The Returner

Chapter 215: Do you remember the Eye of Latrel? (5)

“Who are they?!” (Michael Douglas)

Michael Douglas hurriedly shouted out.

As if it was all a lie, Delkaran stopped rampaging around like a bull with its tail on fire. And the ones responsible for stopping that happened to be a bunch of Asians he had never seen before.

“Info! I need more information!” (Michael Douglas)

“We don’t know who they are, but sir, isn’t it rather obvious which Asians would show up here in a situation like ours?”

“You do have a point there.” (Michael Douglas)

The South Koreans.

The NDF.

He could only think of them, as no one else was capable of solving a world-ending crisis like this one.

“But, how did they find out and come here? Did we request for their aid?” (Michael Douglas)

“I’m not sure, sir.”

“H-mm....” (Michael Douglas)

Michael shifted his trembling eyes back to those people.

It really didn’t matter how they found out as long as they did show up before the situation got any worse. Should he say that this was a great piece of timing?

“So, that man must be Yi Ji-Hyuk, then?” (Michael Douglas)

He stared at the young man standing at the front of the pack and muttered to himself.

“He doesn’t look anything like as described in the rumours.” (Michael Douglas)

According to the rumours, that man should be an unparalleled scumbag that no one else in history could ever match up to. However, that young Asian man seemed to be an okay-ish person, with perhaps the sole blemish being his eyes shaped a bit more irritable than normal people’s.

On top of that, seeing him speak so calmly like that, he didn’t seemed to be short-fused, either.

“The rumours can’t be trusted, I guess.” (Michael Douglas)

“Indeed, you can’t trust the rumours.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Ah?” (Michael Douglas)

Michael heard that voice coming from behind and urgently turned around. Christopher McLaren was walking closer to him while being heavily guarded by American ability users.

“You’re here.” (Michael Douglas)

“Been a while. Five years, hasn’t it?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Well, we both have been rather very occupied since that Black Monday response conference, so it couldn’t be helped.” (Michael Douglas)

“Indeed, we have been.” (Christopher McLaren)

“By the way, what did you mean by that? The thing about not trusting the rumours.” (Michael Douglas)

“Weren’t you referring to Mister Yi?” (Christopher McLaren)

Mister Yi?

“Are you talking about Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Michael Douglas)

“That’s right.” (Christopher McLaren)

“I see. According to the rumours, that man is supposed to be utterly beyond help, but as far as I can tell, he seems to be a normal person.” (Michael Douglas)

“Indeed, rumours can’t be trusted.” (Christopher McLaren)

“I guess so.” (Michael Douglas)

“He’s far more normal than what the rumours suggest, but at the same time, mere rumours can’t prepare you for how much of a crazy loon he can also be, too.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Eh?” (Michael Douglas)

What on earth was he talking about now?

“He is truly an indecipherable man. Completely indecipherable.” (Christopher McLaren)

“H-mm...”

Michael Douglas had no idea what his American counterpart was talking about, but now wasn’t the right time to relaxedly discuss Yi Ji-Hyuk’s personality. They had to urgently kill that demonic being first.

“You came to lend us your aid, yes?” (Michael Douglas)

“Of course, but...” (Christopher McLaren)

“But?” (Michael Douglas)

Christopher McLaren suddenly pulled out a cigar and bit on it as a bitter expression formed on his face.

“We have gathered some of our best elites before coming here, but I can’t guarantee if we will be of any help.” (Christopher McLaren)

“What do you mean by that?” (Michael Douglas)

“You’ve seen it with your own eyes, haven’t you?” (Christopher McLaren)

“........”

“We might have the numbers advantage, but our agents aren’t all that much better than your own people. And your people failed to even scratch that thing, so realistically speaking, there’s not much we can do, either. No, we’re just here to fill the headcount.” (Christopher McLaren)

“....I see. However, didn’t you stop the invasion of a demon king once already?!” (Michael Douglas)

“You think that was us? It was them. All we did was to fill the headcount and worked as meat shields for them.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Seriously?” (Michael Douglas)

The way the narrative was told, it was the Americans who had successfully repelled the demon king with the cooperation of the NDF.

However, there was no other nation on Earth that truly understood what it meant for a demon king to appear, so they all thought, “Oh, so that’s how it was.”

Even back in America itself, not many people knew what really went down, and as for those who were there, they all unilaterally shut their mouths up.

Michael shifted his gaze over to Yi Ji-Hyuk, currently conversing with Delkaran over yonder.

For sure, even the mighty American government would have much to say when an existence on that level made its appearance and it was Yi Ji-Hyuk who stepped up to kill such a creature.

After all, that thing was an unexplainable existence, wasn’t it?

Humans wouldn’t be able to do anything to that creature even after raining down a barrage of attacks and firepower. For instance, no matter how many people gathered up their lances, they would still fail to bring down a hawk flying in the sky.

“However, isn’t this strange?” (Michael Douglas)

“What is?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Isn’t he talking to that monster?” (Michael Douglas)

“Looks that way.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Just who is this Yi Ji-Hyuk that he can even communicate with that demonic creature?” (Michael Douglas)

“M-mm???” (Christopher McLaren)

In that moment, Christopher McLaren’s eyes shot open wide. He just realised that he never paid any attention to this matter at all.

‘But, then again....’ (Christopher McLaren)

If he thought about it, there was practically nothing anyone knew about Yi Ji-Hyuk’s background. All they knew was that, he was a Korean ability user that popped out of literally nowhere and that he possessed an incredible ability. That was about it.

And also, he used to be a regular student before going missing, and that he returned home after five years.

“I see.” (Christopher McLaren)

In that case, discovering what happened during those five years could prove to be the key to unravelling the source of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s power.

‘However, that can wait for another day.’ (Christopher McLaren)

Right now, they had to focus on stopping that demon first.

“For the time being, get ready to provide support. I shall take over command from here on.” (Christopher McLaren)

“I’m afraid that’s not going to happen.” (Michael Douglas)

“Have you ever fought alongside Yi Ji-Hyuk before?” (Christopher McLaren)

“....No, I haven’t.” (Michael Douglas)

“What we’re supposed to do isn’t killing that monster, but to fill up the opening left by Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk. You have never seen how he fights, so do you think you can do that job? I know full well it’s not right for me to take over command of another country’s armed forces when I’m only supposed lend my support. However, now isn’t the time to nitpick about this, am I wrong?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Fine, I understand.” (Michael Douglas)

Michael’s pride was getting wounded here, but he wasn’t stupid enough to waste time arguing the rights and wrongs of that assertion at the moment. No, the important thing was to ensure the survival of his country.

“Then, get your people ready.” (Christopher McLaren)

Once Michael started busily moving around, Christopher McLaren shifted his withdrawn eyes over to the frontline.

‘This ain’t gonna be easy.’ (Christopher McLaren)

They required a heaven-defying luck to kill the previous demon king. So, it’d not be easy at all to kill yet another demon king. Most likely, today could very well be the moment that the end of human race was to be decided.

Such a heavyweight oppressive feeling was kicking him in the guts.

‘And he’s enduring it so well.’ (Christopher McLaren)

He felt this incredibly pressure simply by watching from the distance. Yet that young Korean man carrying the weight of the entire world was enduring the oppressiveness of it rather commendably well.

He was indeed a giant among men, that’s for sure.

“When a young man leads forward, the old man is supposed to support him from behind, isn’t it...” (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren grasped his walkie-talkie tightly.

***

“Hoh-oh?” (Delkaran)

Delkaran stared at Yi Ji-Hyuk with somewhat surprised eyes.

It had finally noticed that the Mana oozing out of Yi Ji-Hyuk was incredibly pure, perhaps as much as Mana flowing out from ‘that thing’ that could be seen as the foundation of the demon world itself.

“You did well to collect that much Mana, then.” (Delkaran)

“It was a gift, actually.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“From the 13th demon king, I presume?” (Delkaran)

“So I hear.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Kekekeke. Still the same. Still the same.” (Delkaran)

Delkaran cackled and raised its arm just a little to jokingly mock Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“Is that the source of your confidence? Your belief? With only that?” (Delkaran)

“Hah....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk furrowed his brows and glared at Delkaran.

All the demon kings had a tendency to interpret the situation to whatever the hell they felt like and also came to whatever conclusions they felt like, too.

It was because they had been living for way too long as incomparably powerful beings unmatched by pretty much everyone. It was obvious that they would interpret the surroundings in their own twisted perspective.

“It’s really annoying to repeat the same thing again and again.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk sighed audibly with a Whew, and continued on.

“I don’t believe in anything else. The only thing I trust is me, myself, and I.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Indeed, that sounds like you.” (Delkaran)

Delkaran nodded its head.

“That mindset alone truly befits an excellent demon king. You have been living the life of a demon king even now.” (Delkaran)

“Not even close.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s curt denial caused Delkaran’s reddish eyes to waver.

“I’m a human being. I came here to become a human being. So, don’t arbitrarily disregard my humanity, alright? From the get-go, I never wanted to become this demon king thing, anyways.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yet, you really wrecked the demon world to your heart’s desire, didn’t you?” (Delkaran)

“Oh, that? Well....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk shrugged his shoulders.

“I mean, watching those weaklings strutting around as if they were hot sh*t really turned my stomach, you know? Isn’t that how it is?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Hahahahahahah!!” (Delkaran)

Delkaran happily guffawed.

Those weaklings....

Surely, only Yi Ji-Hyuk would be capable of saying things like that to other demon kings. Even gods wouldn’t treat demon kings in such a manner.

What a nonsensical level of confidence, manner of speech and actions!

If there was one thing different from back then and now, then it’d be the fact that the Yi Ji-Hyuk of the past possessed the necessary power to realise everything he said, while the current Yi Ji-Hyuk lacked power to do so.

“I finally understand your thought process. Indeed, I now understand you. It seems that I really liked you in the past.” (Delkaran)

“I’m telling you, I’m not into dudes.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Kekeke.” (Delkaran)

Demons were existences faithful to their desires. They did what they wanted to do, and took what they wanted to take. Being completely faithful to their urges and desires, that’s what made a demon, a demon.

However, even demon kings couldn’t live as they pleased. Reaching a compromise with the reality of things was a fact of life, after all.

Yi Ji-Hyuk was different from everyone else, though. He lived as he pleased. He climbed up to the position of the demon king and pummelled the demon world as he saw fit.

Others wondered if he was aiming to conquer the entire demon world, but then he proceeded to do stuff that would be harmful to him just because he wasn’t feeling happy. And then, he’d use brute force to suppress any problems arising from there before causing another incident somewhere else.

He was a human, yet he was more demon-like than demons themselves.

When Yi Ji-Hyuk the 99th demon king shook the demon world, Delkaran felt this inexplicable sense of humiliation.

Was it because Yi Ji-Hyuk was powerful? That wasn’t it. If that was the reason, then Delkaran would have felt humiliated by other, stronger demon kings.

No, there was something different about him.

And right in this moment, Delkaran finally discovered the reason why Yi Ji-Hyuk managed to make it feel so humiliated.

Yi Ji-Hyuk – this demon king was supposed to be a human, but he was the most exemplary demon out there.

“If I came to this world on my own volition.... we might have been sharing a glass of booze with each other.” (Delkaran)

Yi Ji-Hyuk frowned deeply.

“Sorry, but no thanks. Booze in this world doesn’t taste good.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Kekeke. That’s too bad. But, it’s fine. I came here because I’ve been ordered to, anyway. That great being wants your head.” (Delkaran)

“H-mm?”

Yi Ji-Hyuk roughly scratched his head.

“I really don’t want to get involved in the matters of the demon world, but you know, don’t you think it’s you guys that keep harassing me? I’m really getting fed up here. I promise I’ll never step foot back inside the demon world, so like, how about you just quietly go back home?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You know that’s impossible, don’t you? That great being’s command must take priority over all else.” (Delkaran)

“Maybe you think this is you being loyal, but you see, in this world, guys like you are called ‘one-track-minded’.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Doesn’t matter either way. It’s not important how I’m judged. There is only one important thing. Yi Ji-Hyuk....” (Delkaran)

“Mm?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You shall die today. You shall definitely die in this place. Allow me to end what has been a short life of yours.” (Delkaran)

“....It might be short in your standard, but in human terms, I seriously lived for a long time.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“No more chit chat.” (Delkaran)

Delkaran’s body shifted into a fighting stance. Yi Ji-Hyuk read the change and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, it was you who insisted on shooting the breeze with a guy getting ready to fight from the get-go. So why are you making me the loudmouth here?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Well, he was a loudmouth, but still.

“Besides, I think you’re still mistaken about something here....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Delkaran didn’t respond. Yi Ji-Hyuk wasn’t expecting a reply, anyway.

“Those words? That’s my line, Delkaran. What a shame that the place your long, illustrious life is coming to an end isn’t the demon world. But, don’t you worry. If any part of your corpse remains, I’ll try my best to send it back to the demon world, okay?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s eyes began dyeing in the crimson hue as well.

Here.

In the middle of London....

....Two demon kings started their offensive to take each other’s neck.

< 215. Do you remember the Eye of Latrel? -5 > Fin.