I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 599

"Six years ago, on January 27, 2030, I sat in the Oval Office of the White House, 206 miles away from this point, receiving an urgent report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I will never forget the briefing that began with the news of an unidentified virus spreading rapidly."

However, ironically, the virus expanded its territory before anyone could act, and within less than a week, it had spread across the United States. Within a month, it reached the entire world. Thus began a long and, above all, horrific pandemic.

The sharp tone of the voice in my ear continued.

Outside, the atmosphere had shifted from celebration to madness. With just 20 minutes left until the New Year, the excitement of everyone around me was palpable, but like an invisible wall, Henry’s dry voice blocked any trace of joy from creeping into my mind.

Outside, filled with people, the sound of booming cheers could be heard through the glass, the viewers on the other side of the world, who were 13 hours ahead of us, had already begun chatting wildly, but my gaze was focused elsewhere.

“Within two months, what seemed like an impenetrable fortress crumbled terribly. Social media, once vibrant, came to a halt, and one by one, American citizens using the networks fell, while broadcasters of the world’s news fell into a long sleep.

But that was just the beginning. The mighty economic link was shattered, and a pack of hyenas, determined to self-destruct, ravaged the blessed land. Even the remaining brave men, who could not find rest in Arlington, faded away.

America, a nation once favored by God, fragmented, divided, and it soon became impossible to even ascertain how many people were alive in each city.”

I know.

I witnessed it all with my own eyes.

I dropped into America just as the pandemic was starting.

"But we overcame it. From New York, from Washington D.C., from the northeast and Florida, from Houston... Just like our ancestors did for centuries, we moved westward and finally reclaimed our country, with Seattle being our last stop."

“And those of you who survived all the turmoil are now standing in front of me. You have endured the excruciating passage of six years, overcoming challenges, and you’ve won. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, you stand here today, shedding all pain.”

I could hear the words in the distance, faintly.

While the thousands gathered below had stood for 14 hours, eagerly waiting, there were now only 10 minutes left before the New Year.

A special flash paper with vibrant colors was ready to be released from the balcony of the building below, possibly for Times Square's iconic "pollen." As I was thinking this, Harmony spoke softly beside me.

"By the way, Eugene, what would you like to do next year?"

"Hmm, I haven’t decided yet. I want to finish what I’m working on and try my hand at something else, but I’ll think about that when the time comes."

"Lately, there’ve been a lot of requests for Terra. What do you think about that?"

"How does Minah know about that?"

"Ah, just monitoring... oops!"

The people around us giggled, and I smiled slightly, letting Minah’s words slide by.

Terra? Maybe, but... I hadn’t told the national team members from the final championship yet, and I planned on resting after this year. If there’s nothing special going on next year, I might not attend the final championship again.

Thinking about it, I turned my attention back to the speech.

"However, next year will not be remembered as 'the seventh year since the Omega virus outbreak.' Instead, future generations will remember today as the glorious beginning of reconstruction. The scars may remain, but history will not repeat itself."

I smiled at how well he delivered the speech. Despite the thousands of people cheering below, I still heard the sniffling of those around me through the earphones.

I, too, felt a lump in my throat, and a tear slowly fell from one eye.

Minah noticed and asked about it, but I just mumbled that it was due to the low humidity and refocused on listening.

“It will be a difficult and challenging time. But all of us here have crossed the same dangerous line and united for a common enemy. To overcome these trials, this unity will be necessary.

E pluribus unum, out of many, one. Though we are different, those of us here today are united with the same resolution. Everyone has endured hardship and learned the lesson: America may fall, but it will not break or crumble."

I wondered what kind of reaction Henry in this world would have if he heard this recording.

With this stray thought, the time was nearing 11:55 PM.

As the moment approached, Henry’s voice, once dry, now carried with it an undeniable energy. He looked vibrant, and the thousands of people gathered in Times Square were now all holding hands, gazing up at the stage with faces full of determination.

I too, with a hand held by the person next to me, gazed up at him.

"Those gathered here today, and those listening to this speech, will be remembered in history. One day, when America again leads the world in prosperity, this day will be one of the proudest memories that you will pass on to your descendants."

As the countdown ticked down to zero, fireworks—unlike any I’d ever seen—erupted into the sky. The loud sound of the planes and drones formed the American flag in the air, while the songs of "Auld Lang Syne" and "New York, New York" resonated through the crowd.

I watched in awe as everything unfolded, wondering what the next chapter would bring. The past year had been long, filled with challenges, but the future seemed filled with endless possibilities.

As the fireworks faded, the voices of my friends brought me back to the present.

"Thank you, Eugene. You’ve worked so hard this year."

"It’s because of you all that I can do so much."

"Hehe, looking forward to next year."

I didn’t respond, simply nodding with a smile. The fireworks had ended, and now the focus was on the future.

As I thought about the future, I realized that despite all the uncertainties, this year had been full of incredible moments—moments I would never forget.

Looking out at the world beyond, I knew that the path ahead might be uncertain, but it was a path worth walking.

The year had ended, and a new one had begun.

This was the moment I had worked toward, and now, it was time for me to leave the US.

"Well, I’ve felt this way before, but when I first arrived, I thought I’d live my whole life in America. But now, it feels like it’s time to go home. It’s funny—just like last time, I’m leaving from JFK International Airport."

"There’s nothing else to do, so why not just follow Olivia and go to Paris?"

"If you go there, it'll be harder to get Korean food, and you won’t understand the language. Still, would you want to go?"

"Ah, I guess that wouldn’t be such a good idea."

January 1st, 2037, 10:40 AM, Kennedy International Airport.

Though it didn’t feel as electric as the excitement on New Year’s Eve, the airport was still crowded. It was a busy place as always, and since last time, I hadn’t been through the terminal. This was essentially my first time visiting it this year.

Harmony and Dice were wearing high-end sunglasses, scarfed up and sipping iced americanos as if they had lived in New York for years. Of course, they would have been confused if asked for an iced americano back home in New York—there, you just ask for coffee or regular coffee.

"You really don’t have to see me off on a day like this."

"Oh, stop saying that. Just say thank you."

"Thanks."

"Well, you have to say it. The rooster couldn’t come because he was busy, but he told me to say thanks for the fun. So, I came."

I had noticed that Olivia wasn’t here, but honestly, whether Logan or Lorentina were here didn’t really matter. My friends had their own jobs and were usually busy.

Both of them looked around quickly and then continued talking.

"By the way, do you think it’s about seven weeks before the little ones are going to come out?"

"Right. Around that time, I’ll probably be the only one coming. The friends who came with me will stay in Korea... maybe they’ll join through remote access with the humanoid."

"Since there’s a public holiday in Korea around that time. The youngest will have to come because their family’s at Two Bridges, but you’ll have time to enjoy being alone for a while. You've been annoying enough, so you should rest during that time."

"I can’t believe you’re saying that."

As usual, they were bickering playfully. Watching them, everyone else laughed. They always said they didn’t know when they’d meet again, but with big events like this, we always seemed to meet up again at the end of the year.

After shaking hands, we walked to the exclusive gate. As expected, the plane we were taking back to Korea was provided by Icarus, so there was no strict departure time. It was scheduled to leave around 11:20.

Passing through simple luggage and security checks, we arrived at the duty-free shop. Everyone, having earned enough money, was buying pretty much everything they could grab, and I glanced at them, adding:

"I’m not sure what to get Minah or Yerim, since they finished first and fourth... Actually, I know there are a few accessories at Bulgari inspired by snakes. I’ll get one for each of them."

"Hey, those are $50,000 each."

"Don’t worry about the price. It’s not like my wallet is that thin."

"Well, if you say so..."

I tried to bring along Michael, Summit, Gambit, and Kato, who had done well this year, but they all declined, so it was just Harmony and Dice with me.

A Range Rover was sent over from the Icarus team, and suddenly, a snake-like accessory appeared around Minah and Yerim’s wrists and neck. Of course, I also had one. It was a bracelet that Lorentina had bought for me with the money she earned after lifting 500kg during a street challenge.

The accessories were from the same company.

I scratched the back of their necks, still groggy from the punch they had taken, and added:

"Next year... No, from the 5th Final Championship onward, I won’t be taking care of things anymore. In a way, this is a farewell gift. It doesn’t mean I won’t play the game with you at all."

"...What?"

"Hah."

"Sometimes you have to stand alone. I believe you two can handle things just fine... But more than that, I hope you won’t stay under my shadow forever."

Their faces… well, it was hard to explain, but it didn’t look great.

Realizing they misunderstood, I added another line:

"I’m not saying I’m leaving you forever, right? Anyway, Dice already moved into my neighborhood, and I know Minah’s been house-hunting around my place."

"Th, that’s not it."

"If you’re bored, just bring a snack and knock on my door. It’ll always be open."

"Hehe, I was just trusting you, Eugene."

"Ugh, come on."

I didn’t really believe them, though.

Anyway, I gave them some sweet snacks, and the only thing left was small gifts for my friends. Since all my friends gathered here this year, I could just buy something at the duty-free shop and hand it out right away.

Everyone was a bit confused, but later, they all walked away with luxury whiskey, watches, perfume, cosmetics, handbags, and more. I suppose this is what giving gifts was about.

The duty-free items were sealed up in bags and loaded into the cargo hold, and it was time to leave the US—the country I had gotten so attached to.

We crossed through the gate, walked to the massive airplane, and relaxed in our seats.

They suddenly opened the door of my seat just a little and added:

"Thanks again for everything this year!"

"Thank you, Eugene!"

"Viyam forever!"

"I’m really grateful. Thanks to you, I’m leaving with unforgettable memories."

"Viyam is God, and I am invincible!"

"...Alright, sit down. We need to leave now."

I said it with an awkward smile, feeling good.

How much time passed before everyone finally sat down, and the plane started moving. Unlike yesterday, the weather was clear, not a cloud in the sky.

It was a perfect day to wrap up the journey and head back home.

"Well then..."

Though I’d have to come back alone soon, for now, I wanted to enjoy this moment.

With the beautiful New York weather as my last sight, the long 4th Final Championship came to an end.