The Returner Chapter 323

"Let’s do that. Shall we have a good meal, then?" (Park Yong-Hui)
Park Yong-Hui decided to halfway give up just then. All because he figured out that this matter wouldn’t change no matter how deeply he agonised or worried about it.
‘And, he’s scary, too.’ (Park Yong-Hui)
Park Yong-Hui was genuinely scared of Yi Ji-Hyuk.
It wasn’t because the latter was a powerful being, or that he could easily erase the former off the face of this Earth without even breaking a sweat. He had already seen plenty enough folks with power to do that already.
Living in the People’s Democratic Republic was like that, anyway.
However, Yi Ji-Hyuk was fundamentally different from them somehow.
‘Is he even human?’ (Park Yong-Hui)
It wasn’t like his humanity had been lost or he was a psychopath - not some lukewarm sensation of him being a human that didn’t feel like one, no, but more like his foundation was made out of something else definitely not human.
It’d be similar to how a non-human creature was desperately pretending to be a human.
"….Comrade Chief of Staff." (Kim Ryong-Seong)
The army’s top commander, Kim Ryong-Seong made his way over to Park Yong-Hui and engaged him in a conversation.
"What is it?" (Park Yong-Hui)
"What has happened here? Is this the end?" (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"….Why are you asking me that now? Isn’t that a problem a commander needs to sort out for himself?" (Park Yong-Hui)
"I can’t seem to figure out just what’s going on here anymore. There was all this rumble, rumble, boom, bang, crash, then those monsters, they all just vanished, didn’t they?" (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"Stop asking me and ask the South Joseon comrades. What do I know, anyway??" (Park Yong-Hui)
Park Yong-Hui ended the chat right there with a burst of irritation.
He felt powerless, and also a bit cantankerous, too. Did he really need to say it out loud when one’s eyes saw everything that happened here and still failed to comprehend it?
Kim Ryong-Seong felt at a loss and stared at Choi Jeong-Hoon.
"Eh…." (Jeong In-Su)
Colonel Jeong In-Su confirmed the situation with Yi Ji-Hyuk first.
"Is the situation all sorted out now?" (Jeong In-Su)
"Hul?! You were here too??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"….Yes, I was." (Jeong In-Su)
"But, where were you? I couldn’t even see your hair nor hide anywhere!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"I wouldn’t be of any help even if I hung around here, anyway. So I was on standby in the bus." (Jeong In-Su)
"That… was a wise choice, I guess?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Of course." (Jeong In-Su)
Jeong In-Su smiled awkwardly, and after seeing that, Yi Ji-Hyuk smiled as well.
"Yeah, it was the right call. Anyways, the situation’s been sorted out. If there’s something else I need to do, just holler at me." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"What the….." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
Choi Jeong-Hoon grew angry after seeing how friendly Yi Ji-Hyuk was acting towards Jeong In-Su.
"Why can’t you be nice to me, too?!" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
"You gotta reflect on how you behave normally before that can happen." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"What did I ever do, though??" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
"You think I should compare a man worrying about how to make my life easier to another dude scheming lots of ways to work me to death?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Choi Jeong-Hoon’s mouth was clamped shut right away.
"Even dogs know which human likes them more! And I’m a human, too!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Are you really, though?" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
"Are you picking a fight??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Well, sometimes I do wonder, you see." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
When Yi Ji-Hyuk and Choi Jeong-Hoon began bickering, Jeong In-Su shook his head helplessly and walked over to Kim Ryong-Seong.
"Commander-nim." (Jeong In-Su)
"Oh, Comrade Jeong In-Su." (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"I’ve confirmed it with Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, and he says the situation has been normalised." (Jeong In-Su)
"In that case, where did all those monsters go?" (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"Unfortunately, even I do not know the details regarding that. It is our unwritten rule not to pry too closely on what the powers of individual ability users are like." (Jeong In-Su)
"Is that so?" (Kim Ryong-Seong)
Kim Ryong-Seong nodded his head.
In that case, there was nothing more he could ask now. But, still….
"But, it’s really over like this? Don’t misunderstand my intentions here, because if something else happens after this, my head won’t be in the same place anymore so I have to clarify it with you." (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"We won’t return right away, so if something does happen, we shall mobilise immediately." (Jeong In-Su)
"If you’re willing to do that, well, that’ll take some weight off my shoulders." (Kim Ryong-Seong)
Kim Ryong-Seong smiled good-naturedly and shook hands with Jeong In-Su.
"I hear that you’ll soon reach the position of top representative in South Joseon military, Colonel Jeong. Is that true?" (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"When considering my age or my rank, such a position doesn’t suit me at all. It’s all just baseless rumours." (Jeong In-Su)
"That can’t be, though. As long as you have the ability, anyone can do that role, don’t you agree? Our Comrade Supreme Leader didn’t reach his position because of his age, you see?" (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"Now that I hear you, I guess you have a point." (Jeong In-Su)
If Jeong In-Su continued to deny it, then it’d be akin to insulting North Korea, so he changed his tact and agreed with Kim Ryong-Seong.
"Indeed. In that case, we might see each other pretty often from now on. Take a good care of me, then. Help us out whenever you can." (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"As long as I’m needed, I shall run over here right away." (Jeong In-Su)
Jeong In-Su spoke some polite-sounding perfunctory words and tried to end their conversation there.
However, from the perspective of Kim Ryong-Seong, it was unknown when Yi Ji-Hyuk’s powers would be needed again so it was incredibly important to make a solid connection with the core representative of the South’s military right now. Which meant that he was rather unwilling to end the chat in this manner.
"I’m sure you’re all worn out by now, so why don’t we discuss the rest later while having a good meal?" (Park Yong-Hui)
Park Yong-Hui quickly dissuaded Kim Ryong-Seong, prompting the latter to nod his head.
"Ah, I didn’t think that far ahead. I shall get it ready right away." (Kim Ryong-Seong)
"Please do so." (Park Yong-Hui)
Jeong In-Su looked around, his eyes catching sight of the ground bathed in torn flesh and blood.
Even though such a devastated spectacle had occurred, quite miraculously the civilian or military casualty was almost at zero; excluding those who died from misfiring or friendly fire of rockets and cannons, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say none had died here today.
‘What a scary prospect that is.’ (Jeong In-Su)
In the end, neither the NDF nor the People’s Ability User Brigade did a thing here. Yi Ji-Hyuk had basically resolved this situation by himself.
‘Our reliance on Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk is increasing day by day….’ (Jeong In-Su)
Things weren’t like this back when Yi Ji-Hyuk first made his appearance. Jeong In-Su felt somewhat conflicted because of that.
The emergence of a powerful ability user was something to feel happy about, sure, but the emergence of a powerful individual was nothing to celebrate in the context of modern society.
"Aren’t we going somewhere to eat now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Of course we will." (Jeong In-Su)
Jeong In-Su grinned brightly.
‘Still, what a relief that he’s so human.’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
The good Colonel genuinely thought like that.
*
Vrrooom….
The bus was currently on its way back to Pyongyang.
A much calmer atmosphere compared to when they were heading to the battlefield or crossing over to North Korea permeated within the vehicle’s cabin.
However, there was this one thing that hadn’t changed at all.
Snore……
Yi Ji-Hyuk was snoring away without a care in the world.
"How could he be so adorable when snoring like this?" (Erukana)
"Are you serious?! That’s adorable to you??" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Oh, and you don’t find him adorable?" (Erukana)
Jeong Hae-Min seemed to ponder that quandary for a bit, before eventually nodding her head.
"I, I agree…" (Jeong Hae-Min)
Erukana grinned as if she already knew it, and then began poking Yi Ji-Hyuk’s cheek.
"Ah-wung!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
He waved his hand about, as if to chase away an annoying fly, causing Erukana to burst into a joyous peel of laughter.
"Stop tormenting him, will you??" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"But, how can I stop myself after looking at his sleeping face?" (Erukana)
"Do you torment him everyday like this?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Nope." (Erukana)
Erukana shrugged her shoulders.
"There is this roughneck lizard who claims possession of my darling when he sleeps so I can’t really touch him during then." (Erukana)
"What….." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Such a thing would sour her moods in the past, but why did she feel relieved to hear that in this situation?
"I guess Affeldriache-nim is doing an important work, then." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"I guess so?" (Erukana)
Erukana puffed up her cheeks.
Seeing how that appearance looked sexy even to a fellow female, Jeong Hae-Min began thinking that there had been a good reason indeed why all the men lost their minds around Erukana’s presence.
‘I mean, I’m a girl and even I find her beautiful, so….’ (Jeong Hae-Min)
Surely, Yi Ji-Hyuk should find Erukana beautiful as well.
As a former idol, Jeong Hae-Min had believed that her looks didn’t lose out to anyone, yet sitting next to Erukana placed a good deal of burden on her. If someone took a photo of this moment, it’d be probably get labelled ‘The Beauty and the Squid’.
"By the way…. he just sleeps a lot, doesn’t he?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"He’s tired, obviously." (Erukana)
"….But, was that such a tiring thing earlier?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
Erukana tutted in disappointment.
"This is why humans are so…." (Erukana)
"What is it now??" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Listen well, you ugly human." (Erukana)
"Omit the ugly part first, please. Among humans, I’m considered somewhat pretty, I’ll have you know." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Whatever. Listen well, you considered-somewhat-pretty-among-humans ugly human." (Erukana)
"……….Why don’t you just say I’m ugly and be done with it…." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"You are already aware of how much of a burden using dark Mana places on a human body, right?" (Erukana)
"Of course." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min had witnessed plenty enough times the other ability users from the NDF half-dying every time dark Mana was injected into their bodies. So, she of course knew that much.
"The case with my darling is especially severe. Well, the amount of dark Mana he uses, and how deeply it has tainted his body, are on another scale, after all. Meaning, he must deal with the type of pain dozens of times harsher than what others experience. If any one of you experienced that much pain, you will probably die from pure shock alone." (Erukana)
"It was that bad?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"You didn’t know?" (Erukana)
"B-but, he’s always cackling when using his powers, so…." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Well, that’s because…." (Erukana)
Erukana reached out and stroked Yi Ji-Hyuk’s cheek.
"As you know, my darling isn’t just any regular human, that’s why." (Erukana)
"H-mm…." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"If you were to compare him to a regular human, then you could argue that his physical or magical side aren’t all that different from other people. The real difference is to do with the mental power. My charming technique doesn’t even work on my darling, you see." (Erukana)
"I can’t tell what’s so amazing about that." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Talking to a blob of amoeba might be less frustrating than this, really." (Erukana)
"What was that?!" (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min shuddered from anger, but she knew that nothing good would come out from getting into an argument with Erukana while Yi Ji-Hyuk was asleep - he wouldn’t be able to come to her rescue if something were to happen.
"But, you’re adorable than a blob of amoeba, so I’ll give you that." (Erukana)
"Can’t tell whether you’re praising or insulting me…." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min spat out a groan.
"In any case, you’re saying Ji-Hyuk is really tired right now, right?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Obviously." (Erukana)
"Mmm…." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"You humans have not been any help whatsoever. My darling took care of everything all by himself." (Erukana)
"By the same logic, Miss Erukana, you haven’t done anything much to help, either." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"But, that can’t be helped. You see, for the sake of meeting up with my darling, I had to leave behind my Mana back in the demon world. Mana, which is like life itself to me." (Erukana)
"……."
"Everything is meaningless in front of love, you know? My darling knows that, and that’s why he dotes on me so much." (Erukana)
Jeong Hae-Min’s face reddened up instantly.
"A-aren’t you embarrassed?? Saying something like that with your own mouth and all??" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Why should I be? You humans are so strange, really. Why should anyone be embarrassed about speaking out their emotions?" (Erukana)
"N-never mind." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min thought that it was impossible to get through to Erukana.
‘And I’m supposed spent who knows how long next to this kind of person?’ (Jeong Hae-Min)
Just thinking about it caused her head to ache profusely.
"It must be tough." (Erukana)
Erukana gently stroked Yi Ji-Hyuk’s cheek.
"He was born as a human and ended up experiencing so much. That’s why, even though I feel my darling is cool, I sometimes pity him, too." (Erukana)
"That’s not very demon-like." (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Even a dragon thinks that, so it’s fine." (Erukana)
Affeldrichae received Erukana’s gaze and nodded her head silently.
"What’s puzzling to me is that…. this man, he was really hated by the rest of humans over there, yet in this world, he seems to be rather popular. Is it because of his looks?" (Erukana)
"But, he’s not that good-looking, though?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"That’s better than nothing. He was treated like a beast on the other side." (Erukana)
"But, how come?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"There aren’t any Asians in Berafe." (Erukana)
"Ah….." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Remembering how Caucasians were treated like a bunch of dokkaebis when they showed up in Joseon dynasty, she could more or less imagine the suffering Yi Ji-Hyuk must’ve gone through.
"Even after experiencing so many things like that, my darling amazingly still hasn’t given up on humanity. Well, he is a man who doesn’t know when to give up, so there’s that." (Erukana)
"H-mm…." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min quietly stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk before shifting her gaze away to the outside of the window.
‘Now that I think about it, what would’ve happened to the world if he didn’t show up?’ (Jeong Hae-Min)
Since he was right next to her, she might not have been able to see it until now, but perhaps the truth was, he had been busy saving this world.
Snooooore…..
Even if his snoring face didn’t seem that way.
Fin.
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