#406
Who are you trying to frame for being a bad son?
So, after returning first with Wilhelmina, the first place I arrived at was Gwanghwamun Plaza.
And the first sight before my eyes was the Status Window that popped up.
It’s been a good four years since I lived in this damn light novel world.
It’s ridiculous enough that the Status Window, which never responded no matter how desperately I called it when things went south in this hellhole, appeared right after I returned. But the content was even more laughable.
[Name: Kim Deok-Sung]
[Level: @%%@%$#[emailprotected]#]
[Title: Savior]
[Race: Human (Earth-2)]
[Stats]
[Strength: @#[emailprotected]$$]
[Agility: @#@$#@$$]
[Mana: @#[emailprotected]$#$$]
[Health: @@#[emailprotected]#[emailprotected]#$$]
[Special Ability]
[@[emailprotected]#$#[emailprotected]#$]
[Skills]
[@#$#@$#@$]
[@[emailprotected]#[emailprotected]$#$]
[@##[emailprotected]#$$]
Other than my personal information, not a single proper stat was displayed.
What kind of Status Window is this?
I’d rather have none at all.
Well, it may be useless, but it’s fascinating.
Having a hologram-like game status window pop up in front of me really made me feel that my hometown has turned into a damn hunter-themed world.
So, after returning to Gwanghwamun Plaza, the next place I arrived at was the Returnee Management Bureau of the Korean Player Association.
Thanks to the influx of countless returnees and otherworlders into Earth over the past ten years, these administrative procedures had surprisingly developed systematically.
“Mr. Kim Deok-Sung, please place your hand on the Mana Measurement Device.”
With the staff’s words, a massive machine with a crystal ball rose from the floor in front of me.
It was the classic cliché of ability measurement commonly found in hunter stories.
I slightly extended my mana to detect the device.
‘Is this all it can do?’
I may not be tech-savvy, but I could tell that this mana measurement device was woefully inadequate for measuring my mana.
And it’s not just me.
Even an EX-rank hero based on Earth-2 would be impossible to measure with such a crude device.
Judging my hometown’s technology level based on this one device seems a bit far-fetched.
But it seems my damn hometown, which has turned into a hunter world, was lagging far behind the tech level of light novel world Earth-2.
After all, it’s only been ten years since players and mana appeared in this world.
Comparing it to Earth-2, where supernatural abilities and magic have been a part of human history since the dawn of time, and where mana-related technologies and uses have been developed continuously throughout human history, it’s understandable that Earth-1, which just began to see these abilities, would lag behind in all aspects.
“Is this the most advanced measurement device you have?”
“Ah, yes. It is. It’s an SSS level measurement device. There aren’t any devices that can measure more precisely than this model.”
The staff responded.
“Oh, I see. That’s unfortunate. This SSS level device looks quite expensive.”
I placed my hand on the crystal ball.
Regardless, my hometown was no longer the peaceful world I once knew.
It’s probably all because of Messiah, that awful guy, that my hometown has transformed into a hunter-themed universe.
Hearing that monsters and dungeons began to show up exactly ten years ago, when the World Gate closed, makes it all very clear.
Anyway, my hometown had become a hunter world where the personal power of players was directly linked to authority.
There were discussions on methods about how Earth-2 should approach Earth-1. Eventually, since I am the vanguard getting treated a certain way back home, I decided to change my approach accordingly, but now that things have ended up like this, my task is clear.
To avoid annoying troubles, albeit childish, I need to make my power clear to them.
That performance of breaking the measurement device, a slightly cliché act, doesn’t sound too bad, does it?
It wouldn’t be so bad to die.
If you’re unhappy, then bring a stronger measurement device.
“I think it’s time for you to purchase a new one.”
As I said that, I infused mana into the crystal orb.
Fizzle!
In an instant, the transparent orb filled with black mana and sparks flew.
“The mana level is continuously rising. It now rivals that of an SSS-class player!”
“Reached measurement limit in just 0.34 seconds! This is a new record! Even the Celestial Beast couldn’t reach the limit this quickly!”
“The status window assessment results are out. The stats, skills, and unique abilities are all illegible! This is unprecedented.”
“And the title is… Messiah?”
Listening to the conversations in the measurement room, I continued to pump in mana.
Thump.
At the moment when the Philosopher’s Stone and the Magic Core resonated and continuously extracted infinite mana.
Kaboom!
Crash-BOOM!
The crystal orb exploded, and the machine blew up, sending debris flying.
“The machine has exploded.”
“Second time since the Celestial Beast… To think there’s a Returnee beyond measurement, off the charts…”
“I suspected this from the output of the return gate, but this is…”
The researchers in the measurement room buzzed like extras in a hunter story.
What’s with the constant mention of that Celestial Beast?
Just then, I was thinking that.
“Kim Deok-Sung, Returnee!”
The door to the wrecked measurement room opened, and an association staff member with a frantic expression rushed in.
“The Association President is looking for you.”
I knew this would happen.
Whether it’s a light novel world or a hunter world, nothing good ever comes from stepping away from the clichés.
*
Top floor of the Korean Player Association building.
Association President’s Office.
From the vantage point of the seasoned President, who had protected Korea for the past decade since the great upheaval, documents lay on the desk.
“Kim Deok-Sung, Wilhelmina Heisenberg…”
Returnees and dimensional refugees weren’t so special a decade after the upheaval.
While they weren’t common occurrences, dozens still returned each year from other worlds or were swept to Earth by gates from different dimensions.
The problem lay in the dimensions of these two individuals.
‘…Earth from a parallel world.’
Whether it was unfortunate or fortunate, until now, none of the returnees or otherworldly beings who returned to Earth had a civilization level higher than that of Earth.
They were either from a Western fantasy world set in medieval to early modern levels of swords and magic or a martial world based on pre-modern China—one of the two.
Thus, countries around Earth didn’t view them as significant threats.
No matter how powerful they were, they were still individuals.
In the face of the powers and attractions of modern civilization, which had embodied mana and magic engineering and taken a step forward, even the mightiest individuals had no choice but to conform to order.
In modern Earth, returnees and otherworldly beings were merely valuable player resources.
But if it were Earth-2, it would be different.
The event that occurred a decade ago remained vivid in everyone’s memory.
The rift opened in the sky, revealing Earth from another world beyond it.
Although the humans from that parallel Earth who came through the massive rift were all dead, the materials that crossed over were still treated as top-secret information and under research in various countries.
Yet, there was one fact that had yet to be properly uncovered about Earth-2.
In that situation, the first returnee from Earth-2 had just arrived.
‘…The strongest returnee surpassing the Celestial Beast, Kim Deok-Sung.’
The measurement results were astonishing.
Reports were coming in that two SSS-grade mana measuring devices were destroyed today.
The assessment of Kim Deok-Sung’s status window witnessed the unprecedented phenomenon where the letters of what should be absolute truth became illegible, and his companion Wilhelmina also could not accurately assess her status window with the measuring device.
In terms of player rank, it could be considered EX, off the charts.
Considering that there were only about 20 EX-class players worldwide, this was truly a strength beyond comprehension.
It might be that a tremendous monster had returned once again.
‘By now, major player guilds, like hyenas, and intelligence agencies from Japan, China, and the US must be on the move having obtained this information.’
With someone of this stature, there’s only so much room to hide information.
It was a foregone conclusion that the major player guilds ruling over the player era post-upheaval and the surrounding superpowers would covet his power.
It had been the case every time a returnee appeared.
So, as the Association President, he needed to keep this strongest returnee in Korea, for the sake of Korean security.
After the upheaval, Korea had been a player power with formidable strength, but they weren’t in a position to turn down someone like Kim Deok-Sung, a strategic weapon-level powerhouse.
‘Fortunately, I have plenty of negotiation cards.’
On the next page of the documents was Kim Deok-Sung’s family information.
He had a father and a sick mother.
His reason for returning was probably family-related, just like other returnees.
If so, there should be enough grounds to keep him in Korea.
“Enough is enough.”
Of course, I had no intention of resorting to lowly means like threats.
With such a strong person, cooperation would be more effective than intimidation.
“I must make sure he stays in Korea no matter what.”
Just as the Association President was sorting out his thoughts…
Creeeak.
The door opened.
“Did you need something?”
And then, I heard a voice near his ear.
The Savior Kim Deok-Sung.
The strongest Returnee along with his companion Wilhelmina had entered the Association President’s Office.
*
Inside the Association President’s Office.
Thanks to its location on the top of a skyscraper, I was watching the skyline of Seoul while meeting with the middle-aged man known as the President of the Korean Player Association alongside Wilhelmina.
“Your parents are still alive. As for your mother… she is unwell, but with the latest treatment, there is a chance for improvement. If you want, I could arrange that using my authority as the Association President. However, you’ll have to…”
The President rambled on.
Next to him, Wilhelmina was looking through the booklet he handed her, titled “Complete Settlement Guide for Otherworlders and Returnees” with a blank face.
I had asked him to look into my parents’ whereabouts, but I didn’t really expect him to explain it directly.
As the head of the Korean Player Association, he was a figure akin to Shinozaki Ichiro.
Was this high-ranking individual calling me just to deliver this news?
“Enough with the small talk, let’s get to the point, President,” I said.
In a kind LN world, it might be acceptable, but believing that in reality is just foolish.
“What do you wish to say?”
“Your and your companion’s rankings have been assessed as EX rank. That means it’s an out-of-norm ranking. Players of this rank are regarded as strategic weapons. To be honest, you are talent that large guilds and powerful countries like the US, China, and Japan are eager to recruit. While Korea is an international player powerhouse, the outflow of strategic weapon-level players could be a national security issue.”
“So you want me to stay in Korea?”
Here comes the cliché hunter story.
“If you join a domestic guild, that’s fine. No matter what form you take, if you remain in Korea, we will provide all kinds of benefits including protection, tax exemption, maintenance costs, and housing assistance, along with actively cooperating with you. Of course, protection for your family will also be guaranteed. How does that sound?”
At his words, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Tax exemption? Housing support?
How cute to package such trivial things as benefits.
And talking about my family as a bargaining chip didn’t sit right with me.
It may sound diplomatic, but practically, what’s the difference from holding a knife to my throat?
It hasn’t been long since I returned.
The spicy taste of the hunter world has already risen.
Being overly nice can be a problem, but being overly sinister is a problem too.
“Don’t you like the benefits?”
“No, it’s just a bit amusing. Are there really a bunch of big guild scouts gathering outside the Association Building waiting to recruit us like a flea market?”
“That…”
The President stuttered in surprise at my words.
What the—?
I was just saying it casually, but there are really people waiting outside?
How ridiculous.
I clicked my tongue and said, “I’m not leaving Korea. As you said, my family is here. Is this answer sufficient?”
For now, at least.
And Korea isn’t the only one around here.
There’s another Korea in this other world.
I don’t know about anything else, but how dare they use my family as a bargaining chip?
It seems the approach to this world should shift toward a hardline strategy rather than a diplomatic one.
“Well.”
“Since I’ve given you my answer, can I get the information about the hospital where my parents are admitted?”
“Here it is. I hope you have a good reunion with your parents.”
I took the documents from the President and flipped through them.
Seoul National University Hospital.
I didn’t expect them to still be at the same hospital even after ten years.
Tap.
I closed the documents, sent a signal to Earth-2 using my dimension transceiver smartphone, tucked it under my arm, and stood up.
“Then I’m off. Please take care. Let’s go, Wilhelmina.”
“…Got it.”
“It was a fruitful meeting.”
As the President concluded with his thanks, I left the office.
Saying “take care” wasn’t just a casual farewell.
As Wilhelmina and I exited the office, we immediately took the elevator down to the first floor.
Ding.
As the elevator stopped with a notification sound, I sensed many presences on the first floor.
From the President’s reaction, I guessed, but I never thought I’d actually experience such a damn hunter event.
With that slippery individual as the President, he could have cleared it all away, but it seems he intentionally left it like this.
‘He’s trying to tame me.’
I’m not fond of this hunter world.
The hometown I knew is no longer there.
What remains is only a barbaric modern fantasy world ruled by the logic of power, where players dominate.
Anyway, why the hell did that Messiah open the World Gate and mess with other people’s hometowns?
“Open the gates and mess up someone else’s hometown, what a load of crap.”
“All I wanted was to live a peaceful life in a normal world, enjoying good food with my parents and wives.”
“Then a tough approach is the right way here.”
“······Ugh.”
Wilhelmina next to me let out a low voice.
I sighed and grabbed Wilhelmina’s hand as we stepped out of the revolving door of the association building.
“Hello! Returnee Kim Deok-Sung! We are the Sacred Guild, shining as the 2nd ranked player guild in Korea. If you join our guild······.”
“The Phoenix Guild, a member of the top 10 guilds. If you join us, there’s a signing bonus of 30 billion······.”
“If you join our guild······.”
As expected, the moment I stepped outside, a swarm of suited figures came rushing at me, thrusting their business cards.
Is this a marketplace or something? Can’t they be a bit more formal when scouting?
And do they seriously expect me to join a guild right now?
Sure, these people will be sorted out shortly, but I’m already annoyed that they’re holding me back when all I want is to meet my parents.
If this were my original world, they’d all be parting like the Red Sea for me.
Everything is such a hassle.
Not that I can just sprinkle some magic dust around to threaten them since I just got back to my hometown.
With a sigh, I shoved their hands away.
“I’m not joining any guild.”
Just then, as I was rejecting their business cards and proposals with superhuman patience while holding Wilhelmina’s hand and cutting through the crowd, I heard a voice.
“Signing bonus of 100 billion.”
His cold voice echoed through the air.
With that, the chaotic market of scouts suddenly fell silent.
A young man, dressed in a suit with an arrogant demeanor and sunglasses, stepped out of a black sedan.
Behind him, a man who looked like a bodyguard opened a bag resembling 007’s, revealing it filled with 50,000-won bills featuring a familiar face.
Oh, it’s been a while, Shin Saimdang.
I can’t even describe how embarrassing it was to have my face on a 100,000-won bill in this light novel world.
You wouldn’t believe the sweat I broke trying to stop the president from putting my face on the 50,000-won bill too.
“If you join the Future Guild, I’ll pay you this amount in cash right here. What do you think, Returnee?”
He spoke with a proud tone, looking just like a spoiled millionaire heir who’s determined to make the protagonist’s life miserable at the beginning of some hunter novel.
“Wait, who is that guy······.”
“The guild leader of the Future Guild, Park Tae-Hyuk?”
“That guild run by the Future Group, the number one conglomerate in Korea?”
“I heard they just ranked number one among player guilds too?”
“The Future Guild surely won’t let this opportunity slip. Last time, they swept all the promising ones away with money.”
Murmurs filled the air.
Extras behind me conveniently spilled all the juicy information about the guy in front of us.
Ah, so that’s it.
A spoiled brat from a wealthy family.
A conglomerate…? Right now?
As if blocking my way to see my parents isn’t bad enough, now these money-grabbing types are getting in on the action too.
Who do they think they’re trying to make a bad son out of?
“You didn’t hear me earlier, did you?”
I said while digging into my ear.
“I said I’m not joining some guild.”
“I expected this. Returnees tend to have unnecessary pride. No matter how great you were over there, this is Earth. Fine! Then let’s make it 100 billion plus an additional 100 billion. How about 200 billion?”
*Thud.*
The bodyguard next to him opened the 007 bag again, revealing stacks of cash.
I clicked my tongue.
“I don’t need such worthless pieces of paper.”
Money means nothing to me.
“Besides, you’re mistaken. Unlike other returnees, I’m planning to be a bit legendary here too. So move aside. Don’t block my way and turn me into some hotheaded filial son.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
The spoiled heir’s face twisted at my words.
Just then.
*Beep!*
My phone in my pocket rang.
This was the signal for implementing a tough approach from Earth-2.
About time, right?
Now I can finally meet my parents.
“Oh, it’s time. Now, look at the sky.”
I kindly put my arm around his shoulder and turned his face up towards the sky.
“From this moment on, this world will change forever.”
“That’s nonsense······.”
The spoiled heir froze just as he was about to retort.
The blue sky over Seoul had vanished.
Because instead of the sky, a colossal gate had opened up.
*Brrrrttt!!!*
With an overwhelming surge of magical sparks, dozens of sleek, streamlined dimensional warships appeared over Seoul, forming a fleet through the massive gate.
The shadows of the gigantic fleet suddenly engulfed the entire metropolis of Seoul, casting it from daylight into night.
It was the moment when the First Dimensional Fleet of the United Earth Army warped to Earth-1 for inter-world exchanges and to support me.
