Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1514. Extinction (24) [Illustration]

‘You really see all kinds of ridiculous things when you live long enough.’

Of course, as always, the continent was quite tolerant of polyamory and polygamy. No, rather than just tolerant, it would be more accurate to say it had already become something natural here. I couldn't say that there were no social issues arising from it at all, but given the continent’s situation, where it had to actively increase its population, society chose to encourage it rather than eliminate it.

In addition, it was already an established culture to begin with.

Things had improved a bit, but as always, those who desired children had the tendency to enter such a relationship. However, not everyone welcomed it. Even setting aside those who were naturally pushed out of the dating and marriage market, the real problem lay with those who had already been maintaining relationships well.

In fact, it wasn’t uncommon to hear stories of violence breaking out somewhere.

For example, there was the story of a mage burning alive a man who had boldly declared that he would juggle two relationships. There was also the story of a bastard who, after taking a new wife while his first wife was pregnant, ended up found as a mutilated corpse by an axe.

Naturally, in Yoo Ah-Young’s case, she wasn’t particularly fond of this whole polyamory or polygamy situation. After all, she suffered badly because of her ex-boyfriend.

‘It would be a problem if bloodshed breaks out in the Blue Guild...’

The chances of a hammer coming down on Alps and Lee Chang-Ryeol’s heads were not low.

“...”

“...”

‘I told them to find Hyun-Sung, and they’re over here flirting. Are they serious right now? What the hell is this? Is this some kind of Couple Clinic: Love and War?[1] Alps had feelings for Chang-Ryeol...?’

For a moment, my heart sank, but Lee Chang-Ryeol didn’t seem particularly interested, which made me feel relieved. Meanwhile, Alps reacted sensitively to his casual, indifferent touch. As he naturally patted her head, she lowered her head, creating an incredible sight as she even twisted her fingers together. She was also all smiles.

Was he really not afraid of Yoo Ah-Young’s hammer? Or had that sinful bastard Lee Chang-Ryeol simply failed to notice Alps’ feelings for him? Even the damn Shiro was wagging its tail fiercely at Lee Chang-Ryeol. It wasn’t just wagging, either; it was practically foaming at the mouth with excitement.

The moment he patted it, it rolled over and exposed its belly, panting happily—a truly absurd sight.

If Yoo Ah-Young were to visit Alps’ room and see the dog wagging its tail at Lee Chang-Ryeol, there'd be a high chance that she would sense something suspicious.

Honestly, anyone would...

‘...notice it.’

The fact that Alps had never shown this kind of behavior until now was what made it so baffling. Had she been consciously holding herself back whenever she was with everyone, only to lose control of those overflowing feelings the moment they were suddenly alone together?

Sure enough, the instant she noticed me, Alps stiffened, going rigid in my view.

‘I seriously don’t know anymore. There’s no way I can support this, damn it.’

“S-sub Guild Master!”

Alps jolted in shock, and Lee Chang-Ryeol finally noticed me.

‘Wow, but seriously, think about it. Does this even make sense? Alps noticed me before Lee Chang-Ryeol did. Is that actually possible? Is this bastard’s mind somewhere else, too?’

“I’m glad you’re safe, sir,” Lee Chang-Ryeol said.

‘He still doesn’t show any change in expression at all.’

There was only the faintest hint of pleasure at seeing me again. Unlike Alps, who was observing my reaction as if she had committed some kind of crime.

‘Why are you looking at me like that, you damn dog? Do you like Chang-Ryeol too?’

No, looking again, there was also a faint sense of guilt in Lee Chang-Ryeol’s eyes. Naturally, the image of the Blue Guild stained with blood came to my mind once more.

“Mr. Chang-Ryeol,” I said.

“...”

“Do you have anything to say to me?” I asked.

“...”

“...”

“I’m sorry, sir,” Lee Chang-Ryeol said.

‘You bastard! Got you! You definitely did something wrong, didn’t you?’

“...”

“...”

As expected, Alps hurriedly cut in, her face pale as she exclaimed, “M-Mr. Chang-Ryeol isn’t at fault!”

‘Of course. Damn it. It wouldn’t just be Chang-Ryeol’s fault alone. It takes two to tango. Benigoa... damn...’

“I-it’s because of me... I—”

“I’ll accept any punishment,” Lee Chang-Ryeol interrupted her.

‘Why are you accepting punishment from me? Damn it. You should be getting punished by Ah-Young.’

“I-it didn’t interfere with the mission,” Alps commented.

‘Yeah, sure. Of course it didn’t interfere with the mission.’

“...”

“...”

“He just wanted to save Miss Ah-Young from the parallel world!” she added.

“What?”

“So I decided to change the destination... and told Shiro to... to deceive him... I’m really sorry for not prioritizing the mission, but he really didn’t do anything wrong,” she said.

“Ah... ahhh...”

‘So it wasn’t that...’

I turned my head toward where Alps’s gaze had landed, and I saw Yoo Ah-Young from this parallel world, diligently hammering away. She was drenched in sweat, fully engrossed in building the ark. She even took on a leading, central role in the work. She was forcefully driving large nails in with a massive hammer, and when her gaze happened to meet ours, she waved at Lee Chang-Ryeol.

I finally realized why they had been so uneasy. They had been bringing along First Life Yoo Ah-Young, who had nothing to do with the current mission, right in the middle of the operation, and there was no way they could justify it.

Of course, they could’ve taken care of her as long as it didn’t interfere with the mission, but even so, it was an undeniable fact that they had failed to fully focus on the mission.

And not just once, but twice...

‘Still, that’s a relief. Damn... if he had failed both as an assassin and as Yoo Ah-Young’s boyfriend, that would’ve been a disaster.’

“I have nothing to say for myself,” Lee Chang-Ryeol said.

In the end, he wasn’t wrong. Regardless of his intentions, First Life Yoo Ah-Young joining Mesla sped up the work. Of course, she wasn’t a blacksmith, but one's talent would not just disappear, and she had taken on a central role as well. She was doing the same kind of work as the few technicians who had experience from the shipyard.

On top of that, physically, she even had the upper hand over them, so if I exaggerated a bit, it felt like she was doing the work of fifty people. But even so...

‘They still need to be disciplined. It can’t be helped.’

It was nice seeing a familiar face again, and I was relieved that things hadn’t turned into some kind of love-and-war disaster, but I couldn’t just let this slide without consequences.

Lee Chang-Ryeol had been too fixated on First Life Yoo Ah-Young, so it felt necessary to draw a line. Besides, I didn’t particularly want to bring up the pointless suspicions I had earlier.

“It would be best to talk about disciplinary action after this is over. Discussing punishment in a situation like this would be more ridiculous than anything,” I suggested.

“B-but sir... Mr. Chang-Ryeol... really... This is all my fault...” Alps said.

“Mr. Chang-Ryeol. Of course, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for the Blue Guild and for me until now... but honestly, I’m disappointed,” I told her.

‘He’s angry.’

“Not once, but twice... I really have nothing to say,” I added.

Alps claimed that she had used Shiro to deceive Lee Chang-Ryeol, but it was likely that he had gone along with it knowingly. After all, he probably wanted to protect First Life Yoo Ah-Young just as much as her.

“This parallel world will disappear soon,” I said.

‘So don’t get attached. You know what I’m saying, right?’

Judging by his expression, it seemed he already understood what I was trying to say.

“I’m telling you there’s nothing to gain from getting attached,” I added.

“...”

“...”

‘Why does Alps look like she’s about to cry again?’

I deliberately did not spare her a glance. She had to understand that the responsibility always fell on the superior's shoulders. This way, the chances of something like this happening again would become low. It was not like I never had to discipline the Blue Guild members before...

‘Still, I feel kind of bad for Chang-Ryeol.’

Knowing just how loyal he was made it impossible for me not to feel that way. On top of that, he had even lost an arm and spent years in vain.

“Then let’s leave this matter here. It’s not something worth dwelling on anyway,” I suggested.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

“Heuk... heuuuk... o-okay...” Alps muttered.

“It doesn’t look like you have anything in particular to report...” I said.

“...”

“...”

“But for now, I’d like at least a brief overview of how Mesla Castle is operating. And also whether there’s been any progress on Hyun-Sung’s side,” I said.

“Okay.”

“...”

“...”

‘At least they didn’t slack off.’

As I walked around near Mesla Castle, listening to Lee Chang-Ryeol’s report, a part of me kept thinking that he had already done more than enough, but on the outside, I maintained an attitude of dissatisfaction.

“There’s a trace that cuts off at Heren,” I said.

“Yes.”

“And the next trace that was found... was toward the Republic front...” I continued.

“That’s right.”

“You’re assuming they crossed the Frost Wall and headed north,” I said.

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s not enough,” I commented.

‘No, it’s enough. More than enough to know they’re heading toward the pigeons’ nest. This alone is already good work.’

“Whooo...” I said, “I have nothing more to say."

‘I’m sorry, Chang-Ryeol...’

“This is disappointing,” I said.

“...”

“...”

“What about around Mesla Castle...” I asked.

“Scouts have been coming and going occasionally, and there have been a few supply runs, but at the very least, Mesla Castle itself hasn’t been in any serious danger. Rather, the enemy’s guerrilla units seem focused on cutting off the forces gathering at Mesla Fortress,” he answered.

‘So they’re worried about our forces gathering.’

It seemed the pigeons weren't in a good situation, either. The number of troops the Republic was amassing, as well as the timing, likely wasn’t something they welcomed.

The air raid on Lindel killed Thronus and many pigeons. Moreover, their forces were disappearing in real time thanks to the Castle Rock and World Tree fronts.

Even if they planned to stop the strike force being prepared at Mesla Castle, they would at least want to clean up the inside of the nest before facing them.

“...”

“Prepare for battle,” I ordered.

“Yes, sir,” Lee Chang-Ryeol said.

“Leave only the minimum number of workers. I’ll be the one giving the orders anyway... Mr. Chang-Ryeol, focus on assassinating the named targets,” I ordered.*

“Yes, sir.”

The atmosphere was far too calm for something that was supposed to be a war. It felt like a still lake, yet the Lee Chang-Ryeol standing before me didn’t question it. Naturally, those currently busy building the ark wouldn’t question it either.

‘If I show up, then I show up.’

“It’s the voice of God! Prepare for an air raid! Prepare for an air raid!”

“Get ready for battle! Get ready for battle!!!”

“Mages—what?”

“Mages, stand by! Mages, stand by!”

“Bring arrows! Damn it, arrows!”

‘I wonder how long it will take.’

Of course, I was talking about the completion of the ark. It would take over a month, but if it was just about putting together something that could float, it wouldn’t even take a few hours. There would inevitably be risks...

‘But they’re carrying the same burden on their side.’

Sure enough, a massive flock of pigeons came into view in the distance.

“It’s the pigeons! Air raid! Air raid!”

“Load the arrows!”

“Don’t stop working! Don’t stop working!! We finish the ark!”

“Don’t let go of your hammers!”

“Combat classes, move! Move!!!”

‘From here on, it’s a time attack.’

“...”

“...”

I slowly raised the Telescope at the sky and saw the entire continent.

1. A Korean show where relatable yet not so typical conflicts and concerns of married couples are reproduced in short dramas, and experts present solutions for them. ☜