The Returner

Boss-man?

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s brows quivered .

Did they really ask for a ‘boss-man’?

Yi Ji-Hyuk turned his head, which prompted Choi Jeong-Hoon to wordlessly approach him and grab hold of his arm .

“What now?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Please calm down for a moment . For the time being, I think it’ll be better to let Colonel Jeong In-Soo handle this . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“H-mm . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk looked quite unhappy about this, but perhaps he too had realised that Jeong In-Soo stepping forward here was the best thing, because he didn’t try to add any unnecessary sarcasm to the conversation .

He agreed that, rather than worrying about his own moods, it was wiser to think about Jeong In-Soo’s position first .

Most of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s problems arose from his body acting first even before his brain had the chance to stop himself . But at least this time, even he couldn’t do that to Jeong In-Soo, the one guy who maintained an amicable relationship with him while asking for nothing in return .

“Those sons of b*tches… . !” (Jeong In-Soo)

Jeong In-Soo gritted his teeth and was about to walk up closer to the North Koreans .

“You mustn’t, battalion commander!” (adjutant)

“Hey, you punk! Can’t you see those as*holes trying to provoke us??” (Jeong In-Soo)

The adjutant did his best to dissuade Jeong In-Soo which only made the latter yell out in anger, but the former simply hung on to his boss’s waist and didn’t let go .

“You can’t just walk over there without a plan just because they provoked you, sir!! Who knows what those b*stards are thinking of doing to you??” (adjutant)

“They won’t go as far as killing me, so it’s fine!” (Jeong In-Soo)

“If only we can sweep those b*stards away with the pretext of your death, then I’d not have stopped you, sir . However, the war won’t break out because of your sacrifice, sir! It’ll only be a meaningless dog’s death . ” (adjutant)

“Hey, you fool, you think they are insane enough to really kill me?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Sir, when did the North Koreans ever act like sane people? Sir, your ability to read people seemed to have taken a step backwards after dealing with only the Gates lately . ” (adjutant)

“…… . . ”

Jeong In-Soo shut his mouth up .

When he thought about it, his adjutant was right . How could dealing with monsters be more logical than with these people? Since monsters’ behavioural patterns were well understood by now, their actions could be predicted to a degree . On the other hand, no one could really tell what these North Korean idiots would try next .

“Looks like I was being thoughtless here . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

He quickly admitted to his mistake .

“Even then, we can’t let this slide, now can we? They might think we’re scared of them or something if we stay quiet all the time . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Of course we can’t let them get away with this, sir . However, you going there personally is strictly a no-no, Colonel . We need to send someone who’s a good talker and can also find a suitable way to deal with them . ” (adjutant)

“Hey, you . Where can we even find such a……” (Jeong In-Soo)

Jeong In-Soo’s gaze stopped moving at a certain spot .

“… . Why are you looking at me, Colonel?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

The person standing in that spot took a step away . Naturally, Jeong In-Soo’s eyes chased after him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world .

“N-no, hang on . I… . . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“We do have someone perfect, don’t we . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Hul, but sir . That’s a high-value individual . ” (adjutant)

“That’s right . And a situation like this demands to be handled by a high-value individual, too . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“But, do we really need to send someone like him to speak to a bunch of uneducated North Korean b.u.mpkins?” (adjutant)

“It’s the job of the important people to speak to especially-p.r.i.c.kly idiots . Didn’t you know that?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Won’t it be too dangerous?” (adjutant)

“Didn’t he say something about danger pay this and that earlier? Surely, he’s not being paid that for nothing, right?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“…… . ”

Choi Jeong-Hoon became utterly speechless and stared at Jeong In-Soo with pleading eyes .

“I haven’t even gotten married yet!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Eiii, they aren’t going to kill you . Surely not . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“I don’t think you can joke around this matter like that . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Well, hurry up . Off you go . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

Choi Jeong-Hoon vigorously fought for his sake .

“I haven’t even married yet, so who’ll be responsible if those North Korean b*stards do something to me?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Wasn’t there something like ghost marriage? You can do that . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“What? Ghost marriage? Are you kidding me?! As long as I don’t get killed, I’ll be able to have an ‘alive’ marriage so why should I?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Jeong In-Soo smacked his lips .

“That’s unfortunate . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“What is?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“If only you were a bit uglier, than I could have argued that you will never find a girl, but looking at your mug, well, I guess you might . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

Choi Jeong-Hoon gnashed his teeth .

Was this matter that easy to gloss over with a joke?

“Whatever! I’m not interested!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Mm, well, in that case . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

Jeong In-Soo suddenly exchanged glances with someone else .

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Ehng?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Can you just scoot over there and hear what they have to say?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Well, sure . I guess . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jeong-Hoon screamed out loudly .

“Uwaaaaah-?! Who are you trying to send out there now?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Jeong In-Soo replied nonchalantly .

“Since I can’t go personally, I should send someone trustworthy in my stead, don’t you agree?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Trustworthy?! Trustworthy?? Did you just say he’s trustworthy?!?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“That I did . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Out of everyone in this world, you actually choose to trust that guy?!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Hul .

Isn’t he going a bit overboard?

Did he forget that I’m actually standing right behind him?

That’s not something you should say in front of the guy in question .  (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

“If it was me, I’d never trust him even if him and I were the only two human beings left in this whole world!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“You’re crossing the line here, man!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Choi Jeong-Hoon glanced at Yi Ji-Hyuk before opening his mouth again .

“Well, it’s the truth, you know . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Hul . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

After landing a merciless strike in Yi Ji-Hyuk’s vitals, Choi Jeong-Hoon returned to the task of persuading Jeong In-Soo .

“W-why don’t we send someone else?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Such as?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Such as, an adjutant you can trust . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Look here, Mister Choi Jeong-Hoon . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Yes?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Didn’t your agency headhunt every useful people from my side?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“………”

“We’re suffering from personnel shortage because of that, but more importantly, I’m a Colonel . If someone capable enough to contact the North Koreans below the Colonel was working for me, you think I’ll still be one even now?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“No, you’d be a General by now . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“That’s right . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“I-I guess you have a point . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon’s head hung low .

“That is why Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk should step forward today . He can respond immediately to whatever those fools are thinking of, am I wrong?” (Jeong In-Soo)

It’s his mouth that can’t be responded to! His mouth!!

Forget about his body, it’s his d*mn piehole that can’t be controlled, you fool!

Yes, I’m talking about his mouth! His MOUTH!!

That thing found below his nose! (Choi Jeong-Hoon’s inner monologue)

If only they could sew Yi Ji-Hyuk’s mouth shut before sending him out – then he’d have no objections here .

However, doing that wasn’t possible, so sending Yi Ji-Hyuk as this country’s representative to contact people from another nation was going beyond the level of embarra.s.sing Korea and straight into endangering this country’s future .

“It’s definitely a no . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Well, in that case, you have to go, then . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“… . How did you arrive at that conclusion??” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Look here, Mister Choi Jeong-Hoon . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Yes . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Stop saying this and that can’t be done, and why don’t you come up with an alternative? I can’t go, Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk can’t go, so that leaves who? Can’t you see those b*stards laughing at us right now? In that case, should we call for a diplomat, then? And tell those fools that there is no ‘boss-man’ here so they should wait for a while?” (Jeong In-Soo)

“No, that’s no good, either . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“So you agree . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Y-yes, I do . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“In that case, who’ll be going, then?” (Jeong In-Soo)

Choi Jeong-Hoon grinned refreshingly .

No matter how hard he thought about it, there was only one person here who could act as a ‘boss-man’ .

“It’s me . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“That’s right . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Why didn’t you force me to go, instead? If you did, then I could’ve have refused, saying that we’re from different branches . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“I wouldn’t dream of doing that to you, what with our history and all . ” (Jeong In-Soo)

“Hahahaha . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon wiped the edges of his eyes .

And now, he couldn’t even come up with an excuse anymore . He hardened his resolve and strode over to Yi Ji-Hyuk to grab the latter’s arm rather tightly .

“… . What are you doing?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“W-why don’t we go together?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“What do you mean, together?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“They are asking for the boss-man, aren’t they? Honestly, I’m a bit lacking in status to call myself the boss here, don’t you agree!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“I’ll a.s.sure them that you are the boss here, so go on ahead . What’s gotten into you?? We’re both men, you know!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“No, I’m not playing the boss, so let’s go together . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“You tried to stop me earlier, so what gives?!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Back then, my life wasn’t on the line!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Hul… . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s eyes opened up wide after Choi Jeong-Hoon spoke his mind .

“I think you lowered ‘it’ too much?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“I said, my life is on the line here, so who cares about my pride?! Please, come on! Let’s go!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Argh, I don’t wanna go! You didn’t want me to a minute ago, anyway!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“If you don’t want to watch me get killed, then you must come with me!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“It doesn’t really matter to me, though?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Kaaahahk! You’re being noisy, so come with me!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Hul . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk got dragged forward by Choi Jeong-Hoon’s hands .

“But, I don’t have anything I want to say to them… . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You can just stand next to me . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“But, I’m gonna get bored… . . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Play with your phone, then . Should I install some games for you?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Wifi doesn’t work here, and I don’t think there’s cellular signal in this place, either?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“There are games that don’t need an internet connection to play . One is installed on my phone, so you can play that . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“But, that one is boring… . ” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Argh! Sh*t!” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

W-wait, you aren’t supposed to say that… .  (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk couldn’t resist against the determination shown by Choi Jeong-Hoon who had become a macho man in the face of real danger to his life, and he got dragged helplessly towards the Demarcation Line .

This dude, since when did he become a ‘real’ man?

Eventually, he got dragged all the way out to the near vicinity of the Line . He quickly scanned what was waiting for him there .

“Hoh-oh?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

About ten metres away from where the Line should be, there was a group of five men standing in a line .

“I thought all North Koreans were scrawny and malnourished?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Indeed, you won’t find anyone overweight that side . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“But, look at these guys . Aren’t they like, really huge?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“… . I’m sure they are well managed . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

From North Korea’s perspective, using weaponry to overwhelm other countries was already asking for an impossibility from a long time ago .

They did boast the size of military personnel that, when compared to some other regular countries, might earn themselves the nickname of a thug regime . Unfortunately for them, though, there was Russia and China above them, and below, there was the Republic of Korea, while to the side, the United States of America . So, the level of firepower the North possessed simply didn’t allow them to have a particularly loud voice among its neighbours .

But when it came to the ability user firepower, then the situation was somewhat different .

The moment the folks with political power discovered the presence of ability users, they began grooming them into suitable weapons of war . And their moment to shine had come recently – with Russia as the leading example, many countries were waging war with ability users serving as the spearhead .

So, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that North Korea had planned for a while to use ability users as tools of war as well, when they were renowned for treating its own citizens as expendable goods already .

Quite likely, these ability users would’ve been managed far more strictly than the elites of the North Korean army .

And also… .

‘These guys should be the top dogs among them, too . ’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

The Republic of Korea resorted to deploying the NDF for this event, so without a doubt, the North would’ve deployed their most trustworthy combat unit as well . If not that, they wouldn’t provoke the South so willingly and openly like this .

But if Choi Jeong-Hoon’s guess was wrong, then maybe this was a pre-planned action sanctioned by the North’s top bra.s.s .

Either way, he couldn’t take this situation lightly at all .

Just as Choi Jeong-Hoon was about to take a deep breath, the other side started talking first .

“Oh, so you’re the boss-man here?” (?)

Choi Jeong-Hoon glanced at Yi Ji-Hyuk before replying .

“I’m not sure who you were looking for, but you can certainly talk to me . What can I help you with?” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“Oh, nothing much, actually . I just want to see what you looked like, that’s all . I mean, we are supposed to handle this situation together, so it’s not logical for us not to know what each other looks like, am I wrong?” (?)

Choi Jeong-Hoon nodded his head .

“I see . But for that kind of purpose, your introduction seemed a little excessive . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“We’re all men here, so using some fancy-pants words to call each other out is just a wee bit unmanly, no? Please understand . ” (?)

“Hahaha… . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Choi Jeong-Hoon laughed awkwardly and continued on .

“Very well . I’m Choi Jeong-Hoon, Vice Director of the NDF . It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance . ” (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

“En Dee? En what? I don’t get what you’re saying . Please speak in Korean . This is an occasion where compatriots are having a meeting, so aren’t you embarra.s.sed to use Yankee words as if you’re a Yankee stooge?” (?)

Choi Jeong-Hoon smiled awkwardly again .

“I’m Senior Colonel Rhee Jin-Cheol, from the Korean People’s Army of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea . Nice to meet my South Korean comrades for the first time . ”

Choi Jeong-Hoon quietly studied Rhee Jin-Cheol .

‘He’s pretty outgoing, isn’t he?’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Even if this was an unofficial meeting, one held between South and North would always prove to be a rather awkward occasion . However, Rhee Jin-Cheol’s tone of voice was natural and laid-back .

If someone from North Korea, a society far more rigid compared to the South, came out this strongly, then it could only mean that the higher-ups from that side had already approved of a certain amount of collision between the two sides .

‘I shouldn’t get sucked into their pace . ’ (Choi Jeong-Hoon)

Meaning, this meeting had been a calculated one .

Meaning, they were aiming for something here .

So, definitely, not get sucked into their… . .

“By the way, who’s the comrade next to you and why isn’t he saying anything?” (Rhee Jin-Cheol)

Oiiii!

You mustn’t!

Don’t provoke this guy .

You will get burned .

< 283="" .="" check="" first="" before="" stretching="" legs="" -3=""> Fin .