The day had turned into a quiet evening by the time Hyun left the café. The streets of Seoul were illuminated by streetlights, casting a warm glow on the people bustling about. The air was cooler, a gentle breeze accompanying Hyun as he walked. He thought back to Flora's offer and the possibilities that lay ahead. The Executor Guild, one of the strongest in Korea, had extended a hand to him. But could he truly see himself working in a team again? His time in the Tower had forged him into a lone wolf.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from Flora:
*“Hey, are you free tonight? I know it's sudden, but I’d like to talk some more—this time, maybe in a less formal setting. Let’s have dinner.”*
Hyun stared at the message for a moment. Dinner, after all the conversations they’d had, seemed... different. His thumb hovered over the screen as he debated his response. After a few moments, he typed back:
*“Sure, where should we meet?”*
Almost instantly, a reply came back:
*“I know a great place nearby! I'll send you the address. See you in 30?”*
---
**The Restaurant**
The restaurant was tucked away in one of Seoul’s many lively districts. It was a cozy, warm place with wooden furnishings and soft lighting, contrasting the bustling city outside. Flora was already seated when Hyun arrived, dressed in casual clothes that made her seem more relaxed than he had ever seen her before. Her pink hair was tied up in a loose ponytail, and she waved him over with a bright smile.
“You came!” Flora said cheerfully, standing up to greet him.
Hyun nodded and offered a polite smile. “Of course. Thanks for inviting me.”
They sat down, and Hyun noticed the relaxed atmosphere between them. There was no pressure of strategy meetings or impending dangers—just two people sharing a meal.
Flora leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and something else Hyun couldn’t quite place. “So... Have you thought about my offer?”
Hyun sipped his water before answering. “I have. It’s a big decision. Joining a guild, especially one like Executor, isn’t something I can take lightly.”
Flora nodded, her expression softening. “I understand. I didn’t mean to pressure you, but we need strong people, Hyun. You’ve proven yourself more than capable, and I can’t help but think how much good we could do if we worked together.”
Her voice had a certain intensity to it, one that Hyun hadn’t heard before. It wasn’t just about the guild—there was something personal in the way she was speaking. He could sense her desire for connection beyond just strategy and combat.
“I appreciate that you see potential in me,” Hyun said quietly, his gaze meeting hers. “But I’ve been alone for a long time. I’m not sure if I’m ready to work closely with others yet.”
Flora’s face softened as she listened, her usual confident demeanor replaced by something more vulnerable. “I get that, I really do. It’s just... You seem like someone who’s had to carry a lot of weight on your own. I can relate.”
Hyun blinked, surprised by her openness. “You? But you’ve always been part of a guild, right? You’re a leader.”
Flora chuckled, though there was a tinge of sadness in her voice. “Yeah, I’m the guild master of one of the top guilds, but... it’s lonely at the top, you know? Everyone looks to you for decisions, for strength, but they don’t see what’s underneath. They don’t see how much you struggle to keep everything together.”
Hyun didn’t respond immediately, sensing the deep emotion behind her words. For the first time, he saw Flora not just as a powerful guild master but as a person. Someone who, like him, carried burdens that others couldn’t understand.
“You’re not what I expected,” Hyun said after a long pause, his voice soft but sincere. “I thought you were just... driven by ambition. But you’re more than that.”
Flora smiled, but it wasn’t her usual confident smile. It was softer, more genuine. “I could say the same about you. You’re not just some mysterious loner who fights stronger opponents without breaking a sweat. There’s something deeper, something you don’t show the world.”
For the first time in a while, Hyun felt seen. It was unsettling, yet comforting at the same time. He had spent so long keeping others at a distance, focused solely on his own goals, but Flora’s words broke through the walls he had built.
The waiter arrived with their food, interrupting the moment. They ate in comfortable silence for a while, both lost in their thoughts. 
---
**A Moment of Vulnerability**
As they finished their meal, Flora leaned back in her chair, a contemplative look on her face. “You know, I didn’t invite you out just to talk about the guild. I... wanted to get to know you better.”
Hyun raised an eyebrow. “Get to know me?”
She laughed softly. “Don’t sound so surprised. You’re an interesting guy, Hyun. You’re strong, but you don’t flaunt it. You’re kind of a mystery, and I’m curious.”
Hyun didn’t know how to respond at first. He wasn’t used to people being genuinely interested in him as a person, outside of his abilities as a hunter. “There’s not much to know. I’m just... me.”
Flora tilted her head, her eyes locking with his. “That’s not true. I’ve seen how you fight, how you care about your sister. You’re not just some guy who takes down monsters. You’re someone who carries a lot of responsibility. I admire that.”
Hyun felt a strange warmth in his chest at her words. It had been a long time since anyone had said something like that to him. He looked away, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “It’s just... what I have to do. There’s nothing admirable about it.”
Flora leaned forward again, her voice soft but insistent. “It is admirable, Hyun. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
Hyun glanced at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. For a moment, he let his guard down. “Maybe. But it’s not easy.”
“I know it’s not,” Flora said quietly. “That’s why you don’t have to do it alone.”
Her words hung in the air, and Hyun found himself at a crossroads. He had always walked his path alone, relying on no one but himself. But now, sitting across from Flora, he realized that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t have to.
---
**A New Path?**
As they left the restaurant, the evening air was cool, the streets quieter than before. Flora walked beside Hyun, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets.
“So... what do you think?” she asked after a few minutes of silence.
Hyun looked up at the sky, the stars barely visible through the city lights. “About the guild? Or about what you said?”
“Both,” Flora replied, her voice light but with an undercurrent of curiosity.
Hyun exhaled slowly. “I’m still thinking about the guild. But... what you said, about not being alone... It’s something I’ll keep in mind.”
Flora smiled, a hopeful glint in her eyes. “That’s all I ask.”
They walked in companionable silence for a while longer before parting ways. As Hyun headed home, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he wasn’t walking his path entirely alone.