The Returner Chapter 104

Inside a plane flying in the night sky over the Pacific….

"The food of this world is strange." (Affeldrichae)

"How so?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Why do you put so many strange things in your food? And what are these strange oils and minerals? It's so primitive, you know." (Affeldrichae)

"It's your mouth that's primitive." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"To think, you had to eat such woeful food. I feel sorry for you." (Affeldrichae)

It's you lot who's primitive, you dang lizard woman!!

How dare she badmouth the food of Earth? How dare you lot, who can only bake breads that are so hard and tough that you need a bloody hammer to crack open one before you can eat it?! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk spat out a groan of suffering while looking at Affeldrichae, who was carefully picking up a shrimp with her fork before placing it in her mouth.

"And also, to eat in such a confined space, it is so odd." (Affeldrichae)

"Oh, so you want to eat the in-flight meal like you'd in a fancy restaurant? Candles and all?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"And besides, why are we flying in this metal carriage? We can just fly to our destination, no?" (Affeldrichae)

"You said you wanted to ride in one, you stupid woman!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Mm, this sauce has quite unique taste." (Affeldrichae)

"Hey! Listen to people when they are talking to you!! Listen here!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The stewardess in charge paled visibly and hurriedly ran to Yi Ji-Hyuk's side in order to stop him from going crazy.

"Dear passenger, could you please behave yourself during the flight."

"Mister Ji-Hyuk~, you need to maintain a certain level of etiquette when there are a lot of people around you. I think I've told you this important fact about 345 times already, yet I see you haven't fixed that bad habit of yours." (Affeldrichae)

"Wah?! What the!! You, really, you…! Argh, let me go!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Dear passenger! Please!"

Meanwhile, Seo Ah-Young was watching this scene unfold from another seat before quietly whispering to Choi Jung-Hoon.

"Please do something." (Seo Ah-Young)

"Please, just pretend you haven't seen anything." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Choi Jung-Hoon avoided looking in the direction of Yi Ji-Hyuk and the blonde lady and let out a soft but lengthy sigh.

He wasn't sure exactly what happened, but the situation got resolved more or less in a satisfying manner, and they were allowed to leave American soil.

But, for some reason, that woman calling herself Richae had inserted herself into the group as if it was the most obvious thing to do. Then, she began arguing with Yi Ji-Hyuk (of course, it was only him losing his mind over and over again) and out of the blue, it was decided that they would use a plane to travel back to Korea.

Christopher McLaren then pulled some strings and et voila, a private plane was suddenly waiting for them at a local airport.

And well, Choi Jung-Hoon couldn't forget that look of relief on the CPO director's face when the American agents proceeded to cram everyone inside the plane without so much a consideration shown towards that pesky little thing called "procedure".

'You American b*stards…. Imma gonna kill you all!' (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Handling one Yi Ji-Hyuk alone was enough to give him nightmares, yet to throw another bomb into the mix!

Just what colour was the blood coursing through the hearts of these b*stards?

Choi Jung-Hoon glanced at the woman sitting next to the bitterly complaining Yi Ji-Hyuk and spat out yet another lengthy groan, seeing how composed and unflustered she was regardless of what the youth did or said.

'She can even reduce Yi Ji-Hyuk to that state, too….' (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Choi Jung-Hoon didn't know what her real identity was, but well, he was still scared of her. Not only him, though - everyone else on the plane was staring at the duo with their eyes wide open.

"Can the Lord of the dragons leave her post like this? I guess everything's oh-so peaceful back in Berafe, huh." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's always been that way, you know. You and your exaggerations." (Affeldrichae)

"It's only you who can say that!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Your kind can live for over ten thousands years, so to you everything is peaceful! Nothing's too urgent for you, is it not?!

This is why it's impossible to talk to a dang lizard! (Yi Ji-Hyuk' inner monologue)

"And why are you following me back now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Oh, my? Were you planning to abandon a poor girl with no place to call home and unable to talk to anyone behind, in a strange land? I mean, didn't I take you in when you were going through so much hardship and provided you with a shelter from the storm?" (Affeldrichae)

"You imprisoned me for over a hundred years!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"A hundred years is a short amount of time, you know." (Affeldrichae)

"A human would die in less than a hundred years, you dumb lizard woman!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, Mister Ji-Hyuk~, you are unable to die, though?" (Affeldrichae)

"Ha………."

Yi Ji-Hyuk was trembling from rage and frustration. He just might keel over at this rate from how p*ssed off he was!!

Laaaatrel!!! Why did you send her over here?! You keep doing this, and I'm gonna retaliate, you know?! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner cry)

"Just why did you come here? Tell me the truth!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I told you, I came to see you, Mister Ji-Hyuk~." (Affeldrichae)

"And I told you, our relationship ended a long time ago! You think I'll let you get all chummy with me just because you came over to see me, all clingy and the like? Stop dreaming!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jung-Hoon's jaw hit the floor as he listened to this riveting conversation unfold.

Just what on earth was this youth saying?

Didn't he sound like a guy rejecting a beautiful woman that was clinging onto him for some unfathomable reason? A guy like Yi Ji-Hyuk dares to?!

You have a divine goddess of beauty sitting next to you, and you can still run your mouth off like that?! Are you freaking blind? Can't you see her beauty that even transcends personal preferences?!

Nonono, I must've heard wrong. That must be it. (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)

"No, it's not over yet. And yes, it will not come to an end in the future, either." (Affeldrichae)

"Why are you this clingy?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jung-Hoon's entire body began trembling from pure shock and rage.

What the f*ck is up with this situation?!

Go to hell!!

You, youuuu, just go to hell!!

I'm already this old, and yet I haven't even found a gal I'd like to marry!! So, how come, in the holy hell, is he so dang popular?! (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner cry)

"As I told you, I'll never let you go for the rest of our lives." (Affeldrichae)

"NOOOOO!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk cried out in despair and hugged his head.

"Hul. I think he's lost his mind." (Seo Ah-Young)

Seo Ah-Young's jaw also hit the floor.

Indeed, this sight wouldn't make a lick of sense unless that guy had completely lost his marbles.

Buzzz….

"Huh? What was that? Was that my phone?" (Seo Ah-Young)

But, that can't be it…. I switched it off, though?

Then, where did that vibration come from? (Seo Ah-Young's inner monologue)

"….Hul."

It was actually Jeong Hae-Min sitting next to Seo Ah-Young that caused the vibration with nothing but her trembling body.

"What's the matter with you now?" (Seo Ah-Young)

"Go to hell." (Jeong Hae-Min)

"…Eh?" (Seo Ah-Young)

Did I hear her wrong?

Did she cuss out just now?

Why is she cussing out of the blue? What is going on with her?

Wait, why am I feeling cold? ….And, what is wrong with this girl now? (Seo Ah-Young)

In the isle of seats next to Seo Ah-Young's, Kim Dah-Som was glaring at Richae with an expression of a demoness ready to summon forth an army of undeads.

'….Please, you two, just wake up already. Please' (Seo Ah-Young)

That guy over there was definitely not worth them going insane for….

This unni is really worried since I can now tell you are not joking around anymore…. (Seo Ah-Young)

"Should I just turn you into bloody snake wine, you rotten lizard woman?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I nearly forgot, but I heard that there is indeed a wine made with snakes as ingredients in this world. You know, I'd like to taste that at least once." (Affeldrichae) (TL note at the end)

"Will you listen to what others say at least once……" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

….Nope, never mind. I give up. (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner resignation)

There was no chance that she'd suddenly change her old habits today, when she didn't do that for the past thousand years or so he'd known her for. From the onset, the existences called dragons could be thought of as 'perfect'. They could do anything they set their minds to, and since they didn't need anyone else's help, there was no way they'd listen to what other people told them.

An existence of a dragon could be summed up as…. A being that simply reflected whatever external stimulus was thrown their way, without really digesting what that stimulus was in the first place.

Heck, this Affeldrichae had gone through the experience of living and arguing (?) with Yi Ji-Hyuk for a thousand years plus, which had softened her up a bit compared to other dragons. Yet she was still like this.

So, quite obviously, one shouldn't even think about holding a proper conversation with a dragon.

Nope, one had to promptly beat the living daylights out of the dragon if one wanted to preserve their sanity!

"Come on now. Seriously, why are you here?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk asked her with a serious expression. Affeldrichae smiled gently as her response.

Choi Jung-Hoon's heart nearly fell to the pit of his stomach just then.

How should he go about describing… that expression of hers?

Her expression, which was a perfect combination of a woman gazing at her lover, and a mother gazing at her precious child?

'Maybe, there's more to their relationship than meets the eye?' (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Although Choi Jung-Hoon wanted to believe that wasn't true, he had to concede that their relationship couldn't be simple at all.

Not only did Yi Ji-Hyuk one-sidedly complain and throw tantrums non-stop, there was that Affeldrichae woman too, who didn't seem the least perturbed by the youth at all and simply smiled at him.

Choi Jung-Hoon felt that this relationship contained the kind of bond and animosity that could only be forged through countless years spent together.

'….Family?' (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Indeed, couldn't such a relationship form between family members?

Really now, unless one was family, would anyone be able to gaze at another person with such an expression?

KWAHNG!

It was then, everyone's attention was forced towards one particular spot of the plane. The left wing, visible through the small windows, was now engulfed in flames.

"Did that just explode on us?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Countless thoughts raced through Choi Jung-Hoon's head right at that moment.

Could the Americans have deliberately….?

No, Christopher McLaren isn't that stupid. (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)

Only a real, bona fide dummy would think of assassinating them via this way. In that case, could this be an accident?

However, to call that an accident, it was just too coincidental….

It was then, Choi Jung-Hoon's eyes caught sight of something weird outside the plane.

"What the hell are those?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Small dots of things were getting larger and larger in his view as they closed in on the plane.

'Are they birds? ….No, they are not!' (Choi Jung-Hoon)

No, rather than birds, creatures with demonic countenance, the kind one might read about in a fairy tale, were flying around the plane while flapping their bat-like wings.

"Gargoyles?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk lightly bit on his lower lip.

"Did Gargoyles originally fly this high up in the sky?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"It's my first time seeing this, too." (Affeldrichae)

"So, it's not a 'common' thing, this. Am I right?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Probably." (Affeldrichae)

"Hmm…."

Yi Ji-Hyuk simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, well. Who cares. They are just trashy mob monsters, anyway. Affeldrichae, shoot them down with your 'Fear'." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I can't." (Affeldrichae)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

What was she even talking about? A dragon that couldn't use 'Fear'?

Why dontcha declare that birds can't fly and horses can't run, cuz that sounds more plausible! How can a dragon be unable to use Fear?

"And why can't you?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I must revert to my original form, but if I do that in here, I'm sure it's going to be quite a sight, don't you think so?" (Affeldrichae)

"You can just do a short teleport outside, change back, and use the Fear, though?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"That's not a bad idea, but there's a slight problem." (Affeldrichae)

"What now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I can't change back to my original form." (Affeldrichae)

"Mm?"

What nonsense was she spewing now?

"I spent way too much Mana while crossing over to this side, you see. And there isn't a way to recharge my Mana here. Therefore, I don't have enough Mana to revert to my original form." (Affeldrichae)

"Ohh, really?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk's eyes began gleaming dangerously.

"So, basically, you're really weak now, is that right?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Even still, I can subdue the current you in around five minutes, I think?" (Affeldrichae)

*SFX for Yi Ji-Hyuk's shoulders slumping pretty hard*

Yi Ji-Hyuk became really depressed and began staring at the night sky outside the plane's windows with a pair of sorrowful eyes.

Ahh, what a nice pitch black sky you are. Exactly like how I feel….

I could beat her up silly in three seconds back in Berafe, yet she'll beat me up in five minutes in this place…. Hah….

It's not like I want to get stronger or anything, but this is…. Mm….

I had it once, but not anymore?

Is this that kinda emotion? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

As Yi Ji-Hyuk in his depressed state stared at the night sky, Affeldrichae lightly patted him on his shoulder.

"I told you, you should've stayed in Berafe." (Affeldrichae)

"Stop it!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jung-Hoon stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk and spat out a long groan.

"You two having a chat is nice and all that, but shouldn't you resolve this situation first?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Eh?"

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head.

"What do you want from me now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"To take care of…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Hul."

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his hands around dismissively.

"What can I do against those flying monsters?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, you can do something about them, can't you?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"What the, this guy! You think I'm Dorae….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ehhei!! Copyright!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Argh, you think I'm some kind of Miracle Pocket or something? What do you expect me to do in the middle of the sky?! Should I blow a hole in the plane?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You can ask Miss Hae-Min to teleport outside with you, can't you? I know you can fly, too. I saw you the last time." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"What the heck? This guy, you might cause a serious incident at this rate! Fine, let's say I go out and take care of this situation. How am I supposed to return to the plane?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Let Miss Hae-Min leave a marker here before leaving." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"You telling us to teleport into an object that's moving at 1000 kilometres an hour?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"…….Ah?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"You want to personally witness a person disintegrating before your eyes? It'd be exactly the same as me running into the plane at 1000 kilometres a hour when I teleport here, so how am I supposed to deal with the impact force? Sure, I might somehow make it out fine, but she's going to get disintegrated right down to the molecular level, no?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Jeong Hae-Min glared angrily at Choi Jung-Hoon's direction.

"I, I haven't thought about that." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"That's why a Liberal Arts major is no good!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

What the heck does that got to do with anything?! (the author)

"But, there is no other way, isn't it?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Of course there is another way." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Pardon?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"It's fine if we don't do anything about them. Let's just leave them be and get out of here." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Hul? What the hell? Can't you see that we're under attack right now?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Ha, this guy…. Just when did you forget how to use your brain? We get out of here while leaving the plane behind." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"…..Uh?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

That…. strangely makes sense, no?

"But, what about the flight crew?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"We take them with us, obviously." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….But, then, uh, the plane will crash…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"We're flying over the ocean, so it's fine." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, but, this thing is expensive…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"It's not ours, so who cares?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Why does he keep saying all these sensible things?

Now that I think about it, it doesn't really matter to me if this plane crashes or not, no? I mean, it's not even from the Korean Air and all. (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)

"In that case?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Yi Ji-Hyuk grinned refreshingly and spoke up.

"Tell the pilots to come here." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

This man…. Isn't he a bit too quick-witted when cooking up these weird plans?

Isn't he unparalleled at escaping from bothersome things?

"No, no, no, wait a minute. What about those Gargoyles flying around in this flight route, then?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Still not my problem, though." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, but…" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Just tell the Korean airlines to avoid this route or something. And send the info to other countries. I'm sure the ones with the most to lose will do something about them." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

And without a doubt, that would be the US of A, what with the huge number of civilian flights trying to enter that country everyday.

"Can we really do that?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"You can stay if you want." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"….Let me go with you." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Yi Ji-Hyuk called for Jeong Hae-Min and grabbed her hand. The flight crew had come closer too, and it seemed that they too had figured out what was going on, since they began holding onto her tightly as well.

"We're leaving." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Poof.

The human-less plane crashed grandly into the ocean as one would expect. When informed of the news, Christopher McLaren began throwing a massive tantrum, even going so far as to throw his prized cigar box against a wall. But too bad, the multi-million dollar plane was gone for good, never to return.

"Why do you screw with us like this till the end!! That son of a b*tch!!!" (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren swore that he'd never ever associate himself with Yi Ji-Hyuk as long as he lived, but there was no way such a promise would be kept in his lifetime.

< 104. Why are YOU here? - 4 > Fin.

(TL: Okay, so. The joke here rests on the Korean word for 'lizard', which is "do-mbaem". The last word, "baem" also means "snake". Basically, Yi Ji-Hyuk's been calling Affeldrichae a "do-mbaem" until now, and threatened to turn her into "baem" wine, which is an actual thing, btw.)

Chapter end