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For Those Returning Bastards a Beating Is the Best Remedy – Chapter 14

.。.:✧ Operation Commences ✧:.。.

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Translated By Arcane Translations

Translator: Silverriver

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On the outskirts of Chinatown.

-Wee-ooh, wee-ooh, wee-ooh, wee-ooh, wee-ooh.

Police cars, sirens blaring, flooded the streets. The gang members guarding the entrance to Chinatown scrambled to their feet, weapons in hand.

“Hey! Everyone grab your weapons!!”

“These bastards are asking for a-”

-Screech!!

But the police cars stopped in unison, fifty meters from the Chinatown border.

While the gang members watched in confusion, a woman stepped out of the passenger seat of the lead police car.

She had dark, almost bluish-black hair with a hint of violet, and a model-esque figure with long, slender legs.

All eyes were on her as she raised a megaphone and spoke.

“Greetings. I am Yoo Seol, Assistant Director of the Kwon Tae-ho Enforcer Office.”

Her clear, ringing voice echoed through the border area. The gang members were momentarily taken aback by the mention of the Enforcer Office. Yoo Seol continued, explaining the situation.

“Currently, a Class 1 Ability Criminal, whom our office is pursuing, is hiding within Chinatown. We have mobilized police forces to block all roads leading into and out of Chinatown. However, we want to make it clear that this is solely to prevent the criminal’s escape and not an attempt to interfere with Chinatown’s internal affairs. I repeat, this blockade is solely for the purpose of preventing the criminal’s escape…”

Yoo Seol’s announcement was being broadcast simultaneously to all roads surrounding Chinatown. This allowed members of every gang to understand the reason for the sudden blockade.

“What the hell are they doing?! Blocking us in like this?!”

They understood the reason, but that didn’t mean they were happy about it. Some glared at the police, their faces contorted with rage.

However, no one resorted to violence.

Chinatown was Korea’s sole extraterritorial zone. This unprecedented situation was possible because of two agreements.

One, the government and law enforcement wouldn’t interfere in Chinatown’s internal affairs.

And two, in return, Chinatown’s criminals wouldn’t cause trouble outside.

The gang members knew that if any of them acted out, it would give the authorities justification to intervene.

“Hmm, as expected, no one is foolish enough to challenge us directly.”

Yoo Seol, as if anticipating Chinatown’s reaction, smiled faintly and handed the megaphone to the police officer beside her. It was Superintendent Kim Soo-ho, the officer in charge of the operation.

“Thank you for your swift cooperation, Superintendent Kim. This allows our office to focus solely on apprehending the criminal.”

“We can’t keep this many officers tied up on a blockade indefinitely. You have 48 hours. Keep that in mind.”

“48 hours is plenty.”

48 hours was enough time for Kwon Tae-ho to circle Chinatown ten times over. Time wouldn’t be an issue.

‘I didn’t expect the Incheon police to cooperate so readily.’

For the Incheon police, Chinatown was a hornet’s nest they preferred to leave undisturbed.

What they were doing now was akin to lighting a fire and performing a ritual in front of that hornet’s nest. Yoo Seol had anticipated that the blockade, even with the backing of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, would take at least a day or two to implement.

‘Did mentioning the Sword Demon’s single-handed annihilation of the Thousand Tigers Gang have that much of an impact? Or perhaps it’s Enforcer Kwon’s reputation?’

Either way, it was a good thing for the Kwon Tae-ho Enforcer Office. Just as Yoo Seol was thinking this, her phone, tucked inside her coat, began to vibrate.

“Yes, Enforcer Kwon. I’m here.”

“I just heard from the rookie. She found the Sword Demon. He was at Feifei’s apartment.”

So soon?

She was momentarily surprised, but quickly regained her composure. The sooner, the better.

“Understood. Are you heading there now?”

“Yes. What about the blockade?”

“All roads are already blocked. Should I send backup to the northern residential district where the Sword Demon is located, to reinforce the blockade?”

“That would be helpful. Concentrating forces in one area, making it seem like we have a large presence, is important. That will discourage him from trying to escape and keep him trapped inside Chinatown.”

“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”

-Click.

Yoo Seol hung up and spoke to Superintendent Kim.

“We’ve located the perpetrator. He’s in the Seoknam-dong area, in the northeastern part of Chinatown. Can you deploy backup to the main roads in the north and east?”

“We’ve already established the blockade. Are you saying you need more manpower?”

“The more, the better. It’s best if the perpetrator gives up without a fight.”

“Just how powerful is this perpetrator…?”

Seeing Superintendent Kim’s hesitation, Yoo Seol spoke frankly.

“He’s strong. Very strong. Strong enough to injure Enforcer Kwon.”

“To draw blood from Enforcer Kwon Tae-ho…”

Superintendent Kim chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.

“Alright. I’ll send reinforcements to that area. Like you said, it’s best if the perpetrator is intimidated enough to avoid a confrontation.”

“Thank you.”

Watching Superintendent Kim relay the orders to his officers, Yoo Seol sighed in relief.

She had done everything she could. Now, all that was left was for Kwon Tae-ho to subdue and apprehend the Sword Demon.

‘I hope everything goes smoothly…’

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“Ugh?!”

Meanwhile, at that moment.

In the slum area in the southern part of Chinatown.

“Damn, they’re persistent. I told them I’d go quietly…”

Kwon Tae-ho dusted off his hands. Around fifteen gang members lay at his feet, bleeding.

Circling the same streets repeatedly while searching for the Sword Demon had been a mistake. These gang members had approached him, suspicious of his behavior. The result was as one could see.

‘And of all places, I end up searching in the complete opposite direction.’

Feifei’s apartment was on the northeastern edge of Chinatown, while he was currently in the southern part, closer to the west.

A straight line distance of about ten kilometers.

‘About ten minutes at full speed.’

-Crackle!!

Kwon Tae-ho channeled his internal energy into his legs. Simultaneously, blue sparks, the residue of the mana used for his enhancement spells, crackled around him.

‘I’m not letting him escape this time!’

-Boom!!

Leaving a trail of blue light, Kwon Tae-ho shot into the air.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

 

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Ha-yeon and Feifei stood silently in an alley a short distance from Feifei’s apartment.

”…….“

Feifei hadn’t spoken a word since Ha-yeon had called Kwon Tae-ho.

Ha-yeon stood beside her quietly. She couldn’t imagine how much Feifei was struggling.

”Ha-yeon… Enforcer Kwon Tae-ho… he won’t kill him, right…?“

Feifei finally spoke, her voice filled with anxiety. Ha-yeon immediately shook her head.

”I haven’t known Enforcer Kwon for very long, but he would never do that. He arrests criminals to make them atone for their crimes, not to kill them.“

Well, he might beat them to within an inch of their lives…

She swallowed the last part, deeming it unnecessary, and gently squeezed Feifei’s hand. She thought Feifei needed some comfort and reassurance.

However…

”…….“

Ironically, that comfort only intensified Feifei’s inner turmoil.

Just one day.

She had only known him for one day. She didn’t even know his name.

But that one day had rekindled a warmth in Feifei’s life that had long been extinguished. The thought of losing that warmth again made her emotions waver.

She thought,

After her parents died, there had been no warmth in her life. That was the nature of Chinatown. A cold, harsh city, driven by self-interest, like a winter night.

But the Sword Demon had saved her without asking for anything in return.

He had listened to her story without judgment, offering genuine empathy.

And when she had cried, remembering her parents, he had silently patted her back, offering comfort.

It was a small connection, a faint light. But it was the first ray of hope in her long, dark life.

The thought that she was about to extinguish that light with her own hands made her teeth chatter.

Was this really the right thing to do? Was there no other way?

What if they ran away together? Yes, they could leave this harsh Chinatown together. If she stayed with him, she would surely have a chance to persuade him.

To stop killing. To let go of whatever burden he carried and live a peaceful life with her.

”Feifei…?“

Ha-yeon, sensing something amiss, asked hesitantly.

-Dash!

”Feifei!?“

Suddenly, Feifei ran off without warning. Towards her apartment, where the Sword Demon was waiting.

”W-wait! Feifei!“

-Grab!

But Ha-yeon caught her. Feifei struggled, but an ordinary person couldn’t break free from a Returnee, even a trainee Enforcer.

”What’s wrong, Feifei?!“

”I can’t do this! I don’t want him to spend his life in prison! I’ll convince him! I’ll convince him to stop killing-“

”O-okay, Feifei. I understand. Just calm down and let’s talk-“

Calmly talk? Impossible. Feifei’s rationality had been completely overtaken by her emotions.

”Mister!!“

Feifei shouted. Even though they were some distance away, the Sword Demon, with his heightened senses, would surely hear her.

”Mister! Run!“

”Wait, Feifei…!“

”Run! Hurry-!“

Panicked, Ha-yeon covered Feifei’s mouth. She wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do, but if the Sword Demon found out-

”Oh.“

But Ha-yeon’s hopes were dashed as a familiar figure appeared on the rooftop of the building.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

 

”Feifei…?“

Drawn by Feifei’s shouts, the Sword Demon looked down from the rooftop and saw the scene below. Ha-yeon holding Feifei, who looked distressed and restrained.

-Shing!

He didn’t fully grasp the situation. Yet, he drew his swords. It seemed Feifei wasn’t the only one whose emotions had overridden their reason.

”Oh no…!“

Ha-yeon, startled, stepped back. Taking advantage of the loosened grip, Feifei broke free and yelled,

”She’s an Enforcer! Run, Mister!“

Feifei’s words reached the Sword Demon’s ears.

He hesitated for barely a second.

-Whoosh!

Then, he vanished from the rooftop.

”Huh?!“

Is he coming? Ha-yeon braced herself for an attack, but the Sword Demon was nowhere to be seen. She realized he had fled, leaving Feifei behind.

‘Why?’

It was unexpected. She had assumed he would attack to protect Feifei.

This unexpected outcome was entirely thanks to Feifei.

She knew that even if she told him to run, the Sword Demon wouldn’t leave her behind. That’s why, in that critical moment, she had chosen the most effective words.

‘An Enforcer…’

Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, the Sword Demon thought,

If she was an Enforcer, then Feifei was probably safe. Enforcers generally adhered to a code of conduct. They wouldn’t harm a civilian, even one who had defended a criminal.

‘If she’s an Enforcer, then she must be Kwon Tae-ho’s colleague. Did they send her undercover as a bar hostess to get close to Feifei…? No, that’s not possible. I only met Feifei yesterday. There wasn’t enough time for an undercover operation.’

Then what was going on?

Even as he fled, the Sword Demon racked his brain, but he couldn’t come up with an answer. He couldn’t fathom that Feifei had lied to protect Ha-yeon.

‘…There’s no point speculating without more information. I need to escape.’

Thinking this, the Sword Demon quickly reached the outskirts of Chinatown.

But then…

”That’s…”

He saw the flashing red and blue lights of police cars blocking all the roads leading out of Chinatown.

Police officers lined the streets outside the border, while gang members stood guard inside, wary of the police presence. There was no fighting, but the atmosphere was tense, like a battlefield.

‘Escaping through there… will be difficult.’

He could force his way through, but that would draw too much attention, making it impossible to shake off pursuit.

‘There’s a side road nearby.’

With fewer officers guarding the narrower streets, he decided to head that way.

-…Crackle.

But at that moment.

A flash of blue light caught his eye.

-Crackle!!

Two bolts of lightning crossed paths. The silver flash of the Sword Demon’s blade and the blue afterimage of the lightning sent a chill down his spine.

So, it had come to this.

Then he would fight.

“Kwon Tae-ho!!”

The Sword Demon spun around, ready to face his opponent.

And then.

-Crackle!!

An intense blue light, the telltale sign of mana combustion, flared.

Kwon Tae-ho was clinging to the side of a building, his hand embedded in the wall. Six magic circles appeared around his legs.

Six was the maximum number of spells Kwon Tae-ho could cast simultaneously.

‘Acceleration.’

All six slots were dedicated to the Haste spell, stacked six times.

-Boom!!

With an earsplitting crack, Kwon Tae-ho’s fastest attack slammed into the Sword Demon.

“Gah?!”

-Crash!

The Sword Demon’s body was sent tumbling across the rooftop. His eyes widened in shock.

‘Fast! I can barely track his movements… but my body can’t keep up…!’

He had managed to avoid a direct hit by twisting his body at the last moment, but the searing pain in his shoulder made his left arm tremble. He almost dropped his sword.

“That solid impact… it’s your real body, isn’t it?”

Kwon Tae-ho dusted off his fist and said as he turned around. The Sword Demon forced his trembling left arm to hold his sword and sneered.

“…You’re completely different from before. Did you get some training in?”

“Training? No. I just changed tactics, figuring this would be more effective.”

Kwon Tae-ho had identified the Sword Demon’s strengths: his exceptional dynamic vision and judgment, which allowed him to analyze his opponent’s techniques and exploit openings with his uncanny swordsmanship.

So, Kwon Tae-ho had used Mana Bolts and unpredictable movements to deceive him and gain the upper hand.

But that tactic wouldn’t work a second time. The Sword Demon had sharp eyes. He would quickly adapt to Kwon Tae-ho’s tricks.

That’s why Kwon Tae-ho had changed his approach.

To deny the Sword Demon the time to analyze his moves.

To end the fight quickly, with the fastest possible attacks.

‘Casting Haste more than four times puts a lot of strain on my body. I can’t keep this up for long.’

-Crackle!!

With a blinding flash, Kwon Tae-ho charged. The Sword Demon, seemingly unable to react, was struck by Kwon Tae-ho’s fist, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Ugh?!”

The impact, piercing his side, made him gag. Kwon Tae-ho, using an inertia control spell to minimize the recoil, immediately followed up with another accelerated attack.

-Clang.

This time, the Sword Demon managed to raise his sword. Kwon Tae-ho didn’t care. He hadn’t been able to react properly to the previous two attacks. This was just pointless resistance.

-Thwack!!

-Slash!!

He had thought so, but…

“Huh.”

A surprised gasp escaped Kwon Tae-ho’s lips.

His fist had connected with the Sword Demon’s abdomen. But at the same time, the Sword Demon’s sword had sliced through his outstretched right arm.

-Drip. Drip. Drip.

Kwon Tae-ho stared at the blood dripping from his arm, then looked at the Sword Demon in disbelief.

He knew the Sword Demon’s capabilities. His reflexes were excellent, but his physical abilities were lacking. He shouldn’t have been able to keep up with Kwon Tae-ho’s attacks.

“…You’re fast, but your movements are too straightforward. The angle of your jump, the way you shift your weight… it makes your target obvious. Seeing it twice was enough for me to predict it.”

The Sword Demon spoke calmly, as if surprised by Kwon Tae-ho’s surprise.

“Haha.”

Then, it dawned on Kwon Tae-ho.

He had forgotten.

“That damn genius…”

The enemy before him was a genius who called himself the Sword Demon.

“Come at me again. This time, I’ll take your head.”

Never underestimate a genius, no matter how unfair their advantage.

Kwon Tae-ho was reminded of this truth for the first time in a long time.

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For Those Returning Bastards a Beating Is the Best Remedy

For Those Returning Bastards a Beating Is the Best Remedy

Score 9.4
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Artist: Released: 2024 Native Language: Korean
"Those returnee bastards need a good beating. The higher-ups just don't get it." The absolute supreme ruler who commanded the world, the hero who saved it, the witch who schemed in the city's shadows. All those returnee bastards are ticking time bombs, but there's one key difference. Unlike bombs, they quiet down in the face of violence.

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