The Returner - Chapter 385

Wuuoonng.

 

When Yi Ji-Hyuk revealed himself from the Gate, the South Korean president Yun Yeong-Min shouted out with a noticeably brighter complexion.

 

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk!!” (Yun Yeong-Min)

 

“Yes, yes.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

As if he couldn’t be bothered to reply, Yi Ji-Hyuk let the president’s greeting slide by and instead directly asked Song Jeong-Su.

 

“What’s the current situation like?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“The worst.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

Song Jeong-Su pointed at the screen. It displayed the scene of monsters rushing out of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun like tidal waves.

 

“Mm…” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk observed that spectacle and groaned loudly.

 

“We need to make sure first whether the doorway to the demon world is already open or that’s caused by some other phenomenon.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“The doorway isn’t open yet. If it was, then we wouldn’t be seeing the run-of-the-mill mobs like those guys.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Does that mean we should consider ourselves fortunate?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Fortunate…” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk scratched his head.

 

“Well, looks to me the doorway is almost open and that’s causing the space to distort here and there, leading to various Gates being generated.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“…Ah, so it’s unfortunate, then.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

Song Jeong-Su spat out a lengthy groan.

 

“We require your opinion on this matter. How should we proceed from here?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Get our people outta there.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“M-mm?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Tell them to retreat, and rain down nukes in that place. That’ll blow up all the Gates and whatever.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“We’re asking you because that’s not an option.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Why not?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head in confusion, so Song Jeong-Su gave a signal to change the feed. The waiting secretary manipulated the screen, which then displayed a photograph taken from the air.

 

“From over here, all the way to the front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. All these black dots you see are human beings.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Humans?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk furrowed his brows.

 

“Can’t you evacuate them or something?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“We’ve been informed that they seem to lack intelligence. And we will need at least six hours minimum if we want to evacuate that many people.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Urgh.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk scratched his head even harder.

 

“How many are we talking about?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Five million.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk wordlessly pulled out a cigarette, mouthed it, then snapped his fingers to light it up. Those watching him also joined in and lit their own cigarettes.

 

“What a bloody mess.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk clicked his tongue.

 

Even if he didn’t place much value in human life, it was still impossible for him to suggest sacrificing five million lives in one go.

 

“Is there a way to, you know, use nukes without hurting those people somehow?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“….I’ve never heard of a precision nuclear strike before. Maybe it’ll be possible with a nuclear bomb strapped to a backpack, but if the situation was such that you could infiltrate there with a device like that, we wouldn’t even have called you here.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“You have a point there.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head.

 

‘Did that guy predict this and spread those people around?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Not to forget, our nation doesn’t possess any nuclear arsenal. Meaning, America, China, or Russia has to make that decision.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Oh, come on now. Let’s be honest here. Surely you have at least one or two stashed away somewhere?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“No, we….” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

Song Jeong-Su was about to make his reply, but perhaps having realised that something didn’t quite feel right, he shifted his gaze over to Yun Yeong-Min, instead.

 

“W-we really don’t have.” (Yun Yeong-Min)

 

“So he says?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head again.

 

“What the heck. Everyone seems to have one or two lying around these days, so just what have you been doing until now, not even securing one for ourselves already?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“If it was that easy to acquire, we wouldn’t be stuck in this sh*t creek without a paddle.” (Yun Yeong-Min)

 

“That’s true, I guess.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk too seemed to have realised the helplessness of the situation, since he stopped grilling Yun Yeong-Min.

 

“Urgh. Which means, no choice but to go in there and personally wreck everything…” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Can you do it?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Why are you asking the obvious? Whether I can or can’t, I still need to go there regardless, right?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“….Well, yes.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“If you were going to ask me to do this, then you shouldn’t have told me to take a hike in the first place.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“No one could’ve predicted that the situation would come down to…” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“And we have a bunch of misters who can’t even predict such an event as our supposed leaders.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Urgh….” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

Although those words were spot-on… Song Jeong-Su couldn’t quite figure out the reason why that punk’s mouth felt oh-so detestable right now. Was it because he was now sitting in a position of authority – and at that age, too – where he didn’t want to hear any criticism? Or was it because that mouth was simply too detestable and hateful and nothing else besides?

 

“Tsk. So, the conclusion is pretty much obvious, then.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk swiped his hand in the air to open up a new Gate.

 

“I’ll go take a look.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“We’ll leave it in your hands.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Oh, and by the way.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s expression hardened uncharacteristically.

 

“Talk to the Americans beforehand, okay?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“About?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“If the situation doesn’t look so good, bring down the hellstorm.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“…Hellstorm… of nukes?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Yes.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Song Jeong-Su’s expression hardened just as gravely as he stared straight at Yi Ji-Hyuk.

 

“Even when the lives of you and the NDF agents can’t be guaranteed?” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“If we get connected to the demon world, we’ll all be dead, anyway. If we can ensure our future with the least amount of sacrifices, then we should always choose that.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“You’re suggesting that option far too easily.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“That’s how it is with making tough decisions. You also know this, don’t you?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Song Jeong-Su could only sigh as he listened to Yi Ji-Hyuk speaking in an unperturbed manner as if he was reading off a prepared script.

 

“Alright. I swear, if the situation reaches the point of no return, we’ll wipe North Korea off the map without any regards to your life.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

“Finally something manly to listen to.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked and strode inside the Gate.

 

Yun Yeong-Min addressed Song Jeong-Su with a trembling voice.

 

“P-prime Minister Song, are you, are you being serious?” (Yun Yeong-Min)

 

“A man prepared to throw away his life by going there has said that to us. We simply have no choice but to agree.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

If things were pushed to the absolute brink, then they wouldn’t even have wasted time discussing this option.

 

Well, the life of one Yi Ji-Hyuk was perhaps more important than the fate of the whole world, after all.

 

However, Song Jeong-Su couldn’t do anything about this bitterness crushing down on his chest.

 

“This d*mn situation….” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

He could only pray that Yi Ji-Hyuk resolved this crisis as quickly as possible.

 

“Connect me to Christopher McLaren.” (Song Jeong-Su)

 

*

 

Wuuuong!

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk strode outside the Gate and shivered at the sight of the waves of crazed monsters rushing in.

 

“Ohh, who knew I’d get to see this kinda sight even back on Earth?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Indeed, he thought he’d only ever get to witness such a spectacle only in the demon world. Hell, even back in Berafe, such an event would’ve been ultra-rare and precious as well.

 

What’s lamentable about this whole thing was that this rare spectacle was happening for the purpose of destroying his world.

 

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon spotted Yi Ji-Hyuk walking out from the newly-generated Gate and hurriedly ran over with a bright complexion.

 

“Why are you so late??” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“What the heck? Is that something a man who told me not to come should say?? A person should have conscience, man! Conscience! If someone unrelated heard you, they might mistakenly think that I was supposed to be here but was slacking off somewhere else!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

While listening to Yi Ji-Hyuk’s retort, Choi Jeong-Hoon was overcome by this bizarre emotion.

 

‘Yup, as I thought, this guy is the Real Deal.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

The other fakey-fake sarcastic dude earlier was capable of driving a person up the wall, sure, but despite that, Choi Jeong-Hoon could definitely feel the proper inner power cultivated to its zenith from the Real Deal.

 

This ability that could instantly switch your mood from the unbridled happiness of seeing the man to unbridled detestation, now this was not something you could simply learn.

 

“In any case, our situation is as you can see.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“Holy freakin’ moly!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk blew his top.

 

“All of you from ‘I’m the superpower’ nations are in one spot but can’t even deal with this situation? Just what have you all been doing until now?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“….Apologies.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon wouldn’t have any excuses to say even with ten mouths. The same applied to the leaders of each nation’s combat units – after hearing the translated version of what Yi Ji-Hyuk said, they were too embarrassed to meet his glare and could only stare at the distant hills or some such.

 

“Aigoo, you’re all so super. Super, I say.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk tutted unhappily and began waving his hand in the air.

 

He’d have liked nothing more than to rake them over the coals for four days and three nights straight, but too bad, he didn’t have the luxury of time to do that. Even as he stood here, the portal connecting to the demon world was opening up.

 

“Defend my front.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Excuse me?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“I said, defend my front! Protect me!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Ah, yes!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon realised what Yi Ji-Hyuk was planning to do and hurriedly issued new orders.

 

Up until now, the only occasions where Yi Ji-Hyuk wanted to buy some time to chant his spells were when demon kings had descended to Earth. So, him giving out such an order meant that he believed this situation to be just as urgent and serious as the advent of a demon king.

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon quickly got the cooperation from other countries through the walkie talkie and had people pile up in front of Yi Ji-Hyuk to create a thick wall.

 

“Gimme a freaking break!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk started his chanting and slowly waved his hand. Black Mana oozing out from his moving arm rushed up and gathered in the air to create a massive magic circle.

 

“What is that?”

 

The ability users from other countries had never seen Yi Ji-Hyuk cast something before, so they stared at that bizarre phenomenon with confused expressions.

 

In front of them were crazed monsters madly dashing in, while on the other side, a bizarre and unexplainable pattern was lighting up the night sky.

 

Here was a spectacle they wouldn’t get to see again any time soon, and also one they definitely wouldn’t want to see ever again, either.

 

“Kkeuh-euh….” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Mana continued to leak out from Yi Ji-Hyuk’s body. Even blood began trickling down from the corner of his mouth, too. Choi Jeong-Hoon could only look on with a worry-filled face.

 

‘His body can’t endure it.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

In the past, Yi Ji-Hyuk didn’t display this sort of expression before. Seo Ah-Young did say that the pain she felt when the dark Mana coursed through her veins was truly hellish. But Choi Jeong-Hoon thought that, since Yi Ji-Hyuk used magic so, so easily, maybe Mana affected his body differently to that of a regular ability user’s.

 

But now, he could see how much pain Yi Ji-Hyuk was in.

 

“Orrryaaaah!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk loudly cried out, and the dark Mana exploded out from him like jets of flames. The burning black-hued Mana flames unfurled from his shoulder blades to assume the shapes of wings, and eventually, his whole body was enveloped in the dark Mana.

 

“….F*ck me, now that’s the proper demon, man.” (Park Seong-Chan)

 

Park Seong-Chan stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk’s new form and shuddered uncomfortably.

 

His body, completely enveloped in the black flames, while the black wings of fire extended well past ten metres from his back. That sight alone made you think that he’s not here to fight the monsters, but as the commander of the horde, instead.

 

Guoooooh!

 

The magic circle began twisting and distorting next, then a massive cloud of Mana began condensing in the heavens.

 

“Die already!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk clenched his fist before opening his hand, which prompted the condensed Mana to spread out like a flat sheet, only for clumps of Mana to shoot out from it.

 

Boom!!

 

A small clump of Mana flew towards the monster horde.

 

And then…

 

KWA-BOOOOM!!

 

The Mana landing on the ground came in contact with the monsters and caused a massive explosion, before morphing into an even bigger black vortex. Monsters getting sucked into this vortex couldn’t even scream before disintegrating into tiny little chunks, eventually turning into bloody mist in the end.

 

“Holy sh*t….” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

Seo Ah-Young watched this scene unfold and chewed on her lip.

 

Her flames barely managed to wound these monsters, yet they were not just being killed, but were literally getting split into their atoms?

 

‘Just how strong is that guy, really??’ (Seo Ah-Young)

 

She believed that she had more or less figured it all out, but the more she learned about Yi Ji-Hyuk, the harder it became to truly understand the level he had managed to attain.

 

Kwa-boooom!!

 

KWA-BOOOOM!!

 

Tens of Mana clumps rained down and quite literally, started erasing the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun off the map. Which included monsters completely filling up the area near the palace as well – they were being so perfectly wiped out that no extra cleaning seemed necessary at this point.

 

“Oh, my god.”

 

The ability users from other countries who only had heard about Yi Ji-Hyuk’s name could only look on at this spectacle in a pure daze, their hands slowly faltering lower.

 

“…..This is insane. Is he, like, doing an air raid all by himself?”

 

How could a human being display such a level of power?

 

They all saw it, yet still couldn’t believe it.

 

“Wake the hell up, will ya??” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s voice resounded out, and they all snapped wide awake from their daze.

 

“It’s not over yet!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

< 385. Call Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk here! Right now! -5 > Fin.