The Returner Chapter 189

Scary Mana erupting out of Yi Ji-Hyuk prompted a frightened shout to come out from Seo Ah-Young's mouth.
"Please, calm down!!" (Seo Ah-Young)
"What do you mean, calm down?!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
When he thought about it, this was patently unfair.
Didn't he return to Earth for the sole purpose of taking it easy for the rest of his remaining life? However, since when did Yi Ji-Hyuk become this dog with its a**e on fire busy running around this way and that?
With things like this, what meaning was there for him to return to Earth in the first place?!
Yi Ji-Hyuk began reflecting on himself.
Like, very seriously.
Lately, he had been busy traveling the world and didn't even get to see his mom's face all that often. His original aim was to stay with his family, play some video games and laze around to his heart's content until the end of his natural life and kick the bucket, so what the freak!
But now, monsters?? A freaking demon king?!
Even stinking zombies began messing up his plans now, and he was running around like a dog in heat just trying to resolve this mess. Thinking about all of this, his anger suddenly rushed up all the way to the top of his head.
Yet, these fools didn't even know the truth and were busy using him like this!
"My life was going down the drain!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"I have no idea what rubbish you're spewing now, but I think you need to calm down first." (Seo Ah-Young)
Yi Ji-Hyuk shot a glare back at Seo Ah-Young.
If he was to get technical here, then all of this was the fault of this dang woman and Choi Jung-Hoon.
If it weren't for these two, he'd be lying on the floor of his living room chowing down on snacks and lazily scratching his tummy as the world around him was rapidly pushed to the brink of annihilation.
Mm?
Wait, actually, am I supposed to be thankful here, instead?? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
Yi Ji-Hyuk continued to glare at Seo Ah-Young with complicated thoughts swirling in his head, before shifting his glare to the zombie horde, instead.
"How annoying." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
He was trying to be more considerate and used his brain instead. However, as it turned out, he hadn't at all any natural inclination for it whatsoever.
"Call everyone here." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Eh?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"I said, call everyone here!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Ah, yes!" (Seo Ah-Young)
Without saying anything else, Seo Ah-Young summoned all the NDF agents over to their location over the radio. Not too long afterwards, all the agents were gathered in one spot.
– "What are you trying to do, taking away even the agents manning the barricade??" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Yi Ji-Hyuk narrowed his eyes as Choi Jung-Hoon's complaints entered his ears.
– "Seriously, if you're planning to start something, you should've consulted me first so I can come up with a suitable response, you know! If you keep impulsively creating situations like this, you're going to put me on a really tight spot!" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Yi Ji-Hyuk looked over to Jeong Hae-Min.
"Shorty." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"M-mm??" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"Go and capture that fool." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Ng."
She went poof!! from the spot, and reappeared a moment or two later while holding Choi Jung-Hoon's arm.
"……….." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon saw Yi Ji-Hyuk's expression and began forming a sheepish, awkward smile.
"I was just saying, you know. Just saying." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Lately, haven't I….." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Pardon?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"…..Been way too docile, have I?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"…………………" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
You call this being docile?
If I recount everything you did lately, then…. Mm? Eh?
He was really docile, wasn't he?
No, it can't be. He was really docile?! (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)
Choi Jung-Hoon began shuddering where he stood.
He tried to dig deeper, but for sure, he couldn't think of Yi Ji-Hyuk creating a mess recently. But to think, he still ended up with this much stress anyway.
So, what would happen if this guy decided to throw another tantrum like how he used to do in the past?
Would his stomach get perforated like Swiss cheese??? (TL: the raw said ‘coal briquette' but I changed to cheese reference. Cuz I like cheeses.)
"I tried to stay under the radar and live my life, but then, I suddenly realised that I wouldn't be able to live a quiet life by doing exactly that. What do you call that? A sudden enlightenment? A spiritual understanding? An awakening?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"….A panic attack…?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"Wanna die?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"No, not at all." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon lowered his head with a sullen pout on his face.
I mean, if someone comes up with a timely retort, you're supposed to play ball, you know! You're being so stiff!
Besides, we always went along with your retorts everyday, don't you know that?? (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)
"In any case. All this is really getting on my nerves so I can't watch on anymore. From now on, do what I tell you." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Choi Jung-Hoon didn't reply and shifted his gaze over to Seo Ah-Young. This wasn't a decision he could make, but Seo Ah-Young's responsibility.
"If you just let us handle this for a little while longer…." (Seo Ah-Young)
Yi Ji-Hyuk gritted his teeth.
"At this rate, you're gonna take thirty thousand years!! Thirty!!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"But, we were doing our best, though…." (Seo Ah-Young)
Yi Ji-Hyuk clicked his tongue.
In all honesty, what these people did wasn't bad enough to be criticised at all.
By them managing to fix to this extent a mess that none of the countless American ability users could do anything about, the capabilities of the NDF under Seo Ah-Young's command had been firmly proven to the rest of the world, that they shouldn't be underestimated by others.
However….
"You did all you need to do." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Excuse me?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"So, let's do things in a far simpler way, okay?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Light began gleaming in Yi Ji-Hyuk's eyes.
"For the time being, throw every single one of those d*mn zombies back within that portion of barricade over there." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Within that barricade??" (Seo Ah-Young)
Did this guy lose his mind??
If you force all those zombies in there, that barricade will be crushed in no time! (Seo Ah-Young's inner monologue)
"Oh, you meant we should separate them?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"What the hell, are you deaf? I said, shove them all in there!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
It's not my ears but maybe your pie hole isn't functioning properly?
Haven't you considered that possibility? (Seo Ah-Young's inner monologue)
Seo Ah-Young nodded her head for now, although her expression was filled with puzzlement and dissatisfaction.
"But well, the potential damages to those defending the barricades could be great." (Seo Ah-Young)
"Pull them back, then." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"….Eh?" (Seo Ah-Young)
"Is there a problem with your hearing? Do I need to unclog your ear canals, too??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
No, you gotta do something about your mouth first, you know! (Seo Ah-Young's inner monologue)
Seo Ah-Young turned her head towards Choi Jung-Hoon, her expression one of asking for his help.
"Just what are you planning to do?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon earnestly asked but Yi Ji-Hyuk simply glared back at him.
"Since when did I ever tirelessly yap on and on to you lot about things I'm about to do??" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
….I don't think I've ever done that, have I? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
"It's not 'yapping on', but just a process of us getting on the same page, you know. Don't we have a relationship of cooperation here?" (Choi Jung-Hoon)
"….Cooperation, my foot." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
I turned these fools who couldn't even get their sh*t together into some semblance of human beings, but they think they have all grown up enough now to talk about cooperation this and that? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
"Why don't you stop with your drivel and do as you're told?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Of course." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Choi Jung-Hoon cleanly gave up on changing Yi Ji-Hyuk's mind and admitted defeat. Seo Ah-Young leered at him with criticising eyes, but well, he was more forthright today than ever before!
If you feel frustrated, then why don't you do it?!
I'd rather threaten the US President if you tell me to do that, instead!
Since when did talking sense work with this guy?? (Choi Jung-Hoon's inner monologue)
"Get a move on, already!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Yes!!"
Seo Ah-Young and Choi Jung-Hoon immediately formed teams and began planning ways to carry out what Yi Ji-Hyuk ordered them to do. Other agents surrounded those two and exchanged their opinions.
And so, only those with nothing left to do were Yi Ji-Hyuk, and….
"….Why aren't you doing anything?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Cuz, I've got nothing to do." (Jeong Hae-Min)
Jeong Hae-Min was staring at Yi Ji-Hyuk with an innocent look on her face.
"Shouldn't you, like, join the group and listen to what's what?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Well, all I need to do is to go where I'm told to, right?" (Jeong Hae-Min)
"………."
Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at Jeong Hae-Min who had completely changed her occupation as a shuttle for good and shook his head.
In a way, this girl was one of the funniest characters he'd run into so far. She was in demand the most by everyone, yet when the battle started for real, she was also completely useless. It was hard to find someone this specialised in providing support back in Berafe, so it was difficult for Yi Ji-Hyuk to get used to this arrangement sometimes.
"Groan…."
He spat out a groan while looking at this short woman. Meanwhile, Affeldrichae approached him from behind and spoke to him.
"You need to start mopping them up soon." (Affeldrichae)
"What? Why?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Those zombies." (Affeldrichae)
"Yeah?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Affeldrichae rebuked him as if she couldn't believe he hadn't figured it out yet.
"Their bodies are about to start collapsing soon." (Affeldrichae)
"What are you talking about?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Their arms will start falling off by themselves, and their flesh will rip open soon." (Affeldrichae)
"….Ah!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head.
These Earth zombies seemed to possess a somewhat more wholesome outer appearance compared to those of Berafe's, but then, it didn't seem to be the case at all.
In truth, it probably had something to do with them not being zombies for long and that was why their bodies were still more or less intact like that.
"I'm gonna deal with them soon so stop pestering me." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk replied sarcastically.
"By the way, isn't this weird? Weren't you the type that didn't really care whether arms or heads of measly humans fell off?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"I still don't. But I know you'd be feeling really guilty if you miss the things you already know and losses become far too great as a result." (Affeldrichae)
"Thanks for worrying about me, miss." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Not at all." (Affeldrichae)
I was being sarcastic, you dumb lizard! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
Yi Ji-Hyuk readily gave up on wasting his breath on Affeldrichae and shifted his gaze back to the zombie horde.
"This sure feels strange." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"Excuse me?" (Affeldrichae)
He didn't reply and closed his eyes slightly.
The thing was, he was originally planning to watch everything slowly unfold. Yet, he was getting progressively more anxious, and…. It was indeed very strange that he was getting nervous and felt more urgent than before, too.
Of course, one could argue that this constantly shifting emotional state of his was not strange at all, now that the absolute calmness of his past was no longer applicable to him. But, even then - he couldn't help but feel that his current condition was somewhat puzzling to say the least.
‘Was I really this short tempered in the past?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
The Yi Ji-Hyuk of the past would've cackled at the sight of the ability user zombie flinging around balls of flames and said something like, "Roasting pork ribs in that fire would be delicious" while smacking his lips. He was definitely not someone who'd step up like this because he got annoyed so much.
‘It's obvious that I'm changing.' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
He was aware of the fact that the past Yi Ji-Hyuk wouldn't remain for long as the memories and experiences of Berafe were influencing his personality now. Even then, he sensed that this new change didn't have anything to do with that process of evolution at all.
Being impatient.
Anxiety.
And then…..
Yi Ji-Hyuk bit down hard on his lower lip.
‘Hey, isn't this the so-called destrudo?' (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Although he went for somewhat grand-sounding term, but well, it was more like his temper flaring up, wanting to kill and destroy everything in front of his eyes.
"What's the matter?" (Affeldrichae)
"It's nothing." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk shook his head.
Even if he talked about it, there was no solution to it. And if he did talk about it, that would only serve to conflate the situation, anyway.
Isn't this….
Isn't this, like, I've gone a little bit insane? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)
Sure, he had to pour out dark Mana as if it was the end of the world and his body got utterly destroyed as a result before getting stitched back up again, so it was obvious that he received some internal damage. But now, the mere fact that Yi Ji-Hyuk himself was able to sense the changes in his personality now, could only mean that the damage he suffered back then greatly exceeded his expectations.
So, in conclusion…
"It has sped up." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk muttered to himself, but Affeldrichae next to him was biting her lower lip ever so slightly.
Even she hadn't expected to see the descent of a demon king. When that happened, she couldn't even nag Yi Ji-Hyuk anymore, telling him not to be too reliant on his magical powers.
They were about to get killed so how could she even say such things?
"How about backing off on this one?" (Affeldrichae)
"This much is nothing." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
"….I'm sure it isn't." (Affeldrichae)
Yi Ji-Hyuk heard her slightly sarcastic remark and broke out in a smirk.
He'd start believing it if someone told him that she was a human now.
"We're ready." (Choi Jung-Hoon)
Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head after Choi Jung-Hoon called out to him.
"Don't waste any more time and get started." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Before anything else, he needed to resolve the situation in front of his face first.
As soon as Yi Ji-Hyuk issues his permission, Choi Jung-Hoon gave out a hand signal and with that, the NDF agents spread out to drive the zombie horde to one spot.
"Uwaaah!"
Kim Dah-Hyun ran around the zombies with unbelievable speed and herded them deeper into the horde.
"Get out of there!!" (Seo Ah-Young)
Seo Ah-Young yelled out loudly, and the soldiers and police officers manning the barricade quickly retreated away.
"Push them in!" (Seo Ah-Young)
Seo Ah-Young activated her wild flames, and others also used their abilities to drive the zombies further and further towards the certain point in the barricade.
With that, the zombies spread out in a lengthy line naked eyes couldn't quite capture began to condense towards the middle a little by little.
"A little bit more." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
Yi Ji-Hyuk spectated on that scenery and began rousing up his Mana.
A bit more.
Just a little bit more!
The zombie horde stumbled and shuffled ungainly until they became one large mass with the barricade itself. It was at this point that Yi Ji-Hyuk gritted his teeth.
"Hah-aht!!"
RUMBLE!!
Pitch-black Mana began pouring out from Yi Ji-Hyuk's body like unending black rivers.
He swirled his hands to gather the black flame-like Mana leaving his body, and with a pair of slightly bloodshot eyes, he glared at the zombie horde.
"It's taken too long." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)
So, time to finish this nonsense!
Yi Ji-Hyuk raised his hands high above his head, and the accumulated Mana thunderously ascended to the air.
It was as if the whole sky was dyeing in jet-black colour.
"Darkness."
No, it wasn't the sky dyeing in darkness.
In actual reality, the sky was getting darker.
….Darkness descended on the entire world.

< 189. Do I look like a honourable person? -4 > Fin.

(TL: Does anyone know how to select only a portion of a paragraph with a Samsung tablet? For some reason, copy/pasting chapters from my G drive to this site gets rid of all the italicised letters. I want to manually fix that, but I can't seem to select only the paragraphs I want. This thing of not having electricity at home is really, really getting on my nerves.)

Chapter end