The Returnee Wants to Live Comfortably Chapter 160 : Did you think you could just get away with tha

Did you think you could just get away with that? (1)

At people's questions, Sang-ah began to explain.

Next to her, Seongjin was gripping her shoulder, emitting an ominous energy, but she still had to talk.

First off, it was already absurd enough that she rushed onto the stage, wearing underwear on her head instead of a mask.

It would be strange if no one was curious about that.

Fortunately, there was no one eavesdropping or listening in, so she spoke freely.

How did she even get hold of that underwear?

How long had she had it?

And who else had she shared it with?

And what circumstances had led her to be on the stage wearing it?

"So, you're saying the side effects get worse the more you sing, is that right?"

"Yeah."

Hearing this, the group of celebrities fell deep into thought.

Everyone knew that, basically, the more powerful Traits an awakened had, the looser their screws beca.

That was also why so many off-kilter students were drawn to the Hand.

Likewise, Sang-ah, who had the Traits of the dragon race, was no different.

"To think you beco more obsessed with soone the more you sing."

Everyone now understood why Sang-ah had refused the offer to beco a singer.

Because of just one song, she could lose her mind regardless of her own will.

That's why she'd impulsively stolen Seongjin's belongings and put them on her face.

Just as she was getting better at controlling her rampages, another side effect appeared.

It was, as they say, one problem after another.

"That's why I can't be a singer. In the first place, it's embarrassing..."

In exchange for her reason, she could exert outstanding vocal power.

Knowing that, no one could counter her explanation.

If she chose the Profession of singer, it would only beco poison to her.

"Hmm... So that's what happened."

When Seongjin's voice reached her, Sang-ah's body flinched.

There was sothing in his voice that made her feel anger.

In fact, Seongjin had never let anyone off the hook, even if their actions were due to side effects of their Trait.

Just seeing the past case with Michael Kang made that clear enough.

Sang-ah, who had seen that devilish side of Seongjin up close, realized in her gut.

'I'm going to die now.'

Minor or not, there was no rcy.

Juvenile law? Side effects of a Trait? All useless excuses.

Terrified on instinct, Sang-ah silently said goodbye to her life.

'Kwon Sang-ah. You lived pretty well up to now. And Mom, thank you for giving birth to .'

At last, Seongjin placed his hand atop Sang-ah's head.

Feeling that this was the end, her body started to tremble on its own.

It was like she was a prisoner about to be executed.

"Tsk. Alright, I get it."

"Huh?"

Normally, Seongjin would've pulled her hair.

That suited his personality.

Yet instead, Seongjin stroked Sang-ah's head.

"I bet you've suffered a lot because of those side effects, huh?"

"...?"

"It's okay. Just be careful from now on. And if you train, you'll be able to control it soday."

Then, as if to reassure her, Seongjin pulled Sang-ah into a hug.

Caught off guard by this unexpected gesture, Sang-ah was flustered and confused.

For a Ma Seongjin, this was surprisingly easygoing behavior.

Regardless of the reason, Sang-ah indulged in the present mont.

'I'm alive! I survived!'

It felt as if she'd crossed the River of Three Crossings and returned.

Unable to hide her relief, Sang-ah broke into a happy smile as she hugged Seongjin.

However... because she was being held so tightly, she couldn't see it.

"Let's do our best from now on."

She couldn't see Seongjin's face twisted in an evil grin as he spoke.

****

The headquarters of the Sura guild in China.

Ah-rin had returned there briefly on a weekend when she had free ti.

Naturally, she had to cover her face and body with a veil.

She was still, even now, Sura.

"It's been a while."

Entering the Sura guild lobby, the guild mbers all turned stiff at once.

Even in that silent atmosphere, Ah-rin walked confidently as if to show off.

While her absolute position in the guild played a part, there was another reason.

"Everyone looks so pale. Wasn't it not long ago you were all bowing down with 'Sura, Sura'?"

"..."

No one answered.

None of them felt qualified to say anything to Ah-rin.

Everyone had already heard about what happened at the Hand, and what the Guildmaster, Jay Hoon, had tried to do to her.

"It's been a while, Sura."

"Nice to see you too, old lady."

When an elderly woman appeared, Sang-ah—no, Ah-rin—greeted her cheerfully.

The old woman, who looked well into her 60s, was Yang Mihong, one of the top executives of the Sura guild.

It wouldn't be so pleasant to see a top executive in most cases.

But unlike with other executives, Sang-ah showed no animosity toward her.

"We heard about what happened this ti."

"I know. That's why everyone's acting like that."

Ah-rin pointed at the still-silent guild mbers.

It was inevitable that the mood would suddenly turn cold just because Sura had returned.

"I heard the Heaven and Earth Society attacked Sura over there."

"I'm fine. As you can see, not a scratch."

"That's a relief."

"It's all thanks to you, old lady."

Ah-rin nodded at the sword hanging from Yang Mihong's waist.

Most of the sword techniques she used had been taught by Yang Mihong.

"And as for the Guildmaster... he's totally fled, right?"

"That's right. Most likely, his plans fell apart, and he realized he couldn't keep the guild together anymore."

No one knew where the Guildmaster Jay Hoon had gone.

But of everyone, only Ah-rin knew the truth.

She'd heard from Seongjin that he'd beco a tool for their side.

"You know why I ca here, don't you?"

"The World's people are waiting for you."

The leadership of the Sura guild had already passed to The World.

Now that they'd been completely absorbed, the managent structure had changed.

Jay Hoon's plans, of course, had been scrapped.

Ah-rin had co to check that herself during her free ti.

"We've been expecting you, Sura."

Inside what used to be the Guildmaster's office sat so unfamiliar people.

One was a huge man, and the other a woman with black hair and a sinister vibe.

"Co in and have a seat."

At the man's invitation, Sang-ah sat in the chair opposite him.

They acted as if they owned the guild now, and there was no one to object.

"We've heard everything from the Demon King. You know who we are, right?"

"Yes."

"I am Kailok, of the 2nd legion of the Demon King's army. I'm here in place of the busy Borg."

"And I'm Alda, 3rd legion commander. You can just call unni."

Aside from Kailok and Alda, many mbers of The World were now occupying the Sura guild.

Ah-rin listened to the results of their investigations.

"Abductions and human experints. There's a record of frequent atrocities. I hear you were a victim too."

"Yes. When I was kidnapped, my grandparents were murdered as well."

"That must have been terrible for you."

Realizing Ah-rin was still so young, Kailok showed genuine sympathy.

How must such a terrible childhood experience have affected her?

Now Alda, worried, asked gently.

"Normally, we'd want to just dismantle the guild, but we decided to absorb it instead. I wanted to ask how you felt about that."

To Ah-rin, this might sound like letting her enemies live.

But she shook her head and spoke generously.

"It doesn't matter. I don't think I really have the right to object, since I've ruled here as Sura."

"..."

"Besides, we still have a use for this place, don't we?"

The Sura guild would help keep the Holy Church in check.

If they absorbed that force, it would be a major boost to their side.

And with Jay Hoon turned into a puppet, the guild's real leader was Ah-rin.

Even now, most mbers still followed Sura.

"So you think the sa way as us?"

"Yes. But don't get wrong—I don't plan to forgive any of them. It's much more efficient to grind their bones to dust rather than just destroy them, wouldn't you agree?"

"...."

"Well then, I look forward to working with you."

As Alda shook hands with Ah-rin, she frowned slightly.

While Ah-rin's face was all smiles, there was an odd, unsettling sensation from her touch.

"Just to check—"

"...?"

"Have you ever sealed your emotions?"

"... Who knows?"

With a fleeting smile, Ah-rin replied shortly.

She glanced at the clock and rose from her seat.

"Leaving already?"

"I have school tomorrow."

"I'd hoped we could talk a bit more."

Both seed a little disappointed at parting so soon.

"It would have been nice if it were still vacation."

"See you next ti."

"Your na was Ah-rin, right?"

"Yes."

Alda and Kailok had a last word.

"Let's et again."

"Take care of yourself till then."

"Yes."

It seed like an ordinary farewell.

Without suspicion, Ah-rin cheerfully left them.

After she disappeared, the two muttered softly again.

"Yes, let's et again."

"Fufufufu."

They smiled with cryptic aning.

****

A few more months passed. It was now December.

After the midterms ended, finals were upon them before they knew it.

Even after the boundary incident, Hand continued smoothly.

Since students and faculty were all safe, classes had not been disrupted.

"Phe.. finally vacation."

The exams blocking her path were over at last.

Ah-rin couldn't help but grin at the thought of enjoying the vacation.

"The Sura guild has quieted down, the Heaven and Earth Society bastards are all wiped out, fufufufu."

There were no more obstacles.

A ti of rest—true freedom—had finally co.

"Maybe I'll ask Seongjin to go to the ski resort with later."

—Just the two of us, secretly.

Daydreaming, Ah-rin giggled to herself.

She packed happily, but as she exited the dormitory, a car was waiting for her.

"Kang Ah-rin! Hurry up and get in!"

In the backseat, Seongjin opened the window and called out to Ah-rin.

She dashed over at once.

After putting her luggage in the trunk and climbing in, she saw another familiar face.

"Hi."

"Sang-ah? You're coming too?"

"Yeah. The three of us together."

It wasn't just her and Seongjin, but Ah-rin didn't mind.

Sang-ah was a good friend in Ah-rin's book.

"By the way, whose car is this?"

"Vern prepared it himself."

"The chairman?"

He was Seongjin's subordinate.

It wasn't odd at all for soone of his rank to provide this kind of treatnt for their boss.

Ah-rin didn't find it suspicious, and the car set off.

She was certain they'd be going to Seongjin's house.

She'd greet his mother and father, then spend ti with Yunhee.

Yunhee was Seongjin's younger sister. Making a good impression as a big sister could only be a good thing.

"Fufufufu. But what about the pigeon?"

"Pigeon?"

"Eunseol, I an."

Sothing had felt missing—one person was absent.

When she asked about it, Seongjin answered.

"Eunseol had sothing important to do at ho, so she left first."

"Oh, I see."

At that answer, Ah-rin giggled again.

With that pigeon out of the picture, it was an opportunity to have Seongjin to herself.

But then...

"What's that sll?"

"Yeah, what is that?"

Suddenly, a strange odor filled the car.

The stronger the scent grew, the harder it was to keep their eyes open.

"Uuuh..."

"Snore..."

In the end, the two of them fell asleep together.

They drifted off, sure nothing would happen to them, so they closed their eyes in peace.

But the only one still awake, Seongjin, slowly raised the corners of his mouth.

****

"What is this?"

"...."

When Ah-rin and Sang-ah awoke, they couldn't believe their eyes.

They weren't at Seongjin's house.

The car had vanished, and they'd woken up sowhere completely unfamiliar.

"Where are we?"

They were lying in so kind of room.

All around were rows of lockers, like in a dormitory.

On the floor were military uniforms with na tags bearing their own nas.

"What... is going on?"

As they touched the uniforms, they instinctively understood.

They were in serious danger.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Hell training!!!

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