Chapter 135……………………………………….
“Why should I?”
‘Isn’t he someone sent by Kyle Dad’s dad?’
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said something like that.
If this man really is Kyle Dad’s dad—meaning the person sent by his boss—then he must know full well that he wants to see me.
‘There’s no way he would send someone who doesn’t know the situation while knowing I’m here.’
That’s exactly what he said just now.
“Wow, really…”
That must mean he heard something about me from someone.
And yet, he said that? Even after hearing about me?
‘Maybe this person is a self-proclaimed protector of the world.’
I don’t know how he knew we would come here.
But these people have always appeared and disappeared mysteriously, so it’s not entirely impossible.
“…Per.”
I hid behind Per’s shoulders again, clutching the edge of his clothing.
Per seemed to notice the tension in my voice, and he stretched his arm out to shield me completely behind his back, frowning.
“You can keep your eyes closed.”
“Huh?”
Why is he saying I can keep my eyes closed? What is he planning?
This is making me uneasy…
“Wait, wait.”
Maybe realizing our behavior was suspicious, the man waved his hands frantically.
“I was just trying to tease you a little. It was a joke, a joke!”
“….”
“Otherwise, why would I come all the way out here to get you? So, ease up on that murderous look, alright?”
Murderous look?
That must refer to Per, who probably had a terrified expression on his face.
I swallowed hard, watching his jet-black hair flutter in the wind.
I had suspected it from when he told me to close my eyes.
He really was planning to kill that person.
Every time this happens, I feel lost about how to teach Per…
“Per, no.”
Even if he really is a self-proclaimed protector of the world, our goal is to get information from them. I can’t let him kill anyone.
I spoke firmly, gently taking Per’s fingertips in my hand.
“Geez, even at your age, you’re already giving that kind of look.”
Only then did the man in front of us exhale deeply, looking relieved.
Judging from his reaction, fortunately, the murderous look in Per’s eyes had disappeared.
“Mister.”
Regardless, I still stood behind Per and spoke in a cautious voice.
“You’re not supposed to follow strangers recklessly.”
“Huh?”
“And besides, you just betrayed our trust. So—”
I stretched my arm over Per’s shoulder and boldly shouted:
“Give me proof that you’re not a bad person!”
The moment he said, “Why should I?” I felt a jolt of alertness.
In other words, all possibilities were now open.
Can I really trust this person?
What if he’s one of the world protectors or someone trying to kidnap a child?
He could have entirely different intentions than Kyle Dad’s dad.
‘Anyway, since I’ve come this far, I have to stay sharp.’
There’s no mom or dad, no grandparents here to protect me.
Per is here as a guard, but he’s just a boy my age.
No matter how skilled he is—
‘I can’t let Per get into danger because of my poor choices.’
From now on, I have to check every step carefully before moving.
If I act rashly and fall into a trap…
‘It would be a total disaster!’
Strangely, I don’t feel like I’d die in that situation.
But if anything were to happen, I might rather die.
Why?
Obviously, because of our parents!
I already ran away without telling anyone, and if I end up in danger, I’d be dead to my parents that very day.
That’s a disaster I absolutely cannot allow.
‘Even if just to insist, “See? It all worked out!”’
“Proof?”
Lost in frightening thoughts, the man chuckled and spoke.
“Aren’t you the ones who want to see our boss? Why should I provide proof?”
His gaze was exasperated.
I didn’t avoid his eyes, boldly speaking again.
“It’s not only him who wants to meet. So—”
“….”
“As I said before, Kyle Dad’s dad… your boss also said he wanted to see me. That’s why he sent you to meet me here, right?”
If you are really the person sent by the boss.
“But I don’t know what the boss looks like, and I don’t know if you’re really the one he sent. I can’t tell if it’s a trap or not, so how could I just follow someone I don’t know?”
“You were asking me to take you there just now?”
“No, that’s….”
Back then, I just let my heart take over because I thought I was meeting someone.
I rolled my eyes sheepishly and bit my lip.
“Wahaha!”
Suddenly, a loud, hearty laugh echoed from afar.
It was so loud it seemed to reverberate throughout the entire graveyard.
“…?”
So there was someone else here besides us?
Startled, I grabbed Per’s hand tightly.
Oddly, Per didn’t react at all…
“Anyway, as expected, you really are a bold child.”
Finally, the source of the laughter approached us.
“Hmm, smarter than I thought. One thing’s for sure—you’re not his bloodline.”
Messy dark brown hair blowing in the wind, a roughly trimmed beard.
A body that looked lean but muscular, showing experience through hardships.
But the most striking feature was the black eyepatch covering one eye.
Overall, a sharp, rough, yet somehow free-spirited appearance…
“Anyway, kid.”
The man kneeled in front of me, grinning broadly.
“So you’re my granddaughter, huh.”
As soon as I heard that, a voice of shock escaped my throat.
“Kyle Dad’s dad?”
“My, that’s a long title. I might spend the whole day just calling you that.”
He laughed heartily again.
‘Somehow, this feels like the situation earlier.’
Like boss and subordinate.
After a brief moment.
“Anyway, yes. I am Kyle Dad’s dad.”
He extended his hand toward me and spoke in a hearty voice.
“It’s truly a pleasure to meet you.”
“…Are you really Kyle Dad’s dad?”
“Do you mean biological or adoptive? The answer changes depending on that.”
Hmm, judging by how he says that, he seems to be Kyle Dad’s dad.
“It’s natural for a child to be cautious of strangers in order to survive in the alleyways.”
While I hesitated whether to take his hand, he shrugged and said:
“But is it okay to stay like this? Your parents might show up any moment.”
