The Returner Chapter 133

Lately, Choi Jung-Hoon had been feeling that it was all worth it.
Sure, the insane amount of work and mountainous piles of documents still remained the same. But, compared to the past when he felt like a cogwheel of a large organisation, he could acutely feel that he had climbed to the position where he now controlled that very same organisation with nothing but a flick of his hand.
"Hmm….."
Enjoying the smooth, relaxing aroma of the hand-dripped coffee in the early morning, Choi Jung-Hoon let the morning sun bath him with its warm, comforting rays.
"It’s really peaceful around here." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon smiled to himself, as he began pouring a bottle of Ba**hus-F into the huge mug of coffee.
"S, sir!! Please don’t escape from reality like this!!" (Kim Jae-Beom)
"Mm?"
Kim Jae-Beom began complaining in a tearful voice, dark circles under his eyes extending all the way down to his chin.
"Please, don’t unplug your phones!!" (Kim Jae-Beom)
"Mmmm?"
"And, switch your mobile on, too!! Everyone’s been calling me instead, you know?! But, I don’t know anything! I’m only in charge of doing miscellaneous work here!!" (Kim Jae-Beom)
Choi Jung-Hoon frowned deeply.
A man should have ambition! How could this guy be satisfied with doing miscellaneous work only?!
"You should grab this chance now that it has landed in your lap!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"A chance?! What kinda chance is this?! You think I can cope with Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk??" (Kim Jae-Beom)
Well, yeah, he’s got a point there.
Even I feel like I’m dying. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Choi Jung-Hoon began despairing once more as he sensed his consciousness returning to the cruel reality.
"A big shot, my a*s…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Who was a big shot in this situation?! He was more like a call centre agent at this point!
His smartphone couldn’t handle all the calls simultaneously flooding it and continued to malfunction even now.
After the crisis in the States had been resolved, requests for assistance from other nations suffering at the hands of monsters were arriving at a far crazier rate now.
He couldn’t help but feel that these countries were actually concentrating all their national might on making these requests, too.
Heck, a certain country looked as if they would start waging a war against Korea, causing a state of emergency of sorts in the Foreign Ministry, which meant that none of its poor employees were allowed to leave until the crises were solved somehow. And well, the one to pay the price of that emergency was none other than Choi Jung-Hoon.
Still, Choi Jung-Hoon’s importance had grown incomparably from before, and that was the only reason why he wasn’t subjected under even more abuse than this.
Indeed, the amount of craziness was only about this much, simply because small fries didn't dare call him. If not, Choi Jung-Hoon would have to seriously consider setting up a dedicated base of operations next to the NDF building.
"Fufufu…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoo glanced at the number of missed calls showing up on his phone’s screen - 238 - and smiled deeply.
Fine, fine.
Very good.
All good, but…..
"But, nothing’s really changed here, hasn’t it?!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
He thought that, once he became this big shot, he’d be sitting in a plushy, comfy chair in a spacious office of his own, puffing on a cigar behind a huge oak desk and ordering other people around with the flick of his hands. How could he have guessed that his expenditure on energy tonics would increase twofold, instead?!
On top of this…. His regular salary didn’t even increase, either!!
As Choi Jung-Hoon’s entire body trembled from the wrongness of it all, Kim Jae-Beom picked up the phone ringing off the hook with a tearful face. But then, he began shivering like a wet dog.
"W-what did you say?" (Kim Jae-Beom)
Immediately, Kim Jae-Beom got up and exited from the office, before hurrying back inside with a clearly-reddened face.
"The, the Minister is here." (Kim Jae-Beom)
"Which minister?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"It’s the Foreign Affairs Minister!" (Kim Jae-Beom)
The Foreign Affairs Minister?
Why would that guy show up here?
Choi Jung-Hoon took a quick glance around him, but realised that not only Seo Ah-Young, but everyone else in here didn’t really give a toss whether the Minister was here or not. As if a stray dog was passing by….
"Hah……." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Why did he even bother?
Choi Jung-Hoon got up from his seat and went to receive the Minister.
With excellent timing, a middle-aged man sporting a head full of grey hair entered the front entrance of the building, accompanied by his retinue of bodyguards. He spotted Choi Jung-Hoon pushing open the door to come out of the office, and frowned ever so slightly.
"Welcome, Minister. I’m Choi Jung-Hoon, the vice director of the NDF." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"So, you’re Choi Jung-Hoon, is it?" (Minister)
"Yes, that’s correct." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon lowered his head in a dignified way and formed a gentle smile.
However, the Minister still found something here was not to his liking, and his expression remained stiff as he stared at Choi Jung-Hoon’s face.
Sensing the awkwardness of this situation, Choi Jung-Hoon could only smack his lips.
It seemed that this old man showed up here to make his ‘complaints’ known.
"Please, step inside." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Keuhmph."
With Choi Jung-Hoon guiding the way, the Minister didn’t say anything else and followed after him. But, as soon as they got to the conference room to the side of the office, the Minister began to grumble out in dissatisfaction.
"Don’t you have a better place to receive your guests?" (Minister)
"We've prioritised functionality above all." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"You sure know how to dress it up, don’t you?" (Minister)
The Minister took the seat of honour as if it was the most obvious thing in the whole world. Choi Jung-Hoon asked Kim Jae-Beom to get them coffee and settled down next to the Minister.
"What brings you here, sir?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
He got straight to the point.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Hah Dae-Seok, really didn’t like this young whipper-snapper at all.
Most unimpressive of all was the fact this younger man’s attitude - he didn’t seem to be nonplussed by the Minister’s presence at all.
How dare a low-ranked public servant be so cheeky!
"Are you asking me because you can’t tell?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
You think I’ll ask you if I already know?
….I want to retort like that, but I shouldn’t.
Okay, well, I knew why when I asked him, anyways. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"Is it because of Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"That’s right, it’s about that man named Yi Ji-Hyuk. Is he here now?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
….What the hell, this guy might cause a serious problem at this rate!
What does he mean, that man named Yi Ji-Hyuk?!
If Yi Ji-Hyuk heard you say that, your chin might be kissing your expensive brand-name loafers by now.
I mean, you’d soon be searching for a good dentist that will do you a solid set of fake teeth…. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"I implore you to be careful with what you say, sir." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"What was that?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"That person is a bomb-like existence that can go off at any given moment. If you persist on randomly and carelessly poking him, the ensuing aftermath will all be yours to take care of, Mister Minister." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Sounds like you’re threatening me here. Or did I hear you wrong?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"I’m just concerned, sir. Deeply concerned." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
‘Fine. Let’s leave it at that.’ (Hah Dae-Seok)
The Minister Hah Dae-Seok glared at Choi Jung-Hoon for a while with eyes of dissatisfaction, before grandly sighing out.
"Okay, fine. There is no need for me to meet him today. In any case. The current situation is not very good. There is a limit to how much we can withstand. At the bare minimum, you will have to resolve one incident in one of the countries by tomorrow." (Hah Dae-Seok)
"It’ll be difficult." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"What do you mean, difficult? Didn’t you resolve the American situation fairly quickly?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"Well, that person wanted to do that one, that was why." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"What? So, he doesn’t want to resolve the others, then? Does this mean a citizen is ignoring the request from his own nation?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
Are you the nation, then?
You’re just a Minister, yet you keep talking nation this and nation that. Looks like you’re also a helpless stuck-up with too much self-esteem, huh.
Oh well, I should at least show some respect to the office of the Foreign Ministry here. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Choi Jung-Hoon sat up straight and replied.
"That man isn’t someone who’d care about such things." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"You’re talking about the moral duty of a nation’s citizen!" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"Mister Minister." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon quietly stared at Hah Dae-Seok for a bit, before opening his mouth.
"Do you wish to lose that one-and-only citizen, sir?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"……….."
"If Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk decides to emigrate, then never mind chartered planes, countless countries would actually buy special airplanes to come and invite him over. No, hang on. I’m sure they’ll send their best teleporters over here to bring him into their fold." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Groan…."
"Especially the US; they should be waiting in the wings with bated breaths. You mustn’t think of that person as the ‘citizen’ of this nation anymore, sir." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Hah Dae-Seok gritted his teeth.
But, he also wasn't stupid enough to argue back, saying that that was a load of bull, either.
"So what, then? Are you simply going to watch from the side and do nothing?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"This is the time when the old idiom ‘patience is virtue’ comes into play." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Then, just what’s your job here? You still want to draw your salary from the government, being like this?!" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"Sir, that is not my original duty. I’ve never received any special orders from anyone to manage Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, nor did I ever receive extra hazard pay. Meaning, I’m simply volunteering my expertise out of my loyalty to my mother nation. So, you assuming that I carry any sort of responsibilities in this matter is rather illogical, sir." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
That is why, you should at least raise my salary before thinking of using me like a slave, you rotten sons of b*tches!! (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"Talking to you is a waste of my time here. Call the department head, now." (Had Dae-Seok)
"I assure you, sir. Talking to me will be far less stressful for you overall." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
You want to talk to Seo Ah-Young?
Your heart will explode from frustration if you do that, though? (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"Okay, so, from your own mouth, are you acknowledging that the NDF has no method whatsoever to control Yi Ji-Hyuk??" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"Yes, sir." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"What was that?!" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"Yes sir. You’re correct." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon remained as straightforward as ever.
"Aren’t you even remotely embarrassed by what you just said?!" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about, sir. No government or organisation in this world can control that person. No, us holding onto him for this long is already miraculous enough. I feel rather accomplished if I think about it." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Hah Dae-Seok’s complexion boiled over in an instant.
"Are you trying make fun of me here or something??" (Hah Dae-Seok)
Choi Jung-Hoon spat out a groan.
It was a common sight to see someone blow their top after getting frustrated, but seeing a country’s top Minister acting in such an obvious manner was a matter of great heartache for that country’s citizen.
"I’m not here to stoke your anger, Mister Minister. I am only telling you the situation as it is. Honestly speaking, with what should I start controlling that person? Should I order him around, or ask him for a favour? If I could persuade him by clinging onto his trouser legs and beg, then I’d have done that by now. However, what can I do when none of those will work on that person?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Bring me that Yi Ji-Hyuk character. I’ll talk to him." (Hah Dae-Seok)
"….But, sir. You’re going to regret this." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"I’ll be the one doing the regretting, so stop wasting my time and do as I say." (Hah Dae-Seok)
"……….."
Choi Jung-Hoon felt as if he was staring at a man who had willingly stepped inside a coffin and was loudly shouting out, "Nail the lid already!"
"Well, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk hasn’t come to….." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
It was then, there was a sound of some kind of scuffle going on outside the conference room.
"N-no, wai…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Even before Choi Jung-Hoon could finish saying ‘wait’, the door exploded and a man crashed inside, before rolling on the floor rather unceremoniously.
"What the hell, these dumb sons of b*tches!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
And then, through the broken doorway, a man with an irritated face made his grand entrance.
"Groan…."
Choi Jung-Hoon facepalmed.
He predicted that there would be an incident today for sure, but not even he could have foreseen that one would happen so quickly and so violently as well!
Yi Ji-Hyuk walked in with a face full of irritation and anger.
‘Is he angry?’
….Nope, that’s his normal face, innit?
What a relief. Yup, that’s the normal Yi Ji-Hyuk, calm and serene.
It’s just his face that looks like that. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Choi Jung-Hoon managed to comfort himself.
"If you’ve come to visit someone else’s workplace, you should’ve just stayed in some corner somewhere and quietly drink your coffee! How dare you try to block me?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Still, beating up a guy to this degree just because he blocked you….
Well, this is Yi Ji-Hyuk I’m talking about.
I’m not even shocked anymore. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Yi Ji-Hyuk puffed his cheeks and spun his head in Choi Jung-Hoon’s direction.
"Mister Choi Jung-Hoon!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Yes……?"
Please, don’t look for me….
Please, stop it. Please.
It feels like my stomach is getting smaller by one millimetre from the rot every time you start looking for me…. (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Choi Jung-Hoon smiled awkwardly and replied.
"What’s the matter?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"There’s something I wanna say to you….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
But then, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s eyes drifted towards Minister Hah Dae-Seok sitting next to Choi Jung-Hoon.
"And who could this ahjussi be?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
What a polite young man he was.
Suddenly, the Minister’s bodyguards all rushed inside the conference room and pounced on Yi Ji-Hyuk.
"Noooo!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon shot up from his seat and loudly yelled out.
"Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk!! Watch the building!! Don’t break it!!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
You should worry about people, you crazy b*stard!! (the author’s inner monologue)
Like a good little child, Yi Ji-Hyuk listened to Choi Jung-Hoon’s pleas.
"Did these idiots lose their collective mind or something??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Powpowpowpow!!
One hit per person.
The bodyguards were hit once each and fainted on the spot.
"Whew…."
Choi Jung-Hoon wiped the cold sweat off his brows.
If I didn’t shout out in time, then these idiots would’ve flown all over the place and crash into the walls, causing all sorts of cracks!! Do you have any idea how new this building is?? (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
"Apprehend them!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
It was then, ability users inside the NDF building rushed inside the conference room in droves and quickly subdued the Minister’s bodyguards, before dragging them all away.
"W-what’s the meaning of this?!" (Hah Dae-Seok)
The clearly-incensed Hah Dae-Seok roared out, but Choi Jung-Hoon quietly settled back down on his seat and raised his chin ever so slightly.
"Mister Minister." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"What!"
"Sir, this organisation is a branch of the Presidency. Armed provocation does not work with us. Under the constitution, no one can issue us any orders, and you are unable to arrest anyone working for us. I’m sure you’re already well aware of these facts." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Keuh……"
What an excellent feeling this is!
Me, yes this little old me, busy pushing a Minister of a nation to a corner! (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)
Just as Choi Jung-Hoon was about to start admiring his own handiwork, Yi Ji-Hyuk opened his mouth first.
"Okay, whatever. I said, I have something to say to you." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
….It’d been so much nicer if this man was not around for this moment, at least.
For Choi Jung-Hoon, Yi Ji-Hyuk was like a stimpack.
He was an existence that could do jobs that no normal human was capable of performing, but the level of physical and mental energy wasted, not to mention the stress, was just too enormous.
"A, are you Yi Ji-Hyuk?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at Hah Dae-Seok, and his neck leaned to the side in a crooked angle.
"You know me?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Of course I know who you are! My man! We need to have a chat!" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"But, I’ve got nothing to say to you, ahjussi." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"If you listen to what I have to say, you’ll change your mind very quickly." (Hah Dae-Seok)
"Hmm….."
Yi Ji-Hyuk shrugged his shoulders and found an empty chair to sit down.
"Well, it’s not like I’ve urgent things to do anyway…. So, let’s hear it." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Hah Dae-Seok was an experienced, wily politician. He remained rude and overbearing to Choi Jung-Hoon, someone he thought was far below him, but even he wasn’t stupid enough to not recognise the position Yi Ji-Hyuk had occupied here.
"My man, don’t you have any thoughts on going overseas for a while?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"I do." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"I’ll provide you with the best amenities and I assure you… Eh?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
Hah Dae-Seok dazedly asked.
"What was that?" (Hah Dae-Seok)
"I said, I do." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk spoke with an unconcerned face, but then, he shifted his gaze over to Choi Jung-Hoon and grinned ominously.
"However, I’ve got some conditions….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Meanwhile, Choi Jung-Hoon’s blood began to run cold.
Fin.