“…….”
A full week had passed since that fateful day when Bucheon City teetered on the brink of becoming an underwater metropolis.
Struck by a profound sense of urgency from the incident, I dedicated that entire week to meticulously scrutinizing my profession and abilities, and before long, I managed to arrive at my own conclusions.
“…It simply seems I am uniquely anomalous.”
Although I had diligently compiled all available news regarding meteorologists from across the globe, not a single one among them could manipulate the climate with such vast scope or wield power as immense as mine.
Their capabilities, at best, extended to discerning atmospheric flows or deducing weather patterns. There was a faint record of three corporate-employed meteorologists congregating to conjure a modest shower, yet even that remained uncertain.
‘While I’ve heard that individual skill disparities exist even within the same class…’
Regardless, this was a difference that could only be described as being on an entirely different plane of existence.
After all, on that particular day, I hadn’t even consciously focused my strength to utilize my abilities.
It merely signified that the residual, unconscious power, which had seeped out of me solely due to a bout of melancholic emotions, was potent enough to almost trigger a cataclysmic flood that would have engulfed the entirety of Bucheon City.
‘In any case, I must exercise extreme caution.’
Should I inadvertently succumb to a ‘menhera’ state (TL Note: A Japanese slang term, ‘menhera,’ referring to someone with mental health issues, often used to describe someone who is emotionally unstable or attention-seeking), the world itself would face peril.
The phrasing, while somewhat absurd, was an undeniable fact.
If my withdrawal of power had been delayed even slightly, I harbored no doubt that the residents of Bucheon City would have suffered substantial damage.
****
[Title: You guys owe me big time]
[High School Grad Middle Schooler]
[Content]
Saving the world is no easy feat.
Being powerful truly is a curse.
[Comments]
– Middle Schooler Ajusshi is at it again.
– Who broke this one so badly?
– They’ve been like this since they first got here.
– Channel owner’s broadcast in 30, everyone move it.
As it happened, I had recently migrated from the Korean-exclusive channels and was now primarily active in ‘Shin Yirin Channel’.
While ostensibly a channel dedicated to sharing and supporting the endeavors of Shin Yirin, an active A-rank hunter, it was, in essence, a social hub for users who shared similar inclinations.
For whiling away time, there was simply no better place.
[Title: Channel owner’s still pretty today]
[Full-time Farmer]
[Content]
Feels like it’s been a while since she was on broadcast.
Didn’t she say she’s throwing the first pitch at the stadium later?
[Comments]
– She’s always trying to hit up dungeons, so the guild probably told her to chill.
– The kid’s too obsessed with dungeons.
– So, did you finish planting all your cabbages?
– Yeah, almost died of boredom.
The internal atmosphere of the channel was straightforward: half was genuine interest in Shin Yirin, the de facto channel owner, and the other half comprised the casual socializing of its regular users.
Typically, such tight-knit communities tend to be wary of outsiders, yet it took me a mere three days to seamlessly integrate myself among them.
‘Honestly, it wasn’t particularly difficult.’
Before Shin Yirin achieved widespread renown as a hunter, she frequently visited the orphanage where I once resided, offering her time to care for the young children.
When I uploaded a photograph of Shin Yirin in her volunteer attire from those days, it instantly captivated everyone’s attention as a rare and unseen image, swiftly earning me recognition as an accepted member of their fold.
[Title: Is Middle Schooler Ajusshi around?]
[Mint Soboro Bread]
[Content]
Which set is better to equip?
Neither is complete yet.
[Comments]
– Immortal.
– K, thx.
– Farm a bit more, if you get duplicates, enhance them and stick with it, then swap if other parts finish first.
In this manner, offering gaming advice and sharing daily life experiences with others, my ‘archive’ existence could certainly be described as remarkably smooth sailing.
So, had there been no changes in my actual life, despite having awakened as an unprecedented meteorologist?
Astonishingly, there were none. Not a single aspect had shifted.
“…Then what exactly am I supposed to do?”
Firstly, to participate in any external activities, I would be compelled to disclose the truth about this altered body and adjust my identity, which would inevitably lead to a battery of precise examinations.
Should my profession as a meteorologist be uncovered during that process? A primary commotion, absolutely guaranteed.
And then, if it were revealed that I was an unparalleled, super-genius meteorologist, far surpassing ordinary levels? A secondary commotion, immediately confirmed.
“They even say the inspection facilities have been upgraded.”
As I’d mentioned previously, I harbored no particular desire to live my life closely intertwined with others in the real world.
Thus, for the time being, I was cautiously deliberating my future actions rather than making any rash moves. At least for now, regardless of what might transpire later.
****
*Rustle.*
*Whoosh.*
*Flick.*
“Ugh… this still doesn’t fit.”
Unsurprisingly, now that I inhabited a girl’s body, I couldn’t possibly continue to live perpetually clad in my old male clothing.
Consequently, I had ordered underwear and various everyday garments for delivery, but the process had been fraught with numerous trials and errors.
Had I not acquired at least rudimentary housekeeping skills while looking after children at the orphanage, even this much would likely have proven impossible.
“Sports bras are definitely more comfortable…”
The physique of this body was, at best, that of a middle or high school student; while not entirely undeveloped, it was far from what one might describe as a mature woman.
Honestly, from my perspective as a robust man, it felt like gazing upon… merely a pretty and charming middle school girl.
Just a tiny girl, albeit one with an almost ethereal appearance.
“Sigh.”
In this state, even a simple trip to the convenience store just outside my home felt conspicuous, let alone venturing further afield.
While society had indeed advanced to the point where most items could be purchased with a single click, the undeniable truth was that my daily life was plagued by inconveniences.
[Title: What, they’re saying the game’s postponed because of rain]
[Yirin-chan’s Thighs]
[Content]
The channel owner was really looking forward to throwing her first pitch, isn’t the meteorological agency doing its job right?
[Comments]
– Seriously? I ordered chicken and was just sitting here waiting.
– It’s raining more than I thought, might even get canceled.
– Ugh, that’s so messed up.
Upon seeing the posts uploaded by users, I hastily checked the live broadcast featuring Shin Yirin, and sure enough, a torrential downpour was underway, making it utterly impossible for the game to commence.
Even the guild’s filming crew struggled to conceal their vexed expressions, and Shin Yirin herself appeared noticeably disheartened.
Observing this scene in quiet contemplation, I let out a soft chuckle, then opened the window, stepped onto the balcony, closed my eyes, and began to concentrate on the lingering scent of the passing wind.
*Whoosh.*
‘Damp and humid… roughly in that direction, I suppose?’
Though people rarely give it deep thought, weather is not some arbitrary fortune-telling decided by rock-paper-scissors.
It is a facet of natural phenomena, influenced by a myriad of elements such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, and wind speed, each with clear causes and effects.
Having become a meteorologist, I could perceive these intricate details as naturally as if they were extensions of my own body, and the scope of my sensory abilities was vast enough to effortlessly encompass the entire Korean peninsula and beyond.
In simpler terms, stopping rain that was falling tens of kilometers away was, for my current self, an utterly trivial act.
*Pitter-patter.*
*Drip-drop.*
*Plop.*
A short while later, the heavy raindrops, which had been furiously cascading down on the screen, gradually lost their intensity, and within approximately ten minutes, the radiant sun began to peek through the clouds.
Having orchestrated that incredible feat with a mere wave of my hand, I simply gazed upon Shin Yirin’s joyful countenance with a contented smile.
‘…The dopamine hit is insane.’
It’s electrifying! It’s delightful! It’s euphoric!
I am a super-genius meteorologist!
I can manipulate the weather!
At this point, wouldn’t I effectively stand on par with Poongbaek, Woosa, and Unsa, the heavenly deities of the Dangun myth? (TL Note: Poongbaek, Woosa, and Unsa are deities in Korean mythology who control wind, rain, and clouds, respectively.)
No, perhaps I, capable of accomplishing everything on my own, might even surpass those three, each of whom presides over their individual domains.
‘Can this truly be right?’
A genuine fear of my own immense talent was slowly beginning to take root within me.
Barely managing to subdue the twitching corners of my lips, I immediately logged into the archive to unleash the surging exhilaration, commencing to post a deluge of nonsensical messages on the channel.
[Title: I think I’m too freaking awesome]
[High School Grad Middle Schooler]
[Content]
Seriously, what am I supposed to do????
[Comments]
– ? ㅋㅋ
– Are you out of your mind?
– Stop messing around and join the action party after the channel owner’s first pitch; let’s run Hell together.
– Hold on, just gotta sort out the bras I ordered.
– Your concept is begging for a slap;
‘Mint Soboro Bread,’ with whom I had recently enjoyed playing games, hurled insults at my comment, but truthfully, I felt unjustly accused.
Who would *want* to wear this flimsy chest covering? If I didn’t wear it, it would chafe and be uncomfortable, so I had no other choice.
I experienced such intense discomfort that I was willing to endure even the erosion of my precious masculinity.
“Ugh, what a bother.”
Uttering a complaint in a voice unsuited to my adorable tone, I shoved the selected underwear into a drawer without even folding it, then swiftly retreated to my room and began logging into the game.
Completely oblivious to the tragic events that were about to unfold.
****
*Clack.*
*Tap-tap-tap.*
“No, are you serious? What is going on?”
That day, Mint Soboro Bread and I spent three grueling hours clearing dungeons, and astonishingly, I failed to acquire even a single piece of useful equipment.
I was the one consumed by rage, but regrettably, it was the blameless residents of Bucheon City who were forced to bear the brunt of that fury.
*Ding!*
[Bucheon City Hall]
– Very heavy rain is anticipated during evening rush hour. We strongly advise using public transportation if possible. For drivers, please avoid entering flooded areas. We also request you refrain from going out at night and avoid dangerous locations such as rivers.
“…….”
Ah, well… my apologies.
I will manage my anger better from now on. Truly.
