The Returner

Chapter 263: Didn’t you miss me? (3)

“Euh... Euh, ah...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s complexion paled as if he’d seen the devil straight out of hell.

Others, with him, tensed up immediately when that happened.

They couldn’t find any traces of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s usually glib-tongued, annoying attitude, never fearing even in front of other demon kings, only the version of him shaking in pure terror and shock.

How could such a thing even happen?

The Yi Ji-Hyuk they knew was basically courage personified.

Nicely put, he was a brave soul filled to the brim with fighting spirit, not knowing the meaning of retreat. If one was to get just a wee bit honest, then he had long forgotten the meaning of being scared and decided to store his liver back home before showing up here. (TL: I had to cut a substantial portion of the joke from this paragraph as it just didn’t work no matter how I tried to rejig it to fit English. I left the ‘liver’ reference alone, though; In Korea, anyone reckless/foolhardy was said to possess a ‘swollen liver’.)

Yet, such a man was openly displaying terrified he was?

In that case, how horrifying was being inside that office, then?

“Ah... Ah...” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn’t even form a proper sentence as he raised his hand. The gazes of everyone shifted towards the direction his finger was pointing at.

“Ah...” (Seo Ah-Young)

Seo Ah-Young gasped out in surprise. A being that simply didn’t fit in with the rest was there.

‘Beautiful.’ (Seo Ah-Young)

Indeed, ‘beautiful’. There was no other way to describe ‘her’.

After Yi Ji-Hyuk’s entrance, Seo Ah-Young had encountered many women boasting drop-dead gorgeous looks. Kim Dah-Som, for instance, was overwhelmingly beautiful for a human being.

Seo Ah-Young was quietly confident of her own looks, but hell, Kim Dah-Som was just really too stunning, like some kind of life-sized doll. When looked at objectively, even the former couldn’t deny being slightly inferior in contrast to the latter.

However, she comforted herself with the belief that it was fine, after all, there had to be a limit to comparably beautiful people in this world anyway, right?.

Her beliefs were mercilessly shattered again after Affeldrichae made her entrance.

Her visage was simply otherworldly, not human — and as it turned out, she was indeed not human at all. Her charm was so peerless that it seemed as if all the ideals of beauty had been collated to create her, so much so that saying that she surpassed the limits of attractiveness a human could possess would be no exaggeration.

Seo Ah-Young was sure that no one more beautiful than her would ever appear in this world.

But now...

Her freshly mended thoughts were once more fragmented into tinier pieces.

‘So different.’ (Seo Ah-Young)

The woman before Seo Ah-Young was emitting a completely different kind of appeal compared to Affeldrichae.

With jet-black, silky-smooth hair, and the leather tights wrapped around her figure, she diffused a different type of allure compared to the gorgeous, vibrant beauty of Affeldrichae.

However, that snow-white skin, those deep, abysmal eyes, seeming to suck her very existence, and those perfectly-shaped, crimson lips were adequate to utterly seduce even her right now.

Looking closely, a petite tongue, ever so nimble, lightly brushed those luscious lips, just like a snake poking out of its cave.

“Ah.....” (Seo Ah-Young)

Seo Ah-Young was so deeply absorbed by those eyes that a soft moan subconsciously escaped her lips, helping her to regain her bearings in the process.

‘Oh, my god.’ (Seo Ah-Young)

How could a straight woman feel such intense emotions towards another woman?! In that case, what would happen to the men, then?

“Heh...” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Crack.

The moment she saw Choi Jeong-Hoon and his greedy eyes as well as his sweat-drooling face, veins bulged on her forehead!

Slaaaaaap!

“Uwaaaaah!!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

A fiery bombardment rained on his back and soon, he was cowering on the floor, crying out in sheer pain.

The sudden attack stung him all the way down to his marrows!!

“W-what was that for?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“You better wake up, or else!!” (Seo Ah-Young)

“Ah....” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

His cheeks flushed in embarrassment, perhaps realising his own blunder.

Even then, he couldn’t bring himself to raise his head and look forward because he was not confident in keeping his wits if he ever saw that woman’s face again.

Should he say that it felt as if his soul was being sucked out?

It wasn’t simply because the mystery woman was beautiful. No, even if she was an incredibly unattractive hag, what Choi Jeong-Hoon had felt wouldn’t be any different.

‘Just what was that??’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Just by meeting her gaze, he was completely entranced by her. That sensation of his soul being stolen away....

‘Is that why?’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Was that the reason for Yi Ji-Hyuk’s current reaction?

‘That makes sense, no?’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

When one really thought about it, Yi Ji-Hyuk was still a man at the end of the day.

Even though he didn’t display much of a reaction when he was literally being submerged by females who were busy sending him positive vibes continually, causing Choi Jeong-Hoon to wonder if he was a eunuch all this time, regardless of anything, Yi Ji-Hyuk was still biologically a male.

As long as you were a man, there was simply no way you’d not fall for those looks! Definitely!

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Ah, euh....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn’t say anything, only repeating pained grunts intermittently.

“Are you alright?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Euh....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It was then that quiet laughter softly rang out.

“Hohohoho.” (Erukana)

It was nothing more than just a chuckle. Even then, Choi Jeong-Hoon had to do everything in his willpower to calm his wildly-pounding heart.

‘What the hell?!’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Could they even fight?

Was it possible to even throw an attack here?

In a way, it might very well be that they had run into the worst type of a demon king there was for them.

If Yi Ji-Hyuk ended up being charmed by her, then humanity would be finished for good.

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon urgently shouted and raised his head upward.

“Huh?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

He then began tilting it from side to side.

Because, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s current expression was.... too strange.

How should I describe that?

It’s terror, alright, but what?

From the get-go, it’s strange to feel terror above all else when looking at such a stunning woman, yet the terror Yi Ji-Hyuk is feeling, it’s.... What exactly is it.... (Choi Jeong-Hoon’s inner monologue)

‘Where have I seen such an expression before....?’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon had definitely seen an expression similar to this before. Not on Yi Ji-Hyuk’s face, no, but on someone else’s.

Who....

“...Ah!!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

That was it!

It happened on his father’s payday when he was still a young boy. His father spent his entire salary on booze and came home super-drunk, only to run into his mother waiting for him on the street while holding onto the young Choi Jeong-Hoon’s hand. The face his father made on that day was exactly the same as that of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s.

It was the face of a weakling, filled with the combination of terror and despair!

However....

....Why was Yi Ji-Hyuk making such an expression?

As if to satisfy his curiosity, the mystery woman slowly walked forward and approached them.

Step.

Step.

The footsteps were crisp and sturdy, echoing up from the floor and digging into his ears.

Even so, Yi Ji-Hyuk was unable to react properly.

“Why!! Why!!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

It was then that he suddenly began shouting out as if he was having a seizure.

Her lips arced upwards. It was an incredibly alluring grin too. A seductive smile bursting at the seams with an explosive amount of sensuality, that’s what it was.

Choi Jeong-Hoon felt dizzy after looking at it from the side, so how would Yi Ji-Hyuk feel after seeing it head-on??

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, you must not be seduc..... Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk??” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

What is up with this dude?

How can anyone look at such a lovely face and form an expression reserved for looking at disgusting insects?? (Choi Jeong-Hoon’s inner monologue)

‘His mental fortitude is no joke, then.’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

As expected of Yi Ji-Hyuk!

He should not get seduced by a cheap smile like that!

“Why... are you here?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ng?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

What was this? Did they know each other?

It was then — the woman licked her lips and spoke in a sweet, smooth voice.

“Darling!” (Erukana)

....

......

....D-darling?

Is that ‘darling’ the same darling that I know?? (Choi Jeong-Hoon’s inner monologue)

Choi Jeong-Hoon freaked out and hurriedly looked at Yi Ji-Hyuk.

No, it can’t be, right? Right? She said that just to make fun of us, right?

Please say it ain’t so, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk?! (Choi Jeong-Hoon’s inner monologue)

“Hiiiiiiieeeek?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Suddenly, out of the blue, Yi Ji-Hyuk spun around and bolted straight out of there.

“Uwaaaah!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Where do you think you’re going?” (Erukana)

Almost at the same time, within a blink, she disappeared from their view with a poof and reappeared right in front of the fleeing Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“Hiiieeek!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Like a mouse trapped by a preying cat, cold sweat flooded his features, soaking his back wet.

“Didn’t you miss me?” (Erukana)

“NO! Do I look insane to you?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Eii~, I know you missed me!” (Erukana)

“No, neverrrrrr!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ehehe~, but I really missed you~!” (Erukana)

With no warning whatsoever, she dug into Yi Ji-Hyuk’s arms and began rubbing her head against his chin.

It was akin to looking at a kitten that finally located its long-lost mother cat or something, and Choi Jeong-Hoon watched on, his face warped in stupefaction.

What the heck was up with this situation??

“Heeeiiik!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk suddenly pushed her away as if he was kicking away a dangerous serpent, and dashed in the opposite direction with everything he had.

“Uwaaaah!!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Where are you going, darling?” (Erukana)

She shouted at the fleeing man’s back, and he suddenly stiffened up like a rock before falling on the floor with a plop. But he didn’t give up; he began crawling on all fours like a dying man before eventually disappearing from view.

“........”

The remaining people dazedly took in the strange spectacle.

“...Well, that was very cockroach-like, wasn’t it.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

He sure knew how to surpass the limits of a human in various facets.

“M-m-mm....” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon fell deeply in his thoughts, wondering how he should unpack this situation. Thankfully, the mystery woman shifted her gaze and placed her attention unto them next.

“So, you were here, too?” (Erukana)

“Yes.” (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae quietly nodded her head.

“You’re still chasing after my darling, though? But, didn’t I already tell you that I won’t give him up?” (Erukana)

“....I’m not following after him with that goal in mind.” (Affeldrichae)

She was being pushed back?

Affeldrichae, who had always seemed to never back down, even when arguing with Yi Ji-Hyuk, was slowly but surely retreating away.

It was hard to tell exactly what kind of a person Affeldrichae was, but by listening to the conversations she’d hold, one could infer that she was almost on the same level as the world’s greatest existence.

Such a person was awkwardly stepping away and that alone was weirding Choi Jeong-Hoon out.

Plus, how should he say this....

It was as if there was this vague, hard-to-describe emotion running between the two?

“Did you look after my darling well?” (Erukana)

“Yes.” (Affeldrichae)

“Good. For a lizard, you sure know how to do things like that. Don’t forget that I’ll cook you alive if you can’t even do that properly.” (Erukana)

“Yes.” (Affeldrichae)

“If you wish to even walk in my darling’s footsteps, then you better stay sharp, alright?” (Erukana)

“Yes.” (Affeldrichae)

What kind of conversation is this?

What the freak?! (Choi Jeong-Hoon’s inner monologue)

“Uhm.... Affeldrichae-nim?” (Jeong Hae-Min) (TL: “-nim” suffix is a genderless honorific usually used to address someone respectfully. It’s usually paired with one’s profession, though.)

Jeong Hae-Min spoke in a hushed voice to Affeldrichae.

“Yes?” (Affeldrichae)

“This... lady is?” (Jeong Hae-Min)

“Ah.....” (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae began to visibly hesitate all of a sudden.

A Dragon is hesitating!! (Author’s inner monologue)

If the good people from Berafe saw this, then they would have shouted to the high heavens that ‘The Dragon has finally gone mad!’

“This lady is... so, mm....” (Affeldrichae)

As if she had finally organised her thoughts, Affeldrichae opened her lips to speak.

“She’s the holder of Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk’s title, if you will.” (Affeldrichae)

“Ehhhhk?” (Jeong Hae-Min)

“Excuse me?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“What was that?” (Seo Ah-Young)

What was she even talking about here?

The trio tilted their heads, confused, unable to understand at all.

Affeldrichae formed an expression of someone agonising over her next words. She wanted to explain the relationship between Yi Ji-Hyuk and this woman, but she wasn’t sure how to do that in the context of this world’s norms.

“Mm....” (Affeldrichae)

“That’s enough. Step aside.” (Erukana)

“Yes.” (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae submissively took a step back.

Submissively!!!!

How could this be? It wasn’t as if she was a new bride meeting her mother-in-law or something!

“Are you lot friends of my darling?” (Erukana)

“......”

“Why aren’t you answering me?” (Erukana)

“Well, yes.... Let’s say that we are.” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Although the choice of the term ‘friend’ was a bit awkward for everyone else, it was not really necessary to explain why that was at the moment.

It was also doubtful that a demon king would understand the nuance behind the term, work colleagues, either.

“I am Erukana.”

“.......”

“The thirteenth demon king from the demon world. I came to this world to meet up with my darling.” (Erukana)

“Hang on a moment, please!” (Jeong Hae-Min)

It was then, Jeong Hae-Min suddenly stepped forward, her eyes ablaze.

Blazing eyes?!

Against a demon king?

It wouldn’t be strange for her eyes to be plucked out by the demon king for her insolence!

Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk wasn’t even here, too!

“You keep saying darling this and darling that, but just what exactly is your relationship with Ji-Hyuk that you keep calling him a darling?” (Jeong Hae-Min)

“Ng? Have I chosen a wrong word to use, then? That’s odd. I believe I’ve learned enough of this nation’s dialect, though?” (Erukana)

Erukana looked at Affeldrichae. The latter shook her head, looking somewhat stiff.

“No, it’s not wrong.” (Affeldrichae)

“I thought so.” (Erukana)

Erukana purred like a full-bellied cat.

“I knew it. And it sounds just about right, too.” (Erukana)

“B-but, it’s not a wrong word?” (Jeong Hae-Min)

Jeong Hae-Min’s shaky eyes were locked onto Affeldrichae next.

‘Darling’ is the correct expression?

In that case...! (Jeong Hae-Min’s inner monologue)

“Officially, she is....” (Affeldrichae)

The end of Affeldrichae’s sentence drifted away. She bit her bottom lip a little before continuing on.

“This lady here is a demon king of the demon world. She is also, through the means of a contract, the origin of Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk’s dark Mana, and.....” (Affeldrichae)

She chose to speak her words very, very slowly.

“....His current wife.” (Affeldrichae)

At that moment, an earthquake seemed to have erupted within Jeong Hae-Min’s eyes.

It wasn’t just her, though.

Others were also rendered speechless as if they were struck silly in the head by a hammer.

After a short bout of silence though, Jeong Hae-Min’s jaw fell to the floor.

“Eeeehhhhhhhhk?”

What on earth was this all about??

< 263. Didn’t you miss me? -3 > Fin.