The Returner Chapter 89

When Yi Ji-Hyuk cocked his head and his expression became provocative, anger rapidly began suffusing on the faces of those blocking his way.
"I asked you, what brings you here." (?)
Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked derisively.
"If you're trying to get a piece of me, you should just come at me. Stop testing us out from behind a line you drew in the sand." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"What are you trying to imply here?" (?)
"What the, you can't understand Korean or something?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
One of the men standing there, Inspector Cho Ji-Woong swept his gaze over Yi Ji-Hyuk and frowned deeply. (TL: The Korean detectives are called Inspectors, just like in the UK.)
Who the hell was this b*stard?
Actually, what was said wasn't wrong, though.
Cho Ji-Woong of course knew very well the official reason why these people showed up here. Since he heard that a bunch of no-good ability users would tread on his turf, he'd put them in their places before they got started, that was all.
His original plan was to let them know whose home turf this was, and make sure that these a*sholes would not dare to think about crossing the line.
However, this reaction was strange, to say the least.
Yi Ji-Hyuk shifted his weight onto one leg and began trembling in a mocking manner.
"What's the matter? You scared, now that you're about to throwdown?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Of course, Cho Ji-Woong was scared.
Not one regular person would be willing to throwdown with an ability user, after all.
"You behave like this, and we will arrest you for obstructing official police business." (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Official police business?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Official business, he said official business…..
Ah. Which means…. (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
Yi Ji-Hyuk quickly asked the inspector.
"You're a policeman?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Obviously." (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Hah…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn't believe it.
To think, a policeman would block his path….
Yi Ji-Hyuk shifted his gaze over to Choi Jung-Hoon's direction. The latter man showed off his tightly clenched fist.
You idiots, you all made a huge blunder today. (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)
Upon receiving the signal to cut loose and go wild, Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head and shifted his gaze back to the policemen.
"If you continue to act like this, then well, we won't have a choice but to respond just as strongly as well." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"And how would you respond, then?" (Cho Ji-Woong)
Hahaha. (TL: I think it's the MC laughing, but not sure….)
Yi Ji-Hyuk deeply nodded his head and confidently opened his mouth.
"We're from the NDF, here to assist with the investigation after receiving the request. My name is Yi Ji-Hyuk. Sir." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"What the hell?! That's not it!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon cried out subconsciously after seeing Yi Ji-Hyuk's sudden and very abrupt turn in attitude to being very polite.
This guy, why was he acting like this all of a sudden?!
"He said he's an officer of the law!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk glared back.
"Uh……?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Now that Choi Jung-Hoon recalled the past…. Wasn't Yi Ji-Hyuk surprisingly weak against authority figures?
Even way back then, he let the KSF arrest him without raising a single fuss. Which was an incredibly unbelievable thing, if one thought about it for a second.
Just because a few gun muzzles were pointing at him, he let a pair of handcuffs slap on his wrists?
"Wait a minute! Aren't we also a part of the government?! You should treat people equally!! I mean, you throw tantrums around in the NDF, and yet…!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Them and you are completely different! These folks are the police!! The police, man! How can an organisation that came into existence on the same day as the founding of this nation and that has enjoyed neverending public authority, be compared to a mongrel of an outfit that no one can quite tell where it fell out from?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Haaaaaah…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Just when did the might and prestige of the KSF fall this hard….? (TL: I think the author made a mistake here. Should've been the NDF, instead.)
Out in the wilderness of society, you might end up hearing, 'measly cops' and stuff like that, though!
"….You're from the NDF?" (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Yup! We're here 'cuz of the request." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Y, yes. Sure….." (Cho Ji-Woong)
Seeing how cooperative and friendly Yi Ji-Hyuk had become, and thus losing the reason to continue the hostility, Inspector Cho Ji-Woong could only nod his head in bitter defeat.
This wasn't what he aimed for….
Actually, he was thinking of somehow causing a bit of incident, and then, mobilising the boys from the anti-riot unit waiting in the wings not too far from them, to make a mountain out of a molehill today.
If the news of the NDF people causing a ruckus inside the police HQ got out, then the negative public sentiments would intensify. And, the upper management, who naively thought that asking for the NDF's help would be a good idea, should have a change of heart as well. That's what he thought.
However…. What was up with this situation?
If it went down in this fashion, what use were all those cameras and reporters waiting just over yonder?
The anti-riot members were also waiting too!
No, he couldn't give up like this! He had to push a little bit harder!
"Request…. A request, you say. However, what kind of help will you people be able to provide in the first place?" (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Yup, I was thinking the same, myself." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"……………"
N, no! I can't surrender just because of this! Not yet!! (Cho Ji-Woong's inner monologue)
"Do you understand that not getting in our way is the best you can hope for? In any case, ability users or whatnot, I've never met one that's actually helpful in anything important until now!" (Cho Ji-Woong)
Hearing that, Yi Ji-Hyuk's expression hardened, and he slowly approached Cho Ji-Woong.
"W, what do you want now?" (Cho Ji-Woong)
Cho Ji-Woong tensed up visibly as he watched the youth approach him, but inwardly, he was yelling out in elation.
Although he was scared, things were finally unfolding in the manner he was hoping for.
Hit me.
At the very least, grab me by the throat or something!
I'm pretty sure you can't kill me, though.
However, I've already made up mind to spend a few months in the hospital, so come at me!
No, my pride is far more important than some bodily pain!!! (Cho Ji-Woong's inner monologue)
And as he expected, Yi Ji-Hyuk and his hardened face got very close to Cho Ji-Woong. But then, he leaned over and whispered into the ear of the befuddled policeman.
"Actually, you know, I was thinking the exact same thing. No, wait. It's not just that…. You see, every single one of them are nuts." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Ah…." (Cho Ji-Woong)
"You know, looks like we understand each other pretty well." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Hah?!" (Cho Ji-Woong)
What is this?!
What is wrong with this effing b*stard?! How can a moron like him even exist? (Cho Ji-Woong)
Cho Ji-Woong gnashed his teeth unconsciously after experiencing first hand Yi Ji-Hyuk and his slippery attitude that refused to fall for his provocation.
'You rotten ability users.' (Cho Ji-Woong)
Did these a*sholes understand how much pain and suffering they caused to the general populace through their unchecked and unhindered actions?
A whole heap of trashy b*stards that refused to follow the rules of the law and simply slapped their own wrists as a form of punishment for their crimes.
Even the current spate of murders were a clear example.
How great were the damages to the National Police from a single insane ability user rampaging around?
Remembering the amount of flak from the public the police caught for failing to apprehend a single criminal, Cho Ji-Woong thought his innards might boil over from the flames of raw fury.
However, the police couldn't solve this crime by themselves, so they had to rope in the help of none other than those d*mn ability users, so yes, his and other officers' pride were deeply wounded, and their collective frustration were piling on.
He could easily tell what would happen if these supercilious bunch of trash took the lead role in this investigation. That was why he was here, doing all this in order to put a dent in the users' arrogance before they could start, yet….
'No, ability users are conceited to the core. I can do this.' (Cho Ji-Woong)
Cho Ji-Woong felt confident of his chances.
These users wouldn't be able to openly cause a huge ruckus considering where they were. As long as they had a shred of logic still functioning in their heads, at least.
However……
Just what was wrong with this situation?
Just what the f*ck was up with this stinking b*stard?
And, what was wrong with those idiots accompanying this guy, choosing to simply stand there and not lift a finger, even after Cho Ji-Woong came out swinging like this?
"What the hell? These a*sholes dare to…?! You really want a piece of me, is tha….." (Cho Ji-Woong)
Before he could finish, Cho Ji-Woong abruptly shut his mouth up.
Why? Because, he finally got a good look into Yi Ji-Hyuk's eyes, what with the youth standing so close to him and all.
'What…. is this?' (Cho Ji-Woong)
As an Inspector, Cho Ji-Woong got to meet countless criminals during his long career. And because of that, he could more or less tell just how big an incident this youth was capable of causing, simply from the aura being emitted.
That was why….
Just what the hell…. is this guy?
Just what does one have to do, in order to emit such a terrifying aura? (Cho Ji-Woong)
Cho Ji-Woong had the opportunity to meet the leaders of several criminal empires that spanned the entirety of Korea, not to mention many powerful politicians that determined the future direction of this country, yet, without a doubt, someone like this youth was a first for him.
Perhaps, you'd be able to emit such an aura if you, instead of killing human beings one at a time, just go on a worldwide genocide as if you were stepping on ants or some such.
Would the good Inspector feel such a chilling dread if he personally met the history's worst mass murderers, the ones that could only be read about in history books and seen in documentaries?
No, the problem was that it wasn't as simple as that.
Not only was there a foreboding, melancholic sense of dread coming from the youth, there was also this volatile instability, an uncertainty of no one being able to predict just when he'd blow up with a bang.
A f*cking bomb.
Right. This guy…. He's a godd*mn bomb. (Cho Ji-Woong's inner monologue)
'How could those idiots deal with someone this dangerous as if it's nothing?' (Cho Ji-Woong)
This Yi Ji-Hyuk character was one thing, but those other NDF people giggling while looking at the youth's back seemed even more nuts at this point.
Were they not aware?
Did they not know how dangerous this man was?
Cho Ji-Woong didn't even want to be near this youth.
Even someone as experienced in all things related to dangerous people (precisely because of that experience) Cho Ji-Woong did not want to associate with the youth standing right in front of him if he could help it.
One could simply make a mistake and say Yi Ji-Hyuk looked like a young man with a bad personality, when looking at his sharp eyebrows that seemed to be shaped using the blade of ill temper, or from his puffed up cheeks.
However, there was just so much more brewing behind that facade.
"….I beg your pardon. I made a mistake." (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Yes, I've made a huge error in judgement. Please forgive me." (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Hul?"
Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head.
"Why are you acting this way out of the blue? Did I do something wrong?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Oh, nonono. No, it's our side that did something wrong, instead. Once more, please accept my sincere apology." (Cho Ji-Woong)
What the hell is the matter with this dude? Hah, look at his attitude doing a 180! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
Looking at Cho Ji-Woong and his very sincere and polite attitude, Yi Ji-Hyuk could only lick his lips in regret.
He was planning to humour this cop for a little bit longer, before causing a mother of all mayhem if things continued on in the same vein. But, now…. The mood had soured somewhat.
Well, he couldn't really beat up a guy being this nice and all.
"Okay. We'll be in your care." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Likewise. Do look after us." (Cho Ji-Woong)
The person to panic the most when Cho Ji-Woong bent his back 90 degrees in a bow was none other than Choi Jung-Hoon.
What is going on with that man?
How do I even begin to describe this reaction?! (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)
"Weren't you trying to get on our nerves just now? What happened?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
He knew this question shouldn't be asked, but Choi Jung-Hoon couldn't hold back anymore.
Cho Ji-Woong smiled awkwardly and replied.
"I know who not to provoke, that's all." (Cho Ji-Woong)
Why didn't I….
….Possess such an insight back then?
If I only knew back then, I would not be living like this now…. (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)
Choi Jung-Hoon wiped away the droplets pooling at the edges of his eyes.
"Let us head inside. We've readied a briefing inside the conference room." (Cho Ji-Woong)
"Mm…"
Yi Ji-Hyuk scanned Cho Ji-Woong up and down as if he was slightly unsatisfied by something.
How should he go about describing the expression on the policeman's face? After all, he had seen that expression way too many times back in Berafe.
Did it mean that the cop had made an assessment during that short amount of time?
'He's got a bit of skill, doesn't he?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
It seemed that this policeman had a discerning eye that could recognise certain people.
However, Yi Ji-Hyuk had no reason to sweat over it, though.
"It'll be fine as long as you don't cross me, so you don't have to be that tense." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Y, yes!!" (Cho Ji-Woong)
Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head and waved his hand around, and Cho Ji-Woong quickly took the lead and the group headed inside the building.
Jeong Hae-Min sneaked in closer to Yi Ji-Hyuk and whispered a question.
"That guy, what's the matter with him?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
Yi Ji-Hyuk shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Even if I explained it to you, you won't get it, though.
Might as well ignore it if it will make me waste my energy. (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
Yi Ji-Hyuk took large strides and followed closely behind Cho Ji-Woong. The group entered through the foyer of the National Police's impressive HQ building, got on the slick and spacious elevator, and went upstairs.
Heading deeper into the corridor after exiting the elevator brought them to a large conference room full of important-looking people waiting for their arrival.
Choi Jung-Hoon stepped to the front and offered his greetings.
"My name is Choi Jung-Hoon, from the NDF. We are here to provide assistance. From now on, we'll rely on your guidance." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"I'm Park Ji-Won, from the Investigations. I'm nominally in charge of this case, but you'll be liaising with Inspector Cho Ji-Woong most of the time. I fear that our methods have hit a wall, so please, I ask of you for your cooperation."
"Yes. Please, don't worry." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Everyone took their respective seats. One of the walls acted as the screen for the projections as the summary of what happened so far commenced.
"Currently, murders that are believed to perpetrated by a single individual have occurred throughout the country."
A map of Korea with numerous red dots placed all over it was projected on the wall.
Although these dots seemed to centre around major cities, one couldn't help but frown somewhat after seeing the random jumble of red with no visible pattern at all.
"At the moment, we have confirmed 28 cases. We have not alerted the media yet, but at the moment, we suspect that there are at least ten more killings to be accounted for. If there are more victims we don't know of yet, then well, the number will definitely go up higher."
"That murderer must be one crazy b*stard." (Jeong Hae-Min)
At Jeong Hae-Min's declaration, Yi Ji-Hyuk frowned slightly.
"You're an idol, so you shouldn't say stuff like 'crazy b*stard', you know!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"What? An idol can't call a crazy b*stard a crazy b*stard now? Can I call dad a dad, then?!" (Jeong Hae-Min)
Argh, I wish she would just go away.
Why is she here in the first place?
I mean, if she's here as a shuttle, just go wait in a corner or something like a proper shuttle! (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Our biggest stumbling block at the moment is that we can't seem to narrow down the suspect's possible location. We've reached the limit with the evidence collected from the crime scene and from the victims. On top of this, the suspect has never been caught on CCTV, and thus we can't even tell which direction he had fled to. Since the perp appears to kill the victims and disappear like a ghost, we've begun calling him the Ghost."
"The Ghost, huh…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon nodded his head.
It was indeed rather strange for the perpetrator's whereabouts to be not narrowed down even after committing so many murders.
"So, the current whereabouts is…" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Come on now. It's obvious." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Just as Choi Jung-Hoon was about to say something, Yi Ji-Hyuk abruptly cut in.
"It's obvious what kinda person killed those people." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Pardon?"
Yi Ji-Hyuk nonchalantly shifted his gaze towards Jeong Hae-Min's direction.
"Your murderer is a teleporter." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"…Ng?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
And, everyone's attention gathered on her.
Fin.
(TL: I'll try to release a sponsored chapter tomorrow.)