The Returner

4. Scared of the Demon King, Afraid of Mom (5)

At that time, America.

“What the hell happened? ”

American President Bruno Lawrence opened his eyes in bed with a puzzled face.

“Yi, what the hell is going on? ”

“Are you awake?”

The secretaries rush to his side.

“Why would I? ”

“Don't you remember? ”

Bruno, confused, quivers to see if he remembers slowly.

“Terrible thing. ”

He is the president of the United States.

The President of the United States has always been considered the most important person in the world since World War I.

He is the president of the United States.

It was painful that he was threatened as a hostage, but it was even more painful that he couldn't fight back against him.

“What the hell did I do? ”

It brings back memories.

Apparently he was with the unsub.

But the subjective action did nothing. If it were him, he would not hesitate to commit suicide for the pride and dignity of the United States.

If I hadn't been seduced by her…….

‘Dangerous.'

Fortunately, this time it was done without any damage.

But what next?

If this happens again, will it be over without further harm?

She comes to the place where he works without receiving any paper.

Are you sure it won't happen next time?

It's a good thing she had no other purpose, if someone who wanted to destroy the world ruled his mind like she did, what would happen now?

“It's too dangerous to be capable. ”

“I'm glad you know that now. ”

As Bruno turns his head, Christopher approaches with a calm face.

“You stepped up. ”

“Yes, I did. in the meantime, if those golden bastards hadn't gotten into an accident, you'd be more comfortable with them. ”

“... Tsk, tsk. ”

I didn't need to hear any more explanations.

He probably did it again at the Pentagon. He saw something come through the window and attack Herkana. It is certain that he was threatened with his life because of what they did when he was unconscious.

But Bruno doesn't really want to be mad at them.

I had no reason to be angry.

Maybe it would have been better if he had died there.

Unfortunately, the position of President of the United States is only too weak to shake the world to death.

“The press?”

“I controlled it. But it will spread one day. ”

“Try to stop him as best you can. ”

“It was military training, but I doubt the foreigners will keep their mouths shut. ”

“We have to try. ”

As Bruno circles around, Christopher pulls the cigarette out of his pocket.

“Thank you.”

Christopher is a cigar person who likes cigars more than cigars, so he brought cigarettes here means he prepared them separately for him. People trust him because he's so considerate.

“Hey, Chris. ”

“Yes.”

“Am I too old? ”

“… at an objective age, it's hard to say you're both young and old. It's time to prepare for retirement. ”

“So... am I old? ”

Christopher shakes his head firmly.

“No, I'm not.”

Bang.

The door's cigarette is on fire in my mouth.

“Strangely enough, I can't help thinking I look old. Once upon a time, this wouldn't have made me weaker, but now I'm convinced I don't have the ability to solve all of this. ”

“You're in shock. ”

“If only it were temporary. By the way... Christopher MacLaren. ”

Bruno breathes a long, deep smoke of tobacco.

“If I were normal, do you think I would be able to deal with this situation? ”

“ ……. ”

Christopher silently looks at Bruno.

This gray-haired old man was looking at Christopher with sharp eyes.

It was a chaotic world that led this warrior who did not step forward, called the Republican Last Borough, to the presidency. He quickly took control of the party and seized control of the United States as politicians lost their place and moved into the abyss.

If he had shown the ability so far, he would have to say yes.

But…….

Christopher couldn't finish saying it.

“Of course.”

Bruno wasn't expecting Christopher's answer either. Neither did he, nor Christopher… and we knew we couldn't give them an answer in this situation.

“I haven't forgotten that they're human, too. ”

“Yes.”

“But lately, I don't think that being human means anything. How many centuries have we believed that humans are equal to each other? ”

“Mr. President.”

“I know. It's bullshit. But in 10 years' time, is this nonsense? ”

“It is not humans who have harmed you. ”

“Yes, I know. By the way... ”

“Yes?”

“Which side are they closer to, the humans and her? ”

Christopher looks at Bruno with trembling eyes.

What the hell is going on inside this Giant?

“There once was a man named Apeldice who came to see me. ”

“Yes, I know Lee Hyuk. ”

“The expression of acquaintance is a little strange. Because he's not human. ”

Christopher smiles softly.

But Bruno still doesn't look back.

“I was trembling then. I just had to tremble in front of that overwhelming presence. I've seen a lot of abilities, but they're also controllable beings, and I think they're people I need to protect and protect. But she was different. What can I say, when I was a kid, I used to doodle in my dad's favorite Cadillac, and then I remember trembling in front of him like a firecracker? ”

“Mr. President, that's too……. ”

“It's just my heart. But it's also true how I felt. But I thought there was hope. At least she was rational and communicative. I don't know what I looked like to her, but I thought rational action would be possible if at least someone like her had powers. I thought I could control it somehow. But... ”

Christopher closed his eyes.

He could also guess what Bruno would say. It may be that Christopher is thinking the same thing, coming so painfully.

“What are we supposed to do against these overwhelming beings who can simultaneously rule the mind and the body? ”

“She's special. ”

“Aren't the others special? ”

“They're all special. ”

Bruno drops the ash into the ashtray and sighs deeply.

“Hey, Chris. ”

“Yes, Mr. President. ”

“I don't mean to be rude. As president of the United States, I know exactly what I have to do as a politician. It's my job to efficiently push the new category of competent into the universal concept of humanity. But I can't stop those abilities that are tied together in the notion of humanity from going up to the top of humanity. ”

“ ……. ”

“Humans draw a line against those who think they are inferior to themselves. First race, then race, and now what? ”

“Humans have achieved equality through reason. ”

“Reasonable? Not profitable? ”

“I believe in reason. ”

Bruno grins.

“I hope they have what you say is rational. ”

“Mr. President.”

“The weak want reason from the strong, and the strong want slavery from the weak. So far, so well balanced. No matter how powerful they may be, there are only a handful of them, and they are powerless in front of a multitude. But now there are Irregulars that cannot be built with many powers. The one you like, Lee Ji-hyuk. ”

“We can't deal with the gate without them. The situation is changing over time, and humanity is becoming increasingly at risk. All of this happened because of gate and other dimensional intrusions, not because of the abilities that are guarding the world. Sir, don't be the same as them. They're human.”

“Human……. Yeah, human. But Chris."

“Yes.”

“So I'm scared. ”

“… Yes? ”

Bruno turns his head to look out the window.

Anyone who is not human can simply be excluded. It is already firmly established that they do not come to this world with good feelings.

But what about them?

How should we define and accept those who can say that they are human but not human? And will the competents accept what they have defined?

“Non-humans have nothing to fear. We just have to fight to the end. I'm not afraid of extinction. If you can't survive a fight and fight, that's it. But, Chris, you know, human enemies are always human. ”

“ ……. ”

“So I'm afraid. They're Humans. They could be our mortal enemies. ”

Christopher shakes his head.

“Hard.”

“The old man made a white noise. Never mind. I have to get back to work. ”

“Keeping healthy comes first. ”

“Are you serious?”

Christopher was speechless. To be honest, even if his body was broken, it was important for him to show his face and protect his place now.

But who can say that?

“All I've learned in politics is self-respect. You don't deserve to be called a politician if you don't know what you're doing. And I'm not a great man, but I'm proud to be a great politician. So can you get rid of all this grubby stuff? ”

“I'll call someone. ”

“That's a good way to put it. ”

Looking at Bruno smiling lightly, Christopher turns away without saying hello.

‘It's complicated.’

Given Christopher's position, these remarks were never welcome, but it was probably because Christopher was also being captivated by similar ideas as the president.

I'm fine now.

We can still hold out.

But what if the gate doesn't open anymore?

Where will the conflicts between ordinary people and competent people who have been oppressed by the Gate crisis come to an end?

‘It's complicated.'

It was an unanswered question.

Perhaps we should report later that there is a movement among the competent against the government's orders.

You don't have to put oil in a fire house.

“The President is awake. Go and help.”

After passing by the desk, Christopher walks to his parked car.

I take out cigars nervously and bite them in my mouth.

The sweet chocolate aroma felt in a cigar that was not on fire was just irritating today.