Beast Hunt - As Ha Yeon-ah Sees It
To Ha Yeon-ah, Park I-rae had always seemed a bit suspicious.
There are certain behaviors people typically exhibit when they start dating someone—whether a guy gets a new girlfriend or a girl gets a new boyfriend. They change their messenger app profile picture, or they post a status message screaming to the world, I'm in love and so happy! as if overflowing with joy they just have to share.
In that sense, Park I-rae's behavior was unexpectedly restrained. For starters, she almost never talked about her boyfriend. Not his looks, not his personality, not even what he did for a living. In the world of close girlfriends, where women freely share bedroom stories down to dick size and kinks, this was pretty rare.
She was still in the honeymoon phase, where you'd expect her to brag nonstop and pine for him the moment they were apart. Yet Park I-rae hadn't shown even a single photo of them together.
So Ha Yeon-ah figured her relationship probably wasn't your run-of-the-mill romance between a guy and a girl. The first thing that came to mind was an affair with a married man. But that seemed unlikely too—her guildmates didn't even know if the guy was married, and hiding photos from friends felt like overkill. Blackmail? Out of the question, given the genuine happiness shining on I-rae's face. Besides, an active A-rank hunter in a guild with an S-rank like herself wouldn't buckle to some half-assed threat.
So what possibilities were left? Was it a secret romance with someone whose face the Neorul Guild members already knew well? Or maybe the guy was such a big public figure that going public would be too risky for her? Was he really that precious that she wouldn't breathe a word to even her?
"Unni, say ahh~."
Ha Yeon-ah obediently opened her mouth as Park I-rae fed her a round macaron, lost in thought. From what she'd heard, I-rae had plans with him this weekend too. She hadn't outright said it was a date, but when Ha Yeon-ah casually asked if she was free, I-rae mentioned prior commitments. Had to be him.
In that case... at least showing a glimpse of what the guy looked like wouldn't hurt, right?
After the early Gate incidents, cultural industries worldwide had crashed hard once, only to revive as stability returned.
Movie theaters remained the most popular spot for couples. Advanced special effects blending mana-powered prosthetics, sets, and CG, combined with real superpowered hunters and monsters, delivered immersion on a whole other level from pre-Gate films.
Of course, it still fell short for hunters who lived and breathed life-or-death stakes in reality. But couples' movies were fun even if they sucked—as long as a single ray of sunlight hit the screen.
In the dim theater lit only by the screen, the wide-open seats felt strangely private and intimate. Their clasped hands grew slick with an unknown tension and heat. Eyes fixed on the vibrant scenes, but nerves entirely tuned to each other.
Park I-rae steadied her pounding heart. This isn't our first date... We've done way more intense stuff, but just holding hands is still so stimulating.
The movie barely registered. Plot? Who cares what the protagonist was doing? The man beside her was her world's protagonist, more captivating than any story.
Is Senior feeling the same? I-rae fidgeted with their joined hands and closed her eyes. She wouldn't open them again until the lights came up at the end.
Seong Ye-han always felt a strange thrill around I-rae. Fresh, clumsy, but warm—like the flutter of new love.
Their connection from Hunter Academy held a different preciousness from his bond with Ye-hwa, who propelled him to S-rank. If he had to compare, it was like a movie hero cherishing pre- and post-super-soldier relationships.
I-rae had closed her eyes early—maybe the film wasn't her taste?—but clutching his hand and squirming was adorable. He wanted to stroke her hair, but held back, not wanting to wake her.
She might regret missing it later. Guess I'll summarize the plot... Focusing on the screen, Seong Ye-han paid her no mind.
From I-rae's view, she'd have preferred his attention over the movie. Tough luck—he didn't oblige.
When the credits rolled, she snapped awake before he could rouse her, springing up faster than anyone. Seong Ye-han could only blink in surprise.
After the movie, they dined at a famous hotel restaurant, a pre-Gate staple.
Cliché date course? Sure, but neither had done it before. Seong Ye-han had a girlfriend back at the academy, but training left no room for leisurely outings. Best they managed was fooling around in dorms, cafeteria food, or cheap local spots. Theaters, maybe a few times—no fancy hotel dining.
Clink. Crystal glasses chimed.
Refined courses paired with wine—everyone's dream date. Yet Seong Ye-han and I-rae felt awkward.
"Kinda... weird, huh? Haha."
"Yeah, Senior."
They laughed, squirming in unison. Now top-tier S- and A-rank hunters at young ages, but deep down, they craved tteokbokki egg fried rice or katsu sets over this.
"Tastes good, though."
"Brain says yes, heart says no."
"Exactly."
High expectations, bigger letdown. Crispy fried chicken beat gourmet fusion.
"Maybe rolling around in bed at home would've been better."
"Rolling? Or... sucking and biting?"
"Huh?"
"That's more fun, right?"
I-rae's bold strike left him speechless. He loved bedroom nibbles, but...
"Senior, what're you imagining? No way...?"
Giggling at his fluster, she teased, hugging herself. "Pervert Senior," she added playfully.
"No, wasn't thinking that!"
Lame denial. Obvious.
"Then what?"
She'd planted the thought, now playing innocent. Unfair, but he'd lost the ambush game.
As he fumbled, she giggled. "Actually, yeah—that's what I meant."
"You... "
"Couldn't help it. Flustered Senior's cute."
"Keep it up and you'll get punished."
"Hehe~ I like punishment from you, Senior."
Propped on her elbow, sly-eyed smile. Seong Ye-han ground his teeth inwardly. Hotel—grab a room, done.
He scarfed his food, stood abruptly.
Scrape. Ignoring the chair, he strode to her side, snatched her arm.
"Let's go."
"Se-Senior?"
Her turn to panic. No warning she'd get swept mid-meal.
Princess-carried out of the restaurant toward the room. Mortified, she hid her face—but secretly thrilled.
"Senior, it's still daytime..."
"Don't care."
Until he tossed her on the king bed, her heart raced with anticipation.
Thus, Seong Ye-han and Park I-rae spent time getting even closer.
"What the... why isn't he coming out?"
In the hotel lobby, unaware of the hollow voice waiting for them.