The Returner - Chapter 443

“Welcome. We were waiting for you.” (Alpha)

 

One of his legs pulled back, and the hand raised up above his head gracefully drew an arc above. Alpha then lowered that hand down to his chest. Yi Ji-Hyuk watching this scene play out didn’t hold back on his frank impression.

 

“What the f*ck was that for?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“N-no, it’s…” (Alpha)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s rather cynical reaction caused a lost, dejected expression to float up on Alpha’s face.

 

“I’m trying to give you a warm reception, you know.” (Alpha)

 

“I’m also being tempted to give you a beating as warm as the reception, so why don’t you shut up for now?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Roger.” (Alpha)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at Alpha’s subordinates standing around in a rank-and-file before him and furrowed his brows.

 

“Man, what a bloody nostalgic sight this is.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

He remembered waaaay back that in Berafe, the conscripted soldiers all used to stand around in the exact same manner. A group filled with attires that didn’t match, sloppy and carefree postures, and finally, unmistakable confusion on what they are about to embark on written on their faces.

 

If there was one major difference between now and then, it’d be these punks were standing around with a bit more attitude, probably?

 

And also…

 

“Why the hell are these people wearing trash?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

…Baggy hoodies that extended down to their knees, torn and shrunken-down pants with dirty creases everywhere. Then, shoes that must’ve been nicked from their dad or something, since those pairs looked at least twice as big as their feet…

 

Punks at the height of extreme fashion sense could be found embedded here and there. Even the ones dressed more ‘calmly’ still couldn’t be seen as normal-looking, either.

 

“It’s street fashion.” (Alpha)

 

“It’s ‘street’ fashion? You Americans walk around in broad daylight looking like that?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Well, our people enjoy a lot more freedom, you see. And besides, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk. You also are a pacesetter in street fashion, too.” (Alpha)

 

“I am?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Yes, you are. I’ve not seen anyone besides you wearing that blue tracksuit so proudly in South Korea, you see.” (Alpha)

 

“…”

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk shifted his gaze over to Choi Jeong-Hoon and asked.

 

“…Do I look like them to you?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“…May I be frank with you this time?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“N-no, hang on. Let me prepare myself first.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk sucked in several deep breaths and nodded, prompting Choi Jeong-Hoon to ruthlessly speak of his honest impressions.

 

“At least when you look at them, you get the feeling that, ‘Aha, they are in their own little bubble’ or ‘I see that they have paid some attention to their appearance’, but Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, you’re more like a local neighbourhood thug with only difference being your choice of attire. When you consider the meaning of ‘street fashion’ then theoretically speaking, we have to question whether or not you’re more ‘street’ than they are…” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“Stop right there.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at the skies above with a sorrowful face, before swiftly regaining his original attitude and the facial scowl.

 

“I’m wearing this because it’s comfortable and easy to move around in! Don’t you get that?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Alpha tilted his head this way and that when Yi Ji-Hyuk insisted on his choice.

 

“However, aren’t there several varieties of tracksuits including an array of colours to choose from? So when you only prefer to wear the particular type in the exact same blue colour, doesn’t that reflect your personal taste?” (Alpha)

 

“…”

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk was freshly reminded of why those who said the right things got killed off early on in the movies. Because, he was seriously tempted to sew this fool’s lips shut if it was at all possible right now.

 

“I didn’t come here to debate my fashion sense with you so let’s drop this sh*t now.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Pardon? But it was you who brought up the topic of fashion first?” (Alpha)

 

“And your point being?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Yes, let’s drop it.” (Alpha)

 

Alpha cleanly let go of the subject and backtracked, prompting Choi Jeong-Hoon to stare at the distant mountains.

 

Whether it was this guy or that one, they both were…

 

“Okay, so. Are these punks the ones to get my training, then?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Yes, they are all elite soldiers. It’s kinda embarrassing to say this out aloud, but even now these fine folks are more than enough to completely devastate the whole of America. Although occupying it would be difficult, destroying it is perfectly doable.” (Alpha)

 

“But, they all look like dumba*ses?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“You mustn’t judge a book by its cover, though. How should I put this, uhm…” (Alpha)

 

Indeed, how?

 

This wasn’t a matter of racial discrimination, but why did it feel like Alpha just witnessed something even more vicious than racism just now?

 

“Only the absolute best among the best have been gathered here, you see.” (Alpha)

 

“There was more?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Of course. I haven’t even brought half of my people here.” (Alpha)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s suspicious gaze landed on Alpha next. Even at a casual count, there must’ve been over a thousand heads here, so if this number was less than half, then that indicated over two thousand ability users had been working for Alpha’s cause until now.

 

‘And these punks, they seem to be around the same level as our side, too.’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Upon a closer inspection, there didn’t seem to be any underlying similarities between them – not race, similar age grouping nor gender, nothing. It certainly seemed that Alpha wandered around the world at large searching and recruiting the truly useful people to his side. What an incredible feat this was.

 

“Man, to think that the world was filled with such scummy villains. Wait, if I get rid of every single fool here, then does that mean I get to clean out about eighty percent of the ability user criminals in the world?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Ehheei, why are you saying something so scary?” (Alpha)

 

“…I wish I was joking, but honestly, it’s kinda tempting, you know?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Please calm down. Human scum are still better than a good guy demon, aren’t they?” (Alpha)

 

“Mm…” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Well, he had a point there.

 

“I see that the fine folks from the NDF have accompanied you as well.” (Alpha)

 

“How so wonderful this is to see familiar faces.” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

Seo Ah-Young retorted sarcastically. Her eyes were currently fixed on Park Seong-Chan, nestled among Alpha’s other subordinates.

 

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

“Yes?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“You said this is going to be one tough training session, didn’t you?” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

“That I did.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“In that case, I guess there’s no helping it if someone burns to death by accident during training, right? I mean, with a sturdy body like that, I’m thinking it might burn for three days and night straight.” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

“Doesn’t matter to me whether you all die or not.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Is that so?” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

Seo Ah-Young grinned refreshingly. Then her expression crumpled to resemble the Wicked Witch as she glared at Park Seong-Chan.

 

“You should be careful there, mister. This little advice is for the old times’ sake.” (Seo Ah-Young)

 

Park Seong-Chan didn’t retort and simply turned his head away.

 

“What’s with that woman? Did she just threaten us?”

 

Even if you didn’t know the language, weren’t the tone or the attitude the common tongue everyone in the world spoke eloquently? Alpha’s subordinates began to stir up after witnessing Seo Ah-Young’s icy glare.

 

“Did that Asian b*tch lose her mind?”

 

“Should I just kill her? I guess she doesn’t know who we are since she spends most of her time stuck in the rural backwoods.”

 

“I know who she is. That’s the Flame Witch.”

 

“Oh, so she’s acting all so high and mighty out of that little fame of hers?”

 

The atmosphere within Alpha’s camp worsened gradually. Yi Ji-Hyuk, not finding the situation to his liking, was about to say something but Alpha beat him to it with a quiet word or two.

 

“Didn’t I tell you not to run your mouth off in front of Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Alpha)

 

The moment those words left his lips, the atmosphere froze up completely.

 

“B-but, boss.”

 

“One more word and I’ll tear that mouth open ear to ear. Got it?” (Alpha)

 

Alpha spoke with a grin etched on his face, causing his subordinates to firmly shut their mouths.

 

‘Well, that sure was something.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Despite that smile on his face, the ones listening to Alpha were all clearly terrified.

 

This sight was a good enough piece of evidence that Alpha had been ruling them with an unforgiving iron fist until now.

 

‘What a perfect reminder that was.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Alpha had been behaving like a helpless idiot in front of the NDF people so far. And because his actions were so unintentionally hilarious, they had relaxed their wariness of him. Even if that’s not what they intended to do.

 

‘Obviously that can’t be further from the truth.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

This guy was Alpha.

 

He was someone designated as the worst, biggest and most dangerous criminal in history by not just America, but the entire world – so, there was simply no way that what he chose to show was everything there to him.

 

If the side Alpha had shown Yi Ji-Hyuk and Co., until now was his real character, then he wouldn’t have been able to amass a private combat force that exceeded the capability of a single country and freely command them to do his bidding.

 

“Eii, looks like we showed you something pretty uncool. However, I’d say that doing this lends that bit of human touch to the proceedings. Wouldn’t you agree, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Alpha)

 

“…Just keep quiet for a second, will ya?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Roger.” (Alpha)

 

However, Yi Ji-Hyuk responded in the exact same manner as before as if Alpha’s current appearance was within his expectations.

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon thought that the dynamics between these two people was far too difficult for anyone to fully figure out.

 

“So, is it here?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk pointed at the huge dome-like structure behind Alpha.

 

“Yes, it is. The restricted area number 681. It’s a special laboratory the American government has set up to experiment on the ability users. It doesn’t even appear on any maps, you know? There was that one time G*ogle tried to upload this place on their map only to nearly get disintegrated out of existence.” (Alpha)

 

“…Oh, really?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Yes. The company was left alone in the end since it’s a good money maker, but well, they almost had to close their global map operation back then.” (Alpha)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk studied the dome with pure-white exterior and frowned deeply.

 

“So, this is that place you mentioned before?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Ah, yes. That’s correct. Of course, this isn’t the only one. There are five similar facilities such as this one in America alone. And globally there should be more than one hundred of them, although not all boast a scale of this size.” (Alpha)

 

“…I guess you have a point about getting mad, then.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Even at a casual glance, this building was bigger than a stadium holding the Superbowl. On top of that, there should be underground floors as well, so just how big exactly was this thing, anyway? The number of ability users being sacrificed in the name of research in this place should be quite significant, then.

 

“It’s all being done rather openly, isn’t it.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Well, it’s a restricted area, after all. And other countries don’t raise issues about this kind of stuff since they are also performing experiments of various scales themselves, you see.” (Alpha)

 

“Mm…” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Which meant that for the purpose of training, these guys were willingly stepping into a place where people like them were being used as live lab rats.

 

“What a tough mentality you all have.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Heheh, maybe it’s an old habit or something, but… when people go in there, they wake up real quick, you see. It’s a perfect place to train, in other words.” (Alpha)

 

“…I’m sure it is.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

This fool was definitely a wackjob. No doubt about that.

 

But then again, he was no ordinary wacko and that’s probably why he could open the doorway to the demon world. After reminding himself of that fact once more, Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head and changed the subject.

 

“Okay, so. Can we go inside now?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“The Europeans haven’t arrived yet.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon spoke up and Yi Ji-Hyuk formed a deeply dissatisfied expression.

 

“Fine. All we have to do now is wait for them, then?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“The Japanese also expressed their wish to participate, but… because China’s been half-flipped on its head, East Asia has lost much of its ability to govern itself so I can’t help but wonder what little help the remaining few Japanese ability users will provide by joining us.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“Oh, and it’s not because you don’t like the Japs?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Although there will be no end in sight if you start bringing up the past grievances…” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Choi Jeong-Hoon grinned refreshingly.

 

“I’m not a cruel person who still burns the torch of revenge towards the people who are sliding even further into oblivion after Tokyo’s been destroyed.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“Seoul’s been destroyed too, so what’s the difference?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“…Eh?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

Now that he thought about it, wasn’t that true?

 

“Should I call them over, then?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“Do what you want. It’s all the same to me once we go inside anyway.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Alpha had been observing Yi Ji-Hyuk’s moods until then, and quickly snapped his fingers. When he did, a portion of his subordinates hurriedly moved and brought out a chair for Yi Ji-Hyuk to sit on, a table and a parasol.

 

“………………….”

 

In the midst of all that, another one arrived carrying a cup of iced coffee, completing a little vacation spot for Yi Ji-Hyuk’s enjoyment in the middle of this nameless desert.

 

“…Please take a good rest here until those stinking European fools arrive.” (Alpha)

 

“Wha? I thought being ‘stinky’ was exclusively an Yankee trait?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“You’ll swiftly change your mind after smelling a Russian’s body odour.” (Alpha)

 

“…I was wrong. I admit it.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk sipped on the cold coffee and waited, and soon enough, the European ability users began arriving one by one.

 

‘Hmm?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

Unlike the NDF agents who had forgotten to bring along their fear from their homes back in Korea, the Europeans all paled the moment they saw Alpha’s subordinates and hurriedly avoided making eye contact.

 

Just like how a mutt would tuck its tail firmly between its legs after encountering a tiger, their spirit seemed to have been suppressed from the get-go.

 

“What’s gotten into them?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Well, they have clashed against Alpha’s underlings way more than us so they know what kind of people they are dealing with.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

“Are you saying our people will end up like them if they have clashed often, too?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“Nope, not even remotely possible. Our people will never stop running their mouths off even as they die.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

And who’s fault was it that they evolved in that manner?

 

While losing their fear, they gained incessant mouths, instead.

 

Yi Ji-Hyuk cackled and finished the rest of the coffee, then stood up from the chair.

 

“Alrighty, then. Time to get started.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

He loudly clapped his hands and took a look around. After making sure that everyone was paying him undivided attention, he cheerily opened his mouth.

 

“You lot better prepare yourselves to die today.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

 

“But Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, none of them speaks Korean.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

 

…Why didn’t you say that earlier?

 

< 443. That’s the only thing I can give you -3 >