I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 634

"Wow, you’re the one teaching the mech juniors these days, huh? I’ve been hearing a lot about you from all over, guess I’ll have to ask for your autograph. Our chief editor."

"Seriously, you look exactly like you do on the broadcast. Seeing your face, it’s clear how much our employer cherishes you. Have you resolved the family and friend issues, Mr. Number One?"

"...Can’t you just go inside and talk about it?"

D-7 to Expo, Yeouido.

By now, the weather in Seoul, nearing August, had already exceeded 30°C, with the sun beating down so intensely that it felt like your skin would turn black without sunscreen. The city was humid, as if everyone had left their humidifiers on.

And amidst that, in the area around the black building known as Yeouido's Yeonyanggaeng, which housed the Icarus International Korea branch, there was a block of pop-up stores, not far from Yeouido Park.

In this little oasis of grass and trees in the heart of the city, about four people—except one—were making a ruckus.

These people were part of what’s called "Yujin’s faction"—editors and thumbnail creators, to be exact.

If you were to ask who had the most subscribers in Korea's YoursSpace channel, excluding singers, entertainment agencies, and broadcasters, Yujin’s channel would be in the top 5, and definitely number 1.

If Yujin was the captain, these people were his crew. And among them, there was one person who had suddenly been promoted to a quasi-vice captain.

It was Iris.

And right now, she was half-dying from embarrassment.

"Whoa, look at that face. You’re about to burst. Sorry, sorry. My bad, it was just a little joke."

"It’s okay... I just didn’t expect to feel so embarrassed meeting you in person..."

"Ah, Hyejeong-ssi. We’ve had ramen made by Yujin-ssi on the rooftop near Hongdae together, remember? You don’t need to feel so pressured. Probably."

"That’s true, but... my body just couldn’t handle the emotions..."

Iris breathed deeply a few times.

At the same time, she carefully removed her hands from her face and tilted her head back, trying to shake off her embarrassment. After taking in a large amount of oxygen, Iris, finally managing to calm herself, brought the water bottle she had been holding with her tail to her lips. After a few gulps, she continued.

"Anyway, it’s nice to meet you in real life. When was the last time we met? Was it during those housewarming parties at the teacher’s place...?"

"And you’ve been having housewarming parties every day, huh?"

"Ugh, bourgeoisie."

"No, well... Yujin-ssi told me to stay at his place until I find a proper home."

"Are you saying a ‘manifestor’ can’t get a house? That’s just a blatant lie. I know you’re getting loans and grants left and right. It’s just that Yujin-ssi wants you to stay with him. We all understand that."

"...I wish you hadn’t said that out loud."

Of course, it wasn’t exactly untrue.

Once it was proven that Iris was a manifestor, she could easily get significant support from research institutions—though she’d need to go through several tests at those institutions first. Moreover, since Iris was an EM-class manifestor, the money she’d earn from cooperating with various physical exams would be enough to comfortably afford an apartment in Seoul within a few years.

However, for those who had become Biyams just because they loved Biyams so much, the best place to be was always a Biyam nest.

Soon, they began moving. The destination was not the nearby pop-up store but Yeouido’s Yeonyanggaeng, or rather, the Icarus International Korea branch.

Today, there wasn’t really a major goal. Except for Iris, everyone had gathered simply because they had some free time and wanted to see each other again.

But in contrast, Iris had something to do.

"By the way, I thought you couldn’t enter without a pre-tour reservation, but thanks to our Number One editor, it became possible. Should I say it’s because you have great connections?"

"If I just stand here doing nothing, I guess I’ll have to pretend not to be part of the group. But is it okay?"

"Hey, we’ll work hard on the vlog. You don’t trust us? You, of all people, should know how good we are, Number One editor."

"…That’s true, but still."

Iris’s first task today was to visit Icarus International to renew a partner streamer contract and to receive training on Mecha Yujin.

The second task was her first attempt at vlog shooting... but naturally, everyone here had edited and made vlogs from Yujin’s daily life.

Everyone in Yujin’s faction had the highest salary and incentives in the industry, handling enormous amounts of work while maintaining impeccable quality.

That was why Iris had to nod in agreement. She couldn’t help but trust them when it came to shooting the videos.

And there was another excuse they had for accompanying her.

"In about a week, we’ll be invited by Yujin-ssi to participate in the expo and shoot videos. We need to practice now so we’ll be ready when editing and posting the expo footage. Right?"

"...If you keep saying things like that, I’m going to start hating you. Is that your excuse?"

"Oops, you caught me. Honestly, I just wanted to follow along. I heard there are some Dark Zone goods that are normally not sold in Yeonyanggaeng... eek!"

"Die!"

Of course, that excuse was just that—an excuse, and it wasn’t really convincing.

They slowly crossed Yeouido, and as they did, the black building Iris and the others were heading toward appeared in front of them. Iris, who had a determined look on her face, scanned her temporary access card, and with a tired expression from the heat, they activated the drone camera they had brought along.

The first vlog and her will to stream in reality were underway. Even if she wasn’t accompanied by Number One Editor, everyone with her had already made their faces known.

The streaming started, and as the elevator moved up, someone added with a strange expression while Iris took a deep breath.

"…By the way, isn’t Iris half being blackmailed by Yujin-ssi? She could have refused, but..."

"I didn’t say no. I just... got a little flustered. If I really didn’t want to, I would’ve refused later."

"This girl became a mega dere after becoming a Biyam. She looks like someone who could lock someone up."

"That’s a bit much. What I like most is pure love."

"Biyam pure love?"

"…"

• Whoa, hahaha
• Look at Iris’s face turning red right after she starts the stream, hahaha
• What is this? She’s already making moves just minutes into the stream, hahaha
• Biyam pure love? This is gourmet, hahaha
• This is true love, hahaha

Of course, the result of the response was that Iris, named Baeksulgi, turned into Hongsi.

The elevator stopped, and they began moving to their assigned areas—while Iris changed into her maid outfit, the editors looked around the surroundings.

Naturally, the maid outfit wasn’t something she had before; it was a purchase made after her body changed. She was forced to feel what it was like to wear it, and the unfamiliar sensation and tightness around her chest couldn’t be avoided.

Trying to remove her tail through a hole in the outfit, Iris buttoned it up and checked herself in the mirror, wearing a fluttering maid apron that suited her far too well.

She had finished putting on the outfit, and while it took some courage to go outside, she had a secret weapon that would give her confidence today.

After a deep breath, she walked down the hallway toward where the others were.

"…Ugh."

"Whoa, I was about to laugh, but it fits so well, I can’t say anything."

"...That reaction is more embarrassing."

• Whaaa, hahaha
• How do you laugh at this, hahaha
• Does this mean Iris is coming to the expo as a maid? (hallucination)
• Wow, this is unbelievable, hahaha
• All I can do is admire, hahaha

Naturally, the compliments couldn’t stop.

But the appreciation ended there, and it wasn’t long before Iris and the others arrived at a hologram room.

In the room surrounded by numerous panels, hundreds of faint lasers shot out, and as the entire floor adjusted, they were soon in a space that looked like a practice room.

And how long had it been since then?

Zziing!

"…Connection seems fine. Long time no see, Iris."

"Let me see... you said the reason we gathered today was to learn human hospitality culture, right? I’m looking forward to it."

"Nice to meet you. But I recall we invited Nasty today too, didn’t we? What’s with the red hat? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such a thing."

"Uh... something feels off. I feel like something is about to happen."

Then, the Mech Biyams appeared.

Through projections, done remotely, and with the remaining part directly teaching, it meant the place wasn’t limited at all.

But that didn’t necessarily mean it was a good start.

As Iris, wearing something on her neck and head, drew in a breath from her lower abdomen, it was time for the training to begin.

"Welcome to the Maid Boot Camp, everyone! The Mech Biyams standing here are still rookies, but after a week’s camp, you’ll all learn what it means to be a loyal servant for your master!"

"Fwooo!"

"Eh? What?"

• ???????????????????????
• Why is she wearing a red hat with a maid outfit, hahaha
• What is this, already making moves on the stream, hahaha
• Where did that instructor hat come from? Hahaha
• Military high school girl (current job)

Beep beep! Beep beep beep!

With a crisp sound, Iris put a bright red hat, which didn’t match the maid outfit at all, on her head, awakening her past instincts.

No one knew about this fact—she had once been a drill instructor.

The moment Iris’s past began to awaken through her bloodline.

"…That happened."

"We asked you to teach the mech juniors, but I didn’t expect you to turn it all upside down. That was impressive. I’ve had a similar experience in my past."

"I’m really curious about your past, Yujin-ssi. But I bet you’ll never tell me, right?"

"If you follow Lorentina, and become an operator, there’s nothing I can’t tell you."

"Ugh, no way!"

Of course, I left the two making a fuss behind and gave Iris a word of praise after the training ended smoothly.

Naturally, today’s events set the internet on fire. In a way, she might be the true meaning of a military high school girl.

After all, Iris was now a star of the internet. Just browsing the community, I saw a lot of memes of our editor in a maid outfit with a red hat.

"Anyway, congratulations on becoming an internet star. Should we throw a celebration party?"

"Ugh, because of this, I’m getting so many messages from seniors and juniors I met in the military. It’s driving me crazy. It’s so hard to reply to all of them..."

"Still, it seems like you were close with them during your time in the military. It’s a good thing. People you know are often helpful."

"...But they also end up forcing me to face reality. I’ve been thinking about a lot of things recently, so it’s even more overwhelming."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well, the military reserve and housing issues are one thing, but I’m really not sure what to do about going back to school..."

Ah.

Thinking about it, Iris walking around with a gun would be hilarious. But she wouldn’t be going to military service, so it wasn’t something to worry about.

As for the housing issue... well, it seemed like the one issue I could help solve. As for the rest... that’s up to her.

"Actually, I’d like to live near Yujin-ssi’s neighbor like Dice, but there’s no property available, and it’s still a long way off... The closest apartment is 2 billion won, but when can I save that much?"

"Has anyone asked for snake venom? Since Iris is a completely new type of venom, foreign medical research labs will probably line up to buy it. It’s used for hemostasis analysis and coagulation agents too."

"Well, last time I just mentioned the coagulation poison, but didn’t reveal much about it. Maybe if I advertise it, someone might take interest."

"Well, no harm in trying. Let’s see how much it goes for."

As I thought about it, I grabbed a paper cup.

This paper cup could be completely incinerated later, and the venom was protein or peptide-based, so it could be boiled and disposed of in the bathroom. Or microwaved, if necessary.

I placed the cup in front of Iris, and she gave a slightly embarrassed smile while Dice and Harmonie eagerly watched.

"Do I just bite it?"

"Yes."

"Then... aah."

"…Oh, that’s a bit suggestive. The way you push your hair back, too."

"Stop saying weird things."

Of course, it wasn’t exactly incorrect. It felt similar to the way someone might pull their hair back while taking a long ice cream bar or stealing ramen from someone’s bowl. But the fact that her face turned red made it feel even more so.

Eventually, the long fangs rested atop the paper cup, and yellow venom began to slowly fill the cup like mouthwash at the dentist.

But then...

"Eh? What?"

"Hah, it’s overflowing! It’s spilling!"

The venom overflowed, and Dice quickly replaced the cup.

After some time, a massive amount—about 400ml—of coagulation venom was placed on the table. Of course, it was more than that since a lot spilled.

Iris wiped her fangs and lips with a tissue, trying to avoid my gaze... and thinking about how snake venom sells for billions, I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.

"I feel strange thinking that there’s liquid worth ten times more than gold in that paper cup. Soon, you’ll be scooping money with a rake, our editor."

"...So does that mean I can move next to Yujin-ssi?"

"...Yeah, do whatever you want."

I’m not sure why everyone is so sweet-talking about living near my place.

Maybe I’ll just get a penthouse with a good view. That thought lingered in my mind as the day unfolded.

It was the moment Iris became a millionaire.