The Returner

(Not edited, unfortunately.)

"Thank you for the food." (Kim Dah-Som)

Kim Dah-Som smiled brightly and raised her spoon.

"N-ng." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk also picked up his spoon and began digging into the prepared food.

"You seem uncomfortable today for some reason." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Really?"

Yi Ji-Hyuk scratched the back of his head.

‘Well, you are not mistaken. I am uncomfortable, actually.'

He just wanted to do some shopping, but somehow, the trip turned into a date.

Sure, he was already a married man, but the thing was, going on a proper date with someone like this would be the first time in his entire life.

"By the way, your personality has changed a lot, you know?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Kim Dah-Som smiled gently.

"You think so?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Ng. The way you speak, your expressions, they are softer now." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I thought you were finding it a bit too much, that's why, oppa." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Ng?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"So, I should be the one to change." (Kim Dah-Som)

Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn't help but chuckle hollowly.

"Did I do something nice for you or something?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You did. Lots." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Ha, haha….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

When he thought about it, their first encounter was definitely not what one would call ‘normal'. Even then, she was the only person who consistently looked out for his well-being until now.

"Doesn't your own oppa badmouth me?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"No, he said that he deeply respects you." (Kim Dah-Som)

"N-ng??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"He said that, even though you look annoyed, you never complained once, and he thinks that he'd have turned around and ran away if such a burden was placed on his shoulders, so he says you're an amazing person for holding on." (Kim Dah-Som)

"But, how come?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

If it was that lazy-a*s Kim Dah-Hyun, he should've been beside himself trying to talk rubbish behind Yi Ji-Hyuk's back, so what a strange revelation this was.

"Everyone in the NDF like you, Ji-Hyuk oppa." (Kim Dah-Som)

"….I think you're mistaken about that one." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Even if Yi Ji-Hyuk was the kind of person who'd try to interpret the reactions from his surroundings in a positive light, he simply couldn't accept her declaration.

"But, it's the truth, though?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Stop riiiight there." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk cleanly cut off Kim Dah-Som's declaration. She should say something that makes sense!

"Should we catch a movie afterwards?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Nope." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk waved his hand away.

"Why not?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Sitting in the same spot for two hours straight while doing nothing doesn't suit my nature." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Because you can't smoke?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Bingo." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Kim Dah-Som burst out in a peal of laughter, and Yi Ji-Hyuk smiled alongside awkwardly.

"Oppa, you seem a little different today." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Ng? Different how?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Well, you are usually… How should I put this? You're special? No, rather than special, it's more like unique, I guess? In any case, I usually get that sort of feeling from you." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Oh…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head.

To put what she said in another way, the differences between Yi Ji-Hyuk and modern humans were that easy to notice.

‘That can't be helped, though.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

If he took into account the amount of time he spent in Berafe, then there was simply no way he'd hold the similar type of views as with the rest of modern humanity. He had to experience the wilderness filled with barbaric mindset for well over a thousand years, after all.

He simply had to be different from the modern humans that enjoyed the rule of law as well as protection from the functioning society.

"But, you look normal today." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Really? Maybe it's because of my new attire?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"No, not that. It's not the way you look, but… But, well, you come across as a regular university student today." (Kim Dah-Som)

"….A regular university student, is it?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk felt this sense of unfamiliarity from her observation and what that implied.

‘If I hadn't ended up in Berafe, then yeah, that would've happened to me.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The Black Monday.

If he avoided getting sucked into a Gate on that fateful day when those dang portals opened up all over the world for the first time, then maybe, he'd be attending a university like a regular person right this moment. Of course, said inst.i.tution wouldn't have been something worthy to brag about to other people, but still.

"It would've been nice if so." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Pardon?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Nah, it's nothing." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It was kind of surprising.

‘I feel a bit weird today.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk wasn't sure why he was feeling this way. Something seemed different today.

He wasn't worrying about anything today, whether they be Gates or whatever. He s.h.i.+fted his head and stared outside the window of the restaurant.

People were minding their own businesses.

Some were going somewhere, while some were buying something. And then, some were meeting up with others, while some were eating food just like Yi Ji-Hyuk and Kim Dah-Som, or sitting around in cafes to chat.

It was… an ordinary day.

"It's peaceful." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I guess so." (Kim Dah-Som)

Now that he thought about it, it seemed that he had been running breathlessly for a long, long while. He kind of understood where Erukana and Affeldrichae were coming from when they said he was trying too hard.

‘Even though I hadn't thought about it that way.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Indeed, he only did what he could, nothing more.

He returned home for the sole purpose of not getting tangled up in any more warfare and live the rest of his life as normally and plainly as possible. However, his home was being invaded by the monsters, so he simply couldn't sit back and pretend to not notice, now could he?

Things began like that, and eventually led him to this place.

He wasn't regretting it or

‘I am fatigued, aren't I?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk thought that he could finally recognise his current condition.

He had been running without taking a breather. Excluding those initial weeks after his return to Earth, he had never taken a single break for the past thousand-plus years.

No wonder he felt so fatigued right now.

‘Maybe I should seriously go on a vacation somewhere?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He began thinking that he should hop over to that nameless island where he left his monsters behind and enjoy a week-long vacation or some such.

He also figured that it'd be good to take Choi Jeong-Hoon and the other NDF agents who didn't have much to do lately, too.

"You wanna go, too?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Pardon?" (Kim Dah-Som)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked, just then.

"When I do go to a university, I'll take you there." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I'm not sure what you mean, but well, will it be fine if I also enter the university?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"That's right. I don't think Ye-Won can make it, so you should at least try to get admitted." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, wouldn't Ye-Won be able to enter?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"….Her? No freaking way." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

That moron entering a university? Yi Ji-Hyuk chuckled wryly.

After having a cup of coffee in a cafe post-meal, Yi Ji-Hyuk walked home while carrying shopping bags full of new shoes and clothes. He could've have arrived there in the blink by opening up a Gate, but at least for today, he didn't feel like doing that for some reason.

"Well, I'm a human being, after all." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He began thinking that maybe, getting too used to relying on magic could prove to be somewhat of a problem. If you were a human being, then it was only obvious that you'd walk with your feet and lift things up with your hands.

Since special abilities were spreading around in society, such a mindset would sooner or later be a.s.signed to the sc.r.a.p heap of history, but for now, he didn't want to use his abilities and lose this feeling, something he hadn't felt in a really long time.

Wooooof!

"N-ng? Oh-Sik-ah?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He unexpectedly ran into Oh-Sik waiting for him on the way back home after somehow knowing that he was back.

"What are you doing here? Wait, did you come here to welcome me back home?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Woof!

Yi Ji-Hyuk lightly patted the Ogre's head. Seeing how Oh-Sik was mewling in happiness, a smile automatically floated up on his lips.

"I guess I did manage to get you out of the whole Berafe deal." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Technically speaking, he didn't get Oh-Sik from Berafe. If he was still stuck in that world, then Oh-Sik would've been just another Ogre among countless monsters that served him. An Ogre that would've died in a battlefield sooner or later.

"Don't you think this ‘connection' thing is one h.e.l.luva funny stuff?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Maybe what he said was too high-levelled, because Oh-Sik couldn't understand him and tilted its head that was comparatively larger than its torso.

Yi Ji-Hyuk lightly smirked and raised Oh-Sik up to place the mini Ogre on his shoulder. After it used its claws to cling onto his back, the latter leisurely headed towards his house.

"The sun's setting." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The amber glow was settling down in the distant sky.

"I'm home." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Welcome back son. Have you eaten something?" (mom)

"Ng. I had lunch earlier on." (Yi Ji-Hyuk) (TL: This is what the raw said.)

"Will you eat supper, then?" (mom)

"But, it hasn't been that long since I had lunch?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Does that mean you won't?" (mom)

"…..No, I'll have some." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Mom grinned and lightly patted Yi Ji-Hyuk's back.

"Drop the new clothes in your room and quickly wash up, son. I'll prepare the food in the meantime." (mom)

"Ng." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk dropped off his luggage and took a shower. When he emerged from the bathroom, he discovered the dining room table filled with food.

"Mom, you shouldn't prepare so much food every single time." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's just that I wish to feed you well, that's all. I mean, once you get married, I won't have the chance to do so." (mom)

"But, I ain't planning to get married, though?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

More specifically, I'm already married, mother. (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"What about Erukana, then…." (mom)

"M-mm…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Mom's expression became one filled with dilemma.

"Should I just accept her? What do you think, son?" (mom)

"I'm not sure myself." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"If my son says I must accept her, then I should do so, no? What choice do I have? It's not like I'm the one getting married but my son is, so I'll have to go with his choice." (mom)

"Ehehe…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk used laughter to subtly s.h.i.+ft attention away from this topic and settled down on his spot.

"You're home, son?" (dad)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

A rather familiar-looking ahjussi was sitting in the spot opposite to his own.

"D-dad??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….And why are you acting so surprised?" (dad)

"It feels like I haven't seen you for a long while, that's why. How's your work lately?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's alright. It's not all that different from what I've been doing all my life, so I have no complaints." (dad)

"If it gets too much, take a break, dad. I mean, we have plenty of money, right?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"A man will grow lazy and complacent if he's not working, son. And besides, your father gets his deserved recognition at his workplace, you see." (dad)

"….You sound as if no one cares about you at home, dad." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Well, you all treat me as an invisible man, so there's that." (dad)

Dad, we aren't treating you as an invisible man. We really can't find you.

Why are you walking around with full stealth mode activated, dad? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"Ji-Hyuk-ah." (dad)

"Yes?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"How are you holding on?" (dad)

"……….."

Although he was holding his spoon, dad was staring at Yi Ji-Hyuk instead.

"It seems that your name can be heard here and there nowadays." (dad)

"Really?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Yes. I took a closer look at what you're doing lately, and I see that you've been quite busy." (dad)

"Nah, it's not as busy as you think." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You used to play games the whole day right after you returned, but now, it's rare to see you sitting in front of a computer. That tells me how busy you actually are, son." (dad)

Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn't really find a suitable excuse for that. Besides, he also couldn't remember the last time he played computer games.

‘Since when did my life become this hectic?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

His determination to live like everyone else and pa.s.s his time as freely and comfortably as possible was already a distant memory that he couldn't get back anymore. The only fate remaining for him now was to work his b.u.t.t off as an ability user. That was all.

"It's okay to be busy, son. Your work involves saving lives, so you being busy means one more life can be saved." (dad)

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

"However, don't forget that you are the most important thing to us, to your parents." (dad)

"…..I won't." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You came back home after five years of absence so I definitely do not wish to see my son getting hurt somewhere trying to save other people. Even if that sounds selfish, there's nothing anyone can do about it. No matter what, I'd like to see you live a simpler, safer life. As you said before, we have enough money for that." (dad)

"I get what you're saying, dad." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Alright. Let's eat, then." (dad)

Yi Ji-Hyuk lowered his head and began eating his food.

For some reason, the food didn't want to go down easily. He barely managed to finish his share and stood up from his seat.

"I'm going back to my room." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Alright, son. You do look tired. Get a good night's rest." (dad)

"Okay." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head and went straight to his room.

‘I look tired?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

What a strange thing to hear.

However, he had no choice but to acknowledge that observation.

‘I am tired.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

More correctly, deeply fatigued.

Yi Ji-Hyuk laid down on the bed.

"Erukana, you there?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Of course, darling." (Erukana)

Erukana revealed her figure from the corner of the lightless room.

"I've got something to ask you." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You can ask me anything anytime." (Erukana)

"How long do I have left?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"………."

Erukana, always happy to answer back right away, suddenly clapped her mouth shut as if glue had been applied on her lips.

"Be honest and tell me." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Darling…." (Erukana)

Yi Ji-Hyuk wordlessly stared at her.

"….I'm not sure." (Erukana)

Erukana shook her head.

"Even I can't tell for certain how much time you have left exactly. However, it's probably not all that much." (Erukana)

After hearing Erukana's resolute tone of voice, Yi Ji-Hyuk s.h.i.+fted his gaze to the darkened ceiling.

"I guess it's about time that either death or mutation starts happening to me." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Fin.

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