I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 574

This passage continues the playful banter and dynamics between the characters, focusing on a humorous and intense moment involving the infamous "One Chip Challenge" and the resulting chaos. Here's the translation of the excerpt:

It might seem a bit out of place now, but I had undergone quite a bit of training in the past, especially in dealing with interrogations and torture.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t exactly "torture and interrogation training" but rather escape training. Back then, it was already well-known that the abilities of the Awakener class were incredibly powerful... although no one had really confirmed how strong they were until the specifics were revealed.

Only Icarus had categorized each Awakener and was able to assess exactly how strong their physical abilities were. Icarus had used this information to calculate the chances of an Awakener surviving torture and interrogation, discovering that, in most cases, an Awakener could escape the situation with their own strength. Of course, that didn’t mean I hadn’t learned ways to avoid interrogation.

Anyway, the reason I’m bringing this up now is because...

"…Do you really feel better making me fall into the torturer’s trap? If that’s the case, I guess I have no choice but to feed you first."

"Wait, are we the ones who are in danger here?!"

"Eugene, there’s some misunderstanding between us... wow, this person is so strong!"

• Obviously, haha.
• After hanging out with Yupp Jin all the time, now you want to compete in strength, huh? Hahaha.
• It’s not conscience, it’s pure lack of fear.
• A UFC super heavyweight champion wouldn’t stand a chance against this person, hahaha.
• Dice, did you come here to eat your own spicy soup?

If I didn’t do something about this now, I felt like every year around this time, I’d be subjected to some torturous punishment.

I didn’t mind spicy food, but that one time last year was absolutely unbearable. If this type of challenge existed back in New York, Icarus Operators wouldn’t have needed to exert any effort torturing someone else, because that one bite could be all it took.

Of course, these two knew me well enough to understand this.

"Hey, we didn’t say we wouldn’t eat it. Let’s just do it once, Eugene!"

"No, why are you clinging onto me?!"

"This is the ‘super clingy tantrum’ skill!"

"I’m seriously losing it right now."

For some reason, the two of them started throwing tantrums...

I know the word "tantrum" probably makes people think of that famous elementary kid, Danbi, but these two were well-versed in tactical behavior. They started sticking to me like Mecha Byam, knowing full well that I was weak to physical affection.

As the drone camera automatically redirected its focus, Harmony ripped open the One Chip packaging, while Dice clung to my leg. No matter how hard I pushed, they stubbornly held on, almost like they were glued to me. I had to be careful to not hurt them with too much force.

Then Harmony joined in.

Ultimately, I had no choice but to use the final method. I started stretching the cheeks of the two clinging to my thigh.

"If you don’t let go in 3 seconds, I’ll make your cheeks as red as tomorrow."

"Ugh..."

"Don’t worry. You know you’ll eat it, Eugene... ahhh!"

"Seriously... I don't know why you all enjoy seeing me suffer so much."

• Hahaha, what was going on with the three of them?!
• Well, they probably did something until Logan’s house burned down and disappeared. Hahaha.
• Wow…
• Fact: Byam enjoys seeing Eugene suffer a lot, hahaha.

It’s a bunch of weirdos, that’s for sure.

Anyway, I reluctantly complied with the request of these two. They probably knew that no matter how much I complained or resisted, I’d eventually give in.

What’s worse, these two had a habit of making sure I complied every single time.

"Hehe, thank you so much, Eugene, for agreeing to this."

"We’ll eat it too, really. Don’t worry."

The first point was that they always made sure I agreed every time they asked. The second was that these two, who wouldn’t give themselves any exceptions, were teaching me how to be a "sacrificial fool"—something they must’ve learned from someone. I could ask them where they got it from, but I knew they’d just say it was me who taught them. So, in a way, this was karmic retribution. Instead of responding to them, I just ran my fingers through my hair and let out a sigh.

As they screamed, wriggling to fix their hair, I picked up one of the bottles of red wine from the box.

If these two wanted it, I’d make sure they got it. I’d do it thoroughly.

I poured it into glasses and uncorked the bottle.

Since it came from the bar on the same floor where Dice and I live, it must have cost several hundred thousand won. Given that, it might seem wasteful to casually drink it, but... I wasn’t planning on making it feel that heavy tonight.

As the viewers saw the wine label, they were in shock, wondering, "How did they get this rare bottle?"

I poured the wine and handed it to the two of them.

"If you want it, I’ll give it to you. Here’s your glass. Let’s make a simple toast. But we don’t know when this drinking session will end... so you’re not going to back out now, are you?"

"Ah, please be gentle."

"Being gentle, in my book, means taking it easy. Despite my bad drinking habits and getting drunk fast, I don’t really know my own limit."

• Breaking news: Byam announces they’ll get Dice and Harmony completely drunk.
• With only two days left until departure, are they really planning to get so drunk? Hahaha.
• ?? : My disciples can drink and still crush your skulls.
• You brought the alcohol! You brought the One Chip! You’re getting it all back, haha.

Meanwhile, the sound of the glasses clinking lightly.

As the red liquid slid down my throat, an overwhelming burst of scents and tastes filled my mouth. It felt like countless threads of different colors untangling at once. My senses of smell and taste were being overstimulated like never before.

But this was just the beginning. Tonight, I was going to fulfill every wish these two had—and they would pay the price.

After over an hour, two, and three, the rain grew lighter, pounding against the transparent wall of the balcony. Beyond the rain, the distorted night of Seoul started to quiet down. The street outside, which had been stiff like clogged veins when I started grilling, was now quiet.

The buildings across from the penthouse slowly lost their lights, and as I saw Harmony and Dice, whose energy was starting to die down, I smiled.

They probably wouldn’t be too happy with what was about to come.

"Fufu... Now it’s time for the One Chip reckoning. No one’s leaving."

• Haha, the final explosion!
• The humanity! Hahaha.
• Honestly, that was the most devilish thing I’ve seen in a while.
• They came here to feed us, hahaha!
• The One Chip Bongo is off! Little Byams, you have no hope!!!

I felt a high buzz after drinking a lot, yet I made sure to put on gloves because the Scoville scale was in the millions. I didn’t want to make a mistake.

Luckily, or unluckily, these two had stocked the fridge with drinks, milk, and ice cream long ago. They probably bought them to drink during dinner, but now I suspected they were preparing to neutralize the One Chip’s heat.

Anyway, after putting on latex gloves, I looked like a mad scientist or a mad doctor. When I saw Harmony and Dice looking shocked, I knew I wasn’t wrong.

With the gloves on, I sinisterly smiled as if I was about to shove the One Chip into their mouths.

It was then that I realized: It was my turn to make them pay!