Chapter 4: South Korea's First Returnee
At the same time Yoo jin returned to Earth from the Alkarthus continent after one hundred years.
South Korea Hunter Association Headquarters.
An anomaly was detected at the Gate Management Center located on its lowest floor.
Emergency sirens began to wail inside the management room, where silence had been continuing.
The backs of the researchers who were sitting languidly bent like bows in an instant.
"Anomalous Gate reaction!"
"Location is point V846, near Mount Hwangnyong."
The fingers of the researchers sitting in front of the mechanical device with a huge screen moved restlessly.
"Intensity level 8, Rank is B. No, A……."
"It is continuing to rise even now! Team Leader, this is……."
Anxious gazes that were looking at the screen blinking red headed towards the back in unison.
The siren sound aggravating the anxiety and the venue turned completely red.
All eyes of the researchers gathered in one place and opened their mouths in unison.
"It's a Dungeon Break."
Silence continued for a very short moment.
Researchers swallowed dry saliva and were waiting for the mouth of the man sitting at the back to open.
A man with disheveled hair pushed the chopsticks he was about to put into his mouth back into the cup noodles and let out a sigh.
"How many times is it just this year. Until last year, it appeared maybe once a year or not. As soon as I became Team Leader, it’s like this. Ha―, should I attend a temple or something?"
Unlike the dark expressions all directed at him, the attitude of the man called Team Leader was extremely relaxed.
One of the researchers who was gauging the mood shouted.
"Team Leader! It’s an emergency situation!"
"I know, I’m watching too. If my mom finds out her precious son is working without even eating breakfast, she’ll cry, she’ll cry."
The man who put down the cup noodles he was holding on the desk rose from his seat.
Then, the gaze changed in an instant.
The man capturing the huge screen in his eyes opened his mouth.
"If it’s point V846, it’s not Seoul, but close to Goyang City. If it’s Goyang City, contact the Ignis Guild immediately."
One wondered if he was the same person who was making relaxed jokes just a moment ago.
The female researcher who shouted it was an emergency situation also stood blankly at the Team Leader’s changed appearance, then flinched in surprise and put her hands on the electronic device again.
Instructions without superfluity followed.
"Since the executives probably haven't come to work yet. Tell them to deploy the 5-Minute Standby Team first. Take initial measures and contact right away to deploy the identification team."
At the appearance different from usual, researchers captured the Team Leader’s face with side glances.
Even looking several times, it certainly didn't match.
A person who usually finds even going to report annoying and makes jokes asking someone to take the Team Leader position.
Only when a situation occurred, his eyes changed like a different person.
Not only the eyes but tone and voice, and even the crisp gestures.
The atmosphere changed.
The Team Leader who finished instructions took out a mobile phone from his pocket and said.
"That’s enough for basic measures. I will handle the rest directly."
For a personal call, the man headed to the door to leave the lab.
[Ignis Guild Master]
010 xxxx xxxx
"Since he is a gentleman with a lot of morning sleep, he won't pick up if I contact him for work."
The screen changed and a ringtone began to go.
"Uh…… Uh……."
"This is……."
As soon as the Team Leader’s hand touched the doorknob, surprised voices of researchers came in.
The Team Leader’s gaze moved.
Past the researchers with stiff expressions to the screen they were looking at.
[DKLS]
Letters filling the screen.
The Team Leader’s expression sank in an instant.
One researcher sitting in the seat gauged the mood and opened his mouth.
"T, Team Leader. It is not a Gate. This reaction is……."
"……."
[DKLS]
Dimension Key Link System.
Unidentified Multi-Dimension Portal.
A compressed unknown Gate of high concentration connected to another dimension.
That is, if put in words ordinary people can understand.
The ringtone disappeared from the Team Leader’s mobile phone and a man’s voice sounding like scratching iron flowed out.
―Why are you calling from the morning.
"Uh, Brother. Wake up immediately. Finally……."
The Team Leader who came out the door quickly confirmed he became alone and opened his mouth.
"A Returnee has appeared in our country too."
It was the appearance of the 4th Returnee reported worldwide.
***
Near Mt. Hwangnyong.
Around the time a little more time had passed after Yoo jin saved Jin-ho falling from the cliff.
Tears disappeared from Jin-ho’s eyes.
Along with the anger dwelling on his face.
"Thank you for saving me."
"What, doing a good student cosplay now?"
"Being grateful is…… being grateful, so."
At Jin-ho’s appearance speaking without even being able to make eye contact, a faint smile hung on Yoo jin’s face.
Smack.
A back smash flew onto the shrinking Jin-ho’s back.
"Straighten your shoulders, punk. What did you do wrong to be so discouraged?"
"Ugh……."
Along with a short moan, Jin-ho’s shoulders straightened, and his back bent straight like a bow.
Yoo jin’s eyes, which were grinning while watching such Jin-ho, stopped at a certain place.
"By the way, are you a Taewoon High student?"
"How did you……."
Yoo jin moved his gaze with a chin gesture.
Jin-ho’s eyes following naturally.
The symbol of Taewoon High visible on his school uniform jacket.
"Ah, because of this……."
"Well, I know very well even without that, but anyway setting that aside, what grade are you?"
"2nd year."
"2nd year. Was that guy also a 2nd year……."
"Who is that guy?"
"There is someone, my disciple."
"Disciple? Come to think of it, even when you spoke to me at the cliff……. Mister, are you perhaps a teacher?"
"I am……."
Thud thud thud thud!
Yoo jin’s expression as he was opening his mouth crumpled.
Noisy footsteps that appeared before anyone knew gathered around the tree where Yoo jin and Jin-ho were sitting in an instant.
Personnel heavily armed while wearing black masks.
Whether he recognized them, a voice flowed out from Jin-ho’s mouth.
"5-Minute Standby Team?"
Yoo jin relaxed the strength in the fist he had clenched.
Judging by Jin-ho’s reaction, they didn't seem to be dangerous guys.
Because fear was not visible on Jin-ho’s face even though they were standing in front heavily armed to this extent.
Rather, unlike before, his eyes seemed to have become more sparkling?
Yoo jin’s gaze passed Jin-ho’s brightened face and moved to the heavily armed ones again.
He had noticed the presence of a group approaching from afar, but he didn't know they would arrive this quickly.
Judging by the restrained movements and the energy of mana radiating out.
‘Seems they are guys who received quite some training.’
While Yoo jin was capturing the appearances of the heavily armed men one by one.
New footsteps appeared from the back.
Clatter.
Clatter.
Although not armed like the guys in front of his eyes, people holding strange equipment in their hands revealed themselves in a crowd.
There were people wandering around repeatedly holding strange mechanical equipment.
And people tying yellow tape between trees were also seen.
One of the people who suddenly appeared and moved approached in front of Yoo jin.
A man who was not armed, but gave a stronger impression than the armed personnel in the back.
Yoo jin’s eyebrows drew an arc.
A feeling of a strong person felt after a long time.
The man who swept his hair all back extended a hand to Yoo jin and opened his mouth.
"I am the one serving as the Vice Guild Master at Ignis Guild……."
"Lee Si-wang……."
Jin-ho raised a hand and covered his mouth quickly.
Probably came out without him realizing.
Showing a relaxed smile, Lee Si-wang continued speaking towards Yoo jin again.
"I am Lee Si-wang. It is awkward to say this as soon as we meet, but. You will have to go with us to our Guild Headquarters."
"What?"
"Seems I was a little coercive. I would appreciate it if you go to Ignis Guild together. Since the Guild Master said he definitely wants to see you."
"Are you taking me knowing who I am?"
"Of course I know."
Lee Si-wang opened his mouth very quietly so that even the 5-Minute Standby Team in the back wouldn't hear.
"Congratulations on your return, South Korea’s First Returnee-Sir."
At that voice, Jin-ho’s expression disappeared.
***
Yoo jin moved to the Guild Headquarters through the vehicle provided by Ignis Guild.
That vehicle, which people uninterested in cars would all know is used only when treating VIPs, was moving for Yoo jin.
Inside that luxurious car.
Personnel excluding the driver were gathered in a wide space that didn't feel like the interior of a vehicle.
Seats that looked luxurious at a glance under soft lighting.
They even looked like expensive sofas rather than vehicle seats.
Three men sitting on each side of the seat made eye contact above the table provided in the center of the seats.
"Does the guild have a lot of money? This car looks expensive?"
"Well, Ignis Guild is a guild within the top three in South Korea currently. And going to escort a Returnee-sir, this much is basic. If the distance was just a little further, we would have launched a private jet."
At the bluff that wasn't a bluff, Yoo jin let out a scoff.
"Geez, what’s so great about a Returnee."
"They are great. Until a while ago, the number of Returnees in the whole world was three. All three possessed strong power enough to sway the national power of that country as soon as they returned. With that power, they are currently receiving worldwide attention and have become tremendous celebrities. There were three such Returnees, no, now there are four."
"And it’s the first for Korea?"
At Yoo jin’s voice, Lee Si-wang’s eyes hardened into a straight line.
A faint smile hung on the face of Lee Si-wang, whose expression had stopped for a moment.
"You are quick-witted."
"When talking about Returnees, you spoke as if envious. Well, even if not that, seeing you push quickly without a gap to think like this, the angle roughly comes out too."
"Angle, you say?"
"Preemption or monopoly."
At Yoo jin’s voice, a crack occurred in the smile covered on Lee Si-wang’s face.
However, Lee Si-wang put on a mask again in an instant.
"I really can’t win against you. Well, from our position, it is true that we naturally want to escort Returnee-sir, but that is outside our authority. Since the key to choice is held by Returnee-sir. I will just say I would appreciate it if you look upon us favorably."
As Yoo jin nodded silently, Lee Si-wang continued speaking again.
"Let’s talk about heavy stories step by step with the Guild Master after going to the guild. I only received the mission to escort Returnee-sir safely to the guild."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes?"
Yoo jin said while resting his hand on the table placed in the middle.
"Asking if you are sure you only received that mission."
"What does that mean……."
"I have a bit of an occupational disease. I kind of hate lying."
Yoo jin’s gaze moved to the cola placed on the table.
"And I hate being monitored even more."
One corner of Yoo jin’s mouth went up.
Chill.
A very short time.
That momentary instant an ordinary person wouldn't even detect the atmosphere.
Lee Si-wang definitely noticed Yoo jin’s change.
Outwardly, he seems to be showing a light laugh, but Lee Si-wang sitting opposite definitely received it.
The intention that smile gives.
That was a final warning.
Tremendous chill encroached on his whole body.
He had never felt this level of pressure.
Even in the S-rank dungeon he entered following the Guild Master.
Even when meeting the second Returnee called the Supreme King of Asia, he had never received this feeling.
He was ranked an overwhelming 1st place even among South Korea’s A-ranks.
Even so, he was powerless.
He didn't use magic power or force, but this man ended the fight.
No, the fight didn't even establish.
This person drew out instinct.
That human nature to want to live, which everyone possesses if they are human.
"Why are you so stiff, I was joking?"
Making a playful smile, Yoo jin picked up one of the colas placed on the table.
"Kya, delicious! How long has it been since cola."
The thrill felt after one hundred years.
Yoo jin couldn't take his eyes off the cola can.
Whether greatly moved, he began to pour out praises about cola to Jin-ho who had been sitting quietly until now.
Jin-ho showing an awkward laugh as if playing along.
In contrast, Lee Si-wang’s expression was quite different from before.
Lee Si-wang who maintained a relaxed attitude disappeared.
And a man whose mood sank as if he were a different person at a glance was sitting in the seat.
When facing the Returnee for the first time, actually he was relieved.
No, he regretted being tense.
Of course, since he is a Returnee, he would possess stronger power than ordinary Hunters, but his appearance didn't look that strong compared to what he thought.
Personality also seemed milder than other Returnees.
He didn't know what happened, but judging by being kind to the student who was together, there didn't seem to be a problem character-wise.
So he pushed the work quickly.
Kidnapping not kidnapping to Ignis Guild by bringing a car.
And reported that situation in real-time.
Through the cola can placed on the table.
To be exact, through the micro-camera installed on the cola can.
Gulp.
Lee Si-wang thought.
That today is the luckiest day in his life.
He lifted the cola can placed on the table and lowered it to the floor.
Together with the micro-camera.
And sent a message for the report.
[Guild Master, I found out one thing for sure. This Returnee will become the savior of Korea, no, the world.]
It is said that there are several strong people transcending common sense including Returnees in the whole world.
Even the S-rank called the Transcendent.
Even the Heavenly King of America called the strongest Returnee.
No, Lee Si-wang was certain that even if all those personnel are combined, they wouldn't be able to beat this Returnee in front of his eyes.
[At the same time, he possesses the power to destroy the world.]