It had been a few days since the dinner with Flora, but Hyun found his thoughts drifting back to her more often than he’d like to admit. He had spent so long keeping people at arm's length, especially after the loss of his family. His sole focus had been on his sister and keeping her safe in this dangerous world. But Flora—she was different. She was breaking through walls he didn’t even realize he had built.
The sound of his phone buzzing broke his train of thought. It was a message from Flora:
*“I’m at the guild. Come by if you’re free? We have something we need to talk about.”*
Hyun stared at the message for a moment, unsure of what to expect. He hadn’t officially joined her guild, but they had been working together on and off, especially after that massive Gate break a few weeks ago. Something told him this wasn’t just about guild matters, though.
He sighed, pocketed his phone, and made his way to the Executor Guild headquarters.
---
**Executor Guild Headquarters**
The building was an imposing structure in the heart of the city, sleek and modern with a commanding presence. Hyun walked through the glass doors, the receptionist giving him a quick nod of recognition before letting him through.
He took the elevator to the top floor where Flora’s office was. As he approached the door, he could hear the faint murmur of voices inside. Hyun knocked once and heard Flora’s voice call out.
“Come in.”
When he stepped inside, he found Flora sitting behind her desk, her pink hair tied in a neat braid that fell over her shoulder. She looked up from the papers she was signing, offering him a small smile.
“Hyun, glad you could make it.”
He nodded, walking toward her desk. “What’s this about?”
Flora set her pen down and leaned back in her chair, her eyes studying him for a moment before she spoke. “There’s been talk. About us. About you.”
Hyun raised an eyebrow. “What kind of talk?”
Flora exhaled and stood up, walking around her desk to stand closer to him. “The other guilds... They’re starting to notice your involvement with Executor. It’s making waves. Some are worried. They’re questioning why someone as strong as you hasn’t aligned officially with any guild yet.”
Hyun crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly. “So what are you saying? That I need to choose sides?”
Flora shook her head, stepping closer. “No, I’m saying that you should do what’s best for you. But I won’t lie—it would be easier if you were with us officially. The guild would protect you from any... unwanted attention.”
Hyun’s eyes met hers, searching for the real reason behind this conversation. “Is that really why you called me here?”
Flora hesitated for a moment before sighing. “No... It’s not just that.”
There was a vulnerability in her voice that Hyun hadn’t heard before. He could tell she was holding something back, something deeper. He uncrossed his arms and softened his stance, his voice lowering.
“Then what is it?”
Flora looked up at him, her eyes searching his face as if trying to find the right words. “It’s... you, Hyun. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but... I feel like there’s something between us. Something I can’t ignore.”
Hyun’s heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by her confession. He hadn’t expected this. Not from her. The confident, unshakable guild master was standing in front of him, her emotions laid bare.
“Flora, I—” he started, but she held up a hand to stop him.
“I know you’re not the type to let people in easily,” she continued, her voice steady but laced with emotion. “I see that. But ever since we started working together, I can’t stop thinking about you. And not just as a hunter. As someone... more.”
Hyun was silent, the weight of her words sinking in. He had spent so long closing himself off from anything beyond survival, from anything that could make him vulnerable again. But here was Flora, standing in front of him, offering him something he hadn’t realized he might want.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” he admitted, his voice low, almost hesitant. “I’ve been focused on my sister, on fighting, on surviving. I don’t know how to... do this.”
Flora smiled softly, her eyes gentle as she stepped even closer. “That’s okay. I’m not asking for anything right now. I just wanted to be honest with you. Whatever happens, I’ll be here. You don’t have to face everything alone.”
Hyun felt a warmth in his chest, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. It was comforting, knowing that someone else understood his burdens. But at the same time, it was terrifying—letting someone in meant exposing himself to more pain, more loss.
“I appreciate that,” Hyun said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I really do.”
There was a moment of silence between them, the air heavy with unspoken words. Then Flora reached out, her hand brushing against his arm gently.
“You don’t have to decide anything now,” she said softly. “But know that I’m here. Whether you join the guild or not, whether you... let me in or not—I’ll be here.”
Hyun felt a lump in his throat, unable to find the right words to respond. Instead, he nodded, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. He wasn’t used to this—someone caring for him beyond his abilities as a hunter.
The tension between them hung in the air for another moment before Flora stepped back, giving him space.
“Anyway,” she said, her voice lightening as she tried to break the tension. “I think I owe you a proper meal next time. Something less serious, huh?”
Hyun chuckled softly, appreciating her attempt to ease the heaviness between them. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Flora grinned. “Good.”
---
**A Shared Moment**
As Hyun left the office, he couldn’t shake the strange mix of emotions swirling inside him. Flora’s words had stirred something deep within him—something he wasn’t sure he was ready to confront. But for the first time in a long time, he felt like he didn’t have to face everything alone.
He was walking down the quiet streets when his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a voice message from Flora. He hesitated for a moment before playing it.
Her voice came through the speaker, soft and warm. “Hey, Hyun... I just wanted to say, no matter what happens, you’re stronger than you know. Not just in battle, but as a person. And I hope one day you’ll see that.”
Hyun stood there for a moment, staring at his phone. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Maybe... just maybe... he didn’t have to walk this path alone after all.