.

 

What hurt most was remembering how Ji Yun-seo had shown up earlier without even a proper coat to block the wind.

 

“How about this one?”

 

“Yes, it looks warm.”

 

“Then that’s settled.”

 

☆ So Pissed Off has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

I’m new here, but I’ve never been this angry. Can’t the gods just descend already?

 

☆ To Shayna has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Does anyone know how to reach Shayna? I’m furious too. How can anyone sit back and watch this?

 

‘Huh? What’s going on?’

 

Every new message flashing up was filled with anger, furious remarks, and pissed-off comments. Tilting my head in confusion, I set the coat down at the register.

 

“This one too, please.”

 

“Uncle?”

 

The fitting room door opened, and Ji Yun-seo stepped out in a white hoodie embroidered with a deer and brown cotton pants.

 

With her fair skin, the white hoodie suited her perfectly.

 

“Yun-seo, you look pretty.”

 

“See? I do have an eye for clothes. Her face looks even brighter now.”

 

At Gumiho’s praise, Yun-seo’s cheeks flushed pink.

 

“Yun-seo, hurry back in. Try this one too.”

 

An Bom’s voice came from inside the fitting room, and Ji Yun-seo went back in. But Gumiho didn’t follow her—she lingered by the door until it closed.

 

“Aren’t you going in?”

 

“There are signs of abuse on Yun-seo’s body.”

 

I frowned, and Gumiho let out a heavy sigh.

 

“Her arms and legs are covered in bruises. I asked her casually, pretending it was nothing, and she said the director hit her for not listening.”

 

‘So that’s why the gods are furious.’

 

☆ Crazy Bastard has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Doesn’t he know what it means to protect children and animals? I swear, I want divine punishment to strike him down right now!!

 

“What a sick bastard.”

 

“She also said she didn’t eat well. I think she’s had a really hard time.”

 

I’d assumed life at the orphanage was just strict and exhausting. Since Ji Yun-seo had clung to a stranger so quickly, I thought she was simply a child starved for affection.

 

I hadn’t expected this to be the reason.

 

“Run a background check on the orphanage.”

 

“Are you going to press charges?”

 

“If Yun-seo isn’t the only one suffering, then as adults we can’t just stand by.”

 

☆ Well Done! has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Anyone who hits a child doesn’t deserve to live! Well done, Aether!!

 

Gumiho nodded firmly.

 

Just then, Ji Yun-seo came out of the fitting room in a navy knit sweater and black shorts.

 

How could anyone look at such a small child and think to raise a hand against her?

 

Suppressing the anger welling up inside me, I reached out my arms.

 

Hesitant at first, Ji Yun-seo suddenly rushed forward, and I lifted her up.

 

“Uncle, am I pretty?”

 

“You’re the cutest in the whole world.”

 

Held tightly in my arms, she burst into bright laughter.

 

“Let’s wrap up shopping here for today.”

 

“Why? There are still so many things to try on.”

 

“Clothes are important, but there are other necessities she needs even more. We should get those too.”

 

Though disappointed, An Bom nodded and began putting the clothes back.

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

“Why?”

 

“We’re buying those.”

 

The good thing about having money was that you didn’t need to try everything on before buying it.

 

I stacked all the outfits An Bom and Gumiho had picked onto the counter, along with the coat I’d chosen earlier—a check-patterned coat that suited Ji Yun-seo’s current outfit.

 

Thanks to our porter, Choi Tae-hyuk, everything was bagged up neatly. From underwear and thermal wear to indoor and outdoor clothes, the haul was overwhelming.

 

I pointed at the bags, separating the three most essential ones.

 

“Please deliver the rest to this address.”

 

“Of course, sir.”

 

While I handed over my card to finish the payment, An Bom and Gumiho held Ji Yun-seo’s hands. Excited in her new clothes, she happily followed as we moved on to the shoe store.

 

I sat her down on a small sofa and took off her worn-out sneakers.

 

“Her feet…”

 

Gumiho trailed off. Her tiny feet had no socks, and the ill-fitting shoes had pressed her toes red and sore.

 

☆ Ah, So Sad. has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

What are we going to do about those little feet… Aether-nim, I’ll donate plenty, so please buy her good shoes!

 

☆ Flower Path has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Now that she’s met Aether-nim, she’ll only walk the flower path, right? May this child be happy.

 

“Let’s get you some pretty shoes.”

 

“Mmhm!”

 

An Bom patted Gumiho’s back, as if telling her not to let her emotions show. Meanwhile, I gently massaged Ji Yun-seo’s tiny feet and rummaged through the shopping bag.

 

I remembered Gumiho had insisted on socks. Pulling them out, I slipped them onto her small feet.

 

Spotting the rabbit faces printed on them, Ji Yun-seo couldn’t take her eyes off her toes.

 

“We’d like to see children’s shoes.”

 

“What size do you need?”

 

“We don’t know her size.”

 

At An Bom’s reply, the clerk brought out a measuring device, sized Ji Yun-seo’s feet, and then returned with a pair of sneakers.

 

“These should fit her well.”

 

“Wow, new sneakers!”

 

“I’ll put them on her.”

 

As if eager to make up for his earlier blunders, Choi Tae-hyuk quickly took the shoes from the clerk’s hands.

 

“…Hold still.”

 

Kneeling on one knee, he carefully slipped the shoes onto her feet—like a prince helping a princess into glass slippers.

 

“Shall we try standing up?”

 

Speaking gently so as not to startle Ji Yun-seo, Choi Tae-hyuk checked as soon as she stood—pressing the front, testing the back, and making sure there was enough room.

 

“They fit perfectly.”

 

He looked up at me as he rose to his feet.

 

‘Is he asking for praise?’

 

His expression was blank, but his stare made it seem like he was seeking approval. I smiled and patted Choi Tae-hyuk on the shoulder.

 

“Try walking, Yun-seo.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Instead of walking, Ji Yun-seo ran circles around the store, brimming with excitement over her new shoes. While she dashed about, An Bom and Gumiho brought over a few more pairs in the same size.

 

Worried that sizes might vary by brand, they stopped Ji Yun-seo mid-run and swapped her into each pair. Each time, Choi Tae-hyuk carefully checked the fit before telling her to try running again.

 

And each time, Ji Yun-seo took off at full speed on her short little legs, overflowing with energy, as if she’d never get tired.

 

“This should be enough for now. We can buy more next time.”

 

We arranged for all the pairs except the ones she wore to be delivered.

 

Leaving the shoe store, I was about to check the floor guide near the escalator to decide on our next stop—when Ji Yun-seo’s gaze froze on something.

 

Following her eyes, I turned my head.

 

There it was: a large toy store, the kind every child dreamed of.