The Chick Class Hunter is Being Filial

Jurim was truly a good guardian. More than just providing food, clothing, and shelter, she was someone who filled Guru’s heart with endless fuzzy warmth.
That’s why Guru wanted to be on her best behavior. She didn’t want to be a troublesome child.
I don’t want her to regret taking me in.

And so, naturally, she had chosen the Toy Exhibition Hall as their next destination.
"Time to be filial!"
By giving Jurim a chance to rest and earning treasure in the process!

Guru spotted the building and pointed excitedly.
"Here! The Maze Palace!"
 

****
"All little Saurus adventurers participating in the treasure hunt, please line up here!"
A staff member wearing a cowboy hat waved both hands enthusiastically.

"Collect five stamps to receive a treasure, Saurus! There are also hidden treasures throughout the exhibit, so make sure to search carefully, Saurus!"
...Did they just stick Saurus onto everything?
As Jurim absorbed yet another lesson about the utopia of children, Guru tugged at the hem of her trench coat.

"Guildzan-nim, Guru's bag, please!"
Jurim handed over the backpack she had been carrying for Guru.
With her puffy backpack now strapped on, Guru stood with all the dignity of an S-rank hunter.

"Alright! I’ll be back!"
And with that, she scampered off to register for the event.
Did she really want to find something that badly?
Jurim trailed behind, her steps leisurely as she watched the tiny figure toddling ahead.

More and more children arrived, some lining up while others chattered excitedly with their parents, waiting for the program to begin.
"A lot of competitors."
Hmph! Guru puffed out her cheeks, squared her shoulders, and adjusted the straps of her backpack with determination.

"But Guru is an S-rank!"
She had prepared thoroughly, making sure her backpack was fully stocked for the mission.
"Let’s go!"

But that hopeful resolve was immediately crushed.
"Oh my, aren’t you adorable? What’s your name, little one?"
"Han Guru-imnida!"

"Wow, I see, Saurus!"
The staff member in the cowboy hat flapped their hands cheerfully before giving Guru a once-over and asking,
"And how old are you, Guru? This children’s group is only for kids aged five to ten~"

"Five… years old?"
Whiiiiiish—!
Guru’s excitement crumbled like a sandcastle hit by a tidal wave.

"Why?"
"Guru needs to grow a lot more before turning five..."
Four-year-old discrimination…

Her lips jutted out in a pout. It felt like her heart was being ripped apart, but there was nothing she could do. Shoulders drooping, Guru turned around, gripping the straps of her backpack and hanging her head low.
"In four whole years, Guru has never been this disappointed in life..."
Jurim glanced at Guru, who was pursing her lips like a duck, trembling with frustration—

And then,
"…She turned five this year."
With perfect ease, Jurim lied and spun Guru back toward the staff member.

"She has a late birthday, so she’s on the smaller side."
"Oh, I see! Then our adorable Guru can line up over there. The event will start in ten minutes~"
In an instant, Guru’s face lit up.

"Neeeng!"
As soon as her expression softened, Jurim let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Guru rushed off to line up but suddenly screeched to a halt.

Jurim, watching curiously, blinked as Guru spun around and ran back to her.
"…?"
Guru threw her arms around Jurim’s legs in a tight hug. By now, Jurim had grown quite accustomed to being hugged, and a faint smile crossed her lips.

"A Grand Bow of Gratitude—"
"Forbidden."
Jurim tightened her grip around Guru’s arms before she could pull any nonsense.

Grumbling, Guru gave up on the grand bow and instead settled for a polite farewell.
"I will be back."
"Don’t cause any trouble."

"Neeeng."
"Follow the staff properly."
"Neeeng."

"And if you get separated?"
"Call you!"
"Good."

Hik! Grinning brightly, Guru ran off to stand in line.
Jurim watched her carefully, making sure she didn’t trip as she rushed forward.
Then, her gaze shifted toward a few passing security guards.

Awakened ones?
In an era where Awakened beings were no longer rare, it wasn’t shocking to see them. But having Awakened security guards at a children’s exhibit?
The security felt excessive—like they were expecting someone important to show up.

"Hmm…"
…Well, whatever.
Leaving his emergency contact as Guru’s guardian, Jurim followed the staff’s directions to the waiting area for parents.

 
****
The staff member in charge of Children’s Group 1 waved their hands energetically as they led the kids to the first-floor exhibition hall.

The children followed behind like a flock of baby chicks.
The first floor displayed wooden toys and vintage miniatures, arranged in chronological order through history.
The staff member led the children around the first-floor exhibition hall, occasionally checking his watch.

"Now, we’ll have 15 minutes ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) to search for treasures!"
He held up a round capsule.
"Inside these capsules, you’ll find either a toy or a dud slip. So search carefully, Saurus! The restroom is over there, and I’ll be waiting at the entrance. If you need any help, come talk to me!"

"Neeeng!"
The children responded in unison.
Nearby, another group was listening to their guide’s instructions.

"Where should we start looking?"
"Let’s check the maze ball pit first!"
Kids who had come with friends were busy strategizing routes, while those who were alone quickly scattered.

"Hmph, foolish children."
Guru smirked as she watched them.
"They’re just rummaging around aimlessly—of course they’ll get duds."

Unlike them, she had the ultimate item.
[Detective Magnifying Glass!]
—Helps locate desired items more easily.

With this, she could find the real treasure. According to the blogs she had read, the real toys had low-grade magic stones embedded inside them.
Guru equipped her magnifying glass and scanned the first floor as she moved.
"They wouldn’t just hide it anywhere."

As soon as she had that thought—
A faint glow flickered from beyond the hallway wall.
"The wall?"

Guru curiously touched the glowing spot, and—
Slide.
The wall shifted. Her heart started pounding.

"A secret wall!"
Of course, they wouldn’t hide the real treasure in plain sight.
But Guru wouldn’t be fooled!

Grinning wide, she pushed the wall open, revealing a small box-shaped compartment. Inside, a black opaque capsule sat alone.
"This has to be it! They wouldn’t go through all this trouble just for a dud—"
Just as she reached for the capsule—

Snatch!
"Eh?"
A plump hand grabbed the capsule before she could.

Guru turned her head with an agonizingly slow creak.
A toad-like elementary school boy was standing there, huffing through his nose.
"Guru found that one."

She stated matter-of-factly, puffing her cheeks slightly.
The boy smirked, one corner of his mouth tilting up.
"But I grabbed it first."

"What?"
Guru's face scrunched up.
"Guru found it first, so it's Guru’s!"

"So what?"
"...!"
For the first time in her life, Guru experienced pure, unfiltered nonsense.

"‘So what’?! What do you mean ‘so what’?! That’s my line!"
"Give it!"
Guru flailed her hands, trying to snatch the capsule back.

But the delinquent toad easily dodged her, looking her up and down.
"Pissed, huh? But you can’t do anything, can you? You little chickpea."
Guru’s jaw dropped.

C-Chickpea?
"But! But Guru found it first—!"
"Teacher! I found a treasure! Me!"

Ding!
The brat played his card first. Laughing with his group, he strutted away.
Guru stomped her feet in frustration, but the delinquent toad had already taken the capsule to his guide and gotten it verified.

"That’s so mean!"
Guru's face flushed tomato-red as she puffed out her cheeks angrily.
She wanted to kick him in the shin right this second—

But when she looked down at her tiny legs and back at the sturdy-looking legs of the delinquent toad, she clenched her fists.
The brat was way bigger than her and probably had higher stats.
"Damn it... Should’ve invested in Strength."

If she had, she could’ve taken him down in one hit.
Guru trembled with frustration, silently mourning the weakness of her fists.