The Returner

In conclusion, Seo Ah-Young’s and Choi Jung-Hoon’s wishes were nothing more than an impossible dream.

It was indeed true that a person possessing super powers would feel the undeniable urge to try his or her abilities out sooner or later.

Unfortunately, what this duo failed to even realise was the fact that Yi Ji-Hyuk wasn’t a noob ability user who had only awakened his powers mere five years ago. He was a sorcerer who had climbed to the very peak in sorcery, as well as a scholar of magic who had touched upon the threshold of the ‘Truth’.

In other words, there was no freaking way he would act like a noob magician wanting so badly to show off his magic skills and whatnot.

And currently, the Nightmare of Berafe, the Bringer of Apocalypse, was staring at the dining room table, completely dazed and speechless.

*SFX for meat sizzling on grill*

The sound of meat being grilled was one of the most enjoyable noises anyone could ever hope to hear.

However, even those ‘anyone’ would feel a bit awkward after seeing meat being grilled atop a table full of a veritable feast of food this early in the morning.

‘Ribeyes in the morning?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s mom, madam Park Seon-Duk, couldn’t catch a wink during the night due to the sheer joy she felt at her son’s return after five years of absence. And then, that joy had transformed in full into the energy that spurred on the instincts of the housewife, the result now being displayed rather proudly on the dining table.

His mouth watered as he looked at the steaming bowl of samgyetang sitting pretty next to his rice bowl. (TL: "samgyetang" is basically a chicken stew with lots of expensive ingredients thrown in, such as high-grade ginseng. Seen as a "health" food more than a regular dish.)

"Now, now, now. Chew slowly, and eat lots, okay?" (Mom, Park Seon-Duk)

Warmth could be felt from her gentle eyes gazing at him.

‘But still, isn’t this a wee bit too much?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He could accept both the ribeyes and samgyetang, sure, but just when did she find the time to cook up bulgogi and galbi-jjim? Also, that steamed whole chicken over there, didn’t that, like, take a whoopa*s long time to cook? (TL: Oh, boy. I’m getting hungry TLing this. You guys should know what’s a "bulgogi" is by now; "galbi-jjim" is braised short ribs.)

Meat over here, meat over there. Meat everywhere.

This was a feast consisting of easy-to-digest meat dishes only.

"My son, you love meat, right?" (mom)

That was why Yi Ji-Hyuk wordlessly hoovered up the meat.

This was excessive. Excessive, indeed, yet… this was also very good.

It’s meat, after all. MEAT!!

"Uh? What’s all this?" (Dad)

Dad finished up getting ready for work and came to the kitchen for breakfast, only for his eyes to go completely round at the sight.

"Are we having a party in the morning or something?" (Dad)

"Our child returned home, so isn’t that a reason enough to have a party?" (Mom)

"Huhuh, this is…. "

Dad sat down on his seat. And madam Park Seon-Duk placed only a bowl of rice and soup in front of him.

After checking out the moist cooked rice and tasty-looking miyeok soup, dad cautiously asked.

"What about samgyetang?" (Dad)

"Miyeok soup is good for your health. " (Mom)

"But, samgyetang is also good for me…" (Dad)

Mom declined to reply any further.

Wisely enough, dad also didn’t ask anymore as well. Although it did feel

a bit depressing, he couldn’t really expect to receive a similar sort of treatment like his son who had just returned home after going missing for five years, no?

Dad then directed his chopsticks towards the ribeyes soaked in tasty gravy, almost cooked to perfection atop the grill.

"Ohh, this looks really delici…" (Dad)

Then, a pair of tongs rapidly dug in front and shoved away the chopsticks, before s.n.a.t.c.hing away the ribeye portion.

And the very same portion that had endlessly tempted dad’s palette proudly showed off its soft, sizzled sides while landing on top of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s rice bowl.

"Eat well, my boy. " (mom)

"Ng, thanks mom. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"There, there. " (mom)

Dad stared at the sight with a pleased expression. But, although his mind felt all warm and fuzzy, his hands felt somewhat awkwardly empty at the same time.

"Huhuh. Right, eat well, my son. " (Dad)

"Yes. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Dad’s chopsticks headed towards another well-cooked piece of ribeye once more.

Tak!!

However, a pair of tongs descended smoothly and shoved away his chopsticks again, picked up the very portion of meat and delivered it to Yi Ji-Hyuk’s bowl.

Tak!

Tak, tak!!

When the same thing happened a couple more times, dad put down his chopsticks and raised his voice in a huff.

"What are you doing?!" (Dad)

"What!!" (Mom)

"I am the head of this family!! Treat me at least a little better than this!!" (Dad)

"You’re being noisy!! Our kid might get indigestion!!" (Mom)

"Groan~. " (Dad)

Dad’s shoulders drooped noticeably. Sure, his level of importance compared to a son who had just returned after five years was far, far lower, but still, as the head of this family, couldn’t he be allowed to eat one single piece of meat, at the very least?

Dad gave up on the grilled meat and instead reached out to galbi-jjim with his chopsticks.

Tak!

And…. dad’s despairing eyes were directed towards madam Park Seon-Duk, but her tongs remained merciless.

"Dear….. " (Dad)

"Meat dishes aren’t good for relieving a hangover, so eat the soup, instead. Just the soup. " (Mom)

And just who came up with the notion of meat not being good for a hangover?!

Dad was just about to start his counter argument, but then, spotted the wifey’s eyes that screamed let’s see what happens when you utter out one more word and he quietly poured the rice into his soup. (TL: In Korean dining culture, soup and rice dishes are supposed to be combined into one. Not always the case, but most people eat that way.)

‘I should drink a bit less from now on. ’ (Dad)

How could he expect a gentle treatment after he couldn’t even recognise his own missing-for-five-years son and behaved like an utter moron?

"Right, Ji-Hyuk-ah. " (Dad)

Yi Ji-Hyuk put his spoon down and gazed at his dad.

‘Mm… So, what am I supposed to say here?’ (Dad)

If dad were to meet his son with a clear head first, there should’ve been lots of things to say, for sure. More than likely, he might have broken down into sobs and tears. But, after putting on such a disgraceful act last night, he hadn’t the foggiest

To become emotional now was a bit awkward, and to be all rational now was also a bit embarra.s.sing as well.

"So, well, this is…" (Dad)

When dad remained hesitant for a while, mom’s eyes became more hostile.

"Just speak up what’s on your mind already, will you!! What are you doing, forcing your

your son to stop eating?!" (Mom)

"Ah, right, uh… Welcome back, son. " (Dad)

"Thanks, dad. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Let’s eat. Yes. Eat. " (Dad)

"Okay. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk resumed stuffing the food into his mouth.

Bulgogi became bulgogi noodles and got sucked in like a stream, and galbi-jjim transformed into white, spotless bones and were piled neatly to one side. And a dish of stir-fried noodles was gone without a trace after only two swishes of his chopsticks.

‘Couldn’t you at least leave me behind something?’ (Dad)

Dad sucked on his spoon regretfully.

It was then, Yi Ye-Won emerged from her room, wearing the school uniform.

"Eat your breakfast. " (Mom)

"Don’t wanna. I’m going to school. " (Yi Ye-Won)

"Just eat your dang food already, will you!! It’s not even that late anyway, so what’s the rush?" (Mom)

"Eii, sh*t. " (Yi Ye-Won)

Yi Ye-Won grumbled as she sat down on her seat.

"What’s up with this meat party? I can see nothing but meat here. " (Yi Ye-Won)

"Your Oppa likes his meat, doesn’t he?" (Mom)

"What an overkill. " (Yi Ye-Won)

Yi Ye-Won sneaked a glance at Yi Ji-Hyuk in the middle of his bulgogi-sucking escapades. When their gazes met, he carefully slid the bulgogi dish towards her.

"Want some?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Hah?!" (Yi Ye-Won)

So, she could impart such a variety of negative emotions with a single word, huh.

Her ability to form expressions is top notch. She could even become an actress in the future. Probably. (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk pulled the bulgogi dish back.

And why was she acting so irritable since yesterday, anyways?

Yi Ye-Won mixed in her rice with soup and feigned eating it for a couple of spoons, before standing up from her seat.

"Mom. " (Yi Ye-Won)

"What?" (Mom)

"Gimme pocket money. " (Yi Ye-Won)

Mom’s eyes became super-sharp.

"Why are you asking for money, when it hasn’t even been that long since I gave you some?" (Mom)

"I spent it all up by buying supplementary textbooks, you know!" (Yi Ye-Won)

"Textbooks?! TEXTBOOKS?!?! You bought books??? Maybe a stray dog pa.s.sing by bought those books. No way in a blue moon you’ll buy a dang textbook!!" (Mom)

"Mom?!" (Yi Ye-Won)

"Go to school, before I rip that hair off your scalp!! Also, didn’t I tell you to dye that hair of yours? Yet why are you still walking around looking like that?" (Mom)

"Everyone rocks this look now, so why are you only picking on me?" (Yi Ye-Won)

"Just who is this ‘everyone’? Look outside! I dare you to find anyone with a canary hair like yours walking around!!" (Mom)

"Eiii!!! Seriously now!!" (Yi Ye-Won)

Just as Yi Ye-Won abruptly turned around and headed towards the front door, dad let out a fake cough and stood up as well. And then, after sneakily checking out mom’s mood, he slyly handed over a couple of ₩50,000 notes over to his daughter who was busy putting on her shoes. (TL: ₩50,000 = around $46)

She grinned faintly and pocketed the cash; meanwhile, witnessing this scene unfold, mom began shouting again.

"Why are you giving her money? Why? Are you going to take responsibility when she develops rotten habits?!" (Mom)

"Keuheuheuheum. "

Dad continued to let out several fake coughs and avoided mom’s eyes.

"You think you’re a parent just because you gave her some cash? You can’t even say anything useful about her appearance at all, yet you give her money so she can fool around even more?! Dear, are you an insane idiot, or a sane idiot?!" (Mom)

"Come on now, she said she doesn’t have any pocket

any pocket money. " (Dad)

"I’m off now. " (Yi Ye-Won)

As if she feared her money might get confiscated, Yi Ye-Won hurriedly opened the door and left. Watching that, mom’s eyes were set ablaze.

"And just why would she be lacking in money, ah? It’s all because she’s wasting it away!" (Mom)

"Hm, hm. Ah, that’s right. Ji-Hyuk-ah. " (Dad)

Dad urgently changed the topic.

"Dad?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Here, take this. " (Dad)

From dad’s wallet, several stiff banknotes exited and landed into his hands.

"But, I don’t need money, though?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Do you have any cash on you?" (Dad)

"No. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Then, take it. A man is supposed to feel secure when his pockets are secure, understand?" (Dad)

When Yi Ji-Hyuk remained hesitant, mom s.n.a.t.c.hed the money off and pushed it into her son’s pocket.

"Why are you hesitating, son? Your father is giving you, so you should quietly accept it. Mom will open a bank account in your name soon, so use this until then, okay?" (Mom)

"Ng. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Mom, isn’t this treatment completely the opposite to how you treat your daughter? (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s internal monologue)

Dad quickly evaded nagging from his wife and left for work. Mom then carefully stared at her son for a while, before speaking out as if she had made up her mind.

"Let’s go. " (Mom)

"Mm? Go where?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Mom’s restaurant. " (Mom)

"Mom, you still work in a restaurant?" (Yi Ji-HYuk)

Mom grinned softly.

"I’m not working in the kitchen there, you know. It’s our restaurant. " (Mom)

It seemed that she had opened her own place. In only five short years, the family’s house became twice as big and they owned a business now. Sadly, the family seemed to have grown more prosperous after Yi Ji-Hyuk was gone.

Huh? Now that I thought about it that way, I kinda feel a bit odd, don’t I? (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, why do I need to go that restaurant, mom?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I am worried about leaving you alone here. I was planning to take the day off today, but since that’s impossible, it can’t be helped. Let’s go!" (Mom)

"Mom, wait! Please calm down. I promise I will behave and stay at home. I’d like to stay home for the time being. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It wasn’t such a bad development for him to go to the restaurant with his mom. But there wasn’t much he could do after he arrives there, other than probably was.h.i.+ng the dishes and stuff.

"You mustn’t leave the house, okay?" (Mom)

"I won’t leave, promise. Besides, I have nowhere else to go, anyway. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Mm, but I’m still worried…. Can’t we just go together?" (Mom)

"Nope, not going!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

After a lengthy negotiation, it was decided that Yi Ji-Hyuk could remain at home, only after he got a brand new smartphone from a shop near the house. Some apps or other that could pinpoint the location of the phone were downloaded and installed en ma.s.se, and then, in case he misplaced the phone, he had to wear it around his neck like a dog leash.

After putting secondary and tertiary safety nets in place, mom still didn’t seem convinced as she checked and rechecked the phone several times, before personally escorting Yi Ji-Hyuk back home from the store.

"I’ve already prepared meals for you, so don’t forget to eat later, okay? And mom will come home early today…. " (Mom)

"Mom, aren’t you late now? You must get to work, you to work, you know. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Yes, I’m late, by a little bit. But…. eh-whew. " (Mom)

And finally, after incessantly nagging, mom opened the door and left for work.

‘Ahh… From now on, it’s my ‘me time’. Really now, it was so awkward, I had no…. ’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

*SFX for a loud noise of something being dragged across*

It was then – he could hear the noise of something heavy being dragged across the floor, right outside the front door.

What could this noise possibly be?

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head in confusion and opened the front door.

"Eh? Mom?!"

Mom was in the middle of dragging several large boxes of unknown origin to block out the front door.

When she met Yi Ji-Hyuk’s eyes, mom smiled embarra.s.sedly.

"No, well, what if you were to venture outside and lose the way back home?" (Mom)

"……………"

"Well now, mom is off to work! Please lock the door. " (Mom)

"Y, yes, mom….. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

As soon as he closed the door, the dragging noises resumed, and soon, another noises of those boxes pressing against the door could be heard.

Right, this was indeed the love of one’s parents.

She blocked the doorway, fearing that her child, lost for five years, might lose his way once more. Just how much did she worry, to do something like this….

But, why are my eyes stinging a bit right now?

Now that he was left alone at home, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s gaze was firmly fixed to one spot only. And it was a personal computer sitting pretty in the corner of his room, which was decorated as exactly as it was before he had left.

"Kekeke. "

There were three things he missed most about this world.

First, his family.

Second, the food.

And finally, his computer!!!

Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at the amalgamation of what every bit of modern technology had to offer, and formed a mysterious smile.

Just how much did he miss his computer?

He plugged it into the wall socket and booted it up. But, as soon as the OS booted up, all traces of said smile were wiped off Yi Ji-Hyuk’s face.

"It, it can’t be?!"

A long, long time later…..

Yi Ji-Hyuk stopped staring at his computer with an empty, soulless pair of eyes, and pulled out his phone to call someone.

"Mom! Did you change my computer?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

– "We got a new one when we moved house. You don’t have to say thanks. " (Mom)

"Oh, uh, t, thanks mom…. " (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Again, he felt the love of his mother.

To spend money unwisely to buy a brand new computer, even after her son had gone missing for five years and was declared dead, all in the vain hope of him might returning one day – everyone said he was dead and gone, yet she alone held onto the faith that he’d return home one day, alive and kicking.

It was such a moving thing, tears started coming out.

Yes, it was indeed a moving thing.

Indeed, but….

After ending the call, Yi Ji-Hyuk dazedly stared at the monitor screen for a long, long time.

Finally, he reined in the turmoil of his mind and squeezed his eyes shut.

‘Goodbye. ’

Yi Ji-Hyuk silently mouthed his final goodbyes. A farewell to the ‘ladies’ that he was unable to forget or let go of, even during his time over at the other side.

Indeed, today was a sorrowful day of farewells.