The Returner

Chapter 149: You can take care of it, anyway (4)

While Xui Feng was seriously pondering his future, Kim Dah-Hyun shouted out.

“Excuse me, can’t you do something here first?” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Seo Ah-Young shot back at him.

“Can’t you do something that minor by yourself?” (Seo Ah-Young)

“....What can I do? My firepower is weak, you know.” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Tears began forming in Kim Dah-Hyun’s eyes.

He could proudly boast that he’d not lose to any ability user out there, but then again, he was someone with astonishing speed but not much in the way of attack power. He had no real method of killing such a huge monster.

He could continue to annoy the dang thing for three days and three nights straight, but he didn’t have any finishers to speak of.

“How embarrassing for a grown man.” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Why are you talking about being a man here?!” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

“A man should have some determination!” (Seo Ah-Young)

“I have it!! I definitely have it, you know!!” (Kim Dah-Hyun) (TL: The whole joke here is that the line “My firepower is weak” was written with a pun that, uh, can also mean premature ejaculation....)

Xui Feng quietly stared at Kim Dah-Hyun shouting out in rage, and asked the translator next to him.

“What are they talking about?” (Xui Feng)

“....It’s better that you don’t know, sir.”

Xui Feng looked at the now-silent translator and nodded his head.

Normally, he’d scold this punk for being an insolent little b*stard, but he realised that he should just heed this suggestion.

How suspicious it was, the left side of his head that had been throbbing in pain for a while now. Unless he was prepared to get carted away to a hospital with cerebral haemorrhage, he had to keep calm and soldier on.

“Still, get an ambulance ready, just in case.” (Xui Feng)

“Is it for the injured, sir?”

“....Just get one ready, okay?” (Xui Feng)

“Yes, sir.”

Meanwhile, Seo Ah-Young displayed her supreme level of irritation at Kim Dah-Hyun’s complaints, and shouted at Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“Fine. Fine, so let me down first.” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Others might think I’m tormenting you or something when they hear you!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Just do it!” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Sure, sure.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk put her down and quickly retreated, making sure that Seo Ah-Young didn’t start attacking him again.

However, she simply ignored him, took several deep breaths, and focused her attention on the giant. It was as if she had decided to take care of this situation, now that play time was over.

“Fuu-upeuh!!”

From her hands, flames viciously erupted out.

“Hmm.....”

Yi Ji-Hyuk looked at that spectacle and nodded his head.

She sure has great firepower, doesn’t she?

I mean, it’d be perfect if I could just roast a sweet potato in there. (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Regardless of whether Yi Ji-Hyuk was smacking his lips or not, Seo Ah-Young only focused on her own task. The dancing flames the size of your average-sized building gathered around her hands and condensed.

RUMBLE-!!

When the roar of the dancing flames exploded out, the eyes of all those watching on began to tremble from the shock.

“Is this the true power of the Flame Witch?”

They all had heard that she was strong.

Even though she was from that small country, Seo Ah-Young was often referred to as a top world-class ability user. So, quite obviously, they should’ve known that she was a powerful individual.

However, this was.....

Didn’t this feel like her power level simply exceeded their imaginations?

Right on the spot, Xui Feng compared the level of Seo Ah-Young’s power to those of the Chinese ability users.

‘We might be able to defeat her.’ (Xui Feng)

Even if there were three Seo Ah-Young-level existences, killing her would still be possible. However, the price to pay for doing that would be truly enormous. He’d have to risk a near annihilation, even.

There was no way anyone would think about sacrificing all of their ability users just to kill one Seo Ah-Young.

‘In that case, we can’t defeat her.’ (Xui Feng)

She could be defeated, but couldn’t be.

They could win, but it’d be the same thing as not winning, too.

Not only that....

“Just how many ability users on that level are in South Korea?” (Xui Feng)

“..........”

No one replied to him. He wasn’t expecting one, anyway.

And the idiot busy making a fool of the giant over there was also not some average common-or-garden ability user either, although his conduct remained rather questionable still.

Any old user wouldn’t even be able to catch the sight of that guy’s shadow.

And most importantly....

The pressure emitted from Yi Ji-Hyuk, capable of subduing that Seo Ah-Young in less than 30 seconds and hanging her upside down to dry, was just indescribably huge.

The more Xui Feng thought about it, the stranger the whole thing became.

He had calculated that half of all Chinese ability users would be injured big and small, in order to defeat Seo Ah-Young, yet he could subdue her in less than 30 seconds!

In that case, just how great was the gap in power here?

Just how many combatants would one need to mobilize in order to defeat that utterly hateful little b*stard??

Xui Feng’s head began hurting real bad now.

And to make matters worse, that man definitely hid most of his true powers, too.

Xui Feng heard that the Americans suddenly became very, very cordial with the Koreans recently, and there was a reason for that. Those people must’ve finished their assessment on Yi Ji-Hyuk by now.

Well, they had experienced him too, so there was that.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’ (Xui Feng)

A strong bout of confusion and chaos filled Xui Feng’s head, as he thought about just how he should report this matter to his superiors.

How should he go about explaining it to them that a country they thought to be nothing more than a backwater village or some such, now possessed the power that equalled – no, exceeded, what they so proudly boasted?

Should he tell them that they needed to treat Korea as an equal, because one man called Yi Ji-Hyuk was far too dangerous?

Or, he could be honest and tell them that, without Yi Ji-Hyuk helping them out, horrible things would keep happening, so it was only correct for them to adopt a subservient attitude.

Would Xui Feng’s neck still be in its original place after he said those words out aloud?

While Xui Feng was stewing inside his own dilemma, Seo Ah-Young was about to pour out the concentrated flames on the giant.

“Chaaaaahht!!” (Seo Ah-Young)

The flames erupting out from her hands were no longer in the shades of regular flames but in a deep crimson hue.

The blood-red flames condensed into the size of a basketball and flew towards the giant.

It was definitely not an easy thing for such a huge body to dodge the basketball-sized flames, and in the end, the giant failed to evade on time from the flames landing on its foot.

Rumble!

The flames touched the giant’s foot. And in that instant, a huge explosion enveloped its entire leg.

*SFX for the scream of the giant*

The massive scream erupting out of the giant’s mouth caused the ground to rumble in shock.

Xui Feng gritted his teeth after he felt the ground vibrate as if an earthquake was breaking out.

The giant fell down and rolled around on the ground as its building-sized leg caught on fire and burned fiercely.

“Wow, that really surprised me!” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

When the giant instantly fell and rolled on the ground, Kim Dah-Hyun became airborne for a second, but he kicked the air repeatedly and returned to the solid ground.

“Say something before you do that next time!!” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

“You wanna roll around like that, too?” (Seo Ah-Young)

“I’m sorry.” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Yup, strength ruled.

Kim Dah-Hyun grumbled inwardly, but still, he didn’t have the balls to argue with Seo Ah-Young. Back then or now.

“What is taking so long?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Just as Kim Dah-Hyun was about to say something, an irritated voice came from behind him.

He didn’t have to turn around to tell who the owner of that voice was. No normal person could so accurately convey his irritation in his voice, after all.

“But, as you can see, it’s a huge creature.” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

“What do you mean, huge! It’s like I’m looking at a toddler!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“....You still have eyes on your head, yes?” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Yi Ji-Hyuk clicked his tongue.

What do you mean, that’s huge?

To a giant, that thing’s like a dwarf! Like, a still growing toddler!

No, wait. They are not the same species, so I can’t call it a toddler, but still, that thing’s on the small side, you know! (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

“Just mop it up quickly, anyway! I told you two to finish it up yourselves, yet you ended up causing a stupid ruckus and made me come here!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Who made you come here?!

You didn’t explain anything before throwing us in here, so who are you blaming now?!

I’ve got so many things I wanna say, but! (Kim Dah-Hyun’s inner monologue)

....But, Kim Dah-Hyun closed shut his mouth, instead.

He had not yet seen a single person who dared to argue with this guy meet a good end.

“Looks like it can’t be helped. I shall lend a hand here.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“....Eh?”

Kim Dah-Hyun began shuddering.

Lend a hand?

Did he really say he’d help?

“Mm. Well, by lending a hand, did you mean what I think you meant?” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

“Ng. Probably?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Kim Dah-Hyun clenched his fists.

‘If we fight together...!’ (Kim Dah-Hyun)

If he could fight alongside Seo Ah-Young, then he might be able to....

By the way.... where did she disappear to?

Kim Dah-Hyun hurriedly searched for the now-gone-without-trace Seo Ah-Young’s whereabouts, only for his jaw to fall to the ground after spotting her behind Yi Ji-Hyuk, busy massaging his shoulders.

“Does it feel good?” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Yup, yup!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

And, Yi Ji-Hyuk was busy growling in contentment like a full-bellied puppy.

“I thought it’d be wonderful to massage your shoulders with my hands warmed up, so I researched the methods for a bit.” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Ng. This is great.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

That, that treacherous woman!!

You were ready to chew Yi Ji-Hyuk inside out a minute ago, but what the hell are you doing now?! (Kim Dah-Hyun’s inner monologue)

“Is there a reason for you to help, though?” (Seo Ah-Young)

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head after hearing Seo Ah-Young’s words.

“But, didn’t you ask for my help earlier?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Well, it’s the way you help that counts, you see. If you were planning to do that, then there’s no need to do it to two people, no?” (Seo Ah-Young)

“M-mm. That is true, too.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Killing a mob monster like that, only one person should be sufficient.” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Ng.”

Yi Ji-Hyuk nodded his head as if he found her words logical.

“But, what are we to do? If I head out to fight, then it’d be difficult to massage your shoulders....” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Uh? You’re right!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Naturally, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s eyes landed on Kim Dah-Hyun next.

A strand of cold sweat travelled down Kim Dah-Hyun’s face, before he desperately opened his mouth.

“I-I am...!” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

“You’ve got nothing to do, right?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“....Should I go and fetch my sister?” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

When Yi Ji-Hyuk glared back with a pair of soulless eyes, Kim Dah-Hyun’s head dropped low.

If he knew this might happen, he should’ve learned sports massage or something!

“...Let me do it.” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

“That’s a commendable position to take.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

While looking at the giant monster as it tried to stand back up with one leg half-roasted, Yi Ji-Hyuk extended his arm towards Kim Dah-Hyun.

“Finish it off quickly.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ha-ah....”

Kim Dah-Hyun spat out a long groan.

He just could not get used to what was about to happen, no matter how many times he had to do it.

A black tentacle shot out from Yi Ji-Hyuk’s hand and wrapped around Kim Dah-Hyun’s body. And then, magical energy was poured into the poor man.

*SFX for Kim Dah-Hyun crying out in pain*

Kim Dah-Hyun began writhing in pain.

He already knew this, but a normal person would find it incredibly difficult to endure the pain coming from this strange energy digging into his body.

But then again, there was a reason why he needed to endure it.

“Ha-ah....” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

Once the black tentacle went away, a long, deep sigh leaked out of Kim Dah-Hyun’s lips.

“I feel.....” (Kim Dah-Hyun)

....Like c**p, and so, so good.

“Uwaaaahhh!!”

Kim Dah-Hyun roared out and began dashing forward.

“How energetic.” (Seo Ah-Young)

Seo Ah-Young clicked her tongue.

She too had experienced that a few times by now. When the magical energy entered her body, she’d be overcome with a rather strange feeling.

Uncontrollably boiling impulses, malice, and the desire to murder.

Hatred for everything she could see.

The base desire to destroy everything.

She’d be overcome with a really dirty sensation where it felt like a different version of her appeared inside her mind and took control of her body.

But, there was a simple reason why anyone would risk this.

And Kim Dah-Hyun was splendidly displaying that reason.

He left behind a lengthy black trail of afterimages like a black bullet and flew straight into the pit of the monster’s stomach.

KWABOOM!!

The lone human’s body slammed deeply into the giant’s solid iron-like torso, and as if a massive bomb had gone off, a powerful explosion rang out.

Oooooohhh!

The giant’s mouth flew wide open, as its massive frame was lifted up from the ground. Indeed, the impact force was so great that the over 20-metre tall giant’s frame had become airborne.

“Uwaaaah!!”

Kim Dah-Hyun didn’t stop there; he used the giant’s body as a foothold and kicked away, before building up more momentum and kicked the face of the airborne creature.

KWAAAHHHANG!

The huge monster’s body flew in the air and slammed into a nearby mountain, destroying it in half.

“Fuuuuhup!”

With his eyes completely bloodshot, Kim Dah-Hyun flew like an evil apparition towards the giant still buried inside the crumbling mountain.

Slam!! Boom!! Thud!!

He then kicked, kicked, and then kicked some more!

To Xui Feng’s eyes, it was as if he was watching a black hornet repeatedly sting a person. Kim Dah-Hyun might lack the venom-filled stinger, but he possessed far more frightening destructive power.

*SFX for bones breaking*

Kim Dah-Hyun’s kicks eventually crushed the giant’s body and tore off its huge neck.

“Enoughhhh!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

When Yi Ji-Hyuk’s voice loudly resounded out, Kim Dah-Hyun’s frenzied eyes sharply glared back at him.

“Tsk.”

Yi Ji-Hyuk stared at the berserk Kim Dah-Hyun and slowly unfurled more of his black tentacles.

“Still can’t control it properly, eh. Well, if you lost your mind, time to get a beating, then.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk grinned refreshingly.

< 149. You can take care of it, anyway -4 > Fin.