The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 530

With only two days left until the election of the Pilgrimage Church’s second pope, Se-Hoon was silently working in his workshop nestled on the mountainside even after the sun had set.

Click.

He assembled the components he had crafted separately piece by piece, then gazed at the newly assembled lamp now resting on the table. It was rectangular, about the size of a human head; it wasn’t flashy, but it was neatly and elegantly completed.

“…Tsk.”

He couldn’t concentrate. Despite knowing he should be focused on inspecting the lamp, his concentration kept drifting back to yesterday’s conversation in the Netherworld.

“Using the archbishops’ Sanctuary is fine. But I oppose giving them command of the operation. You know the relationship between the Pilgrim and his followers isn’t exactly ordinary. They’re too easily influenced by each other—for better or worse. If you don’t intend to take charge, I won’t force you. If things get even a little out of hand, though, just become the pope. It’ll make handling the worst-case scenario easier.”

In particular, Se-Hoon couldn’t stop thinking about Meirin’s suggestion for him to become the second pope in Kamal’s stead.

Me, becoming the next pope…

Truthfully, when Se-Hoon first heard of the prayer operation, he’d considered the same thing as Meirin. Within the Pilgrimage Church, Karl’s stature was nearly divine even though Karl claimed to be merely a spokesperson. In the first place, the reverence people had for a Perfect One was inevitable.

And because of that, Karl and the archbishops weren’t just separated by a strict hierarchy—his influence permeated even their synesthetic mindscapes. It was that, out of everything, that posed the greatest risk.

If the prayer operation fails and Karl is affected, the archbishops will be impacted instantly too.

While he had subdued the archbishops before, if Karl’s support was added in, it would no longer be easy to go against their offensive Sanctuary. Considering the risk, it made more sense for Se-Hoon—whose synesthetic mindscape rivaled the Perfect Ones and Harbingers of Destruction—to take the lead rather than rely on the archbishops.

The problem is… I can’t fully trust myself either.

Having successfully persuaded three Perfect Ones to reinstate their wish, Se-Hoon had the confidence to do it again. The only difference… was that he wasn’t so sure the changes would benefit humanity.

Fwoosh-

A translucent, glasslike flame flickered to life in his hand. Looking down at the flame that gave off no sensation apart from its gentle warmth, Se-Hoon activated his new technique.

◼◼◼◼

A whisper, then the Sacred Flame transformed into a swarm of violet butterflies that fluttered away into the air.

Flap- Flap-

The butterflies dispersed throughout the workshop before simultaneously vanishing without a trace.

It’s just as I thought… it distorts again, Se-Hoon thought, touching his ear.

The dreamlike sight was produced through Dream Manifestation, which he gained during the battle with Heaven Eye. Based on his S-rank skill Metamorphosing Dreams, it was also a powerful reality-altering ability that bordered the powers of the Perfect Ones.

There was just one peculiar trait: it was never recognized by the world.

Even if I explain it, no one understands. And if I show them, they mistake it for some other skill. Its behavior is just that abnormal.

Everything about it became vague and distorted as if… the world had no way to express what it truly was. To Se-Hoon, that meant only one thing.

The only explanation… is that I’m drifting away from the world…

Within the great framework known as the Golden Ring, only Se-Hoon was stepping out of bounds. It was an unprecedented phenomenon, which was why he was wary of engaging with Karl, the very embodiment of the world’s laws.

If the Golden Ring perceives me as a threat, like it did with Doppelganger though him…

Se-Hoon frowned at the thought of Karl being compelled to attack him, which would definitely also affect the entire Church. A civil war erupting in the middle of the war against the Demon Force was something Se-Hoon desperately wished to avoid.

I know there’s no guarantee it’ll come to that, but…

With a furrowed brow, he looked up at the ceiling of the workshop.

The absence of a Revelation means there’s a real chance.

If he were panicking over a baseless fear, he would have received a sign like the one during the Inoue family incident. Since it was silent….

Hahhhh… how did things end up like this?

The recurring unease weighed heavily on him—

“Lee Se-Hoon.”

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Se-Hoon snapped out of his thoughts.

“Are you alright?”

Not only had Eun-Ha appeared beside him before he even knew it, but she was also looking at him with concern? Wondering why, Se-Hoon glanced at the wall clock.

Ah…

He thought he’d only spaced out for a moment, yet a whole thirty minutes had passed.

“I’m fine. Just had something on my mind,” Se-Hoon reassured her, gently patting her hand.

“…I see. Understood.” She was still clearly worried, despite nodding nonetheless. “The preparations for the operation are complete.”

“Got it. Then let’s head out.”

Rising from his seat, Se-Hoon stepped outside with Eun-Ha to see the prepared tower built from multicolored wood and minerals—a pyre so elaborate it resembled a modern art installation.

“Hmm…”

Li Fei was circling the structure restlessly, carefully shifting small fragments of wood and ore. To an outsider, she would look like a clueless child tampering with art; in truth, however, it was actually something she’d built with Eun-Ha’s help.

“Mmm…”

Watching Li Fei make a few more adjustments before cutely nodding with satisfaction, Se-Hoon smiled softly.

“Is it ready?”

Li Fei spun around, startled by Se-Hoon’s voice. A beat later, she realized he’d seen her whole process, which made her flush with embarrassment.

“Y-Yes… It seems ready.”

“Let’s take a look.”

Walking up beside her, Se-Hoon examined the structure that would soon be used for the Offering Ritual.

“Hmm. Amazing.”

Instead of a blueprint based on structural theory, it was built off Li Fei’s innate understanding of the Blessing of the Sacred Lantern and intuition. While it did look like something a six-year-old cobbled together, it couldn’t be more optimal for the mana synchronization he needed.

“You did well. You’re much better at this than I am.”

“Hehe…”

As Se-Hoon gently patted her head, he sensed a gaze from beside him.

“…”

Though expressionless, Eun-Ha’s eyes betrayed her faint discontent—which was enough for Se-Hoon to realize what he had forgotten.

“Professor, thank you for all your help too,” he quickly added.

“Hmph. You flatter me.”

Eun-Ha’s faintly pleased reaction made Se-Hoon chuckle as he turned toward the sunset-drenched field.

“Let’s get started. It’s getting late.”

“Yes!”

“Understood.”

Once the two stepped aside, Se-Hoon retrieved the rectangular lamp crafted with his own Fatestone as the core and lit it.

Fwoosh-

The Sacred Flame, rising naturally from his hands, permeated the interior of the lamp to produce a gentle glow that replaced the last rays of the sun from beyond the horizon.

“Now.”

Hearing Se-Hoon’s quiet cue, Li Fei closed her eyes and focused. Soon after, iridescent flames flicked to life from various parts of her small body. Seeing that, Eun-Ha immediately activated Soul Furnace.

Woong-

Her hair and eyes glowed ‌deep crimson as the fiery markings on her arms lit up. Channeling enough power to incinerate a mountain, Eun-Ha carefully wrapped her hands around Li Fei from behind.

Fwoosh!

The flames from both girls intertwined in strange harmony, passing from Li Fei into Eun-Ha’s hands.

Fwooshhhhh-

With Li Fei igniting the spark and Eun-Ha amplifying it, the two combined their powers to create the flame that was then channeled into the pyre.

Swoosh!

The fire split among the five branches Li Fei had designed, igniting wood and ore in vivid hues as it grew stronger. Five paths, five colors converging toward the top.

Fwoosh-

The entire pyre vanished without a trace once all five paths connected once again, replaced by a massive flame in the center of the clearing. There was no longer wood or mana, yet it continued to burn gently.

Standing before the door-like flame, Se-Hoon slowly held out his Sacred Flame lamp.

Swish-

As if alive, the flame embraced the lamp with a single ripple—like it was bowing—before ascending skyward.

Swooosh-

Soaring high into the sky, the flame shrank and faded until, at last, it was gone. Along with it went the glow bathing the clearing, leaving only moonlight behind.

“…Did it work properly?”

The sight was so unlike any ordinary ritual that Eun-Ha was full of uncertainty.

Instead of Se-Hoon, though, it was Li Fei who nodded as she gazed at the sky.

“It worked. Before it disappeared, it thanked us.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. It rippled like that.”

Feeling slight disbelief, Eun-Ha looked at Se-Hoon to confirm.

“It did work,” Se-Hoon confirmed, meeting her gaze with a small smile.

Although his lantern had burned away with the flame, he had a strong feeling: it was still burning somewhere beyond sight. Surely it had been accepted by the source of all power and would not be extinguished.

“I don’t know if it really said thank you… but…”

Did Li Fei—his granddaughter—perhaps feel something different? Musing over it, Se-Hoon gazed at the sky where the flame had vanished as he recalled the final arrow shot beyond the Golden Ring.

“Now all that’s left is the power of Perception… but strangely, that one doesn’t seem to need any intervention.”

Unlike the other two previous powers, which required rituals with physical links like the Memorial Tower and the Sacred Lantern, the power of Perception didn’t. The final arrow Baek-Yeon had shot beyond the Golden Ring in pursuit of an impossible peace was already serving as the anchor.

Maybe that experience stayed in my mind and led me to this method…

He’d know if it worked once the Memorial Tower was completed tomorrow. Well, he had a feeling that there wouldn’t be any major issues.

If preparations are complete…

The device designed to suppress Karl’s rampage was nearly ready. The Sanctified Branches Lea had prepared were being installed at the Peregrine Cathedral and Pilgrimage Church branches worldwide. He had also informed his allies what to do in emergencies.

All that remained now was simply to wait until the day arrived.

“…”

Yet, despite knowing that all his preparations were complete, Se-Hoon couldn’t shake a lingering unease. The unidentified variables—and changes within himself—kept gnawing at his thoughts.

My synesthetic mindscape really has softened…

His transformation might be important, but if it interfered with the mission, it would need to be curbed. Options to cleanse it would be Soul Honing or Bond Sever—

Tap

A slight pressure on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw that Eun-Ha had silently leaned against him. Instead of prying or demanding answers, she offered warmth simply by being close.

Come to think of it… she used to do this, too.

She hadn’t sat so close before, but there were many times she waited near him until his thoughts cleared. Back then, her stoic demeanor made him wonder if she was silently urging him to hurry… but now he wondered if her reasons weren’t much different from what they were now.

I’ll never really know.

Reflecting on memories from the long past, Se-Hoon leaned against her as well.

“Professor.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll be able to do well… right?”

It was an open-ended question. Yet, despite how abrupt it had been, Eun-Ha responded like she’d been waiting for it.

“You’ll do well.”

Her words, far from empty comfort, were full of sincerity.

“Because I’ll be by your side to help make sure you do.”

It wasn’t just trust in him—it was devoted faith in their bond itself. Having not realized it until now, Se-Hoon’s eyes widened before he began chuckling bitterly. All of his doubts… were so foolish.

That’s right… I had my bonds.

If his changes ever took him astray, the bonds he’d built—his companions—would bring him back to the right path. They were his anchor, the anchor that would preserve who “Lee Se-Hoon” was.

“Then I’ll be counting on you when the time comes.”

“Sure thing. Don’t worry.”

Settling into a quiet lull, the two leaned against each other and gazed silently at the night sky, leaving only when Li Fei mentioned she was sleepy.

***

Two days later, at night.

“The election for the second pope of the Pilgrimage Church will now begin.”

The vote that would decide the future of the Church had begun.