Chapter 1
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Forced Return from Sweet Bliss
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"...Become my husband, Grand Duke."
A spring breeze blew in.
The imperial palace garden burst with thousands of roses in full bloom.
Amid petals drifting down like snowflakes, Edelgart—the empire's absolute sovereign and this world's heroine—stood with her face flushed red.
The tip of her outstretched hand trembled faintly.
The iron-blooded empress who commanded the continent.
The woman who had single-handedly carved through demon beast legions now looked so shy.
If her subjects saw this, they'd drop dead from shock, clutching their necks in disbelief.
But Han Jaewoo, standing before her, remained utterly composed.
No, he had to be.
He was the Northern Grand Duke, after all.
Han Jaewoo leisurely set down his teacup.
Clink.
The clear sound echoed through the serene garden.
He gracefully uncrossed his legs, rose slowly from his seat, and approached her.
"Your Majesty."
His voice was low and resonant.
The deep baritone reverberated like an echo in a cavern, slipping into Edelgart's ears.
He gently cupped her chin, locking eyes with her in a piercing gaze.
As if she were the only one in the world.
It was a perfectly calculated angle.
"A proposal like this... lacks a certain mood."
"Ugh... Th-that's..."
The flustered empress didn't know where to look.
Her face burned like a ripe tomato.
Gazing down at her, Han Jaewoo inwardly cheered in triumph.
'Yes! Ten years of farming paid off big time!'
He was sick of it all.
Assassins who lunged for his throat at the slightest eye contact.
The endless boring balls every night.
Days spent discerning poisoned wine and parrying nobles' barbed banter.
To survive, he'd slathered his tongue with butter, smiled, and flirted.
After surviving hundreds of near-death brushes, he'd finally reached the ending.
Just accept, and it was done.
The barbaric Earth with its monster fights?
The polluted basement studio apartment?
No way. Not going back. Not even if he died.
He'd live it up here as the emperor's husband.
His springtime of life started now.
Morning high-grade black tea, afternoon territory inspections, evenings in intimate moments with the empress—the perfect shut-in noble life.
Han Jaewoo steeled his resolve.
He dropped to one knee and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
At the most perfect angle, in the most elegant pose.
His black hair fluttered in the wind.
"But... if my beloved Edel desires it."
His deep blue eyes gleamed as he whispered.
"I gladly offer everything I have. I'll gaze only at you until this heart stops beating."
"Lord Jaewoo!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Edelgart threw her arms around him.
The fragrant rose scent mingled with luxurious perfume, tickling his nose.
Warm, soft, and above all, it smelled of power.
'Hahaha! Life's peaked! Farewell, Hell Korea! I'll suck honey as the North's lord till I die!'
Nothing could be more perfect.
This was the happy ending.
[Main Quest: Become the Flower of High Society CLEARED!]
[Condition Achieved: Marriage Promise with the Heroine]
A cheerful chime rang in his ears.
Han Jaewoo frowned over Edelgart's shoulder.
Congrats fanfare?
Fair enough—after ten years, clearing the quest deserved some trumpets.
A system window materialized in midair.
[Reward: Return to Your Original World]
"...Huh?"
Han Jaewoo's thoughts ground to a halt.
Return?
Who? Me? To where?
[Returning to Earth in 30 seconds.]
[Thank you for your 10 years of service, Player!]
"W-wait! Hold on a second!"
Han Jaewoo frantically swiped at the air.
Cold sweat poured like rain.
Edelgart looked up at him curiously.
Her eyes brimmed with love.
"Grand Duke? What's wrong? Are you unwell?"
"Cancel this! Hey! System! Operator! Get out here!"
[Countdown commencing. 5, 4...]
The numbers ticked down.
5.
4.
This was a nightmare.
His ten years. His efforts. His honey pot.
"No! I won't go! I'm not going back!"
Forget dignity—Han Jaewoo clung desperately to Edelgart.
Like a cicada gripping against a typhoon.
His Northern Grand Duke persona had shattered long ago.
"Honey! Edel! Hold onto me! I'm being dragged away! Nooooo!"
"Gr-Grand Duke?! Your body's glowing! What's happening...!"
"You damn system! She's my wife! My power! Let go! I said let go! I'm not leavingggg!"
[3, 2, 1.]
[Return.]
Fwosh—!
A blinding light engulfed the garden.
Edelgart's warmth slipped from Han Jaewoo's fingertips.
"Nooooooo!"
A despairing scream echoed through the rose garden.
That was the last image the Rosenstein Empire held of its Northern Grand Duke, Han Jaewoo.
Seoul, Returnee Management Center.
Thirty years had passed since the massive gates first opened, spilling hunters into the world.
Returns were now routine—a national event.
Hundreds of reporters swarmed with cannon-like cameras.
Today's vibe was electric.
It was the first return gate in a whole year.
Gates used to pop daily, but lately, returnees had dwindled sharply.
Meaning otherworld difficulties had spiked, or survival rates plummeted.
A survivor after a year? The whole nation was glued.
"Here he comes! The light's fading!"
"What kinda monster this time? Martial world? Fantasy?"
"Hope it's not another orc-skin savage like last time."
As the reporters watched eagerly, the gate's blue shimmer cleared.
Someone emerged from the hazy smoke.
Click-clack.
Luxury shoes hit the asphalt.
No blood stench or beast pelts.
Inky black suit.
Tailored frock coat hugging his frame.
Pure white cravat at his neck.
Sleekly combed-back black hair, deep blue eyes cool and sunken.
He moved like an actor on the red carpet—pure elegance.
He pulled a premium silk handkerchief from his pocket, dabbed his lips, and surveyed his surroundings with distaste.
His gaze swept over the male reporters like they were bugs.
"...The air's so polluted."
Flash! Flash-flash!
Flashes erupted like a waterfall.
Reporters buzzed.
"Whoa, visuals are insane."
"That outfit screams nobility."
"What world's he from? Victorian era? Empire?"
"Gotta be a powerhouse. Look at that composure. Fresh off return and chill like that?"
Typical returnees collapsed weeping, screamed, or rampaged with killing intent.
Not this guy.
Serenity like stepping into his own bedroom.
Overwhelming poise.
Meanwhile, Han Jaewoo inwardly wept blood.
'My palace... my bed... my honey pot...'
He was back.
To this smog-choked hellhole teeming with monsters.
Not a dream.
Acidic exhaust and shutter clicks screamed reality.
Worse, checking his body crushed him.
The muscles sacrificed for plausibility (his face) in that romance-fantasy world.
Knight-commander swordsmanship there meant toothpick swings by hunter standards.
This slim chopstick build? Useless.
An S-rank monster's sneeze would obliterate him.
'Ruined. Totally ruined.'
He wanted to flop down and sob.
But hundreds of camera lenses stared.
One slip, and he'd be meme'd forever as "Pretty Face Wimp Returnee."
He was a ten-year vet.
Embarrassment was worse than death.
Survival instinct straightened his spine.
He tilted his chin up and strode past the cameras like a runway model.
Reporters thrust mics; he waved them off with one elegant hand.
Dismissing peddlers—annoyed but dignified.
"Make way."
His quiet command parted the crowd like the Red Sea.
Not force—raw, instinctive intimidation.
Hunter Bureau Registration Office.
Tension thickened the quiet room.
The clerk gulped, staring at the man before her.
Overwhelming.
Just lounging in the chair, legs crossed—he exuded throne-room pressure.
Pale skin, red lips, those bottomless eyes.
A vampire count stepped from a fantasy flick.
"Um... For registration, I need to ask a few questions."
Her shaky hands gripped the keyboard.
Han Jaewoo screamed internally.
'Questions? No way.'
He knew what was coming.
Which world? Job? Skills?
Spill the truth?
Fell into The Emperor's Garden romance novel, flirted with the heroine, nearly married the emperor, got booted?
Skills: "Tea Time Etiquette," "Social Dance," "Fatal Wink"?
Social suicide for a Korean guy.
Forget hunter cert—pervert label at best.
Had to shut her down.
Survival mode kicked in.
His brain emergency-loaded ten years of "romance-novel hero data."
He leaned forward, matching her eye level.
Then flashed the world's laziest, deadliest smile.
"Oh dear... fatigue clouds your beautiful eyes."
"Y-yes?"
Her face turned beet red.
Sudden hot-guy assault.
Fatal to an immune-less modern soul.
Han Jaewoo hammered the nail.
"Looks like heavy workload. I hate stealing your precious time. Can we keep it short?"
Honey-dripped voice.
Full stick of butter, really.
From an average face? Cringe felony.
But Han Jaewoo wielded an SSS weapon stronger than items: perfect plausibility face.
Paired with killer visuals, the cheesy line morphed into a rom-com classic.
Listeners cringed toes curling, but hearts melted—demonic charm.
"Ah... Y-yeah! Of course! I'll process it super fast!"
It worked.
Han Jaewoo swallowed relief, resuming his haughty pose.
Sweat trickled his back, but he casually lifted his teacup (paper cup).
"What dimension did you return from?"
His eyebrow twitched at the question.
Dimension? Classified.
"Classified" alone? Suspicious.
Act deep, mysterious saga vibes.
Blue eyes gleaming, he whispered low.
"Knowing my secret... might hurt you."
"Gasp...!"
"So don't ask. I don't want you in danger."
She clutched her chest.
How perilous was it? Silencing to protect her.
This man's real.
Lonely hero fresh from battling demon lords or death gods.
"Y-yes! Got it! Dimension info classified top-secret!"
Nice.
Han Jaewoo fought a grin.
"And main abilities or class?"
Abilities?
Escort A-rank? Seduction S-rank?
Or skill where "My lady, how radiant you are" makes faces blush?
On a hunter ID? Bite tongue and die first.
"...Don't judge me by numbers."
"Pardon?"
"Proof of me isn't in digits, but..."
His index finger lightly tapped her name tag.
Gentle, intimate.
"Your trembling heart suffices."
Crazy bastard.
But effective.
She teetered on fainting.
Eyes glazed, breaths ragged.
"U-understood! All blanked out! Full blind! Provisional S-rank submitted! But..."
She asked pleadingly.
System-mandatory field—no dodging.
"Stay duration mandatory for database. Please..."
Duration, huh.
Han Jaewoo pondered.
Flirt-proof?
Fine, that much was safe.
No lies—truth it was.
"Ten years."
Short reply.
Tap-tap.
Her hands froze over keys.
Enter finger hovered, quivering.
Eyes widened; she alternated between monitor and his face.
"Pardon? Ten years?"
"Yeah. Exhausting time."
Ten years pandering to the emperor, dodging assassins.
Mornings waking to "How do I survive today?"
Chills just thinking.
But her reaction was weird.
Mouth agape, staring in awe.
Like beholding a living legend.
"Um... Missing persons report filed last year?"
"I know. Time flows different there."
1:10 ratio.
Earth year = ten there.
Perfect math.
Han Jaewoo nodded matter-of-factly.
But she quavered,
"So... you really cleared and returned after exactly ten years?"
"Told you. Why repeat?"
Instantly, the room froze.
Other clerks and waiting hunters' eyes locked on him.
Dead silence, breaths held.
Otherworld difficulty defies imagination.
Heavenly Demon Baek Seorin, who conquered the martial realm: 30 years there.
Hero Cha Haewon, demon king slayer: 40 years.
Earth time? 3-4 years of epic quests.
They honed to mastery over decades of blood and bone.
That was "normal."
Ten years?
Conquered the dimension in a mere decade?
Perfectly intact, elegantly?
Murmurs swelled like waves.
"Heard that? Ten years inside."
"Earth time one year return?"
"Cleared in ten internal years."
"Heavenly Demon took 30—that's triple speed."
"Shortest record ever. Who the hell is he?"
"Beyond genius—monster."
Han Jaewoo shut his gaping mouth.
Late realization hit.
'Wait, I just dated for ten years.'
He'd stated plain fact.
But overnight, he became the unprecedented speedrun legend conquering ultra-hard quests in record time others needed 30-40 years for.
Blacked-out details fueled mystery.
Dimension secret. Abilities hidden.
Plus impossible ten-year clear.
In minds, Han Jaewoo ascended to "divine being."
[System: 'Mysterious Aura Concept' strengthened.]
[Reputation skyrockets.]
[Achievement: 'Shortest Clear (Myth)' - All hunters revere you.]
Ruined.
Quiet honey-sucking days? Gone.