The Returner

Yi Ji-Hyuk confirmed that the ground had been more or less dug out according to his instruction and levitated himself high up in the air. He even levitated along with the chair as well, and after reaching some altitude to look down at the ground, began frowning deeply.

“Kinda feels wrong somehow...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The ground had been dug well, sure, but thanks to so many people working together, the depths of the pits varied by quite a bit. The magic circle’s effects would’ve been stronger if the depths were uniform, but...

“We don’t have the time for that.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Even with so many of the human excavating machines, the ability users, toiling away, the job took this long to finish. So, even if the heavy machinery were to be brought in, they would still fail to reach the level of quality Yi Ji-Hyuk was looking for in three or four days.

He decided to let the missed opportunity be just that, missed, and gestured with his hands.

“Tell everyone to get outside.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jeong-Hoon heard him and shouted out loudly to direct people outside the magic circle.

“Hmm.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk stood up on the floating chair and while looking down, slowly waved his hands around. He carefully controlled the flow of Mana rushing around inside his body and directed it to the ground below.

His Mana then flowed into the magic circle perfectly encasing the massive dome.

“Wow...”

People witnessed a rainbow of colours flow through the magic circle and gasped out in admiration.

They did feel deeply aggrieved when thinking about how hard they had to shovel away to create the path for the Mana to travel, but separate from all that, they couldn’t deny the fact that the spectacle before their eyes was still beautiful to behold.

A truly humongous magic circle that surrounded a dome as big as several American Football pitches combined together finally revealed itself.

The circle emitted beautiful light like a dancing aurora after being charged with Yi Ji-Hyuk’s Mana.

“Oh, ohhh!”

The ability users were impressed just from the fact that all their hard work wasn’t just for giggles, it seemed. None of them knew what this magic circle signified, but it certainly was doing something right now, wasn’t it?

“Hoh-oh.” (Alpha)

Alpha observed the illuminated magic circle with eyes gleaming brightly. ƒ𝒓e𝐞we𝚋𝙣ｏ𝚟𝚎𝘭.co𝙢

‘Indeed, it’s noticeably different.’ (Alpha)

It wasn’t that hard to figure out something was happening inside. But he couldn’t figure out what that something was.

One might assume that the disparate ‘powers’ would largely be similar, but the truth was, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s magic was founded upon the usage of Mana and its framework was completely different from the ability users’ powers.

‘Yes, this is it.’ (Alpha)

Alpha quietly licked his lips.

Humanity had reached a limit in the subject of ‘abilities’. Of course, with more time given, the ability users would surely find the extra room to evolve even further. Just like how the most advanced computer way back in the eighties, the Intel 286, came across as an obsolete antique that no one could quite figure out how to use nowadays.

Just twenty years of extra time, and the future ability users might become so advanced that the current crop of ability users would come across as children fooling around to them.

However, there was no time.

The demonic beings definitely would never give humanity so much leeway to get stronger.

Now normally, for those who had reached and exceeded the nominal threshold, they would have to put in equally as much effort and dedication they had already put in to reach that point if they wanted to improve themselves by just one extra percentage point.

However, those crawling up from the very bottom didn’t need a whole lot of effort to reach the threshold.

That’s exactly what Alpha was aiming for.

Rather than improving the already-existing powers of these ability users, it’d be far more effective to teach them new abilities and bring about a synergistic combination of the new and old.

In Alpha’s estimation, the potential worth of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s magic exceeded that of this world’s abilities.

‘Although it won’t be easy.’ (Alpha)

Alpha reminded himself of the simple mantra of ‘nothing in this world is that simple’, and silently shifted his gaze over to Yi Ji-Hyuk levitating up in the air. The latter had his eyes closed while waving his hands about this way and that.

Mana was probably gushing out from those waving hands, no doubt.

It was right then – Yi Ji-Hyuk abruptly opened his eyes. At the same time, his fingertips seemed to glow bright white then the rainbow of colours coming from the magic circle rose up instantly to reach several dozens of metres in the air.

FLASH!

“Hoh-oh?” (Alpha)

Alpha continued to observe the magic circle in amazement.

The walls of light shooting out from the circle rotated and flowed like streams of water, and eventually rose up in the massive half-spherical shape to completely envelop the dome.

It was as if an even bigger ‘dome’ made out of Mana had wrapped around the dome made by the humans.

‘I can see it.’ (Alpha)

Alpha’s eyes gleamed brightly.

He knew it existed but never could he feel or see it until today. Yet here it was, the existence known as Mana having fully materialised and visibly moving before his eyes.

‘How mysterious.’ (Alpha)

How should he go about describing this situation?

It was as if he was looking at the oxygen particles in the air dancing and fleeting about after some colour had been added to them. A type of energy Alpha had never sensed before was now fully revealed before his eyes.

“Is this Mana?” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly floating down from the air nodded as an answer.

“Ng.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Did you do this so that we can see it better?” (Alpha)

“Not really?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk replied with a very serious face.

“How should I put this... It’s kinda like an unintended side effect? Or a side benefit of sorts?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Excuse me?” (Alpha)

“I was gathering a lot of Mana here and this special effect show is merely the consequence of different Mana types colliding against each other.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ehng?” (Alpha)

Alpha stared Yi Ji-Hyuk with a face that said, “What are you talking about?”

“Simply put, you can now consider the density of Mana inside the light to be anywhere from five to ten times greater than outside. And this phenomenon is happening because that much Mana has amassed inside there.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Oh...” (Alpha)

Finally Alpha figured out the reason for their hard labour.

“You know, if you informed us earlier of such a thing, none of us would’ve raised voices of objections.” (Alpha)

“Oh, so you’re the type to inform your people before you start something, then?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“No, not at all.” (Alpha)

How could he do something so bothersome like that?

“Anyways, tell them to go inside.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yessir!” (Alpha)

Alpha nodded theatrically and stepped in front of everyone.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” (Alpha)

Alpha’s voice contained this vague quality that could catch the listener’s attention.

“Thank you for your patience. However, now you all can finally receive the proper training you so longed for. Even those of you harbouring much dissatisfaction in your hearts, I advise you to forget about it and step right inside.” (Alpha)

Alpha pointed to a section of the crowd.

“Let’s start from you folks. Yes, you.” (Alpha)

The European ability users exchanged uncertain glances after being singled out, but eventually began walking towards the dome.

“...You know, this is kinda suspicious...”

Mana was oozing out from the boundaries of the magic circle like some kind of a fountain. It was as if a thin, transparent barrier had materialised in the air, or it was like looking at falling rain drops.

Anyone would feel less than enthusiastic about walking in there.

“Step aside.” (Michael)

When people hesitated for too long without going inside, Michael bravely stepped forward.

“We don’t have time to waste like this. Even now those d*mn demons are widening their territory without a rest.” (Michael)

He gritted his teeth and pushed himself inside the swirling, dancing wall of Mana.

“Fuu-wooph.” (Michael)

He nervously sucked in a deep breath, but nothing weird happened to him.

“Come inside. There’s no problem.” (Michael)

Others became a bit more braver from that sight and also began stepping inside as well. Using the massive front gate, several hundreds of European ability users patiently filed into the dome.

“Didn’t I say they are a brave bunch of folks?” (Alpha)

“And you threatened to kill them all.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Making an example out of someone is always a necessity, after all. Surely you also agree?” (Alpha)

“Sure, it’s a pretty good way to enhance productivity. However...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

YI Ji-Hyuk shrugged his shoulders. f𝚛e𝗲𝔀e𝚋𝑛o𝘃𝒆𝗹.c𝗼𝒎

“I don’t need better productivity or efficiency from them, anyway. If they get too motivated and try harder, it’ll only be me getting exhausted in the end, you see.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“But don’t you need to train them in order to stop the demon kings?” (Alpha)

“Nah.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked and stared straight at Alpha.

“You’re talking about something weird there, dude. I came here to train only you, didn’t I?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...Is that how it was?” (Alpha)

“I’m not planning to sweat over the side dishes. The only one I’ll be paying close attention to will be you, after all.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I’m not quite sure whether to be happy or feel despair about that.” (Alpha)

“Be happy after you get through this ordeal first.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Alpha realised that Yi Ji-Hyuk wasn’t joking and trembled where he stood.

“This... Why do I get the feeling that we are definitely not messing around here?” (Alpha)

While they chatted away, the American and European ability users all entered the dome, then Alpha’s underlings began entering the structure next.

“Hey, boss! We’ll go ahead first, so enjoy your date for a bit longer!”

“Imma rip your pie hole later, got it?” (Alpha)

Alpha replied with a straight face and looked back to Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“Before we get down to the serious training, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.” (Alpha)

“Shoot.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“In your estimation, do I have a chance against a demon king if I somehow master magic?” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk sounded dismayed while replying.

“You kidding me?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...I thought as much.” (Alpha)

“Well, maybe you do if you use up all of your hidden trump cards. Yeah, then you might stand some chance.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Eii, I don’t have any hidden trump cards, you know. I’ve already used them all.” (Alpha)

“Well, in that case we are all screwed for good, then. There’s no point in teaching anymore, I guess.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...Let me tell you, it’s a popular trend to be a man with secrets these days.” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked and lightly kicked Alpha in the butt.

“Go inside already, will ya?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yessir! As you command.” (Alpha)

Alpha headed inside first, and the NDF agents quickly surrounded Yi Ji-Hyuk next.

“Are we also going inside?”

“Obviously.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Urgh.”

It was not known why this agent asked something so bloody obvious. The NDF agents trudged inside the dome next, leaving Yi Ji-Hyuk and Choi Jeong-Hoon behind.

“Will this really be fine?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Well, if I say let’s back off at this point, that’s going to incite a riot, you know? I wasn’t thinking of backing off, anyway.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I fear that you might be handing the doomsday device’s key to that nutcase by doing this.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“That’s an entertaining notion.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk cackled loudly.

“I’m not kidding.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“And does it look like I am?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jeong-Hoon met Yi Ji-Hyuk’s pointed stare.

For sure, the latter’s eyes were not even remotely smiling right now.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a criminal or a wacko, we gotta use every single one we can find. Well, even the doors to the prisons would be thrown wide open if your country is being invaded, after all.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“That’s true, but...” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“It’s no fun repeating myself, so why don’t we stop here?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk dismissively waved his hand about and leisurely strode towards the dome.

“Seriously though, there won’t be any problems, I hope.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Problems? Such as?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“I mean, will it be fine to isolate so many able ability users inside this place? It looks like almost all of each nation’s combat force has been gathered here, you know?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“It’ll be fine.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

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

“Gates are no longer appearing these days, after all. Honestly, even the most useful ability users are useless in our current situation. Putting them against the demon kings would only result in their meaningless deaths, but with no Gates opening up, they can’t even be put to work somewhere else, either. In other words, others not going in there won’t have anything to do other than shovel some dirt somewhere else.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Hmm...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly nodded.

For sure, there didn’t seem to be a need to worry about a shortage of manpower when no Gates were showing up.

“In that case, should I get serious and mess them up a bit?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk strode inside the dome while lightly spinning his shoulders. Choi Jeong-Hoon could only stare at him and the dome with a face filled with worries.

‘In a way, this place might be humanity’s last stronghold.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Since they weren’t planning to stage a sit-in inside the dome, calling it a stronghold was a bit awkward but there was no doubting that this dome was humanity’s last hope. If Yi Ji-Hyuk failed to do something in there then the world wouldn’t be able to endure for much longer.

‘I believe in you.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon also rushed after Yi Ji-Hyuk entering the dome. For better or for worse, the end result should be determined in this place.

“By the way... I’m not going to participate, right?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Now why should you sit this one out?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...”

This sudden desire to return to his office mushroomed quite rapidly inside Choi Jeong-Hoon’s heart.

< 445. That’s the only thing I can give you -5 > Fin.