The Returner

Chapter 116: Your heart might stop beating, you see (1)

“Just what is going on here?” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Choi Jung-Hoon muttered to himself, which prompted Affeldrichae to answer his query in a helpful manner.

“That space has been connected to a different world.” (Affeldrichae)

“Pardon??” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Affeldrichae continued on with a deadpan face.

“Mister Ji-Hyuk’s specialties are attack magic spells and the operation of Gates.” (Affeldrichae)

Oh, is that so?

“Attack”, sure, I get that one....

Wait a second. Before that.... “Magic spells”?

Are you saying that’s a magic spell?

What Yi Ji-Hyuk has been using until now wasn’t some special ability but magic?! (Choi Jung-Hoon’s inner monologue)

Instead of giving him answers, those words only served to increase the number of questions forming inside his head. Completely disregarding whether Choi Jung-Hoon was understanding her or not, Affeldrichae continued on with her explanations.

“He has modified a Gate spell. In simpler terms, the entirety of that black ‘hole’ is inside of a Gate.” (Affeldrichae)

They were currently riding on the giant black hawk that was circling the outside of the black ‘moon’. Choi Jung-Hoon was lying flat on the back of the flying beast. He began tilting his head after hearing her.

So what if that was true?

If that was a Gate, then just like how he sent the NDF agents to another world, did he send those flying monsters away, too?

“Did he expel the monsters to another world?” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

When he thought about it, that sounded like a rather effective method, did it not?

“Not at all. Even though Mister Ji-Hyuk’s understanding of Gates has reached the pinnacle, it’d still be difficult to expel such strong monsters that don’t want to go there in the first place.” (Affeldrichae)

“Then, what are you trying to tell me?” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

“He’s bringing them here.” (Affeldrichae)

“Pardon?” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

“He’s summoning the creatures that can’t exist in this world inside that enclosed space.” (Affeldrichae)

“What does that even mean.....” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Choi Jung-Hoon still couldn’t understand it. He opened his eyes wider and stared at the black moon, but failed to see anything.

“What the hell?” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

Choi Jung-Hoon spat out a helpless groan.

*

“What....?” (Doh Gah-Yun)

Doh Gah-Yun dazedly stared at the unfolding spectacle before her eyes.

Without a doubt, she could legitimately claim to be the most calm, level-headed individual in the NDF. But, after bearing witness to the events taking place in here, it was now impossible to keep her calm anymore.

In the meantime, another Drake was being sucked in.

*SFX for bones and things being broken apart*

The poor Drake screamed out and thrashed around as its blood rained down.

Unfortunately for the monster, this new black world was filled with grotesque creatures. And these abominable things proceeded to rip apart, tear up, drink and swallow every part of the Drake, right down to its bones.

The world was surrounded by smooth, plain black walls only for a brief moment. Soon, those abominable creatures began emerging one by one from the black walls and this space was quickly overrun with them.

The walls were now entirely consisting of those frenzied creatures. And these walls were slowly closing in while devouring every Drake that got close.

*SFX for monsters’ roars*

Fangs and claws and overflowing acidic digestive juice proceeded to devour Drakes en masse.

The moment a Drake touched the wall, it was torn to shreds in less than one second and got devoured. It was like a helpless lamb being thrown into a pack of starving demons.

*SFX for liquid raining down*

Rain of blood cascaded down from the sky.

Blood and bits of torn flesh fell and landed on the ‘ground’, and the creatures existing on that said ground drank and ate them, their roars getting louder and shriller than ever before.

Doh Gah-Yun began trembling like a leaf and hugged herself tightly.

If there was hell, would it resemble this place?

The whole world was now seemingly filled up by demons and devils of all descriptions. And every living lifeform was nothing more than food for these abominable creatures. Including Doh Gah-Yun herself.

Buzz.

As if its magic charge had run out, the foothold carrying Doh Gah-Yun in mid-air dissipated. Her body began free-falling to the ground. She reached out to grab onto a nearby Drake, but her hands ended up grasping at the empty air.

“Ah......”

Her eyes were filled with the sight of the demonic creatures filling up the ground.

And they were roaring out in frenzy having discovered the falling human female.

The moment she fell in their midst, her body would be ripped into a thousand little pieces and end up inside the bellies of those demonic entities.

Death?

She heard that the moment one was about to die, one would see their life flash past before their eyes, but...

It must’ve been a lie.

Doh Gah-Yun closed her eyes.

Fortunately for her, though, death didn’t come to visit her today.

“Stop being so dramatic, will you?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Ah....”

Doh Gah-Yun’s eyes shot open again.

She then spotted Yi Ji-Hyuk flying in the air while holding her by her waist.

“Yi Ji-Hyuk....”

“You should at least try to add ‘Mister’ or ‘Nim’, don’t you think so? How dare a hatchling such as yourself speak to an elder without the proper honorifics? You might get beaten up at this rate.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

‘Be better if you shut your mouth.’ (Doh Gah-Yun)

It’d be infinitely more preferable if this man kept his mouth shut.

He’d become so uncool whenever he opened his mouth.

However....

Doh Gah-Yun slightly averted her gaze.

“Hah?”

Yi Ji-Hyuk saw how she reacted and snorted loudly.

“Still being overly dramatic, are you? Should I just let you fall, then?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

But well, it was true that, because of this girl managing to attract the Drakes’ attention, he got to activate the spell without a hitch in the end. How many centuries had it been since he last received help from another human being?

Yi Ji-Hyuk let off a wry chuckle.

What a strange sensation he was feeling at the moment.

But, more importantly....

Yi Ji-Hyuk’s gaze returned to the sky above.

There were still over half of the Drakes remaining, and they were busy flying around the sky. They weren’t land-bounded monsters to begin with; he had to wait for those flying lizards to tire themselves out and fall down on their volition.

However, that would not do.

From Yi Ji-Hyuk’s mouth, a voice one might hear from the depths of hell leaked out.

“Devour them all.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Devour them, and leave nothing behind!

The demonic entities filling up this black world roared out even louder as they greeted the black Mana oozing out from Yi Ji-Hyuk’s body. At the same time, these creatures began pouring out from the walls in droves.

“Kekeke.”

Seeing this scene, Yi Ji-Hyuk began chortling breathlessly.

These demonic beings could not exist outside of this space. However, they were the most cruel, vicious and terrifying existences within this enclosed space, no question about it.

And Yi Ji-Hyuk was their king.

The king of the demonic entities and the ruler of this space.

Within this small space, Yi Ji-Hyuk was absolute sovereign and god.

Strands of black Mana leaked out from Yi Ji-Hyuk’s eyes. His crimson lips were wet with blood, rapidly drying up.

A horrifying chill ran down Doh Gah-Yun’s back.

Was this really Yi Ji-Hyuk?

Was this that Yi Ji-Hyuk, the one she had been observing for the past few months?

This man had to be someone else.

No, was it even correct to call him a ‘man’?

The devil.

He was the devil.

Now that she had witnessed his true colours, Doh Gah-Yun could only tremble in fear.

“Mm?”

Yi Ji-Hyuk looked at Doh Gah-Yun trembling like a wet dog and bared his fangs.

“Should I devour you, too?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“..........”

Oii?

Would you look at this girlie? You dare to close your eyes?

Not only that, you squeeze them shut, too?

What the heck?! You think I’d really devour you or something?!

And stop with that rolling your head back thingy!

I’m not a vampire, you know!!

Hah, how ridiculous. Seriously now. (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk spat out a wry chuckle.

What was the matter with her?

The girl who never acted this way behaving in this fashion sure was a weird sight to behold.

“Better open your eyes, or else.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“..........”

Doh Gah-Yun’s eyelids cracked open a tiny bit.

“You think I’m gonna really eat you?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Nod.

Don’t nod your head like that!

Do I look like a monster to your eyes, ah? I’m a human!

You think I’m a cannibal or something?!

There are plenty of tasty things out there, so why should I even think about eating people!? (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk loudly licked his lips.

In the meantime, the demonic entities gathered and worked together to rise up like a singular, gigantic lifeform.

Just like the ants of the Amazon working together to create a huge structure, the demonic creatures became one and began devouring the Drakes like a giant Imoogi from the legends.

*SFX for Drakes’s roars*

Drakes cried out and flew around to evade, but too bad for them, the entire space was locked down and the demonic entities were pretty much everywhere.

Eventually, the last remaining Drake ended up in the stomach of the demonic creatures. Yi Ji-Hyuk and Doh Gah-Yun, and the still-unsatisfied demonic creatures remained in this space now.

*SFX for demonic entities screeching*

The frenzied, maddened screeches of the demonic entities reverberated throughout the black space.

They were clearly the screeches of hunger.

“Hmm?”

Yi Ji-Hyuk tilted his head slightly.

Did these b*stards just drool while looking at me?

Wait a dang minute.... (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk silently took a look around, before nodding his head.

“Yup, sure enough.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Well, it’s not like my power to rule is as absolute as before, so....

The Bringer of Apocalypse who can rule millions with nothing but his glare doesn’t exist anymore, sure.

But, even then....

How dare some measly demonic entities.... (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

Yi Ji-Hyuk extended his hands out.

‘The end result is going to be the same, anyway.’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“What is?” (Gah-Yun)

“Ah, hey you.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes?”

Yi Ji-Hyuk spoke with a grin on his lips.

“...I think it’ll be better for you to close your eyes again.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“........?”

“Your heart might stop beating altogether, you see.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Those words were the signal.

A tiny sphere of black Mana coagulating in front of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s hands began to boil, and then, it started spinning in a wild vortex.

“Suck everything in.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

As soon as he said those words, there was a sudden and undeniable shift in gravity.

Demonic entities that seemingly filled up every inch of this space began rising up as if they became weightless all of a sudden, and then, got rapidly sucked into the sphere of Mana.

*SFX for loud screeches*

As if knowing what kind of fate awaited for them if they got sucked in there, the demonic entities screeched and shrieked while digging into the black walls with their fangs, claws and talons.

But those were ultimately meaningless actions.

Subjected to the power of gravity which could not be resisted, demonic entities were sucked into the sphere endlessly.

Their screams tore into the sky. Bits of flesh and liquid exploded and landed everywhere.

This was a spectacle of thousands, tens of thousands of starving demonic creatures being sucked into a single spot as they resisted desperately.

Where would anyone get to witness such a spectacle in their lifetime?

Doh Gah-Yun watched this scene unfold, her expression completely blank.

This was simply too destructive....

It was also too savage....

....And, deeply frightening.

It was as if the whole world was sucked into the sphere in front of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s hands.

And he was staring at this sight without a single hint of emotion visible on his face.

*SFX for a desperate screech*

The last remaining demonic entity was finally sucked into the sphere. Seeing this, Yi Ji-Hyuk reached out with his left hand.

The black sphere of Mana floated there, all shiny and the like, as if it sucking in all those demonic creatures was just a feverish nightmare and didn’t actually happen.

This sphere suddenly dug underneath Yi Ji-Hyuk’s stretched left hand.

“Heu-euph!”

Right away, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s expression crumpled and he spat out a massive amount of blood.

“Kkeuk!”

From every corner of Yi Ji-Hyuk’s body, skin expanded and deflated as if there were countless small balls bouncing around inside. This went on for a while.

“Godd*mn it, that f*cking hurts. Seriously, man.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk bitterly complained while glancing at his left arm, now looking normal and undamaged. He clenched his fist and unclenched it several times to make sure.

‘Hmm.....’

Just from him sucking in the Mana, his wounds had all healed up in an instant. He wasn’t trying to consciously do that, even.

‘This could only mean that my body is completely used to the dark Mana, isn’t it?’ (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

If any normal human being accepted even one thousandth of the amount of Mana flowing in Yi Ji-Hyuk’s body right now, they would’ve been killed by way of their bodies exploding into tiny little pieces.

Because his understanding of dark Mana had reached the true pinnacle, he was able to survive until now with only some minor complications to worry about.

Even then, the dark Mana was corrupting his body more and more, and his mind was also being gradually taken over.

If this continued, then in his final moments....

The true demon king would descend on this world.

....Wait a minute.

Aren’t I already a demon king?

In that case, it doesn’t really matter, does it?

“Don’t you think so?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“Yes?” (Gah-Yun)

“No, no. I wasn’t talking to you.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Yi Ji-Hyuk lightly regulated his breaths.

He sensed Mana filling him up. Would this amount be enough, though?

Let’s see, let’s see.... Can I defeat a Dragon with this amount?

No, hang on. It’s a bit short, isn’t it? (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

It seemed that devouring those Drakes weren’t enough. The demonic entities didn’t possess Mana to begin with, so sucking them in didn’t help out at all.

He only devoured them so he could collect the Mana of the Drakes present in them, but thanks to that, impurities were causing indigestion.

Ptooi.

Yi Ji-Hyuk spat to the ground, and waved his hand around in the air once, cancelling the black space. And so, sunlight began permeating the jet-black space once more.

“There!” (Choi Jung-Hoon)

As soon as Yi Ji-Hyuk revealed himself, the black hawk flew towards his location.

He lightly jumped onto the creature and put Doh Gah-Yun down.

“Mister Ji-Hyuk.” (Affeldrichae)

Affeldrichae called out to him with a voice that was clearly on edge, but he simply shrugged his shoulders.

“Let’s argue later.” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Now isn’t the time to deal with you, but to deal with that flying lizard over there.

Oops, you’re also a lizard, aren’t you?

Who cares. (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

“Let’s go!” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

The hawk carrying Yi Ji-Hyuk began shooting across the ocean at a frightening speed.

Towards the tiny speck on the horizon that was no doubt the Zombie Dragon, a loud voice called out.

“Hey, you!! You b*stard!! You better sto....” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

“You’ve already said those words before.” (Affeldrichae)

“Oh, have I?” (Yi Ji-Hyuk)

Well, in that case.... I’ll just chase after it, then.

....By the way, you really know how to deflate a person, don’t you?

Should I just flip out here for a bit? (Yi Ji-Hyuk’s inner monologue)

To the side, Choi Jung-Hoon was busy wiping away the cold sweat forming on his forehead for some reason.

< 116. Your heart might stop beating, you see -1 > Fin.