After returning, He became the greatest returner of all time.

Episode 1
Episode 1: Return (1)

『March 5, 2035』

A large office that could be called a grand office without any room for expansion.

Behind a long, copper-colored desk sits a man.

A middle-aged man with a powerful prayer that takes your breath away just by looking at him.

‘Black, Lee Seong-hun.’

The world’s strongest player and most powerful person.

An absolute being, like a medieval king, for now.

Who dares to raise his head before it?

I was having a private conversation with Lee Seong-hun.

There is an issue that must be addressed.

“I have something to ask you.”

He licked his lips at the unwavering permission.

Lee Seong-hun was blocking my words by looking at the documents he was holding in his hand.

The heavy silence in the air chokes my breathing.

He seemed to already know what I was going to say, and he didn’t seem to like the question.

Still, I continued speaking without giving in.

​

“There is a rumor going around that there is only one chance to use the ark.”

A giant ark anchored in the sea off Jeongdongjin.

Currently, mankind is planning to migrate to the New World.

But, if this rumor is true.

“If we don’t fix this right away, it looks like there will be a big uproar.”

Everyone except the passengers must remain in the destroyed world.

So I thought the rumor couldn’t be true.

But the moment I asked, I knew.

‘It’s not a rumor.’

Looking at Lee Seong-hun, who showed no reaction, I could tell that all of this had been planned in advance.

The back of my head feels cold.

I felt like all the blood was draining from my body at once.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

​

I braced myself by clenching my fists behind my back and directly opposing Lee Seong-hun’s plan.

“If this rumor is true, we will have to re-screen the passengers.”

The 100,000 people selected in the first round are those in the upper class.

From those who were leaders of a country and various business figures to ranked players and craftsmen related to production.

It was said that only the upper class people held on to it.

However, the reason they were selected as the first group of immigrants was because they were laying the foundation for a new world.

If you could only use the ark once, it would be a different story.

“Then how should we select it?”

Only then did Lee Seong-hun raise his head and look at me.

I clenched my teeth and answered back.

“It will require a lot of thought, but at least this method is acceptable.”

I didn’t have a proper solution either.

Because I just found out about it.

However, this plan is absolutely unacceptable.

In the end, isn’t this just a story about only the upper class getting hurt?

How did the Earth end up like this!

“Do I need your consent to make a decision?”

After hearing Lee Seong-hun’s question, I became convinced.

This kid is really thinking of abandoning people.

​

“… … Then what happens to the people left on Earth?”

I asked just in case.

I wonder if there is a prepared plan.

“Sometimes you have to make a decision.”

But it was as expected.

I bit my molars to suppress the urge to curse.

That’s really bullshit.

No one else but your kid is saying such things?

I opened my mouth, staring intently into those indifferent eyes that had so easily discarded millions of people.

“I think you’ve forgotten how the Earth came to be like this.”

I hoped my gaze would strike at his sense of moral responsibility, but it had no effect on him at all.

It comes out even more shameless.

“Is it because of me?”

Lee Seong-hun curled the corners of his mouth as he buried his body in the back of the chair.

It’s an attitude of asking to see more.

‘I’ve been working under this kind of guy all this time… … .’

I clenched my fist so hard that the blood stopped flowing.

The hostile fingernails dig deep into the palms.

But it wasn’t time to show my feelings yet. I expressed my thoughts as purely as possible.

“Isn’t this all because of the war? So I think those who decided to go to war should take responsibility for it.”

The Earth has now become such a barren land that it is difficult for humans to survive.

The reason was neither because of the system nor because of the monsters.

Humanity has destroyed itself.

World War III was the cause.

And the one who raised the curtain on that great war was the damn dog right before my eyes.

So, the New World Project is ultimately a plan by the bastards who actually did shit to escape to the new world.

“That’s true too. Those who remain here have no responsibility whatsoever.”

For some reason, Lee Seong-hun readily accepted what I said.

“Because they had no say in the decision.”

Yeah. Looks like you’re finally coming to your senses.

My shoulders, which had been very tense, loosen up a little.

Since it is such an obvious fact, it must have been impossible to deny it.

We haven’t decided anything. No, we couldn’t.

I, too, and all those who were mobilized for the war, had no choice but to go to the battlefield, pushed by those in power.

Nobody wanted war except a few fucking idiots.

They were simply sacrificed to the flow of history that could not be reversed by individual power.

But it was not those who decided to go to war, but ordinary citizens, us, who were wounded, killed, and lost our precious comrades and beloved family members on the terrible battlefield.

But the answer I got back was shocking.

“And it’s the same this time too.”

In an instant, all the strength in my body disappeared and I felt relaxed.

I was unable to respond for a moment.

It’s not that I have nothing to say.

I have so much to say.

However, the moment I met that unwavering gaze, I realized that this conversation was meaningless.

He will not change his decision.

“But unlike them, you now have a choice. Whether to stay here or go with me to the New World. That’s your decision. This is the only favor I can bestow upon you.”

He smiles leisurely and lowers his gaze to the documents again.

An obvious curse.

I looked at him with my head down and wiggled my fingertips.

‘Should I kill him?’

If not now, then I don’t know when I’ll get another chance to have an exclusive conversation with Lee Sung-hoon.

Maybe now is the only chance.

But I.

“… … Then I will step back.”

I had no choice but to force myself to turn back without falling.

The power difference was obvious.

The moment the battle was planned, I could feel Lee Seong-hun’s presence growing as large as a mountain as he looked down at the documents.

I knew it without even crossing swords.

Right now I can’t even cut off the guy’s collar.

I knew he was strong, but I didn’t think the difference would be this much…

Crunch.

I left the office and walked down the long hallway.

My steps are very heavy.

The feeling of helplessness at not being able to do anything engulfed my ankles and dragged my feet.

‘It’s like X.’

But this was the reality.

And I too had to choose.

Whether to stay here or go to the new world.

Things weren’t going well.

It’s been quite some time since I cleared the main quest.

Dungeon scholars predict that a dungeon break will occur in the near future.

‘Monsters will come pouring out soon.’

The Earth, already devastated by nuclear war, will soon become a living hell.

In the end, the choice to remain on Earth was not much different from the choice to die with those who remained.

“What are you so worried about?”

I turned my head to follow the voice and saw someone giving me a welcoming smile. It was a sharp-looking man with orange hair.

There was meanness in every part of his face.

I am very familiar with it.

‘Oh Woon-hyeok.’

A person from the wife’s side of ‘Changwolga’ led by Lee Seong-hun.

Although he is not a descendant of Lee Seong-hun, he enjoys enormous power beyond his station as his nephew, who is currently no different from the king.

And he is also a human being whom I despise greatly.

“I guess the conversation didn’t go well?”

The corners of Oh Woon-hyeok’s mouth curl up even further.

The moment we met, he started sarcastically as if he knew everything. I think he was the one who leaked information about the ark to me.

“I’m going to go now.”

He mercilessly cut off the conversation.

It was like that usually, but today I had even less intention of hanging out with him.

“Anyway, what pride does a worthless kid have.”

As I pass him by with a quick bow, a sharp voice stabs the back of my head.

“Would you like to make a bet with me? I think I know what you’ll choose.”

Hearing the mocking tone in his voice, I could clearly see why Oh Woon-hyeok had leaked the information to me.

Whatever choice I make, I’m sure he’ll be quite satisfied.

If I were to remain here, I would rather be left behind in this ruined world.

If I were to board the ark, it would be a breach of my faith, and that would be satisfying.

Anyway, I’m telling you, he’s a childish kid.

But I don’t know about anything else, but I don’t want that kid to enjoy the feeling of victory.

‘So what should we do now?’

There were two choices before my eyes.

A new life and a cruel death.

If you board the ark, you can start a new life, but if you stay on Earth, destruction is certain.

If I said I wasn’t shaken, I’d be lying.

but.

Well, I guess I have to stay.

I couldn’t leave those I had risked my life to protect in a world that was about to perish, and run away only for my own well-being and wealth and honor.

I can’t be the same human being as them.

That doesn’t mean I’ll just let them go.

‘I can never do that.’

So you guys should stay together too.

​

‘Let’s all live together in harmony on this ruined Earth.’

​

Since it has come to this, shouldn’t we die together and live together?

The corners of the mouth go up crookedly.

The way to stop their plans is simple.

‘You just have to destroy the ark’s power source.’

I was a brigadier general and was in charge of the crisis response team for the Shinsegae Project.

Therefore, we have established defensive strategies such as external security and weapon management to prepare for possible threats and emergencies.

It wasn’t difficult for me to enter deep into the ark.

However, it is impossible for me to reach the deep part where the power plant is located.

That’s because Lee Seong-hun’s personal guard resides there.

So I prepared a plan and waited silently for the right time.

​

‘The enemy is just before departure.’

I thought there would be a gap then.

The prediction was accurate.

While everyone was busy preparing for departure, I was able to infiltrate the deep-section where the power plant was located as planned.

Gooooooooooooo!

A space covered in pitch-black darkness.

On the innermost wall, dozens of golden magic circles were slowly rotating, interlocking like gears, and numerous golden wires stretched out like blood vessels around them.

And there I was able to have another private meeting with Geumseong and Lee Seonghun.

“Isn’t it a magnificent sight?”

When I got here, Lee Seong-hun was looking up at the giant magic circle with his luggage on his back.

I was very surprised by his completely unexpected appearance, but I responded calmly.

“It would be a shame to ruin it.”

I think it’s already X.

“I think so too.”

He looked back at me with a grin.

It was the smile of a winner.

I asked in frustration.

“I guess you were expecting me to come.”

“I thought someone might come.”

“You’re being unnecessarily meticulous.”

“As you get older, you start to have more worries.”

He continued speaking in a relaxed manner.

“I see you’ve decided to stay here.”

“yes.”

“It was such a stupid choice. That’s why I cared for Janelle.”

I was talking to him and my head was spinning furiously.

My life or death was not important.

The ark must be stopped.

I couldn’t send them to the New World.

I had to create an opening somehow.

‘It seems like it’s going to be a very difficult task… … .’

The presence of Lee Seong-hun, who was blocking the power plant, was so great that it was impossible to see beyond it.

It’s like standing before a giant.

It was impossible to destroy the power plant beyond that point.

Haven’t you experienced this same sense of helplessness in your office the other day?

Same as before.

Right now I can’t even cut off his collar.

Lee Seong-hun also knew that well.

That’s why it’s so leisurely.

I have to dig into that part.

“But why did you make this choice?”

Lee Seong-hun’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

I saw an opportunity in that question.

So I told you.

In a very sarcastic tone.

“When I think about my duty as a human being and the responsibilities that come with my rank, I feel like I have no choice.”

But despite my subservience, Lee Seong-hun curled the corners of his mouth as if he found it amusing.

“It’s duty and responsibility.”

I didn’t feel the slightest bit of remorse as he chewed over my words.

How can a person do that?

I soon found out why.

“These are all just empty excuses.”

To him, things that were considered natural human duties seemed to have no value.

So I guess that’s why you can do things like this.

I continued the conversation bluntly.

“Then did you think there was some grand reason?”

“That’s right. So I had some expectations. You’re even more foolish than I thought.”

“It is better to be a fool than to be worse than a beast.”

“That’s a great mindset. But I think you’re seriously mistaken about something.”

Lee Seong-hun clicked his tongue and continued speaking.

“It was not they who placed the star on your chest, but I. Your rank and the authority that comes with it, it was I who gave it to you.”

I fell asleep like a b*tch.

“Don’t you still understand the ways of the world? All things flow from the top down. If the top decides, the bottom just has to follow. But if you’re obsessed with meaningless and fleeting things like that, you won’t be able to move forward. You have the authority, but you can’t use that power properly. How pathetic is that?”

For some reason, Lee Seong-hun was giving me sincere advice.

So this time, I had no choice but to answer with all my heart.

The raised stop was proof of that.

“Please eat X or something.”