The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 471

Se-Hoon frowned.

Meirin’s hair was messily spread out like cobwebs, and she had clearly thrown on her clothes carelessly like a blanket. Anyone would think at a glance that she looked like the dead victim of a serial killer, one meticulously arranged for display.

Alas, to Se-Hoon’s chagrin, she was just a messed-up human being that had lied down to smoke.

“You got here earlier than I expected. Thought you’d show up on the actual day,” Meirin nonchalantly commented, barely turning her head.

“…”

I hate how she’s never serious about anything…

Although Se-Hoon had expected to run into her eventually since she would also be staying at the Muren Monastery, he hadn’t imagined that she would look like… that. In all aspects, her behavior truly was no different from the master he knew.

With such thoughts running through his head, Se-Hoon sat in front of her. “This is a pretty important fight for me. A preliminary inspection is only natural.”

“Hm. I suppose you have a point. From your side, we probably look suspicious enough.”

Nodding in agreement, Meirin then turned her eyes back to the ceiling and quietly took another drag. A faint flame flickered, and soon, white smoke wafted upward in the dark like incense.

It was a sight that almost seemed sacred… but Se-Hoon just narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

“Do you really have to smoke like that? If the ash falls on your face—”

“I’ll just dust it off. You really worry about the strangest things sometimes.”

Her words that cut him off were said with total confidence, as if simply brushing the ashes off was some miracle solution to her habit of lying down and smoking.

“…”

Exasperated, Se-Hoon just let out a quiet sigh and stopped talking.

She must be in a mood.

Though lazy by nature, even Meirin wouldn’t use her face as an ashtray for no reason. Knowing that, Se-Hoon figured something had gone wrong, and she was just venting in her own way.

Now’s not the right moment to dig for answers… so I guess I’ll steer the conversation elsewhere.

He’d had a few questions anyway; Se-Hoon looked at her. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“As long as it’s not too heavy.”

“Why did you choose to forge a sword for Doppelganger?”

Thanks to Kwang-Soo’s memories and Tenzin’s story, Se-Hoon had learned a side of Doppelganger that he hadn’t known. However, if someone asked whether that changed his opinion of the creature, his answer was a clear no.

It’s not like she was framed; she committed all those crimes of her own free will. Nothing I’ve learned changes my view.

Se-Hoon was not Kwang-Soo, who had seemed conflicted upon learning that Doppelganger still held onto some shred of humanity and her feelings for Ha-Rin.

Whether Doppelganger was a monster that slaughtered millions indiscriminately or did so in pursuit of martial power with a shred of humanity… she was still a criminal who deserved punishment. It didn’t matter that the sins differed in nature.

And yet, for some reason, Master forged a sword for her… why?

What did Meirin see in Doppelganger that made her act?

Meirin turned her head to look at Se-Hoon, making an expression like he had asked something ridiculous.

“That’s such a pointless question.”

“To me, it’s important.”

“Hmph…”

Turning away, Meirin extinguished her burning stub before casually taking out another cigarette.

“I don’t know what you’re imagining… but I didn’t make a sword for Doppelganger. Honestly, that thing isn’t even worth my sword.”

Before anything else, Meirin drew a clear line with her words.

“There were only two reasons I gave her a sword: the material and the directionality.”

“The material and directionality…”

“You probably know this already, but Celestial Night—the sword split between Ma Kwang-Soo and Doppelganger—is a one-of-a-kind weapon, even in this bizarre world. There’s no way to find another like it.”

Celestial Night was, after all, created by a genius who’d reached the brink of ascension by pouring their final realization and even the soul itself into the blade. Compared to that, Se-Hoon’s unique skill, Blacksmith of Bonds, only came close. His skill drew only from fragments of the soul, meaning it couldn’t fully replicate what Celestial Night could do.

“That’s why if I wanted to use Celestial Night as material, I had only two options: trade with one of them or kill and take it. The second isn’t exactly easy, is it?”

“Yeah… that surely would be difficult.”

Meirin was skilled, sure—but she was awkwardly between A-rank and S-rank at best. Picking a fight with someone like Kwang-Soo, one of the top S-ranks, or Doppelganger, who had beaten even Kwang-Soo without effort, would be suicidal.

“So, in the end, trading was my only option. But even that wasn’t easy. I had to get a relic from someone who’d been broken by the death of their master?”

“…”

“This is where directionality comes in.”

Meirin lit her cigarette.

“A common goal that’s not exactly the same, but close enough to allow for collaboration through trade. That’s where Ma Kwang-Soo didn’t align with me, but Doppelganger did.”

Meirin wanted to forge a new weapon using Celestial Night while Doppelganger was searching for a way to reach the top of the Tower of Heroes. Their goals didn’t exactly overlap, but they pointed in the same direction. Actually, in truth, it was just by chance that they ended up walking that path together.

“I’ve been rambling on for a while. To sum it up, we cooperated because our interests aligned. That’s all there is to it.”

“…”

“If you thought it was blackmail or something, then sorry to disappoint. I’m not like you—I’m selfish. As long as I can achieve my goals, I’ll work with anyone, even if it’s the Ten Evils.”

Mulling over her story, Se-Hoon remained silent for a moment.

“…Did you finish the weapon?”

“I did. Though I’m not satisfied with it.”

Although she forged a sword that could allow Doppelganger to transcend and reach the realm of the Perfect Ones, it didn’t meet the standards she had hoped for.

So that’s why she was in a bad mood.

While there was still some time left, would she really be able to perfect the weapon before then? As Se-Hoon was lost in thought, wondering, Meirin finally sat up and awkwardly scratched her head.

“Hm. So, here’s one thing I’d like to ask you…”

“You want a favor from me?”

Was she going to ask for more time? Giving Meirin a curious look, Se-Hoon watched Meirin hesitate slightly before giving him an awkward smile.

“Would you like to work as my assistant for just one day…?”

***

“…Assistant?”

“Yes.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

Having double-checked what he heard, Kwang-Soo fell silent for a moment.

“Is she insane?”

“…Honestly, she could be.”

Even though Meirin looked like a wreck from the moment he saw her smoking and dropping ash on her face, Se-Hoon had never thought she’d ask something like that.

“Any chance this is a trap?” Kwang-Soo asked, still in disbelief.

“Probably not. She takes too much pride in her craft to do such a thing.”

Se-Hoon knew Meirin’s personality. His master wouldn’t intentionally leave a weapon incomplete and ask for help just to lure him into a trap. She’d rather die.

“So it’s all up to you, huh?”

“Shouldn’t it be up to you, Professor?”

In Se-Hoon’s eyes, Kwang-Soo would have the biggest problem if he helped her and perfected Doppelganger’s weapon. Kwang-Soo wasn’t about to have a friendly spar—it was a life-and-death duel. Thus, his decision definitely mattered most.

“Well, I suppose that’s one way to see it…” Thinking for a moment, Kwang-Soo then asked, “What do you want to do?”

“I already said it’s not up to me—”

“No, none of that crap. Just tell me what you want.”

Pressured by Kwang-Soo’s gaze, Se-Hoon hesitated. But in the end, he still answered honestly.

“I want to help her.”

“Why?”

“Because that way, they’ll have no excuse not to accept the outcome.”

Considering that the match would allow Kwang-Soo and Doppelganger to settle their long history, Se-Hoon intended to make sure the aftermath wouldn’t follow the same tragic path it had before.

With Meirin as well, he would shatter her twisted longing head-on and help her find a new way forward. To achieve that, though, she needed to be content with everything she had—no regrets, no excuses.

“So… you want to leave her no room for excuses, like saying the weapon was unfinished or something?”

“Pretty much.”

“Hm…” Kwang-Soo nodded in understanding. “Then go help her.”

“…Are you sure about that?”

Honestly, Se-Hoon was a bit taken aback. Kwang-Soo, though, was completely at ease.

“She wants to beat me fair and square. How could I say no to that? Let her do it her way.”

“…”

“And I think you’re forgetting something…”—Kwang-Soo lightly tapped the scabbard at his waist, his new Celestial Night Blossom, and made a confident expression—“no matter how great her weapon turns out, the sword we made isn’t any less impressive.”

“…’

The sight of Kwang-Soo, his voice brimming with confidence in both himself and his sword, was completely different from the man who used to be tormented by his inner demon. Looking at a seemingly new person, Se-Hoon let out a small laugh.

“You’re right.”

With that level of assurance, there was no reason to hesitate. Se-Hoon stood and looked back at Kwang-Soo.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Also, if you’re going to do it, do it right.”

With Kwang-Soo’s encouragement lingering in his ears, Se-Hoon stepped out and walked deeper into the temple. The sun was setting, causing the interior to grow darker. Soon enough, only faint moonlight remained to illuminate the grounds.

Fwoosh-

Stone lanterns placed throughout the temple were lit one by one by the monks, each casting a soft glow.

Guided by the flames, Se-Hoon arrived at the inner gate marked “Trial,” which was when Tenzin appeared with a lantern in hand.

“I’ll guide you inside from here.”

“…Please do.”

Although he had entered several times before his regression, Se-Hoon didn’t show it and just quietly followed behind Tenzin.

Step, step-

The darkness deepened, engulfing everything except the two of them as if they were heading underground. With each step deeper in, the more the surrounding lanterns began flickering out—their light gnawed away by the dark. One by one they went out, then, just as all light was about to be consumed, the hidden entrance of a cave slowly revealed itself.

“…”

It was absolutely silent, everything still. Sound, and even light, seemed to have been buried there.

Standing before it, Se-Hoon just stared into the cave—his first visit since regressing.

Back then, I couldn’t see anything at this point…

He could see faint outlines of the cave taking shape in the dark and unfamiliar traces of mana drifting inside. Even among naturally occurring barriers, the one around the Cave of Trials was known as a cut above the rest.

Why bring me here, of all places?

Se-Hoon looked around. Did Meirin need the cave to forge the new weapon? Not making any moves, Se-Hoon was deep in thought… when something squeaked out of the darkness.

Squelch-

A red slime with sharp, mohawk-like spikes protruding in a line: Blood Essence, Meirin’s familiar.

Se-Hoon approached it.

“Are you here to guide me?”

Gurgle-

Upon seeing it move as if nodding, Se-Hoon looked at Tenzin.

“I’ll go on alone from here.”

“…Please be careful.”

Praying for his safety, Tenzin pressed his palms together and gave a slight bow before slowly walking back the way they came.

Meanwhile, Se-Hoon followed the slime deeper into the cave.

Swish-

The slime stretched its entire body forward, tapping Se-Hoon’s feet or shoulders to point out protrusions and crevices ahead. Thanks to it, they reached the cave’s midpoint without much trouble—and that was when Se-Hoon’s senses began changing.

My senses are getting dull…

The faint shapes he’d been able to make out started fading as all his senses began spiking chaotically, overwhelmed by the darkness. His heartbeat pounded like thunder, sending the blood rushing through his body roaring like a river.

His senses were collapsing rapidly, threatening to take him down—

Not so fast…!

Forging a hammer in his synesthetic mindscape using Soul Honing, he struck his inner self.

Clang!

His entire body trembled violently, like when he was forging new mana circuits, and his fading senses abruptly snapped back into place.

Thanks to his previous experience, Se-Hoon overcame the Cave of Trial’s challenge in a flash.

Heh… Guess I’m not rusty yet.

With still-vivid senses, Se-Hoon stared into the now-familiar darkness that was seemingly a bit brighter than before. Honestly, he had been worried he would struggle after so long, but he had adapted to the trap in one try.

Looks like I’ve arrived at the central zone… but where do I go from here?

The cave stretched in a straight line from the entrance to the central chamber. From there, though, it branched out like an anthill. Caught in the trap, many had blindly tried to dig themselves out, creating the labyrinth-like section. Due to them, many later entrants had lost their way as well… which included Se-Hoon.

I remember I nearly died back then…

If Meirin hadn’t been with him during that trip, he might not have made it. Reminiscing, Se-Hoon began searching for signs when Meirin’s Blood Essence—which had gone motionless—suddenly moved again.

Squelch-

It beckoned him forward, merging into the dark. At that moment, others would have likely lost it, but Se-Hoon still followed easily.

Step- Step-

Eventually, they stepped into a deeper section of the cave, and Se-Hoon immediately froze.

Drip-

Meirin was lying submerged in a pool of a staggering amount of blood, her face pale like a corpse.

“…”

However, Se-Hoon regained his calm after a split second.

This is her Demonic Blood Art.

Had she been training? Unsure whether to wait for her to awaken or to rouse her himself, Se-Hoon hesitated.

Tap, tap.

Looking over at the Blood Essence, Se-Hoon watched it approach her limp form and nudge her right hand: a signal.

Walking over, Se-Hoon leaned down and saw a magic formation drawn in blood along with a brief message Meirin had left.

“Come in.”

“…So this is the workshop she’s using.”

Realizing what kind of forging method she intended to use for the new weapon, Se-Hoon quietly took a seat and gently placed both hands over Meirin’s limp right hand.

Demonic Blood Art: Blood Soul Realm

Drip-

Turning into a drop of blood, Se-Hoon’s soul fell into the depths of Meirin’s soul.

Sigh: Huh, so I guess we are getting Meirin + Kwang-Soo conclusion in this arc. I hope its not rushed.