The Returner

"You really feel okay?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Gimme a break. What a weird personality you've got there." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk scowled at Jeong Hae-Min still ceaselessly pounding him with questions.

"Why should I feel bad when they are telling me not to work but to take a vacation?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk used the straw to stir the Iced Latte, but that only made Jeong Hae-Min narrow her eyes.

"There are people like that in this world, you know." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Like who?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"People who really, reaaally hate working, but can't bear to watch the workplace function properly without their presence." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"…………"

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head.

"What on earth are you talking about?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It might sound weird, but actually, there are plenty of people like that." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"I'm not such a weirdo, I'll have you know." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It'd be nice if you truly weren't." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Jeong Hae-Min's reply was on a vague side, but Yi Ji-Hyuk simply smirked at her.

"I'm not saying you have a terrible personality, but more like, everyone will react similar like that. You've done so much for them so far, but they want to just drop you and do things on their own. No one will like such a treatment, you know." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"That ain't me, though." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk sucked on the straw.

He knew what Jeong Hae-Min was saying here, but he really didn't feel bad about stuff like that. No, what the emotion he felt from the exclusion wasn't irritation but this inexplicable sense of concern.

‘I'm sure that guy probably has guessed a response of this nature might be coming.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

If this was a scheme Jeong Min-Seong cooked up all alone, then Yi Ji-Hyuk wouldn't have been this bothered. Well, no matter what your intentions were, every scheme ever thought up of couldn't win against the resistance of this thing called reality, after all.

Jeong Min-Seong's plan was something that couldn't come to fruition. Normally.

If it had been concealed perfectly right until the final moments, then it might have been a success, but now that things were laid bare in the open, the end result didn't take a genius to figure out.

Four of the nations possessing the mightiest militaries were about to pounce together. If North Korea was strong enough to withstand that, then they should've conquered the rest of Asia by now.

"But, something just feels off, you know." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"What does?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"A man who's definitely not stupid is acting stupid right now, so obviously something will feel off, wouldn't you say?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"…..I don't understand what you're saying." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Forget it, then." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk quietly stared at Jeong Hae-Min, but grinned suddenly as if he had thought of something quite delicious.

"Now that I think about it…. Hey, you. What's going on with your idol career?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's a lot better nowadays, so I'm getting back into the groove. I've recorded a new track, too." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"I guess the oppression's softened up a lot?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ng." (Jeong Hae-Min)

To Jeong Hae-Min, it looked as if Yi Ji-Hyuk lacked self-awareness.

The point in time when the entertainment industry's restrictions placed on the ability users eased up coincided with Yi Ji-Hyuk having a meeting with Yun Yeong-Min for the first time.

She hadn't said it outright, but the truth was, this existence called Yi Ji-Hyuk had utterly destroyed the pressure oppressing the ability users throughout all facets of society. In all honesty, those in the political circle couldn't afford to carry on with the crackdown on the ability users after learning the full extent of Yi Ji-Hyuk's powers.

In the bigger scheme of things, he was also an ability user, after all.

If they wanted to oppress ability users, then they would also have to oppress him, too. Even if other ability users rebelled, the politicians were confident of subjugating them somehow. But in case of Yi Ji-Hyuk rebelling, well, the whole of South Korea would get mired in a great turmoil, that's for sure.

‘I mean, just letting monsters run amok alone will finish this country off.' (Jeong Hae-Min)

Of course, there was a good chance that, if Yi Ji-Hyuk were to be oppressed somehow, he'd chose to go with a simpler method of eliminating the source of that oppression.

From the perspective of the county, it should be seen as something to be relieved about, but as the politicians were the source, they should be quaking in their boots from the idea alone.

"Thanks." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Ng?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I got to do what I love all thanks to you." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"….What rubbish are you on about now?" (Yi ji-Hyuk)

Jeong Hae-Min had to shake her head. That was the part of him she just couldn't like.

"By the way, why did you ask me that? You were never interested in these idol stuff, right?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head.

Back during the initial stages of his return to Earth, he derived some enjoyment in such things, but now? He wasn't all that interested anymore.

At first, he found it amusing to see pretty girls prancing around in flashy costumes, but this thing called stimulations had a tendency of easily losing their edge. And after he saw enough of them, all of his interest had dried up like the surface of a hot desert.

"Well, you see, I've thought up of something really fun just now." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ng?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"I'm going to a cla.s.s reunion later." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ng???" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"So, let's go together." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….Ng….?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

The thoroughly-confused Jeong Hae-Min tilted her head again and again.

The entirety of the NDF seemed to be stuck under this taut tension.

No one

"Well, this is a really c.r.a.ppy atmosphere." (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Kim Dah-Hyun looked around the office and slowly shook his head.

"How can the atmosphere be nice when you're about to go to a place where you might die?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"Who's going to die?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Kim Dah-Hyun waved his hand, telling his conversation partner to stop saying stuff like that. Although he was trying to lighten it up, Yun Hyuk-Gyu didn't stop.

"Let's be honest, we're being mobilised to fight this time. Aren't we?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"Fighting against monsters is basically the same, no?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

"No, it's not." (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu drew a line there.

"In all honesty, fighting against monsters is similar in concept to being a firefighter, you know?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"Mm…." (Kim Dah-Hyun)

"We are deployed where a disaster is unfolding so that we can solve the situation. This feeling you get when protecting the lives and wealth of this country's citizens? We might have travelled overseas often lately, but no matter where we are, that feeling overall won't change. Don't you agree?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

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

"But then, it's not the same this time." (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu continued on, sounding really unhappy.

"This time, it's like we've become soldiers. And not only that, we're the invaders, too." (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"It can't be helped, though." (Kim Dah-Hyun)

"It can't be helped?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu ended up chuckling out.

"When you were being registered to work for the KSF, did they tell you we'll have to invade another country as ability users?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"….No, they didn't." (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu continued on as if to say, "See, I told you".

"If I heard the explanation in the beginning that we'd have to take up certain military a.s.signments, then I'd not be feeling this way right now. But they worked us like dogs as long as they wanted to, and now, they are telling us to go to war, so who'd be happy about this situation?" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

His words were replied by the person entering the office just then.

"You're indeed correct about that." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu saw Choi Jeong-Hoon and bowed his head as a greeting.

"I'm truly sorry in that regard." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

However, Choi Jeong-Hoon also bowed his head, much deeper than his conversation partner's. Yun Hyuk-Gyu got fl.u.s.tered and hurriedly waved his hands. He felt that what he did just now - theatrically c.o.c.king his head, his head filled with negative emotions - was a cowardly thing to do after realising how sincere Choi Jeong-Hoon was, and his face reddened up from shame.

"Please don't say that. I know this is none of your fault, vice director. I mean, there's not much we can do, other than do what we're told." (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"…And that's why I'm apologising." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon could only sigh. Before long, everyone in the office was now looking at him.

"If I insisted on not partic.i.p.ating, then most likely, they couldn't have forced us to go against our will. However, I judged that not partic.i.p.ating this time will result in more losses than gains." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Kim Dah-Hyun raised his hand.

"Yes, please speak." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Are ability users from other countries also partic.i.p.ating?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

"Yes, the top elites from each nation are scheduled to show up." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Well, in that case, it really can't be helped, right? I mean, we can't just stubbornly refuse, using ‘we don't wanna' as our excuse, now can we?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Choi Jeong-Hoon smiled wryly.

"You're right, there is that facet to consider. That's why I ask for your understanding in this matter." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

It was then, Park Seong-Chan quietly staring at Choi Jeong-Hoon until then broke his silence with a deep voice.

"It's not difficult to understand. It's just that…." (Park Seong-Chan)

Everyone's gaze s.h.i.+fted over to him next.

"We are not going there to kill monsters. No, we're going to fight in a war with our lives on the line. But our partic.i.p.ation in this war was decided without our consent, so I am compelled to raise issues in that regard." (Park Seong-Chan)

Choi Jeong-Hoon's expression stiffened.

"We will be the ones fighting in the frontlines. Yet, why were we excluded in the decision making process?" (Park Seong-Chan)

"….It's not that you were excluded, but, but…." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon could only stammer there, but Kim Dah-Hyun quickly came to his rescue.

"What do you mean, excluded? Mister Choi Jeong-Hoon went there, didn't he?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Park Seong-Chan snorted grandly.

"Does Mister Choi Jeong-Hoon have the qualification to represent us?" (Park Seong-Chan)

"Why wouldn't he? He's the vice director, isn't he?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

"Oh, is that so?" (Park Seong-Chan)

Park Seong-Chan took a look around him and continued on.

"Is everyone in agreement?" (Park Seong-Chan)

The replies were lukewarm, to say the least. Everyone looked at Choi Jeong-Hoon favourably, but for this subject matter at least, they couldn't readily stand on his side.

"It sure is a sensitive issue, alright." (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

Yun Hyeuk-Gyu's muttering caused Kim Dah-Hyun to furrow his brows.

"What's gotten into you? We all went through h.e.l.l together, didn't we?" (Kim Dah-Hyun)

"That's true, too. But…" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu spoke with a somewhat apologetic face to Choi Jeong-Hoon.

"The truth is, vice director, you're the NDF's representative, not us." (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

"….Indeed, you're right." (Choi Jeong)

Choi Jeong-Hoon could instantly understand the meaning behind what Yun Hyuk-Gyu said.

Only when he was affiliated with the NDF did he have the right to represent these people. However, without the organisation, he certainly couldn't represent the ability users when he was only a powerless civilian.

Kind of like how a cat couldn't represent a dog, for instance.

"I'd like to apologise on that front, as well. The situation was developing at such a breakneck pace that I couldn't…." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Well, I admit that our side doesn't have anyone suitable to represent us. But next time, if it's urgent, at least try to take Miss Director with you." (Park Seong-Chan)

"If it's really urgent, of course." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon nodded his head at Park Seong-Chan's words.

"I'll try to make sure it's not that urgent." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"That'll be even better." (Park Seong-Chan)

If Seo Ah-Young was taken along as the representative of the ability users, then it didn't take a genius to figure out what might happen.

"Alright, then. What's going to happen with the operation?" (Park Seong-Chan)

"The detailed guidelines haven't been issued yet. As for the time frame…." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon ever so slightly lowered his voice.

"It'll be in three days' time." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"Three days…." (Park Seong-Chan)

Park Seong-Chan shook his head.

"Isn't that too soon? We all need time to prepare ourselves, you know?" (Park Seong-Chan)

"We currently have no concrete information on what's going on within North Korea. Meaning, we can't afford to delay things any further." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"I see." (Park Seong-Chan)

Figuring that the situation had been brought somewhat under control now, Choi Jeong-Hoon looked around and spoke.

"Once more, I'd like to apologise for how things have turned out. However, I truly believe that this problem can't be solved without your presence." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

No one replied to him.

However, he still understood where their reactions were coming from.

They were about to get dragged to a warzone in only a few days' time, so rather obviously, they wouldn't feel happy about that.

"What about Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk? I haven't seen him anywhere?" (Park Seong-Chan)

"He isn't going to be a part of this operation." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

The silent office immediately became noisy.

"….He's not going to partic.i.p.ate?" (Park Seong-Chan)

"Yes. That's how it's been decided." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

"But, how come?"

"For now, I can only say that the higher-ups decided to do so." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Confusion filled the eyes of every agent present.

Ever since Yi Ji-Hyuk joined the KSF, not once did he get excluded from a mission of such importance.

He was the type of a man to express how much he hated the idea of getting involved, but then, would try to get involved no matter what to solve the crisis if it did require his presence. That was Yi Ji-Hyuk in a nutsh.e.l.l.

Everyone here might complain of getting killed, but inwardly, they were all greatly relieved by the fact that he was accompanying them.

Seo Ah-Young watched every agent's complexion darken noticeably and loudly tutted.

"What's this? You think you can't do jacksh*t if Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk isn't around to babysit you?" (Seo Ah-Young)

"………"

"We managed it just fine even before that guy showed up here. But now, you all cowering away like this because he's not going to hold your hands? Aren't you ashamed?" (Seo Ah-Young)

"Who's cowering here??" (Yun Hyuk-Gyu)

Yun Hyuk-Gyu was triggered, but she simply smirked back.

"That's right. That's how it's supposed to be." (Seo Ah-Young)

She then s.h.i.+fted her gaze over to Choi Jeong-Hoon. He nodded and opened his mouth.

"The operation will commence in three days. You will get some sort of training before then, but regardless, you need to steel yourselves before then." (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

A soft groan leaked out from somewhere just then.

Fin.

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