Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1484. Backstage (5) [Illustration]

‘Can I relax a little... or not?’

Honestly, unlike Kim Hyun-Sung, I didn't find it uncomfortable to see his true face. I didn't feel betrayed, and I certainly didn't feel any urge for revenge. I couldn't even feel the emotions born from that entire chain of events, so how could I possibly empathize with his pain or circumstances?

Of course, I couldn't say that his choice was an ethical one.

By any standards, it was immature, but for a twenty-four-year-old Kim Hyun-Sung, it was probably the best he could manage. I knew he had that side to him, so in a strange way, his decision was actually the most familiar to me.

If anything, it was almost refreshing. It was like seeing him stripped bare. But when it comes to my own bare face being exposed, I can’t help but feel resistance. Even if he lays himself bare, why should I have to do the same?

After tens of thousands—no, hundreds of thousands of years, I would’t care, but for now, I honestly wanted to show only the good, kind, warm version of myself. It wouldn't change just because we were looking at the Pre-Purge First Life Lee Ki-Young.

In this era, survival was the top priority, and one had to do just about anything to live, so of course, I was feeling really uneasy.

I wasn’t as suffocated as Kim Hyun-Sung, but it wouldn’t be strange if I suddenly did something despicable. The only comfort was that this didn’t seem like a period where I had done anything too damning. Of course, I had done plenty of things, but Park Deok-Gu’s presence clearly acted as my brakes.

‘You stupid pig. Damn it. You’re the only one I can count on.’

This was why a person ought to live a decent life in the first place. I had to have drawn my own line and tried not to cross it. Whenever I crossed it, I could almost guarantee that the pig wasn’t by my side. I had to have been running a black market at the very least. I had connections with Song Jung-Wook, after all. My clothes didn’t look bad either, so it would be fair to assume that I had secured some footing here.

‘And I'm being friendly with the city residents, too.’

— W-we’ll be okay, Mr. Lee Ki-Young?

— Yes. I’ll take care of it as soon as possible, so you don’t have to worry about it.

‘I even had a nice image. Ah... you, right there, don’t talk to me. You look like a criminal.’

— Lee Ki-Young... I’m sure you already know, but right now...

‘No, damn it. Shut up, you bastard.’

— There’s no helping the disruption to the business.

— W-what?

— You’d better start thinking about pulling out. The good days are over.

— D-damn it...

‘This isn’t so bad. Good.’

It was probably because of Park Deok-Gu, but I was close with a few kids, and I seemed friendly with everyone, regardless of their age or gender.

It made me think of the phrase, “Lee Ki-Young, candidate number one, working for all of you!” I liked my image. What really sealed it was the sight of little kids running up to me while yelling “Hyung!” and “Oppa!”

The pig even lifted them up, pretending they were airplanes.

‘It’s warm. I like this. This kind of scene is good.’

It seemed like I was playing a central role in Rahel. Of course, Lee Ki-Young had no legitimate right to govern Rahel. I wasn’t certified by anyone, but groups were often run in such a rough-and-ready way, so the leader would always end up being the one who could manage to act like one.

It looked like Lee Ki-Young had claimed that position perfectly and gradually earned recognition for his ability, eventually securing real authority.

After all, I succeeded in growing a slash-and-burn village abandoned by the Empire into something on the level of a small city. No matter how it was achieved, that was an accomplishment worthy of respect.

In the eyes of that idiot pig, Lee Ki-Young looked pretty impressive. He was staring at me with admiration and pride; he couldn't stop smiling as well.

— Hehehe... Hey! I told you brats not to bother our hyung-nim!

— Kyaaaaah! It’s a monster!

— Rawr!

— Run awaaay! It’s a muscle monster!

‘The black market and all that probably won’t come up right now. Taking care of the purge comes first.’

— Kenji.

— Oh... you’re here.

— What about the thing I asked for?

— Hold on...

— Deok-Gu, step outside for a bit and check if people are doing okay.

— Huh? O-okay.

— ...

— ...

— Did you find anything?

— I looked around places... but nothing really turned up. I mean, like always, the ones who are sick are always sick, and people are dying from illness every day... but there was nothing you could call a plague. Honestly, you already knew that.

— I did.

— From the start? There’s no such thing as a plague? Then, why did you tell me to look for one?

— Song Jung-Wook broke his promise. It looks like he decided not to give up the rights he was supposed to hand over.

— W-what?

— The purge is probably about to begin. I’ve heard the Empire has already dispatched a subjugation force.

— Are they insane? T-then what happens now?

— What do you mean, what happens? We all die.

— F-fuck, then... if we’re all going to die anyway, why start talking about a plague out of nowhere? What’s the point...?”

— The official reason is a plague. Even if the Empire handles things like garbage every time, I figured they’d plant something as justification. If we can create the image that Rahel is controlling a plague, we might at least buy some time.

— Y-you’re not running away?

— Where would I go by leaving this place behind?

— Don’t tell me... is it because of that idiot pig? Did he say the people here are pitiful and we should find a way for everyone to survive? Or... did you just decide that yourself? What are you even thinking? This is Rahel. Rahel... the slums of trash!

— A place where people live by stabbing each other in the back, fighting, and betraying one another... What are you even expecting? Whoo.... Well, anyway, I guess it’s good that you’re staying.... S-so what are you going to do? You have a plan, right?

— First of all, gather everyone who shows even the slightest physical symptoms and isolate them in one place. We don’t know what might happen. Then ask the old man...Damn it, if only he didn’t have dementia...

— Anyway, have him sweep the area with a scan spell and write up a report. If nothing turns up, we just grab the sickest bastard and insist it’s the plague. As I said earlier, what matters is making it look like we’re in control of this. If we block the justification they’re using, they won’t be able to move without any hesitation.

— And then?

— Then... we round up all the civil war criminals and the nobles hiding here. The plague is just a pretext. A pretext to capture and crush them. If we hand them over first, that’ll be enough. Contact the ones in southern and eastern Rahel, too. All of them.

— Do you think they’ll cooperate?

— If they don’t cooperate, what then...? They’re not going to let everyone die just because of their pride. Obviously, they’ll have to search our district too... We let it grow too big. Damn it... this is my mistake. I didn’t think they’d crawl all the way in here...

— Did this happen because of Ito Sota's death, or did Charlotte intentionally push them this far...? Either way, scrape together everyone who can fight. Those noble bastards definitely have private soldiers with them.

— Uh... s-sure...

— There’ll be some outside Rahel or in the nearby villages too. Organize rangers and have them scout everything.

— The Imperial Army’s surrounding outside... Is that even possible?

— Who said anything about crossing their lines? Search everything inside the perimeter first.

— Ah... got it. I got it...

— Pick people you can trust, but don’t include idiots either. I mean, filter out anyone who lacks common sense and those who would get tempted by those noble bastards.

— Then what about you...?

— I’ll try making contact with the stars who’ve descended to protect our Empire.

— Is that even possible?

— What’s impossible? Meeting them directly might be difficult, but I can send a few letters. It’ll take them some time to get here anyway. Not that it’s exactly good news, but the commander of the subjugation force seems like someone reasonable...

— ...

— Kim Hyun-Sung.

— Kim Hyun-Sung?

- After the war, he became the Blue Guild Master, and it looks like the Empire is openly backing him. He’s pretty famous in Lindel. A talented genius swordsman, the war hero who defeated Ito Sota.

— In many ways, he’s probably far better than someone like Song Jung-Wook or those greedy types. I haven’t dug too deeply, but his career is spotless. Doesn’t seem particularly hungry for power either...

- W-will this work?

- It has to. There’s risk... but if this goes well, it can turn into an opportunity... We can show the capital what we’re capable of and maybe even establish ties with Lindel. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get scouted into the Blue Guild and play a key role in rebuilding Lindel and the Blue Guild. And our idiot pig will get proper support and grow strong...

— That’s a bit too much like a dream...

— Yeah, it’s a dream, but right now... we have to at least dream. This is the only way out. Besides...

— What?

— No... never mind. It’s probably just someone with the same name.

Lee Ki-Young was aware that he was just spouting something that sounded like a mere dream. The idea of showing their capabilities to the capital and getting scouted by the Blue Guild was too far-fetched.

If anything, it only proved the direness of the situation. He spoke as if it were nothing, but I could see the tension in him. He was talking like he was putting on a bravado, but his expression was dark.

He turned and cast his gaze on Park Deok-Gu who was busy reassuring the people.

Lee Ki-Young stared at that scene for a long while.

— I’ve... lost my mind... damn it...

— I’m the crazy one... damn it all...

— What are you talking about all of a sudden?.

- It’s nothing. Anyway... get on it right now. Contact southern and eastern Rahel first. Tell them that this isn’t the time to be fighting over stupid things... Keep a tight lid on everything... If we provoke the Imperial Army for no reason, there won’t be any negotiations. It’ll be over that same day.

— R-right.

— Hey, pig!

— Ah, hyung-nim. All done with your business? What about the plague... How’s that going?

— Everything’s working out fine.

— Hehehe... that’s our hyung-nim..

— Deok-Gu.

— W-what is it?

— Thanks.

— What the... Don’t get all sappy on me... I’m the one who should be thankful! You're the only reason I'm still here, hyung-nim! Ah... b-but I’m kinda hungry... When are we eating?

— I must be crazy.

Crack!

The world stopped and shattered once again.

Once more, a series of scenes flickered past us. I saw myself together with Song Jung-Wook. It seemed to be from an earlier point in time than the present. It was back when I was engaging in something that wasn’t quite lobbying, but close enough, in order to stop the purge.

— Ki-Young. You’re not going to die... People don’t die that easily... okay? Come on, get up.

— Heh... hehe...

— Yeah, that’s it. Smile, Ki-Young. That’s the posture of someone asking for a favor... Hmm? A proper sandbag. But you really won’t come to Small Stone?

— ...

— Right. What am I even asking you for? It’s that idiot pig again... Always that damn pig. What? Are you upset because he might come here and get dragged into something bad? What I do is bad, and what you do isn’t, you bastard?

Smack! Thud! Thud!

— Ah! Aaargh!

— Look at this bastard overreacting. I’m making an exception for you... got it? For old times’ sake... I’m keeping my promise. Whoo... damn it... damn it...

The world shattered in rapid succession. Ever since Song Jung-Wook appeared, things moved so fast that I almost feel relieved. It really did seem like it was showing the course of Lee Ki-Young’s life. I found myself praying that the scene where I made contact with Jung Jin-Ho wouldn’t come up, but it seemed that I didn't need to worry.

The pig’s screen time was overwhelmingly dominant.

— Idiot pig! Idiot pig! Idiot pig!

— Hyung-nim!

— Hahahaha!

Of course...

— Sub Guild Master of the Golden Horse Clan.

— I’m pulling some strings for you, Mr. Ki-Young. Don’t let something like this happen again. Understood?

— Y-yes, of course.

— Now, then... you’ll be staying for a meal today as well, right?

— Well... today...

— You’re worried Mr. Deok-Gu might be waiting for you again, aren’t you? Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of it. I’ve reserved a spot for him at the Adventurer’s Pub. Figured he could get acquainted with the party members he’ll be hunting with...

— Ah! Thank you.

— It’s nothing.

I saw other scenes flashing in between as well.

— Hyung-nim, are you hurt somewhere? Why are there so many cuts on you?

— I don’t know, man. Just go to sleep.

— Come on, get up. I’m going to put some medicine on those wounds.

— No, don’t. You idiot!

— Ah, just get up already!”

The world stopped and shattered.

— I’m sorry, hyung-nim...

— Stop crying like a baby, you pig. If I can do it...

— I can do it even better.

— That’s right. If I can do it, you can do it even better.

The world stopped and shattered.

— Thanks.

The world stopped and shattered.

— My pig.

The world stopped and shattered yet again. This time, I saw Kim Hyun-Sung sitting inside a makeshift tent, reading a letter. It had to be the letter that Lee Ki-Young had sent from Rahel. At the same time, I saw Lee Ki-Young reading Kim Hyun-Sung's reply.