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Guild District - Seoul
The Guild District, located in the heart of Seoul's metropolitan area, was an area entirely devoted to the high-ranking organizations that shaped the world of heroes.
Although, at first glance, it looked like just another urban agglomeration with luxurious buildings and imposing skyscrapers, it only took a short walk through its streets to realize that this place pulsed with power.
It was home to some of the largest and most influential guilds in Korea, and even the world. Each building represented not just a headquarters, but a statement of presence. Glittering glass facades, imposing logos and a constant stream of uniformed people made it clear: this was a place for the big names, the high-level hunters and the businessmen behind them.
Among the most recognizable buildings was the huge "Essence of the Strait" guild building.
As you would expect from the second largest guild in the world, the headquarters were simply stunning. From the first glance, it was clear that every inch of the building had been designed with almost obsessive precision, an impeccable fusion of aesthetics and power.
The architecture of the building was geometric and imposing, yet artistically beautiful. Clean, symmetrical lines intersected at perfect angles, creating an almost hypnotic sense of harmony. The surfaces reflected the sunlight like enchanted mirrors, and crystal panels seemed to pulsate gently, emitting a discreet glow, subtle enough not to attract immediate attention, but impossible to ignore for anyone who knew what they were looking at.
The structure rose like a spear against the sky, with dozens of floors that were lost among the clouds. It was impossible not to feel the symbolic weight it carried: a tower that represented not just strength, but supremacy.
Without a doubt, that building had been constructed using the latest in magical engineering and bridge technology. It was a living monument to the advancement of heroes, a solid base where decisions that shaped the entire world were made.
And on the 210th floor, protected by magical barriers that nullified sound, intrusion and even radio interference, was an office labeled A-100.
Inside, surrounded by glass walls that revealed a breathtaking view of Seoul below, Yoo Yeonha was sitting at her desk, concentrating as usual.
In her hands were papers containing the financial statements, quarterly reports and future projections of the Essence Guild of the Straits, figures and data that could bore anyone, but for her, had become routine.
At least until today.
"Arg! I really can't concentrate properly."
She grumbled, dropping her pen and tablet on the table and pressing her fingers to her temples.
It was supposed to be just another normal day, an ordinary day that she took off to go and help her father's guild, like so many others. But since yesterday, since that moment, nothing was working as it should inside her.
No matter how many times she tried to reorganize her thoughts, revise a report or sign a document. With every pause, even between commas, her treacherous mind would take her back to the same scene:
The kiss between her and Theo.
It started yesterday...
From the moment she had returned home, and even at bedtime, she found herself trying to remember the sensation of her first kiss.
At first, it was an unconscious attempt. But soon she realized that it wasn't just the memory of the act itself, it was the effect it had had on her.
She never thought a first kiss could do all that. No, perhaps, generally, it didn't. Maybe, for other people, it was just a first kiss.
But with her, that was the result.
That uncomfortable feeling of being vulnerable hit her hard.
She closed her eyes for a moment, resting her chin on her hands, and let out a frustrated sigh.
'Understanding yourself is harder than it looks.'
While she was wandering around, her smartwatch vibrated with a call from reception.
"Yes?!! "
"Madame Yeonha. Theo Sagan is here to meet you. May I escort you to your office?"
The sudden mention of his name made Yeonha straighten up in her chair so quickly that she almost knocked some papers off the table.
"Theo...?"
She repeated, automatically, remembering what they had agreed.
Her heart leapt a little. She tried to keep her tone neutral as she answered:
"...Yes. You can bring him in."
As soon as she hung up, she stood up on an impulse. She looked around the office, at the scattered papers, at her own appearance. She ran her fingers through her hair, straightened the collar of her blouse, and then stopped, realizing how stupid that reaction seemed.
'You're dressing up because of him? Really, Yeonha?'
Even so, she couldn't help it. The kiss was still echoing in his mind, and now the owner of that kiss was about to walk through the door.
Almost a minute and twenty seconds later, someone knocked twice on his living room door. Theo had already arrived.
Yeonha felt her stomach contract.
That double knock sounded loud in her ears.
Her eyes fixed on the door as if it were a path of no return, or perhaps a resolution. She hesitated for a moment, then answered, in the firmest voice she could muster:
"Come in."
The handle turned with a soft click. The door opened, revealing Theo standing there in the same nonchalant way as always.
She stared at him, feeling her own heartbeat accelerate, damn that kiss.
Theo gave a small smile. After closing the door behind him, he entered without saying anything immediately, just walking up to her with calm steps.
Yeonha crossed her arms again, as if that could block out any sign of what was going on inside her.
"Good afternoon, Yoo. I see your day has been quite hectic."
Theo naturally pulled up one of the chairs and sat down, his eyes skimming over the papers stacked to the left of Yeonha's desk. Just by looking, he estimated that it would take at least four hours to sort them out, depending on how hairy the issues were.
"Did you have lunch?"
Yeonha arched an eyebrow, as if the question had come out of nowhere, and, in a way, it did. She looked at the clock in the corner of the monitor, surprised to see that it was already past 1pm.
"Not yet. I've lost track of time."
She replied, her violet eyes turned away.
Theo pulled a package straight out of his magic storage, and inside were two handmade hamburgers, still warm.
The instant the package appeared in his hands, the rich, spicy aroma spread through the office, completely shattering Yeonha's façade.
"Hmm... I'm glad I decided to bring this for you."
Theo said, placing the packet of hamburgers and two cans of Coke on the table.
"I figured you'd like something like this, I made it."
Yeonha looked at the two cans of Coke and the hamburgers gratefully.
"...May I?"
"Sure. It's for you, make yourself at home."
Theo said, ordering her to eat without caring about him.
Yeonha hesitated for a second, just one. Then she took one of the burgers.
"...Thank you."
She thanked him and then took a big bite out of the burger.
But before the taste could affect her taste buds completely, Yeonha felt her heart wanting to leap.
'That's unfair, Theo. That makes it harder for me.'
Bringing her something to eat when she hadn't even had lunch made her wonder if it was a coincidence, or a trick of fate.
And it really was a coincidence. Theo only brought these hamburgers because he remembered that Yoo liked this kind of food, just for that reason.
'...While she eats, let's help her with these little matters.'
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