I was Kicked Out of the Hunter’s Guild

A bustling city.

After arriving, I stepped out of the Lamborghini Veneno—a car that never fails to draw attention—and glanced at Iare, who stood beside me.

Dressed in a more colorful outfit than usual, her appearance was so stunning that it naturally drew the eyes of everyone around us, including mine.

She wore a white dress that perfectly accentuated her figure, paired with a matching brown cardigan.

Just like Sooyoung noona, her chest was more than enough to attract the gazes of men.

Her waist, toned from hunter training, showed not a trace of flab.

And her solid pelvic line supported it all.

Honestly, walking beside her while she confidently displayed such a graceful and beautiful figure made me feel a little self-conscious.

Unlike Iare, who could be recognized as a beauty at a single glance, my own appearance was average at best—even with generous assessments.

Although, as a former soldier, I believed my body wasn’t in bad shape, I had never once been told I was handsome.

On top of that, my sense of style wasn’t exactly impressive. Unsurprisingly, I had never been popular with women.

Now, walking next to Iare, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was the beast from Beauty and the Beast.

‘As expected, this doesn’t feel right at all.’

While I was feeling a bit bitter about something that should have been trivial,

I suddenly found myself staring at Iare’s face, and a thought came to mind.

‘Looking at her like this… she has the same face as Sooyoung noona, but the overall vibe is completely different. Does Iare really have the splendor and elegance that noona doesn’t?’

I felt a little guilty for comparing Sooyoung noona and Iare like this. But with the two looking so identical, it seemed inevitable for such comparisons to arise.

Even so, the feelings I had for Iare at this moment weren’t just because she resembled my older sister.

‘Regardless of her resemblance to noona, Iare is a beautiful person in her own right… and she has a kind heart.’

She was someone who became a turning point in my otherwise bleak life after my discharge—a person who warmly embraced the trauma I carried from my time in the guild.

Because of that, I felt not only gratitude toward her but also a personal fondness. I couldn’t help but think that I wanted to get a little closer to her if possible.

Even though I was feeling a bit exhausted, that was exactly why I had come to this place that felt somewhat like a date.

Just then, while I was lost in thought, Are looked at me and spoke cautiously.

“Shall we go then?”

“All right.”

Her tone was as blunt as usual.

But looking at her like this, I sensed a faint trace of anticipation beneath that calm exterior.

It seemed like she was doing her best not to show it, but she couldn’t completely hide her excitement—probably because she had been so busy with work and hadn’t been out like this in a long time.

While watching the corners of her mouth rise and fall slightly, I spoke first to ease the mood.

“You said we’re heading to the department store first, right?”

“Yes. I wanted to check out some of the fall clothes there, and…”

As she said this, Iare glanced at me sneakily.

Then, for some reason, she paused, turned her head slightly, and spoke again.

“Well, let’s go for now. This way.”

“Alright.”

I followed along as Iare led the way.

Although it was a weekday, the city streets were bustling—likely because of the nice weather. Among the crowd, there were quite a few couples.

People holding hands or walking arm-in-arm, completely unbothered by the gazes of others.

Since I’d always been single, I usually felt a twinge of envy when I saw couples like that. But at this moment, I found myself feeling strangely satisfied.

After all, right beside me was a beautiful woman who made those feelings of envy disappear.

Just then…

“Jinhyun.”

“Yes?”

The next moment, she looked at me and extended her hand slightly.

Unlike before, her expression was almost blank, and her voice came out a little stiff.

“Anyway, there are too many people. If we keep going like this, I think I might fall. Since the department store is still a bit of a distance away… can you hold me?”

“Wait… you mean… hold your hand?”

“….”

She nodded slightly without responding.

For a moment, it felt like her expression shifted. The woman standing in front of me now seemed to carry the same coldness she displayed during battle.

Was she trying to show that she was being completely serious about this? It felt strange, but I decided to go along with the mood she wanted.

“Um… all right. You’re right—getting separated in a crowd like this could be a hassle.”

With that, I carefully took Iare’s outstretched hand.

Despite her beautiful face and perfect figure, her hands were rougher than I had expected.

Calluses covered her palms, and faint scars left deep curves along her skin.

But rather than feeling uncomfortable, I felt something closer to regret.

Even compared to the S-class hunters I knew, Iare’s hands were rough.

It reminded me of the life she must have led—a life of desperation, madness, and vengeance as she faced the Abyss.

Her rough hands were the traces left behind by all that pain.

‘As I thought… you’ve suffered so much in so many ways. It’s truly unfortunate. How could someone so beautiful and kind have gone through all that?’

Feeling the weight of her past through the touch of her hand, I unconsciously tightened my grip just a little.

And in that moment, I felt it more clearly—the hard yet warm touch of her hand.

As I thought about how I wanted to ease the pain buried within it, even just a little,

We began moving forward, weaving through the crowd, with Iare suddenly quickening her pace beside me.

***

Iare walked hand in hand with Jinhyun toward the department store.

But at this moment—

To be honest, the department store and the things she intended to buy were the last things on her mind.

‘Jinhyun… my… my hand… like this…’

She had extended her hand while trying her best to keep a calm expression.

Driven by a desire to walk hand in hand—something said to be shared between lovers—Iare forced herself to recall the bitter memories of the battlefield. Using that as a distraction, she had managed to suggest it while maintaining a poker face.

With the street bustling with people, it had been the perfect excuse.

Now, having somehow succeeded in holding his hand, Iare felt an overwhelming sense of euphoria, as if she were soaring through the sky.

A deep sense of happiness welled up from within her.

Even though she had only achieved this moment with a carefully crafted excuse,

The fact that it allowed her to get closer to him made her feel truly elated.

But…

Right now—

Iare was dealing with an unexpected, devastating blow from Jinhyun.

At some point, Jinhyun had tightened his grip on her hand.

Not just holding it—but gripping it firmly.

Iare, who had been barely holding herself together, felt her composure shatter. The unfamiliar warmth and intent in his touch sent a surge of emotion rushing through her.

Her carefully maintained poker face began to crack.

Her heart pounded wildly, and her face felt like it was on fire.

However, no matter how flustered she felt, she couldn’t let Jinhyun see her like this.

If he noticed… I might just die from embarrassment.

With that desperate thought, Iare had no choice but to walk as quickly as she could toward the department store, dragging him along.