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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Gimpo District, Returnee Transport Team 2 Leader, Ahn Jae-hoon.
As he strolled through the shelter in the safe zone, an undeniable smile bloomed on his lips.
‘This is huge.’
As usual, he had received a returnee signal on his mana detector and carried out a rescue operation.
Naturally, he had expected it to be an ordinary returnee, like any other day, but that expectation was completely off.
‘This returnee is a jackpot.’
In the current world, there were people with extraordinary abilities, such as Awakeners and returnees.
However, just as people were different, their strengths also varied greatly.
Among them, the power of this returnee, Lee Seong-joon, could be said to be overwhelming.
‘To be able to blow up a troll in an instant right after returning.’
Although it was a juvenile, not a fully grown adult, it was still a troll.
In fact, juvenile trolls were classified as D-rank monsters, making them quite a threat.
‘Even though we were significantly injured from previous battles, it’s still not a monster to be taken lightly.’
In fact, his team, Returnee Transport Team 2, including himself, had struggled considerably, hadn’t they?
But he had taken down such a troll with a single blow.
‘Perhaps…! It could be the return of the second Sword Master.’
The term “Sword Master” made Ahn Jae-hoon’s heart race once again.
It was only natural, as there were many returnees, but only one person had ever been called a Sword Master.
What if another Sword Master were to appear?
The increase in national power and interests for South Korea was a given.
Of course, these national benefits were not the only reason why Ahn Jae-hoon was so excited.
‘If I can make a good impression on such a returnee, I can prosper for the rest of my life!’
It wasn’t a pipe dream.
In the past, the entire Returnee Transport Team 3 of the Daejeon District, who had transported the Sword Master, had all been promoted and had their names etched in the Association’s headquarters in Seoul.
‘There’s a reason why they say a bad situation can turn into a good one.’
Just until lunch, he had been struggling to survive against a troll, but now he was transporting a returnee of Sword Master level.
If he played his cards right, he could enjoy the sweet fruit of promotion.
However, there was no need to be overly friendly. Returnees were quick to notice insincere actions.
Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult for him to be genuine.
Before being a returnee under temporary protection, Lee Seong-joon was the savior who had rescued him and his team from the troll.
Even if he were a “beast with a black head,” how could he not be grateful after receiving the grace of being saved? Respectful words and actions naturally flowed from him.
“If there’s any food you’d like to eat or any items you need, please let me know right away. I’ll do my best to get them for you as quickly as possible within my capabilities.”
“I’m fine.”
Even though the words were spoken casually by Lee Seong-joon, who looked young to anyone, the smile on Ahn Jae-hoon’s face remained.
Most returnees had spent a considerable amount of time in other worlds, so they were often confused about their age on Earth and their past age.
When working in the Returnee Transport Team, being spoken to casually was a common occurrence.
“Then, if you have any questions while watching the video, please feel free to ask.”
This time, without even answering, Lee Seong-joon simply nodded and continued to watch the audiovisual materials projected on the wall by the beam projector.
As he continued to watch the video with a stoic expression, a shadow fell over Lee Seong-joon’s face.
“2085…”
The year he was originally transported to the Celestial Continent was 2080, meaning there was a five-year time discrepancy.
Since it involved traveling through time and space, he hadn’t expected there to be no variables.
In fact, five years could be considered within the margin of error.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t hide his anxiety because of his family.
“Did you say earlier that the devastated park was Seonsu Park?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Seonsu Park near the Pungmu Station, which was the returnee’s residential area.”
The residential area nearby, the place where he had lived with his family, had become a ruin due to the invasion of monsters.
‘Could it be…?’
A cold sweat broke out at the thought of the worst-case scenario, but fortunately, it hadn’t happened.
“Fortunately, in 2081, when the monster invasion occurred, all of Returnee Lee Seong-joon’s family members safely evacuated.”
Hearing the answer, Lee Seong-joon spoke with a bright smile.
“I’m relieved… I’m really relieved.”
His heartfelt words and the warm tone of his voice made Ahn Jae-hoon breathe a sigh of relief.
‘That could have been the worst-case scenario.’
Each returnee had different priorities.
Most sought power, money, and the fulfillment of personal desires, but some, like Lee Seong-joon, valued their families.
Fortunately, his family was safe, and he was showing a gentle demeanor, but what if his family had died?
Ahn Jae-hoon unconsciously bit his lower lip.
‘Just thinking about it is terrifying.’
He would be disappointed in the South Korean government’s ability to deal with monsters.
In the worst-case scenario, the blade of revenge could be directed at the country, at Korea, and he could become a villain.
But fortunately, his family had all safely evacuated.
‘This is the best situation for me too.’
Of course, simply transporting a returnee was not enough to get a promotion.
He needed some influence from the higher-ups working at the Association’s headquarters.
Fortunately, returnee Lee Seong-joon was a person with strong bonds and loyalty.
As mentioned earlier, each returnee had different desires, but most sought power, money, and personal gratification.
Most of these types of returnees completely forgot about those who had helped them.
But a returnee like Lee Seong-joon, who valued his family and had a good heart and strong bonds, was different.
If he made a good first impression, they would remember and repay the kindness for a long time.
In fact, the past Team 3 of the Daejeon branch, who had transported the first Sword Master, had been promoted in this way.
“After arriving at the shelter, we contacted them immediately, so your family will be here soon.”
At Ahn Jae-hoon’s words, an unprecedented bright smile appeared on Lee Seong-joon’s face.
‘Finally…!’
He could finally meet his family again, who had always been on his side and waited patiently for him, even though he was flawed and lacking.
For a moment, his heart swelled, but there was no need to show it.
He could release the rest of his emotions when he was reunited with his family.
Lee Seong-joon calmly returned to his usual expression, but Ahn Jae-hoon did not miss that brief change.
‘I need to help him as much as possible and build a relationship.’
Even if returnee Lee Seong-joon forgot about today, Ahn Jae-hoon had nothing to lose.
He could just go on with his life.
But what if returnee Lee Seong-joon remembered today?
He could get his name etched in the Association’s headquarters, which he had so longed for, and walk the path of success.
“There seems to be some time left until your family arrives. If you’d like, can I help you with your returnee registration in the meantime?”
To live a normal social life as a returnee, one had to register as a returnee.
It would be a good thing to get registered during this spare time.
“That’s not a bad idea.”
As if he had been waiting for Lee Seong-joon to nod, Ahn Jae-hoon immediately got up from his seat.
“Then I’ll bring the measuring device right away. Please wait a moment.”
About five minutes later, Ahn Jae-hoon, wearing half-frame glasses that covered only his right eye, entered the room where Lee Seong-joon was sitting.
“This is the measuring device, MEP-07.”
It was a device made by a German returnee, capable of scanning the body of the person being looked at and inferring the current state of the body and the amount of mana.
“You may feel a little uncomfortable during the scan, but please think of it as just a verification procedure.”
As it was a device that was commonly seen and heard about in the past on Earth, Lee Seong-joon readily nodded his head.
“I permit it.”
-Woong-!
The moment the measuring device emitted a short hum, a faint internal energy swept over his body.
‘It’s not a very pleasant feeling.’
It felt like a high-level expert was scanning his body with internal energy.
As Ahn Jae-hoon had said, it was not a very pleasant feeling.
Fortunately, the measurement did not last long.
“It’s finished. You have been assessed as F-rank for now. All other returnees also start at F, so you don’t have to worry too much about the rank. The official registration card will be issued in about ten days at the latest, but since it would be inconvenient for you to revisit, we can send it to the address where your family is staying if you’d like.”
Of course, it was an incredibly fast issuance, and sending it to the address was also a service that had never been seen before.
In a country where connections and personal relationships were everything, there was no way that Korean civil servants would be this kind without a reason.
It was simply Ahn Jae-hoon’s consideration to leave a good last impression.
Although it might seem like a small gesture, it was enough to satisfy Lee Seong-joon, as it relieved him of the cumbersome tasks created by incompetent bureaucracy.
“Good.”
He shouldn’t be too greedy.
Returnee Lee Seong-joon could be considered to have a good personality, but the lines that returnees wouldn’t cross varied.
He could inadvertently cross the line and incur his wrath.
Seeing the faint smile on Lee Seong-joon’s lips, Ahn Jae-hoon immediately got up from his seat.
“I will let you know as soon as your family arrives at the shelter. Until then, please rest comfortably. If you need anything, feel free to let me know through the intercom over there at any time.”
Just as Ahn Jae-hoon was about to leave the room again, his smartphone rang.
Taking out the smartphone he had put in his pocket and checking the contents, Ahn Jae-hoon smiled and said.
“Your younger sister has arrived. She is being guided by the staff and is on her way here.”
“……!”
For the first time, Lee Seong-joon’s eyes wavered.
It was only natural, as it was the reunion with his family that he had so longed for.
He had thought he was prepared, but his heart was pounding more than he had expected.
-Thump! Thump!
The sound of his heart beating wildly echoed in his ears.
Creak-
The small door opened, and the voice he had missed so much was heard.
“Oppa?”
Even though he hadn’t finished preparing himself, his head reflexively turned.
There, a woman with long, straight hair reaching her waist, wearing a brown hoodie and jeans, was breathing heavily.
As he silently confirmed the woman’s appearance, he felt a lump in his throat without realizing it.
“……”
Lee Seo-yoon, a being he wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
His one and only younger sister, the reason he had so longed to return to Earth, was standing before him.
“Is it really you, Oppa?”
His younger sister’s appearance filled his vision, and her warm voice lingered in his ears, making his heart pound wildly.
Thump-thump!
It was the moment he had so longed for, and he had practiced it countless times in his head for this day, but strangely, he couldn’t think of anything.
His heart was simply overwhelmed.
In the end, he forgot all the words he had practiced and prepared, and he opened his mouth with a usual smirk.
“It’s been a while.”
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