Chapter 4
Ahn Jae-hoon, Team Leader of Returnee Transport Team 2 in Gimpo District.
An undisguisable smile spread across his face as he walked through the shelter set up in the safe zone.
'This is huge.'
As usual, they had carried out a rescue operation after receiving a returnee signal detected by the mana detector. He had assumed it would be an unremarkable returnee like usual, but that expectation was completely off the mark.
'This returnee is an incredible find.'
The current Earth is a world with people possessing strange abilities like awakened ones and returnees.
However, just as people differ from one another, their strengths also varied greatly.
Among them, the power of this returnee, Lee Seong-jun, could be called overwhelming.
'To be able to instantly burst a troll right after returning...'
Although it wasn't an adult but a cub, it was still a troll. In fact, even a troll cub was classified as a D-rank monster, threatening enough.
'Though we were significantly injured from previous battles, it's certainly not a monster to be taken lightly.'
Weren't he, Jae-hoon, and the rest of Returnee Transport Team 2 having considerable difficulty with it?
Yet, he dealt with such a troll in a single strike.
'Maybe...! The second Sword Master might have returned.'
The term 'Sword Master' once again heated Jae-hoon's chest. This was inevitable because although there were many returnees, until now, only one person could be called a Sword Master.
If another Sword Master were to be added?
The rise in South Korea's national power and national interest goes without saying.
Of course, it wasn't just because of such national benefits that Jae-hoon was expressing so much joy.
'Just leaving a good impression on such a returnee could lead to a successful life from now on!'
It wasn't an unrealistic dream. In fact, in the past, the entire Returnee Transport Team 3 in Daejeon, who had transported a Sword Master, had been promoted and made their names at the Association headquarters in Seoul.
'The saying "blessing in disguise" exists for a reason.'
Until lunchtime, they had been struggling to survive against the troll, but now they were transporting a Sword Master-level returnee.
If handled well, they could reap the sweet fruit of promotion.
However, there was no need to show excessive kindness. Perceptive returnees would immediately notice if the behavior wasn't sincere.
Fortunately, it wasn't difficult at all to show sincere behavior.
Before being a returnee under temporary protection, Seong-jun was a lifesaver who had rescued him and his team members from the troll.
No matter how beastly humans might be, having received the grace of life-saving, extreme words and actions naturally came out.
"If there's any food you'd like to eat or items you need, please let me know right away. I'll get them as quickly as possible within my capabilities."
"It's fine."
Although casual speech continued to flow naturally from Seong-jun's mouth, who looked young to anyone, the smile on Jae-hoon's face persisted.
Most returnees, having lived for a considerable time in other worlds, tend to confuse their Earth age with their past age.
When working in a Returnee Transport Team, being spoken to casually was all too common.
"Then, if there's anything you don't understand while watching, please feel free to ask."
This time, Seong-jun merely nodded silently without answering, focusing only on the audiovisual material projected on the wall by the beam projector.
As Seong-jun continued watching the video with his usual stoic expression, a shadow fell over his face.
"2085, you say..."
He had originally been transported to the Thousand Continent in 2080, meaning there was a time discrepancy of 5 years.
Given that it involved moving through space and time, he hadn't expected there to be no variables.
In fact, a time difference of 5 years could be considered within the margin of error.
Nevertheless, he couldn't hide his anxiety because of his family.
"Earlier, you said that desolate park was Seonsu Park?"
"Yes, that's correct. It's Seonsu Park near Pungmu Station, which was your place of residence."
The nearby residential area, the foundation where he had lived with his family, had been reduced to ruins by monster invasions.
'Could it be...?'
Dry saliva was swallowed down his throat due to the tension of the possible situation, but fortunately, the worst-case scenario didn't occur.
"Thankfully, as if heaven helped, when the monster invasion occurred in 2081, all of Returnee Lee Seong-jun's family members were safely evacuated."
Hearing this answer, Seong-jun smiled brightly and spoke as if muttering.
"That's a relief... truly a relief."
At Seong-jun's sincere words and warm voice that seemed to resonate in a corner of his heart, Jae-hoon inwardly swallowed a sigh of relief.
'It could have been the worst situation.'
Each returnee prioritized different things.
Most sought to unleash power, money, and personal desires, but occasionally there were those like Seong-jun who cherished their families.
It was truly fortunate that all family members were safe, showing a gentle demeanor, but what if the family had died?
Jae-hoon unconsciously bit his lower lip hard.
'It's terrifying just to think about.'
He would have been disappointed in the South Korean government's ability to handle monsters.
In the worst case, the blade of revenge could have been aimed at the nation, Korea, potentially becoming a villain.
But thankfully, all family members had safely evacuated just in time.
'This has turned out to be the best situation for me too.'
Naturally, it was impossible to get promoted just by transporting a returnee.
Some influence had to reach the high-ranking officials working at the Association headquarters.
But fortunately, Returnee Lee Seong-jun was a person with strong affection and loyalty.
As mentioned earlier, while returnees each want different things, most seek to unleash power, money, and personal desires.
This type of returnees often completely forget those who have helped them.
But returnees like Seong-jun, with such excellent character and strong affection that they seek their family first, are different.
If you score points and leave a good first impression, they remember for a long time and give back.
In fact, Team 3 from the Daejeon branch, who had transported the first Sword Master in the past, had been promoted in this way.
"After arriving at the shelter, we immediately contacted and informed them, so your family members should be coming here soon."
At Jae-hoon's words, an unprecedentedly bright smile spreads across Seong-jun's lips.
'Finally...!'
He could meet again his family who had become his allies and waited silently for him despite his rough and lacking aspects.
For a moment, his heart swelled, but there was no need to show it.
The rest of the emotions could be released when he met his family again.
Seong-jun returned to his usual expression calmly, but Jae-hoon didn't miss that brief change.
'I'll provide as much help as possible and create a connection.'
Even if Returnee Seong-jun were to forget today's events, there would be no loss from Jae-hoon's perspective.
He would just live his original life, that's all.
But what if Returnee Seong-jun remembers today's events?
He could make his name at the Association headquarters he so desired and walk a path of success.
"It seems we still have some time until your family arrives. If it's alright with you, may I help you with the returnee registration in the meantime?"
Registering as a returnee is essential for smooth social life.
If registration can be done during this spare time, it would be even better.
"That wouldn't be bad."
As if waiting for Seong-jun to slowly nod, Jae-hoon immediately stood up.
"Then I'll bring the measurement device right away. Please wait a moment."
About 5 minutes later, Jae-hoon, wearing a half-glasses covering only his right eye, entered the room where Seong-jun was sitting.
"This is the measurement device, MEP-07."
Created by a German returnee, it had the ability to scan the body of the subject and estimate the current physical condition and amount of magic power.
"You might feel a bit uncomfortable during the scan, but please think of it as just a confirmation procedure."
As it was something commonly seen and heard about on Earth in the past, Seong-jun nodded willingly.
"I permit it."
Woong-!
As the measurement device emits a short resonance sound, a faint internal energy sweeps through the body.
'Not a particularly good feeling.'
It feels almost like a high-level expert scanning the body with internal force.
Indeed, as Jae-hoon had said, it wasn't a particularly good feeling.
Fortunately, the measurement didn't last long.
"It's finished. Your current rank has been determined as F. Since all other returnees also start at F, you don't need 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 troublesome for you to revisit, if it's alright with you, we'll send it separately to the address where your family members are residing."
Of course, this was an incredibly fast issuance, and sending it to the address was a service never seen before.
Without any regional, school, or personal connections, how could Korean civil servants show such a friendly attitude?
It was just Jae-hoon's consideration to leave a good last impression.
Although they were small considerations and efforts, just alleviating the inconvenience created by incompetent desk administration was enough to satisfy Seong-jun.
"Good."
There's no need to be greedy anymore.
Although Returnee Seong-jun could be seen as having excellent character, the goodwill of returnees comes in all shapes and sizes.
He could incur anger if he accidentally crossed the line.
Confirming the faint smile on Seong-jun's lips, Jae-hoon immediately stands up.
"I'll let you know right away when your family members arrive at the shelter. Until then, please rest comfortably. If you need anything, feel free to use the intercom over there anytime."
Just as Jae-hoon was about to leave the room again, his smartphone rang.
Taking out the smartphone he had kept in his chest, Jae-hoon checks the content and opens his mouth with a smile.
"Your younger sister has arrived, I'm told. She's being guided by the staff and is on her way here right now."
"...!"
Seong-jun's eyes waver for the first time.
This was inevitable as it was the reunion with family he had longed for so much.
He had prided himself on being somewhat mentally prepared, but his heart was trembling more than he had thought.
Thump! Thump!
Just as the sound of his wildly beating heart was echoing in his ears...
Creak-
As the small door opened, the voice he had missed so desperately was heard.
"Big brother?"
Even though he hadn't finished all his mental preparation, his head reflexively turns.
There stood a woman with long straight hair reaching her waist, wearing a brown hoodie and jeans, breathing heavily.
After silently confirming the woman's appearance, he unknowingly becomes choked up.
"..."
Lee Seo-yun, an existence that couldn't be exchanged for anything in the world.
His one and only sister, who could be said to be the reason he had longed so much for returning to Earth, was right before his eyes.
"Is it really you, big brother?"
At the sight of his sister filling his vision and the warm voice lingering in his ears, his heart began to pound wildly.
Thump-thump!
It was the moment he had longed for so much, and although he had practiced countless times in his head for today, strangely, no thoughts came to mind.
His heart just swelled up.
In the end, forgetting all the words he had practiced and prepared, he opened his mouth with his usual slight smile.
"It's been a while."