"Whew. The view is always breathtaking. You must be pleased."

The office was located on the top floor of the Korea Hunter Association's headquarters.

With an atmosphere reminiscent of a CEO's office in a TV drama, Tae Ihyun whistled in admiration.

To be honest, it's the truth.

In a world where living without hunters is impossible, the title of the head of a national hunter association was nothing to scoff at, even compared to a conglomerate chairman.

However.

"What's the point? It's not mine. Once I leave, someone else will use it."

He was truly a humble person.

As a Legendary Hunter, he had seen countless power-hungry individuals who were different on the inside than they appeared.

But then again, isn't that true of most people?

Most people are different on the inside than they appear.

Yet, the person in front of him was always consistent.

In that regard, Tae Ihyun liked the Association President.

Of course, liking someone and being close to them are two different things.

Tae Ihyun leaned back on the sofa, sipping his second morning coffee provided by Park Daehan.

And there was a man watching him nervously.

The man, dressed in a neat suit, was Secretary Woo Doyoung.

'To think that man is the Thunder Emperor. Unbelievable...'

Secretary Woo, who had just returned, was introduced to the man by Park Daehan.

The identity of the mysterious son of the Taejongdae convenience store owner was none other than one of the great heroes who saved humanity, a member of the '12 Apostles'!

Only then did Secretary Woo fully understand why the Association President had made such a fuss.

The Thunder Emperor, shrouded in mystery among the 12 Apostles, was a national pride and a source of immense pride for Korea.

In fact, the Thunder Emperor's popularity was among the top of the 12 Apostles, making it harder to find someone who wasn't a fan.

Children, adults, the elderly, men, women—everyone!

Many had at least once put up a poster of the Thunder Emperor at home.

Hoo. Hoo.

His heart raced.

Though Secretary Woo always tried to remain composed, he couldn't help but feel his heart pound in the presence of the Thunder Emperor, being a Korean himself.

But stay calm. I'm on duty now...! My name is Woo Doyoung! The cold city secretary!

Secretary Woo did his best to hide his excitement.

He still planned to get an autograph later.

But, you know,

'No wonder... he wasn't recognized.'

Now he understood why the famous Thunder Emperor was turned away at the lobby entrance.

The public image of the Thunder Emperor was a handsome man with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes.

But the man here had the typical Korean look with black hair and dark eyes.

It was a completely different vibe, almost like a different person.

Most people wouldn't recognize him.

It seemed that some hunters with extreme abilities had their hair or eye color change due to their power. The Thunder Emperor was one of those cases.

Of course, since the Thunder Emperor was Korean, it was natural for him to have black hair and dark eyes...

Ahem.

"So, what's the matter?"

It was Park Daehan who brought up the main topic. Honestly, he was delighted to hear that the Thunder Emperor had come to see him first.

But at the same time, he was a bit scared of the sudden visit from the Thunder Emperor who had left so abruptly.

Two years ago, when he announced his retirement, it was just like this.

And then,

"...What did you just say?"

A bewildered expression appeared on Park Daehan's face.

He couldn't believe what Tae Ihyun had just said.

"Are you serious?"

Tae Ihyun nodded and spoke.

"Is it not possible? I thought it was a pretty good proposal."

"No, I mean, really... that's all you want?"

"Yes."

"Haha."

Park Daehan almost laughed at the quick response that came without hesitation.

"You wouldn't listen to a word when I was begging and pleading..."

"Pardon?"

"Ahem, never mind."

Well, what does it matter? The past is the past!

Tae Ihyun.

Known as the Thunder Emperor, this young man was one of the 12 Apostles, a treasure of Korea, a source of pride, and practically a symbol of Korea's national power.

He had perfectly saved humanity from the crisis known as the "Chaos Gate" as a Korean hunter.

But then came his retirement announcement.

To Park Daehan, it was like a bolt from the blue, a shock and horror akin to the end of the world, the end of his life itself.

Hunters were national power. Legendary hunters even more so.

But the Thunder Emperor, a member of the 12 Apostles and a legendary hunter, retired.

Calling it a hunter's retirement was an understatement; it was a blow to the nation's prestige.

Of course, the country didn't fall apart because of the Thunder Emperor's retirement.

That wasn't going to happen.

But there were political reasons concerning the nation's position and power.

And the one who felt it the most was Park Daehan himself.

The difference in standing between a country with a member of the 12 Apostles and one without was like night and day for a hunter association president.

After the Thunder Emperor's retirement, there were countless rumors and speculations. Why would a member of the 12 Apostles retire? Wasn't Korea treating its hunters well? Some even questioned Park Daehan's competence as the association president.

And that wasn't all.

On days like today, during international meetings, Park Daehan had to huddle like a shrimp caught between whales amidst the power struggles of hunter associations worldwide.

Of course, he didn't regret accepting Tae Ihyun's retirement request.

A hunter's will is the most important thing in continuing their work.

Even a legendary hunter is a citizen of a country and has the right to decide their own life.

Therefore, he couldn't, or rather, didn't, try to forcibly hold onto Tae Ihyun by invoking national authority.

Instead, he offered all sorts of gifts and benefits to change his mind, trying every persuasion and coaxing tactic...

'I don't want to.'

'Ihyun, please, just listen to me one more time! Please!'

'I've already made up my mind. Sorry.'

'Oh, no... Noooo!!'

His persuasion didn't work at all.

In the end, Tae Ihyun retired, leaving Park Daehan's cries behind, and two years passed.

Looking back now, Park Daehan had been having nightmares every night about the moment Tae Ihyun said he would retire.

But then,

'Is this a dream or reality?'

Out of the blue, Tae Ihyun came to him, saying he would return.

Though it was conditional(?).

The condition was,

"Park Daehan and the Korea Hunter Association will fully support Tae Ihyun's research for his writing activities. In return, Tae Ihyun will sincerely respond to Park Daehan and the association's requests once a month. However, he can refuse if the request is inhumane, illegal, or interferes with his writing activities."

- That was it.

On the surface, it didn't seem like a favorable proposal for Park Daehan.

But looking deeper, it wasn't entirely so. By accepting this deal, Korea could (conditionally) have a legendary hunter again.

Park Daehan had to make a considerable effort to keep his excitement in check and stay seated on the sofa.

"But, you see."

Feeling slightly uneasy about Tae Ihyun's ambiguous proposal, Park Daehan cautiously asked.

"Can I ask what kind of requests you're planning to make?"

"Well, it's nothing major. Just let me experience various jobs in a dispatch format at places I want. Of course, keep my identity a secret."

Hmm?

Park Daehan's eyes widened. So, in other words,

"So, you want to gain experience... is that it? Just keep your identity hidden?"

"Well, something like that."

"Job experience, like that?"

"Yes, you could see it that way."

"Field experience...?"

"...What's that?"

Tae Ihyun tilted his head at Park Daehan's repeated questions and stood up.

"Well, if you don't like it, we can just forget about it..."

"W-wait a moment! No! I'll do it. I'll definitely do it!"

"Oh, you will?"

"Of course, of course! Ah, this young man's personality is quite hasty! Hahaha!"

Dislike it? How could he! There wasn't even a speck of hesitation for Park Daehan.

He had to seize this opportunity! By any means necessary!

Moreover, the condition Tae Ihyun brought was so easy that he doubted his ears.

Even though he was being ignored by other countries' association presidents lately, domestically, he wielded power that no conglomerate or high-ranking politician could match.

Granting a request like 'I want to experience various jobs' was as easy as pie for him.

Just! Just fulfilling that simple request!

'The Thunder Emperor! That Thunder Emperor is coming back!'

The sorrow of the past two years turned into tears that welled up suddenly.

"...Are you crying right now?"

"President?"

Tae Ihyun looked incredulous, and Secretary Woo looked concerned.

Leave me be. Let me enjoy this moment!

"Why are you suddenly smiling again? It's scary."

"President, are you okay?"

Regardless.

With teary eyes, Park Daehan grinned and started thinking.

How should he announce this joyous news to the world?

He had to make it as grand and loud as possible.

'Let's see, let's see. What would be good... Ah, yes! There's that.'

There was a cooperation request from Denmark that had just arrived at the Korea Hunter Association.

A request for help from around the world.

"Alright! Let's start the deal right away."

Without hesitation, Park Daehan handed Tae Ihyun his first assignment.

With a bright smile.

And so, Tae Ihyun headed to Copenhagen, Denmark.