[...News just in: The Ice Empress, one of the Three Sovereigns, has single-handedly cleared an S-rank gate that appeared in Canada. Her guild, Iceborn, was not involved...]

[The great archmage 'Temu Litmanen,' who was a pillar of the magical world, is reportedly in critical condition. As a result, Poland, which wielded global influence through Temu Litmanen, is facing significant concerns over a decline in national power...]

[The massive American guild 'Clydon,' which has been focusing solely on the conquest of the Arctic Tower, has successfully conquered the mysterious 13th floor. With this success, the U.S. now claims ownership of the 13th floor. In response, countries around the world are strongly asserting that the U.S. intends to monopolize the tower and have begun official checks...]

Amidst the constant stream of news updates, the stories that capture the most attention today are undoubtedly those about Hunters. Among them, news about the Twelve Apostles stands out. And now, the world is focused on yet another breaking story.

[Breaking news: We previously reported on the monster that nearly annihilated Copenhagen, Denmark. Fortunately, it has been confirmed that Copenhagen is now completely safe from the monster's threat thanks to the efforts of the Korean Hunter, Thunder Emperor. In response, the Danish government has issued an official statement expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to the Korean government and Thunder Emperor.]

[The Thunder Emperor, who announced his sudden retirement two years ago, has returned.]

[The return of one of the Apostles has the world abuzz. Will the global power dynamics of Hunter nations shift once again?]

- Whoa! The Thunder Emperor is back!

- No way! 'Official Twelve Apostles'—I thought we'd never see him in Korea again! God!

- Wow! National pride is soaring! Up!

- Isn't it amazing? The Danish government deployed their entire military, and a single Hunter solved it in one blow. Is that for real?

- Hey, how can a regular army compete with a Hunter these days?

- Oh, you don't know! Still, one company might match a B-rank Hunter.

- That wasn't just one company; it was the entire Danish military.

- Well, there are only twelve top-tier Hunters in the world, so it's only natural.

- Anyway, I'm jealous. How happy must they be? I wish I could become an A-rank Hunter.

- But in reality, even if I died and was reborn hundreds of times, I might not even become a C-rank Hunter.

- Even being a C-rank would be amazing.

- That's true.

- Anyway, I'd love to live like the Thunder Emperor. How great would it be? No worries, no nagging from my mom or sister.

- Is this a grievance board or what?

"Indeed, it's the Thunder Emperor! Excellent. Excellent! Haha!"

Chairman Park Dae-han smiled with immense satisfaction as he read the online articles.

"Um... Chairman."

His secretary, Woo Do-young, dressed in a neat suit, cautiously spoke up as he watched him.

Park Dae-han looked up.

"Hmm? What's the matter?"

"Is this really okay?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, the person in question is of legendary rank, one of the Twelve Apostles, a hero of humanity. Using him like this feels a bit unsettling to me."

The chairman responded with a serious expression.

"Oh, what are you saying? Using? Do I look like someone who would exploit a hero of humanity for my own benefit? Besides, I didn't even approach him; he came to me to propose a deal. Refusing would be disrespectful to a hero of humanity, wouldn't it?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

"And you see, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"...Pardon?"

"We're scratching each other's backs and filling each other's needs. Isn't that what mutual benefit is all about? It's a win-win, absolutely! Haha!"

"......"

It seemed like he was just being stubborn.

But Secretary Woo Do-young didn't voice that thought.

The chairman seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood for once.

And he knew how much the chairman had struggled recently.

Until not long ago, Park Dae-han's face had been filled with worry and concern, but now those were nowhere to be seen.

'Sigh, I don't know anymore. Whatever happens, happens.'

With a shrug, he gave up and looked out the window.

The sky was a deep, clear blue.

* * *

At the same time,

In a café in Incheon, Seoul.

This place, usually bustling with people, was lively today with a variety of patrons.

Tap tap tap. Tap tap.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, a man in a hoodie was sitting alone at a table, typing away on his laptop without pause.

The only other action he took was occasionally sipping from a drink beside him.

"...Doesn't he look like a wannabe novelist?"

One of the part-timers, who had been observing the peculiar customer, whispered to another part-timer.

"Hmm, I'm not sure?"

"No, no. I'm sure. We sometimes get people like that in our café, and they're almost always writing something novel-like."

"Then maybe he's not a wannabe but a famous author?"

"Come on, if he were successful, wouldn't he have his own workspace? And look at his appearance, with the hoodie pulled down low—definitely a wannabe."

The part-timer then launched into an impassioned explanation about the difference between authors and wannabes.

The other part-timer nodded along, not particularly interested but understanding the excessive interest.

Standing all day and working part-time every day was not only tiring but also incredibly dull and stifling. Especially on such a nice day, those feelings were magnified.

The only thing they could do was talk about the customers in the café, so trivial conversations often dragged on like this.

Though it was just a story that would be forgotten when new customers arrived.

Then it happened.

Ding!

"Welcome! This is Café Gunner."

"Welcome... Oh my gosh!"

As the door opened and they gave their mechanical greeting, their eyes widened.

A sturdy, white-haired old man.

But calling him an old man didn't quite fit; he exuded the aura of a white lion.

Like a noble king hiding ferocity.

He was followed by a middle-aged man with an equally intense presence.

The people chatting in the café widened their eyes at the sight of the man who had just appeared.

"Hey, hey. Look over there."

"Huh? Why?"

"That guy. That guy. Isn't he that person?"

"...Whoa, no way!"

"Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable."

However, the white-haired old man seemed indifferent to the people's reactions. He looked around the café and then smiled as if he had found something.

Then he slowly walked to the counter.

They say when something too surprising happens, people lose their words.

"One iced Americano, please."

The part-timer at the counter just stared blankly at the old man as he placed his order.

"Hmm?"

The old man tapped the counter. Only then did the part-timer snap back to reality and respond hastily.

"What? Oh, yes, yes, yes! Iced Americano! Yes, yes, yes, got it."

"Thank you. You're working hard."

After completing the payment, the old man gave the part-timer a warm smile. It was like the gaze of a grandparent looking at their beloved grandchild who had just stepped into society.

'Wow. I might have used up all my luck in this life.'

The part-timer felt like they might faint at any moment.

From the part-timers to the customers, their reactions to this old man were understandable.

It was impossible not to know who he was. He was one of the most famous people in Korea.

The Emperor, Koo Hwi-soo.

Ranked number one among Korean Hunters and within the top 20 worldwide, he was an incredibly skilled individual and the guild master of Korea's strongest guild, 'Guardian Gate.'

Why on earth was he here?

Murmur, murmur.

His unexpected appearance caused a stir not only in the café but also on social media.

* * *

- Hey, hey, hey!! No way, the Emperor just showed up at a café in Incheon! #ProofShotAttached"

- Huh? You mean the Emperor? Unbelievable! Unbelievable!"

- Please, coordinates! I'm a huge fan of the Emperor, and seeing him in person is my dream!!"

"It's been a while."

Regardless of the social media frenzy, the Emperor paid no attention.

He was focused on one thing.

Tap tap tap. Tap tap. Tap tap tap.

The man in the hoodie, typing away on his laptop, not sparing a glance in his direction.

As if it was his rightful place, the Emperor sat down at the table next to him and spoke.

"How have you been?"

The man, Tae Ihyun, who hadn't even looked up from his keyboard, finally spoke.

"You drink Americano too?"

"Haha, to keep up with the times, I must adapt."

"And yet, you kept recommending traditional herbal medicine to me until two years ago."

"It was just the small wish of an old man who wanted to share what he liked with a child he cherished like a grandson. Honestly, isn't it better than that rice water you always drink?"

"......"

Only then did Tae Ihyun look at the Emperor with an incredulous expression.

On his table were not the Emperor's drinks, but an iced Americano with melted ice, untouched, and two nearly finished bottles of 'Morning Sunshine.'

"This is good for you. It's not rice water, okay? Aren't you worried about getting sued by the company that makes it?"

"Buying the company would be faster than getting sued. By the way, isn't outside food prohibited here?"

"The kind-hearted owner allowed it."

In exchange for buying an iced Americano every two hours.

Thank goodness the iced Americano was only 1,500 won.

"And I'm busy right now. As you can see. Very."

It was the kind of cold shoulder that would make most people awkwardly get up and leave.

But the Emperor only smiled. Tae Ihyun was the only person who treated him this way.

Yet, rather than appearing arrogant, he seemed like a grumbling but endearing grandson.

And one more thing.

The Emperor was just as thick-skinned and laid-back as Tae Ihyun.

Boom.

With a strange resonating sensation, the space around them was isolated from the outside.

It was the Emperor.

"What brings you here?"

Ignoring Tae Ihyun's attitude, the Emperor got straight to the point.