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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Returnee Alliance Headquarters, Main Conference Room.
The monthly executive meeting was in progress.
“Thank you all for attending despite your busy schedules. I, Chief of Staff Kim Ki-young, will be presiding over this meeting in place of the Alliance Leader, who is currently in seclusion training. I’ll do my best.”
After a brief greeting, he went straight to the point.
“First on the agenda…”
He pressed a button on the remote, and a holographic image appeared.
“Name: Lee Seong-jun… Age: 26… Presumed to have spent five years in another world, from ’80 to ’85…”
Kim Ki-young’s explanation was interrupted by Choi Seung-tae, the Martial Arts Sect Leader, who oversaw the Awakened martial artists.
“The monster who defeated the SS-rank villain Cho Se-hyeok just two months after returning to Earth… Let’s not waste time. Who here hasn’t investigated Lee Seong-jun?”
While they hadn’t witnessed the fight firsthand, they knew Lee Seong-jun was no ordinary Hunter. Two months. While it was enough time for a Returnee to make significant progress, leveraging past memories, it wasn’t nearly enough to defeat an SS-rank, a near-transcendent martial artist.
There was a reason why SS-rank Hunters and transcendent martial artists were rare. Reaching that level required years, even decades, of rigorous training, even for the most talented individuals.
Yet, Lee Seong-jun had defeated Cho Se-hyeok, a powerful martial artist, just two months after returning. He was a monster. Even ordinary Hunters would have investigated him thoroughly, but Lee Seong-jun was a Returnee.
As Returnee Alliance executives, they had to be interested. In fact, they couldn’t remain executives if they weren’t interested. The other executives nodded in agreement.
“Then… since everyone’s aware, let’s get to the point. As Sect Leader Choi mentioned, Lee Seong-jun is a monster with an unbelievable growth rate.”
His growth rate surpassed even the Alliance Leader’s. He might even rival the current strongest member of the Returnee Alliance. Of course, as with all Returnees, he might hit a wall and plateau.
But having defeated Cho Se-hyeok, he wasn’t someone they could ignore.
‘If it weren’t for the orders from the World Returnee Alliance…’
They would have approached him sooner. It was a complicated situation, but not irreversible.
“I believe one of us should contact Returnee Lee Seong-jun on behalf of the Alliance and make an assessment. Do you all agree?”
The executives responded immediately.
“Agreed.”
“I agree as well.”
“And if he’s deemed dangerous, we should eliminate him on the spot.”
Most of the executives nodded in agreement. Kim Ki-young continued, as if anticipating this reaction.
“Since the majority agrees, one of us will contact Returnee Lee Seong-jun. Now… let’s decide who will be our representative.”
The executives exchanged glances.
“As a fellow martial artist, I, Choi Seung-tae, should be the one to go.”
“You took the last rookie just because he was a martial artist. And now you want Lee Seong-jun too? Shameless.”
“You seniors already have plenty of subordinates. Shouldn’t this opportunity go to us, the Knights?”
While they were all part of the Returnee Alliance, each division held its own power and influence, only temporarily united for mutual benefit. And power stemmed from strength.
They all coveted Lee Seong-jun, the one who defeated the SS-rank villain, Cho Se-hyeok.
“Do you think we don’t know you Knights have been secretly expanding your influence?”
“Well… we’re just trying to catch up to you seniors. But you knew, and you tolerated it? I expected you to burst into flames and confront us, but you’re not as hot-headed as I thought.”
“Hah… I showed you mercy because you’re my juniors, and now you’re trying to climb over my head.”
With the Alliance Leader, their strongest member and mediator, in seclusion, the executives openly challenged each other. A tense atmosphere filled the room, on the verge of erupting into a fight. Then, a massive man, over two meters tall and built like a tank, raised his hand.
“…I’ll go.”
The bickering executives fell silent and turned to look at him, their eyes filled with surprise. But beneath the surface, fear and apprehension welled up. It was the aura of an absolute master. No, it was something more primal, more savage.
The Returnee Alliance executives weren’t easily intimidated; they were powerful in their own right.
‘The Fighting Demon, Baek Mu-jin…’
As his title suggested, he was a martial artist who lived for battle. And his martial prowess was undeniable. He was an SS+-rank Hunter, one of the strongest in Korea. Within the Returnee Alliance, where strength equaled power, only the Alliance Leader could refuse him. His official position was Vice Alliance Leader, the second most powerful position in the Alliance.
Normally, the executives would readily agree. But they were puzzled.
‘Baek Mu-jin is going himself…?’
Baek Mu-jin only cared about fighting strong opponents. He wasn’t interested in power or expanding his influence. In fact, he refused to have any subordinates, seeing them as a hindrance to his training. Yet, he was volunteering to meet Lee Seong-jun.
‘Why?’
It was unusual, but the reason wasn’t difficult to deduce.
‘…Lee Seong-jun defeated the SS-rank villain Cho Se-hyeok, alone.’
Baek Mu-jin revered strength and craved challenging battles. The only reason he’d joined the Returnee Alliance was to finish his unfinished battle with the Alliance Leader. Lee Seong-jun, a newly emerged powerhouse, must have piqued his interest.
‘Lee Seong-jun… This is unfortunate.’
Baek Mu-jin was notoriously stubborn, even the Alliance Leader couldn’t control him. Objecting would only make things worse.
‘In the worst case… he might resort to violence.’
With the Alliance Leader in seclusion, who could stop him, the strongest member of the Alliance? They might covet Lee Seong-jun, but not at the cost of their own safety.
“I, Choi Seung-tae, and the Martial Arts Sect will respect Fighting Demon Baek Mu-jin’s decision.”
“Indeed. It’s reassuring to have Master Baek volunteer.”
The executives, having quickly assessed the situation, readily agreed.
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Meanwhile, at Lee Seong-jun’s home. It was a peaceful weekend afternoon, a time for relaxation, but Lee Seong-jun was on edge, constantly scanning his surroundings.
“…”
While they were physically unharmed, the sudden villain attack must have been traumatizing for his family. They tried to appear normal, but he could see through their facade. A shadow lingered in their eyes, a stark contrast to their usual cheerful demeanor.
‘They must be worried.’
He understood, and it pained him. But he wouldn’t wallow in self-pity. He couldn’t.
‘This happened because of me.’
He had to take responsibility, resolve the situation, and lighten the mood. He nodded to himself, about to speak in a cheerful voice, when his mother, Kim Ji-young, asked cautiously, “Son… are you sure you’re okay?”
Her eyes were filled with concern. Lee Seong-jun forced a smile.
“Of course. I’ll make sure those villains never come near us again.”
It wasn’t just bravado. He was already taking control of the underworld through Yoon Gi-seong. Such attacks wouldn’t happen again.
“Really. I promise.”
He spoke with conviction, confident in his plans. But Kim Ji-young’s question was different from what he’d expected.
“…I’m glad to hear that. But I was asking if you were okay, son.”
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