The Returner

"Man, it just feels so off." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk's moods refused to improve no matter what and his head ended up constantly c.o.c.king this way and that.

Ever since his return from North Korea, he felt tight-chested as if someone dropped a boulder inside the pit of his stomach.

"Maybe it's indigestion?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"….Indigestion?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head.

"Me?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You don't get indigestion?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

Should he reveal the truth about him not getting indigestion for the past two thousand years, at minimum?

Not just when he was living in Berafe, no, but he never suffered from a tummy ache in his life, like ever. So Yi Ji-Hyuk didn't know what one even felt like.

"Well, it's not as if I had eaten something bad, so that can't be it." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Hng?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

Jeong Hae-Min was surprised by the fact that Yi Ji-Hyuk, sitting there all relaxed and stuff, could actually feel some sort of discomfort inwardly like this.

"I guess you're really a human being, after all." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Ng?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's because you feel the weight of the current situation, right?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"What weight?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….You know, the pandemonium going on right now?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"I've already done what I can, so what weight are you talking about? Besides all that, I haven't eaten anything yet. Time to grab me some chow." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Jeong Hae-Min watched him nonchalantly talk about food and ended up smirking softly.

But of course.

Yi Ji-Hyuk wasn't someone who'd feel unduly burdened by matters like this one.

"Here. I've readied food for you." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Ng?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk's expression brightened after checking out the snacks Jeong Hae-Min pushed forward.

Recently, she developed this side to her where she'd begin nagging him from time to time, but rather unexpectedly, she also had figured out how to take good care of him.

Although she wasn't to the extent of Kim Dah-Som who'd go mental for not being able to look after him, she still taught herself the exquisite timing when he'd get peckish and prepare stuff to fill him up without anyone noticing it. And she even worked pretty hard as the middleman, or a middlewoman as it were, that delivered Yi Ji-Hyuk's opinions to the NDF.

"Enjoy." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Thank you." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He dug into the sandwiches with a happy face, but there was someone here who didn't look happy at all.

"….Is it tasty?" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Why, you want one?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I decline. If I eat one now, my gut might explode the very next second." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Eiii, you and your exaggerations." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jeong-Hoon's brows quivered.

Just who was responsible for creating this incident in the first place? And how dare he say something that sounded so unconcerned like this?

Park Yong-Hui, the man Yi Ji-Hyuk had brought over, created a ma.s.sive ripple that extended well beyond the politicians of South Korea, to impact the rest of the world. That man ended up affirming what Yi Ji-Hyuk was suspecting all along.

Once the world got the confirmation that the North Korean ruling elites were indeed planning to sacrifice the North's citizens to summon ‘something', the governments of all the powerful nations receiving this news went into overdrive as if their b.u.t.ts were on fire.

But, that was to be expected. They had already bore witness to the two separate crises involving summoning of demon kings, after all.

Based on their experiences so far, it was almost a certainty that the Gate about to be generated in Pyongyang would be of a scale incomparable to anything that came before.

Which meant that more than one demon king could potentially show up this time.

Yi Ji-Hyuk even added that both demon kings had to use comparatively small Gates and ended up being nerfed by a great deal, which naturally caused an emergency response conference between the world leaders to be convened in a hurry.

"So, how does the situation look?" (Seo Ah-Young)

Choi Jeong-Hoon could only sigh at Seo Ah-Young's question.

"I'm not sure. I'm not deemed high enough in the hierarchy to be privy to the details, unfortunately." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Yun Yeong-Min was partic.i.p.ating as the President of South Korea, but it'd be unwise to expect him to have a real voice in the conference.

Indeed, what could a President of South Korea potentially say when in a conference attended by the top representatives from the US of A, China, Russia, and Germany?

"That's why I begged you to partic.i.p.ate as well." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Too annoying, so no." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk waved his hand as if to chase away annoying flies.

"Urgh…." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

If only Yi Ji-Hyuk showed his mug during the conference, that would've given Yun Yeong-Min considerable weight and freedom to voice his opinions. Even if this was a meeting of the world's political heavyweights, not a single one of them could afford to ignore Yi Ji-Hyuk.

No, it'd be rather obvious they would never ignore him. More specifically, they would try their best not to get on his bad books. So, if such a man stood next to Yun Yeong-Min, then the Korean President would've found it so, so much easier to voice his thoughts.

And perhaps that was why Yun Yeong-Min, who always found Yi Ji-Hyuk to be his bane, requested for the latter's partic.i.p.ation, but alas, that earnest plea was flatly refused with a tone of voice that implied, "I've done what I can already so I can't be a.r.s.ed". And now, Yi Ji-Hyuk had set up camp right here in the NDF office, not going anywhere fast.

"Even then, that was a request from a President, you know!" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Ehheii! You're still on about that??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Groan…." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon grabbed his chest in agony.

It so freaking hurts inside! It hurts!

After hearing what Colonel Jeong In-Su said earlier, Choi Jeong-Hoon became aware of the fact that he, and almost everyone else, took it for granted and demanded Yi Ji-Hyuk to take care of things that didn't necessarily require his presence.

So, Choi Jeong-Hoon was doing his best to respect Yi Ji-Hyuk's wishes in his own way now.

He was also reminded of the fact that the influence and benefits he currently enjoyed were all based upon Yi Ji-Hyuk's feats. And that was why he wanted to respect that man's wishes to the fullest if he could help it,

‘What's so annoying about it, anyway?!' (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Everything would've ended well if only he showed up once there. If things were so annoying to him, why the heck did he go to North Korea alone to extract Park Yong-Hui?

"You and your…" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's nothing. Hey, guys! Order some congee, okay? We're having congee today!" (Choi Jeong-Hoon) (TL note at the end)

Choi Jeong-Hoon kept insisting on childishly tackling his subject, but his attacks were simply too inadequate to damage the steel wall-like mentality of Yi Ji-Hyuk. The latter basically didn't give a flying rat's a*s whether Choi Jeong-Hoon was being salty or not.

"The meeting has come to an end."

"Let's go!" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon suddenly pounced on him, but Yi Ji-Hyuk asked back with an unimpressed expression.

"Go where?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"What do you mean, where? To the Blue House, obviously! We need to hear what happened, don't we?" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"But, why should I go there?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"What do you mean, why?!?! It's obvious why!" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"I mean, I'm supposed to just sit back and wait, then do whatever they tell me to do when they are all good and ready, so why should I bother?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Since when did you do what they told you to do, anyway?? (Choi Jeong-Hoon's inner monologue)

"Besides, shouldn't we go after eating that congee you just ordered?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"………Congee tastes better when it's cold." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Tsk." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

With critical eyes, Yi Ji-Hyuk looked down at Choi Jeong-Hoon before opening a Gate. It was probably fine to waste time for a bit longer, but at this rate, it seemed like Choi Jeong-Hoon would keel over from the shortness of breath he was quite clearly suffering from.

When Yi Ji-Hyuk and Choi Jeong-Hoon jumped into the Gate, Jeong Hae-Min hurriedly ran after them as well.

Wuuu-ooong!

Yi Ji-Hyuk stepped onto the Blue House's floor and scanned his surroundings.

"Heh, no people with guns are here today." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"We already told you those people showed up not because of you, so why are you still hung up over that?" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Hey, you never know." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Eii, seriously, man!" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon blew his top, but Yi Ji-Hyuk remained unperturbed.

"Okay, so where's everyone?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"They must be in the President's office." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

They headed straight there. A secretary waiting for them sent the word in, and opened the doors for them.

"Sirs, please wait." (secretary)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The secretary pointed at Jeong Hae-Min.

"Only Misters Yi Ji-Hyuk and Choi Jeong-Hoon are permitted to enter at this point in time. I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait here, miss." (secretary)

"…..You mean, here?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

She knew no one in the Blue House, so the prospect of waiting here alone was an unwelcome one for her.

"So, why did you have to chase after us, then??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's a free country, isn't it?!" (Jeong Hae-Min)

Yi Ji-Hyuk voiced his displeasure and addressed the secretary next.

"Can't you just let her in?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, sir…." (secretary)

"I mean, when we come out, we will tell her everything, anyway." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Even then, sir. We have a minimum level of decorum to uphold." (secretary)

"Decorum?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….If you're displeased…." (secretary)

Just as the secretary was about to expertly smooth things over, Yi Ji-Hyuk suddenly bowed slightly to the secretary, instead.

"I'm asking you for a favour here. Please." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ah….." (secretary)

"I'll have a chat with the President separately, so please let her through this one time." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Understood, sir." (secretary)

The secretary nearly freaked out and hurriedly nodded his head.

The ‘Yi Ji-Hyuk' he knew was not someone p.r.o.ne to lowering his head to another person like this.

‘Was I wrong?' (secretary)

The secretary thought about it some more, and recalled hearing something about Yi Ji-Hyuk never going after another person first as long as he was left alone.

Leaving behind the confused secretary, Yi Ji-Hyuk and the Co. walked into the office. President Yun Yeong-Min welcomed them with a stiff face.

"Good to see you." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Been a while, ahjussi." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Have you been well, Mister President?" (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"h.e.l.lo, sir." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Yun Yeong-Min's gaze was directed to Jeong Hae-Min.

"And this young lady is?" (Yun Yeong-Min)

Even before Choi Jeong-Hoon could say something, Yi Ji-Hyuk stepped up first.

"She's a Gate ability user. I figured she might end up performing a really important role this time so I brought her along." (Yi Ji-Hyuk) (TL note at the end)

"Ah, I see." (Yun Yeong-Min)

Choi Jeong-Hoon wordlessly glared at Yi Ji-Hyuk, and the latter wetted his lips. (TL note at the end)

"T-that's correct, sir." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon was left with no choice but to lie straight to the President's face, and afterwards, began staring at the ceiling with a blank expression.

To think, there would come a day when he had to lie to the holder of the highest office in this nation.

Just how far must he fall from grace?

"Please, take a seat. The meeting had come to an end a short while ago." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Where is that Park ahjussi?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You mean, Park Yong-Hui?" (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Yeah. I went to that much trouble to save him, so it's kinda weird to not see him around, you see." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"He's currently being treated for his injuries, I believe." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"You ain't torturing him or something, right?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"No, definitely not." (Yun Yeong-Min)

Yi Ji-Hyuk decided to be as crystal clear as possible about this.

"In all honesty, it's not like I'm against the idea. I'm in no position to yap on about human rights and whatever, anyhow. However, those two uncles? Even though they are from our enemy nation, they still tried their best for our side. So, please try to observe at least the minimum level of respect, okay?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yun Yeong-Min nodded his head and accessed the intercom.

"Please bring in both Park Yong-Hui and Rhee Jin-Cheol to my office." (Yun Yeong-Min)

The president put the intercom down and raised his head.

"It seemed that only after seeing for yourself will you start believing me. I'm definitely not the type of a man to do something like that." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"It's not like I don't believe you." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"However, it is better to be sure. Yes, I agree." (Yun Yeong-Min)

A short while later, the office's door opened and Park Yong-Hui and Rhee Jin-Cheol were ushered in.

"Comrade Rhee Ji-Hyuk!" (Park Yong-Hui)

"If you wish to stay in South Korea, you gotta do something about your accent. It's not ‘Rhee Ji-Hyuk', but Yi Ji-Hyuk, you know." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Well, the South Joseon language just feels a bit too weeny to us, you see." (Park Yong-Hui)

"Even then, you still have to get used to it, you know." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk grinned airily and pointed to his opposite side.

"Take a seat, cuz we might need more of your help." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The slightly unconvinced-looking Yun Yeong-Min scanned the faces of the two North Korean men and nodded his head.

Although he wasn't 100% happy about discussing a national matter in front of people who used to belong to an enemy nation, there was no denying the fact that these two knew the current situation of North Korea far better than anyone here.

So, getting their help would be for the best, indeed.

"Okay, so. What did you all decide to do?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yun Yeong-Min replied in a slightly more serious voice at Yi Ji-Hyuk's question.

"Including our country, the ability users from the United States, j.a.pan, China, Russia, and Europe will attack North Korea simultaneously." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"….That's on the level of a United Nation armed force." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It is in fact on the UN level. If you discount the fact that the Americans will be the ones in charge of the operation, that is." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"H-mm…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head.

"Still, we haven't fully confirmed what they are trying to achieve so I'm kinda surprised that everyone has agreed to go all in like this." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"What the Americans said carried a great impact, you see." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"The Americans?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Their threat of, ‘when the Gate opens while you do nothing, the ones to suffer the most will be you lot' went down a treat, that's why. And also, the Chinese seemed to have attempted some sort of negotiation using the diplomatic channels, but the North Korean side completely cut off all communication lines. That has played a big factor, as well." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Huh. I thought that they would use dumb excuses and try to delay everyone, but wow….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"We aren't on the other side of the world. If the Chinese send warplanes, they will reach Pyongyang in less than two hours. Meaning, they can't afford to sit back and take it easy." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"I guess so." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk spat out a sigh.

"Well, they'll step up once the date for the d-day is set in stone first." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Indeed." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Alright, cool. So, what am I supposed to do, then?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yun Yeong-Min quietly stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk before opening his mouth.

"Please don't take this the wrong way and try to understand." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Yes?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

What's gotten into this ahjussi all of a sudden?

"There is no place for you during this operation, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk." (Yun Yeong-Min)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

For a moment there, Yi Ji-Hyuk became utterly dazed.

"We'll take care of this matter by ourselves this time. Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, we'd like you to carry on living your life as normal, please." (Yun Yeong-Min)

Fin.

(TL: The 'congee' bit is a wordplay on the Korean term for congee/gruel – "죽"/juk. There's a Korean saying that goes along the line of "you're wearing 죽 (juk)". Meaning, c.r.a.p's not going the way you wanted or something of that nature. And the 'cold congee' bit comes from the old Korean saying of "it's easier than drinking cold 'juk/congee'.")

(TL: Yes, the raw specifically said "Gate ability user" and not a teleporter. Not sure why the author did that, but I went along with it.)

(TL: The "wetting lips" bit is from the Korean saying of, "wet your lips first before lying".)

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