Chapter 35: The Returnee’s Unlikely Innocence

Despite his mercenary-like appearance, the man was uncharacteristically naive. Now, knowing he was a Returnee, that innocence appeared in an entirely different light.

He was only eight years old when he fell into the Demon Realm. It was twenty years later that he finally returned to the Middle Realm, having spent most of his life in the Demon Realm.

It wouldn’t have been strange if his values had shifted dramatically. In fact, for someone who had survived the hell that scholars so vocally described, he was not just mild, but utterly bland.

‘What if it was simply a matter of unfamiliarity with social norms?’

Sagyeol turned his head, glancing to his side. Beyond the small, round window, the bulkhead began to emerge into view. It was Baekdam, and he rose abruptly to stride forward.

Standing before the panoramic window, which curved in a wide arc, the cityscape of Baekdam was faintly visible. The crew moved busily, the airship having completed its preparations to pass through the magic field.

“…He didn’t just follow along because someone promised him cake, did he?”

“What incomprehensible nonsense have you been muttering since earlier?”

“Just talking to myself. More importantly, have there been any reports from the team you assembled?”

“They say everything is fine. Just commuting to and from the site as usual.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am certain, so please stop asking. You’ve asked six times in two days.”

Lee Hyun-su’s eyes sharpened, and he seized the opportunity to make his point clear.

“The kids are complaining endlessly. They’re asking why they have to report every three hours. Don’t they need to sleep?!”

“Tell them to monitor in shifts, even at night.”

“Then increase the personnel.”

“Increase it. Who’s stopping you?”

“……”

“Why didn’t you increase it sooner? Why bother the perfectly good kids?”

Upon disembarking from the airship, Sagyeol immediately put on his earphones.

Inside the city, it might have been different. Yet, beyond the bulkhead, subtle demonic energy permeated the very air, rendering most communication devices useless. Even ultra-expensive terminals could barely manage to receive text messages.

However, even those only worked if they were specifically designed for the disaster zone. Despite his anticipation, no messages arrived, leaving Sagyeol in agony for four days.

He quickly manipulated the terminal, connecting his earphones to a wiretap. Splitting the screen, he also checked the GPS. It showed the boundary of the city’s outskirts, which seemed to be the workplace.

As Sagyeol boarded the sedan, still engrossed in his terminal, he slammed his forehead against the car body. A dull thud resonated. The heavily shaken sedan swayed, and the driver, already inside, let out a small yelp. Sagyeol, oblivious, continued to stare at his terminal as he sluggishly climbed into the back seat.

Lee Hyun-su pressed firmly on his temples.

‘Are you a child? A child?’

Sagyeol offered no reply. Lee Hyun-su let out a sigh from his lungs, clicking his tongue in exasperation.

The bodyguard standing outside noticed the tension, nodding briefly before closing the door. Though slightly dented, the door fortunately closed properly.

Only after Lee Hyun-su settled beside Sagyeol did the sedan finally depart.

The sleek sedan glided through the city center. Sagyeol focused all his senses on his ears.

Crackle. Hiss. After a few bursts of static, the sound stabilized. However, the man’s voice was absent, replaced by the surrounding ambient noise. Sagyeol, paradoxically, felt his spirits lift, truly believing it was *him*.

He closed his eyes, unwilling to miss Yeowon’s voice, which he expected to hear at any moment. It had been a full week. Sagyeol focused all his senses on his ears. Amidst the thumping sounds of the site and the boisterous conversations of the workers, he discerned neat footsteps and the rustle of clothes.

It was Yeowon’s sound.

“Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Your face is flushed, and your breathing is ragged. Anyone would think you’re a pervert, so tell me now: hospital or police station?”

“I’m perfectly fine, so let’s just go quietly, Hyun-su.”

When Sagyeol glared with bloodshot eyes, even Lee Hyun-su dared not provoke him further. Lee Hyun-su thought, ‘He always had a bit of a mad dog streak, but now he’s in full-on mad dog mode.’

Just then, the awaited voice touched Sagyeol’s eardrums.

[Jae-yeong.]

It was another man’s name.

[Hyung, have you been waiting long?]

‘…What is this?’

Sagyeol reached out and grabbed Lee Hyun-su by the collar. Lee Hyun-su looked at Sagyeol with a ‘what the hell now?’ expression.

“What is this?”

“What is what?”

“I asked you first.”

“I need to know what you’re asking to answer.”

Sagyeol pulled out the earphone and shoved it into Lee Hyun-su’s ear.

“Ack, it hurts, ack! Ack! Ah…? Huh?”

His momentarily stiffened face gradually twisted into a strange contortion.

“W-wait a moment.”

Lee Hyun-su made a call somewhere. He frantically grabbed the terminal he’d detached from his wrist and tried to conceal it, yet he couldn’t deceive the ears of an S-rank right beside him.

“Hey. What happened to you guys? What? A company dinner? Goddammit…! You should’ve drunk in moderation. No, at least one of you should have… Of course, I know you all work hard. I know, but, hah…”

He stopped speaking and cut the call. Sagyeol smiled, his eyes curving into crescent moons—the same expression he made when tearing the head from a monster’s body with his bare hands.

Lee Hyun-su decided to simply shut up, abandoning any thoughts of excuses. An intuition born of experience blared an alarm: if he provoked Sagyeol now, the best outcome would be utter destruction; the worst, complete annihilation.

‘No, but is this really something to get so angry about? It doesn’t seem to concern him much.’

Lee Hyun-su, who had just thought that, quickly understood upon recalling Sagyeol’s fervent desire for the disaster zone.

It concerned a Returnee who could solve the maze. For Sagyeol, who showed a fanatical obsession with the Forest of Demonic Beasts, it was certainly reason enough for fury.

Sagyeol thrust the terminal screen into Lee Hyun-su’s now subdued face.

The GPS signal blinked. Perceptive, Sagyeol immediately confirmed the location and changed the destination. The sedan, which had been heading to a downtown hotel, made a U-turn.

[Your work is done now, right? Then let’s go out and have some fun. That cake we had last time was delicious, wasn’t it? Have you ever tried soufflé pancakes?]

[…No.]

[Let’s go eat that. I’m sure you’ll love it, Hyung?]

It felt as if his intestines were being squeezed in a press.

Crunch.

Sagyeol, grinding his teeth menacingly, growled toward the front.

“Faster.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

The young driver, thoroughly intimidated, floored the accelerator. Sagyeol detested traffic and loathed waiting even more. He had chosen this driver based solely on their driving skills, regardless of their background or age.

The heavy sedan charged across the road like a water buffalo.

[Not today.]

Yeowon refused. Sagyeol’s heart, which had plummeted to rock bottom, briefly returned to its rightful place.

[I have something to tell you.]

As quickly as it had risen, his heart plunged even deeper than before. Sagyeol, oblivious to his own violently fluctuating state at Yeowon’s words, focused all his attention on the conversation.

[What is it?]

[It’s difficult here.]

[Then let’s go in my car. You’re going home anyway, aren’t you? I’ll give you a ride on the way.]

[……]

There was no reply. Instead, parallel footsteps continued. Even as the sound of a car door opening reached him, Sagyeol desperately tried to rationalize.

‘He must have just declined with a nod and walked off,’ he thought. ‘It’s just the sound of someone seeing him off.’

But the GPS signal moved rapidly. He had actually gotten into that damned scoundrel’s car.

Blood rushed to the back of Sagyeol’s head.

Only a week. No, the atmosphere had been fine just four days ago, when the last message came. What on earth had happened in the meantime?

‘There must be circumstances I don’t know about.’

Sagyeol struggled to suppress the turmoil within him, convincing himself with plausible excuses.

‘That bastard, who didn’t know his place and acted out, might have threatened him by bringing my name into it. Then the naive and soft-hearted Kim Cheol-su would have fallen for it immediately….’

He had somehow regained his composure. However, his anger had not dissipated.

“Sir, if you don’t ease up, the engine will freeze. That will cause delays in travel.”

Lee Hyun-su spoke as formally as possible. The effect was immediate. The car’s temperature, which had been producing visible breath, returned to normal. Sagyeol lightly kicked the front seat with his toe.

“Drive faster.”

“Y-yes, sir!!”

Roar!

Joo Jae-yeong was in high spirits.

Simply saying ‘good’ wasn’t enough. He felt like he could fly, utterly exhilarated!

He chattered excitedly all the way to Yeowon’s house. Yeowon, for his part, seemed only half-listening.

The sedan stopped at the boundary between the city center and the outskirts. It was the place where he used to live with his Father. He hadn’t deliberately chosen this spot; it was simply the best option among those recommended by the welfare department.

Joo Jae-yeong unconsciously furrowed his brow at the scenery outside the window, then, realizing his expression, quickly reverted to a beaming smile.

“You live on the outskirts, Hyung.”

“Here. Pull over.”

The car didn’t stop. Only when Joo Jae-yeong repeated his command did the driver finally apply the brakes. Yeowon didn’t get out, seemingly because he had something to say. Watching his hesitation, Joo Jae-yeong couldn’t contain the twitching at the corners of his mouth.

It felt like gently pulling the ribbon of an unopened gift box. His heart pounded as if broken by anticipation. He hadn’t felt this excited even when he received a bankbook with 500 million credits for his tenth birthday.

“Hyung. What did you want to tell me?”

Joo Jae-yeong, his patience exhausted, couldn’t help but prod.

“…I’ll tell you later.”

After a long hesitation, Yeowon uttered the least desired response and opened the door.

A flustered Joo Jae-yeong hastily followed him out.

“Just drive around here. I’ll call you if I need you.”

Joo Jae-yeong, having given the driver a brief instruction, immediately chased after Yeowon. Catching up was quick.

“Hyung. Hyung. At least give me some coffee then.”

“……”

“You’d at least give me that, wouldn’t you, after I drove you all this way?”

There was only water at Yeowon’s house. But Joo Jae-yeong likely wasn’t asking for coffee. He was perceptive enough to know that. With three blocks left until the house, Yeowon stopped.