Episode 17: Make Sure to Eat Well, Author.

Although all nearby CCTVs were destroyed and nothing was captured clearly… as you can see from the footage taken from afar, it is presumed that the one who subdued the robbers this time is likely the Thunder Emperor.

The TV screen showed four villains being carried away, foaming at the mouth and unconscious, after a massive spark. The screen then switched to a stunning photo of the Thunder Emperor, with platinum blonde hair and striking blue eyes.

It was a photo that anyone would fall for.

If you were to choose the best-selling poster among all hunters in history, it would undoubtedly be the one made from that photo.

That poster adorned the walls of countless homes around the world.

“Wow. That’s killer. Absolutely killer.”

Gold Label, one of the Korean web novel publishers.

The staff there were taking a quick break, grabbing burgers for lunch.

They were busy with the piled-up manuscripts, so they were having a late lunch, but at this moment, they couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the news.

“He’s handsome. Really handsome. It’s like the word ‘cool’ has come to life. Just look at that chic expression. Even as a guy, I’d fall for him. To think such a handsome guy is Korea’s top hunter.”

Gu Kyungmo murmured while holding a burger.

Then another staff member next to him, munching on a burger, chimed in.

“Hey, saying he’s Korea’s best isn’t enough. He’s one of the Twelve Apostles.”

As a hunter enthusiast, he continued excitedly.

“When the Legendary rank finally appeared in Korea, I was so thrilled. When that news broke, I was shouting like our country had won the World Cup. Me!”

“Oh, oh.”

I remember.

It was a historic moment.

Compared to Japan and China, where the Legendary rank had appeared once or twice, Korea seemed so insignificant.

Now, in the era of the Great Gate, the status of a country completely changes based on the hunters it possesses.

So when neighboring countries, especially those always in competition, had one or two Legendary rank awakeners appear, how envious we were.

Whenever there was a discussion, Korean netizens were often dismissed by netizens from other countries in hunter-related communities with, “Has Korea ever had a Legendary rank? If not, shut up.”

But with the appearance of the Thunder Emperor, we no longer had to endure such treatment. How joyous that was.

This even applied in international diplomacy.

Korea’s position, which was always subtly disregarded diplomatically, completely changed.

The existence of a Legendary rank, surpassing S-rank, which is considered a national overthrow force, was a moment when many people felt how much strength it gave to the nation and its people.

Is there a more fitting example of the phrase ‘Thank you for being born’?

“Moreover, he’s always ranked first or second in the global hunter popularity rankings. Unlike other hunters who act like stars, he avoids media exposure entirely. What a mystery he is. Haha.”

Watching his colleague’s near-fanclub-level obsession with the Thunder Emperor, Gu Kyungmo just chuckled.

“He’s doing well, right?”

“Of course. Even being A-rank makes you rich. What’s the big deal?”

“With that face, those abilities, money, and fame. I wonder what it’s like to live like that.”

“I can’t even imagine. There’s no life in the heavens like that.”

“Indeed. Haha.”

“Oh? You’ve already finished.”

While his colleague was passionately declaring his love for the Thunder Emperor, Gu Kyungmo had already finished his burger.

He then took out his phone and started pressing the screen.

“Who are you contacting? A girlfriend? You said you went on a blind date last time.”

“Hey. Don’t you remember that the live manuscript came in late that day, so I missed the date? I finally forgot about it, and now you’re making me mad again.”

“Oh, right. Haha. Sorry. Then who are you contacting?”

“Oh? Ah. I was just thinking about our poor author while talking about heavenly lives.”

“Out of the blue?”

“I just wanted to send a chicken coupon, saying they’re doing well these days.”

“Wow. You’re an angel. An angel.”

“Well, they’re still a rookie author without any income, so I have to take care of them somehow. Haha.”

“Wow, another rookie author will be shedding tears of gratitude while eating chicken tonight.”

“Alright, enough jokes. Let’s look at the piled-up manuscripts. Otherwise, it’s another night of overtime.”

“Sigh. Yes, yes.”

Gu Kyungmo then sent a chicken coupon to one of the authors he was in charge of.

Hoping they wouldn’t skip meals while writing due to lack of money.

Ding!

[ ‘Half & Half Master’ Chicken Coupon / Half Fried, Half Seasoned, Cola 1.3L ]

- Author, make sure to eat well while working. No matter how important the manuscript is, health comes first. Got it? Don’t just eat ramen all the time.

- Haha, yes! Thank you, manager. I’ll enjoy it ^^

After replying to the message he just received, Tae Ihyun looked up.

The room was impressively decorated with a very classic style.

The table was filled with dishes that seemed to be meticulously prepared by a top-notch chef.

Park Daehan, sitting across from Tae Ihyun, smiled warmly.

“How is it? Does the food suit your taste?”

“Well, it’s not bad.”

“Haha, that’s a relief.”

This place was the top-tier restaurant ‘Susia,’ known to be impossible to reserve unless you were a significant VVIP.

It was famous for its exorbitant prices that would make the average person wide-eyed.

Of course, it was loved even more because it offered excellent food and service worthy of its price.

Moreover, the place they were in was the most meticulously crafted private room in Susia, not a place just anyone could enter.

“By the way, what’s the occasion? Asking to meet out of the blue.”

“Hmm? Ahaha. There’s no particular reason. I just wanted to treat you to a nice meal.”

“I can do with morning sunlight.”

“Is that even a meal?”

“If you drink a lot, it is. Oh? This rib is really good.”

“…Well, eat up.”

Despite his grumbling, Tae Ihyun was quickly devouring the food.

“Oh, right. I meant to tell you.”

“Hmm?”

“About that guild you sent me to.”

“Oh, you mean that C-rank guild? The one you went to as a gate helper?”

Tae Ihyun nodded.

“I think I’ll be staying there for a while.”

“…What? You’re going to keep working as a gate helper there?”

“Yes.”

“But… why?”

“I just like it.”

“What, what? You like that guild? You?”

Park Daehan was taken aback.

“Hmm? Why the reaction? Why, can’t I?”

“No, no, it’s not that. Haha. This is something.”

It wasn’t a strange story at all.

Finding a guild you like is possible.

But the problem was that the person saying it was the Thunder Emperor, Tae Ihyun.

How much effort had countless large guilds worldwide put into recruiting the Thunder Emperor?

However, Tae Ihyun rarely appeared in public and didn’t particularly like being in the spotlight as a hunter.

Moreover, Tae Ihyun’s ordinary appearance before entering Thunder Emperor mode was hardly known to the public.

So, unless you already knew him personally, you had to go through the Korean Hunter Association to contact the Thunder Emperor.

Requests to meet the Thunder Emperor or connect with him never ceased.

Thanks to this, Park Daehan saw what proposals were made to the Thunder Emperor. Even proposals that made Park Daehan’s jaw drop were presented to the Thunder Emperor countless times, but each time Tae Ihyun shook his head.

Park Daehan, unable to understand him, once asked why he rejected them all.

Tae Ihyun, with a nonchalant face, replied.

“I just don’t like them.”

“Don’t like them?”

“I don’t really like the idea of being tied down somewhere, and I don’t like the guild master’s smile or the guild name. Plus, the fact that the guild has 777 members bothers me. If I join, it becomes 778, right? Ugh, the more I think about it, the more I hate it. Ugh! I won’t do it. Pass!”

“……”

What seemed like a joke wasn’t a joke.

The man who turned down offers worth billions, citing such ridiculous reasons, was none other than the Thunder Emperor, Tae Ihyun.

But now, Tae Ihyun had found a guild he liked.

And it’s just a C-rank guild.

Haha…

‘I wonder what those guilds that made offers back then would say if they found out about this.’

What would they say? They’d probably foam at the mouth.

This young man was undoubtedly the most peculiar person Park Daehan had ever met.

Sometimes he seemed so gentle and kind, but other times he was so eccentric and unpredictable.

But who could blame him?

This man was none other than the Thunder Emperor.

The person with the world’s strongest power and the savior who had already saved humanity once.

Moreover, what does it matter if the guild he likes is C-rank?

The moment the Thunder Emperor joined, the rank became meaningless.

Furthermore, Park Daehan was genuinely pleased with this news.

He was always worried about what would happen if Tae Ihyun considered retiring again.

But the fact that Tae Ihyun found a guild he liked meant he was more likely to continue his life as a hunter.

‘Wait, does this mean… Korea might finally have one of the world’s top guilds?’

If so, it would be a massive upheaval.

Most importantly, the Guardian Gate, which had never once stepped down from the top spot, would have to relinquish its throne.

‘Oh, I see. That old man…’

It seemed like a lot of interesting things were about to happen.

“Everyone better get in line, haha!”

“……?”

Park Daehan interpreted Tae Ihyun’s words very differently from their intended meaning and began to think busily.

But regardless of what was happening, Tae Ihyun was just focused on filling his stomach, unaware of the butterfly effect his words might cause.

‘Is there no morning sunlight here? I’ll ask after finishing this.’

Munch, munch, gulp.