The Returner

“Hmm...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at Alpha who didn’t cower from his glare, then subtly smiled.

“Seriously, you just don’t know when to be scared, do you.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I wouldn’t have been able to chat to you if I didn’t have such a fearless streak in me.” (Alpha)

“Your mouth is also running rampant, I see.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“That’s also another must-have trait.” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked when Alpha displayed his unwillingness to lose in their verbal exchange.

“Well, whatever. It’s fine.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

For sure, it wasn’t really important right now to learn whatever Alpha’s scheme could be. Yi Ji-Hyuk’s current situation was so bad that he had to join hands with anyone, even a devil, if that’s what’s necessary.

“However, it looks like you’ll have to step up even more.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“But I have my troubles to deal with, you know?” (Alpha)

“Surely you know that the situation can’t be resolved with just you getting stronger, right?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Well, yes. That’s true.” (Alpha)

Alpha spat out one groan after another.

“It’s also true that doing that is annoying, though.” (Alpha)

“It’s annoying for me, too.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Urgh.” (Alpha)

Alpha shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, sure. Why not. Since that’s what you want, I guess I’ll have to follow through. Just that there’s this one question I wanna ask you.” (Alpha)

“Shoot.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Are you really not interested in joining my team?” (Alpha)

“....”

Yi Ji-Hyuk wordlessly stared at Alpha’s face.

The latter saw the reaction of the former and began elaborating on his offer.

“Of course, I’m well aware of the fact that you don’t have any interests whatsoever in political power or wealth. You’re a man with enough strength to subjugate everything in this world under your feet if that’s what you want, so it’d be a comedy of divine proportions if you based your actions on those simple goals. However...” (Alpha)

Alpha’s expression became quite serious again.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed it by now, too. This world is illogical.” (Alpha)

“You can say the same thing about every world out there.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Of course, of course. That is very true.” (Alpha)

Alpha theatrically nodded his head.

“Ever since humanity appeared in this world, not even once did it operate in any logical manner. It’s true for this world, and also true for the other world that you used to live, too. That’s how humans as species operate, after all.” (Alpha)

“So you understand it well.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“However, I can change all that.” (Alpha)

Alpha’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Humanity has been striving towards a logical, rational world. Although slow, humans are gradually transforming into logical people.” (Alpha)

“...”

“To say we won’t succeed in the future just because we kept failing in the past is nonsense. I get why you’re reluctant to throw in your lot with us, but you can’t tell how it’ll work out unless you give it a shot, wouldn’t you agree?” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk quietly stared at Alpha before opening his mouth.

“If a smart fella becomes powerful, it won’t be all that hard to change the world, sure.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ehehe, well, I don’t think I’m the smartest guy out there. It’s just that those with political power are simply dumb, that’s all.” (Alpha)

“However, who is this change meant for, anyway?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...”

“A society where the majority suffers while the minority is enjoying all the benefits? Can you really call something like that logical?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I had no idea that you were an utilitarian, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk. Hasn’t the law of the jungle always been the way of our world?” (Alpha)

“Well, sure. That’s right.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly nodded his head.

Indeed, the strong preyed on the weak in this world. That fact would not change. With humanity entering the modern age, the yardstick of the strong had shifted away from physical, martial prowess to financial and political muscle, but even then, the fundamental values that served as the basis of this world’s foundation still remained ‘the strong prey on the weak’. Even Yi Ji-Hyuk acknowledged that.

“It’s just that things have stalled due to a sudden invasion of a common enemy, that’s all. Now that the ability users have made their appearances, it’s the only natural course of action for humanity’s hierarchy to change. And if it was someone else and not me going on an uprising, then the bloodshed will be uncontrollably greater.” (Alpha)

Clap!

Alpha lightly clapped his hands and stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“And if you decide to side with our opposition, then the resulting loss will be even greater.” (Alpha)

“The resulting loss will be greater? I don’t think so?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Eiii, don’t be like this now.” (Alpha)

Alpha smiled good-naturedly.

“Of course, if you get serious and decide to eliminate me and the people around me, then no one will be able to stop you. However, a river flows downstream, and there’s no way to ultimately block that. Even if you build embankments and reservoirs, as long as you fail to stop the flow of water, then it’ll spill over sooner or later. And when that happens, the losses will exceed anyone’s imagination.” (Alpha)

“Hmm...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk leaned his head back.

Again, those words weren’t wrong.

The rift between ability users and regular people had widened to such a degree that it would never be filled now.

Everyone was currently working together because the demon world came to invade Earth, but the moment they lose the external enemy to focus on, they will start baring their fangs at each other.

‘Even though none of this is important right now...’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

...It didn’t mean he shouldn’t think about this matter, either.

It was lamentable but the conflict between ability users and non-ability users was not something that could be resolved one way or the other with the passage of time like the race relations. While the difference between whites and blacks was nothing more than skin colour, the difference between ability users and powerless regular people was more like the one between humans and apes.

Basically, it was the advent of a new species.

“Humanity has already lost power to lead. And now we should be striving towards a brand new world, instead.” (Alpha)

“But, I’m also a regular human, though?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“A human with abilities. I know full well that you can wield Ether by now.” (Alpha)

“...”

“As long as you help our cause, we can greatly minimise unnecessary sacrifices. How will history judge you, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk dug into his ear then blew away the resulting matter from his fingertip.

“My bad, but I’m not the type to give a rat’s a*s about stuff like that. Why should I care about what strangers think about me?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...”

“Besides all that, the way I see it, doesn’t matter whether it’s you lot or the regular humans, because none of you will be much of a help to me. When you have two pet dogs and they start fighting, do you suddenly start wondering whether you should cheer on the big dog or the small one? Normally you’d just discipline them both and shove them in a corner for a timeout.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...It’d be nice if we’re the big dog in that comparison.” (Alpha)

“Whatever you want.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Alpha replied unenthusiastically.

“Even if you say that, I know full well that your thoughts are complicated right now. If you’re not thinking of joining us, then at least don’t support the other side, please. You getting involved in the flow of history is like a way too unfair cheat or something, you see.” (Alpha)

“By the way, I just can’t understand you.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“About what, exactly?” (Alpha)

“I’m practically a powerless scarecrow now. Besides, demon kings are busy invading us and we don’t even know for sure if humanity will be annihilated or not, yet you want to worry about some distant future?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Alpha spat out a sigh.

“You know why, so how can you say that?” (Alpha)

Alpha then pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lightly flicked it at Yi Ji-Hyuk. The latter caught it and lit it up before sucking in the blue-grey smoke deeply.

“Those who only think about the present can never change the future. So, one should prepare for the future while still being worried about the present events. And besides... a scarecrow, is it?” (Alpha)

Alpha chuckled in dismay.

“Aren’t you still strong enough to crush the likes of me with just a finger if that’s what you want? Even if one of an elephant’s legs is broken, you still wouldn’t find a cat daring to attack that elephant.” (Alpha)

“But, it’s more like that elephant is no bigger than a rat now?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“From the perspective of an ant, both a rat and an elephant is beyond its capability to handle.” (Alpha)

“Hmm...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded while making an unsatisfied expression.

“Humans can be a pretty optimistic bunch, I guess. Especially so when they can think about the future under the current circumstances.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“And that’s why we’re humans.” (Alpha)

Alpha stood up from the chair.

“Even if we’re threatened with gruesome dismemberment, as long as we can still survive, we will present our arms with a smile on our faces. And even if almost all of humanity is wiped out but that can lead to our victory, then without a doubt, we will be able to restore our current level of civilisation sooner or later.” (Alpha)

“...”

“This is a battle to see who will be left standing at the end, after all. That’s why I’m saying this again to you. Please don’t worry yourself to death trying to save one more person. Whether they become stronger or not, most of us will end up dying in the end, after all.” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk frowned slightly.

He knew that it was inevitable, but he still didn’t want to face the upcoming reality if he could help it. Yet, Alpha was using his own mug to make him confront it. 𝙛𝘳𝒆𝒆𝒘e𝗯n𝗼𝘷𝚎𝚕.𝒄૦𝓶

“Most of the NDF that you care about will die, as well. That’s how the demonic beings operate, after all. Don’t they?” (Alpha)

“Yeah, that they do.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“So, what are you hesitating for?” (Alpha)

Yi Ji-Hyuk quietly closed his eyes.

Everything would crumble away. Everyone would vanish.

Those he knew, those he conversed with, those he shared his life with and even married to, and those he cared deeply about...

They would all vanish, and more will vanish alongside.

The only one remaining would be him.

No one, and absolutely no one in this world, would know better than Yi Ji-Hyuk on just how terrifying and frightening it was to be left all alone.

“And that’s why...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...Excuse me?” (Alpha)

“If someone is left standing in the end, that should be us. I get that. I really do. But the thing is...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s expression distorted.

“What meaning is there after winning like that?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...”

“It surely is a laughable notion. What’s the point for me if humanity manages to survive? Once I’m dead, what does it matter to me whether humanity goes down the crapper or lives happily ever after?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“That’s a rather cynical way of looking at things.” (Alpha)

“If we aren’t going to survive together, then I don’t want to survive alone. Rather than standing all alone in the end, I might as well die along with everyone else.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Abruptly, a mischievous grin began spreading on Yi Ji-Hyuk’s face.

In fact, his expression said all of his tightly-clogged dilemmas had been blown cleanly apart now. He lightly jumped up from his chair.

“Ah, so that was why.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He stretched his limbs grandly and grinned refreshingly.

“Now I get why I’ve been feeling so frustrated lately. And also figured out why I wasn’t acting like myself.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...Excuse me?” (Alpha)

“Me worrying about sacrifices and who lives and dies is the weird thing here. I mean, what does it matter to me whether humanity survives or not?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk cackled as if a load had been taken off his shoulders.

“Right, that was it. We all die together, or survive together. That’s what I always wanted anyway, but because of this stupid situation, I ended up thinking about it in the wrong way. I ain’t no saviour of humanity nor its last hope or whatever.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...N-no, hang one...” (Alpha)

“All I have to do is to wreak some havoc and that would be all. But man, I’ve been wasting my time worrying about some other stuff. Thanks, I feel clear-headed now thanks to you.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You wanna thank me?!” (Alpha)

Alpha stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk with a dumbfounded expression.

How could the latter arrive at that conclusion after the conversation they had?

“Now I know what I need to do. Yeah, I’ve been way too serious for a while, which wasn’t like me. Man, I’m gonna have a good night’s sleep today. Hey, see you tomorrow, then.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“N-no, please, hang on a minute...” (Alpha)

“Ah, right. I forgot about that.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It was then, Yi Ji-Hyuk suddenly spun around and proceeded to kick Alpha’s face.

“Ouch?!” (Alpha)

Alpha flew up in the air before crashing into the wall. As blood dripped down from his nose, he stared in confusion at Yi Ji-Hyuk.

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked deeply before replying.

“I kicked you for being a cocky b*stard. Make sure to assemble all the remaining people at the training ground tomorrow, got it?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“...Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Alpha)

“Later.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk sucked on his cigarette and while humming to no one in particular, he headed to the sleeping quarters. Alpha dazedly stared at the latter’s departing back, then broke out into a helpless chuckle himself.

‘Seriously now, he’s so unpredictable.’ (Alpha)

Whatever the case might have been, it was ultimately a good thing that Yi Ji-Hyuk had regained his vitality. The ‘Yi Ji-Hyuk’ Alpha knew of simply didn’t suit looking all depressed like that. No, the real ‘Yi Ji-Hyuk’ was the kind of a man to continue throwing insults and get on your nerves even if he was fighting with his life on the line.

“...All the pieces have more or less lined up, then.” (Alpha)

Alpha’s expression changed to one he had not shown before until now as he slowly got up from the spot.

This long and arduous arrangement of all the pieces was finally heading towards the climax. 𝘧𝗿ee𝚠𝙚𝙗𝑛o𝚟𝐞l.𝐜૦𝗺

“Is he really necessary?” (Argolas)

A voice came from behind him, and Alpha quietly nodded his head.

“That’s obvious. He will become my plan’s last key, after all.” (Alpha)

“I don’t see how.” (Argolas)

“You won’t get it with that dumb head of yours. Demon, all you gotta do is simply follow my orders, that’s all.” (Alpha)

Argolas furrowed its brows while staring at Alpha cackling sinisterly.

‘These beings called humans, they are like chaos itself.’ (Argolas)

Whether it was Yi Ji-Hyuk or Alpha... from the common sense of the demonic beings, they just defied all attempts to understand them.

But one thing was for certain.

The actions of these two men would end up greatly shaking the world to the core. Including the demon world itself, too.

Argolas observed Alpha’s back rising and falling from all that cackling before slowly turning around to leave.

< 450. Is their relationship good or bad -5 > Fin.