The Way to Save the Crazy Returnees – Chapter 7 – Seo Do-hwan (2)

Author: CleiZz

“Could everyone step aside for a moment?”

The staff members looked at one another anxiously, uneasy under Seo Do-hwan’s oppressive aura.

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

“…Yes, young master.”

Though reluctant, they slowly backed away.

I picked up a piece of stuffed cucumber with my chopsticks and calmly spoke.

“First of all, I’m a returnee. Just like you, Mr. Seo Do-hwan.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Why not? Is there a reason not to?”

“Of course there is.”

Seo Do-hwan’s expression darkened.

“No matter what you say, it’s suspicious, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“The fact that you know who I am!”

He slammed his fist on the table with a loud bang and demanded, “How do you know about that?”

His glare was sharp—clearly threatening. I slowly placed a stun gun on the table and answered evenly, “Because the book I had showed me this world’s future.”

Of course, that was a lie.

I couldn’t exactly say, ‘After being trapped as an unpaid undead laborer for a thousand years, I’ve regressed 365 times thanks to returnee bastards like you.’

No matter how much I wanted to tell Seo Do-hwan the truth, I had to be careful.

At least for now.

Still chewing on the stuffed cucumber, I continued.

“In that world, you and I were pretty close.”

That was only half true.

Out of 365 regressions, I was genuinely close to Seo Do-hwan maybe less than a hundred times. As for the rest? I either died at his hands or got killed by another returnee before I could even get near him.

Seo Do-hwan looked conflicted. He couldn’t tell whether to believe me or not.

I smirked.

“Still don’t believe me? Then how about I tell you something only you would know? Something you told me about yourself in that world.”

He crossed his arms.

“Go on. I’m listening.”

What a jerk.

Suppressing another smirk, I began.

“First off, the book you possessed was titled The Weak Hunter, right?”

His eyes widened—but it was too early to be surprised.

“The character you possessed was the protagonist, a guy named Pi Do-an. His ability let him grow stronger the more potions he used—so you went all in, downing every potion you could get your hands on to boost your power. Am I wrong?”

Seo Do-hwan’s expression tightened.

“How the hell do you know that?”

“You told me. Like I said—we were pretty close. In that world, anyway.”

I gave him a calm smile. Meanwhile, Seo Do-hwan looked like a tiger forced to swallow something bitter.

“So… you approached me on purpose?”

“Partly. But also because it was kind of nice seeing you not high on drugs for once.”

“What?”

“Remember? I said the book I had showed me the future of this world.”

He gave a slow nod. He was getting drawn in.

Good.

I leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table, hands clasped. A slow grin crept onto my face.

“In that world, Mr. Seo Do-hwan, you were a drug addict. One of the villains who helped destroy the world.”

“That…!”

His face twisted in disbelief.

“I would never do that!”

“Are you sure?”

I asked, the smile still in my eyes.

“Mr. Seo Do-hwan, what was the first thing that crossed your mind when you woke up in the hospital?”

He fell silent.

Because I already knew.

‘Drugs. Obviously.’

They say drugs can bring pleasure thousands of times more intense than anything reality can offer. And during those moments, Seo Do-hwan’s strength would surge—the same strength he once flaunted in the world where he was the protagonist.

So really, it was only natural he’d end up addicted the moment he got a taste.

“Still,” I said, “compared to the other returnees, you were one of the better ones. At least you didn’t go around killing people for fun.”

That, of course, was a lie.

Drug-addicted Seo Do-hwan was the second most hated bastard in that world—right behind the worst of the worst.

But there was no need to tell him that.

Seo Do-hwan narrowed his eyes.

“Other returnees?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t just you and me. There are others—returnees responsible for the downfall of this world. Like I said, you were one of the villains who helped destroy it.”

He looked stunned.

“What? Did you think you were the only one?”

“…Shut up.”

He snapped sharply, then followed up with a question.

“So you came to me… just to stop me from turning into a junkie?”

“That’s part of it.”

“Only part?”

I nodded and answered calmly.

“My real goal is to stop this world from being destroyed by the returnees.”

For the sake of my own peaceful, comfortable life, of course.

“That’s why I approached you. To stop you from becoming one of the villains—and maybe, to have you on my side instead.”

“And what do I get out of helping you?”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a vitamin D candy, offering it to him.

“I’ll make sure you get a life anyone would envy. Just like the one you had as the ‘protagonist’ in The Weak Hunter. Isn’t that what you want?”

Seo Do-hwan laughed, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Seriously, how the hell do you know all this?”

“Because I heard it.”

His expression hardened. He stared at me.

I didn’t look away. I simply smiled.

“…Who the hell are you, boss?”

“Like I said. Same as you—a returnee.”

And also…

“A third-generation chaebol.”

“…You’re the worst.”

Seo Do-hwan snatched the candy, unwrapped it, and tossed it in his mouth.

“What is this?”

He grimaced.

“It’s vitamin D. It’s good for you—unlike drugs.”

“This is for me?”

“Think whatever you want.”

Seo Do-hwan let out a scoff.

“What a joke. You really think this stuff compares to actual drugs?”

“In terms of pleasure? No. But it gives you strength, doesn’t it?”

“No.”

Crunch.

He bit through the candy and swallowed it whole, then gave me a crooked smirk.

“For someone claiming we were close, you sure left out a lot.”

He pulled the empty stick from his mouth and continued.

“Turns out, the stronger the drug’s effect, the more of my power I get back.”

“What?”

“That candy? Barely gives me 3% of my strength. I’d need to eat a hundred of those just to match what I’d get from a dose of the real stuff.”

So that’s how it works.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out all the samples Dr. MaMFa had sent me. Not quite a hundred, but a decent amount.

I handed them all to him.

“Eat them.”

Seo Do-hwan stared at me, dumbfounded.

“I’m seriously starting to think you’re crazy, boss.”

“Thanks for teaming up with such a crazy person.”

“Sorry, but I never agreed to team up.”

“You might want to rethink that.”

I smiled gently and added,

“Did you think I fed you for free? If you’re not going to help me, either cough it all back up—or pay for it.”

“How much?”

He pulled out his wallet.

So full of pride.

He must’ve really hated his first impression of me. Normally, he would’ve laughed and taken my hand by now—but the way he was clinging to his pride said otherwise.

I clicked my tongue lightly and called one of the staff over for the bill.

And when it arrived…

“Are you insane?! 1,380,000 won?!”

Seo Do-hwan practically screamed, his shock written all over his face.

I calmly picked up a napkin and dabbed at my mouth.

“Every ingredient you ate was top-grade. That steak alone was A++ Korean beef.”

Seo Do-hwan swallowed hard and looked down at the empty plate.

There wasn’t a single bite left—the beautifully prepared steak had completely disappeared. Judging by how quickly he cleared the plate, I had to wonder if he’d eaten anything at all lately.

“Hey, boss.”

“Hmm?”

“Can I… pay in installments?”

The question caught me off guard.

I rubbed my temple, blinking in disbelief. “How many months were you thinking?”

“…Thirty-six.”

He’s lost his mind. What kind of person pays off a meal over 36 months like it’s a brand-new SUV?

“You really think that’s gonna work?”

“Then I’ll wash dishes or something.”

He really didn’t want to live with me, huh?

But I couldn’t just let Seo Do-hwan go. There was a reason I’d sent him to rehab in the first place. If I didn’t keep an eye on him, he’d fall right back into old habits.

“Mr. Seo Do-hwan.”

I picked up the self-defense stun gun from the table and flicked it on.

Bzzzt!

Blue sparks crackled in the air. I pointed it at him with a warning look.

“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”

Seo Do-hwan didn’t even flinch.

“You think I’m joking too, boss?”

He popped another candy into his mouth, unbothered.

“Thanks to you, I’ve recovered a little of my power.”

A crooked smirk tugged at his lips.

“That little toy? Doesn’t scare me.”

“Oh yeah? Then I guess there’s nothing more to say.”

I shut off the stun gun and stood up.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive you home.”

“…What?”

“You really think I don’t know where you live? Come on—I’ll let you off the hook for dinner.”

He looked annoyed—definitely didn’t expect that. He narrowed his eyes, sizing me up for a moment, then reluctantly stood.

Without another word, I led him to the car.

“To the jjokbangchon in Dongja-dong, please.”

“Yes, young master.”

The car sped down the road.

It didn’t take long to reach Seo Do-hwan’s neighborhood.

“Alright. We’re here.”

He looked at me suspiciously, then stepped out of the car. I followed behind him.

“W-What the hell? What happened?!”

He clutched his head, staring at the half-demolished building in shock.

Standing beside him, I explained calmly,

“There was a government redevelopment project. All jjokbangchon residents were relocated to temporary housing. And for the record—you weren’t on that list.”

T/N: A jjokbangchon is a run-down urban area in Korea where extremely poor individuals live in tiny, cramped rooms.

Ignoring his stunned face, I went on.

“Even when the new public housing is finished, there won’t be a place for you. According to the records, you live with me now.”

“Who the hell decided that?!”

“I did,” I replied flatly, then asked, “So, what’s it gonna be?”

Sleep on the street—or come with me.

In truth, he had no choice.

His fists trembled with frustration as he raised one in the air.

“You crazy bastard of a boss!!”

Without hesitation, I pulled the stun gun from my inner pocket and jabbed it into his side.

Bzzzt!

“Ughhhh!”