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The Returner-Chapter 323: To be called a madman, I should at least do this much (3)
Chapter 323: To be called a madman, I should at least do this much (3)
βLetβs do that. Shall we have a good meal, then?β (Park Yong-Hui) fππeweππ૦π―eπ.cπΌπ
Park Yong-Hui decided to halfway give up just then. All because he figured out that this matter wouldnβt change no matter how deeply he agonised or worried about it.
βAnd, heβs scary, too.β (Park Yong-Hui)
Park Yong-Hui was genuinely scared of Yi Ji-Hyuk.
It wasnβt 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 Peopleβs Democratic Republic was like that, anyway.
However, Yi Ji-Hyuk was fundamentally different from them somehow.
βIs he even human?β (Park Yong-Hui)
It wasnβt like his humanity had been lost or he was a psychopath β not some lukewarm sensation of him being a human that didnβt feel like one, no, but more like his foundation was made out of something else definitely not human.
Itβd be similar to how a non-human creature was desperately pretending to be a human.
β....Comrade Chief of Staff.β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
The armyβs top commander, Kim Ryong-Seong made his way over to Park Yong-Hui and engaged him in a conversation.
βWhat is it?β (Park Yong-Hui)
βWhat has happened here? Is this the end?β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
β....Why are you asking me that now? Isnβt that a problem a commander needs to sort out for himself?β (Park Yong-Hui)
βI canβt seem to figure out just whatβs going on here anymore. There was all this rumble, rumble, boom, bang, crash, then those monsters, they all just vanished, didnβt they?β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βStop asking me and ask the South Joseon comrades. What do I know, anyway??β (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 oneβs 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.
βEh....β (Jeong In-Su)
Colonel Jeong In-Su confirmed the situation with Yi Ji-Hyuk first.
βIs the situation all sorted out now?β (Jeong In-Su)
βHul?! You were here too??β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
β....Yes, I was.β (Jeong In-Su)
βBut, where were you? I couldnβt even see your hair nor hide anywhere!β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βI wouldnβt be of any help even if I hung around here, anyway. So I was on standby in the bus.β (Jeong In-Su)
βThat... was a wise choice, I guess?β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βOf course.β (Jeong In-Su)
Jeong In-Su smiled awkwardly, and after seeing that, Yi Ji-Hyuk smiled as well.
βYeah, it was the right call. Anyways, the situationβs been sorted out. If thereβs something else I need to do, just holler at me.β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βWhat the.....β (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
Choi Jeong-Hoon grew angry after seeing how friendly Yi Ji-Hyuk was acting towards Jeong In-Su.
βWhy canβt you be nice to me, too?!β (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
βYou gotta reflect on how you behave normally before that can happen.β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βWhat did I ever do, though??β (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
βYou 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?β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Choi Jeong-Hoonβs mouth was clamped shut right away.
βEven dogs know which human likes them more! And Iβm a human, too!β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βAre you really, though?β (Choi Jeong-Hoon)
βAre you picking a fight??β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βWell, sometimes I do wonder, you see.β (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.
βCommander-nim.β (Jeong In-Su)
βOh, Comrade Jeong In-Su.β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βIβve confirmed it with Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, and he says the situation has been normalised.β (Jeong In-Su)
βIn that case, where did all those monsters go?β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βUnfortunately, 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.β (Jeong In-Su)
βIs that so?β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
Kim Ryong-Seong nodded his head.
In that case, there was nothing more he could ask now. But, still....
βBut, itβs really over like this? Donβt misunderstand my intentions here, because if something else happens after this, my head wonβt be in the same place anymore so I have to clarify it with you.β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βWe wonβt return right away, so if something does happen, we shall mobilise immediately.β (Jeong In-Su)
βIf youβre willing to do that, well, thatβll take some weight off my shoulders.β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
Kim Ryong-Seong smiled good-naturedly and shook hands with Jeong In-Su.
βI hear that youβll soon reach the position of top representative in South Joseon military, Colonel Jeong. Is that true?β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βWhen considering my age or my rank, such a position doesnβt suit me at all. Itβs all just baseless rumours.β (Jeong In-Su)
βThat canβt be, though. As long as you have the ability, anyone can do that role, donβt you agree? Our Comrade Supreme Leader didnβt reach his position because of his age, you see?β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βNow that I hear you, I guess you have a point.β (Jeong In-Su)
If Jeong In-Su continued to deny it, then itβd be akin to insulting North Korea, so he changed his tact and agreed with Kim Ryong-Seong.
βIndeed. 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.β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βAs long as Iβm needed, I shall run over here right away.β (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-Hyukβs powers would be needed again so it was incredibly important to make a solid connection with the core representative of the Southβs military right now. Which meant that he was rather unwilling to end the chat in this manner.
βIβm sure youβre all worn out by now, so why donβt we discuss the rest later while having a good meal?β (Park Yong-Hui)
Park Yong-Hui quickly dissuaded Kim Ryong-Seong, prompting the latter to nod his head.
βAh, I didnβt think that far ahead. I shall get it ready right away.β (Kim Ryong-Seong)
βPlease do so.β (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 wasnβt an exaggeration to say none had died here today.
βWhat a scary prospect that is.β (Jeong In-Su)
In the end, neither the NDF nor the Peopleβs Ability User Brigade did a thing here. Yi Ji-Hyuk had basically resolved this situation by himself.
βOur reliance on Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk is increasing day by day....β (Jeong In-Su)
Things werenβt 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.
βArenβt we going somewhere to eat now?β (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
βOf course we will.β (Jeong In-Su)
Jeong In-Su grinned brightly.
βStill, what a relief that heβs so human.β (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 vehicleβs cabin.
However, there was this one thing that hadnβt changed at all.
Snore......
Yi Ji-Hyuk was snoring away without a care in the world.
βHow could he be so adorable when snoring like this?β (Erukana)
βAre you serious?! Thatβs adorable to you??β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βOh, and you donβt find him adorable?β (Erukana)
Jeong Hae-Min seemed to ponder that quandary for a bit, before eventually nodding her head.
βI, I agree...β (Jeong Hae-Min)
Erukana grinned as if she already knew it, and then began poking Yi Ji-Hyukβs cheek.
βAh-wung!β (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.
βStop tormenting him, will you??β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βBut, how can I stop myself after looking at his sleeping face?β (Erukana)
βDo you torment him everyday like this?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βNope.β (Erukana)
Erukana shrugged her shoulders.
βThere is this roughneck lizard who claims possession of my darling when he sleeps so I canβt really touch him during then.β (Erukana)
βWhat.....β (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?
βI guess Affeldriache-nim is doing an important work, then.β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βI guess so?β (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 Erukanaβs presence.
βI mean, Iβm a girl and even I find her beautiful, so....β (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 didnβt 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, itβd be probably get labelled βThe Beauty and the Squidβ.
βBy the way.... he just sleeps a lot, doesnβt he?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βHeβs tired, obviously.β (Erukana)
β....But, was that such a tiring thing earlier?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
Erukana tutted in disappointment.
βThis is why humans are so....β (Erukana)
βWhat is it now??β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βListen well, you ugly human.β (Erukana)
βOmit the ugly part first, please. Among humans, Iβm considered somewhat pretty, Iβll have you know.β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βWhatever. Listen well, you considered-somewhat-pretty-among-humans ugly human.β (Erukana)
β..........Why donβt you just say Iβm ugly and be done with it....β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βYou are already aware of how much of a burden using dark Mana places on a human body, right?β (Erukana)
βOf course.β (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.
βThe 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.β (Erukana)
βIt was that bad?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βYou didnβt know?β (Erukana)
βB-but, heβs always cackling when using his powers, so....β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βWell, thatβs because....β (Erukana)
Erukana reached out and stroked Yi Ji-Hyukβs cheek.
βAs you know, my darling isnβt just any regular human, thatβs why.β (Erukana)
βH-mm....β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βIf you were to compare him to a regular human, then you could argue that his physical or magical side arenβt all that different from other people. The real difference is to do with the mental power. My charming technique doesnβt even work on my darling, you see.β (Erukana)
βI canβt tell whatβs so amazing about that.β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βTalking to a blob of amoeba might be less frustrating than this, really.β (Erukana)
βWhat was that?!β (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 β he wouldnβt be able to come to her rescue if something were to happen.
βBut, youβre adorable than a blob of amoeba, so Iβll give you that.β (Erukana)
βCanβt tell whether youβre praising or insulting me....β (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min spat out a groan.
βIn any case, youβre saying Ji-Hyuk is really tired right now, right?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βObviously.β (Erukana)
βMmm....β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βYou humans have not been any help whatsoever. My darling took care of everything all by himself.β (Erukana)
βBy the same logic, Miss Erukana, you havenβt done anything much to help, either.β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βBut, that canβt 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.β (Erukana)
β.......β
βEverything is meaningless in front of love, you know? My darling knows that, and thatβs why he dotes on me so much.β (Erukana)
Jeong Hae-Minβs face reddened up instantly.
βA-arenβt you embarrassed?? Saying something like that with your own mouth and all??β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βWhy should I be? You humans are so strange, really. Why should anyone be embarrassed about speaking out their emotions?β (Erukana)
βN-never mind.β (Jeong Hae-Min) Ζππππ€π¦ππ·oπeπ.cπ¨π’
Jeong Hae-Min thought that it was impossible to get through to Erukana.
βAnd Iβm supposed spent who knows how long next to this kind of person?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
Just thinking about it caused her head to ache profusely.
βIt must be tough.β (Erukana)
Erukana gently stroked Yi Ji-Hyukβs cheek.
βHe was born as a human and ended up experiencing so much. Thatβs why, even though I feel my darling is cool, I sometimes pity him, too.β (Erukana)
βThatβs not very demon-like.β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βEven a dragon thinks that, so itβs fine.β (Erukana)
Affeldrichae received Erukanaβs gaze and nodded her head silently.
βWhatβs 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?β (Erukana)
βBut, heβs not that good-looking, though?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βThatβs better than nothing. He was treated like a beast on the other side.β (Erukana)
βBut, how come?β (Jeong Hae-Min)
βThere arenβt any Asians in Berafe.β (Erukana)
βAh.....β (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 mustβve gone through.
βEven after experiencing so many things like that, my darling amazingly still hasnβt given up on humanity. Well, he is a man who doesnβt know when to give up, so thereβs that.β (Erukana)
βH-mm....β (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min quietly stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk before shifting her gaze away to the outside of the window.
βNow that I think about it, what wouldβve happened to the world if he didnβt show up?β (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 didnβt seem that way.
< 323. To be called a madman, I should at least do this much -3 > Fin.