Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1018: Cleanup (1)

I was sure it looked like a radiant and holy beam of light had descended before the eyes of everyone else. Of course, the onlookers couldn't hear my conversation with Benigoa, but I was sure they could see the light and her body crumbling with the light.

Obviously, I thought this would help me improve my image as Light Ki-Young even just a little bit.

This was proof of the fact that even though darkness had enveloped me briefly, I was still loved by the light and that I was still with the light. Of course, the unfortunate incident of the Light Ki-Young incident being leaked wouldn't happen due to the expedition team's confidentiality contract, but it would not hurt to be careful.

'I worked hard to maintain this image…'

Anyway, it was an undeniable fact that I needed to take care of this soon. I couldn't say that all the higher-ups in the expedition were suspicious, so I had to hold an event, regardless of whether it was big or small.

'Whoo…'

Anyway, the expedition was a success, and we cleared all the events.

There were many casualties, but compared to what the strategy support team had predicted, the casualties weren't that many. More importantly, the dungeon dropped treasures and items worthy of its reputation of being an unranked dungeon.

Naturally, everyone cheered at the dungeon clear.

The priests cried because of the decent ending, and the Vatican declared the Underground Temple a holy site. At the same time, theologists were dispatched to research the legends of Benigoa and Altanus.

Of course, they would not be able to obtain a lot of information, but their discovery would soon be presented to the world along with what they'd find in the existing doctrines.

Priests and theologists weren't the only ones who were happy.

The fame and honor of participating in the expedition boosted the adventurers' self-esteem, and as if to boost their self-esteem even more, people all over the continent were talking about this expedition.

Adventurers who couldn't participate in the expedition waited for the expedition logs to be released as soon as possible, and minstrels were singing of the expedition everywhere.

I was sure that people everywhere were talking about this expedition.

It was a hot topic talked about by people in shabby pubs, high-end salons, adventurer guilds, the Magic Tower, and religious communities. The media outlets released different articles each time as if to live up to their expectations.

Stories about the Sunset Swordsman and named adventurers were what people were most interested in, but what they talked about the most was the overall timeline of the dungeon raid and the relatively unknown heroes.

They couldn't talk about me, who had traveled to the past. They also couldn't talk about Light Ki-Young or Templar Gen, who had been of tremendous help, so they decided to dispense only the minimum amount of information.

Many became suspicious of their actions, but just as the public was getting thirsty for new information, the hero finally appeared.

[Colonel Smith, the Hidden Hero of the Expedition. He Eventually Joins the Blue Guild… Detailed Contract Details Are Top Secret - Reporter Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report]

[About the Role Colonel Smith Played in the Mole Saint's Cozy Sanctuary - Dungeon Columnist Kim Sung-Kyeong]

[A Recruitment Battle Over Colonel Smith? Blue Guild Wins. The Honorary Cardinal Persuasion Was the Deciding Factor… - Reporter Kang Yoo-Mi of Lindel Politics]

It was undeniable that the Blue Guild had profited the most.

Colonel Smith was the type who preferred to remain incognito, so I was sure that he was having a hard time under all of this attention, but I was going to train him to become the press secretary anyway, so it wouldn't be so bad for him to talk in interviews.

'I need to use him as much as I can, and it's not like the press is only interested in him… It'll be problematic if he's already tired of this much attention.'

The main characters of the expedition became even more famous, but everyone was mostly interested in the reward we had received from the expedition. In addition to the treasures, money, artifacts containing religious symbols, and a few items that were given to some of the higher-ups to increase their stats, the storage was filled with many different items.

Now that the hard part was over, it was natural to receive rewards, so the expedition group and people who had nothing to do with the expedition group were really interested in the rewards.

As always, the biggest issue was the distribution.

There would be a conflict if we were to use the methods that small parties used to distribute loot, which was either rolling a die or distributing items based on contribution.

The participants of the expedition were all powerful people from their own region, and there were also politicians who were tired of power struggles.

There was a basic contribution system, but we couldn't solely rely on that. The settlement program prepared by the expedition group was useful, but we couldn't rely on that alone.

There were several groups holding meetings and discussions several times a day, and there were even guilds that tried to increase their contribution through political trade, conspiracies, and using the press.

People could also demand certain items with the condition of keeping quiet about the Light Ki-Young incident.

A sword fight almost broke out in a meeting room because of a single item.

We needed a mediator capable of controlling them before the situation could get worse. Of course, that mediator was none other than me, the only light and hope of the continent, the honorary cardinal, son of Benigoa, and the God of Sacrifice and Revival.

"That's right. We need you right now. Why have you been so quiet recently? Get a hold of yourself."

"I don't know, Ji-Hye noona. I must be tired. I can't really pinpoint anything and talk about it. You could say I'm feeling kind of empty," I said.

"You said the conversation with Benigoa went well."

"Actually, it's more like I'm feeling restless," I corrected myself.

"Because of Altanus?"

"Well, you could say that's been affecting me as well… How's the situation outside?" I asked.

"Everyone is waiting for you, but they can't say much because they were told that you were resting. Everyone is waiting for you to come out. You just don't understand their feelings because the Blue Guild's storage is filled with Legendary items.

"Legendary items are extremely hard to come by, and you may not even stumble upon one in your entire life. That's why the expedition group is still in the capital. They may not be saying anything, but they're all on edge because of the item distribution."

"..."

"You heard about the sword fight that almost broke out, right?"

"I heard," I answered.

"If you're not going to work, then you shouldn't have started it. You shouldn't have given the items to Colonel Smith and his troops before anyone else."

"That was part of the contract. Also, do you have something against Colonel Smith? He's the hidden hero of the expedition group…" I asked.

"You have to consider the thoughts of other people. You must be burnt out."

"I'm not burnt out…" I said.

It was probably because I had experienced too many things within a short amount of time. It could also be because of Templar Gen… or Altanus. Otherwise, it could be a side effect of going to the distant past.

I had a lot on my mind.

Normally, I'd get rid of any annoying thoughts, but I couldn't do it this time for some reason.

'Altanus…'

My story with her had ended. After entering that place, I spent some time with Benigoa. Despite that, I still had a lot of thoughts. An indescribable thought led one thought to another, and I couldn't stop thinking what would have happened if I had done it another way.

'That's what I call restless.'

I was probably not satisfied with the result.

'Was there a way to save Altanus?'

I knew it was impossible because Altanus wasn't one of my people… and Benigoa was more important to me than her. I hadn't done anything for her, nor had I even considered it.

After all, one of us had to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of the current future.

'Only the result matters.'

Benigoa's words filled me up with many indescribable thoughts…

"Well, since you're resting, you can keep resting. I'm sure that three days later, you'll force yourself to push the bad thoughts into the back of your mind and pretend like nothing is wrong."

"But If you keep living that way, I'm worried that you'll actually turn into a psychopath. That's why I called you today."

"You should worry about yourself," I said.

"I'm stronger than you."

"You're talking nonsense again," I told her.

"Accepting that you can't find the answer and pushing it aside are two different things. I'm the type to accept it while you simply push it aside. That's what I meant.

"Anyway, there's something I want to show you. I'm sure it'll be helpful. Kim Hyun-Sung is going to visit soon, right? Visit me after that's over. I have an entertaining video to show you."

"All right, fine," I said.

As soon as Ji-Hye noona ended the call, the doorknob rattled.

"Mr. Ki-Young."

I already knew the identity of the individual on the other side of the door, and it was all because that guy would always come here with food whenever it was time to eat.

I wanted to turn my attention and welcome Kim Hyun-Sung, but I couldn't do that, as I was still in character. I had to act like I was sad about losing Templar Gen, so I had no choice but to look out the window. However, there were no windows here.

Instead, I saw the scenery on a Goddess' Mirror.

"Mr. Ki-Young?" Kim Hyun-Sung called out.

"..."

"Mr. Ki-Young," he repeated.

"Ah…"

"It's time to eat," he said.

"You don't need to come every time, Mr. Hyun-Sung… Isn't it time for you to work?" I questioned.

"The guild members were busy, so I came instead," Kim Hyun-Sung replied.

'Busy, my ass.'

The rumor that I was living a secluded life because I was sad about losing Templar Gen was starting to spread within the Blue Guild.

I wasn't sure whether it was because of that, but the guild members' reactions were mixed. It was fine that I was in my room doing basically nothing, but they were worried about me due to the fact that I looked really depressed.

Among them, Kim Hyun-Sung was the worst.

'He looks worried… but he seems to like it as well.'

"How are you feeling today?" Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

"I'm feeling better, thanks to you," I replied.

'How many times are you going to change the flowers in one day?'

After placing the tray of food on the overbed table, he changed the flowers in the glass bottle.

'Oh, it's Mirror Salmon.'

I was actually craving this, but it'd be strange to eat this now.

"I don't have an appetite," I said.

"You should try to get your energy back," Kim Hyun-Sung argued.

"I do, but…"

"I know you have a lot of things to think about, Mr. Ki-Young. Let me know once you're ready, but… take your time," Kim Hyun-Sung said.

I was really hungry, so I decided to take a few bites.

When I grabbed the pair of chopsticks, Kim Hyun-Sung picked up a chair and placed it near me. He seemed happy about me grabbing the chopsticks. It was understandable since I had been sending the food away. He probably thought that I was ready to talk.

"How's the cleanup going?" I asked.

"It's going well," Kim Hyun-Sung replied.

'Yeah, right.'

"There seems to be a lot of conflict… but everyone understands what's going on, and they are waiting patiently," Kim Hyun-Sung added.

"I'm glad to hear that," I said.

"..."

"..." "Excuse me, Mr. Ki-Young."

"Yes?"

"About the incident with Templar Gen…" Kim Hyun-Sung paused.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry… about that," Kim Hyun-Sung said.

'Don't bring up such a heavy topic all of a sudden while I'm eating. Damn it, he really is bad at talking.'

"But, Mr. Ki-Young. As you already know—"

"I already know," I interrupted him.

"What?"

"I know he didn't do the right thing, and I know I wasn't rational when it came to Templar Gen, but…" I paused.

"Yes, Mr. Ki-Young?"

"I can't help but keep thinking about it," I continued.

"..."

"It's probably because…" I paused again.

"Yes?"

"He resembled my friend," I added.

And that was when Kim Hyun-Sung's expression changed...

"Your… friend?" he asked.

"Yes, back on Earth…" I answered.

"I… see… You had… a friend… back on Earth," Kim Hyun-Sung mumbled.

"..."

"Your friend…"

Kim Hyun-Sung never really had a friend, so this had to be shocking news in his ears.