Chapter 204
Chapter 204. Return (4)
“Ugh!”
The day after returning home.
After a long-awaited good night’s sleep, Yoo Ji-han stretched energetically as he got up.
Leaving the Sylph resting silently on the bed, he went to the living room and poured himself a cup of water.
Then, he turned on his mobile phone, which had been turned off for a day.
Ding ding! Ding ding! Ding ding!
Ding ding! Ding ding! Ding ding!
The vibrations and notification sounds from the phone rang incessantly.
There were hundreds of missed calls that he hadn’t answered.
The unread messenger notifications had surpassed 999, and the number didn’t seem to rise anymore.
Yoo Ji-han, placing his phone screen-down on the desk, turned on his computer to check the latest news.
“Jae-kyung is back.”
Just a few minutes ago, breaking news came in that Park Jae-kyung and Jung Gi-jun, who were in Yeosu, had returned to Seoul.
As he felt relieved seeing her unharmed, he unexpectedly spotted a familiar face in the photos taken by reporters.
“Adem?”
Although he had entrusted him to Jung Young-wook’s party, the otherworlder Adem had been taken by Park Jae-kyung.
From the looks of it, he seemed to be walking quietly without any resistance, suggesting he had surrendered on purpose.
In that moment, as Yoo Ji-han recalled how cooperative he had been, he felt a little warm inside.
[Q. What do you think about the presence of Yoo Ji-han, known for his sweet fun, during the expedition?]
[Q. It’s said that Yoo Ji-han’s Rank 3 party had more accomplishments than higher-ranked parties… ]
[Q. I’m curious about the relationship between Park Jae-kyung and Yoo Ji-han.]
Among the questions directed at Park Jae-kyung and Jung Gi-jun, many were particularly related to Yoo Ji-han.
This made Yoo Ji-han’s cheeks flush.
“Why are they asking such questions?”
Click clack! Click clack!
Quickly scrolling down with the mouse, he reached the end of the article.
The last question was about the missing Yoon Do-ha.
[Q. Has Guild Master Yoon Do-ha not been found?]
[A. We will find him. Definitely.]
Park Jae-kyung expressed a strong determination not to give up on the guild master.
Jung Gi-jun, the vice-guild master of Red Hole, felt the same way.
‘It might be better to organize the information and convey it.’
As the only one who had traversed the dimensional barriers during the expedition, Yoo Ji-han discovered how to access that place.
While verification would be necessary, the possibility of crossing from Earth to another world had effectively arisen.
This was undoubtedly information many would desire.
However, a sense of worry crept into Yoo Ji-han’s mind.
“We might become the invaders ourselves.”
Earthlings, who had been so quick to condemn invaders, could very well find themselves in the role of the intruders.
*
As time passed, the conflict between the expeditionary forces and IUPC turned increasingly in favor of the expeditionary forces.
The once fiercely resisting white-haired humans became little more than mere stronger-than-average civilians after the monsters they controlled vanished.
The IUPC members, notoriously slow to gauge the shifting dynamics, declared their defeat and knelt down only after suffering numerous casualties.
“Indeed, it’s execution for them.”
The captured otherworlders were, as Yoo Ji-han had predicted, used by the Hero Department as a means to promote their achievements.
Except for Adem, who followed Jerry and Park Jae-kyung after Yoo Ji-han requested mercy, the others’ faces became known to the press, resulting in sentences of life imprisonment or execution.
At least, they were granted a means to die without too much suffering, so that was somewhat of a mercy.
‘Will the Hero Academy be resuming soon?’
There had been no news regarding the Hero Academy, which had been suspended due to the expedition.
With that thought, Yoo Ji-han spent his time organizing his surroundings after agreeing with his party members not to go into the Hero Academy office.
He had received many calls and requests from various people.
He also didn’t forget to check on Nam Ho-yeol’s well-being.
“He seems to be doing better than I thought.”
“Were you hoping he would be hurt?”
“Of course not.”
And the day Yoo Ji-han’s aunt visited his home.
A request came from the Hero Department for Yoo Ji-han’s party to attend.
“Your aunt is going too?”
“She knows someone there. …But what’s with your outfit?”
Yoo Ji-han stepped outside the house wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask.
His somewhat extravagant attire couldn’t be helped.
“People keep swarming me outside.”
“You’re quite the celebrity now.”
“Maybe even more than that.”
Yoo Ji-han shrugged his shoulders.
He had covered up deliberately because people recognized his face every time he went out.
Honestly, he still felt burdened by their attention.
“Let’s go.”
Upon arriving at the Hero Department by taxi, Yoo Ji-han separated from his aunt, who had other business, and moved to the meeting place with his party members.
“……Huh?”
There was a man wearing a familiar hat in that place.
He was dressed almost exactly like Yoo Ji-han—Kim Si-hu.
“You too?”
“You too?”
After only talking over the phone, they finally met in person after several days.
Seeing each other’s situation, both men’s lips curved into a smile.
“Where’s Yu-ri?”
“She went in first because of Chilla. She said to call her if needed.”
Even after the expedition was concluded, Chilla still had not woken up.
Worried, Min Yu-ri had been alternating visits to her brother in the hospital and to Chilla at the Hero Department every day.
‘I don’t think Jerry lied about it.’
Yoo Ji-han then moved with Kim Si-hu to the place delivered by Yang Ji-cheol.
“Jae-kyung?”
“Ah, Ji-han!”
There were Park Jae-kyung and Jung Gi-jun, who had already arrived, from their time in Yeosu.
They welcomed Yoo Ji-han, who they had talked on the phone with just a while ago.
“What are we called here for today?”
“We’re not quite sure either.”
“As I mentioned over the phone, I’m relieved you’re safe, Ji-han.”
“Thanks to Gi-jun, things turned out well.”
Yoo Ji-han expressed his gratitude to Jung Gi-jun once more.
Had he not passed on the title of expedition leader in Yeosu, it would have been much more challenging to seek help from Kim Hyun-tae in Haenam.
“Everyone’s here.”
“……!”
“Minister Jo?!”
At that moment, Minister Jo Du-jin appeared before them.
Riding in a wheelchair, he slowly approached and spoke.
“Sorry for the sudden call.”
“It’s alright.”
“It’s not that; I wanted to discuss something with you all.”
“……?”
“Ji-han, is it true that dimensional boundaries actually exist?”
“Indeed.”
Yoo Ji-han shared general information about the topic with Jo Du-jin and those around him.
At first, everyone appeared skeptical, but the trust increased because it was Yoo Ji-han who brought it up.
“What do you think the Hero Department should do?”
“If possible… we should bring Rank 1 Heroes from the other world.”
“Is that really possible?”
“It seems like we can go, but whether we can come back to Earth is uncertain.”
Everyone nodded silently at the concern about returning to Earth.
Attempting to move dimensions with a light heart could lead to being trapped in another world for life.
Essentially, it meant being stuck with Rank 1 Heroes in that other world.
“If needed, I’m thinking of assembling a dimensional travel research team with experts.”
“Hmm. That sounds like a good idea.”
“I hope you all can help with that.”
“Of course.”
Park Jae-kyung and Jung Gi-jun promised their cooperation.
If the top talents from the Dice and Red Hole guilds joined, they could create significant synergy.
“And today, I plan to hand over Drimium to Yoo Ji-han’s party.”
“Really?”
“Ji-han here directly requested it from me. Instead, I set a condition that if it’s not handled properly within a year, it must be returned.”
Park Jae-kyung and Jung Gi-jun looked at Yoo Ji-han simultaneously.
The Dice and Red Hole had also received Drimium from the Hero Department and had tried processing it, but all attempts had failed to even scratch the metal.
It was a material so temperamental that even the power of a large guild couldn’t handle it.
Yet, now a medium-sized guild called Sweet Fun was going to take it on?
‘……If it’s Ji-han, it might be possible.’
Yoo Ji-han had exhibited quite a few unique abilities during the expedition.
Park Jae-kyung held peculiar expectations for him.
“I’m in favor.”
Jung Gi-jun felt similarly.
He believed Yoo Ji-han’s party deserved the chance to challenge the material.
“Seeing both of you say that, it seems you’re quite recognized.”
For executives of a large guild, the criteria for assessing heroes become extremely meticulous.
If not, they wouldn’t be able to sift through and nurture outstanding talents.
Yoo Ji-han, who had gained recognition among those top executives, had significant value in Minister Jo Du-jin’s eyes.
*
“Sorry for being late.”
“It’s fine. How is Chilla?”
“She’s reportedly getting better.”
Yoo Ji-han’s party, now joined by Min Yu-ri, followed Jo Du-jin into the elevator.
Instead of pressing the elevator buttons, Jo Du-jin manipulated what appeared to be a remote control.
Suddenly, the elevator they were in began to descend rapidly underground.
“The place we’re heading to is an area normally not disclosed to outsiders.”
“Are we allowed to enter?”
“I’ve given permission.”
Thud!
Soon, with a sound signaling the elevator’s stop, the doors opened.
“Follow me.”
“O….”
“What is this…?”
As Yoo Ji-han’s party slowly moved ahead, they began looking around.
After passing various verification procedures, they arrived at a large space filled with numerous artifacts and potions.
This place, where temperature and humidity were optimally maintained in every zone, was the Hero Department’s hidden warehouse.
“That area over there has items scheduled to go to a global auction this month.”
“Impressive.”
“At this time, it’s fine to take Drimium instead. You can take up to three pieces, depending on your party size.”
“I’ll refuse. Unless you’re offering it as a gift.”
Although the items looked great, Yoo Ji-han wasn’t swayed by temptation and followed Jo Du-jin.
When they reached the center of the warehouse, they spotted a large, hefty box.
Creeeak—
As Jo Du-jin opened the box, a black object was revealed.
“It’s Drimium.”
“……!”
The metal sparkled like a starry night sky, studded with points that shimmered like a Milky Way, giving it an ethereal appearance.
That mass was precisely the Drimium that Yoo Ji-han had wanted.
“Beautiful!”
“It’s my first time seeing it in person.”
“Do you know how it was acquired?”
“I heard it was taken from intruders.”
“It was a tough battle, just like this expedition.”
Jo Du-jin patted his knee.
He had suffered a significant injury during that fight, leaving him with irreparable damage.
“I hope it finds its rightful owner this time.”
Yoo Ji-han received the box containing Drimium from Jo Du-jin.
“How do you plan to use it?”
“For now, I’m going to leave it to our exclusive blacksmith.”
“Any ordinary skill could lead to major setbacks.”
“He’s someone who can make artifacts.”
“……Really?”
“It is.”
Having a craftsman capable of creating artifacts join a medium-sized guild seemed hard to believe.
“A reclusive master, I see.”
“He’ll soon make a name for himself.”
“I look forward to it.”
*
After parting ways with Yoo Ji-han’s party, Jo Du-jin moved to the reception room.
Another guest was waiting for him there.
Jo Du-jin looked at the woman lightly bowing her head toward him.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has.”
“Who would have thought you were Yoo Ji-han’s family…?”
She was Han Seo-in, Yoo Ji-han’s aunt.
