The Returner

“You know it too, don’t you? You don’t hold this Earth as precious as you think you do.” (Affeldrichae)

“...”

“But that’s obvious. To you, this world is simply nothing more than a brief stopover that you pop in and out of. You’re now Berafe’s citizen. Isn’t it about time you accept that fact? The dreamy emotion that used to fill you up when you first arrived on Earth, it must’ve all dried up by now, am I wrong?” (Affeldrichae)

“Well, yeah.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk didn’t deny it. No, he couldn’t deny it.

He knew better than anyone that the stuff she’s been saying was all correct.

Back then, he thought everything would be resolved after returning home to Earth. But this godd*mm thread of intertwined fates just didn’t want to let him go.

‘No, hang on. It’s not the case of not letting me go, is it?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

No, the thread simply couldn’t be unspooled, that’s all.

The relationships of both good and bad natures built up over thousands of years wouldn’t simply vanish into thin air just because he ran off to Earth, after all.

As for the sense of liberation and happiness he felt after arriving on Earth, they were all dulled beyond recognition by now.

With that, he’d come to know.

Between the world where he lived for only twenty or so years, and another one where he’d been living for thousands of years...

...Which one did he really belong to?

He desperately returned to Earth to escape the fetters called the ‘outsider’ but even then, he still remained trapped in one even now.

“The sole reason why you place importance on Earth is because of your lingering attachment, that’s all.” (Affeldrichae)

“I know already.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“If you want to, you can easily return to Berafe right now. And when you do return, you’ll regain your strength. At same time, all the damage done to your body will revert back in the blink of an eye, too.” (Affeldrichae)

“That might happen, sure.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Then what are you hesitating for? A dimensional tear has manifested in this world by now. So, if you want, transferring hundreds of people at once isn’t going to present a tough challenge anymore. So, why are you still hesitating in this place?” (Affeldrichae)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked back.

“Feels like I’ve explained this many times to you already.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“It’s because I can’t understand you.” (Affeldrichae)

“I don’t expect you to.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He furrowed his brows.

“Besides, you’re wrong about one thing.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I am?” (Affeldrichae)

“I stayed as an immortal in that world only because this Earth hadn’t been destroyed. The truth was, my soul had become a fixed part of this place when I crossed over, you see.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ah...” (Affeldrichae)

“If Earth is gone, so will my soul, too. Which means...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk sighed softly.

“If I cross over now, my body will be permanently stuck in its current state. If that’s the case, I might as well kill myself instead.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Affeldrichae’s eyes trembled powerfully.

“B-but, as long as there’s dark Mana...” (Affeldrichae)

“People used to call me a sorcerer who has reached the realm of the gods.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head with a bitter expression.

“But that does not mean I’m a god. What can’t be done cannot be done. I’ve no desire to cling onto an impossibility.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“But, you...” (Affeldrichae)

“Let’s just stop here, Affeldrichae.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...”

“Although it’s kinda embarrassing to admit to this, but well, I’m a stubborn mule. No matter what anyone else says, I would never change my mind. So, why don’t we stop making each other uncomfortable, okay?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You’re truly incorrigible.” (Affeldrichae)

“You don’t say.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smiled quietly and studied her.

But then, he reached out and suddenly pulled her in for an embrace. Affeldrichae was left flustered for a moment, but didn’t try to push him away.

“...When I think about it, you’re the person that I spent the most time with in my life, isn’t it.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Should I say thank you for realising that at least?” (Affeldrichae)

“It’s so weird. I always saw you as a little puppy in my mind, but for today, you’re a bit more like a cat.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Just like how a human can change, so can a dragon. Especially for a dragon like me.” (Affeldrichae)

“It could be an unfortunate thing, though.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly patted her back.

“It’s always been one bad thing after another with you.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...”

“But even then, I kept thinking that I need to tell you this someday. Thank you, Affeldrichae.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You...” (Affeldrichae)

Before she could say anything, he gently pushed her away. His expression returned to the usual “I’m too cool to care” face as he spoke up.

“Well, then.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk lightly waved his hand, then exited from his room. Unable to chase after him for some reason, all Affeldrichae could do was to just stand there in a daze.

‘Why do you sound like we’ll never see each other again?’ (Affeldrichae)

***

“They landed in the end?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon replied in a sorrowful tone of voice.

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head as if he couldn’t understand it.

“Hang on a second here. We’ve nullified the magical defensive measures, and the warheads should’ve been flying at the speed of a tortoise, yet... no one could stop them?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...It’s an unfortunate fact, but not every part of the world has developed at the exact same rate, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk. Some can stop the nuke, while some can’t.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Okay, how many have landed so far, then?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Five warheads.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Their locations?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“India, Africa, Europe, and Russia.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“But that’s only four?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Two missiles fell in Africa, you see.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“What about the damage?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jeong-Hoon sounded grave in his reply.

“The damage wasn’t as great as... No, wait. We don’t know for sure. We can’t even tally it at the moment. The nuke in Russia fell in an uninhabited part of their country, but there’s still no concrete way of finding out how many exactly have died from the warheads that landed in New Delhi and Africa.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“And Europe?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“It landed somewhere in Turkey.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Okay, stop. I’ve heard enough.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk spat out a groan under his breath.

Even if he was awake, there was nothing he could have done; without any Mana, Yi Ji-Hyuk would be weaker than an S-rank ability user, anyway. India and Europe had in their midst dozens upon dozens of S-rank ability users yet they still failed to stop the warheads, so there was no way he’d be able to do anything even if he went there.

He couldn’t calm his boiling innards, however.

“What about Alpha?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk) f𝘳𝚎𝑒𝚠𝑒𝚋𝘯o𝘃eƖ.co𝓂

“He returned to America. And just as you expected, the Americans managed to shoot down the two nukes headed to their territory over the waters of the Pacific.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Couldn’t the others have done something like the Americans?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“The strength exhibited by the monster birds far exceeded everyone’s initial expectations. We all thought that since the main body suffered some blow, the monster birds would’ve gotten weaker as well but as it turned out, shooting the warheads down with regular fighter planes and missiles still proved to be incredibly difficult.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Mm...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded slowly. It’d be patently obvious to anyone that they failed to stop the warheads not because they didn’t feel like doing it.

“...What about the ripples, though?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“It’s horrifying.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon didn’t even bother to disguise his tired, empty expression.

“We need to think of China, India and Turkey as completely paralysed now. And with China becoming incapacitated, we might as well as say that our odds of restricting the two spots in East Asia are as good as dead and buried. We...” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“We won’t be able to stop them anymore.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Yi Ji-Hyuk pulled out a cigarette.

“What did the higher-ups say?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...It’s not as if they can come up with a silver bullet method, you know.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Yeah, that’s true.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk silently sucked on the cigarette. He needed a bit of time to organise his chaotic mind.

“Call Alpha.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Alpha? Why?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Time to give him what he needs.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...But, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Stop right there.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head as if to say there’s no point in listening any further.

“I know what you want to say, but we no longer have the luxury of time. Very soon, the b*stards that finished scouting this place out will flood out from the spots.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“In that case, our people will have to accompany you.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“...Wait, what? You weren’t planning to participate?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Honestly speaking, I was feeling conflicted about it. Alpha’s people haven’t experienced hell under your tutelage and that’s why they can easily mouth off about learning stuff from you.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“...Fine. Alpha said he found a good training area somewhere in America, so let’s all go there, then. Pick some suitable applicants for the trip, please.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“But if I pick applicants, none of them will want to go.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Hul...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“However, if I say let’s go, all of them will come. That’s how they are.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“...Right, that’s also true.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk wryly smiled.

‘Well, it’s been fun.’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Sure, he had to jump through some hoops all because of the NDF, but it’s also true that he had fun precisely because of the NDF, too. If he were to compare what he lost to what he had gained, then he’d have to say that he earned a whole lot more in the end.

“Okay. Let’s not waste anymore time. Call everyone and we immediately cross over to America. Right now.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Roger that.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon shot up from his seat. After watching him busily move about in the office for a bit, Yi Ji-Hyuk shifted his bitter, distant gaze outside the office windows.

‘Man, the sky is really clear today.’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The cloudless, pristine sky that he hadn’t seen before since his return to Earth was gazing right back at him.

*

“Oh, so you’re leaving?” (Erukana)

“Yes.” (Affeldrichae)

“Hmph, to think that you’d try to escape by yourself in this critical situation. It seems that dragons were much more spineless than I thought.” (Erukana)

“I’m not running away.” (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae’s determination filled eyes locked on Erukana.

“There is no more hope left in this world. That means I need to look for one somewhere else.” (Affeldrichae)

“Riiight, that’s what you’re supposed to say. Dragons can’t lie, after all. However, here’s the thing...” (Erukana)

Erukana smiled seductively while approaching Affeldrichae. But then, she suddenly reached out to grab the latter’s throat.

“I don’t know what you’re scheming, but things won’t unfold the way you imagine. Listen well, you cunning lizard. I’m not as kind or naïve as my darling so I know you didn’t cross over to this world with purest of intentions. What exactly did you want with my darling?” (Erukana)

“That’s what I want to ask you.” (Affeldrichae)

“...Ng?” (Erukana)

Affeldrichae displayed not one hint of fear despite Erukana’s hand still grabbing her throat. No, her eyes were sharply reprimanding the Succubus Queen, instead.

“You should come clean about what you’re truly scheming here. Do you honestly believe that you crossed over to this world because of your love for Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Affeldrichae)

“What a sorrowful thing this is. A demonic being is discussing her love, yet a dragon is denying it. Is the world spinning in the wrong direction or something?” (Erukana)

“I don’t trust any demons. Especially so when it’s a demon like you.” (Affeldrichae)

“Aha, so both of us have our own little agendas, is that it? What an amusing idea that is. Hohohoho~!” (Erukana)

Erukana’s nails slightly dug into Affeldrichae’s throat flesh.

“Do you know I haven’t ended your life yet?” (Erukana)

“No, I don’t.” (Affeldrichae)

“Because, I’m sure you are not planning to hurt my darling.” (Erukana)

“...”

“However, you’d do well to remember this, oh you dumb little dragon. The thing you do for the sake of my darling can also end up strangling him, instead.” (Erukana)

“Do I look that foolish to you?” (Affeldrichae)

“Yup.” (Erukana)

“...Thank you for your advice.” (Affeldrichae)

Wuuuuong...

Erukana let go of Affeldrichae’s throat and the latter opened up a Gate. A Gate that directly led to Berafe.

“We’ll see each other again.” (Affeldrichae)

“Honestly? I don’t wanna see your mug ever again, though?” (Erukana)

“Let’s say we share a similar sentiment, then.” (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae slowly strode inside the Gate and the portal gradually closed behind her. Erukana watching this scene play out sneered softly.

“Insolent b*tch.” (Erukana)

These lifeforms called dragons were just too untrustworthy. It’d not be strange for her to have a fallout with them at any time, actually.

“Still... it is the end of the road.” (Erukana)

She did her best to prevent the Gates from expanding and spreading any further, but it was impossible to hold on for any longer now. Yi Ji-Hyuk’s physical state was rapidly deteriorating, while the dark Mana rushing in would soon completely escape from her restrictions and start increasing the number of spots throughout the world.

When that happened, it’d be over.

The world’s annihilation was literally just around the corner.

“Ah, ah. This is no fun.” (Erukana)

It certainly didn’t feel so good to know that all the things she did while betting everything of hers were all in vain in the end.

“...If I turn him into an undead right before he dies, I wonder if his ego would survive?” (Erukana)

No, she shouldn’t.

That too was a type of death, after all.

Realising that Yi Ji-Hyuk’s death couldn’t be avoided no matter what, her shoulders slumped forward in dejection.

“...No, it’s not too late. I shouldn’t give up so soon. There are always other ways.” (Erukana)

“No. There are no more ways left.” (?)

Suddenly, Erukana’s brows shot up high.

The voice coming from somewhere behind her was far, far too familiar to her. She had to force her body trembling from fear to turn around slowly, only to discover the strongest being in existence that she knew of standing there.

“...Because, I’m here now.” (?)

All strength abandoned Erukana’s legs.

The countdown to the world’s destruction had begun.

< 440. Wouldn’t you say that this is enough? -5 > Fin.