Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1072: Picnic (35)

‘What’s wrong with you?’

“Mr. Ki-Young, this isn't worth listening to anymore,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“What?”

“I was wondering what nonsense she was talking about…” Kim Hyun-Sung mumbled.

“...”

“Yeah, you guys have always been like that,” Kim Hyun-Sung added.

“Excuse me?”

“You guys are selfish and self-centered scumbags,” Kim Hyun-Sung continued.

“Calm down, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I said.

“I can’t calm down, Mr. Ki-Young. They haven’t changed at all. You don’t need to answer her anymore. It was my fault for summoning her in the first place and letting her talk that nonsense…” Kim Hyun-Sung explained.

“What’s wrong with you? Just calm down for now, and let’s hear her out…” I suggested.

‘Is it because of what she said about turning a hero into a regressor?’

Chanelia had practically pressed on Kim Hyun-Sung's reverse scale, as he was really against the word "regressor." Considering how much he had suffered in his first and second life, I understand why he acted that way, but… wasn't he at the point where being a regressor was no longer a bad thing for him?

"I’m going to become a regressor for you someday."

Wasn't that what he thought?

“G-God of Sunset, I understand why you’re angry, but I hope you realize that we got the regressor’s consent before executing the plan. We completed the negotiations in advance, and there were no secret deals at all. There was also ample support,” Chanelia said.

“...”

“Everything was done according to the protocols, and I can prove that. I can guess why you’re angry. We understand that the regression process on this continent was unusual, and if I can apologize to you on behalf of this continent, I would,” Chanelia continued.

‘Happy?’

They hadn't forcefully turned him into a regressor, but Kim Hyun-Sung wasn't angry about that.

‘You're worried about me, right?’

Naturally, he was staring at me.

If it weren't for my repeated sacrifice and revival, overcoming hardships, the victory I had achieved after those hardships, and my outstanding luck, Kim Hyun-Sung’s only friend wouldn’t be here.

The victory of the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival and the Sunset Swordsman had successfully driven out the Outer Gods. However, it wasn’t achieved because we simply worked together. On the outside, it looked like a fancy and holy victory, but there were side effects to that victory.

My condition got worse day by day, and I even got amnesia as a side effect.

I even died once.

Considering that Kim Hyun-Sung had attempted to make an extreme choice…

‘I’m sure it wasn’t an honorable victory for him.’

The epic story wasn’t an honorable victory for Kim Hyun-Sung; it was a story he wanted to avoid at all costs.

“Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I said.

“I can’t let you experience that again. Everything is over now, isn’t it? We can’t get involved with them again. You have no reason to offer them your help, Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung argued.

‘What do you mean I have no reason? We need to make money.’

“I don’t know anything about other dimensions or continents, but you don’t need to feel sorry for them, Mr. Ki-Young. They need to take care of it themselves. She came to you because she knew you're kind. They’re no different from demons,” Kim Hyun-Sung continued.

“...”

“Th-They’re always forcing you to sacrifice yourself. That incident is over, but they're… doing it again. You don’t know what else they’re going to ask for after this is over,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“This choice was made by the administrators of Rohen alone and has nothing to do with the higher-ups, God of Sunset. On our end—”

“Do you think you’re different from them?” Kim Hyun-Sung interrupted her.

“I swear on my name that the administrators of the continent aren’t doing this for the sake of our personal safety,” Chanelia answered.

“...”

“We simply can't watch our followers and creations suffer. We want to liberate them from their pain at any cost, even if it means making you angry. Even as we speak, Rohen is getting sick and rotting. My followers are starving and dying in a harsh environment,” Kim Hyun-Sung continued.

“...”

“It’s not that I’m unaware of the painful times you two spent and how hard it was to overcome those trials. When I was still human, I knew that creating legends and becoming qualified isn't easy for a mortal, especially achieving what you two…” Chanelia trailed off, not finishing her sentence

‘I don’t think she’s trying to make us take pity on her.’

She sounded kind of sincere.

“As proof, we’re prepared to accept any of your demands,” Chanelia informed us.

I was sure she was being sincere, as she even gave us a blank contract. She had no other choice because if what she said was true, then Rohen was on the brink of destruction. Of course, they could wait a hundred years for the negotiations to end, but I was sure they simply couldn’t throw away what they had created and built.

Among the higher-ups, I was sure there were those who simply used the dimensions as stepping stones, but there were definitely those who felt a strong attachment to their dimensions. It was highly likely that it was the latter for the continent of Rohen.

‘We might actually be able to take over that place.’

Since they had lost trust in the higher-ups and we became their one and only choice, then taking over that place wouldn't be such a bad idea. Of course, the idea of dealing with three demon lords bothered me a bit, but as long as our safety was ensured, it would be fine.

I had no intention of experiencing Kim Hyun-Sung’s sensitive side again.

“No matter what the conditions are, I won't let you take advantage of Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“But God of Sunset, Rohen might be just the beginning. No one knows where they’ll head after Rohen. If we don’t drive them out now, they’ll probably head—”

“We can think about that later and when it actually becomes problematic for us. Before that happens, it’s your problem,” Kim Hyun-Sung argued.

“God of Sunset, please consider it one more time,” Chanelia begged.

‘I didn’t know he was so good at declining.’

I thought he was the type who couldn’t decline other people’s requests, but it seemed like he was stubborn when it came to something like this.

However, Chanelia's assumptions felt like they were correct. It was kind of suspicious that demon lords were working together. The more I thought about it, the more suspicious it became in my eyes.

Unlike the higher-ups, the demon lords weren't the type to work together.

It was strange that they weren't trespassing on the territories of the other demon lords and that they had gathered on one continent. There was probably some secret deal going on behind the scenes.

‘Does that mean we might be next?’

While I was tapping my thigh in deep contemplation, Kim Hyun-Sung and Chanelia were arguing with each other.

Chanelia looked desperate in an effort to convince him.

However, Kim Hyun-Sung was determined not to send me to another continent.

‘It’d be kind of bad if I just agreed to do it.’

I lacked information, so I couldn’t give her an answer, but I decided to ask questions.

“Miss Chanelia Hermes,” I said.

“Yes, God of Sacrifice and Revival,” Chanelia answered.

“How… are the denizens of Rohen doing? Are they…”

Kim Hyun-Sung had to have realized that it was a dangerous question.

“Mr. Ki-Young!” he yelled.

“Please… let her speak, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I told him.

My saint characteristic would pop out when people least expected it. Even though we were talking about another continent here, the God of Sacrifice and Revival still loved it. I was worried about the denizens suffering in the darkness, even though I had never seen their faces.

Chanelia Hermes had to have realized that as well because she stared firmly right into my eyes and said, "They're dying."

“...”

“...” “They’re dying. Their fleshly bodies and souls are starving and dying. The light of hope inside them is fading, and they’re… they’re no longer looking up at the sky,” Chanelia continued.

“...”

‘It’s making me sad.’

“Their hearts are breaking…” Chanelia added.

‘Oh no…’

“Their souls are in pain,” Chanelia said.

‘That’s bad…’

“Some humans have decided to side with the demons and have been committing random acts of destruction and brutal massacres since then,” Chanelia said.

‘Oh god.’

“Th-They believe that the light no longer exists. They think the light no longer cares about them,” Chanelia added.

And that was when pure and sacred tears fell from the eyes of the saint who loved everything.

Chanelia Hermes saw me crying and added, “I just… want to return the light to them.” “...”

“I just want to tell them that the light of hope hasn’t gone out and that we still love and cherish them,” Chanelia added.

A holy tear dropped down my face.

Drop.

Two drops of holy tears as clear as purified water dripped down my cheeks.

Drop. Drop.

As the protagonist, my overwhelming acting skills gave Kim Hyun-Sung no chance to get angry and lash out.

“M-Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung stammered and took out a handkerchief.

“...”

“...”

“I-I’d like to help you right now,” I said.

“Mr. Ki-Young?” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“If I could, I would abandon everything and jump right in, but as you already know…” I trailed off.

“Yes, I know that it is hard for you to get up and leave just like that. You have families who rely on you as well,” Chanelia said.

‘Of course you should know.’

“I would like you to send a formal letter first,” I requested.

‘We have a lot to investigate and research on our side as well. More importantly, I need to find out what those demon bastards are up to.’

“I’m sorry that I can’t give you an answer right away, Miss Hermes,” I said.

‘I need to know how we can help. If I can take our guild members with us, I want to know how many people can enter that continent as well as if there’s an escape route if we end up in the worst-case scenario. I also want to know about the rewards they have prepared for us and when we can leave. We have to consider many things about this.’

Also…

‘Information about the regressor.’

I wondered if the Regressor Instruction Manual would work on them as well.

“Let’s head back for now, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I suggested.

“What? But…”

“I need to spend more time with the guild members rather than spend time here. How about we all go out for a drink?” I asked.

Kim Hyun-Sung nodded.

“You too, Miss Chanelia Hermes,” I added.