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

Episode 3

Episode 3: Return (3)

『December 31, 2042』

A wasteland turning red at sunset.

In the center, a man is stretched out in the shape of the letter “大”.

He was a man with an appearance that you couldn’t find a single flaw in no matter how hard you looked.

To put it simply, he’s a semi-retard.

He has one eye, one ear is torn off, his right arm is missing, and his left foot, visible under his trouser legs, is replaced by a prosthetic leg.

Not only that, the condition of the invisible internal organs was also dire.

A living corpse.

And that’s me.

‘I feel refreshed after crying.’

After I poured out all my emotions, I came to my senses. I cried like a baby without realizing it.

It’s a good thing no one saw that sight.

If the guys in charge had seen this, they would have made fun of me for a long time.

‘But what do we do now?’

There was a sense of relief at having reached the end, but it meant nothing.

This is because I didn’t get the reward I wanted even though I cleared all the main quests.

I was hoping for an ark that could take them… … .

Even though they reached their destination, they could not obtain the ark.

“… … .”

I absentmindedly scrolled down and up through the list of rewards I had received this time.

You never know.

I might have missed something.

But no matter how many times you look at it, whether it’s ten times or a hundred times, the answer is the same.

‘I still can’t reach them.’

How should I express this feeling of emptiness?

There are also items that would surprise and surprise the subordinates if they were alive.

The strongest skill that can split the sky and turn the earth upside down.

It’s of no use to me right now.

‘What do you want me to do by myself?’

Actually, I was somewhat mentally prepared.

Even if you clear all the main quests, you might not be able to reach them.

The vague expectation that we would be able to obtain the ark at the end was only the driving force to move forward.

Because I didn’t know what I would get when I really reached the end.

however.

I guess I did less.

‘Hmm… … This won’t do.’

I just can’t seem to let go of this foolishness.

‘We have to kill all those bastards… … .’

I made promises to so many people.

Instead, I decided to take revenge.

To those who have already crossed the river of no return.

To those left behind who are crying bitterly after sending off their loved ones.

To my comrades who survived today but do not know when or how they will die.

Because that’s the only promise I can make.

Because all he said was empty words about definitely getting revenge… … .

Thanks to that, the promises I had made over the past seven years were piled high on my shoulders.

As the last survivor, I must fulfill that responsibility.

‘But how… … ?’

Despite their strong will, there was no way to get to them.

Moreover, there is not much time left in life.

Even though I’m holding on with enormous magical power right now, I’m in a body where it wouldn’t be strange if I died at any time.

‘I guess I’ll be able to hold out for a year at most.’

It’s the worst situation in many ways.

That’s why I’m human too, so I can become weak-hearted.

It’s already been two years since I became completely alone.

A deep resentment toward the enemies was seeping out, along with a terrible loneliness.

The reason I was able to endure until now in this place where there was no one to talk to was because I had a clear goal in mind: the main quest.

But now even that has disappeared.

The drive to move forward has been lost.

Honestly, I didn’t want to live anymore.

However, that doesn’t mean you can give up on life.

‘How can you die with that in front of you…?’

Before we knew it, the sky was dark and the sun was setting.

A full moon is shining brightly above it.

But its shape is completely different from the moon we saw in the past.

The moon, which should have had a yellow tint, was as beautiful as the Earth seen from space, blue.

‘Changwol.’

They truly became the blue moon in the night sky.

Unlike us who were fading away in destruction, that blue moon was shining brightly in the darkness every night.

I couldn’t tell if that star, teeming with life, was a terraformed moon or a new planet from beyond the dimension.

But what is clear is that there are those out there who have abandoned us.

I had to go there.

I had to go there and make them pay for what they did.

‘But how… …?’

There was no other way.

To be honest, I just want to die.

I’m tired of living alone now.

Does that mean I can give up on revenge?

No, that can’t be.

I guess I have to go there.

‘……shit.’

My thoughts were going in circles and I couldn’t move forward.

No matter how much I chew on it and chew on it and chew on it, it’s still the same.

I want to die, but I can’t give up.

I’d rather someone kill me.

I think I’ll be able to let go of everything then.

But I can’t let you die gracefully.

‘… … Are you that fucking American?’

I think I’m half crazy now.

●: Sigh, I want to die… … .

That’s what I mean.

Just die-.

huh?

I suddenly came to my senses and turned my head towards where the unfamiliar voice had come from.

● : X-like kid.

A black sphere the size of a soccer ball floating in the air.

A strange voice was coming from there.

what?

Am I not half crazy?

●: How dare you make this body, which is renowned for its beauty even in the planetary system, into something like this?

I quietly got up and slowly closed the distance towards the rumbling black sphere. My fingertips were playing on the hilt of my sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

●: Thinking about it makes me mad again!

A smoky mist rose from the black sphere and took the shape of limbs. The limbs, made of smoky gray mist, were thin and short compared to the round body.

● : Ao!!

The black sphere begins to vigorously swing its thin, short limbs and punch the air.

‘… … What is it? Is it a monster?’

But that doesn’t make sense.

Because monsters don’t have intelligence.

But the black sphere in front of my eyes was speaking and acting like a human.

Swish! Swish!

He swings his fists so powerfully, his form looks like he’s shadowboxing, and his swearing is also very tasty.

●: Just try to get caught! I’ll chop you up into really fine pieces and fry you in shit water!

So I had no choice but to just sit there and watch the black sphere.

I think I’ve gone completely crazy.

The movements of the guy who was moving around while throwing punches at the air suddenly stopped.

● : … … .

That’s why our eyes met.

I stared at the stiff-faced guy.

To be exact, I was looking at the facial features drawn on a black sphere. Eyes, a nose, and a mouth that looked like someone had roughly drawn them with a pen were present on the surface of the sphere.

But doesn’t the size of the facial features seem too small compared to the body?

The eyes, nose, and mouth are small and clustered in the center.

But the expression was clearly visible.

Wide-open eyes, flaring nostrils, and a mouth that opens wide.

He seems very surprised.

●: What, what?! Can you see me?

The black sphere pointed at itself with its ashen index finger.

I nodded.

“… … I can see it.”

Actually, I was that surprised too.

I cleared the main quest all the way through, but this was the first time I encountered something like this.

The guy who was speechless for a moment after hearing my answer.

within.

● : Waaa …

I screamed, clutching my head.

It was an expression like someone had seen a ghost.

* * *

earth.

The blue planet we live on.

● : Wow. I made a fool of myself. I didn’t think you’d see me.

But the Earth was no longer green.

The green land had all turned into black, dead land, and the once blue sea had also become polluted and murky.

It was humans, they did it.

And this is why the Earth became a black sphere.

That is to say.

●: Nice to meet you, Lee Geum-shin. You may not know it, but I’ve been watching you.

This guy is talking about Earth.

But this is still just my opinion.

●: That doesn’t mean you have to be embarrassed.

… … I’ve never had that happen.

●: Because I have seen all humans, not just you.

In the cloud hand of the Earth was a hand mirror the size of a palm.

It was a hand mirror with a platinum frame and a splendid jewel set into it.

I wonder if he’s interested in his appearance(?). He’s been looking at the mirror for a while now, examining his body in various ways.

It is quite a curious sight to see the entire body being thoroughly examined while only rolling on the surface of the ground with the facial features fixed.

“Did you watch it with that?”

●: That’s right. Watching over you guys was my only pleasure. Now you’re the only one left. Ha, damn it. The erosion is getting worse.

Earth frowned as she held the hand mirror close to the African continent, looking as annoyed as a teenager with a pimple.

● : Phew, X foot.

The Earth, which had taken its eyes off the mirror, finally looks at me.

●: I didn’t want anyone to see this ugly side of me, but I’m glad you can see me. I was worried about how to convey this to you anyway.

“hand mirror?”

●: Are you kidding me? This is absolutely not possible!

The Earth raged, hiding the mirror behind its body.

I guess you save a lot.

● : Big. Anyway! As I said, I’ve been watching you. That means I know your situation. What you want, and how you feel.

What are you trying to say?

There was something I was looking forward to without even realizing it.

A strange being encountered after clearing the main quest.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it.

So I forced myself to calm my surging emotions and listened to what he had to say.

●: And now you know how I feel.

The cool gaze of the Earth turns toward the distant night sky.

At the end of it hung a blue moon.

The emotions contained in the Earth’s pupils were of the same kind as mine.

Thanks to this, I was able to easily understand the feelings of the Earth.

●: It’s all because of that bastard that my appearance, which was known even in the planetary system, has become like this.

He also desperately wanted to destroy the window.

●: The problem is that the time given to me is not long. Just one year? And I think the same goes for you.

“that’s right.”

When I heard about it, it seemed like my situation was similar.

The Earth and I were both dying rapidly.

●: In the end, we are in the same situation. So shouldn’t we join forces?

What’s the point of talking?

“Of course it should be like that.”

The guy and I wanted the same thing.

There is no reason not to join forces.

Is this guy a real Earth?

I don’t know exactly what it is, but whatever it is, it doesn’t matter.

I would gladly give up my soul in exchange for sending it to those guys.

If only we could return the favor to them for what they did to us.

I was ready to give it my all.

“Can you send me there?”

The Earth was silent for a moment.

That brief moment of silence felt like an eternity. Then, at last, the Earth’s mouth opened.

● : No.

That wasn’t the answer I was waiting for.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.

I felt like all the strength in my body was drained in an instant.

●: The Moon is visible to our eyes, but it exists in another dimension. Sending you there is beyond my ability.

“Then there is no way?”

I asked with a glimmer of hope.

The Earth clearly wanted to join forces with me.

I thought there might be another way.

●: Yes. I plan on sending you somewhere other than Changwol.

“Somewhere else?”

Fortunately, it seems there is a way.

The corners of the Earth’s mouth go up.

●: December 31, 2023. 19 years ago now.

If it is December 31, 2023… … .

The day before I became a player.

I could easily guess the meaning.

Because I’ve imagined it countless times.

A miracle that brings back the loved ones before they died.

Dreamlike things about living with them.

Because I’ve been imagining it every day.

“Are you really going to let me go back?”

● : Right.

But now that fantasy may become reality.

It’s amazing that miracles that we only saw in novels are actually possible.

But I felt more doubt than admiration.

Even though I had been hoping for that miracle so much, it happened.

“Then what about them?”

There’s something important right now.

Go back and change the past?

Of course it’s good.

Because it’s a dream-like thing that makes my heart race just thinking about it.

Not only can you prevent destruction, but you can also see your loved ones who are no longer with you, so how could that not be great?

This is truly a miracle.

‘But how can we just leave them behind?’

We can judge those who regress and live in the past.

But I cannot keep my promise to those who left first, and it does not suit my nature to only hold enemies accountable for what they did.

I wanted to destroy the foundation they had built.

By doing so, I wanted to make you regret to the point of regretting abandoning me and leaving me alive.

Only then.

That’s the way it has to be done.

It felt like the resentment and anger that had been so tightly pent up in my chest could be completely dissolved.

The obsession with it was gripping my ankles tightly.

●: I know what you mean. I feel the same way. But there is no other way here. So choose. I chose.

But what if the only way is regression?

I had to choose.

●: There’s a lot I want to say, but that’ll be later. When things are certain.

The decision was easy.

I thought it was over until a little while ago.

Regression is a miracle that was handed over from that dead end.

Now was not the time to be caught up in foolishness.

If there is no way for Earth, then there really is no way.

Because the eyes of the guy who was looking at the window contained anger as deep as mine.

So, regression may be the only way.

There was no reason to worry any longer, no choice.

I answered without hesitation.

“I will return.”

● : It’s a reasonable choice.

“that-.”

●: Let’s go right now!!

A pure white light filled my eyes along with the cheers of the Earth that cut off my words.

At the same time, time collapsed.

It felt as if the world was being torn apart, and countless voices brushed past my ears.

It was the voice of my comrades who died in front of me.

I was going back in time with them.

And when I opened my eyes again, I was in a completely different space.

It has regressed.