Tap tap. Tap tap tap. Tap. Tap tap.

In the group chat named [Blood-Tinged Business Relationship], a flurry of angry messages appeared.

Me: Hey!

Me: Hey!

Me: Hey, No-Answer!

Me: You said it, right?

Me: Come clean.

No-Answer: Hey, little brother.

No-Answer: Could you explain in a way I can understand?

No-Answer: This wise sister can't figure out what nonsense you're spouting.

Me: You told them where I was, didn't you?

Me: How could you sell out your own brother? You're really good at socializing, huh?

No-Answer: Look, little brother. I have no idea what you're talking about, nor do I care. If you're going to keep babbling nonsense, get lost. I'm about to raid a Gate.

Me: I posted a picture in the family chat earlier, saying the cafe atmosphere was nice and the coffee was super cheap! You told them after seeing that, didn't you?

No-Answer: I don't even click on the pictures you post, so what are you talking about? Get lost.

Me: Your boss just showed up to find me! Ugh!

No-Answer: Wow. I thought that might happen soon.

No-Answer: Anyway, I really don't know anything. And since you're meeting the boss, enjoy your time together. Bye.

Me: Hey! No-Answer! Are you kidding me?????? It was you!

Me: Hey!

Me: Hey, answer me! Before you head to the Gate!

Me: Hey, answer me!

Me: Damn it! Ignoring me again and running away?!

Me: Okay, let's see how it is? I'm going to eat all your snacks in the fridge today. I noticed some new puddings in there, haha, nice nice lol.

No-Answer: Just try touching them. You're dead. Seriously.

Wise Youngest: …I bet the boss just sent his subordinates to find out and track you down.

Tap tap tap tap. Tap tap. Tap. Tap tap.

Unaware of Tae Ihyun's furious typing on his laptop, The Emperor continued the conversation.

"No matter how much we tried to stop him, he insisted on retiring. What wind blew him back to work, I wonder."

Though it wasn't exactly a strong protest, The Emperor had also tried to dissuade Tae Ihyun from retiring.

About... 25 times?

Yet Tae Ihyun had firmly decided to retire, saying he had something he really wanted to do.

And now he's back?

Why?

What changed his mind?

However,

Tap. Tap tap tap. Tap. Tap.

The other party continued to stare at the screen, ignoring the chatter.

The Emperor, who had been watching Tae Ihyun, suddenly smiled knowingly.

As if he had anticipated this all along.

"Oh, by the way. Did you enjoy the salmon I sent you last year? I was told my secretary delivered it well."

Flinch.

Finally, the sound of typing stopped.

"I still haven't heard a thank you..."

With The Emperor's gaze turning wistful, Tae Ihyun hastily shouted.

"No, it's just that! You called out of the blue saying, 'I'm in Japan and the salmon here is delicious. Do you like salmon?' I just said 'yes,' and then you suddenly hung up and sent it!"

"Yes, and I heard you enjoyed it very much from Crimson Flame."

"..."

"And, half a year ago, there was that incident. Our 'Guardian Gate' guild's subsidiary designed some shoes... what were they called?"

"The Black Limited Edition 'Haunted,' only 100 pairs produced worldwide, Chairman."

Flinch.

A man quietly standing behind The Emperor interjected with impeccable timing.

"Yes, and you asked for three pairs, which we managed to get with great difficulty."

"And each pair had to be a different size."

Who is this guy standing behind him?

"And three months ago..."

"Oh, come on! Really? I helped a lot in the past too! Give and take!"

The Emperor chuckled and nodded.

"Yes, you did. You love give and take. Indeed, I know it well."

Dodged it. Almost fell for it...

"But you know what?"

"What?"

"Since you retired, it seems like the give and take has become more of a give and give and give. Must be my imagination, right?"

"..."

Tae Ihyun was at a loss for words.

When faced with such undeniable facts, what more could he say?

"I hope you don't misunderstand. I was just worried something might have happened since my cherished junior reversed his retirement."

"You just can't resist your curiosity..."

"Well, there's that too."

The Emperor laughed heartily once more.

"Alright, alright! Geez."

Tae Ihyun let out a short sigh and spoke again.

"It was just a transaction."

He began to explain the situation up to that point.

* * *

A luxury sedan glided silently down the road.

Inside the car, The Emperor Koo Hwisoo glanced out the window and suddenly let out a chuckle.

"All for research, huh."

He recalled the conversation they had at the cafe earlier.

- Research? You should have asked us instead.

- Guardian Gate?

- Not to mention anything hunter-related. As you know, our Guardian Gate isn't just a guild; we operate like a large corporation. You can experience any professional role you want.

- Eh, the Guardian Gate companies are too high-end. Too high-end.

- What's wrong with being high-end?

- It's not very down-to-earth. So, disqualified.

- Haha.

- Besides, isn't your lowest raid team B-rank? What I need now are lower-tier guilds struggling to survive, barely managing to defeat monsters... those kinds of situations.

- Hmm, if you want, I could send a B-rank raid team into an A-rank or S-rank Gate.

- ...You're joking, right? They'd all die.

- With you there, what is there to worry about? In the end, no one would die, and the Gate raid would succeed smoothly.

- Again! Trying to use me like that! That's the problem with you. I vow never to ask Guardian Gate for help again.

- Hahaha!

That grandson was incorrigible. His reasons for quitting and coming back were so typical of him.

But who could say anything to the 'Thunder Emperor'?

Thinking once again that rank is power, The Emperor called the man sitting in the front seat.

"Secretary Do."

"Yes, Chairman."

"I had a thought. What do you think about starting a publishing company? You know, these days, kids are into fantasy or whatever they call web novels."

"...Pardon?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Secretary Do gave a bewildered response. But regardless of Secretary Do's reaction, The Emperor continued with a serious expression.

"Look into it."

"Ah, ...yes."

The Emperor was giving too much affection to a grandson not even related by blood.

Whether the person in question knew this or not.

Meanwhile, as The Emperor continued his drive,

Tap tap tap. Tap. Tap tap. Tap.

Murmur murmur.

"Who is that guy in the hoodie?"

"Must be a hunter, obviously."

"Does it make sense for The Emperor to personally visit a hunter like this? Unless they're relatives."

"But isn't he too scruffy for that?"

The cafe, which had been bustling with The Emperor's arrival, quieted down momentarily before becoming lively again.

Many in the cafe were curious about how Tae Ihyun knew The Emperor.

But since he was someone The Emperor had personally met, no one dared to approach, only stealing glances from afar.

The fact that no one approached was a relief, but for Tae Ihyun, it was already an uncomfortable situation.

Tap tap. Tap. Tap tap tap. Tap.

Nevertheless, Tae Ihyun stubbornly stayed put, typing away on his keyboard.

'Two hours for a 1,500 won coffee!'

He intended to write diligently during that time.

That old man, coming all the way here to bother me.

Ugh!

Yet, surprisingly, Tae Ihyun didn't seem too displeased.

He recalled The Emperor's parting words as he left the cafe.

- As I've always said, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to reach out. Got it?

Help, my foot.

Tae Ihyun lifted his head slightly, smirked, and muttered.

"Anyway, they all still think I'm a kid."

Just then.

Ding.

Tae Ihyun looked at the phone on the table.

A message had arrived.

"Everything's ready."

A smile spread across Tae Ihyun's lips as he read the message.

"Alright. Let's get going."

The first give and take with the Chairman.

It was time to start the research.