The Returner

‘For now, let's play the game.' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

It didn't really matter who your opponent was, even if it happened to be the president of the country - you were supposed to win in the game regardless.

The existence of men were allowed to taste defeat in all walks of life, but sure as h.e.l.l they weren't permitted to lose in a video game.

As Choi Chang-Hyuk chose his default go-to character, his dongsaengs all crowded around him.

"Hyung, that guy's side steps are incredible. His timing is off the scale."

"He hasn't dropped his combos not once till now, too. You get airborne, and might as well consider yourself dead."

"Got it, you fools." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

The character chosen by the dude in the opposite cabinet was, simply put, one of those limited characters that went all in with one sure-kill hit.

That character dealt such a nonsensical amount of damage the moment you went airborne, so much so that you'd end up slightly worried for your own character's digital waist snapping in half. But on the flip side, it was one of those typical ‘Onnne-puuuunch!' shouting characters and was limited in its capacity as a result.

Sure, it was a fearsome character to contend with when low- and mid-tier challengers went head to head, but high-tier players hardly ever chose this character since they wouldn't easily get hit by such one-note attacks.

‘But, he still managed to get a 40 win streak with such a character.'

Choi Chang-Hyuk's dongsaengs were pretty well-known Broadcast Jockeys in their own right, and not only that, they also managed to place fairly high up during the recent clan battles, as well. So, being able to ransack such players with that particular character implied that he must never let his guard down, no matter what.

No. Matter. What!

"But, I didn't let my guard down…." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk stared at the winning streak count now reading 45 and spat out a long, long sigh of lamentation. Before he sat in his spot, that used to read '40', but now it was already 45.

"Chang-Hyuk hyung."

"….Hey, who the heck is that guy?"

"Hyung."

Seeing his dongsaengs unable to say anything other than helplessly call out "Hyung!", Choi Chang-Hyuk became utterly ashamed and speechless. He did his best, but h.e.l.l, the dude in the opposing cabinet? He was like some kind of a machine.

As soon as a moment of opening was created, that man, he'd calculate the frame like lightning and rush in to deal some serious punishes, plus his psychological warfare as if he could read the future….

For the first time ever since he started playing video games, Choi Chang-Hyuk acutely felt the unbridgeable gap in one's abilities right down to his bones.

"I can't win." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

From the get-go, it felt as if that man's reflexes weren't of a human being's. No, it was more like trying to fight against the la.s.s boss with the AI set at the hardest difficulty.

No human would be able to catch those small, marginal openings, yet he did exactly that. So, rather obviously, Choi Chang-Hyuk had no answers for that.

A clean, irrefutable five straight losses.

A perfect defeat that didn't even permit any excuses whatsoever.

"Hot dayum."

Even his dongsaengs were beginning to admire that man's skills.

‘Can he win in other arcades, too?' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

He began wondering whether the players belonging to the tournament-winning team could win against this guy or not if they showed up here today.

Choi Chang-Hyuk might not be the best player in South Korea, but even then, he'd not lose five straight sets in such a one-sided manner against the top ranked players. He was sure of that.

Did that mean the man in the opposing cabinet was the unofficial top player in the whole country?

"Let's recruit him." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"You mean, that guy??"

"That's right." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Deliberation was short, and the resulting action was swift.

Choi Chang-Hyuk stood up and headed to the other side. He began feeling weird for some reason after seeing the man playing the game with his legs still crossed.

‘Why do I feel so c.r.a.ppy, though?' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

It couldn't have been because he lost in the game. He did think something was off even before they started playing, after all.

"Haha, h.e.l.lo there." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You're really amazing at this game." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

The dude's nose seemed to be growing a bit there, just now. Maybe he was getting a bit too full of himself.

"Well, it's just so-so." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk got this feeling that their chat might go easier than expected after seeing the man's lips quiver and his cheeks trying to suppress a grin from breaking out.

"That's why I'm saying this, but well, don't you want to play the game with us?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"With you?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Yes. We're like a small clan, you see. But we do broadcasts and partic.i.p.ate in tournaments and the like to earn some money. And with a skillset such as yours, I think you'll become one of the very best in this field in no time." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

The expression of the man sitting on the stool became somewhat disinterested, prompting Choi Chang-Hyuk to become much more urgent.

The matters of money was brought up but that didn't elicit any response whatsoever, so this guy probably placed greater importance on prestige rather than wealth, it seemed.

Or, he could be one of those who just wanted to enjoy the game.

"Why don't we pop outside for a quick smoke break?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Mm, well, sure. But…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk glanced at the cabinet for some reason, and it didn't take Choi Chang-Hyuk too long to figure out why.

"Aha, because of your win streak?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Nope. It's actually money." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Eh?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"500 Won." (Yi Ji-Hyuk) (TL: around 43 US Cents.)

With a slightly ungainly movement, Choi Chang-Hyuk produced a 500 Won coin from his pocket and handed it over. Yi Ji-Hyuk gladly accepted it with a happy grin and stood up abruptly from his spot.

"Alright, let's go!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….."

While following after Yi Ji-Hyuk, Choi Chang-Hyuk was slowly overcome with this ominous foreboding that things weren't going to be as easy as he thought.

"You were a

"Yup, that I am." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You know how gaming is like. You win, you feel great, but when you lose, it's the pits." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Yup, that's true." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"So, to maintain your level, the smart thing to do is to compete against other skilled players constantly." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"You were?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Anyone could've heard the barely-hidden insinuation of ‘You call yourself a skilled player with that skill level?' in that simple question.

Choi Chang-Hyuk was someone acknowledged as one of the very best in the Gangbuk region, so he couldn't help but feel his sorrow well up.

"M-my condition wasn't the best today, you see." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"To think that the whole group's condition wasn't the best. Wowsers, did you guys have a feast late last night or something?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-no, it's not that." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk smiled uncomfortably.

But then again, they were resoundingly beaten up as a group, so it kind of sounded funny to say he should join their team because it was so talented.

"By the way…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk quietly studied Choi Chang-Hyuk's face, before tilting his head.

"Haven't we met each other before somewhere? Feels like your face is really familiar, somehow." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Eh?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Since Choi Chang-Hyuk was thinking the same thing, he couldn't help but perk up immediately. Maybe they really knew each other.

"What is your name?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I'm Choi Chang-Hyuk. And you?"

"Choi Chang-Hyuk, is it? I'm Yi Ji-Hyuk."

"Yi Ji-Hyuk…. Yi… Ji…." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk's mouth was clamped shut right there.

And then, he began sneakily backing away.

"L-looks like I don't know that name." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

He didn't know. No, he mustn't know it.

And escaping from this place as soon as possible was the only way for him to survive.

‘Why didn't I remember earlier?!' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

He should've realised it sooner!

His younger brother told him that he had seen this b*stard before, so why couldn't he put two and two together?

"Ah!! You're Chang-Hyuk! You're Chang-Sik's older brother, right? That Chang-Hyuk?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ahaha, I think you got the wrong person. Anyhow, I should be on my…." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Eiii, what do you mean, the wrong person? You're definitely Chang-Hyuk. Don't you recognise me? I'm Yi Ji-Hyuk, dude. Can't you recognise your own cla.s.smate?"

"Ah, hahahaha………….." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Thick sweat drops began trickling down Choi Chang-Hyuk's face.

‘It's him. The Calamity himself.' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

To think that he'd run into Yi Ji-Hyuk again in this place - Yi Ji-Hyuk the living, walking calamity of the Dongseong High School.

"Wow, it's been a really long time, man." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Realising that it'd be too difficult to talk himself out of it now, Choi Chang-Hyuk began accepting his reality. It was simply impossible to escape from Yi Ji-Hyuk's grasp.

Wasn't he known as the Dongseong's pit bull terrier because once he got his fangs on you, he'd never let go?

‘….Chang-Sik, you stinking son of a….' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

That stupid boy should've told him that this was the spot where Yi Ji-Hyuk might potentially appear. If that happened, Choi Chang-Hyuk would've never showed up in this area for the rest of his life.

"Hey, man. I'm really happy to see you after all this time. By the way…. Is your head okay now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk awkwardly nodded his head.

It was around then that he could hear murmurs coming from behind him.

"Yo, why is Chang-Hyuk hyung grovelling like that?"

"Dunno? Maybe they know each other?"

"It's my first time seeing Chang-Hyuk hyung act like that. I mean, let's be serious here, they are on the same level only during the game, but if they fought for real, most people will get beaten to a pulp in three seconds by him, right?"

"You're right."

Choi Chang-Hyuk oh-so wanted to shout out ‘Shut your pie holes!' right now. If only he could, he would have ensured that all of those yapping mouths got to chew on knuckle sandwiches right about now, but he had no choice but to endure it.

‘Who's going to beat who into a pulp?' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

If they were to fight, it'd be Choi Chang-Hyuk himself getting pummelled in three seconds or less.

His little brother was capable of beating up high schoolers even when he was an elementary school kid. So, how shocked was Chang-Hyuk after finding out such a kid came back home all beaten up?

And how much greater was his shock to learn that the culprit responsible was another middle schooler, just like himself?

It didn't matter how the matter transpired, he just got royally p*ssed off by the fact that his little bro got beaten up until the boy lost consciousness. But when he showed up to take revenge, he got to see the truth.

He saw a kid with a smallish physique giggling away while eating ice cream.

Choi Chang-Hyuk was convinced that the ice cream came from the pocket money taken from his little brother, so he rushed in blindly to right the wrong, only to be taught that people were actually too resilient to easily black out that afternoon.

Also, he learned that Chang-Sik was spared the worst of it since the boy was just an elementary schooler.

The figure of Yi Ji-Hyuk cackling like a devil while smacking the jaws of his victim became Choi Chang-Hyuk's deepest trauma, and ever since then, he swore never to get into a fight with other people.

That's how it was, but….

"Looks like you stopped developing too soon, dude." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Your little bro is as tall as a mountain, you know? So how come you're so small? Dude, you gotta eat more." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

To imply that Choi Chang-Hyuk and his over 188 centimetres of height was small.

Of course, compared Choi Chang-Sik who easily exceeded 190, he was indeed smaller, but still, people wouldn't normally call him small.

"H-have you been well?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Ng." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"W-when you went missing back then, we got really worried." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Really?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Of course not.

Nope, they were crying out ‘Korea liberation hooray!' to high heavens.

Some of the ones finally freed from the truly cruel tyranny started praising the Black Monday, saying that the monsters had liberated them, only to be smacked down by the incensed adults. That really did happen.

"Now that I hear you, I'm beginning to miss them a bit. Are you keeping in touch with them?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"NO!!" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk desperately denied it.

If he called everyone out and took Yi Ji-Hyuk to the gathering, then h.e.l.l, no matter how strong Choi Chang-Hyuk was, he'd be unable to escape from the lynch mob. He thought he could already imagine the sights of his former friends pouncing on him with bloodshot eyes and foams bubbling in their mouths.

"Is that so? That's too bad." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smacked his lips ruefully, and Choi Chang-Hyuk could only pat his chest down in relief.

"By the way, aren't you too old to play video games?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

‘What about you, then?!' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Just who was it that played in the arcade only until a few minutes ago??

Of course, he couldn't dare to speak out loud any of these.

Seriously now, wasn't Yi Ji-Hyuk known as the pit bull terrier because he'd sink his fangs into you and beat you up half to death if he found something not to his liking? Not getting involved with him was for the best, and if you were somehow unlucky enough to get involved, then doing everything in order to stay in his good books was the only way.

"I-I heard that you're working for the KSF these days." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Uh? Well, yeah. Somehow, that happened." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk could only stare at the distant sky.

Back when Yi Ji-Hyuk was a regular person, he was already no longer human, but now that he was an ability user, it was hard to imagine just how much of a monster he had become.

Their physiques weren't so noticeably different now, but back then, the difference was almost the double. Even then, this b*stard beat up Choi Chang-Hyuk while cackling insidiously like a demon.

‘I'm beginning to pity the monsters.' (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk could only feel sorry for the monsters that had to face off against this Yi Ji-Hyuk.

"Where have you been?" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Here and there. But, it's not much of a fun tale, though." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk sneaked a glance at Choi Chang-Hyuk before cautiously opening his mouth.

"Give the others a call." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"B-but, why? Why??" (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"We should at least hold a reunion or something. I mean, it must've been a really long time since you all graduated, right?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk wordlessly nodded his head.

He figured that saying yes now should prevent further troubles down the road.

"B-but, you see, it's a bit hard to get in touch with the others, so, like, uh…." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Do your best." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Words weren't getting through to him. Choi Chang-Hyuk could only smile uncomfortably after realising that fact once more.

"Gimme your phone." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk's trembling hand pushed forward a smartphone, and Yi Ji-Hyuk s.n.a.t.c.hed it up, typed his own number into the device, and tapped the ‘call' icon.

Only after confirming that his own phone started ringing did he return the device back to Choi Chang-Hyuk with a wide smirk.

"Call me." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"N-ng." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Okay, I'm going home now. Oh, and you should consider raising your skills a bit. I mean, man, that was too much of a letdown." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I-I will." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

"Okay, bye now." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Chang-Hyuk watched Yi Ji-Hyuk's distancing back and wiped away the cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

"I better move to another arcade." (Choi Chang-Hyuk)

It'd be for the best not to linger around the spot where that insane b*stard was known to inhabit.

Choi Chang-Hyuk began uploading the truth of Yi Ji-Hyuk's re-emergence in the private chat room with still-trembling hands.

Fin.

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