Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1294. The Magic Tower (7)

Four days before the scheduled departure, news began spreading that Jo Hye-Jin was dead. Naturally, it was an incident that set all of Lindel abuzz.

“Jo Hye-Jin is dead?” Big Boy asked.

“Yeah. I really thought we’d finally be able to take out those bastards this time...” Yoojin said.

“Shit, was it another trap?” Big Boy asked.

“Judging by the circumstances, that’s the most reasonable conclusion. Most of the allied guild was wiped out, and the Blue Guild alone suffered hundreds of casualties... Kim Hyun-Sung, who returned with them, suddenly vanished... Shit... the war has just ended, and this disaster just came out of nowhere,” Carlton explained.

“So, what did the Black Swan and the Red Mercenary Guild say about it?” Big Boy asked.

“What can they say in a situation like this?” Carlton replied.

“I mean, are we certain that Jo Hye-Jin is dead? Has there been an official announcement?” Big Boy questioned.

“No official announcement yet, but the rumors are going around. The area where the battle took place has already been classified as a plague-contaminated area and is off-limits...

"The priests are working on purifying it bit by bit, but of course, it’s slow... If the Black Swan Guild's investigation report is true, then we can be somewhat sure that it’s probably true.

"They might not have gone inside, but they must’ve seen something. The rumor has been spreading among the Blue Guild members too...” Carlton answered.

“Just like that? All of a sudden?” Yoojin questioned.

‘Exactly. What the hell?’

“So what about us? Our mission’s canceled, right?” Big Boy asked.

“No, it looks like it’s going ahead as planned. They must think it’s too soon to issue a mobilization order. They only just declared war over a week ago, so how could they say that it’s starting again? They must be trying to cover it up at a military level...” Carlton replied.

“That’s bad... Damn it... This is bad. I’ve got a bad feeling things are about to go sideways,” Yoojin mumbled.

“Whether it’s a lie or the truth, getting too worked up over it won’t help. Damn it... whatever’s going on up there is for the higher-ups to handle... What’s certain is that Saladin’s forces have taken a hit. They won’t make any rash moves for now,” Carlton added.

“You said the Blue Guild got hit hard! Damn it, what guarantee is there that those bastards won’t come charging back in here?!” Big Boy shouted.

“Calm down, Big Boy! You think only the Blue Guild took damage? A ton of those black mage scum got wiped out in this war. You think they can just march right back here?

"Even if they’ve been hiding more power than we thought, it’s too much for them to handle right now. You know that! Think logically! Use your head!” Carlton shouted.

Of course, Big Boy was feeling restless. I had an idea why he was acting like that.

‘He must be worried.’

He was clearly anxious about leaving me behind in the city alone. Originally, he was planning to leave me in the care of the woman named Maple, but with things turning out like this, there was no way he could feel at ease.

Saladin’s forces had taken damage, but Lindel’s defense system was badly weakened as well, so there were many things for him to consider. He pretended otherwise, but the way he kept sneaking glances at me while muttering curses made it obvious what was on his mind.

If Saladin were to strike Lindel again while he was away in Heren...

‘We’re both thinking the same thing.’

He stood there in front of the large carriage, unable to make a decision.

Eventually, I heard him mutter, “So... we can’t cancel our expedition?”

“Are you crazy, Big Boy? You trying to get on Small Stone’s bad side? We already took the advance payment, and it’s not a normal item as well. You know it's a stolen item. Everything’s already been arranged. How the hell are we supposed to back out now?” Carlton complained.

“But—”

“Instead of fussing, how about we just bring the kid along?” Yoojin suggested.

“Don’t talk nonsense, Yoojin. You want to drag a kid into this job?” Big Boy asked.

“Just calm down and hear me out, Big Boy. It's not even that far, and the road to Heren’s in decent shape. Haven’t seen any bandit scum in ages... If you’re that worried—”

“Worried, my ass... You think I’m doing this because I’m worried?” Big Boy interrupted Yoojin.

“Anyway, you idiot! I’m saying it’d be safer to take him along. If the worst really happens and Saladin heads for Lindel again, it’d be better for him to be with us, right?” Yoojin argued.

“Damn it...” Big Boy mumbled.

Eventually, Big Boy scratched the back of his head. I’d been getting ready to see him off with Maple, but instead, he dragged me by the hand up onto the carriage. It was only the other day when I pestered him to let me come along, and he said no at the time.

Now, he was looking a little embarrassed about his final decision.

“Huh? Big Boy hyung...” I said.

“Just this once,” Big Boy said.

“Huh? What?” I questioned.

‘I heard the entire conversation. Just this once, my ass.’

“It’s just this once. Promise me you’ll stay quiet in the carriage,” Big Boy said.

“Really?!” I asked excitedly.

“Yeah. This is an expedition, not a joyride, so keep your guard up... Damn it... Let’s just get going before we end up being late,” Big Boy said.

“What about your things?” Big Boy asked.

“I packed them,” Maple answered.

“Maple? You did?” Big Boy questioned.

“Yeah. I figured you’d end up taking him. It’s nothing special. Just food and some supplies,” Maple answered.

“Uh... thanks, Maple,” Big Boy said.

“Don’t mention it. Just treat me to something nice when you get back,” Maple said.

“Okay, I’ll make it big. Hey, Carlton! Let’s go!” Big Boy shouted.

“Got it.”

‘I’ve always wanted to visit Heren anyway.’

With all the news I’d been hearing, there was no way I could skip a proper inspection.

‘The atmosphere’s too tense.’

Lindel's lively mood had dimmed visibly. Not that anyone dared to show it openly. It was such a hot topic that even inside the carriage, I could hear people outside talking about Jo Hye-Jin. Just listening in a little, I caught all kinds of voices.

“I knew that bastard Kim Hyun-Sung was going to do that. He was overreaching when he put those troops together. It ended up backfiring... Damn it.”

"He should have died instead of Jo Hye-Jin.”

“That idiot count’s gotten how many people killed now? Damn it...”

“Why rush to send a pursuit party at all? It’s Saladin we’re talking about. The outcome was obvious...”

“If he’d just stayed put, he’d have kept half his forces... But no... call him a hero a few times and he starts thinking he’s really something... Tsk...”

It wasn’t hard to find people blaming Kim Hyun-Sung for her death. After his fight with Jung Jin-Ho, I thought his image had recovered, but it seemed that there was still a lingering grudge against him.

Honestly, it was inevitable.

It was true that he had formed a pursuit team, and it was also true that he was blinded by that masked scum, ruining the entire operation. Someone in his position could never be free of responsibility for a failure.

They wouldn’t shout it to his face, but gossip like this was unavoidable.

‘Still... damn it. They’re being way too harsh. It’s not like Hyun-Sung alone botched the whole thing... And they conveniently forget he’s the reason we even won the war in the first place...’

A glance outside showed me the crowd gathered in the square to mourn Jo Hye-Jin's death.

“Heuk... heuuuk... Miss Jo Hye-Jin.”

“For the Spear Goddess to go like this... Of all people, I thought she’d hold out until the very end...”

“Where is Kim Hyun-Sung? Is the rumor true? If something happened, shouldn't he make some kind of statement?”

I even heard curses among the crowd. Big Boy, sitting beside me in the carriage, made a gesture telling me to cover my ears, but unfortunately, God’s Vessel came with good hearing. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t filter out every word.

‘Funny, coming from someone who swears like a sailor himself...’

“How the hell did this happen?!”

‘Yeah... damn it. I’ve got no clue what’s going on either.’

They weren’t even certain if Jo Hye-Jin was truly dead, but if it was true that she was killed in battle...

‘Maybe Kim Hyun-Sung went to Heren.’

He said before that he secluded himself there for several months.

If he had really lost his Blue Guild comrades along with Jo Hye-Jin, it would be reasonable for him to choose seclusion. The timing was perfect. If we think of the loss in this war and the battle itself as a trap to lure Kim Hyun-Sung in and to corner him, then the pieces would fall into place.

After a few months of hiding in Heren, Kim Hyun-Sung would appear again.

That was exactly the scene I saw through Kasugano Yuno.

An arrow struck Jo Hye-Jin and, in the end, her sword was consumed by flames, reduced to ashes. She left only her spear behind.

The battlefield was tainted with all manner of plagues and diseases, and the sight of those writhing in agony still remained in my mind. Anyone would recognize it as the aftermath of a battle against the Plaguelord or perhaps the group of black mages under Saladin.

‘The timing matches. It all lines up perfectly.’

When masked scum Saladin was finally removed from the stage, the Outer Gods appeared. I had no idea how long it took, but when the Outer Gods appeared, Ki-Young and Ji-Hye of the first life sided with them after recruiting some people.

From the Outer Gods War onward, battles erupted endlessly across the entire continent.

Considering the time period when Kim Hyun-Sung was definitely hiding in Heren, the timing of Jo Hye-Jin’s death felt perfect.

Kim Hyun-Sung definitely cherished Jo Hye-Jin.

“Tsk... sorry,” Big Boy said.

“Huh?”

“For suddenly dragging you along...” Big Boy said.

“No, I’m fine with it, hyung,” I told him.

“It’s just... your face doesn't look too good...” Big Boy pointed out.

“I think it’s just because I’ve been hearing about people dying left and right lately. Do you know about it too, hyung?” I asked.

“Of course I know. no one on the continent hasn’t heard the name of the Blue Guild's Spear Goddess. Even in this rotten place, she was one of the few truly righteous people left.

"If there’s anyone who deserves to be called a hero, it’s her. During the previous war... she saved quite a few soldiers,” Big Boy answered.

“She must’ve been an incredible person,” I commented.

“Yeah... well. She was. Honestly, I’m shocked. I never met her personally, but I didn’t think that someone like the Spear Goddess would fall so easily...” Big Boy added.

‘Honestly, I’m not shocked at all.’

I could laugh it off without a second thought.

“...”

“...”

Honestly, Jo Hye-Jin’s death wasn't a shocker. I had already witnessed her die once with my own eyes... and more importantly, I was the most aware of the need to separate the first life from the second life.

‘They're all going to die, anyway. Every single one of these bastards here will meet their end at the finale of the first life. That’s why I’m here. To make that ending happen.’

I had to keep that in mind at all times. Death here was so common that there was no point in being surprised by it. Jo Hye-Jin’s death was predestined. All that happened was what was supposed to happen.

To put it simply... there was no need to cling to the death of a single person. Regardless of who was going to die, there was no reason for me to waver.

‘It doesn’t affect me at all.’

'They’re going to die anyway. Didn’t I come here knowing that even Jung Ha-Yan is going to die?'

The sudden transfer to the Magic Tower was probably so that I could witness her death, or perhaps even interfere with it. Her death was going to affect the continent, after all.

'Yeah... just like with Jung Jin-Ho.'

Just then, I felt a faint but undeniable sense that something was off.

‘Huh?’

“Uh...”

“Wh-What’s wrong? Hey! Carlton, stop the carriage!” Big Boy shouted.

“Uh...”

“Kid! Hey, kid!” Big Boy cried out.

“...”

“Carlton! You bastard! Stop the carriage!” Big Boy repeated.

I could see Big Boy yanking up my shirt to check the mark, but I was too thrown off to play along with him.

“It’s nothing... hyung...” I mumbled.

All of a sudden, it felt like my plan had unexpectedly shifted.