Chapter 280: #The Child Leaves the Cradle, And (2)

There's still some time until the ending, so I'm going to start planning it out from now on,” I replied.

“That’s surprising, coming from you. I’d always thought you’re the type to fix an ending and work toward it. I mean, that’s what you’ve been doing,” commented my editor-in-charge.

“Well, I felt like trying something different for a change."

He arranged my manuscript nicely and put it into his bag. “Anyway, this is great. I was quite worried about your new novel, but this will pass in the meeting easily. You've worked hard, Mr. Yu!”

“Thank you. I'll leave it to you then.” I bowed respectfully to him.

In response, he squinted his lazy eyes at me, checking me out.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Mr. Yu, I've been wanting to say this earlier, but you seem to have changed, somehow... You even submitted your manuscript on time... Did something happen, perhaps?”

Since he asked, I answered truthfully, “Actually, it’s my first time back on Earth after three thousand years, and I’m still trying to adapt to this body. Getting stiff shoulders, dry eyes, and gut issues...

Haa,

this body is trash. But Editor, there’s something I want to verify, so please excuse me.”

My hand moved from his chin to his neck, then down over the soft belly fat and the chest that had grown more voluptuous... I was doubtful for a while, but he was indeed my editor-in-charge!

To my surprise, the Hundredth Floor of the Tower of Gods took me back to Earth’s past, long before it was laid to ruin by the God of Destroyer.

Tzzz!

The first thing I saw after returning through the gate was my familiar small room. Then, I saw myself snoring loudly, with my laptop left turned on on the dining table. Of course, the screen was blank.

“

Nyam nyam

, the

hanwoo

is delicious... Please give me more...” I was drooling in my sleep and even smacking my lips.

Haa

, seeing myself from a third-person objective, I really did look pathetic.

Katalk, katalk!

Just then, my phone rang, and a message appeared. Wondering who it was, I checked to see that it was from my editor-in-charge.

Mighty Editor-in-Charge:

Mr. Yu, I hope you didn’t forget about our meeting today? You must bring me the new novel manuscript today! I’m done covering for you!

Katalk katalk!

More messages followed, and the notifications kept ringing, but my other self didn’t wake up. A glance at the date told me it was around the time I first encountered the God-Maker in my previous life, and about a month after I was reincarnated as an ant.

Katalk katalk!

Mighty Editor-in-Charge:

Bastard! Why aren’t you replying?! You aren’t sleeping, right?! I’m going over to your house right now!

Grrr!

Gosh, what a ghost. He always knows what I’m up to.

“Skill Sharing, Ant Emperor’s Young Parasitizing God.”

So, I possessed myself.

Finally,

I

woke up from the dining table. I quickly sent a reply to my editor, saying I’d be there soon, then lazily stretched myself.

“Summon divine weapon, All Phenomena.”

Tzzz!

Moments later, a dazzling pen appeared in my hand. Good, at least using divine power didn’t seem to be a problem in this possessed state. I glanced at the stack of A4 papers in the corner of the room. Since I had to submit a manuscript for the meeting, I gestured with my index finger.

Swoosh!

The papers flew around me in a circle as if they were birds.

Scritch scritch—

Then, I wrote about the events from my previous life and everything I’d experienced up until now. With the divine pen, I wove them into a new novel.

***

“Mr. Yu...”

My editor-in-charge, who’d been as still as a Buddha statue despite my attempts to shake him, shed tears out of nowhere.

“

Uh

, why are you crying?”

Did I touch a sensitive area while examining him?

However, in the next moment, he grabbed my hand, giving me a look that seemed to say, “This writer has become so immersed in his work that he’s finally gone mad.”

“No wonder you submitted so many manuscripts out of the blue! I never knew you were suffering from mental illness! Mr. Yu, I know a good therapist! We should go together! You’ve heard of the author Cracker, right?! He’s also suffering from insomnia and panic disorder, but felt better after just one visit! Let’s go!”

“Hey, I’m fine! How about worrying about your belly fat instead of my mental health?!” I smacked his hand away, then looked at the time.

“Oh no, it’s this late already?! I have way too much backlogs!”

“

Um,

Mr. Yu. You aren’t wearing a watch on your wrist. Maybe you should go to the clinic with me, after all...”

“Anyway, it’s great to see you again after so long! I’ll leave the rest to you, then! I hope this novel sells well so we can hold a signing event!”

“

Gosh,

a signing event? Big dreams you got there...

Huh?

Mr. Yu? Where did he go? Mr. Yu!”

He rubbed his eyes, looking around for me, but of course I’d gone with the wind.

***

Swoosh!

Planes, flying from all over the world, filled the blue sky over Incheon International Airport. There, a man had just arrived after flying in from the United States. He naturally garnered attention from everyone in the area.

“Is he a celebrity?”

“I’ve never seen him before, though.”

“Wow, how much is all of that? That’s awesome!”

The handsome blond’s rugged masculinity was accentuated by a deep tan. Luxury designer brands decked him from head to toe. Lowering his Giccu sunglasses, he took in the Korean Scenery.

“

Whew.

The future greatest hunter in South Korea's history has arrived.”

He was Steve Choi, an S-rank Hunter who’d graduated from the U.S. Hunter Academy with excellent grades. His Korean name was Choi Bong-Shik. Though he received an offer from the U.S., he couldn’t become the best in a nation teeming with the world’s top Hunters. So, he came to South Korea. As the saying went, “Better to be the head of the snake than the tail of a dragon.”

And somehow, he had been wanting to return to South Korea for a while.

So this was what they call homesickness.

As unbecoming as it was for a Hunter who roamed the ruthless battlefield, he thought that humane side added to his charm. Besides, it’d be an honor for South Korea, who’d gain another strong Hunter thanks to him.

Still, it’s kind of disappointing to see that no one recognizes me here.

Steve Choi clicked his tongue at the people stealing glances at him.

Haa,

he’d even prepared a marker to sign autographs.

“No one has come to pick me up.” He clicked his tongue again.

Even though he’d been lucky enough to book a first-class seat and arrived earlier than expected! And yet, the Hunter Association didn’t even send anyone to greet or pick him up! Was that how they showed respect to the person who would become South Korea’s greatest Hunter?!

Just then, someone approached, noisily waving their hands at him. He seemed as handsome as Steve Choi, but gave off a dimwit vibe. And that green tracksuit?

Oof.

It was so wrinkled, it seemed to have not been washed in ages!

Hmph, there’s no way that guy is from the Hunter Association.

Steve Choi snorted, about to ignore the man.

“Bong-Shik~!”

He flinched.

“Do you not hear me~? Bong-Shik~! It’s me~!”

Swoosh!

Teleporting like lightning, Steve Choi teleported quickly covered the man’s mouth.

“Bong—

upmh!

”

“W-who are you! How did you know that name!”

The man in green tracksuit—no, Yu Il-Shin, brushed off Steve’s arm.

“

Puha!

” His eyes grew so wide that it looked like they would pop out.

As a Spatial-type Hunter, he lacked physical abilities, but he was still an S-rank. There was no way he could be easily defeated.

“How could I not recognize my precious Bong-Shik?” Yu Il-Shin smiled brightly, wrapping his arm around Steve Choi’s neck as if he were looking at a decade-long friend, or rather, a subordinate.

Cough cough! H-he looks so weak, but his strength is incredible!

No matter how much Steve Choi tried to escape, he couldn’t move an inch, as if crushed by a mountain. He even tried to use his teleportation skill, but it was to no avail. Cold sweat drenched his back.

There’s such an S-rank Hunter in South Korea?!

Moreover, something felt off. Although Steve Choi hadn’t seen this man before, this entire situation felt strangely familiar.

“W-who are you?!”

“

Gosh,

Bong-Shik. It’s me! Yu Il-Shin!”

Steve Choi was going crazy. Who the hell was that?!

“Bong-Shik, I’m sorry for forgetting about you in my previous life! I swear it’s an accident!” Then, he whispered, “Will you believe in Yu Il-Shinism?”

Chills ran down Steve Choi’s spine, and all his hair stood on ends.

What was this sense of déjà vu? It felt as if a gigantic bone dragon was crushing and growling at him.

I-is this the infamous cult of South Korea that I’ve only heard about?

Moments later...

“W-why am I back in America... and why Dysneiland?” Choi Bong-shik stared blankly at the mascots of Dysneiland, singing and dancing joyfully at the parade.

The man in the green tracksuit had teleported him straight back to America, making Choi Bong-Shik’s half-day flight to South Korea completely pointless. Moreover, with companies!

That feat was beyond any human’s capability! That man was either a monster, or a supernatural being—the so-called god or demon!

Meanwhile, one of the companions, a cute little girl with twin braids, pointed at Choi Bong-Shik with a dazed expression.

“Little Uncle. Is this uncle our guide?”

“Destroy!” Sam-Shin nodded vigorously.

“Wow! How exciting!” Seong-Yeon was thrilled.

At first, Seong-Yeon was shocked when identical uncles rushed toward her, but she quickly got used to it. After all, they were her most favorite uncles in this world. Having more of them was an incredibly wonderful and exciting thing! Since her uncles were usually jobless and lazy, they usually played at their house or at the park nearby. However, today, she was brought to Dysneiland!

Seong-Yeon felt like she had the entire world today.

“Little Uncle, Little Uncle! I want to eat that!” She pointed at the churros shop.

Sam-Shin nodded, tapping his chest, as if saying, “Wait a minute.”

Then, he turned to Choi Bong-Shik, who was still standing in a daze. “Destroy (Give me money to buy snacks).”

“W-what?”

With a blank look, Choi Bong-Shik looked down at Sam-Shin, who was two heads shorter than him.

Ha,

that lunatic in green tracksuit was unstoppable, but this brat...!

“Destroy!”

Sam-Shin’s eyes flashed a bright red.

“Here you go! Use it as you please!” Choi Bong-Shik knelt respectfully, handing his wallet to Sam-Shin. His deeply-ingrained survival instinct had been triggered.

Satisfied, Sam-Shin took the money from the wallet, bought the churros, and went on to enjoy them with Seong-Yeon. Of course, there wasn’t any for Choi Bong-Shik.

Nyam, nyam—

With sugar smeared all around her lips, Seong-Yeon finally remembered something and asked Sam-Shin. “But Little Uncle, where are the other uncles?”

She had four uncles when she first came here, but now there was only Sam-Shin left.

Sam-Shin swallowed the churros, then replied, “Destroy (They went to meet girls!)!”

Seong-Yeon tilted her head in confusion.

Girls? Uncle is a playboy?