Beast Hunt
Ha Yeon-ah headed to a place that was surprisingly familiar even to Seong Ye-han—a fast-food burger joint. This spot, with its striking red sign, had survived the Gate incident. Sure, the taste and prices had changed a bit, but that was true everywhere these days... It was still unexpected.
Seong Ye-han thought as much while gazing at Ha Yeon-ah walking ahead of him. Her hair, emitting a subtle golden glow, was tightly tied up and hidden under a wide hat. She wore thick, dark sunglasses as she entered the store. Even bundled in a bulky padded jacket, her superior figure was impossible to conceal... No matter how she tried to hide, the innate aura of a beauty drew the eyes of those around her.
She ignored the stares with practiced ease and headed upstairs. The place had originally been two stories, but people stared in bewilderment as she strode up without ordering. "What are you doing?"
At Ha Yeon-ah's question to the dazed man, Seong Ye-han simply nodded and followed. Click-clack— Her high heels echoed without hesitation, as if this were a routine she'd repeated many times.
A few customers were already seated on the second floor, but Ha Yeon-ah paid them no mind and ventured deeper inside. At the end was a spot concealed by thick, soft curtains. She parted them and gestured for Seong Ye-han to enter.
"Who would've thought a place like this existed here... I never imagined."
Inside was a single glossy black four-seater table. A "reserved" placard marked it as such, but Ha Yeon-ah pulled out a chair and sat without a care. "Sit."
She hung her hat and jacket on the nearby rack after inviting him to join. "It's a reserved seat, though?"
"It is reserved. My reserved seat."
"When did you...?"
"Always."
Seong Ye-han thought he'd raised a perfectly reasonable question, but her response only amplified his confusion. Outwardly or by her abilities, Ha Yeon-ah seemed utterly mismatched for a fast-food joint like this. Just sitting there made the cramped space feel like a high-end hotel restaurant. If it was always reserved, did that mean they kept it empty for her at all times?
Of course, Ha Yeon-ah was someone worthy of such treatment. But why go to the trouble in a burger franchise, the poster child of fast food?
"Well... tastes are tastes. I'll respect it."
Seong Ye-han couldn't help wondering if all S-ranks had a screw loose somewhere in their heads. Compared to Ye-hwa or Seon-hui noona, this level of eccentricity was practically cute. Come to think of it, even the Hunter Association president—admirable in his way—was firmly in the "abnormal" category if you drew the line between normal and not.
Am I the most normal one after all?
As Seong Ye-han pondered this, someone who looked far too refined for a fast-food part-timer entered politely, took Ha Yeon-ah's order, and left. Anyone would think it was fine dining costing tens of thousands per meal. Is this what S-rank privilege looks like?
As if reading his mind, Ha Yeon-ah spoke up. "Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"I'm paying properly for it."
He hadn't said a word. She's like a ghost.
She went on to explain her situation. She'd always loved burgers and frequented this red-branded chain. Unlike Ye-hwa, Ha Yeon-ah had climbed from C-rank step by step to S-rank. Up until she hit A-rank, the place got busy but was still manageable. But once she became S-rank, things changed.
Yeah, that makes sense. The gap between A and S was obvious to anyone. And with the physical changes that came with reaching S-rank, Ha Yeon-ah became even more of a spectacle. It must have been like a world star from TV appearing in the bustling city streets.
A human tidal wave crashing over her. If she could fly freely like Seon-hui noona, maybe not—but even ability users at S-rank had physical prowess far beyond normals. Crowds of fragile humans pressing in would be stressful, even if awakened hunters controlled their strength through perception and senses to avoid accidents.
Still, the risk was there, gnawing at one's nerves. So Ha Yeon-ah's lifestyle shifted to more private venues. Except for this one burger spot she couldn't give up. After agonizing, she'd paid extra to create this dedicated reserved seat.
"Must've been tough."
Having heard her story, Seong Ye-han inwardly cursed his earlier self. Knowing the backstory, she seemed almost saintly compared to Ye-hwa or even him. A woman who couldn't let go of her favorite haunt...
Seong Ye-han was struck anew by how this goddess-like beauty was just a regular person like him.
"Your order's here."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you for always coming."
Soon enough, the food arrived on a familiar tray—classic fast food. Ha Yeon-ah picked up a perfectly fried french fry with her slender white fingers and brought it to her mouth. The sight was bizarre yet oddly fitting. Seong Ye-han watched her briefly before unwrapping his own burger.
"Whoa, isn't this the old version? Basically a custom menu...?"
The burger was a pre-Gate relic, upgraded beyond recognition—veggies, patty, bun, sauce. All better than before. Practically a special menu for this nook and Ha Yeon-ah alone.
Not sure how she took that, Ha Yeon-ah murmured softly. "Th-this... is fine, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Nothing."
Their meal passed smoothly.
The deadliest sword is the one unseen. A line from a classic game champ—champion?—her sister had told her about. Make the enemy unaware of the blade until it's too late. To do that, first close the psychological distance and open their heart's door.
Ha Yeon-ah watched Seong Ye-han happily bite into his burger and smiled faintly in satisfaction. Bringing him here was the right call. His expression had softened since they first met; she could guess how he saw her now.
She didn't love sharing her tastes or embarrassing backstory with a man... but to gain something, you lose something. And this exchange favored her heavily.
The easiest way for two strangers to converse? Find common ground. Their biggest overlap was Park I-rae.
"I-rae back in academy days..."
Ha Yeon-ah learned things about Park I-rae she'd never known. I-rae rarely spoke of her own academy life, so Seong Ye-han's tales were fascinating and fun. The same for him—learning how I-rae acted in the guild from an outsider's view, back when they only texted, piqued his interest. Their conversation flowed effortlessly.
How much time passed?
"Well then... good night."
"Yeah, you too, Yeon-ah."
Ha Yeon-ah saw Seong Ye-han off with a gentle smile and wave. For a meal with a man, it had been unbelievably pleasant. All thanks to I-rae.
Of course, the lingering stares when she rested her ample chest on the table or stretched were still annoying... But it was part of the plan, and she'd gotten stories of I-rae's school days as payoff. Worth it.
What tales would she hear next? Chest swelling with anticipation, Ha Yeon-ah walked home. A resounding success, she thought.
She'd close the distance like this, then land the decisive blow to free I-rae from Seong Ye-han's clutches.
Of course, she knew this could earn I-rae's hatred. She had zero intention of that, but outwardly, it looked like a vixen flirting with her best friend's boyfriend.
But for I-rae...
She'd understand. Forgive her if she begged on her knees. It wasn't real—just stripping away the man's mask...