I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 613

"...So, this has been an occasional occurrence throughout history, often manifesting in rival relationships... is that correct? And that's why you brought in some history professors?"

"That's right. Prominent examples include Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, Hannibal and Scipio, Richard I and Saladin... There are also a few domestic cases, and the most recent example would be Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler in bodybuilding. However... this is a completely first-time situation."

"I roughly understand now. But you mentioned that this usually happens in rival relationships. Does that mean there are other exceptions?"

"Yes, that's correct."

It had been 40 minutes since Harmony and Dice had suddenly turned into manifestors.

Currently, in front of me were several individuals capable of handling the most sophisticated measuring devices in the world, renowned doctors and scientists researching manifestors, and a few historians, about 10 people in total, who had gathered to examine Harmony and Dice in another room.

Despite their busy schedules, it wasn’t a problem. When I sent out a request, offering to buy their time at a rate of 100 million per hour, they all rushed over, some by car, others even by helicopter.

And that wasn’t all. I had also contacted the two researchers who had helped me before. I should receive a reply soon.

Anyway, it was time to listen to the experts again, and I pushed aside the swirl of emotions in my mind as I continued to listen to them.

At the same time, various holograms appeared next to me. It was news footage.

The screen was completely filled with coverage about manifestors.

"The focus isn’t on the rivalry itself. The important thing is that when we look at the historical records from the time these rivalries occurred, there was an unusually high rate of manifestor emergence in those years. As you can see on the screen, a total of seventeen manifestors have been officially recorded today."

"Looking back through historical records, it seems this happened in just one day. The probability of the same thing happening tomorrow, or the day after, is predicted to be very low."

"...Should I consider this good luck, or bad luck?"

"Regarding that..."

Someone, who had been intently examining charts full of data, cautiously spoke up.

"Based on the tests we’ve conducted so far on Mina and Yerin’s physical abilities, their bodies have been enhanced to the point where only the top 0.01% could reach. To summarize it simply, it’s about 700 in the three lifts."

"...Hmm. That’s a bit..."

"You think it’s low, don’t you?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

The doctor chuckled and casually covered the chart.

It was a surprisingly low figure. Given that my total free-weight lifting currently exceeds 4 tons, it seemed rather low. So I was waiting for an explanation.

How much time had passed?

"Eugene-ssi, do you think someone who’s just started working out would be able to handle the equipment proficiently and lift heavy weights?"

"...Ah!"

"I see you understand now. The number I mentioned earlier is just the starting point. But considering everything, it’s unlikely that those two will ever catch up to you, Eugene-ssi. The student should seriously consider how systematically they’ve trained their bodies."

"That’s a fair point."

...That part, I admit, is my blind spot.

Anyway, as mentioned earlier, Harmony and Dice were in another room, undergoing physical exams, so I buried myself deep into the sofa in the adjacent room and waited for the two to come back.

As I did, the events from just a few minutes ago flashed through my mind. Was it a nightmare? I don’t know, but that’s probably what it was — the sight of them struggling with their new tails, trying to do something with them, unable to walk properly...

And when they tried to entangle their tails with mine, I had to hurriedly stop them by giving them a swift chop to the head.

What happened next was simple. I made an emergency call to the number I had received when getting my physical certificate, contacted my parents, and arranged ways to connect with various people in Korea, bought their time, and...

...

"…Jin-ssi, Eugene-ssi! We’re done!"

"What are you doing sleeping? Hehe. Do you know how much we enjoyed our physical exams… Now, we’re proper little Biyams!"

"...After our bodies have changed so dramatically, I think only you two would be happy about it."

At that moment, the door opened, and Harmony and Dice walked in.

Earlier, it had been such a chaotic sight that I couldn’t really focus, but now that they were here, I could finally look at them properly... yeah, it’s getting easier to adjust. Both of them had slightly more resemblance to me. Specifically, they both now had elf ears like mine, sharp fangs, and vertically shaped pupils.

As for their tails... well, there was no need to elaborate. Dice had a yellow tail, fitting her well, resembling a ball python, while Harmony’s resembled a rattlesnake’s, matching her natural brown hair color.

But... it felt a bit awkward to say it out loud.

"...You two don’t really look like Biyams."

"Eh...?"

"That can’t be true, we’re proper Biyams now!"

"But you’re both so tiny... no, that was a slip of the tongue."

"We’re not small! Eugene-ssi is just tall!"

Ah, I touched a sore spot.

As they said, my height was 172cm, quite tall for a woman. But Harmony and Dice were more in the 150s to mid-160s range. They both had small heads, making their proportions decent, but they were definitely on the shorter side.

Of course, anyone would seem small next to sharks or polar bears that were 188cm tall.

Thinking that, I quietly stepped behind them and grabbed their tails.

"Eek!?!"
"Yahh!?!"
"You two should really experience how it feels when someone grabs your tail without asking, don’t you think?"

There were no personal emotions involved.

Really.

Anyway, their movements were still clumsy. Their reflexes and strength had definitely increased compared to before. If I had to quantify it, I’d say they were now about at the level of UFC heavyweights who had just made it to the major leagues. While that was an impressive achievement, it still felt somewhat minor compared to me.

For now, I’d need to help them adjust to the balance changes caused by their tails... I heard that, since Harmony and Dice had officially become manifestors, urgent messages had been sent to their families, so I didn’t think there was much more to say.

The fact that they had become manifestors would eventually become public, and any overstepping would soon be taken care of by the state.

Now, the only thing left was... to think about how they should proceed with their professional lives. Honestly, as long as the avatar and adjustment sliders were left as they were, there wouldn’t be much of a problem.

The sensory confusion was something they’d have to overcome on their own.

"Oh, by the way... Eugene-ssi, didn’t you spend a lot of money this time? Are you okay?"

"There’s no need to worry about that. What I’m more concerned about is you guys. I feel a bit more at ease knowing you’ll manage. A lot of annoying things will be coming our way, so just get mentally prepared."

"...I still can’t believe it."

"If you’ve gotten a tail, you’ll have to accept that."

"Hehe."

...They really liked to say that.

As always, they never missed an opportunity to tease. Now that they were Biyams, calling them little Biyams didn’t seem right... Wait, no, I shouldn’t be digressing.

Anyway, I finally settled down on the sofa and added:

"…Now that the physical exam is done, don’t worry about anything else. Let’s head to my place. Dice, it’s not a big deal since you’re next door, but Mina, what do you plan on doing?"

"Well… once the commotion dies down, I’ll head back. I need to check the food I left in the fridge."

"Alright, let’s head out."

The people I had paid for their time were now preparing to leave, and only a few stayed behind to handle some finishing touches. I released the blocked contacts that I had preemptively set up, preparing for the fallout of today’s events.

As expected, a mountain of missed calls piled up. While I was about to check them one by one, I received a sudden call.

It was the first editor.

There was one missed call, received a minute ago.

Curious, I answered the call, and a woman’s voice greeted me.

"...Ah, you picked up. Eugene-sensei, I really have something urgent. Can you listen seriously?"

"...Who is this?"

"It’s me, me! You even came on the broadcast yesterday and donated! You said you’d make me do a shrimp twist!"

In that moment, countless images flashed through my mind.

As too many thoughts processed all at once, puzzle-like memories started to align, and I hurriedly grabbed the speakers and hacked them to stop everyone who was about to leave.

And after a few seconds...

"Stop everything. Please give me one more hour."

The chaos was just beginning.