The Returner Chapter 204

"You stupid b*stard!" (Christopher McLaren)

Stephen Bosch was unable to rebut the outpouring of insults directed his way.

"I've told you repeatedly that this matter is of the utmost importance. Yet, the guy put in charge of the trip not only failed to resolve the situation, you actually took the lead and forced this whole thing further into a d*mn pit?" (Christopher McLaren)

"No, that was not…." (Stephen Bosch)

"You better watch what comes out of that mouth right now. Or else, we're gonna confirm whether a bullet gets stuck in your neck bone or goes straight through you!" (Christopher McLaren)

"………"

Stephen Bosch couldn't say anything and cast his head down.

‘That crazy son of a b*tch.' (Stephen Bosch)

Yi Ji-Hyuk's way of thinking simply exceeded way beyond his imaginations. Someone with a head screwed on properly would never have acted like that.

"However, sir. Common sense wise, I…." (Stephen Bosch)

"Common sense?! Did you just say common sense??" (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren grabbed the ashtray and threw it at Stephen Bosch.

Really now, how dangerous would an ashtray thrown by a regular person be to an ability user? But then again, that was precisely the reason why he found himself in a dilemma.

Stephen Bosch watched the ashtray flying in a slow motion towards him and pondered whether he should get hit by it or avoid it altogether.

Since it wouldn't hurt at all, he didn't mind getting hit, but then, he didn't feel like doing that either after seeing all the cigar ash inside the ashtray itself.

In the end, he tilted his body slightly out of the way and dodged. He then quickly checked for Christopher McLaren's response.

"Groan…."

Fortunately, his boss didn't seem to care about whether the ashtray found its mark or not at the moment. Instead, he roughly snapped the end off of a cigar, lit it up and took a long, long puff.

"Now, what am I supposed to do about this mess?" (Christopher McLaren)

He originally thought that there would've been at least one month of leeway before the second batch had to be dispatched, but this….

Since every second counted, the second batch was being hastily organised right now, but their quality would obviously be lacking in comparison with the first group that had gone through a far more rigorous selection process.

"Why?! Why did you do something this stupid?? Why!!" (Christopher McLaren)

"I was just trying to stare him down, sir. That's all." (Stephen Bosch)

"You think a human can start a staring contest with a lion?!" (Christopher McLaren)

"However, we had numbers on our side. And also, don't we have the differences in the national power? I can't understand why you want us to submit and lower our heads unconditionally, sir." (Stephen Bosch)

"You can't understand it?" (Christopher McLaren)

"I get it that he's very powerful. But, he's not as powerful as the United States. Am I wrong?" (Stephen Bosch)

Christopher McLaren silently glared at Stephen before opening his mouth.

"Looks like you're mistaken about something here…." (Christopher McLaren)

"Yes, sir?" (Stephen Bosch)

"Are you the United States of America?" (Christopher McLaren)

"……."

"Sure, it's rather commendable that you think of yourself as the nation you represent - when you're volunteering your services to the nation, that is. However, you're sorely mistaken if you think your country will cover for every single mistake you make." (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren's voice grew lower and heavier the more he spoke.

"You've crossed the line this time." (Christopher McLaren)

"But, sir!" (Stephen Bosch)

"You as the leader didn't even bother to hold back and displayed that much hostility, so who among your group would step forward willingly to let Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk train them? In the end, 300 ability users lost their chance to enhance themselves even further because of your independent actions. How will you take responsibility for this mess?" (Christopher McLaren)

"I was just…." (Stephen Bosch)

Murderous intent finally crept into Christopher McLaren's eyes.

"I shall admit that half of the blame lies with me. I figured that at the bare minimum, you were someone with a functioning brain inside that cranium of yours. But as it turns out, that wasn't the case. Indeed, it's somewhat my fault for judging someone incorrectly. If that's not it, then maybe I've been too tired and stressed out recently. Especially when I think about why I failed to explain this matter in detail to you." (Christopher McLaren)

He might ostensibly be talking about his part of the blame, but the contents of his words still clearly blamed Stephen Bosch for everything.

"Sir, this is unfair. I haven't done anything wrong." (Stephen Bosch)

"Sure, sure. I'm sure you feel that way. But, here's the weird thing. All those having this type of conversation with me in this office say the exact same thing towards the end." (Christopher McLaren)

‘…The end?!' (Stephen Bosch)

Cold perspiration soaked Stephen Bosch's back.

The meaning of ‘the end' was simple - that these two men would never meet face to face like this in the future.

He wouldn't get dragged away to a summary execution just because he p*ssed off his boss like in the past, but well, it meant that he'd never get to stand in this position as an ability user ever again.

"G-give me another chance. I'll redeem myself." (Stephen Bosch)

"No, there's no need. You should worry about how to compensate for your gaffe, rather than thinking of redeeming yourself. Actually, I'd rather court marshal you right now, but that would only complicate matters even further, so for the time being, throw yourself in the brig. Your fate will be decided at a later date." (Christopher McLaren)

"B-but, director!!" (Stephen Bosch)

"That's enough. Take him away." (Christopher McLaren)

As soon as those words left Christopher McLaren's mouth, the door to the office was flung open and agents decked out in black suits entered to grab both arms of Stephen Bosch.

"Director! Sir, I was only just….!" (Stephen Bosch)

"Let's skip this cliché moment, shall we? I prefer clean exits. Carry on."

Christopher McLaren turned his attention away after finis.h.i.+ng his words. Stephen Bosch continued to scream as he got dragged away.

"G.o.d d*mn it." (Christopher McLaren)

He was really tempted to put a bullet through the head of that idiot, but…. But, this was not the seventies anymore. If he did something like that, even Christopher McLaren wouldn't be able to  survive the aftermath.

"Just how bad is the fallout from this?" (Christopher McLaren)

He couldn't quite grasp it at the moment.

The biggest loss this time around was that nearly 300 American ability users lost their chance to get an upgrade to their powers.

If this event occurred when there was only Yi Ji-Hyuk present, then he might have sneaked a few back in the later batches and smooth things over that way, but since Choi Jung-Hoon was also present there, solving this crisis that way would not work anymore.

"D*mn it." (Christopher McLaren)

Which could only mean that he needed to give up on those 300.

Not all the elites had been included in that group, but still, some of the better ones out there, quality-wise, was indeed among the batch so Christopher McLaren couldn't help but feel really bitter right now.

But, the bigger problem had to do with what Yi Ji-Hyuk thought of this situation.

Christopher McLaren had to plead and beg and whatnot to finally secure the deal to train the American ability users, but then, this c**p happened on the very first day. It'd not be strange for that man to walk away from the training altogether now.

He did ask for the next batch to be sent over, so that might mean he was still somewhat willing to go through with the training, but well, a person's mind never really operated that way, did it?

"Groan…."

Christopher McLaren searched for his ashtray only to find it discarded at the corner of the office and angrily stubbed his cigar on his desk, instead.

He then picked his smartphone up.

I need to control this situation.

I'm sure Yi Ji-Hyuk's temper has cooled down somewhat by now. (Christopher McLaren's inner monologue)

"M-mm…."

Christopher McLaren felt like a kid trudging back home to his parents with an ‘F' on his school report.

What is Yi Ji-Hyuk doing right now?

What time is it in South Korea?

Will it be fine to give him a call now?

Wait, shouldn't I call Choi Jung-Hoon first to make sure? (Christopher McLaren)

"This sh*t is really killing me." (Christopher McLaren)

Even back in the Cold War era, he wasn't this mindful of the other side. But what the h.e.l.l was he doing now, all because of a single man?

"Yup, it was way better back then." (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren got to realise the direness of the situation he was in once more.

At the same time, Yi Ji-Hyuk spending a very languid day.

"Is it fine for us to be doing this?" (Seo Ah-Young)

"….Well, the training hasn't been officially cancelled so we don't have anything else to do…." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

"Even still, isn't this a bit too much?" (Seo Ah-Young)

"I think the same as you, ma'am." (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Seo Ah-Young and Choi Jung-Hoon were trembling ever so slightly from anxiety. Well, it wasn't as if they hated ‘this'. Actually, they liked it. Very much so, in fact.

However, the problem was with this being in the middle of office hours, and to claim that they were taking a bit of a break due to a lull in the action, well, anyone could see that they were just lounging around completely unchecked right now.

Where were they exactly?

"Ahhh, as I thought, this spot is the best for going on vacations." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk luxuriantly stretched his limbs. He basked in the warmth of the Southern Hemisphere's sunlight.

"Keu-euh…."

Yi Ji-Hyuk was kitted out in a bathing suit, currently enjoying the sunbath. He turned his head to the side after sensing something cold touch his cheek.

"Uh?"

He found Kim Dah-Som standing there while pressing a gla.s.s of juice against his cheek.

"Looks like you're feeling better now?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Yes, I'm okay." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Well, that's a relief." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk didn't say anything else and simply took the juice before slurping it down.

"Kah-hah!"

Now this is paradise.

I'm telling you, a person needs to enjoy his life.

How can you even keep living in that gloomy city every single day? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"As for that crazy lizard woman…." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Affeldrichae said she'd remain in the office because she wanted to play the computer game, instead.

Choi Jung-Hoon pleaded with her to go home and play the dang game there, but she declined in a very dignified way, citing the reasons of the PC's specs as well as the mouse's sensitivity.

"Ah-woo~. This is so nice." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Jeong Hae-Min, too, was lying next to Yi Ji-Hyuk while enjoying the sun in her swimsuit.

"Seriously, summer in the middle of a winter is the best, you know." (Jeong Hae-Min)

For some reason, that didn't sound right.

Didn't the original saying go something like, ‘the best vacation one can have during winter is to visit a beach in the Southern Hemisphere, and in the summer, you go up north to ride on skis'?

"…Did you leave a marker here?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Ng, I did. By the way, you know, you're really sneaky. You could come here whenever you wanted to, yet you made me slave over for you until now?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"I wasn't using you. I was just thinking about efficiency, that's all." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Don't make me laugh." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Yi Ji-Hyuk clicked his tongue.

"What would you know?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It really wasn't because he felt lazy; the thing about efficiency did play a major factor. Trying to open up a Gate consumed quite a large amount of Mana.

If he were to compare it to Ether, then the amount of Mana required to open a Gate to this tropical paradise would be equivalent to the amount of Ether Jeong Hae-Min would need to teleport around the whole day.

Having said, that he couldn't really make an accurate comparison since the two energy types were quite different.

"Well, you brought me here this time, so I'll forgive you." (Jeong Hae-Min)

Jeong Hae-Min formed a cat-like expression and purred in lazy happiness.

Yi Ji-Hyuk smirked after seeing her like that, which triggered her immediately and she began shouting angrily.

"Why are you laughing at me?" (Jeong Hae-Min)

"Lie back down, will ya? You're being noisy. Why don't you lie back down and keep writhing around?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Che."

Jeong Hae-Min wanted to say something else, but Kim Dah-Som's movements were a step quicker.

*SFX for a parasol opening up*

A large beach parasol suddenly opened up above Yi Ji-Hyuk's head.

"Mm?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He was trying to sunbathe, so what was up with this parasol?

"UV rays are harmful to your body. It's for the best to avoid directly sunlight to your facial area." (Kim Dah-Som)

"Oh. Really?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Well, if you say so.

By the way, you. Just where did you bring a parasol from?

I mean, this place is an uninhabited island, you know….

Wait, when I told you to pack your swimsuits, you were busy packing some stuff, so was that when you….?! (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

"And, also…." (Kim Dah-Som)

Other things suddenly began piling up near Yi Ji-Hyuk's head.

"This is a bottle of sunscreen. You should apply them to avoid getting sunburn. And this is multi-vitamins. If you sweat too much, you will lose too much essential amino acids and minerals so you should take one. Also, you might get thirsty later, so you should take this…." (Kim Dah-Som)

Uhm, excuse me, miss?

I'm Yi Ji-Hyuk.

If I were to suffer from something after getting a bit of sun, how would I have ever survived the trials and tribulations of Berafe? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

He had quite a few things he'd like to say, but couldn't.

Affeldrichae told him the gist of what was on Kim Dah-Som's mind when she wanted to learn magic. And that meant he couldn't really come out and say the words of disapproval to her.

"And this is…." (Kim Dah-Som)

"….Enough." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn't say anything else and turned his head away.

Now that he thought about it, no other woman treated him this considerately in his entire life, didn't it?

"….No, hang on. There was one, wasn't there?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Excuse me?" (Kim Dah-Som)

"Nah, it's nothing." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk waved his hand around before covering his face.

Uwaaaah!!

I must've lost my freaking mind!

Here I am, thinking about that crazy woman!!

No! I must completely forget about her! Yes, I must!!

Dang it. I'm already forgetting some stuff of the past, yet why aren't these memories disappearing from my head? Why are they clinging on and tormenting me like this? (Yi Ji-Hyuk's inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk hurriedly shook his head but then, his phone resting near his head began vibrating out of the blue.

"What's this?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

He picked up the device and looked at the screen, only to see the name of Christopher McLaren.

"I saved that uncle's number?? But, when?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head and answered the call.

"h.e.l.lo?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

And then, he heard the incomprehensible yammering coming from the other side. He quickly shouted out.

"Waaait! Wait, wairuh minito!" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"…I'm sorry, what?" (Christopher McLaren)

Yi Ji-Hyuk hurriedly cast the translation magic on himself and, with a much more rea.s.sured look on his face, answered the phone again.

"h.e.l.lo?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"Mister Yi, it's me, Chris." (Christopher McLaren)

"Ah, yes. h.e.l.lo." (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk arrogantly leaned his head back and asked.

"What's up?" (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

"………."

He thought he could hear Christopher McLaren nervously swallow his saliva over the line.

The American was busy telling himself to throw that d*mn Stephen Bosch into the pits of h.e.l.l for making him grovel before Yi Ji-Hyuk, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. He then cautiously opened his mouth to speak.

< 204.="" what's="" up="" with="" this="" chill="" -4=""> Fin.

(TL: In case you haven't figure it out, Yi Ji-Hyuk was speaking in Konglish when crying out ‘Wait'.)