Chapter 42: The Arrival of the Weather Calamity

They were people Han Dokyeom had seen before. These were the trainees who had received gate entry instruction under Han Yuseong’s command. In fact, they were the very hunters who had accompanied him through the gate when he acquired the skills and .

Most of them were B-class hunters, though he recalled a few A-class individuals among them. Having shed their trainee tags, their expressions now exuded the confidence of seasoned hunters. Just as Dokyeom’s gaze seemed to meet one of theirs, the group’s trajectory abruptly shifted.

They headed straight for Dokyeom.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t you! We’re not strangers, are we? Don’t you remember? We went into that swamp gate with Instructor Han Yuseong, the one with the ‘Udia.’ We were your fellow trainees back then. Oh, and now our training’s finished, and we’re running gates, getting our assignments.”

The man with the mischievous grin comically crinkled his nose. He exuded a vibrant, youthful energy, appearing to be either the spirited leader or the energetic youngest member of his team.

No sooner had he acknowledged Dokyeom than a flurry of greetings erupted from all sides.

“Oh, I remember too! Aren’t you that E-class who dodged the ‘Udia’ attacks so brilliantly? Wow, we were all so stunned back then, haha! Ah, that brings back memories. Now that I think about it, it was quite avoidable. The ‘Udia’ is actually a weaker monster for its rank, you know.”

“You’re Hunter Han Dokyeom, right? I’m A-class Hunter Shin Myeonghwan. We might not cross paths often, but since we’ve met, you might as well remember my name. If you ever need help, I might just be able to lend a hand.”

“Yes, hello.”

Dokyeom offered a fleeting greeting with his eyes, devoid of any warmth. Shin Myeonghwan, however, settled himself directly opposite Dokyeom, propping his elbows on the table and leaning forward with the slouching posture of a common ruffian.

The moment Shin Myeonghwan’s eyes sharpened, the true purpose of his visit spilled from his lips.

“But tell me… isn’t it true that Hunter Han Dokyeom is the E-class who miraculously returned from a ‘Red Gate’? And there are quite a few whispers about how much trouble you supposedly caused… Is that really true?”

Tilting his coffee cup, Dokyeom met Shin Myeonghwan’s murky gaze without a word. When no response came, Shin Myeonghwan waved a dismissive hand, letting out a sympathetic sigh. His tone was strangely consoling.

“E-class hunters are all like that, aren’t they? What else could we expect? I heard our Instructor Han Yuseong went through quite a bit of hardship inside that gate. He might not say it, but oh, my… I wouldn’t have been as magnanimous as the instructor. Our Instructor Han Yuseong is truly too kind-hearted in such matters. And I heard he even got injured protecting you, Mr. Han Dokyeom, didn’t he?”

Dokyeom set his cup down with a sharp clatter. Shin Myeonghwan, however, maintained his smirking facade, pressing him again as if gently needling. “Come on, give me an answer, huh? Are those rumors true? You certainly look the part, Mr. Han Dokyeom.”

Dokyeom met Shin Myeonghwan’s bravado-laced expression with an equally unwavering smile.

“And?”

“Huh? Ah… what I mean is, I’m wondering if this whole illegal contract business also had our instructor’s influence, prompting our CEO to personally intervene. I heard you were screaming for help during the briefing—I haven’t heard it myself, but I caught snippets in the news. Our Sahyeon Guild isn’t some charity organization that just bails out anyone, you know? We only accept B-class and above here. But if Mr. Han Dokyeom keeps acting so conspicuously, some people are bound to view it negatively, aren’t they?”

“We’re just worried, that’s all. We’re acquainted, after all, and hearing bad things about you makes us feel uneasy, doesn’t it? We’d much rather only hear good things.”

The mischievous man beside Shin Myeonghwan chimed in, lending his support. Witnessing their behavior, Dokyeom couldn’t help but wonder if they harbored some hidden resentment. They had only met once; what could possibly have aggrieved them so much?

“So, to summarize, Hunter Shin Myeonghwan, you’re worried about the ultimate nuisance an E-class hunter can be—one who even makes headlines and oversteps their bounds—and you want to offer some unsolicited advice. And the rest of you, you’re simply uncomfortable and concerned that an E-class who doesn’t know their place might earn everyone’s contempt, so you want to meddle a bit, isn’t that right?”

To Dokyeom, their words sounded like nothing more than a thinly veiled desire to put him in his place. Ordinarily, individuals like Han Yuseong and Taeseongyeon belonged to a far higher echelon, with no conceivable ties to an E-class. Yet, now that an E-class had forged connections they themselves couldn’t, it was only natural for them to be consumed by envy and vexation.

‘So connections only skip *you* guys, huh?’

“Hey, Mr. Han Dokyeom. Aren’t you twisting our words too much? We only mean well…!”

“Ty-typhoon’s coming! A typhoon! A typhoon is coming! Disaster! Everyone, take cover, quick!”

Just as Shin Myeonghwan slammed his clenched fist onto the table, baring his teeth, someone burst through the glass doors. They dashed into the lobby, shouting loud enough to make the entire space tremble. Instantly, every head swiveled toward the transparent windows.

A typhoon on such a beautiful, cool, and intensely sunny day? Everyone tilted their heads, perplexed. Yet, the more seasoned hunters in the lobby, their faces suddenly ashen, began to sprint toward the emergency stairwells.

Only the newest rookie hunters, fresh to the scene, truly took in that panoramic moment. Among them was Shin Myeonghwan, still seated before Dokyeom, observing the unfolding chaos with a bewildered expression.

The lobby emptied in an instant. The few remaining hunters blinked in confusion, when suddenly, from a distance, the sharp *click-clack* of high heels echoed. The unnervingly precise rhythm conjured an image of a remarkably confident stride.

As everyone collectively turned their gaze, a tall woman, impeccably dressed and wearing sunglasses, pushed open the transparent glass doors. She strode in with an air of elegant confidence.

Her long, wavy hair, paired with a tailored suit, exuded an aura of sophisticated intelligence. The woman, cloaked in an almost cinematic allure, held her head high. As far as Dokyeom knew, only one person in all of South Korea possessed such an uncontainable presence and overwhelming force.

That person was Yisaein, the nation’s sole AA-class hunter, whom the entire populace referred to as ‘Weather Calamity’ or ‘Natural Disaster’.

While the public believed Yisaein’s moniker, ‘Weather Calamity,’ stemmed from her formidable abilities, hunters interpreted it entirely differently. For them, the title was an apt descriptor for her utterly dreadful personality.

She was an individual whose formidable personality was so potent that even the most distinguished hunters of the Sahyeon Guild actively avoided her. She was, in essence, a typhoon, sweeping away and demolishing everything in her path.

Click-clack—click-clack—

Yisaein, who had been traversing the hushed lobby, abruptly halted. She removed the sunglasses that had obscured half her face, hooking them casually onto her hand. Standing askew, her arms crossed, Yisaein surveyed the lobby, her gaze finally settling on a cluster of people. She then began to walk toward them.

It was precisely where Dokyeom and the newly ‘untagged’ trainee hunters, including Shin Myeonghwan, were gathered.

Yisaein stopped precisely before the table where Dokyeom sat. The rookie hunters surrounding them parted like the Red Sea, watching her every move. Their faces, brimming with anticipation, waited for the scathing remarks they expected Yisaein to unleash.

“You there, let’s talk for a moment, shall we?”

“Who, me?”

“Who else? Mr. Han Dokyeom, it’s you.”

Standing askew, arms crossed, her posture suggested she was ready to seize someone by the collar. Yet, a whimsical thought crossed Dokyeom’s mind: the vibrant red lipstick on her lips suited her remarkably well. Indeed, Yisaein had been the primary architect, a pivotal character who had gripped readers by the scruff of their necks and pulled them through the very heart of Dokyeom’s novel.

Naturally, his affection for her was extraordinary. She was both admirable and beautiful.

“We’re not strangers, are we, Mr. Han Dokyeom?”

“Yes. We met once at the Employment Center. Thank you for providing me with your email back then. Things worked out quite well, thanks to you.”

“Well, never mind that. I didn’t come here to discuss that now.”

Yisaein swept her long hair, which had fallen across her chest, back over her shoulder. A brief, powerful gust of wind seemed to ripple behind her, as if in response.

Yisaein, her forest-green eyes cast downward, spoke again.

“Listen, Mr. Han Dokyeom. I don’t usually watch the news, but I’ve heard so much that I had to take a look. I hear you’ve been causing quite a bit of trouble for our guild hunters, haven’t you? Especially for Hunter Han Yuseong and our CEO.”

Everyone swallowed, their hearts pounding. This was the prelude. A thrill rose from their very core, causing suppressed chuckles to escape. It was the clear sign that something momentous was about to unfold. As they cautiously retreated, preparing for the ensuing damage, a long curve finally graced Yisaein’s otherwise perfectly impassive lips.

Yisaein smiled sweetly. That wasn’t all. She uncrossed her arms and rummaged through her handbag, pulling out a small package. It was a bag filled with adorable little bears. No, they were cookies.

Shin Myeonghwan and the other hunters’ eyes instantly widened in astonishment. Their gazes, a mix of confusion, bewilderment, and dismay, followed the cookies.

The cookies, held in Yisaein’s hand, were gently placed into Dokyeom’s. Yisaein, in the interim, swept her re-fallen hair back over her shoulder.

“These are cookies I baked myself. I’ve been waiting eagerly for you to join the guild, Mr. Han Dokyeom. I only just heard you arrived today, so I could only make this much. Eat them, and if they’re good, I’ll give you more next time.”

“You made these yourself, Ms. Yisaein?”

“Why, afraid they’ll taste bad?”

“They’re beautiful.”

“Hmph, you do have good taste.”

At Dokyeom’s compliment, Yisaein rummaged in her handbag again and produced a few more candies. She then flashed a charming, assertive smile.