The Returner

Chapter 419: Been a while (4)

“I don’t understand this.” (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren maintained his relaxed demeanour despite being subjected to Alpha’s full-on threat to his life.

He’d not have batted an eyelid if he was dealing with some common criminal. However, the ‘Alpha’ he knew was someone incredibly difficult to predict.

It’d not be strange in the least to see Alpha blow up this building just because his feelings were hurt a little.

Out of the two categories of ‘destructive power’ and ‘hard to predict’, Yi Ji-Hyuk would be someone with more points invested in the ‘destructive power’ and got classified as an S-level dangerous individual as a result, while Alpha would have his points invested in the ‘hard to predict’ category with a whole heap of aggressiveness thrown in for a good measure.

Christopher McLaren knew that he’d be devoured in an instant without the display of tough exterior and that’s why he continued to retort and put up a relaxed front even now.

But his heart was busy withering away at the moment.

“Why are you protecting Yi Ji-Hyuk?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Didn’t I say it already? Because he’s necessary.” (Alpha)

“...And why is he necessary? He’s lost all of his powers, hasn’t he?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Hmm, looks like you’ve lost a lot of your former Midas touch, McLaren.” (Alpha)

Alpha cackled hoarsely.

“Here’s a warning for you, McLaren. It seems to me that your brain is in a bit of a decline. Now usually, a person won’t be cognisant of their own judgement failing as they get older. As you grow older, a person begins to believe that the way they normally handled things in the past is the only correct way. And that’s where the real problems crop up, oh my dear respected McLaren. My dear friend who’s grown too old.” (Alpha)

Alpha leisurely got up from the couch, then slowly approached Christopher McLaren.

The people near their director also stood up at Alpha’s sudden approach and tried to stand in his way, but Christopher McLaren raised his hand to stop them from moving.

As for Alpha, he completely ignored those trying to block his path as if they didn’t even exist in the first place and got right next to Christopher McLaren.

“Listen, McLaren. I recommend that you kick that failing brain of yours into high gear and think as hard as you can. You seem to have forgotten that the fate of this world depends on you making the right choices. Do you honestly think Yi Ji-Hyuk has lost all of his powers? That man, he can still easily destroy this world and then some if that’s what he wants.” (Alpha)

“...”

“It’s not that he’s lost his powers, but more like he shouldn’t use them anymore. Don’t you know the difference between the two? The moment Yi Ji-Hyuk goes, ‘f*ck it, I won’t go through with this crap’, then well, this planet will be destroyed not by the demon world’s forces, but by his hands instead. And then, the demon world will be next on his list.” (Alpha)

Alpha suddenly tilted his head in the middle of his speech.

“Now that I think about it... Hey, why does that sound like a happy ending? In a world where humans and demons have totally disappeared, demonic beasts and animals all lived happily ever after, that kind of thing?” (Alpha)

Alpha quickly shook his head.

“Well, it might be a happy ending from Mother Earth’s perspective, but I definitely don’t want to see that happen. So, don’t be like a vengeful spirit that drags other people to their doom along with you, and get some stem cells implanted in your head or something. Once some fresh new cells sprout in your brain, your utterly ruined judgement might make a much needed come back, just a little bit.” (Alpha)

He stopped there and turned around to walk back to the couch.

“Oh, the first thing you should do is quit smoking. I hear that kills your brain cells.” (Alpha)

“...Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately for you, it’s not that my judgement has failed but simply that we’ve made sufficient preparations.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Aaand that’s what those without functioning judgement usually say. Think carefully now. Think hard about whether you’ve made your choice based on logic or you’ve lost your reasoning out of frustration after you couldn’t find a solution to the demonic creatures slowly but surely marching forward every single day. You see, those people who get pushed to the dead end believe that every choice they make comes from a logical and reasonable place. Because of idiots like you, human history always ends up regressing instead.” (Alpha)

Alpha pointed his fingers like a gun at Christopher McLaren.

“I really want to kill you right now and bring some light and peace to the world, but too bad, none of your potential replacements are up to snuff, know what I mean? If it weren’t for that, I’d have dragged you down to some underground lab and let you experience all those fun little things I had to go through.” (Alpha)

Christopher McLaren confusedly stared at Alpha.

“But, aren’t you responsible for what’s happening in the world?” (Christopher McLaren)

“True. However, you are simply guessing what I want, aren’t you? I’ll tell you this one thing, then. I emphatically do not wish to see the world get destroyed. And I certainly don’t want to see those disgusting demonic beings rule this world, either.” (Alpha)

“If so, why did you open the portal to the demon world?” (Christopher McLaren)

“I’m not a fan of repeating myself over and over again. So, just know that that’s my position. And if you really want to know more, then don’t ask me but seek out Choi Jeong-Hoon, instead. Although, I wonder if he’ll even speak to you at this point in time.” (Alpha)

Alpha cackled as he leaned back against the couch.

“In any case, all of my requests will be approved, right? I mean, America has a ton of cash, so just a bit of your budget directed in my way, then boom! I’ll deliver you some truly astonishing results. Who knows, the history books might end up saying that Christopher McLaren, the man of a thousand talents, has somehow tamed a crazy wild dog and utilised it to the benefit of mankind. That’d be cool, right? This is a heaven-sent opportunity for a pot-bellied baldy uncle to become a saviour of the human race!” (Alpha)

“I’m not bald, you son of a b*tch!” (Christopher McLaren)

“...Eh? That’s not a wig?” (Alpha)

“Shut the hell up.” (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren panted like an angry bull before stuffing a cigar in his mouth in irritation.

“Answer me this one thing.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Sure, why not.” (Alpha)

“Just what is your true aim? I simply can’t figure out what your end game is.” (Christopher McLaren)

“To think that you’d actually ask me that. Christopher, you really have fallen to the bottom, haven’t you. What a lamentable thing this is. I mean, you used to have so much charisma in the past, too.” (Alpha)

Christopher McLaren oh-so wished to put a bullet in that cheeky, snarky face of Alpha, but he did his absolute best to endure.

“Well, it’s not a problem to say it, so here it is. What I want in the end is for us the new humans to become the hegemony. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the complete annihilation of you old human types. This great Alpha is a gracious and generous person, so I’m fully respectful of your right to exist. And well, you old humans have an overwhelming numbers advantage over us, so if all of you were to suddenly vanish then it’d become rather difficult to maintain the civilisation with only us the new humans.” (Alpha)

“Mm...” (Christopher McLaren)

“So, stop looking at me with those eyes, please. If I wished for the destruction of everything, then I wouldn’t have a need to drive the world to this point at all. It’s not that hard to utterly ruin all of you, after all. My problem would’ve been facing off against the irregular named Yi Ji-Hyuk at the end of all that, but still.” (Alpha)

“Is that why you’ve rendered him powerless?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Ha? I did what? Stop barking like a dumb dog, please. In my plan, I needed Yi Ji-Hyuk to remain active for a while longer. One of the reasons why he ended up in his current state is because you idiots ran him to the ground, is it not?” (Alpha)

Thick cigar smoke wafted around in the office.

“...Now that perks me up a bit.” (Christopher McLaren)

“This is why both democracy and legislative politics are often touted as the flowers of civilisation brought to life by humanity. A human by himself is nothing more than a stupid fool, you see. We acknowledged our own shortcomings of being idiots, so we came up with a system to tell us that yes, we’re indeed stupid fools. What a cool and excellent set-up this whole thing is.” (Alpha)

Christopher McLaren bit down hard on his lip before replying.

“Fine, I’ll approve all of your demands. I shall make sure what you want will happen.” (Christopher McLaren)

“But, sir!”

“Shut the hell up!” (Christopher McLaren)

The agents around him freaked out and stared at him, but Christopher McLaren needed to shout only once to shut them all up. He then focused his glare on Alpha and nodded his head.

“It’ll be done. I feel like clutching at straws if I can help it, so why shouldn’t I join forces with you? However, you better show me some results or else.” (Christopher McLaren)

“If you want results, just look at me. I managed to get this far from the very bottom, didn’t I? All the while busy avoiding your bullets, too. Isn’t that true, my old friend?” (Alpha)

“Hah, haha.” (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren chuckled softly and in resignation as his sign of agreement.

Here was that one man he dreaded dealing with the most, but if one flipped that sentiment on its head, then that served as a perfectly paradoxical proof of Alpha’s capabilities.

“Give me a way to contact you. I shall inform you of the state of readiness as often as possible.” (Christopher McLaren)

“How kind of you.” (Alpha)

Alpha stood up from his spot.

“Hold on.” (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren gave a silent signal to the surrounding men. They all formed dissatisfied expressions, but eventually filed out of the office.

Alpha watched them vacate the office before shrugging his shoulders.

“I’m not into men, McLaren.” (Alpha)

“You seem to have enough leeway to flap your gums, Alpha. Anyways, I have a question I wanted to ask. Just what are you, and even Yi Ji-Hyuk, thinking?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Eh?” (Alpha)

“Did Yi Ji-Hyuk decide to help you out? Weren’t you two desperately trying to kill each other only a few days ago?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Yeah, sure.” (Alpha)

“So how can you two cooperate like this as if nothing has happened between you? Even if you’re supposed to cooperate in the face of a common adversary, that’s not how humans operate, now is it?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Tsk, tsk.” (Alpha)

Alpha tutted as if he couldn’t understand Christopher McLaren’s viewpoint.

“Listen here. Say you must go somewhere using a certain road, but there’s a massive boulder blocking that very road. So, what will you do about it?” (Alpha)

“I’ll break it apart.” (Christopher McLaren)

“There you go. Either you break it or bore a tunnel right through it. But that doesn’t mean you hate or detest that boulder, right? If you succeed in pushing the boulder off to the side of the road, you might use it as a roadside attraction or even as building material later. The boulder was simply sitting there, so why should you get angry at it?” (Alpha)

“Hmm...” (Christopher McLaren)

“To me, Yi Ji-Hyuk’s like that. Something like a natural disaster. A man with a differing ideal stood in my path, so I merely removed him out of my way, that’s all. So why should I detest and hate Yi Ji-Hyuk just because he was standing there? Now that is one antiquated mindset unsuitable for our globalised society. And that’s why I’ve been saying that you’re too old now.” (Alpha)

“Fine. Fine.” (Christopher McLaren)

Christopher McLaren nodded his head.

“I get why you’re doing it. But why hasn’t Yi Ji-Hyuk ripped you to tiny pieces by now? If it’s the case of ‘he can’t because he’s lost his powers’, then at least he shouldn’t be willing to cooperate with you, am I wrong?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Simply put, We’ve decided to come to a compromise for the future of mankind, that’s all.” (Alpha)

“And the real reason is?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Hey, man. If you get bitten a little by a dog, do you immediately put that dog down?” (Alpha)

“...Mm?” (Christopher McLaren)

“I’m saying, if a dog walking by the front of your house suddenly bit you in the foot, are you going to kill that dog? No, normally you’d just kick it in the a*s and chase it away. That’s how it is with him. He views the event of him falling into my trap in the similar vein. Of course, he’s feeling a bit annoyed by the fact that he couldn’t kick my a*s. I’m sure he’s waiting for a suitable opening even now. And yes, I’m going to let him do it.” (Alpha)

“But, he almost died back then?” (Christopher McLaren)

“...What a stupid thing to say. The meaning of death to Yi Ji-Hyuk is not the same as ours. Just what do you know about that guy, anyway? If you think of him as another human being, then he already has experienced the complete extermination of his existence thousands of times by now. He probably has died far, far more times than you ever got bitten by a dog.” (Alpha)

Christopher McLaren was rendered speechless.

None of what Alpha said made sense, yet somehow it sounded rather plausible as well.

To Yi Ji-Hyuk, him nearly dying because of Alpha’s scheme might be a minor matter not worth losing too much sleep.

“And that’s why you’re too dangerous.” (Alpha)

Those words seemed like what Christopher McLaren should say to Alpha. But it was the latter saying it to the former, instead.

“You should do your very best not to get involved in Yi Ji-Hyuk’s matters. Because you have not one iota of understanding of that man. You say he’s dangerous, yet you don’t know why he’s such a dangerous individual. Here’s my urgent advice, the one creature that the whole of mankind needs to be most afraid of isn’t some random demon king but Yi Ji-Hyuk.” (Alpha)

“...Why?” (Christopher McLaren)

Alpha smirked before replying.

“He may look like a human being to you, but he isn’t. Actually, a demon would be a lot closer to a human being than he is. Too bad, you won’t get it even if I tell you why. So, just stop obsessing over him, that’s all. Remember what I’ve said, okay? If you don’t want to destroy this world with your own hands, that is,” (Alpha)

Along with those parting words, Alpha leisurely walked out of the office.

Christopher McLaren, unable to say anything else, stared at Alpha’s back walking out of the doorway.

< 419. Been a while -4 > Fin.

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