Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1062: Picnic (25)

I was sure it was an unfamiliar space.

The empty space was no different from the outside world, but the world within Lee Ki-Yeon's subconscious had a different atmosphere. Not only was it difficult to differentiate whether it was real or not, but even ordinary people would notice that something was wrong.

The space was quieter, darker, and lonelier. It was a really suffocating and lonely space. I honestly wanted to recreate the scenery of the first life that Kim Hyun-Sung had created and destroyed, but unfortunately, there was an issue with the budget.

‘I was worried because the budget was too low…’

Elias hadn't noticed anything strange because this was a cheap mise-en-scène that suited him. Of course, the actors’ outstanding acting skills made up for the cheap mise-en-scène.

Lee Ki-Yeon was crying while crouching down in the corner of this lonely space. Elias couldn’t hear her cries, and Lee Ki-Yeon herself was not expressing her sadness.

However, her slightly trembling shoulders told Elias about her current condition.

Elias staring at her from afar calmed himself down and started walking quietly.

I was sure it was shocking for him to see Lee Ki-Yeon crumble down. After all, she was always happy and seemed like she could endure any ordeals and loneliness. Perhaps the version he saw was nothing but a facade. She was probably trying to hide her weakness by pretending to be strong, forcing herself to smile, and comforting herself by saying that she could overcome all trials.

Perhaps this was her true self.

Upon realizing the truth, Elias stopped dead in his tracks and was at a loss for words for a while

“...”

“Miss Ki-Yeon… it’s me. It’s Elias,” Elias said.

“...”

“I came to find you, Miss Ki-Yeon,” Elias said.

“...”

“Miss Ki-Yeon?” Elias said.

He gathered courage and took a step forward, but he didn’t know how or where he ought to start. Perhaps it was just me, but he was hesitating to help his ex-crush. He seemed to have trouble taking a step forward to help his ex-crush.

If it weren't for Hye-Jin, this jerk wouldn’t make it this far.

‘He really is a jerk.’

'You need to handle this yourself. Why is it taking so long? Can’t you see my desperate appearance? Hurry up and come here.'

“Miss Ki-Yeon,” Elias said.

In the end, I had no choice but to play along by raising my head.

Elias was shocked. Not only were my eyes swollen, but my messy face was probably completely different from the last time he saw me, so it was understandable that he’d be shocked. Still, it'd be pretty rude for me if I were to not say anything.

“Mr. Elias?” I said.

“...”

“Is that really you… Mr. Elias?” I asked.

Perhaps he was just an illusion. Perhaps this mysterious space was an illusion created by someone else. I looked at him again with hopeless eyes before staring at his left hand.

‘A red thread.’

I "saw" the invisible red thread. I could feel it, but the red thread wasn’t something I could see with my eyes. I always believed we’d be connected, but I questioned the existence of the red thread. Naturally, I followed the red thread that was tied around my thin finger, and the moment I saw the red thread connected to his finger…

“Mr. Elias?” I asked, smiling faintly.

It wasn’t an illusion. Elias was really here.

A thread of fate really did exist between us, and there really was a bond between us that would never break. For Lee Ki-Yeon, who had no one to lean on, the existence of the red thread was more comforting than any words.

It seemed Elias was aware of this as well because he smiled and grabbed the red thread that was connected to his finger.

We were getting closer.

The red thread had never been this close before, and it started pulling us toward each other. It even shone faintly as if saying that this was our first time meeting each other.

“Yes, it’s me, Miss Ki-Yeon,” Elias answered.

“Is it really… really… you, Mr. Elias?” I asked again.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Are you really… the same Mr. Elias whom I met at Laves?” I asked.

“Yes! It’s me, Miss Ki-Yeon,” Elias yelled.

“Heuk… heuuk…” I cried.

“I’m sorry,” Elias said.

“...”

“I’m sorry… for all of this,” Elias said.

“No, it’s nothing you need to apologize for… Mr. Elias. This is—”

“I’m sorry for leaving you alone for so long,” he interrupted me.

“That’s…”

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, Miss Ki-Yeon. I’m sorry that it took me too long to realize it,” Elias continued.

“...”

“The fact that a red thread actually exists and that we’re meant to be—no… more importantly… it’s not just those… I managed to confirm my true feelings for you once again, Miss Ki-Yeon,” Elias added.

‘He’s suddenly rushing it, and what’s with confirming his feelings once again, damn it? When on earth had he realized? He wasn't like this yesterday.’

“You’re kind, Mr. Elias,” I commented.

“What?”

“You’re really… kind. You really didn’t need to say that…” I told him.

“No, they’re not empty words. I—”

“I’m really thankful… that you came all the way here. It isn’t like me to act like this, right?” I asked.

After saying it was unlike me to act this way, I decided to pick up the pace.

The production cost would increase depending on the length of the film, after all.

“I-I always thought I was alone,” I confessed.

“...”

“Since I was summoned to this continent… I've been thinking that I was alone. Of course, there were a few times when I thought I wasn’t

alone, but I’ve been unconsciously thinking that way all along.

"M-Maybe that’s why I gave up. I don’t really know what’s going on, but… maybe that’s why I can't escape here,” I continued.

“...”

“I-I tried to overcome it, but it looks like I couldn't do it. I must be being consumed by a negative emotion that has always been inside my heart and has gone unnoticed until now,” I said.

“...”

“Is… there something serious going on outside? Did something big happen in Laves… or Lindel?” I asked.

Elias hesitated, but rather than saying that he was hesitating whether to speak comforting words to me or not, it was more like he was wondering whether I knew the truth or not.

“I know. I don’t know the details, but I have a rough idea of the situation outside even though I’m inside here,” I told him.

“Black rain has been falling… since you came here, Miss Ki-Yeon. We haven’t been able to check whether this phenomenon has been happening in other regions because the external communications have been cut off…” Elias informed me.

“...”

“A pool of black rain creates black beasts. Those beasts grow bigger the longer they stay in the rain. Large, dangerous beasts are rampaging throughout Laves. As if foreshadowing the destruction of the continent, darkness has fallen on Laves, but that’s not why I’m here, Miss Ki-Yeon,” Elias explained.

‘I knew it. Why is he being guilty? I never asked if that’s why you came.’

“That’s really… not the only reason. I—”

“You don’t have to be so considerate, Mr. Elias,” I interrupted him.

“...”

“If that’s the case… then it’s certain that there really is something inside me. I thought it was just a dream, but… it was true,” I mumbled.

“...”

“I heard a voice introducing herself as Gela. No, it wasn’t just a voice. I felt her presence… inside me. I tried my best to resist her… but it wasn’t easy. I struggled even as I fell into the darkness. I tried my best to get to the surface, but I felt myself falling into the abyss. I spent a long time spacing out, and I eventually found myself crying in this place,” I explained.

“Are you okay?” Elias asked.

“Yes, I’m… okay now,” I answered.

“...”

“Now I know that I’m not alone. That’s enough for me,” I added.

“...”

Lee Ki-Yeon was a strong woman who wasn’t the type to feel lonely, sad, or even cry.

She was the very definition of the word "perseverance," as she would always get back up. She just needed a small push to get out of the darkness, and an example of that was realizing that she wasn’t alone; someone could also push her to get back up.

A small push would make her stronger.

‘It was the same for Kim Hyun-Sung.’

When I told Elias about how I realized the fact that I wasn’t alone, he seemed to have interpreted that as my answer toward him, as he walked closer to me again and hugged me.

“It’ll be fine now, Miss Ki-Yeon. I came here to save you. I won’t leave you alone any longer, especially not in a place like this…” Elias reassured me.

“Thank you,” I said.

“...”

"After our short encounter…" I mumbled.

“And… I’m sorry.”

“What?”

After stepping back from Elias, I looked at the red thread connecting us. Afterward, I calmly untied the red thread.

Before the shocked Elias could say something…

“Why…”

‘I don’t know. If I have to give you a reason, it’s because I don’t like you.’

There was no special reason at all. I had a line prepared for this moment, but there was no need for me to say it, as he would surely make his own interpretations.

He’d realize that something had changed.

He would not understand why, but by untying this red thread, he’d see that I had grown.

My eyes sparkled, and the darkness as well as the solitude within me were replaced by independence and confidence. Lee Ki-Yeon's will wasn't so weak that she had to entrust her life to someone. She also had no reason to relieve her loneliness through someone else.

Instead, Lee Ki-Yeon would carve out her own life and fate using her strong will.

The darkness cleared, and a faint light filled the room. The light became even more dramatic when it shone down on Lee Ki-Yeon. She was standing up, not as someone’s lover or a woman waiting for someone, but for herself.

Lee Ki-Yeon had decided to stand beneath the shining light by herself.

She had decided to stand for herself on this continent.

“Miss Ki-Yeon?” Elias said.

‘I don’t like you. I don’t like you, damn it.’

“Yes, Mr. Elias?” I answered.

“Is this…”

“I’m sorry, but…” I paused.

“...”

“I’m sure you understand,” I continued.

I had no regret over the red thread I had decided to untie.

Elias' figure started fading away, and I was sure the last expression he would see was Lee Ki-Yeon’s radiant smile.

He was probably looking at someone who was preparing to step into the world with a smile that was brighter than the smile he saw when he first met her.

He was looking at a woman who had clenched her fist with the determination to live an independent life instead of relying on others.

Lee Ki-Yeon had decided to become someone who would pick herself up instead of waiting for someone to pick her up. It was all for the sake of living her own very life on this harsh continent.

What Lee Ki-Yeon needed wasn’t an elf of a kingdom to come and rescue her. She needed a partner who would trust and support her. With a slightly anxious and nervous expression, she took another step, and it was a step of great significance in her life.

“Thank you, Mr. Elias,” I said.

‘You got dumped, man.’

“Miss Ki-Yeon…” he mumbled.

‘I dumped you.’

“...”

‘You have been eliminated, Mr. Elias.’

“I’ll be… cheering for you,” I said. However, my words were unlike how an ex-boyfriend would send a text in the middle of the night.

“Thank you,” Elias said.

Lee Ki-Yeon nodded.