Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1343. Return (3)

"I-I think it might have been a recall," Benigoa remarked.

"A recall? Can you really call it that when a magic circle suddenly appears and activates on its own?" I[1] asked.

"Well, you know how it is. For a transcendent being to descend somewhere, a great price has to be paid. Since there was no summoning ritual or preparation beforehand, it was probably similar to when demon lords descend from another dimension. They'll receive great penalties. O-of course, I’m not saying you’re a demon..." Benigoa trailed off.

"..."

"Anyway, the descent itself was probably fine. What matters more is where and how that influence was exercised... Hmm... Since you could be considered an irregular, you'll obtain some freedom within the boundaries permitted by the system on our continent.

"However, the main god of the first life's continent was Altanus, so the same can't be said there," Benigoa continued.

"I understand what you mean," I said.

"If you make another attempt, the system will surely try to reject it. What I mean is that you belong here. Do you understand?" Benigoa asked.

"..."

"If I were to descend into another dimension, I would pay the price for it, and that wouldn’t be the end of it either," Benigoa said.

"It’s not like the Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary," I commented.

"The Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary was considered a dungeon on the continent. That’s different from this case, which can only be classified as an irregular phenomenon. Think about the things you did over there.

"What the system wants is for you to make the first life’s story believable, not to serve as a deus ex machina," Benigoa explained.

"..."

"Your descent won't solve the issue, and when it comes to the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep, it could easily make the first life’s story unfold in an unreasonable way.

"Problems can't be resolved like that. I’ve said it before—mortal affairs must be left to mortals. There’s a reason we resort to champions or chosen heroes as proxies.

"I don’t know all the details myself, but in the eyes of the system, the rightful rulers of the continent are the mortals living there. We must remain as observers," Benigoa continued.

“...”

"If we intervene directly, the story can never become complete. You have to remember that mortals don't exist for our sake, Lee Ki-Young. I-If you try to solve problems that way, a punishment is inevitable.

"‘One day, a god suddenly descended and solved everything.’ That kind of story is nothing but a hollow tale. Of course, it’s not as if there have never been exceptions... but still," Benigoa added.

"..."

"This is also why we must not concern ourselves too much with mortal affairs. I told you before, the fate of transcendent beings who love humans too much has never been a good one. A deus ex machina event always has a price. We must become administrators who interfere as little as possible, especially in places that cannot truly be called our continent," Benigoa said.

"Is Altanus’s regression something similar?" I asked.

"Well... I’m not sure... The system does seem to have a tendency to impose credibility even on miracles of that kind. If her disappearance is considered the price, then perhaps it satisfies a certain degree of credibility.

"Lee Ki-Young, you don’t want to vanish as well, do you? That is why you must be careful!" Benigoa warned.

“...”

"The one who must fulfill the credibility isn’t you as a transcendent being, but you as a human," Benigoa said, looking agitated. Her face looked as though she was genuinely worried, yet at the same time, she was glancing around nervously, which was very much like her.

‘I can’t say that I don’t understand.’

I had yet to have a true grasp of the dimensions' system, but I could vaguely tell in what direction it operated.

"..."

"..."

‘Honestly, it did feel a little absurd.’

Of course, it wasn’t as if I had gained nothing from it.

‘I can resist the system.’

The most significant realization was that it was possible to resist the system that governed the dimensions, at least to some extent. Back then, Lust Ki-Young had clearly resisted the system of the dimensions. It wasn’t without penalties and warnings, but the fact that he had resisted at all was already meaningful.

Resisting it would become even more feasible the higher one’s rank.

"S-still, I'd rather see you not get too caught up in what’s happening over there. You know it better than anyone, Lee Ki-Young. This place is fine," Benigoa said.

"..."

"Right now, we can’t know how things will end over there, but in the end, the future will still lead to the second life. What matters is not the past but the present!" Benigoa shouted.

"..."

"S-so, with that in mind, how about we play our cupcake-throwing game again?" Benigoa suggested.

"..."

"That brat Commander Jin has been so arrogant lately. Time to teach him a lesson," Benigoa added.

"We don’t have time for that, Benigoa. For now, find out more about those tentacled octopus things. Check if there’s any way to communicate with them, too," I instructed.

"R-rest is important as well, Lee Ki-Young..." Benigoa stuttered.

‘She’s unbelievable.’

Even in a situation like this, she actually still wanted to throw some cupcakes. Watching Benigoa fidget and glance around awkwardly made me realize that, from her perspective, my behavior was definitely abnormal. Of course, I had already noticed that I wasn’t exactly keeping my emotions under control.

‘I might have overreacted... just a bit.’

Normally, I was always careful, ensuring that I would always have a cool head, but this time, I simply couldn’t do that. My behavior was even worse immediately upon returning. I was shaken to the point where I could hardly understand myself, and my rage toward Seraphim boiled over.

‘But what can I do? I really can’t stand that bastard.’

If it hadn’t been for Jung Ha-Yan or Han Sora, I would have disposed of him right there on the spot. Second Life Seraphim resembled the one I met in the first life far too much, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but lose my composure.

Of course, I, Lee Ki-Young, was no animal. I could tell the difference between right and wrong, and I was aware of how my actions looked to the others. Otherwise, I’d be off at some psychiatric hospital with Kim Hyun-Sung, wasting time fishing and holding barbecue parties.

‘Damn, judging by the way she’s acting, the rumor’s already spread this far.’

Bennigor looked like she was desperately trying to lighten the tense atmosphere by pushing the whole cupcake-throwing event. It was obvious who had put her up to it.

Sure, it was possible that she was just being cautious on her own, but of course, it was probably Ji-Hye noona’s influence. Seeing her smiling brightly off in the distance only made me more certain of it.

When Benigoa’s silence dragged on, Ji-Hye, who had been walking toward us at a slow pace, finally opened her mouth, saying, "I feel the same way, Miss Benigoa. Lately, Command Jin has gotten a little too arrogant."

"R-right? You think so too?" Benigoa asked.

"Yes. He annoyed me so much I actually threw an entire box of cupcakes at his office," Lee Ji-Hye answered.

"A-an entire box? Wouldn’t that be a little hurtful?" she asked.

‘What’s the difference between one cupcake and a whole box, anyway?’

"Anyway, since Oppa won’t be able to join the cupcake event, I’ll take him with me instead. You’re okay with that, right?" Lee Ji-Hye asked.

"Huh? Uh... y-yeah. Of course, that’s fine."

Benigoa nodding eagerly at Ji-Hye’s words as if he had been waiting for her to say that was an unsettling sight to behold. The fact that it contrasted so sharply with her usual clingy and don't-leave-me-behind attitude made it even more disturbing.

I quickly realized that I wasn’t keeping my expression in check.

‘This is just awkward as hell.’

"..."

"..."

‘And at times like this, it feels even worse.’

There was a reason why I had been avoiding Ji-Hye; there was no doubt she was overthinking things again.

I was sure her line of thought was something along the lines of—“This idiot probably needs help right now,” “He doesn’t seem stable,” or “He needs some rest.”

Ji-Hye was a very selfish individual, but when it came to those within her circle, she had a way of showing attachment to them. With so many reports coming in from all directions, there was no way she wouldn’t feel bothered, especially when it concerned me.

After all, she had invested a lot in me, which made her tendency to intervene even more pronounced. There really was something between me and her that couldn’t be explained by simple mutual interests.

However, nothing was more uncomfortable than facing someone trying to help you when you didn't want their help.

‘It’s not like this is the time to be fooling around...’

Thinking I’d fall for such an obvious event was a big mistake.

"..."

"..."

The conversation hadn’t technically begun, but it was already underway. I could feel her eyes studying me closely, leaving me no room to ignore it.

When she finally spoke, it was with the air of someone entirely unaffected. Her casual tone of voice only made it clearer to me that she had made up her mind.

"What are you going to do about Seraphim?" Lee Ji-Hye asked.

‘Straight to the point, huh?’

"What do you mean by that?" I asked back.

"What do you mean by what do I mean? I heard you were making a fuss about disposing of him or something," Lee Ji-Hye replied.

"That’s exaggerated. I don’t know what you heard, but rumors always get blown out of proportion. Saying I’d dispose of Seraphim was more of a figure of speech..." I told her.

"But you weren’t like that recently," Lee Ji-Hye said, pointing it out.

"You know I’m fickle, don’t you, noona?" I asked.

"Of course. I know you’re fickle, and I also know that you don’t show that side of yourself in front of others," Lee Ji-Hye replied.

"..."

"..."

"You’re not in control right now. Didn’t you admit that yourself last time?" Lee Ji-Hye asked.

Just a few steps away, I caught sight of Benigoa peeking at me and Ji-Hye noona from behind cover. I cast a glance her way.

"Th-then maybe I’ll just... g-go throw some cupcakes or something," Benigoa muttered before vanishing from my view.

"..."

"..."

"I won’t deny I was a little annoyed, but it’s all settled now," I told her.

"Oh, really? All those problems just vanished in an instant, huh? How impressive," Lee Ji-Hye said sarcastically.

"I’m not an idiot, noona. Becoming younger doesn’t mean I can’t diagnose myself. Yes, I got overly agitated back then; I lost my temper for a moment, but it was just that—a moment. I don’t know what you’ve been preparing, but that’s not what matters right now," I admitted.

"Oh, really?" Lee Ji-Hye said.

"Do you know how long I’ve been here... I’m not Kim Hyun-Sung, you know," I said.

"Ah, is that so?"

‘She won't even listen, will she?’

She was already convinced that she was right, and it felt like she wasn’t willing to hear anything else.

"Your condition isn’t really my concern. Just spend today with me," Lee Ji-Hye suggested.

"What?"

"It’s been a long time since the two of us went out together. Just keep me company. This isn't about you; I just feel like I need some time with you. I’ve been having a hard time lately," Lee Ji-Hye said.

“...”

"Anyway, it’s not like you have a solution right now, do you? All you’ve been doing is running around gathering information and looking for those magic circles..." Lee Ji-Hye continued.

"..."

"I told you before I left, didn’t I? The first life isn’t going anywhere. When the time comes, you can go, but there’s no need to rush. If you don’t want to just rest, then we can at least sit down and think of solutions together. Whatever it is, just spend today with me. We’ve got plenty of topics to talk about," Lee Ji-Hye begged.

"..."

"Or do you want to go see Kim Hyun-Sung? Or, if not that, you could spend some time with Diaruria instead," Lee Ji-Hye suggested.

“...”

"Jung Ha-Yan or Cha Hee-Ra, they don't matter. Let’s just rest together for a bit," Lee Ji-Hye said.

‘No matter how I look at it... this is a trap.’

I wondered if it was even fair to call it a trap. Of course, I had no reason to refuse. At this point, I almost felt like throwing cupcakes at Commander Jin’s office instead, but for now, I had no choice but to nod.

Listening to things from Ji-Hye noona’s perspective could only be helpful, not a hindrance. Sure enough, even before we could reach our destination, I could already see her casually tossing out some specific comments.

"..."

"..."

"Why do I feel like no time paradox is occurring with you?" Lee Ji-Hye asked.

"..."

"It’s strange, isn’t it? Even though there was such chaos in the first life, everything seems fairly normal here, and that fool Kim Hyun-Sung... remembers nothing," Lee Ji-Hye continued.

"..."

"I think the first life you went to wasn't real. It could have been manmade," Lee Ji-Hye said, offering her theory.

"..."

"Let’s just think of it as a dummy world prepared by the system," Lee Ji-Hye suggested.

"Why not just say we’re in someone else's brain?" I said sarcastically.

1. Lee Ki-Young’s POV ☜