The Returner Chapter 106

"Kyyyaaahhhkk!!" (Ye-Won)

Yi Ye-Won screamed at the top of her voice as the cup in her hand fell to the floor.

Shatter!

"What happened?!" (mom)

Park Seon-Duk was taken by surprise from her daughter's cry and hurriedly ran out of the kitchen. Now normally, her child would never exhibit such a behaviour.

She was a child that flattened a cockroach with her bare hand and then proceeded to rub clean the resulting matter off her palm on a wall, after all!

So, for a girl like that to scream her head off?!

Park Seon-Duk wielded the kitchen knife she'd been using to slice carrots and arrived at where her daughter was. And then…. her eyes became super duper extra large.

"W, why are you coming out from there?" (Ye-Won)

"Pardon?" (Affeldrichae)

Yi Ye-Won was trembling like a leaf as she pointed at Affeldrichae, caught redhanded as she walked out of Yi Ji-Hyuk's room.

Just why was this woman coming out of her oppa's room, of all places?! Not only that, in the early morning, too!

Could this be…. that? THAT?!

Oh my gosh!! Oh my gooooosssshhh!! (Ye-Won's inner monologue)

"H, how can you…. On the first day, no less!" (Ye-Won)

"Pardon?" (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae tilted her head in confusion. Meanwhile, Yi Ji-Hyuk also exited from his room while yawning out loudly.

"What now? What is it?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You're so dirty!" (Ye-Won)

"Why am I dirty now?! Have you finally lost your mind? Your hair is more dirty." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"How can you do that when there are other people in the house?!" (Ye-Won)

"What are you even talking about? Were you daydreaming again?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"I'm gonna tell Dah-Som about this." (Ye-Won)

….Did you forget that you bullied her not too long ago? So why are you acting like that now? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Women were such indecipherable creatures, indeed.

"What are you talking about, anyway? Explain so I can understand what's going on here." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"How can I say that out aloud with my own mouth?!" (Ye-Won)

Yi Ye-Won's face reddened up considerably as she angrily pointed at her brother, hot steam escaping from her nostrils.

"Besides, your sole remaining plus point was you being an innocent guy, but now…….." (Ye-Won)

"What do you mean, my sole remaining plus point?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Do you have any idea how many plus points I have?

So, they are….

They…. are….

Time to move on! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"Stop talking rubbish and get out of the way. I want to go to the bathroom!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Hul, you wanna wash up? I've never seen you wash up in the morning before! But today, the first thing you do after waking up is that! I knew it!" (Ye-Won)

"I want to pee, you dumb little girl!! Pee! You want me to pee all over you, instead?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You're so dirty!!" (Ye-Won)

….This girl, she really knows how to get on someone's nerves, no?

Should I show her what being dirty really means? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

It was then.

Ding dong, ding, dong!!

The front bell began ringing non-stop out of the blue.

"Mm?" (mom)

Park Seon-Duk was standing there, totally stupefied and speechless, but the ringing bells brought her back to her senses.

Who could it be, in such an early morning? Park Seon-Duk walked over to the intercom and picked the receiver up.

"Hello? Who is it?" (mom)

- "Mother, it's me, Hae-Min! Please, open the door! Hurry!"

"Mm??" (mom)

Why was she here so early in the morning?

As soon as Park Seon-Duk opened the door, two females rushed past her and entered the house.

"Yi Jiiiii-Hyuuuuk!!" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Hul…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk began tilting his head after seeing Jeong Hae-Min and Kim Dah-Som enter the house in hurry.

Wait, were they originally that friendly to begin with?

Enough to walk around together?

Sure, he heard from somewhere that women could easily make friends, and just as easily become enemies; but, from the beginning, didn't those two have a relationship similar to that of a cat and a dog?

"D, Dah-Som-ah!!" (Ye-Won)

Ye-Won ran over to Kim Dah-Som and grabbed the latter girl's shoulders.

"T, that woman, she, she came out of oppa's room! Just now!" (Ye-Won)

"……What?" (Kim Dah-Som)

Kim Dah-Som began glaring at Affeldrichae without a shred of emotion visible in her dead-still eyes.

Where did she come out from? From that room? This morning?

Only after a single day? (Kim Dah-Som's inner monologue)

Suddenly, Kim Dah-Som's expression became abruptly cold.

"So, that's how it was……" (Kim Dah-Som)

Seeing that kind of an expression on her face, Yi Ye-Won felt a nasty case of goosebumps break out all over her body.

Hul, this isn't what I wanted?

What is this feeling, like I've just set off a serious incident in motion just now?

This girl…. Why…. Why is she so terrifying? (Ye-Won's inner monologue)

"Where did she come out from?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

Meanwhile, Jeong Hae-Min asked as her entire body trembled.

Seriously now, that blondie was such an outstanding beauty, yet how could she be so impatient like this?!

Could this be how things worked in the West?

Even then, wasn't this waaaay too outgoing?

Even then!

Even then….!

Even…. then…..

*SFX for tears forming in Jeong Hae-Min's eyes*

As soon as certain liquid began forming on the edges of Jeong Hae-Min's eyes, Yi Ji-Hyuk's complexion quickly paled.

"Hey, you, don't you dare cr…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"WAAAAAAAIIIIIIILLLLLL!!"

It was six o'clock in the morning.

Everyone living in Seoul's special ability-user residential area was forced to wake up against their will.

The visibly-tattered Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly collapsed to the floor and planted his head there.

'I might really die at this rate…..'

What is this nonsense, so early in the morning?

I finally got to sleep for the first time in ages, too! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

All the fatigue that got washed away with the sweet slumber was rushing back in at the moment.

"Why…. Why are you all acting like this…. Why…. Why me?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Sniff.

Seeing Jeong Hae-Min still sniffing her nose, a powerful migraine began its assault on Yi Ji-Hyuk's head. He threatened her with another spell inside the black gate, but for some reason that didn't work this time. And when he did try to shove her inside as promised, the group of females, with Yi Ye-Won as the lead, pounced on him like a bunch of cats with their tails on fire, so he had no choice but to stop.

They did everything to pacify Jeong Hae-Min for the next ten minutes and only then did her crying stop. It wasn't just Yi Ji-Hyuk; even she was too exhausted to continue.

"Here, drink this." (mom)

"Sniff, thank you…." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Jeong Hae-Min received the juice that Park Seon-Duk handed over and sipped quietly on that.

"So….." (Kim Dah-Som)

Kim Dah-Som, who had been wordlessly observing the situation from the side, finally opened her mouth.

"Can anyone…." (Kim Dah-Som)

….Did someone switch on the aircon?

Why is it suddenly so cold in here? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"….Explain to me what happened?" (Kim Dah-Som)

….She's not saying anything important, yet why am I getting so much goosebumps?

Did this girl come from the Mother Russia or something? Her passive skill is emitting cold atmosphere, isn't it? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"What do you mean, you want an explanation? Nothing important happened here!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Important?" (Kim Dah-Som)

Did she suddenly develop a selective hearing?

Should I just rip open a new earhole for her, instead?! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Until then, Affeldrichae couldn't figure out what was going on here and continued to tilt her head this way and that, but out of the blue, she clapped her hands.

"Ah!" (Affeldrichae)

"Eh?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Why was she behaving like that way now?

"I think I understand why everyone is so perturbed this morning." (Affeldrichae)

"Uhm, okay?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"There is no need for anyone to worry. The act of reproduction all of you have been fearing did not take place." (Affeldrichae)

"T, the act of reproduction?!" (Ye-Won)

What was this? What were these words that were at once way too suggestive, and not suggestive at the same time?!

Even Kim Dah-Som's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Of course, there was an act similar to that one, however…." (Affeldrichae)

An act similar to that one?

Similar?!

Jeong Hae-Min's eyes began emitting a dangerous light as her entire body trembled once more.

She said 'similar'.

What could be so similar to that, then? (Jeong Hae-Min's inner monologue)

"What bullsh*t are you talking about now?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk hurriedly shouted out, but Affeldrichae could only tilt her head in confusion again.

"Well, even if we weren't actively trying to copulate, isn't embracing someone one of the steps that leads to the act of reproduction in the social etiquette pattern set by humans?" (Affeldrichae)

"Embrace?" (everyone)

What was she even talking about?

"And, even though it was a simple act of embrace, as we performed this act for the entire length of the night, when viewed from humans' emotional perspective we have shared our feelings quite intimately…….." (Affeldrichae)

"WAAAAAIIIIILLLLL!!"

"Oh, come on!!! Godd*mn it….!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

I just calmed her down, yet you go and make her cry again in less than three minutes?!

Besides all that! Just what kinda mouth does this girl have on her that she manages to be this f*cking loud?! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

By this point, he should've gotten more or less used to her loud crying, but he found himself unable to adapt even now!!

"Argh, just shut up already!! Shut up!! Why are you throwing a d*mn tantrum in someone else's house this early in the morning?! Why!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Indeed, this is too much." (Affeldrichae)

Wuoong.

When Affeldrichae lightly waved her hand around, the reverberating wails of Jeong Hae-Min suddenly became silent as if someone pressed the mute button.

Jeong Hae-Min had no idea that her voice had vanished and continued to wail in complete silence, her mouth so wide open that her uvula was in full display to the onlookers.

"I've learned today that a human's voice could be used as a strategic weapon. How surprising. Looks like I should start researching on magic spells that can create noise." (Affeldrichae)

"….Do what you want…" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

….Argh, why don't you all just disappear, why don't you. (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly crumbled to the floor in utter defeat.

Just when would this hellish life of his change for the better?

'Hah….. this d*mn life….'

Woof!

As soon as Oh-Sik heard the front door of the house open up, his body shivered reflexively and he hurriedly ran forward to stand on its hind legs.

Ggeng!

It wasn't as if this house was some sort of a lair of devils or something, yet….

It was already difficult with the Bringer of Apocalypse here, yet what was up with this woman who smelled just like a dragon? And not just any dragon, either.

At the bare minimum, she smelled like an Ancient class.

It was the scent of a truly powerful being that could easily crush Oh-Sik with nothing but a simple glare. So, it was understandable that Oh-Sik would be acting totally disciplined right now.

He had somehow gotten friendly with Yi Ji-Hyuk, but then, another one had appeared to act as his master.

Richae took a look at Oh-Sik standing straight in a saluting position while looking very nervous, and formed a soft grin.

"By the way…. Are you looking after this child?" (Affeldrichae)

"Yeah." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Indeed, there are many who keep Ogres as guardians, but could this child protect your dwelling sufficiently if you weaken him by this much?" (Affeldrichae)

"I supply him with Mana when necessary." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Mm, I see." (Affeldrichae)

"Another thing. Oh-Sik ain't a guardian of the house. He's a pet." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"A pet?" (Affeldrichae)

"You know. I'm keeping him as a pet, like you'd do with dogs." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

With an Ogre?

Richae continued to stare at Oh-Sik for a bit longer, before tilting her head.

Sure enough, it did kinda look cute.

"But, surely there are much cuter creatures out there?" (Affeldrichae)

"Once you become family, it's a bit harder to change your mind along the way." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Affeldrichae continued to tilt her head as if she wasn't really convinced at all.

"However, if an enemy intrudes on your family while you're not here, can a weakened Ogre protect them from harm? Even if it was at its full strength, it might not be enough…. Yet, with such a small body?" (Affeldrichae)

"Hmm….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

She had a point there.

Whenever something happened, Yi Ji-Hyuk would immediately return here, but no one knew what might happen in the future. And besides, many unsavoury things were beginning to happen around the world, too.

"You've got a way?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"If you're interested." (Affeldrichae)

If she could do it, then all she had to do was to do it. Yet, she always made it like so that others were owing her a favour.

"…Do it." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Understood." (Affeldrichae)

Yi Ji-Hyuk found her bright smile rather unlikeable.

Indeed, he didn't like that smile, yet…

What an odd feeling this was.

He was getting all nostalgic about it.

….Of course, he'd seen that face for over a thousand years, so that might be it.

Hell, there was a time when he had to see that face every single day for around a century straight.

When looking back objectively, could he have returned to Earth if it weren't for the help of this dang lizard woman?

Yi Ji-Hyuk quickly shook his head.

"Am I getting close to my own death or something?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He heard that when a person was about to die, he or she would become quite sentimental and all that….

Wait, I missed this dang lizard woman?!

Eheii!! Stop screwing around.

If I start recounting all the crappy sh*t I had to go through because of her, then I'd jump up in anger in the middle of my sleep!

And no, it's not "that" jumping up!

I'll really jump up! Really! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Affeldrichae gently waved her hands about. A pure-white hole formed in the air, then transparent beings came out from there and melded in with the house.

"Spirits?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Although not foolproof, I believe this much will be of some help. Most importantly, I'd be informed of any change taking place right away." (Affeldrichae)

"Hmm. Sure, that's true." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

….But, was it possible to summon Spirits in this world, too? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"They are crossing over from the Spirit dimension, so it won't matter which world you're in when summoning them." (Affeldrichae)

"I told you to stop reading people's minds!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, you know such a thing is impossible, even with magic." (Affeldrichae)

That's why I dislike you even more!

Stop reading what others are thinking by taking a look at people's faces!! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"You, you really do have a knack for getting on other people's nerves, don't you?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"You said those exact wor…." (Affeldrichae)

"Shut up!! I don't wanna know how many times I've said that! I've probably said it hundreds of times by now, right?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"But, it wasn't all that much, though?" (Affeldrichae)

"….Oh, really?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

In that case, you should've said something.

No, hang on. I told her to shut up, didn't I? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head and started walking towards the office. However, there was someone here that grabbed and pulled at his clothes.

"Mm?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

A tearful Jeong Hae-Min was clinging onto his clothing.

"What now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Jeong Hae-Min opened and closed her mouth several times, before pointing at her tongue.

"You haven't undid the spell yet?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Should I?" (Affeldrichae)

"What, so you don't want this girl to speak for the rest of her life?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Maybe. When looking at it objectively, it seems to me that it'd be the best for everyone to block the mouth capable of firing sonic attacks." (Affeldrichae)

"Stop talking nonsense and undo the spell." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Without a doubt, humans are an illogical species." (Affeldrichae)

"I don't want to hear that kinda evaluation from a lizard, so stop wasting time and undo the spell."(Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Alright." (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae waved her hand in the air once, and right away, a deep gasp escaped out from Jeong Hae-Min's mouth.

"W, what the hell was that?! What was that!!" (Jeong Hae-Min)

Yi Ji-Hyuk slowly shook his head again.

"How about keeping quiet if you don't want your mouth to be sealed again?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Hiccup."

Seeing Jeong Hae-Min hurriedly squeeze her mouth shut, all Yi Ji-Hyuk could do was spit out a long sigh.

….Please….

At least in the mornings…..

Leave me in peace!!

You rotten bunch of….!

Realising that his life from here onwards would never be peaceful again, Yi Ji-Hyuk sorrowfully facepalmed.

< 106. W, why are you coming out from there? (1) > Fin.

Chapter end