ã€ŠEveryone Else is a Regressorã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (1)

    Prologue. The Lone Survivor

    A young man of twenty-three, KiJun, who had justpleted his military service, found himself one day summoned to another world whilezing around at home.

    A butterfly-like creature, self-proimed as the tutorial Fairy, appeared and addressed him as a hero.

    "Hello, heroes! From now on, we will embark on a journey to save this world! We will help those in need, defeat monsters, and ultimately y the Demon Lord to save the world! Shall we begin the tutorial?"

    There was a problem, though: there were quite a lot of heroes.

    Exactly one million, to be precise.

    No more, no less.

    Well, if you included the person who got split in half by the butterfly during the tutorial, it was one million and one.

    Including KiJun, the remaining one million heroes summoned to this world had no choice but to listen to the butterfly creature, even if it meant avoiding being split in half.

    "Following your words will eventually allow us to return to Earth, right?" asked a brave man, considering the possibility of his head splitting open. The butterfly nodded confidently.

    "Yes, of course, heroes. If you survive here until the end, you will definitely be able to return to Earth. To do that, train ording to my instructions, explore, and be stronger!"

    KiJun did as he was told because he didn''t want to die.

    Fortunately, he had just finished his military service, so his body was robust.

    Taking notice of this, he formed a party with others who had simr qualities and, armed with a shield, began exploring this otherworldly realm, facing off against monsters.

    In this game-like world, the more they trained and explored, the stronger they became, just as the butterfly had said.

    Among them, those with luck and talent became even stronger.

    KiJuncked luck but was fortunate to possess talent.

    His talent led him to the final battlefield.

    The battle with the Demon Lord took ce fifteen years after the entry of one million heroes into this world.

    Whether they died in fear, or bravely fought and perished, only a thousand heroes remained on the battlefield.

    It wasn''t that important.

    In the end, they all fell before the Demon Lord.

    "I''m sorry, KiJun... I couldn''t... protect you..."

    A hero who fought alongside KiJun until the end, a woman who had been the strongest among all heroes, couldn''t fulfill her dying wish.

    She fell, and KiJun,cking skills inbat, couldn''t defeat the Demon Lord alone even if he woke up.

    - Achievement Unlocked! You have be thest surviving hero. You have gained the legendary title [The Last Hero]. The title effect activates upon killing the Demon Lord.

    - You have gained experience points due to achievementpletion.

    "Hah..."

    Reading the message confirming he was the only survivor, KiJunughed. Even the condition to activate the title he had acquired seemed to mock him.

    It activates upon killing the Demon Lord?

    But I can''t do it now!

    "How foolish."

    The Demon Lord, with horns and demon wings protruding, approached KiJun, thest remaining hero, and sneered.

    "You may have a talent for hitting, but how did you end up on such a wrong path? If you had chosen the right path from the beginning, you might have been able to defeat me."

    "I realized that a bit toote."

    KiJun retorted calmly against the Demon Lord, who had killed his preciouspanion. In any case, there was no way the Demon Lord would spare him just because he asked.

    At least, he wanted to face death with dignity.

    No, in truth, that was a lie.

    Was he trembling like an earthquake due to the prolonged battle of thirty hours, or was it his natural instinct to want to kneel down now? He didn''t know.

    Still, he had to bluff for now.

    As thest remaining human being, he had to maintain his dignity, he told himself, reaffirming his determination as thest tank.

    "If I were given a chance to start over, I could have crushed your bones myself."

    "Anyone in your position would think the same way."

    KiJun knew he couldn''t do anything alone.

    The tank would be helpless by himself.

    With trembling legs, KiJun extended his hand toward the Demon Lord, who had crouched down and was forcing him to kneel, and sighed heavily.

    "No, everyone brought to this world probably thinks the same way. If given a chance to start over, they would efficiently grow by choosing a growth method that suits them, discovering hidden skills and items in this world and seizing them¡ª."

    To be strong enough to be crushed to death with a finger¡ª.

    "¡ªIsn''t that right?"

    "Such a deadly miracle doesn''t exist, I know."

    Suddenly, he felt empty.

    Although he wanted to die with dignity, he didn''t want to be ridiculed by the Demon Lord.

    KiJun, crushing his rare-grade shield that had be lumpy and melted with his own hands, extended his neck towards the Demon Lord.

    "Now, kill me. Thanks to you, I''ve been rolling around like a dog for fifteen years."

    "But ta-da! What if such a deadly miracle really exists?"

    Ta-da?

    Did you just say ta-da?

    KiJun looked at the Demon Lord, who spread her palms wide, with a face of disbelief.

    "So what?"

    "I will send you back to the past."

    KiJun doubted his eyes, ears, and brain.

    Am I already dying, and the Demon Lord in front of me is a hallucination visible only to my confused mind?

    No, logically, an enemy of the heroes like the Demon Lord wouldn''t say she would send me back to the past.

    However, surprisingly, the situation was not a hallucination.

    Nor was it an auditory hallucination.

    "To be honest, the Heros from your Earth were too weak."

    Suddenly, the Demon Lord, who had stiffened her expression, sighed.

    "They had exceptional senses and the ability to find hidden secrets in this world... but..."

    "That''s true."

    Even KiJun, whocked luckpared to other Heros, was able to find several rare-grade skills by diligently finding the hidden conditions of quests.

    But how did the Demon Lord know that fact?

    "Nevertheless, their basic abilities were toocking. It took them fifteen years to reach me, and in the end, they couldn''t surpass me and all perished."

    "Yeah, you must be thrilled to be so strong."

    "This is why you all roll around uselessly when entering the actual game."

    KiJun questioned what she meant by that.

    "What?"

    "Anyway."

    The Demon Lord mumbled his words.

    "I will give you another chance. However, not just you, but all one million Heros."

    "One million Heros... All of them?"

    KiJun was so shocked that he forgot what he had heard earlier.

    Staring at KiJun, who was gaping, the Demon Lord smiled satisfactorily.

    "I will send everyone back to the point when they were summoned to this world, retaining only the memories of theirst moments before death. It''s called regression."

    A regression to the past.

    Not only KiJun but all the Heros who faced death in this world?

    "Don''t feel unfairly treated. Opportunities should be given fairly, and since you have survived for a long time, you will know more and start anew. There''s definitely merit in it."

    "Unfair, you say."

    "Is that all? In addition, although skill levels are reset, the experience and memories of growing those skills remain. Even if you walk the same path, you can grow much faster and eventually surpass your limits."

    It wasn''t unfair.

    KiJun just couldn''t understand why the Demon Lord, the enemy of the heroes, was doing something beneficial for the heroes.

    Was it a n to deceive him with the promise of regression and then observe him dreaming under the influence of an illusion spell, looking at him with a smile and thinking, ''Did he have a pleasant dream?''

    "I can''t trust you."

    "Would you trust me if you were in my position?"

    "Actually, whether you believe it or not doesn''t matter. It''s already predetermined."

    The Demon Lord chuckled and reached out to the protagonist.

    Unable to move a muscle, KiJun felt a delicate hand on his chest.

    - Unique skill [Unbreakable Internal Clock] resists interference from the enemy''s abilities attempting to disrupt the body.

    - Resistance failed. Most of the body bes immobile.

    Due to the unique skill that he possessed, there was significant resistance against abilities that directly restrained the body. Even so, the Demon Lord ignored it and held him down.

    "Earth''s Heros seriously fell short of Leta''s entry standards, so we''ll have to go through the tutorial once again."

    "Tutorial?! What are you talking about?"

    "How are you talking right now?! Could it be a unique skill...?!"

    The protagonist shouted in disbelief at the Demon Lord''s words, and the Demon Lord was surprised to see him resisting her magic, even if only slightly.

    However, after regaining herposure, she didn''t hesitate and sent her magic directly into his heart.

    THUD

    His powerless body copsed to the ground.

    "So what? Anyway, the tutorial Demon Lord you''ll meet next won''t be me."

    "Cough!"

    A Demon Lord is a Demon Lord, but what did she mean by a tutorial Demon Lord?

    Could it be that the 15 years he spent in this world were all just a tutorial?

    And what did it mean that the next Demon Lord he''ll meet won''t be her?

    She had so many questions he wanted to ask the Demon Lord, but sadly, her life was fading away.

    His rare skill ''Persistent Regeneration,'' which increased his natural healing abilities as death approached.

    His rare skill ''Indomitable Will,'' which helped him ovee mental and physical Will and endure every situation.

    His rare skill ''Metalization,'' which temporarily turned his body or weapons as hard as metal.

    Even if it meant prolonging his life for a little while, they couldn''t save her.

    "You did well. You really surprised me, remaining a Hero until the end."

    The Demon Lord''s tone softened slightly.

    Did she already consider herself dead?

    He wondered if someone was sitting by his head, but just as he thought that, she gently stroked his head, lying on the ground.

    Could it be the Demon Lord? Her?

    It was impossible to believe that the person who touched his heart and the person who killed him were the same.

    "The second round will undoubtedly be hellish... but you can ovee it and be stronger. Then, on the main stage... you''ll see hope even in Leta."

    "Hero, the rollback will begin soon."

    At that moment, a voice from another direction made KiJun''s fading consciousness even moreplicated.

    A very familiar voice.

    It was the voice of the moth that had tormented him and other Heros for the past 15 years!

    "Hero, huh? You''ve been through a lot too, Moth."

    "I''m not a moth, I''m a Fairy!"

    The Demon Lord also saw her as a moth.

    No, but why does that little moth call the Demon Lord a Hero?

    Why does it sound like they''re close friends?

    He desperately tried to hold on to his fading consciousness, but as death approached, even his hearing disappeared.

    - Initiating rollback of all Heroes¡¯ body data. After reverting all Hero body data to the initial point, transmit to ''Tutorial Channel - 1,876.''

    - After the transmission isplete, ''Tutorial Channel - 1,875'' will be closed. All NPCs, please move to a safe location.

    "Can I stay here and watch until he ''regresses''?"

    "Did you like him? His face is just average. His charm is exactly 50."

    "Anyway... he''s pitiful and admirable. Someone with this level of mental strength and determination is rare even among top-tier civilization Heroes."

    "That''s true. Moreover, he has excellent talent. If he had mastered weapon skills instead of just a shield, he would have easily surpassed the limits of his race."

    "He must have known that too. He held onto the shield until the end, probably because of the colleagues who were dragging him down... all those colleagues he sacrificed to save..."

    "Foolish. In the end, they all died."

    "Don''t belittle my resolute will with foolish words... We are still in the tutorial. I will do better next time."

    "Sigh, you really find it terrifying to consider me as your junior. Anyway, I understand. We just need to dy this area¡¯s destruction a bit, right?"

    "Thanks, Tinkerbell."

    "Somehow, that sounds like an insult too..."

    - Unique skill [Unbreakable Internal Clock] resists abnormal interference with internal time.

    - Resistance sessful. [Unbreakable Internal Clock] receives positive adjustments beyond its limits.

    - Legendary achievement unlocked! Unique skill [Unbreakable Internal Clock] transcends its limits and grows to Legendary grade! Not only will the internal clock be more sophisticated, but it will also have firm resistance against all types of abilities interfering with the body.

    - Experience gained from the achievement. Reached level 96! Strength +1, Skill +1, Magic Power +1.

    In that moment, life returned to the body that was once a dying corpse. Due to the experience gained from the two consecutive achievements, the level increased, healing the injuries and restoring both stamina and magic power.

    "One million people, right?"

    "Yes, they all reverted. The fairies in channel 1,876 also confirmed that one million people were definitely received."

    The voices of the Demon Lord and the Fairy, which had not been audible, started to be clear again.

    KiJun blinked his eyes.

    They all reverted?

    "I''m still here?!"

    "Gasp!"

    "Kyaa!"

    Upon KiJun''s body fully recovering, he stood up abruptly and shouted. The Fairy and the Demon Lord were both shocked.

    The two... no, the two beings'' eyes were widely dted as if they had seen something unbelievable.

    "What, what is this? How are you alive, no, why are you still here?!"

    Whether it was a concept that the Demon Lord had spoken of while fighting the heroes or a rxed tone, when he looked at the disappearing corpses all over the battlefield, KiJun was surprised and shouted.

    Seeing the disappearing corpses of the heroes wriggling all over the battlefield, KiJun was amazed and shouted. Then, the Demon Lord and the Fairy were shocked at the Demon Lord''s words.

    "What''s that? How did you survive? No idea!"

    "What''s that, I don''t know either!"

    "Ah-ah-ah-ah!"

    In panic, the two beings next to him screamed while the Fairy made a loud noise.

    "One million people, right?"

    "Yes, we reverted everyone except him. It was only one person among one million from the beginning! I forgot about it after killing that bastard as an example in the beginning!"

    "If that''s the case... Could it be real?"

    The Demon Lord and the Fairy looked at each other with perplexed expressions.

    KiJun, who hadn''t properly judged the situation yet, was sure of one thing.

    All the heroes had reverted.

    Except for him.

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (2)

    The world after the tutorial had ended.

    The lone hero, the Demon Lord, and the Fairy remained silent, watching each other cautiously.

    Breaking the momentary silence, the Demon Lord spoke, "What happened to the Earth heroes'' tutorial?"

    "They restarted it, excluding only him," the Fairy replied.

    "Can''t they send him back now?"

    "It''s not possible," the Fairy answered.

    "Oh, really."

    The Demon Lord sighed, pressing her fingers to his forehead in frustration.

    But at this moment, the most devastated person was KiJun.

    "Regression... was real?" he asked.

    "It was," the Demon Lord confirmed.

    "Then why am I still here?"

    "That''s..." The Demon Lord hesitated for a moment, then suddenly became irritated. "It''s because of your unique skill. How did you acquire a skill that resists divine authority in the unique category?"

    "It''s not unique. I just seeded in resisting, and it evolved to legendary grade," KiJun exined.

    "Congrattions on that! But you can''t regress!" the Demon Lord said sarcastically.

    "Now, what do we do, Hero?" the Fairy asked.

    In the midst of their loud conversation, the Fairy intervened.

    When the Fairy referred to the hero, it was, of course, the Demon Lord, not KiJun.

    That moth creature had never addressed him so familiarly before.

    The Demon Lord, who had been getting angry, looked at KiJun and, with a wry smile, said, "Fine, do as you wish, Hero."

    "...Yes, then, Hero, please decide. I don''t know anymore!" the Fairy eximed.

    With a helpless sigh, the Fairy disappeared on the spot, and a system message appeared in KiJun''s field of vision: "[Channel closure operation halted]."

    Even though she was angry and leaving, she had done her job properly.

    "Now then..."

    Following the Fairy''s advice, only the Demon Lord and the hero, KiJun, remained in the closed world with a radius of one kilometer.

    The Demon Lord nced at KiJun, who had lost all his hostility, and made an awkward expression before speaking.

    "What''s happening right now might be confusing for you. Let me exin from the beginning."

    "Please, I''d appreciate that, Ma¡¯am."

    Just an hour ago, KiJun considered the Demon Lord his mortal enemy, but now he understood that the Demon Lord was on his side, at least for the time being.

    Unless he was a fool, he knew that the Demon Lord was more trustworthy than the Fairy.

    "Ma''am..."

    With respect in his voice, KiJun''s hostility vanishedpletely.

    The Demon Lord chuckled and nodded, his head tilting slightly. "Koreans, in particr, seem to be quite observant among the Earthlings. That''s right; I was a hero as well. I was summoned to a different world ahead of you all... Oh, not here but in another world. At that time, there were no tutorials. We were immediately dragged into the main game without any exnation."

    The Demon Lord''s story wasn''t short, but to summarize, it went like this:

    In this universe, there were many civilizations aside from Earth.

    These civilizations, representing the heroes, were summoned to a different world to fight.

    "Why make them fight?" KiJun asked.

    "Well, I don''t know either. It''s probably just the amusement of the transcendent beings above," the Demon Lord replied.

    Initially, there were no tutorials or exnations, butter, they created a ''tutorial'' resembling the appearance of this world after realizing that dragging civilizations that knew nothing, including the existence of mana, into the game was both harsh and uninteresting.

    "The first time I awakened my mana, I was extremely surprised," the Demon Lord continued.

    "I find it more amazing how I didn''t know about the fundamental power that constitutes everything," KiJun said.

    "Earth was a backward civilization... Anyway, we didn''t know about mana or that war was not amon urrence in other civilizations. They first experienced the tutorial andpleted ''simple missions'' before participating in the main game."

    Heroes who died during the tutorial were resurrected when they participated in the main game.

    Because Earth''s performance in the tutorial was pitiful, the Demon Lord personally proposed to the higher-ups to allow them to redo the tutorial. As a result, all the heroes were made to regress.

    "Strictly speaking, it''s not a regression. It''s true that the heroes'' time was reversed, but the space where the tutorial takes ce is different. Everything else has been adjusted to be the same, but maybe the Demon Lord over there will look different from me. They could be of a different gender."

    "But the heroes probably noticed that already."

    "Yes, the tutorial must have ended. When they enter the main game, the fact that it wasn''t a regression won''t matter anymore."

    Laughing slyly, the Demon Lord finished the exnation. The hero, however, realized that one crucial piece of information had been omitted.

    That was about the Demon Lord herself.

    Why was she, who had fought as a hero in this world in the past, now serving as the Demon Lord of the tutorial?

    But as the Demon Lord had pointed out, the hero was incredibly perceptive. He could vaguely guess the reason why she hadn''t mentioned it and refrained from asking further.

    Perhaps she sensed his consideration. The Demon Lord narrowed her eyes,ughed, pped her hands, and lightened the mood.

    "Now, it seems like the exnation about your situation is done. Let''s think about what to do next."

    "Done? But I still haven''t heard why I couldn''t regress."

    "I don''t know either. me it on your skill, I guess?"

    "No..."

    KiJun had a unique skill called [Unbreakable Internal Clock]. This unique skill, which he had possessed since he was summoned to this world¡ªno, to the tutorial¡ªhad saved his life countless times. It provided resistance against all debuffs affecting his mind and body. Thanks to this skill, he had ovee numerous perilous situations.

    However, at thest moment, he had been blindsided like this!

    "Nevertheless, you''re fortunate. When you''re dragged into the main game, even though your level and skill levels are reset, your titles and grades aren''t. Just having a Legendary skill at the start puts you in the S-rank category. Kya!"

    "Kya! So, what kind of skills are the regressed heroes acquiring by now?"

    "We don''t know. But heroes who obtain Legendary skills are rare, don''t you think?"

    "That''s true."

    The hero agreed. Skill ranks went from Common, Umon, Rare, Unique, to Legendary, but beyond these ranks, there were unknown higher ranks. No one knew the names of these ranks yet.

    Even the hero, who could rightfully be called the Last Hero, had only one Unique skill, and he possessed merely three Rare skills. Moreover, his unique skill was something he was born with, making it difficult to specte about the difficulty level of acquiring higher-ranked skills.

    "From Unique onward, the difficulty of acquisition increases steeply... Well, even if you think about it, ordinary people might end up with a few more Rare skills. Lucky and talented ones might obtain a couple of Uniques, and if they''re exceptional, they might even reach Legendary."

    "I''m so jealous I could die, so stop talking about it..."

    The hero scanned his surroundings in the hope that there might be some skills left for him. However, except for the 1-kilometer radius, everything had already disappeared.

    Apart from a certain boundary, the world had turned pitch-ck, as if tainted by ink. He could discern that approaching that boundary would spell disaster.

    "Alright, I''ve organized my thoughts. I''ll tell you the best way for you to grow here."

    At that moment, the Demon Lord pped her hands again, drawing KiJun''s attention.

    As he stared at the Demon Lord, she seemed a bit embarrassed, scratching her cheek as she continued speaking.

    "I mentioned it before, but after the tutorial ends, the only things you can take to the main game are titles, race grade, stat grade, skill grade, and three items acquired during the tutorial. So, it''s more efficient to focus on developing important skills intensively, rather than indiscriminately practicing many skills."

    So, I''ll personally train you¡ªshe was about to continue when KiJun interrupted her with a question.

    "What are race grade and stat grade?"

    "Oh, those aren''t very important for you right now. Humans, excluding mutations, start with everything at the Common level, both race grade and stat grade."

    So, after the tutorial ends, I''ll have topete against those born with Umon or higher from the start...? KiJun was beginning to grasp the situation, his mind sinking into despair.

    Just as he was lost in thought, the Demon Lord spoke up again.

    "Hey, first, let''s check your status window. I''ve thought about making you drop the shield and hold a weapon, but we need to evaluate the rest by looking at your status window."

    It wasmon knowledge for any warrior that you shouldn''t show your status window to others, but at this point, he had no reason to distance himself from the Demon Lord.

    KiJun remembered the time when warriors had umted shared embarrassing incidents, shouting, "S-Status window!" in the past. He quietly opened his own status window, reflecting on those times.

    <strong>

    </strong>

    [KiJun]

    [Title ¨D The Last Hero (Legendary)]

    [Human Level 96]

    [Strength ¨D 88]

    [Dexterity ¨D 95]

    [Endurance ¨D 99]

    [Mana Power ¨D 79]

    [Charisma ¨D 50]

    <strong></strong>

    "Oh. So you got ¡®The Last Hero¡¯ title. That''s really rare and great."

    "Well, what can I do? I can''t even activate it."

    The Demon Lord, first impressed by his title, scanned through his stats and then apuded.

    "Your mana power is so low, but your endurance is 99. How did you manage to survive until now?"

    "It was because of my Survival skills."

    "Your dexterity is quite high... These two stats will probably increase in grade soon, right? You''re lucky. By now, Earth''s heroes are probably struggling to raise their stats due to the stat reset. At least in this aspect, you''ll definitely be ahead of the returning heroes."

    "The heroes probably don''t even know about stat grades."

    Suddenly, KiJun felt pity not just for himself but also for all the heroes starting their Second Round.

    Hopefully, they are all enjoying their cozy andfortable Second Round life for now...

    Once the tutorial ends, they''ll have to face tough opponents with high-grade stats...

    "Alright, I''ve organized my thoughts. Let''s focus on how you can grow as much as possible here."

    Then, the Demon Lord pped her hands to catch KiJun''s attention.

    Looking slightly embarrassed, she scratched her cheek and said, "I mentioned it before, but after the tutorial ends, you can carry over your title, race grade, stat grade, skill grade, and three items obtained during the tutorial. So it''s more efficient to concentrate on developing important skills rather than training numerous skills recklessly."

    "So, I''ll train you personally..."

    With that, she was about to continue when KiJun interrupted, asking, "What are ¡®race grade¡¯ and ¡®stat grade¡¯?"

    "Oh, it''s not that important for you right now. Except for mutants, humans start at Umon grade for both race and stats."

    So, after the tutorial ends, humans mustpete against others, excluding mutants, who start at the Rare grade and above?

    KiJun started to feel a little overwhelmed.

    Holding onto his fading sanity, he looked at the Demon Lord, waiting for her to continue.

    "Now, let''s open your skill window."

    "I feel a bit embarrassed..."

    Unlike when he opened his status window, KiJun hesitated and then opened his skill window.

    [Skills/Spells]

    [Common]

    [Shield Mastery Lv99, Cooking Lv77, Butchery Lv85]

    [Umon]

    [Dual Wielding Lv72, Strong Provocation Lv99, Boomerang Throw Lv87]

    [Rare]

    [Persistent Regeneration Lv94, Metalization Lv88, Indomitable Will Lv65]

    [Legendary]

    [Unbreakable Internal Clock Lv¨D¨D]

    Compared to before entering the Last Battlefield, the skill window had changed significantly.

    First, the Umon grade Shield Mastery had reached the maximum level, and the Umon grade Strong Provocation was the same.

    The Rare grade skills had also grown steadily as he desperately faced off against the Demon Lord. It made him wonder if he would have had a chance in the battle if his skills had been at this level before facing the Demon Lord.

    The most surprising thing was his innate skill, "Unbreakable Internal Clock."

    Originally, it was a Unique grade skill, but now it had abruptly be a Legendary grade.

    Seeing this, he felt a mix of emotions. While it was a new experience to have a Unique grade skill be Legendary, thinking that he couldn''t regress because of this skill made his feelingsplicated.

    "Wow, howe you only have this skill?"

    The Demon Lord admired his skill window, expressing a different kind of awe than when she looked at his status window.

    KiJun responded with a somewhat self-deprecating expression.

    "I just didn''t have the luck."

    "Did you ever get the chance to acquire skills? Did you give up your opportunities to others?"

    Skills could be obtained through training, quest rewards, hidden elements, and more. Training was the most challenging method, and discovering hidden elements had the highest expectations for grade.

    KiJun recalled the time in the past when he had given away the unique skills he had discovered to hisrades. He subtly turned his head, avoiding the gaze of the Demon Lord.

    "...They just didn''t suit me."

    "Hah, I had a slight hope, but as expected, huh? Look at this naive fool. He should have been the one to regress. He should have lived only for himself now!"

    The Demon Lord, reading KiJun''s actions from just looking at the skill window, grew frustrated and yfully hit his chest.

    Even if he wanted new skills, in this closed-off world, he had no choice but to nurture the skills he already possessed or start from scratch, practicing from the ground up to acquire new skills.

    However, as the Demon Lord was hitting his chest, she suddenly noticed something strange in KiJun''s skill window.

    "What''s this ''Dual Wielding''?"

    "It used to be amon-level blunt weapon skill. I had a shield and couldn''t deal enough damage while holding the frontline, so I picked up an additional weapon."

    All of his umon-level skills had grown frommon-level skills.

    Strong Provocation had evolved from Provocation.

    Throw had be Boomerang Throw.

    ...And blunt weapon skills had evolved into Dual Wielding.

    "So why did its rank increase, and why into Dual Wielding?"

    "It was a rather Copernican shift in my way of thinking. Swinging a blunt weapon made me want to strike with a shield as well, and that''s how it happened."

    "...So, by swinging both a shield and a blunt weapon, it evolved into Dual Wielding? But Shield Mastery is stillmon?"

    "Yeah..."

    The reason the skill window felt embarrassing was because of that.

    It clearly revealed his past misguided choices.

    "I didn''t need to learn a new weapon skill..."

    "Enough."

    "You already knew, didn''t you?"

    "Can''t you stop now, ma¡¯am?"

    "Hero KiJun."

    The Demon Lord smiled kindly and ced her hand on KiJun''s shoulder.

    Then she spoke.

    "A blunt weapon suits you better than a shield."

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (3)

    KiJun learned something new about the Demon Lord.

    That was the fact that the Demon Lord was absolutely terrible at cooking.

    "Was the concept of cooking nonexistent in the world where you lived, ma''am?"

    "Keep quiet and eat."

    However, KiJun didn''t eat it. The term ''eating'' was reserved for actual food. He couldn''t digest charcoal, especially to the extent where even the Unbreakable Internal Clock skill considered it a debuff and refused to ept it.

    "I''ll make something new."

    "Oh? Come to think of it, you have a Cooking skill, right?"

    Ignoring the Demon Lord''s retort, KiJun took out a well-polished shield from his inventory and ced it on the bonfire.

    The purple mes conjured by the Demon Lord instantly heated the shield. KiJun then took out a piece of orc belly meat, aged to perfection and reaching level 85, from his inventory.

    Monster meat, especially from high-level monsters, was generally delicious due to its edibility. So, grilling a piece of meat from a high orcmander, a creature of rare grade, made even the most distinguished heroes unable to resist taking a bite.

    "High orcs are a rare-grade species. Regr orcs are umon, and high orcs are rare. If they''remanders, their job ss would be unique grade. Although they were weakened during the tutorial, it must have been quite challenging for you guys."

    "I wondered how you managed to withstand them even when hundreds of them charged at you... By the way, what''s their job ss?"

    KiJun, while focused on grilling the meat, suddenly raised his head at the Demon Lord''s question.

    The Demon Lord seemed to remember something and nodded. "Right, there were no job sses during the tutorial."

    "Isn¡¯t ¡®Hero¡¯ a job ss?"

    "That''s not a job ss; it''s just amon title. After the tutorial, Earth''s heroes will have their job restrictions lifted."

    "And naturally, there are grades for job sses too?"

    "Of course. Hey, the meat''s burning."

    "Is it my turn?"

    As the Demon Lord questioned, KiJun didn''t miss the perfect moment to flip the meat.

    Sizzle¨D

    A satisfying sound filled the air as the delightful aroma of the meat wafted upwards.

    While the Demon Lord tried to resist the tantalizing smell, trying to maintainposure, she couldn''t help herself but drool slightly.

    "It''s not that impressive for a cooking skill, just grilling meat, right?"

    "Yeah, ma''am failed at it earlier."

    "Hero... are you talking back to me?!"

    Even after being dragged into this otherworld, well, tutorial, and struggling with eating issues for the first few years, KiJun neverpromised on his stance regarding food and cooking.

    Even if the person before him was a Demon Lord capable of crushing him with a finger, his resolve remained the same.

    KiJun expertly flipped the meat, seasoned with a special spice blend he had concocted, making it perfect for consumption. When he cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, ready for eating, the Demon Lord''s face softened as she was about to taste it.

    "If it doesn''t taste good, I might have to kill you."

    "Go ahead."

    KiJun didn''t hesitate, even if the other person was the Demon Lord. He held a wooden chopstick crafted by a friend who had amon-grade woodworking skill, expertly flipping the meat at the perfect moment.

    Chiiing!¨D

    Apanied by a pleasant sound, the incredible aroma of the meat engulfed them.

    While the Demon Lord was suppressing her appetite, pretending to be calm, her face melted the moment she tasted the meat.

    "You''re... talking back...?"

    Even after being summoned to this world, or rather, this tutorial, KiJun faced significant hardships during the early years due to food-rted issues. Hence, he neverpromised on food and cooking.

    Seeing the Demon Lord enjoying the grilled meat, KiJun felt a mix of emotions. He couldn''t help but find her somewhat endearing.

    Ignoring the bewildered Demon Lord, KiJun continued grilling the remaining meat.

    The Demon Lord, her cheeks bulging with a mouthful of high orc belly, curiously asked, "But why do you grill meat on a shield instead of using a grill grate?"

    "There''s a profound reason for that."

    "Tell me."

    "I thought grilling meat on a shield might add a bonus to Shield Mastery."

    "Are you an idiot?"

    At that moment, as the Demon Lord struck the grill grate with her chopsticks...

    - You expertly used Shield Mastery to effectively block the attacks of a significantly higher-level foe. [Shield Mastery] has surpassed its limits and grown to the umon grade. [Shield Mastery (Umon)] has reached level 1!

    - An immensely powerful entity sincerely admires your cooking. The level of your [Cooking] skill has increased by 5, reaching level 82!

    Not only cooking, but Shield Mastery, which had just reached level 99 and be max level, unexpectedly grew to the umon grade!

    KiJun wordlessly opened his skill window and showed the Demon Lord the grade of his Shield Mastery skill.

    She shook her head as if refusing to ept it, but the reality didn''t change.

    "Let''s continue grilling on the shield from now on."

    "No, I won''t eat anymore."

    Despite her words, seeing the Demon Lord sweeping the remaining meat off the shield made KiJun wonder if she would keep her promise.

    KiJun wiped the empty shield with a cloth and said, "Thanks."

    "I can''t admit it. I just ate the meat on the shield..."

    "Not that, I mean, for helping me."

    "Ah."

    If the Demon Lord hadn''t actively tried to save him, the Fairy might have killed him to cover up the situation. Moreover, KiJun felt grateful for her sense of responsibility, keeping him alive and even helping him grow.

    "Thanks for suggesting the 2nd Tutorial. If those guys had crossed over to the other world without it, they wouldn''t havested long. Thanks for giving my friends a good opportunity."

    "You... you sent them to the other world, but you didn''t kill them?"

    "I didn''t kill them. I sent them through the 2nd Tutorial."

    "Do you believe it?"

    "I want to believe it."

    And unless she was someone capable of deceiving the system messages, regression wasn''t a lie.

    Though his answer was calcted, the Demon Lord seemed genuinely touched.

    "Are you okay with not going yourself?"

    "I promised to help you."

    With a smile, KiJun put his shield in the inventory, saying, "So please take care of me, ma''am."

    "Sure."

    An hourter, KiJun stood facing the Demon Lord, each holding a shield in one hand.

    It was quite a pitiful sight, KiJun thought.

    "Is this right? Can I really trust you?"

    "I don''t want to waste the Umon-ranked Shield Mastery I''ve grown."

    "So you''re holding a shield in each hand now?"

    "Copernicus said shields could be used as blunt weapons too."

    "Ugh! Don''t turn the great astronomer Copernicus into a weirdo!"

    The Demon Lord still seemed dissatisfied with KiJun''s Shield Mastery.

    KiJun felt unjustly treated.

    "Even my colleagues praised my shield skills when I used a shield forbat."

    "Maybe they were worried you might discard your shield and wield a weapon."

    "That wicked..."

    But he couldn''t say more in his defense, feeling unjust in his heart.

    "Anyway, it''s fine. Yourbat sense is excellent as long as I don''t point it out. Just keep practicing Shield Mastery properly, learn to block, deflect, and counterattack. I''ll teach you."

    "Ugh! Agh!"

    Two hours.

    In just two hours of sparring, KiJun''s Shield Mastery had grown by 5 levels.

    His Dual Wielding skill had also increased by 1, reaching level 73.

    The Rare-ranked skills, part of his Tanker Set, each grew by 1 level as well.

    KiJun realized anew that skill growth in realbat wasn''t about how much one fought but who one fought against and how.

    This was an incredible privilege that regressors could never enjoy.

    The cost of this realization was the bruises covering his body.

    "When you use a shield as a weapon, you''re truly a genius. You concentrate your magic well too."

    The Demon Lord still didn''t seem pleased with KiJun''s Shield Mastery.

    KiJun felt unfairly treated.

    "But it''s okay. Yourbat sense is excellent as long as I don''t point it out. Just keep practicing your Shield Mastery properly. Even that much will be fine."

    "But I won''t let the praise slide."

    "That''s why if I pressure you enough, you might even grow your skills to Unique-rank."

    Oh, wasn''t that praise?

    "If I had enough time, I could have all your skills reach Unique-rank, but the 2nd Tutorial will end much faster than the 1st Tutorial. It''s a pity, but it can''t be helped."

    Sigh, wasn''t that regret in her voice?

    "Let''s definitely make Dual Wielding Unique-ranked. Then you won''t be pushed around by other regressors."

    "You''re putting so much effort into it. I feel like crying from gratitude."

    For a whole day, KiJun fought alongside his colleagues against the Demon Lord, nearly died, revived, and then spent two hours being the Demon Lord''s punching bag.

    Yet, he had to urge himself to stand against her once more, watching as she clenched her fist, ready to fight again.

    Nietzsche once said,

    "What doesn''t kill you makes you stronger."

    The Demon Lord was undoubtedly aware of this, relentlessly pushing him.

    "Alright, Nietzsche. Let''s do this."

    "Where did Copernicus go?"

    "As long as those two are with me, I won''t lose."

    "Ah, the two of them are together."

    With Copernicus in his mind and Nietzsche in his heart, KiJun raised his shield once again.

    Reading his determination, the Demon Lord, as if admiring him, smiled and attacked again.

    After being thoroughly beaten for another 3 hours, KiJun achieved Shield Mastery (Umon) level 8 and Dual Wielding (Umon) level 75.

    ...His rare skills also grew by 2 levels each.

    "But when will you sleep?"

    After the training,

    KiJun, now reduced to a ragged mop, asked the Demon Lord while setting up a tent in the open field.

    The Demon Lord, who had been admiring the rather luxurious tent, heard his question and pped her hands, and suddenly, a luxurious castle emerged from the previously empty ground.

    "What''s this?"

    "Demon Lord''s Castle."

    "So it was hidden underground..."

    Neither KiJun nor the other heroes had discovered the castle, hidden so slickly.

    Specting, the Demon Lord had intentionally lured the heroes outside to quickly send them off to the second round.

    "I''d like to invite you, but it won''t work. If youe in, you''ll keep taking damage, and you''ll die."

    "So, you''re saying that I originally had to fight and defeat you while enduring environmental debuffs?"

    "Exactly?"

    The fact that the heroes didn''t meet the qualifications for entry felt surreal.

    Incredulous, KiJun could onlyugh, and the Demon Lord, alsoughing, shook his hand and turned away.

    "Alright then, goodnight, hero. Let''s get more serious starting tomorrow."

    "You sleep well too, Demon Lord."

    That moment, a certain distance separated the Demon Lord and KiJun.

    ¨DThe battle haspletely ended.

    ¨DYou have acquired the qualifications for a new job, ''Shield Warrior.'' This job is of the umon grade. Would you like to change jobs?

    ¨DYou have acquired the qualifications for a new job, ''Mace Warrior.'' This job is of the umon grade. Would you like to change jobs?

    "Hey, wait a minute! Ma¡¯am, stop!"

    "Huh, what''s going on? What, what?"

    The heroes'' job restrictions are lifted after the tutorial ends.

    Just as the Demon Lord''s power restrictions were lifted, turning him into a formidable monster.

    KiJun''s job restriction had already been lifted.

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (4)

    "Changing your job once you''ve obtained it is very difficult," the Demon Lord said, having learned that KiJun''s job restrictions had been lifted and he had two umon-grade jobs avable. She stopped her intention of going to bed and seriously pondered the situation.

    "Of course, it''s possible to raise the grade of your job. It''s called a job advancement. But rather than aiming for that, isn''t it better to obtain the highest grade job possible in the beginning? That way, the possibilities for job advancements be more abundant."

    "It''s like a fresh graduate finding a job. It''s best to get hired by the bestpany possible in the beginning, right?"

    "I don''t know much about that, but it seems simr."

    There had been a time when KiJun also pondered his future job options. Would he ever have imagined himself deliberating between bing a Shield Warrior or a Mace Warrior?

    While recalling himself from 15 years ago, he chuckled, prompting the Demon Lord to speak.

    "So, based on my thoughts..."

    Pressing her lips with her index finger, she contemted for a moment before reaching a conclusion.

    "Since there''s a chance to obtain a job before entering the main game, let''s make an effort to get the highest grade possible. It would be nice if you started with at least a rare-grade job."

    "Alright, I''ll do that."

    The Demon Lord was a bit surprised to see KiJun rejecting the two job change messages without any hesitation. She knew he trusted her, but she had expected him to ponder a bit at least.

    "Are you sure?"

    "I''m sure. It wasn''t the job I wanted anyway."

    "I see..."

    "By the way, what''s so good about obtaining a job?"

    Perhaps he should have asked this before rejecting the job change messages. Perplexed, the Demon Lord patiently exined.

    "Firstly, you gain stat bonuses. Additionally, there are adjustments applied to skills rted to the job. For example, a Common-Grade Swordsman would have a 10% increase in Swordsmanship-rted skill effects and a 10% increase in Evasion sess rate."

    "Wow, I should have picked a job then."

    "Get a good er. Besides, there''s no urgent need for you to defeat any enemies right now..."

    While speaking, the Demon Lord suddenly noticed that KiJun was staring at her intently.

    "Dream big. Want to y another round before going to sleep?"

    "Ah... I want to, but it''s gettingte. Let''s continue tomorrow. Goodbye."

    "Huh? Uh..."

    Finishing their conversation quickly, KiJun moved towards his tent. Watching him, the Demon Lord felt a bit puzzled.

    She hadn''t thought about wanting to talk to him more or anything girlish like that, but his sudden change in attitude was somewhat surprising.

    Even more surprising was the sound of snoring that started to emerge not long after KiJun entered his tent.

    "No way, really?"

    Although KiJun''s high-quality tent had a barrier included by default, the Demon Lord was a master of magic, and she could easily dispel it and peek inside.

    Then she saw KiJun, who had fallen into a deep sleep without even realizing someone could lift him up.

    It made her realize he must have been really tired.

    Well, he had endured quite a lot up until now.

    "His sleeping face is quite cute."

    Smiling at the sight of the sleeping hero, the Demon Lord repaired the tent''s barrier and headed back to her own Demon Lord''s Castle.

    She hadn''t slept for a long time, but tonight, she felt like she could finally get some rest.

    ---

    The next morning.

    Exactly at six in the morning, KiJun woke up, washed his face, started a campfire, washed some rice, and put it in a pot.

    Then he lightly explored the surroundings to see if there was anything left in this "remaining world." While there were no monsters left, he found some edible herbs, medicinal nts, and a few nearby animals.

    There were also quite a few trees and a believable river nearby.

    The problem was that both the starting and ending points of the river were cut off by ck boundaries, leaving him curious about how the river flowed.

    Frankly, it was a bit frightening.

    "I have a lot of water in my inventory, so I shouldn''t drink this water...."

    After thirty minutes of running, KiJun found that there was not a single element in this world that could potentially "aid his growth."

    It seemed that anything that could be helpful had already been taken away. As it was the final battleground against thest boss, maybe there was something hidden like the Demon Lord''s Castle that appeared yesterday, but he couldn''t find anything he couldn''t discover with his abilities.

    "Hey, hero. Where did you go?"

    When he returned after his run, the Demon Lord was sitting outside near the campfire. She was sniffing the pot emitting a pleasant aroma and looked somewhat resentful.

    "I went for a run. Wait a moment, I''ll prepare breakfast."

    "No, I didn''te out to ask for food. But since you''ve prepared it, I''ll eat."

    However, contrary to her words, the Demon Lord''s expression changed when she saw KiJun washing the herbs he had gathered.

    "What are you doing? Are you making potions?"

    "Didn''t I tell you? I don''t have that skill. These are all herbs verified by Koreans, so you can wait and trust me."

    "Sigh, go ahead and trust a nt verified by Koreans as long as you''re satisfied."

    The Demon Lord was upset when she saw KiJun adding seasoning to the herbs, taking out his shield, frying an egg, and putting it all neatly in a bowl before presenting it to her.

    "Here''s your ordered bibimbap."

    "... Why are you mixing it like that?"

    "I''ll mix yours too."

    "Ugh, seriously! I can''t forgive you, hero!"

    When she let her guard down, KiJun mixed the contents of her bowl too, causing the Demon Lord to be furious.

    However, once they started eating, her thoughts changed again.

    "...It''s surprisingly good."

    "When you mix different things, the tastees out better than when you eat them separately."

    I remember our party being like that, KiJun thought but stopped himself, feeling ufortable. It wasn''t something he could say to the Demon Lord who annihted his entire party.

    "Well... It may not look great, but when you try it, it''s not bad when everythinges together."

    After that, whatever the Demon Lord was about to say, she stopped herself, surprised by her own thoughts. The atmosphere became slightly awkward, and both of them silently finished their bibimbap.

    After finishing the bibimbap, the Demon Lord, who had also prepared a miso soup made by dissolving miso in anchovy broth, let out a deep sigh.

    "It was edible, I guess. There was no meat, but there was an egg instead."

    At that moment, a message appeared in front of KiJun.

    ¨D Encountered a surprisingly delicious dish, thanks to an extraordinarily high-tier entity. [Cooking] skill level increased by 3, reaching level 85!

    He couldn''t help but chuckle. Seeing KiJun smiling, the Demon Lord furrowed her brow and asked why he wasughing.

    "Why are youughing?"

    "Nothing, it''s just... Your lie about my swordsmanship increasing after rejecting your bibimbap was amusing."

    The Demon Lord looked slightly annoyed as she continued to eat her own portion of bibimbap.

    "Take off your upper garments. Since you''re not wearing armor for endurance training."

    "Okay, okay."

    Following her instructions, KiJun removed his upper garments. His well-trained muscles were revealed as he took off his shirt and inner garments.

    Even though she had underestimated amon-grade human, the Demon Lord was secretly impressed when she saw his perfectly toned muscles. Despite concentrating on improving his strength and magic, KiJun had plenty of opportunities to train his endurance as the frontline tank. Nevertheless, his endurance didn''t increase.

    "But I''ve reached my limit now."

    However, he reached his limit three years ago when his endurance became 99. Despite focusing on improving his physical and magical strength, he had numerous opportunities to train his endurance as the tank on the front lines.

    "That''s because I''m the Demon Lord. My power limit is lifted, allowing me to achieve exceptional levels. I can deliver a powerful attack you''ve never experienced before."

    Even so, it seemed impossible, didn''t it?

    The Demon Lord''s nonchnt attitude made KiJun increasingly uneasy.

    "By the way, did I upset you because I mixed the bibimbap as I liked...?"

    "If I had thought of you as a petty person, I would be disappointed. Although I was a bit irritated."

    Although she honestly admitted her irritation, it made KiJun even more uneasy.

    "Just take it off. I''ll heal you immediately afterward, okay?"

    "Got it, I understand."

    As he took off his upper garments, the Demon Lord suddenly moved her hand toward his chest but quickly shifted it toward his abdomen.

    He felt more tension than during their intense sparring sessions. Swallowing his saliva nervously, KiJun forced a smile and braced himself, holding his body tightly.

    He concentrated on enduring the pain as the Demon Lord struck his abdomen with her fist. Despite the excruciating pain, he managed to maintain a smile and held his body together.

    The power of Persistent Regenerationy in his stamina, magic, and mental strength. Although he felt his magic depleting rapidly, he thought, ''Oh, this is a good opportunity to train my magic power.''

    "Defense skill? Can I use it?"

    "Use it. I''ll hit you considering that."

    "Okay, prepare yourself."

    The Demon Lord''s words seemed oddly suspicious. But without thinking too much, KiJun activated his Defense skill.

    "German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, ''What doesn''t kill you makes you strong¡ª¡¯"

    "Sure, sure, I think I heard that name yesterday. Anyway, with Nietzsche by your side, it''s fine."

    Even so, it wasn''t Nietzsche that made you stronger, but ma¡¯am who delivered perfect blows while controlling her strength so that you wouldn''t die¡ªdon''t forget that fact.

    The Demon Lord threw a punch with a smirk on her face.

    Crack!

    Despite using Metalization to maximize his defense, his abdomen was pierced easily.

    Although he felt the sharp pain, KiJun forced himself to maintain a smile and endure it, using his Persistent Regeneration skill to heal the most critical part first.

    He thought it was amusing to remember Nietzsche''s words at a time like this.

    "Uh... Why are you smiling? Do you prefer getting hit?"

    "No, it''s because Nietzsche said, ''What doesn''t kill you makes you stronger.''"

    "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, with Nietzsche by your side, it''s fine."

    The Demon Lord struck him with a fist, apanied by a powerful shockwave. At that moment, KiJun recalled another saying by Nietzsche.

    "God is dead."

    Gasp!

    He couldn''t hear the Demon Lord''s words clearly due to the pain, but he could sense her concern and kindness in her voice.

    "Good job. Endure a little longer. I''ll heal you right away, okay?"

    Honestly, he thought she sounded psychotic.

    However, her warm magical power made him feel at ease.

    Once his recovery wasplete, a message appeared in front of him.

    ¨DEndured an extraordinary level of shock. Overcame the limit of endurance, reaching Umon grade (Umon)! Endurance (Umon) has be level 1.

    ¨D[Persistent Regeneration] skill level increased to 98, [Metalization] skill level increased to 92, [Indomitable Fatigue] skill level increased to 69!

    He smiled faintly, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he realized that the trials that didn''t kill him instantly became his strength.

    "Well, well... Why are you smiling? Should I hit you again?"

    "Is that what the person who put a hole in my stomach should be saying?"

    The Demon Lord, although she had congratted him on increasing his endurance grade with just one punch, looked even more frightening during their subsequent sparring session.

    However, for some unknown reason...

    ¨DEven a in flower can be liked if you continue to seek it. Charisma increased by 1, reaching level 51.

    His Charisma had increased by 1 that day.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (5)

    The next day, KiJun woke up at six in the morning, sharp as a sword. He exercised, took a shower, and prepared breakfast.

    The menu for the morning was golden fried rice made from eggs stolen from the nest of a strange creature called Thunderbird, rice, and stir-fried with oil and crispy green onions.

    Although it might have looked shabby, the Demon Lord, who had intended to intimidate his juniors by imitating Chinese-style fried rice, shed tears of admiration as he chewed on the rice grains that captured the essence of Chinese fried rice.

    In reality, the concept of golden fried rice was said to have originated in Japan, not China, but since the Demon Lord couldn''t differentiate between countries, KiJun decided to y along and proudly dered that golden fried rice was a magnificent part of Korean culinary culture.

    "Demon Lord."

    "Give me another bowl. Why?"

    "Doesn''t your stat just go up like this?"

    Until she started eating, the Demon Lord had been ridiculing the dish''s appearance, iming it would taste terrible. However, as she chewed on the grains of rice that encapsted the essence of Chinese fried rice, she shed tears of emotion and stopped mocking it..

    The stat she referred to was the Charisma stat. It was a status that, on the surface, seemed utterly useless and was easy to ridicule. But it was also a stat that could easily spark conflicts between heroes.

    For example, one could provoke others by saying, "Your boyfriend/girlfriend has Charisma 10~" or challenge someone by saying, "Your Charisma is 80? Open your status window and prove your purity!" These situations often escted into heated arguments and bickering among heroes.

    However, Charisma was not just a numerical representation of a person''s appearance and physique. It epassed the influence and charisma a person exerted on others. Having a high Charisma stat made it easier to gain favor with NPCs, progress through quests, and receive various benefits. It also significantly affected one''s presence; individuals with high Charisma were more likely to attract attention.

    In extreme cases, beings like the Demon Lord, whomanded awe and respect from everyone, naturally had a high Charisma stat. When Charisma increased, not only did one''s influence over others grow, but their appearance also became more attractive. This created a deadlybination of strength and beauty.

    ...Just like the Demon Lord right in front of him.

    "By the way, my Charisma is at the Legendary level."

    "What?! Stats can go up to Legendary?!"

    KiJun wanted to shout at her to open her status window and prove it, but he refrained.

    Getting beaten up during training was enough for one day.

    She seemed to understand his thoughts and, with a slightly more subdued attitude, looked at him.

    "Your Charisma will increase. You will influence many people in the future. At the very least, you''ll reach Unique. You''ll undergo a transformation."

    "I appreciate the high praise. Is that your personal experience?"

    "Heh, my Charisma has been at the Unique level since I obtained the status window."

    The Demon Lord seemed to have spoken something that sounded unbelievable.

    "In fact, it wasn''t that great. Having such a high Charisma made me a representative hero of a civilization. It was an inevitable trend I couldn''t refuse. It was overwhelming and rushed..."

    "...Demon Lord."

    It had started like boasting, but it ended with a sigh. Uncertain of how to react to her words that seemed to mix pride and exasperation, KiJun mumbled, and the Demon Lord, as if it were nothing special, shrugged and concluded.

    "It''s okay; I''ve epted it all now. Perhaps Charisma was a stat designed to make the word ''destiny'' a bit less burdensome."

    "Destiny..."

    "Perhaps there might have been someone on Earth, a hero, born with a heavy destiny, something you can''t escape by pretending ignorance."

    When KiJun raised an eyebrow in confusion, the Demon Lord, seemingly having read his mind, raised her eyebrows back at him.

    "It''s possible they pretended not to know about the existence of stats. Destiny is something you can''t avoid, even if you pretend not to know."

    With that, the Demon Lord, who had emptied three bowls of fried rice, put down the bowl and stood up energetically, speaking with conviction.

    "But let''s put Charisma aside for now. Today, let''s train your Dual Wielding technique."

    "I''m ready, ma''am."

    After relentless practice throughout the day, KiJun''s newly acquired Umon-level Endurance had finally reached 5. His skills and magic also increased by 1 each. His Umon-level shield and dual-wielding techniques had significantly improved, and the same applied to his Rare-level skills.

    And then...

    ¡ªFlowers bloom for those who gaze upon them. The same goes for you. Charisma has increased by 1, now at 52.

    ...On that night, his Charisma had undeniably increased.

    *  *  *

    [YeMin]

    [Title - Chosen Hope (Unique)]

    [Human Lv1]

    [Strength - 8+10]

    [Dexterity - 11+10]

    [Endurance - 9+10]

    [Mana Power - 12+10]

    [Charisma (Umon) - 27+20]

    ''Ahh.''

    Upon seeing the status window floating, YeMin closed her eyes. It was just as she had expected.

    It was the same as before.

    Since the moment she arrived in this world, there hadn''t been any change.

    "All right, everyone understands what''s happened, right? You''ve all regressed! It means you''ve been given a second chance!"

    The only difference was her asional blunt use of the word ''regress'' in front of people.

    At first, she had suspected it to be a hallucination just before dying. Then, she wondered if she had returned to the past alone. But it wasn''t any of that.

    "Surely there isn''t some garbage of a human thinking, ''I''ve returned to the past alone! I won''t be fooled like a fool anymore; from now on, I''ll live only for myself!'' and trying to monopolize all the resources and opportunities in this world? Logically, they wouldn''t give privileges to only one person! Hmph, equal opportunities, equalpetition! Why don''t you try fighting until you''re covered in blood!"

    The insensitive Fairy taunted all the regressed heroes, letting out a nastyugh. But YeMin chuckled upon hearing her words.

    To think that just because they had regressed, they would monopolize all resources and opportunities? There was no need for that.

    The greatest opportunityy within oneself; if she nurtured it well, she could be the strongest.

    ''But this time, I won''t unnecessarily stand out in front of others.''

    Before her return... well, at the beginning of the ''first round''.

    She was well aware that her status was special without needing topare herself to others.

    Others struggled to achieve even one Umon-level title, but the moment she entered this world, she had a Unique-level title.

    Knowing that her status was inted, she bravely stepped forward and had stood at the center of the group ever since.

    She didn''t explicitly mention her uniqueness, but everyone around her naturally epted her.

    Perhaps that''s why she had made a mistake.

    The one who truly needed to be epted, who should have been called hope, wasn''t her.

    ''KiJun...''

    YeMin clenched her fist as she recalled her final moments.

    Every time she thought of his face, resembling a bear''s expression, pitiful and weak because he had sacrificed andpromised for her and the other pathetic heroes, her heart ached.

    How much pain had he endured? How much more suffering had he experienced, all alone?

    ''But this time, many things will be different, Oppa. I''ll find you as soon as possible and make sure you''re ced in a position that suits you perfectly...!''

    If there was anything she regretted, it was that she hadn''t made weapons for him sooner and hadn''t told him that statuses had grades.

    The former was because there was no one willing to step forward to wield a shield. Thetter...

    ''I was afraid that Oppa would hate me once he realized how special I was. Half of my fear was that.''

    And yet, it wasn''t possible to go back.

    She felt overwhelmed by the fact that she had deceived him. But the fact that he had died together with her was just absurd and crazy.

    But it wasn''t over.

    She and KiJun!

    They had returned to the starting line.

    They had a chance to correct everything!

    "Let''s start the Tutorial Mission now! Everyone remembers, right? You can do better, can''t you? Shall we double the target amount? Hehe, just kidding?"

    With her hood flipped over to hide her face, YeMin turned away from the crowd.

    She no longer had time to mingle with others.

    In her mind, she thought about how she could assist KiJun after joining him.

    ''Oppa gave up his Unique skill to me. I have to find a way to make sure he learns it this time. In addition to that, all the rewards from the secret quest I gained thanks to my high Charisma...!''

    She had failed once due to her abilities.

    So this time, instead of bing a King herself, she would be a Kingmaker.

    She would make KiJun, who was most suited to be a King, the Strongest Undefeated King.

    ''KiJun, I''ll go meet you now.''

    YeMin''s determined eyes sparkled brightly.

    Surely KiJun was still in this world.

    Right now, he was probably... in a dream she hadn''t dared to imagine.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (6)

    He had a nightmare.

    A dream where he, along with thest remaining heroes, was annihted by the Demon Lord, and everything ended just like that.

    Somewhere deep inside, he felt it was only natural for it to happen, making the dream even more vivid.

    No...

    It was the dreadful hardship they had faced.

    Days when they fought with their lives on the line, struggles belittled as mere tutorial quests.

    Such foolish thoughts.

    No matter how valuable the experiences were, they couldn''t be exchanged for lives.

    The opportunities the heroes, including him, had gained were undoubtedly meant to bring about a better future.

    Yet, perhaps it was human nature to let emotions precede logic, denying the obvious truth.

    "You''re really cute..."

    At that remark, KiJun opened his eyes wide and sat up.

    The time he habitually checked revealed it to be six in the morning, the same waking time as always.

    What differed this time was his body drenched in sweat due to the nightmare and the presence of the Demon Lord, who was silently staring at him.

    She ced a hand on her lips and seemed to be slightly worried, as if wondering if KiJun had heard what she said.

    Perhaps he had heard wrong. The Demon Lord wouldn''t say he was cute.

    KiJun raised his head, brushing off the sleepiness, and spoke firmly while blocking her approach with his hand.

    "Why are you here?"

    "Well, I heard you mumbling in your sleep about nightmares and the whole Demon Lord''s castle stirred. So, I came to check."

    "That''s not it... I think you misunderstood something."

    As he said that, he noticed the spot where the Demon Lord had been sitting had sunk slightly.

    She might have stayed inside the tent longer than he expected.

    But so what?

    Regardless of the truth, the fact that she cared enough toe worried about him was undeniable.

    "Thank you."

    "What''s there to thank me for? You ruined my beauty sleep because of your sleep talking. I want to eat something tastier for breakfast today since my morning sleep got ruined."

    "Fine, I''ll make it extra lukewarm for you."

    "Is that a promise? Haam..."

    With an unnatural yawn, she stretched and left the tent.

    Come to think of it, how did she remove the barrier around the tent? KiJun thought about it for a moment but realized it didn''t matter.

    Well, it didn''t matter anymore.

    There was something more serious than the barrier anyway.

    ¡ªA flower blooming for someone wilts when not looked at. With much care and attention, the flower will bloom beautifully again. Charisma has increased by 3, reaching 60.

    "I really don''t understand what''s happening with my Charisma anymore..."

    A week had passed since the first tutorial ended in this world where he now lived with the Demon Lord.

    Many changes had urred during this time, but KiJun believed there wouldn''t be a significant change like his Charisma suddenly jumping from 50 to 60.

    Perhaps that was why his face seemed more handsome when he looked at himself in the river while washing up.

    Even if he said that, when the Demon Lord dismissed her appearance as merelymon grade, he couldn''t help but feel his heart skip a beat.

    However, it wasn''t just his looks. Whenever he washed his face, he felt like he was washing away something more profound.

    "Even though I increase my Charisma, it''ll probably reset when the main game starts... I''m probably just deluding myself since I don''t know how the growth system works yet."

    Despite having such a cute thought, KiJun set a stew pot on the fire without any hesitation.

    He put high-quality butter and olive oil, which he could obtain only bypleting the troublesome quests on the dairy farm map, into the pot.

    Then he added onions and minced garlic, which he finely chopped, to the pot. The tenderloin of the Minotaur''s chargingmander, which he had been saving up until now, was thrown in.

    "I guess I''ll finally get to use this."

    Thanks to the foreign heroes who didn''t know there was such a splendid and delicious part as the marbled sirloin on a cow, he had managed to get the sirloin for free while dividing the spoils.

    "Wow, what''s this? Why does it smell so delicious!"

    Smelling the scent of meat, the Demon Lord suddenly appeared and approached him with gleaming eyes.

    "It''s Minotaur sirloin, isn''t it? But why does it taste so good like this!"

    "Meat tastes different depending on how it''s butchered and cooked."

    "Right, you had butchering skills... I should consider how to enhance that skill as well."

    The Demon Lord looked like she was about to use her skills to dismantle the sirloin, but KiJun poured wine into the pot, interrupting her.

    By the way, this wine could only be obtained bypleting the quest at the vineyard.

    He added vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes, along with spices, and let it simmer. After seasoning it, the stew wasplete.

    "Let''s eat this after it simmers. It should take about an hour."

    "A whole hour just to sit here and watch this delicious smell wafting into

    the air...?"

    "Then I''ll work out ande back. It''ll probably need to simmer for an hour."

    "Lies, right? You want me to watch this amazing smell for a whole hour...?"

    Turning pale, the Demon Lord was left unattended while KiJun finished his jogging and returned.

    Ignoring the Demon Lord, whoseplexion had turned white, KiJun opened the pot and adjusted the seasoning.

    "Let''s eat now. It should be even more delicious than before."

    "Before? What are you talking about? I have no idea."

    "Alright, pass me the rice bowl."

    In truth, KiJun was aware that bread went well with Western-style beef stew.

    However, as a Korean, he had to abide by the principle of eating rice for breakfast, so he had no choice.

    "You seem to be under a certain misconception these days."

    Having quickly finished the stew-rice, the Demon Lord, who had asked for seconds, wiped her mouth with her rice bowl pressed against her lips.

    "Are you perhaps thinking you can domesticate me by feeding me? If that''s the case, I want to wake up from this dream."

    "Take the rice bowl away and talk."

    Tossing the rice bowl she had removed back into her mouth, the Demon Lord spoke.

    "This is my fairpensation for helping you learn and improve. So don''t get any ideas like I''m relying on your cooking or waking up every morning with expectations... Don''t have such cheeky fantasies. Got it?"

    "I am thankful for the delicious meal, though."

    "It''s ufortable to be treated like food... Ah, give me another bowl."

    Satisfied after consuming three bowls filled with the hearty stew, the Demon Lord was surprisingly kind during their sparring sessions that followed.

    Normally, he seemed like she might copse with just a single hit, but today he managed to endure two blows.

    ¡ªRight before falling for the enemy''s borate ruse, you realized it and counterattacked. Dexterity has increased by 1, reaching 99.

    ¡ªDexterity has reached its limit!

    KiJun only realized that his Dexterity had reached 99 after one round of sparring.

    "This is strange."

    While KiJuny on the ground,pletely exhausted, the Demon Lord, looking as if she hadn''t broken a sweat, tilted her head in confusion.

    "No matter how close you get to the maximum formon grade, the growth rate slows down. Yet, mine increased by 4 in just a week."

    "My durability as an umon grade is already 17."

    "Umon grades have low stats, right? Normally, when the limit expands, the growth rate increases for a while... Even so, that''s surprisingly fast."

    After some contemtion, the Demon Lord blinked at KiJun and eventually nodded.

    "I must be incredibly amazing, that''s why."

    "Of course, ma¡¯am. I''m always grateful."

    "Good, then I''ll leave you be. I''ll think about how to upgrade your skills."

    Left alone, KiJun instinctively opened his status and skill windows, then was taken aback.

    He was already aware of the incredible growth in his stats, but there were significant changes in his skills as well.

    [Skills/Spells]

    [Common]

    [Cooking Lv90, Butchery Lv85]

    [Umon]

    [Shield Mastery Lv24, Dual Wielding Lv82, Strong Provocation Lv99, Boomerang Throwing Lv87]

    [Rare]

    [Persistent Regeneration Lv99, Metalization Lv96, Indomitable Will Lv83]

    "Persistent Regeneration... I didn''t expect it to reach level 99 already."

    Persistent Regeneration had evolved from the umon grade ''Feeble Regeneration'' he had grown. Originally, Feeble Regeneration slightly increased natural healing, but after evolving into Persistent Regeneration, it applied his tenacity to endure until the verge of copse, significantly enhancing its effects as his health dropped.

    "But it''s already at level 99..."

    KiJun thought about how harshly he had to train for the skill to reach level 99 twice. He was both astonished and thrilled at the prospect of what would happen when it evolved again.

    "I should probably... ask the Demon Lord for help?"

    The only way to increase his Regeneration skill was to endure a strong shock, simr to how he had increased his Indomitable Will skill by raising his durability stat and recovering from the shock.

    Having such a notion in mind, KiJun felt both nervous and excited. The idea of receiving the Demon Lord''s help was an incredible opportunity.

    "Found it!"

    Just as KiJun was contemting, the loud, echoing sound of the Demon Lord''s voice reached him. She had emerged from the Demon Lord''s castle, her hand high in the air, holding something triumphantly.

    In KiJun''s eyes, it looked like a Rubik''s Cube.

    "Are you asking me to solve it?"

    "It contains a rampaging light spirit sealed inside. It was one of the traps originally installed in the Demon Lord''s castle."

    "Why are you bringing such a bomb with you? I don''t like the thought of that being near me. Ma¡¯am, I object."

    The spirit was a high-level concept KiJun hadn''t even been aware of back in his days as a beginner hero.

    In the face of such information, the warriors whoe across it gradually begin to have thoughts like this:

    The path to bing a Summoner has opened¡ª!

    However, to put it bluntly, it was all a big dream.

    For most warriors, the opportunity to encounter spirits came through quests like, "A rampaging spirit has destroyed the vige, please put this spirit to rest," or "Due to the spirit''s anger, waves are rising, and ships can''t set sail. Please bring an offering to appease the spirit''s wrath."

    That''s right.

    These spirits were in no state to even consider a "contract," whether they were rampaging or in a state of anger.

    "Isn''t that obvious? Why would a perfectly fine spirit reveal themselves to humans? They''re busy living their lives in peace amongst themselves."

    "Didn''t humans not know about that? In the games and novels we knew, it wasmon to form contracts with powerful and beautiful spirits and sweep everything away."

    "Aren''t you underestimating Summoners too much? To be a Summoner, you need a diverse range of talents, from being inspired by witnessing natural state spirits and hearing their voices, to having a pure heart to receive the spirit''s love, and possessing social skills tomunicate and appease the spirits."

    It''s not even an ability one can train, you have to be born with it.

    Even though he still harbored dreams of bing a Summoner deep within his heart, KiJun still neatly put away the dream of bing a Summoner while holding the Rubik''s Cube, then looked at it, caressing it, he asked the Demon King a question.

    "So? What am I supposed to do with this Rubik''s Cube containing the rampaging spirit? Just to let you know, I don''t have any rogue skills to dismantle traps or anything."

    "You don''t even need to dismantle traps. Just watch."

    The Demon King gently pushed one side of the Cube held by KiJun.

    ¡ªAh, aah...

    In that moment, KiJun was horrified as the Cube shook uncontrobly, and from inside it, a faint, deep voice seeped out along with a light.

    "How is it?"

    "It feels like it could explode any moment."

    "Exactly. Now, you just need to align the Rubik''s Cube carefully so that it doesn''t explode from the shock."

    "And what happens then?"

    "The sealed door inside opens."

    "Where''s that door?"

    "Inside the Demon King''s Castle."

    In other words, even if he solved it, it was a trap that had no meaning. KiJun, who had hoped that the anger of the rampaging light spirit would be resolved and she could return to the spirit realm, felt disappointed and was about to put down the Cube when he felt it shaking, causing him to panic and return it to its original position.

    ¡ªDon''t torment me like this, oh god...

    "How do I do this? It''s terrifying to just hold it in my hand!"

    "That''s why you have to carefully align it without letting go. If you can do that sessfully, I guarantee your skill level will definitely rise."

    "Ugh, really..."

    As expected, it was the Demon King''s doing.

    Casually installing a death trap in the hands of a warrior!

    ¡ªDon''t get angry...

    "Alright, I got it. I''ll try my best."

    "...Huh?"

    As his emotions intensified, the sealed spirit inside the Rubik''s Cube also reacted sensitively.

    In an attempt to pacify the spirit, KiJun looked at it with a bewildered expression. The Demon King stared at him with a dumbfounded expression, then at the Rubik''s Cube, then closed her eyes tightly, opened them, and looked at KiJun again.

    And, to confirm, she asked him a question.

    "So, you''re saying you can hear the spirit''s voice now?"

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (7)

    His parents named him Jun, meaning that no matter what he did, he should establish his own standards and act ording to his own justice rather than following others.

    It also meant bing a model, a symbol that others want to emte.

    Certainly, the Chinese characters were different, but perhaps they named him Jun because it sounded nice, andter on, they might have added a usible story. Nevertheless, Jun was deeply grateful that his parents imbued meaning into his name.

    However, living so independently was incredibly difficult.

    Rather than bing a standard for others, it was burdensome to follow the standards set by others.

    It was too overwhelming to assert his own beliefs and act ording to his own judgment.

    To fit in with others, he had to learn how to adjust himself, avoiding expressing his opinions openly. He mastered the art of conforming to others and avoided presenting his own thoughts openly.

    He didn''t need to rush to conform to standards; he had his own uniqueness, his own standards, and individuality.

    That was his special quality.

    He knew it existed within him but had been denying it vehemently.

    Because he didn''t want to suffer anymore.

    He knew how difficult and arduous standing alone was.

    But in this world, left alone with the Demon Lord, he had no choice but to stand alone.

    At this moment, his long-standing mental escape had finallye to aplete end.

    "Be careful, handle it gently..."

    "Could it be... you hear the voice because it''s a rampaging spirit?"

    "That can''t be true, are you silly? That''s inspiration. You''ll soon develop additional stats, right?"

    Wow, I hit the jackpot in a situation like this? ¡ª the Demon Lord marveled at herself and murmured in amazement.

    Such an attitude seemed to prove his talent.

    Talent that no one could deny.

    Talent as a Summoner.

    Did he really have it?

    What difference would it make to contract with a spirit now that he had inspiration?

    He pushed aside such thoughts. Seeing the Demon Lord genuinely happy, he suppressed those weak feelings.

    For her support, he needed to discard such feeble thoughts.

    Set your own standards.

    Instead of belittling himself, he should affirm himself as he was.

    "Demon Lord, teach me Summoning Magic."

    "Are you asking a favor? How surprising."

    The Demon Lord chuckled and tilted her head.

    "Sorry, I can''t handle Summoning Magic either. But it''s perfect timing. If we manage to soothe the rampaging spirit and contract with it, would you really need to learn Summoning Magic from someone else?"

    "Is that easy?"

    "Is Summoning Magic easy then?"

    Argh! This horned woman! I hate her!

    The Demon Lord, poking the cube with her finger, nced at him and said while struggling to appease the spirit andfort him.

    "Even if there is a trap in the final dungeon of the tutorial, it''s not like you can instantly finish it without trap disarming..."

    The Demon Lord, joking to break the serious atmosphere, watched KiJun start to focus and stabilize the Rubik''s Cube.

    There was no way to stop the rampaging spirit without practicing Summoning Magic at this point. The influence of his talent for seeing and hearing spirits must have yed a role, but more urately...

    "Could it be... was his talent originally rted to his abilities?"

    And in a quite new way ¡ª it was only natural.

    KiJun was originally a tank who was responsible for the party''s front line.

    In other words, it was only natural that his environmental conditions were appropriate and that he could easily cultivate his Endurance.

    The Endurance he had nurtured so doggedly, without focusing on intensive training, had caught up to his extraordinary talent.

    Well, thinking about it now, skills like Cooking and Butchery are influenced by talent too. This should be good enough. If he had been born with an Umon or higher talent, he might have noticed it sooner.

    But potential could easily resurface if the right conditions were provided.

    It would be nice if KiJun could fully develop all his potential in this ce. ¡ª Having such a childish thought, the Demon Lord quietly stepped back to avoid interfering with him.

    KiJun managed to raise his talent level to umon after two hours of continuously solving the Rubik''s Cube.

    "Thank you for taking care of it, spirit."

    The spirit had be quite friendly with him during these two hours.

    While continuously talking and soothing the spirit to prevent it from going berserk, KiJun had managed to gain the spirit''s trust over time, even though it had been sealed within the Rubik''s Cube for ages.

    "What? Is it really over?"

    Meanwhile, the Demon Lord, who had been busy stacking cards to build a castle using magic, looked up at KiJun, who had just finished leveling up his talent, with a scrutinizing gaze.

    "Even so, it''s too quick."

    "Isn''t ma¡¯am amazing?"

    "Spewing nonsense as always."

    One of the characteristics of ttery is that the true intention often shows through. Yet, despite that, people still resort to ttery. The reason lies in the effectiveness of ttery; even if one''s true feelings are obvious, ttery works wonders.

    The Demon Lord was no exception.

    "So, what''s next? What skill should we focus on growing?"

    However, as the Demon Lord enthusiastically entered mentor mode and pped her hands, KiJun realized he had stepped on andmine.

    After a brief internal struggle, KiJun decided to hide the truth and extended the Rubik''s Cube containing the light spirit, offering it to the Demon Lord.

    "Let''s start with Summoning Magic."

    "Open your status window and skill window."

    "Ugh..."

    ¨DHuh?

    ¨DHuh?

    KiJun and the Demon Lord''s voices ovepped.

    Of course, KiJun was well aware that his innate skill allowed him to resist all sorts of debuffs. Yet, he had never expected to bounce away a debuff cast by the Demon Lord herself.

    And to think that his resilient regeneration skill would receive a positive adjustment thanks to it.

    "Huuuh?"

    "Hey?"

    KiJun and the Demon Lord exchanged confused nces.

    Could this be an additional effect due to its Legendary grade?

    If that was the case...

    "I''m going to attack now. Hit me a little harder than usual."

    "Wait a moment, Hero. Didn''t you just deflect my debuff?"

    "And because of that, my regeneration skill received an additional bonus. It''s like a buff... Anyway, hit me."

    "What kind of cheating skill is this... Well, it is a cheating skill, isn''t it?"

    KiJun reflected on why he ended up being thest survivor in this world while the Demon Lord was still alive. As the Demon Lord hesitated, her fingers twitched.

    "Let me try that again."

    "Bring it on."

    Without hesitation this time, the Demon Lord pierced through KiJun''s abdomen.

    ¡°Kuhhhhh¨D¨D!¡±

    ¨DNo, what should I do¡­!

    KiJun''s groans, bitten back in pain, caused the Rubik''s Cube lying on the floor to vibrate and glow for no apparent reason.

    Although KiJun himself was unaware, this was evidence that the spirit sealed inside the cube had begun tomunicate with him.

    Watching the cube react so strongly to KiJun''s suffering, the Demon Lord thought that this might be a good opportunity for KiJun to acquire spirit magic.

    Ah! Teaching several things at once, what an excellent mentor she must be!

    ¡°Hero, I''ll keep going in session. If you feel like you''re about to die, you have to raise your hand, okay?¡±

    ¡°Even if I raise my hand, you won''t stop, right?¡±

    ¡°How did you know?¡±

    ¡°I heard it at the dentist! Aaargh!¡±

    ¨DFfffttt!

    The doctor waved her hands, starting to pierce KiJun more.

    Unable to rely solely on regeneration, he tried his best to block her attacks by using his Indomitable Will and even resorting to Metalization. However, his resistance was futile; holes pierced through his body, and blood sttered out.

    Although his wounds were healing due to the regeneration, the spirit, unaware of this, started to glow explosively, as if it would explode the Rubik''s Cube altogether.

    ¨DDon''t do this! Don''t hurt that person!

    ¡°Warrior, you might really die like this. Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Noooooo!¡±

    Even though his wounds were healing, he couldn''t erase the pain. In the midst of this, he had to force a smile, or he couldn''t even endure the fatigue of regeneration, so what was this if not hell?

    ¨DNo... no! Don''t hurt that person!

    The cube, reacting more violently, began to split into pieces. Seeing this, the Demon Lord smiled with satisfaction.

    Of course, seeing KiJun suffer so much made a small part of her heart ache, but... this was all for him.

    Viins... were familiar, after all...!

    ¡°Hero, you''re really going to die like this. Really...!¡±

    ¡°Uaaaaaa!¡±

    As KiJun screamed, surpassing his limits, something extraordinary happened.

    ¨DThe skill [Persistent Regeneration] responds to a strong will and performs a miracle. All wounds havepletely healed!

    ¨DThe skill [Persistent Regeneration] transcends its limits and evolves into the unique skill [Rapid Regeneration]!

    Firstly, KiJun''s entire body, which had been torn apart by the Demon Lord''s attack, was restored to its original state as if time had been rewound for a moment. Even without checking the system message, it was clear that his regeneration skill hadpletely surpassed its limits.

    ¨DI can''t just stand here and watch! Let''s defeat that evil demon together, make a contract with me!

    Secondly, the cube shattered into pieces, revealing a radiant spirit enveloped in bright light.

    To the Demon Lord, it looked like a massive lump of light, but KiJun could see a lovely woman dressed in white silk.

    Is that the rampaging spirit? Where did she even see that?

    ¨DQuick, take my hand! Please...!

    With a desperate voice, the spirit of light cried out. At this point, KiJun could tell that she was strongly deluded, but now was the time to ride this huge wave created by the Demon Lord without hesitation.

    ¨DAlright, got it!

    The moment he extended his hand, the spirit''s hand firmly gripped his.

    As the souls of the person and the spirit were tightly bound, one potential inside KiJun, which had been dormant, fully awakened.

    ¨DThe rare-grade stat [Spirit Power] has been awakened! Spirit Power allowsmunication with spiritual beings and exerts influence on them, allowing mutual interaction and stronger power usage. Spirit Power (Rare) has reached 10.

    ¨DContracting with the Light Spirit grants the rare-grade skill [Light Spirit Magic]! Sessfully calming the rampaging spirit and forming a contract greatly enhances the Light Spirit Magic skill. The [Light Spirit Magic] skill has increased by 19 levels, reaching level 20!

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (8)

    The Light Spirit, realizing she had been deceived, pouted for a few minutes.

    "That was really dangerous!"

    When she was sealed, her voice had been lifeless, but after forming a contract with KiJun, she hadpletely transformed into a different person.

    Even with that change, KiJun felt it was worth it to have formed a contract with her.

    "It was dangerous. I just epted the risk because I wanted to grow."

    ¨D Humans really do strange things. Risking your life to avoid dying? What nonsense.

    KiJun inwardly agreed with her statement, patting her head gently. The Light Spirit, who had been tapping his head, finally seemed to calm down and flew into his embrace.

    "But it doesn''t matter. I won''t let you die as long as you''re under contract with me!"

    "I feel safer now. Thank you."

    At first, she had been about the size of a human, but now she was small enough to sit in the palm of KiJun''s hand. This was because KiJun''s power wasn''t enough to maintain her full form.

    "Are you worried?"

    ¨D No, it''s okay. If you stay with me, the power within the contractor will grow steadily! I know it!

    "Sure, I''ll rely on you from now on. By the way... what''s your name?"

    ¨D Do you want to give me one?

    When KiJun nced at the Demon Lord as if to say he didn''t care, she shrugged, indicating that she didn''t have a problem with it.

    Eventually, KiJun turned his gaze back to the spirit and thought for a moment. A name suddenly popped into his mind, and he spoke it aloud.

    "Let''s go with Lucy."

    ¨D Lucy.

    The spirit looked surprised for a moment but then nodded in satisfaction.

    ¨D Perfect...

    "Perfect?"

    ¨D Nothing, I really like it. From now on, call me Lucy!

    KiJun was greatly relieved by her reaction.

    Maybe her original name was Lucy?

    If that were the case, was it just a coincidence that he had thought of this name? There were so many questions he wanted to ask: Why did she go berserk? How did she end up sealed? Was she really okay now?

    But now that he had made a contract with her, he felt that probing too deeply into her privacy would be impolite.

    If he wanted to know, he could take his time, increase his spirit power, and get to know her better through interactions.

    "Demon Lord, can you see Lucy now?"

    "No, I can only hear her voice faintly. There''s a golden light on your palm right now."

    The Demon Lord said, squinting his eyes.

    "As your spirit power increases, this problem will be resolved. Spirits use the power of their own existence, natural energy, the contractor''s spirit power, and mana power. But right now, you barely have any spirit power or mana power, you know? It''s impressive that I can hear the spirit''s voice at all."

    "Can you just praise me once without anyints?"

    "Fine, hurry up and train, you clumsy one."

    With newfound determination, the hero decided to ept reality.

    But before that, there was something he needed to prepare: today''s tuition fee... lunch. Tan-tan noodles.

    While tan-tan noodles made with meat broth were delicious, when he didn''t want to spend too much time, the Chinese-style ones with a peanut-based sauce were the best.

    First, he heated the peanuts and various nuts in oil. He added garlic, green onions, and other spices, then stir-fried them together. After that, he added finely chopped meat and seasoned it. The smell of the meat, sizzling in the oil, spread throughout the area, making the Demon Lord wrinkle his nose.

    "Hero, I think the food is ready!"

    "It''s not done yet, just wait."

    "No, I really think it''s done!"

    "You have to wait."

    Every time he needed noodles, he made arge batch in advance and stored them in his inventory, so when he cooked, he just needed to prepare the sauce and toppings.

    He poured the sauce over the boiled noodles and mixed them together with the meat. Then he ced everything in a bowl.

    "Ah... it smells delicious!"

    ¨D Spicy, but so rich and chewy!

    It seemed like his cooking received praise not only from the Demon Lord but also from Lucy.

    They say a meal shared is a meal enjoyed. With the dishes ready, the hero felt the time was right to have a serious talk.

    "Alright, let''s eat. If you find it delicious, I have something to discuss with you."

    "Mm?"

    While he boiled the noodles, the Demon Lord had been stealing bites of the meat, so now she tried to cover his mouth guiltily.

    He had prepared extra meat since he knew she would probably eat some. After a few moments of silence, Lucy spoke again.

    ¡ªIt''s delicious...!

    With both hands, Lucy grabbed a strand of noodles and slurped it up, repeatedly eximing how delicious it was. Watching Lucy enjoying the meal, KiJun felt a sense of satisfaction. Just then, a message popped up in KiJun''s field of vision.

    ¡ªYou are breaking the boundaries between various races. Cooking skill has increased by 3 levels and reached level 93!

    Recently, due to the familiarity with the existence of the Demon Lord, the growth of the Cooking skill, had been a bit slow. But now it skyrocketed to level 93 thanks to Lucy''s intrusion.

    Had any hero ever taken their Cooking skill to the umon grade? Or was there even an umon grade for Cooking in the first ce?

    "It seems like not many people have reached my level because they were busy fighting," KiJun thought. In this world, where you would die if you didn''t fight fiercely every day, people who delved deeply into cooking were not initially called as heroes.

    Among the 8 billion people on Earth, only the most chosen heroes became the million heroes among them. However, the greatest driving force that sustained his current life was this Cooking skill. It was quite ironic.

    "So, what do you want to talk about?"

    With sauce smeared on the corner of her mouth, the Demon Lord spoke, pointing to KiJun''s mouth and then handing him a tissue.

    "Our ingredients are running low. I''ve looked around this area thoroughly, but apart from a few types of spices, herbs, and limited kinds of meat, there''s nothing else avable. I can sustain myself for a few months with the reserves in my inventory, but after that, it''s worrisome. Is there any solution?" KiJun exined.

    "There is," the Demon Lord replied.

    Despite considering it a significant issue, the response came out immediately. The Demon Lord wiped the sauce off his mouth elegantly and said, "Summon Fairies."

    "I don''t like that idea, seriously..."

    KiJun''s expression soured in real-time, and for some reason, Lucy''s expression also became fiercely wrinkled.

    "Fairies? There are trashy beings among humans who refer to small spirits as fairies, and I don''t like that expression!"

    "If you want, you can call them beautiful butterflies, Lucy."

    "Oh my..."

    Lucy happily responded to KiJun''s lip service, while the Demon Lord frowned as if he had seen something he couldn''t stand.

    "Don''t date spirits, hero."

    "Can¡¯t you see we¡¯re sparring?"

    In response to the hero''s retort, the Demon Lord relentlessly attacked him during the subsequent afternoon sparring session. Lucy, the light spirit, tried her best to protect him by bestowing a light shield or covering his shield with light. However, the more she struggled, the more the Demon Lord''s power intensified, striking KiJun relentlessly.

    Eventually, after just two hours, KiJun''s mana and stamina werepletely drained, and he copsed on the ground. Lucy, who had protected him, sobbed and shouted, "You evil demon! Someday, I''ll defeat you and rescue my contractor!"

    "Hahaha, give it a try if you can," the Demon Lord chuckled, thoroughly satisfied with his role as the final boss after a long time.

    "Alright, I''ve found the fastest fairy courier in the world¡ª"

    Just then, at that confusing moment, the fairy from the tutorial arrived.

    "Why... What is this situation? Did you decide to kill this bug? No, the spirit? Why is there a spirit in the tutorial? That means there''s a contractor... ugh, uh?!"

    "Oh, uh? Well, listen. This is training. Um, this spirit is..."

    "Things change so quickly," the fairy muttered, eyeing the menacing look in Lucy''s eyes.

    "Oh no, are you by any chance in love with my contractor?" Lucy asked, trying to tease her.

    "Hah."

    With a slightugh, the fairy quickly redirected her sharp gaze back to its original position.

    "Just rx. I wasn''t talking about you. Your contractor does have some charm... No, never mind. Anyway, don''t forget our promise," the fairy said, desperately averting her eyes.

    "Yeah, of course," KiJun replied.

    The fairy, irritated, nced sharply at him before leaving. KiJun decided that once he got up, he would lie down again immediately. Certainly, he had made up his mind.

    * * *

    On the third evening of the second chapter, the party was in a forest clearing about 20 kilometers north from the starting point of the tutorial mission.

    Eating a porridge made by tearing jerky and bread into it, YeMin frowned andined, "It''s tasteless... KiJun oppa used the same ingredients and made it much tastier..."

    Sitting next to her and slowly savoring the porridge in her bowl, JiHye sighed and said, "If only we were in the training camp, we could have had decent meals for at least four weeks. But no, we had to rush out without even training our basic stats properly."

    "Are you stupid? Right now, even KiJun oppa must be feeling lonely. We need to join him as soon as possible!" YeMin retorted.

    "Don¡¯t call me stupid. Also, how can you be so sure that he''s feeling lonely?"

    "Just rx. I admit that KiJun oppa has a good personality, but he''s not handsome. You don''t have to worry about him being popr with girls."

    "Hah."

    Slightly tilting her head, JiHye responded, "Stop it. I find it terrifying when you re at me like that."

    "Just trust me. Oppa doesn''t have that kind of charm... I think."

    Satisfied with her unnecessary worries, YeMin turned her gaze back to her porridge. JiHye, who was with her through thick and thin, thought about her pastrades and felt a pang of nostalgia. She realized that she too had camaraderie, albeit in her own way, and sighed, amused by the unexpected sentimentality.

    "Just rx. I can guarantee you. Oppa''s true charm is... Well, you''ll realize it if you stay with him a bit longer. No?" JiHye said.

    "That''s right. Let''s just finish eating and go. The two of us together should be able to tackle the ruins. If only there were gods, it would have been nice," YeMin replied.

    The two quickly cleaned up their spot and started their nighttime march.

    Among the heroes facing the 2nd tutorial, they moved faster and more daringly than anyone else.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (9)

    In no time, the fairy from the tutorial piled up all the materials KiJun had requested on one side of the vacant lot.

    If it was just the two of them, they could easily endure for at least ten years.

    "Wow, Contractor! This is my favorite brown sugar...! Did you order it for me? Thank you!"

    No, there were three of them.

    KiJun smiled warmly as he watched Lucy, who was hugging a piece of unrefined brown sugar in her arms and starting to eat it.

    "Of course. But don''t eat too much; it''s not good for your body."

    "Okay! Nom nom..."

    The adorable Lucy was fooled by KiJun.

    The unrefined brown sugar was, of course, requested for cooking and baking.

    Certainly, KiJun could have given it to Lucy as much as she liked if she enjoyed it.

    However, as he cut a small piece of unrefined brown sugar to check its quality, KiJun realized one obvious fact.

    "It''s incredibly delicious, but... it''s quite different from the brown sugar I used to eat on Earth."

    "Of course, it is. It''s from Kata Ind, Leta''s famous sugarcane production site, where ves are rigorously managed during production!"

    ves...?

    The words that were hard to swallow, casually uttered by the fairy, made KiJun''s expression grimace.

    Seeing his bitter expression, the fairy, who urately discerned his resentful feelings, chuckled and spoke.

    "They grind the magical power of ves and produce it strictly, so the quality is at least umon or higher! Ignorant people like you have never tasted it before. And do you know? Among the ves working on Kata Ind, there are heros like you!"

    "Nabang, I''ll deduct the points from my score, so go back now."

    The Demon Lord said to the fairy, emitting a cold voice.

    Upon hearing that, the fairy looked genuinely puzzled and turned to her with an inquisitive expression.

    "Hero-nim, you surely don''t have any affection for that bug, do you? I thought it was strange when you ordered such arge quantity and consumed your precious points. This is just..."

    "Nabang."

    "I was just speaking for the hero... Anyway, I understand."

    The fairy, who felt unfairly used, nced at KiJun and then shrugged her shoulders while munching on unrefined brown sugar.

    "If you''re truly capable enough to soothe a rampaging spirit with your power and re-contract, well, it''s not a bad idea to do it like this... Anyway, understood."

    Even after looking at everything that happened between Lucy and KiJun, Nabang still seemed to doubt the truth of the matter.

    She didn''t like it when someone she looked down upon showed talent.

    However, she couldn''t take away the spirit that KiJun had contracted, and she simply turned away, ignoring him.

    "I have something else to tell you. The hero management system acknowledged the system''s responsibility for this trade, so only 50% of the hero''s points will be deducted for this trade."

    "Yeah, I appreciate that. Please take care of me in the future."

    "Really... This is a clear loss, a waste of resources. Earth heroes should quickly clear the tutorial."

    The fairy grumbled until the end and disappeared.

    KiJun confirmed the fairy''s disappearance and turned his head to the Demon Lord.

    "Ma''am, earlier, the ''Leta'' that Nabang mentioned, is it by any chance..."

    "That''s right. ''The Main Stage,'' the world you''ll head to after clearing the tutorial. It''s the world where you''llpete with other civilizations for survival."

    "...And you too?"

    "My war is already over."

    The Demon Lord, who said that in a slightly chilly tone, blinked in surprise the next moment, then looked flustered and waved both her hands in the air.

    "I''m not talking about anything serious. Got it? Even that fairy bows down to me often. As you can see, I''m doing quite well. No need to worry at all."

    "Heh, a senior is worrying about a junior. Please keep taking care of me."

    Having read KiJun''s thoughts, the Demon Lordughed scornfully and changed the subject.

    I guess she doesn''t want to talk about this topic anymore.

    KiJun couldn''t help but be curious about the word ''ve'' that Nabang had mentioned earlier.

    He had to swallow his curiosity and suppress his desire to ask more questions.

    "Once everything is stored in the inventory, we''ll start the training immediately. We don''t know when the heroes will finish the tutorial, so we need to hurry."

    "Yeah, we should. ...I wonder how long it will take."

    After the heroes were annihted, the second round began, and KiJun, who was left alone, had been training with the Demon Lord for a week.

    Especially today, when they were raising the rank of abilities, and Nabang visited, the density of time was particrly high.

    He couldn''t believe it himself, but it had only been a week.

    It wasn''t a bad time.

    Training itself was extremely difficult and painful, but at least he no longer felt anxious about when he might die.

    He enjoyed watching himself grow rapidly.

    "Perhaps it''ll be much faster in the second round than the first round, right? Five years... No, that''s too much. I overestimated it. Since we need time for training, let''s say ten years."

    "...Ten years, huh."

    There were times when he thought it would be good if he could continue like this.

    To keep growing without forgetting the people he missed.

    Thinking about the remaining time, he sighed and looked up at the Demon Lord.

    As if understanding his heartpletely, the Demon Lord smiled faintly. Suddenly, KiJun became uneasy and asked, "But ten years seem too uncertain. What if something goes wrong and I end up trapped here for a thousand years or something?"

    "What nonsense are you talking about? Being alone with you for a thousand years? That''s a horrifying thought," the Demon Lord scoffed.

    "It''s not just the two of us! I''m here too. I''ll keep my eyes wide open and watch!" Lucy protested, making noise while munching on brown sugar.

    The Demon Lord couldn''t help but feel powerless in this situation. If only he had some influence, he would have given Lucy a taste of her own medicine.

    "Let''s have a duel. Instead of spirits, I''ll use you," the Demon Lord suggested.

    "Lucy is better at provoking than I am," KiJun responded.

    And that night,

    ¨D "A flower that many people love looks even more beautiful on its own. Charisma has increased by 2, now at 62."

    It was truly an inexplicable situation, but his Charisma was rapidly increasing.

    * * *

    With the addition of Lucy as a new roommate in the space upied only by KiJun and the Demon Lord, the atmosphere became much livelier. Although KiJun''s daily routine didn''t change significantly, the addition of the cute spirit who protected him with fierce determination during their fierce battles against the Demon Lord made the atmosphere noticeably softer.

    Her proactive attitude positively affected KiJun''s growth in both his aura and Light Spirit Magic skills, which had recently bloomed.

    Perhaps due to the low stats and skill levels, even though he wasn''t solely focused on Light Spirit Magic, his level increased gradually, at least once every two days, if not every day. Considering both were of rare grade, it was truly remarkable progress.

    [KiJun]

    [Title ¨C The Last Hero (Legendary)]

    [Human Lv96]

    [Strength ¨C 96]

    [Dexterity (Umon) ¨C 29]

    [Endurance (Umon) ¨C 38]

    [Mana Power ¨C 87]

    [Charisma ¨C 88]

    [Spirit Power (Rare) ¨C 31]

    <strong></strong>

    [Skills/Spells]

    [Common]

    [Cooking Lv99, Butchery Lv85]

    [Umon]

    [Shield Mastery Lv42, Dual Wielding Lv90, Strong Provocation Lv99, Boomerang Throw Lv87]

    [Rare]

    [Metalization Lv99, Indomitable Will Lv91, Light Spirit Magic Lv35]

    [Unique]

    [Rapid Regeneration Lv8]

    [Legendary]

    [Unbreakable Internal Clock Lv¨D¨D]

    <strong></strong>

    Around a month had passed since the time Lucy joined and KiJun had be proficient in utilizing her power. Although it was only enhancing his defense with light-infused weapons or creating shields out of light to block attacks, this alone significantly improved his tanking abilities, probably increasing them by more than 50%.

    "Once skills and stats exceed level 50, there''s a slowdown in growth after each milestone¡ª75, then again after 90. Considering that, at this level, even with that taken into ount..."

    After the morning duel, the Demon Lord examined KiJun''s stats and made a positive judgment about his Light Spirit Magic.

    "Having both unique skills is not a problem. Bing legendary isn''t just about effort; it needs practical experience, which is child¡¯s y."

    "Where in the world can you find child''s y that feels like being stabbed in the stomach and having your heart explode...?"

    "Ugh, what do we do about our contractor...?"

    With his abdomen tearing apart and arms breaking every day, Lucy shed tears daily, worrying about him. Although it was painful for Lucy, it somewhatforted KiJun during his arduous training.

    ¨D If I can regain my strength a bit more, I can instantly eliminate the pain and remove the aftereffects. Then I can perform the treatment. Just endure until then, contractor...!

    "Oh, Light Healing magic? You were quite persistent, little spirit. If that skill appears, KiJun can push himself even further, right? He can aim for legendary, can''t he?"

    ¨D You demon!

    Due to the rising effect of the spirit protecting him and the Demon Lord defeating him, he was steadily growing. It would be nice if Lucy could ept the fact that the Demon Lord didn''t hate him and stop provoking Lucy all the time. Their rtionship had been tense since the beginning due to her unfavorable first impression, but it remained somewhat antagonistic.

    "But right now, I¡¯m more concerned about Metalization than Light Spirit Magic."

    "Why didn''t you mention that earlier, ma¡¯am?"

    Currently, KiJun had three skills blocked at level 99.

    One was themon-grade skill Cooking, another was the umon-grade skill Strong Provocation, and thest one was the rare-grade skill Metalization.

    "This is something I know how to do. There are many simr abilities out there."

    "But doesn''t that mean you have to use the skill and get hit brutally again?"

    "Hero, are you really that ignorant?"

    The betrayed hero stared nkly at the Demon Lord.

    Where did the Demon Lord, who used to practice by hitting regardless of the skill, go?

    Avoiding his gaze, which implied the question, the Demon Lord exined the growth method of Metalization.

    "I know more specialized methods are needed to increase the grade, rather than just simple training."

    "Please, go on, ma¡¯am."

    "Metalization is a skill that transforms the body to gain attack power or defense. There are countless variations like Waterization, Dragonization, Petrification, Elementalization, Brainification, and others... the list goes on."

    "I see."

    Listening, it seemed more usible than he thought. After all, the Demon Lord had survived in this world for much longer, so she must have seen many skills. Moreover, just hearing the names of the skills she mentioned, they all seemed iparably powerfulpared to Metalization, except for Petrification. Wasn''t that just a debuff?

    "No, I consider your Metalization to be top tier. It has room for improvement... and it''s rtively safe."

    "Safe?"

    "Well, then, let me exin how to level up transformation skills for you."

    The Demon Lord extended her left arm into the air as if to cut off his question.

    For a very brief moment, only her left hand turned into something ck and sticky and then returned to a human hand.

    Could it be that the Demon Lord also had transformation-type skills?

    Wait, the word "danger" means...

    However, that thought was cleanly swept away when he heard her next words.

    "To level up transformation skills, you need to focus on partial transformations. It involves guiding the flow of mana that urs when the skill is activated, inducing dramatic changes in specific parts. If you make a certain part stronger, wouldn''t it be easier for the skill itself to ovee its limits?"

    "I see."

    His head nodded instinctively at the term ''Partial Transformation.''

    He had thought of something simr once before, back when he first acquired Metalization. He pondered whether, if he didn''t have enough mana to control it, he could selectively transform only the necessary parts when needed. But he couldn''t find the answer on his own.

    As he was struggling with it alone, he asked for advice from the mage, the most skilled member in the party when it came to mana maniption. But the most irritating response he got was, ''Control the skill? Just move the mana like this and do that. Why can''t you do it, Oppa? Just do it like this.''

    In the end, he gave up on partial transformations and settled for a method where he transformed only his shield and activated Metalization on his body only at the moment of impact, once his mana had increased a bit...

    "What a shame."

    When he told her that story, the Demon Lord made an obviously disappointed expression and lowered her head.

    Seeing the standard grimacing in pain unexpectedly and staggering from an unexpectedplication, the Demon Lordughed and offered him a solution.

    "Well, it''s good that we covered the basics of mana maniption. Even if you''re a tank or a spirit user, if you can''t handle mana properly, you won''t be able to survive in the Main Stage... especially in Leta."

    "So, in the future, I''ll be practicing mana maniption?"

    "Of course, but we also need to continue training inbat. Combat, mana maniption, spirit magic. Let''s divide the day into thirds for these."

    However, there was a trap in the Demon Lord''s words. Since mana maniption training and spirit magic training were eventually integrated intobat, the time spent suffering did not decrease.

    As he constantly pondered and made efforts based on the senior Demon Lord''s words, his lowest stat, mana, began to grow rapidly.

    Unlike when he increased the level of his Persistent (now Rapid) Regeneration skill, it took a considerable amount of time to raise his mana control to the level where he could control Metalization''s partial transformation.

    "No, it''s going up."

    But thanks to the advice of the senior Demon Lord, his mana, which was his lowest stat, started to grow rapidly.

    Eventually, he seeded in partial control of Metalization and evolved the skill into a Unique-grade ''Steelization'' around the same time his mana evolved to Umon-grade, two months after he started practicing mana maniption.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (10)

    Today, as usual, KiJun woke up sharp at 6 am, as precise as a sword. ncing at the system message that appeared in the corner of his field of vision, he noticed his Charisma, which had grown to umon grade overnight, had increased from 1 to 23.

    The mana he had barely managed to raise to umon grade through training in Steelization yesterday while breaking the main gate of the Demon Lord''s castle with his shield. Reflecting on the strength he hadboriously elevated to umon grade by breaking the Demon Lord''s castle gate moments earlier, it felt strangely smooth and effortless.

    Moreover, even when his Charisma reached 99, he didn''t have to perform missions like manipting the Demon Lord to break through limits. He simply slept and woke up to find it had grown to umon grade.

    Other heroes, who were afraid to verify their own stats through the status window, didn''t even realize how envious they would be if they heard about KiJun.

    ''Am I really receiving one-on-one training against the Demon Lord, a formidable opponent unreachable at my current level, and simultaneously developing interpersonal abilities symbolized by the Charisma stat, all because of my contract with the spirit?¡¯

    In the deste tutorial closed area without anyone around for the past three months, the theory he had developed about Charisma growth roughly felt like this.

    ording to what the Demon Lord had said, the most important stat for those proficient in Spirit Magic was Spirit Power, followed by Charisma and Mana. So, his theory wasn''t entirely baseless.

    "Hmm."

    KiJun absentmindedly stared at his reflection in the river, trying to discern any changes. However, seeing his own face every day made it hard to notice subtle differences. At most, he felt like his impression had brightened slightly.

    Well, considering he had been stuck with the same twenty-three-year-old face for the past fifteen years since he arrived in this world and his body didn''t age due to the regression, even a slight change in his appearance was something to be excited about.

    Thinking that his face was undergoing even the slightest change ignited a strange emotion within him.

    ¡ªContractor, are you okay?

    Trying to focus and suppress the overwhelming emotion while washing his face, KiJun closed his eyes. At that moment, Lucy, who had been sleeping in his outer coat pocket, woke up and gazed at him.

    "I''m fine. Just happy."

    ¡ªAh, it seems the quality of your mana has improved! I''m happy too. It seems that the stronger your mana, the stronger the power I can produce!

    "Yeah, that''s right. I''m counting on you from now on."

    ¡ªAhaha, it tickles!

    KiJun decided not to correct Lucy''s misconception, allowing her to continue her delusion. It didn''t seem appropriate to voice his true feelings out loud.

    He merely poked her with his finger, indulging her yful imagination, and then stood up to continue his morning run. Morning runs were an essential routine; he couldn''t afford to skip them.

    ''Hmm?''

    However, as he circled around the Demon Lord''s castle and stepped further into the territory behind it, KiJun felt a strange sensation stimting his senses. Was it because he was near the Demon Lord''s castle? The Demon Lord hadn''t mentioned anything like that, but KiJun kept a distance, wary of potential traps guarding the castle.

    For a moment, a crazy idea crossed his mind: "Wouldn''t experiencing traps firsthand be helpful for training?" But he shook his head and dismissed the thought. It seemed his brain had been tainted by the Demon Lord''s influence.

    ¡ªAh, the Contractor also feels it. Something is stimting my inspiration.

    But suddenly, Lucy was saying something strange.

    Without stopping his running, KiJun turned around and looked at her. "Have you felt this all along?"

    ¡ªNo, I just felt it earlier.

    "...Why didn''t you say anything?"

    ¡ªIf I pretended to know something you didn''t, it wouldn''t be good, right? And if there''s something hidden, I thought you would be happier finding it yourself than having me tell you. Can I do that?

    KiJun gently caressed her chin with his index finger, appreciating the thoughtful spirit.

    "Thank you for letting me grow, Lucy."

    ¡ªOf course, we''re going to be here for a while¡­

    "Yeah. But if there''s an opportunity or danger that I might miss, please let me know immediately. Can you do that for me?"

    ¡ªNaturally. I exist for the Contractor.

    KiJun''s Spirit Power stat had risen to 50 yesterday evening after training, a significant increase from the Rare grade''s base of 1.

    This could either be a trigger for him to detect something he hadn''t felt before or, more likely, achieving a certain condition after all his stats, including Charisma, reached umon grade.

    ¡ªSo, what should we do? Shall we approach it?

    "No."

    Checking the time, KiJun said, "It''s almost morning, so I need to wash up and eat breakfast first."

    ¡ªRight, the Contractor left leftover curry fromst night for breakfast, so we need to wake up and eat it!

    "Exactly. Let''s go."

    KiJun decided not to correct Lucy''s misconception and focused on boiling udon noodles.

    Boiling udon was much faster than cooking rice, especially when he wanted to eat before the Demon Lord finished the curry.

    "Can I eat this with noodles as well?"

    "Try it, and you''ll find out."

    ¡ªContractor, you''re a genius!

    Immersed in his cooking, he dished out the curry udon, garnishing it with chopped green onions.

    When he offered it to the Demon Lord and Lucy, both of them shed tears of gratitude and devoured the meal.

    KiJun had his fair share, feeling a sense of aplishment even though his Cooking skill remained at level 99, stuck atmon grade.

    * * *

    "I want to eat curry made by KiJun hyung¡­ I yelled so loudly that time that even foreign yers begged for some when he made a huge pot for the raid."

    The second round had started, and it had been a week since he had revived and everything had begun anew. Realizing this, EunShin muttered to himself, hugging his growling stomach.

    After contemting whether he could find something edible in his vicinity, his eyes fell on a rabbit standing still in front of him, as if it had recognized him.

    "Aren''t you supposed to be hiding?"

    "Kyu¨D¨D."

    Even though he made a sound, the rabbit just stared back, showing no signs of fleeing.

    EunShin, contemting whether to catch and roast it, instead pushed it away with his foot, eliciting a surprised "Kyu?!" from the creature.

    Seeing the fleeing rabbit, EunShin felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu and remembered the faces of the people who recognized him without him saying a word. Just as he recalled those moments, a system message appeared in front of him.

    ¡ªPerfectly deceiving even the most sensitive forest animals. Rare-grade skill [Stealth] has leveled up and be level 18.

    ¡ªYou have leveled up to 27.

    Chuckling emptily at his naturally acquired skill that he hadn''t even trained yet, EunShinughed softly. He had been running through the forest for the past week, and somehow, his natural rare-grade skill and overall level were growing rapidly.

    Considering his stats were still at level 1, it was quite surprising.

    Thinking that when his stats were low, training might be effective, EunShin focused on honing his skills.

    ''Even though I''m pissed off that I have to go through that shit again, still, if I think I can get stronger, I feel a bit better.''

    During the first round, if he had focused on his aptitude from the beginning, could he have upgraded his [Stealth] skill to legendary grade?

    Instead of dying senselessly at the hands of the Demon Lord, could he have stabbed a sharp dagger into the Demon Lord''s heart and saved hisrades?

    Now, in this moment where everyone has failed and returned to the past, it was all meaningless spection.

    EunShin epted the second chance given to him as his responsibility.

    This time, he couldn''t die so meaninglessly.

    YeMin noona''s shining talent, KiJun hyung''s sacrifice and effort, Uncle Soo''s pain and patience...

    ...He couldn''t make JiHye''s tears meaningless.

    ''Even if I have to do that.''

    For JiHye, the mage of the party he was with during the first round, he had to obtain a Unique-grade Mana Circuit.

    What he thought about taking action for her was not because he had feelings for her... no, it wasn''t that...

    It was just that the mana circuit was located near the tutorial area where they were.

    Even during the first round, that ruin, which attracted a lot of attention andpetition, was unfortunately missed due to the slightly dyed timing when their party obtained the information.

    This time it would be different.

    He was certain that there would be few people who could reach the ruin as quickly as he could at this time.

    Above all, now that everyone had returned to their original state, the level of the warriors was too low to challenge the ruin directly.

    But for him, who possessed a skill level of [Stealth] that was ''impossible'' for beginners to have, passing through the ruin was not a difficult task.

    "I remember it was somewhere around here... Ah!"

    EunShin, who was running out of breath, discovered a group of people confronting each other a little distance away. There were more than ten people holding weapons, surrounding two women.

    There was no need to ask who the surrounded ones were.

    They were YeMin and JiHye, members of the party he belonged to during the first round.

    "So what''s your n? You can''t conquer the ruin anyway. I don''t understand why you came here."

    The moment he heard the voices of the group, EunShin suppressed the urge to shout.

    Even if JiHye didn''t have much magic power yet, YeMin wouldn''t easily lose to anyone in a fight against several people.

    "Do you not understand what I''m saying, YeMin? I''m saying let''s form a party now."

    "Us? With you? Why?"

    No need to be impatient.

    "I''ll keeping after you until the end, you get that? Do you think you''re the only one who wants the Unique-grade skill? Huh?"

    "There¡¯s no use talking about this."

    What he needed to do now was just approach quietly.

    "Ugh, you think you''re the strongest just because you did well in the first round? You tried toe out easily since we met, didn''t you...!"

    "Hey, let''s just kill her. She wants the Unique-grade skill all for himself, huh?!"

    Quietly, quietly, he approached them from behind.

    "You filthy pieces of shit."

    "Filthy? Know your ce. You get bullied if you''re weak!"

    "Tch, you''re all talk and no action."

    "This is all... the result of learning. If I had a second chance, I would have done something different. I would really enjoy it if I tie a rope around their necks and drag them around..."

    *Stab.*

    He stabbed the throat of the man who was shouting the loudest with his dagger and pulled it out.

    His [Stealth] skill was revealed by attacking the enemy, and it would be released when he killed the enemy.

    But the higher the skill level, and if the enemy couldn''t find his presence, the time to enter stealth mode again became shorter.

    These bastards became frightened and crouched down, missing the moment of the assassin''s attack, and so failed to detect EunShin''s presence again.

    Without hesitation, he killed the second target, stabbing his neck.

    "These faces didn''t appear in the final battle, so they must be small fry."

    In the moment his anticipation wavered, the battle was already decided.

    In that gap, JiHye gathered her mana and created a weak earthquake, disrupting the bnce of the men. YeMin swiftly struck several blows, making their legs copse.

    "Pl-please spare us. We didn¡¯t mean any of it...!"

    "Just keep your mouth shut."

    "Run away... ugh!"

    EunShin killed the remaining men head-on.

    "I''ll kill them, noona, you two just watch."

    "Fine. Thank you, EunShin."

    "What, are you going to say something now?"

    "Shut up, YeMin."

    Unable to say what he wanted to, EunShin stammered, looking at JiHye.

    Meanwhile, YeMin, who was watching the two, spoke with a knowing look.

    "Your ideal type, perhaps?"

    "No, it''s not that."

    "Oops, did I hit a sore spot?"

    "YeMin keeps saying weird things. Don''t pay attention to her, EunShin."

    EunShin couldn''t say anything and just mumbled, flustered, while JiHye pulled his hand and led him away.

    "As there are three of us now, we should be able to clear the ruin quickly. Ah, right, did you eat yet?"

    "Just... jerky is enough. I got used to KiJun''s cooking, so I can''t eat anything else."

    "YeMin said the same thing. After clearing here, we''re going to meet oppa right away."

    Meeting with KiJun was also something EunShin was looking forward to.

    That meant only Uncle Soo was left.

    Seeing the knowing look of JiHye, EunShin sighed deeply as he watched the two people teasing him.

    His heart wasplicated, but for now, he decided to focus on the ruin in front of him.

    No matter what ruin it was, he could die if he let his guard down.

    KiJun said that much, and he understood it now.

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 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (11)

    ¡ªLegendary Achievement Unlocked! You have discovered the secret dungeon who nobody knew about for countless years! With a total of 1,874 unsessful discovery attempts from the past, the grade of the title given as a reward has been elevated from rare to legendary!

    ¡ªObtained the legendary title ''Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon''! Due to the title''s effect, all stats and skill effects are increased by 10% in all environments such as dungeons and ruins. If the Hidden Dungeon ispletely conquered, all effects of the title will be activated!

    ¡ªYou have gained experience points from the achievement. Reached level 97! You have leveled up. Endurance (Uc) increased by 1, Spirit Power (R) increased by 1.

    TL/N: Going to switch to acronyms from now on for rarity in System Messages.

    "What is this?"

    Staring at the stone steps extending into the underground, KiJun muttered in astonishment.

    After finishing breakfast, he, the Demon Lord, and Lucy had gone behind the Demon Lord''s castle to the ce that had stimted his inspiration, just for a brief exploration¡ª

    Suddenly, the earth copsed, revealing stone steps leading downwards, and at the same time, KiJun''s vision was filled with aplicated message.

    "1,874 times in the past? Wasn''t there a rumor that this dungeon existed in every tutorial channel?"

    The Demon Lord, who received an exnation of the message''s contents from KiJun, eximed while tapping her forehead.

    "That''s why they gave a legendary-grade title... But considering that, the effects of the title are a bitcking."

    "What are you talking about? A 10% increase in all abilities is incredibly powerful."

    KiJun, now at the umon-grade except for his mana, was simply impressed by the powerful effect of the title he was experiencing for the first time. However, the Demon Lord shook her head, unimpressed.

    "It''s weak for a legendary grade. If it were a title that raised each stat by at least 20, it would have been better."

    "Wouldn''t that be excessively strong...?"

    "Do you think those with legendary titles are weak?"

    True, he hadn''t thought about that.

    He had forgotten about his racial grade because, aside from gaining levels after achieving the rare grade just now, there was no way to gain experience points.

    But now that he had reached level 97 and they had arrived at the dungeons where monsters were expected...

    Wasn''t it time to expect an umon-grade racial advancement?

    "If the racial grade rises, there will be positive adjustments to the stat growth rate, skills, and, most importantly, the probability of obtaining a better ss. It can be considered the most solid foundation that supports your existence."

    "In that case, Senior, is your racial grade perhaps...?"

    "Legendary."

    "I shouldn''t have asked."

    He felt bad for the poor second-time Earthlings who didn''t know anything, of course, himself included.

    Seeing KiJun weakly smiling, the Demon Lord added with a sneer.

    "I wasn''t the strongest, but..."

    "Huh? Oh, so you mean there''s a rank above legendary¡ª"

    "Let''s go inside."

    "Yes!"

    KiJun followed the Demon Lord down the stairs, his heart pounding in fear.

    "What if you go out unprotected without knowing what mighte out? You''re not a tank, you know."

    "So, are you counting on yourself to protect me? Amoner guarding a legend?"

    He retorted to the Demon Lord, who had suddenly thrown that out, without backing down.

    "You''re still the one who should be at the back in dungeons. Don''t try to change your role so casually; get behind me."

    "...Ha, really."

    Now that she thought about it, she had never seen this side of him before.

    Looking at his impressive figure, which she couldn''t feel at all during their everyday life, the Demon Lord remembered the time they had fought together and burst intoughter.

    Seeing the sight of him desperately shielding the weakenedrades with a body covered in blood, ''If this guy had been in my party back then...''

    She never talked about that.

    "It''s cool."

    It was a secret she would take to her grave.

    "Then we''re in the same party inside the dungeon."

    "Huh? Ah, yes."

    Surprised by the Demon Lord''s words, KiJun nodded hastily and added after some hesitation.

    "But still, please refrain from fighting seriously. My training won''t be possible then."

    "Fine. I''ll only help you when I really think you''re going to die."

    "Then it''s no different from usual."

    "Well, then they''re probably much better than the awful demons!"

    Lucy chimed in, adding to her words the light that glowed on the shield, except for the parts held by her two hands.

    Even though it was getting darker as they descended the stairs, there was no need for a torch because KiJun¡¯s shield, which emitted a faint light, illuminated the surroundings.

    "Thanks, Lucy. Want some brown sugar?"

    ¡ªI always side with the contractor! Munch...

    She chomped away, pretending not to hear anything.

    With the three of them walking for a while, a sound¡ªkwung¡ªcould be heard, and a ceiling blocked their way.

    Except for the shield in his hands and Lucy in his pocket, he realized that he was standing on the ground rather than the stairs.

    And an enemy was arriving.

    ''He''sing.''

    Instinctively, KiJun raised his left shield.

    Kwang¡ª! A shock more terrifying than he had imagined, a dull and heavy impact, followed by sparks, erupted as the shield collided with something.

    The faint light emitted by the shield illuminated the enemy in front of him.

    "Ack¡ª!"

    Resembling a human with indigo skin on his forehead.

    He looked muchrger than KiJun, standing at 2 and a half meters. His muscr body was covered with ck chitinous armor, providing effective protection for parts such as the chest, shoulders, fists, elbows, and knees.

    Each part was effective for both attacking and defending.

    Having confirmed the enemy''s appearance, the Demon Lord groaned softly.

    "Lesser Demon ckguard... Rare race of the dark attribute, rare ss."

    "Kick¡ª!"

    Immediately afterward, the enemy''s fist flew towards him again.

    Thanks to his perfect timing and the perfect angle, KiJun managed to narrowly evade the attack, but he still felt the impact spreading throughout his body and winced.

    Even though it was just a regr attack, he had thought he had dodged it perfectly, but to receive this much...?

    "M-Ma''am, could these guys be...?"

    "I don''t think they''re weakened."

    That''s why they were so strong.

    ording to the Demon Lord, all the monsters that appeared in the tutorial¡ªstarting from the wolves that had to be captured forcibly following the fairy''s quest and moving on¡ªwere in a weakened statepared to this main stage.

    Otherwise, there was no way the Earthlings, all of whom weremon-grade and without sses, could have defeated enemies like High Orc Corps Commanders.

    However, the current enemy in front of them was a monster from the hidden dungeon behind the Demon Lord''s castle, a ce that could be considered the end of the tutorial.

    Bam! Roar!

    "Luckily, its level seems to be on the lower side... Can we handle it?"

    "Don''t even ask. Of course, we have to...!"

    If he turned tail and ran away just because he encountered an opponent of a higher rank, he would feel guilty towards the Demon Lord and Lucy, both of whom had dedicated more than three months to help him improve.

    "It''s okay, Contractor. It''s undoubtedly a tremendously strong opponent, but... Light will never be swallowed by darkness."

    Lucy whispered as she infused her power into his body and shield. Her words were not just rhetoric; her attribute was light itself, and alongside the Light Spirit, she enveloped his body and weapons with theirbined light.

    The rampaging demon before them, unable to easily execute its attacks, was the result of their synergy.

    "Good."

    Crash!

    Once again, after blocking the enemy''s attack, he swiftly struck the shield into the demon''s face.

    Due to the overwhelming difference in stats between them, his full-power attack was merely a slight blow to the demon. However, even that was enough to thoroughly infuriate the demon.

    "Go, hero! Let''s perfect Dual Wielding in realbat!"

    "I hoped for a more encouraging cheer if you don''t mind... Ready!"

    He applied Steelization to the right shield, increasing its defense, and skillfully deflected the demon''s knee, exposed in its surprise attack.

    Then, with the left shield, he hit the demon''s jaw to loosen its guard, followed by a strike to the demon''s chest using the right shield!

    The light embedded in the shields burst out strongly, pushing the demon backward.

    The demon, along with its terrifying scream, witnessed the armor protecting its chest melting slightly.

    "Oh?"

    ¨DThe Contractor can now infuse light into his attacks! We can definitely win now!

    "Hehe, thanks to my practice with magic power control, I''ve learned to actively use aura too! It''s all thanks to me."

    "Kyaahhh!"

    Whether the demon realized it was being mocked or not, it charged at them with a fierce scream.

    Bending his knees and nting his feet firmly on the ground, he managed to block the demon''s assault with his two shields set at an angle.

    At the moment of collision, light burst out, pushing the demon back. However, a terrible shock also struck him.

    "Hero, are you foolish? Why did you block it head-on?"

    "Cough, that''s what a tank does. Didn''t I tell you?"

    Moreover, it wasn''t particrly painfulpared to when his abdomen was pierced by the Demon Lord''s attack.

    The rapid regeneration of his Unique-grade Rapid Regeneration skill quickly restored his body to its original state whenever it was damaged, and the Indomitable Will skill allowed him to endure without getting tired, allowing him to quickly recover from the shock and continue attacking the enemy.

    "It tickles, you brat."

    "Kyaah, take that!"

    He didn''t forget to taunt the demon further, in case its attention shifted toward the Demon Lord behind him.

    If the demon tried to attack the Demon Lord directly, her single blow would likely end the battle. However, he hadn''t started his training to be carried by the Demon Lord.

    It was a real battle to grow as a warrior and a tank.

    With the mindset that everything would end if he got pierced, he once again blocked the demon, attacking as he did.

    "See how terrifying the Shield can be!"

    Bam!

    The shield, infused with light, struck the demon''s face again.

    It was a far more powerful blow than before, and even a small opening led to a series of relentless attacks.

    The free transition between offensive and defensive moves with his two shields was gradually bing familiar to him through the intense real battle, allowing him tond powerful strikes.

    After five hours had passed, he finally seeded in defeating the demon.

    ¨DYou defeated the enemy and gained experience points.

    ¨DMana Power (Uc) increased by 1. Shield Mastery (Uc) skill level increased by 1.

    ¨DRare Achievement Unlocked! Sessfully defeated an opponent two or more ranks higher in a one-on-one battle! Earned the title ''Transcender of Limits''! Due to the title effect, positive adjustments are applied when facing opponents of higher rank. It bes easier to surpass all kinds of limits.

    ¨DYou have earned experience due to the achievement.

    The sweet rewards for defeating a non-weakened Rare-grade species with a Rare-grade upation were satisfying.

    Not only did his mana power and shield mastery grow, but he also gained a title that was never granted regardless of the opponent he defeated during the tutorial.

    In response to his curiosity, the Demon Lord chuckled and replied, "Of course, weakened enemies aren''t hard to beat."

    "If you say so, ma¡¯am, I have nothing more to say."

    "Anyway, now that you''ve earned the title of Transcender of Limits, it should be much easier to rank up. Well done, hero."

    Seeing the Demon Lord talk as if she already knew the effect of the title, he wondered if she had calcted it all along.

    Suddenly, he became curious if she had this title too, but he decided to keep his mouth shut to avoid embarrassment or ridicule.

    No, however, it wasn''t as easy to keep his mouth shut as he thought.

    It was a symptom he easily experienced after fighting for several hours in a row.

    It was because of the Skill, ''No Rest for the Wicked.''

    "You were smiling too much that your mouth won''t move properly."

    "That Skill, No Rest for the Wicked, it''s really creepy. You know how eerie it is to see youughing while getting hit?"

    "What can I do? It''s a precious Rare Skill."

    "What level is that Skill?"

    "99."

    "I''m getting scared of evolving it..."

    Her concern was unnecessary.

    Around the time he killed several Lesser Demons using his ''Copernicus-like Shield Hunting Method,'' investing several hours per demon, the Skill had evolved into a Unique-grade skill that didn''t require him to sleep anymore.

    Its name was ''No Rest for the Wicked¡¯.

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 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (12)

    ¨DYou have leveled up to level 98 using the experience points gained from hunting powerful enemies! Strength (Uc), Endurance (Uc), Mana Power (R) have increased by 1.

    ¨DShield Mastery (Uc), Dual Wielding (Uc), Rapid Regeneration (U) skill levels have increased by 1.

    Overwhelming experience points that allowed me to level up with just five sessful hunts. Abination of Shield Mastery and Dual Wielding that could be advanced by providing practicalbat experience that could not be satisfied with just a showdown with the Demon Lord.

    Darkness attribute, perfect for improving Light Spirit Magic.

    The Lesser Demon was an excellent resource, but there was one problem.

    Actually, it was a fatal problem.

    ¨DWith excellent craftsmanship, you managed to butcher enemies who were far superior to you. The quality of the results did not deteriorate. Butchery skill level has increased by 2, reaching level 87.

    "These guys are superior¡­?"

    Looking down at the corpse of the Lesser Demon with an incredulous expression, I muttered.

    Since it was quite futile for warriors with inventories to butcher after every kill, I put all the bodies in my inventory. I had nned to butcher themter while resting to celebrate the growth of the Indomitable Will skill to the No Rest for the Wicked skill. However...

    Surprisingly, there was nothing worthwhile from them.

    As soon as their tough skin was peeled off, it lost its strength. Sharp ws and exoskeletons were the same.

    Even the horn on their heads, which I thought might be special, I couldn''t examine because I didn''t get to butcher it.

    As soon as the Lesser Demon died, its horn turned into dust and scattered.

    The Demon Lord shrugged her shoulders as if she expected this.

    "They''re an evolved species of demons. If you had learned dark magic, you might have been able to use their bodies reasonably."

    ¨DGet rid of them. Contractor, I don''t even want to see these filthy things.

    Lucy, who had always behaved so affectionately towards me since our contract, recoiled in disgust at the sight of me covered in demon blood. Maybe it was because she was inherently a Light Spirit, she felt repulsed by demonic by-products. Anyway, there was no point in doing this if Lucy reacted like this.

    "Okay, I get it. I''ll just butcher them. I want to raise my skill level anyway."

    ¨DIf that''s the case, I understand. I''m an understanding spirit after all.

    When Lucy stepped back, I was relieved.

    "Hmm... You should probably extract the heart carefully."

    ¨DUgh, you finally revealed your true intentions, demon!

    With a sudden suggestion from the Demon Lord, Lucy eximed, her eyes widening, but I carefully processed the heart of the Lesser Demon as she suggested. I put it in my inventory and washed my hands with water, then asked the Demon Lord.

    "Can you just tell me this kind of thing?"

    "That''s just because it''s a shame to throw it away. If your eyes for mana improve a little more, you''ll be able to pick up things like this on your own."

    Hearing that, I recalled my past memories.

    During the tutorial phase, when I was in a party, either I or the other warrior would usually butcher monsters. When a new monster had to be butchered, the mage, JiHye, would always insist, stuttering, that this part had to be preserved. It always seemed useless at first, but strangely, it became usefulter. Maybe it was because she had excellent eyes for mana?

    ...But there seemed to be another reason she hesitated.

    Waving my hand in remembrance of myrades, the task of butchering the five demons was quicklypleted.

    My Butchery skill also reached level 92.

    "Okay, five hearts for now. Let''s rest for a bit and then go back in."

    "Warrior, you may have noticed, but this is just the beginning of the entrance."

    "Hmm."

    What''s that? I turned around, and the Demon Lord spoke in a somewhat stern voice.

    "But the fact is, if you spend five hours hunting each, it''s... Honestly, it will be impossible to clear this dungeon. How about doing it moderately and leaving?"

    I could sense that she was exaggerating a bit to gauge my reaction, but it wasn''t a lie.

    Even if I observed from behind, the dungeon I thought was at the tutorial level was far beyond that level.

    It would be understandable if I felt overwhelmed and lost my confidence, right?

    It wouldn''t be a very pleasant experience.

    So, for now, it would be better to retreat and practice my skills and stats, ande back when I was more confident.

    "Four hours."

    "Hmm?"

    But I said something a little different from the Demon Lord''s thoughts.

    "Thest one took four hours."

    "Oh."

    The Demon Lord widened her eyes a bit.

    Since it felt long no matter what, I didn''t pay much attention to it, but to check the exact time it took to hunt a monster, I was noting it down.

    Even though my skills had grown, my fundamental abilities hadn''t changed much. To be honest, a 20% reduction in hunting time was definitely a significant achievement.

    "I''m getting used to it. I can hunt faster now. It''s not like when I fought you, but my stats are also growing."

    Still, in terms of fundamental abilities, I couldn''t keep up with the Demon Lord, so I should mix in fights with her properly.

    I smiled a little, trying to persuade her, taking into ount that she might get upset.

    "Anyway, trust me and watch."

    "Hero... If you say so."

    "Good, then I''ll rest for a bit. You can... wat...ch... over...me..."

    "Gah?!"

    ¨DContractor!

    THUD

    I copsed to the ground.

    The Demon Lord and Lucy both jumped in surprise and rushed towards me, but soon, they were reassured by the regr sound of my breathing.

    "It must be the side effect of the No Rest for the Wicked skill. He seems to have stayed up for a whole day as if it were nothing," the Demon Lord said with some concern.

    ¨DYes, our contractor always adheres strictly to the time.

    Lucy, who was worriedly examining her fallen contractor, exined.

    The Demon Lord set up a simple barrier around her and approached me, sitting down right in front of me.

    "This is also a side effect of the skill."

    ¨DHuh?

    "The Unbreakable Internal Clock. Didn''t you know?"

    ¨DAh.

    I, the hero, always woke up at 6 a.m. sharp, no matter what had happened.

    It was not so much a regr lifestyle habit as it was... more like some kind ofpulsion.

    The face of my contracted spirit, who was worriedly observing the fallen contractor, froze, but the uninspired Demon Lord couldn''t possibly recognize her expression.

    Rather than speaking to thin air, the Demon Lord, floating in the air, spoke towards a floating cluster of light.

    "You can''t just gain a unique skill out of nowhere. It''s an ordeal. A tremendously heavy ordeal... How pitiful."

    To ensure he could endure for a long time, the Demon Lord stretched out her legs and lifted KiJun''s head, cing it on her knees.

    Although Lucy grimaced and made sounds of disgust, she couldn''t use her physical strength while her contractor was sleeping, so she could only grumble helplessly.

    "It would have been nice if he could sleepfortably. Thanks to gaining this useless skill, he''ll have a harder time from now on."

    The Demon Lord gently stroked KiJun''s hair with her hand, muttering quietly.

    Does KiJun really not know?

    Compared to when they first met, his impression had changed remarkably.

    It didn''t feel like an unnatural change, but rather, all theponents of his face naturally fell into ce, maximizing his charm.

    Large, soft-looking pupils, slightly stubborn thick eyebrows, and thick lips that appeared determined.

    ¡®Yes... Now, I could confidently call him handsome without hesitation.¡¯

    ¡®Of course, that doesn''t mean I''ve fallen for him or anything.¡¯

    "Just in three months, he changed so much. The spirit contract must be truly remarkable. It seems there aren''t many handsome men and women among the summoners..."

    ¡®Although I miss his previous face a bit.¡¯

    While the Demon Lord chuckled, the cluster of light shimmered beside him.

    ¡ª Look at him, turning away like that. This is why demons...

    "Mm..."

    Feeling something approaching through the barrier, the Demon Lord raised her hand and gestured in the air.

    The disrupted Lesser Demon spun around and disappeared into the darkness. Lucy stuck out her tongue while watching it vanish.

    ¨C- Their magic resistance is seriously high.

    "My magic is seriously strong too."

    ¨C- Why didn''t you kill it? Because they''re kin?

    "Kin? What a joke. Don''t you know? Once a monster dies in a ce like this, it can''t be resurrected. We can''t afford to reduce the experience points given to the hero by letting me kill it."

    ¨C-...Fine, but still, your attitude is very unpleasant. I think about my contractor the most!

    "Sure."

    Although they had both mentally prepared for a showdown, Lucy seemed to be somewhat satisfied, but the Demon Lord smiled mysteriously and nodded her head.

    "In the future, take good care of him. After all, I''m the Demon Lord in the tutorial."

    ¨C- System...

    "Perhaps you were in a situation simr to me, but it seems that someone who confined you to the tutorial didn''t anticipate the possibility of you meeting a new contractor here."

    The Demon Lord grinned triumphantly, as if he had given someone a taste of their own medicine.

    "So, when you go to Leta, give it your all in my ce. Take care of your contractor... and..."

    - Sure, but you too.

    "No, don''t misunderstand. I don''t mean that I wanted to take care of my hero until the end. It''s just that I''ve invested so much time and effort in him that I would feel empty if he died carelessly. Do you understand what I mean?"

    ¨C- Yes, I understand it very well. You''re human, after all.

    "...Are you really going to fight me?"

    ¨C- Not right now. I''ll fight if you follow me to Leta.

    "Demons like these kinds of nights... I''m tempted."

    "This spirit is really a temptation..."

    KiJun woke up three hourster.

    Although the Demon Lord and Lucy didn''t notice, it was precisely 6 AM, even though it was very dark around them.

    - [Unbreakable Internal Clock] has ovee the penalty of the [No Rest for the Wicked] skill. The level of the [No Rest for the Wicked] skill has increased by 2, reaching level 3.

    - You, who were once an ordinary wildflower, have now be a beautiful flower that people want to look at continuously, bringing happiness and sadness to people. Your Charisma (Uc) has increased by 2, reaching 27.

    "Oh."

    When the penalty for [No Rest for the Wicked] attacked suddenly, he had thought that he was done for, but after checking the message, he realized that there was no need to worry.

    However, a bigger problem was that he was lying with his head on the Demon Lord''sp.

    What? How did I end up in this situation?

    He considered pretending not to know anything and enjoying this delightful sensation a bit more, but unable to endure the Demon Lord, who was staring down at him, he finally couldn''t help himself and asked.

    "What is this...?"

    "The love of a senior for her junior."

    "I''m so happy, tears are streaming down my face."

    Since it seemed like his eyes might be poked out if he stayed there, he quickly rolled away from the Demon Lord.

    The Demon Lord flicked her knee nonchntly and brushed off her ownp.

    "Let''s go now."

    "Wait a moment. Let''s wash up and eat breakfast."

    To stabilize the Demon Lord''s unpredictable behavior and replenish his energy, which he couldn''t do because of the No Rest for the Wicked skill, KiJun suggested.

    Fortunately, it was quite effective.

    "Did you do this even in your old party?"

    "I couldn''t afford to miss a meal, so I started cooking in my party. That''s how I started my cooking skill."

    "Who could have created such a hybrid..."

    However, the Demon Lord, who had continued to grumble, soon stopped and nkly stared as KiJun wiped out five pieces of kimchi pancakes he had made with oil smeared on his shield.

    This time, the skill level of Shield Mastery increased as well, but in order to protect the Demon Lord''s happiness, he decided to keep this a secret.

    Three dayster, KiJun reached level 99.

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (13)

    ¨DYou have reached level 99, the limit.

    Level 99.

    It''s the goal for every hero.

    To be perfect as a hero, to reach the pinnacle of this damn otherworld, to be able to confront the Demon Lord who reigns over this world.

    I was dragged into this world, deceived and suffered a lot, but the awareness of level 99 remained an ideal for all heroes.

    That was the case in the past.

    "I''ll try it now."

    I looked at the system message with a strange expression on my face.

    Now, this 99 is just amon grade level, andpared to other strong races, it''s not even close to the starting point, let alone the end.

    Still, now that I''ve achieved level 99, I feel this... tightening feeling in my chest. It reminds me of the time when I discussed what I wanted to do once I and my colleagues achieved level 99...

    Remembering YeMin, who achieved level 99 before me, I had indescribable thoughts.

    "Alright, let''s go out first."

    The Demon Lord, who confirmed my level had increased, spoke with a firm voice.

    I looked at her, bewildered.

    "No, don''t you have to defeat more monsters to raise your rank?"

    "If just killing monsters could raise your race rank, do you think those stupid orc kids who only think about fighting and food wouldn''t have been ruling over Leta?"

    Upon hearing her words, I had to agree.

    "I guess you had a n all along, ma¡¯am."

    "Yeah, I actually nned for you to reach level 99 even if you said you wouldn''t conquer the dungeon. Anyway, to raise your race rank... if my thoughts are correct, there''s no need to hunt monsters. Your umted achievements and skills should be enough."

    I shouldn¡¯t be surprised that she was nonchntly answering such a serious question.

    But should I be thankful for this?

    For the past three days, I minimized my rest time because of No Rest for the Wicked, facing the Lesser Demon. They were still stuck in the dungeon, and of course, it wouldn''t take them long to escape from the dungeon.

    We still had a long way to go, and I sighed, feeling exhausted. But I tried to console myself.

    "At least we reduced it to two hours. If my race rank increases, we can reduce it even further."

    "Yeah, you''re a genius, hero. You''re truly gifted in battle."

    The Demon Lord said sarcastically, but it was actually apliment.

    Considering how much my status and skills had grown over the past three days, I couldn''t fathom how much I had improved. Even though other conditions hadn''t changed much, the time it took to hunt one monster had been reduced to less than half. It was something that couldn''t be exined without my natural sense ofbat.

    The Demon Lord had rmended Dual Wielding to me, and she proudly praised her choice. But I didn''t like the way she looked at me with her dead eyes, so I just suppressed that thought.

    Weirdly enough, it suits us so well!

    "Oh, and by the way, the entrance is closed."

    "Once you enter, you can''t leave until you clear it or die. That''s what it used to be, originally."

    ¨C-Originally?

    I didn''t even think about trying to push up the door that blocked the stairs, but when the Demon Lord lifted it with one hand, it opened wide like an automatic door.

    It was an act that crushed my morale, which had risen due to the hard-earned experience and skills during the past three days, but I just felt grateful that we could easily enter and exit the dungeon.

    "Don''t get too discouraged, hero. Maybe the door opened in response to my pretty face."

    ¡ªYou demon, don''t lie to our contractor! Then it should''ve opened with my face too!

    Lucy, who apparently didn''t like the dark dungeon, cheered when we came out. But as she twirled around in the air, expressing her joy, she suddenly noticed something and whispered to me as I was justing out of the stairs.

    ¡ªContractor, it''s a moth!

    "A moth?"

    "It''s the fairy of the tutorial!"

    Lucy''s and my voices must have reached her, as the angry fairy, no, the fairy pped her wings, scattering glittering powder, and scolded us.

    "Do you know why I''m here, even though you''reing out right now?"

    The moth, or rather the fairy, looked angry, and she touched her forehead in frustration.

    "The dungeon you discovered by chance in this 1,875th channel, which disappeared except for part of the Demon Lord''s castle and its surroundings, a ce that hadn''t been discovered even once in the 1,874 times the tutorial was conducted until now, were discovered by a hero by chance?"

    "The trigger was extraordinary power."

    "Ah¡­"

    Upon hearing the Demon Lord''s brief words, the frustrated fairy covered her forehead.

    "The annoying thing is that the fact that the initial achievement wasn''t reflected in the currently active channels. The probability is very low, but if someone discovers the dungeon in another channel, the reward for the initial achievement will be lost. Hero, you might be fine, but how do you think the superiors will react...?"

    From the fairy''s words, I deduced that the rewards such as stats and abilities given to individuals due to various achievements were not naturally urring resources but limited resources brought in from somewhere.

    Well, that was reasonable.

    Moreover, considering the way she''s venting her anger, it seems that once given, it can''t be taken back.

    If only it ended with just the fairy being angry, honestly, it was a very pleasant thing.

    "Well, what''s the problem? Anyway, the rewards for that achievement were given to the party. Even if the hero received it here, it''s only one person''s share, so there won''t be a big loss."

    "That''s... Well, it''s somewhat true..."

    "Won¡¯t youpensate? You made a mistake, and you admit it, right?"

    "Yes, of course. Ugh."

    "In return, I''ll buy a lot of stuff from you. Cheer up."

    The Demon Lord''s way of giving and taking was unavoidable, and the fairy had to ept it.

    But the subsequent Demon Lord''s order list made both the fairy and me gawk.

    She ordered arge quantity of sunlight ore, an unknown mineral, covered in a ss boxrge enough for one person with specially processed magic circles, and attached a giant magical magnifying ss to the ceiling¡­

    I got the gist of it.

    "Wait a minute, are you nning to put me inside that?"

    "As expected, hero, you''re sharp."

    "Are you trying to roast me?!"

    A box, a heated stone, and even a magnifying ss to intensify the heat.

    Instead of me, wouldn''t it be perfect if even a single squid went in there? Is this the Demon Lord''s highly sophisticated way of saying that I look like a squid?

    As if trying to reassure the contemtive KiJun, the Demon Lord chuckled warmly.

    "I won''t use up all the ores this time. Judging from the condition of the dungeon, if things go well, we might even surpass the rare grade, so I bought everything we might need in one go."

    "Wait, is this your shopping list for purchasing materials to exploit the bug for increasing race rank?!"

    The fairy, with astonished eyes, red at the Demon Lord. Finally, she cast a barrier around him so that her words wouldn''t be heard and whispered into the Demon Lord''s ear.

    "Hero, I won''t say anything more about dealing with that bug. But this has crossed the line. It''s an emotional line, Hero. It''s not good for you either!"

    "I''m just raising a disciple, is there a need to react so strongly? I''m not seizing any of your property or anything."

    "Is he really your disciple? Nothing else?"

    "What else could it be?"

    Shoulders shrugged, wearing an innocent expression that seemed truly clueless, the Demon Lord questioned the fairy, who responded with a scowl.

    "Once the tutorial is over, you won''t... you won''t meet again. You understand, right?"

    "I do."

    "I thought you might not know, so I''m telling you... To continue doing this, you need to control your emotions. You''ve done well so far, why would you do this with someone like him?"

    The fairy red at him as if he had ruined the Demon Lord. Then, with a deep sigh, she went to retrieve the items.

    While the fairy was fetching the items, the Demon Lord exined what KiJun needed to do to increase his race rank.

    "Humans are one of the most challenging races to raise their race rank in. They don''t have many distinctive traits. At most, they focus on magic maniption to pursue the path of High Humans or somehow ovee their physical limits to aim for the path of Barbarians. Thetter is moremon."

    "Why do they be Barbarians just by enhancing their physique?"

    "They focus on strengthening their bodies, sacrificing magic maniption. It''s not that magic disappears entirely, but once it''s generated, it''s absorbed into the muscles and bones... Well, you be a barbarian."

    "Ah... So that''s why they choose ''light''?"

    "Exactly. It''s the purest and most potent power you possess. That''s why I chose light for you."

    ¡ªAhem, finally, the demon acknowledges my greatness.

    "Among the options, it''s the best choice..."

    ¡ªYou...

    Lucy retorted, but the Demon Lord couldn''t see her, so it had no effect.

    "So, what should I do?"

    "That..."

    "Here we go, I''vee back with the evolution box customized for one person!"

    The fairy returned with the items she had ordered. The Demon Lord opened the ss box, ced pieces of sunlight ore inside, attached a huge magnifying ss to the lid, and then smiled broadly, looking at KiJun.

    "Get inside there and gather the power of light within you. Spirit, your master doesn''t want to see you die, so cooperate properly."

    ¡ªOf course. Our contractor will walk the path of light.

    "Phew, let''s just say ''apanying the light,'' Lucy."

    ¡ªSure!

    "Please, Mr. Schr?dinger, protect me."

    The resigned KiJun entered the box. Once he sat downfortably, Lucy came and perched on his head.

    In an instant, all the surrounding ores began to emit a bright light.

    ¡ªContractor, this is quite expensive.

    Lucy murmured to him.

    ¡ªI picked the best method for our contractor. So, focus and don''t doubt. Alright?

    "Of course."

    From the beginning, he had been prepared to ept this special destiny.

    As the light poured into him, he felt Rapid Regeneration doing its work. He was well prepared to endure the increasing heat. With magic, he elerated the transformation throughout his whole body.

    Compared to ordinary humans who had to ept external foreign matter and endure tremendous pain, this transformation was not as difficult for him.

    Yes.

    KiJun was now ready to ept his uniqueness.

    A faint smile appeared on his closed lips.

    Transcendence had begun.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (14)

    The ss box was quickly filled with light, but due to the magic circle engraved on the box, the light did not spread outside but was reflected and expanded mercilessly within.

    Obviously, from the outside, it was impossible to tell what was happening inside the box. Whether the time hade for a racial grade to emerge or whether a perfectly roasted serpentine squid would pop out was unknown¡ªa Schr?dinger''s cat-like state where both possibilities of bing a better Hero and bing a roasted squid coexisted.

    "That hero, I don''t think he knew the proper way to handle magic until now."

    The Demon Lord, who had been looking at the box with satisfaction, heard the fairy''s voice.

    The Demon Lord nodded and replied, "He''s not without sense. He just didn''t have the know-how. But considering that he was surrounded by Earthlings, who could have taught him properly?"

    "But do you think he''ll seed? There were so many sunlight ores. Did you push them in with the purpose to kill him? As if to say, if he can''t pass even this level, he won''t need any more care."

    "What are you talking about? I just said he''s not senseless. And now he''s got the know-how too."

    The Demon Lord chuckled at the fairy''s mischievous voice.

    "The hero is much more of a genius than you think, and iparably more than he thinks. He was born in a world where his talent went unrecognized, and he was just a bit oppressed, which made him more disheartened than necessary. Potential doesn''t just disappear."

    "Well, it didn''t seem like hecked potential. I''m saying this because that bug is not here, but he was very respected."

    The fairy nodded emphatically, remembering how the hero had received much attention throughout the tutorial.

    "He had the talent to console those around him, and he was kind and friendly¡ªeveryone liked him. Moreover, always fair in his words and actions, no one dared to underestimate him... Maybe if there were a few more heroes like him, the tutorial could have ended in one go."

    "All that praise, and yet, why has the evaluation been so harsh until now?"

    "Because hecked a backbone. He never tried to stand at the forefront. Such a person can''t lead a group and ultimately, doesn¡¯t survive or be strong."

    The fairy''s sharp critique made the Demon Lord smile bitterly and nod.

    "The hero is now standing up for himself."

    "So, the hero is now... Are you saying his respectability was all just watching others and acting ordingly?"

    "Not all, but maybe most? Now that there''s no one left to watch, he''s finally showing his true nature. I''ve stimted that part too."

    "He doesn''t seem to be watching you, though?"

    "He is very cautious. Since the day we met, he''s been cooking for me."

    Could anyone, even if aware that the Demon Lord was on their side, cook meat for someone who had killed theirrades just moments before?

    If you''re ordinary, your emotions, not your reason, would reject it.

    "That''s not something you do without being very cautious," the Demon Lord chuckled.

    The fairy looked at her and clicked her tongue as if to say, "It seems toote for her¡­"

    "But now, I''m rooting for his independence. So, he had no choice but to face himself, whom he had hidden away."

    "Ah, I see."

    "And now that his nature hase out, I don''t need to intervene anymore. Just a few more times of adding logs to the fire will do. He will surely be the strongest."

    "Hero..."

    Just as the fairy was about to retort with a click of her tongue, the light that filled the box began to converge into a single point in the center.

    The inside of the box became gradually visible.

    The Demon Lord widened her eyes and watched KiJun breathe, then squinted his eyes with pleasure and turned to the fairy.

    "See?"

    "You boasting about your son who got a hundred on the elementary school test is annoying like an obnoxious parent."

    "I don''t understand what you''re saying, but I feel insulted."

    As the offended Demon Lord chased the fairy away, KiJun inside the box slowly opened his eyes, feeling all the light pouring into him.

    No longer was the light dazzling to his eyes.

    He felt confident that he could handle this as part of himself.

    ¨C--Still one step short, but the contractor has definitely moved forward!

    "Thank you, Lucy."

    His understanding of light improved, and Lucy looked clearer to him than before.

    He met eyes with the girl who had golden hair and golden eyes that shined brighter than light, which could only be described as beautiful.

    The girl asked with a smile.

    ¡ªDo you feel the change in your magic power?

    "I''ve heard that attribute magic is really rare..."

    KiJun concentrated his own magical power in his palm as he had learned from the Demon Lord.

    Not the spirit power, not the light that raised Lucy''s brightness, but the pure magical power of KiJun himself.

    It was imbued with a bright golden light like the warm sunshine of spring.

    As he confirmed his pure Light Magic, KiJun felt ecstatic. At that moment, several messages appeared before him as if they had been waiting.

    ¨C-You have transcended the limits of your race and be the Umon grade [Degraded Light Person]! You have sessfully converted your magic power into light, but you''re not quite the real light yet. Your Status Mana Power (Uc) has changed to Light Magic (Uc)!

    ¡ªYou have reached level 1. All statuses increase by 5, and Light Magic (Uc), Charisma (Uc), and Spirit Power (R) increase by an additional 5!

    ¡ªThe level of your Light Spirit Magic skill has risen by 10 to level 69!

    ¡ªThe level of your Steelization skill has risen by 3, and Rapid Regeneration skill by 2.

    [KiJun]

    [Titles ¨C Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (Legendary) +6]

    [Degraded Light Person (Uc) Lv1]

    [Strength (Uc) ¨C 26]

    [Dexterity (Uc) ¨C 44]

    [Endurance (Uc) ¨C 51]

    [Light Magic (Uc) ¨C 27]

    [Charisma (Uc) ¨C 41]

    [Spirit Power (R) ¨C 69]

    [Skills/Spells]

    [Common]

    [Butchery Lv98]

    [Umon]

    [Cooking Lv5, Shield Mastery Lv88, Dual Wielding Lv97, Boomerang Throw Lv90]

    [Rare]

    [Wholehearted Taunt Lv14, Light Spirit Magic Lv69]

    [Unique]

    [Rapid Regeneration Lv21, Steelization Lv14, No Rest for the Wicked Lv8]

    [Legendary]

    [Unbreakable Internal Clock Lv¡ª]

    KiJun closed his eyes and thought hard.

    What''s with this new race name?

    I get thebination of light and person to be a Light Person, but those hearing it for the first time might think I''m a madman certified by the system.

    Having been troubled by his name all his life, KiJun resented the other world that had yet again imposed the yoke of a racial name on him, though there was no going back since the rank-up wasplete and beyondint considering the upgrade''s effects.

    The fact that all his statuses had significantly increased, not to mention his spirit magic skill leveling up by 10!

    He spent the next few days determined to wreak havoc on the Lesser Demons that had been tormenting him and tried hard to forget his racial name.

    ¡ªLet''s go out, contractor.

    "Alright."

    Lucy, who had clearly grown in sizepared to before KiJun''s racial grade increase, urged him to move on.

    With her on his shoulder, he walked past the crumbled sunlight ores on the floor and out of the box, where only the Demon Lord remained.

    "Congrattions, hero. I can kind of guess, but I''ll ask. What race have you be?"

    His brief escape had ended at the speed of light.

    ¡°Degraded Light Person.¡±

    ¡°Pfft.¡±

    The Demon Lord couldn''t help but burst intoughter, despite expecting the topic. KiJun wanted to ask her about her own race name out of sheer curiosity, but he decided against it, knowing that any name would surely be cooler than "Degraded Light Person."

    ¡°You got Light Magic as well?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I heard that attribute magic power is extremely rare¡­¡±

    ¡°It is rare. Light magic is even rarer among them. But what you need to remember is, all attribute magic powers start at a minimum of rare grade. Light magic was originally... probably at the unique grade.¡±

    ¨DRight. The contractor''s Light Magic is in a quite degraded state now. But it''s still quite beautiful!

    KiJun, who had been guessing as much, didn¡¯t feel too disappointed and nodded his head.

    ¡°A clear path has revealed itself. Just have to run straight ahead now.¡±

    ¡°Good, that¡¯s the confident look I wanted to see.¡±

    The Demon Lord, with a hit of satisfaction,ughed and stored the magnifying ss-attached box entirely somewhere.

    It seemed that her words about using it again when challenging the rare grade were sincere.

    ¡°How about we eat and have a sparring match to celebrate the advancement?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Even if I go back into the dungeon, it¡¯s better to understand my physical condition precisely before entering.¡±

    ¨DContractor, I want to eat noodles today!

    ¡°Lucy, you always want noodles.¡±

    ¡°No¨D today is the day for meat. It¡¯s a meat-eating day. It¡¯s a party!¡±

    ¡°You always want meat too, Demon Lord¡­¡±

    But it indeed was a day for a party.

    Wasn¡¯t it the day hepleted an unknown racial advancement?

    KiJun started preparing the party meal the Demon Lord wanted, praying that his colleagues advancing their second runs by now, and further, the Earth¡¯s heroes would realize the importance of racial and status advancements and actively take on that challenge.

    What''s indispensable for a party? Balloons? Fireworks? Champagne? Cake?

    Wrong. The indispensable thing at a party is meat.

    A party without meat doesn¡¯t get the mood to the highest HIGH.

    ¡°Okay, today we finish off the meat of the Minotaur Assault Captain.¡±

    ¡°Shank meat? That was delicious.¡±

    ¡°That was just a ¡®tasty when grilled¡¯ part. Today, we are going for the king of grills.¡±

    The Demon Lord fixed her gaze on his hand, filled with anticipation from his words.

    What KiJun took out of his inventory was the rib meat of the Minotaur Assault Captain, which was hard toe by even from them.

    Unlike the shank meat, which was almost given away for free, this part was a precious share imed rightfully for his contributions in the raid!

    It was too precious to eat right away, so he had decided to save it for a celebration party if he ever sessfully raided the Demon Lord¡­

    Now, it seemed like it was all for a good cause.

    ¡®Among the party, I was the only one who knew how to cook. I wonder if they have been eating properly without me.¡¯

    While reminiscing about his party members for a moment, KiJun noticed the Demon Lord and Lucy swallowing their saliva as they eyed the rib meat in his hands and chuckled.

    The marbling on the rib meat was so appealing, it seemed worthy of the term ''art,'' and he felt it deserved to be treated with reverence.

    While boiling the pasta and noodles, he took out the prepared cream sauce and added spices, including hot peppers, to fry.

    While the Demon Lord watched with great expectation, what he took out was a well-polished shield, reserved for cooking.

    Ignoring the Demon Lord¡¯s nonsensical banter about not using the shield today, he oiled the shield and ced the rib meat on it.

    ¨DSizzle¨D¨D!

    ¡°Meat... I¡¯ve had a lot of meat, but this is strange.¡±

    ¨DIt''s the heart. It looks delicious because it''s filled with the contractor''s heart!

    The Demon Lord and the spirit stared intently at the sizzling rib meat on the shield, making excuses.

    Meanwhile, he took out the well-boiled noodles and stir-fried them with the sauce.

    He generously cut the well-grilled rib meat, added it to the pasta, and served it.

    The spicy rib meat cream pasta wasplete.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just grill the remaining ribs. I¡¯ve prepared salt and wasabi sauce for dipping.¡±

    After wrapping a bite of pasta around the meat, the Demon Lord took a bite, then checked the meat grilling on the shield, squinted her eyes, and eximed.

    ¡°Today... I¡¯ll ept my defeat in the sparring!¡±

    His cooking skill level had risen, of course, and so had his Shield Mastery level before the sparring even started.

    Of course, he was thoroughly trounced by the Demon Lord in the sparring that followed the meal, but he smiled with a sense of achievement, feeling the distinctly improved skill in his hands.

    He was confident he could now take down the Lesser Demons within an hour.

    * * *

    ¡°The meat doesn''t taste good.¡±

    YeMin said with a stern face.

    Having heard theint several times, EunShin smiled faintly and responded.

    ¡°Just hold on a little longer until we meet KiJun, noona.¡±

    ¡°But that makes it seem like I only think of KiJun as our party''s meal ticket! What would he think of me if I ask him to grill meat as soon as we meet?¡±

    ¡°Then you should practice cooking.¡±

    Today''s cook, JiHye, spoke in a prickly voice as she put down the book she was holding.

    The identity of the book was a Magic Tome, a reward from the ruins they had conquered together, said to grant a unique-grade Mana Circuit.

    Depending on the reader''s talent and personality, it would form the most suitable mana circuit, which, unfortunately during the first run, ended up in the hands of someone without magical talent, producing an effect even worse than a rare skill.

    The man who had acquired the Magic Tome with the help of arge guild didn''t live to see the final battlefield, so it was somewhat fortunate that the Tome was now in JiHye''s hands for the overall goal of the hero group.

    ¡°Stop fussing about food and try cooking yourself.¡±

    ¡°I am trying. But it just doesn''t taste good¡­¡±

    Right before a needless argument could start.

    EunShin, the youngest of the party, stepped in to calm the two down.

    ¡°Now, now, JiHye. YeMin isn''t trying toin to you. She''s just missing KiJun. YeMin, JiHye is concentrating on deciphering the Magic Tome, so let¡¯s talk quietly, okay?¡±

    ¡°Grrr... Alright.¡±

    ¡°...Sorry, I was a bit sensitive because it¡¯s a difficult section. Just wait until I obtain a mana circuit from finishing this book. I miss KiJun''s cooking just as much as you do.¡±

    ¡°So KiJun is our party''s meal ticket¡­¡±

    Meal ticket... That was true.

    But it was more than that.

    He always took care of what the party needed, anticipated and solved their diforts, handled preliminary negotiations with other parties, and even took charge of everything when they lodged.

    It wasn''t like that from the beginning, but at some point, they naturally came to rely on him for everything.

    YeMin didn''t want to burden him alone, but he found it morefortable to take charge and ignored her protests, and eventually, she got used to it too.

    In other words, they had growncent with thefort he provided.

    The only exception might have been Uncle Soo, who had been more of an adult than any of them since being dragged to this other world.

    Without him, KiJun would''ve copsed from overwork.

    ¡°I''m really no good.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s just that... He was a lot more mature.¡±

    EunShin consoled a downcast YeMin.

    He himself had been nothing more than a greenhorn early on in the first round.

    He only knew how to frolic with his natural abilities.

    Without the robust force of YeMin, the sharp yet kind advice from JiHye, and the care that KiJun always provided, he would have been in trouble long ago.

    ¡°But now we¡¯ve grown, too. Let¡¯s work hard so KiJun doesn''t have to shoulder everything alone.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, EunShin.¡±

    Firmly nodding her head, YeMin took out an unused shield from her inventory.

    ¡°I¡¯ll start practicing cooking from now on. When I meet KiJun again, I¡¯ll grill the meat for him.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. That¡¯s a good idea, noona. But to grill meat, I think you need an iron shield, not a wooden one.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    As YeMin sighed at her own silliness for rushing ahead with the intention to emte KiJun, JiHye suddenly lifted her head.

    ¡°Target a higher magic stat to aim for racial grade advancement? What in the world is this talking about?¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°Racial grade... advancement?¡±

    YeMin made a clearly regretful expression, and EunShin tilted his head in confusion.

    JiHye, sensing the subtle difference, poured her gaze onto YeMin.

    She btedly started to tell herpanions about the status grades she knew of.

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (15)

    Afterpleting his racial grade advancement, KiJun, while eager to return to the dungeon immediately to beat up the lesser demons, was persuaded by both the Demon Lord and Lucy to take the time to adapt to his new physique.

    Moreover, right after a racial advancement, there''s a kind of growth bonus applied, making it easier for status and skills to improve. It was wiser to roll with the Demon Lord, who was dozens of times tougher than the lesser demons and hundreds of times more generous with training experience points.

    KiJun focused on training with the Demon Lord, putting the dungeon aside for a while¨D¨D.

    And so, a week had passed since he became a Degraded Light Person.

    ¨DKwaang!

    ¨DYour Umon Dual Wielding skill level has reached 99, hitting its limit.

    The moment that message appeared before his eyes, KiJun dropped both his rugged shields on the ground and murmured with a deep sense of emotion.

    "So, weapon skills can reach level 99..."

    "Level 99? Ah, the Dual Wielding?"

    "Yes."

    Somehow, KiJun''s recent parry had felt unusually powerful.

    The Demon Lord drew back her fist, smoking from the collision with KiJun''s full-powered shields, and licked her lips.

    "Congrattions, but what about Shield Mastery?"

    "Not yet. But this is still incredibly fast growth, right?"

    Three months ago, KiJun''s Dual Wielding was Umon, but his Shield Mastery was still struggling to surpass the Common limit.

    Despite steeply climbing the ranks with consistent shield cooking and the Demon Lord''s private tutoring, his Shield Mastery level was still at 92.

    The real challenge was starting from here.

    No matter how much KiJun had gotten a feel for the Shield Mastery, it would probably take months of one-on-one training with the Demon Lord.

    After challenging the Dual Wielding''s grade advancement, KiJun wanted to enter the dungeon right away, but...

    "Let''s focus solely on Shield Mastery for the time being to bring the level up as much as possible. I want to equalize the levels of both skills by any means."

    The Demon Lord seemed to have a slightly different thought.

    Getting to know the Demon Lord, KiJun wondered if she might be harboring some other intentions and asked.

    "What is your deeper intention, if I may ask?"

    "I want to try a Combined Advancement."

    The Demon Lord''s eyes zed with the excitement of a middle schooler who hadn''t outgrown animated cartoons.

    As KiJun and Lucy looked on quietly, the Demon Lord, flustered, corrected herself.

    "Sometimes twopatible skills merge into one, growing into a single skill. Naturally, its uniqueness and potential are iparable to regr skill growth."

    "So, you''re saying to raise Shield Mastery to level 99 too and induce abined evolution?"

    "That''s right. Then surely a Dual Shield Technique will emerge!"

    The term "Combined Evolution" sounded good until it dropped at "Dual Shield Technique," revealing a masterful touch of anticlimax.

    KiJun asked with a hint of doubt, sparked by the Demon Lord''s confident sparkle.

    "Has anyone already mastered that skill?"

    "Absolutely not!"

    The Demon Lord shook her head confidently.

    KiJun thought it would be worth discarding everything if he couldnd even one effective hit on the Demon Lord.

    "But you can harmonize it. I''m the proof. You managed to achieve harmony in offense and defense against me with two shields."

    "You just let me do it."

    "What do you take me for? I reduced my strength, but I didn''t really let you win otherwise. You''ve just be adept at switching between offense and defense with the shield."

    One of the Demon Lord''s traits was to convey herpliments without exaggeration or downying, delivering his strengths inly and sincerely.

    It was so genuine that it embarrassed those who heard it.

    "Got it, I got it. So I just keep the shields up, right...?"

    "Yes. Keep holding the shields in both hands, but now don''t counterattack; just focus on blocking and deflecting my attacks. Can you do it?"

    "I have to."

    "Good, excellent."

    With a grin, the Demon Lord swung her hand in the air, and the bent and twisted shields on the ground restored to their original state and flew up.

    KiJun caught the shields neatly and positioned them, contemting how his current form must appear to others, a thought he had entertained hundreds of times over the past few months.

    In an instant, what shed before his eyes was the image of a gant shield knight, holding massive shields at the vanguard of the party.

    The next moment, he imagined a Dual Bludgeon warrior, brandishing morningstars with ir!

    ¡®...But now, I''m standing here holding two shields.¡¯

    Had his choice been wrong after all?

    Was it right to attempt thisbined evolution now?

    "Cast aside your doubts."

    The Demon Lord said.

    "Harmonize what you''re good at with what you''ve chosen!"

    "Right."

    Clearing his head of all images, KiJun nodded heavily.

    "It''s foolish to cling to a discarded path. You''re right, Demon Lord. From this moment on, I''m fullymitted to this Dual Shield Technique."

    "That''s the spirit!"

    In truth, he had always been fullymitted, but he couldn''t deny the doubts that had lingered in a corner of his mind.

    But holding any ambiguity in his mindset until now would yield nothing but mediocre results.

    KiJun took full control of his resolve.

    The Dual Shield Technique is strong.

    It''s a special skill.

    This technique will be my hallmark!

    "Come at me, Demon Lord!"

    ¨DThe contractor''s self-brainwashing is intense. Up to now, it seemed to have worked in a bad way, but if it works in a positive direction...

    Lucy, extending her light to envelop his shields, murmured.

    ¨DNo, it''s still a bit strange, right?

    "Spirit, go eat your brown sugar!"

    As the Demon Lord kicked off the ground, she closed in fast as if folding space and threw a punch.

    KiJun deftly deflected the center of the powerful strike with his left shield and blocked perfectly with his right.

    Even against a kick, he didn''t retreat but cleverly adjusted the position of his shields, recalling the finesse of Shield Mastery that the Demon Lord had taught him and he had honed with his body.

    With tworge shields, the methods of blocking were undoubtedly more numerous.

    Thinking of the enemy''s attacks as one or many flying balls, he created diagonal walls with his two shields, repeating light collisions to shave off all the kic energy from the balls.

    As this image took shape, his movements became noticeably more fluid despite no change in speed or power.

    ¡®It would be even better if I could counter, but for now, let''s focus only on blocking.¡¯

    Just changing his mindset already started to make a difference in the movement of his shields.

    The Demon Lord, continuously pouring punches onto him, nodded in approval, thinking hecked confidence in his Shield Mastery talent.

    He had taken up the shield to protect his party members, not because he was convinced of his talent in Shield Mastery.

    It was just hesitation and unnecessary shrinking back.

    On the other hand, the reason why his talent in bludgeoning techniques was revealed so quickly was probably because when he initially wielded a bludgeon, he did so without any particr expectations or sense of responsibility.

    ''To think such a naturally gifted individual was so diminished, Earth''s civilization really is something,'' the Demon Lord mused, impressed by KiJun''s stifled potential.

    Left to his own devices, he was a lump of innate talent protruding out.

    He must have felt isted just because he didn''t fit into Earth''s average standards.

    Perhaps this world suited him better than Earth did?

    The Demon Lord, suddenly considering this perspective, realized she had overstepped her bounds, even if it was in consideration for KiJun, and grimaced with a wry smile as she crumpled the thought away.

    Refocusing on KiJun before her, sheunched an attack that was almost impossible for him to block¨D¨D.

    And KiJun managed to block it, pushing forward step by step.

    One step, then another.

    * * *

    ¨DYour Umon grade Shield Mastery skill level has reached 99, hitting its limit.

    KiJun, who achieved max level in Shield Mastery in just two weeks, was slightly startled.

    "Wait, counting from when I was left here alone, it''s only been four months...?"

    "ept it, that''s your talent," the Demon Lord said, acknowledging his rapid progress.

    "That honest praise is embarrassing! ...Hey, didn''t you say I was better suited for the bludgeon than the shield?"

    KiJun retorted, slightly heated, to the Demon Lord''s kind smile, which seemed to have anticipated his reaction. But, of course, it was a battle he could never win from the start.

    "That''s why I made you use the shield as a bludgeon. What do you get when youbine what you''re good at with what you''re even better at?"

    "That would be my kick-ass Dual Shield Technique. Even the great astronomer Copernicus would''ve acknowledged it."

    "Perfect, excellent."

    And now, KiJun had no intention of winning.

    If anything, it was a mutual victory for them both.

    Only Lucy, the only sane one, trembled her wings, looking at KiJun, who never doubted himself.

    ¨DThe contractor''s self-brainwashing isplete...

    "Then let''sbine the two skills now!"

    "How?"

    Yes, how?

    That had been the question on his mind since he first heard ofbined evolution.

    He had thought it might just be another one of those moments of grit, but surprisingly, the Demon Lord was serious in her exnation.

    "It''s important first to clearly recognize each skill individually to induce theirbination."

    "To recognize the skills clearly."

    When he first picked up the shield, he gained Shield Mastery.

    Simrly, when he first wielded a bludgeon, he gained Bludgeon Technique.

    And when he started treating the shield as a bludgeon, his Bludgeon Technique evolved into Dual Wielding.

    KiJun closed his eyes and envisioned his two skills.

    Whatever the Demon Lord intended, it wasn''t hard for him to clearly imagine those two skills.

    "Now, imagine those two bing harmonized into one."

    "Hmm... I''m already doing that, aren''t I?"

    "Are you sure what you''re picturing is the harmonized form of Shield Mastery and Dual Wielding?"

    "Yes."

    KiJun nodded leisurely and added, "I''m sure of it."

    "Good. Then it won''t take long. Come at me."

    KiJun gripped the shields in his hands and charged at the Demon Lord.

    He deflected the Demon Lord''s palm strike and pushed back hard with the shield.

    The Demon Lord, not one to be easily handled, evaded and spun around, delivering a sharp spinning kick like a drill.

    The two shields in KiJun''s hands flew in unison.

    With nearly magical timing, he blocked her foot, and the shield he threw in the instant her strength waned hit her knee with a chilling thud.

    Crack!

    "Very well done."

    Did a bruise form? The Demon Lord muttered, retrieving her foot and standing back in ce.

    Should he be disappointed that his full-powered counterattack only left a bruise on the Demon Lord, or should he be satisfied that he had managed to deliver a significant hit to someone he once felt was an untouchable giant?

    Neither.

    KiJun didn''t stop; he pressed on with another attack.

    "I don''t dislike an aggressive man!"

    Apparently, that was the right answer, the Demon Lord''s lips curled into a deep smile.

    Had about five hours passed in their fierce exchange of blows?

    Even the Steelization and No Rest for the Wicked skills, which he hadn''t intended to train, leveled up after another hour or two.

    ¨DAfter a fierce battle, you have established a new and powerfulbat technique! [Shield Mastery] and [Dual Wielding] transcend their limits and harmonize into one! You have acquired the rare-grade skill [Double Turtle Fangs]!

    ¨DAchievement Unlocked! You have created a new skill which didn¡¯t previously exist. You have obtained the rare-grade title [Skill Creator]. The title effect increases the ability to use your created skill by 10%. Positive modifiers are applied when growing the grade of a skill you''ve created.

    ¨DAs a result of the achievement, you have gained experience and reached level 3! Strength (Uc) 1, Dexterity (Uc) 1, Durability (Uc) 1, Light Magic (Uc) 2, Spirit Power (R) 1 have increased.

    Having achieved his goal, KiJun knelt down, exhausted from the effort.

    The unexpected achievement and resulting level-up replenished his physical strength, but a separate sense of fatigue overwhelmed him.

    But with that came a sense of aplishment.

    ''Double Turtle Fangs... Like the bite of two turtles. I don''t know if turtles have teeth, but I''ve heard they have a powerful bite.''

    At least it seemed like a much better skill name than what the Demon Lord had called the Dual Shield Technique.

    The Demon Lord hesitated upon seeing KiJun suddenly kneeling exhaustedly, but she smiled satisfactorily, and KiJun smiled along with her.

    "Congrattions on creating the skill."

    "We did it together. Thanks."

    "You never fail to tter, do you?"

    And the Demon Lord was just the woman to fall for that ttery.

    As the two exchanged smiles, Lucy, who had supported KiJun with her Light Spirit Magic throughout the sparring, felt a twinge of exclusion but still apuded the great achievement of her contractor without reservation.

    "So we''re partying today?"

    ¨DRight, it''s party time!

    Looking at KiJun with sparkling eyes as if they had nned it, he began to prepare for the party, albeit with a slight suspicion of why they were celebrating so heartily.

    From the next day, KiJun re-entered the hidden dungeon, wielding his newly established skill, Double Turtle Fangs, against the lesser demons.

    It took precisely 39 minutes to kill one.

    By the third day, that time had reduced to 20 minutes.

    After a year, he could take down three lesser demons simultaneously in under three minutes.

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (16)

    In the darkness, the only source of light was a shining shield.

    The three lesser demons, annoyed merely by looking at it and feeling the onset of a headache, used their racialmon skill, telepathy, tomunicate.

    They surged their dark attribute magic power and charged simultaneously to overwhelm their enemy.

    Leading the charge was a lesser demon of huge stature wielding a shield and cuss, followed shortly by another one armed with a spear.

    Their tactic was perfect: one to block the enemy with a shield and the other to stab through the opening with the spear and kill.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCrack!

    That is, if the one with the shield didn''t get knocked down in one hit.

    ¡°Hup!¡±

    Sensing the enemy''s surprise attack, KiJun knocked out the lead lesser demon with a shield charged with light magic power and spirit force, then mmed the shield down on the confused face of the second demon, which had halted its spear thrust.

    ¡°Kyahk¨D¨D!¡±

    The third lesser demon, who had been lurking behind, fired an arrow, but...

    KiJun, with the shield in his other hand, easily deflected it, and the lesser demon (with the shield) who was just about to get up was struck by the arrow and fell again.

    It was pitiful that it couldn''t even scream after being hit in a vital spot.

    ¡°Don''t just stand there dumbfounded,e at me!¡±

    ¡°Keek, keeek!¡±

    The third lesser demon, a pitiful creature that still charged forward despite being mercilessly beaten by the provocation, was now in a sorry state.

    But as it closed the distance, wielding a lengthy spear, what use was its weapon when it could not swing it properly?

    Trapped in a narrow corridor with its tumbling ally and KiJun''s body, the terror-stricken lesser demon (with the spear) faced KiJun''s rare-grade battle skill [Double Turtle Fangs] as it breathed fire.

    In the short span of a few seconds, the two shields,den with intense light, struck the demon''s body dozens of times, and without managing a proper attack, the demon''s head exploded, killing it.

    ¡°How long do you n to lie down?¡±

    ¡°Kiiiaaak!¡±

    Noticing no more arrows flying, it seemed thest one had given up on the fight and fled.

    KiJun chuckled, then sharply chopped down with the shield''s edge onto the head of the lesser demon (with the shield).

    The shield, full of light spirit power, struck down vertically like divine punishment, casting a monster''s shadow below it.

    ¡°Keeeeeek!¡±

    ¡°Where do you think you''re going?¡±

    Pretending to flee, the lesser demon (with the bow) had hidden in the dark and then attacked from behind, but KiJun threw his shield at it.

    ¨DSnap!

    The shield, enhanced with destructive force and speed from the absorbed light, shot out like a shell and smashed the demon''s face.

    As the lifeless body of the lesser demon fell with a thud, KiJun stylishly caught the returning shield andposed himself.

    The battle was over.

    ¨DThe skill sh Throw (R) has reached level 19.

    ¨DAfter sessively defeating three overwhelmingly strong enemies, a positive adjustment is provided to the rare-grade title Transcender of Limits.

    ¡°It still won''t go up.¡±

    KiJun, standing over the limp bodies of the three lesser demons, clucked his tongue in frustration.

    Boomerang Throw (Uc), which had grown with the influence of light magic power, had leveled up to sh Throw (R), but that wasn''t what was important right now.

    [KiJun]

    [Titles ¨D Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (Legendary) +7]

    [Degraded Light Person (Uc) Lv58]

    [Strength (Uc) ¨D 93]

    [Dexterity (R) ¨D 5]

    [Endurance (R) ¨D 6]

    [Light Magic (Uc) ¨D 99]

    [Charisma (Uc) ¨D 99]

    [Spirit Power (R) ¨D 99]

    [Skills/Spells]

    [Umon]

    [Butchery Lv53, Cooking Lv99]

    [Rare]

    [Double Turtle Fangs Lv37, sh Throw Lv19, Wholehearted Taunt Lv43, Light Spirit Magic Lv99]

    [Unique]

    [Rapid Regeneration Lv39, Steelization Lv34, No Rest for the Wicked Lv31]

    [Legendary]

    [Unbreakable Internal Clock Lv¨D¨D]

    After neatly butchering only the hearts from the worthless trio of lesser demons.

    KiJun sighed as he opened his status window and skill panel, and saw his stats and skills still stuck at 99 against the wall of their limits.

    He had thrown his shield with all his might, full of light magic power, spiritual power, and Lucy''s spirit force, hoping for a dramatic growth, but it seemed such half-baked methods were in vain.

    ¨DContractor, you''re already growing incredibly fast, right? I''ve never seen anyone adapt to Spirit Magic so quickly, for real.

    ¡°I''ve said it several times already. Mastering a rare-grade skill in just one year and four months is unheard of.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Lucy, and ma¡¯am. But I can''t stand this feeling of being stuck. Maybe it''s a Korean trait.¡±

    Despite theforting words from Lucy and the Demon Lord, KiJun was left with a sour taste.

    When he was unaware of the advancement system, hitting 99 in a stat felt like reaching a peak, but now that he knew it was just a qualification for the next stage, he couldn''t be satisfied!

    ¨DIs every Korean as strong as our contractor?

    ¡°I don''t know if all Koreans are strong, but the strongest party I fought was definitely made up only of Koreans.¡±

    The Demon Lord replied to Lucy, who muttered in disbelief.

    KiJun spoke up, looking askance at the two as they chattered happily.

    ¡°Hey, Korean isn''t a race.¡±

    ¡°Let''s just say it is. They were too different from the others.¡±

    A pure Korean party, consisting of three men and two women.

    The Demon Lord had rated only KiJun highly from that party, but that was only because her standards were too strict. In truth, she considered that they were the only ones who had performed reasonably well out of all the raid teams that hade at her.

    Especially the assassin, an astonishing owner of stealth skills that almost deceived even her vignt eyes.

    If he had managed topletely deceive her and seed in a surprise attack, she would have rated him next to KiJun.

    ¡°So, what are you going to do, hero? Shall we go further?¡±

    As the Demon Lord reminisced about thest battle of the first round and munched on the beef jerky KiJun had made, he nced down the dark corridor leading further into the dungeon and clicked his tongue, saying,

    ¡°I suppose we can''t know how much of the dungeon is left, can we?¡±

    ¡°I know we''re not even halfway through. This ce is unbelievably vast. At this rate, it would be hard to find even in Leta.¡±

    ¨DContractor, let''s go out. I want to say hello to the sunlight, okay?

    Just as he was wavering, Lucy cutely pleaded with him, and KiJun finally nodded in agreement.

    "Right, let''s go out and train. Then the answer wille."

    "Good thinking!"

    ¨DHooray!

    A year ago, when he had justpleted his racial grade advancement and entered the dungeon, KiJun had been determined not to leave until he had conquered them. But things seldom go as nned.

    The dungeon, which he had suspected was like a secret space opened only after clearing the final boss of an RPG, was indeed vast beyond belief, befitting of a hidden dungeon. The deeper he delved, the more painful traps gnawed at him, fostering the growth of his defense and regeneration skills up to the unique grade.

    Now, he spent more time unraveling the headache-inducing mazes and searching for monsters than actually hunting them.

    Even this had only been possible with the help of the Demon Lord and Lucy, indicating the formidable difficulty of the dungeon.

    ''I wonder if a mage naturally talented in magic power or a rogue brilliant at detecting traps could make quicker progress than our brute-force hero.''

    On the day KiJun nearly split his spine in a trap, he marveled at the effect of Rapid Regeneration, which repaired even irreparable wounds, and the Demon Lord had casually remarked on it.

    There were people KiJun thought of upon hearing that, but they were in ces he couldn''t reach for a while.

    And the chances of a new party member who could handle spirit power joining their party to clear the dungeon were nil...

    No, but the important thing right now wasn''t his formerrades earnestly running their second round.

    It was his stats and skills, stuck at the wall of 99.

    He had been pleased to see his stats rise with every level increase after bing a Degraded Light Person...

    ''Charisma, let''s say I leave that aside since I have no clue what causes it to grow.''

    He was surprised enough when it grew frommon to umon, so frankly, he wouldn''t mind if charisma never grew again in his life.

    But Light Magic (Uc), which had been stuck at 99 for over a month, and Spirit Power (R) and Light Spirit Magic (R), which had reached 99 a week ago...

    "Am I being too impatient?"

    ¨DI think the contractor''s ambition is admirable!

    Lucy cheerfully responded to KiJun''s muttering as he gazed up at the unchanging sun after exiting the dungeon.

    ¨DIt''s just that you''re floundering because up until now, the growth was too fast.

    "Dexterity and endurance grew to rare grade without any problem. You''re only worrying because that seemed easy. You''re taking the grade up for granted."

    "It wasn''t easy. You wrung me out like a wet rag for days."

    And as a bonus, he had even destroyed a few traps in the Demon Lord''s castle.

    In any case, those two stats were ''physical'' stats, which KiJun was inherently specialized in, and the Demon Lord had guided him ording to her wisdom, making the journey somewhat smoother.

    If only his strength reached 99, the Demon Lord would surely pull it up to rare grade, somehow.

    But the rest needed his own enlightenment to back it up, making it tricky.

    "...Anyway, now that we''re out, let''s take a break today."

    ¨DParty time!

    "Right, it''s party time!"

    As the two women rejoiced, chanting "party" and looking happy, KiJun squinted at them and soon cracked a smile.

    "Sure, let''s have a party."

    "Good idea. When things don''t work out, you eat something tasty, and then..."

    The Demon Lord, hesitating for a moment, coughed and lifted her hand in a peculiar gesture, twisting her wrist as if turning a wine ss.

    "Easing your stress with a drink might just rx your mind."

    "¡­Yeah."

    At her words, at her gesture, someone came to mind.

    Suppressing his longing so as not to let the tears well up, KiJun teased the Demon Lord with a light chuckle.

    "You never mentioned drinking before."

    "That''s because until now, you weren''t worthy of toasting with me."

    She retorted, loaded with meaning, and heughed outright again.

    They didn''t share drinks lightly with others.

    It was also a rule among the Earth''s heroes.

    In a world full of danger, where a stab in the back coulde at any moment, there was an unspoken agreement to only share drinks with those you trusted.

    Thus, offering a drink to someone had two opposing meanings.

    You don''t offer drinks unless you take the other person seriously.

    And you don''t offer drinks unless you trust the other person substantially.

    "So, I''ve earned it now?"

    "Special, very special?"

    In response to KiJun''s loaded question, the Demon Lord replied with equally loaded meaning.

    That''s when Lucy interjected.

    ¨DFunny, as if you haven''t been looking forward to it all this time¨D¨D!

    "Spirit, don''t make things up, or the hero will misunderstand, okay¨D¨D?!"

    ¨DKyaaaak! Save me, contractor! The demon is chasing me!

    The chase between the Demon Lord and Lucy began, but KiJun could onlyugh.

    Eyeing for this? Perhaps the Demon Lord had acknowledged him long before.

    Indeed, she was a good person.

    For her expectations not to be in vain, he would have to train hard.

    ...But taking a break for just today would be okay.

    ''Right, Uncle Soo?''

    * * *

    Under the moonlit night, a handsome man with a scruffy beard sighed deeply as he emptied his ss.

    "It just doesn''t taste the same without KiJun."

    As he sighed and was about to refill his ss, someone snatched the bottle away.

    Turning around, there stood his party member, JiHye, whom he hadn''t seen in weeks.

    "You shouldn''t drink alone, Uncle Soo."

    "Should I drink with a young one like you then? The kids will talk, they''ll talk."

    Uncle Soo should drink with another uncle, JiHye thought, recalling how he always dragged KiJun along forcibly, and she snickered.

    It''s funny that a man just over thirty constantly refers to himself as an "uncle."

    "So, was KiJun oppa an uncle?"

    "Well, he''s discharged from the military, so yeah, an uncle."

    "It''s funny to differentiate like that. We''ve all been rolling in the battlefield for 15 years since being summoned here. By that logic, aren''t we all aunts and uncles?"

    "Still, kid, people may not think that way. Eh?"

    The man who snatched the liquor bottle from JiHye''s hand... the assassin poured himself a drink, scoffing dismissively.

    "You go drink with that young¡¯un, EunShin."

    "EunShin is still a minor."

    "Look at you, enjoying this? You forgot what you just said that fast?"

    "Yum yum."

    JiHye attempted a clumsy flirtation, which made EunShin chuckle as he emptied his ss again, waving his hand dismissively.

    "Has YeMine back?"

    "Not yet. She must''ve been quite shocked... I didn''t expect she wouldn''t be here either. I thought she''d joined up with you, uncle."

    "Yeah, well... I also thought I''d be with you kids, not alone like this."

    The man sighed more heavily this time.

    Shaking the bottle to check the remaining liquor, EunShin began to drink straight from it.

    "Ah, uncle! Tell him! That''s not okay, really!"

    JiHye eximed in rm, but there was little she could do against the naturally strong assassin, despite her being a mage.

    "¨DUgh, just let me drink today. I won''t be able to rest starting from tomorrow, just today."

    Maybe that would ease his mind a bit.

    About to make that excuse, EunShin mumbled and sighed deeply.

    No matter how much he drank, it wouldn''t ease the situation.

    "In fact, I sometimes wonder if this is what he wanted."

    "Huh?"

    "I mean, KiJun. I wonder if he couldn''t do what he wanted because of us."

    He only spoke about this to JiHye, who he thought wouldn''t get angry hearing it, and continued,

    "He was talented. Everyone ranks YeMin the highest, but I always thought KiJun was ahead. But to think such a talented guy made so many sacrifices... He wouldn''t say it''s because of us, but he''s always been the one with the shield from the start, right?"

    "That''s true. But maybe it was KiJun oppa''s personality problem?"

    "You''re always ahead with your cool analysis."

    "What?! No, no!"

    JiHye was startled by EunShin''s casual praise and waved her head frantically.

    "I didn''t hate KiJun oppa or take his sacrifices for granted!"

    "It''s okay, it''s okay. I know that''s not what you meant. You''re just a rational kid, so I thought you''d take even this kind of talk from me."

    "That makes me sound heartless... I have feelings, you know...?"

    "I know, I know... It was a slip of the tongue. Sorry."

    As usual, mistakes happen when drunk.

    EunShin sighed and rubbed his face.

    The impact of not being able to join up with KiJun must have been significant.

    To blurt out potentially hurtful things to a kid without thinking...

    "So, you''re saying...?"

    Thankfully, JiHye didn''t press him further.

    "You''re saying that KiJun oppa has finally started to do what he wants?"

    "It''s possible. It wouldn''t be strange for him to start anew with a fresh mind... I''d rather prefer that."

    "It''ll be fine. Like uncle said, he''s talented. He wouldn''t get tricked by weirdos."

    "Right, he''s probably doing well."

    EunShin nodded vehemently, wanting to believe JiHye''s words, and exhaled a liquorden sigh, setting down the empty bottle.

    "Comfort YeMin a bit, will you? If not us... there''s no one to defeat the Demon Lord. We can''t afford to escape reality."

    "Leave it to me. I''m the best at persuading her."

    "Good, I trust you."

    "Yes!"

    EunShin cleaned up after his drink and stood up first.

    JiHye sat still for a moment where she had been, then let out a heavy sigh as if the worries were contagious.

    "What are we going to do about this mood, KiJun oppa..."

    But now wasn''t the time to think about someone who wasn''t here.

    She needed to find words to get the rampaging YeMin back on track, no matter whether it was a lie or a hasty guess.

    YeMin had to be pushed forward.

    Because the hero must kill the Demon Lord.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (17)

    Where did KiJun''s light magic and spiritual powere from?

    Without a doubt, it was from his contractual spirit, Lucy.

    If the answer couldn''t be found inbat using spirit magic, then focusing on the spirit itself for skill and stat growth was the natural choice.

    ¡ªHehe, I''m a little embarrassed.

    "Let''s all work hard together since it''s for everyone."

    ¡ªHuff, okay, contractor! Let''s do our best together!

    "......"

    The Demon Lord watched as KiJun and Lucy faced each other.

    She was gued by a reasonable suspicion that Lucy was purposely not telling KiJun how to advance to the next grade because she enjoyed their continuous sweet nothings.

    Lucy, being a high-ranking spirit with long years of life, couldn''t possibly have forgotten how a contractor''s advancement works, even if she had been sealed for a long time.

    ''It''s better for him to realize it himself rather than being taught directly.''

    But if that took too long, it would be troublesome for the Demon Lord.

    She was absolutely, absolutely not jealous that the hero was only concentrating on the spirit.

    It was simply because she had no one else to y with.

    And it was inconvenient for meal times to be dyed.

    The meals made by the hero were delicious, after all...

    So, she thought it was time to intervene, to pry them apart at the right moment, and to coerce the spirit into revealing the growth method if necessary.

    Just then, KiJun and Lucy abruptly stood up.

    "What''s going on?"

    "It''s time for our morning run. Let''s go, Lucy!"

    ¡ªAlright, I''ll run diligently today too!

    What''s the point if a spirit runs, they just il in the air?

    The Demon Lord watched the two with a twisted gaze.

    She couldn''t really know Lucy''s appearance, being without spirit power and not the contractor, but she seemed to be grinning foolishly, or so the Demon Lord felt.

    "Whatever, light spirits... if it were spirits of mischief, then maybe..."

    While they were running, she resisted the urge to interfere and spoil their fun, for the sake of maintaining the dignity she had kept in front of the hero.

    In reality, that dignity had long vanished, but the Demon Lord was unaware of it.

    "Phew. You worked hard, Lucy. Next up is breakfast time."

    ¡ªGot it, I''ll keep watching!

    That was what she always did.

    Staring as if possessed...

    The Demon Lord inwardly scoffed at Lucy''s usual behavior,pletely ignorant that she was doing the same.

    "Having Lucy watch seems to make cooking go better."

    ¡ªOh dear, contractor really...

    "Eurgh¡­ I can¡¯t look anymore! (Enough watching, I can''t take it anymore!)"

    The Demon Lord got up with a start.

    She was determined to confront that spirit today.

    She would smash that pathetic pretense of a romance with the fist of justice and make the spirit confess the method of advancement!

    But the next moment, she saw Lucy reaching out to the nearly finished cooking, and a light seemed to infuse into it.

    "No, why is this happening."

    It couldn''t be real...

    It must be just a lighting effect; there couldn''t be any real change.

    Believing so, the Demon Lord waited for the cooking to finish, but thepleted golden fried rice was indeed much more exquisite than before.

    It even had an addictive quality that tugged at the heartstrings.

    "What is this? It''s delicious..."

    KiJun and Lucy also expressed their amazement in turn after tasting it.

    "It''s really so much tastier? Maybe Lucy''s spell made a difference."

    ¡ªTruly! Our contract was surely meant to be!

    "Cut the crap... hero."

    Receiving a refill of the golden fried rice without any gap, the Demon Lord spoke.

    "Why don''t you just keep cooking today?"

    "Because when that spirit uses her power, the cooking tastes better. Didn''t you know this could be a sign of skill growth?"

    "Of the cooking skill?"

    "And the spirit magic skill too."

    Really? KiJun''s incredulous look prompted another firm nod.

    "Do it as if you''re in battle using spirit magic. Raise your light magic while you''re at it."

    "Is this thatbat cooking thing or something..."

    Although KiJun had doubts¡ªafter all, his Boomerang Throw evolved into sh Throw due to the influence of his spirit magic and light magic¡ªcooking was a new territory.

    Still, he hesitated but nodded, trusting the Demon Lord''s word, as he had never been led astray by her before.

    "Then, let''s go, Lucy!"

    "Okay, contractor! Now that it''se to this, I won''t hold back my strength either!"

    They ignited the me and ced the pan.

    After all, any finished dish could be neatly stored in the inventory to be consumed at any time, so there was no need to differentiate by category.

    Then the first dish to cook was, of course, high orc pork belly¡ª!

    "May it be delicious!"

    ¡ªMay it be delicious!

    They eximed with the fervor of battle as they grilled the pork belly.

    To any onlooker, it would seem absurd, but the only being who could stop them, the Demon Lord, watched with a serious expression.

    The crowning touch was the sulent pork belly shining brightly as it grilled to perfection.

    "What in the world is going on..."

    Thus, the fairy, who hade for a long-overdue tutorial second-round progress report and to check for bugs'' survival, stood apart, marveling at the strange scene.

    "Ah, you''vee?"

    The Demon Lord greeted the fairy with the gravity of a culinary judge, then motioned towards a te of freshly grilled and sliced pork belly.

    "Do you want to try some? It''s really delicious."

    "Me? You want me to eat that... made by an Earth hero?"

    "Hey, Demon Lord. I didn''t grill this meat for that little bug."

    It was supposed to be a treat for the Demon Lord''s tasting, not for a little fairy.

    KiJun, visibly annoyed, received a cool response from the Demon Lord.

    "Hero, you''ve been cooking too narrowly focused until now. You should aim to make delicious food that anyone can enjoy, not just for someone specific. Shouldn''t a true chef aim for that?"

    "But I''m not a chef!"

    "For now, as you''re trying to grow your skills, you need to embrace the heart of a true chef!"

    "Ugh, sounds like nonsense, but there''s some truth to it..."

    Defeated by logic, the hero reluctantly told the fairy.

    "Eat, moth... dip it in the soy sauce..."

    "Hmph, I was going to eat anyway. What can a hero, still trapped in tutorials, do with limited ingredients... Ah..."

    And the fairy''s speech trailed off.

    Overwhelmed by the perfectly grilled pork belly''s texture and the deep vor of the soy sauce that avoided it being too greasy, the fairy began savoring it, finding it too precious to continue speaking.

    The Demon Lord, who intended to save most of the pork belly for herself, widened her eyes as the little moth swiftly devoured the meat. But by then, the fairy was no longer paying attention to her.

    "This isn''t tutorial-level, you know? It''s at least rare-grade! This is a rare-grade cooking skill!"

    "There really is such a thing as a rare-grade cooking skill?"

    "It''s exceedingly rare, but yes! Does this even make sense?"

    The hero, usually unruffled even in the face of any crisis, was now gaping in amazement at a simple dish, which seemed to slightly alter his mood.

    The strangest thing was that it wasn''t a bad feeling.

    "I need to eat more to be sure. One bite isn''t enough to confirm it!"

    "...Wait. I''ll make you another dish. Ready, Lucy?"

    ¡ªOf course, contractor!

    Just this once for the growth of his cooking skill.

    Just this once.

    As KiJun once again focused on cooking, the fairy spoke to the Demon Lord with a slightly serious expression.

    "Hero, this is really good. With cooking like this, there''s no worry of starving in Leta, this is..."

    "Quiet, I know."

    "But still, Hero. You..."

    "It''s fortunate, isn''t it?"

    The Demon Lord smiled tenderly at KiJun, who was diligently boiling noodles.

    "It means the possibility for that kid has increased even by a little."

    Two hourster, after cooking various dishes and sacrificing the stomach health of the Demon Lord and the fairy, KiJun finally found the perfect way tobine his light magic with Lucy''s spirit power to create a more perfect dish.

    Likely, had it been something other than cooking, the result would have been the same.

    "Lucy."

    ¡ªContractor...

    Without words, they felt a warm understanding pass between them.

    Not just telepathy, but a much faster way to draw power during battle was within their reach.

    If only they had realized this duringbat... But perhaps, to increase the synergy between a bound spirit and a contractor facing their limits, it wasn''t destructive action that was needed, but something they could both invest their sincerity and heart into.

    He spontaneously thought of this after his realization.

    Then, like a deluge, system messages flooded in.

    ¡ªYour umon-grade [Cooking] skill, influenced by light spirit magic, has grown into a rare-grade skill [Cooking of Light]! It will not only make the dishes look more beautiful but also boost the eater''s vitality and resistance to fatigue, giving them courage to stand against evil!

    ¡ªYour rare-grade [Light Spirit Magic] skill has evolved into a unique grade through the realization of merging magic power with spirit power! This will allow more efficient use of the spirit''s power and enhance recovery and attack capabilities using the light spirit!

    ¡ªA positive adjustment is added to your rare-grade title [Skill Creator] for creating a new skill.

    ¡ªYou''ve earned the qualification for a new ss ''Spirit Chef,'' which is of rare grade. Would you like to transfer sses?

    As he refused the Spirit Chef ss change at lightning speed, KiJun felt a fundamental change within him.

    It was a sensation he''d experienced before.

    His status grade was growing.

    ¡ªSessfully drawing closer to the light, you''ve unleashed your inherent potential. Your Light Magic (Uc) stat surpasses its limit and evolves into a Rare (R) grade! Light Magic (R) is now 1.

    ¡ªThe immense spiritual power within you stirs for the first time due to the union with the spirit. Your Spirit Power (R) status surpasses its limit and evolves into a Unique (Unique) grade! Spirit Power (U) is now 1.

    ¡ªSometimes your fatal charm can be poison, but those intoxicated by you will willingly swallow even that venom. Your Charisma (Uc) status surpasses its limit and evolves into a Rare (R) grade! Charisma (R) is now 1.

    Wait a minute.

    There seemed to be something odd in thest part.

    "Suddenly poison...?"

    Until now, KiJun had never understood why his Charisma stat grew from Common to Rare grade.

    Moreover, calling his charm ''fatal'' could have been dangerous if those who knew him on Earth heard it.

    "You''ve worked hard, hero."

    Any questions he had dissipated at the sight of the Demon Lord smiling knowingly at him.

    The fairy had already left, but there was a pile of ingredients on one side, possibly as payment for the cooking.

    "I''ve heard about the second round. Everyone''s running hard, aren''t they?"

    "What a service from that fairy."

    "Your party members, especially, are doing incredibly well. They''re picking out exactly what they need and growing rapidly, so they might even manage a stat advancement, not to mention a race advancement."

    "Good to hear."

    A fleeting thought crossed his mind¡ª''I hope they weren''t too shocked by my absence''¡ªbut he dismissed his worries upon hearing they were doing well.

    If they forget about him... well, that would be regrettable, but it''s better for him to be a bit sad than for them to fret needlessly over him.

    "They''re really looking for you, you know."

    That thought faded with the Demon Lord''s nextment.

    A fleeting joy followed by a surge of self-disgust at such thoughts.

    As KiJun frowned in confusion, the Demon Lordughed as if understanding hisplex feelings.

    "People''s hearts aren''t easy. But since they''re converting their feelings for you into motivation and working hard, they''llplete the tutorial just fine."

    "Is that so?"

    "Don''t worry, the fairy didn''t deliberately omit talking about you. During the tutorial, discussing the outside world is strictly forbidden."

    "I didn''t expect anything from that fairy."

    "But instead."

    The Demon Lord, having approached closer, reached out to smooth the wrinkles on KiJun''s forehead and said.

    "It seems your cooking was too delicious today. Within the limits of not breaking the rules, she said she''d pass on that you''re still alive and well."

    "Really?"

    Watching theplex expression on KiJun''s face, the Demon Lord smirked mischievously.

    Lucy, attempting to break away from KiJun to attack the Demon Lord, was easily caught in one swoop now that KiJun''s spiritual power and spirit magic grade had be visible even to others.

    "Yikes, what are you doing, you demon!"

    "How about it? Cooking for others isn''t so bad, right?"

    "Well... maybe, you''re right."

    Still with aplex expression but nodding agreeably, KiJun added,

    "Then let''s just sleep tonight and head back to the dungeon tomorrow. We''ve grown everything we can."

    "Oh."

    ¡ªAh.

    The Demon Lord and Lucy suddenly looked aghast, but it was toote to turn back now.

    Who would have known that they wouldplete an advancement in just one day!

    And that night.

    ¡ªThe rose has a magic that brings back even those pricked by its thorns. You have now be such a rose. Charisma (R) has increased by 1.

    Now, what on Earth does that mean?

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (18)

    KiJun woke up sharp at six in the morning as usual and washed his face with water from his inventory. The dark brick ceiling had be familiar after hundreds of glimpses.

    He wanted to run, but since that wasn''t possible, he substituted his morning exercise with push-ups, double crunches, and squats. After wiping down with a damp towel, it was time to prepare breakfast, just as the Demon Lord and Lucy woke up.

    "Yawn."

    "Awake?"

    ¨DSlept well, contractor?

    As a rare-grade spirit, Lucy used to spend much time awake, but since her spirit magic evolved to unique grade, she began showing more human-like behaviors.

    Though sleep wasn''t essential for her, KiJun made sure to let her rest whenever she wished. After all, their tent was rm-equipped against intruders, unless it was the Demon Lord herself, who was sleeping nearby.

    "I want something sparkly for breakfast today."

    "Even if you didn''t ask, I was going to make it that way."

    KiJun proudly whipped up the level 70 skill, Cooking of Light. Today''s menu was Shining Toast... rather, ham and cheese toast.

    The simple toast,yered with ham, cheese, and pickles atop buttered bread, was exceptionally delicious thanks to the sauce. Harnessing his enhanced seasoning skills post reaching the rare skill level, KiJun developed a top-notch sauce with a sweet and salty fruit base toplete his toast.

    "Ah, delicious as always..."

    ¨DI''m going to spend the rest of my life enjoying leisurely mornings with the contractor''s toast.

    "Leisurely, my foot," KiJun muttered under his breath.

    Having quickly finished their meal, the Demon Lord sighed and gazed at the ceiling.

    "We''ve been stuck in this dungeon for over three years now."

    "But we''re close to the end now."

    "Close? It''s been four years, including the time before! Four years is enough to clear ten regr dungeons!"

    ¨DAh, seriously noisy.

    The Demon Lord''s sudden outburst led Lucy to promptly create a light barrier to prevent the sound from spreading. Thanks to her human-sized form and swift spirit magic casting, her desired peaceful morning wasn''t dungeoned by a monster ambush.

    "I''m heading to that ce we found yesterday. I don''t care if it''s a trap or not, I''m going to finish this quickly. I''m at my limit!"

    "Take it easy," KiJun advised as he opened his status and skill window to review the changes over thest three years.

    [Status Window]

    [Title ¨D Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (Legendary) +7]

    [Degraded Light Person (Uc) Lv97]

    [Strength (R) ¨D 54]

    [Dexterity (R) ¨D 61]

    [Endurance (R) ¨D 57]

    [Light Magic (R) ¨D 73]

    [Charisma (R) ¨D 99]

    [Spirit Power (U) ¨D 36]

    [Skills/Spells]

    [Umon]

    [Butchery Lv99]

    [Rare]

    [Cooking of Light Lv67, Double Turtle Fangs Lv98, sh Throw Lv79, Wholehearted Taunt Lv99]

    [Unique]

    [Light Spirit Magic Lv51, Rapid Regeneration Lv54, Steelization Lv52, No Rest for the Wicked Lv55]

    [Legendary]

    [Unbreakable Internal Clock Lv¨D¨D]

    Considering there wasn''t much left of the dungeon, the prospect of leveling up amidst the remainder seemed daunting. Despite the excessive monster hunting, more time was spent searching the vast dungeon than gaining experience.

    "I''ve learned my lesson, though. Never again will I explore a dungeon without a rogue or a mage."

    "Lucky you," the Demon Lord remarked as she scrutinized his status and skill window, conveniently ignoring the maxed-out charisma as always and examining the other skills nearing their limits.

    "Butchery and taunt... coincidentally, skills that have nothing to do with me. Oh, your weaponry skills are also nearing their cap. Hit 99 before entering the boss room, and you can grow during the boss fight. Perfect, right?"

    "To outsiders, is it normal to level up skills while fighting a boss monster?"

    "Of course, it''s normal. Who do you think raised you?"

    The Demon Lord, looking like a proud mother, pped KiJun¡¯s back with confidence.

    "Done eating? Then let''s go. I have a feeling you can definitely level up there."

    ''There'' referred to a room cloaked in darkness that a weary KiJun had stumbled upon, which contained a treasure chest that looked conspicuously like a trap. They decided to sleep on it and deal with it the next day.

    "Even with a closer look, it''s definitely a trap."

    ¨DHow can anyone think to catch people with such an obvious setup...?

    "Those fools, this is a challenge course. This dungeon has always been a bonus for those who rush into danger with glee."

    "That does make sense."

    Agreeing with the Demon Lord, KiJun amplified the light around him to counter the darkness and moved forward. Reaching the treasure chest, he saw the Demon Lord step back and kicked it open without hesitation.

    ¨DScreech!

    The chest turned out to be a mimic.

    Simultaneously, magic circles scattered around the room emitted an ominous glow, summoning a horde of Lesser Demons armed with swords, spears, bows, axes, hammers, shields, and all manner of weapons.

    "Is this real life? All these monsters are Lesser Demons?!"

    "Don''t get distracted, hero! They''re fighting each other!"

    Indeed, the Lesser Demons, seemingly on the same side, turned on each other in confusion.

    "What a waste of my experience points! You¨D cigarette butts on the street! Look at me¨D!"

    TL/N: I imagine he¡¯s referring to a chest mimic when he says that? I guess they do kind of look like cig butts¡­

    The thought of missing out on a racial advancement because of a single Lesser Demon''s worth of experience was too bitter to consider.

    KiJun diligently employed his maxed-out skill, Wholehearted Taunt, to grab the attention of the demons, but due to the considerable size of the room, only the mimics and those around him turned their heads towards him.

    ¨DThud, thud!

    "Look at me¨D¨D!"

    First, he crushed a mimic with a shield brimming with light, deflected the ovepping weapons with a single hand on his shield, and continued to pulverize the faces of the demons while shouting louder with increased ferocity.

    Wholehearted Taunt, Wholehearted Taunt, Wholehearted Taunt!

    ¨DContractor, this won¡¯t do! The fight is intensifying!

    "Crap, in that case...!"

    KiJun and Lucy¡¯s eyes met with mutual understanding.

    "Let¡¯s go, Lucy!"

    ¨DAnytime!

    KiJun''s entire body surged with light magic, further enhanced by Lucy¡¯s spirit power.

    Now quite ustomed to the unity of magic and spirit power, KiJun cast his taunt again!

    "You minions of evil¨D! Light shall judge you!"

    His whole body glowed blindingly white.

    The pulsing light, irritating to behold, flickered on and off like a fluorescent light before a ckout, provoking even more ire.

    Taunt that reached beyond its usual realm, awakening the source of rage with an almost enchanting spell!

    "Arghhhhh!"

    "Turn off that cursed light!"

    "I''ll destroy you!!"

    Moreover, since the light was imbued with Lucy''s spirit power, it significantly weakened the darkness-attuned monsters and even inflicted damage.

    All the Lesser Demons ceased their infighting and began to assail KiJun exclusively!

    ¨DThat¡¯s it, Contractor!

    "Right, now to survive against these hundreds of Lesser Demons...!"

    The glow ceased, and KiJun, wielding his shield until his arms nearly shattered, cried out, but the demons'' fury persisted until theirst breath was forcibly taken.

    After a grueling two-hour battle, KiJun finally cleaved thest remaining Lesser Demon''s throat with a sharply edged shield.

    It was a grim battle that saw the levels of all unique-grade skills, including spirit magic, rise by one.

    But even more impressive were the results.

    ¨DGained enough experience frombat to reach level 98. Dexterity (R) increased by 1, Endurance (R) increased by 1, Light Magic (R) increased by 1.

    ¨DBravely contended with a vastly stronger multitude of foes and triumphed! The rare-grade title Transcender of Limits receives a positive adjustment. The title may soon evolve.

    ¨DThe rare-grade skill [Double Turtle Fangs] has reached level 99 and maxed out.

    ¨DThe rare-grade skill [Wholehearted Taunt], influenced by the power of light spirit magic, has evolved into the unique-grade skill [Blinding Taunt]! The light that stimtes fighting spirit will draw all unfriendly entities intobat, dealing additional damage to darkness-attuned enemies.

    ¨DAfter creating several new skills, the rare-grade title [Skill Creator] evolves to a unique grade! The title effect increases the ability to handle one''s own created skills by 20%. ''Very'' positive adjustments are given when the rank of the created skills is increased.

    "Huh...?"

    He had anticipated leveling up and skills evolving to some extent.

    But the evolution of a title was unexpected.

    Moreover, the effects were so profound they were staggering.

    Compared to when it was a rare grade, the effects had doubled in potency.

    This meant that not only did his self-created skills like Double Turtle Fangs, sh Throw, Cooking of Light, and Blinding Taunt gain an additional 10% in ability, but if these skills were to rise in rank, further positive adjustments would apply.

    "Is this the true power of a title? Then what were all those garbage titles I had before...?"

    "Don¡¯t be too sad, hero. Once we clear this ruin, you¡¯ll experience the effects of a legendary-grade title."

    After the battle, the Demon Lord, who came into the room to console KiJun, looked at the dead mimic and eximed.

    "It¡¯s a unique-grade?"

    "There are grades for mimics?"

    "A shabby mimic ismon, a in one is umon, a shy one is rare. A mimic with attributes is unique. If it transitions to legendary, it acquires additional strange properties."

    "Attribute mimics..."

    Being in such a dark-filled ce, it would naturally be a dark mimic.

    But what meaning did it have, being just a mimic, not even a treasure chest?

    "Ah, I guess you as the hero wouldn''t know yet. Mimics above a rare grade really are treasure chests."

    "A mimic?"

    "Because it¡¯s a mimic. Imagine how many tears and blood it has swallowed pretending to be a treasure chest. If it ingests even a single piece of jewelry, sword, or even a gold coin, it could mature in despair and time into an artifact with ease."

    "Did you have to exin in such an unsettling way?"

    "Let''s open it!"

    The Demon Lord, looking almost vicious for once, tore open the mimic¡¯s lid and pulled out the contents.

    What emerged was a dark, circr object that would have been excellent if it was a ck shield forged from countless people¡¯s blood... but it wasn¡¯t.

    "No, this is an industrial product from magical engineering. Why would this be inside a mimic in a dungeon?"

    It was something circr and toorge for a coin.

    The Demon Lord stared at it incredulously, picked it up with one hand, and offered it to KiJun.

    "Why would such a useless thing appear? It might have transformed inside the mimic, absorbing magic over time..."

    "Magical engineering product? A fusion of magic and technology?"

    "More precisely, the science of your Earth or other civilizations doesn¡¯t take hold well in Leta. Magical engineering is the result ofbining magic and science after many trials."

    And this was it, slightly smaller and thinner than the buzzer one gets at a caf¨¦ when waiting for coffee.

    Holding it in his hand, KiJun narrowed his eyes.

    "Yes, if my memory serves... this is a shock absorber. They use it at construction sites for heavy machinery to carry heavy materials. When ced on the ground, it absorbs all kinds of shocks in the area, reducing stress."

    "Shock absorption."

    "Ah. I get what you''re thinking, but it won¡¯t be that effective."

    The Demon Lord smirked.

    "At the end of the day, it¡¯s construction equipment. Even if you wear it, there¡¯s a limit to the amount of shock it can absorb."

    "Still, it might serve its purpose against the boss we''re about to face, even if it¡¯s just for one hit."

    "That¡¯s true."

    "If you''re going to wear it, let me check for curses...," said the Demon Lord, taking the device, but she jumped back, startled, dropping it the next moment.

    KiJun quickly caught it mid-air.

    Thanks to the Demon Lord¡¯s appraisal, item information was now visible to him too.

    [Shock Absorber (Rare) - Growth Type]

    [Durability - 2,578/3,500]

    [Defense (R) - 78]

    [Option 1 - The device absorbs some of the shock exerted within its attached area and stores it. There is a limit to the storage; beyond a certain amount, it can''t absorb more, and the stored shock diminishes over time.]

    [A perfectly ordinary magical engineering product holds the grudge of its owner, transformed inside a dark mimic into an artifact. If supplied with significant force or magic, it may grow.]

    "Wow."

    KiJun asked, stunned.

    "Do magical engineering products usually grow like this?"

    "No."

    The Demon Lord replied.

    "That''s now an artifact. A relic."

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (19)

    In a world where everything had a grade, items were no exception.

    In the party where Hero KiJun belonged, only the party leader, YeMin, possessed a Unique grade longsword, and even that was by luck¡ªrare grade items were a luxury even among hero parties.

    KiJun, being a tanker, received priority distribution for defensive items, yet only his armor top, greaves, and one shield were of Rare grade, with the rest all Umon.

    Later, the Demon Lord exined that the tutorial stage was designed to focus on skills and titles that would permanently benefit the heroes, rather than items that would mostly vanish once they transitioned to the main stage, Leta. Nheless, that was the situation.

    "But this tiny thing is Rare, and it can even grow."

    "Most growth-type artifacts remain unchanged because their growth mechanisms are unknown, so don''t get your hopes too high," the Demon Lord remarked, yet her gaze lingered on the shock absorber, as if wondering how it could possibly be a growth-type item.

    The potential of a growth-type item was terrifying¡ªif sessful in growth, it could reach at least Unique grade, and possibly even Legendary or beyond.

    "It might not look like much, but it definitely has potential... ah, scratch that," the Demon Lord trailed off.

    KiJun chuckled and picked up the shock absorber again. "So, it''s not cursed, right?"

    "Yeah," confirmed the Demon Lord.

    Assured, KiJun attached the shock absorber to the heart area inside his heavy armor''s cloth armor. Even if the armor was destroyed, the detachable nature of the device meant he now possessed a supplementary piece of armor for life.

    "But in reality, that thing''s defense is on par with your armor."

    "Don''t mention it; it makes me sad," KiJun quipped.

    He swiftly and precisely extracted the hearts from the hundreds of Lesser Demons on the ground using his Umon grade Butchery skill, which frustratingly wouldn''t grow past level 99.

    "There it is."

    "Aha, it was a key-type after all!"

    Among the demons, he found one, just one, whose belly contained a key emanating a dark and ominous light.

    In a dungeon, the use of a conspicuously suspicious key was obvious.

    The Boss Room.

    As the Demon Lord said, had they not triggered this trap, they would have never reached the end of the dungeon.

    Or they could have smashed through to the Boss Room door.

    "Do you want me to pour my mana into it to find the Boss Room, or will you try?"

    "Wait, the contractor is concentrating," Lucy chided the Demon Lord, eager to escape the ruins.

    While they exchanged words, KiJun channeled his Rare grade mana into the key, observing the reaction. The light attribute of his mana, in stark contrast with the darkness of the dungeon, repelled the key''s energy, allowing him to read the flow of mana more clearly.

    "I''ve found it."

    "Ah, it''s been a long wait. I''m itching to beat down whoever the boss is."

    "I need to level up, so please restrain yourself."

    The path to the Boss Room, the source of their four years of trouble, was now opening.

    Thankfully, the key''s embedded power provided a direct route to the Boss Room, bypassing any remaining traps. KiJun, reluctantly leaving behind traps that could have enhanced his skills, raced ahead under the sharp gaze of the Demon Lord and Lucy.

    "Here we are."

    They soon encountered a door as ck as the surrounding walls, made of simrly dark metal.

    "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here," KiJun quoted Dante Alighieri, who described the gates of Hell in his "Inferno."

    "This means the one trapped inside has no hope left. With Dante by my side, I cannot lose."

    "Aren''t we about to enter?"

    "And Copernicus and Schr?dinger are with me, too."

    Ignoring the Demon Lord''s sarcasm, KiJun fortified his spirit as usual.

    Lucy chimed in rhythmically to support him.

    "What about Nietzsche?"

    "Of course, he''s with me in spirit, too."

    Next, KiJun checked his physical armor.

    His Rare grade shield that was repaired by the Demon Lord countless times, and his Umon shield.

    His Rare grade chest armor, also repaired countless times, Umon cloth armor, and the attached Rare grade shock absorber...

    His Rare grade greaves and Umon grade gauntlets and boots...

    His physical equipment seemed meagerpared to his robust mental preparation.

    "You''ve been fighting alongside me with such rubbish equipment, hero..."

    "Let''s just go," KiJun said, gesturing for the Demon Lord to step back, and he inserted the key into the lock.

    Bracing for an attack as he opened the door, he was prepared, but the inside was eerily quiet.

    A faint voice whispered...

    Alert and ready, KiJun flung the door open, and a gust of wind from beyond assaulted him.

    "Contractor!"

    "Argh!" KiJun activated his Steelization to block the damage as the shock absorber buzzed slightly from within, functioning correctly.

    [Too long.]Thumped a heavy step.

    [I waited too long!]

    Another sh of wind came, but KiJun''s response was timely, matching the rhythm of the assaulting winds and the sharp des they carried.

    [And for what? This isn''t worth the wait!]

    The door KiJun opened began to close. If it shut, KiJun and Lucy would be left alone in the pitch-ck Boss Room without the Demon Lord.

    After a moment''s hesitation, she decided to prevent the door from closing, but KiJun stopped her with a shake of his head.

    "Wait outside!"

    "Fine, but if you die, I''ll kill you myself!"

    The door shut with a final bang, leaving KiJun and Lucy alone with the boss.

    Illuminated by their light, they glimpsed the boss''s form: huge, with six arms wielding different weapons, and glowing horns.

    [You''ve thrown away your only chance at salvation.]

    "What?"

    ¡ªDemons love posturing. Like the one outside!

    The weapons in the demon''s six armsunched at KiJun from every direction.

    KiJun dodged what he could and deflected the rest with his shields, but the sheer force was overwhelming.

    "Even with my strength at Rare..."

    [Rare? I am a Demon, inherently unique. You are foolish, human, to try andpare your strength with me!]

    "Are you arrogant just because it''s unique?"

    Another barrage attacked KiJun.

    Thankfully, the demon''s weaponscked the enlightenment that KiJun¡¯s had.

    He managed to fend off the attacks, supported by the shock absorber''s aid.

    [I have mastered all weapons during my confinement! As the Demon Weapon Master, I shall y you and conquer the world!]

    The relentless battle raged.

    Lucy targeted the demon''s weak spots with spears of light she crafted from spirit power.

    [It doesn''t even itch!]

    ¡ªYou seem bothered!"

    [Damn spirit, meddling again!]

    "Ha!"

    During a briefpse in the demon''s focus, KiJun unleashed a full-powered Shield Bash, glowing with spirit power. The attack pushed the demon back, but it wasn''t lethal.

    [Was that supposed to hurt?]

    The demon, cocking his head with a sneer, mocked KiJun.

    Lucy shouted in response.

    ¨DHe¡¯s just embarrassed from being pushed back and pretends like nothing happened!

    The demon was greatly agitated by Lucy''s sidements, which seemed to read his mind and mock him with every word. KiJun thought to himself that Lucy was actually much better at taunting than he was as he gripped his shields again.

    Since the start of the battle, KiJun¡¯s body had maintained a seemingly fine condition, thanks to the continuous effects of his Rapid Regeneration and No Rest for the Wicked skills.

    "Anyways, we''re causing damage. That''s good enough."

    [Do you really think such trivial wounds will kill me¨D¨D!]

    The demon discarded one weapon from his hand and swung down a massive scimitar with all his might, generating a de of wind aimed to slice KiJun in half¨Dwhich was deflected by KiJun¡¯s vigorous shield block.

    "Haah...!"

    The shrill noise indicated that the shock absorber was nearing its limit. But it had held up well so far. KiJun gritted his teeth to maintain the strength in his trembling arms and raised his shields again.

    Compared to the overwhelming feeling when he first faced off against the Demon Lord, this situation hardly qualified as a crisis.

    [You¡¯re persistent!]

    ¨DHang in there, contractor!

    "I¡¯m fine."

    I could do this all day.

    Spitting out a mix of blood and saliva, KiJun once again fiercely gripped his shields, feeling his strength slowly return thanks to Rapid Regeneration and No Rest for the Wicked.

    ¨DLet¡¯s sharpen the spirit power a bit more, contractor.

    It was then that Lucy suggested a strategy.

    ¨DThe shields are a bit blunt and small for taking on that giant. I''llpensate for theck of cutting power with my strength.

    "So it¡¯s not even a wielding skill now."

    ¨DSo what. We¡¯re just putting real teeth on the turtle, right?

    That''s right.

    Originally, the skill known as Double Turtle Fangs, or rather dual shield technique, was cultivated without considering spirits¡ªstrictly as a defensive weapon skill.

    Now that it had a new name and the aid of a spirit, there was no need to be bound by identity.

    Just fight well.

    A very simple thing to do.

    ¨DYou¡¯ve done it several times already, a shift in thinking is all you need. You can do it, contractor.

    "Alright..."

    [What are you whispering about!]

    KiJun dodged the oing wind des and adjusted his posture.

    Holding the shields more aggressively, he poured out the overflowing spirit power and mana.

    Lucy infused the shields with an almost infinite supply of Light Spirit power, dazzling like two small suns in KiJun''s hands. The demon, never escaping the darkness in its lifetime, scowled at the blinding light.

    [You''re annoying, far too annoying!]

    The distance allowed the demon to shoot wind des like a sniper. The incessant rumbling when close, and the barrage from the six-armed weapons assault when nearer.

    Meanwhile, the demon''s horns continuously drew in the surrounding darkness, storing up power for what seemed to be a significant attack.

    "Let''s do this."

    Facing such a beast head-on, KiJun red and swung his shields.

    A brief suggestion from Lucy had expanded the shield''s realm beyond its usual scope, now possessing its own shape of light that parried the enemy''s wind des and weapons.

    Of course, the downside was significant mana and spirit power consumption, but if power ran out, he could endure with his body while waiting for it to replenish.

    [Now, die!]

    The moment soon arrived.

    The umted dark magic in the demon''s horn was vomited in a straight line of energy through its mouth.

    KiJun, sensitive to the attack, leaped out of its trajectory, but the demon twisted its head tounch it again.

    "Kuh!"

    ¨DIt''s okay, I can block it!

    When the two shields came together, they formed one massive shield with the help of Lucy''s intervention.

    He instinctively maneuvered the shield as he envisioned, his training not in vain.

    Theser, aimed to shred him, reflected off the Light Shield and¨Dastonishingly¨Dstruck the demon''s face directly!

    [AAAAARGH!]

    ¨DContractor!

    Lucy''s voice was clearer and sharper than ever.

    KiJun, with the speed of aet racing across the ground, surged forward, even as the demon writhed in pain.

    As the demon, still reeling from pain, attempted to bring down its weapons on KiJun, he frantically swung his separated shields, radiating light while slicing through the air, his movements as sharp as fangs.

    To maintain KiJun¡¯s peak concentration, Lucy exhausted thest of her spirit power to forge spears of light, blocking attacks KiJun couldn''t fend off himself.

    [GRAAAAGH!]

    "HHRRRAAAH!"

    And then KiJun...

    Ascending the demon''s body with the Light Shield as if skewering it, he delivered a giant fang of light to its face, created bybining two shields.

    [GUUUAAARGH!]

    The devil, revealing a vulnerability as it failed to recover from the blow, rolled on the ground in agony after being precisely bitten at its vital spot.

    KiJun pressed on, but soon after, the light from the shields faded.

    ¨DWe''re out of mana and spirit power, contractor.

    "That''s okay."

    Regaining hisposure, KiJun retreated, shielding himself wlessly.

    As he breathed calmly, he could feel the slow but sure resurgence of energy within him.

    Was it his innaterge spirit power, or had it been the transformation into light mana that seemed to quicken the recovery?

    "Let¡¯s finish this quickly."

    ¨DImpressive...!

    Lucy whispered softly.

    Twenty minutester, the fang of light pulled from KiJun¡¯s forehead tore the proud horn right off the demon.

    It was the moment KiJun conquered the dungeon.

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (20)

    ¡ªYou have emerged victorious against a boss-level monster overwhelmingly stronger than yourself! The rare-grade title [Transcender of Limits] has evolved into a unique grade! With this title, you will receive ''significantly'' positive adjustments when facing higher-ranked enemies. It will be ''even more'' convenient to surpass all kinds of limits.

    ¡ªThe legendary-grade title ''Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon'' is now fully activated! Due to the title effect, all stats and skill effects increase by 20% in any dungeon or ruins environment. It bes easier to discover dungeons and ruins, and you can now gain prior internal information.

    ¡ªDuring the intense battle, the levels of Light Spirit Magic (U), Rapid Regeneration (U), Steelization (U), and No Rest for the Wicked (U) increased by one each.

    ¡ªYou have reached level 99, hitting the limit. Strength (R), Light Magic (R), and Spirit Power (U) have increased by 1.

    The notifications were simply the result of him defeating the demon.

    I had spected about the growth of the Transcender of Limits, and it really did evolve.

    Ironically, the most desired effect, which he had hoped for before challenging the demon, was amplified, but it was an effect that he would continually benefit from in the future, so there was no need to be too disappointed.

    The Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon was also fully activated, a title that instantly made clear why it was of legendary grade.

    The fact that all stats and skills increased by 20% in every dungeon and ruins was already tremendous, but the additional effects were unbelievably powerful.

    His level had also grown definitively, reaching the limit.

    "If it''s not meant to be, then so be it. After all, it was an undiminished unique-grade."

    I''m unsure of the demon''s upation.

    But no matter how I think about it, his prowess was not as impressive as one would boast of being a Weapon Master.

    While he was pondering these foolish thoughts, the tally continued.

    The first thing that came up was a skill growth notification that he hadn''t expected.

    ¡ªThrough countless battles against superior enemies, you have partly reached the true essence of Butchery. The umon-grade skill [Butchery] transcends its limits and evolves into the rare-grade skill [ughter]. You receive a positive adjustment for actions involving killing any life for your benefit and harvesting by-products.

    "...That''s brutal."

    Perhaps thest moment, ripping the horn from the living demon''s forehead, influenced the skill''s evolution.

    Until now, KiJun had thought that Butchery was only used for extracting by-products from dead bodies, but in fact, both ughter and Butchery epassed the process of killing a creature and harvesting its by-products.

    Not realizing this simple fact might be why Butchery was stuck at an umon grade.

    The growth of the ughter skill, which gives an adjustment for all acts of killing, was surprising, but that wasn''t the main reward.

    ¡ªThe rare-grade skill [Double Turtle Fangs] is influenced by Light Spirit Magic and evolves into the unique-grade skill [Moonlight Fangs]. Your two shields will resemble the moon, being round and solid like a full moon, sharp like a crescent moon, and sometimes invisible like a new moon, but always present.

    "It¡¯s finally done."

    KiJun mumbled these words and knelt down.

    What''s done? Even he didn''t understand it until he remembered what the Demon Lord said when they first met and began training four years ago. She had said, "Let''s at least make the Dual Wielding Skill unique."

    He had to achieve a unique grade in weapon skills.

    The sense of relief that he hadn''t wasted her expectations, the time, and effort she invested in him naturally welled up.

    Looking back, after that, there were many things like Spirit Magic, but his obsession with her single statement now seemed silly.

    ¡ªContractor, are you alright?

    "Yeah, I''m fine. My level has also increased."

    "Ah, hey! Hero!"

    At that moment, the door opened, and the Demon Lord, with a worried expression, burst in.

    Seeing KiJun on his knees, the Demon Lord was horrified, but soon, realizing he was unscathed, she sighed in relief.

    "What the heck, really. Making me worry..."

    "Sorry, maybe it''s just a sense of aplishment..."

    "It''s okay, I understand. You''ve worked hard."

    The Demon Lord didn''t check if his skills had grown.

    It wasn''t that shecked expectations, but she simply believed he had achieved it.

    That faith had sometimes been a burden, but now that he had achieved it splendidly, it was nothing but pride and joy.

    Thest notification message appeared then.

    ¡ªSometimes mboyant, sometimes pitiful. A truly beautiful flower shows each seeker what they desire, captivating them as its prisoner. The Charisma (R) stat transcends its limits and evolves into the Unique (U) grade! Charisma (U) is now 1.

    What the¡­

    There must be a reason for this.

    If it really rose in rank just because Lucy admired it a bit and the Demon Lord worried a bit, then the Charisma stat might be less significant than KiJun thought.

    ...Or maybe the Demon Lord and Lucy are far more extraordinary than he imagined.

    "How about looking at the the dungeon'' reward?"

    "Oh, right."

    As KiJun focused intently on the status window, he soon came to his senses and surveyed the remaining space in the dungeon. Shockingly, there was no treasure chest prepared separately.

    Usually, the reward is directly carried by the boss of the dungeon, and if that''s the case, there was something he suspected.

    It didn''t seem like an inherent ability of the demon, but there was something that bothered KiJun every time a certain weapon was wielded.

    "This scimitar."

    "It seems enchanted. When that thing was holding it, it was huge."

    "Ah, right. This is it. Is it unique-grade?"

    The Demon Lord nodded affirmatively, shattering KiJun''s hopeful imagination.

    It was a disappointing result.

    Of course, the ability to create wind around or shoot wind des was quite impressive, but the main subject being a scimitar!

    "I''d rather take my rare-grade shield to the main game than this."

    "Don''t be silly and try it on."

    Was his joke about preferring rare over unique too much?

    But then, as a slightly disheartened KiJun picked it up, amazingly, the scimitar transformed into the shape of a pristine white shield.

    "What...?"

    "It''s an adaptable armament. It seems to transform into whatever the owner desires most. Can it split into two? Oh, that doesn''t work."

    "Uh uh..."

    Now this changes things.

    KiJun blinked in disbelief, unable to grasp that he had really acquired a unique-grade shield, and opened its info window.

    [King of the Well (Unique)]

    [Durability ¨C 2,325/2,500]

    [Attack Power (U)/Defense (U) ¨C 50]

    [Option 1 ¨C Increase Strength, Mana Power by 5]

    [Option 2 ¨C Contains the power of the wind, which can be dispersed in all directions or wielded as sharp trajectories. Casting consumes mana power, and the potency is proportional to the product of Strength and Mana Power. Requires a cooldown period after casting.]

    [Equip Restriction ¨C ''Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon'' title holder]

    [Congrattions. You are the most remarkable frog in this narrow well!]

    And he grimaced.

    "Damn it!"

    The performance was indeed excellent.

    In fact, it was even more remarkable than any unique item he had seen, considering it met both his offensive and defensive needs in a shield.

    But all its value was being undercut by the item''s name and description.

    Nothing could illustrate more vividly that all his struggles until now were nothing more than a tutorial!

    "The name is... huh, a bit funny."

    As usual, the Demon Lord couldn''t help but chuckle and tapped the hero''s shoulder.

    "Still, it''s a really amazing piece of armament. It boosts both Strength and Mana Power by 5... For someone like you, who performs both attack and defense with a shield, it''s perfect. Holding this, I bet you''ll be more than twice as strong."

    "I know, I know, but still, the name..."

    His attempt to look cool and his challenge to the demon seemed to have all turned into bubbles.

    Gently stroking KiJun''s shoulder, the Demon Lordforted him with a soft voice.

    "It''s okay. I know how great your battle was. You''ve always fought with full power, never minding if it''s just a tutorial. So it''s okay. You should be proud."

    ¡ªRight, contractor, you were really, really cool earlier! I''m so proud I was the only one who saw it!

    "This spirit, really."

    Secretly wishing she had witnessed KiJun''s struggle, the Demon Lord was caught off guard by Lucy''s teasing and red.

    In the meantime, KiJun, who had regained his spirits, strapped the now permanently shield-shaped [King of the Well] to his back along with a rare-grade shield.

    This alone sessfully added a bonus of 5 to both his Strength and, slightly to his worry, his Light Magic.

    "Good, that settles it."

    He changed his mood with this positive thought and turned around.

    "Let''s head up to the surface now."

    "Yeah, once we''re up, it''s party time!"

    "Ah, right. A party! ...Contractor, there''s still that!"

    "Huh? ...Oh!"

    Excluding the ''King of the Well'', all artifacts wielded by the demon seemed to age rapidly and crumble away, along with the demon''s body, which also turned to ash and scattered in the wind. However, one item remained intact on the ground ¨C the horn that KiJun had ripped out with his shield.

    "Wow, did you actually manage to pull that off?" eximed the Demon Lord, visibly ted.

    "Good, all those Lesser Demon hearts I''ve collected won''t go to waste," she continued.

    "If it was going to be a waste, you should have told me earlier, ma¡¯am," retorted KiJun, slightly rmed.

    "Well, even without that horn, I could have purified them. Anyway, keep that horn. I¡¯ll make something decent out of it before you head to Leta."

    "What will it be?" asked KiJun, intrigued.

    "A permanent battery. They¡¯re incredibly valuable. Demons are, after all, a rare species," mused the Demon Lord, clearly pleased.

    KiJun was astonished, recalling the thousands of Lesser Demon hearts he had harvested over the years, now to be used for making batteries.

    "Why are you looking at me like that, ''King of the Well''?"

    "Nothing, you just said I should be proud of myself!" KiJun retorted.

    "But just because you¡¯re great doesn¡¯t mean the name of your item has to be great too."

    "What did you say, demon?"

    "I said, let''s hurry up and get to the surface."

    The four-year-long exploration of the dungeon thus came to a close. They chattered and reminisced about their deepened bond as they ascended to the surface.

    Suddenly, new ss notifications appeared:

    ¡ªYou have qualified for the job ¡®Guardian of Light¡¯, a rare-grade job. Would you like to change sses?

    and

    ¡ªYou have qualified for the job ¡®Dancer of Light¡¯, a rare-grade job. Would you like to change sses?

    But KiJun decided to cancel them.

    "Senior! Wait a minute!"

    "What now?"

    * * *

    "My name is Choi Kang. I am the strongest man in South Korea, no, in the world."

    "The exit is that way."

    "Wait, just listen to me!"

    Six years had passed since the start of the second round in another world. Several events had unfolded, but they could be briefly summarized into three points:

    1. KiJun was nowhere to be found.

    2. YeMin''s party had grown stronger, far surpassing their power from the first round.

    3. Yet, they still hadn''t challenged the Demon Lord.

    "I am the strongest person in Korea, no, in the world. So there must be a ce for me there. There has to be!"

    "I don''t know where you heard that from, but..."

    Additionally, there were numerous lunatics, incessantly making noise in front of the party house, demanding to be admitted into the party. This man was particrly gangster-like among them...

    JiHye, the party''s mage, sighed and responded, "We''re not recruiting party members. If you understand, please leave. Don¡¯t make a racket in front of our house."

    "But isn¡¯t there one spot avable in your party?"

    "If you know that, how do you not know this?"

    JiHye''s palm glowed with a perfect red orb, containing enough power to incinerate a man like him.

    "Our party''s vacancy is a taboo subject."

    "Wait, don''t be hasty. If you knew my strength, you''d change your mind, surely."

    "Sorry, but I¡¯m not interested."

    "My strength!"

    As the orb ominously hovered before his face, the man eximed, "My strength is umon. It''s been that way since I was summoned here. And now, it¡¯s almost at rare."

    JiHye chuckled.

    "If you''re so special, you would have been known during the first round."

    "I died early."

    "Umon strength and still died? That''s pathetic."

    The man urgently added, "There was a person killed by a fairy during the first round as an example!"

    "You mean you?"

    "Yes!"

    "And your umon strength?"

    "Yes! Wasn¡¯t that unfair?"

    It might have been unfair, but probably his death was due to his attempts to show off his ''specialness''...

    Concluding her thoughts, JiHye dered, "Sad, but there¡¯s still no ce for you in our party."

    "You fool! No, you won¡¯t understand. Party leader, let me talk to that damn... girl."

    He might have been about to say something else, but JiHye wasn''t interested.

    With a flick of her hand, the man trying to force the door open was violently flung out, rolling on the ground.

    As he got up, he was greeted by an evenrger sphere of fire magic.

    "My magic is rare-grade," JiHye stated, looking down at the man fixated on the orb.

    "Got it? Now leave."

    The door closed.

    JiHye sighed and climbed the stairs, pondering, "Maybe I was harsh. He could have worked hard after dying in the first round, raising his strength to nearly rare."

    She left unspoken the obvious ¨C that it was a pathetic achievement.

    JiHye had two reasons for not tolerating the man''s presence.

    First, his selfishness in pushing his position despite being clearly told that the vacancy in the party was a taboo topic.

    Second, his inborn umon-grade stats filled her with unbearable jealousy.

    Some had given up on all other stat possibilities and barely achieved rare-grade in magic through sheer dedication.

    "But then, what about YeMin? Ah, it''s so frustrating."

    Arriving at YeMin''s door, JiHye gently knocked. Upon hearing a soft response, she opened the door to find YeMin, who looked like she had just woken up, her beautiful hair tousled but still attractive, blinking her clear, deep eyes at JiHye.

    It was like seeing a princess straight out of a fairy tale. Even as a woman, JiHye''s heart skipped a beat at the stunning sight. Ever since YeMin¡¯s charisma had grown, this had been the effect on her.

    "Yeah, Hyee-Ji..."

    "Don''t call me Hyee-Ji."

    "It''s just a habit. Oh, my coffee."

    "Here."

    JiHye poured the coffee she had stored in her inventory into a cup. YeMin smiled gently as she took it.

    "Thanks. Love you..."

    "You''re still half asleep."

    Shaking her head at YeMin¡¯s drowsiness, JiHye watched as she downed the hot coffee, regaining her rity.

    "Yeah... So, what brings you here this morning?"

    "It''s afternoon."

    "Well, my mornings start whenever I wake up. That''s the rule."

    "KiJun always had a consistent wake-up time."

    "Yeah... True, maybe we''re soulmates."

    How did she get the ''soulmates'' part from that conversation? JiHye was genuinely baffled but didn''t want to get into it. Instead, she asked about something else.

    "Did you search for him again yesterday?"

    "Yeah. Where could our oppa be? Nabang is still alive, so he must be somewhere in this world."

    "But don¡¯t overdo it, okay? You know KiJun wouldn¡¯t be happy if you neglected your duties as a hero just to find him."

    "I know. I¡¯m only searching in my free time after finishing my duties."

    YeMin pouted and held out her empty cup, which JiHye refilled with a light sigh.

    "So, what did you want to ask?"

    "There was someone wanting to join our party."

    "You turned them away?"

    "Yes, but..."

    "But?"

    JiHye felt relieved by YeMin¡¯s unquestioning eptance of her decision.

    "His strength is umon. He said he was born with it in this world. Died early in the first round."

    "Oh... I thought so. Where¡¯s he from?"

    "South Korea."

    "Really?"

    Surprised, YeMin then shrugged.

    "Anyway, it''s fine."

    "He''s definitely a good asset."

    "We don¡¯t need him. Uncle Soo and EunShin are strong enough."

    YeMin shrugged again and added.

    "That guy must have thought he had high-value information. It¡¯s been a while since we subtly spread the word to the top parties."

    "People have been specting about it. But it also dyed the Demon Lord¡¯s conquest."

    Not just YeMin''s party, but others had grown stronger, surpassing the first round''s power. Top parties of the second round were overwhelmingly strongpared to the first, thanks to efficient growth, training, and transparent information for fairpetition.

    "Everyone''s scared," she sighed.

    "Yeah..."

    YeMin finished her coffee and tossed the cup into her inventory, her voice determined.

    "We''ll have to train to defeat the Demon Lord ourselves if necessary. Four years should be enough. Everyone should reach rare in their primary stats and racial grade advancement. Then, we''ll defeat the Demon Lord."

    "Count me out."

    "Right, your magic is already unique."

    YeMin joked and sighed.

    "I wonder if KiJun is doing well. I hope he received the information we spread..."

    "He must have. Are you worried he might fall behind?"

    "If he knows the information, KiJun will never fall behind anyone. Absolutely not."

    Seriously, YeMin then squinted her eyes.

    "I feel like it won¡¯t end with the Demon Lord. A moment wille when KiJun needs to step in. Everyone¡¯s beingcent... This world isn''t so kind to us."

    "YeMin unnie."

    "Yeah?"

    "I''m d you''re our party leader. Sorry."

    "Uh, what?"

    JiHye quickly left the room, leaving a stunned YeMin behind. JiHye might have been feeling guilty about envying her friend but preferred that over jealousy.

    Embracing her shame and gratitude for her precious friend, JiHye headed out. It was time to see Uncle Soo and EunShin training in the backyard.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (21)

    KiJun doesn''t hold any prejudices towards professions. While there are differences in ie and qualifications among various jobs, he believes that there''s no nobility or inferiority among those who work hard in their chosen vocations. However, if he had to express a preference, he¡¯d choose Guardian over Dancer. It just sounded cooler.

    ¡°But obviously, it has to be the Dancer one.¡±

    ¡°Darn it!¡±

    Fate, it seemed, always pushed him towards the opposite of his preferences.

    The Demon Lord chuckled at KiJun''s desperate expression, responding yfully, ¡°You can¡¯t help it. After all the effort you put into learning offensive techniques, choosing Guardian would be a waste. Didn¡¯t I tell you? sses can evolve. That¡¯s why your initial choice is crucial. Honestly, as a starting profession, ¡®Dancer of Light¡¯ is as good as it gets.¡±

    KiJun reread the ss transition message, unable to refute the Demon Lord''s irrefutable logic.

    ¡ª[Guardian of Light (R)]: All defensive and healing abilities utilizing Light Spirit Magic increase by 30%.

    ¡ª[Dancer of Light (R)]: All offensive and defensive abilities utilizing Light Spirit Magic increase by 30%.

    Even KiJun had to admit, ¡®Dancer of Light¡¯ was a perfect match for his style of using shields for both offense and defense. But the title ¡®Guardian of Light¡¯ seemed to validate his identity from his 15 years of tutorial days, making it hard to let go. On the other hand, choosing ¡®Dancer of Light¡¯ meant aplete break from his past.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about it. Your regeneration ability is already impressive. Except for races specializing in healing, few can match it,¡± the Demon Lord added.

    ¡°And which races specialize in healing?¡±

    ¡°Swamp Trolls, for instance. They¡¯re Rare grade by birth but have Unique grade regeneration as a basic trait.¡±

    ¡°Those cheats.¡±

    ¡°In other words, you¡¯ve surpassed such naturally cheating creatures. So¡­¡±

    KiJun faced a choice: to abandon his newly developed offensive techniques and be a healing-focused steel zombie or to embrace a formidable all-rounder role as a tank, even without the enhanced healing. The answer was obvious.

    Embracing his past, KiJun finally chose ¡®Dancer of Light¡¯.

    At that moment, he felt a surge of energy and rity.

    ¡ª-You have be a Dancer of Light (R). All statuses increase by 10, but for Unique grade stats, the increase is 5.

    ¡ªLight Spirit Magic (U) skill has increased by 5 levels.

    He couldn¡¯t believe the unexpected bonus! Checking his status, he was moved by the growth of his hard-earned stats.

    Strength, agility, endurance.

    The hope of reaching Unique grade for these stats, which seemed far off, suddenly ignited.

    ¡°Unique grade stats get only half the bonus.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how it works. Since your new profession is Rare grade, it can¡¯t fully boost your higher-grade stats. The same applies to titles and items. They provide full stat boosts up to their grade but give reduced bonuses for stats above their grade.¡±

    Pointing to his main shield, the Demon Lord kindly exined, ¡°If your strength and light magic reach Legendary grade, the Well¡¯s King will provide only a +2 boost. And if it goes beyond that, even that small boost won¡¯t apply.¡±

    ¡°Such unnecessaryplications¡­¡±

    Frustrated, KiJun suddenly noticed the sunlight. They had returned to the surface while discussing sses and stats.

    ¡°It felt so much shorter¡­¡±

    The journey back, which took only a few hours, contrasted sharply with the four-year conquest of the dungeon.

    ¡°I shortened the distance with magic.¡±

    ¡°That figures.¡±

    ¡°Party time!¡± shouted Lucy, jumping excitedly. The Demon Lord probably shortened the journey just to have a party.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we finish everything first?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°My advancement.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    That was it. His anxiety about clearing the dungeon and developing the bizarre skill ¡®Glowing Provocation¡¯ was all to evolve his race to Rare grade. However, the Demon Lord shook her head, ¡°Remember what I said? Light Magic is originally a Unique grade stat.¡±

    ¡°So?¡±

    ¡°Why not evolve your race after reaching Unique grade?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t argue with her logic. His Light Magic was now at 85, 90 with the shield¡¯s boost. But that was just a temporary enhancement, not his true capability.

    ¡®It would have been difficult without the stat increases from leveling up. And now, I can''t even level up...¡¯

    It would undoubtedly take years, yet KiJun, convinced by her reasoning, nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡±

    ¡°Excellent.¡±

    ¡°Now, the real party!¡±

    ¡°Party!¡± Lucy cheered. Was this all just to dy the troublesome task for a party?

    While KiJun was skeptical, he took out his polished cooking shield from the inventory.

    If KiJun hadn''t acquired Light Magic and had continued to only manipte regr mana, perhaps he wouldn''t have even dreamt of reaching Unique grade. It was only because he deeply engaged with light through his overflowing Spirit Power and his contract with Lucy, leading to profound realizations, that he could grow his Light Magic to this extent.

    ¡°But still, it was a long journey.¡±

    Over two years, KiJun deeply realized one obvious fact: the amount of effort required to grow stats to Umonpared to Rare grade was vastly different.

    He wondered if he could have ever reached Rare grade in any stat on his own, without the Demon Lord as his supreme instructor.

    [KiJun]

    [Titles ¨D Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (Legendary) +7]

    [Degraded Light Person (Uc), Light Dancer (R) Lv99]

    [Strength (R) ¨C 87]

    [Agility (R) ¨C 92]

    [Endurance (R) ¨C 88]

    [Light Magic (U) ¨C 1]

    [Charisma (U) ¨C 64]

    [Spirit Power (U) ¨C 70]

    Checking his status and proudly gazing at his Light Magic that finally reached Unique grade, KiJun couldn''t help but make an indescribable face at the two stats below it.

    ¡°The other stats are so hard to grow, yet my Charisma keeps soaring on its own, which is kind of strange.¡±

    Unlike the inexplicable Charisma, Spirit Power seemed to have a high starting point and had grown steadily, stimted by his talent inmunicating with spirits.

    He even discussed with the Demon Lord the possibility of attempting to reach Legendary grade in Spirit Power before the tutorial ended.

    He felt that Strength, Agility, and Endurance couldfortably reach Unique grade as well.

    ¡°Once my race grade rises, I¡¯ll get a bonus.¡±

    Feeling energized by these positive thoughts, KiJun stood up briskly.

    Perhaps due to his Light Magic growth, the flow of mana swirling rapidly through his body seemed to lighten and empower his every move.

    The Demon Lord once said that mana is the greatest power that transcends humanity. Now with his Light Magic at Unique grade, KiJun felt he could understand her words.

    ¡°Now, to the Demon Lord¡­¡±

    ¡°Done!¡±

    Before KiJun could call out loudly, the Demon Lord popped her head through the tent¡¯s entrance and shouted.

    She looked the same as two years ago, perhaps a bit more frail, but her face was filled with joy as she looked at him.

    ¡°You did it faster than I thought! You may not have much talent for mana, but your talent for light is impressive!¡±

    ¡°Either insult me or praise me, not both!¡±

    Embarrassed yet again.

    KiJun remained silent, and the Demon Lord stuck out her tongue in a yful smile.

    ¡°I''ve been preparing, expecting you''d grow soon. We can start right away.¡±

    ¡°Contractor, you¡¯ve already grown your Light Magic! With the extra tools, we can finish this in no time!¡±

    Lucy eximed, then seemed to ponder before flying up over KiJun¡¯s head and out of the tent.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go check! There might be something else we can do!¡±

    Both the Demon Lord and Lucy were buzzing with activity, delighted with his growth.

    Feeling slightly amused by their enthusiasm, KiJun was interrupted by the Demon Lord¡¯s teasing words.

    ¡°Once your grade rises, you¡¯ll get even stronger. Maybe you can even defeat me soon?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s still going to be difficult.¡±

    Yet, inwardly, KiJun wondered if, with a bit more growth, he might defeat the Demon Lord at least once in ten tries. Considering the Demon Lord now was unrestrainedpared to her tutorial days, that would be an incredible feat.

    But recently, he had begun to suspect that the Demon Lord might be weakening.

    ¡°Demon Lord, are you sick or something?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    The Demon Lord looked genuinely puzzled. KiJun reached out silently and took her hand. Unusual for her, she widened her eyes in surprise, then narrowed them into a smile.

    ¡°Are you nervous? Trying tofort me?¡±

    ¡°A bit. If I fail, all those ores will go to waste.¡±

    KiJun slightly exaggerated his anxiety to mask his inner thoughts.

    But he noticed something: the Demon Lord¡¯s hand was trembling ever so slightly. Maybe she was lying to him.

    This realization pained him somewhat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If by any chance you fail, we¡¯ll just order more from the moth. Let¡¯s get started.¡±

    His poker face was quite good, but the Demon Lord¡¯s words actually made him a bit more nervous. So, if he failed, everything would be wasted.

    KiJun, hiding his renewed determination from the Demon Lord, stood up to join her outside.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    He couldn''t help but smile upon seeing therge ss box from years ago, with Lucy busily flying around it, seemingly performing some sorcerous act ¨C spreading and adjusting light energy.

    ¡°Contractor!¡±

    Lucy flew to him and perched on his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s guaranteed to seed, I¡¯ve poured so much Spirit Power into it!¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    He was slightly nervous but felt more a sense of loss, simr to when he evolved his Double Turtle Fangs into the Unique grade Moonlight Fang. It was an inexplicable mncholy at the thought of nearing the end of his tasks in this constrained world.

    Had he grown attached to this absurdly limited world?

    Shaking off the bittersweet feelings, KiJun turned to the Demon Lord, who was feigning ease while watching him.

    Sigh.

    He let out a deep breath, releasing all emotions, and focused solely on bing one with the light, stepping into the box with Lucy.

    ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡±

    As the crystals glowed and emitted light, and Lucy released her Spirit Power in response, KiJun followed suit with his Spirit Power, harmonizing with her light while releasing his own Light Magic to draw all the light towards him.

    He realized naturally that the setup to guide external light was unnecessary now that he had achieved Unique grade Light Magic.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not what matters.¡±

    The effort the Demon Lord put into preparing these tools for his growth, the care Lucy put intoforting him with her Spirit Power, KiJun felt like he was absorbing their intentions along with the light.

    Amused by such cheesy thoughts, he chuckled, and at that moment, his entire being was reconstituted by the light filling him.

    ¡ªYou have transcended the limits of your race to be a Rare grade [Light Man]. You can now pursue pure light, but its ultimate end is still far and distant.

    ¡ªLevel 1 achieved. All stats increase by 5, and Light Magic (U), Charisma (U), Spirit Power (U) additionally increase by 5!

    ¡ªLight Spirit Magic (U) skill level increases by 10 to level 95!

    Having be a human made of Light Magic, KiJun hadpletely transcended the human realm.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (22)

    [KiJun]

    [Titles ¨C Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (Legendary) +7]

    [Light Man (R), Dancer of Light (R) Lv1]

    [Strength (R) ¨C 92]

    [Dexterity (R) ¨C 97]

    [Endurance (R) ¨C 93]

    [Light Magic (U) ¨C 11]

    [Charisma (U) ¨C 74]

    [Spirit Power (U) ¨C 80]

    ''It¡¯s really good, excellent¡­ except for the ss and race names.''

    After his race grade advancement, KiJun was checking his stats and feeling an indescribable sense of achievement when the Demon Lord¡¯s voice interrupted his thoughts.

    "Hero, it seems you''re now ready."

    "Ready for what?"

    Ready to fight the Demon Lord?

    That was still an impractical joke for now.

    Back in the tutorial, he could confidently say he could beat the Demon Lord a hundred times out of a hundred, given her limited powers then.

    However, the words that came out of the Demon Lord were unexpectedly different.

    "Ready to learn Mana Circuit."

    "Mana Circuit. ¡­ What?"

    KiJun felt his mind spin at those words.

    Mana Circuit, also known as Mana Cirction Method or Mana Operation Method, is a skill that enables quick, stable gathering and movement of mana.

    It''s a must-have skill for mages, affecting the speed of mana recovery, the shortening of magical chants, and the enhancement of magical power.

    During the first round, they had all tried to secure a good Mana Circuit for their party¡¯s mage, JiHye. But it was toote, and JiHye, with her extraordinary talent, couldn''t fully utilize her abilities.

    Recalling this, KiJun hoped that in the second round, she had obtained what she desired, as it would be very challenging in the main game without it.

    "But that¡¯s a skill only mages learn, right?"

    "Who said that?"

    "The skill effects and usage methods¡­"

    KiJun knew.

    Even if one doesn¡¯t wield magic, if Mana Circuit influences permanent mana growth and recovery, it¡¯s worth noting.

    The problem was using the skill.

    Mana Circuit is, as the name suggests, a skill involving circting mana in a predefined pattern. This was ipatible with vocations that involve vigorous physical activity duringbat.

    It could interfere with the use of other mana-using skills or, in the worst case, cause a mana surge. Because of these reasons, Mana Circuit was considered only suitable for mages and, to some extent, snipers who don¡¯t move much in battle.

    "So, what rank did those people reach?"

    "Common¡­ But, Demon Lord!"

    It was unfair to argue with rank!

    Just as KiJun was about to argue, the Demon Lord tapped his shoulder and spoke.

    "Hero, raise your left hand¨D."

    "Okay."

    "Emit mana¨D."

    "Okay."

    Perhaps because his Light Magic had reached a unique grade and he had evolved into a rare-grade Light Man, he could emit mana from his fingertips without any dy.

    His mana, naturally imbued with light, gave off a warm,forting glow like a mix of dazzling gold and white clouds.

    Seeing this, the Demon Lord smiled softly, then snapped back to her usual sharp demeanor.

    "What you¡¯re doing right now is mana operation."

    "Eh? But this is..."

    "Were you able to do this before?"

    KiJun shook his head immediately.

    Emit mana instantaneously from the fingertips? Such an idea had only been conceivable after the tutorial, living with the Demon Lord, and encountering Lucy.

    Previously, for him, mana was just a raw material for skill use, nothing more, nothing less.

    "That''s right. Earthlings were just too weak, and their mana understanding too poor to properly operate mana. Even at a rare grade, everyone seeks a good Mana Circuit regardless of their vocation. It''s also one of the major causes of conflict in Leta."

    "Thank you for enlightening me with such a miserable reality, ma¡¯am¡­"

    KiJun mourned for Earth''s heroes, who were probably earnestly progressing through the second round tutorial by now.

    Hopefully, some incredibly smart person realized that Mana Circuit is a necessary skill not only for mages but for all heroes!

    "Do you see now how important Mana Circuit is? It''s not about being dragged by the skill, but about properly using it. Anyone who uses their mana properly desires a unique Mana Circuit that speeds up mana cirction, enables quicker manifestation, and enhances mana strength."

    "So that''s what you meant by me being ready..."

    "Eh? No, if it were just amon warrior''s Mana Circuit, you would have been fine a long time ago."

    Common¡­

    Warrior''s?

    "Perhaps in the tutorial realm, most of the Mana Circuits scattered were strictly for rearward magic use, making warriors misunderstand.

    Think about it, wouldn¡¯t a mage''s and a warrior''s mana operation be different?"

    "Right. But, then what Mana Circuit are you going to teach me? And how?"

    How, indeed.

    For KiJun, Mana Circuit was something bestowed through aplex facility in dungeons or obtained through a difficult book filled with magical scripts, offering a unique mana of its own.

    Due to the rarity of Mana Circuits, the sample size was notrge, but in any case, they were all transmitted through special facilities, magic, or items.

    "Ah."

    Realizing this, KiJun looked up and met the Demon Lord¡¯s mocking gaze.

    "No need to exin, I already got it."

    "There is that, Hero."

    "I said I got it."

    "Only weak Earthlings were capable of handling the Mana Circuits spread in the tutorial realm."

    "Damn¡­"

    Realizing this, even the simplest of Mana Circuits had been misunderstood by so many.

    The Demon Lord fluently exined, disregarding KiJun¡¯s dismay.

    "Mana Circuit is typically transmitted through priestly teachings. It''s fundamental to gain enlightenment through rigorous teaching andplete one¡¯s own Mana Circuit."

    "Hmm, so you''re going to teach me your Mana Circuit?"

    "..."

    When KiJun hit the nail on the head, the Demon Lord briefly lost her words, looked into the void, then shrugged casually.

    "A Mana Circuit as strict as mine wouldn¡¯t be essible unless your mana was at least unique grade. What about Leta? There are even greater Mana Circuits than mine."

    "Thank you."

    "...Just don¡¯t me meter. Once you learn a Mana Circuit, it¡¯s harder than death to switch to another."

    The Demon Lord initially didn¡¯t teach KiJun an appropriate Mana Circuit because the first Mana Circuit one learns is critically important.

    If his achievements had been slower than the Demon Lord¡¯s expectations, and he hadn¡¯t received Mana Circuit transmission within the tutorial period...

    The chilling thought made KiJun shiver.

    ¡°The Mana Circuit I''m going to teach you is a bit special,¡± the Demon Lord said, with a note of caution. ¡°High-grade Mana Circuits are mostly secret, and their transmission is confidential. So, don¡¯t go around bragging about learning this Mana Circuit.¡±

    ¡°Of course, I wouldn¡¯tck such discretion.¡±

    ¡°Good. Let¡¯s begin then.¡±

    The name of the Mana Circuit was Libertas. In Latin, it means freedom, and it''s also the name of the goddess of liberty in Roman mythology.

    Why the Mana Circuit was named ¡®Libertas¡¯ became clear to KiJun during the transmission process.

    ¡°Aaargh!¡±

    ¡ªContractor, are you okay?!

    ¡°I''m fine, I can handle it. I''ve been trained for this.¡±

    ¡°Grrrrr!¡±

    The pain was intense enough to make him wish for eternal freedom from this agonizing life!

    ¡°Mana should bepletely free from all restraints. But soon you¡¯ll realize. The seemingly unrestrained movement of mana is actually following the most truthful path!¡±

    ¡°Before I realize that, I feel like I¡¯m going to die!¡±

    ¡ªContractorrrr!

    Honestly,tely, his Rapid Regeneration, Steelization, and No Rest for the Wicked skills had been growing slower due to repetitive sparring with the Demon Lord.

    Repeatedly getting hurt in the same way had ceased the ¡®growth¡¯ of his defensive and recovery-rted skills.

    But now, look at this.

    His body was in a mess due to this insane training method of liberating internal mana to the point of rampage, not external attacks.

    ¡ªRapid Regeneration (U) skill level has reached 72.

    ¡ªA unique insight rted to Dteelization has been gained. Steelization (U) skill level has reached 70.

    ¡ªWithout sleep or rest, you are proving perfect mentality through your own struggle. No Rest for the Wicked (U) skill level has reached 74.

    The defensive skills, which were growing at a snail''s pace, were rapidly advancing again!

    "You¡¯re doing well, better than I imagined. Light Magic seems to be a good match."

    ¡°Does that mean you weren''t sure... Aaargh!¡±

    "What does it matter? You''re training your skills and stats, too. You can do it, our hero!"

    ¡ªDemon!

    As Lucy eximed for KiJun, he focused intensely on the rampaging Light Magic within him, seeking the truest path guided by his own mana.

    * * *

    ¡°I¡¯ve discovered a shocking fact.¡±

    It¡¯s been seven years since the second round began.

    The party members, progressing in various events and dungeons worldwide and steadily increasing their statuses, gathered in one ce.

    JiHye, who had convened them, seemed different ¨C her eyes emitted a more profound aura of intensity.

    ¡°It seems JiHye has grown stronger!¡±

    ¡°Congrattions, Hye-ya.¡±

    TL/N: -a or -ya (Hangul: ?, ?) is a casual title used at the end of names. It is not gender exclusive. If a name ends in a consonant -a is used (e.g. Jinyoung-a ???), while -ya is used if the name ends in a vowel (e.g. Yeji-ya ???).

    ¡°Thank you, noona.¡±

    ¡°Ah... Thanks, everyone. And YeMin, don¡¯t call me Hyeya.¡±

    JiHye, bowing her head slightly, first exined her growth.

    While her mana power was still barely at rare grade, she had impressively advanced her Mana Circuit to legendary grade.

    ¡°Wow¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s even possible?¡±

    ¡°Hehe.¡±

    As YeMin and Uncle Soo apuded in amazement, EunShin smiled in relief. The party had another member with a legendary grade skill, YeMin.

    She quickly secured a unique-grade offensive skill in the first round, which KiJun had given her, refusing to give it to someone else. She had diligently developed it into a legendary grade.

    Unbeknownst to them, YeMin probably had a high-grade innate skill, and now with an additional legendary skill...

    EunShin, having just achieved legendary grade in his Stealth skill, hesitated to share his progress, fearing JiHye might feel hurt. Now that she seemed to have ovee much, he thought it might be okay to tell her the truthter.

    "Mana Circuit isn¡¯t just for mages."

    However, his thoughts were blown away by the bomb JiHye dropped.

    ¡°What did you say?¡±

    ¡°Herees another overwhelming story¡­¡±

    ¡°Noona¡­ please exin.¡±

    JiHye nodded at the members'' stunned reactions and exined.

    In the process of elevating her Mana Circuit to legendary grade, she realized that warriors and other vocations could also circte mana in a way that aids their movements and skill execution.

    Once this realization hit, a series of revtions followed, including the fact that several high-level bosses ¨C notably the Demon Lord ¨C were utilizing Mana Circuits.

    ¡°I can analyze others'' mana flow to some extent now. Back then, I didn¡¯t realize it, but now it¡¯s clear. Even the high-difficulty dungeon bosses that use both magic and meleebat are a testament to this.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­ So, that means¡­¡±

    ¡°We could still defeat the Demon Lord without learning Mana Circuits. But I think¡­ if we can increase our chances, we should do so.¡±

    The room fell silent after JiHye finished speaking.

    After some thought, YeMin nodded and dered, ¡°Let¡¯s learn Mana Circuits. Let¡¯s use every method avable to us¡­¡±

    ¡°If we¡¯re doing this, it might be better to analyze high-ranking bosses that have already mastered closebat Mana Circuits. If everyone leaves it to me¡­ I¡¯ll try to create one.¡±

    ¡°Our party¡¯s brain, as reliable as ever.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much, noona.¡±

    JiHye¡¯s face turned slightly red at the simultaneouspliments from Uncle Soo and EunShin.

    But at the same time, another thought crossed her mind.

    ¡°But if we share this with others, the already dyed Demon Lord subjugation will be postponed again.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s master it first, and once we¡¯re sure, we can spread the information. Primarily to those with potential.¡±

    ¡°Right, like people simr to KiJun.¡±

    YeMin remained silent.

    It had been seven years since she parted from KiJun. Knowing her tendency to react violently to any negative mention of KiJun, JiHye chose not to say more.

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (23)

    Learning mana circuits wasn''t the end of the tutorial.

    After bing somewhat familiar with circting mana while sitting still, KiJun had to endure the arduous task of simultaneously dueling with the Demon Lord. It was incredibly difficult to move, use skills, and employ spirit magic while allowing mana to flow freely. Despite recently showing decent prowess against the Demon Lord, KiJun found himself rolling on the ground once again.

    ¡®Ah...¡¯

    During one such roll, he had an epiphany.

    It was about utilizing spirit power more actively. Originally, he used spirit power to amplify Lucy''s strength,bining her spirit force with his light magic for maniption. Essentially, it served as fuel for the spirit and a medium for handling spirit force. But now, with his mana being uncontroble, why not use spirit power directly?

    ¡®Why didn¡¯t I think of this before?¡¯

    Spirit power is the power of the soul. Unlike mana that physically flows through the body, spirit power emanates from somewhere within, directly flowing outside ording to his will. Though he hadn¡¯t used it directly before ¨C if Lucy could use it as energy, why couldn¡¯t he?

    ¨DContractor?

    ¡°Let¡¯s try this¡­ Kuhak!¡±

    However, he soon realized why he hadn¡¯t thought of this before. Spirit power isn¡¯t as intuitive as mana. It works in tandem with the soul and strong will, a far cry from simply strengthening his weapon or fists.

    ¡®Wait a minute¡­ Will?¡¯

    Then, he pursued apletely different train of thought. The rampaging light magic inside him, ording to the Demon Lord, moves based on its inherent will towards the most truthful path. Yes, mana possesses will.

    Could he then envelop and harmonize this rampant light magic with his spirit power?

    ¡°Hero?¡±

    The Demon Lord looked worriedly at KiJun, whoy motionless on the ground. Was he unconscious due to the mana circuit, or had his regeneration skills failed to activate?

    Needless to worry, protecting its master is a matter of mana''s will, so such a situation would unlikely arise. But there was a reason the Demon Lord had been simultaneously training and beating him.

    ¡°Wait, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I think so.¡±

    After organizing his thoughts, KiJun stood up and replied to the Demon Lord. Of course, the wounds in his abdomen, inflicted by the Demon Lord, had already healed.

    His body, radiating faint golden light due to the rampant light magic, now seemed to settle with a ghostly, pale smoke. While the Demon Lord couldn¡¯t precisely discern it as spirit power, she noticed a slight change in his aura.

    ¨DThe contractor seems to have realized how to use spirit power himself!

    Lucy eximed in an incredibly joyful tone.

    ¡°Ahh, there was another use for spirit power besides spells and spirit magic?¡±

    ¨DExactly! Let¡¯s show them, Contractor!

    ¡°Phew¡­ Hup!¡±

    Despite this, KiJun still had to endure further beatings and rolls on the ground. While the idea of harmonizing spirit power with light magic was novel, fully integrating it and even amplifying the magic¡¯s will was still a long way off.

    However, his movements had certainly improvedpared to before, and the internal magic rampage was significantly reduced as evidence of his efforts to understand mana.

    ¡°Ughh¡­!¡±

    ¡°Not so fast, but you¡¯re progressing too quickly!¡±

    Despite the Demon Lord¡¯s slightint about his rapid progress, she helped KiJun, who had copsed on the ground, exhausted from expending all his energy and strength.

    ¡°Let''s rest a bit and try again. Can you do it?¡±

    ¡°Huff, of course¡­ heh, yes.¡±

    Time passed.

    It wasn¡¯t a matter of days or weeks.

    Two weeks, three weeks. The rampages decreased, but mastering the mana circuit was still far off. When a month was fully spent, KiJun finally managed to achieve what could be called mana cirction during intense battle.

    ¨DKwang!

    Though idental, the strike of Moonlight Fangs, empowered by the newly circted mana, astonished even the Demon Lord.

    ¡°This is impressive! But this seems a bit different from the mana cirction I taught you?¡±

    ¨DRight?

    Lucy proudly boasted on behalf of KiJun.

    The Demon Lord, realizing that this was not a mere adaptation of her mana circuit, smiled wryly.

    ¡°True geniuses modify and learn mana circuits from the start.¡±

    ¨DThe contractor added spirit power. He discovered how to harmonize spirit power and mana, making it easier to incorporate my spirit force!

    ¡°Does every spirit contractor learn mana circuits this way?¡±

    ¨DWhat do you think?

    Like Lucy, the Demon Lord also disliked stating ignorance and often spoke evasively.

    Laughing, the Demon Lord gestured dismissively.

    ¡°Keeping. Show me it wasn¡¯t just a fluke!¡±

    ¨DLet¡¯s go, Contractor!

    Encouraged by Lucy and admired by the Demon Lord, KiJun, unable to dismiss it as mere luck, gritted his teeth and strived to perfect his mana circuit. Two more months passed before he finally achievedplete harmony between spirit power and light magic.

    ¨DRemarkable insight. By attuning to the voices within, you¡¯ve be able tomunicate more firmly with the outside world. Spirit Power (U) has increased by 3 to 86. Light Magic (U) has increased by 5 to 27.

    From there,pleting the mana circuit didn¡¯t take long. Deeply understanding his mana through spirit power, he clearly saw the path his mana wanted to take. After a mere three days of minor trials and errors, he finally developed his unique method of mana cirction.

    ¨DAfter interpreting great knowledge in your own unique way and developing it independently, you have founded a legendary mana cirction method. You have learned the Legendary-grade skill [Salutaris (Savior)]! Due to the effect of the Skill Creator title, its effectiveness is amplified by 20%.

    ¨DCreating a Legendary-grade skill awards a very positive adjustment to [Skill Creator]. The potential for growth in the title is evident.

    ¨DYour dexterity in handling your body and mana has solidified into a distinct domain. The Dexterity (R) status has transcended its limits and evolved into a Unique-grade. Dexterity (U) is now 1!

    "Wow, this is..."

    KiJun, surrounded by radiant light, brushed off the system messages in front of him, disying an astonished expression.

    The mana circuit he had received from the Demon Lord, now altered and improved with spirit power, was recognized as an original creation, renamed and benefiting from the Skill Creator title¡¯s effect. The fact that Dexterity, thought to be a purely physical stat, was influenced and evolved into a Unique grade was also surprising.

    ¡®Well, Dexterity isn¡¯t just about physical agility; it¡¯s also involved in skill sense, and even JiHye, who handles magic, said she needed the Dexterity stat...¡¯

    I wonder how she¡¯s doing now; she must have learned her mana circuit by now. How about Uncle Soo and EunShin? Has that love triangle situation improved...?

    ¡°Whoa!¡±

    ¡°Huh?!¡±

    Startled from his thoughts, KiJun reeled back upon finding the Demon Lord staring intently right in front of him.

    ¡°Hero, is obtaining the mana circuit that shocking?¡±

    Seeing his shields emitting a light they had never shown before, the Demon Lord had stopped her movement, guessing his growth.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s the name change of the mana circuit.¡±

    ¡°I anticipated that when you mixed in the spirit power. What''s it called now? Tell me.¡±

    The Demon Lord closed her eyes, waiting for his response. Perhaps this had a special meaning for her. Who taught the mana circuit, Libertas, to the Demon Lord?

    ¡°Salutaris.¡±

    ¡°Savior? Nice. It still maintains the lineage of the original circuit.¡±

    KiJun was tempted to ask how the Demon Lord knew Earth''s Latin but decided it was too far-fetched to ask now. Perhaps, in this world, there''s a standard that integrates various civilizations''nguages unknown to him?

    ¡°Hero, it¡¯s about time to go outside.¡±

    The Demon Lord chuckled, teasing him.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Staying cooped up here, focusing on mana circuits and all, must be making you overthink.¡±

    yfully poking KiJun''s chest, the Demon Lord stepped back, ncing at him.

    ¡°Today we celebrate thepletion of your mana circuit. Let¡¯s enjoy without worries.¡±

    ¨DParty¨D¨D!

    ¡°Enjoy without worries?¡±

    KiJun couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.

    ¡°I¡¯m the one preparing the food, after all.¡±

    ¡°Of course, with a full set of sparkly dishes!¡±

    ¨DI¡¯ve been looking forward to this moment for months!

    Well then, no choice.

    KiJun rolled up his sleeves, preparing to make a full set of party dishes.

    A cake was essential, and thankfully, he had stored some cake batter in his inventory, ready to be poured into a pan and baked. The reason for not storing a fully baked cake was to savor the excitement of a freshly baked one.

    As he whipped up the cream for decoration and prepped strawberries, the Demon Lord whispered in his ear.

    ¡°Thest time was good, with strawberries.¡±

    Lucy, not to be outdone, flitted around excitedly, advocating her choice.

    ¨DChocte! Sweet and bitter chocte is the best!

    KiJun, caught in the ssic strawberry versus chocte debate, recalled the age-old question, ¡®Which do you prefer, strawberry or chocte milk?¡¯ and spoke up.

    ¡°Let¡¯s have chocte another time. I¡¯ll make a proper chocte sheet for it. Today, let¡¯s go with strawberries.¡±

    ¨DIf the contractor says so...

    Lucy, though convinced, still looked a bit sullen. To cheer her up, KiJun decided to make pasta.

    After stowing the whipped cream and strawberries in his inventory, he boiled wide fettine noodles for Lucy''s favorite and prepared a spicy arrabbiata sauce with tomatoes and peppers. While doing so, he felt the Demon Lord¡¯s gaze piercing his profile.

    Unable to resist the unspoken request, KiJun finally spoke.

    ¡°Chicken¡­ shall I make some?¡±

    ¡°Chicken!¡±

    ¨DOh, chicken!

    Both the Demon Lord and Lucy, who were arguing over strawberries and chocte, united in their enthusiasm for chicken.

    Dedicatedly, KiJun prepared the chicken, coating it in batter. Normally, when using Light Cooking, he maniptes light magic, but now, with hispleted circuit, a trace of spirit power naturally blended in.

    Realizing this as he was about to drop the battered chicken into the hot oil, KiJun hesitated but then proceeded, knowing that spirit power could only benefit the body.

    And then.

    ¨DYour Rare-grade [Light Cooking] skill, influenced by [Salutaris], has evolved into a Unique-grade skill [Soul Cooking]! A dish thatforts the soul and invigorates the spirit, containing both light and spirit power! A dish imbued with spirit power will heal the eater¡¯s soul, replenish life force and mana, and repel malevolent beings!

    ¨DA great soul knows how to care for others. You¡¯ve realized how to soothe other souls with your spirit power. Spirit Power (U) increases by 1 to 87.

    How? Why?

    ¡°Hmm?! Today¡¯s vor is particrly intense¡­!¡±

    ¨DContractor, more, please¡­!

    That day.

    The Demon Lord and Lucy joined forces to devour three whole chickens, two servings of pasta each, and topped it off by demolishing a strawberry cream cake.

    ¨DDrawn to destruction yet unable to resist its charm, you have be an homme fatale. Charisma (U) increases by 1 to 83.

    Ah, okay, got it.

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (24)

    Nine years had passed since KiJun was trapped in the world after the tutorial ended. Atst, the moment arrived.

    ¨DSteelization (U) skill has reached level 99, its limit.

    A month ago, Rapid Regeneration had reached level 99, and not long before that, No Rest for the Wicked skill as well. With Steelization as thest, all three of his Rare skills from his first tutorial phase had grown to Unique max level.

    Feeling a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu he had experienced several times before, KiJun closed his eyes and then opened them again. He was ready for the next step.

    "Demons Lord," KiJun called.

    "What is it?" the Demon Lord asked, looking paler than before, yet maintaining a bright smile as if still trying to deceive him.

    Just a moment ago, they had been engaged in fiercebat, both of them drenched in sweat and bearing wounds here and there.

    KiJun tossed his twin shields aside and spoke to the Demon Lord, who was gleaming at him curiously. "I want to try something. From now on, I''ll only defend. Can you attack me in various ways?"

    "Sure ¨D no advice needed, right?"

    "Of course."

    Thest time KiJun had received advice from the Demon Lord was three years ago when hepleted Salutaris. Having passed down the mana circuit of freedom to him, the Demon Lord realized KiJun no longer needed her concern when he overcame and transformed it to suit himself.

    KiJun had learned to walk his path without being concerned about others. He was ready to face others in Leta after the tutorial ended, equipped to handle things his way.

    "Fine, thene at me as much as you want ¨D!"

    As the Demon Lord unleashed her destructive magic, her fists shrouded in deep darkness lunged towards him. Despite being weakened for some unknown reason, she was still strong enough to easily take KiJun''s life.

    Originally, the barriers of grades were unbreachable.

    KiJun had killed a full-powered demon and proven that he could surpass such barriers, but the Demon Lord who had nurtured him had proven herself numerous times to reach that position.

    ¨DCrack!

    "Hero!"

    "It''s fine, keeping!"

    As soon as his abdomen was pierced by the Demon Lord, KiJun suppressed the Rapid Regeneration that was about to activate by his will. Steelization rapidly hardened his body to prevent the wound from worsening, and No Rest for the Wicked poured strength into his steel body to keep standing. Finally, he tied in Rapid Regeneration.

    ¨DCrack!

    He had remembered a transformation skill that the Demon Lord briefly showed a long time ago. It was aplex mixture of various high concepts, emanating a strong and ominous aura, iprehensible and thus powerful.

    ¨DBoom!

    KiJun blocked the Demon Lord''s attacks,bining his skills into one. He had to do it to survive. His intense willpower, reflected in his spirit power, shaped his metal body more robustly.

    ¨DBoom!

    Thend nearly turned to ashes under the bombardment powerful enough to split stars. While Lucy watched, relieved that her connection with KiJun hadn''t severed, the Demon Lord, who had initiated the attack, watched the center of the explosion with a serious expression, holding an unknown ss bottle from her inventory.

    Finally, as the darkness disappeared and the dust settled, KiJun, covered in a thinyer of metal, stood holding his ground.

    ¨DHero!

    "I feel like I''m going to fall, catch me."

    Instead of saying something cool after using all his strength toplete the transformation, KiJun copsed backwards, caught by the Demon Lord who had approached from behind.

    The Demon Lord looked at the pale-faced KiJun and chuckled.

    "You did it."

    "I would have been really embarrassed if I had died."

    "Indeed."

    ¨DDon''t joke, I was really worried...

    While Lucy, who usually would have made jokes about the Demon Lord being a devil or plotting to kill him, now looked as if she was about to cry with relief.

    KiJun hugged her and checked the system messages.

    ¨DBybining various skills you''ve honed over a long time, you''ve met your ideal in [Rapid Regeneration], [Steelization], and [No Rest for the Wicked], transcending their limits. You''ve acquired the Legendary-grade skill [Adamant]. The Skill Creator title effect amplifies its effect by 20%.

    ¨DCreating a Legendary-grade skill provides a very positive adjustment to [Skill Creator]. The title''s growth is imminent.

    Adamant, the metal of the gods.

    In Greek mythology, the scythe or Harpe, given by Gaia to Kronos, was made of adamant. It was the metal that harmed gods.

    The Greek word, meaning uncontroble, waster absorbed into English, denoting indomitable and impervious. It was the perfect embodiment of KiJun''s ideal.

    "Are you satisfied?"

    "Very."

    ¨DBut that was too much. I don''t want to see that again.

    "Sorry."

    While Lucy, visibly worried about him, contrasted with the Demon Lord who looked relieved along with KiJun, he found the scene amusing.

    The Demon Lord suggested, "Let''s have a party."

    Although KiJun initially frowned at the suggestion, he couldn''t resist the Demon Lord''s gentle smile and nodded in agreement.

    "Alright, let''s have a party."

    He felt the end approaching and the thought of being unable to stop it was terribly painful.

    *  *  *

    It had been almost 10 years since the start of the second round.

    "There''s a rebellion," said YeMin, the leader of the world''s strongest party,posed of four members, in a cold voice.

    "So, heroes are fighting each other? Is that what this means?" she inquired.

    "¡­Yes," JiHye replied, frustrated. She couldn''t believe such foolishness. Hadn''t the heroes already experienced total annihtion once due to their inadequacies? And yet, there was a rebellion?

    "The reason?" YeMin asked.

    "Do you remember the guy iming to be the strongest?" JiHye described a man who imed to have Umon innate strength, which he apparently raised to Rare and had gathered a force to challenge the Demon Lord.

    "A rebellion for that?" YeMin furrowed her brows, expecting a tale of the man trying to establish his own nation or something simr.

    JiHye exined with a sigh, "There''s talk about not attacking the Demon Lord¡­ Some say it''ll just lead to another annihtion¡­ others are scared of what might emerge if the Demon Lord is defeated."

    YeMin blinked in disbelief. What were the million heroes summoned to this world even training for, if not to defeat the Demon Lord?

    JiHye continued, "During the first round, we were annihted because we attacked the Demon Lord first. Now, they say we should live on this continent without provoking the Demon Lord..."

    "That''s nonsensical!" YeMin cried out in disbelief. The Demon Lord''s mere existence was causing monsters to grow stronger and thend to decay. "That''s why we trained to attack the Demon Lord at thest possible moment!"

    "Um¡­ there¡¯s someone who can purify thend," JiHye hesitantly added.

    "So, they''re relying on this purifier, thinking it doesn''t matter if the Demon Lord destroys the world as long as they can purify small areas and survive?" YeMin asked incredulously.

    "It''s more like trying to amplify the purification area with other capable heroes. But yes, that''s essentially it."

    "Are they fools? Do they really think the Demon Lord will just let them do that?"

    Despite her angry outburst, YeMin thought of KiJun, who could have united the fearful and led them to a sessful Demon Lord assault.

    "Maybe KiJun left because he was tired of dealing with such people," she mused.

    "YeMin¡­"

    "So, did this ''strongest'' man die? Killed by those who don''t want to attack the Demon Lord?"

    "No, he¡¯s holding on, but it¡¯s tough. That¡¯s why I came to ask for your opinion."

    "There''s no need to ask. We must go," YeMin dered firmly, ready to clean up the "trash" opposing the rightful heroes.

    Her announcement was met with enthusiasm from her party members, and they swiftly set out. The heroes were sharply divided between those for and against the assault on the Demon Lord. YeMin, with her overwhelming power, rallied everyone behind her.

    Reaching the field where the Demon Lord was presumed to be, they encountered a battle between the man known as the strongest and another party of heroes.

    "The heroes are divided," the crowd murmured, realizing YeMin''s stance as she effortlessly dispatched those opposing her.

    "There''s no surrender or escape," YeMin dered coldly. "Either win or die. Only two options."

    Her dual-winged sword, Nike''s Bifold Wings, split the sky, shining with a strange light.

    YeMin, with a faint smile, turned her attention to the man, the strongest, who was left dumbfounded by her prowess.

    "You," she addressed him without looking. "We''re heading to hunt the Demon Lord. If you want to strike a blow at the Demon Lord, follow us quickly."

    The man agreed, albeit hesitantly, and YeMin, along with her party, set off to hunt the Demon Lord.

    All surviving heroes, whether they agreed with YeMin or not, had no choice but to follow her lead.

    Upon arriving, they realized that their return to this world might not have been just a simpleeback. The Demon Lord was, in fact, a man.

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 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25

    Hello everyone, like you can see, we now have a new website and paid chapters on EER. Reasons for the same have been announced on our discord. Thank you for your support and enjoy reading! :)

    --------

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (25)

    "The Tutorial Demon Lord has been captured."

    The fairy, who hadn''t visited in a long time, announced this while wiping tears and chocte cream from her eyes and mouth.

    The chocte ¨¦ir, made with the Soul Cooking skill, offered aforting and sweet sensation as it crumbled crisply in the mouth. The fairy herself, after eating a bite, cried out for her mom and dad, barely regaining herposure after a bout of tears.

    It wasn''t surprising to see the group looking at her with fond expressions. Realizing that even this bratty and annoying fairy once had a childhood where she solely sought her parents, somehow made it hard to dislike her.

    "Hey, I said the Tutorial Demon Lord has been captured! Don''t look at me with those happy faces!"

    The fairy, who now had no other way to express her anger at KiJun, who had be stronger than her long ago, except for yelling, trembled as she shouted.

    Lucy, the Light Spirit, who wouldn''t hesitate to return to human form and consume KiJun''s spirit power just to eat more of his cooking, handed another ¨¦ir to the fairy.

    ¡ªHere, have another one, okay?

    "Thank you!"

    Despite her apparent anger, the fairy politely epted and ate another ¨¦ir.

    "The party, including the hero YeMin, captured the Demon Lord. Apart from the party that directly killed the Demon Lord, dozens of others who inflicted effective hits received reward titles. Among them, a man named Choi Kang was strangely powerful. Why didn''t we see him in the first round...?"

    "Did you kill him?"

    At the Demon Lord''s sharp question, the fairyughed softly, denying it.

    "No way. The tutorial fairy is only granted one kill. During the first round, I only killed a thug-like guy who tried to hit me while talking nonsense. His impression was different; surely it couldn''t have been him?"

    Perhaps because of the soul-soothing ¨¦ir, the fairy''s tone was somewhat gentler today.

    "Anyway, after defeating the Demon Lord, they received a notification about the tutorial''s end and a brief guide to the Leta continent from another fairy. As with all tutorial passers, they were given ten days of leisure."

    You know, right? The fairy emphasized.

    "It means this ce will end in ten days too. If you still have things to do, sort them out. Make sure to put the three items you''ll take with you in your inventory."

    "Ah..."

    "That''s right."

    "Ah, uh..."

    Despite expecting this news, KiJun sighed and closed his eyes.

    The Demon Lord nodded as if she understood, and Lucy seemed excited about Leta but also a bit nervous, ncing at the Demon Lord.

    The fairy, having dered the end of the tutorial and feeling like she hadpleted her task, sighed in relief and added more information.

    "And about the hidden dungeon, it''s finally been discovered."

    "How?"

    "By whom?"

    The Demon Lord and KiJun reacted simultaneously.

    The fairy sighed and said,

    "It was hero YeMin. After hearing about the tutorial and the ten-day grace period, she suddenly started causing a ruckus."

    "Why would she do that?"

    "I think I know."

    The fairy gave KiJun a meaningful look and shrugged.

    "After the entire Demon Lord castle sank, guess what? There was only one ce that didn''t sink. Hero YeMin and her party approached it and, amazingly, because the trigger to open the dungeon was Charisma, vo."

    Hearing this, the Demon Lord interjected,

    "Wait a minute. The open trigger is supposed to be Spirit Power."

    "We thought the same when we heard it was discovered here. But no, it wasn''t. We set the trigger differently each time, just in case the information about the dungeon spread to other dimensions. Of course, they were all as tricky as spirit power."

    "Charisma, huh? Definitely YeMin."

    KiJun nodded, recalling YeMin from the first round.

    She was undoubtedly talented, but among her qualities, her appearance shone the brightest, an indisputable fact.

    After falling here, KiJun had tried not to think deeply about her, but perhaps her Charisma was already umon or more when she entered this other world.

    Even he, who knew her, was sometimes taken aback by her beauty.

    That''s why he remembered having to brace himself whenever he faced her.

    "Hmm."

    "Huh?"

    As the Demon Lord made a nasal sound, KiJun tilted his head.

    Noticing her narrowing eyes, the fairy quickly continued.

    "Anyway, right after it was discovered, and legendary titles were awarded to everyone, the higher-ups urgently intervened to limit the title effects. Originally, titles should be given to the entire party, but the dungeon exploration effect of this title was decided to be given only to the first person."

    "Oh, that''s a bit disappointing."

    At KiJun''s casual remark, the fairy''s eyes widened in surprise.

    "Why are you disappointed? You have a power unique to you that can boast to them. You could demand whatever you want, right? It''s funny for me to say this, but it''s a power that would make you a revered figure by heroes of any civilization, not just on Earth. It''s absolute power."

    "How do you always manage to sound so shady? Want another ¨¦ir?"

    "Are you implying that my character ispletely dungeoned? And treating that ¨¦ir as if it''s some kind of medicine... Well, I''ll eat it anyway."

    The fairy, still unaware that her way of speaking had somewhat softened, devoured the ¨¦ir and then spoke with a healed and happy expression.

    "That dungeon, if you ''properly'' clear the tutorial before entering, receives a positive adjustment where time flows differently inside and outside. Since all four of you have grown unbelievably in the second round, you''ll be able to clear the dungeon within the set period."

    "Oh, I was going to ask about that. That''s good to hear."

    If there were only ten days of spare time, he had wondered if they wouldn''t be able to clear the dungeon before it ended, but thinking about it, it was a dungeon that could only be entered after clearing, so it made sense that there was some sort of provision.

    Despite theck of support from a skilled thief and a magician, hadn''t KiJun taken four years to clear that dungeon?

    Of course, he trained at every moment, so it wasn''t wasted time, but he thought it might have been better to borrow some of the Demon Lord''s power...

    At the sight of his genuine relief, the fairy eventuallyughed and said,

    "You''re quite a nice hero. I''ll speak well of you to my kin in Leta, so if you need help, just bring a dessert."

    "You guys are in Leta too?!"

    "Hehe, but then I''ll be a rival on equal footing, not a kind guide. We''re not just kind to be acting like tutorial fairies, or NPCs. It''s a way for our minor race to earn points."

    What, really?

    KiJun was startled and turned to the Demon Lord, but she shook her head expressionlessly.

    "I don''t have any kin."

    "Oh, right... Yeah."

    He had wanted to ask if she was there.

    Realizing he hadn''t let go of a hope he thought he had abandoned, KiJun sighed. As the atmosphere grew heavier, the fairy quietly stepped back.

    "Well, I''ve said all I had to say, so I''ll be going now. The ¨¦ir was delicious."

    "Okay. Take care, Tinkerbell."

    "See, even that sounds like an insult from you."

    The fairyughed heartily and disappeared from the spot.

    Lucy, already ufortable with the fairy''s innocent face, sighed softly, and the Demon Lord rose from her seat, now keeping a little distance from KiJun.

    "Then let''s get ready."

    "¡­Demon Lord."

    KiJun''s voice was tinged with pain.

    The Demon Lord hesitated for a moment, then shook her head again and distanced herself further, saying,

    "It''s time for a proper fight, isn''t it?"

    "...Huh?"

    At the Demon Lord''s calm and cold voice, Lucy tilted her head.

    "What do you mean by a proper fight?"

    "Let''s have a match to the death, since it''s the end."

    "Wha?!"

    Lucy shrieked in shock and flew up into the sky.

    ¡ªWhat are you saying! You''ll die!

    "What a foolish thing to say, spirit."

    The Demon Lord mocked her.

    "I''m the Demon Lord, and he''s the hero. Naturally, we''re supposed to kill each other."

    "But you''re not like that! The tutorial is already over, and we''re all going to Leta together..."

    "They killed the Demon Lord."

    The Demon Lord no longer looked at Lucy.

    "Hero, are you nning to go to Leta without properly clearing the tutorial?"

    "Wait a minute, I really don''t understand... Are you trying to die?"

    "..."

    Amidst Lucy''s confused and random outbursts,

    KiJun, who had known for years that this moment woulde, picked up his weapons with a pained expression.

    It wasn''t because he wanted to kill a friend who had been by his side for ten years and meant more to him.

    It was because he knew her resolve.

    ¡ªContractor!

    If possible, he wanted a few more days.

    If there were ten days left, he wanted to spend at least half of themughing together.

    But if that time only made her suffer more.

    Then, better now.

    Gritting his teeth and standing up, KiJun said,

    "Lucy, let''s fight."

    ¡ª...If the contractor says so.

    Lucy, sensing something in KiJun''s changed demeanor, responded with a hardened face and entered his embrace.

    His body, infused with light magic and spirit power as Salutaris, the Savior''s will, was already transformed into divine iron, Adamant.

    The spirit, having regained the power of legend, resonated with his immense spirit power, lending him strength.

    The two shields, imbued with all that light, became the fangs of moonlight, howling.

    He had already removed the shock absorber.

    If it collided with her full power, it would shatter without a chance to absorb the impact.

    "Haha."

    As the battle began, KiJun, armed with several legendary skills, presented a figure of such power that it was hard to believe he was of a rare race or profession, facing himself.

    Despite his suppressed pride, the Demon Lord couldn''t help but feel satisfied,ughing contentedly.

    "What a fine cake you''ve baked."

    "I couldn''t believe it."

    "Please understand, I was just too strong."

    The Demon Lordughed, her face much paler than when they first met ten years ago.

    The poison she had been ingesting over the years.

    The cuisine infused with light that burns the darkness.

    The warm soul''s power that negates the evil.

    It had smoothly scraped away the Demon Lord''s evil.

    "Let''s fight. Come at me with all you''ve got."

    "...I''m prepared."

    The hero, even while crying, lunged with his fangs.

    The Demon Lord, smiling, gave herself up to the fight.

    "You can''t kill me that easily! Move faster and more boldly... Argh!"

    "And you...! With such weak magic, how can you call yourself a Demon Lord!"

    Dark arrows and spear-des nketed the surroundings,unching dozens at a time to pierce the hero as the Demon Lord moved.

    The hero, wielding two shining fangs in his hands, deflected, dodged, or shattered them, charging towards the Demon Lord.

    "Being tough isn''t enough - hit harder!"

    "Damn you!"

    As he approached, powerful punches rained down, cutting through the light around his body and injuring his flesh, now turned into divine iron.

    The hero, unable to deflect some attacks with his fangs, used the strength of the divine adamant to wield his shields.

    Block and strike.

    Parry and strike.

    Relentlessly, like a wolf hunting its prey.

    Even after being hit dozens of times, if he could bite a critical spot, he could win.

    Like the first day he faced the Demon Lord as an enemy, he resisted her overwhelming magical power without yielding.

    Burning with venom in his eyes, he swung his two shields like a madman.

    "Ah, really¡­ why do you cry while fighting, seriously!"

    Lucy, irritated, yelled out and tore through the curtain of darkness enveloping them with ance of light she conjured in an instant.

    She protected the hero from fatal attacks aimed at him and, conversely, created fatal openings in the Demon Lord.

    Herbat power, growing absurdly with each level, eventually produced dozens of chains of light.

    Binding the Demon Lord''s attacks, her shadow, her arms.

    Chains which extended until the bubbling darkness waspletely covered by light.

    "Ugh, Ah?!"

    ¨DBoom!

    And then, at one moment.

    The Demon Lord''s attacks failed to hit the hero.

    Lucy''s chains skillfully captured the Demon Lord.

    The hero struck the Demon Lord''s face with precise timing using his shield.

    A fatal gap appeared in the Demon Lord''s chest.

    Seizing the moment, a giant fang of light converged and struck down.

    A clean pration.

    A blow that would take life.

    "...Ah."

    ck blood gushed from the Demon Lord''s chest, sttering KiJun''s face and shield, then oxidized by the light magic filling the space the next moment.

    "We make a great team, don''t we," the Demon Lord mumbled yfully, and KiJun weakly nodded.

    "Indeed."

    "Cough... Why are you crying? It''s not like I''m really dying."

    The Demon Lord teased KiJun with an endlessly light tone.

    "Did you misunderstand? Are you a fool? This isn''t even my real body. It''s a substitute body for NPCs. It has a short shelf life because it can fully exert the power of the main body. It''s about time for its limit... Ah."

    As KiJun''s tears did not stop, the Demon Lord too eventually let out a bitter smile.

    "No reason to cry, yet you do."

    "Just... just..."

    Knowing he would curse this momentter, wrapped in his nket.

    Deciding to stop holding back for the sake of others, he openly shared his feelings.

    "It''s a bit sad to end things this way with you."

    "Puahaha! What''s that, we''re not even a couple!"

    The Demon Lord burst intoughter, causing the already intense blood to spurt more violently.

    Stubbornly tenacious vitality, typical of a Demon Lord.

    Something ck and tentacle-like tried to emerge from the wound, but as the Demon Lord clicked her tongue, it receded.

    It meant she hadn''t even shown her real strength.

    "Ah, don''t misunderstand. This power, if used properly, makes me lose my mind and go berserk. My face would turn monstrous. I didn''t use it to spare you, oh, what''s the word, anyway."

    The Demon Lord added cutely with a smile.

    "I wanted to part with a pretty face."

    "Yeah, you''re pretty."

    "Prettier than that Yemin girl?"

    "Of course."

    KiJun reassured her,ughing, yet making sure she didn''t misunderstand.

    "You''re the prettiest."

    "Good... then that''s enough."

    The Demon Lord, looking at someone other than KiJun, smiled triumphantly.

    Only then did KiJun realize Lucy was also there and had an ''aha'' moment, but surely she would understand him now.

    He wanted to believe that.

    "Well, I should be going now."

    Even as she neared death, she maintained a lively voice.

    Was this how she wanted to part, so perfectly?

    "Ah, congrattions on clearing the tutorial."

    "Demon Lord."

    "Bice."

    KiJun''s eyes widened.

    The Demon Lord squinted her eyes and said.

    "My nickname. Call me that."

    "Bice."

    "Good."

    Satisfied, she nodded and then...

    "KiJun, see you next time."

    She called his name, closing her eyes gently.

    As KiJun stared at her in a daze, her body was enveloped in light and disappeared.

    Engulfed in sorrow, a system message, as if mocking his foolish thoughts, appeared thunderously.

    ¨DAbsurdly strong enemy defeated, level rises significantly...

    ¨DIn a battle of legends, your job [Dancer of Light] transcends limits and grows...

    ¨DFacing and defeating a legendary foe, drenching the Fangs of Light in their blood, [Moonlight Fangs] skill grows significantly...

    ¨DAn emotional battle reawakens your astonishing potential long faded. [Skillfulness] transcends limits...

    ¨DYour [Light Magic] circtes within, elevated by defeating a legend...

    Unthinkable possibilities blossomed from a fight he never dared dream of against the Demon Lord.

    If all this was her intention...

    She was truly...

    ¨DYour Charisma opens a new chapter of a legend, transcending limits to reach Legendary status. Charisma (L) reaches 1.

    ¨DVictory against an unbeatable boss-level enemy! Unique title [Transcender] grows to Legendary status! When facing higher-tier enemies, gain ''dramatic'' positive effects. Transcending all limits bes ''much'' easier.

    ¨DLegendary title [The Last Hero] fully activated. All stats increase by 20, abilities strengthen by 30% against dark/evil boss monsters.

    KiJun closed his eyes tightly.

    Hating himself for understanding why the Demon Lord sacrificed herself for him.

    ¨DThud

    "Huh?"

    Something left by the Demon Lord fell into his hand.

    It resembled something KiJun knew well ¨C a smartphone he used 25 years ago on Earth.

    Bewitched by its familiar feel, he turned it on to find numerous wee messages, as if it had just been activated.

    Among the few apps on the screen, besides calls and messages, there were Mini Map Records, Leta Points, Distress Signal, clearly for aiding activities in this other world.

    ¨DLetalk!

    That notification sound is annoying.

    KiJun, feeling off, opened the recently received message.

    From someone already registered with a cute nickname... Yes, as expected, it was from her.

    [Bice? (Tutorial Channel): Looks like you safely received the drop! You can''t contact me without this in Leta, so make sure to bring it! Promise with Bice!]

    [Bice? (Tutorial Channel): I''ve inserted onepleted battery here. The remaining battery will be enclosed, so don''t forget to insert it into the shock absorber. Got it?]

    "Ah, really!"

    ¨DContractor?! What''s been going on, what is that?

    KiJun, unable to contain his anger, almost threw it... but restrained himself, fearing it might really break.

    Thus, the lengthy tutorial ended somewhat anticlimactically.

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (26)

    ¡ªYou have been summoned to Reta. All physical information of the summoner is initialized to the lowest level.

    ¡ªss possession confirmed. Due to Unique rank ss adjustment, Strength (U) and Durability (U) increased by 10, and the rest of the stats, which have reached Legendary rank, increased by 5 each.

    ¡ªInventory item information confirmed. King of the Well (U), RetaPhone 15 (U), Shock Absorption Device (R), a total of three items have been preserved.

    ¡ªAll summonees of Earth civilization must pay a yearly tax for the operation of Reta in Reta Points (RP). Reta Points can be earned through quests, achievements, dungeon exploration, raids, trading, etc., and failure to pay can lead to great misfortune.

    TL/N: Now this is when we get to know ¡°Leta¡± is supposed to be ¡°Reta¡± :D because the Korean letter ¡°?¡± can be pronounced as both ¡°L¡± and ¡°R¡±. Going forward, I¡¯ll use ¡°Reta¡±.

    ¡ªThe Earth civilization belongs to the ''Light'' faction. Therefore, alliances with civilizations of the ''Dark'' faction are impossible.

    ¡ªYou are one of the three representatives of the Earth civilization. Representatives receive monthly dignity maintenance points, but if all representatives die, the Earth civilization is ''defeated.''

    When KiJun opened his eyes, he was already in Reta, a world where the survivalpetition of civilizations took ce.

    He stood in a vast basin surrounded by incredibly high mountains, as if enclosing the basin.

    KiJun felt both suffocation and relief from this. He guessed that the mountains served both to confine and protect him.

    Though havingpleted the tutorial twice, Earthlings were still weakpared to the strong beings of this world. Heroes who failed to discover the secret dungeon might face unweakened monsters and suffer setbacks.

    ¡ªContractor, there are a lot of people here who look like you!

    Lucy, perched atop his head, whispered this to KiJun, who then turned his attention from the terrain to the people.

    He thought about how much he had changed since he was first dragged to another world. Back then, he would have first sought out other people and assessed the situation regardless of the environment.

    But...

    ''Why does it feel like everyone is looking at me?''

    The crowd, a diverse mix of races and nationalities but clearly Earthlings, was enough to make him want to embrace and greet them. But the fact that they were all staring at him brought more unease than joy.

    Could it be that news of his disappearance in the second round of the tutorial had spread widely? Perhaps his party members, led by Yemin, had distributed flyers searching for him?

    Just as he thought this usible exnation made sense, Lucy, seemingly reading his thoughts, spoke up in disbelief.

    ¡ªBut that''s because, the contractor...

    However, she suddenly fell silent, as if reluctant to share something so precious and personal, even with him.

    KiJun worried that the people might suddenly surround him and start pping.

    At that moment, a fairy appeared to rify the confusing situation.

    "Attention, everyone! As you may know, I am the fairy from the tutorial!"

    The fairy appeared high in the sky, forcing everyone in the basin to look up at her.

    She resembled the fairy KiJun knew from the tutorial, but he was certain she was a different entity, slightly stronger and more murderous.

    "Let me exin about Reta, where you''ve all arrived! First, let''s talk about the point system governing Reta, and the representative system closely associated with the points. Now, let''s see who the representatives are..."

    "There shouldn''t be a tutorial in Reta," KiJun interjected.

    His voice wasn''t loud, but everyone, including the fairy, could hear him.

    Suddenly, hundreds of thousands of gazes poured onto him, making him awkwardly realize that his Charisma stat had reached the Legendary grade.

    "And you, here you''re just one of thepeting races like us. Don''t try to swindle too much."

    "Well, ignoring the nonsense, it''s really unfortunate to reject the tutorial fairy," the fairy continued, her expression unchanging.

    "Shall I leave then? Without a proper understanding of this world, Reta, and guidance on how to survive... Reta is different from the tutorial you''ve experienced. Missions are never forced, and fairies can abandon you."

    It was a threat.

    The fairy had boldlye to scam the newly arrived Earthlings, who knew nothing about Reta. Yet she nonchntly suggested she could leave if rejected.

    But surely the Earthlings, who had not just once but twice endured the tutorial, would not fall for such clumsy lies and threats.

    "Why are you trying to drive the fairy away?"

    "That person, he looks like the one who survived till the end in the first round. He wasn''t there in the second round."

    "Oh, I remember! The strongest and prettiest hero who desperately searched for him until the end...!"

    "He''s as suspicious as theye. Annoying as the fairy is, this guy is worse."

    "Looks like a leech..."

    "Too handsome, even more suspicious."

    Wait, what?

    Shouldn''t high Charisma have a strong positive influence on people?

    Could it be that KiJun''s sudden appearance inbination with his absence in the second round, is causing his Charisma to work in reverse?

    He had tried to do something but ended up making things worse.

    ''This is really something Yemin would handle better.''

    Yemin, a natural leader.

    Had she been here, would the people''s reactions have been different?

    Considering the number of Earthlings in this basin, they might have been summoned in two or three groups.

    Given that Yemin and her party members haven''t been spotted yet, they likelynded somewhere else.

    ''Wait a minute.''

    KiJun realized something.

    The fairy was up to no good.

    He pointed it out, but the people didn''t trust him either.

    Hecked the dramatic eloquence to convince everyone quickly.

    So what should KiJun do in this situation?

    "shbang throw!"

    The answer was to strike first.

    A rare skill unleashed with Unique level strength!

    The Unique grade shield, [King of the Well], soared through the air at an unreactable speed, ascending hundreds of meters high. Laden with bright magic power, it illuminated the sky like a firework, precisely hitting the fairy at its apex.

    "Ugh!" The fairy, caught off guard, was struck by the shield of light, vomiting blood and plummeting from the sky.

    The next moment, hundreds of thousands of Earthlings were in disbelief, as the falling creature didn''t hit the ground but instead seemed to be repelled mid-air, as if blocked by something. It appeared as though a protective barrier existed around the area where the Earthlings were summoned, which the fairy could not prate.

    "Now," KiJun cool-ly caught the returning shield, as if he had practiced this in a movie, and opened his mouth again. "Now, who seems more suspicious?"

    Honestly, both were suspicious, but the Earthlings reluctantly nodded in agreement with KiJun, none wanting to be struck by a shield shing like lightning.

    KiJun sighed, seeing people stealthily avoiding his gaze, but he had no regrets about thwarting the fairy''s scheming.

    ''I¡¯m used to being alone...''

    ¡ªBut you''re not alone, Contractor! I''m here!

    ''Thank you, Lucy. I wish I had some brown sugar... Ah, not now.''

    ''Hehe, I''m just happy when the contractor is happy! Of course, I also like brown sugar.''

    KiJun, having developed his interpretation skills over 10 years with Lucy and the Demon Lord ¨D Bice, interpreted Lucy''s words as her saying she''s enduring with affection for the contractor while urging him to get brown sugar quickly.

    He started walking towards his destination, the protective barrier''s outside, where the fairy had fallen. He intended to extract any information from the captured creature.

    Though hesitant to leave the protective barrier voluntarily, staying inside indefinitely wasn''t an option either.

    As he moved, people around instinctively widened their distance, opening a path. Previously, his presence wasn''t imposing, and he often had to ask for consideration. Now, with his Charisma at Legendary rank, he parted the crowd as easily as Moses parted the sea!

    ''Don''t cry, Contractor. You mustn''t cry!''

    ''I want to see Bice...''

    After walking for about a minute outside the barrier, he saw the fairy, knocked unconscious by the force of the shield, lying sprawled nearby.

    "Should we bind it?"

    ''Leave it to me.''

    Responding to KiJun''s words, Lucy immediately shot chains of light, wrapping the fairy tightly. This strong constraint not only physically restrained but also blocked the fairy''s magic cirction, a skill developed to counter the Demon Lord.

    "Uh?!" The fairy regained consciousness. Apparently, it was pretending to be unconscious to attempt a surprise attack, but KiJun and Lucy''s unexpected restraining power foiled its n.

    "What are you? I''ve never heard of humans in the tutorial wielding light like this!"

    "So, you only know about the second round. Still, isn''t it odd to underestimate strong people?"

    KiJun was surprised to see that about one-fifth of the heroes he saw had upgraded at least one of their stats.

    Though they were infantspared to KiJun, who hadpleted training with the Demon Lord as a specialized trainer, this was a significant difference from the first round, where the existence of grade upgrades was unknown.

    Probably someone discovered the grade advancement first and shared it with all the heroes.

    "What are you talking about? I don''t understand."

    The fairy, likely having its own agenda, persisted in feigning ignorance.

    "Fine," KiJun nodded and lifted his shield. "I''m going to hit you now."

    "What? You vicious human! As if ambushing me wasn''t enough... Agh!"

    KiJun struck the fairy sharply with the edge of the shield. He had gauged its endurance from the shbang throw, hitting hard enough to hurt but not kill.

    "So, if you don''t want to die, tell me everything you know. Got it?"

    "I will not sumb to violence! If it''s known that you''ve abused the tutorial fairy like this, all of you will¨D Agh!"

    "Lucy, shall we gag it?"

    ''A good idea. Maybe it''s trying to scream to attract monsters.''

    Though the fairy seemed slightly flustered, it defiantly yelled.

    "How will you hear the information if you gag me¨D Mmph, Mpph!"

    "That''s fine."

    KiJun, wearing a kind smile, assured, "When you want to talk, I''ll know."

    About five minutester, the fairy, looking as if it might die any moment, desperately shook its head, making muffled sounds.

    KiJun realized it was time. The information from the fairy was incredibly valuable.

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (27)

    ¡ªAll summonees of Earth civilization must pay a yearly tax for the operation of Reta in Reta Points (RP). Reta Points can be earned through quests, achievements, dungeon exploration, raids, trading, etc., and failure to pay can lead to great misfortune.

    ¡ªThe Earth civilization belongs to the ''Light'' faction. Therefore, alliances with civilizations of the ''Dark'' faction are impossible.

    ¡ªYou are one of the three representatives of the Earth civilization. Representatives receive monthly dignity maintenance points, but if all representatives die, the Earth civilization is ''defeated.''

    Having awakened in the newnd of Reta after the transition, YeMin gazed quietly at the message before her, pondering.

    A representative, even though she no longer desired to lead others ¨C who would be happy with such a troublesome role?

    Of course, it was fortunate that Earth''s civilization wouldn''t face defeat as long as she lived, but that was it.

    It didn''t matter who appointed her as a representative.

    She must not repeat the mistake of caring for less important people while ying the role of a righteous hero, only to neglect someone truly important.

    Never again.

    "Right, KiJun oppa!"

    Recalling what the fairy had told her after defeating the Demon Lord, YeMin lifted her head.

    The fairy had stated that KiJun, due to a bug, couldn''t regress and remained alone in a closed tutorial channel, training and eventually moving to Reta.

    Though she had been agitated and rampaged upon hearing this, finding the hidden dungeon and growing even stronger was fortunate.

    Nevertheless, KiJun was what mattered now.

    "Noona."

    "It''s good, everyone is together."

    "Ha, it really wasn''t the end. I''m seriously craving a drink¡­"

    Her party members, who had been with her until the moment they cleared the dungeon, were all summoned nearby.

    The problem was that everyone else was mixed up, making it difficult to find KiJun.

    YeMin asked her party members to disperse and search for KiJun, but it didn''t take long for her to realize a crucial fact.

    Not everyone on Earth was gathered here.

    KiJun was not among them.

    "Ah¡­"

    Overwhelmed by intense frustration and despair, YeMin clung to the belief that KiJun was somewhere in this world, alive, keeping her sane.

    ''But still, oppa is somewhere here. I just need to find him.''

    With KiJun''s skills, rumors about him would surely spread. Even if not, her party''s reputation would lead him to her.

    Or perhaps, a more romantic scenario ¨C KiJun finding her!

    Imagine, returning exhausted with her party at dusk, and KiJun, as if he had been there all along, casually greeting her.

    Surprised, she drops her weapon, and he gently embraces her, whispering, "I''ve finally found you," followed by a kiss¨D!

    "Everyone, pay attention! I, the fairy from the tutorial, havee to assist you, newly arrived in Reta! Let''s start with an introduction to this continent, Reta, and about being a civilization representative¨D."

    YeMin''s delightful fantasy was shattered by the irksome voice of the fairy.

    Already at the end of the 2nd tutorial, YeMin''s anger towards thete-truth-telling fairy was at its peak.

    Thus, even as the fairy spoke about tutorials and civilization representatives, she skeptically received its words.

    ''Civilization representatives are crucial. If they die, the civilization ends. That sounds important. But asking for help to identify the representatives? That''s like fraud.''

    YeMin finally fully grasped the term "Tutorial''s fairy."

    The tutorial was a space to educate Earthlings before entering the main stage, Reta, meaning fairies were only helpful there.

    After 25 years of training, including 10 more in the tutorial, another tutorial in Reta?

    Impossible, the fairy here is no longer an NPC.

    It''s an enemy trying to deceive us.

    "Cough¨D!"

    At that moment, as the fairy floated in the air, its head was suddenly severed.

    The fairy, shocked and unable toprehend, hadn''t expected that among the Earthlings who just entered Reta, there would be someone capable of stealthily reaching such heights to decapitate it.

    Staring in disbelief, the fairy''s head, unable to fall to the ground, rolled down an invisible dome-like barrier.

    "A barrier?! And the corpse is sliding on top of it¨D."

    "Who killed the fairy? Was it actually our enemy?"

    "So, what exactly is a representative?!"

    Amidst the chaos and murmurs of hundreds of thousands of humans, EunShin, hooded, quietly appeared behind YeMin and spoke.

    "Did I do the right thing?"

    "Perfect, EunShin¡ª- ah. It was a fake."

    "I moved right away, thinking that''s what big sis would want."

    The remaining party members, having concluded their fruitless search, regrouped with YeMin.

    Their mere presence drew the attention of everyone around, not just due to YeMin''s bewitching beauty captivating all genders, but also because of their legendary achievements throughout the tutorial.

    Of course, those legendary achievements had only yielded rare-grade rewards, and now in Reta, they were painfully realizing their insignificance.

    "We need to think about our next move."

    As JiHye surveyed the unsettled crowd, YeMin wanted to say they should find KiJun, but JiHye''s concern was probably not about that.

    "That''s right... It''s unrealistic for hundreds of thousands to move as one."

    The architect, true to his former profession, paid special attention to thend and the barrier covering it.

    "Thisnd is not fit for settlement. Low productivity and not spacious enough for many people. It''s just a starting point."

    "A starting point."

    "Right, like the temporary shield that protected us from crashing into a dragon when we first arrived in the other world. Remember, in games, when you start and you''re invincible for a few seconds? It''s exactly that."

    "Moreover, the way people look at our party isn''t so friendly either."

    Adding to JiHye''s words, the architect smiled bitterly in agreement.

    "We can''t help it, we did quite well."

    Like many heroes, YeMin''s party hadn''t been considerate of others during the 2nd tutorial.

    For the sake of the party''s strength, they secured everything valuable, even if it meant harmingpetitors.

    It was a necessary evil to defeat the Demon Lord, and everyone acted simrly.

    The problem was that YeMin''s party had be the strongest, overwhelmingly so.

    Now, at the start of the ''real game'', those sacrificed for their ambition or excluded by other parties had reasons to resent and focus on YeMin''s party.

    YeMin could turn the situation around with her charisma, but her current state was apparent to all her party members.

    "Who would''ve known that was just a tutorial."

    "So, there''s something I want to tell you."

    EunShin spoke quietly, nodding in agreement with the architect''s words.

    The unique-grade dagger that EunShin had brought from the tutorial shone brightly from his pocket.

    "I''ll stay behind for a bit to sort things out. You guys go ahead, I''ll catch up soon."

    "EunShin."

    "It''s necessary."

    Understanding what "sorting things out" meant, JiHye protested with a stern voice, but EunShin firmly replied, "There are many among us who will never forgive each other. Many are waiting for a chance to take our lives. I''ll only take care of the truly dangerous ones. ...Fortunately, they''re all gathered here."

    "How can we let you, the youngest, do such dirty work? We should do it together."

    JiHye was adamant, but EunShin cut her off, "It''s my job. It suits me."

    JiHye sighed in resignation.

    Just then, a man loudly intervened.

    "Everyone, please listen to me just once!"

    It was a familiar-looking blond Caucasian. Recalling who he was, the party realized he was the leader of the opposition who had argued against killing the Demon Lord, advocating for the use of purification magic. Coincidentally, he was also on EunShin''s ''list''.

    "First of all, I am one of Earth''s representatives."

    Representative? Really?

    His im stirred murmurs among the crowd. His voice, amplified by a spell from his party''s mage, reached tens of thousands and was further spread by other mages. He was a well-known leader from both the first and second rounds, and his words were critical.

    "Do you remember the term ''representative'' the recently deceased fairy mentioned? It''s crucial because the representative ys an essential role in the survival of a civilization."

    Nods were seen around.

    Even YeMin, who generally avoided entanglements with others, narrowed her eyes at the man''s words.

    "It''s like chess. If the king dies, the game ends. If a civilization''s representative dies, the entire civilization loses. As the fairy exined at the end of the tutorial, if a civilization loses, its members be ves, regardless of individual prowess."

    The man then reiterated the fairy''s words.

    "You all must have seen the message about paying annual points as tax upon entering this world. Yes, the representative is responsible for collecting these points. Without a representative, a civilization unable to pay taxes faces destruction..."

    At that moment, Choi Kang interrupted with a sneer.

    "You don''t even know what a representative is, you fraud! A representative is not some tax collector. It''s more like a civil servant who represents the civilization and uses the collected points to provide welfare benefits to its people! Just read the status window! Are you nning to scam everyone and run?"

    "Are you a representative too?"

    To the blond man''s question, Choi Kang retorted, "Yes, I am a representative! And you''re definitely not, you liar! Do you even know how many representatives there are? Tell me!"

    "I assume it''s just us. If there were other representatives, they should''vee forward by now. Right? You''re the most likely to be lying."

    Choi Kang sighed at the man''s calm response, but others seemed to find his reasoning usible. Choi Kang was known for being impulsive andcked a convincing argument. Moreover, his demeanor didn''t inspire much trust.

    "Enough! You bastard! If you''re a representative, prove it by opening your status window! If it''s so important and secretive, why don''t you show yours first?"

    "Forget it, let''s go."

    YeMin turned away after observing the scene.

    JiHye and Uncle Soo looked at her with questioning eyes as she spoke to EunShin in a low voice, "Can I ask you a favor, EunShin? I''m really sorry, but you''re the only one I can ask."

    "Leave it to me, noona. It''s my job."

    EunShin replied cheerfully but with a hint of uncertainty, "So... it''s okay to ''sort things out'', right?"

    "It''s fine."

    The party realized then: if Earth''s representatives were to be chosen, someone else at the scene would have been selected before those two men.

    "Are you sure it''s okay not to step in?" JiHye asked.

    "That blond idiot, he''s acting up because he thinks I won''t intervene," YeMin realized.

    Indeed, the blond man had politically maneuvered against YeMin in the second round and probably predicted she wouldn''t get involved in the role of a representative, especially knowing her past dedication.

    YeMin and her party left, leaving EunShin''s shadow behind. His exceptional stealth skill blended seamlessly into the background, especially with everyone''s attention on YeMin''s radiant beauty.

    "Ah...!"

    "Let''s rest for now. We don''t know what might happen."

    The standoff between the blond and Choi Kang reached a temporary calm.

    As night fell and morning returned, no representative of Earth''s civilization perished.

    Not a single representative.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (28)

    <strong></strong>

    1. Reta is a world governed by points.

    2. From paying annual taxes to entering new areas, using teleportation gates, purchasing homes, creating guilds, and even buying and recharging RetaPhones at the ''Point Shop'' for summoners, points are necessary for all.

    3. Upon entering Reta, the message exined that points could be earned through achievements, titles, dungeon and raid explorations, simr to the tutorial, but for those living in Reta, this was merelyughable.

    3. Points can also be gained by ''killing summoners,'' and the stronger the target, the more points are awarded.

    4. Especially, the points gained for killing a civilization representative are unimaginably high.

    1-2. To reiterate, this world is dominated by points.

    3-2. For most summoners in Reta, the primary method of earning points is through killing or robbing other summoners.

    "So, you were trying to deceive us, newly transferred summoners, to find out who the Earth representatives are."

    "Yes...!"

    KiJun, having nearly killed the fairy and learned about the points, could only smirk bitterly.

    "You can''t even enter due to the barrier."

    "If I''m lucky... I could deceive those fools, maybe even get invited in. Or at least, knowing who the representative is can be useful."

    At this point, the fairy cautiously watched KiJun''s reaction. Any standout individual like him would naturally be suspected as a representative.

    Especially since he couldn''t maintain a poker face. Every mention of ''representative'' seemed to make him twitch, and the fairy had already noticed that.

    "I can also sell that information to other strong individuals. And..."

    "And?"

    "The barrier won''tst for many days. It''s just a temporary measure to protect summoners who have just entered Reta."

    As expected.

    KiJun, after briefly closing his eyes to ponder, looked down at the fairy and asked, "Anything else you think you should tell me?"

    "No, no! I''ve told you everything!"

    "I don¡¯t think so. You¡¯re dying right now anyway."

    The fairy, after several attempts to resist, realized his body and magic werepletely immobilized. Grinding his teeth, he shouted, "The system allowing Earth''s second tutorial is aplete failure in bncing! A mistake made by underestimating the individual growth potential of a million people based on averages...!"

    "I agree. But stop pretending to be concerned about bnce and just spill the information."

    KiJun wrung everyst piece of seemingly useless information out of the fairy, particrly about Earth''s current situation in Reta.

    The most crucial concerns were where the remaining Earthlings had been summoned, whether there were any civilization members nearby threatening Earth, and how strong they were.

    When KiJun asked this, the fairy responded with a nk expression, "Are you mistaken? This world isn''t a battleground where all civilizations fight to the death."

    "That''s evident just by looking at you."

    "That''s... because I''m a fairy. I''m inconspicuous and move individually. Detecting you was just... thanks to an informant..."

    "So, openly fighting causes penalties?"

    It was odd. If such penalties existed, why reward points for killing summoners?

    The answer, surprisingly simple, was, "NPCs. They don''t likerge-scale conflicts between summoners. They preferpetition ording to just rules. Only civilizations in the ''dark'' faction can openly be hostile."

    "Ah."

    KiJun felt like he''d been hit on the head.

    In the first tutorial, he and a million other heroes were merely guests visiting a world ruled by NPCs.

    The bnce shifted as heroes grew more powerful than NPCs, but until then, they gratefully epted quests from NPCs, built reputations, and obtained better quests or information about secret areas.

    "The NPCs of the tutorial and Reta differ vastly in power. Even the Crimson Draconians, the strongest summoned civilization, have to consider the great empire of ''Tyrannus'' in Reta."

    "So... ifrge-scale conflicts between civilizations are suppressed by Reta''s NPC forces, sneaky assassinations of civilization representatives or gaining recognition from NPCs to socially suppress other civilizations would be preferred."

    "Exactly."

    The fairy nodded unwillingly.

    Thus, nothing had changed from the tutorial. They had to dive into a world already established by NPCs and climb up from the bottom to establish Earth''s ce, with the added element of points potentially causing conflicts with other civilizations. But with NPCs as a breakwater, there was always a chance for a counterattack.

    "So where are the other Earthlings?"

    "I don''t know... I came here because it seemed easier. But they should be under the influence of the Gratia Kingdom, where we are now."

    "Has another fairy gone there?"

    The fairy remained silent.

    KiJun, frustrated by the twisted fairy cartel, believed YeMin would skillfully handle such fairies, being a master in dealing with people.

    "Got all the information you wanted? Then please let me go now."

    The fairy looked pitiful, believing KiJun had hesitated to kill him, thus dragging out the interrogation.

    But that wasn''t the case.

    "You''ve figured out I''m a civilization representative. Do I look dumb enough to just let you go?"

    "Damn it!"

    KiJun raised his slightly blood-tinted shield and crushed the cursing fairy''s head.

    As the fairy''s body dispersed into fragments, items including a RetaPhone simr to KiJun''s fell, apanied by a message appearing before him.

    ¨D You have gained 2,895 points.

    ¨D Updating civilization information.

    [Fairy Garden: Moderate to Low Risk, 15th Year Civilization]

    [A civilization of small fairies skilled in spatial magic. Its notable disadvantage is its low maximum growth potential, making the likelihood of ultimate victory in civilization wars almost negligible. However, they possess many talents, making them highly useful as NPCs in various fields. When considering the points they generate, they rank quite high.

    If captured, it''s rmended to make a ''contract to spare their lives in exchange for seizing their held points'' rather than killing them.

    Be cautious of their innate perceptiveness and information-gathering skills.]

    That''s really timely information, thanks.

    Considering the opponent knew I was the civilization representative, I had no choice but to kill them anyway...

    That leaves a bitter taste.

    Towards the end of the tutorial, I thought maybe I could get along well with the fairies like Tinkerbell, but now, to think the first race I encounter and even kill in Reta would be fairies...

    ¨D It''s not your fault, contractor.

    Lucy consoled him with her gentle voice.

    ¨D It''s that damned moth''s fault. It tried to deceive humans, and had you let it go, it definitely would have sold your information.

    "Indeed, that must be the case. Although I felt like I could do anything after the tutorial ended... in the end."

    In the end, he felt deted, realizing he was still at the mercy of conditions and situations.

    The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche proposed the concept of ''¨¹bermensch'' or superhuman.

    It refers to a person who follows their own firmly established values of good and evil, rather than being oppressed and subdued by societal conventions of morality and order.

    This concept perfectly aligns with the meaning behind the name ''KiJun,'' but ironically, KiJun, with such a noble name, ended up killing the fairy against his wishes, influenced by circumstances and conditions.

    "I''m still far from bing a superhuman. I need to work harder."

    ¨D Huh?

    "It means Ick power. Nietzsche said that to be a superhuman, one must harbor a will to power. It means if I be incredibly strong, I can do whatever I want without anyone daring to challenge me."

    ¨D Huh... Uh? That sounds correct in conclusion! ssic Nietzsche!

    The will to power, leading to the attainment of ¨¹bermensch.

    Interpreting the philosopher''s theory in his own way, KiJun once again fully armed his mind and picked up the items dropped by the fairy.

    Aside from a few gold and silver coins, the rest were just trinkets, except for one thing worth calling a harvest ¨C a RetaPhone simr to his own.

    Picking it up, surprisingly, the message [RetaPhone12 (R)] appeared.

    Unlike KiJun''s [Retaphone15 (U)], which didn¡¯t need recharging thanks to the permanent battery installed by Bice ¨C made from the horns of a boss-level demon and the hearts of thousands of lesser demons ¨C this one imed its battery was at 15% and needed charging soon.

    "Come to think of it, recharging also requires Reta points, right? ...Could the battery Bice made be something extraordinary?"

    ¨D Annoyingly, it seems so...

    Bice had made two batteries.

    One was installed in KiJun''s RetaPhone, and the other, as Bice said, was embedded in the Shock Absorber device. KiJun felt a strong temptation to try and sell it off if it hadn''t already been perfectly fused with the Shock Absorber, making it impossible to remove.

    [The previous user is dead, data has been reset. Would you like to register as the new owner?]

    KiJun opened the fairy''s phone, hoping to find some unknown information, but it seemed to be thoroughly user-synchronized and had reset.

    Having anticipated this, he gave up without any regrets and pocketed it.

    It was good that it had reset.

    It seemed valuable, so he decided to keep it for now and give it to his party members when they reunite.

    Imagining his party members, who must be active in different ces but certainly on the samend as him, a faint smile formed on KiJun''s lips.

    "I miss them."

    ¨D Is it a girl?

    "Two guys and two girls. Hmm, as for who I miss the most..."

    Watching KiJun seriously ponder, Lucy felt slightly relieved.

    Apparently, there was no special rtionship!

    Then the real enemy must be that demon...

    "What should I do now? I guess it''s only fair to share the information I got from the fairy with the people inside."

    ¨D Really? Those humans didn''t seem to trust you much.

    "Still, I had parties I knew before. I think it''s better to inform them and then leave."

    ¨D Sigh, you''re too kind-hearted... No wonder the demon found this aspect of you frustrating.

    "Bice was a bit too impulsive."

    Remembering Bice pounding his chest in frustration as KiJun''s first tutorial was utterly frustrating, he chuckled and lightened his steps towards where the earthlings were.

    ¨D Attempting to enter a safe area. Initiating a vote among earthlings for your entry permission.

    ¨D Voting result: Majority against, your entry has been denied.

    "Huh...?"

    And then, he encountered an unexpected problem.

    Peering into the ''safe area,'' he could see the figures of people vaguely, but they all seemed to be purposely avoiding looking his way...

    "Am I expelled now?"

    ¨D Ah, these cowards. Our contractor rescued them from danger, and now they''re casting out their benefactor? Ungrateful and ignorant fools!

    Lucy was about to unleash her power, criticizing the barrier, but KiJun quickly stopped her.

    It was a temporary measure to protect earthlings who had just been summoned to Reta and were disoriented.

    If she really seeded in destroying it, it would have been a disaster.

    "Anyway, I had no ns to mingle with the earthlings. Spreading out might actually increase the overall survival chances of our species. I just need to associate with people I like."

    ¨D Contractor...

    Yet, despite saying so, his heart was not entirely at ease.

    "Call me Ishmael..."

    Feeling the full brunt of being an outcast, KiJun''s back looked forlorn as he turned to leave, prompting Lucy to raise her voice deliberately.

    ¨D Ah! Suddenly, I really want some curry made by the contractor! Can you make it for me, please?

    "Curry?"

    Pondering for a moment, KiJun noticed a forest not far from the safe area and nodded.

    "Yes, the best thing when you''re down is curry with everything thrown in. I''m sure I can find ingredients in the forest."

    Making curry with only ingredients foraged in the wild, without any spices, seemed impossible, but Lucy didn''t know the significance and was just excitedly flying around his head.

    ¨D Entering the Gratia Kingdom, Ardens Forest. Your current level makes it easy to explore this area.

    The forest in Reta was immensely more vast than anything in the tutorial, allowing for the discovery of a variety of nts.

    With his refined cooking skills, KiJun quickly identified edible nts, and among them, spices that could create a curry-like vor. He even caught a wild boar on a whim.

    To his surprise, the boar was of umon grade.

    "I can''t get wheat, so no roux, maybe a soup-like curry... Well, as long as I add some starch, it shouldn''t be too sticky, right?"

    Fortunately, the forest in Reta was abundant with tuberous nts that couldpensate for the absence of curry roux.

    He found nts strikingly simr to Earth''s potatoes, among others. Excited, KiJun began pulling them out when...

    ¨D Due to the effects of the legendary-grade title [Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon], a ruin has been detected!

    He identally uprooted a nearby ruin as well.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (29)

    <strong></strong>

    Normally, chicken stock is the most straightforward and suitable choice for making curry broth, and it suits KiJun''s taste as well. However, having just arrived in Reta, chicken stock was out of the question. Thus, he had no choice but to use the wild boar he had just caught to make the broth. In Japan, there''s something called Tonkotsu (pork bone) curry, so it might taste good.

    The biggest issue wasn¡¯t the broth ingredients but theck of a pot to cook it in. And of course, it wasn''t feasible to go looking for a town or city just to find a pot.

    Pondering for a moment, KiJun decided to use a method he learned while extracting information from the fairy.

    "I wish I had a pot."

    He turned on his RetaPhone15 and clicked on the ¡®Reta Points¡¯ icon on the screen. This function synchronizes the user''s information in real-time, disying the points earned. It not only allows trading points with others but also calctes and pays taxes. It¡¯s practically the core feature of the RetaPhone, giving ess to the ¡®Points Shop¡¯ - a privilege exclusive to summoners.

    "It¡¯s good that I don¡¯t have to find physical Points Shops in certain cities."

    Lucy, uncertain whether to praise or grumble,mented as KiJun clicked on the Points Shop.

    In the shop, RetaPhones from model 7 to 13 were on sale. Models below were discontinued, and models above were only avable through custom orders. For reference, KiJun¡¯s phone was a RetaPhone15.

    "So, this really is an amazing thing."

    The RetaPhone of the fairy he killed was also a pretty advanced model. It would make a fine gift for someone else, he thought, nodding his head. While browsing through various tabs, he found a pot (10RP). Aside from that, he also picked a frying pan (5RP), a multipurpose knife (4RP), adle (2RP), and cooking chopsticks (1RP), and then his eyes stopped at a pressure cooker (35RP).

    A pressure cooker... in the tutorial phase, such an emblem of advanced human civilization was beyond his wildest dreams!

    He gasped in awe.

    "Rx, KiJun. You have plenty of points!" Lucy reminded.

    His current points stood at 3,895, including the 2,895 points from killing the fairy and the 1,000 monthly dignity maintenance points as a representative of Earth''s civilization.

    After some internal debate, considering the usefulness of a pressure cooker in quickly extracting broth and making tastier curry, he decided to purchase it. The Points Shop, notably, did not sell any food or spices, except for rye bread (1RP) and water.

    If he couldn¡¯t find flour, he could grind the rye bread, but without butter, he couldn¡¯t make a roux anyway. He sighed andpleted his shopping.

    But then, right after payment:

    "Knock knock, need the world''s fastest fairy delivery service? Did you shop at the Points Shop?"

    "Ah."

    Startled, KiJun blinked at the fairy that appeared out of thin air.

    "It makes sense now, the minimum purchase amount was 100RP with a 10% surcharge."

    That¡¯s why he had to buy a tent (50RP) he hadn¡¯t nned on...

    He hadn''t expected to encounter another fairy so soon after killing one and feeling disturbed.

    The fairy seemed equally surprised to see him.

    "Humans? They are stingy misers who wouldn¡¯t dare use the Points Shop app."

    "Just give me what I bought."

    His momentary sentiment dissipated at the fairy''s rude tone.

    He took the items she brought and was about to send her back when she suddenly eximed.

    "Are you the human that noona talked about? The one who cooks incredibly well?"

    "Eh?"

    "Right, you have a very strong spirit with you."

    Could she be Tinkerbell¡¯s acquaintance?

    Surprised, KiJun widened his eyes, but the fairy hastily waved her hands.

    "Don''t worry. We NPCs never leak our guests'' information to others. Even if we try to circumvent it and seed, we''d be severely punished if caught."

    "Huh."

    "Are youughing at me? Even as an NPC, I have pride, you know!"

    "I just killed a fairy trying to scam people at the summoning site."

    "¡­What?"

    The fairy looked shocked at KiJun''s words. When he showed her the reset RetaPhone12 and exined, her face turned red with anger.

    "These damn scoundrels, tarnishing the already narrow standing of fairies!"

    "Hey, calm down."

    "I''m so sorry, sir. Truly, this is uneptable in Reta! Weak races underestimating other weak races tomit such acts... Who on earth would..."

    KiJun bristled at being ssified as a weak race but couldn¡¯t argue, remembering the first tutorial phase. Moreover, he couldn¡¯t stay mad at her genuine apology.

    "Sorry, but could I borrow that RetaPhone for a moment? I¡¯ll report this to the higher-ups and ensure the culprits are severely punished. You¡¯ll get your RetaPhone back, and we¡¯ll providepensation. Please, for the peace of Reta and the honor of fairies..."

    For a moment, he wondered if this was another scam. Maybe she was using her wits and poker face to deceive him and steal the RetaPhone. But then, thinking of the ¨¹bermensch, he fought against his narrow-mindedness and suspicion.

    The ¨¹bermensch is not swayed by others'' attitudes but acts ording to their own standards.

    Yes, judging the whole based on a small sample is undoubtedly wrong. Nietzsche would have apuded KiJun''s decision.

    "Okay, I''ll leave it to you."

    "Thank you! You really are a good human."

    KiJun, receiving her appreciative look, nodded. She was about to teleport away when he added:

    "Come back for some curry when you''re done. I''ll save some for you."

    "Me? Oh, sure!"

    The fairy, though bewildered, happily agreed and disappeared.

    Lucy seemed sulky that KiJun was too kind to her, but he had his reasons.

    "Fairy delivery service, right? If we get along, maybe I can ask her for personal favors, like buying some brown sugar."

    ¡ªAh¡ªContractor, you''re a genius!

    "Of course. Look forward to the curry, Lucy."

    ¡ªI know your skills¡ªAh, found water, Contractor!

    Finding a water source, KiJun set up a fire near it. With his honed ''Butchery'' skill, he skillfully drained the blood from the boar, prepared it by part, and chose the leg bones for the broth, carefully removing any blood.

    Then, with the clean water from the stream, he began boiling it in the pressure cooker.

    "If we didn¡¯t have a pressure cooker, we''d have been up all night."

    ¡ªStaying up all night to eat Contractor''s cooking is also a treat. So Contractor, are we going to explore that ruin you found earlier?

    "Yeah."

    While searching for a wide, clean stone by the river, KiJun replied.

    "Since we don¡¯t know what might happen inside, let¡¯s eat and rest a bit before heading in. Oh, can you heat this stone for me?"

    ¡ªSure!

    After Lucy heated the stone with her light, KiJun used it as a cutting board to prepare the other ingredients.

    Normally, to preserve the fluffy texture of potatoes, you need to remove the starch before cooking. But KiJun,cking a roux and wanting to make the curry as thick as possible, opted to cut the potatoes intorge chunks and prepared the rest of the ingredients. He then started to make curry powder by mixing the spices he had gathered from the forest.

    ¡ªWell, it¡¯s just a ruin near the summoning point.

    "The difficulty might not necessarily corrte with the area. There could be entry restrictions."

    ¡ªThat''s true.

    Utilizing his unique-grade cooking skills, KiJun quickly found the perfect blend for the curry powder. He mixed arge batch, setting aside what he needed for the day and storing the rest in bags (20 for 1RP) he bought from the Points Shop into his inventory.

    Even with the pressure cooker, it would take a while for the broth to extract from the pork bones. He prepared pork belly strips to satiate their hunger while waiting for the main dish.

    After cleaning the rock-salt he found in the forest, he ground it into a fine consistency. He then sprinkled it lightly over the properly sized pork belly slices.

    He ced the seasoned pork belly on a well-cleaned pan, adding some herbs he had picked to eliminate any gamey smell and enhance the vor.

    ¡ªAre you not cooking on the shield anymore?

    "Well, the only shield I have is the King of the Well. And... Bice is not here."

    Despite his bitter smile, KiJun''s hands were busy flipping the meat. Lucy felt a bit miffed at his constant thoughts of Bice, but she couldn¡¯t help herself when she tasted the deliciously cooked pork belly.

    ¡ªContractor, you¡¯re really... the best...! This isn¡¯t High Orc Legion Commander meat, is it?

    "Maybe because the wild boar was umon-grade. The curry is going to be incredible..."

    Eating the pork belly, KiJun chuckled, thinking if Bice were here, she would have enjoyed it immensely. Coincidentally, Lucy had the same thought.

    "No matter what I do, I always end up thinking about Bice." KiJun thought to himself.

    But what could he do? He had been with her every single day for ten years.

    Bice was deeply ingrained in every aspect of his life. Even without her physically present, her existence was too entwined with his to easily separate.

    ¡ªI¡¯m here too, Contractor. You know that, right?

    Lucy interjected, sensing his thoughts.

    "Of course. Lucy, you¡¯ll stay with me, right?"

    ¡ªOf course! We''re always together, forever. Definitely...!

    "Aaaaah!"

    Just as Lucy was relishing her moment in the touching scene, a scream shattered the atmosphere.

    It could be a trap, but KiJun sensed a strong quest vibe. It must be an NPC!

    "Lucy!"

    ¡ªAh¡ªRight! This way!

    They quickly finished their pork belly and rushed off. KiJun equipped the shock absorber inside his standard summoner''s clothing and didn¡¯t forget to wield the King of the Well in one hand.

    Soon, they discovered several mes, ghost-like manifestations of mana, attacking a boy.

    "Where did these low-grade thingse from!"

    Lucy quickly extinguished the mes with her light beams. KiJun, having secured the boy and confirming his safety, surrounded himself with light on his shield.

    "Is it a monster?"

    ¡ªJust a ¡®Ghost¡¯ formed from mana mes. Sometimes they develop a weak consciousness over time... Maybe there¡¯s a powerful entity with strong me power in this forest.

    "Ardens Forest... Ah."

    Ardens, a Latin participle meaning burning, zing, possessing the power to burn.

    He had thought it was just a random name, but it turned out to be foreshadowing.

    Amazed, KiJun turned to the boy, who was trembling in fear.

    "What¡¯s wrong, are you okay?"

    "No, it¡¯s not okay. I was supposed to be the offering this year. If you save me, the spirit will be angry..."

    "Ah."

    That pattern.

    KiJun realized he was involved in the notorious high-difficulty quest¡ª''Pacify the Rampaging Spirit''.

    These quests typically followed a certain pattern, though finding rampaging spirits was difficult.

    Soon, someone would find them checking on the offering''s status.

    A fight would break out between KiJun and them.

    After a tough battle, they''d reluctantly hear out his side, often treating him as an unwee intruder.

    Then, they''d receive a quest to either be the offering to pacify the spirit or to subdue it directly. NPCs, too tormented by spirits, might have gone crazy.

    Next, the hero who epted the quest would gather a party to raid the spirit, hoping for a positive oue.

    Or, realizing it''s hopeless, they''d flee, only to return the next day to find the vige reduced to ashes.

    Realizing the dire consequences of hasty decisions, yet not learning their lesson, they''d scavenge the ruins, encounter the remaining spirit, and get burned to death¡ªleading to a despairing oue.

    ¡ªWhat will you do, Contractor?

    "Yikes! Are you a spirit...?!"

    "Yes, we are."

    KiJun¡¯s response was neither hopeful nor despairing.

    "Let''s take this kid and lure the me spirit while heading to the ruin."

    He decided to kidnap the quest NPC.

    *  *  *

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): How''s Reta? Do you think you can adapt? It''s different from the tutorial in every way. Even simple quests have dirty secrets.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Don¡¯t let your guard down, promise me. I won¡¯t forgive you if you fall for obvious traps after I¡¯ve raised you well.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Why aren¡¯t you reading my messages? Busy on the first day?]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Oh, you should start looking for your second spirit soon. You¡¯re not nning to stick with Lucy forever, are you? With your spirit power, you should be able to handle at least four, I think.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): But avoid rampaging spirits. None of them are normal.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): Ah, time to work. Remember what I said! Reply when you see this!]

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 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (30)

    <strong></strong>

    "You''re too slow, me Spirit!"

    Is KiJun an incarnate of ruthless evil for abducting a person?

    Is he so indifferent to the rampaging spirit¡¯s wrath that he casually decides to explore a ruin instead?

    Of course not.

    Honestly, KiJun was somewhat disgruntled by this RPG-like setup, with forced entry into intense quests starting with unavoidable screams. However, as his tutorial experience showed, this otherworld was filled with unpredictable dangers.

    Anyway, KiJun¡¯s strategy to deal with the rampaging spirit, or should I say minefield, centered on provocation.

    "You¡¯re too slow, even for a me!"

    Thanks to his unique-grade Blinding Taunt skill, KiJun, shing incessantly, carrying the offering NPC, and sprinting through the forest, looked like a madman.

    Lucy briefly wondered if the ''blinding'' in Blinding Taunt meant madness rather than light. But she was as annoying as KiJun, mockingly extinguishing the ghosts summoned by the rampaging spirit every time they appeared with her beams of light.

    A perfect partnership.

    The spirit must have been seething with rage.

    "We found him! The boy is over there!"

    "Aah! A madman shing all over is abducting the offering!"

    As KiJun continued his mocking escapade, the vigers, likely the ones who had offered the boy as a sacrifice, appeared. Dressed in shabby clothes from all directions, they seemed more like monsters than NPCs.

    To an outsider, KiJun, shing while running with the boy, would undoubtedly appear the most monstrous.

    "Stop right there! That boy is this year¡¯s offering to the spirit!"

    "We have no choice, let¡¯s shoot!"

    The vigers'' barbarity was evident as they immediately resorted to violence without attempting propermunication. Unique-grade provocation indeed!

    Frustrated, KiJunmented his decision to head to the ruins immediately, as the vigers began firing arrows from their worn-out bows. Surprisingly, the arrows caught fire mid-air, turning into ming arrows.

    Perhaps the vigers gained the power to manipte me as a reward for their offerings to the spirit?

    Disgusted by the thought, KiJun muttered.

    "We need to enter the ruins quickly."

    As KiJun lightly swung his shield to deflect the arrows, Lucy screamed in panic.

    ¡ªNo, KiJun, we need to take the broth!

    "Right, I almost forgot."

    "Broth?"

    KiJun, about to enter the ruins, changed direction and headed to the riverside, scooping up the pressure cooker, still bubbling over the fire, into his inventory.

    Just then, the campfire exploded fiercely, targeting KiJun, but a light shield appeared at thest moment, neatly blocking the attack.

    ¡ªWe must protect the hostage too.

    "Hostage..."

    "The boy is over there!"

    "Retrieve the offering! Hurry!"

    Chased by the relentless spirit and the vigers desperately seeking KiJun, it was a nuisance, but he couldn¡¯t attack them. Resigned, KiJun readjusted the dejected hostage on his back and ran again.

    Upon reaching the ruins, KiJun noticed a change. Dozens of me pirs that weren¡¯t there before now surrounded the ruins.

    "Oh, could this be¡­?"

    ¡ªThe ruin might be rted to the spirit. Even better, let¡¯s go in!

    "That man is entering the master''s sanctuary!"

    "Stop him, now!"

    "No!"

    "Yes!"

    Ignoring the vigers'' outcry and a threatening female voice, KiJun charged through the pirs of fire.

    Protecting himself with Adamant, and focusing all the light spirit power on the hostage to prevent any harm.

    ¡ªYour proficiency in using Adamant (L) has increased!

    ¡ªLucy¡¯s proficiency has increased!

    In just one second, breaking through the red pirs, KiJun smiled at the dramatic response. It seemed like he had found a hidden route in the quest.

    The trees and rocks around melted from the intense heat, revealing the entrance to the ruins.

    "That man is entering the master''s sanctuary!"

    "The spirit''s wrath will descend!"

    "Aah, aahh¡­!"

    "Sanctuary, a human in the sanctuary¡­ Master¡­"

    The vigers, unable to cross the me barrier, red at KiJun, screaming in horror and anger.

    Feeling a chilling intensity, KiJun muttered.

    "It''s like some sort of cult."

    ¡ªPeople ready to sacrifice a child wouldn¡¯t be sane. But they are¡­ unusually odd.

    "No, it¡¯s a disaster. If we enter, we¡¯ll never be able to leave."

    The boy, who had seemed resigned, now trembled with instinctive fear and resistance as they approached the ruins. But quest NPCs often warn of danger when close to the crux of the situation.

    KiJun firmly held the boy and opened the ruin¡¯s door.

    "Let''s go!"

    ¡ªAh, this ruin was triggered by spirit power, Contractor!

    ¡ªStop at once!

    Ignoring the despairing cries of the spirit, KiJun burst through the entrance into the ruins.

    As soon as the ruin''s door closed, all the pirs of fire surrounding it disappeared. The atmosphere vibrated intensely as the mes'' magic converged, forming a massive figure.

    "Futilely sacrificing offerings I''ve nurtured for years¡­! I''ll burn you to ashes, I will!"

    "Spirit, please calm your wrath. Forgive us¡­"

    "Our lord will never forgive us if we fail. We''ll all be turned to me¡­"

    The vigers, trembling and bowing their heads, listened to the harsh reprimands of the enraged female voice.

    "I''ll go punish that brute. You return to the vige and raise a new offering. Immediately!"

    *  *  *

    Meanwhile, KiJun, having fully entered the ruin, was overwhelmed by its oppressive heat.

    ¡ªFirst entry into the undiscovered ruin [Wounded Nest of me (U)]. Awarded 5,000 Reta Points as a discovery reward!

    ¡ªEntering the ruin triggers the [Discoverer of Hidden Dungeon (L)] title effect. All statuses and skill effects increase by 20%.

    Although these wee notifications popped up, there was no time to count points.

    It was incredibly hot.

    Not just warm, but scorching!

    Like being inside an oven.

    "Wow, this is¡­"

    Had KiJun not activated Adamant, his skin might have been scorched.

    He quickly deployed his unique magic cirction method, Salutaris, drawing in surrounding mana for recovery, and intensified the strength of Adamant.

    It was then he remembered the hostage on his back.

    "Are you okay?"

    "Me? Oh, I''m quite heat-resistant."

    The boy, who had been terrified until entering the ruin, now oddly calm. Or perhaps resigned?

    ''Such a joke,'' KiJun thought.

    Sacrifices, offerings.

    These were uneptable to KiJun. Surrendering control, sacrificing innocents to dy situations.

    The anger towards the boy, who resigned himself as a sacrifice, and those who sacrificed him was immense, but KiJun calmed himself for now.

    As the spirit reacted to this ruin, proceeding deeper would surely reveal something.

    ¡ªThe spirit¡¯s energy is strong¡­ KiJun, be cautious. A rampaging spirit is often stronger than its original rank.

    "I''ve never let my guard down entering enemy territory."

    KiJun cautiously moved forward, noting the walls adorned with me-like symbols.

    Though he expected traps, the straight corridor showed no signs of traps or monsters.

    Not knowing when a fight might break out, KiJun let the boy down.

    "Are you sure you''re not hot?"

    "Hot, yes¡­ but I''m okay. I''ll follow carefully."

    ¡ªMaybe he has a talent for fire¡­ Ah.

    Lucy, seemingly interested, looked at the boy, then suddenly narrowed her eyes.

    When KiJun inquired, she paused, then said,

    ¡ªNot sure yet. Let''s go further in.

    "¡­Alright, take care of him."

    Of course, the boy wasn''t ordinary.

    Sighing, KiJun hastened his pace.

    Soon,rger me ghosts, simr to those in the forest, attacked. They resembled airborne slimes, except for the fiery exterior and a spherical core at the center.

    "Pierce the core and it''s over, but¡­"

    ¡ªContractor, try to avoid the core, chip away from the outside!

    "Leave it to me."

    A bloody tinge mixed with light enveloped the shield KiJun raised.

    His unique attack technique, even formidable with a single shield.

    The legendary skill [Moonlight Blood Fang], evolved after the battle with the Demon Lord, imbued with her blood.

    "Kyahaha!"

    "Gathering experience?"

    KiJun relentlessly struck with the shield, forming bloody fangs. The shapeless enemy kept firing mes, but KiJun, trusting Adamant, took the hits, focusing on shaving off the mes around the core.

    The boy, entrusted to Lucy, watched in awe.

    ¡ªHow is it?

    "Amazing¡­ He¡¯s so strong! I thought so when he broke through the fire pirs¡­"

    ¡ª¡­Right.

    Lucy nodded quietly, then looked at KiJun.

    Meanwhile, KiJun, having almost entirely diminished the ghost, leaving only the core and faint mes, saw the red core drop to the ground.

    ¡ªYou have defeated an Umon me Ghost and earned a small amount of experience for defeating a lower-ranked enemy.

    ¡ªSkills used inbat have slightly grown.

    The experience, while modest, was appreciated.

    More important was the core Lucy intended to collect.

    "Is this a good find, Lucy?"

    ¡ªWe need to gather these, Contractor.

    "Not thousands of them though, right?"

    Recalling the 4-year dedication to the tutorial dungeon, KiJun asked, pale-faced. Lucy chuckled, shaking her head.

    ¡ªNo need for that many. Just collect what you find. It''s like an energy supplement.

    "You suddenly sound like an expert."

    ¡ªWell, it is a spirit-rted ruin!

    Lucy, feigning cheerfulness, then looked at the boy following them.

    ¡ªSo I know quite a bit... even things I wish I didn''t, too clearly.

    The boy suddenly looked up, locking eyes with Lucy, despite her not being physically manifested.

    In his eyes, a faint me flickered.

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 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (31)

    After dealing with one, me Ghosts began to appear more frequently. ording to Lucy, these ghosts are clusters of me magic. Does their abundance indicate the spirit''s immense power?

    "Contractor, there''s more appearing behind us!"

    "Hostage, hide quickly! Wait, are these things actually appearing in real time?"

    "Be careful!"

    Whether by luck or thanks to KiJun''s provocation skill, the ghosts, seemingly ignoring the boy, focused on attacking KiJun.

    "Be careful not to kill them in one hit!"

    It would have been a good hunting ground if KiJun''s race rank was lower, but regrettably, the me Ghosts were only of umon rank.

    Fighting them felt increasingly foolish to KiJun. He had to carefully control his power, meticulously cutting them to leave only the core intact.

    "Does it really have to be this way? Can''t I just extract the core directly from the body?"

    Having figured it out, KiJun adjusted his shield for attack.

    Before mastering shieldbat, KiJun used his shield in a straightforward manner, blocking attacks easily and striking directly or from above. However, after learning offensive techniques, he held his shield with the sharp end towards the opponent, deflecting attacks and immediately counterattacking.

    When he activated his skill, it seemed as though giant ws grew from his hand.

    KiJun secretly referred to this as "Zergling form."

    "Look at this."

    KiJun, steadying his breath, aimed at the core of a fluttering me Ghost and swiftly thrust his shield forward like firing a shell.

    The cruel, blood-tinged ws pierced the ghost''s core. Despite the ghost''s horrifying scream and twisting body, KiJun skillfully twisted and extracted it.

    Encased in his shield was a wless red orb.

    "Sess!"

    ¡ªThe Butchery (R) skill level is now 2!

    KiJun, like scooping ice cream, used his shield, wrapped in light, to precisely scoop out the core from the ghosts.

    It seemed less like battle or hunting and more like scooping ice cream.

    ¡ªLevel 2 achieved. Dexterity (L), Light Magic (L), and Spirit Power (L) increased by 1.

    As he progressed through the dungeon, his level finally increased by 1, a wee boost to his legendary stats.

    However, this dungeon didn''t quite provide the thrilling exploration experience KiJun expected.

    A straight line with no traps.

    The me Ghosts relentlessly attacked from the front, devoid of tactics.

    The interior heat increased deeper in, and without his unique mana cirction technique, Salutaris, maintaining Adamant would have been challenging.

    "I hoped for a more exciting adventure when I discovered this dungeon."

    ¡ªMaybe, Contractor, this might be thrilling in a different sense.

    Lucy said with a pained expression.

    KiJun, too, had a hunch and frowned.

    "Should we turn back?"

    ¡ªLeaving won''t be pleasant either. Better to see for ourselves.

    Their eyes simultaneously turned to the boy quietly following them. He tensely licked his lips.

    "You right there, wait."

    Even as KiJun, using Adamant, had sweat on his forehead, the boy remained sweat-free.

    "It''s fine. Keep following."

    "Yes..."

    KiJun clicked his tongue at the boy''s unawareness of his oddity.

    This is why spirit quests should be avoided.

    The long corridor eventually ended, leading to a vast hall, entirely engulfed in mes.

    Or rather, everything was turned to mes by something at its center.

    "A cat...?"

    In the center of this fiery nesty a cat, small enough to climb on KiJun''s shoulder, its body entirely made of mes, flickering like a mirage.

    ¡ªIt''s a spirit... Once as mighty as me, but now weakened and deeply asleep after suffering a fatal wound.

    Lucy murmured, her voiceden with emotion.

    Then the boy, transfixed by the cat, let out an exmation.

    "Ah..."

    His face showed resignation, as if expecting this.

    He slowly approached it.

    "So it was true... I am."

    He sighed deeply and knelt.

    Ghosts that had emerged surrounded the boy, closing in gently.

    The boy did not burn despite contact with the ghosts, perhaps because they did not attack with hostile intent.

    Of course, that made sense ¨C the boy was a ghost too.

    His fear and rejection before entering the dungeon, his resignation once inside, his calm demeanor in the intolerable heat of the dungeon where even KiJun, with his unique ss and at least unique grade stats, had to activate Adamant to survive ¨C all these were because he was a ghost.

    ¡ªThis changes things.

    Lucy added to KiJun''s soft murmur.

    "Then, all the vigers who imed to offer him as a sacrifice must have been ghosts too. No wonder their behavior was odd."

    Recalling their actions, some aspects didn''t quite fit. Apart from calling the rampaging spirit ''Lord'', they showed a primal fear of ''Master'' as KiJun and Lucy approached the dungeon. Initially, they thought the Lord and Master were the same, but they weren''t.

    "Did they all not know?"

    ¡ªOf course. Those aware of being ghosts wouldn''t perform sacrificial offerings. They probably didn''t know until they faced the spirit directly.

    If KiJun had waited for the vigers, would he have been invited to a ghost-only vige? It would have been futile.

    If he hadn''t discovered the dungeon beforehand, he might havepleted the quest without knowing what he was doing.

    ¡ªReally... The spirit must have been asleep for a long time. So many ghosts developed their own consciousness and forgot they were ghosts.

    "Not that long," the boy, realizing his identity after seeing the spirit, said, still attached to his burning body.

    "A being artificially induced us to live like this, making us believe we were humans, not ghosts... So, I, without knowing my existence was in such a vain illusion¡ª"

    "The worst!"

    A giant feline-like beast appeared, blocking between the spirit and KiJun. Its form was not as distinct as a spirit, resembling an imitation of the me cat spirit.

    "Ruined my nurtured offering meant for my master!"

    ¡ªIndeed, a ghost aiming to evolve into a spirit.

    "It tried to grow by consuming the consciousness of other ghosts. A convoluted but certain way to fully ripen the offering''s consciousness."

    KiJun felt a headacheing on.

    So, the vigers afraid of the spirit, the boy offered as a sacrifice, the mes attacking the boy, and the spirit ordering them were all ghosts. The real spirit was unconscious, wounded, while the ghosts staged a well-crafted y.

    "Is this some kind of hidden camera prank?"

    As KiJun sighed, the beast screamed out its resentment.

    "You ruined my chance to eat it and be a spirit! You''ve made me wait years!"

    "Can''t you eat it now?"

    "In our master''s domain, how can we attack each other? You ruined it!"

    KiJun finally understood the quest''s entire story.

    Had he met the boy without knowing the dungeon, without spirit power, he might have failed to kill the beast, allowing it to consume the offering and be a spirit or a terrible boss monster. Killing it would have released the vigers from its control, slowly realizing their identity and returning to the spirit.

    What a hopeless situation.

    He was lucky to have discovered the dungeon and uncovered its true nature.

    "But you made a foolish choice by entering our master''s sanctuary!"

    The beast, focusing on Lucy''s radiant light, roared.

    "Maybe if I consume a spirit, I can be one! I can''t consume the master, but other spirits should be fine!"

    ¡ªPitiful, self-destructive talk.

    Lucy''s voice carried a mix of pity and sadness.

    ¡ªContractor, once it harbored ill will towards the spirit, nature, it could no longer be a spirit... Finish it quickly.

    "I can be a spirit! I will live eternally like my master¡ª"

    The beast charged at KiJun, who, spotting its core glowing within, swiftly caught it with the King of the Well, now imbued with his spirit power and light magic.

    "Ah, my eternal life..."

    No need to listen to its nonsense anymore. KiJun was well beyond the dungeon''s level.

    ¡ªRare boss monster Semif¨¢ctus defeated. Gained experience. Received 500 points for defeating the dungeon boss!

    ¡ªLevel 3 achieved. Strength (U) 1, Dexterity (L) 1, Spirit Power (L) 1 increased.

    ¡ªButchery (R) skill reached level 3, Moonlight Blood Fangs (L) reached level 2.

    KiJun stored the rare-grade core in his inventory and approached the real spirit. The me Ghosts, including the boy, blocked his way.

    "I''m sorry, but you can''t go any further."

    With a flick of his finger, chains of light sprung from the ground, walls, and ceiling, immobilizing the ghosts. His unique spirit magic, now named after his contract spirit, Lucy, had that much power.

    "I''ll handle this."

    As the ghosts struggled in vain, KiJun passed them and ced his hand on the small, wounded cat''s forehead.

    ¡ªCan you do it, Contractor?

    "Absolutely."

    KiJun extended his spirit power towards the me Spirit, initiating amunion.

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 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (32)

    In the spirit''s memory, the first sensation KiJun felt was intense anger, a dreadful and intense anger towards those who had made it this way.

    As he epted the spirit''s images and emotions, KiJun thought it must have once had the power to set the world ame.

    However, even such a being was betrayed, by other spirits it trusted. Feeling its deep sorrow, KiJun extended his own spiritual power, trying tofort the spirit as best he could.

    "The images aren''t clear, but it seems there was something guarded with other spirits, which was stolen through betrayal and a surprise attack, leaving it severely wounded."

    The rest was a familiar story.

    The spirit fled to a remote forest, hiding and sleeping to heal its wounds, dreaming of a big family that would never betray it. This was why the forest was overrun with ghosts.

    The spirit, expending its own power to continuously create ghosts, could not heal its wounds. Ironically, the self-aware ghosts sought to be spirits themselves, consuming each other.

    KiJun thought, "I should have hit that bastard harder before killing it."

    Then, feeling KiJun''s healing spiritual power, the long-slumbering spirit awoke, letting out a cry like a wild animal wary of danger. Having lost much of its power over time, it could no longer speak like a human. KiJun, based on his spiritual power, could understand the spirit''s intentions, so there was no problem.

    "It''s okay, I''ll heal you," KiJun softly spoke, stroking the spirit''s head again, and looked at Lucy for confirmation. Lucy nodded vigorously, ready to help.

    Even while making a weak crying sound, the spirit, realizing KiJun was there to help, did not resist and let itself rx.

    The me Ghosts, including the boy, who were bound by the chains of light''s spirit power, were shocked to see the awakened spirit.

    "How...?!"

    "We''ll release you now. We can''t waste our spirit power on you. You must have figured it out by now. Just watch quietly."

    Awakening a deeply wounded spirit, without causing it to go berserk, was not an easy task. KiJun would not have been able to do it without a decade of spiritual power training.

    "Eat slowly."

    KiJun took out ghost cores from his pocket, the energy supplements for the spirit. All the me Ghosts originated from the spirit. Naturally, their cores contained pure elemental spirit power.

    "Lucy."

    ¡ªLeave it to me.

    The warm light of healing enveloped the spirit''s wounds. The me cat, aware of Lucy''s intervention, narrowed its eyes and then closed them again.

    The terrible wounds, neglected for so long, began to heal slowly.

    "Lucy, once more."

    ¡ªOkay.

    KiJun divided his spiritual power into two, boosting Lucy''s spirit power with one half and using the other to restore the faint me cat''s energy.

    As the spirit regained consciousness, it eagerly consumed the cores offered by KiJun. The spirit''s wounds visibly began to heal, and the me Ghosts, initially flustered, gathered around to watch.

    The reinvigorated spirit stopped eating to lick KiJun''s finger. Its me tongue warmly wrapped around his finger without harming him, showing gratitude. KiJun smiled in response.

    "How about it, Lucy?"

    ¡ªYeah, just feed it thisst one.

    KiJun, feeling like an enlightened sage, took out thest core.

    "Here, eat this and recover."

    The spirit gobbled down the core. KiJun''s spiritual power and Lucy''s spirit powerpletely enveloped it, and a bright me burst forth, symbolizing the gathering of all the heat that dominated the space. The spirit''s wounds were fully healed.

    ¡ªYou''ve magnificently healed a deeply wounded spirit. Although its immediate power is greatly diminished, itsrge soul vessel has been perfectly restored, so it may eventually regain its full power. Your Spirit Power (L) has increased by 2.

    ¡ªYou have achieved a great and unique feat! You have obtained the unique-grade title ''Spirit Guardian.'' This title makes you more beloved by spirits and other spiritual beings, and all your healing spells are 20% more effective. Your Charisma (L) has increased by 3. As a reward for this achievement, you have gained 10,000 RP.

    KiJun had anticipated growth in his spiritual power through interacting and healing a different spirit from Lucy, but he hadn''t imagined achieving such a feat. Maybe this spirit was significant not only in the past but also for the future. And the points were pouring in more than he thought - is it usually this hard to earn them?

    The fully recovered me cat stood on all fours and let out a loud cry. It wasn''t very imposing due to its size but was very cute. KiJun diligently petted it, and it seemed to enjoy the attention, pressing its head into his palm.

    "Master, Master."

    The me Ghosts, including the boy, who had managed to maintain their human form, kneeled before their master. The spirit, finally noticing others besides KiJun and Lucy, tilted its head with a questioning "Ki?" then blinked its jewel-like eyes as it seemed to realize what had happened.

    Confronting one''s own folly and naivety is tough. The ghosts symbolized the spirit''s betrayed past.

    The spirit had several paths to choose from.

    It could live in the forest with the ghosts it created, who would never betray it, fulfilling its dream. Or it could abandon its foolish attachments, reim all the ghosts into its body, and regain some strength for revenge.

    The spirit chose neither.

    "Ki?" The spirit, looking around at the ghosts, then turned to KiJun, locking eyes and crying out, seeking his decision. Understanding its meaning, KiJun hesitated but then decided after seeing Lucy''s firm nod.

    ¡ªWhy hesitate when a powerful and promising spirit offers a contract? Just nod.

    "I was just worried about you," KiJun replied.

    ¡ªI always put you first. Don''t worry, just make the contract.

    KiJun then asked the me cat spirit, "Sorry to keep you waiting, but if you''re okay with it, shall we join hands?"

    "Ki!" The spirit yipped affirmatively and ced its small paw on KiJun''s hand. At that moment, a strong flow of fiery spirit power surged into KiJun, establishing a spiritual bond.

    KiJun sessfully contracted the me spirit, gaining a new Rare grade skill, "me Spirit Technique." This skill, imbued with significant bonuses due to the spirit''s deep wounds, leveled up significantly.

    "Take care of me," KiJun said to the spirit, who responded with a happy cry. The spirit then climbed up his arm and settled on his left shoulder, much like Lucy did when they first contracted.

    KiJun named the spirit "Ur," and it briefly yipped in acknowledgment. Ur looked at the me Ghosts with a deep,plex emotion in its eyes before letting it fade. Ur, now KiJun''s contracted spirit, had decided to leave its past behind and start anew.

    KiJun, feeling the spirit''s appreciation for his gentle guidance, was moved. Ur, understanding KiJun''s heart, released the me Ghosts from their binding.

    "Are you abandoning us, Master?" the boy asked.

    "Ki," Ur firmly denied, and after a few more cries, the boy realized they were being granted freedom.

    "We will seek true freedom on our own," the boy reflected. "Even if we forget yourmands, is that really okay?"

    "Ki," Ur responded, confirming it was fine. Ur, having no more interest in them, snuggled against KiJun.

    The boy, epting this new freedom, stood up and transformed into aplete human form. "Thank you, Ur, and our savior! We will never forget you!" he said, smiling brightly before disappearing with the other humanized ghosts, probably returning to the vigers who didn''t know they were ghosts.

    In a secluded vige deep in the forest, they would continue to live together, learning about freedom and life.

    ¡ªYou have earned a Rare Grade Title, Unveiler of Veils. This title makes it easier to uncover hidden elements in quests and enhances rewards. Your level has increased.

    Amazed at earning back to back titles so quickly, KiJun felt bewildered. Without his expertise, the presence of Lucy, and their prior preparation, none of this would have been possible.

    "Thanks, Lucy, and Ur," KiJun expressed his gratitude.

    ¡ªI''m always here for you, Contractor.

    "Ki," Ur chimed in.

    As Ur looked at Lucy, who often sweet-talked KiJun, it seemed to learn something but went along with it, enjoying the praise.

    "Knock, knock. I came to update you on the situation... What''s this, a dungeon? You found it in a day?" A fairy appeared at that moment, reminding KiJun of one thing he had forgotten.

    He hadn''t yet made the curry.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (33)

    As the pressure cooker on the campfire, fueled by Ur''s intense firepower, whistled, releasing steam, the delicious aroma of curry filled the air. The fairy, smelling it, was incredulous.

    "Did you really make this just with what you gathered from the forest today?"

    "Yeah. Compared to the tutorial channel, this forest is really diverse with fruits and herbs, so it was quick to make."

    "Even with abundant ingredients, gathering, sorting, and turning them into something resembling curry in just one day... Ah, and you also cleared the dungeon today. That¡¯s even more impressive."

    The fairy knew well enough from KiJun''s new contract with the me Spirit that this dungeon was no small feat. Clearing such a dungeon in mere hours and then casually cooking curry, and it even looked delicious!

    As KiJun cautiously opened the lid of the pressure cooker to check the seasoning of the well-blended curry, the fairy, ncing at him, thought, ''My sister told me about him, but I couldn¡¯t believe it until I saw him. If he doesn''t meet an untimely death, he''s destined to be a hero.''

    Sometimes, in Reta, heroes appear who defy understanding.

    KiJun''s achievements today were undoubtedly impressive, but looking at the broader context of Reta, it wasn¡¯t unheard of. Most of those who performed such feats became heroes representing their entire civilization or race.

    What truly amazed her was that KiJun, a ''human,'' achieved such feats. The fact that a human, a race known for its inferiority, produced a Spirit Master, a title supposedly bestowed only to those blessed by the heavens, was unbelievable. And not just that, but he already contracted with two impressive Spirits?

    ''Heroes of the human race, quite intriguing. I wonder how far he can go...''

    Very few in Reta fully grasped his potential.

    So, why not ce a bet on him?

    The fairy cleared her throat and asked, "Do you like ck sugar?"

    ¡ªI love it!

    Lucy eximed, with her eyes sparkling.

    The fairy, smiling triumphantly, pulled out a bag full of unrefined ck sugar lumps, a bribe she had prepared knowing Lucy''s taste for it. Seeing Lucy''s eyes gleam, she knew it was a huge sess.

    ¡ªAmazing, KiJun... a real genius!

    "Eh?"

    The fairy, confused about why she was praising KiJun for ck sugar, watched him swiftly take the bag and hand a lump to Lucy, then turned to her.

    "Thanks, we''ll enjoy it. Can I ask for this regrly? Of course, I''ll pay."

    "Does that mean you''re interested in an exclusive contract? I''d like to discuss that in more detail..."

    She deftly steered the conversation to her advantage, her eyes gleaming golden.

    But feeling she might get carried away, she eximed, "Ah," remembering to add ck sugar to the curry. "ck sugar adds a unique ent to the rich and spicy curry. It''d taste great even with bread. Let¡¯s eat and talk. I want to hear how ''that matter'' went."

    "Right... I see."

    The fairy, trying to hide her eagerness for a contract, nodded somberly.

    KiJun and Earth''s civilization were victims of the fairy''s unforgivable misconduct. Reflecting on her previous thoughts of manipting KiJun for a favorable contract, she felt ashamed.

    Then, watching KiJun humming while stirring ck sugar into the curry, she dismissed any notion of him being cunning. He seemed too genuine for such tactics.

    "The curry seems ready. Pity we don''t have rice, but I put plenty of potatoes."

    ¡ªCurry with lots of meat and potatoes...!

    "Kiiit!"

    Both Lucy and Ur, already addicted to KiJun''s cooking, cheered loudly. Though Ur, being a cat-shaped me Spirit, might need to cool the curry, it was adept at handling fire, relishing the steaming dish without issue.

    "Kii, kiiii!"

    "Ur, you like it? Good. Eat as much as you want."

    ¡ªMe too, KiJun! Refill!

    "Sure thing."

    Lucy, adhering to her rule of transforming into a human form to eat heartily, received a surprised nce from the fairy. The fairy then took a small bowl of curry, spooning a taste.

    The aroma alone promised a delicious curry...

    Despite no meat, the potato-rich curry, cooked like a stew in the pressure cooker, was surprisingly simr to regr curry. Tasting a spoonful, the fairy''s mind lit up.

    Before she knew it, the bowl was empty.

    "This... This is..."

    "Good? Want more?"

    "Yes, please... Wait."

    The fairy almost immediately asked for a refill but then paused, asking KiJun, "Your cooking skill... its grade?"

    "Unique."

    The fairy, epting another bowl, thought deeply.

    With cooking like this, could he conquer the universe?

    "Yep, it''s good. The unique sweetness of ck sugar blends perfectly with the rich, spicy broth. The meat is incredibly tender, too. A bit more salt, and it''d be perfect with bread."

    "Bread, you say... I¡¯ll report that right away!"

    Quickly finishing two bowls of curry, the fairy raised her voice to change the topic.

    "Ahem. First, about the punishment for those fairies who acted wrongly. The two fairies who appeared where Earth''s civilization was summoned have been dealt with by the summoners, and the NPC who indirectly provided them with critical information has also paid with her life."

    "I see."

    A bitter taste reced the sweet happiness in KiJun''s mouth. Setting his bowl aside, the fairy continued.

    "However, this is a grave matter that cannot end with individual punishment. To instill a sense of responsibility in all NPCs, a penalty has been imposed on the entire Fairy Garden - this year''s tax points have increased by 30%."

    "The whole Fairy Garden?"

    "Yes."

    The fairy spoke with unwaveringposure, but even KiJun, unfamiliar with Reta, understood the severity of the penalty.

    "It was a mistake that should never have been made. Without such a severe punishment, maybe one day, not only fairies but other NPCs mightmit such atrocities. Everyone in the civilization must bear the guilt of their own crime. Only then will no one ever dare to dream of such cowardly acts again."

    "Are you... okay?"

    "I am¨D¨D."

    Upon KiJun''s inquiry, the fairy momentarily hesitated.

    Although mentioning it might make the situation awkward, KiJun felt he couldn''t hold back.

    Even if it might hurt her.

    "Your kin might resent you. ...If it had been just brushed under the carpet, nobody would have made an issue of it."

    "Maybe for now, but¡­"

    The fairy firmly responded.

    "In the long run, for the Fairy Garden to survive, everyone will understand that my decision was right. It would have been uncovered eventually, anyway."

    "...I see."

    KiJun finally understood the pride of an NPC she had talked about earlier.

    The fairy she had referred to as ''sister'' was the very bug KiJun almost eliminated in the tutorial, but this fairy clearly possessed genuine pride.

    Perhaps she was closer to the ideal of ¨¹bermensch that KiJun aspired to.

    "Let''s at least know each other''s names."

    By the way¡­

    A novice like himself really stood no chance against a professional merchant.

    Aplete defeat.

    "Interested in a fairy''s name, are you?"

    "Considering an exclusive contract? We should sign with our names, right?"

    KiJun casually replied to the fairy, who yfully tilted her head, and she, finally smiling brightly, said.

    "If that''s the case, I''ll dly tell you. I am Viv, just call me Viv."

    "Great. Thanks, Viv. I''m KiJun."

    "KiJun, what a fine name. Shall we start drafting the contract?"

    "Sure. Oh, let''s also adjust the terms by adding some additional uses. I suspect they''re not in the contract you prepared."

    "Additional uses...?"

    "Yes."

    Viv, who was already beaming with the anticipation of victory, frowned at his suspicious remark. KiJun pointed at the curry pot, still full, andughed.

    "Like mutual conveniences we can provide to each other as part of the exclusive conditions. Like serving a delicious meal every time you visit."

    "Oh."

    Viv sighed.

    Her winning hand seemed to be flipping again, thanks to his KiJun¡¯s cunning mind.

    So that''s why he dyed the contract discussion until after the meal!

    Feeling a thrill through her body, Viv cautiously spoke.

    "May I think it over while eating another bowl of curry?"

    Eventually, their contract was agreed upon on mutually eptable terms.

    Going forward, Viv would provide KiJun with useful information and conveniences within the rules applicable to NPCs, and in return, as KiJun thrived in Reta, Viv would earn more points throughmissions and information fees.

    Though there would be a fixed cost and immediate point expenditure, both were confident in gaining more benefits, with KiJun assured of earning far more points with his abilities.

    "By the way, I forgot to mention something earlier."

    After finalizing the contract, Viv, treating the magically signed contract like a treasure, slipped it into her inventory and casually mentioned.

    "The additional 30% tax collected from the Fairy Garden as a penalty will be fully allocated aspensation."

    "Compensation?"

    "Yes. If their n had been sessful, Earth''s civilization representatives could have died or, at the very least, suffered significant harm due to exposure to other civilizations."

    "Really?"

    KiJun hadn''t yet told Viv he was one of Earth''s representatives.

    Of course, she might have already guessed, but given her tact, she wouldn''t openly mention it.

    "The point is... Remember what I mentioned before leavingst time? About a nominal fee being paid."

    "I remember."

    "You, KiJun, will also be included in thepensation distribution. In other words, the additional tax collected will be divided equally between the representatives of Earth and you."

    "...Isn''t that a huge deal?"

    "It is. You might not know, but the taxes we fairies pay are quite substantial."

    Unknown to Viv, there are three representatives from Earth, and KiJun is one of them. However, thepensation would be divided by adding 1 to 3, making four shares, with KiJun receiving half of the total as both a representative and a whistleblower.

    She probably already knew, judging by the pleased look in Viv''s eyes as she gazed at KiJun.

    After all, the more points KiJun earned, the more he would spend, benefiting her as his partner.

    KiJun felt a pang of conscience.

    He already had ns for those points.

    "Um, sorry, Viv."

    "You don''t need to apologize for receiving thepensation from the fairies'' taxes. As I said earlier, it''s a justified consequence, and you receiving those points is also rightful."

    "What I want to say isn''t that."

    KiJun believed that money not earned through effort can lead to careless spending.

    Once you start spending big, it''s hard to go back to being frugal.

    The worst part of overspending is the delusion that it''s your own earning capacity.

    Suddenly getting a fortune can make you lose your senses, and when the bottom falls out, you realize your mistake.

    But it''s not easy to change spending habits then¨D eventually, you might ruin yourself, unable to cope with the wastefulness.

    "So, I n to send all those points to Bice."

    "Bice, oh, the Demon Lord. The one who taught you for 10 years in the tutorial channel."

    Though it wouldn''t fully repay her kindness, KiJun wanted to express his gratitude in that way.

    He also believed that one who forgets kindness cannot seed.

    He somewhat guessed that Bice needed many points and couldn''t ignore her generosity toward him.

    "Why would someone be so..."

    She couldn''t say he was too righteous.

    It felt like overvaluing her own actions.

    Viv, lost for words and gaping, was gently reassured by KiJun.

    "Don''t be too disappointed. Even without that, I''ll earn plenty of points."

    "I trust that, but still... No, don''t misunderstand. I''m not disappointed. It''s just..."

    Viv sighed after a moment of thought.

    "I just thought I made a really good exclusive contract. We seem to match well. That''s all."

    "Good, I''m d you see it that way. Thanks."

    KiJun grinned.

    Viv ended upughing too.

    By the way, she couldn''t return the RetaPhone he took earlier but offered a voucher for a freetest model whenever he needed.

    As their conversation seemed to wrap up, Lucy popped her head out.

    "Contractor, I want to try the curry with bread!"

    "...Lucy, are you nning to finish everything in that pot today?"

    ¡ªI have premium bread. Let''s eat together.

    "Kiii!"

    Ur cheered at the mention of bread.

    KiJun managed to save some of the remaining curry for breakfast the next day, warding off his eagerpanions.

    *  *  *

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Phew, it''s over. What now, feeling shy? What''s there to miss? Talk aboutck of persistence. It hasn''t been that long since we parted.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Me too, a bit? This ''bit'' means I miss your cooking. You didn''t misunderstand, right?]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): I miss it. Your cooking.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Why so shy all of a sudden? What happened? Hiding something from me? Better tell the truth before you get caught and scolded.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Already cleared a ruin?! The title effect is really overpowered... But I feel like there''s more than that.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): The rest is a secret? You''re funny. Thinking you can forget my scariness when I''m not around?]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Aaaaah! Don''t say such embarrassing things in a message! Do you know how cringey it is for me to read, huh?!]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): It''s not that I hate it! Sometimes, it''s okay to express your reverence and longing for me frankly. Got it? I don''t hate it. Sometimes, it''s okay to do it, sometimes.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Be careful in Reta, okay? Well, apart from the obvious, maybe Overflow? No lies, about 30% of Reta''s continent quests are handled by him. But annoyingly, there are no precursors.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): What''s Overflow? Hmm...]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): Ah, another call. Well, I''m off. And about Overflow, right.]

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): If you feel a magical earthquake, find a ce where you won''t be surrounded! And survive!]

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (34)

    ¡°The next destination should be here.¡±

    Indeed, signing an exclusive contract was a wise decision.

    After a lengthy meal, as KiJun was resting, patting his stomach, Viv approached him. She synchronized the mini-map information on her RetaPhone with KiJun''s and kindly pointed out their current location, suggesting the next target area.

    ¡°If you look here, there''s a small town called Turris in the western part of the Gratia Kingdom, right? It''s a city developed around a fortress built on a high hill. It''s probably the best ce for activities in the area. There''s a lot of foot traffic, which means plenty of quests, and naturally, many hunting grounds.¡±

    ¡°How so, on a hill?¡±

    ¡°The mana density is higher than other ces, so dungeons frequently appear nearby. Of course, most are first discovered by the elite soldiers who follow the Lord of Turris, and they impose a dungeon toll.¡±

    KiJun felt like he was hearing about a ridiculously crafty business.

    ¡°What if someone other than the soldiers discovers a dungeon?¡±

    ¡°Well, of course, they get the first right to explore. If the dungeon isn''t cleared in one go, they receive a suitable reward and present it to the lord. There were nobles who argued that artifacts obtained from the first exploration should be sold at a fair price, but since they can be hidden in an inventory, that rule was never implemented.¡±

    ¡°NPC authority is beyond my imagination.¡±

    ¡°Well, they are thend''s owners. There are many temporarily employed NPCs like me, but most of them are natives of this world, Reta.¡±

    Viv, speaking decisively, fluttered her butterfly wings and smiled.

    ¡°But being a summoner doesn''t mean you''re always at a disadvantage. Depending on your achievements, you can be appointed as a noble of the kingdom. There''s even a kingdom established by summoners in the west.¡±

    ¡°We should stay away from there for a while.¡±

    ¡°You''re wise.¡±

    Viv nodded in agreement with KiJun¡¯s remark.

    In Reta, where humans are considered a minor race, a kingdom established by summoners wouldn''t treat humans kindly. They might even be treated worse than NPCs.

    ¡°Anyway, heading to Turris is a good idea. Lots of peopleing and going means lots of information gathering. Good quests, newly discovered areas, dungeons, relics... Besides that, it''s a good ce to hear rumors about talented individuals.¡±

    ¡°...Ah.¡±

    Viv was already aware that KiJun had lost touch with his party members.

    Realizing she was considering this, KiJun nodded deeply.

    Having be the exiled Ismael wandering the desert with his contracted spirits, KiJun still had party members he must meet someday.

    Perhaps they had already formed a new party to fill KiJun''s absence and no longer needed him. But even so, KiJun wanted to meet them at least once.

    Seeing their faces and knowing they were safe would be enough for him to be satisfied and step back.

    ¡°In fact, it''s a good ce to spread rumors about you, KiJun.¡±

    Viv coughed lightly before speaking.

    ¡°I still think it''s not the time for KiJun to reveal his name or affiliation. For now, use a pseudonym... It¡¯s better to keep your face hidden while building recognition, and reveal yourself when you''ve secured a stable foundation.¡±

    ¡°I understand. Is it really hard for humans?¡±

    ¡°That''s part of it.¡±

    Viv hesitated as if it was hard to say.

    ¡°Strong individuals emerge among other races, but regardless of civilization, if a human bes strong... they attract too much attention.¡±

    ¡°So, I might be suspected as a representative of civilization. Then it''s best to keep a low profile.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for understanding.¡±

    Viv sighed in relief.

    Seemingly done talking, she nced at the pot of leftover curry with regret, but Lucy and Ur growled and guarded the pot, sensing her lingering look.

    Viv finally gave up on the curry with a click of her tongue.

    ¡°I''ll look for a magic tool to disguise your race until you enter Turris. I''ve registered on the messenger, so contact me if you need anything.¡±

    Apparently, she had added her contact information while synchronizing the mini-map earlier.

    When KiJun checked, he saw that in addition to Bice, a new friend with the nickname ''Partner'' had been added.

    He chuckled.

    Seeing hisughter, Viv giggled and disappeared.

    Lucy stared at the spot where she had vanished and muttered.

    ¨DFairy characteristics vary greatly, Contractor.

    ¡°Humans too. And spirits are different, right, Ur?¡±

    ¨DKeeet, Keei!

    ¨DWhat! What''s wrong with me!

    Ur cried out, not wanting to bepared to Lucy.

    Holding Ur in his arms, KiJun checked the curry in the pot again, then covered it with a lid and nodded.

    ¡°Okay, let''s put this guy to bed and go to sleep ourselves.¡±

    ¨DKeeheehee.

    ¨DGrrr, that creature, just because it''s an animal, it easily gets into the Contractor''s arms...

    The first day of their entry into Reta, filled with many events, finally came to an end.

    They washed up simply and fell asleep.

    There were no nkets, but holding the warm fire cat in his arms was veryfortable.

    Cute like a cat, not shedding fur, and even warm, Ur might be the perfect lifepanion¨D

    With such thoughts, KiJun fell into a dream where he was embraced by something warm and fluffy.

    ¡°Yawn.¡±

    Of course, the next day, KiJun woke up sharply at six in the morning.

    He poured out water from a bottle he filled at the river yesterday, washed his face, and then mixed some flour that Viv had brought with plenty of brown sugar, warm water, and salt to make dough. After letting it rest in a cool ce, he did some simple morning exercises.

    When he had run about a hundredps around the burrow where Ur had been sleeping, Lucy and Ur woke up, embracing each other.

    ¨D...Cough!

    ¨DKeeei!

    Still half asleep, the two spirits looked at each other quietly, then realizing what they were embracing, they separated with disgust.

    ¨DContractor!

    ¡°Did you sleep well?¡±

    ¨DIt''s curry udon for breakfast today, right? That''s always the next day after curry, right?

    ¡°Usually, yes... But since we couldn''t eat rice yesterday, let''s do something special today.¡±

    That was curry tteokbokki and fried food.

    KiJun rolled out the rested dough, cutting it into pieces the size and thickness of a thumb, and cooked them in boiling salted water.

    Once cooked and rinsed with cold water, the soft and chewy wheat cakes were ready. He boiled half of them in the curry pot, and deep-fried the other half in the thick fat obtained from the wild boar caught the day before.

    Taking advantage of the oil, he fried various chopped vegetables, potatoes, and meat, all salted and coated in flour.

    There¡¯s a saying that even a shoe sole would taste good if fried, and indeed, curry and fried food are famously a great match.

    Though it¡¯s said that food made with pig fat smells when cold, it was unlikely there would be any leftovers.

    ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡±

    ¨DWow¨D! This is even more luxurious than yesterday! I feel sorry for the fairy who missed this!

    ¨DKeee...

    While Lucy expressed pity, she continuously devoured the curry-covered fried foods like a ck hole.

    Aware that standing still would mean losing his share, Ur hurriedly ate the curry fried tteokbokki.

    It should be noted that although Ur looked like a small cat, he was not a real cat and could eatrge fried foods without issue.

    ¡°We¡¯ll leave right after eating.¡±

    KiJun reaffirmed the timeless truth that thebination of curry and fried foods never fails.

    Lucy, stuffing her cheeks with fried foods and curry, nodded and asked.

    ¨DHow long will it take?

    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s amon grade, it would take about ten days, but if we hurry a little, we could make it in a day.¡±

    ¨DDo you want to hurry?

    ¡°I¡¯m pondering. Given my ability to explore dungeons and ruins, it might be good to go slowly and explore the area. But I also want to settle in the small town quickly, check on my former party members, and act faster than the Earthlings who are probably starting to move in the safe areas.¡±

    ¡°The issue is hiding my identity before entering the city. Viv made it sound easy, but it won¡¯t be easy to find a tool to hide my race. It might take days, and until then, it¡¯s safer not to enter the city.¡±

    After some thought, they decided not to rush but to wait outside until KiJun could enter the city in disguise.

    But at the exit of the ruins where they had spent the night, something hung that wasn''t there before.

    ¨DIs that a mask?

    ¨DKeee...

    While Lucy expressed surprise, Ur whined softly at the sight.

    A in half-mask of red metal, covering from the nose bridge to the forehead. Where the eyeholes should be, there were no holes, just orange irises painted on, making its purpose unclear.

    ¨DKee, Keeit.

    Ur suggested that it might be a ¡®reward¡¯ sent to KiJun.

    The word ¡®reward¡¯ reminded KiJun of something.

    ¡°Could this be a quest reward from the me Ghosts... no, the newly born fire spirit boy?¡±

    ¨DKeei.

    As Ur nodded vigorously, KiJun was touched.

    He didn¡¯t expect a reward as he hadn''t formally received the quest, but the boy had prepared this gift!

    Although it was just a half-mask, not directly aiding inbat, it was likely a support artifact.

    Considering he had cleared a tough hidden quest, nurtured the boy into a spirit, and had a title effect that upgrades all quest rewards, KiJun had high expectations for this mask.

    [Persona ¨C Ignis (Unique)]

    [Durability ¨C 3,000/3,000]

    [Defense (U) ¨C 99]

    [Option 1 ¨C Increase in me attack power by 20%]

    [Option 2 ¨C Activation of ¡®me Eyes¡¯]

    [Equipping Restriction ¨C Title ¡®Unveiler of Veils¡¯ holder]

    [A foolish past shed by one who lived unknowingly is carved into this mask, imbued with miracles and the power of mes. The wearer will be hidden from their original self, and those who face the burning eyes will not doubt him.]

    KiJun was speechless as he disyed the item information.

    It was incredible!

    A unique grade item with such a dignified description, far surpassing the King of the Well he obtained in the tutorial.

    Excited by the unexpected unique grade, KiJun was further amazed that the mask might have the ability he desired.

    ¡°Considering the me Ghost disguised as a human all its life, this is like the reverse for me.¡±

    ¨DKeei.

    Ur, reflecting on his past subordinates'' creation, rubbed his forehead against the mask and stepped back.

    KiJun took a deep breath and ced the mask on his nose.

    It adhered perfectly to his face without any fasteners.

    Despite the mask covering his eyes, he could see clearly as if not wearing it.

    ¨DWow, the Contractor looks like a ming human!

    ¨DKeei, Keeiii!

    Lucy and Ur excitedly eximed, especially Ur, who seemed to find KiJun¡¯s new look appealing, jumping with joy.

    ¨DIt''s like a type of ¡®demonic eye¡¯, right? Quite impressive for a neer to provide a temporary demonic eye with just a unique grade.

    ¨DKit, Keeit.

    ¨DGathering the remaining heat of this forest? It makes sense, wanting to erase the traces of spirits and ghosts. Anyway, it''s good for the Contractor!

    ¡°What¡¯s so special about it?¡±

    ¨DI¡¯ll show you.

    As a light spirit, Lucy easily reflected KiJun''s appearance in the light, projecting it nearby.

    KiJun was startled to see his reflection on the wall.

    As Lucy said, his skin appeared slightly flushed, surrounded by heat haze, giving off a hot vibe.

    His hair had turned red, appearing as if actual mes were attached to the ends.

    The most striking feature was his eyes.

    The mask, which had no eyeholes when worn, now revealed KiJun''s eyes, zing red.

    Literally ming irises.

    While KiJun didn¡¯t know what power resided in these eyes, one thing was certain: with this mask, he would never be considered human.

    [Partner (Reta): You already found an artifact to disguise your race? It was a quest reward?!]

    [Partner (Reta): That''s good, but if you handle everything yourself, what¡¯s my purpose...]

    The newly acquired partner was slightly demotivated by KiJun''s luck, but now they were ready to head to the small city of Turris.

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 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (35)

    KiJun spotted an orc.

    After obtaining a unique-grade half-mask that allowed him to disguise as a ''me Human'', he jubntly dashed through the forest, eventually emerging onto the ins.

    He had thought it would take about half a day to reach the city when he encountered them.

    "Hmm?"

    Rough brown skin, fierce upturned noses, eyes slit like those of a boar, and prominent tusks... these muscr monsters were about twice the size of an average human.

    In the tutorial, seeing one orc meant there were thirty more nearby. Either you fled or eliminated every single one, or the next day, three hundred would swarm you.

    However, in the early tutorial, when meat was scarce, everyone turned a blind eye to the fact that orcs walked on two legs like humans and butchered them for their pork-like meat.

    Moreover, orc meat boasted an overwhelming taste and aroma that could trample over any known pork.

    ''Now that I think about it, that was a tough choice. Ordinary wild orcs are one thing, butter, those like the High Orc Legion Commanders under the Demon Lord even spoke normally.''

    By then, it was already thetter half of the tutorial, and the heroes'' minds were likely twisted.

    They knew the orcs couldmunicate with humans, yet they were more concerned about how to distribute the meat after raiding them.

    It was the same for Minotaurs and other monsters.

    In low-level zones, it was easy to consider them wild animals since they walked on two legs but couldn''t speak or reason. But in higher-level areas...

    ¨DIt¡¯s like a ¡®civilization¡¯, Contractor.

    Lucy''s words brought KiJun out of his thoughts.

    Indeed, the orcs were fully clothed and even wore earrings with unique symbolic meanings.

    The five orcs, apparently a party, wore different outfits, and their distinct roles were clear from the weapons they carried, like bows and shields. They were undoubtedly a part of a sophisticated civilization.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this race before.¡±

    The orcs, too, seemed slightly tense at the sight of KiJun.

    He must have radiated an aura of a mysterious and powerful being. Despite masking his face, his legendary-grade charisma still drew attention.

    ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°You first.¡±

    KiJun wouldn¡¯t recklessly attack orcs that showed no hostility and belonged to a civilization, no matter his past behavior.

    Feeling an awkward restraint, he refrained from drawing his knife. Sensing they were weaker, one of the orcs ¨C a leader wielding a greatsword ¨C stepped forward.

    ¡°Fifth-year, as you see, an orc. A member of the Continental Mercenary Guild.¡±

    The orc seemed proud to be a ''formal mercenary,'' perhaps indicating stringent requirements for bing one in this world.

    ¡°Second-year, me Human.¡±

    ¡°me Human? Never heard of it... Are you a solo participant?¡±

    ¡°A solo participant? If we kill him in a fight...¡±

    ¡°Stop talking nonsense. Solo participants are all incredibly powerful. We''re no match for them!¡±

    The orcs began to stir. KiJun realized something at that moment.

    There might indeed be no ''me Humans'' on this continent.

    Thinking they saw him as a representative of a civilization wasn''t far-fetched.

    Originally intending to disguise his human identity, if his supposed race stood out too much, it would defeat the purpose.

    But Lucy whispered in his ear.

    ¨DDon¡¯t fall for their ignorance, Contractor. This continent is vast, and these orcs have barely seen a tenth of it. What would they know? Don¡¯t let their misconceptions lead you astray.

    ¡®Right.¡¯

    Even if ''me Humans'' probably didn''t exist, it was better to be seen as a rare race''s representative than a human''s.

    ¨DBesides, your charisma is too high. No matter how you disguise, attention will follow. Pretending to be another major race might even raise more suspicion. This is just right.

    Lucy''s words calmed him.

    Better to be thought of as a representative of a rare race than a human.

    Besides, he didn''t want to remove the highly effective mask.

    ¡°Have you never met my kind?¡±

    ¡°Uh?! No, we haven¡¯t.¡±

    The orcs nervously nodded, fearful their private conversation had been overheard. KiJun pretended not to know.

    ¡°Thanks for the information.¡±

    Simply hinting he wasn¡¯t a ¡®solo participant¡¯ and possibly searching for his kind, KiJun prepared to pass the orcs. However, one orc addressed him.

    ¡°me Human, do you know what happened in that forest? The temperature suddenly droppedst night. We were sent to investigate the cause.¡±

    ¡°I did deal with some nuisances in the forest.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know then.¡±

    The orcs, not as foolish as KiJun thought, sensed he was rted to the incident but didn¡¯t press further, fearing retaliation.

    After exchanging nces, the leader spoke again.

    ¡°May we know where you¡¯re headed? If it¡¯s the same direction, we¡¯d like to apany you.¡±

    ¡°Your mission?¡±

    ¡°It seems beyond our abilities. We n to give up and return.¡±

    The orc leader spoke decisively. They couldn''t find the hidden spirits or me ghosts in the forest, and even if they found the now-ruined relic, they couldn''t analyze the cause.

    Joining KiJun was the best option.

    ¡°Why do you wish to apany me?¡±

    ¡°A non-arrogant powerful individual is always a solidpanion.¡±

    Strange.

    Wasn''t he acting quite arrogantly, with a stiff tone and an air of nonchnce?

    ¨DA proud person wouldn''t easily express gratitude, Contractor.

    KiJun gleaned an important insight. To maintain the guise of a haughty strongman, he must never openly acknowledge gratitude for others, but rather attribute it to his own merit. Nodding in understanding, he said, ¡°I¡¯m headed to the small city of Turris.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s expected. A strong individual like you would only find Turris suitable for activities in this area. We¡¯re also heading there. May we apany you?¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    KiJun contemted for a moment. Traveling with orcs who had been active in Reta for years could be beneficial in understanding this world.

    However, two concerns nagged at him: revealing personal information and the possibility of the orcs ying tricks during the journey.

    ¡®No, if merepanionship risks exposing my identity, it¡¯s better to break it off early. I am now a me Human.¡¯

    And he was a formidable figure, even acknowledged by the Demon Lord of the tutorial, Bice, as a force to be reckoned with in Reta.

    If he couldn¡¯t trust orcs, whom he could read like an open book, how could he survive in this world? If they really tried to harm him, he could decisively deal with them.

    ¡°Fine, we can travel together for a short while.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. Ah, now our return journey will be safe.¡±

    ¡°Just make it quick.¡±

    ¡°Of course. We need to report back and take new assignments.¡±

    The orc leader, introducing himself as Charbanbesh, seemed to have a name derived from the orcishnguage system.

    Despite thenguage barrier, theymunicated effortlessly, a wonder of this otherworldly realm.

    KiJun introduced himself as Jun. Common enough to be unremarkable, but if someone linked him to rumors and sought him out, it would be a pleasant surprise.

    ¡°Are you going to Turris to gather information about your race? That¡¯s a wise decision. Turris is populous with diverse races and civilizations.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I''m going for information. nning to stay for a while.¡±

    ¡°I might be able to help then.¡±

    Charbanbesh eagerly offered various pieces of information, some of which intrigued KiJun.

    ¡°If you¡¯re Jun, you might participate in exploring a dungeon too difficult for others. Near Turris, there¡¯s a unique-grade dungeon untouched for three years. Several expeditions have tried and failed.¡±

    At the mention of a unique-grade dungeon, KiJun¡¯s eyes widened. The reward he received from clearing a simr dungeon was immense.

    He had formed a contract with the incredibly potent spirit Ur and obtained a unique-grade artifact that could disguise his race.

    ¡°Why leave it untouched? Aren¡¯t the NPCs strong?¡±

    The orcsughed at his question, with Charbanbesh hastily exining to avoid offending KiJun.

    NPCs valued their lives too much to enter such dangerous dungeons. Instead, they pushed summoners to explore them.

    ¡°And now, even summoners refuse to enter, leaving the dungeon untouched for a year. There are always teams being formed, but no one volunteers.¡±

    KiJun now understood why NPCs weren¡¯t tackling the dungeon.

    But it still puzzled him; there must be strong summoners among them.

    ¡°Summoners prefer to explore other dungeons rather than risking uncertain rewards in a unique dungeon. Especially since Turris isn¡¯t a hotspot for high-grade summoners.¡±

    That made sense. In a region active with beginners to intermediates, a high-difficulty dungeon would have already imed many lives.

    ¡°Leaving a dungeon for too long is dangerous, I¡¯ve heard.¡±

    ¡°Right. The lord sends soldiers periodically to deal with monsters seeping out, but eventually, it will burst. The pent-up energy in the dungeon will explode.¡±

    Charbanbesh emphasized this, hoping they would be strong enough to leave Turris before that happened.

    KiJun mulled over the possibility of tackling the dungeon.

    The relic Ur slept in was rated high mainly due to Ur¡¯s potential, but the creatures inside were mostly umon, at best rare-grade boss monsters.

    ¡°So, Lucy, could I join an exploration team for that dungeon?¡±

    ¨DIf you n to hide your identity, it¡¯ll be tough.

    They had agreed that KiJun, as a me Human, would focus on Ur¡¯s fire power, leaving Lucy¡¯s light abilities unused for the time being.

    ¨DWhy not try entering the dungeon alone and fight at full strength? You survived rare-grade relics even as amon grade.

    ¡®But that was with Bice¡¯s backing. Now I must set my own safety margins.¡¯

    KiJun sighed, realizing the need for trustworthypanions. Only Superman can save the world alone.

    While lost in thought, KiJun noticed arge group approaching. Dozens of individuals, clearly a unified group, and they were humans.

    Not of his civilization, Earth, but sharing the same species instinctively evoked a sense of kinship.

    ¡°Oh, those are...¡±

    ¡°Grrr.¡±

    Charbanbesh growled as he saw them.

    ¡°Filthy humans, rumored to be raiding near Turris!¡±

    ¡°They seem to be tracking us, knowing we¡¯re from the Turris Mercenary Guild!¡±

    The orcs unsheathed their weapons. KiJun was about to dissuade them when an arrow aimed at his head flew from the human group. To his astonishment, the arrow burst into mes and vanished.

    It must be the power of the me Eyes, igniting what he sees.

    ¡°Damn, he burned a magic-infused arrow without casting? Did we mess with the wrong guy?¡±

    ¡°Only orcs were supposed to be here, what¡¯s that thing!¡±

    ¡°Trying to kill it first and now this!¡±

    The distant human voices reached KiJun as he suppressed his initial response. The orcs lowered their weapons, looking to him for guidance.

    ¡°Don¡¯t lie. Do you have a grudge against them?¡±

    ¡°No. They¡¯re scavengers, following weaker targets to hunt. They must have followed us from Turris.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    Charbanbesh trembled as he answered.

    KiJun nodded, a ball of fire formed from his spiritual connection with Ur, fueled by his legendary-grade Light Magic, burning brighter and fiercer.

    ¡°Don¡¯t interfere.¡±

    He dered to the orcs, remembering his rule from the tutorial days: end those who cross him.

    He hurled the fireball with all his might. The inferno engulfed the approaching human group, a fireball powerful enough to devastate a major group.

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (36)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Returnee (36)

    Light, embracing all and promoting growth, dispelling darkness and conveying warmth.

    A symbol of salvation, sometimes even a god.

    And the symbol of all beginnings.

    Just as the concept of light holds so many meanings, fire too is imbued with boundless significance.

    Fire, the origin of human civilization, sparking the first civilization, and indispensable in all human productive activities, symbolizing creation.

    "Ur."

    ¨DKiiiiiit!

    But the first thing thates to mind when one thinks of fire is, of course.

    Destruction and annihtion.

    ¨DHwarururuk!

    ¨DKwaang!

    The fireball thatnded right in the center of the human group caused a fierce explosion, immediately incinerating the archer who had shot an arrow at KiJun¡¯s head.

    ¨DYou have gained 512 points.

    ¨DUpdating civilization information.

    The bright red mes, shining like the sun, scattered in all directions, inflicting severe injuries on several nearby.

    KiJun, with his right hand stretched out, shot consecutive fire bullets,bining Ur''s spirit power and his own light mana, piercing the legs of the humans trying to flee the mes.

    "Aaargh!"

    "Pl-please forgive us, have mercy like you''re saving worthless human insects¨D¨DGwaaack!"

    "Run¨D¨D!"

    Was there no one who tried to resist?

    Whether they shot arrows, threw daggers, swung magically-enhanced weapons, defended with shields, or tried to dodge attacks with speed-enhancing skills.

    All were slower and weaker than the fire bullets KiJun fired.

    ¨DKiiiii!

    Ur, having feasted on ample spirit power, emitted a cry audible only to KiJun, while proudly disying its spirit power.

    KiJun''s fire was excessively strong and fast for a rare-grade spirit spell, thanks to the ten years he spent synchronizing with Lucy, the light spirit, learning to harness her spirit power, and the continuous cirction of mana and spirit power through his Salutaris technique.

    The strength was due to his legendary-grade spirit power, his equally legendary-grade light mana, and the excellentpatibility between the light mana and Ur''s spirit power.

    Not to mention, the half-mask he wore increased his me attack power by 20%.

    ¨DWhiik, Hwaruruk!

    "Too, toote..."

    "You made a mistake."

    KiJun, sparing the archer¡¯s life, did not directly take any others¡¯ lives.

    But this wasn¡¯t out of mercy, he focused on rapidly eliminating the mobility of all the bandits.

    Naturally, many died, and those who survived had injuries too severe for a normal life ahead.

    "You."

    Having shot every unable-to-flee bandit in the legs with fire bullets, KiJun quickly identified the leader among the humans sprawled on the ground and asked.

    "Why did you attack?"

    "Just kill me!"

    "Alright."

    KiJun shot a fire bullet through his head.

    ¨DYou have gained 1,875 points.

    The remaining humans, who were desperately trying to gauge KiJun''s strength, stopped all thoughts when their rare-grade durable leader was effortlessly pierced and instantly killed by KiJun''s casual fire shot.

    Realizing they were up against an insurmountable opponent, they gave up.

    "Next. Why did you attack?"

    "Th-that..."

    With KiJun''s finger, emitting a heatwave, pointing at him, the man stammered and squirmed.

    The humans around him turned to look, pressuring him silently, but when another''s forehead got pierced, they looked away.

    The man spoke.

    "If I tell you, will you spare me?"

    It seemed it wasn¡¯t a simple robbery.

    KiJun''s eyes gleamed, but then someone shouted in a sharp voice, trying to stop him.

    "Paul!"

    "Be quiet."

    Another head burst open.

    With no one left to speak up, the man trembled and said.

    "We found a way to conquer an unexplored dungeon. That¡¯s why."

    "Suddenly?"

    It sounded too abrupt to be true, but seeing the remaining humans biting their lips or showing harsh expressions, it seemed likely to be true.

    And if it was about conquering a dungeon... could it be the unique-grade dungeon Charbanbesh mentioned, unexplored for three years?

    "A unique dungeon? I heard the exploration team died."

    "There was a survivor, in our n."

    In Reta, guilds and ns held different meanings.

    Guilds wererge mutual associations formed by people withmon goals. While not highly restrictive, members must strictly adhere to rules while operating under the guild''s name, making them a legal and public entity.

    ns, however, were small to medium-sized groups tightly bonded under a strong individual, treating each member like family, with significant influence from the master, making it a highly personal group.

    Put bluntly, they were no different from gangsters.

    "A lot of sacrifices are needed. So our leader, our sister, said we could conquer the dungeon using orc hearts, so..."

    "Ah..."

    "Tha-that bastard...!"

    Predictably, it was a disgusting tale.

    Even those sighing in relief, thinking it was over after hearing this, wereughable.

    What did they expect KiJun to do upon hearing this? Kill the orcs for their hearts on behalf of these gangsters?

    Or rece the sacrifices with the hearts of the humans here to conquer the dungeon?

    Don''t be ridiculous.

    KiJun hadn¡¯t trained for ten years to engage in such acts.

    "Why orcs? You¡¯re weaker than them."

    "So, when a few travel, attacking in a group..."

    "Our leader hates orcs."

    Another voice interjected.

    KiJun''s gaze shifted from his words to the familiar-shaped object in his hand.

    A grenade?

    At that moment, the safety pin clicked off.

    "Because of cursed beings like you, we get vited by other races, losing everything, you piece of trash! Let''s die together!"

    "That madman!"

    "Stop!"

    ¨DKwaang!

    The grenade exploded, unleashing the sealed fire explosion magic within.

    Unlike Earth''s grenades, this magical device, made of special metal, shattered into thousands of pieces in the explosion, sweeping everything around.

    ¨DKwaang...

    The deafening explosion, the sound of shrapnel, hurt KiJun''s ears.

    The man, who had been talking to KiJun, and all humans in the vicinity, were cleanly obliterated by the formidable st.

    He must have waited to ensure KiJun''s certain death.

    But, of course, KiJun was unharmed.

    ¡ªAlright, Contractor?

    ¨DKihiit!

    "Fine. Not even a scratch."

    KiJun didn¡¯t need to summon Lucy''s light shield.

    Thanks to his contract with Ur, he gained resistance to all types of mes, and his "Unbreakable Internal Clock" skill also provided significant resistance to all attributes, so the final impact was just the physical shock and shrapnel from the explosion.

    He managed to block everything with the shield he quickly drew.

    Blocking all shrapnel attacking his entire body with just a shield, KiJun shook off the embedded pieces and sighed.

    "Still, I never imagined such a magical device existed. Can''t let my guard down, no matter how weak they seem."

    ¨DBlocking everything with a shield and then talking about letting your guard down...

    "Jun! Are you okay?"

    As Lucy incredulously muttered, the orcs who had been watching KiJun''s performance ran up to him, shocked to see him unharmed after the massive explosion.

    "Thank goodness, Jun is truly an incredible warrior."

    "Do you know what exploded just now?"

    "I do. It¡¯s developed by a renowned magic engineer who betrayed the Sacred Tower and turned to ck magic. It¡¯s called a magic bomb. Very expensive. Very, very expensive."

    Saying so, Charbanbesh kept nodding, assuming if he had captured it, he could have gotten hundreds of gold coins.

    Judging from the quiet surroundings, it seemed there was only one person with a magic bomb.

    An orc found a money pouch that had luckily flown out of the st radius and brought it to KiJun.

    "It seems to have flown away due to the shock and remained intact."

    "Thanks."

    "Thanks to you for showing such a splendid battle! Well, calling it a battle might be too generous."

    "Wish there was something to prove their identity. Seems like there¡¯s a dirty group roaming around..."

    KiJun opened the pouch he received from the orc and clicked his tongue.

    He didn¡¯t expect much since everything important would be in their inventories, but the pouch surprisingly contained a lot of gold coins.

    "Why would they carry so much money?"

    Seeing KiJun''s puzzled expression, the orc looked moved.

    It soon became clear why.

    "Jun has lived in this world for over a year and never forcibly taken anything from others. Truly a noble warrior."

    "Exin."

    "In Reta, anything taken from other summoners can''t be put in the inventory for a week. Only what¡¯s genuinely obtained by one¡¯s strength... and the results of self-defense."

    This rule didn¡¯t exist in the tutorial.

    KiJun recalled putting the fairy''s belongings in his inventory and understood.

    Thinking back, that was also self-defense.

    Trying the pouch in his inventory, it naturally got absorbed, meaning that although the time limit hadn¡¯t expired for the money the bandits stole from their previous owners, since KiJun disposed of the bandits in self-defense, it was considered his acquisition.

    This rule seemed exploitable, leaving him uneasy.

    "We better spend this money quickly. I''ll buy drinks when we reach the city."

    "Oh, Jun is not only honorable but also generous!"

    "Drinks await! Let''s hurry!"

    Orcs were simple creatures.

    Their pace to the city doubledpared to before.

    KiJun chuckled and followed.

    Who would have thought that upon arriving in the continent of Reta, KiJun would end up killing humans who resembled himself and making a drinking pact with orcs, whom he had only considered as prey during the tutorial?

    KiJun bitterly smiled at the irony but then his expression hardened as he recalled the words of the man whomitted the grenade suicide attack earlier.

    "You''re just like those despicable other-species who vited and took everything from me! Die with me, you bastard!"

    Of course, it wasn''t likely that Charbanbesh and his orcs had directly harmed the n master mentioned earlier.

    It could have been other orcs, but regardless, targeting innocent orcs for her own agenda was clearly wrong.

    "I have to stop this," KiJun muttered under his breath, unheard by the orcs, who understood the gravity of the situation.

    And that very night, an opportunity to stop the n master came much sooner than KiJun expected.

    ¨DSwoosh

    After a simple dinner, while lying in his tent ready to sleep, Lucy, deeply connected to KiJun, suddenly shouted.

    ¡ªContractor! That bomb from earlier¨D!

    "Ah!"

    KiJun understood the situation and sprang out of the tent, shouting.

    "Ur¨D!"

    ¨DKiieeeee!

    In that moment, KiJun''s massive spirit power, fully restored after a period of rest, surged entirely towards Ur.

    Although Ur had lost almost all of its power due to a long slumber and deep wounds, reducing it to a mere rare-grade spirit, KiJun''s vast spirit power sessfully summoned back the peak prowess from Ur''s heyday.

    It was the dominion over all mes.

    ¨DKwaaaaaaah!

    As the magic bomb dropped onto the campfire began to explode with a terrifying boom, Ur controlled all the mes generated by the explosion, forcefully swirling them in ce¨Dcontaining and melting all the bomb shards trying to burst out.

    The intense whirl of mes around the campfire.

    While an orc standing guard by the fire got his headpletely burned, and others copsed in shock, that was the extent of the damage.

    "Lucy!"

    ¡ªAlready on it! Fire cat, synchronize!

    ¨DKiieee!

    Overwhelmed by the massive amount of spirit power he had absorbed, Ur, dazed as if hugging a persimmon tree, quickly linked his consciousness with Lucy''s at her loud call.

    This allowed them to precisely locate the target who had thrown the magic bomb at KiJun''s group from nearly 3 kilometers away. Ur''s eyes gleamed sharply.

    ¨DKii...!

    The fire whirlwind, now containing an absurd amount of firepower due to the magic bomb, condensed into a single point in the sky and then...

    ¨DBoom!

    Shot out in a straight line towards the target like aser.

    Lucy calmly reported afterward.

    "We hit the target, Contractor. But it looks like they''re surrounded by protective artifacts, they didn''t die."

    "I invested all my spirit power and they survived..."

    ¨DKiieeee.

    Havingpleted its mission, Ur now indulged in the spirit power, rubbing its head affectionately against KiJun''s cheek.

    Smiling faintly at Ur''s affectionate gesture, KiJun patted its head and immediately began casting Salutaris to replenish his depleted spirit power.

    "Ju-Jun."

    "Good to see you''re alive. I''ll go catch the culprit."

    "Thank you so much!"

    The orc, who had barely noticed the magic bomb flying towards the campfire, was relieved to see KiJun unharmed and gratefully bowed to him.

    KiJun waved his hand lightly and then stomped the ground.

    His eyes, masked and glowing with me Eyes, zed fiercely.

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 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (37)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    "Engraved... in my soul..."

    KiJun reached his destination just as the target was in the midst of chanting a suspicious spell.

    First, he stopped the target''s speech by forcefully hitting their back with a shield.

    "This... ugh!"

    The enemy, interrupted from chanting, gasped for air after being hit by the shield.

    While restraining the immobilized enemy, KiJun noticed that Ur''s concentratedser shot had pierced through where the enemy''s left eye had been, leaving a dark hole.

    Since it had prated where the eye was, it likely burned a part of the brain.

    Despite the fatal wound, which should have certainly resulted in death, only dark blood oozed out, suggesting that the target¡ªthough appearing human¡ªwas no longer purely human.

    "You... dare... to..."

    "This won''t do."

    Perhaps they came to attack after learning of their subordinates'' fate through some means.

    But what about their reaction after the failed attack?

    Even with a fatal wound, instead of burning with revenge against KiJun, they focused all their energy on chanting the spell.

    What use was there in questioning such a tenacious and determined enemy?

    Even if some information came out, it couldn''t be trusted; it was better to cleanly finish them off before they did anything suspicious.

    "Gasp!"

    "Draw... forth..."

    Without hesitation, KiJun pressed down with his bloodstained fangs.

    The target, a young and beautiful woman with ck hair, who was hard to believe as the leader of the group...

    Her waist was cleanly severed with a snap, and her lower body fell away.

    ¨D13,255 points gained.

    ¨DUpdating civilization information.

    While he couldn''t gain experience points from other summoners, points¡ªespecially a surprisinglyrge amount¡ªwere definitely earned, and he was certain he had finished off the enemy when he saw conclusive evidence.

    "Please... grant..."

    "Huh?"

    Words spilled from the corpse''s mouth, triggering some kind of magic.

    KiJun realized this fact a bit toote.

    The woman''s upper body,pletely severed from her lower half, disappeared on the spot, enveloped in an eerie light.

    "No, what''s this?"

    KiJun was so shocked by the absurd event that he froze on the spot for a while.

    Killed by splitting her in half, but still speaking? Magic activated and disappeared?

    "Is this an escape?"

    ¨DYeah. ...It seems like she was gradually turning into an undead since Ur''s attack.

    Lucy, sensitive to concepts opposed to her nature as a Light Spirit, like darkness and death, narrowed her eyes and whispered.

    ¨DRemember how the developer of the Magic Bomb became a ck mage? There''s a simr scent from that woman who ran away. She plunged into darkness. This might be a bigger deal than we thought.

    "...I''m on day 2 in Reta, right?"

    On the first day, he met a new contract spirit, and on the second day, he got entangled with a ck mage.

    As KiJun sighed, something rolled out from the belt of the lower half of the body left behind.

    It was that damned Magic Bomb!

    "No, what is this!"

    ¨DCalm down, contractor! It''s inactivated!

    "What a stroke of luck...!"

    KiJun quickly adjusted his stance and picked it up with swift movements.

    The shape was almost a perfect sphere, and surprisingly, it had no device other than a safety catch that could be easily pulled out with a firm push and flick.

    Even those with no knowledge, even those who couldn''t handle mana, could easily use this bomb.

    Considering how Earthlings were treated as powerless for theirck of mana when first entering the tutorial, this ''weapon that anyone could use'' seemed all the more amazing and dangerous.

    ¨DHmm¡­ It seems they designed only the detonation device and explosion magic to minimize cost. There''s no way to remotely detonate it, so we can use it, right?

    Reassured by the reliable report from Lucy, KiJun put the bomb in his inventory and rummaged through the woman''s belt.

    As expected, nothing that could identify the target was found, but a pouch simr to what he had acquired earlier was there.

    Opening it, KiJun paused.

    Firstly, the internal space of the pouch was muchrger than it appeared, and it was divided intopartments like an inventory, allowing for neat storage and retrieval of items.

    Inside, there were numerous hearts, likely extracted from orcs.

    "..."

    ¨DContractor...

    KiJun stared silently at it for a moment.

    It was strange.

    He had also collected several hearts of Lesser Demons in the past, but why did he feel a tightening in his own heart when he saw these simr-looking ones?

    Though he couldn''t understand why, unable to bear the unpleasant feeling, KiJun spilled the contents of the pouch over the remaining corpse of the woman.

    "Ur."

    ¨DKiit!

    mes conjured by Ur cleanly burned everything away.

    Lucy watched the mes and murmured absentmindedly.

    ¨DContractor.

    "Yeah."

    ¨DI really like you.

    "...Thanks for saying that, Lucy."

    Having calmly erased the traces of the woman''s evil deeds, KiJun noticed an item that remained on the spot.

    It was an earring with a peculiar ritualistic pattern, simr to the ones worn by the orcs apanying KiJun.

    It might have fallen out when he shook the pouch.

    "An enemy''s earring?"

    ¨DIt''s filled with immense resentment and thoughts. It didn''t burn in the mes and remained intact. Contractor, it''s better not to touch such items.

    "But what if our adorable Lucy purifies it?"

    ¨DLeave it to me! Actually, I thought it would suit the contractor if you wore it!

    ¨DKiiii...

    Ur sent a chilly, contemptuous look at Lucy, who was easily swayed by KiJun''s sweet talk.

    It seemed Ur had forgotten that it too had been fawning over KiJun, influenced by his spirit power, just a moment ago.

    ¨DUgh, how humiliating.

    After a few minutes, surprisingly, Lucy sent a signal of surrender.

    Even with her regained Legendary-grade power, she failed to purify it? KiJun was astonished, and Lucy exined defensively.

    ¨DMaybe it''s an item with a story, and ck magic was added to grant it special power. It enhances its own power when facing its original owner, or makes it easier to find the earring''s owner... All magic specialized for revenge. It''s the kind of magic that can only be endowed if there''s an underlying resentment.

    "...Right."

    ¨DI purified all the malice. Despite the purification, the abilities addedter still remain, fused with the grudge. Touching it wouldn''t be dangerous, but it''s better not to wear it. Don''t forget it holds the deep grudge of a human.

    "Got it. ...I''ll just keep it for now. For now."

    The woman hadmitted crimes against orcs out of hatred for a specific orc.

    KiJun had neither reason nor leisure to sympathize with her.

    But still, there was something troubling about just discarding it.

    After stowing it in his inventory, KiJun decided to forget about it and finished cleaning up the scene before returning.

    "Jun, to think you saved our lives again without us knowing!"

    There, the orcs who had been on guard¡ªnow bald¡ªwere kneeling, awakened.

    Charbanbesh, representing them, shouted in a resonant voice.

    "We are deeply indebted! In the honor of orcs, we will repay this debt!"

    "We will repay the debt!"

    "No, don''t worry about it too much."

    "We cannot but do so!"

    KiJun felt slightly uneasy receiving their gratitude.

    He had just found an item practically evidence of a crimemitted by orcs of a simr culture.

    Of course, it was no longer his concern.

    It was that woman who indiscriminately massacred other orcs out of hatred for one.

    Perhaps the origin of that grudge was her own fault.

    Even if that specific orc was truly bad, it didn''t rte to these orcs.

    Knowing no more, he cut off his interest.

    That was the wise thing to do.

    What''s important now, right.

    "If you''re not short on sleep, we should hit the road again. The woman turned undead and fled. I have a bad feeling."

    "Undead?!"

    Charbanbesh reacted strongly.

    "I thought it was strange since she used the Magic Bomb...! Those bastards joining hands with a ck mage! We must report this to the guild immediately!"

    "It is indeed a serious issue."

    "But to make even an undead who knows not death flee, Jun is truly remarkable!"

    "Jun is a true warrior who wields fire against darkness!"

    The bald orc warrior echoed Charbanbesh''s words.

    While doing so, he seemed to recall the recent crisis, stroked his bald head, then turned to KiJun with a sly smile.

    He was moved.

    Jeong Yak-yong, a Confucian schr of thete Joseon Dynasty known for staying positive despite suffering from baldness, wrote in his posthumouslypiled "Yeoyudangjeonseo" about the convenience of baldness, avoiding the trouble ofbing and the shame of white hair.

    This orc, despite having his hairpletely burnt, was happily smiling for having his life saved, truly inheriting the spirit of Jeong Yak-yong!

    "Then let''s go! Let''s inform Turris about this and prepare everyone to face the ck mage!"

    "Let''s go!"

    The orcs, having woken up in the middle of the night, showed no signs of sleepiness as they hurriedly marched.

    Only KiJun, who usually kept a strict sleep schedule, felt like dying, but even with his unbreakable internal clock, he couldn''t resist sleep in such a situation.

    ¨DContractor, are you okay?

    ''I''m fine. Actually, if I can just get to the city, report, and then sleep, I should be okay. But...''

    But why this unease?

    And why does such uneasiness always turn into reality?

    When the group, moving at a near full sprint across the ins, reached the road leading to a small town.

    Suddenly¨D a violent vibration shook both the earth and sky.

    "Kuk?!"

    The orcs, running haphazardly, tumbled to the ground, with only KiJun and Charbanbesh managing to stay upright.

    Charbanbesh''s pupils trembled violently, as if in an earthquake.

    "Ma-ma¡­"

    The orc warrior, respecting the strong but not cowering, knowing honor but unforgiving to enemies, spoke with a trembling voice.

    "It''s a mana quake...!"

    "Yes, a mana quake."

    The term was familiar to KiJun, having recently learned it through Bice''s message.

    What to do when a mana quake urs?

    What did Bice say would happen?

    Right, remembered.

    "Overflow!"

    Charbanbesh eximed again.

    "An overflow ising. All dungeons in the region will flood...!"

    "Monsters spilling out of all dungeons? ...Every dungeon?"

    "Yes, even the unique dungeon that has been unexplored for three years."

    Charbanbesh spoke, shaking with deep fear.

    "A massive energy umted in the dungeons is about to burst, right now!"

    Could this be rted to the woman who just turned undead and escaped?

    It must be rted.

    Whether she intended to conquer the dungeon or cause the overflow.

    KiJun''s killing of the woman surely triggered the event.

    ''Bice said to find a ce that won''t be immediately surrounded during a mana quake.''

    KiJun recalled Bice''s advice and looked around.

    Of course, on the open road, there was no tactical position to take.

    To make matters worse, he began to faintly sense monsters from beyond.

    Silhouettes barely visible at the edge of his sight... seemed to number in the hundreds of thousands.

    ¨DContractor, run.

    Lucy, seemingly sharing the same thought, shouted in a strained voice.

    ¨DRight now!

    <strong></strong>

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (38)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    "If we''re going to die anyway, let''s not run away but fight honorably to the end!"

    KiJun made a brave deration, stopping in his tracks and smacking the back of the bald orc''s head as he was about to draw his weapon.

    After all, how could he make such a foolish choice after just awakening to the teachings of Jeong Yak-yong!

    "Ouch!"

    "We''re not dying! We''re heading to a ce where we can fight more advantageously, so hurry up!"

    "The pain makes me feel alive...!"

    "We''re only going to die pointless deaths here. If you can talk, then run!"

    KiJun spurred the orcs'' morale and hastened his own pace, ncing back momentarily.

    The sight of monsters swarming like ants to a dropped candy on the ground made KiJun dizzy.

    Fortunately, they had put some distance between them and the monsters, but the problem was that the mana quake-induced Overflow wouldn''t stop at just one urrence.

    Once Overflow started, mana quakes would follow in a chain reaction, continuously spreading the Overflow phenomenon.

    Until when? Until there''s not a single dungeon left nearby!

    With each nearby dungeon bursting open, more monsters from inside would join that horde.

    ording to the orcs, this was only half of what was yet toe.

    The situation was more serious in Turris, an area surrounded by numerous dungeons.

    Moreover, the most serious point was that monsters from an unexplored Unique-grade dungeon were not yet visible among the monster horde.

    ¨DKiit?

    ''Not yet, let''s shoot when a bit more recovered.''

    KiJun wasbining his spirit power with Ur''s tounch massive fireballs as soon as enough mana and spirit power were restored.

    Perhaps due to their desperate situation, their synergy improved, enhancing their fire spirit magic with every shot, but even with Salutaris replenishing his mana and spirit power, a non-recoverable fatigue was gradually umting on KiJun.

    "...Enough."

    But that''s when his skill, Adamant, came into y.

    Adamant, evolved bybining three skills including the Unique-grade No Rest for the Wicked, was designed to keep him standing until he thought it was okay to fall.

    KiJun, confirming enough mana and spirit power had umted, immediately gathered the mana in his hand and invested all the spirit power in Ur.

    "Ur¨D¨D!"

    ¨DKiit!

    Feeling an unparalleled exhration in resonance with KiJun''s spirit power, Ur let out a fierce cry and released its spirit energy.

    Despite its reduced power, Ur''s capacity remained vast and deep, enabling it to follow KiJun''s demanding spirit magic without any strain.

    ¨DKwaang!

    A fireball, muchrger than the ones he had shot at humans, flew from KiJun''s hand, covering kilometers and, with improved control, struck where the monsters were most densely packed.

    Although it seemed like dozens of monsters were killed in one shot, it barely made a dent in their numbers.

    Still, the explosion at the forefront of the monster horde slowed their overall advance, making the attack meaningful.

    ¨DLevel has increased to 5, raising Light Magic (L) by 2, Spirit Power (L) by 1.

    ¨DPerfect harmony, a moment when two minds merge as one. The power of spirit magic is amplified. [Fire Spirit Magic (R)] skill has reached level 40.

    And there was this significance as well.

    After several blind attacks, KiJun''s level rose, restoring the stats he had used up!

    The frown on his face eased immediately, and a sense of relief returned to his expression.

    Being at a lower level was quite useful in this situation.

    "Phew, feeling much better now."

    "Jun, are you okay? Don''t overdo it, we are..."

    Despite telling him to just run, Charbanbesh worriedly spoke to KiJun, his hand reaching for the greatsword on his back.

    "We will never forget your efforts to protect us."

    "Stop the nonsense and run, Charbanbesh."

    "You could escape safely alone! We''re holding you back!"

    Despite KiJun continuously firing fireballs as he recovered, the distance between them and the monsters was gradually closing.

    This was because the orcs'' running speed was decreasing.

    KiJun''s strength and endurance were Unique-grade; a little loss of sleep wouldn''t hinder his running.

    He could maintain top speed for over 12 hours without any problem.

    However, the orcs were not yet at that level. Even with high strength, they were better suited for bursts of power rather than long-distance running.

    "Leave us and go. No, it''s not abandoning us. Leave this to us and run to the city to report this!"

    "Hah."

    KiJun scoffed.

    "By now, the city already knows, what''s there to report? What''s important is for all of us to survive and join the city."

    "But..."

    "Stay here to die when we need every fighter? Stop the nonsense and run. I''m not doing this just to save you. I can''t stand to see warriors who can stop the Overflow just die like this."

    Saying this, he reached out to the sky again.

    Right after leveling up and fully recovering his Light Magic, a whip of fire, infused with spirit power, was forged.

    Without looking back, he swung the crackling, writhing whip violently.

    The long, thinning whip of fire, streaking through the air, became a line of me along the horizon and exploded over the monster''s formation as KiJun released it.

    Lucy''s power was cleverly added to it, enhancing the speed of the whip and reducing the consumption of spirit power while increasing its destructive force.

    Indeed, light and fire grew stronger together.

    ¨DYou gain proficiency with a brilliant fusion technique. [Fire Spirit Magic (R)] skill has reached level 41. [Lucy (L)] skill has reached level 2.

    ¨DSpirit Power (L) has increased by 1 to 16.

    This spontaneous fusion technique not only improved Fire Spirit Magic but also Light Spirit Magic and Spirit Power by 1 each.

    Considering the progression into the third day in Reta, it was quite an achievement.

    "Really... are you really okay?"

    Charbanbesh, amazed and worried by KiJun''s continuous wide-range me attacks, watched as KiJun focused on Salutaris and nodded.

    "I''m fine, so keep running."

    The aftermath of the wide-area attack,bining fire and light, surprisingly slowed the pace of the pursuing monsters.

    The whole front line was hit, causing chaos as monsters stumbled and collided with each other from behind.

    However, the real problem was just beginning, as monsters started to appear from the direction they were heading.

    "...This is bad."

    "This proves the Overflow''s range is expanding. The city might already be surrounded...!"

    Initially heading towards a densely popted small town, the monsters screamed and changed direction upon noticing KiJun and the orc group.

    Their intention was clear: to deal with them first.

    "Rare grade...!"

    Bigger than the orcs, the muscr figures, with thick tails dragging on the ground.

    Gray scales covering their entire body like armor, slit eyes like reptiles, and sharp, triangr heads.

    They looked like bipedal muscr lizards, their hands covered in white chitin, bizarrely transformed intonce-like cones, proving not only their high racial grade but also that they possessed professions.

    "Hahaha! A good ce to die!"

    "Orcs never die outside the battlefield! I''m d to face strong enemies and die fighting!"

    "Jun, it''s an honor to have fought in myst battle with a hero like you!"

    And those damned orcs were again talking about dying honorably, valiantly drawing their weapons.

    KiJun quickly swung his hand, smacking the orcs'' heads, then held his shield in front.

    "We''re breaking through. Everyone, get behind me."

    "But Jun!"

    "I''ll make the way. Trust me and follow."

    "¡­!"

    Sensing something in KiJun''s firm assertion, the orcs stopped talking and lined up behind him as instructed.

    KiJun slightly bent his knees and tensed his body, wrapping his shield in mes and light.

    And he added one more power to it, the option within the King of the Well.

    [King of the Well (Unique)]

    [Option 2 ¨C Possesses the power of wind, allowing it to be sprayed in all directions or swung to shoot sharp trajectories. Using mana, its power is proportional to the product of mana and strength. Requires a cooldown period after use.]

    The King of the Well itself contained elemental powers in the weapon, especially a wind power that synergized perfectly with the fire spirit power.

    Charging with the wind power in the shield might just instantly obliterate those lizard creatures blocking their path!

    "Here we go."

    He whispered and kicked off the ground.

    With the orcs united behind him, KiJun felt as if his shield was imbued with extra power.

    Was it the determination to protect those behind his shield?

    Or was it the exhration of leading the group that added strength to his arm?

    "Lucy, Ur¨D¨D!"

    Calling the names of his two contract spirits, he fiercely thrust his shield against the lizards charging withnces.

    The blood-stained fangs sparkled from all sides, viciously tearing through the front.

    The wind power within the King of the Well unleashed, engulfing the area in mes!

    "Kyaaaaaak!"

    "Kihak! Kyak!"

    He ignored the impacts on the shield.

    Ignored them.

    He ran.

    Blocking everything in sight, pushing, and sometimes biting, he kept running.

    Suddenly, a hugence appeared in sight.

    The raisednce targeted KiJun, and a menacing mana vortex swirled from the shaft to the tip.

    ¨DA stronger enemy, at least an elite¨D¨D or maybe a boss.

    ''Yeah, I feel it too. Transcender of Limits is activated.''

    Transcender of Limits, a title KiJun earned during his 10-year training, now at Legendary grade.

    Excellent for easing the surpassing of all kinds of limits, but especially useful for gaining dramatic positive adjustments when facing higher-ranked opponents.

    KiJun could distinguish whether his opponents were of higher or lower rank than him thanks to this title.

    ¨DStill weaker than the Demon, contractor.

    ¨DKiit!

    KiJun knew he could win.

    But he worried about the orcs following him dying while he fought the creature.

    However, there was no time for such thoughts.

    Just finish off the creature quickly and help the orcs survive!

    "Haap!"

    "Kyahaak!"

    At the very moment the human and lizardman were about to collide with their roars¨D

    ¨DKwang!

    A greatsword, shining red like a meteor, descended from behind and pierced the lizardman''s skull.

    A precise and powerful surprise attack.

    The lizardman, who wouldn''t have been defeated so easily, was caught off guard by KiJun and then struck at a vital spot by the sudden attack, its full force concentrated in one blow.

    The lizardman lost strength and fell to the ground, and after a few more hits from the greatsword, it ended its life pathetically.

    "I''vee to save you, brave warriors!"

    Emerging from behind the creature''s corpse was a man d in te armor smeared with blood, a typical image of a heavily armored knight.

    He pulled the greatsword out of the enemy''s head, slung it on his back, and shouted through the only exposed part of his helmet''s visor, his eyes wild with ferocity.

    "Let''s go to the fortress together! I''ve prepared a ce where warriors like you can shine!"

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSwoosh

    YeMin skillfully swung her long sword, decapitating a goblin knight.

    Even goblins couldn''t be underestimated, as they started at the same Common grade as humans but could quickly grow in racial grade and develop unpredictable traits.

    "This one, its racial grade was Rare."

    "A goblin being Rare? Really, nothing is predictable here."

    EunShin, who had cleared all the cowardly goblin archers, clicked his tongue in response to YeMin''sment.

    With JiHye''s help, Uncle Soo, the party''s warrior, sighed as he pulled out thest poison arrows.

    "I thought we''d easily handle ogres when we came to Reta. But goblins, and even those at Rare grade? In our party, only two have reached Rare grade."

    Originally, in their second tutorial round, all members of YeMin''s party had sessfully advanced their racial grade to Umon.

    Finding a hidden dungeon, they joyously battled the monsters¨Dor rather, barely survived numerous deadly encounters. They soon realized that even after defeating all the monsters, not all four could upgrade their racial grades.

    They decided to concentrate experience on two representatives: naturally, the party leader YeMin, and after debating between JiHye and EunShin, they chose EunShin, who often took on dangerous tasks.

    So now, YeMin and EunShin were at Rare grade, while JiHye and Uncle Soo remained at Umon.

    Hearing the word ''ogre,'' EunShin chuckled and said.

    "Come on, Uncle, ogres aren''t a joke. Just one Ogre Power Gauntlet would significantly boost strength."

    "EunShin, where did you hear that?"

    "Huh? From a smartphone game."

    "Ha¨D¨D back in my day, when you talked about Ogre Power Gauntlets¨D¨D."

    "This sword, still not as good as mine."

    Ignoring Uncle Soo''s old stories, YeMin mumbled while examining her sword and turned to Uncle Soo, who was casually chatting aboutsagna.

    "Uncle, do you want to use it?"

    "Sure, Uncle doesn''t use new stuff but prefers orchards¨D I mean, I''m used to the hammer I''m using now?"

    "Hmm."

    YeMin looked discontentedly at the long sword, ''King of the Well (U),'' in her hand.

    "It has good options and performance, but everyone already has Unique weapons."

    "And the item name and description are annoying too."

    "Probably no other Earthling party in Reta has a Unique weapon as a spare."

    JiHye pulled thest poison arrow from Uncle Soo''s back, wrapped a bandage with antidote around it, and pped his back.

    "Uncle, we appreciate your effort to fill KiJun''s gap, but don''t overdo it. You''re a warrior, not a tank."

    "Ha, but I''m the toughest here. Let''s endure a bit more until Jun joins us."

    "KiJun... It would have been great to give it to him."

    YeMin sighed, holding the King of the Well, every mention of KiJun sending her into deep thought.

    "If only it didn''t have a usage restriction. Annoying. We have Uniques, but what if KiJun struggles without one? Maybe I should give him my sword and use this¨D."

    "Still, having it means it''ll be useful somewhere. It''s Unique grade, after all."

    EunShin lightlyughed, wrapping up the conversation.

    "We''re almost done with the dungeon. Let''s talk after we clear it. We might be able to get official mercenary certification with this, probably the fastest among Earthlings."

    "Pfft, those humans are probably still figuring out how to leave the safe zone."

    YeMin snorted, stowing the King of the Well in her inventory, and sighed, repeating a sentiment she had expressed several times.

    "I miss KiJun¡­"

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (39)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    The fully armored knight indeed proved unparalleled in both defense and breakthrough capabilities.

    Larger than a typical orc, he swung his long and broad greatsword, clearing the path ahead. Any enemy he missed, KiJun wlessly eliminated with his mes.

    "Those mes are really strong! A great asset in a situation like this!"

    "Thanks. You''re strong too."

    KiJun responded curtly to the knight''s hearty praise and looked at Charbanbesh, as if asking if he knew anything about the knight.

    Charbanbesh, with an admiring expression, looked at the knight''s back and then realizing KiJun''s gaze, quickly said, "That''s Tolchi, a direct knight of the lord! Famous for his overwhelming might and for not disregarding the weak!"

    "Haha, that''s too generous."

    The knight, leading the way, pretended to scratch the back of his head, which was impossible due to his helmet, and chuckled awkwardly. Yet, he didn''t forget to keep swinging his greatsword, clearing the monstersing at them.

    "I''ve just helped the weak a few times, saddened by those who couldn''t grow and unjustly lost their lives."

    "You''vee to save us now! Tolchi is a true warrior, just like Jun!"

    "Thank you, orc friends. But let''s save the rest of the talk until we reach the fortress!"

    Tolchi, as he was called, nodded at Charbanbesh''s praise and focused ahead.

    Thanks to the efforts of Tolchi and KiJun, the fortress city of Turris, located atop a hill, was now within sight.

    The problem was whaty ahead.

    The slope of the hill, effective for blocking enemies, was now filled with densely packed monsters blocking their path.

    "Stay sharp, or we''ll die."

    Tolchi said solemnly, pointing his greatsword ahead.

    "I''ll charge. Jun, was it? Take care of any I miss."

    "Of course."

    "Then¨D¨D don''t die, warriors! Charge!"

    Tolchi stomped the ground and started running.

    His strength, surely at the Unique grade, mercilessly swung the greatsword, sending the frenzied monsters of the Overflow flying, unable to block his path.

    The monsters still targeting the humans were burnt by hot mes and torn apart by the blood-stained fangs.

    ¨DKiit!

    "Good job, Ur."

    KiJun encouraged the pleased Ur, emitting mes, and wrapped his shield in fire again.

    Following Tolchi''s overwhelming breakthrough, they had nearly crossed half the hill.

    "Keeping up, Charbanbesh?"

    "Of course! We won''t die!"

    "We will fight and survive together!"

    Charbanbesh and the other orcs, encouraged by Tolchi and KiJun''s leadership, roared and swung their weapons with newfound courage.

    The orcs'' strength was impressive, possibly reaching Rare grade, forming a solid front and achieving significant feats even before reaching the fortress.

    "We''re almost there, keep up the strength!"

    The knight urged them on, lifting his greatsword for another charge.

    Was it fortunate?

    The Overflow had just begun, and the monsters surrounding the fortress walls weren''t yet densely packed.

    They chose paths with fewer monsters to break through.

    "A strong monster, take care of one for me!"

    "Got it."

    As Tolchi charged at an elite monster to clear a path, KiJun took on another, seemingly of Rare grade.

    A blue-skinned monster, covered in a shell like a turtle''s, puffed up its body as it charged at KiJun.

    Suddenly, venomous spikes shot out from its shell.

    No, this creature wasn''t a turtle, but a pufferfish!

    ¨DNeed my light shield?

    ''It¡¯s not needed for this.''

    Kwaang! Amidst a loud explosion, thousands of venomous spikes flew, but KiJun skilfully swirled his shield, erged by light and fire, to deflect and block them all, protecting both himself and the following orcs.

    He then quickly finished off the startled pufferfish-turtle with his fangs.

    ''Tougher than its grade. It had a deadly trick up its sleeve.''

    ¨DThe contractor wouldn''t be affected by poison anyway.

    ''Better to block if you can.''

    Soon, they were at the city gates.

    "Open the gates!"

    At the knight''s boomingmand, the gates slowly began to open.

    He turned around and shouted confidently.

    "I''ll hold them off, everyone go inside first!"

    "Knight Tolchi, honored by the lord, we will repay this debt on the battlefield!"

    "Same here!"

    The orcs, respecting the stronger Tolchi, didn''t refuse.

    KiJun hesitated briefly but nodded, seeing the knight standing firm, and entered the city.

    "The survivors have returned!"

    "Good to see you alive! But sorry to ask, could you go straight to the walls? The monsters are climbing up!"

    Soldiers inside the fortress were busy preparing arrows and stones, while a young man, holding documents, hurried around, directing troops.

    Charbanbesh''s eyes lit up as he spoke.

    "We owe a debt to Knight Tolchi, so we''ll fight on the walls. But mercenaries fight for pay. Is there a contract?"

    "Of course, the lord said he''d pay for each monster''s head you bring. The guild''s involved too, so you might even get gold for high-grade enemies! So if you want to earn big, make sure to collect the heads, alright?"

    "Gold!"

    The orcs'' eyes gleamed with greed at the mention of gold.

    Just moments ago, the orcs, who seemed resigned to their fate, now began to whip their tired bodies into action, driven by the prospect of earning money.

    "Jun, we''ll earn a lot and treat you! We''re heading up to the walls!"

    "Alright, and who is this person?"

    "He''s an employee of the Mercenary Guild!"

    "I''m the Administrative Officer, Administrative Officer! Remember it, you ignorant orcs!"

    After sending the orcs to the walls, the Administrative Officer of the Mercenary Guild, a man with a nose almostpletely covered by a half-mask, his eyes aze, and skin so red it seemed to emit steam, looked at KiJun intensely and asked, "So, who are you? I see you''re not bad, hanging out with those orcs, but it''s my policy to be wary of strangers."

    "Jun. Second year, me Human."

    "So you''re not an NPC."

    Unlike the orcs who were excited, wondering if KiJun might be a representative of a civilization, the Administrative Officer just nodded, understanding the vastness and diversity of races and civilizations in this world.

    "Not an NPC? That means..."

    "Of course, I''m also summoned. Now, I''m practically no different from an NPC. Wouldn''t be surprised if I got scouted any time."

    Saying this with a bitter smile, the man, who looked human except for slightly pointed ears, added, "You''re curious about my race?"

    Feeling KiJun''s gaze, the man touched his ears and exined, "I''m a Half-Nymph. In our civilization, we''re quitemon, just like me Humans in your civilization."

    KiJun felt a pang of guilt at his words but brushed it aside for the moment.

    The man tapped the stack of documents he was holding and continued, "So, you wanted to tell me something? Sorry, but I''m quite busy, so unless it''s important¨D"

    "Can you ry a message to the lord?"

    "Of course. I don''t know where you''ve been, but the Turris Mercenary Guild works closely with the lord."

    "Then tell him, there are undead."

    "A¨D"

    The man''s hand went to his forehead, then quickly pulled out a RetaPhone15 and began tapping rapidly.

    After storing the phone, he sighed heavily and said, "I suspected as much. There''s an unexplored dungeon nearby, notorious for no oneing out alive. We thought undead might emerge from there... That''s why the lord said to pay for each monster''s head. Usually, undead can''t be made without a head."

    "But how did you know? If you''re lying, you might be in troubleter."

    "I met them. To be exact, the one who attacked us turned into an undead and escaped using space magic."

    KiJun sinctly conveyed the essence of their encounter with the undead, to which the Administrative Officer grimaced and asked, "Any proof?"

    "I''m not sure if it counts, but it''s an item I got from that undead."

    Unable to store the pouch enchanted with spatial magic in his inventory, KiJun had been carrying it on his waist. He showed it to the man, who narrowed his eyes and sniffed, then waved his hand dismissively.

    "The stench hits the nose. Plus, the aura of ck magic is no joke. The situation is more serious than I thought."

    "Did you know just by the smell?"

    Surprised, KiJun watched as the man first looked serious, then let out a smallugh.

    "I''m a Half-Nymph. Nymphs are known for their incredible sense of smell. Plus, we''re pretty good at discerning good from evil."

    "That''s why you''re an Administrative Officer of the Mercenary Guild, huh?" the man said, eyeing KiJun and adding, "I figured out you''re not a bad guy thanks to that. It''s a relief to have a strong ally like you at times like these. Did you register as a mercenary elsewhere?"

    "No, I didn''t. Can''t I take requests if I''m not a mercenary?"

    "That''s not the case, but you''ll lose some fees. For this time, as a privilege of the Administrative Officer, I''ll waive the fees. Go ahead and fight to your heart''s content. Then!"

    "And I''ll reward you for the undead tip," he added, turning away.

    Just then, Tolchi, the knight who had defended the city gates until KiJun and Charbanbesh''s group entered, approached and ced his gauntlet on KiJun''s shoulder.

    "Tolchi... d you''re safe."

    "Of course. But I overheard your conversation. You saw undead?"

    "Yes."

    KiJun shrugged off Tolchi''s gauntlet and replied.

    Tolchi gritted his teeth and mmed his greatsword into the ground.

    "Those damned beings. Desecrating the dignity of life, they all deserve to have their heads chopped off."

    "...I agree."

    Remembering the woman who crawled on the ground even after being cut in half, KiJun nodded solemnly.

    Tolchi unsheathed his greatsword and suggested, "Let''s fight together on the walls, Jun! With your achievements, the lord will surely take notice of you!"

    "I''ll dly join you."

    Was this an opportunity to make an impression on the lord so soon?

    Without hesitation, KiJun quickly responded and ascended the walls with the lord''s knight.

    In view, unlike when they had breached into the city, the hill was nowpletely filled with monsters.

    It was breathtaking how many monsters there were.

    "Overflow is indeed a terrible disaster. It sweeps away everything indiscriminately. The first to die are the weak, who have to fight with just a sword and no armor to protect them."

    Indeed, who would have thought they''d face an Overflow on just the third day in Reta?

    While KiJunmented internally, Tolchi openly expressed his frustration, gripping his sword tighter.

    "Moreover, when undead start mixing in, the bodies of those who died miserably are desecrated once again. I can never forgive that."

    KiJun wondered.

    Is this man truly an NPC?

    "Protecting the weak and not bowing to the strong is my chivalry. Will you help me, Jun?"

    "I respect your chivalry. And I have my own purpose."

    KiJun extended his hand, lightly shaking the gauntlet-d hand of the man, then letting go.

    "I''ll fight for that purpose. Let''s give our best."

    "You are indeed a reliable warrior. I''ll trust you with my back."

    The two warriors checked their arms and gathered their mana.

    From around Turris, a wave of monsters, unleashed from about a dozen dungeons, was surging toward the city.

    ¨DSudden Quest! Protect the small town of Turris from the Overflow!

    ¨DRewards will vary based on your performance. Exceptional contributions may lead to a special offer from the lord and reduce this year''s tax.

    And so, the battle began.

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (40)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSwoosh!

    A fireball, cutting through the air, smashed into the head of a monster just as it began to climb the city wall, scattering its remains and causing the surrounding monsters to fall as well.

    The power to annihte multiple monsters with a single fireball seemed nothing short of miraculous to the soldiers, who could only wield their weapons.

    "Mages are supporting us from this side!"

    "Put in more effort, you guys! The mages aren''t retreating, so how can we, the soldiers defending Turris, fall back now!"

    With each fireball tearing through the sky and each rapidly fired fire bullet piercing a monster''s head, at least one soldier''s life was saved. KiJun had no time for leisure.

    Sure, wielding his shield and plunging into the fray would earn him des, but that would narrow his field of vision and reduce the number of people he could save.

    Disguised as a me Human, KiJun realized just how splendid the profession of a mage was,unching mes to counter numerous enemies.

    ''I¡¯m not a mage, though.''

    ¨DOrdinary mages can¡¯t cast spells consecutively like this, Contractor. It¡¯s the advantage of being a Summoned.

    Right, mages normally require good control over mana and intelligence to operate. KiJun,muning with spirits and naturally manipting and detonating mes as if part of his body, was different from the magic mages use.

    But what would the soldiers know? Seeing fireballs fly in from a distance and incinerate monsters, they only cheered, thinking it was magic.

    Moreover, his actual attack power was significantly higher than that of the few mages among the city''s defenders!

    ¨DFor now, this approach is fine. But there wille a time when you, the Contractor, must step to the frontlines.

    ''I know. For now, I''m satisfied that I can save people even by imitating a mage.''

    KiJun felt the monsters'' level in the Overflow gradually increasing.

    There was a leading figure in the army formed by the Overflow, a sign that they were employing tactics.

    First, they would send weaker monsters to exhaust the humans and then deploy stronger monsters to finish them off.

    It was a cruel but undeniably effective strategy.

    ¨DLevel 6 reached, Light Magic (L) increased by 3!

    ¨DFire Spirit Magic (R) has reached 42!

    Of course, this doesn¡¯t consider that lower-level people like KiJun killing masses of monsters could level up, recovering health and mana.

    As KiJun created an evenrger fireball and exploded the flesh wall formed by the monsters trying to climb the wall, the soldiers cheered again.

    "Wow! The mage is revitalizing!"

    "How can he keep casting fireballs consecutively without getting tired? How high is his mastery?"

    "Idiots, the mage is a special race. Unlike us humans who can hardly handle mana properly!"

    The foolish soldiers were deceived.

    As KiJun continued to cast fireballs, preventing the monsters from climbing the walls, he naturally became an idol to the soldiers.

    Though he was uneasy about not collecting the monsters'' heads directly, he hoped the lord wouldn''t turn a blind eye to his efforts in saving the soldiers.

    But how long could he keep fighting the monsters this way? That moment eventually arrived.

    ¨DGrooooan...

    ¨DUuuaaaaah...

    A rotting hand clutching the wall.

    A monster with flesh peeling off to reveal bone, unnaturally contorting its body, suddenly raised its head.

    A shudder ran through everyone on the vast city wall at that moment.

    "Damn it¡­ Undeads! There are undeads!"

    "Cut off their heads! Otherwise, they''ll revive!"

    "Undeads in the Overflow¡­ We''re doomed, it won''t end until we''re all turned into undead¡­!"

    Undead monsters were more about their symbolism than individual strength.

    Their tenacious vitality, dreadful morale, and contagious nature that could infect even healthy humans.

    Their sinister will to hate the living and draw them to their side further demoralized the living.

    Feeling the atmosphere change drastically, KiJun, about to unleash more mes, halted when suddenly, a giant sword, like a boomerang, soared through the air, slicing through the undead climbing up the wall.

    Was it a Unique grade throwing skill? As KiJun stared in amazement, the knight Tolchi, who returned the sword and raised it high, bellowed with a booming voice.

    "These undeads are nothing but rotten monsters of bone and skin! Don''t be afraid and take up arms! Those who run will die and be undead, but those who fight will join me in glory tomorrow!"

    "Ooooh!"

    Encouraged by the knight''s thunderous call, the soldiers'' morale surged. Their previously shrinking stance solidified against the undead, and they pushed the enemy back, improving the battlefield situation noticeably.

    KiJun had asionally seen such scenes with YeMin, leading NPCs inrge-scale quests with exceptional tact and influence, earning a lot of support and steering situations to her advantage.

    ''Perhaps YeMin''s charisma really was beyond Umon.''

    Regretting her absence but feeling reassured watching the eloquent and capable knight Tolchi boost the soldiers'' morale, KiJun couldn''t help but smile slightly.

    ''Yet, ording to that theory of charisma, I should also be able to boost the troops'' morale...''

    Unable to imagine himself shouting or boosting the soldiers'' spirits, KiJun just shook his head.

    ¨DWhat nonsense, Contractor.

    Lucy yfully dismissed KiJun''s thoughts.

    ¨DContractor doesn¡¯t need to be loud. Just creating andunching fireballs gives people great hope. Could even a high-level mage get this much attention with just a spell?

    ''¡­That does seem usible.''

    In the life-and-death battlefield, where immediate dangers demand full attention, people were still keenly observing KiJun''s every move, cheering loudly with each of his exploits.

    ¨DBoom!

    As KiJun thought about Lucy''s words andunched another fireball, the soldiers immediately noticed and cheered even before it hit.

    "And the fireball burns the undead with a single strike!"

    "This is the power of the living!"

    "Look, the mes are spreading to them, it¡¯s even avoiding us humans!"

    "Unbelievable... He even considers soldiers like us in such a dire situation."

    Their exaggerated praise made the situation almost embarrassing.

    Fire, being effective against undead, easily takes down lower-level undead, and since it¡¯s actually spirit power and not magic, it naturally avoids humans. But their overreaction was almost too much.

    Higher charisma makes the same action have a more significant impact on others. KiJun realized this, noticing the effect his actions had on people.

    Thinking back, when he was first summoned to Reta, he confronted a fairy, only to be chased away due to people''s excessive wariness.

    Lost in thought, KiJun acknowledged that, if used wisely, charisma could indeed be beneficial. He actively used Salutaris, creating fireballs in both hands.

    Fueled by the thought of not disappointing those who looked up to and cheered for him, KiJun''s determination grew.

    ''We may not dispel all this darkness... but we can certainly light a few more torches. Help me out, Ur, Lucy.''

    ¨DSqueal!

    Responding to the Contractor''s zing will, Ur awakened even greater potential, lending strength to KiJun.

    Having been in sync with KiJun all day, Ur, influenced by his spirit power, was gradually regaining the size of his spirit, previously diminished by past wounds.

    Though both KiJun and Ur would likely copse from the exertion of their Spirit Power after the battle, the gains from today would be significant.

    ¨DAlright, then I''ll blend in my power unnoticeably, too?

    Indeed, the most effective force against undead, aside from the holy power of devout clerics, is light.

    As mes sprang from KiJun''s fingertips, burning brightly, Lucy subtly infused the essence of light, making the mes appear even more radiant and holy.

    That was a bit overdone.

    "Holy fire..."

    "It''s holy fire."

    "Ah, indeed, that person must be an angel sent by the gods to save us...!"

    Contrary to Lucy''s intention to blend the attributes subtly, the perfect fusion of the two attracted too much attention!

    As a me Human, KiJun''s current identity was already suspicious enough, and now he couldn''t afford to bebeled as some angelic figure!

    Before any unnecessary suspicions arose, KiJun hastily hurled the brilliantly burning fireballs.

    Though thrown carelessly, his Rare-grade throwing skill ''sh Throw'' ensured that the mes urately targeted dense groups of enemies, exploding magnificently upon impact!

    ¨DScreech!

    ¨DGroan!

    As expected, the effect was iparable to the simple mes he had been using. The undead, ironically resilient despite being dead, fell helplessly against thebined power of fire and light.

    The undead were swept away so thoroughly that gaps appeared on the crowded city wall.

    ¨DLight shines brightest and proves its worth when it banishes darkness and kindles fire. Your ''Lucy (L)'' skill has reached level 3, and your Spirit Power (L) has increased by 1.

    Reading the system message, KiJun tensed, wondering if his ability to wield light power had been exposed, but it turned out to be a non-issue.

    "East wall¨D! The fire mage¨D!"

    "Has driven back hundreds of undead¨D! We''ve reimed the wall¨D!"

    The soldiers quickly upied the area and actively pushed back the undead, loudly proiming their achievements.

    They knew what was needed most now: unwavering courage and morale to support them from falling.

    "South wall¨D! Knight Tolchi¨D!"

    "Has decapitated an elite ghoul¨D!"

    Soldiers'' voices echoed from afar,petitively sharing hopeful news of the battle, striving to foster hope that they could ovee this Overflow.

    Feeling the soldiers'' brave calls mixed with faint fear, yet determined not to back down, KiJun sensed the swirling mana inside him intensify and his eyes widened.

    ¨DYour self-developed mana cirction method, Salutaris, reminds you that it operates on spirit rather than mana. As long as your spirit doesn''t give up, Salutaris will always produce mana. ''Salutaris (L)'' has reached level 3!

    Indeed, Salutaris, perfected by KiJun''s insights and Bice''s teachings, was more than mere mana cirction.

    As it merged mana with the spirit, the intense will and emotion driving the spirit made it stronger.

    ¨DContractor, are you okay?

    ''Not the safest situation. If this wasn''t a battlefield...''

    The faster the mana rotation, the greater the power and destructive force, but also the more severe the bacsh on KiJun''s body.

    Yet, he was aware of the most effective remedy to alleviate this.

    ''For now¨D there are no issues!''

    ¨DSqueal!

    The holy fire conjured by KiJun as a result of Salutaris turned into a huge sphere, thrown into the air.

    Surprisingly, it vaporized into cloud-like formations, floating over the wall and soon starting to rain fire.

    An intricate control, targeting only the monsters with hot mes, sparing the humans, it was a splendid spirit magic, befitting KiJun''s widened vision, incapacitating more monsters and saving more lives.

    ¨DThe fantastic synergy with spirits and the strong will of the summoned has sessfully implemented thisplex spirit magic. ''Fire Spirit Magic (R)'' has jumped to level 45! Your Spirit Power (L) has increased by 1!

    ¨DLevel 7 achieved, increasing Dexterity (L) by 1, Light Magic (L) by 1, and Spirit Power (L) by 1.

    The medicine named ''level up'' hit KiJun''s body.

    He felt his spirit and body reviving as if he had never been injured, bringing a bright smile to his face.

    He felt like he could fight all day long.

    But he knew he had to be aware.

    High charisma not only boosts the morale of allies but also draws the attention of enemies to oneself.

    ¨DKoo-oo-oo-oo-oo!

    The undead kept swarming in.

    There was still a lot of time left until the end of the night.

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): I''m free! I''ll be resting all day today, aren''t you happy? So let''s y together all day.]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): What, you''re not reading my messages again? Why is a newbie who just crossed over to Reta so busy?]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): You''re not doing something weird, are you? With your charisma increasing, like¡­]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): No, you wouldn''t have the nerve. If you did, you would have done it by now.]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): At the end of the day, it¡¯s probably because of your suddenly increased charisma, and you can¡¯t handle all the quests pouring in, right? It¡¯s obvious. I¡¯ve lived in Reta too, you know.]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): But always be careful, right? I¡¯ve always been more afraid of people than monsters. Being pretty like me, there were bastards who wanted to take advantage of me, could¡¯ve built a kingdom with them. Doesn¡¯t matter if they''re summoned or NPCs, they''re all the same.]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): But who am I? I know how to see through those things, how to quickly filter out those making a move on me. You should be careful too. Don''t be fooled by some strange girl, okay?]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): Look at the eyes, their eyes. If they seem cloudy, filter them out. And if someone avoids eye contact or is overly confident, they definitely have something to hide.]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): Also, be wary of people whose words and attitudes subtly differ. Those who pretend to say and act right but subtly steer things in their favor are the biggest problem. Before getting backstabbed by such people, you should hit them first, got it?]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): Ha, what am I doing talking to myself when there''s no one to answer, really.]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): Hey, isn''t it?]

    [Bice? (Dimensional Waiting Room): ...You''re not meeting a girl, are you?]

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    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (41)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    How many hours had the battle kept going for?

    KiJun¡¯s mana had finally run out before his level could rise any further.

    It was natural for leveling up speed to slow down after leaving the low-level zone, but he still wished to maintain this tempo at least until the end of this battle.

    ¨DContractor, take a break. You¡¯re pushing yourself too hard.

    ¡®¡­But.¡¯

    The undead attacking the city were no longer just weaklings.

    It seemed like the leader leading them guessed that the troops guarding the walls would have been weakened by now, and was increasing the strength of their forces to break through the walls in one fell swoop.

    Even among the zombies,rger monsters ¨D probably undead created by killing monsters from dungeons affected by the nearby Overflow ¨D were attacking in unison, making KiJun¡¯s teeth clench.

    This perfect timing for the enemy''s reinforcement and intensification!

    ¡®They must have intelligence akin to humans.¡¯

    In fact, casualties were increasingly reported from various ces.

    No matter how great KiJun was, how could he possibly supervise the entire battle happening on these vast city walls?

    Despite his limited abilities, the scenes entering his widened field of view remained the same.

    People being crushed by monsters and losing their lives.

    People unable to resist the magic of the undead, losing their dignity and rising as new undead.

    Scenes of pastrades rushing at each other, killing, or being killed by each other.

    All this was gradually chipping away at KiJun¡¯s will, once filled with determination.

    ¡®Lucy, I am.¡¯

    ¨DAt least stop straining your spirit power like this. Your mind is getting more exhausted because of it. You need time to slowly recover your spirit power and mana.

    ¡®¡­Right, you are correct. I¡¯m sorry, Lucy.¡¯

    KiJun felt his mana, which was swirling emptily and scratching every corner of his body, and finally lowered his hands that he had raised.

    He had already transcended his limits long ago.

    If it wasn¡¯t for the repeated level-ups in between, he would have lost his sanity by now.

    ¡®My level is... now 11?¡¯

    It was indeed a tremendous achievement to level up by six in a day.

    If he wasn''t a Rare grade race, he could have leveled up even faster.

    But if his race grade had been lower, he wouldn''t have been able to perform as he did, so it was a moot point to ponder.

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°The mage¡­¡±

    ¡°He must have pushed himself too hard. It¡¯s unbelievable he kept casting magic to this extent.¡±

    ¡°The mage should rest safely. That way, he can still hit those bastards lurking behind... with a fireball or something.¡±

    ¡°You sons of a... You think you can surpass us just because the mage isn¡¯t here? I''ll deal with all of you!¡±

    Noticing that he was no longer casting mes, the soldiers¡¯ morale visibly plummeted, but they acknowledged his effort and tried to let him rest.

    ¡°Mage, let me escort you to a safe ce. This way¡­¡±

    One of the soldiers, who seemed to be inmand on the eastern wall, approached KiJun, probably toy him on a makeshift bed, but KiJun looked at him, shook his head silently, and took out the King of the Well from behind him, attaching it to his arm.

    ¡°M-mage?¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    The soldier, who had only seen him use the shield for protection, called out in shock, but KiJun just nodded once and immediately ran towards where the soldiers were being pushed back.

    Even though he couldn¡¯t use mana to protect everyone in his sight, he could still protect those within his reach.

    ¡°Mage?!¡±

    ¡°The mage is charging with a shield!¡±

    ¡°It sounds like nonsense... he must be delirious from a zombie bite... Huh!¡±

    ¨DBang!

    With a sound like a bomb exploding, a wolf zombie gnawing on a soldier was dismembered and flung outside the walls.

    Determined to engage in closebat, KiJun swung his shield like a main battle tank, trampling the monsters and sweeping through the front lines.

    KiJun hurled his shield, smashing two more zombie bodies, then caught it skillfully on its return, brushing off blood and flesh before reattaching it. He then turned to the injured soldiers.

    "Retreat and recover from your injuries."

    "How... How can you...?" one soldier stammered in disbelief.

    "Just think of it as magic," KiJun coolly replied, hurling himself back into the fray.

    Fighting in closebat, KiJun was like a tank, crushing monsters in his path. His attacks, based on his Unique-level Strength, Endurance, and Legendary-level Dexterity, were devastating. A simple swing of his shield was enough to slice through most monsters, and he used its edge to decapitate those that didn''t fall, sending it flying to knock down emerging zombies and returning precisely to his grasp.

    "KiJun is directly crushing the zombies!" the soldiers eximed.

    "How is he so strong, even in hand-to-handbat?"

    "He''s turning these monsters to dust!"

    As the soldiers, briefly retreating from the frontlines, watched KiJun''s remarkable performance, one of them ventured a guess, "Maybe he wasn''t originally a mage?"

    "Such nonsense."

    "He''s been casting magic for hours!"

    But KiJun wasn''t just noticed for his magical prowess; his physical valor was just as captivating, rallying the soldiers'' spirits.

    "KiJun..."

    "He''s fighting so hard for this city..."

    "We must fight too!"

    KiJun''s Charisma stat strongly influenced the soldiers'' spirits, invigorating them despite the temporary nature of this boost. In these critical moments, this renewed vigor significantly increased their survival chances.

    "I''ve rested enough. I must fight alongside him."

    "Don''t be foolish! If you don''t rest now, you''ll die!"

    "Fighting beside him gives me strength!"

    "If we rest now, will we get another chance to fight? I''ll fight as long as I have one arm left!"

    "Let''s go!"

    KiJun wasn''t a saint. His involvement in the defense was initially driven by an attractive quest, but as more people ced their hopes in him, he willingly threw himself into the battle beyond the quest''s demands.

    "Whew, whe..."

    -Contractor, you seem to be enjoying this.

    "Yes. Closebat suits me."

    -And it''s not just about thebat, right? As long as you''re happy, that''s all that matters.

    Back on Earth and even in this new world, KiJun had shied away from leading others, envious yet fearful of heroes like YeMin. But training with Bice changed his mindset. Instead of harboring silent jealousy, he wanted to try again. He longed to live up to his name.

    "Come at me, you rotten corpse creeps!"

    -Contractor is engulfed in bright mes!

    "Don''t look directly, it''s blinding!"

    "Undead are being crushed under his mighty onught!"

    Although KiJun doubted his ability to be as perfect as YeMin, he couldn''t dismiss those who had put their faith in him. He wanted to repay them magnificently, stepping towards his interpretation of Nietzsche''s ¨¹bermensch.

    ¡°We can''t fall when he is leading the fight!"

    "Let''s protect him! At least until I die, I won''t let him be harmed!"

    "His shield strikes are stronger than your swordsmanship! Hahaha!"

    The tired soldiers, reinvigorated by KiJun''s actions, rejoined the battle. As long as they cut off the undead heads, their numbers dwindled. KiJun, with his Unique-level Provocation skill, drew all undead to himself, allowing the soldiers to safely eliminate them.

    As KiJun continued his relentless assault, a space cleared on the battlements, giving the soldiers a moment to breathe.

    "Look to the east wall!"

    "We''ve driven off those cursed monsters!"

    "With the Shield-Mage leading us!"

    And then, someone among the enemy ranks finally noticed.

    "There he is...!"

    A Banshee, exuding a sinister and powerful aura, recognized KiJun. Despite being newly undead, she was overwhelmed by a peaceful sensation from the bright light KiJun emitted, which she forcefully ignored.

    "Not long now. I will kill him with my own hands..."

    Her thirst for revenge was undeterred, driven by the need to avenge her unjustly in sibling.

    Meanwhile, the boss of the Unique-grade undead dungeon,fortably seated on a bone sofa, was surprised at the resilience of Turris''s defenses. He had expected the city to fall by now, especially with the elite undead deployed.

    "Destroy him first! He''s my enemy!"

    In Earth''s Irnd, she might have been considered a fairy, but in the continent of Reta, she was a Banshee, an upper-ss rare undead.

    "The one who killed me and ruined everything! He''s made my revenge iplete! Go, capture him!"

    Responding to hermand, elite monsters started to move. They were not the low-grade zombies typical of dungeon entrances or monsters transformed by the contagion of death from nearby dungeons.

    They were the true power of the Unique-grade dungeons that had gone unconquered for years, named undead who had grown stronger by killing countless summoners and gaining experience.

    "I''ll go..."

    "I''ll take care of that knight..."

    "Hurry up!"

    The newly-turned Banshee hystericallymanded her more powerful undead peers. Once they left, she immediately changed her demeanor and bowed to another presence.

    "Forgive me for acting without yourmand, master."

    "That''s alright, but I am not your master. I have no intention of epting you into our kind."

    The chilling reply came from a being lounging on a sofa made of bones. This entity was the boss of the Unique-grade undead dungeon, silencing all challengers over the years and orchestrating the current Overflow by manipting someone with dark emotions.

    "The haste and excess of my actions are evident even in this ufortable chair. If we fail to retake the city, you will pay the price."

    "I am willing to sacrifice everything for my revenge."

    "Hmm..."

    The man, who had revealed his fangs, gazed at the Banshee''s still-beautiful face.

    "If you hade before your death, I would have dly taken you."

    "What a pity."

    "Ah, yes."

    The Banshee, hiding her true feelings, bowed her head. The man turned his gaze from her to the walls of the small city of Turris. Despite the city''s summoners being formidable, recent attacks had driven many away, and most of those who remained had likely perished in the Overflow.

    Yet the city''s walls still held, which was surprising.

    "The n should have already breached the walls left undefended by summoneds..."

    With mid-boss level undead dispatched, the situation should soon escte. A single breach would crumble their well-coordinated defenses.

    In the shadows, shadow wraiths waited to strike, targeting the pesky priests. Once they seeded, he would personally end this tedious battle.

    Suddenly, a blinding light shed from one of the walls, causing the man to curse aloud.

    "Kill him first! He''s more important than anything else!"

    "That will be done, he''s one of my enemies!"

    The Banshee, disturbed yet strangely calmed by the bright light, ignored the fleeting peace in her heart.

    "Not much longer now. I will kill him myself...!"

    Driven by the need to avenge her unjustly in sibling, she was determined to fulfill her revenge, even if it meant her own damnation.

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 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (42)

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    <strong></strong>

    -Contractor, a really strong one ising. Warn the others to retreat immediately!

    "Everyone retreat from here¨D¨D!"

    The moment Lucy warned him with her shrill voice, KiJun immediately raised his voice and shouted.

    The soldiers who had been cutting the necks of the undead drawn in by KiJun''s aggro heard his shout and promptly retreated, but the problemy with some mercenaries who were mixed among the soldiers, too engrossed in collecting undead heads for the bounty.

    "These guys, why suddenly tell us to pull back? Don''t tell me you''re nning to take all these creatures for yourself?"

    "We haven''t caught them all yet. Let''s share them fairly, shall we?"

    "These ones are mine already, what do you mean retreat? That''s not happening!"

    Thinking that KiJun was trying to clear the area around him to take down the remaining undead and im the rewards, the mercenaries, lured by the promise of easy money for hunting, were reluctant to let go of the opportunity.

    It was not iprehensible.

    Those who clung to each undead head were those who struggled with their regr earnings, and if they were Summoneds, they needed to perform well in this quest to secure points.

    "Boom!"

    "Argh!"

    Although KiJun understood their situation, it seemed the undead leaping over the wall targeting him were not so understanding.

    Among the mercenaries, one who stubbornly tried to cut down the undead attracted by KiJun was crushed by arge, ck, and heavy sphere that fell from the sky, his body smashed to bits.

    Then, an evenrger shadow covered the wall.

    "Kwaang!"

    Everyone except those who had already moved to a safe distance were equally¨D¨D turned into scraps of flesh, blown away along with the undead that had crowded around KiJun.

    KiJun, with Adamant activated, stood with a stern expression, blocking the ck magic spikes that burst out with the undead''snding.

    It was fortunate that he had recovered about half of his spirit power and mana during the fight, but... the opponent was far too strong.

    "If only my level had increased."

    He tightened his grip on the shield in his hand, looking around for another shield to hold in his free hand¨D¨D but there was nothing satisfactory.

    A wooden shield that would break easily was not enough to withstand the power of Moonlight Blood Fang, and therge iron shields were so unbnced it was better not to use them at all.

    "Looking... for a way to run?"

    The voice, like wind seeping through a door gap, oozed out of the rolling sphere.

    KiJun then realized the true nature of the sphere that had initially crushed the man was not a sphere, but the head of an undead.

    "There is... no escape. The Grim Reaper has... pronounced death upon you."

    The giant shadow picked up the rolling head.

    The headless knight, mounted on a ck ghost horse with no legs, looked down at KiJun.

    Holding the head in one hand and ance for charging in the other, the knight''s imposing presence was truly terrifying.

    -The Duhan Blood Knight has pronounced your death. You cannot flee the battle, and the chances of receiving a fatal blow are high. However, your legendary Charisma almostpletely nullifies this!

    -[Unbreakable Internal Clock (L)] strongly resists physical and mental interference.

    -Resistance sess. [Adamant (L)] receives a positive adjustment.

    Despite the knight''s appearance, KiJun felt almost friendly towards him due to the buffs he had kindly given.

    As he got used to the influence of his Charisma, which popped up here and there, and his Unbreakable Internal Clock, which now not only resisted debuffs but often turned them into buffs at a high rate since reaching the legendary level, he almost looked forward to enemies casting debuffs.

    But that wasn''t all.

    -The title [The Last Hero (L)] activates, enhancing all abilities by 30%.

    KiJun had figured out the Duhan was of the dark/evil attribute at a nce, but was surprised to see it treated as a boss monster.

    Could The Last Hero apply its title effect not just to boss monsters, but to any ''boss-level'' entity?

    "Transcender of Limits didn''t activate? So the Duhan is a Rare grade race."

    "Still, it''s not an opponent to take lightly. The Unique grade Lizardman I met before entering this castle felt much weaker than this one."

    Can a Rare grade race be stronger than a Unique grade race?

    Of course, it can. KiJun himself is a Rare grade race.

    While race grades do give significant bonuses to basic abilities and racial traits, titles, statuses, skills, racial traits, andbat situations can easily overturn the advantage.

    This Duhan that had just appeared, being a boss-level entity, was likely to have a powerful title, making its status far beyond that of a regr Rare grade monster.

    Moreover, the castle wall was currently engulfed in a thick aura of death.

    Normal mana weakened, while dark mana surged with power.

    It was an ideal situation for the Duhan, draped in darkness and death, to gain strength.

    "But I''ve also enhanced Adamant, and the effect of The Last Hero has amplified my strength. Plus, I can wield Light Magic, theplete opposite of darkness... It''s worth a try!"

    As KiJun finished his thoughts and adjusted his stance, pointing the end of King of the Well aggressively, the head in the Duhan''s hand scoffed.

    "A human who doesn''t know how to properly use a shield. You''re an unworthy opponent for the Knight of Bloody Thorns, but I have no choice. I''ll quickly finish you off and fill this wall with death!"

    Unaware that his Death Sentence had not fully affected KiJun, the Duhan arrogantly shouted and charged towards KiJun on his ghost horse.

    The tip of the giantnce in his hand, stained with blood, stretched out, attacking KiJun''s head faster than he could perceive¨D¨D.

    "Kwaang!"

    With a dreadful collision sound.

    Bright mes on KiJun''s shield formed solid fangs and deflected thence head-on.

    Unable to withstand KiJun''s strength, thence was repelled into the air, and the astonished face of the Duhan flew past in slow motion.

    At that moment, the ghost horse, losing its master and panicking, was deeply scratched on the side by the sacred mes formed fangs.

    "Kuueee!"

    The ghost horse, having sustained fatal wounds from the searing light and mes, vanished from sight.

    Seeing the Duhan copse, rolling on the ground in an instant, KiJun smirked chillingly.

    "Now we''re on the same level."

    "You dare harm my beloved steed during my moment of inattention?!"

    Furious, the Duhan charged at KiJun, pounding the ground.

    Knowing KiJun''s strength, hisnce was lighter but much quicker and sharper.

    KiJun parried with his shield, but at that moment, not only thence but also dozens of ck spikes erupting from the ground pierced him.

    "Ugh?!"

    "I''ll show you why I''m called the Blood Knight! This is my true power, granted by my lord¡¯s grace through a stronger ss!"

    Was he bragging about just having undergone a second job change?

    Enraged, the Duhan swung hisnce, causing spikes to surge from all directions!

    KiJun gritted his teeth, fending off the spikes while closing the distance, but of course, he couldn''t deflect all of them.

    The Duhanughed gleefully with each new wound on KiJun''s body.

    "You¡¯ll drown in a sea of blood! Your death will bring me greater feats!"

    "Shut up¨D¨D!"

    KiJun, wielding the brilliantly ming King of the Well, swept away the ck spikes and kicked the Duhan''s arm powerfully as he lunged forward.

    His target was not thence, but the head held calmly in one hand.

    "Ha ha ha! Did you think detaching my head would do anything? My head is my most potent weapon!"

    The head, having levitated, spun and rapidly fell towards KiJun''s head.

    The head, concentrated with the Duhan''s power, sprouted ck spikes like a chestnut burr, a truly hair-raising sight.

    KiJun, countering, grasped the shield with both hands and shouted.

    "Ur, Lucy¨D¨D!"

    -Kiiit!

    -If we kill this one, the level will surely rise!

    Salutaris¨D the Savior¡¯s power enveloped his entire body, rapidly circting mana and spirit power.

    Fuelled by the emerging mana and spirit power, the two spirits also poured in their full strength.

    Though his body, close to its limit, showed signs of copse, for this moment, the concentrated mana and spirit power on his shield reached the realm of legends.

    "A gap...!"

    "Get lost!"

    The Duhan''s body, able to move separately, lunged with thence, but KiJun, having saved [King of the Well (U)]''s option of sting wind, forcefully pushed him back.

    And the next moment.

    "To die is... just the same..."

    "You¡¯re the one dying!"

    "Crack!"

    KiJun hurled the massive fang of light in his hands with all his might, perfectly piercing the Duhan''s head plummeting towards him.

    Then, he smashed it down to the ground with his shield!

    "Ugh, aaagh...!"

    The Duhan''s head, crushed under the shield, let out a pathetic groan of agony.

    However, KiJun, ready to lose everything to ensure its death, summoned even more light and mes!

    "Aaaargh!"

    Brilliant holy fire soared alongside the Duhan''s dying scream.

    As the cracks on his body deepened and his strength ebbed, KiJun pondered pushing further, but then he saw the Duhan''s body, blown away by the wind, melting in midair.

    He had sessfully killed the Duhan by targeting its core ¨C the head.

    Immediately, rewards for ying a boss-level entity found him.

    -Your level has reached 14, increasing Strength (U) by 2, Dexterity (L) by 1, Endurance (U) by 1, Mana Power (L) by 3, Spirit Power (L) by 2!

    -Fire Spirit Magic(R) has reached level 48, ughter (R) level 5, Moonlight Blood Fang (L) level 3, Lucy (L) level 4, Adamant (L) level 2, Salutaris (L) level 4! Endurance (U) 1, Spirit Power (L) 1 increased!

    -You have achieved one of the quest¡¯s key goals. Witnessed by all, the quest reward will be significantly amplified!

    His battered body, after three consecutive level-ups, returned to a state better than ever.

    Crossing limits could lead to breakdown, but oveing them made one stronger and more resilient.

    The evenly grown legendary-grade skills further proved this.

    -Stop morizing such reckless actions! I''m really going to get angry!

    "Sorry, Lucy. But now I''m in perfect shape. I can safely deal with even scarier foes."

    -Ugh, you really won''t back down until the very end.

    Lucy, exasperated by KiJun''s relentless behavior but inwardly finding his victory over the Duhan impressive, retreated.

    Then, a shadow cast over KiJun''s head again.

    Looking up, he saw a knight d in shining silver armor¨D¨DTolchi was looking at him.

    "An impressive battle, Jun. You truly are a magnificent warrior."

    "Tolchi... thanks."

    "He dropped this."

    Tolchi handed over a ck breastte, presumably retrieved from where the Duhan''s torso had fallen.

    A full te drop was unexpected, but among them, a breastte was highly valuable!

    KiJun was startled by this unexpected gain and took it.

    Naturally, he lifted the shield that had been pressing down on the Duhan''s head, feeling something else beneath it.

    "Huh...?"

    His eyes widened at the sight.

    "What''s this?"

    "Aaaargh!"

    But KiJun didn''t have time to closely inspect his loot.

    Beyond the devastated wall, ck hair creeping up suddenly covered the ground, then...

    "Atst, the time hase, my enemy... I will kill you all here!"

    A disfigured undead face, weeping blood, screamed.

    It was the Banshee, whose cry inevitably led to death, revealing herself.

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 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (43)

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    Despite being undead, she possessed a chillingly beautiful appearance, with long, flowing ck hair.

    Her lower body was indistinct, as if cut off at the waist.

    Not just a lower undead moving only by the instinct of ughter, she was a higher undead, an entity whose soul was shrouded in darkness, executing death of her own volition.

    Facing the Banshee draped in a tattered cloak and screaming, Lucy shouted with a sharp voice.

    -It''s her, Contractor! The woman who attacked youst night and died!

    "Right. I thought she had just turned into a zombie, but who would''ve thought she¡¯d be such a named monster."

    After the Banshee''s appearance, KiJun''s first concern was the safety of the other soldiers.

    Like the Duhan, who was a harbinger of death in Irish mythology, the Banshee had also transformed, now able to kill directly with her cries.

    Fortunately, due to the fierce battle with the Duhan, the troops had retreated far enough.

    Almost every zombie and ghoul had been obliterated in the midst of KiJun and the Duhan''s fight, casting an eerie silence over the area.

    "Quite the chatterbox for a dead being."

    Tolchi raised his voice first, wielding his greatsword.

    KiJun also raised his shield, but Tolchi dered firmly.

    "I''ll handle this. Jun, protect the other soldiers."

    "What? It¡¯s better if we attack together..."

    "Haaap!"

    The muscle-brained knight ignored KiJun¡¯s suggestion, charging at the Banshee with a shout.

    The Banshee, teasingly floating in the air, bombarded him with various dark magics.

    "Die, dieee!"

    "Already dead and still so presumptuous!"

    Tolchi, with his power-infused greatsword, wiped out the magics created by the Banshee.

    Watching Tolchi''s prowess, KiJun realized he was on par with himself and, while observing their fight, felt something stirring his senses.

    Simultaneously, Lucy, sensing the same, confirmed and alerted him.

    -Shadows! Not just one or two, they¡¯re... trying to enter the city! From other walls too!

    "Damn...!"

    KiJun instinctively poured spirit power into Lucy to emit light, but then he remembered he was pretending to be a me Human and urgently added Ur''s name.

    "Leave the detection to me!"

    Lucy, powered by KiJun''s spirit power, spread out from him, creating awork of light that covered the area.

    To the unperceptive, this web of light, made of spirit power, zigzagged, covering all four walls of the city in less than 0.01 seconds.

    "Got them all!"

    "Queeit!"

    Lucy, having located the enemies at the speed of light, shared this information, and immediately Ur ignited mes.

    In a sh, bright mes mixed with Lucy''s light burst forth from the walls, incinerating the Shadow Wraith squads attempting to infiltrate the city.

    The spectacle was so grand, it could have been mistaken for a rock concert in a small town from afar.

    "Aaaagh!"

    "Kieeeek!"

    From all sides, the Wraiths burned to death, their horrific screams echoing.

    Specialized in stealth, the Wraiths, unparalleled in covert operations, were extremely vulnerable to light, making KiJun''s spirit magic a fast-track to their doom.

    "What, what?!"

    "My shadow¡¯s burning...!"

    Caught up in their own chaotic battles, the soldiers realized toote about the Wraiths'' infiltration but found them all incinerated, rendering the situation irrelevant.

    -Your level has reached 15, increasing Light Mana Power (L) by 2, Spirit Power (L) by 1.

    -Sessfully controlling simultaneous mes to suppress the targets. Your spirit, assisted by another spirit, rediscovers higher-level spirit magic. Fire Spirit Magic (R) has reached level 49!

    -A hidden quest objective has been achieved. A potentially fatal incident has been perfectly prevented, significantly increasing the quest reward!

    The experience from the Shadow Wraiths was so substantial that KiJun leveled up once more, despite having just gained three levels from battling the Duhan.

    It was to be expected, as each Shadow Wraith was considered a rare mob, difficult to find and challenge, thus granting substantial experience.

    The enemy¡¯s resolve to form an assassination squad from such rare mobs was indeed remarkable.

    "Youuuuuu!"

    Realizing that their most crucial strategy had been foiled by KiJun''s extraordinary sensing and quick action, the Banshee, abandoning the knight she was fighting, charged at KiJun. But for Tolchi, this became an excellent opportunity.

    "Die, phantom!"

    Just as when he struck down the Lizardman boss monster''s head, Tolchi''s sword, aglow with all his might, aimed for the Banshee''s head but...

    "Boom!"

    "Kuk?!"

    Struck by a spear flying from nowhere, Tolchi''s trajectory twisted, slicing off only one of the Banshee''s arms instead of her head.

    "Aaaaah!"

    The Banshee''s agonizing scream filled the walls.

    Though soldiers on the east wall had already retreated, the scream was so terrible that even those in the safe zone fell, bleeding from their ears, noses, and mouths ¨C incapacitated.

    Suddenly, KiJun and Tolchi found themselves alone in defending the vast wall.

    -The Banshee Avenger''s Scream brings death to the area! However, your Legendary Charisma almostpletely nullifies it!

    -[Unbreakable Internal Clock (L)] strongly resists physical and mental interference.

    -Resistance sessful. [Adamant (L)] receives positive adjustment.

    Simultaneously, KiJun received a message, reminiscent of something familiar.

    The name of an avenger, huh... But before he could dwell on it, Adamant, still enhanced from battling the Duhan, strengthened again, now almost producing effects of a higher grade.

    Despite the umted fatigue, only recoverable through sufficient sleep, KiJun''s injuries and exhaustion were all disappearing!

    "It''s you... you''re the ones who ruined today."

    Just as KiJun was about to charge at the Banshee, anguid male voice halted him.

    "You''ve messed up today."

    Beneath the bright full moon, a nobleman-like man appeared, stylishly dressed in a frock coat extending to his knees.

    Wearing polished shoes and a mage''s silk hat, he would pass for a gentleman even in Ennd, if not for the absurdly long and sharp sword, the Estoc, he held in each hand.

    Feeling his overwhelming presence, KiJun sensed the man was the final boss of this Overflow, and Lucy eximed.

    -Ah, dual swords! Other than the Contractor, it''s my first time seeing someone wield a weapon in each hand!

    "Dual swordsmanship is usually a show-off technique thought cool only by the user. Nothingpares to my perfect double-shield technique."

    Ironically, Lucy seemed to understand what KiJun meant by ''only the user thinks it''s cool'' when he criticized dual swordsmanship, influenced by Bice''s brainwashing.

    "Even if it''s just for excuses, I have to eliminate the source of trouble. Let''s start with the stronger one first."

    The man who had effortlessly descended from the air, pointing his elongated, spike-like swords at Tolchi, casually turned to the Banshee, who was holding her severed shoulder and wailing.

    "You deal with that one. Finish it quickly and I''ll give you this one''s corpse as a reward."

    "Fuuuugh...!"

    The Banshee, tears of blood streaming down her face, rose into the air, targeting KiJun with her remaining palm.

    "I''ll kill you...!"

    "Alright, this time I''ll end it perfectly."

    KiJun, sensing something odd in the exchange between the gentleman and the Banshee, lifted his shield.

    Already in peak condition from repeated leveling up and the strong correction provided by Adamant, KiJun was ready. The gentleman probably judged him weaker than Tolchi based on his seemingly poor armament. But...

    KiJun was originally not a Summoner but a Tanker. After acquiring Adamant, his bare body surpassed even a knight in full armor, a fact the gentleman was unaware of.

    ''Better to end the leader quickly to minimize damage. First, the weaker Banshee!''

    Despite the Banshee''s intensified wailing, KiJun had already resisted her cries. He charged towards her, absorbing all the ck magic she hurled at him without pause.

    "Stop, stop it!"

    Terrified by his relentless assault, the Banshee ceased her wailing, unleashing all her magic power against KiJun.

    Yet, he seemed to pass through the magic unscathed, as if it didn''t exist.

    "Beep-beep...!"

    The Shock Absorber reached its limit from the ck magic''s impact, emitting a noisy rm.

    KiJun thought it had served him well during the fight with the Duhan, thanks to the magic battery Bice had installed. Still, it retired before the boss fight.

    ''So much for the grade advancement.''

    "Tch."

    "Stop!"

    Even though the Shock Absorber ceased functioning, KiJun''s charge didn''t falter. Adamant, turning his body into divine metal, wouldn''t allow him to falter.

    Just keep going forward, always forward.

    Realizing she couldn''t handle KiJun, the Banshee tried to flee, soaring above the wall, but KiJun was ready. He leaped, disregarding the monsters swarming below the wall.

    "You''re insane! If you fall from here, you too..."

    "This time..."

    While the Banshee tried to ward him off with a hand, her body suddenly burst into mes and got immobilized in mid-air.

    Taking advantage of her immobility, KiJun soared towards her, enveloped in a pale light from the use of Salutaris. Holding his shield high, alight with bright mes, KiJun looked like a sacred angel.

    Seeing her eyes captivated by the zing light surrounding him, he dered, "Your head!"

    "Crunch."

    His fangs prated the Banshee''s head, emitting dazzling mes.

    Being nearly spectral, the Banshee was especially vulnerable to spirit power, let alone a mix of light and mes.

    -Your skill inbining mes and light into a stronger, holier power improves. Lucy (L) reaches level 5, and Fire Spirit Magic (R) reaches level 50!

    -A key quest objective achieved. Your heroic sacrifice witnessed by all, greatly amplifying the quest reward!

    "Ah..."

    Perhaps moved by the warmth of the purifying mes, the Banshee''s face momentarily rxed, suggesting peace in her final moments.

    "Mistake..."

    "Mistake?"

    "The target... was wrong. Revenge..."

    Not peace, but rather a simpleton to the end, the Banshee clung to her vengeance even in death.

    "My brother..."

    Her final murmur erased KiJun''s smile.

    "Koong!"

    KiJunnded with the Banshee''s body, which dissolved from his spirit power, but a dark entity sprang from it, clinging to him as if refusing to disappear.

    The Banshee''s resentful spirittched onto KiJun, cursing him with herst breath.

    -Yuck! What is this? Disgusting, I hate it! I''ll get rid of it now!

    "Wait... Just a moment, Lucy."

    KiJun stopped the frantic Lucy. There was no need to waste her power erasing the Banshee''s curse he had already resisted.

    "Just wait until this is all over."

    -Contractor, you''re not smitten by the Banshee, are you?

    "Of course not. It¡¯s just..."

    Unable to forgive the Banshee for hurting so many, he still found it too empty to just erase her.

    "She''s already paid for her sins. At least, she should see how this ends."

    Lucy, understanding his resolve, didn''t press further.

    -Don''t worry. I believe those whomit sins should be punished.

    Reaffirming his belief, KiJun watched the Banshee''s disappearing body, then turned to the monsters slowly encircling him.

    "Now, dealing with these and getting back to the wall is the real problem."

    -Hehe!

    Ur, who had been quietly perched on his shoulder, chuckled at KiJun''s muttering. Suddenly, she leaped down, materializing amid a burst of mes, and repelled the surrounding monsters.

    KiJun''s eyes widened at the sight of Ur, fully materialized within the zing mes.

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 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (44)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    "Coward,e down. Knight Tolchi will take your head."

    After KiJun and the Banshee fell beyond the wall, Tolchi remained calm despite being left alone with the gentleman. Clutching his greatsword, he growled at the gentleman who hadnded lightly on the ground.

    "Ha!"

    The gentleman, pointing his Estocs at Tolchi, twisted his lips into a smirk. His fangs gleamed palely in the moonlight.

    "Don''t you worry about yourpanion? Quite a stoic knight."

    "If he''s weak, he''ll die. If he''s strong, he''ll live. That''s all there is to it."

    Tolchi firmly replied, readying his greatsword and preparing to leap into action.

    "Besides, you''ve lost apanion too."

    "That wasn''t apanion, just a chess piece to be used and discarded!"

    The gentlemanughed mockingly,unching an attack. His Estocs, aimed at breaking through Tolchi''s armor, shed directly with Tolchi''s greatsword but didn''t give in, instead overpowering it.

    "You''d do well not to sh directly with my thorns."

    The Estocs'' point, sessfully blocked by Tolchi''s greatsword, made a cracking, ominous noise.

    Tolchi realized the gentleman was a vampire, but this power...

    "A Thorn... Are you from the Thorn n?!"

    "It''s toote to surrender. Once I''ve struck, you won''t escape, there''s no way out!"

    As Tolchi stepped back, reinforcing his greatsword''s magic, the gentleman pursued.

    "Looks like I was mistaken. Should I have taken on that one?"

    "Underestimating me?"

    Losing his greatsword and being pierced in the shoulder, Tolchi faced the gentleman''s mockery. His teeth grinding, he reached out and grabbed the Estoc piercing his shoulder.

    "Foolish."

    The gentleman, reacting as if he''d been waiting, sprouted blood-red thorns from the Estoc. Actually, he transformed Tolchi''s blood on the Estoc into thorns to stab him. However, Tolchi, bloodied but determined, managed to break the Estoc.

    "Crunch."

    "Don''t underestimate me!"

    Discarding the broken Estoc, Tolchi growled and kicked off the ground, rushing towards the gentleman.

    Picking up his fallen greatsword, he elerated, his upward sh aimed at bisecting the vampire!

    The vampire stepped back, countering with his Estoc, but this time the Estoc was repelled.

    "Blood makes you stronger? Barbaric, but not bad!"

    "Your opinion doesn''t matter to me!"

    "Bang! Ka-boom!"

    Tolchi, much faster than before, cornered the one-handed vampire.

    His greatsword, now quicker and bathed in ominous red, made the vampire chuckle.

    "Special weapon, huh."

    "Yes, be rust on my sword!"

    Tolchi''s eyes, visible through his helmet, zed with wildness.

    His greatsword, enveloped in a red aura, sped through the air, targeting the vampire''s neck!

    "Die!"

    "Kuk...!"

    The vampire tried to escape by transforming into a swarm of bats, but the greatsword''s gathered energy exploded, devouring more than half of them.

    Assured of his hit, Tolchi smirked.

    "Now''s the time to weaken a vampire. I know it."

    "Indeed... too strong for such a small city."

    The scattered bats reconvened, forming the vampire''s body again.

    "No, is that why you''re here? To stand out among the weaker ones?"

    Unscathed but noticeably paler, the vampire dusted off his dusty suit.

    ''Nobility of the night, what a shame. If the Thorn n knows about this...''

    The Shadow Wraith unit''s annihtion made the city''s overthrow a failure.

    ''This humiliation is uneptable. I must end him quickly and elegantly.''

    Despite the failure, the vampire engaged directly to eliminate the biggest threats and make an escape.

    The Banshee? She might return for her own purposes, given her pretty face.

    "Die, vampire!"

    "Tch!"

    The vampire''s thoughts were cut short by Tolchi''s relentless greatsword.

    Instead of a direct confrontation, the vampire turned to mist, retreating and shooting spikes at Tolchi.

    Tolchi, like KiJun earlier, repelled the spikes, charging across the wall.

    He was heavier and slower than KiJun, and the spikes were more menacing than the Banshee''s magic.

    Pierced by several spikes, Tolchi was mocked by the vampire.

    "Ha-ha-ha, like a wild boar in the woods! Skewered and ready to roast!"

    Then Tolchi silently pulled out a hand axe from his bosom.

    Its de was silver-ted and blessed by a high priest, prepared knowing undead would appear.

    The axe''s broad side was even engraved with a cross.

    "Oh no."

    Feigning a reckless charge, Tolchi infused mana into the hand axe and hurled it at the misty vampire.

    Proving his unique-grade throwing skill, the axe pierced the dissipating mist with a loud crash.

    The axe, embedded in the vampire, caused him to reform from the mist, his precious lifeblood dripping down.

    "Khat..."

    "Die, vampire!"

    As the vampire fell powerlessly atop the wall, Tolchi leaped and mmed his greatsword towards him!

    "Thunk"

    The vampire''s blood, crucial to his life, sproutedrge blood-red thorns, narrowly missing piercing his own chest.

    "Kuhuk!"

    Pierced through his armor, Tolchi spat out blood in disbelief at the vampire.

    Having eliminated half the bats with his greatsword and used a once-effective blessed weapon, how could it be?

    "My blood is my life. Its value is heavy, its stature noble, and its blossoming lethal beauty. Not elegant, but fierce. Not to my liking, but..."

    Disgusted by the silver-coated axe, the vampire used dark magic to pull it out and threw it to the ground, then slowly stood up.

    The blood from the vampire''s wounds,posed of his life force, coated the Estoc he held, akin to humans silver-ting and blessing weapons against undead.

    The vampire, seemingly displeased, red at Tolchi, pinned by his own blood, and aimed his blood-coated Estoc.

    "The most luxurious death awaits you, pathetic monster. Embrace my blood and rest."

    "Ur, Lucy¡ª"

    Suddenly, a sacred me-imbued fang prated him, pinning him to the ground.

    A perfect ambush at an impable moment.

    "Kehex!"

    Even with fatal wounds, the vampire attempted to shoot more thorns but was unfortunately at a severe disadvantage against his opponent.

    His blood, about to transform into thorns, evaporated upon touching the holy fire, depriving him of his strongest weapon.

    The vampire extended his Estoc in a final attempt...

    "ng!"

    Blocked by a shield radiating a menacing, blood-like light, even this effort was repelled.

    "Ah, indeed."

    The vampire, halting his final strike and still unfazed, looked at the shield and its wielder.

    "I should have dealt with him first."

    "Kaboom!"

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong>

    In the Gracia Kingdom''s small eastern town of Ars, inside the first floor of the official Mercenary Guild.

    Having just returned, YeMin''s party was at the report desk, receiving official recognition as mercenaries.

    "A system preventingst-hit stealing, quite impressive."

    YeMin smiled contentedly while holding her new bronze mercenary badge.

    Despite the distracting effect her smile had on nearby mercenaries, no one dared approach, given how quickly her party had be official mercenaries.

    EunShin prepared to protect YeMin at any moment, echoing her sentiments.

    "It''s fair since it recognizes contribution. A thorough game system is beneficial in such cases."

    "No idea who designed such aplex system," Uncle Soo remarked, ever-vignt.

    Usually, KiJun handled the dirty work, including fending off unwee advances towards the female members. Realizing how taxing his role was only in the second iteration, they were now more protective.

    "This way of meddling was unexpected."

    "The neers in Reta probably tried to im the monster''s loot just bynding thest hit," JiHye added, sharing the same disgust.

    Their official mercenary mission was interrupted by a trio of men attempting to steal a monster they were hunting, iming it as their own.

    Realizing the men couldn''t store the loot due to insufficient contribution, YeMin dragged them to the guild for fraud and extortion, banning them from the guild.

    "Such disputes over loot must bemon, so a system to decide ownership is simplest and cleanest."

    "Yeah, KiJun had trouble during the tutorial because of that. People fought over thest hits even though he just ambushed the monster."

    "Euaa, noona..."

    Amused by EunShin''s reaction, JiHye yfully pinched his cheek.

    Considering their umted age across iterations, their yful demeanor seemed out of ce.

    "But then."

    YeMin suddenly mused.

    "Why wasn''t there such a system in the tutorial?"

    "The tutorial had the same XP distribution rule. There were so many monsterspared to people, and with trivial loot, there was little dispute."

    "It''s a much smaller worldpared to Reta... Plus, you can''t bring much loot to Reta, so it was meant to be quick."

    Uncle Soo casually stated the unpleasant truth.

    YeMin''s smile faltered.

    "We failed to break through even the basic stage..."

    "YeMin?"

    "Two rounds and it took ten years..."

    "Ahem, MinAh."

    "Are we even worth being called regressors?"

    "YeMin, stop! No more!"

    Despite the ufortable truth that their ''regression'' was more of a st ce bonus'', they grappled with fundamental and philosophical doubts about their worth as regressors.

    Nevertheless, they were now official mercenaries, leading among Earth''s inhabitants, and decided to celebrate that night with a party.

    <strong></strong>

    They learned about the events on the other side of the kingdom the next day.

    <strong></strong>

    <strong>Trantor¡¯s Message:

    </strong>

    <strong>Hello everyone, unfortunately I¡¯ve decided to put trantions for this novel ¡®on hold¡¯. With the recent events happening, I genuinely find it hard to get motivated to continue tranting this particr novel. Hence, I¡¯ve decided to take an indefinitely long break from it. I¡¯ll still be continuing my other projects as usual, so you guys can take this chance to check those out. I¡¯m sorry about this but it¡¯s for my own betterment. Thank you all for your continued support!</strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (45)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    Thanks to Ur''s significant development at reaching Level 50 in Fire Spirit Magic, KiJun managed to swiftly escape the scene and rush back to his original position on the eastern city walls. He observed Tolchi, pierced by the enemy''s spike, and the enemy attempting to thrust the blood-stained Estoc at him, his expression turningplex for a moment before he called out urgently:

    <strong></strong>

    "Ur, Lucy¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    With an unstoppable strike of his shield, KiJun crushed the enemy. Realizing the enemy''s blood was taking a physical form, he spread his spirit power to burn it all away and briefly checked the messages appearing before him:

    <strong></strong>

    -You are facing a boss monster of dark attribute. The effect of the title [The Last Hero (L)] is activated, enhancing all abilities by 30%.

    -You are facing an enemy of a higher rank. The effect of the title [Transcender of Limits (L)] is activated, granting dramatically positive adjustments.

    <strong></strong>

    The effect of The Last Hero was something he had already felt during his confrontation with the Duhan. Now, he was curious about the ''dramatically positive adjustments'' provided by Transcender of Limits.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun gathered all his remaining energy to form a fang of light, striking down the vampire''s head, he felt an even stronger force enhancing the power of the fang qualitatively - a truly holy me, not just abination of light and fire, but a power of a higher order, beyond his current capabilities with Lucy and Ur.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t be ridiculous..." he thought, realizing that the dramatically positive adjustment was a force acting from outside, not just within him. This helped him effortlessly subdue the notoriously stubborn vampire.

    <strong></strong>

    As the fang struck down again, KiJun aimed to end the vampire''s life before the miraculous holy fire could vanish.

    <strong></strong>

    With a final strike, the vampire''s movements ceased, and the fire spread out, cleanly burning away all traces of the vampire''s bloodstains, leaving behind only the luxurious Estoc stained with red blood.

    <strong></strong>

    -Your level has increased to 18, with increases in various stats.

    -Fire Spirit Magic (R) has reached level 53, ughter (R) level 10, Moonlight Blood Fang (L) level 4, and Lucy (L) level 6!

    -You''ve earned 5,000 points for hunting a unique grade boss monster from the overflowing dungeon.

    -You''ve achieved the final quest objective. Your heroic actions in ending the overflow will significantly amplify the quest rewards!

    -A rare achievement! You''ve saved arade from death andpletely annihted an immortal enemy with holy fire. The people of the small town will remember you as the hero who ended the overflow. Charisma (L) increased by 1. You''ve earned 3,000 points as an achievement reward.

    -You''ve obtained the rare title [Endbringer of the Overflow]. This title increases all abilities by 10% when fighting field monsters and allows early detection of overflows.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, who had not expected much from the experience points, considering he had only delivered the final blow, was overwhelmed by the enormous experience and rewards he received.

    <strong></strong>

    "Should I feel guilty for snatching thest hit?" he wondered, as the overwhelming sense of satisfaction from the rewards scared him.

    <strong></strong>

    -Contractor?

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s nothing... I shouldn''t think like this," KiJun muttered, calming himself down and rushing to Tolchi, who had fallen to the ground after being released from the spike.

    <strong></strong>

    Feeling something vibrate in his pocket, KiJun ignored it and helped Tolchi up.

    <strong></strong>

    "Tolchi! Are you alright?"

    <strong></strong>

    "My body is... robust," Tolchi coughed up blood through his helmet.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun noticed Tolchi''s wounds healing quickly and lifted him up, reassuring him, "Rest for now. We''ll handle the rest."

    <strong></strong>

    "You are indeed the hero of the day, Jun..." Tolchi responded softly.

    <strong></strong>

    Discovering the Estoc of the vampire on the ground, KiJun eximed in admiration, "This sword belongs to you."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, the sword is yours," Tolchi insisted firmly.

    <strong></strong>

    "The system has recognized you. Thus, the spoils are rightfully yours."

    <strong></strong>

    "I just finished off the enemy you had almost defeated," KiJun protested.

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s not true. You saved me andpletely burnt the vampire, something I couldn''t have done," Tolchi said, cutting short any further discussion about the spoils.

    <strong></strong>

    "Alright, I understand. But everyone who was on the battlefield today will remember your heroic deeds," KiJun concluded.

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi did not respond, having fallen into a healing slumber.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun then carried him andid him down under the city walls, in a temporary relief shelter. As he turned to leave, the patients recognized him and started to thank and cheer for him, calling him ''Mage''. Embarrassed, KiJun quickly left the shelter and climbed back up the city walls.

    <strong></strong>

    Was his reputation for defending the city already widespread?

    <strong></strong>

    Soldiers and mercenaries on the walls, bolstered by KiJun''s actions, pushed the undead back with fierce determination. With their leaders gone, the undead were in disarray.

    <strong></strong>

    -How do you feel, Contractor?

    <strong></strong>

    "Not bad," KiJun admitted.

    <strong></strong>

    Everyone involved in the battle was acutely aware of his presence, the thrill exceeding his expectations, mixed with a sense of aplishment and a reminder to stay vignt.

    <strong></strong>

    "I do feel a bit guilty for taking thest hit, though."

    <strong></strong>

    -You fought fairly from start to finish and received due recognition. There''s no need for unnecessary thoughts.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy assured him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Yeah... That must be it."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, recalling Tolchi''s slightly bitter demeanor, pped his cheeks to regain focus and dered,

    <strong></strong>

    "There are still monsters left. Let''s think about the rest after we finish everything."

    <strong></strong>

    "Kiit!"

    <strong></strong>

    Today alone, Ur, who had achieved unbelievable growth, roared in agreement.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun smiled and allowed Ur to freely express himself.

    <strong></strong>

    "Kooong!"

    <strong></strong>

    Ur, now the size of a giant tiger, spun in the air and solidified, beginning to run along the city walls with a remaining hint of cuteness in his roar.

    <strong></strong>

    The rumor of a powerful mage handling a mighty spirit spread as an added bonus.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun suddenly raised his head, realizing dawn was breaking after a long night. He had been running since the previous night''s attack, and with the overflow event, he continued fighting for hours, joining forces with Turius in thete afternoon. After battling through the night, defeating undead elites and bosses, and enduring several more hours ofbat, he mused, "I''ve been up for practically two days straight."

    <strong></strong>

    -Our contractor really pushed himself.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite his usual habit of getting at least six hours of sleep, KiJun had stayed awake for two consecutive nights, a record-breaking feat for him.

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, the Orc warriors, whom KiJun hadn''t seen throughout the battle, approached him. Despite their battered armor and wounded bodies, their vigor was unmistakable.

    <strong></strong>

    "Charbanbesh! You''re alive!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course! I fought valiantly, though not as much as Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    Charbanbesh responded with a bright smile, raising his palm high.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun matched his palm, and they shared a high-five.

    <strong></strong>

    "This is a high-five! It''s a special greeting popr among summoneds, usually signifying the sessfulpletion of a quest!"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nodded in understanding. The fact that Charbanbesh came to high-five him seemed to confirm that the overflow had indeed ended. Almost copsing from exhaustion, he barely held himself up, drawing on his incredible endurance and high durability stat.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun is tired, too. It''s only natural after such a battle."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, and Jun took down three enemy leaders!" another Orc added.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ahh... one was almost entirely due to Tolchi."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun modestly replied.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t be so humble! Everyone will remember your sacred me that burned the demon."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun reflected on Tolchi''s words and realized the truth in them. No matter how bravely one fights, the one who appears at the end to save allies and definitively defeat the enemy garners all the attention.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why do you guys look so energetic?" KiJun asked, noticing their vigor.

    <strong></strong>

    "Our Orcish trait," Charbanbesh exined. "The more we''re wounded and the longer the battle, the more we burn everything within us to strengthen ourselves."

    <strong></strong>

    Another Orc added, "Those who develop this ability to the extreme reach the state of ''Berserk'', a legendary realm."

    <strong></strong>

    Charbanbesh continued, "Berserk may be a dream, but first, we aim to be High Orcs, with greater strength, regenerative abilitiesparable to Lesser Trolls, and enhanced magic control beyond the limits of Orcs. As High Orcs, we''ll perform even more spectacrly in the uing greater wars."

    <strong></strong>

    "High Orcs...!" the Orcs murmured dreamily. KiJun remembered hearing about Orcs evolving into the rare High Orc ss and empathized with their aspirations.

    <strong></strong>

    "Anyway, the battle is over," Charbanbesh said.

    <strong></strong>

    "If we receive the quest rewards, I''ll keep my promise and buy drinks! Let''s celebrate tonight!"

    <strong></strong>

    "That sounds good, but let''s rest first and then gather," KiJun replied, smiling wryly. Looking over the clean ins under the dawn sky, he remembered that he still had unresolved matters to attend to, his smile fading slightly.

    <strong></strong>

    "Charbanbesh, I have something to discuss."

    <strong></strong>

    "What is it?"

    <strong></strong>

    "If ¨D¨D makes this offer to us..."

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): What was in the deleted message? It''s your fault for not seeing it, why ask me?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Curious? Bothered? Heh, now do you get how I feel?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Huh? How I''m feeling? ¡­¡­I feel like hitting you right now. Very desperately.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Overflow?! No way, crazy, how is it already an overflow just days after crossing into Reta!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Good job, I''m relieved you''re safe¡­¡­! No one shouldin about not contacting while you were busy fighting!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Anyway, well done. That''s my student for you. Ah.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): Sigh, time to fight again. Just when I started to have a conversation¡­¡­.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): What am I doing and where? Hmm, can''t tell you in detail due to information lock.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): It''s just a public quest, but a bit tough so participation is restricted. But the reward is assured, that kind of quest.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): Can you join? Ha, cute. Wake up from your dream, where do you think you are with your level.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): I might face an upgraded Summoner? What''s that about¡­¡­.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): I''ll be really busy from now, so just one thing to say?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): KiJun, you must win. Hang in there.]

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (45)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    A woman was wailing.

    <strong></strong>

    Holding the corpse of a young man who resembled her closely, her cries of ''why, why'' would tear at the heart of anyone who saw her, even without knowing the details.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why did you kill him, why! We were in the same party. I trusted you...!"

    <strong></strong>

    While others mourned and raged, the target of the woman''s usations¡ªa particrlyrge orc¡ªboldly retorted.

    <strong></strong>

    "I did not kill him. I merely failed to save him."

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t lie! I saw you deliberately luring that monster''s attack...! You''re as good as the killer of my brother!"

    <strong></strong>

    "I did not anticipate he would fail to ovee such a crisis. My regrets."

    <strong></strong>

    "What...?"

    <strong></strong>

    Surprised by the unexpected response, the woman momentarily forgot her sorrow and stared nkly. The orc, unable to contain his thrill, let out a faint smile filled with unmistakable jealousy and hatred.

    <strong></strong>

    "He overtook me in achievements, so naturally, I thought he could withstand that much."

    <strong></strong>

    "So you''re saying... you killed him out of jealousy, just like that?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ve said it time and again, I did not kill him. Do not tarnish me with such a disgraceful usation. Even the system doesn''t call me a murderer, how dare you?"

    <strong></strong>

    The orc, baring his teeth in a fierce manner, walked towards a greatsword left by the monster they likely faced just before.

    <strong></strong>

    "The first im is mine¨Dyes, now it returns to me. I''ll take this."

    <strong></strong>

    "You!"

    <strong></strong>

    "The strong must prove their worth, and the weak should rightfully grovel for the strong''s aid. Your brother... seemed to have misunderstood his ce."

    <strong></strong>

    The orc shouldered the greatsword and left the party with a sneer.

    <strong></strong>

    "The weak puff themselves up, pretending to be strong, and that''s why they die like that. Learn your lesson and practice crawling on the ground. With a face like yours, it shouldn''t be hard."

    <strong></strong>

    The orc disappeared from view.

    <strong></strong>

    The remainingrades apologized tearfully to the woman for their inability to intervene, but she seemed deaf to their words.

    <strong></strong>

    She just kept stroking the already cold cheek of her deceased brother when suddenly she noticed something tightly gripped in his hand.

    <strong></strong>

    It was one of the earrings that had been hanging from the ear of the orc who had just left.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    When KiJun opened his eyes, several messages appeared before him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBy repeatedly oveing your limits in fierce battles and pushing your body and mind to extremes, followed by ample rest, you have embodied a higher realm. Strength (U) increased by 3, Dexterity (L) by 2, Endurance (U) by 4, Light Magic (L) by 1, Spirit Power (L) by 1.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThe entire city hails you as a hero, holding you in high esteem. Though this adoration won''tst forever, it will certainly enhance your charm. Charisma (L) increased by 1.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou have contacted a high-level spirit and read its profound memories, sympathizing with them. This may provide a turning point in oveing the fate before you. Spirit Power (L) increased by 1.

    <strong></strong>

    Considering the intensity of the struggle, including the time he spent running and fighting during the Overflow, it had been a day-long battle, so it made sense for his stats to increase.

    <strong></strong>

    However, he realized the greatly improved stats were of higher grades, yet their actual numbers were still not very high.

    <strong></strong>

    On the other hand, Light Magic and Spirit Power had increased rapidly due to various activities outside leveling up, resulting in only a 1 point increase this time.

    <strong></strong>

    [KiJun (1st year): Earth''s Representative]

    <strong></strong>

    [Titles ¨D The Last Hero (Legendary) and 10 others]

    <strong></strong>

    [Light Man (R) Guide of Light (U) Lv19]

    <strong></strong>

    [Strength (U) ¨D 19+25]

    <strong></strong>

    [Dexterity (L) ¨D 18+20]

    <strong></strong>

    [Endurance (U) ¨D 20+20]

    <strong></strong>

    [Light Magic (L) ¨D 31+22]

    <strong></strong>

    [Charisma (L) ¨D 13+20]

    <strong></strong>

    [Spirit Power (L) ¨D 34+20]

    <strong></strong>

    He inspected his status window after a few days.

    <strong></strong>

    First to greet him was the message beside his name: Earth''s Representative.

    <strong></strong>

    Thinking how difficult it would be to prove his purity in front of others with such a title, he shifted his gaze downwards and saw his job title, which had grown from hisst battle with the Demon Lord.

    <strong></strong>

    "......Bice."

    <strong></strong>

    Although he was now alive and could exchange messages with her, the memory of Bice, who had willingly sacrificed herself for his growth when he had taken on this job, brought unbearable sadness.

    <strong></strong>

    Not only his ss but also Dexterity and Light Magic, and even his skill Moonlight Blood Fang had broken their limits thanks to her...

    <strong></strong>

    Recalling how he had been unnecessarily moody back then, KiJun cleared his throat and rechecked his job effects.

    <strong></strong>

    [Guide of Light (U): All offensive and defensive abilities using Light Spirit Magic increase in effect by 50%.]

    <strong></strong>

    When it was of Rare grade, this increase was only 30%, marking a truly overwhelming growth.

    <strong></strong>

    The problem was that his race, magic, and job were all set to align with the Light Spirit Summoner, and now he had formed a new contract with the me Spirit...

    <strong></strong>

    "Considering I might contract with other spirits in the future, it''s certain I need to improve my ss, regardless of my race."

    <strong></strong>

    Opportunities woulde, if not immediately.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, his corebat skill, Moonlight Blood Fang, was based on Light Spirit Magic, so there was no immediate problem with his current power.

    <strong></strong>

    Even during yesterday''s battle on the walls, in critical moments, he had boldly used Light Spirit Magic.

    <strong></strong>

    He prioritized lives and achievements over revealing his identity, but fortunately, he wasn''t discovered.

    <strong></strong>

    In fact, the effort to remain undiscovered helped him develop the technique of blending light and fire spirit power.

    <strong></strong>

    "Stats... have indeed improved considerably. Light Magic and Spirit Power alone are already in the 30s for pure stats."

    <strong></strong>

    The bonus of +20 to all stats was thanks to the effect of his title The Last Hero.

    <strong></strong>

    Additionally, with the stat bonus from the King of the Well, Unique grade Strength received a bonus of 5, while Legendary grade Light Magic increased by only 2,pleting his current status.

    <strong></strong>

    "So far, it''s been... smooth. All good."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou''re progressing at lightning speed. Seems the contractor is under some delusion; it hasn''t even been a week since we crossed into Reta.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, Lucy. You''re awake."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKi?

    <strong></strong>

    "Ur too. Slept well?"

    <strong></strong>

    Woken by the rustling of KiJun, Lucy and Ur, who had been sleeping at the head of his bed, seemed to be awake now.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun rubbed his eyes and hugged Ur, who had snuggled into his arms, then got out of bed.

    <strong></strong>

    He then paused, realizing the room''s atmosphere was unusually luxurious.

    <strong></strong>

    How did I end up sleeping in this room yesterday...?

    <strong></strong>

    Just then, there was a knock at the door.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DExcuse me, Mage. Are you awake?

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah¨Dyes, I''m awake."

    <strong></strong>

    Almost responding with politenguage before realizing he was still wearing his mask, KiJun hastily corrected himself as the door cautiously opened, and a maid-d woman entered.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun then remembered he had been guided by soldiers to a guest room in the mansion where a small town''s lord resided.

    <strong></strong>

    Having copsed on the bed before hearing anything detailed, he had no memory of what followed.

    <strong></strong>

    "I brought some light food, thinking you might be hungry. Shall I serve you?"

    <strong></strong>

    "No, it''s okay. I''ll eat."

    <strong></strong>

    "......Understood."

    <strong></strong>

    To KiJun, the maid seemed disappointed she couldn''t serve him directly.

    <strong></strong>

    Feeling out of ce in this new experience, he took the tray containing sd, cheese, bread, and a stewed meat dish from her, as Lucy whispered in his ear.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCertainly, she''s probably going to brag to the other maids about serving the contractor. The whole small city is buzzing with talks about the contractor right now.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, no way. As if that''s something to brag about."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun chuckled and sat back on the bed to start his meal, noticing the maid still standing there with her head bowed.

    <strong></strong>

    "Is there something else?"

    <strong></strong>

    "May I speak while you''re eating?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Go ahead."

    <strong></strong>

    The maid, once again bowing respectfully, informed him that there would be a reward ceremony hosted by the lordter in the morning.

    <strong></strong>

    "The city''s defense owes much to your remarkable contributions, Mage. Your attendance is requested."

    <strong></strong>

    "I participated as a mere mercenary."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s not just any mercenary''s contribution," she continued calmly.

    <strong></strong>

    "You''ll be treated ording to your deeds. Please don''t take offense. Moreover... though your position is different, all mercenaries who participated in the defense will also attend the ceremony."

    <strong></strong>

    "Then, alright. I''ll graciously ept. When and where should I go?"

    <strong></strong>

    "In two hours, at the public stage in front of the lord''s mansion."

    <strong></strong>

    "Understood."

    <strong></strong>

    "If there''s anything else you wish..."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, that''s all."

    <strong></strong>

    The maid left, visibly disappointed, making KiJun feel awkward and ufortable. He realized he was far from being a true ¨¹bermensch.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI wanted to try the meat stew too.

    <strong></strong>

    "The taste wasn''t great. I''ll make you someter."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLove you, contractor!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiit, kikit!

    <strong></strong>

    Am I a spirit summoner or a spirit chef?

    <strong></strong>

    Concealing his thoughts, KiJun got up, checked the door was locked, removed his mask, and used the attached shower to clean himself. Surprisingly, the showerhead, faucets, bathtub, toilet, and even the drain worked simrly to those on modern Earth, only their operating principles were different. Even the shampoo, rinse, body wash, and lotion¨Dlikely made with Reta''s alchemy¨Dwere of superior quality to Earth''s products.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s practically Earth here... Why make the tutorial so inconvenient?"

    <strong></strong>

    Muttering about these strange aspects, KiJun enjoyed theforts of modern civilization for the first time in 25 years, feeling refreshed. He changed into the clothes provided, then put his mask back on.

    <strong></strong>

    Then, he remembered the spoils he had obtained from the recent battle.

    <strong></strong>

    First was the ck breastte from the Duhan.

    <strong></strong>

    The blood-tinged Estoc left by a vampire.

    <strong></strong>

    ...And even the Duhan''s head.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why do I even have this?"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI don''t know, contractor. Luckily, it seems to be purified by light and me... Maybe you should check its information?

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, grimacing at the ferocious-looking Duhan''s head, wanted to smash it, but it wouldn''t budge under normal force. It seemed to have grown stronger after being purified.

    <strong></strong>

    Is this really an item? Well, it did go into the inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    [Purified Head of the Knight of Extremes (Unique)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Durability ¨D 7,877/10,000]

    <strong></strong>

    [Attack (U)/Defense (U) ¨D 75/99]

    <strong></strong>

    [The Duhan''s head, having undergone a miraculous transformation and gained great power, was purified once more by holy light and me. Infused with the power of me and light, it''s incredibly durable and could be a formidable weapon as is, but if properly physically and magically processed, the dormant power within might awaken. A material that could surpass its current grade.]

    <strong></strong>

    "Material."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DMaterial...

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiit?

    <strong></strong>

    Material! The Duhan''s head is a material!

    <strong></strong>

    Though unbelievable, the head''s attack and defense stats easily surpassed the King of the Well.

    <strong></strong>

    The visual was... repulsive, but feeling like it would be a sin to discard such an item, he reluctantly stored it back in his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    Next was the breastte from the Duhan, which, although of Unique grade, was too steeped in dark energy for him to wear.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''ll try to purify it continuously, contractor. It might be a bit weaker, but still usable.

    <strong></strong>

    "Thanks, Lucy. Now, all that''s left is this Estoc..."

    <strong></strong>

    The only item left by the high-ranking boss monster, likely the mastermind behind the Overflow.

    <strong></strong>

    Originally wielding two Estocs, the fact that one disappeared probably proved that dual-wielding was indeed a mere show-off''s choice.

    <strong></strong>

    [Thorn Blood Sword of the Void (Unique)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Durability ¨D 3,621/4,000]

    <strong></strong>

    [Attack (U) ¨D 95]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option 1 ¨D Increases mana and blood power by 5]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option 2 ¨D The sword''s blood sprouts thorns, amplified by special blood magic.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option 3 ¨D A single stab delivers 99 simultaneous stabs.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Usage Restriction ¨D ''Thorn Bloodline'' title holder]

    <strong></strong>

    [A stabbing sword given by a powerful and evil vampire to his kin. A symbol and key for the bloodline, only one per kin. Soaked with the vampire''s true blood in its dying moments, its performance was temporarily boosted, though not fully utilized.]

    <strong></strong>

    "This bastard, the other one was fake..."

    <strong></strong>

    The Estoc''s performance was among the best of Unique items, but it was strictly for vampires under special conditions, making it almost valueless to KiJun. Yet, he had a strong premonition that its significance as a symbol and key for the bloodline might rte to him in the future, so he carefully stored it in his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s eyes narrowed upon discovering another item in his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    A lone earring.

    <strong></strong>

    An earring with a unique, symbolic pattern.

    <strong></strong>

    Just seeing it triggered the vivid memory of a dream he had before waking up.

    <strong></strong>

    "I shouldn''t judge others based on past events I don''t fully understand."

    <strong></strong>

    He muttered, as if making a promise to himself.

    <strong></strong>

    He wasn''t a detective or a hero, after all.

    <strong></strong>

    But¡­

    <strong></strong>

    "Unless they provoke me first..."

    <strong></strong>

    A strong premonition that he wouldn''t let this go easily dominated his mind.

    <strong></strong>

    Soon, the reward ceremony began.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, too would be in there.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, Tolchi, the lord''s direct knight, also participated in the event.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (47)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    The vast garden in front of the grand lord''s mansion was temporarily opened, and all those who defended the city from the Overflow entered the expansive space.

    <strong></strong>

    This was the lord''s way of showing gratitude, weing those who dedicated themselves to the city into his private domain.

    <strong></strong>

    The city''s residents surrounded the garden, forming severalyers of onlookers, making it akin to a city-wide event.

    <strong></strong>

    "The Lord of Turris is entering! Please rise from your seats¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm."

    <strong></strong>

    The Lord of the small city of Turris appeared to have been formidable in his youth, giving off a robust impression. Although he resembled a human, his skin was unusually pale, and a glowing white horn protruded from the middle of his head.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite his white hair, he seemed sturdy, giving off an impression simr to a wall, fitting for the figurehead of this fortified city.

    <strong></strong>

    Having heard from Viv about the various types of NPCs and knowing that the Lord of Turris imposed tolls on dungeons, KiJun had been worried about what sort of character would appear¨Dbut the first impression was entirely different from his expectations.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, the white hair and horn somewhat reminded him of a mythical unicorn... No, is that rude to think?

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBa-ba-bam-ba-bam¨D¨D.

    <strong></strong>

    "Hey, stop the trumpets! It''s a time of mourning. Rather, I''m eager to see the heroes who saved today."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord, upon entering the award ceremony area in front of the mansion, immediately stopped the trumpet sound with a wave of his hand, cutting through the tedious formalities and going straight to the matter of honoring the heroes.

    <strong></strong>

    First, he bowed to the mercenaries who didn''t receive direct rewards from him, thanking them for their efforts for the city.

    <strong></strong>

    For the soldiers who defended the city, he even called out the names of the fallen, acknowledging their sacrifice for the city''s safety, which moved even the surviving soldiers, fitting for the lord of this fortress city.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DPoliticians and their shows are something else.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy''sment brushed away any sentiment KiJun might have had.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Let''s just watch quietly at times like this, Lucy.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHow high do you think his Charisma is? Rare grade? Just calling out names moved so many soldiers.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKihi?

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou think it''s not that high? Fool, maybe his charm doesn''te across because he''s old.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps, as long as he''s with the spirits, he''ll never truly experience a moving moment.

    <strong></strong>

    The ceremony continued as KiJun pondered these thoughts.

    <strong></strong>

    The soldiers who made significant contributions received rewards and promotions directly from the lord, with some even getting exceptional double promotions for their remarkable actions.

    <strong></strong>

    Then came the turn of the knights of the territory.

    <strong></strong>

    Aside from the eastern wall defended by KiJun, named monsters attacked other walls, and the territory''s knights sessfully repelled them, earning their share of glory.

    <strong></strong>

    "My knights, you all did splendidly. Those who fought until they could no more, blocking the enemy, deserve even more praise. And¨DAh, my dear knight Tolchi."

    <strong></strong>

    "I regret not being able to stand on the battlefield until the end, my lord."

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi, not wearing his helmet in the presence of the lord, revealed his race for the first time, leading many to understand his incredible strength and endurance.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord shook his head at Tolchi''s embarrassed posture.

    <strong></strong>

    "No, no. You have something else to be sorry for. Despite being bound to serve me, you risked your life against a formidable enemy."

    <strong></strong>

    "My lord..."

    <strong></strong>

    "You''re a true example of a knight defending this city. You fought off countless enemies and were the main contributor in keeping the walls from falling. Don''t be ashamed of yourself. You''re great, but your endlesspetitiveness is your only w."

    <strong></strong>

    With a wry smile, the lordforted Tolchi, listing the substantial rewards he would receive.

    <strong></strong>

    Even with the generous rewards, everyone acknowledged his achievements with cheers and apuse.

    <strong></strong>

    The only one silent was KiJun¨Dnoticing the distinctively patterned earring hanging from one of Tolchi''s ears.

    <strong></strong>

    "And now, thest one¨D''Jun.''"

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, it was KiJun''s turn.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord looked at him seriously and then chuckled.

    <strong></strong>

    "A me Human, right?"

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s right."

    <strong></strong>

    "Huh¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Fine then."

    <strong></strong>

    Struggling to maintain his arrogant demeanor, KiJun reluctantly spat out informal speech, causing a stir in the crowd, but the lord quickly quelled the disturbance with a short remark.

    <strong></strong>

    "He is a strong one. Not someone to be confined to a small city like this, nor is he our citizen. It''s foolish to expect our nation''s courtesy from him."

    <strong></strong>

    But then, the lord continued, looking at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Still, I find myself having to treat you with the highest honor. It''s vexing to say that you take everything without offering courtesy, but¨Dwhat can I do, we all owe our salvation to you."

    <strong></strong>

    "I did what I could. Without the efforts of many, including knight Tolchi risking their lives, we wouldn''t have been able to protect the walls."

    <strong></strong>

    "Did you all hear that? Today''s hero says you''re the best."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord''s additionalment sparked another round of cheers.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun felt swept away by the atmosphere, despite thinking this wasn''t quite right.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord smiled again and calmly recited KiJun''s feats.

    <strong></strong>

    "me Human Jun made numerous achievements on the eastern wall. With a wide view, he constantly assessed the situation, unleashing thousands, tens of thousands of spells with unbelievable amounts of mana, massacring the enemy¨Densuring there were no casualties on the eastern wall throughout the defense."

    <strong></strong>

    From behind, someone shouted, "Mage!," followed by cheers.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, his contributions didn''t end there.

    <strong></strong>

    "He single-handedly stopped and defeated a Duhan, one of the enemy''s key officers, targeting the eastern wall."

    <strong></strong>

    "Bravely faced and ultimately killed the undead Banshee, which would have caused mass casualties if left unchecked."

    <strong></strong>

    "Saved knight Tolchi from a crisis and purified the enemy''s leader with mes, disrupting the enemy''smand structure."

    <strong></strong>

    "Additionally, an important point that might have been overlooked, he detected and annihted the Shadow Wraith squad attempting to infiltrate the city during the chaos of battle. This was only known to us through a divine message at the temple this morning, thankfully verified by witnesses at the scene."

    <strong></strong>

    The mention of the Shadow Wraith squad caused another stir in the crowd.

    <strong></strong>

    In the tutorial, such high-level monsters didn''t appear, but apparently, in this realm, they were quite notorious.

    <strong></strong>

    What was the purpose of our tutorial then? What must the people who went through it twice be thinking? As KiJun pondered these futile and sad thoughts, the lord finally finished discussing the merits and began awarding the prizes.

    <strong></strong>

    "As a reward, I hereby grant 3,000 Letamon gold coins."

    <strong></strong>

    "3,000 coins!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Even the 500 coins knight Tolchi received were immense..."

    <strong></strong>

    "But if it weren''t for the Mage, the city would have surely fallen. It''s only fair."

    <strong></strong>

    "He''s a hero, a true hero!"

    <strong></strong>

    People seemed even more excited at the announcement of the reward than at the recitation of heroic deeds, perhaps illustrating the power of money.

    <strong></strong>

    Viv had told KiJun that one Leta gold coin was worth about 900,000 to 1,000,000 Korean won, so 3,000 coins amounted to an astronomical sum, well beyond the usual carrying capacity.

    <strong></strong>

    Yet, the culture of awarding such vast quantities of gold coins¡ªwhether it''s thousands or tens of thousands¡ªwas probably due to the development of subspace magic and the fact that summoners could store any amount in their inventories without issue.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Of course, even inventories have their limits.''

    <strong></strong>

    An inventory grows in size and weight capacity along with its owner''s progression. Initially, when KiJun started in the tutorial as a Common grade level 1, his inventory was about the size of arge backpack¡ªalready impressive. But now, having grown significantly in all aspects, he could effortlessly store hundreds of thousands of coins.

    <strong></strong>

    "Additionally."

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun effortlessly lifted the chest of gold coins with one hand and stored it in his inventory, the lord continued.

    <strong></strong>

    "For the next five years, Jun, the me Human, will be treated as a first-ss citizen in Turris, exempt from all taxes except sales tax. Yes, that includes dungeon tolls as well. This applies to his party members too."

    <strong></strong>

    This was a powerful benefit for KiJun and an overt bribe to encourage him to stay longer in Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    Considering KiJun''s difort with the idea of dungeon tolls, this was a very wee perk, more pleasing than the staggering amount of gold coins.

    <strong></strong>

    "However, a summoned has other taxes to pay beyond those to us. Fortunately, I have a way to help with that. To summoned Jun, I grant 50,000 Leta points in the name of Monoceros, the lord of Turris."

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, KiJun received a message marking the end of this lengthy and challenging quest.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSudden Quest Achieved! You have proudly earned the top merit in this quest!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSessfully thwarted the Overflow, eradicated the mastermind and deadly traps. The title effect of [Unveiler of Veils (R)] amplifies the rewards beyond limits!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLevel increased by 6 to 25! Strength (U) increased by 4, Dexterity (L) by 3, Endurance (U) by 4, Light Magic (L) by 3, Spirit Power (L) by 4!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAs a quest reward, the lowest stat [Strength (U)] increased by 5, the next lowest [Endurance (U)] by 3, and additionally, Charisma (L) by 3!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou have earned 1 skill point to increase the level of a desired skill!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAs a quest reward, you have received 50,000 Leta points from the lord!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DA remarkable feat. All gods governing Reta recognize you''ve achieved enough to waive this year''s taxes. You are exempted from taxes this year!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun blinked in surprise.

    <strong></strong>

    Most of his stats had jumped significantly.

    <strong></strong>

    As his stat grades were Unique and Legendary, even a single point made a considerable difference. He felt his body evolving, not just strengthening, in real-time.

    <strong></strong>

    And skill points? That was a first!

    <strong></strong>

    "Seeing your surprised face is pleasing. Yes, that''s the face I wanted to see."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord chuckled at KiJun''s astonishment, then cleared his throat to continue.

    <strong></strong>

    "There''s onest reward to give."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord, with a resolute expression, reached for the horn on his forehead, creating a tense atmosphere.

    <strong></strong>

    "Uh..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Could it be...?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Is it that rare thing we seldom see?!"

    <strong></strong>

    Wait a minute.

    <strong></strong>

    No way.

    <strong></strong>

    No way?!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSnap

    <strong></strong>

    To KiJun''s shock, the lord broke off his own horn!

    <strong></strong>

    It was a substantial piece, indicating its removal from close to the root.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord, smiling at KiJun''s astonished face, offered it to him.

    <strong></strong>

    "This is the essence of our tribe, umted over many years. It''s a top-grade material for alchemy or weaponry."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, I can''t ept this."

    <strong></strong>

    "Take it. It''s a fitting reward for a hero."

    <strong></strong>

    Reluctantly epting the overwhelming gift, KiJun knew without checking that it was at least a Unique grade item.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DPoliticians really go this far for a show...!

    <strong></strong>

    ''If this is really just a show, I should run away without looking back.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAnd if it''s not a show?

    <strong></strong>

    ''The conclusion is the same. Run without looking back.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DIt ends the same...

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun sighed, contemting his indebtedness to the lord, the lord approached him and whispered.

    <strong></strong>

    "Try to be lenient with him, if you can."

    <strong></strong>

    Ah.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun struggled to respond, the elderly lord patted his shoulder with a look of understanding.

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course, if you believe he''s crossed the line, do as you see fit. I won''t me you."

    <strong></strong>

    "......You are."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord stepped back and raised his voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "This concludes the ceremony! Let''s remember those who have departed, celebrate our hero, and decorate today with alcohol and song!"

    <strong></strong>

    As cheers spread, KiJun couldn''t press the lord for more answers.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun! Today is your day! I''m honored to have fought alongside you!"

    <strong></strong>

    "And now, we shall drink! Let''s face our enemy named alcohol together!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s go, Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    Soon, Charbanbesh and the orcs crowded around KiJun, dragging him away.

    <strong></strong>

    With a bittersweet smile, KiJun joined them, ending up filling his stomach with alcohol untilte that night.

    <strong></strong>

    At that ce.

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi quietly approached him.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (48)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    "A secret mission...?"

    <strong></strong>

    As Tolchi cautiously brought up the topic after appearing discreetly, Charbanbesh''s eyes sparkled with interest.

    <strong></strong>

    Other orcs also showed excitement, but Tolchi raised his finger to his lips, silencing everyone.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s a secret mission. We can only take those we trust."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is it because of Jun?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Partly, but it''s a task too difficult for just the two of us. The lord has judged that you, having formed a good rtionship with Jun and having achieved great feats in the recent battle, are trustworthy."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ohhhh...!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Recognized by Tolchi and the lord, it''s an honor!"

    <strong></strong>

    The orcs tried to contain their excitement as Tolchi smiled.

    <strong></strong>

    "While it''s partly due to being of the same race, I can''t show favoritism as a knight. Please keep this matter confidential."

    <strong></strong>

    "If Tolchi trusts us, we will return that trust."

    <strong></strong>

    "We''re always ready."

    <strong></strong>

    With the orcs'' agreement, Tolchi turned to KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "I trust you''ll join us..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Umm..."

    <strong></strong>

    Pretending to ponder¡ªthough he was actually considering it¡ªKiJun eventually made up his mind.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll join you."

    <strong></strong>

    He nodded gravely, and Tolchi stood up with a satisfied smile.

    <strong></strong>

    "Then we''ll meet outside at dawn. Make sure no one notices; we don''t want to cause unnecessary worry."

    <strong></strong>

    "Understood. We''ll prepare discreetly."

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi nodded and disappeared quietly.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun and the orcs continued to chatter andugh, pretending Tolchi had never been there, but suddenly Charbanbesh muttered sadly.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun is... really smart."

    <strong></strong>

    "Not really. He was just warned by someone."

    <strong></strong>

    After Lucy ensured no one else was listening, she allowed Charbanbesh to continue.

    <strong></strong>

    "I actually wished Jun wasn''t so smart. I wanted Tolchi to remain the glory of our orcs. But that was just my delusion and greed..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t be disappointed, leader."

    <strong></strong>

    The bald Orc, pouring more drink into Charbanbesh''s cup,forted him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Leader, you can be that shining orc. No, you definitely will be."

    <strong></strong>

    "Kiphus...!"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun learned the bald orc''s name for the first time but couldn''t shake off the strong image of Mr. Jeong Yak-yong in his mind.

    <strong></strong>

    Even in the words he spoke to Charbanbesh, wisdom seemed to drip.

    <strong></strong>

    "But Kiphus already shines. The reflection of his head sparkles in the light."

    <strong></strong>

    "Pffft!"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun identally burst intoughter at another orc''s sudden joke.

    <strong></strong>

    He quickly tried topose himself, but it was toote; all the orcs were looking at him.

    <strong></strong>

    Then Kiphus joyously raised his cup high.

    <strong></strong>

    "I made Junugh! The man who made the herough!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Amazing, Kiphus!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Truly a magnificent orc!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Shining orc!"

    <strong></strong>

    As all the orcs raised their cups, KiJun also lifted his, subtly joining their cheerful mood.

    <strong></strong>

    Indeed, an orc enlightened by Mr. Jeong Yak-yong''s teachings, KiJun admired Kiphus anew.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll pay for this round."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ohhhh! Jun is a great warrior indeed!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun knows loyalty and honor amongrades!"

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, he didn''t forget to atone forughing at them, using his bribe.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    At dawn, the group discreetly left the city as nned by Tolchi.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite their stealth, it was difficult for sixrge figures to move unnoticed.

    <strong></strong>

    Had they escaped one by one under the cover of darkness, it might have been different, but moving together made it inevitable.

    <strong></strong>

    And crucially.

    <strong></strong>

    "Oh, Mage!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Shh."

    <strong></strong>

    They had to reveal themselves to the guard at the gate.

    <strong></strong>

    "Leaving at this hour... Truly, you are admirable for heading out with yourrades to mop up the remnants. I respect you."

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm. We''ll be back."

    <strong></strong>

    With the guard''s quiet well-wishes, they left the city and began ascending the hill, where Charbanbesh murmured.

    <strong></strong>

    "Did he n this? If so..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Probably."

    <strong></strong>

    "He... seems to have left without anyone noticing."

    <strong></strong>

    "Having gone this far, he wouldn''t leave a trace behind."

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing the implications, Charbanbesh fell silent, and Kiphus spoke up.

    <strong></strong>

    "We''re orcs. We don''t speak of what we''re told to keep silent. But I wonder why Jun chose this method."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s because I acted in front of him."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun spoke calmly.

    <strong></strong>

    "From the moment I began to suspect him, I made extra effort to appear loyal. It was a mix of hoping he would change his heart and leading him to underestimate me."

    <strong></strong>

    For example, after defeating the boss, he downyed his own role, praising Tolchi, and readily offered the Estoc to him.

    <strong></strong>

    Having shown such behavior, it was unlikely he would go around talking about Tolchi''s affairs. Even if word got out, with five potential culprits, it would be hard to pin anything on Tolchi.

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s right, Jun is wise."

    <strong></strong>

    "He''sing."

    <strong></strong>

    At Lucy''s signal, KiJun spoke briefly, and the orcs promptly fell silent.

    <strong></strong>

    Soon, they were able to join Tolchi, who was cloaked in a way that made him unrecognizable.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s go."

    <strong></strong>

    "Where to?"

    <strong></strong>

    "The dungeon."

    <strong></strong>

    As expected, KiJun nodded solemnly in response.

    <strong></strong>

    "A Unique grade dungeon?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Exactly. There might still be remnants there, possibly information about the Overflow. It''s urgent and dangerous."

    <strong></strong>

    If it were truly important and risky, the lord and his knights might have nned a thorough and safe expedition.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps the lord was indeed nning such a mission.

    <strong></strong>

    That''s why Tolchi acted quickly to ensure his own goals.

    <strong></strong>

    "We should hurry. Someone might enter the dungeon unknowingly and face danger."

    <strong></strong>

    "Understood."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun ran beside Tolchi, with the orcs following tensely behind.

    <strong></strong>

    After some time, they discovered a small cave in the middle of the wastnd, the entrance to a Unique grade dungeon. Normally guarded by soldiers, it was currently unattended due to the casualties from the Overflow.

    <strong></strong>

    Before entering, Tolchi paused and half-bowed his head.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s have a moment of silence for the soldiers who fulfilled their duties to the end."

    <strong></strong>

    "Agreed."

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun lifted his head from the silent tribute, he pondered the irony of it all.

    <strong></strong>

    Can sympathy for the weak coexist with hatred for the strong?

    <strong></strong>

    Is it wickedness or some kind of duty?

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHe''s just a disgusting murderer.

    <strong></strong>

    With Lucy''s blunt summary, KiJun couldn''t help butugh inwardly.

    <strong></strong>

    Simultaneously, his title, Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon, activated, providing him with rough information about the dungeon they were about to enter.

    <strong></strong>

    Reaffirming the overpowered nature of his title, KiJun urged Tolchi.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s go in."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes. Avenging those soldiers is also our duty."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, along with five orc warriors and Tolchi, entered the dungeon.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DEntering the dungeon, [Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (L)] title effect activates. All statuses and skill effects increase by 20%.

    <strong></strong>

    The beginning of the dungeon was still lit, but after about 10 minutes, it plunged into darkness, illuminated only by a faint glow emanating from KiJun, who called himself a me Human.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun and the orcs, including Tolchi, possessed the ability to see through darkness, especially KiJun, who felt even morefortable in the dark due to his me Eyes.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are there any living monsters?"

    <strong></strong>

    "There are."

    <strong></strong>

    Responding to an orc''s murmur, Tolchi confirmed their presence, exining that un-cleared dungeons always produce monsters, and some might have fled here after the Overflow.

    <strong></strong>

    "We must stay alert."

    <strong></strong>

    "Brave orc warriors, you shall not die today."

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi roared, instilling confidence in the orcs.

    <strong></strong>

    The journey through the dim dungeon continued without encountering any formidable enemies, and the orcs dispatched the few that appeared.

    <strong></strong>

    "Good experience. Though in the future, we should be able to enter such dungeons alone."

    <strong></strong>

    "Definitely."

    <strong></strong>

    Eventually, Tolchi suggested a rest, bringing out arge thermos and cups from his inventory, serving steaming stew to everyone.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, recalling his initial thought of Tolchi being an NPC,ughed inwardly at his naivety.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor, there''s a potent sleeping agent in this stew. If consumed without precautions, even a Rare grade species couldn''t withstand it.

    <strong></strong>

    Informed by Lucy''s signal, KiJun asked.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Is there an antidote?''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOf course. Especially with the title you''ve earned.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun had obtained a Unique-grade title, [Spirit Guardian], from his contract with Ur, enhancing healing spells by 20%.

    <strong></strong>

    Trusting Lucy''s assurance, KiJun ate the stew,plimenting its taste.

    <strong></strong>

    "Tasty. It''s made by the lord''s chef, after all."

    <strong></strong>

    The orcs, echoing the sentiment, fell asleep one by one after finishing their stew.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun observed this, unfazed by the sleeping agent thanks to his Unbreakable Internal Clock.

    <strong></strong>

    "Tolchi, why did you do this?"

    <strong></strong>

    "To test if you''re a true hero!"

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi, forgoing any pretext, lunged at KiJun with a blood-red greatsword, aiming to knock him into a trap.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCrash, crackle!

    <strong></strong>

    Hit by the force, KiJun was thrown against the dungeon wall, triggering an explosion of cold, trapping him in ice.

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing Tolchi must have set this trap earlier, KiJun thought, ''So he was busy right after the Overflow.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Right, I''ve made my decision.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    Caught off-guard by Tolchi''s unexpected speed, KiJun found himself entrapped.

    <strong></strong>

    "me Humans, powerful but vulnerable to extreme cold. Their magic slows almost to a halt, and their spirit beasts can''t manifest."

    <strong></strong>

    "You knew..."

    <strong></strong>

    "I pretended not to. For this moment."

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi, with a cold gaze, pointed his sword at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you''re a real hero, you''ll survive. But if not, if you''ve greedily stolen my achievements and epted the lord''s horn, you''ll die here."

    <strong></strong>

    "The horn? If I give it to you, will you let me live?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll grant you an honorable death. But if you don''t give it..."

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi''s gaze shifted to the shadows, revealing a vampire-like creature.

    <strong></strong>

    "You''ll be a ghoul, forever tormented, neither alive nor dead."

    <strong></strong>

    "You...?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t make a mistake. I contacted them after the Overflow. They agreed to cooperate in exchange for you."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKyahaha!

    <strong></strong>

    The vampireughed wickedly, clearly inferior to the one KiJun had faced before.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s so amusing! The top two contributors fighting each other! What a delight!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ignore the vampire, Tolchi. It''s just making things easier for me."

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi turned his weapon towards the orcs.

    <strong></strong>

    "You''ll all die here. No one leaves."

    <strong></strong>

    "Secondly," KiJun continued, breaking free from the ice and grabbing the vampire before it could flee.

    <strong></strong>

    "I can''t be held down by this."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKyaaaak! Save me¨D

    <strong></strong>

    The vampire disintegrated under the holy fire in KiJun''s hand.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSecret Quest Objective Achieved!

    <strong></strong>

    A system message appeared, mockingly floating above them all.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (49)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    Tolchi acknowledged he had fallen into a trap of his own making. He had considered the possibility that KiJun might suspect something, but he believed that once inside the dungeon, with the vampire''s help, he could easily kill KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    However, the borate trap, bought with thousands of gold coins, failed to weaken KiJun, and the vampire, his hidden card, was cleanly annihted. Now, Tolchi found himself surrounded by KiJun and five orc warriors.

    <strong></strong>

    "You never trusted me from the start."

    <strong></strong>

    "I wanted to trust you. The lord even asked me to overlook your actions."

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­The lord."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun found Tolchi''s loyalty, even if genuine, despicable. If it were true, knowing he could influence the lord, he should never have dared such actions. Thus, Tolchi was no knight, but a despicable orc.

    <strong></strong>

    "But you were never worth trusting. Not only did you try to kill me, but you also attempted to frame the orcs and even allied with an undead."

    <strong></strong>

    "Krrrk¡­!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Let me tell you, you''re just a pathetic fool ying at being a knight."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DExactly what I wanted to say, Contractor!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, holding his shield, prepared to face Tolchi.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll allow you a knight''s end. Charbanbesh, keep watch so we can fight."

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t you trust me?"

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­Alright. You are a true, true warrior."

    <strong></strong>

    Charbanbesh, moved by KiJun''s words, signaled the other orcs to form a wide circle for the duel.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you want to humiliate me to the end, stealing my achievements and now my honor¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    The orc knight, enraged, gripped his greatsword, threw off his helmet, and roared, his earring trembling visibly.

    <strong></strong>

    "That I can''t allow!!"

    <strong></strong>

    As the orc''s eyes and skin turned red with rage, Charbanbesh eximed in shock.

    <strong></strong>

    "Berserk¡­?!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes¡­!"

    <strong></strong>

    The orc, half-lost to rage, growled like a beast.

    <strong></strong>

    "A High Orc, in Berserk mode¡­! This is my power, beyond your challenge!"

    <strong></strong>

    In an instant, the orc was at KiJun''s face, swinging his now blood-red greatsword. KiJun swiftly activated Moonlight Blood Fang and extended the King''s Well to deflect it, but he was being overpowered.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t face it head-on, Jun! ording to the orcs, Berserk nearly doubles their strength!"

    <strong></strong>

    Charbanbesh cried out in desperation.

    <strong></strong>

    It was toote. KiJun was forced back by the orc''s brute strength. Gritting his teeth, he activated both Salutaris and Adamant to fortify his body.

    <strong></strong>

    "Interesting. Come at me."

    <strong></strong>

    "Even without traps!"

    <strong></strong>

    Boom! The Berserker''s greatsword created a huge crater, vibrating the ground.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun maintained his bnce and deflected the orc''s wild swings with his shield, simultaneously burning him with mes.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m purifying you. Be grateful."

    <strong></strong>

    "Fury!"

    <strong></strong>

    The orc elerated again, forcing KiJun to react even faster. Dodging and countering, he joked about the orc''s attacks.

    <strong></strong>

    "Cleaned you up a bit, pig."

    <strong></strong>

    The orc, irritated by KiJun''s agility, unleashed a beast-like sh. KiJun deflected it with his shield and, finding an opening, threw something into the orc''s mouth, followed by a powerful uppercut.

    <strong></strong>

    "Cough!"

    <strong></strong>

    Gulp.

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing he swallowed something, Tolchi gagged but couldn''t vomit it out.

    <strong></strong>

    "What did you feed me?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Something a vengeful woman left for you."

    <strong></strong>

    "The thing you threw earlier¡­?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Duhan''s head."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun wouldn''t throw his only shield, of course.

    <strong></strong>

    Still gagging, Tolchi nced at the still trapped Duhan''s head, his face draining of hope.

    <strong></strong>

    "Whatever it is, it doesn''t matter. You''re about to die."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, Berserk''s regenerative power will save me first¨D¨D."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun fixed his gaze on Tolchi as the basic yet crucial ability of his Fiery Eye activated. This absurdly overpowered ability consumed the target''s mana, immobilizing them while simultaneously setting them aze.

    <strong></strong>

    "Merely with this Fiery Eye, you think you can restrain me¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    While any living being would naturally resist, Banshees, being entirely ethereal, were helplessly frozen in ce. However, KiJun wasn¡¯t using his Fiery Eye to stop Tolchi''s movements, but rather for something else.

    <strong></strong>

    "Now you must be burning inside out."

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­What?"

    <strong></strong>

    Then, suddenly.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBoom!

    <strong></strong>

    An explosive detonation, powerful enough to obliterate everything in its vicinity, and even infused with the force of fire spirits, erupted inside Tolchi. The result was devastating: Tolchi''s upper body vaporized, leaving behind only his legs, which fell in opposite directions, exemplifying the durability of a High Orc.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D25,388 points obtained.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCivilization information updated.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨Dsh Throw (R) skill has reached Level 3.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun offered a weak smile to the stunned orcs and approached Tolchi''s remains. Incredibly, half of the earring that had been dangling from Tolchi''s ear was still intact.

    <strong></strong>

    "So, it''s really the same. Now, please stop crying."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun took the other half of the earring from his inventory and tossed it onto the burning remains of Tolchi, along with his partly shattered greatsword. Stepping back, he quietly called his contracted spirit, Ur.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKi!

    <strong></strong>

    As Ur responded, the pile of Tolchi''s belongings burned more intensely. This was to eradicate any trace of Tolchi and avoid potential usations, but it was also a rite of passage for the dead.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''m d I could avenge you, so please, disappear now. KiJun went through the trouble of using a powerful explosive for your revenge!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D¡­¡­

    <strong></strong>

    Seems like Lucy knew what was going on. Technically, there was no need for such a dramatic end. Tolchi, even in Berserk mode, was only slightly stronger than Duhan and stood no chance against the significantly empowered KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    The reason for using a costly and rare explosive was more about bringing a clean end to the woman''s revenge.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''m not regretful, not at all.

    <strong></strong>

    "Thanks for saying that, Lucy."

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun yfully responded to Lucy''s lightheartedint, he watched the burning remains. At that moment, he sensed the spirit of the Banshee detaching from him.

    <strong></strong>

    Was it because her grudge was settled, or had she consumed enough of KiJun''s spiritual energy to heal? Her severed limbs and lower body regenerated, restoring her beauty, though her inherently evil nature darkened her aura.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThank you so much¡­!

    <strong></strong>

    "It wasn¡¯t for you. I won''t justify causing tears of others for your revenge. So, be content with this and descend to hell to atone."

    <strong></strong>

    Despite KiJun''s cold response to the grateful ghost, she continued to thank him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''ll be waiting for the day youe to find me again. Thank you, thank you¡­

    <strong></strong>

    With these echoing words, the ghost dove into the mes, leaving Lucy flustered.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI shouldn¡¯t have rushed her to leave. What do we do now, Contractor? Is this my fault?

    <strong></strong>

    "No, Lucy. Maybe that was her way of attaining peace."

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun consoled Lucy, the fire finally died down. Approaching the spot where everything had burned, he was astonished.

    <strong></strong>

    There, amidst the ashes, something remained.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    In the western region of the Gratia Kingdom, where the remaining 500,000 people from Earth were presumed to have been summoned, an overflow disaster urred. The Yemin Party spent the entire day gathering information, finally learning in the evening from the Mercenary Guild that the newly summoned humans were outside the overflow''s influence.

    <strong></strong>

    Initially, those summoned to the west were too scared to venture outside the protective barrier. The news about them only spread because a few humans had reached a nearby vige after several days.

    <strong></strong>

    The Yemin Party, partly relieved and partly dismayed at humanity''s situation, returned to their lodging.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, KiJun oppa¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    Yemin, overly relieved about KiJun being safe, ended up drinking excessively and copsing.

    <strong></strong>

    "Is she really out?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Let her be¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    As JiHye tried to wake Yemin, EunShin urgently stopped her. If Yemin woke up, she would start wailing for KiJun again.

    <strong></strong>

    Noticing JiHye''s concern, MokSu reassured her.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s okay. It''s Jun, after all. He wouldn''t leave the others and move alone unless betrayed first. He''s a guy who tries to help others even when he can''t persuade them."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yeah, KiJun big bro is really a good person. I wish I had known him back on Earth."

    <strong></strong>

    "An epitome of Agape."

    <strong></strong>

    "But still..."

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye, who had initially raised the concern, finally rxed after hearing their assurances.

    <strong></strong>

    "Right, he''s safe. So with that in face of his¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    Just as JiHye was about to continue, she noticed Yemin stirring.

    <strong></strong>

    "He attracted many NPCs, right?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s hear more about that. I''m really curious."

    <strong></strong>

    As the others tried to escape the topic, JiHye reluctantly shared.

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, many NPCs liked him. He genuinely cared for them. Some even seriously attempted to court him."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    Uncle Soo and EunShin realized the truth. KiJun had a unique charisma that easily won over NPCs, facilitating smoother quest progress.

    <strong></strong>

    "We didn''t know then, but those NPCs were real people too."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yeah."

    <strong></strong>

    "Other summoners often showed their true, nasty nature under pressure. But KiJun hyung¡­ he was always sincere."

    <strong></strong>

    "KiJun hyung is a hero, at least to me. His heart is truly heroic."

    <strong></strong>

    "EunShin''s right. Many NPCs saw him as a deity. Some even tried to approach him seriously¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    As JiHye revealed more, the others understood KiJun''s hidden poprity among the NPCs. His kindness and sincerity had won many hearts, distinguishing him from other summoners.

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor¡¯s Message:

    Hello everyone, unfortunately I¡¯ve decided to put trantions for this novel ¡®on hold¡¯. With the recent events happening, I genuinely find it hard to get motivated to continue tranting this particr novel. Hence, I¡¯ve decided to take an indefinitely long break from it. I¡¯ll still be continuing my other projects as usual, so you guys can take this chance to check those out. I¡¯m sorry about this but it¡¯s for my own betterment. Thank you all for your continued support!

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at /yT4GsFAYRf

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (50)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    ¡°This is¡­¡­.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAn earring¡­¡­

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun and Lucy voiced their astonishment in unison.

    <strong></strong>

    The very earring they were sure they had incinerated was inexplicably lying there, oddly coated in red and ck.

    <strong></strong>

    They couldn''tprehend how this was possible, but it emitted such a powerful aura that it seemed as if it had absorbed the energy from the Orc''s greatsword.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLet''s burn it, Contractor.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy boldly suggested, but KiJun just smirked and picked it up.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy gasped in shock.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAh, why!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Should I be honest, or make something up?¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBe honest!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®I¡¯m scared it will follow us if we leave it here, so I¡¯d rather pick it up now.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThat''s brutally honest¡­¡­

    <strong></strong>

    Even though the woman''s grudge might have been resolved, the earring''s origin was still dubious.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite the immense power it contained, it was enveloped in an eerily creepy aura, so much so that KiJun didn¡¯t even dare to check its info and quickly shoved it into his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®From now on, we know nothing about this earring.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DRight!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiieet!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D¡­¡­Haha.

    <strong></strong>

    One person and two spirits desperately ignored the seductiveughter echoing in their ears.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is it over, Jun?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yes, it''s over.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, the Orcs that had been quietly holding their ground approached him, now that everything was seemingly finished.

    <strong></strong>

    Charbanbesh had even retrieved the Duhan¡¯s head, which had been caught in a trap in the air, and handed it over to him.

    <strong></strong>

    Receiving it, KiJun felt slightly better, seeing the Orcs¡¯ steadfast demeanor.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°But the dungeon isn¡¯t over yet. Follow me, let''s find the dungeon reward.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yes! The dungeon reward is still there!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We will follow you anywhere, Jun!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The Orcs, now spirited as if Tolchi never existed, shouted enthusiastically.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps they were trying to consider KiJun''s feelings, which, if true, was even more appreciated.

    <strong></strong>

    Smiling faintly at them, KiJun suddenly noticed something else on the ground.

    <strong></strong>

    It wasn¡¯t left by Tolchi, but by the Vampire he had burned down with a single strike earlier.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What''s this¡­¡­?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLooks like a map of the dungeon interior?

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy eximed in amazement as she examined the paper KiJun picked up.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun knew too.

    <strong></strong>

    In dungeons, when you defeat a named monster or a mid-boss, there''s a slim chance to drop a map containing all the dungeon''s information.

    <strong></strong>

    The map revealed all the secret passages, traps, the clear conditions, and even hidden rewards. Once obtained,pleting the dungeon was virtually guaranteed.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°So, it actually does drop¡­¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun had explored dungeons quite efficiently thanks to his spirits and spirit power, but even he had his limits.

    <strong></strong>

    For structures well-hidden and unrted to spirit power, there was no guarantee he could find them.

    <strong></strong>

    But then, how did the Vampire know to leave such a fantastic gift?

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, this dungeon had once overflowed, and the dungeon boss died outside, so the internal situation might be different, but¡­

    <strong></strong>

    Knowing all traps and hidden rewards made the rest of the dungeon a piece of cake!

    <strong></strong>

    Licking his lips, he shouted to the Orcs.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Follow Jun!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    They immediately left that unlucky spot and continued exploring the dungeon.

    <strong></strong>

    Surprisingly, there were many battles after that, and the Orcs, seizing the opportunity, left KiJun aside and engaged the Undead themselves.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It seems that path was cleaned up by that guy earlier.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We can do this, Jun! Just watch!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Was it the impression left by KiJun''s power when he effortlessly burned the Vampire and overwhelmingly defeated Tolchi?

    <strong></strong>

    Or was it because Tolchi, whom they secretly admired, showed his true colors before dying?

    <strong></strong>

    The Orcs, already passionate, now fought monsters as if their lives depended on it.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun watched the battle with a bitter smile, stepping in only if they seemed really in danger.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCrack!

    <strong></strong>

    After progressing further into the dungeon, KiJun, checking the map and skillfully bypassing hidden traps, looked at a blocked stone wall and nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It seems there¡¯s a secret space beyond this. Get ready, Orcs.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°No, Jun. We will not go beyond this.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    However, the Orcs who had been bravely stepping forward suddenly became resolute in their refusal here.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If there¡¯s a battle beyond this, it''s against foes we can¡¯t possibly face, I don¡¯t want to be a weak Orc who only gets protected by Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If there''s hidden treasure, we cannot go. We were able to explore the dungeon and avoid all traps because of you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We agree. We''re grateful for all the experiences Jun has led us to.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Thanks to Jun, our levels have increased. An Orc who wants more than this deserves to die from greed.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Apparently, the Orcs were convinced that the ''reward''y beyond.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun smiled wryly as Kipuz spoke.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Just tell us it was beautiful when you return, and we¡¯ll be satisfied.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Now this guy is even reciting poetry.

    <strong></strong>

    Unable to ovee the Orcs¡¯ stubbornness, KiJun nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Alright. I''ll go alone.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We will keep watch here.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The thought crossed his mind ¨C why had Tolchi been different, despite these Orcs being so simple and upright?

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps he too had pure moments like Charbanbesh and Kipuz once.

    <strong></strong>

    Dismissing such worthless thoughts, KiJun grimaced and turned his gaze to the wall.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DIt looks just like a regr stone wall?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®If even Lucy didn¡¯t know, without this map, I would have just skipped it.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    The boss was already defeated, and there seemed to be no reward, so he would''ve likely just turned back.

    <strong></strong>

    Good thingse with the bad, as they say.

    <strong></strong>

    Contemting this, he steadied his breathing.

    <strong></strong>

    He thrust his shield forward and amplified the power contained in it with Moonlight Blood Fangs.

    <strong></strong>

    Then he charged and delivered a shield bash to the wall!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKwaang!

    <strong></strong>

    The stone wall crumbled, revealing a hidden structure behind it.

    <strong></strong>

    It was arge, vertically positioned tank.

    <strong></strong>

    Oddly enough, it was filled with blood, not spilling to the ground, as if frozen in ce.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy felt nauseated at the sight.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThis feels bad, it''s definitely not ordinary blood. It''s even more suspicious that it doesn¡¯t smell like blood at all!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiiii...

    <strong></strong>

    Even Ur frowned at it, sensing something was amiss.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, looking at the blood-filled tank, realized what he needed to do.

    <strong></strong>

    It looked like a nasty structure, but it was a lock.

    <strong></strong>

    A lock that could only be opened with a specific key.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The Esterk dropped by the boss must be the key.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DWhat, so only the Contractor could have entered?

    <strong></strong>

    Maybe other vampires from the ''Thorn Blood n'' could enter, but for now, it seemed they hadn''t arrived.

    <strong></strong>

    At this point, KiJun was slightly conflicted.

    <strong></strong>

    He might notpare to the Earth''s regressors who had lived through the same world twice, but KiJun himself had explored this otherworld for 15 years after undergoing the tutorial.

    <strong></strong>

    The experiences he had ingrained in his body while progressing through quests and exploring dungeons were telling him something.

    <strong></strong>

    This could very well be the start of a quest chain rted to the Overflow.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOf course, I should open it! What''s there to worry about with vampires? I, Lucy, am by the Contractor''s side!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiiii!

    <strong></strong>

    Following Lucy¡¯s confident remark, Ur also cried out loudly, asserting its presence.

    <strong></strong>

    After all, when KiJun fought the boss the other night, hepletely overwhelmed it due topatibility.

    <strong></strong>

    The light that vanquished the Undead and the mes that burned the vampire''s blood.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, as the Last Hero, KiJun''s abilities were amplified against dark/evil bosses, making him a natural nemesis of vampires.

    <strong></strong>

    To discuss further, even his race and job were like poison to vampires¨Dcertainly, there was no need to fear them.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®The reason I hesitated was that I was a bit sad about leaving Turris right after we finally settled in.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOur Contractor is indeed a big shot.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKii.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, it was a needless worry.

    <strong></strong>

    He''d leave Turris immediately if the quest required it and stay if possible.

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, KiJun nodded firmly and inserted the blood sword he took from the inventory into the tank.

    <strong></strong>

    Plunk. With an unpleasant sound, dozens of spikes sprung from the blood sword, piercing the tank in various ces.

    <strong></strong>

    The orderly manner of it all indicated that the blood sword indeed had the code to unlock the tank.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHaha......

    <strong></strong>

    No, whyugh creepily at this timing?

    <strong></strong>

    Then, the blood in the tank drained away, revealing the sword once again, along with an unexpected result.

    <strong></strong>

    The de remained blood-colored but now shone transparently like a jewel, not metal. Seeing the sword evolve, which he couldn¡¯t even use, was irritating for KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    [Thorn Blood Sword (Unique+)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Durability ¨D 5,000/5,000]

    <strong></strong>

    [Attack (U) ¨D 99+]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option 1 ¨D Increases magic, blood power by 7]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option 2 ¨D Spikes grow from the blood on the sword, their power amplified by special blood magic.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option 3 ¨D Depending on the blood charge, can perform dozens of stabs simultaneously with a single thrust.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Restriction ¨D Holder of ''Thorn Blood n'' title]

    <strong></strong>

    [A stabbing-exclusive sword given to his bloodline by a sinister and great vampire. A symbol and key for the bloodline, only one is awarded regardless of status. The vampire''s true blood and special blood have miraculouslybined, revealing the sword''s hidden power. If another miracle happens, even the original owner who gifted the sword might covet this legendary treasure.]

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°No.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Seriously, what is this?

    <strong></strong>

    What¡¯s with the Unique+?

    <strong></strong>

    It''s like evolving a rice cake in a painting into honey rice cake. It''s still in the painting!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAh, a space is opening!

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun was discontented, Lucy, observing the changes, shouted.

    <strong></strong>

    The tank retracted into the wall, revealing a ratherrge space.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun cleared his throat and entered the room.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DWow, it''s dazzling¡­¡­!

    <strong></strong>

    The first thing he saw was a pile of gold coins.

    <strong></strong>

    They looked simr to themon Retan gold coins he received from the lord yesterday. At a nce, they seemed to match or even exceed the amount in the chest he received earlier.

    <strong></strong>

    Silver coins, apparently deemed inferior, werepletely absent.

    <strong></strong>

    Only gold coins!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It''s good, I can at least give something to the Orcs.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDon''t give too much, or they''ll get spoiled. Just a little.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If I give too much, they''d probably get upset. I''ll give just enough.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun collected all the gold coins in his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    There were also bejeweled daggers, nes, rings, bracelets, and more. Hoping for artifacts among them, he checked but found only expensive jewelry.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DStill, Contractor, these... Although I''m not sure, they''re probably no less valuable than the gold coins. They''re all suitable for enchanting magic.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Acting just as he looks, that vampire guy. Such a bourgeoisie!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    He should have sensed it when the vampire appeared in a fussy frock coat.

    <strong></strong>

    That guy was truly a noble!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun wasn¡¯t averse to money.

    <strong></strong>

    He couldn''t help but feel excited about the possible rted quests waiting for him.

    <strong></strong>

    Lost in pleasant fantasies, he meticulously collected the jewels, and then Lucy called him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor, this.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ah... a skill book. I''m finally getting one of these too.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The secret space of a Unique-grade dungeon was indeed generous.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun instinctively knew the red book, carefully preserved in a precious case, was the dungeon''s biggest reward. He reached for it nervously.

    <strong></strong>

    [Blood Thorn]

    <strong></strong>

    [Arcane Grimoire (Unique)]

    <strong></strong>

    [A high-level blood magic book that details the creation and control of blood thorns. If studied, it could transcend the limits of one''s race.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Acquisition Restriction ¨D Those who have mastered intermediate blood magic, or inherited Unique-grade blood power, or attained Legendary-grade dark magic, or realized Epic-grade magic power]

    <strong></strong>

    It seemed like an incredible skill at first nce.

    <strong></strong>

    But the only thing KiJun gained from this item was the realization that above Legendary rank, there seems to be an Epic rank.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun cleanly discarded his longing for the new skill and shoved the book into his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That''s just like me.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThere''s no need for the Contractor to learn such gloomy abilities. I''m here!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Right, Lucy. You''re the best. Want some brown sugar?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYes!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiit!

    <strong></strong>

    Turning to Ur, who also seemed to want brown sugar, it wasn¡¯t the case.

    <strong></strong>

    While Lucy and KiJun were lost in the rewards, it diligently found evidence of the quest.

    <strong></strong>

    Following it, he found a luxurious bed and sofa, a set of furniture, and¨Da pile of letters on the desk.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Good job, Ur. This seems to be the key¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    He picked up a few letters, leanedfortably on the sofa, and was startled.

    <strong></strong>

    The feeling of sinking into it was incredibly pleasant!

    <strong></strong>

    The amount of money and magic that must have gone into making it was unimaginable.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy, sinking into the sofa as well, spoke seriously.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHate the nobles, but not the luxury. Let''s take all of this. Can it fit in the inventory?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That''s ament that strikes at the heart of the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. I¡¯m sure even Marx would agree.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Every proletariat despises the bourgeoisie, but given the chance to be one, they''d never miss it.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, KiJun, Lucy, and Ur, temporarily enjoying the feeling of being bourgeoisie, finally began to read the letters.

    <strong></strong>

    They learned about the method to enter the hidden vampire kingdom in the backspace and the vampire faction''s nned invasion of Gratia Kingdom in a year.

    <strong></strong>

    Please save me.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Jun?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Jun?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message Deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message Deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    ¡­¡­

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message Deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Did you win? You won, right? See, I told you, you always win!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): What about the dozens of deleted messages before? You know what I''d say, right?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): No, what''s the overreaction. I was just a bit worried. Had a drink and was bored, so just called to check.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Plus grade? Wow, that¡¯s really rare, did you get it? It''s almost a guaranteed item. Find a way to grow it. If it''s Unique Plus, it''ll be Legendary, amazing.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): ...A vampire-exclusive item?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): You shed with the Thorn Blood faction, not just any vampires?!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): You¡¯re crazy, what about the vampire kingdom! Just stay put! Don''t do anything weird!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): They mighte for you? Ah, ah! Ahh!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): A maximum of one year? Hah... Where are you now? Gratia''s Turris? Alright, just stay there and breathe.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): One year, okay.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Rift): I''lle within that time.]

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (51)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    After storing all the rewards from the secret space, including the sofa and bed, in the inventory and returning to Turris with the Orcs, KiJun distributed a fair amount of the gold coins he had obtained from the secret space to them and advised them to hide for the time being.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The lord might not hold me ountable, but one can never be sure about people¡¯s hearts. It¡¯s not just me; they might me you guys for Tolchi¡¯s death, so better stay hidden for now.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You want us to leave you alone in danger!?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I have the ability to get myself out of any situation. Trust me.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun......¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Naturally, the Orcs were reluctant, but KiJun easily persuaded them with his assurance.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If things take a turn for the worse, I¡¯ll message you, so wait.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    As he said this, KiJun suddenly asked Charbanbesh.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Do you have a RetaPhone?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Haha¡­ don¡¯t be surprised, Jun. For summoners like us who live a mercenary life, gathering information and keeping in touch is vital. We scraped together all our points a year ago to get a [RetaPhone6] formunal use!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Charbanbesh proudly showed off a somewhat shabby-looking rectangr device, clearly an older model than KiJun''s.

    <strong></strong>

    RetaPhone6, obviously a discontinued model by now.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun couldn¡¯t bring himself toment and simply exchanged Retalk IDs with Charbanbesh, whose ID was [MightiestOrcFiveBrothers].

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Oh, so Jun is [Teacher''sPet]? It¡¯s always good to remember and respect the teacher who taught you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, it wasn¡¯t the ID KiJun had set.

    <strong></strong>

    But he had to keep using it, fearing Bice would get angry if he changed it.

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, the bald Orc Kipuz eximed excitedly, seeing KiJun¡¯s sleek RetaPhone15.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun¡¯s RetaPhone must be the gship model RetaPhone15, secretly released targeting top civilization summoners from the Reta Continent! I heard even second-year summons don''t have ess to it. How did you get it?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun was more concerned about Kipuz''s surprisingly rich vocabry, but he kindly answered his question.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°My teacher bought it for me.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun¡¯s teacher must be a really good person.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Now I understand why Jun¡¯s ID is what it is.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I wish I could be taught by Jun¡¯s teacher too¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Deeply impressed by KiJun¡¯s confession, the Orcs nodded repeatedly and headed to the inn.

    <strong></strong>

    Recalling Bice¡¯s smile, KiJun stroked his RetaPhone once, took a deep breath as if bracing himself, and then set his face grimly as he headed to the lord¡¯s mansion.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DIs it really a good idea to go to the lord like this, Contractor?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®I think so. At least for the quests we¡¯re facing in the future, this is much better.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBut what if the lord tries to bind you in Tolchi¡¯s ce since he lost his strongest knight? Haha...

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DWhy are youughing creepily at a time like this!? What are you nning to do with the lord!?

    <strong></strong>

    Even though he had returned after clearing the dungeon, it was still evening. The guards at the mansion, wearing a smile, briskly approached KiJun and saluted without hesitation.

    <strong></strong>

    The salute, simr to the Korean military, was a bitical, but recalling his days as a soldier more than 25 years ago, KiJun returned their salute, to their delight.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We got a salute from him!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°His hand angle was perfect! Just as I said, he must have been active in various ces beforeing to Turris?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course, a hero like our mage can tell from just a salute!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The soldiers seemed to have started another weird misunderstanding about KiJun''s salute, but he couldn¡¯t bother to correct them and just let it be.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I want to see the lord.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°He has been waiting for you. The lord said you woulde.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­Is that so?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    It seemed they roughly understood the situation with Tolchi.

    <strong></strong>

    With an even heavier heart, KiJun sighed inwardly and entered the mansion.

    <strong></strong>

    Walking alone in the garden where the ceremony had been held yesterday, he suddenly saw someone waiting for him in the center.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Wee, Mr. Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    A white-haired woman with neatly trimmed hair at the nape, dressed in a crisp butler¡¯s uniform, greeted him with a bow.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The lord is waiting for you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nodded lightly, and the woman led him inside the mansion.

    <strong></strong>

    Unlike the elder¡¯s, her lustrous white hair fluttered in front of him, making KiJun wonder if the lord''s white hair wasn''t due to aging.

    <strong></strong>

    Walking ahead without looking back, the woman asked in a calm voice.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°May I ask you a question?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    She led him through a wide hall on the first floor, choosing one of the grand staircases, reminiscent of a Western-style mansion.

    <strong></strong>

    Maids cleaning the corridors were startled to see her, bowed quickly, and stepped aside.

    <strong></strong>

    Ascending to the second floor, then to an inner staircase leading to the third floor, she spoke again.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What do you think about a summon bing a subordinate to a Retan... or in your terms, an NPC?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I respect each individual''s choice. But personally, I have no intention of bing anyone¡¯s subordinate.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is that so.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Expecting more words, KiJun was surprised when she fell silent.

    <strong></strong>

    Soon, they arrived at the lord¡¯s private office on the third floor. She knocked twice on the door, nodded at a quiet voice from inside, and stepped back.

    <strong></strong>

    It seemed she didn¡¯t intend to go inside.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Then¨D¨D¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The lord doesn¡¯t favor drastic changes.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Just as KiJun was about to turn the doorknob, she spoke again.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun turned around¨Dthe woman was now looking straight at him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Please don¡¯t be too harsh on him.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Me? On him?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°He didn¡¯t just neglect Sir Tolchi. He feared that intervening hastily would cause greater chaos... I¡¯m truly sorry that it led to you having to dirty your hands.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun realized what she meant and couldn¡¯t hide his flustered expression.

    <strong></strong>

    He was d he was wearing a mask.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Do you think I came to me him for his direct knight¡¯s fault?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the case?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Only then did KiJun wonder if both the lord of this small city and the woman in front of him overestimated his capabilities.

    <strong></strong>

    A direct knight of the lord is a top human resource of the domain, yet here they are, asking KiJun not to be too hard on him for killing such a person, even if the faulty with him. Aren¡¯t they a bit too easy-going?

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps this was thanks to his Legendary-grade charisma.

    <strong></strong>

    Though his growth process was a mystery, KiJun wasn''t feeling too bad about reaping such benefits.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t worry. The issue with him has already been resolved. I came to the lord to exin how and why his knight died, and at the same time¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "At the same time?"

    <strong></strong>

    The woman, slightly tense and fiddling with the horn on her forehead, waited for KiJun''s next words. KiJun, feeling a bit yful, smirked and said,

    <strong></strong>

    "The lord doesn¡¯t like drastic changes, right?"

    <strong></strong>

    "That¡¯s true, but..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Then he might end up disliking me a lot."

    <strong></strong>

    "What do you mean... Ah?!"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun turned the doorknob and opened the door.

    <strong></strong>

    Unable to say anything more, the woman grunted and watched him go.

    <strong></strong>

    The door closed behind him.

    <strong></strong>

    "People can be so mischievous."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord, shaking his head as if he had heard their conversation outside,mented.

    <strong></strong>

    Sitting on the sofa in front of his desk, the lord held a ss filled with ice and a pumpkin-colored liquor. On the table, there was a half-empty whiskey bottle, an ice bucket, and another ss.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun chuckled and settled into the sofa opposite him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOur sofa is much better, Contractor!

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring Lucy''s pridefulment, KiJun reached for the ss, but the lord stopped him and poured the drink himself, adding ice.

    <strong></strong>

    "It¡¯s a pretty good drink. A bit strong, but you''ll like it straight once you get used to it."

    <strong></strong>

    "Thanks."

    <strong></strong>

    The drink was excellent, so much so that KiJun regretted diluting it with ice.

    <strong></strong>

    Not particrly interested in the drink itself, the lord smirked at KiJun¡¯s bold drinking.

    <strong></strong>

    A mix of incredulity and admiration was evident in his expression.

    <strong></strong>

    "Did you really drink Tolchi¡¯s poison willingly?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Do you know what he was trying to do to me?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I had a reliable source investigate his movements. They were quite tant. It¡¯s not easy to find a sedative strong enough to knock out someone as powerful as you."

    <strong></strong>

    "I suppose so. It didn¡¯t work, anyway."

    <strong></strong>

    Surely, the lord must have given up on Tolchi''s life the moment he knew he was acquiring poison, certain that KiJun would not forgive him.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nodded in understanding and took another sip of his drink.

    <strong></strong>

    Tolchi handling a sedative waspletely separate from whether KiJun would drink the lord¡¯s wine. Of course, his confidence in his resistance also yed a part.

    <strong></strong>

    Absolute self-confidence to stick to one''s standards, regardless of the opponent or situation.

    <strong></strong>

    That''s the essence of the ¨¹bermensch.

    <strong></strong>

    At least, that''s what KiJun liked to think.

    <strong></strong>

    "I¡¯ve said this to your butler as well¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "She¡¯s my daughter. My sessor. Isn¡¯t she lovely? She looks a lot like my wife who passed away."

    <strong></strong>

    "I guessed from the horn on her forehead. But using your daughter and sessor as a butler?"

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s part of her education as a sessor."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun shrugged and finished his drink, then set down the ss.

    <strong></strong>

    "Anyway, like I told her, I didn''te here to me you. If you don¡¯t me me¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Not at all."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is that so."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun had braced himself for being unable to set foot in Turris or even the entire Gratia Kingdom. Things resolved much easier than expected.

    <strong></strong>

    He quickly messaged Charbanbesh that everything was settled and faced the lord again.

    <strong></strong>

    "Shall I describe his end?"

    <strong></strong>

    "......I have a request about that."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord''s voice turned serious, and KiJun, anticipating his words, poured more drink.

    <strong></strong>

    What followed was somewhat predictable.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite sessfully averting it, the Overflow had left significant damage. Revealing Tolchi''s attempt to murder KiJun would cause unimaginable chaos and crush the spirits of the people.

    <strong></strong>

    So, the lord''s request was to wait until the damage from the Overflow was repaired, and the city''s spirits lifted before revealing the truth.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s response was brief.

    <strong></strong>

    "Just bury itpletely."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, that¡¯s not¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Not for him. For the soldiers who believed and followed him, thinking he was a knight."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun firmly stated this, recalling the deeply shocked faces of the MightiestOrcFiveBrothers upon facing Tolchi''s reality.

    <strong></strong>

    They had ovee the shock and were willing to move forward, but could everyone do the same?

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun had no intention of tarnishing the city''s atmosphere just to satisfy his feelings, unless Tolchi''s dead body could somehow bring achievements or rewards.

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm, you really are..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Fine, then let¡¯s end the discussion about Tolchi here. He died while cleaning up after the Overflow when attacked by vampires. Agreed?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I can''t look up to you... wait, vampires?"

    <strong></strong>

    The lord, looking at him with an indescribable expression and bowing his head, suddenly sprang up in rm at KiJun¡¯s words.

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, the ''main topic'' had been reached.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun presented all the documents he had acquired from the dungeon''s secret space, the lord scanned them in disbelief, groaning.

    <strong></strong>

    "You really are..."

    <strong></strong>

    The same words as before, but with a distinctly different nuance, made KiJun chuckle unintentionally.

    <strong></strong>

    "Will the royal family believe this data?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Regrettably, as much as I appreciate you sharing this, it''s a long shot."

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, it would be.

    <strong></strong>

    The more critical the information, the harder it is to be trusted.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, Turris is a small city on the fringe of Gratia. To say that he had stopped an Overflow there and found documents about a vampire invasion nned for the entire kingdom in a year¡¯s time? Even KiJun would find it hard to believe.

    <strong></strong>

    "So, we start slowly from now."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord¡¯s following words perked up KiJun¡¯s ears.

    <strong></strong>

    "If we rush, it¡¯ll end in disaster. That¡¯s how it is with everything in life."

    <strong></strong>

    "True enough."

    <strong></strong>

    The lord, not fond of drastic changes, seemed to show that trait here. Agreeing with him, KiJun nodded, and the lord, slightly relieved, continued.

    <strong></strong>

    "So first, we gather reliable allies, increase our size and voice. It''ll seem like we have something to rely on, and others will start paying attention. When we form a group with the right people, the kingdom will have to listen."

    <strong></strong>

    "Sounds easy."

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course, the execution is difficult. You''ll have your work cut out for you."

    <strong></strong>

    Here we go.

    <strong></strong>

    Catching on to KiJun¡¯s sarcasm, the lord now smiled at him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s start by raising your fame. Let¡¯s build our size around you. Chasing the other traces left by the vampire bruteses next."

    <strong></strong>

    He waved the documents in his hand, almost teasing KiJun, as if saying he had brought them here only to step back from the whole thing.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, KiJun had no intention of just "breathing" for a year, as Bice had mentioned¡­ but the thought of getting deeply involved gave him chills.

    <strong></strong>

    "So you¡¯re asking me to start rolling down from the top of a snow-covered hill."

    <strong></strong>

    "An apt metaphor. A unique experience for a me Human like you, isn¡¯t it?"

    <strong></strong>

    The lord extended his hand to KiJun with a gentle smile.

    <strong></strong>

    "For the next year, I¡¯m counting on you."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun shrugged and shook his hand.

    <strong></strong>

    Somehow, the first step seemed to have been sessfully taken.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (52)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    Surprisingly, the lord invited KiJun to stay in the mansion, but KiJun firmly declined.

    <strong></strong>

    The best facilities, 24-hour servants, and the safest amodation in the small town... KiJun had two reasons to refuse such favorable conditions.

    <strong></strong>

    Firstly, staying at the lord¡¯s mansion would spread rumors throughout the small town that KiJun, the me Human, had reced Tolchi as Turris¡¯s new knight.

    <strong></strong>

    Secondly, staying in the lord¡¯s mansion meant he had to wear his mask all the time.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite thefortable mask, being Jun, the me Human, was akin to creating and acting as a fictional character. It wasn''t something he could call freedom, let alone rest.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I want to be free, at least when resting.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°There would have been no burden... I even thought of assigning my butler to you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Ah, there''s another reason to decline.

    <strong></strong>

    Apparently, the lord overestimated KiJun''s abilities and seemed interested in building a good rtionship between him and his daughter, the future lord. But KiJun found this rather burdensome.

    <strong></strong>

    He also thought his actual abilities fell short of the lord''s high estimation, and he nned to leave Turris once the vampire kingdom''s invasion-rted quest was over.

    <strong></strong>

    It¡¯s better not to get too close if you¡¯re bound to part ways. It hurts more when you leave.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Especially when I¡¯m pretending to be someone else...¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    Rtionships built on lies are bound to copse.

    <strong></strong>

    Even interacting with the Orc Five Brothers, with whom he identally exchanged contact information, made KiJun ponder for the same reasons.

    <strong></strong>

    The more genuine they were towards him, the more he was reminded of his deceit.

    <strong></strong>

    But what could he do?

    <strong></strong>

    This was something he had prepared for the moment he put on the mask.

    <strong></strong>

    His safety and future were more important than his friendship with the Orcs.

    <strong></strong>

    With a bitter smile, KiJun reaffirmed his resolve and said to the somewhat disappointed lord,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯ll find a suitable ce and contact you. We can meet again once we have a n for that ¡®rolling snowball¡¯ project.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°No, no. Let''s do this.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Despite KiJun''s stubbornness, the lord, unwilling to back down, thought of another way.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°There¡¯s a small vi on a scenic hill near this mansion, where my wife and I used to stay. It¡¯s well maintained, suitable for you, and as it¡¯s my property, others won¡¯t easily approach. It¡¯s close enough for us tomunicate easily. It would be better for you to stay there.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That sounds more special than offering a room in your mansion.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I understand your concerns, but showing this level of rtionship is good for our future ns.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Recognizing the lord¡¯s persistence, KiJun sighed and epted the offer.

    <strong></strong>

    He had shared the quest with Turris¡¯s lord, so he was ready to take on this karma.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¨²nica!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    When KiJun reluctantly nodded, the lord called out joyfully. Naturally, he was summoning the butler waiting outside.

    <strong></strong>

    At the sound of her name, ¨²nica, the white-haired butler, quickly entered. The lord, smiling broadly, instructed her,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Guide Jun to the vi on the hill and make arrangements for his stay.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The vi was mother¡¯s...? Oh, I understand, my lord.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Hearing this, she first cried out in shock but quickly bowed, realizing her position.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord chuckled at her reaction and stood up first, offering KiJun a farewell.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It was a pleasant conversation, Jun. Feel free to do as you wish in Turris for the time being. Make the most of the privileges I¡¯ve given you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Privileges... Alright, I get it. See you next time.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun finished his farewell with the lord and followed ¨²nica, who was hurriedly walking ahead. He pondered the lord¡¯s words.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord had given him various privileges, notably the exemption from dungeon tolls.

    <strong></strong>

    It meant KiJun should focus on dungeon exploration in Turris, raising his name and seeking trustworthypanions for a while.

    <strong></strong>

    Coincidentally, this aligned perfectly with KiJun''s original intention when he first came to Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSee, things turned out just as I thought. This is why politicians are not to be underestimated.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®It was the best for me too, so don¡¯t be like that, Lucy. If anything, he¡¯s being overly generous.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThat¡¯s what scares me, Contractor. The debt of gratitude is the heaviest.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy often made insightfulments like this, despite usually being childlike. When KiJun remembered how extraordinary she was, he avoided mentioning her age since she would suddenly pretend to have amnesia like a novel¡¯s heroine.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Anyway......¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Receiving farewells from the guards and attracting the attention of passersby, KiJun walked for a while until they reached a secluded hill path. ¨²nica, ncing back at him, whispered just loud enough for him to hear,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What happened inside to receive the vi from the lord?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯m just going to stay for a while. ...About a year.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°One year.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Muttering quietly, she then hardened her expression.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s short.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you kept the duration a secret.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course. But then I wonder even more. The vi hasn''t been used by the lord himself since thedy¡¯s... no, since his wife passed away.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Why are you getting it? Her questioning gaze met only a shrug from KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    Unable to confront him further, ¨²nica grumbled to herself, probably criticizing the lord for not using it himself and now lending it to someone else.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It''s truly special treatment. Please understand.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yeah. I just thought I''d be lucky not to be kicked out, but your father seems stronger to change than I thought.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Tsk...¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun¡¯sment and chuckle made ¨²nica look slightly irritated.

    <strong></strong>

    Seemingly hit twice by the mentions of ''father'' and ''strong to change,'' she probably nned to grill the lord about what happened once she returned.

    <strong></strong>

    "The way is this side. Please follow."

    <strong></strong>

    True to the lord''s word about the proximity, it only took them about 20 minutes to reach the vi situated on a hill not far from the mansion. The hillside, devoid of public ess, was tranquil and adorned with wildflowers in full bloom.

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun was admiring the flowers, ¨²nica cleared her throat to get his attention.

    <strong></strong>

    "Here¡¯s the magic key. Only registered users can open the locks, so you must carry it with you."

    <strong></strong>

    After handing KiJun a key, ¨²nica used an identical one to unlock the vi''s main gate.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun was impressed with the interior. The building, constructed purely of brick and wood, was far more luxurious than any house he knew. The first floor alone boasted a spacious kitchen, a dining room with a table big enough for ten, arge dressing room, a living room for guests, a grand firece in the hall, and even rxation areas. It seemed there were second and third floors too.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you fond of the sofa?"

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s nice, but I doubt I''ll use it."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHeh.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy chuckled with a sense of superiority, but KiJun ignored it, thinking about recing the furniture with what he had in his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    "I¡¯ll give you a tour of the interior."

    <strong></strong>

    "There¡¯s no need... Are there any areas I shouldn¡¯t enter?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Since the lord has lent you the entire vi, there are no off-limits areas."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m asking you."

    <strong></strong>

    After a moment''s hesitation, ¨²nica finally asked with her eyes closed tightly.

    <strong></strong>

    "The room at the end of the right corridor on the third floor... if possible, could you leave it as it is?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Sure, I understand."

    <strong></strong>

    "Thank you for your consideration."

    <strong></strong>

    After KiJun readily agreed, ¨²nica, who had been silent for a moment, deeply bowed in gratitude.

    <strong></strong>

    The mood suddenly became somber.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun decided not to delve into the emotions or stories behind it.

    <strong></strong>

    Sensing his thoughts, ¨²nica lifted her head and smiled faintly.

    <strong></strong>

    "Is there anything else you need? If you need someone for cleaning, I could..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, right."

    <strong></strong>

    While checking the kitchen, KiJun naturally lit the hearth with his me Eyes and looked back at her. The only way he knew to cheer someone up was...

    <strong></strong>

    "Would you like to join me for a meal?"

    <strong></strong>

    The effect was tremendous.

    <strong></strong>

    After refilling her homemade ramen and pork fried rice twice each, ¨²nica hesitantly asked if she could visit him again.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, trying hard to suppress a smile, readily nodded in agreement.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBut weren¡¯t you going to keep your distance from her, Contractor?

    <strong></strong>

    That night, in his personal room on the second floor, KiJuny on the bed he brought from the dungeon. As Lucy suddenly piped up, he shrugged and replied,

    <strong></strong>

    "It seems we''ll be involved in business anyway, so I thought it would be better to be onfortable terms with her."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DMmm,fortable terms, huh? I still think you underestimate your charm, Contractor¨D¨D

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun smiled at Lucy¡¯s slurred words, he noticed his RetaPhone vibrating and checked it.

    <strong></strong>

    It was a message from Viv.

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): There was an Overflow in Turris?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): d to see you¡¯re safe. Why didn¡¯t you contact me about such a huge incident!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): From now on, don¡¯t try to handle tough situations alone. Consult with me, your partner. It feels stupid to have a contract otherwise.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): Are you injured? If anything¡¯s wrong, don¡¯t hide it. Let me know; I can help think it through!]

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing he hadn¡¯t shared the quest details with her, KiJun honestly spilled everything. She was furious for not consulting her, but given the situation, she put her anger aside to give him necessary advice.

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): So you¡¯re really doing that quest? Staying in Turris?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Me: That¡¯s the n. Maybe the lord wants to make me a hero well-known beyond this city.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): Turris, despite being small, is strategically located with arge market for trading and processing products from nearby dungeons. It¡¯s a lucrative territory. Meaning its lord is no ordinary person.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Me: Seems so... Did I make the right choice then?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): Well, if you look at the oue, yes! But it was reckless to kill a knight and then boldly approach his employer...]

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, not wanting to be scolded again, quickly thought of a good idea.

    <strong></strong>

    [Me: The lord seems busy with reconstruction efforts. If I introduce you, maybe you can get involved here too?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): I¡¯ll finish up here ande by tomorrow morning.]

    <strong></strong>

    Money talks, indeed.

    <strong></strong>

    Feeling Viv''s anger dissipating, KiJun smirked, but she added a few more words.

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): Let''s also pick some party members when I get there.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Me: Huh?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): What''s with that reaction? You''re forming a party, right? We need to select good people from the applicants. I have a good eye for people; I can help.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Me: No, I mean... I¡¯m forming a party, but... applicants? Selecting?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): Ah, right. This is your first quest in the Reta continent.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Partner(Reta): Don¡¯t go outside until I get there tomorrow. Understand?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Me: ???]

    <strong></strong>

    The next morning, KiJun understood why the lord had lent him the secluded vi on the hill and why Viv had told him not to go outside carelessly.

    <strong></strong>

    People swarmed at the bottom of the hill like ants.

    <strong></strong>

    It was the moment the Great Turris Audition began ¨C to select members for Hero (KiJun)''s party.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (53)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    George Gordon Byron, one of the poets representing the Romantic era of Ennd, is said to have left a famous quote when he suddenly gained immense fame overnight with the publication of his poetry collection.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I woke up one morning and found myself famous.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun couldn''t help but think of Byron''s words as he looked down at the crowd of people encircling the hill below his mansion as soon as morning broke.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, he was too intimidated to speak to them, so he went for a run and then came inside to eat breakfast.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Phew, that was a great meal. Eating the food prepared by KiJun, I feel alive.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Viv, who hade over as promised at dawn, ate the meat noodles served for breakfast and put down her empty bowl as she started speaking.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What do you think is the most important thing in this Reta continent, KiJun?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Strength.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    At KiJun''s immediate response, Viv nodded with an ambiguous smile.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°There are various kinds of strengths, but let''s not delve into that now. What do you think is the easiest and fastest way to obtain that strength?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­Dungeons?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    After a moment of contemtion, KiJun answered as if he had an eureka moment.

    <strong></strong>

    Dungeons were optimal spaces for quickly bing stronger, as they allowed concentrated battles against monsters and a chance to acquire powerful equipment as rewards.

    <strong></strong>

    And what if one could enter those dungeons without paying a toll just by being in a party with KiJun?

    <strong></strong>

    It was no wonder people were swarming outside like that!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That''s a hard and tough way. That¡¯s not it.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Looking at KiJun, who seemed pleased with his answer, Viv shook her head firmly and pointed at him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Me¡­?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The strong. The best way to gain strength is to cling to the strong!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, reminded of his rigorous training with Bice, instantly agreed.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, that wasn''t what Viv meant.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°KiJun, you''ve be recognized as the strongest in Turris after your performance in the Overflow. Plus, you even rented this fancy mansion with the lord¡¯s support.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That''s true.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°To think that you, a person like that, is free? Without a party? I would have rushed over at dawn too, trying to say at least one word to you. If I could sessfully join your party, my status would soar!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Status¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yes, status. The strongest in Turris, receiving full support from the lord! Wouldn''t you feel a bit proud being in a party with such a person? You might even catch the lord¡¯s eye if you¡¯re lucky.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, KiJun understood Viv¡¯s frank exnation.

    <strong></strong>

    Did Byron also harbor simr thoughts, witnessing the public indulging in his poetry without understanding its essence?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s why I told you to choose your party members carefully. Who joins the party and for what purpose is extremely, extremely important. You know that, right?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯m sick of knowing it¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Remembering the events of the tutorial, KiJun sighed and stood up.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°So, I just need to filter out those people gathered outside, got it.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    It was the moment when all the preliminary participants of the ¡®Great Turris Audition¡¯ were disqualified.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Guess I should visit the Mercenary Guild. You''ll help me select party members, right?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course, I will help.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Viv smiled and then added.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Before that, could you introduce me to the lord?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Fortunately, the lord was very pleased when KiJun introduced Viv as a merchant with whom he had an exclusive contract.

    <strong></strong>

    In Turris, fairies from the Fairy Garden civilization, with their innate ability to move through space, were present, quickly transporting goods throughout the continent. However, the lord had been considering whether to continue trading with them as they had colluded to raise prices.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s why there¡¯s a saying in Reta to be careful when dealing with fairies, so as not to be backstabbed. They are too fast and¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°They are good at scamming?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t right to say that in front of a fairy. My apologies.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Though it was a preconception, having seen a fairy scam right after entering Reta, KiJun couldn¡¯t help but nod.

    <strong></strong>

    However, Viv maintained her cheerful expression and replied to the lord.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯ll be different. Please trust me and see.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Since you have an exclusive contract with Jun, of course, I must trust you. At least until Jun leaves this territory.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯ll definitely live up to your expectations, for Jun¡¯s sake.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Despite the lord¡¯s seemingly cold words, Viv did not lose her friendly demeanor.

    <strong></strong>

    Eventually, she seeded in obtaining a list of needed goods and a trade contract from the lord, then quickly disappeared from the scene.

    <strong></strong>

    The moment she vanished, the lord smiled faintly and turned to look at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You really are an amazing person.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It seems you have formed a trustful rtionship with a fairy. In Reta, trusting fairies is considered as foolish as it gets.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Viv is Viv. I¡¯ve decided to judge her based only on what she has shown me.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Truly admirable. That''s a very difficult thing to do.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The lord said, smiling, but KiJun couldn¡¯t treat everyone that way.

    <strong></strong>

    Being human, he naturally sumbed to prejudices, thought self-centeredly, and even hurt others to protect himself, knowing it was wrong.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯m stillcking, but I¡¯m trying my best.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    But it wasn¡¯t like he was going to advertise his ugly insides. KiJun just wanted to keep his conscience clear with those few words.

    <strong></strong>

    Maybe understanding his heart, the lord looked at him contentedly and stood up.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You seem to be having trouble finding party members. Let me help you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is it alright for a lord to be so frivolous?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not me, but ¨²nica who will help.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun stared at the lord incredulously.

    <strong></strong>

    It was too obvious he intended to throw his daughter at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    However, the lord firmly ignored his gaze and called ¨²nica to assist him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You¡¯re recruiting party members? I¡¯d be d to help. I have a perfect grasp of the talented individuals making a name in this city!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Just yesterday, ¨²nica had reluctantly followed the lord¡¯s orders out of obligation, even protesting why KiJun was given a separate residence, but for some reason, she seemed pleased with the order to assist KiJun today.

    <strong></strong>

    Stunned by her attitude, the lord turned to KiJun with disbelief.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun was certain that woman was nning to freeload off him again today, but he didn¡¯t want to end up inviting the lord to his house, so he pretended not to notice his gaze.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    After the trade between Viv and the lord was sessfully concluded, KiJun headed to the Mercenary Guild, apanied by Viv and ¨²nica.

    <strong></strong>

    Their presence caught the attention of many.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is he forming a party with Lady ¨²nica?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Idiot, that¡¯s impossible.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Anyway, it''s certain he''s looking for party members. I told you so.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Does that mean Lady ¨²nica is just serving him?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Receiving such support and still not joining under the lord... That¡¯s quite a shock.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    No, it wasn¡¯t just attracting attention; the entire city was focused on his movements.

    <strong></strong>

    Viv, who had only heard about KiJun''s exploits through his descriptions, finally realized what he had aplished in Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun, you¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You were a hero.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica said quietly.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Soon, everyone in this country will know that.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The Mercenary Guild, informed of his visit, emptied the external training ground to wee him, and the person in charge was someone KiJun remembered.

    <strong></strong>

    A young, handsome man who looked human except for his pointy ears, a Half-Nymph.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Administrative Officer?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Unlike those stupid orcs, you remembered right away! Here, take this, your reward.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The bag he handed over was surprisingly heavy.

    <strong></strong>

    Inside were dozens of gold coins.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun narrowed his eyes and spoke to him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯ve already received more than enough rewards from the lord.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°This is the reward money for reporting undead. It¡¯s issued by the guild, as I told you. Now, this way.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The Administrative Officer, with a slight smile, respectfully bowed to ¨²nica standing behind KiJun and led them to a desk temporarily set up in the training ground.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, with a questioning look, received an indifferent shrug from the officer.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You¡¯re looking for party members, right?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is it always this much of a spectacle?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°This is the least conspicuous way possible after some arrangements.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Saying this, the officer gestured behind him.

    <strong></strong>

    Seeing hundreds of applicants who had gathered at the training ground, KiJun looked disgusted.

    <strong></strong>

    The crowd was a mix of many races, a testament to Reta¡¯s ongoing civilization war, including a few humans.

    <strong></strong>

    When KiJun nced at them,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ugh¡­!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    They flinched and retreated, disappearing from sight.

    <strong></strong>

    Even as this happened, the people around merely looked astonished orughed, with no one attempting to stop them.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica, pulling out some documents, spoke calmly.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Those of low caliber won¡¯t deceive and join your party, Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°But I haven¡¯t even properly spoken with those humans¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Viv, likely the only one besides Lucy who understood his feelings, spoke soothingly.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°While there are strong humans capable of joining Jun''s party, they don''t operate in ces like Turris.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun was at a loss for words.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica, checking the documents, added,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°These are people who can''tpete on their own and just hover around for scraps. Most humans here can be seen as Scavengers. They¡¯re not worth trusting.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­I see.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    This perception was reinforced by the cold stares of those gathered.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun felt suffocated thinking about how it would be if those stares were directed at him.

    <strong></strong>

    Initially, he thought the humans who attacked them when with the orcs were just bandits driven by hatred, but¡­

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps the humans who left earlier were indeed hyena-like, and the people here despised them for being victimized.

    <strong></strong>

    Even so, this was¡­

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDoes it bother you, Contractor?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®¡­Just realizing how prescient Viv¡¯s foresight was.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun replied nonchntly, trying to mask his difort in response to Lucy¡¯s concerned voice.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, he was bothered.

    <strong></strong>

    But it wasn¡¯t the time to throw off his mask and dere himself human.

    <strong></strong>

    The weight of the lies he had donned was clear.

    <strong></strong>

    The shallowness of the trust they ced in him only brought a sigh.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. ¡­Let¡¯s start.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Thus began the party member selection audition.

    <strong></strong>

    Within 10 minutes, more than 90% of the gathered applicants were eliminated.

    <strong></strong>

    They failed to meet the condition of having an average stat, excluding Charisma, at least at the Rare level.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    In Reta, humans stand out even with a bit of strength.

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin and her group were painfully aware of this.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You guys, daring to make a scene as mere humans?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If you¡¯re weak, you should stick together quietly. Why do you covet our te?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s really pretty, as I heard. Even among humans, there are such beauties. Interesting. Maybe mixed with Nymph or Elf blood?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Even those who wouldn¡¯t dare cause trouble in the strictly guarded cities showed their fangs once outside.

    <strong></strong>

    Especially mercenaries in the same situation,peting for the same missions, were particrly harsh.

    <strong></strong>

    Ironically, most of those picking fights, from a human perspective, looked like other races, subhuman species.

    <strong></strong>

    But in their view, humans were merely inferior beings, simr in appearance but far lesser in ability.

    <strong></strong>

    How strong must that perception be for them to pick fights unthinkingly with YeMin¡¯s group, who had started to gain a reputation for strength?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Again.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin sighed, thinking it was not the first time since settling in the small town that they had been targeted.

    <strong></strong>

    Whenever there was a hint of silence outside the city, someone would appear, revealing murderous intent. It almost felt like a quest.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What if I end up with the title ¡®yer of a Thousand Men¡¯? I don¡¯t like the idea of losing Charisma.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    EunShin smiled wryly and stepped forward.

    <strong></strong>

    At that, a man with wolf ears, a Lycanthrope, bared his sharp fangs, growling.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We don¡¯t need men. Trying to protect females is good, but know your ce. We¡¯ve already killed many¡­ especially weak humans like you!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Just as the Lycanthrope and other races lunged at them,

    <strong></strong>

    A sphere of crackling lightning was thrown into their midst.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ugh?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Lightning magic¨D¨D!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    With a loud crackle, the lightning burst, paralyzing the attackers, leaving them unable to move.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°These idiots, giving a mage time to chant.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye mocked the enemies andunched additional arrows of lightning.

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, MokSoo, like a shield for JiHye and YeMin, swelled his muscr body, swinging his hammer to strike the frozen enemies, and YeMin swiftly severed their limbs with her sword, unseen in its speed.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Kuhak?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What sort of human is this¡­!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Uneptable, all humans brought to Reta¨D.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    And EunShin, who had vanished, reappeared behind them, cleanly stabbing their hearts and throats.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°How many times is this?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If counting from being summoned to Reta, the fourth.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye sighed in response to YeMin¡¯s murmur.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect being human would be this troublesome and tiring during the tutorial.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°At least we¡¯re fine, but I worry about other Earthlings.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What about Jun oppa?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    At the very moment that question was expected, YeMin mentioned KiJun¡¯s name.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Usually he doesn¡¯t even try to fight people, but if such nuisances cling to him¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°No, Jun will be fine. He¡¯s not the type to stand out, nor does he have the looks¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    MokSoo, cutting her off, sighed and suggested to YeMin,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s better if you hide your face, Min. It might reduce the impulsively aggressive ones at least.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Uncle Soo. ¡­But I don¡¯t want to hide.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin looked apologetic but resolute.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°This is the best way to let Jun oppa know I¡¯m here. And I want to greet him proudly when he finds us.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Not wrong, but¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What¡¯s the issue? Even if Min hides her beauty, it won¡¯t really be hidden.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye shrugged with an almost enlightened tone.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Besides, thanks to Min¡¯s high Charm, we¡¯re getting good missions from the Mercenary Guild.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Our party is growing fast, especially with this mission.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    EunShin joined in, having cleaned up the bodies.

    <strong></strong>

    MokSoo agreed, nodding but sighing,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If only Jun came quickly, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about this.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That means Jun oppa will protect me for life.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin spoke as if it were the most natural thing, with a serious expression.

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye pretended to vomit at the side, but MokSoo was as serious as YeMin.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°True, there¡¯s no one as reliable as him. We can only hope hees quickly¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What I miss more is the curry brother Jun made¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Unfortunately for YeMin¡¯s party, many in Reta had realized how dependable KiJun was.

    <strong></strong>

    Not to mention, quite a few had be addicted to his cooking and couldn¡¯t imagine being without him.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (54)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    What is the easiest measure of strength in the Reta continent?

    <strong></strong>

    It was stat grades and skills.

    <strong></strong>

    As much as race grades and jobs were important, the problem was that these two could not be clearly known unless the status window was opened.

    <strong></strong>

    Therefore, the person''s strength was judged based on major stat tests and skill tests, which were rtively clear indicators.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course, race grade and ss also influence stats and skills, right? So when we test, we consider that to evaluate the final level.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You can''t force anyone to open their status window unless they are a serious criminal.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Then we can¡¯t even do pure status window duels anymore¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    At the exnation from Viv and ¨²nica, KiJun nodded, feeling a bit disappointed.

    <strong></strong>

    In the tutorial, everyone knew the importance of the status window. Hence, they could tease each other to open their status windows to prove purity.

    <strong></strong>

    It was all in good fun, assuming no one would actually open their status windows.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°me Humans are amazing. In Reta, that would be considered almost the highest level of provocation.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, who inadvertently made me Humans known for their yful nature, decided to be more careful with his words and silently checked his status window.

    <strong></strong>

    [KiJun (1st Year): Earth Representative]

    <strong></strong>

    [Titles ¨C The Last Hero (Legendary) and 10 others]

    <strong></strong>

    [Light Man (R) Light Guardian* (U) Lv25]

    <strong></strong>

    [Strength (U) ¨C 29+25]

    <strong></strong>

    [Dexterity (L) ¨C 21+20]

    <strong></strong>

    [Endurance (U) ¨C 28+20]

    <strong></strong>

    [Light Magic (L) ¨C 34+22]

    <strong></strong>

    [Charisma (L) ¨C 17+20]

    <strong></strong>

    [Spirit Power (L) ¨C 38+20]

    <strong></strong>

    *Changing wording for his ss to ¡®Light Guardian¡¯ from ¡®Guide of Light¡¯.

    <strong></strong>

    His level hadn¡¯t risen sincepleting the quest, but thanks to continuous training, his Unique-grade Strength and Endurance had each grown by 1. Due to receiving so much attention afterpleting therge quest, his Charisma had also unexpectedly increased by 1.

    <strong></strong>

    Considering that Charisma doesn¡¯t grow through level-ups, the steady growth of his Charisma to Legendary grade was truly strange.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Could it be some sort of bug? I don¡¯t even know why my Charisma kept growing.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    But what¡¯s important now were his other stats, not his Charisma that could prove his purity at any time.

    <strong></strong>

    His lowest stats, Strength and Endurance, were in thete 20s of the Unique grade, and the rest were all Legendary.

    <strong></strong>

    Though his race and ss titles might shatter people¡¯s misconception that he is a me Human, even disregarding them, his status was exceptional.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Thank you, Bice.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    Recalling his teacher who worked day and night to improve his stats, KiJun smiled and turned his gaze forward.

    <strong></strong>

    A single-digit number of candidates who had broken through the average Rare grade stat barrier stood before him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect there would be so few.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Useful ones already have fixed parties.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I see.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    It reminded him of how, after entering university and pretending not to care about dating, he suddenly started feeling lonely and worried about Christmas when everyone seemed to be paired up.

    <strong></strong>

    In other words, those in front of KiJun were either those whose parties had broken up for some reason, were new to the city, had issues fitting into parties for long, or¡­

    <strong></strong>

    True solos who had bravely navigated this harsh world alone.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Shadow Stalker, name¡¯s Herbert.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    A man from that solo squad introduced himself with a refreshing smile, taking off his hood.

    <strong></strong>

    He was a good-looking man with wavy ck hair and brown eyes tinged with gray. Tall and handsome, his pale skin, like moonlight seeping through a window at midnight, added to his charm. KiJun, reluctant to describe a man¡¯s appearance any further, stopped there.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Herbert?! You came to Turris?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°No way, if Shadow Stalker is ourpetition, we might as well shut up and wrap bandages¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The murmurs from behind suggested he was someone famous.

    <strong></strong>

    Viv and ¨²nica took turns exining upon seeing KiJun¡¯s inquiring look.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°He¡¯s famous throughout Gratia. His job is in the scout category. There¡¯s no doubt about his abilities.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°He''s a very sessful Treasure Hunter. Specialized in dungeon exploration with a reputation for excellentbat abilities¡­ I never expected him toe to Turris.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica, narrowing her eyes at him, asked,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Wee to Turris, Shadow Stalker. But I don¡¯t think this is a ce for someone of your caliber¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯d be offended if you said that, Lady.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, leaning in flirtatiously towards ¨²nica, whispered softly enough for only KiJun and Viv to hear.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What else would move a Treasure Hunter?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica, KiJun, and Viv all jolted at his implication, tantamount to admitting he found an undiscovered ruin near Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    If this was his bribe for joining the party, it was a bold move.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°As soon as I entered Turris, I heard a sensational rumor. It felt like fate led me here, so I rushed over.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Then, as expected, he reached out to ¨²nica as if to shake hands, saying he never expected to meet such a beautifuldy¨D but when she red at him quietly, he quickly retracted his hand with an ¡°excuse me¡± and turned to KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You¡¯re a gentleman, I assume you''ll ept my greeting?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Name¡¯s Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Herbert. The mask suits you well! ¡­Oh.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert flinched for a moment as he grasped KiJun¡¯s hand, then let go, admiringly saying,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°You¡¯re strong. I can tell just from the handshake.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Making a scene, huh.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun scoffed and released his hand, watching Herbert closely.

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert also stared back without blinking.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica, flustered, interjected,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun? Considering what Shadow Stalker said, it would be wise to ept him into the party. His skills are confirmed, and he has high credibility across the mercenary guilds. He¡¯s not the type to stab you in the back.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Hearing such golden words from a beautifuldy makes me blush.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Your frivolous attitude is somewhat concerning.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert marveled at her sharp wit, but KiJun cut to the chase,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Herbert, be clear about what you want. Do you wish to join my party, or are you just looking for a temporary ally to explore the ruins?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ah, this¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing why KiJun was scrutinizing him, Herbert let out an exmation, tapping his forehead.

    <strong></strong>

    Most would have been tempted by his talk of undiscovered ruins and his reputation as a Treasure Hunter, but KiJun was different.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun aimed to form an elite unit to move against the Vampire Kingdom''s attack in a year, so even if Herbert¡¯s discovered ruins were tempting, there was no reason to include him if the party would disband after the exploration.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Confident, aren¡¯t you, Jun¨D It''s the ruins. We don¡¯t know how many months the exploration might take, and there''s no guarantee we alle back alive. And you''re already thinking beyond that?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Just hearing the cheers for you tells me enough about your abilities and character. But you see, I¡¯m not so desperate an ¡®underdog¡¯ to trust someone I just met and risk my life.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    A cold smile yed on Herbert¡¯s pale lips.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If you reject me, you¡¯ll be recorded as a monumental fool for turning down Shadow Stalker''s exploration offer. This particr ruin is huge; sess will definitely make headlines across the country. You''ll end up regretting it alone after hearing about the results.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Indeed, it was amon urrence.

    <strong></strong>

    The girl who showed interest in me ultimately gave up and seeded with another guy, then called me in the middle of the night on Christmas to rub it in, stabbing my lonely heart.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°So, your answer? Are you joining my party, or do you just want a temporary member for the ruins?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, KiJun repeated his question with an unwavering voice.

    <strong></strong>

    True seekers of love don¡¯t cling to vain regrets.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°This is tricky¨D¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Feeling KiJun¡¯s firm stance, Herbert dropped his cool demeanor andughed.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I intended to test you, but here I am being tested. Alright, I like it. I¡¯ll join the party.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Really?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Honestly, I thought he would just turn around and leave.

    <strong></strong>

    However, Herbert changed his expressionpletely, smiling broadly and shrugging his shoulders.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯m not looking to rely on my skills for a quick gain and then leave. I¡¯ve had enough of that. I was actually looking for a party to settle in with.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is that so?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°More than I expected. Jun, you¡¯re quite the intriguing person in many ways. And the beautifuldy beside you too¨D¨D¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯m not a party member.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s too bad.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun chuckled and extended his hand to Herbert again.

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert also reached out, sping KiJun''s hand.

    <strong></strong>

    The system confirmed Herbert¡¯s participation in KiJun¡¯s party.

    <strong></strong>

    They had be amunity of fate.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor, you¡¯ve found one already.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Yes, Lucy. It''s going quite smoothly.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    A party can technically have up to 10 members.

    <strong></strong>

    But a group of 10 is more like a n than a party, and distributing experience and loot bes problematic. So,rge parties like that are not usually formed except for raids.

    <strong></strong>

    Considering efficiency in experience distribution, four to five members are ideal. Since five members offer more stability, most parties in Reta consist of five.

    <strong></strong>

    The Greatest Orc Brothers were a party of five, weren¡¯t they?

    <strong></strong>

    Therefore, KiJun decided to recruit three more members in addition to Herbert.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Call me In. I''ve been a mercenary in Turris for a long time. I''m known for my staff technique with a solid iron staff, and I¡¯m strong and trustworthy.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    In, a giant muscr man with a bald head reminiscent of the Orc called Kipuz and a rugged appearance, was half-orc, half-another race, and very taciturn. However, ¨²nica actively vouched for him.

    <strong></strong>

    Being the heir to Turris, she was well-informed about the mercenaries who had been active there for a long time. Since In easily met the average Rare stat requirement, KiJun had no reason to refuse and dly epted him into the party.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I''m Armillca! I¡¯m a well-known swordsman in Gratia¡¯srge city, Kor.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°A mercenary known to have settled in Kor a few months ago, famous for her ability to make wounds caused by her sword fester.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, with her abundant golden-brown hair tied in twin tails ¨C a hairstyle rarely seen in reality ¨C was a beautiful girl. Her unusuallyrge and dark eyes made her seem like she jumped out of aic book. She oddly matched the dignified and handsome Herbert, at least in appearance.

    <strong></strong>

    Though not as famous as Herbert, she was a rising star in the mercenary world, and many were surprised she hade to Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Whye to Turris if you¡¯ve settled in Kor?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Obviously, she came after hearing about the Overflow.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Right¨D More recognition for achievements in a ce with less power.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring the gossip, Armillca snickered and winked at ¨²nica, apparently realizing her significant influence in selecting party members.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Both pretty and a great fighter. Let¡¯s work together. If we get along, who knows how long this mightst?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Looking forward to it.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Her shy and powerful skills, especially her unmatched agility, made her an indispensable talent.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DReally? You¡¯re not just picking her because she¡¯s pretty?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Of course not, Lucy. You know that, right?¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHmm, we¡¯ll see¡­

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D¡­Hehe.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy seemed to slightly misunderstand his intentions.

    <strong></strong>

    And thatughing spirit showing up now and then was terrifying.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Looking forward to working together.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Me too! Oh, but about the handshake¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca declined KiJun''s extended hand, smiling demurely.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I get hives if I touch men.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Is that so.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I like women, so it''s no problem at all!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    She had been winking and flirting towards ¨²nica, and now it made sense.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun gently pulled ¨²nica behind him, away from Herbert and Armillca''s advances.

    <strong></strong>

    The Administrative Officer interjected at that moment.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s enough for thebat members. One scout, two front-liners, and Jun, you¡¯re a me Human who can attack from a distance and use a shield.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Then we should fill the vacancy with a healer, a priest. Our guild has a rmended candidate. How about it?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Obviously, her stats are low because she¡¯s a priest, but¨D The officer suggested, and KiJun pondered for a moment.

    <strong></strong>

    Although the other candidates protested, their specs didn¡¯t matter much considering KiJun¡¯s abilities¡­

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun had his own healing skills through Lucy, but that needed to be kept secret.

    <strong></strong>

    Eventually, he nodded to the officer¡¯s suggestion.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°We owe the guild, so we¡¯ll ept. You have a talent you want to nurture, I see.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Sharp as always. Then¡­ Lora?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yes, yes!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Responding to the call, a girl who had been hiding appeared.

    <strong></strong>

    A frail, delicate-looking girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in priestly robes...

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Oh my, oh my! Good heavens!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, who had been rxed until then, suddenly eximed excitedly upon seeing her.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Leader, leader! We absolutely must have her in the party! I¡¯ll leave if not!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­Considering this situation, won¡¯t she be in danger, Officer? Are you sure?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, observing Armillca¡¯s frenzied excitement, asked the officer, who reluctantly but firmly pushed the girl towards them.

    <strong></strong>

    The beautiful girl, Lora, overwhelmed by Armillca¡¯s attention yet determined, stepped forward and shouted.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Jun!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring Armillca¡¯s open arms, Lora stepped toward KiJun and eximed.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Your heroics during the Overflow¡­ They were truly inspiring! I was only healing soldiers in the medical center, but even I heard your voice! Everyone was able to fight bravely to the end because of you!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It would be an honor to be in the same party as a hero like you, Jun! I might becking in many ways, but I¡¯ll give it my all!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Same here.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, taken aback by her dramatic response, blinked in surprise. Next to him, the staff fighter In also nodded firmly.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Anyone who fought against monsters in the Overflow would want to join you. I¡¯m very happy to be part of this party.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Really!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Eh¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    As both praised him in unison, KiJun recalled the rewards he received from the lord and shyly fidgeted with his hair.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica, who had observed this from behind, burst intoughter, then quicklyposed herself when he looked back, her slyness infuriating.

    <strong></strong>

    But the Administrative Officer, misinterpreting KiJun¡¯s hesitation in recruiting Lora, added to her appeal.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Lora was originally an ordinary human, but through dedicated service and prayer, she received a divine blessing and achieved the rare-grade Holy Blood racial growth. Her healing abilities and character are among the best I know.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯ve already decided, Officer. We¡¯ll take her as apanion.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Really?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    How could he turn her away in this situation?

    <strong></strong>

    Whether her admiration for KiJun was genuine or not, Lora¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy, and Armillca, apparently smitten with Lora at first sight, jumped with joy at having made the right decision toe to Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°¡­Armillca, don¡¯tmit a crime.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course not! I wouldn¡¯t do such a vulgar thing!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Yet, her overly excited demeanor made it impossible not to worry.

    <strong></strong>

    An unexpected concern arose, but the party was sessfully formed.

    <strong></strong>

    me Human Jun, Swordsman Armillca, Treasure Hunter Herbert, Staff Fighter In, and finally Priest Lora.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What should we name the party?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Then, temporarily, let¡¯s use the initials of the members'' names and call it JAHIL.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Wait, really?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    They have an English-basedmon script here?

    <strong></strong>

    Thus, the party of five, named ¡®JAHIL,¡¯ was formed, with the first goal being the ruins Herbert had information about.

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (55)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    Before embarking on an expedition, KiJun had several things to prepare.

    <strong></strong>

    Equipment, camping tools, food, and potions for emergencies.

    <strong></strong>

    Among these, the most important was a shield.

    <strong></strong>

    His signature technique, Moonlight Blood Fangs, required two shields to beplete. He couldn¡¯t keep relying only on the King of the Well forever.

    <strong></strong>

    Naturally, when thinking about shields, there was something he had to consider¡­

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHow can we modify this skull into a shield?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°This thing¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    [Purified Head of the Knight of Extremes (Unique)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Durability ¨C 8,123/10,000]

    <strong></strong>

    [Attack (U) / Defense (U) ¨C 75/99]

    <strong></strong>

    Matching the grade of the King of the Well, its maximum durability was four times that of the King of the Well.

    <strong></strong>

    An item type that¡¯s rare to see, with both attack and defense stats, and high levels at that.

    <strong></strong>

    It was a perfect piece of equipment for KiJun, who used shields for both offense and defense.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If only it wasn¡¯t a skull¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DIndeed¡­

    <strong></strong>

    After contemting, KiJun decided to take it to a famous artisan in Turris.

    <strong></strong>

    The lord had even broken off his horns for him, so he wondered if he couldbine them to make a good shield.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°While I''m at it, I should ask where to go¡­ Now, onto the next thing.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Next in importance to the shield was armor.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, who had jumped into the Turris Civil War in essentially his starting gear, ended up returning as a single-suit gentleman after the battle, protecting his lower body with leather pants during his dungeon expedition with Tolchi, but without proper equipment.

    <strong></strong>

    If it weren¡¯t for the Shock Absorber (R) he had from the beginning, he would¡¯ve had numerous minor injuries.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHere, Contractor. I cuddled itst night, and it seems to be purified.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Something kept hitting my back¡­ Oh!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun admired the chestte, which, unlike its previous dark and ominous appearance, now shone with a refined ck luster.

    <strong></strong>

    Originally, the armor had grotesque embossings, giving it a rough and bizarre look. But Lucy must have done something, as they were all gone, leaving the surface smooth.

    <strong></strong>

    The spots where the embossings had been were marked by white burn marks, adding an unexpectedly cool touch.

    <strong></strong>

    [Purified Grim Reaper''s Cuirass (Unique)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Durability ¨C 5,500/5,500]

    <strong></strong>

    [Defense (U) ¨C 70]

    <strong></strong>

    [Option ¨C When an attack is allowed, there is a low chance of inflicting ''Death Sentence (U)'' on the enemy.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Restriction ¨C Strength, Endurance, Mana Power Rare grade or above]

    <strong></strong>

    [Armor containing the power of a fairy that takes the dead to the afterlife. Initially cursed and unusable, it was enhanced with more sinister power but then purified with the pure power of a light spirit, removing the curse and reviving the armor''s essence.]

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Lucy, you''re the best.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOf course, I am your spirit, after all!

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy boasted, and KiJun was more than willing to indulge her this time.

    <strong></strong>

    A cursed item, now reborn as a precious Unique mid-tier artifact!

    <strong></strong>

    Though it seems the original abilities were reduced, along with durability and defense, it was still outstanding.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun transferred the Shock Absorber to the inside of the armor and tried it on.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps due to its high grade, even without underarmor, it fitfortably over his regr clothes.

    <strong></strong>

    It must have an automatic size adjustment feature; the fit was excellent.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It feels like¡­ being in a warm hot spring.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHehe, that''s because it¡¯s basked in and filled with my light.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKii, Kiiit!

    <strong></strong>

    Ur, fluttering its tail and crying happily at the sight of KiJun in the armor, seemed to find him impressive.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun smiled, feeling secure with just this one piece of armor.

    <strong></strong>

    Although it couldn''tpare to a full te, in both the tutorial and Reta, te armorponents were often treated as a single entity.

    <strong></strong>

    For example, the cuirass KiJun obtained also included the fauld and tasset, protecting the chest, back, abdomen, waist, and upper thighs.

    <strong></strong>

    That''s why in Reta, this was collectively referred to as upper body armor, or "upper armor".

    <strong></strong>

    Simrly, other armor parts were grouped together, so acquiring a full te wasn¡¯t too far-fetched.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®With the reward money, maybe I can custom-order the rest of the pieces to at least Rare grade?¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    While wearing just the upper armor felt sufficient, there was an irresistible desire toplete the full te once he started wearing armor.

    <strong></strong>

    Should he rush to a good forge if the lord rmends one?

    <strong></strong>

    But having obtained one piece at Unique grade, he naturally wanted the rest to match. However, even with plenty of money, crafting Unique grade would require him to find materials himself...

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKnock knock

    <strong></strong>

    Just then, someone knocked on the door. Hastily donning his mask, KiJun opened it to find ¨²nica.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I heard you were looking for an artisan. Let me guide you to the best forge in Turris.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, he had asked the lord to rmend a forge.

    <strong></strong>

    Specifically, he had contacted the information soldier (summon) ¨C the lord''smunication channel with summons, since he couldn''t possess a RetaPhone himself being a non-summon. But why had ¨²nicae directly instead of just informing him about a forge?

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It¡¯s only been a few minutes.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know my race? I''m a Unicorn, particrly from the fast Currus n.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I guessed as much when the lord mentioned Monoceros.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Monoceros, meaning ''one horn'' in Greek, aligns with Unicorn in meaning. The word Currus, meaning ''horse'' in Latin, made it usible that she was a humanized form of a unicorn.

    <strong></strong>

    He restrained his gaze from drifting towards her legs.

    <strong></strong>

    Although curious about her potential speed and strength due to a horse-like muscr structure, it would be rude to stare at a woman''s legs.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Normally, I am training for battle, but father said an overlord only steps onto the battlefield when the territory or the country is in grave danger.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Seems like she understood his thoughts.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Please forget what I just said about father. As a butler, I should refer to him as the lord¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°No need to worry. It was a slip of the tongue as an heir.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Gratefully bowing to him, ¨²nica muttered to herself, then straightened up.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Then, let me guide you to the forge.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    I thought it might be the lord''s contracted forge, but it wasn''t.

    <strong></strong>

    Although the lord-contracted forge guaranteed quality, it was specialized in mass-producing supplies rather than crafting a few masterpieces.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°There''s a forge in Turris that you can''t enter without a certain level of contribution. Of course, it¡¯s essible to the hero of Turris, Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Entry conditions, huh?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    He had hoped for a secretive forge hidden in an alley, run by a mysterious old man with a hidden past, quietly hammering away.

    <strong></strong>

    But realistically, a forge with a skilled cksmith wouldn''t remain unknown.

    <strong></strong>

    A known-only-to-some forge is just an ordinary one.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Wee, ¨²nica. Wee, Jun. We¡¯ve been expecting you.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Indeed, the scene defied KiJun''s imagination.

    <strong></strong>

    A stylish exterior, neatly dressed staff weing customers, and a spotlessly clean interior!

    <strong></strong>

    The store disyed various weapons for sale, separate from the workshop, where the distant sound of hammering added an appropriate touch of sentimentality.

    <strong></strong>

    Entering the stylish store, which was more like a department store than a forge, KiJun felt momentarily disoriented.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Just let us know what you''re looking for, and we''ll bring it right away. Custom orders are also possible.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I¡¯d like to have a shield made¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun hesitated to continue. He had brought a Duhan¡¯s skull of exceptional quality as material but found it difficult to ask if it could be used.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If the order isplex, feel free to write it down.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I''ll take your order, Jun.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nodded and awkwardly described the type of shield he wanted and the materials he had brought.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica¡¯s hand, writing the order, stopped several times.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°A shield for the right hand... You use two shields?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°A Du-Duhan¡¯s skull.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°The lord broke off his horn to...bine with the Duhan¡¯s skull...¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Writing the order, ¨²nica looked as if she was transcribing the Necronomicon.

    <strong></strong>

    However, the employee, taking thepleted order from her trembling hands, looked it over with a serious expression and nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I heard that you often use shields to strike or pierce enemies. I wondered if you might use a shield in each hand. It must have been rigorous training. Impressive.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun¡¯s dual-shielding technique was indeed exceptional, but understanding it without seeing it was not easy. This forge¡¯s staff truly had a different level ofprehension.

    <strong></strong>

    Satisfied and smiling, KiJun heard Lucy sighing.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOur contractor is too easygoing... It¡¯s so worrying.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiiee...

    <strong></strong>

    The employee, seriously examining the order, nodded several times and said,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°In my opinion, it seems possible to craft it. The purified Duhan¡¯s head, the Monoceros¡¯ horn... both are top-grade materials. They might surprisingly harmonize well.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Really? With a Duhan¡¯s skull?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¨²nica instinctively protested, receiving looks from both KiJun and the employee.

    <strong></strong>

    The employee kindly smiled and nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Of course. Although preserving a whole Duhan¡¯s head is difficult, if it can be purified and conserved, it bes an excellent material. The fire of the me Human is said to burn away the vile, and it seems true in this case.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The employee added another statement that mercilessly pricked KiJun¡¯s conscience.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°However, before crafting the shield, a magical catalyst is needed to change the properties of the materials... I''ll need to consult with the Meister for details, but it would be faster to obtain them yourself.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I''ll find them.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    It was indeed joyful news, more than he had expected.

    <strong></strong>

    Sorry for underestimating this neat forge!

    <strong></strong>

    And for lowering my expectations due to the absence of a silently hammering old man... I apologize!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Duhan¡¯s head has arrived?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Meister?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Just then, a raspy male voice echoed from below.

    <strong></strong>

    Instinctively looking down, KiJun saw a dwarf about 130 centimeters tall, resembling a downscaled human, covered in muscles like stone!

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Meister of this Glitter Forge, Dwarf Glittertos Temorda. Did you bring and preserve the Duhan¡¯s head?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    After betraying his expectations until thest moment, a traditional dwarf appeared!

    <strong></strong>

    A dwarf he couldn''t find even with washed eyes in the tutorial!

    <strong></strong>

    Overwhelmed, KiJun nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯d like to request its processing.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ha, an interesting fellow. Funny mask too.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The dwarf, sharply remarking, didn¡¯t press further but extended his hand.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, sweating internally, obediently took out the Duhan¡¯s head and Monoceros¡¯ horn from his inventory and handed them over.

    <strong></strong>

    The dwarf, taking them, sent away the employee, who was flustered in the presence of the Meister, and sat down to meticulously examine the materials.

    <strong></strong>

    Then he muttered,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°A spirit¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun felt his heart drop.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder they match so well. The primary processing is excellently done.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Chuckling, Dwarf Glittertos opened a void and inserted the Duhan¡¯s head and Monoceros¡¯ horn.

    <strong></strong>

    Upon seeing KiJun¡¯s startled expression, he eximed,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just leave it to me. Before I start the main work, I need to adjust some things.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Wait, is that an inventory? Are you a summon?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I was a summon. Now, what you call an NPC.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Glittertos exined with a bitter smile.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°A summon who joins the system as an NPC retains some privileges, like the inventory or RetaPhone. Not much, but handy.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Indeed, Bice, also an NPC, used the inventory and RetaPhone naturally. Even Viv was an NPC.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun grimaced, reproaching himself.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Sorry. I''m still ignorant of many things.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°A warrior just needs to be good at fighting. Don''t sweat the small stuff.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Dwarf Glittertos patted KiJun¡¯s shoulder lightly, adding,

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°I''ll sort out the other materials needed and inform youter. But it¡¯s impossible for now. Even if everything goes fast, it will take months.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°So, it¡¯s not feasible for this expedition.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°If you want a shield that looks simr, I can lend you one for now.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    He produced a Heater Shield resembling the King of the Well, a Rare grade,cking offensive power but normal for a shield.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Next, armor? Full te? Unique is impossible. Even with all the materials, it would take months. Instead, I can provide the remaining parts in ck iron, Rare grade¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The Meister finished calcting and fitted KiJun with the remaining armor parts.

    <strong></strong>

    A helmet covering even his mask, pauldrons with couter and vambrace, ¡®upper armor.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    Cuisse with poleyn and greave, ¡®lower armor.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    Gauntlets and battle boots with leather interiors for easy movement.

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, an under armor made of cloth and leather.

    <strong></strong>

    All of them were Rare grade.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Altogether, that¡¯ll be... 2,500 gold coins.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°What?!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun was willing to pay most of his reward from the lord for Rare grade items, and ¨²nica was shocked ¨C not by the price, but the opposite.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Full te Rare grade for 2,500 is an enormous loss!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It''s not full te. A damaged and returned chest piece was left unused. It¡¯s just convenient someone needed it now.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Glittertos smiled at ¨²nica¡¯s astonishment and admired KiJun in the ck armor, a stunning ck knight straight from a fantasy.

    <strong></strong>

    If only he wasn¡¯t wielding two shields. But maybe KiJun¡¯s reputation with them would make it epted someday.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Or not. How does one fight with two shields? I''m dying of curiosity.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    That day, KiJun paid an extra 500 gold coins for camping gear, provisions, and potions, fully preparing for the expedition.

    <strong></strong>

    The Jahil Party left for the expedition the next day.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): A ruin? Expedition?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): ...You¡¯re taking a rogue this time, right?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): That¡¯s fine, but wait. How many women are in the party?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): You¡¯re joking. That¡¯s all an act. Admiration disguised as sticky, filthy feelings...!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): The ones pretending innocence and clinging are the most dangerous. Remember, if you don¡¯t know!]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Nervous? You won¡¯t be easily defeated in an ordinary ruin. Who do you think you are?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): A memorable ruin? Apart from the one we explored together for 4 years? Hmm, there was a peculiar case.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): You know, sometimes NPCs are involved in ruins? It can be extremely troublesome.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Not just that, some actually settle inside, creating a vige-like environment. That¡¯s right, just like a vige.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): But you never know when they¡¯ll turn into enemies. Remember, if suspicious, crack their skulls first.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Good luck on the expedition! And be careful with women!]

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (56)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    "It all started when I deciphered a very old letter hidden inside an old rocket sold by peddlers. It was a miraculous discovery, indeed¡­¡­."

    <strong></strong>

    At the break of dawn, a party of five members gathered to embark on an expedition.

    <strong></strong>

    The lively voice of Treasure Hunter Herbert heated up the morning air.

    <strong></strong>

    "At first, I never thought it would be near Turris. As you may know, Turris is so full of mana flow that new dungeons appear frequently. Amidst this, to think that a relic, probably centuries old, was lying dormant... it''s almost beyond imagination, isn''t it?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Hey, Lora. Want to try this? It''s chocte I made myself, really good."

    <strong></strong>

    "Uh? Sorry, I don''t really like sweets¡­¡­."

    <strong></strong>

    While Herbert was bragging about his discovery, mixing truth and self-praise, Armillca was busy trying to woo Lora, who responded with a lukewarm expression, looking for an excuse to get away, then brightened up upon seeing Kijun and approached him.

    <strong></strong>

    "The armor really suits you, Mr. Jun! How dashing¡­¡­!"

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun''s lips slightly curled up, pleased with his secretly cravedpliment.

    <strong></strong>

    Who could have dreamed of wearing matching ck te armor during the Tutorial?

    <strong></strong>

    Back then, the party members, especially those in the Tank role, wore whatever had the highest grade and defense, looking like ragged golems.

    <strong></strong>

    But now? Although the Unique grade breastte part stood out too much, the ck gloss of the other parts matched well, and even Kijun had to admit he looked pretty cool.

    <strong></strong>

    Incidentally, his helmet was off since it wasn¡¯t a battle situation.

    <strong></strong>

    "Thanks. The priest robes suit you too."

    <strong></strong>

    "Do you think so¡­¡­?"

    <strong></strong>

    Lora bashfully lowered her head upon receiving thepliment, looking a bit deted.

    <strong></strong>

    Then, she subtly moved closer to Kijun.

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, who was ring at Kijun while clenching the chocte intended for Lora with a crackling sound, looked quite intimidating. Kijun hoped she would leave soon.

    <strong></strong>

    "Actually... this is my first time officially participating in a party as a priest. Ick confidence."

    <strong></strong>

    "There''s a first time for everyone."

    <strong></strong>

    "But, being a priest is such an important role¡­¡­ Ah, not that other roles aren''t important! If I make a mistake, others could be in danger! If something happened to Mr. Jun because of me, I would, uh uh uh¡­¡­."

    <strong></strong>

    Eventually, Lora, with a disheartened look, muttered, "Maybe it''d be better to find another priest¡­¡­." Kijun inwardly clicked his tongue.

    <strong></strong>

    He possessed the Legendary grade skill Adamant, including regeneration abilities, and Lucy''s Light Healing Magic was avable, so a few mistakes from Lora wouldn''t be fatal.

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun thought while feeling a sense of unwarranted guilt for her burden.

    <strong></strong>

    "I never fall until I give up on myself."

    <strong></strong>

    "What?"

    <strong></strong>

    So, he decided to subtly hint at his sturdiness without revealing too much about his skill.

    <strong></strong>

    Looking at Lora, who was staring at him with wide eyes, Kijun emphasized again.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t worry about making mistakes. Even if healing is a bitte, I can wait."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah¡­¡­."

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, Lora''s tension seemed to ease, and a hint of vitality returned to her paleplexion.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are youforting me¡­¡­?"

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s notfort, just the truth. So don''t feel burdened. Even if it''ste¨D¨D just make sure to follow through."

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­¡­Yes!"

    <strong></strong>

    Reinvigorated, Lora clenched her fists in front of her chest, brimming with resolve.

    <strong></strong>

    "Mr. Jun says so, and I can''t keep throwing tantrums forever¡­¡­! I''ll really work hard! I''ll take perfect care of Mr. Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s what I said, you don''t need to feel burdened¡­¡­."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s not a burden, it''s a responsibility! A responsibility I must shoulder!"

    <strong></strong>

    It seemed Lora''s respect for Kijun had grown even more.

    <strong></strong>

    "Kuh, our cute Lo¨D¨Dra is being monopolized by the leader alone¡­¡­!"

    <strong></strong>

    This, in turn, seemed to have heightened Armillca''spetitive spirit towards Kijun.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s good to see party members bonding like this."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, having finished his self-praise, smirked and joined in, whispering to Kijun so that only he could hear.

    <strong></strong>

    "I thought she was a beautiful and puredy¨D¨D if Jun wants to get along with her, I''ll gracefully step back."

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s a misunderstanding. But stepping back is a wise decision. I''ve never seen a love triangle in a party end well."

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun mumbled with a sour expression, recalling past party love troubles during the Tutorial.

    <strong></strong>

    Catching that, Herbert blinked in surprise and said.

    <strong></strong>

    "Seems like you have quite the party experience."

    <strong></strong>

    "You''re the one who seems experienced."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert shrugged at Kijun''s gaze.

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course, I''ve had my share. But many of them were hardly worthy of being called a party. If you''re in the same party, you should cooperate towards amon goal, right?"

    <strong></strong>

    "So you''re looking for a stable party."

    <strong></strong>

    "Exactly. So far, the mood seems pretty good."

    <strong></strong>

    "We''ve just started on our journey."

    <strong></strong>

    "We''re almost there."

    <strong></strong>

    With a grin, Herbert suddenly shouted loudly.

    <strong></strong>

    "We''re taking off now!"

    <strong></strong>

    It was the prearranged signal.

    <strong></strong>

    Immediately sprinting, Herbert was closely followed by Kijun, who looked back to see Armillca carrying Lora and the taciturn In desperately trying to keep up.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite carrying Lora, Armillca was running much faster than In, impressing Kijun with his strength. ncing further back¨D¨D he saw a group that had been tailing them from a distance, now openly chasing after them.

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun felt conflicted as Herbert''s words about shaking off the hyenas came true, something he hadn''t really expected to happen.

    <strong></strong>

    "A fight would only end when one side ispletely wiped out, so avoiding them like this is the best option."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert said, running swiftly without even a hint of disarray in his breathing.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s absurd, isn''t it? Even if they seeded in killing us and entered the relic instead, those ragtag fools wouldn''t even get past the entrance and would end up frustrated."

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun didn''t respond to Herbert''s cynical remark, and just kept running silently. Armillca, carrying Lora, overtook them and teased Kijun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha¨D¨D I thought having Turris''s hero with us would prevent such situations, but it seems your reputation isn''t as big as I thought, leader¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Those people probably followed me from another city."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is that so? You''ve got a tail, Herbert."

    <strong></strong>

    "I wouldn''t say it myself, but my reputation is indeed significant."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca and Herbert exchanged sharp-witted banter, their interaction strangely fitting.

    <strong></strong>

    In,gging behind, grunted and joined in.

    <strong></strong>

    "Isn''t it done now, Shadow Stalker?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Indeed. Got it!"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert nodded and immediately threw something behind him.

    <strong></strong>

    The objects, splitting into several pieces in mid-air, exploded, creating an enormous cloud of mist which a strong wind conveniently spread, shrouding the area.

    <strong></strong>

    "Outrageous."

    <strong></strong>

    "Quite expensive, but perfect for shaking off pursuers. I always keep it handy."

    <strong></strong>

    With a sly wink, Herbert led the group through the mist and soon stopped in a rocky wastnd, indistinguishable from the surroundings.

    <strong></strong>

    He pointed at the disorderly scattered stones, announcing bingo and briefly exined.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you look here, you can see the stones form a full moon pattern embedded in the ground."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, I can''t see it."

    <strong></strong>

    "Haha, hard to find without the eye of a pursuer."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert began preparing to open the relic, pulling out various tools.

    <strong></strong>

    Although Kijun couldn''t see the full moon pattern, he sensed something else.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLegendary grade title [Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon]''s effect has detected the presence of the relic!

    <strong></strong>

    Thanks to the utterly overpowered title effect.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DPreliminary information on the relic is avable for preview.

    <strong></strong>

    [Fragments of Pab - Lupus 17 (Unique)]

    <strong></strong>

    [A relic where werewolves from the powerful dark civilization ''Brickas (¦Â¦Ñ¦Ô¦Ê?¦Ë¦Á¦Ê¦Á?)'', forced into their ranks, fled and found refuge. Within the relic, factions among the werewolves formed, including those wanting to return to human form, those seeking revenge on Brickas, those aspiring to evolve their species, and those who lost their sanity over the ages, bing mere beasts.]

    <strong></strong>

    [The relic is strengthened by special minerals inside that contain the moon''s energy. These can be destroyed or hidden to weaken it. Numerous Unique grade enemies and a Legendary grade enemy exist within.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Brickas, meaning ''werewolf'' in vic, are hostile towards all vampires, especially the ''Kuk'' civilization.]

    <strong></strong>

    It was a strange coincidence that the relic Kijun found while preparing against vampires was a werewolf relic.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThere''s a Legendary grade enemy? It''s been a while since I''ve felt this excited.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I¡¯m always counting on you, Lucy.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKihi?

    <strong></strong>

    ''You too, Ur.''

    <strong></strong>

    Though Unique grade enemies were manageable, a Legendary grade enemy was at least two ranks higher than Kijun''s current racial grade.

    <strong></strong>

    But Kijun, having intensively trained under Bice and developed several Legendary grade skills, wouldn''t be easily defeated.

    <strong></strong>

    Especially considering the titles ''The Last Hero'', ''Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon'', and ''Transcender of Limits'' would all activate in this ''relic'' against ''Legendary'' grade ''werewolves''.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ready! Jun? Why are you just standing there?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    Had Herbert finished his work while Kijun was lost in thought? A splendid altar had appeared where there had been only a pile of rocks.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s enter before the mist clears! Everyone,e up!"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert called everyone onto the circr altar and spoke seriously.

    <strong></strong>

    "Before we enter, understand this: we''re offering ourselves as sacrifices to enter a pocket dimension. We can''t return until we die as sacrifices or destroy the core of the relic. Is everyone prepared?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course."

    <strong></strong>

    "Heh, let''s see who ends up being the sacrifice. This will be fun."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m...ready!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s go."

    <strong></strong>

    With In''s grave voice, the altar lit up.

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun thought it resembled a teleport gate, and indeed, it was.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DEntering the Fragment of Pab (U).

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DUpon entering the relic, the [Discoverer of the Hidden Dungeon (L)] title effect activates. All stats and skill effects increase by 20%.

    <strong></strong>

    In the blink of an eye, they found themselves on a hill under a bright moon.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°This is¡­ evenrger than I expected. The exploration will be quite lengthy.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°It''s almost like a whole country, not just a relic!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Not a country, but it could be a city.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Even the typically stoic In looked around surprised, indicating such relics were rare.

    <strong></strong>

    Amidst this, Kijun noticed his armor clinking and turned to see Lora, seemingly anxious upon entering the relic, instinctively grasping his armor.

    <strong></strong>

    Right, this girl had no realbat experience¡­

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You won¡¯t die.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Mr. Jun mustn''t die either¡­¡­!¡±

    <strong></strong>

    Lora seemed even more frightened by Kijun¡¯s attempt at reassurance.

    <strong></strong>

    This is why calming kids down is so hard.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DShould''ve avoided that strange tone from the start.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I regret it too. Should¡¯ve just been a kind, neighborly me Human¡­¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSpeaking of a kind neighbor¡­ The Contractor still doesn¡¯t understand the essence of the problem, huh.

    <strong></strong>

    ''What¡¯s with you too, Lucy? Want some brown sugar?''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI¡¯m still upset, not telling!

    <strong></strong>

    For some reason, even Lucy was sulking.

    <strong></strong>

    Sighing, Kijun pondered how to resolve the situation.

    <strong></strong>

    As always, there was only one answer.

    <strong></strong>

    "Listen."

    <strong></strong>

    Kijun addressed his tense party members who had just entered the relic.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let¡¯s start with a meal."

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (57)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    Up at the crack of dawn, marching while munching on energy bars made of hardened nuts and grains, and even running excitedly to shake off the pursuit - everyone must have been starving.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun couldn''t tolerate setting out on a relic expedition on an empty stomach. That just wasn''t the way of a straightced guy like him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Here, I made thesest night and kept them in the inventory. Come and eat."

    <strong></strong>

    After asking Ur to keep watch, KiJun spread arge mat on the ground, took out five lunch boxes, a thermos, and five mugs from his inventory, then poured steaming hot tomato stew, quickly preparing a meal for everyone.

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm... Did you make all of this yourself, Jun?"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, d in ck armor, sat cross-legged on the mat and asked with a look of disbelief. Until just moments ago, he''d been scanning the surroundings with a serious expression.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nodded calmly, now quite adept at fibbing.

    <strong></strong>

    "me Humans excel in all tasks involving fire."

    <strong></strong>

    "Good one... Really?"

    <strong></strong>

    Beef pf neatly packed in lunch boxes, various fruits and vegetables tossed in dressing with cheese sprinkled on top, and appetizing sausages in hot tomato stew.

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert wasn''t the only one whose eyes flickered in amazement at the dishes that seemed to shimmer with light.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ur will cover for us. Everyone,e and eat."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKihiit!

    <strong></strong>

    "Right, Ur. There''s some for you too."

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun tickled Ur''s chin and opened its lunchbox, Ur hopped around happily, showering him with affection.

    <strong></strong>

    Naturally, Lucy couldn''t resist reacting.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D...Give me some too, Contractor.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Sure,e here and I''ll feed you.''

    <strong></strong>

    Since Lucy had to stay hidden and could only eat bits and pieces from KiJun while he ate, she grudgingly clung to him, even though she was annoyed.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s tactic to physically close the gap and forcibly mend their rtionship was a roaring sess. Unbeknownst to him, this was exactly what Lucy had intended.

    <strong></strong>

    "You said it was called Red me Water? It''s amazing that it can even keep watch! Can we really rx and eat?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course."

    <strong></strong>

    "Then, let''s dig in¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    While the other party members were just gawking, Armillca, the lightest on her feet, was the first to plop down on the mat and took a big scoop of pf.

    <strong></strong>

    Then she froze.

    <strong></strong>

    "This, this, this is..."

    <strong></strong>

    After a few seconds of being frozen, she regained herposure, chewed the rice, swallowed, and eximed with a surprised face.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s really delicious! I would have eaten it all if I wasn''t controlling my diet..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Warriors fighting in the front lines worrying about diets... Let me try. Oh?"

    <strong></strong>

    After teasing Armillca, Herbert sat down and tried the fried rice, then wore an expression as if he couldn''t believe what he was tasting.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun, may I ask what level your cooking skill is?"

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s Unique."

    <strong></strong>

    "No wonder it''s a taste I''ve never experienced before. I''ll enjoy this, it''s quite a treat to indulge our taste buds on a relic expedition."

    <strong></strong>

    Hearing this, Lora, who had been hesitantly reaching for her lunchbox, blinked rapidly and asked.

    <strong></strong>

    "There are grades in cooking skills...?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Inrge cities, there are high-ss restaurants that can only be opened by proving an Umon grade in cooking skills, Lady."

    <strong></strong>

    "My goodness... Wow."

    <strong></strong>

    Carefully starting her meal, Lora soon joined the others in their exmations of amazement, then quietly focused on her food.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun hoped that the delicious meal would ease her tension a bit as he amiably shared his food with Lucy.

    <strong></strong>

    "...Delicious."

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, the staff wielder In, true to his size, quickly emptied his lunchbox and finally let out an exmation of admiration while eating the tomato stew.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s energizing. Did you put some herbs in it?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I loaded the fried rice with garlic. In the stew, I added onions and herbs that are good for stamina."

    <strong></strong>

    "Oh, that''s lucky."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, overhearing this, joined in excitedly.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s perfect since we suspect werewolves might appear in this relic. They are especially sensitive to smells. Garlic and onions will really give them a hard time."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is that so? Lucky indeed."

    <strong></strong>

    In reality, KiJun, being Korean, tended to generously use garlic and onions in most of his cooking. It wasn''t so much luck as it was habit.

    <strong></strong>

    "From now on, I''ll take care of the meals during expeditions."

    <strong></strong>

    "Really? Maybe we need to rethink the reward distribution..."

    <strong></strong>

    Except for Armillca, who tearfully left about half of her lunchbox and stew, as she was on a diet, all the party members cleaned their tes.

    <strong></strong>

    However, as soon as she finished eating, Armillca, who left some food, quickly rinsed her mouth and pulled out a homemade chocte bar, feeling the gaze of the party members on her. She shrugged her shoulders and retorted.

    <strong></strong>

    "What are you looking at? You know dark chocte doesn''t make you fat, right?"

    <strong></strong>

    "If that makes you happy, then that''s all that matters."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert scoffed and gave the signal to move out. KiJun and the others, either donning their helmets or circting magic power, readied themselves and followed him.

    <strong></strong>

    The relic they entered was of the subspace type, not a typical relic with expanding or altered internal spaces, but apletely separate space from reality.

    <strong></strong>

    As such, it was impossible to gauge the interior size from the outside and it often operated under differentws than reality - like the immediate feature of this relic.

    <strong></strong>

    "That moon, it''s fixed in position. It probably won''t set."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, with his sharp eye for tracking, pointed at the moon hanging in the night sky.

    <strong></strong>

    "An eternal night, huh. Werewolves will love it."

    <strong></strong>

    "And vampires, too."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun jokingly replied, causing Herbert tough at Armillca''s horrified reaction, then he sank into his own shadow.

    <strong></strong>

    He was scouting ahead before the group moved on.

    <strong></strong>

    "That guy is so annoying..."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca ground her teeth and muttered, which KiJun overheard and pondered.

    <strong></strong>

    Could that be part of his Casanova strategy to get her attention?

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor, usually women pretending to hate someone don''t actually despise them at first. They just act that way. But right now, she really hates him.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Women''s hearts areplicated.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou don''t need to understand that, Contractor, you got it?

    <strong></strong>

    Engaged in a leisurely conversation, they slowly descended the hill, and then Herbert emerged from a shadow near a tree and reported to KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun, as expected, there are werewolves. Six of them, no other enemies in sight. What will you do?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Is there room for dialogue?"

    <strong></strong>

    "What?"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert looked puzzled, then exined.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, you might be confused because I said werewolves. They''re not the Lycanthropes of the Light faction but the Vrykkas of the Dark faction. Monsters."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun fell silent upon hearing this, lost in thought.

    <strong></strong>

    Competition in Reta is broadly divided into two types.

    <strong></strong>

    One is thepetition among civilizations to be the final victor, and the other is the struggle between civilizations split into the factions of Light and Darkness.

    <strong></strong>

    Thetter is a more constant and tangible realitypared to the former, which seems too vague. The monsters KiJun had faced during thest Overflow all belonged to the Dark faction.

    <strong></strong>

    ''It''s the same werewolves, but the Lycanthropes of the Light faction are allies, and the Vrykkas of the Dark faction are enemies...''

    <strong></strong>

    If KiJun hadn''t checked the information before entering the relic, he wouldn''t have questioned it. However, the fact that the werewolves in this relic had run away from their pack and that some of them wished to be human troubled him.

    <strong></strong>

    "I understand your hesitation, Leader. When I first encountered orcs from the Dark faction, I tried to talk to them too. But they are our enemies. That''s an unchanging fact."

    <strong></strong>

    In, the spear warrior, said this with narrowed eyes, seeing KiJun''s hesitation.

    <strong></strong>

    Half of his blood was Orc, likely from the Light faction.

    <strong></strong>

    It was easy to imagine the shock he must have felt when he approached monsters because they resembled him, only to be rejected.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun understood In''s feelings and also agreed with Herbert''s stance, but he still couldn''t ignore the information he had gathered about the relic.

    <strong></strong>

    "...I''ll try approaching them."

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Eh? Are you stupid, Leader? We should ambush them, ambush!"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert widened his eyes, and Armillca protested dramatically.

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring their reactions, KiJun replied.

    <strong></strong>

    "We''ve just entered the relic. I want to try everything possible... I¡¯m confident we won¡¯t be pushed back even in a direct confrontation."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha, the hero of Turris really is different. Do you dislike ambushes?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I don¡¯t hesitate to ambush a confirmed enemy."

    <strong></strong>

    Unfazed by Herbert''s sarcasm, KiJun instructed his party to wait and started walking down the hill alone.

    <strong></strong>

    He knew it might seem foolish, but he had no regrets. This was in line with the standards he had set for himself.

    <strong></strong>

    The only frustration was not being able to share the information he had gathered with his party members.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCan''t help it, that title is too powerful to reveal.

    <strong></strong>

    ''If they all rush at me without discrimination, it will be troublesome, right?''

    <strong></strong>

    And soon enough, it became troublesome.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DGrrrrr...!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAnnoying smell. Kill! Cover with blood!

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun closed in enough to see the werewolves with his naked eye, they all turned to him, baring their teeth.

    <strong></strong>

    They wererger than KiJun, even in his armor, with thick gray bristles covering their bodies, making them look like they were wearing heavy armor. Their loins were crudely covered with dirty leather, making them look even more barbaric.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite their openly hostile demeanor, KiJun first tried speaking to them calmly.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you willing to talk?"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DTalk? Sure. After I rip out your heart!

    <strong></strong>

    Starting with the leader of the werewolves, five of them, halfway between bipedal and quadrupedal, lunged at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    Someone from the party on the hill seemed to scream, but of course, it was a needless worry.

    <strong></strong>

    The moment the leader extended its arms with long ws towards KiJun, a pair of white fangs, crafted of holy me, surged through, tearing at the werewolf''s neck.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DGruk...

    <strong></strong>

    No second strike was needed.

    <strong></strong>

    The holy fire, presumably abination of Lucy and Ur''s spirit power, was fatal enough to burn the werewolf to ashes on the spot.

    <strong></strong>

    It was fortunate that at least one of its fangs remained, thanks to KiJun''s ughter skill.

    <strong></strong>

    Picking it up and storing it in his inventory, KiJun clicked his tongue.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you''re not willing to talk, there¡¯s nothing I can do."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBrother!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSo easily...

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DRun away!

    <strong></strong>

    Unlike typical monsters, these werewolves, part of a civilization, quickly realized the disparity in strength with KiJun and tried to escape.

    <strong></strong>

    But by the time they turned to flee, walls of fire had already surrounded them on all sides.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DM-Magic... Cough!

    <strong></strong>

    A shield, thrown like a sh of lightning, lodged into the throat of one werewolf, knocking it down.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun caught the returning shield mid-air and charged at the remaining werewolves, burning and tearing them apart with two massive fangs.

    <strong></strong>

    If they had been merely brave monsters, they might have attacked all at once without thinking, but these half-intelligent beings tried to flee for their lives, leading to their pitiful annihtion.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou have hunted five Rare-grade ''Werewolf Assault Troopers'' and earned an appropriate amount of experience.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun felt a bitter smile form as he realized he was gaining decent experience from these high-ranked enemies, finding himself thinking about experience points as soon as the enemy was confirmed.

    <strong></strong>

    The realization that there were still remaining werewolves came right after.

    <strong></strong>

    "Please, save me...!"

    <strong></strong>

    "So, there were six... Ah ha."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert had said there were six werewolves, but KiJun had only faced five, including the leader.

    <strong></strong>

    He had assumed they were all one group, but now it was clear that one more werewolf, entirely different in size, fur, and even clothing from the other five, was left.

    <strong></strong>

    "Please, I can talk. So please save me, I''m a human...!"

    <strong></strong>

    It was uncertain how the system would judge.

    <strong></strong>

    However, to KiJun, the werewolf in front of him, significantly smaller and with a thin, boyish voice, didn''t seem like a monsterpared to the others.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, considering its severely torn clothes and numerous scratch wounds, it seemed to have been bullied by the other werewolves that were alive until recently.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHmm, it doesn¡¯t seem to be lying.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I don''t know yet. If it''s simr to a human, it might be even better at lying.''

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun hadn''te to the relic to help the werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    He just didn¡¯t want to mindlessly hunt them down only toter realize their circumstances and be left with a bad taste.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Mr. Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun was having a stare-down with the werewolf, Herbert and the rest of the party members rushed to his side.

    <strong></strong>

    Some held their weapons as if guarding against the werewolf, and Armillca even seemed ready to step in and y it herself.

    <strong></strong>

    "Please, save me! I can talk well, really!"

    <strong></strong>

    Watching the werewolf plead in front of KiJun, Herbert let out a strange exmation, staring at KiJun intently.

    <strong></strong>

    In quietly observed the werewolf, ready to respond to any sudden movements, and Lora sped her hands in prayer.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, this is getting troublesome. I don¡¯t know, you handle it. Ahh, Lo¨D¨Dra!"

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, Armillca, realizing it was too troublesome to kill the werewolf, clicked her tongue in disappointment and sheathed her sword. Losing interest in the werewolf, she changed her expression and clung to Lora, flirting with her.

    <strong></strong>

    "It¡¯s good you¡¯re willing to talk."

    <strong></strong>

    "Gasp!"

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, KiJun bent his knees to meet the werewolf''s gaze.

    <strong></strong>

    Facing KiJun''s zing eyes through his helmet, the werewolf''s fear intensified.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m Jun. Tell me everything you know, including your name."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is interrogation considered a conversation now? I had no idea."

    <strong></strong>

    "Do you want to talk with me too, Herbert?"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert closed his mouth.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, the werewolf immediately started spilling all the information it knew¡­

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (58)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    The werewolf''s name was Gin, and he was 19 years old.

    <strong></strong>

    He had lived with his family in a forest vige where the dense trees blocked the moonlight.

    <strong></strong>

    "You don¡¯t get moonlight?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Werewolves transform into their wolf form and be more feral under the moonlight. We must avoid moonlight to maintain our humanity as much as possible."

    <strong></strong>

    "Then why are you here now?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Uh, I was out gathering food when those guys caught me..."

    <strong></strong>

    Gin was a pure-blooded werewolf born among them, but his parents were originally humans who were turned into werewolves through infection.

    <strong></strong>

    Upon hearing this, Herbert added in a cold voice:

    <strong></strong>

    "So they are indeed Vrykkas. Lycanthropes don''t get enhanced by moonlight, and crucially, they don''t have the ability to infect others."

    <strong></strong>

    "Y-Yes, we are Vrykkas. But we''re different...!"

    <strong></strong>

    Those who had been controlled by their wild nature and fought in the army of Vrykkas regained their senses after a certain incident. They escaped from the control of Vrykkas along with others who shared their sentiments and fled to this relic.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why this relic? It¡¯s full of the moon''s energy."

    <strong></strong>

    "It was the leader of our group who decided. Determined to grow stronger and take revenge on the Vrykkas who turned him into a werewolf, he found this relic where we could hide and grow stronger in secret."

    <strong></strong>

    "Did your parents not share that sentiment?"

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s... Yes. My parents just wanted to escape from being like wild beasts. They cooperated with Quinodon out of urgency to escape from them..."

    <strong></strong>

    Quinodon, that was the name of the leader of the werewolf group that had entered this relic.

    <strong></strong>

    Being a long-living race like vampires, he was probably still alive, likely the Legendary-grade boss of this relic.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun quietly repeated that name, Gin continued his story.

    <strong></strong>

    After entering the relic, there were no issues at first, but soon, those who supported Quinodon''s revenge began to oppress those who were passive or opposed.

    <strong></strong>

    Eventually, those who disliked fighting, like Gin''s parents, hid deep in the forest to live quietly or researched ways to be human again, striving to escape the fate of being a Vrykkas.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha. Ah, it''s just funny."

    <strong></strong>

    At this point, Armillca snorted, and as KiJun looked at her, she took a step back, crossing her arms behind her head nonchntly.

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing that she was mocking him, Gin continued in a smaller voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "But they won''t let us go. They try to pull us out to use as soldiers, and if they can''t control us, they just turn us into obedient livestock."

    <strong></strong>

    "Livestock?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Turn us into wolves that can think of nothing but blood and battle. By using this."

    <strong></strong>

    Gin pointed to Herbert.

    <strong></strong>

    Specifically at a small stone that Herbert had picked up and was examining.

    <strong></strong>

    The members'' eyes turned to him, and he, flustered, handed the stone to KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "It was rolling around the dead werewolf. It seems to shine peculiarly under the moonlight..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, that''s the Moonlight Stone, a stone that umtes moonlight and enhances its power! It strengthens werewolves but rapidly erodes their sense of reason. Moreover..."

    <strong></strong>

    As he extended the stone, the werewolf averted his eyes and closed them, seemingly scared to borate.

    <strong></strong>

    "If swallowed... there''s no return. Youpletely lose your sanity and be a rampaging monster."

    <strong></strong>

    Everyone fell silent at his words.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun thought that the ''degradation into mere beasts'' he had read about in the relic''s information might not be just due to the passage of time.

    <strong></strong>

    "Scary, it''s so pretty. Can I keep this?"

    <strong></strong>

    "No."

    <strong></strong>

    That this stone was key to this relic wasn''t only KiJun''s thought.

    <strong></strong>

    He immediately responded to Armillca reaching for it and stored it in his inventory.

    <strong></strong>

    "From now on, I will manage all Moonlight Stones. We can share them fairly after we leave the relic."

    <strong></strong>

    "So you say, but you¡¯ll keep them all for yourself, won¡¯t you, Leader¨D¨D?"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, apparently quite taken with the Moonlight Stone, pouted as she spoke. KiJun snorted in response.

    <strong></strong>

    "I have no reason to covet this."

    <strong></strong>

    "Especially if it''s a dangerous item that drives werewolves mad."

    <strong></strong>

    In also chimed in with a firm voice, supporting KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s better to keep them together and managed by the Leader. Even considering dividing themter, it¡¯s the best option."

    <strong></strong>

    "That¡¯s true¨D¨D but just you wait if you don¡¯t shareter."

    <strong></strong>

    "There won¡¯t be such an issue."

    <strong></strong>

    Satisfied with KiJun''s decisive handling, Herbert nodded and then turned to ask KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun, it seems we''ve heard enough. What will you do now? Honestly, I don¡¯t see how keeping them alive benefits us."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yikes!"

    <strong></strong>

    "But there''s no need to kill them."

    <strong></strong>

    "Phew..."

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun firmly shook his head in response, Armillca interjected.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you kidding? Killing them gives us experience points!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Gulp!"

    <strong></strong>

    "The experience points won''t be much, Swordsman. More important are reason and willingness to talk."

    <strong></strong>

    Fortunately, In also agreed with KiJun, arguing against Armillca.

    <strong></strong>

    "Even if they''re from the Dark faction, if they have intelligence and no hostility toward the Light faction, we should observe them first."

    <strong></strong>

    "Haah..."

    <strong></strong>

    Every time the party members exchanged opinions, the young werewolf reacted, making his youthfulness more evident.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun clicked his tongue and turned to ask Gin.

    <strong></strong>

    "You said they were researching ways to be human."

    <strong></strong>

    In fact, he had been curious about this since earlier.

    <strong></strong>

    Races in conflict in a confined space, werewolves struggling to escape their fate...

    <strong></strong>

    What if they could intervene and bring about some change?

    <strong></strong>

    There was no guarantee that quests wouldn¡¯t arise just because they were from the Dark faction.

    <strong></strong>

    "Y-Yes, that''s right!"

    <strong></strong>

    Gin nodded frantically, his eyes gleaming behind his helmet, his gratitude for KiJun recognizing their efforts overriding his fear.

    <strong></strong>

    "My parents and the vige elders have been researching for decades to find a way to turn back into humans... I was born a werewolf without a choice, but they''ve always been determined to let me live a human life, free from our wild nature, really, I... my parents..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Leader, you''re not actually believing this nonsense, are you?"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca interrupted with a disgusted tone.

    <strong></strong>

    It was apparent from her previous reaction that she had significant disbelief in the possibility of werewolves turning back into humans.

    <strong></strong>

    "Changing one''s race isn''t as easy as flipping a switch. Once you be a werewolf, that''s it. Same with vampires. Once a human bes a vampire, they can never go back to being human."

    <strong></strong>

    "That would be a high-difficulty quest."

    <strong></strong>

    "My goodness."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, feigning a headache, pulled out another chocte and bit into it, not forgetting to offer one to Lora with a gentle voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "The chances of sess are slim. But there''s no loss. In the end, we can achieve our goal of entering this relic by moving together with Gin."

    <strong></strong>

    "What does that mean?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Oh, really."

    <strong></strong>

    As Armillca chewed her chocte and retorted, Herbert replied instead of KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "The pursuit team ising. This guy seems quite popr."

    <strong></strong>

    "Eek, uh..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is there something you haven¡¯t told us yet?"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert''s cold gaze swept over Gin.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin hung his head, clenching his fists tightly and trembling.

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s... they..."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DFound them!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DGrrrr... There are others with them!

    <strong></strong>

    Soon, the rest of the party could also see them.

    <strong></strong>

    Easily more than ten, and they were dressed simrly to the werewolves they had previously killed.

    <strong></strong>

    Considering they had not moved from their exposed position and were openly conversing, it was inevitable that the group apanying the previously in werewolves would find them.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DInform the other wolves, he has humans with him, ugh!

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert quickly drew a small crossbow from his cloak and fired it with lightning speed, piercing the throat of one of the werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s eyes widened slightly as he noticed the shining silver bolt cutting through the air.

    <strong></strong>

    "Silver?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Sharp as always. Yes, I alwayse well-prepared."

    <strong></strong>

    Whether the crossbow had a rapid-fire feature or not, Herbert nonchntly continued to shoot silver-tipped bolts, immobilizing the werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    Vampires and werewolves shared a fatal weakness to silver.

    <strong></strong>

    As each bolt hit, clumps of werewolf fur fell off, and the smell of burning flesh vibrated through the air, confirming its effectiveness.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDamn, silver arrows!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DToo fast¨D¨D!

    <strong></strong>

    As bolts rained down like a shower, the werewolves panicked and scattered. That¡¯s when Armillca, with a chuckle, leaped into action.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ei!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DSwoosh.

    <strong></strong>

    With a sword that seemed to leap from its sheath, she dashed into the enemies¨Ddancing lightly through their ranks, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.

    <strong></strong>

    After shaking her sword in mid-air, she sheathed it without looking back, her demeanor both arrogant and seductive.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCough!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DChoke!

    <strong></strong>

    The next moment, all those in her path copsed, spewing rotten blood, gotpletely annihted.

    <strong></strong>

    Swift and deadly.

    <strong></strong>

    Her actions made it clear why she was a renowned mercenary in the big city.

    <strong></strong>

    "These are just minions, huh? Not much of a challenge."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca turned back, disgusted to see that the werewolves had left nothing behind, and rejoined the group.

    <strong></strong>

    Lora, who had been fawned over by her until now, seemed to have a slightly changed view of her, pping softly.

    <strong></strong>

    "Wasn¡¯t I awesome?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Very fast indeed... Oh, are you hurt? I can heal."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, I¡¯m totally fine. No way I''d get hurt fighting those."

    <strong></strong>

    Pleased by the attention from Lora, Armillca grinned disgustingly and then turned her focus away.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, who had quickly lost interest in her, turned to Gin, who was now restrained by Herbert and nervously facing a silver arrowhead.

    <strong></strong>

    "So, what¡¯s the secret you¡¯re hiding?"

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s... they''re after me. Quinodon''s group, especially me..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, I can see they''re chasing you en masse. But why?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Hold on, Jun. Something''s not right."

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, Herbert raised a hand to stop KiJun from getting closer to Gin.

    <strong></strong>

    "Normally, werewolves react strongly to silver, either burning or partially transforming back. But this guy is way too unscathed."

    <strong></strong>

    "Th-That''s what I was about to tell you... So..."

    <strong></strong>

    Gin awkwardly stretched his neck and scraped his skin directly against the silver arrowhead.

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, not intending to kill, recoiled in shock. Surprisingly, Gin only suffered a minor scrape without any further reaction.

    <strong></strong>

    Stunned, the group looked at him as he spoke in a hesitant voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "I mentioned we were experimenting to be human. I''ve achieved some results, albeit iplete."

    <strong></strong>

    "...What results?"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert''s face turned serious.

    <strong></strong>

    The rest of the party, including Armillca, also seemed to realize that KiJun''s quest might not be mere fantasy.

    <strong></strong>

    "I don''t get injured by silver anymore... But the problem is, now I can''t transform back even without moonlight."

    <strong></strong>

    "Not bing human, but oveing a werewolf''s weaknesses."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ugh."

    <strong></strong>

    "Wow¨Dincredible! This is huge, Leader!"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca jumped up and down, cheering.

    <strong></strong>

    "We can make a fortune if we extract valuable information from this! Great job not killing him, Leader! You''re a genius!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert sighed in genuine contempt at Armillca¡¯s swift change of attitude, from criticizing to praising KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun was then sure that Herbert indeed had no interest in Armillca.

    <strong></strong>

    "Tell us more, Gin. How does your new potential as a werewolf rte to these attacks?"

    <strong></strong>

    Under Herbert''s somewhat sharp interrogation, Gin clenched his fists tighter.

    <strong></strong>

    "That¡¯s... I don¡¯t know much, but they are also conducting research."

    <strong></strong>

    "Research to be human?"

    <strong></strong>

    "No, to surpass Vrykkas."

    <strong></strong>

    "Pfft."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillcaughed mockingly again.

    <strong></strong>

    "No matter how much they grow, these half-breeds can never surpass the pure-blood Vrykkas. You''re saying werewolves bitten by Vrykkas want to surpass the original werewolves?"

    <strong></strong>

    "You seem to know a lot."

    <strong></strong>

    "I despise werewolves, so I''ve thoroughly analyzed them! As an expert, I can tell you that werewolves turned by Vrykkas aiming to surpass them is as nonsensical as them trying to be human!"

    <strong></strong>

    "They¡¯ve found a way."

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm?"

    <strong></strong>

    Skeptical, Armillca looked at Gin, who spoke with a resolved expression.

    <strong></strong>

    "Through... cannibalism. Especially, the heart."

    <strong></strong>

    "...I wish I hadn''t heard that."

    <strong></strong>

    "Indeed."

    <strong></strong>

    The party members grimaced in unison.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin was now a target for werewolves seeking revenge on Vrykkas, treated as a sort of elixir.

    <strong></strong>

    One thing was clear: keeping him around would ensure they wouldn¡¯t need to hunt in this relic.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin''s party was engaged in battle deep in a dungeon with muscr humanoid monsters with hyena-like heads, called ''Gnolls,'' and their bosses.

    <strong></strong>

    There were two bosses: the Gnoll Chieftain and his guard. Additionally, dozens of various types of Gnolls, enhanced by the chieftain''s orders, attacked the party.

    <strong></strong>

    First, JiHye''s area magic nearly wiped out the Gnolls. Then, the party advanced with EunShin and YeMin quickly taking down the remaining enemies, marking the Gnoll guard.

    <strong></strong>

    MokSoo blocked the Chieftain''s advances, and JiHye''s precise and powerful sniping magic, ''Lightning Spear,'' attacked the guard¨Dultimately, YeMin''s long sword mercilessly finished off the exposed guard.

    <strong></strong>

    Now only the Gnoll Chieftain was left, proving to be a tough opponent with its extraordinary vitality.

    <strong></strong>

    "Keeek!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, so tenacious!"

    <strong></strong>

    Finally, JiHye''s massive me engulfed the chieftain''s head, and EunShin''s dagger, thrown with force, hit its heart.

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin''s sword then sessfully decapitated it.

    <strong></strong>

    "Pant, pant..."

    <strong></strong>

    Having confirmed the entry of experience points, YeMin, unusually tired, sat down nearby.

    <strong></strong>

    EunShin also squatted down, sighing and grumbling for once.

    <strong></strong>

    "So tough, was it Legendary-grade or something?"

    <strong></strong>

    "We saw the message; it was Unique, not Legendary... Wasn¡¯t the dungeon boss supposed to be Rare-grade? Did the guild deceive us because we¡¯re human?"

    <strong></strong>

    "No, even so, the guild deceiving its members doesn''t make sense... Maybe its rank evolved recently? There hadn''t been any clear records recently, right?"

    <strong></strong>

    As YeMin and EunShin quietly conversed, MokSoo, who had withstood the Chieftain¡¯s attacks alone, finally set down his hammer with a sigh.

    <strong></strong>

    "Phew..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Uncle Soo!"

    <strong></strong>

    Worried, JiHye hurried over to him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you hurt?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I¡¯m okay, the attacks were heavy. But this guy, not even a wolf, bit so much."

    <strong></strong>

    "You¡¯re bitten?"

    <strong></strong>

    Gnolls could bite, given their hyena-like heads.

    <strong></strong>

    Though they could... JiHye felt uneasy hearing MokSoo''s words.

    <strong></strong>

    "Uncle, let me see your wound."

    <strong></strong>

    "Hey! This kid doesn¡¯t even know that ''men and women should not sit together after the age of seven''¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Stop pretending to be old-fashioned and hurry up and take off your armor!"

    <strong></strong>

    After forcing MokSoo to remove his leather armor, JiHye''s face hardened upon seeing his wound.

    <strong></strong>

    She pulled out holy water she had bought at a high price from a temple, just in case, and carefully applied it to the wound.

    <strong></strong>

    Hisss¨Dthe wound hissed, ck blood oozed out and burned away.

    <strong></strong>

    MokSoo also realized the seriousness of his wound and turned grim.

    <strong></strong>

    "...What was that?"

    <strong></strong>

    "A vampire."

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye murmured softly.

    <strong></strong>

    "The dungeon boss, the Gnoll Chieftain, was a vampire. Secretly, without anyone knowing."

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, YeMin''s party also grasped a clue about the vampire invasion that had started from the other side of the country.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (59)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    157.

    <strong></strong>

    That was the number of werewolves the Jahil Party had hunted in just an hour while apanying Gin.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, the level of those werewolves was only Rare-grade, and since the party wasposed of skilled members capable of assisting KiJun from the start, they did not struggle or get tired from the hunt.

    <strong></strong>

    In fact, quite the opposite.

    <strong></strong>

    "Everyone, any injuries..."

    <strong></strong>

    "None."

    <strong></strong>

    "Thank you for your concern, but I am fine, Lora."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m unscathed."

    <strong></strong>

    The Priest, trying to fulfill her role as a healer, pitifully found that the party members were unscathed despite fighting the werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    Just when Lora was giving a slightly resentful look at In, who was confidently showing his arm to prove he was unhurt.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, I think I''m injured!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Really? Show me your wound!"

    <strong></strong>

    It was strange how the party members seemed excited to hear someone was injured.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun watched this with a thought, Armillca, the only one who imed to be injured, pouted her lips toward Lora.

    <strong></strong>

    "I think I hurt my lip. If Lo¨D¨Dra gives me a kiss, it will heal clea¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Kyaa?!"

    <strong></strong>

    Fortunately, before KiJun could intervene, In quickly shielded Lora behind him.

    <strong></strong>

    He gave Armillca a stern look and warned her.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you do that again, I''ll report it to the guild."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s just a light joke..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Unwanted physical contact without consent is sexual harassment, a crime."

    <strong></strong>

    As Armillca grumbled, KiJun cut her off decisively, making the party members suddenly focus on him.

    <strong></strong>

    "What?"

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s unexpected. KiJun is that considerate."

    <strong></strong>

    "You know how to speak like that too, Leader."

    <strong></strong>

    "...You guys are quite rude."

    <strong></strong>

    Remembering the words of Conan, the muscr barbarian warrior created by American novelist Robert E. Howard, KiJun wondered if he should be a barbarian himself to teach these ''civilized'' people manners.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Conan, the great and wise Barbarian, grant me the wisdom and courage to discipline these civilized people...''

    <strong></strong>

    However, before KiJun''s sacred Moonlight Blood Fang could "educate" the party, Gin, walking ahead, spoke in a small voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "We''re almost there. It¡¯s just a bit further to my vige. Just follow me."

    <strong></strong>

    "Oh, but how did that vige stay safe¨D¨D Ah."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, who couldn''t resist asking questions, let out an exmation of amazement.

    <strong></strong>

    The fog cleared only along the path Gin walked on.

    <strong></strong>

    "A special barrier..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Hurry up and follow. It''ll be troublesome if they see us."

    <strong></strong>

    "What happens if we stray off the path?"

    <strong></strong>

    "You''ll wander in the fog and fall into traps. This relic isn''t originally where we lived; it''s full of notoriously dangerous traps. Be careful."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, who tried to step into the fog, withdrew her foot after hearing this.

    <strong></strong>

    Lora, frightened by Gin''s words, quietly closed the gap with KiJun and clung to the edge of his cloak.

    <strong></strong>

    "Lo¨D¨Dra,e to my side."

    <strong></strong>

    "No."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, rejected..."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, genuinely dejected, pulled out another chocte. Herbert, incredulous,mented.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ever heard of karma?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I know about unwanted advice."

    <strong></strong>

    "Then you know about misdirected anger?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I could kill you, you know..."

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring their bickering, the party finally reached the vige.

    <strong></strong>

    Trees densely surrounded the area, blocking out most moonlight, and the fog enveloped the area, further filtering the moonlight.

    <strong></strong>

    In that small, darkness-dominated vige, people who looked like normal humans came out to greet Gin, rejoicing at his safe return.

    <strong></strong>

    "You¡¯re safe, Gin! ...But who are these people?"

    <strong></strong>

    "They helped me. They¡¯ve agreed to assist in our research to be human..."

    <strong></strong>

    "What?!"

    <strong></strong>

    A woman listening to Gin''s words pped his back in shock.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite looking human, she seemed to be a werewolf with formidable strength, judging by the powerful sound of her ps.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ow, ow! Ma''am!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Bringing outsiders and talking about that! What if they work for Vrykkas! Ugh, you''re as naive as your father¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Vrykkas'' boss, Chort, is a bastard!"

    <strong></strong>

    Suddenly, Armillca shouted out.

    <strong></strong>

    At the familiar name, KiJun tilted his head, and while everyone froze, Armillca continued nonchntly.

    <strong></strong>

    "That bastard iming to be the ''Son of Death'' has never even properly seen Chernobog, a liar. He boasts of immortality like Koschei but is actually a dumb werewolf who can''t even handle simple magic!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Stop it..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Do you want more? Your leader, Quinodon? I''ve never even heard of that name! It¡¯s not given by his master but self-proimed, right? Names self-given can only hold one''s own power. He''s just an idiot ying king in this narrow prison!"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca''s rant, reminiscent of a diss rap, left KiJun realizing the names were from vic mythology.

    <strong></strong>

    Chort symbolized ''evil of fate,'' Chernobog was the ''Dark God'' representing darkness, destruction, death, and Koschei, the immortal character in Russian folklore, famous for hiding his soul in a needle''s eye, a precursor to the concept of a Lich storing its soul in a phctery.

    <strong></strong>

    ''It''s all vic folklore, from Vrykkas to Kuk. It''s interesting how Earth''s cultures and legends are spoken of as real in another world...''

    <strong></strong>

    Maybe Earth had connections with other worlds even before a million heroes were summoned to the tutorial.

    <strong></strong>

    Convinced by his thoughts, KiJun nodded, and Armillca, narrowing her eyes, asked the vigers.

    <strong></strong>

    "Is this not enough? Can''t you identify friend or foe yet?"

    <strong></strong>

    "No, it''s fine. We trust you..."

    <strong></strong>

    The vigers, still fearful of ''Chort'' despite having escaped from Vrykkas, hurriedly ushered them inside, sweat beading on their foreheads.

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca quickly earned their trust, proving she wasn¡¯t lying about being an expert on werewolves. She then gave a calm V-sign to the party.

    <strong></strong>

    The party silently responded with a thumbs-up.

    <strong></strong>

    "As for our research, we''ve only seen a bit of effect with Gin..."

    <strong></strong>

    "We''ve encountered quite a few targeting him on our way here."

    <strong></strong>

    This time, it was KiJun who stepped forward.

    <strong></strong>

    "We can protect him. If there''s anything you need for the research, we can provide it. In return, we want detailed information about this relic."

    <strong></strong>

    "And the research content, too!"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca added, and after some hesitation, the vigers agreed to their proposal.

    <strong></strong>

    "But we''re only helping a little. Most of the research is being conducted by Gin''s parents. His father... he''s the expert."

    <strong></strong>

    "We can quicklypile and deliver detailed information about the relic."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ayayaya... Then, everyone, let me guide you to our house!"

    <strong></strong>

    Despite rubbing his sore back from being hit, Gin led them to thergest house in the small vige, as expected.

    <strong></strong>

    "Gin!"

    <strong></strong>

    A young woman, looking almost the same age as Gin, dropped a giant axe she was holding and greeted them. The axe thudded heavily into the ground, and KiJun noted the de¡¯s white shine, indicating it was likely silver-coated.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun quietly asked Herbert, "Do werewolves usually use silver?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Carrying it alone would cause internal injuries. It affects their healing abilities... It must be painful."

    <strong></strong>

    So, it was practically a cursed weapon, carried out of deep mistrust and hostility towards their own kind.

    <strong></strong>

    "Mom!"

    <strong></strong>

    As expected, the young-looking vigers turned out to be Gin''s family, but not his siblings. Reunited with his mother, Gin hurriedly pulled the silver axe from the ground and threw it far away.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don¡¯t push yourself, Mom. You can¡¯t even withstand silver."

    <strong></strong>

    "As long as I can strike down an enemy before I die, it¡¯s fine."

    <strong></strong>

    Afterforting Gin, his mother turned to KiJun''s party with a wary expression.

    <strong></strong>

    "So... who are you people?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I didn¡¯t expect to exin twice."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, let me do it!"

    <strong></strong>

    Gin exined everything that had happened since meeting the Jahil Party, and his mother bowed in gratitude but remained cautious.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why are you interested in our research progress, which only helps werewolves withstand silver? It won¡¯t be of much help. And to offer help in our research... it''s hard to believe outsiders suddenly appearing and saying such things."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s because it''s profitable¨D¨D Uh!"

    <strong></strong>

    "You¡¯re misunderstanding, ma¡¯am. This research could benefit our future and significantly aid the entire Light Faction. Let me exin simply."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, gently pushing aside Armillca, exined their perspective.

    <strong></strong>

    "Think about when you leave this relic."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes? That would be..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Being Vrykkas, you won¡¯t be epted by the Light Faction. But the records of your research could serve as evidence to persuade them."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, mixing realism with his fiery speech, continued earnestly.

    <strong></strong>

    "But if the research progresses, not only your son but other innocent victims of Vrykkas could be human again. It would be a monumental achievement celebrated by the entire Light Faction. You''d be heroes."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert¡¯s unexpected fervor, considering his skepticism at first, even made KiJun, who had been thinking vaguely aboutpleting a quest, feel like a fool.

    <strong></strong>

    "It¡¯s just a fantasy. Of course, we started the research with that goal, but it ended up causing more pain for my son¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    "Without trying, you won¡¯t know. Your efforts are already remarkable, ma¡¯am. I believe they will bear even greater fruit."

    <strong></strong>

    As Herbert respectfully acknowledged her, the woman blushed and coughed awkwardly.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nced at Herbert, wondering...

    <strong></strong>

    Regardless of KiJun''s suspicions, Herbert''s sincere persuasion worked, and the woman eventually nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    "The thought of going outside again... I hadn''t even dreamt of it."

    <strong></strong>

    Looking at Gin, she firmly said, "I want to show him the bright sky, the sun. If there¡¯s even a slight chance... please help us, everyone."

    <strong></strong>

    "Mom..."

    <strong></strong>

    "What are you making that face for?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ow!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Come in, everyone."

    <strong></strong>

    After yfully hitting her son, she warmly invited the party inside.

    <strong></strong>

    Upon entering, they saw arge man seated at the living room table, meticulously loading a triple-barrel shotgun with thick slugs, each thicker than a thumb. The barrels were designed without rifling but with rifled bullets for range and uracy. The bullet heads gleamed white, likely silver-coated, and the weapon''s structure differed from what KiJun knew.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOf course, it''s different, Contractor. Regardless of which civilization you encountered this in, this is an independent magical artifact developed in the Reta continent.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Ah, something like a magic bomb.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DRight! I felt familiar energy from it. It¡¯s probably made by that dark mage too.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡®Directly?¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDirectly.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin''s father, and perhaps his mother too, might have deep connections with dark mages.

    <strong></strong>

    Understanding the depth of knowledge and magical aptitude required, KiJun realized why significant research capable of changing the history of werewolves in this relic was possible.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Ah, a magic shotgun... an excellent tool for conversation.¡±

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun marveled at the weapon and magically crafted ammunition, Armillca and Herbert, who had been excited about seeing the research data, suddenly quieted down.

    <strong></strong>

    "Dear, Gin has returned safely!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    <strong></strong>

    The woman''s voice broke the icy atmosphere. The man, careful not to injure himself while working, looked up to see Gin and put down the shotgun to embrace him.

    <strong></strong>

    "I was worried, Gin."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ouch, Dad! Ouch! Sorry!"

    <strong></strong>

    After a few strong pats on the back, the man''s disy of affection made KiJun wonder if Gin¡¯s regenerative ability could heal the impact.

    <strong></strong>

    "Pleasee this way, everyone."

    <strong></strong>

    Following the woman inside, KiJun caught a glimpse of a bitter smile on Herbert''s lips and asked reflexively, "Are you okay?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you concerned? Thank you, but I''m fine."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert brushed off the bitter smile and whispered to KiJun, making sure no one else heard.

    <strong></strong>

    "Remember my words, KiJun. A possibility is just that, a possibility. Don''t get too attached to these people. We¡¯re here to conquer this relic."

    <strong></strong>

    He passionately persuaded the woman moments before, but now his voice was cold.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun sensed Herbert might have his ownplexities unknown to him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Herbert, you..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, KiJun? Is there something?"

    <strong></strong>

    Facing Herbert, who seemed as if the previous conversation never happened, KiJun swallowed the question that almost escaped his lips.

    <strong></strong>

    What did Herbert know before entering this relic?

    <strong></strong>

    Depending on that, KiJun might need to change his attitude towards him.

    <strong></strong>

    But for some reason, he couldn¡¯t ask now.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (60)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    Gin''s parents had concluded that to break free from the curse of being werewolves, they must confront and ovee the moon, which amplifies their ferocity and robs them of their sanity. Simultaneously, silver, with its disinfecting properties, was essential in oveing the mental contamination brought by the moon and purging the venom.

    <strong></strong>

    "Since he was young, we''ve consistently exposed Gin to the moon and silver ording to a strict schedule. For Gin, it was truly... truly a cruel thing to do."

    <strong></strong>

    Outside, the sounds of Gin still being scolded by his father were audible.

    <strong></strong>

    With a bittersweet smile, the mother gently stroked the pages of Gin''s experiment journal, spanning nearly 20 years on the researchb''s table, and continued in a soft voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "We wanted to free Gin from the curse of being a werewolf at all costs. Seeing himpletely lose his sanity and turn into a bloodthirsty beast every full moon, every time the alpha wolf howled, was too horrific..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Are the vigers on the same page? Prioritizing Gin over themselves, I mean."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s sharp question slightly stiffened the party members'' expressions. However, the mother confidently nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    "As you might have guessed, we alle from the same research institute. We''ve been researching and learning magic together since long ago. Even after bing werewolves, we''ve relied on each other and survived to this point. We''re practically a family now."

    <strong></strong>

    "A family, huh."

    <strong></strong>

    Recalling the woman who warmly weed Gin and started thebo attack on his back when they first arrived in the vige, KiJun nodded in agreement.

    <strong></strong>

    "Moreover, it''s very difficult for non-pureblood werewolves to have children... Gin is like a child to all the vigers."

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s truly remarkable. It''s rare enough for those turned by Vrykkas to have the freedom to start families."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, escaping with Quinodon was also motivated by that. They loved each other, after all."

    <strong></strong>

    Complementing Herbert''s observation with a faint smile, the mother continued more seriously.

    <strong></strong>

    "Admittedly, our current research, meticulously nned and experimented with since Gin was in the womb, can''t be applied to others. But if Gin can be human, the data obtained in the process could start more universal and stable experiments applicable to other werewolves like us..."

    <strong></strong>

    The party members, even Armillca, who had high hopes for the research, could only shake their heads in dismay at the research¡¯s highly specialized and unique content.

    <strong></strong>

    "Is there really anything we can do to help with the research?"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun asked, resolved to flee if human experimentation was required. Fortunately, the mother nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    "Honestly, we''ve tried everything we could on our own."

    <strong></strong>

    "One thing remains," she said, raising her index finger.

    <strong></strong>

    "The silver imbued with moonlight."

    <strong></strong>

    Silver, the metal that suppresses werewolves strengthened by the moon.

    <strong></strong>

    It would seem that the moon and silver could never harmonize. However, they theorized that precisely because werewolves are dominated by the moon, only the true power of the moon could fully suppress them.

    <strong></strong>

    It felt like a pseudoscientific theory akin to fighting fire with fire, but seeing everyone else nodding seriously, KiJun had no choice but to go along.

    <strong></strong>

    "I wonder if I can make Ginseng chicken soup this summer..." KiJun mused when Herbert suddenly asked in a tense voice.

    <strong></strong>

    "Does it really exist?"

    <strong></strong>

    "The relic here surely contains moon-imbued silver. We have an idea of its location."

    <strong></strong>

    Like the Moonlight Stone unique to this relic, the moon''s power here was unusually strong.

    <strong></strong>

    "So, where is it?"

    <strong></strong>

    "There''s a ce where we mined silver before. If you look at the map, it''s around here..."

    <strong></strong>

    The mother took out a detailed map of the relic, boldly circled a central area, then drew a line to arge mountain range, circling it twice.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you follow the earth''s veins, there''s almost certainly a silver vein here. Quinodon''s pack also tends to avoid this mountain."

    <strong></strong>

    "So something there significantly weakens werewolves, for sure..."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s extremely dangerous, though. Beyond here is entirely upied by Quinodon''s pack and feral werewolves. We never dared to venture there."

    <strong></strong>

    Despite the woman''s concerns, the party members excitedlymented.

    <strong></strong>

    "I knew there''d be a hot spot."

    <strong></strong>

    "We''ll surely earn a lot of experience points."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m nervous, but... I''ll do my best!"

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s finally feeling like a quest."

    <strong></strong>

    At Herbert''s finalment, KiJun couldn''t help but smile.

    <strong></strong>

    From the moment KiJun joined the research effort, he had been anticipating such a development.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ahaha... You''re brave. But rest tonight ¨C well, whether it''s night is questionable. The moonlight will soon intensify, making it difficult to confront the werewolves."

    <strong></strong>

    "Moonlight?"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun tilted his head in confusion.

    <strong></strong>

    "The moon here is fixed in the sky, isn''t it?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Right. But once a day, the light it emits intensifies. Then, earthquakes ur, and even this vige is affected by the moonlight."

    <strong></strong>

    The relic''s concept was impressively thorough.

    <strong></strong>

    "Though it''s not the real moon ¨C probably a great artifact rted to the relic''s creation."

    <strong></strong>

    "A relic! Can we take that moon too?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Try it. Watching you jump around would be a delight."

    <strong></strong>

    Amused by Armillca''s relentless greed, Herbert retorted.

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring the renewed standoff between the two, KiJun spoke up.

    <strong></strong>

    "Then tonight... we''ll rest. May I use the kitchen for a while?"

    <strong></strong>

    "The kitchen?"

    <strong></strong>

    The mother looked puzzled, eyes wide.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, removing his cumbersome helmet and grinning, said, "Maybe my cooking can help Gin."

    <strong></strong>

    "Really...?"

    <strong></strong>

    Tonight''s menu: Tteok-galbi, inspired by the round full moon.

    <strong></strong>

    He had briefly considered making Hamburg steak, but since he was cooking for many, he wanted to secretly and cunningly assert his Korean heritage and that they were eating Korean cuisine.

    <strong></strong>

    Deciding on luxurious tteok-galbi, KiJun then faced the tedious task of meticulously preparing and mincing expensive beef ribs.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s fortunate I bought a whole cow, not knowing when we''d eat it."

    <strong></strong>

    "Woah... You handle the knife so skillfully, Mr. Jun."

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun, refusing topromise on his armor, donned an apron over it and expertly minced the meat, Lora naively apuded.

    <strong></strong>

    The other members, bored inside, went out to explore the vige and greet the people, leaving only Lora with KiJun. Armillca had wanted to stay with Lora, but Herbert and In took her out, seeing through her intentions.

    <strong></strong>

    "Have you ever considered using a sword?"

    <strong></strong>

    "A kitchen knife and a sword are different."

    <strong></strong>

    "Sorry, I didn''t mean it like that..."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s okay."

    <strong></strong>

    As Lora, overwhelmed by admiration for KiJun, bowed to apologize again, he stopped her.

    <strong></strong>

    He began seasoning the minced meat with sugar, honey, and soy sauce from Turris''s importer, continuing the conversation.

    <strong></strong>

    "I chose a shield initially because I didn¡¯t want to be a burden. I tried other weapons, but the shield felt most natural. So, I ended up learning to fight with a shield, with help from my master."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou''re morizing that training with the demon quite nicely, Contractor.

    <strong></strong>

    Ignoring Lucy''s remark, KiJun began kneading the tteok-galbi mix. Noticing Lora''s silence, he nced at her to find her tearfully moved by his embellished tale.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, flustered, forgot his fa?ade and muttered, "Why are you crying?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Your noble resolve moves me... You truly are a hero at heart, Mr. Jun!"

    <strong></strong>

    Could she be twisting his actions to heroically interpret them?

    <strong></strong>

    But her blind admiration, though burdensome, was useful now.

    <strong></strong>

    ''It''s just the two of us... I should tell her now.''

    <strong></strong>

    Thomas Aquinas, the renowned Italian theologian and philosopher, said, "To one who has faith, no exnation is necessary. To one without faith, no exnation is possible."

    <strong></strong>

    While Aquinas referred to faith in God, Lora''s faith in KiJun was not much different.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun could trust Lora to believe him without demanding clear evidence.

    <strong></strong>

    "Lora, I have something to tell you."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, yes?! Say anything! I''m... ready!"

    <strong></strong>

    Wearing an apron over his armor and kneading the tteok-galbi, KiJun spoke in a serious tone, a man hiding behind a mask. Lora, with her eyes sparkling, eagerly awaited his words.

    <strong></strong>

    "Lucy."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''ve already set up a barrier.

    <strong></strong>

    He created a soundproof barrier using spirit power without Lora noticing.

    <strong></strong>

    No matter what she was expecting, KiJun''s next words would surely astonish her. He spoke with a bitter smile.

    <strong></strong>

    "¨D¨D¨D¨D is an enemy."

    <strong></strong>

    "Excuse me?"

    <strong></strong>

    Her question was not due to not hearing him but rather the shock of his statement. However, KiJun, continuing to knead the tteok-galbi, added only this.

    <strong></strong>

    "So be careful."

    <strong></strong>

    "Okay..."

    <strong></strong>

    Lora, realizing his seriousness, nodded dumbfoundedly. KiJun nodded back and returned to his cooking.

    <strong></strong>

    ''The tteok-galbi just needs to be seasoned and cooked now. Using the remaining bones and meat for broth to make noodles would be ideal.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DNoodles? Yay, Contractor, you''re the best!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DHehe...

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun was having a serious conversation with his party member, Lucy was simply overjoyed about having noodles for dinner. Even though Ur often looked at her disdainfully, KiJun chose not to mention that Ur wasn''t much different when faced with KiJun''s cooking.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s tteok-galbi and noodles were, of course, a huge hit. Selective eater Armillca left some food behind as usual, but Gin and Herbert finished off even her leftovers and requested another bowl each.

    <strong></strong>

    "Your cooking holds a power to negate evil... It''s astonishing."

    <strong></strong>

    Gin''s mother was surprised by the food''s effect, exining in detail how it felt like a tainted soul being healed.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah..."

    <strong></strong>

    Unlike her, Gin''s father simply shed tears, silently finishing his bowl of noodles.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, reminded of someone he knew, smiled bitterly and said, "Eating too much of this might still have adverse effects."

    <strong></strong>

    "It might seem detrimental, but that''s only in terms of physical strength. I feel as if the pure magical energy, long oppressed by werewolf energy, is stirring within me."

    <strong></strong>

    "It¡¯s a truly remarkable cuisine. Never imagined that we, cast into darkness, would be treated to such a light-filled meal."

    <strong></strong>

    After emptying all the dishes, Gin''s father reached out to shake KiJun''s hand.

    <strong></strong>

    "Thank you. This meal gave us hope that we too might be human again someday."

    <strong></strong>

    "If I have the chance, I''ll cook again."

    <strong></strong>

    Pleased with his words, the man''s hand,rge as a pot lid, gripped KiJun''s hand firmly. He shook it vigorously a couple of times before letting go.

    <strong></strong>

    "Would you like to try shooting a gun?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ahh¨D¨D! No, Dad!"

    <strong></strong>

    Gin, finishing his second bowl of tteok-galbi, jumped up and eximed.

    <strong></strong>

    "That should be for me! I''ve been practicing hard!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Gin? What would you need it for?"

    <strong></strong>

    "To apany you to get the moonlight-imbued silver! I need a weapon to defend myself!"

    <strong></strong>

    Gin''s bombshell deration left KiJun unsurprised, but his parents were clearly not expecting it.

    <strong></strong>

    "No."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, Gin. Haven''t you learned from your failures? You can''t handle them."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun realized Gin had not simply ventured out for food but had attempted to procure the moonlight-imbused silver alone.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why not? I can fight! I can wield a silver axe, and I can shoot too! I''ve practiced a lot!"

    <strong></strong>

    "You call that an argument...! Do you even know why these people are getting the silver?!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Sit down, Gin. You''re weak, and I won''t let my son go on a suicide mission."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m a grown man now¨D¨D! I want to properly get back at those who underestimated and oppressed me!"

    <strong></strong>

    The ensuing argument between parents and child was like something out of a drama on Earth, evoking a sense of nostalgia in KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    Predictably, like in those dramas, Gin, angry at his unyielding parents, stormed out.

    <strong></strong>

    Indeed, being a werewolf, one tends to overlook that he''s still only neen.

    <strong></strong>

    "Everyone''s like that at that age. Firmly believing in their own potential. He''ll be fine once he tastes bitterness. I went through the same."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert attempted to defuse the awkward situation with a joke, but it had little effect. Armillca, possibly wasting her carefully saved calories on chocte, giggled while unwrapping another one.

    <strong></strong>

    "She probably thought he''d be safe with us. Protecting that kid would only reduce ourbat effectiveness¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Armillca."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s okay. It''s the truth."

    <strong></strong>

    The mother sighed and stood up.

    <strong></strong>

    "I need to talk some sense into him. He doesn''t realize how attractive he is as prey..."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll go, too."

    <strong></strong>

    "Me as well!"

    <strong></strong>

    Following KiJun, even Lora stood up, causing Armillca''s eyes to sparkle in anticipation.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, then I''ll go with Lo¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    "Sit down. You won''t be helpful."

    <strong></strong>

    "Would you do anything but provoke him?"

    <strong></strong>

    However, hands from either side soon pushed her back into her seat.

    <strong></strong>

    Truly dependable party members.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, stepping outside with a smirk, didn''t have to go far to find Gin. Fortunately, a vige woman had already found and detained him.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DOw, ma''am.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBut... your father...

    <strong></strong>

    It seemed to be the woman who had first greeted them upon arrival in the vige. She wasforting Gin with hugs, pats on the back, and stroking his head.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin''s mother, seeing this, momentarily looked troubled, but then smiled and approached them.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, still dazed from the shock, nced at Lora, shrugging.

    <strong></strong>

    "It¡¯s better not to interfere."

    <strong></strong>

    "Thatdy..."

    <strong></strong>

    Lora suddenly spoke.

    <strong></strong>

    "She seems to really care about Gin."

    <strong></strong>

    "He''s like a son to everyone in the vige."

    <strong></strong>

    "A son..."

    <strong></strong>

    A shadow fell over her face.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s incredible. To treat aplete stranger like one''s own son... Or is it easier because he is a stranger?"

    <strong></strong>

    Her question seemed oddly vivid, as if stemming from personal experience.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun then realized that her dazed expression earlier might not have been due to their conversation.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you need someone to talk to, let me know."

    <strong></strong>

    His offer surprised Lora, who quickly shook her head.

    <strong></strong>

    "That would be too much for you, Mr. Jun."

    <strong></strong>

    "Just tell me. It bothers me more if you don''t."

    <strong></strong>

    "!"

    <strong></strong>

    Surprised by his casual tone, Lora''s eyes widened, then narrowed into pretty crescent moons.

    <strong></strong>

    "Then I might ask youter. Right now, I''m too preupied with other things."

    <strong></strong>

    "Alright."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, why did you have to confide such important matters in me...!"

    <strong></strong>

    Lora, somewhat reinvigorated by KiJun''sforting, if notforting words, or perhaps feeling a sense of camaraderie, yfully chided andughed.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy observed andmented.

    <strong></strong>

    ¡ªIt seems like she''s already on the way. Ur, will you sacrifice yourself to distract her?

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKit!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D...Hehe.

    <strong></strong>

    The next day, Jahil Party left the vige, ignoring Gin''s desperate nces from where he was tied to a living room pir.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Ah, he''s away again.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): KiJun, you''re such a luxurious man, you know?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): He must still be in the relic, I know. He must be busy, especially as a party leader.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): But I still feel neglected. Even if busy, couldn''t you check your phone once in a while, send me a message or two? How can you be unreachable all day?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): I won''t delete this, I''m mad.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(imensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): You need to realize how bored I am and reflect on it.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Just bored, you know?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): How are your party members? You didn''t forget my warning about women, did you?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Oh, and I thought of something else you need to be careful about.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice?(Dimensional Waiting Room): Internal division.]

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (61)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    "Why didn''t you take the magical shotgun?"

    <strong></strong>

    On the in, having left the fog-shrouded vige behind, en route to the mountain, Herbert expressed his disappointment.

    <strong></strong>

    "That was a remarkable weapon. Especially with its triple barrel."

    <strong></strong>

    "They might need it in the vige. Besides, I''m not fond of shooting."

    <strong></strong>

    "So, you do have experience with firearms? You are indeed a man of mystery."

    <strong></strong>

    Ah, right. In most worlds, guns aren''tmon!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun felt a moment of panic but managed to hide his expression thanks to his mask and casually brushed it off.

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert then asked, "Are you not good at shooting?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun couldn''t help but snort at the question. Despite not having fond memories of his military service, his marksmanship, always hitting the target, was a point of pride. It might have been an early sign of KiJun''s ''dexterity.¡¯

    <strong></strong>

    His brother always insisted he was a sharpshooter too, which was obviously a lie. And Shin, who had not served in the military, always looked sullen during such talks. Min, who didn''t understand what a sharpshooter was, simply apuded, thinking it was cool. And JiHye...

    <strong></strong>

    "KiJun?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah. ...Nothing."

    <strong></strong>

    Reminiscing about his old party members, KiJun came back to reality, facing Herbert, who looked at him with a puzzled expression.

    <strong></strong>

    "Herbert, you seem like you''ve used firearms before, not just crossbows."

    <strong></strong>

    "Of course. My crossbow is exceptional, but dimir... Ah, that''s the name of my handgun."

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, KiJun intuitively realized he had chosen the wrong topic. Anyone who names their gun is definitely dangerous!

    <strong></strong>

    "Everyone coveted it. Its weight, grip, performance, rate of fire, durability. Everything was perfect. With him, there was no monster I couldn''t take down."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is that so? But now...?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I can no longer use it. ...I''ve lost the right to wield it."

    <strong></strong>

    As Herbert said this with a bitter smile, Armillca, who was listening, mocked him.

    <strong></strong>

    "You could just say it broke and you threw it away."

    <strong></strong>

    "dimir is not dead."

    <strong></strong>

    "Okay, then..."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert replied seriously, leaving even Armillca speechless.

    <strong></strong>

    After some time, just as Lucy started to nag KiJun about lunch...

    <strong></strong>

    "We''re entering their territory. There are traces. If we''re lucky, we might reach our destination sooner than expected... Jun."

    <strong></strong>

    "Battle positions."

    <strong></strong>

    Alerted by Herbert''s sharp warning, KiJun immediately announced it loudly for everyone to hear. In drew his heavy steel rod, and Armillca ced her hand on her sheathed sword.

    <strong></strong>

    As Lora hid behind In, KiJun raised his shield.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBoom!

    <strong></strong>

    Something shot like a cannonball struck his shield, creating a terrible noise.

    <strong></strong>

    "What''s that?!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Moonlight stone."

    <strong></strong>

    Catching the rebounded object skillfully, KiJun identified it and twisted his lips into a smile.

    <strong></strong>

    "Maybe they think we''re werewolves who haven''t transformed and are trying to force us by throwing moonlight stones?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Trying to force transformation with moonlight stones...?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Here theye."

    <strong></strong>

    While Armillca asked incredulously, Herbert, who had fired bolts in quick session, suddenly disappeared into the shadows.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAwooooo!

    <strong></strong>

    A howl that instills primal fear in humans followed, signaling the arrival of frenzied beasts.

    <strong></strong>

    "Transformed ones, huh?"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert was quick to notice, preventing an ambush. Spotting one immediately drew out over thirty more, worse than cockroaches.

    <strong></strong>

    And judging by the force of the recent throw, they seemed to be of the rare grade...

    <strong></strong>

    In other words, an XP goldmine.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha! I''m going first!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Wait¨D¨D"

    <strong></strong>

    Before KiJun could stop her, Armillca, with a sharpened de, charged headfirst into the pack of wolves.

    <strong></strong>

    "Hyaa¨D¨D Haat!"

    <strong></strong>

    Her swift strike caught the beasts off guard. Piercing the abdomen of the lead wolf, she emerged, painting her de with deep crimson. The wolves,cking intelligence, couldn''t dodge her swift strikes. Once hit, the putrid blood poured out, leading quickly to death.

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, already back from the shadows, fired silver-ted bolts, scattering and disrupting the wolves'' formation...

    <strong></strong>

    Suddenly, KiJun thought.

    <strong></strong>

    "Do we even need a tank in this party?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Tanks are needed for formidable enemies we haven''t met yet. Go ahead, Lora''s safe with me."

    <strong></strong>

    "If you get hurt, I''ll heal you right away!"

    <strong></strong>

    "In that case¨D¨D Ur!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKiyeeet!

    <strong></strong>

    Eventually, KiJun, too, charged into battle with a shield in each hand.

    <strong></strong>

    In the corner of his vision, he spotted a pack of wolves circling in the distance.

    <strong></strong>

    "sh Throw!"

    <strong></strong>

    Were they targeting Lora and In? KiJun hurled two shields, infused with both me and light, at the approaching wolves.

    <strong></strong>

    The shields, drawing red arcs, sliced through the pack from head to tail, crossing in mid-air before returning to KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha!"

    <strong></strong>

    Catching them, KiJun faced the wolves converging on him from all sides, smiling as he charged.

    <strong></strong>

    Amidst theplications of this expedition, facing mindless enemies and simply rampaging felt surprisingly good.

    <strong></strong>

    ''But wait.''

    <strong></strong>

    As he collided head-on with the wolves, KiJun suddenly had a thought.

    <strong></strong>

    "How did these mindless creatures handle the moonlight stones?"

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing this, KiJun and Lucy''s senses aligned, and his immense spirit power transformed into spiritual energy through Lucy, spreading at the speed of light.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor!

    <strong></strong>

    "Tch¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    He quickly turned and threw his shield.

    <strong></strong>

    In, seeing a shield flying towards them, widened his eyes and stepped in front of Lora. The shield whizzed past In''s waist and struck a furry monster that had suddenly emerged from behind, right in the head.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKihahaak!

    <strong></strong>

    Werewolves had dug tunnels and were stealthily approaching!

    <strong></strong>

    The fact that intelligent werewolves were controlling the feral ones was surprising, but even more astonishing was KiJun''s precise sensing and interception of the enemy''s attack. In, impressed by KiJun''s sharp senses, heard his stern warning.

    <strong></strong>

    "In, defend properly! They are targeting Lora!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, got it!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAwooo!

    <strong></strong>

    In, protecting Lora, frantically swung his steel rod to fend off the werewolves emerging from the tunnels.

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, KiJun, surrounded by wolves trying to encircle him, chuckled and prepared for battle with his shield, the King of the Well, held in front.

    <strong></strong>

    He then charged forward powerfully, leaping from the ground!

    <strong></strong>

    "Get lost¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKieeek!

    <strong></strong>

    His swift charge created a long trail of mes behind him, reaching the wolves surrounding Lora and In.

    <strong></strong>

    "Cough!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKhek!

    <strong></strong>

    Spotting a werewolf with a shield stuck in its head, KiJun crushed its skull to finish it off, picked up the shield, and began casting Moonlight Blood Fang, ready for full-blownbat.

    <strong></strong>

    And then.

    <strong></strong>

    "Come at me¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DUr, time your mes more perfectly!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKihiit!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s whole body fiercely sparkled with light and mes, instilling an intense fury in the werewolves,pelling them to attack him!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKraaak!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThat bastard!

    <strong></strong>

    "Come on, you mirror-avoiding puppies, bring it¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAwooo!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DBlinding Taunt (U) skill level increased to 3!

    <strong></strong>

    Even his allies, In and Lora, were briefly paralyzed by the intensity of his taunt. Every werewolf in the area, regardless of their intelligence, was irresistibly drawn to KiJun!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAoooo!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''ll kill you!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLet''s get him first...!

    <strong></strong>

    "KiJun!"

    <strong></strong>

    "In, focus on those distracted by me!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, got it!"

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, surrounded on all sides, skillfully wielded his two shields engulfed in fierce mes, fending off and countering all attacks from the werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    Moving in circles, his rapid shield movements left afterimages, clearly demonstrating his mastery of the twin fangs of light in his hands.

    <strong></strong>

    Lora, watching KiJun, who was overwhelming his enemies despite being outnumbered, was in awe.

    <strong></strong>

    "KiJun... you''re so cool...!"

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, to an objective observer, KiJun, attracting aggro from all sides and sparkling in real-time, didn''t look cool. But since he had saved her, Lora''s admiration knew no bounds.

    <strong></strong>

    "Cough! Ha! This doesn''t even feel like a fight!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThump! Thud!

    <strong></strong>

    In, too, was smashing the skulls of the werewolves with his steel rod, but even as they died, their eyes were fixed on KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, my Lo¨D¨Dra is in danger!"

    <strong></strong>

    "How absurd...!"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca and Herbert, realizing the rear situation toote, rejoined the fray, incredulous.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, by the time they returned, KiJun''s shields and In''s rod had already crushed most of the werewolf heads.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLevel increased to 26 with an increase in Strength (U) 1, Dexterity (L) 1, Endurance (U) 1!

    <strong></strong>

    Despite facing only rare-grade enemies, KiJun''s level increased, reflecting his umted experience. The growth in physical stats bnced out his already rapid growth in light magic and spirit power.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Good, even a single point increase in stats at the unique grade makes a noticeable difference.''

    <strong></strong>

    Feeling stronger, more durable, and sharper, KiJun savored his progress since arriving in Reta. Meanwhile, Herbert, having collected his silver bolts, narrowed his eyes at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Did your level just increase?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I had enough experience."

    <strong></strong>

    "Remarkable. Congrattions."

    <strong></strong>

    "Congrattions, leader."

    <strong></strong>

    "Congrattions, KiJun!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Congrattions."

    <strong></strong>

    As the party pped, KiJun remembered his tutorial days and felt nostalgic, but soon asked them to stop due to the awkwardness.

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s not easy to level up at high levels, especially for someone as strong as KiJun."

    <strong></strong>

    Apparently, there was a misunderstanding, but KiJun, in reality, was of a low level. He resolved not to show off his level-ups in the future, and said,

    <strong></strong>

    "As you saw, the werewolves are controlling others. More critically, they''ve started targeting our priest, aware that we have one."

    <strong></strong>

    "How did they find out so quickly? I was sure we eliminated all the werewolves on our way back with KiJun."

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca''s disbelief and Herbert''s sharp retort went ignored as KiJun dered,

    <strong></strong>

    "From now on, Herbert focuses on scouting, avoiding directbat. We''ll form a formation around Lora and move quickly to our destination."

    <strong></strong>

    "It seems like they are deliberately targeting Lora. It''s only natural we do this! I agree!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Understood."

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm."

    <strong></strong>

    The party, rearranged, moved quickly towards their destination.

    <strong></strong>

    Their judgment was correct; attacks targeting Lora from a distance and tunnel-digging enemies increased.

    <strong></strong>

    Most were intercepted by Herbert, and KiJun blocked the rest.

    <strong></strong>

    "You have great senses."

    <strong></strong>

    "I can only help within the reach of my shield."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, Lo¨D¨Dra! Are you okay? Want some chocte?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m fine... Is everyone okay? Do you need healing?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m fine."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ugh...! Maybe I should fight too!"

    <strong></strong>

    Lora, feeling useless as a priest, was disheartened when they reached the foot of the mountain.

    <strong></strong>

    "We waited long enough, humans."

    <strong></strong>

    There, they encountered hundreds of werewolves lying in ambush.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    ? Everyone Else is a Regressor (62)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong>

    </strong>

    "I knew you humans woulde here."

    <strong></strong>

    "Truly pathetic, crawling all the way here, believing the words of a woman deluded with grandiose fantasies."

    <strong></strong>

    At the forefront of the werewolf pack were two noticeablyrger werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    It was hard to distinguish their gender, as they hadpletely transformed into monsters, but the one on the left seemed to be originally a woman, judging by the slightly higher pitch of the voice.

    <strong></strong>

    They were probably mid-boss monsters, subordinates of Quinodon, controlling this area of the ruins.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, their stats were higher, and their race grade remained at Rare, surpassing KiJun''s own grade.

    <strong></strong>

    How did KiJun discern this?

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou are facing a Darkness/Evil attribute boss monster. The title effect [The Last Hero (L)] activates, enhancing all abilities by 30%.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou are facing an enemy of a higher grade. The effect of the title [Transcender of Limits (L)] has been activated, dramatically obtaining positive adjustments.

    <strong></strong>

    This surge in power was evident immediately upon encountering them, as the messages appeared before his eyes.

    <strong></strong>

    Suddenly, KiJun wondered if the title effects would disappear if he engaged the underlings instead of these bosses. However, a quick test with his shield confirmed that they did not.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨Dng!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThe level of the skill ''sh Throw (R)'' has reached level 5!

    <strong></strong>

    The King of the Well, now faster and radiating brighter light than before, circled through the air, beheading over ten werewolves before returning to his hand, with the two mid-bosses unable to react in time.

    <strong></strong>

    "What¨D¨D You damn human!"

    <strong></strong>

    "We''ll kill you!"

    <strong></strong>

    Despite their shock and fear at KiJun''s performance, surpassing their reaction speed, the werewolves tried to suppress their negative emotions with anger.

    <strong></strong>

    Yet, KiJun, facing the werewolves who seemed ready to attack any moment, casually shook off the blood and brain matter from his shield and snorted.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m not a human, but a me Human. Seems like your eyesight is bad, being beasts and all."

    <strong></strong>

    "Whew, that really woke me up. Nice attack, leader."

    <strong></strong>

    Were these werewolves different from the ones he had encountered before, elite troops numbering in hundreds, appearing all at once, intimidating him for a moment?

    <strong></strong>

    Even Armillca, who seemed to be stiffened up, drew his sword with a whistle.

    <strong></strong>

    In, too, was on alert, protecting Lora, who, with a determined look, pulled out a thick book from her bosom.

    <strong></strong>

    No, it wasn''t a book.

    <strong></strong>

    It was a leather case containing hundreds of glowing papers.

    <strong></strong>

    She took out a few sheets, ced them between her fingers, and red.

    <strong></strong>

    "I will use the sacred battle spells¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, Lo¨D¨Dra! So gracious!"

    <strong></strong>

    Regardless of Armillca''s scream, Lora chanted with a passionate voice amidst the enveloping light.

    <strong></strong>

    "O you who oversee every holy struggle of warriors, the brightest morning star in the heavens. Hear the prayers of the battlefield and respond!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨D...Huh?

    <strong></strong>

    Just then, Lucy turned to look at Lora, her eyes widening slightly.

    <strong></strong>

    As Lora threw the papers, they burst into mes in mid-air.

    <strong></strong>

    A dazzling golden power... no, more fittingly, a divine power, formed a giant ring surrounding the area.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ishtar, the brilliant goddess of victory¨D¨D bless us with your light!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DAaaaaaaah!

    <strong></strong>

    Suddenly, a shining pentagram appeared within the ring enveloping KiJun and the werewolves, then vanished.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s eyes widened as he felt a new vitality surge within him.

    <strong></strong>

    It wasn''t a dramatic increase in power, but it affected all his skills uniformly, and most importantly... his inherent light power was being amplified.

    <strong></strong>

    For KiJun, this was an earth-shaking event because, due to his unique skill of repelling all buffs and debuffs, he had never received buffs from others before!

    <strong></strong>

    ''I can''t believe it''s epting the buff without resistance.''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DIt must be because the contractor has be a Light Human. Since the powers are fundamentally the same, it epted it without resistance.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Goodness, what an incredible blessing. Ishtar, a priestess of light...''

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DContractor, ugh, I don''t like that girl, but we might have to stick with her for a long time. Sniff...

    <strong></strong>

    ''Alright, don''t cry, Lucy.''

    <strong></strong>

    A priestess who could apply buffs to KiJun, who otherwise couldn''t receive them, was naturally someone to keep for life.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun chuckled at Lucy''s sobbing manner, he lifted his shield.

    <strong></strong>

    Seemingly irritated by the light Lora created, a werewolf man¨D¨D mid-boss A, with elongated ws, swung at her.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨Dng!

    <strong></strong>

    The werewolf''s sharply extended ws shed with the shield, creating noise and sparks.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite his efforts

    <strong></strong>

    to overpower KiJun, only a smile formed on KiJun''s lips.

    <strong></strong>

    Already empowered by ''The Last Hero'' and ''Transcender of Limits'', and now unexpectedly supported by Lora''s dramatic intervention¨D¨D the attack didn''t feel heavy at all.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKill that woman first¨D¨D!

    <strong></strong>

    As the werewolves rushed like a wave at Lora and the others, KiJun blocked mid-boss A''s ws, gathering strength in his shield hand, igniting more fiercely with mes and light, and spoke without looking back.

    <strong></strong>

    "Protect them with your life, In."

    <strong></strong>

    "Kuh...!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDie¨Dyou¨Dwill¨D!

    <strong></strong>

    "Kahaha! Sl¨D¨Dow¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    While KiJun held off one mid-boss, Armillca was grappling with another, effortlessly dodging and mocking the enemy''s attacks, seemingly capable of handling it on his own.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKill the sparkling woman... Cough!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKyaaak! Silver arrows! Silver arrows!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DWho''s shooting, Kuaak!

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, hidden somewhere, was unseen, but given that many werewolves rushing towards Lora and In were falling with bolts in their heads, his contribution was undeniable.

    <strong></strong>

    ''But I''m worried about how long In can hold out. Let''s finish this quickly.''

    <strong></strong>

    The mes and light from his two shields merged, forming a giant spike.

    <strong></strong>

    Secretly enhancing it was the [Adamant (L)] skill, elevating not just his body but also his equipment to the realm of the divine.

    <strong></strong>

    The werewolf mid-boss, not to be underestimated, swung its moonlit glowing ws, but¨D¨D

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DCrack!

    <strong></strong>

    Caught in KiJun''s fiercely thrust spike, the ws snapped off at the root and flew away.

    <strong></strong>

    After all, a mere dog''s ws couldn''t defeat a holy steel imbued with sacred fire.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DYou have sessfully butchered a powerful enemy with masterful butchery skills, improving the material quality. You have obtained [Moonlit Stained w (U)].

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DButchery (R) skill has reached level 11!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun quickly stored the werewolf''s w in his inventory, a smile forming on his lips.

    <strong></strong>

    "Indeed, the Butchery skill is truly abat skill."

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThi, this...!

    <strong></strong>

    The infuriated creature regenerated its ws in the moonlight and lunged again, but this was a wee development for KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    A monster kindly helping him continuously harvest Unique grade materials!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DRepeated actions increase proficiency, allowing you to butcher the enemy more effectively and obtain quality materials. You have obtained [Moonlit Stained w (U)].

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKraaaak!

    <strong></strong>

    "I wonder how long I can keep getting them. Let''s keep going."

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll definitely tear you to shreds and roast you!"

    <strong></strong>

    The blue ws cutting through the air drew terrifying curves of destruction, and the fangs wrapped in red light unfailingly severed them.

    <strong></strong>

    After several exchanges, the werewolf lost all ten of its ws to KiJun, who gained a few more drops and leveled up his Butchery skill, in return.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDead!

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha!"

    <strong></strong>

    The werewolf, now resorting to using its wed feet, attempted to kick KiJun, but he anticipated the move, stepping aside and pushing the beast off bnce with his shield.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThis damn¨D¨D¨D¨D!

    <strong></strong>

    At that moment, astonishingly, the werewolf used its tail to propel itself off the ground,unching an attack on KiJun with its gaping maw.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun faced the massive maw, dark as if leading to hell itself, he quickly ducked.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DI''ll devour you¨D¨D!

    <strong></strong>

    "Gasp!"

    <strong></strong>

    Just as the werewolf''s jaw cast a deep shadow over his head, KiJun, straightening his bent knees, leaped forward into the werewolf''s embrace¨D¨D.

    <strong></strong>

    He plunged one of his razor-sharp, blood-red fangs into the creature''s chest and thrust the other upwards into its jaw.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKe, kehe...

    <strong></strong>

    As the holy fire erupted with a chilling sound, melting the werewolf''s lower jawpletely¨D the teeth, which had resisted melting, ttered to the ground as the gums turned to white ash.

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, his Butchery skill leveled up again.

    <strong></strong>

    "Who did you get your information from?"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKieeeeeee...!

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, can''t speak, huh?"

    <strong></strong>

    Tsk, KiJun clicked his tongue and, putting more force into the shield embedded in the werewolf''s chest, shoved it deeper before swiftly pulling it out.

    <strong></strong>

    The edge of the shield now bore the werewolf''s still-beating heart.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLevel 28 achieved: Strength (U) increased by 2, Dexterity (L) by 1, Endurance (U) by 1, Light Magic (L) by 1, and Spirit Power (L) by 1.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DFire Spirit Magic (R) reached level 58, Moonlight Blood Fang (L) level 5, Lucy (L) level 7, Adamant (L) level 3.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DObtained Blue Moon Wolf''s Heart (U). Butchery (R) reached level 15.

    <strong></strong>

    As KiJun watched the mid-boss turn to ashes, smirking, he neatly extracted the heart, collected the scattered teeth into his inventory, and then turned around.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKa-Karol is dead...!

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThe me Human! He''s too strong!

    <strong></strong>

    "How could..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun, could it be you''re even stronger than I thought?"

    <strong></strong>

    The allies and enemies alike were stunned at the unexpectedly quick end of the battle.

    <strong></strong>

    But KiJun couldn''t exin that it was due to the advantageous title effects and Lora''s buffs, so he decided to do what he always did under such scrutiny.

    <strong></strong>

    "Come at me, all of you¨D¨D!"

    <strong></strong>

    It was his Blinding Taunt.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ah, really!"

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DKyaahahaha!

    <strong></strong>

    While some party members were terrified, the werewolves, unable to withstand their hatred and anger towards him, rushed from all directions.

    <strong></strong>

    Ironically, mid-boss B, who was being toyed with by Armillca, couldn''t escape the effect of the Blinding Taunt either.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DThat damned me, that annoying light¨D¨D!

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha, you have the guts to take your eyes off me...? I''ll grant your wish to die!"

    <strong></strong>

    Even though Armillca was dominant in a direct fight, the werewolf, having lost all reason, stood no chance against him from behind.

    <strong></strong>

    Quickly beheading the mid-boss, Armillca threw its head among the werewolves rushing towards KiJun, distracting them before charging in, shing down dozens in a disy of his might.

    <strong></strong>

    "I can''t let leader be the only cool one! Lo¨D¨Dra, watch meeeee!"

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m watching, so be careful!"

    <strong></strong>

    Unlike the previous battle, where most werewolves were bestial, this time they faced well-armed, elite troops. Yet, KiJun faced them without blinking.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Salutaris.''

    <strong></strong>

    His spent mana and spirit power were replenished by the unique cirction of his own magic, warming his entire body.

    <strong></strong>

    Part of it flowed to Ur and Lucy, bing the power of light and me, while the rest fueled Adamant, transforming his two shields into divine weapons.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, standing firm on the ground, relentlessly pushed and tore through his enemies.

    <strong></strong>

    Until he fell, no one could surpass him, and he would not fall unless he chose to.

    <strong></strong>

    "Ha, the calctions keep changing!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Hoo¨D¨D are you okay, Lora?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes, yes. I''m fine."

    <strong></strong>

    As the tide of battle turned, Herbert reappeared,unching attacks, and In, who had been protecting Lora, finally had a chance to catch his breath and fight morefortably.

    <strong></strong>

    It seemed there were more hidden enemies, as over a hundred werewolves emerged after the two leaders died, but by then, even Lora, abandoning her role as healer, was casting light attack spells, cleaning up the battlefield neatly.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DLevel 30 achieved: Strength (U) increased by 1, Dexterity (L) by 1, Spirit Power (L) by 1.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DDue to the stimting battle, additional growth in Strength (U) 1, Endurance (U) 1.

    <strong></strong>

    ¨DFire Spirit Magic (R) reached level 60, Adamant (L) level 4, Salutaris (L) level 5.

    <strong></strong>

    "Hoo."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun tried to hide his joy as he felt his body creaking, realigning and strengthening in real time.

    <strong></strong>

    But a faint smile still appeared on his face.

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yeah."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert approached and spoke to him.

    <strong></strong>

    Anticipating what he was about to say, KiJun hardened his expression and nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    "The enemy''s tactics were too calcted. There''s a traitor in the vige."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yeah."

    <strong></strong>

    "Perhaps our arrival disrupted their original ns. They might be afraid of us bing true humans. So they attacked us in desperation."

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­Yeah."

    <strong></strong>

    "In the worst case... we might find the vige gone when we return."

    <strong></strong>

    "I hope that''s not the case."

    <strong></strong>

    A bitter smile, different from the one before, crossed his lips.

    <strong></strong>

    While contemting leaving the guns in the vige, he noticed Herbert''s oddly calm expression while discussing such matters.

    <strong></strong>

    "Aren''t you surprised?"

    <strong></strong>

    "The best prophecy is history itself. I''ve seen this kind of thing before. It''s all toomon."

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    Strangely, that echoed the words of the famous Romantic poet George Gordon Byron.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s go," Herbert said shortly, looking back at the party members before scouting ahead, then nced at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s why I told you not to get too attached."

    <strong></strong>

    As they entered the mountain, the werewolf attackspletely ceased.

    <strong></strong>

    While ascending the mountain and checking the map, they soon discovered an unnaturally piled rock tomb, confirming it to be a silver mine.

    <strong></strong>

    And after hours of digging through dirt and rocks, they finally found silver imbued with the power of the moon.

    <strong></strong>

    Arge deposit of Moonlight stones was a bonus.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    "They''re all dead? By them? How, how..."

    <strong></strong>

    "No! That can''t be!"

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­"

    <strong></strong>

    "Please spare them... If not for that condition, I wouldn''t have let you in. Never."

    <strong></strong>

    "There''s a magical contract. I took it when escaping theb..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Fine, I don''t care about the rest."

    <strong></strong>

    "No, there are people who must be killed."

    <strong></strong>

    "That woman."

    <strong></strong>

    "The wolf pup? Are you talking about Gin?"

    <strong></strong>

    "¡­I know, it''s okay."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s not my child anyway."

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    Everyone Else is a Regressor (63)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Right after discovering the artificially formed rock tomb.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, suspecting something odd, lifted and threw the rocks aside with his Unique grade Strength, eventually uncovering a massive rock assumed to be part of a vein.

    <strong></strong>

    The moment the rock was exposed, KiJun felt a faint light emanating from within. He spected that the Vrykkas pack might have hastily thrown the rocks in a crude attempt to prevent the energy from leaking.

    <strong></strong>

    "I guess if we turn over this whole area, we''lle to some conclusion."

    <strong></strong>

    "Ugh I''m not too keen on getting dirty."

    <strong></strong>

    Although he expected such a reaction, Armillca still recoiled in horror.

    <strong></strong>

    "I won''t touch any of the mined stuff if I don''t work. I''ll be content with my share of Moonlight stones from the wolves earlier. Leader, deal?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Do as you please."

    <strong></strong>

    It was obvious, but the werewolves from the previous fight each carried Moonlight stones, using them for weapons and armor. Dividing those among five would suffice for him, so KiJun chuckled at Armillca''s cunning intention to avoid tedious and hardbor.

    <strong></strong>

    "I can handle this alone."

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you sure?"

    <strong></strong>

    "That was the n from the start."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun chuckled in response to Herbert''s surprised query.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''d appreciate it if you kept watch while I''m mining."

    <strong></strong>

    "Haha... Certainly, a lookout is necessary. Alright, let''s do that. Armillca, let''s go."

    <strong></strong>

    "What?! But I was talking with our Lora... Ah, wait a minute!"

    <strong></strong>

    As her overly attached noona being was dragged away by Herbert, Lora let out a sigh of relief.

    <strong></strong>

    In, who had been about to roll up his sleeves to help KiJun, blinked in confusion as Herbert and Armillca disappeared.

    <strong></strong>

    "I was... about to help."

    <strong></strong>

    "Just guard Lora properly. That''s the most important task, isn''t it?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Kuh. Indeed, leaving Lora''s safety to that woman is unthinkable."

    <strong></strong>

    Lora blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed as the men talked about protecting her.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, manifesting the Moonlight Blood Fang on the King of the Well, began smashing the rocks in earnest.

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "I didn''t know Lora was a priestess of such a powerful goddess."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Ahaha... Surprised, right? Ishtar demands a lot from her followers and bestowsplex divinity, so priests are rare these days."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Indeed rare. The qualifications, theyre quiteplicated."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    Moonlight stones poured out, but the sought-after silver was elusive.

    <strong></strong>

    Strictly speaking, it wasn''t that there was no silver, but the moonlight-imbued silver described by Gin''s mother was rare.

    <strong></strong>

    Increasing the intensity of Adamant on the King of the Well, KiJun took a deep breath and started breaking the rocks faster.

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s not for that reason."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Hmm?"

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    Soon, KiJun was almost buried in the rock pile, bing less visible.

    <strong></strong>

    As he fairly shattered the surrounding rocks, In''s voice floated down from above.

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "The goddess of the morning star, Ishtar, is undoubtedly a powerful deity, but she has been absent from this continent of Reta for a long time."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "A long time?"

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes. She hasn''t issued oracles or blessed her followers for decades. Without her voice, who would believe in a god? Naturally, the number of devotees and priests dwindled."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    Then how did Lora be a priestess of Ishtar?

    <strong></strong>

    In, of course, answered KiJun''s unspoken question.

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Lora''s awakening was therefore astonishing. It''s been decades since someone prayed for years and received such a great miracle from a seemingly absent god."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Talking like that makes me shy..."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "She''s only known in Turris for now, but I''m sure with a bit more divine power, Lora will soon be a renowned priestess throughout the Gratia Kingdom."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    Suddenly, KiJun felt something faintly vibrating and emitting blue light at his feet.

    <strong></strong>

    Although not visible to the naked eye yet, he was sure digging this way would lead to what he wanted.

    <strong></strong>

    Wetting his lips, KiJun put more strength into his hands, digging rapidly downward, and asked In.

    <strong></strong>

    ng! ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "But how do you, know so, much?"

    <strong></strong>

    ng! ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Lora''s Holy Blood awakening is no secret in the Turris Mercenary Guild. And... I''m also a devotee of Ishtar."

    <strong></strong>

    ng!

    <strong></strong>

    "Right, KiJun. You might have noticed, but I''ve known In for a while."

    <strong></strong>

    Goodness, In was a church brother!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun had suspected something seeing In''s protective behavior towards Lora, and her difort around Armillca and Herbert, but not with In.

    <strong></strong>

    So, the subtle bond between them was due to their shared faith.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun nodded in understanding as he picked up the glowing silver ore.

    <strong></strong>

    "If Ishtar has been absent for decades, how did you be her devotees? Oh, of course, if it''s hard to answer, you don''t have to..."

    <strong></strong>

    "There''s nothing to hide. My father was a priest of Ishtar."

    <strong></strong>

    "Me too."

    <strong></strong>

    Coincidentally, both their answers were the same.

    <strong></strong>

    Nodding, KiJun leaped out of the pit, holding therge, self-luminous silver ore.

    <strong></strong>

    "You''ve found it!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Even if we purify it to extract only the silver, there should be about 2 kilograms."

    <strong></strong>

    "That should be enough."

    <strong></strong>

    Gazing at the mysterious magical metal, different from both Moonlight stones and ordinary silver, the three of them marveled in unison. Suddenly, Lora peered into the pit and said,

    <strong></strong>

    "It seems that was the only one in this area."

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing that the light and warmth had faded, KiJun nodded.

    <strong></strong>

    Such miraculous items couldn''t just spring up endlessly.

    <strong></strong>

    He shrugged and stored it in his inventory, along with the countless Moonlight stones unearthed during the excavation.

    <strong></strong>

    "Time to call the others and return."

    <strong></strong>

    "Hopefully, it''s not toote."

    <strong></strong>

    "It will be fine. Definitely."

    <strong></strong>

    Lora clenched her fists with determination.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, recalling Herbert''s words, felt a twinge of unease but shook his head to dismiss the thought.

    <strong></strong>

    Meanwhile, Herbert and Armillca, found halfway up the mountain, were surprisingly sharing chocte in harmony!

    <strong></strong>

    Huh... So, are they really dating?

    <strong></strong>

    ''I won''t trust Lucy''s words anymore.''

    <strong></strong>

    Despite their vehement denials, the other party members'' lukewarm nces towards Herbert and Armillca, who were suspected of ''actually getting along'', couldn''t be helped. Even while they raced down the mountain towards the vige, they were busy trying to exin themselves to their respectivepanions.

    <strong></strong>

    "No, really! I just gave him a piece because he kept begging for it! Lora, you know my heart, right? You''re the only one for me!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Um, sorry, but I actually prefer men..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Jun, please don''t look at me like that. I have my own tastes, you know."

    <strong></strong>

    "My eyes are already aze, so it''s impossible for me to manage subtle expressions. If you find it strange, that''s just your misconception."

    <strong></strong>

    The party abandoned any attempt at stealth and sprinted onwards. Perhaps because of their rush, they encountered an enormous number of werewolves blocking their path. Rather than fighting each one, they decided to outrun them with full speed.

    <strong></strong>

    Lora,cking physical strength due to her role as a priest, reluctantly climbed onto Armillca''s back, while In, who was somewhat slow in movement, was carried by KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    "Wait, hold on a moment!"

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, who watched uneasily as Lora got on Armillcas back, was astonished to see KiJun carrying In.

    <strong></strong>

    "Are you sure you can handle it? I don''t mean to insult In, but can you maintain speed while carrying him?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Compared to my usual training, this is nothing. Let''s go."

    <strong></strong>

    "Uh... sorry."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s fine."

    <strong></strong>

    And so, KiJun ran with a speed matching that of Herbert and Armillca, despite carrying the hefty half-orc In. Who could say anything when KiJun was outrunning werewolves while carrying over 100 kilograms?

    <strong></strong>

    "Really, you shatter my expectations every time..."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s a bit surprising. Oh, Lora. Want some chocte?"

    <strong></strong>

    "No, thank you."

    <strong></strong>

    "Sigh, I wish you''d open up a bit more to your noona..."

    <strong></strong>

    Even while sprinting across the ins, the group maintained theirposure. However, as they approached the vige entrance, their expressions twisted in unison. The reason was simple: the mist surrounding the vige area had vanished.

    <strong></strong>

    Moreover, the presence of werewolves swarming around the vige made it apparent that a catastrophe was unfolding inside.

    <strong></strong>

    "As expected."

    <strong></strong>

    Grinding his teeth, Herbert surged forward, increasing his speed.

    <strong></strong>

    "I''ll go ahead and check!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Is he for real...!"

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca, not wanting to be outdone by Herbert, also elerated. KiJun gritted his teeth and sped up even more. Salutaris enveloped his being, intensifying the cirction of mana and spirit power.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''t overdo it!"

    <strong></strong>

    "This isn''t the time to hold back!"

    <strong></strong>

    In such a critical situation, there was no time to worry about taking risks. KiJun''s speed elerated further. Adamant reinforced his legs with each step, and he unleashed his potential as a Light Man, spreading Lucy''s spirit power throughout his body.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I must chase the light faster...!''

    <strong></strong>

    You''re doing well, Contractor. It seems like Gin is still safe, hurry up a bit more!

    <strong></strong>

    Kiiii!

    <strong></strong>

    There was no time to fear his identity being revealed. As KiJun''s entire body burst into brilliant golden light, Ur urgently covered it with his mes to conceal his identity. However, In, carried on KiJun''s back, seemed to sense his unusual aura and gasped.

    <strong></strong>

    Yet, he simply tightened his grip on KiJun''s shoulder and said:

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s hurry."

    <strong></strong>

    "Right!"

    <strong></strong>

    A thunderous boom sounded as if lightning had struck. Followed by another, and another. KiJun realized these were the sounds of a triple-barrel shotgun.

    <strong></strong>

    Kyaaah!

    <strong></strong>

    Kill them all!

    <strong></strong>

    The werewolves'' voices echoed across the ins. As the vige drew closer, thousands of werewolves surrounding the vige turned their eyes on them.

    <strong></strong>

    Armillca shouted in a strained voice:

    <strong></strong>

    "Leader! What do we do about these guys!"

    <strong></strong>

    "In! Go protect Lora!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Understood, sorry!"

    <strong></strong>

    In jumped down from KiJun''s back and ran desperately to catch up with Armillca.

    <strong></strong>

    "You bastards,e at me!"

    <strong></strong>

    After confirming their departure, KiJun unleashed a Blinding Taunt, capturing the attention of the werewolves. However, Armillca, Lora, and In had already disappeared into the swarm.

    <strong></strong>

    Just moments ago, all five party members were together, but now they were scattered. KiJun gnashed his teeth, crushing, pulling out, and tearing through the heads of the werewolves that leaped at him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Did I underestimate them? Was Icent?"

    <strong></strong>

    You did your best, Contractor. No one can control everything unless they''re a god. An unforeseen event urred, and it just made things a bit moreplicated.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy calmly expanded the spirit power drawn from KiJun''s spirit energy to scan the area.

    <strong></strong>

    You know where to go now, right? Move on, Contractor.

    <strong></strong>

    Kihiiit!

    <strong></strong>

    Abandoning any care about his identity being exposed, KiJun''s entire body shone with a dazzling light. Ur, now materialized into a giant tiger, stomped the ground, cloaked in even more brilliant mes.

    <strong></strong>

    Despite the ongoing effects of KiJun''s Blinding Taunt, werewolves swarmed from all directions. However, nothing could stop Ur''s charge.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Herbert... I''m counting on you.''

    <strong></strong>

    Ironically, the party member KiJun had been most skeptical about was now the one he trusted the most. Muttering Herberts name, KiJun and Ur charged against the tide of werewolves towards the heart of the vige.

    <strong></strong>

    A night as long as the Overflow had begun.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Returning from the dungeon after defeating the vampiremander Nol and securing the loot, YeMin''s party members were eager to report the discovery and engage in the resulting major quest. However, only JiHye remained calm, muttering, "This isn''t enough."

    <strong></strong>

    YeMin, puzzled by her words, asked, "What do you mean, Jiji? We have solid evidence."

    <strong></strong>

    "Weck standing. And stop calling me Jiji."

    <strong></strong>

    Her sharpment silenced YeMin. EunShin spoke up, "Because we''re human?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Especially since we''re neers. If we just report this vampire sighting, it won''t end well."

    <strong></strong>

    EunShin''s question and JiHye''s response left the group in contemtion. MokSoo suggested, "What should we do then?"

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye confidently replied, "There must be more cases like this. These creatures haven''t been hiding just for a day or two. Let''s thoroughly search the area. We''ll handle what we can and document what we can''t."

    <strong></strong>

    "Collecting samples is a good idea. But ultimately, it''s meaningless to those who refuse to believe us."

    <strong></strong>

    "That''s right. So... EunShin."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes?"

    <strong></strong>

    JiHye suddenly reached out and grabbed EunShin''s shoulders, surprising him with her directness. She earnestly requested, "We need you to go undercover at the guild for a while. Find someone there who might listen to us."

    <strong></strong>

    "I can do surveince, but finding such a person..."

    <strong></strong>

    After several days of observing JiHye''s shortlisted guild members, EunShin found a perfect candidate: a strict and independent woman in the Ars Mercenary Guild. Despite her beauty, men hesitated to approach her due to her demanding nature. However, she had no prejudice against different races, which EunShin confirmed during her undercover work.

    <strong></strong>

    ''This person will do... Huh?''

    <strong></strong>

    But the problem arose elsewhere. One of JiHye''s gged guild members exhibited suspicious behavior.

    <strong></strong>

    ''What''s going on? Where is that person going?''

    <strong></strong>

    Following this individual, EunShin stumbled upon a shocking scene.

    <strong></strong>

    "Damn, how long must we hide and feed on animal blood?"

    <strong></strong>

    "The higher-ups have high-quality human blood mixed in their portable rations."

    <strong></strong>

    "If you''re envious, raise your rank. Damn, I''d personally..."

    <strong></strong>

    "Be, I want to drink Be''s blood!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Fine, in a year. Now be quiet and eat."

    <strong></strong>

    EunShin discovered they were feeding on freshly drawn animal blood. The vampires were already operating in secret within human territories.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    Everyone Else is a Regressor (64)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Gin groaned, unable toprehend the chaos unfolding before him.

    <strong></strong>

    The barrier that had long protected the vige was being dismantled.

    <strong></strong>

    Traps surrounding the vige erupted all at once, demolishing not only the buildings painstakingly erected by the vigers but also flipping the ground itself.

    <strong></strong>

    The fog that had hidden the vige was...

    <strong></strong>

    Disappearing.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why...?"

    <strong></strong>

    The howls of werewolves in the distance, a growing, ominous aura of killing intent, slowly engulfing the entire vige.

    <strong></strong>

    Faced with such an unbelievable scene, Gin uttered those words in a daze when suddenly, a sharply gleaming axe de hovered before him.

    <strong></strong>

    The person holding it was his mother.

    <strong></strong>

    "Take a weapon, Gin."

    <strong></strong>

    "Mom?"

    <strong></strong>

    He looked at his mother with trembling eyes as she offered him the handle of the axe.

    <strong></strong>

    "Mom?"

    <strong></strong>

    "I know how to use magic, you know. Even though I''ve turned into a werewolf, it''s still useful..."

    <strong></strong>

    She softly smiled, igniting a darkly tinged me at her fingertips, and somewhat forcibly ced the axe in Gin''s hand.

    <strong></strong>

    "Your father is fighting alone. I need to go out there too."

    <strong></strong>

    "But, Mom, I..."

    <strong></strong>

    Boom!

    <strong></strong>

    The sound of gunfire from outside made Gin flinch.

    <strong></strong>

    It was the sound of his father, who had taken all the guns and ammunition, firing the triple-barrel shotgun.

    <strong></strong>

    Due to loading buckshots instead of slugs for a wider spread, a single shot echoed like a bomb, followed by the agonized howls of werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    A trusty weapon that had saved the family''s lives several times.

    <strong></strong>

    But after two more shots, his father would be vulnerable while reloading.

    <strong></strong>

    Boom!

    <strong></strong>

    Now, only one shot remained.

    <strong></strong>

    "Gin."

    <strong></strong>

    His mother, unable to hide her urgency, tried to smile as she whispered to him.

    <strong></strong>

    "Just hide a little longer. They wille to help us. So stay hidden until then, okay?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Mom...!"

    <strong></strong>

    "Go now."

    <strong></strong>

    She pushed her son into a pre-dug tunnel in the living room floor, biting her lip.

    <strong></strong>

    Regret for not hiding him better was now meaningless.

    <strong></strong>

    She should have realized sooner that there was a traitor.

    <strong></strong>

    She should have noticed why Quinodon had so quickly be aware of Gin''s existence...

    <strong></strong>

    ''Maybe I wanted to believe they were like family, and they were just being friendly because we were family...''

    <strong></strong>

    Recalling her conversation with Gin, she bit her lip hard, then shook off her thoughts and copsed the tunnel entrance.

    <strong></strong>

    Activating a prepared magic circle, she magically erased any trace of her son, urging him with deep concern.

    <strong></strong>

    "Don''te out no matter what happens. Understood?"

    <strong></strong>

    "But Mom...!"

    <strong></strong>

    "No matter what happens, no matter what you hear, never! Promise me, you''ll listen to Mom, okay?"

    <strong></strong>

    "Okay, I promise."

    <strong></strong>

    Boom!

    <strong></strong>

    The third gunshot rang out.

    <strong></strong>

    She could no longer wait and dashed outside, hurling the dark mes she conjured in both hands.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin reached out towards his mother as the dirt at the entrance copsed, darkening his view, but ultimately, he grasped nothing as his vision was blocked.

    <strong></strong>

    Honey!

    <strong></strong>

    Gin?

    <strong></strong>

    I''ve hidden him. If we can just hold out until they arrive... Get lost!

    <strong></strong>

    His parents'' desperate voices came from outside.

    <strong></strong>

    With his mother''s help, his father sessfully reloaded and fired the shotgun again.

    <strong></strong>

    Bang! Bang! Bang!

    <strong></strong>

    Gin took those sounds as a sign that his parents were still alive.

    <strong></strong>

    As long as he could hear those sounds, his parents were holding on.

    <strong></strong>

    Please, let Jun and his party arrive before the gunfire stops...!

    <strong></strong>

    Over here!

    <strong></strong>

    A familiar voice pierced through the gunfire at that moment.

    <strong></strong>

    It was the voice of thedy next door, who had always looked after Gin and worried about him as much as his mother did.

    <strong></strong>

    Could it be that she had brought Jun here?

    <strong></strong>

    Excited and happy, he almost emerged from the barrier when the distinctive rough breathing of a werewolf halted his movement.

    <strong></strong>

    Dark Mage Yuri, Gunman Kei... Exactly. Where''s their wolf cub?

    <strong></strong>

    He must be inside the house; I didn''t see hime out!

    <strong></strong>

    She was indeed the guide.

    <strong></strong>

    Not for Gin, but for the werewolves hunting him.

    <strong></strong>

    Tolomea... It was you.

    <strong></strong>

    Tolomea? Why.

    <strong></strong>

    A resigned voice from his mother Yuri, his father Kei genuinely puzzled.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin felt he shouldn''t hear what came next.

    <strong></strong>

    A chill ran down his spine, and the cold wouldn''t leave.

    <strong></strong>

    Why? Because I want to get out of this godforsaken ce. Quinodon promised me that.

    <strong></strong>

    What... What do you mean?

    <strong></strong>

    And honestly, I never liked him. He''s Yuri''s son, right? Ah, don''t look at me like that, Kei. It would''ve been cleaner if I had diedst time, but now it''se to this.

    <strong></strong>

    Last time...?

    <strong></strong>

    He needed to cover his ears.

    <strong></strong>

    He had to cover his ears.

    <strong></strong>

    Pretend he heard nothing.

    <strong></strong>

    He had to stay hidden here.

    <strong></strong>

    Yes,st time. But those damn outsiders got involved and messed everything up.

    <strong></strong>

    Didn''t you care about Gin?

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, at first, I tried to tolerate him because he was your son, Kei. But Yuri''s blood is in him after all. He''s not my son.

    <strong></strong>

    I still don''t understand what you''re saying, Tolomea...

    <strong></strong>

    How long are you going to keep up this melodrama?

    <strong></strong>

    Cover your ears.

    <strong></strong>

    Just cover your ears.

    <strong></strong>

    Now!

    <strong></strong>

    You might as well listen a little since you''ve already won.

    <strong></strong>

    We need to find the wolf cub. That''s the boss''s order.

    <strong></strong>

    Sigh, fine. Then kill that woman now. I''m sick of seeing her.

    <strong></strong>

    You don''t get to decide!

    <strong></strong>

    Kei, no. You were supposed to be spared. Just hold on a little longer, okay?

    <strong></strong>

    I''m sorry, dear... Please, take care of Gin.

    <strong></strong>

    Wait, Yuri... Yuri!

    <strong></strong>

    Cover your ears.

    <strong></strong>

    Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears. Cover your ears.

    <strong></strong>

    Cover your ears!

    <strong></strong>

    Wait Why! We had a magical contract!

    <strong></strong>

    Ah, I forgot to mention earlier. I''m no longer under the boss''smand. Can''t you see the Vrykkas''s mark has been removed? I''m free today and no longer have to obey him.

    <strong></strong>

    My God Kei! Kei Cough!

    <strong></strong>

    That''s why I can kill you too.

    <strong></strong>

    What about the contract, just...

    <strong></strong>

    Do you think it''s right to spare a traitor? And you dared to bind us with a contract. There''s no way we could tolerate such insolence.

    <strong></strong>

    You''ll... pay for this...

    <strong></strong>

    Soon the voices faded away, and Gin no longer needed to cover his ears.

    <strong></strong>

    The lone werewolf, left behind, started wreaking havoc around, searching for Gin, when suddenly, something flew through the air.

    <strong></strong>

    Kuk?!

    <strong></strong>

    I''m a bitte.

    <strong></strong>

    A young man''s voice.

    <strong></strong>

    It was the voice of the man who had pointed an arrow at him when they first met.

    <strong></strong>

    Gin never imagined that he woulde to rescue him.

    <strong></strong>

    Yet, hearing that voice, Gin strangely didnt think ''I''m saved'' or ''It''s a relief.'' He just felt empty and void.

    <strong></strong>

    All the rtionships that had kept him human, the solid framework, had shattered.

    <strong></strong>

    As if they had never existed, they vanished.

    <strong></strong>

    You...!

    <strong></strong>

    So, it hase to this. How tiresome, history repeats itself.

    <strong></strong>

    I''ll kill you!

    <strong></strong>

    Tch, so foolish.

    <strong></strong>

    A fierce battle ensued, filling the air with noise, but to Gin, it sounded faint, as ifing from a faraway ce.

    <strong></strong>

    He was focusing inwardly.

    <strong></strong>

    Inside his empty heart, he felt an emotion surging that he had never experienced before in his life.

    <strong></strong>

    It swelled so immensely in an instant that it seemed about to engulf his entire mind.

    <strong></strong>

    It was too hot, and as he opened his mouth to let it out, a sudden burst of heat cked out his vision.

    <strong></strong>

    "Aah."

    <strong></strong>

    He realized.

    <strong></strong>

    This was the instinct of a werewolf.

    <strong></strong>

    The instinct he had desperately suppressed since birth was now emerging.

    <strong></strong>

    Hatred, anger, the urge to destroy and kill.

    <strong></strong>

    These were new emotions to him, yet they felt eerily familiar.

    <strong></strong>

    If suppressing these emotions was what made one human, then he no longer wanted to be human.

    <strong></strong>

    Wouldn''t it be more satisfying to be a wolf, forget everything, and tear apart all that he hated?

    <strong></strong>

    "Aah."

    <strong></strong>

    He gripped the silver axe in his hand tightly.

    <strong></strong>

    A weapon harmful to ordinary werewolves just by touch, given by his mother.

    <strong></strong>

    Only now he understood why his mother entrusted it to him.

    <strong></strong>

    His oveing of silver wasn''t about returning to being human.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I am a beast. I can never be human.''

    <strong></strong>

    But if there was one difference from other beasts, it was that he loathed those disgusting kin and had sharp ws of silver.

    <strong></strong>

    Then, his path was clear.

    <strong></strong>

    If only he had realized a bit sooner.

    <strong></strong>

    If he hadn''t run away like a coward, if he hadn''t been foolishly mistaken.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps his parents wouldn''t have died.

    <strong></strong>

    Are you listening?

    <strong></strong>

    The man''s voice reached him.

    <strong></strong>

    The sudden silence around him indicated the battle had ended.

    <strong></strong>

    If you want to survive, it''s better to keep hiding.

    <strong></strong>

    As if knowing Gin was hiding, he continued.

    <strong></strong>

    But if you''re prepared to die for revenge I''ll help you as a senior.

    <strong></strong>

    It could be a tease or a trap.

    <strong></strong>

    But the moment Gin heard those words, he impulsively broke the barrier and leaped out.

    <strong></strong>

    Yet, there was no one there anymore.

    <strong></strong>

    Except for a ck book lying on the blood-soaked floor ''Shadow Stalker'', a skill book.

    <strong></strong>

    "Why."

    <strong></strong>

    Even Gin knew this was an incredibly valuable item.

    <strong></strong>

    Though filled with questions, he wasn''t in the state to ponder over them.

    <strong></strong>

    He acquired the skill book right away.

    <strong></strong>

    And soon started hunting his own kind.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Awooooooooooo!

    <strong></strong>

    A chilling howl that seemed to freeze the soul halted everything on the battlefield.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun instinctively looked up and saw the moon disappearing in the sky.

    <strong></strong>

    More urately, it was being swallowed by a massive shadow.

    <strong></strong>

    The ruins darkened in an instant, and the werewolves around, deprived of the moon''s grace, were severely weakened; some even reverted to their human forms.

    <strong></strong>

    "What is that...?"

    <strong></strong>

    It''s a Legendary grade enemy.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy said calmly.

    <strong></strong>

    But you know, Contractor. It seems less like a werewolf and more like just...

    <strong></strong>

    "Yeah, just a wolf a giant wolf."

    <strong></strong>

    Even the overflowing werewolves looked up, stunned.

    <strong></strong>

    That shadow was not the leader of the invading werewolves.

    <strong></strong>

    Nor was it the opposite Yes.

    <strong></strong>

    Now he understood.

    <strong></strong>

    "The werewolves just stumbled upon an existing ruin."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun realized his ridiculous mistake.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps the werewolves he defeated earlier being treated as boss-level confused him further, but they were only bosses in name.

    <strong></strong>

    The thieves who had upied the ruin could never be its true owners.

    <strong></strong>

    "This can''t be happening."

    <strong></strong>

    A weak, transformed werewolf shivered, looking at the shadownding on the hill where the vige once stood.

    <strong></strong>

    "Was this vige the seal of the ruin''s owner Did the boss know this?"

    <strong></strong>

    "There''s no way. If that thing appeared, we''d all be dead. The boss wouldn''t have sent us to our deaths."

    <strong></strong>

    Panic spread rapidly.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun also realized why the ruin''s owner had appeared now.

    <strong></strong>

    Wasn''t the vige''s location too perfect from the start?

    <strong></strong>

    Hidden in fog, surrounded by traps.

    <strong></strong>

    The perfect ce to conceal and seal something!

    <strong></strong>

    The owner of the ruins, Hati, the Moon-Swallowing Wolf (Legendary) appears!

    <strong></strong>

    You are facing a Darkness/Evil attribute boss monster. The title effect [The Last Hero (L)] activates, enhancing all abilities by 30%.

    <strong></strong>

    You are facing an enemy of a higher grade. The title effect [Transcender of Limits (L)] activates, granting a dramatic positive adjustment.

    <strong></strong>

    Contractor!

    <strong></strong>

    "Hurry, Ur!"

    <strong></strong>

    Kiit!

    <strong></strong>

    Thankfully, as soon as heid eyes on the enemy, all title effects activated.

    <strong></strong>

    Unfortunately, even from this distance, the enemy''sbat prowess was absurdly strong!

    <strong></strong>

    Awooooooooooo!

    <strong></strong>

    The giant wolf, Hati, howled and swung its front paw through the air.

    <strong></strong>

    A blue energy surged like a tidal wave, sweeping across the area and erasing hundreds of werewolves caught in its path.

    <strong></strong>

    An absurdly powerful destruction that only broughtughter.

    <strong></strong>

    If the thousands of werewolves were an army, then that wolf was a cmity that could crush an army with a single step.

    <strong></strong>

    "Strong enemy."

    <strong></strong>

    "Yes. I was prepared for a Legendary, but it''s beyond imagination."

    <strong></strong>

    To add, his teammates were scattered, NPCs were involved, and Quinodon, a worrying factor, was still present.

    <strong></strong>

    But of course, KiJun didn''t back down.

    <strong></strong>

    He still had things to protect there.

    <strong></strong>

    He couldn''t possibly retreat.

    <strong></strong>

    "My first Legendary grade opponent since that demon, this will be a good fight."

    <strong></strong>

    "Im counting on you this time too, Lucy. And Ur as well, of course."

    <strong></strong>

    Kiit.

    <strong></strong>

    Ur, sensing KiJun''s resolve, responded energetically and jumped off the ground.

    <strong></strong>

    Hati, along with everyone on the battlefield, noticed KiJun and Ur soaring high in the sky.

    <strong></strong>

    Not just Hati, but even the werewolves who had been cowering and his battling party members focused on him.

    <strong></strong>

    When receiving the attention of everyone, there was only one thing he had to do.

    <strong></strong>

    "Come at me!"

    <strong></strong>

    That was Blinding Taunt.

    <strong></strong>

    "Come on, you dumb mutts, bring it!"

    <strong></strong>

    Shining brightly all over his body.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun shouted, echoing through the ruins.

    <strong></strong>

    Awooooooooooo!

    <strong></strong>

    Of course, the ruin''s owner dly epted the taunt.

    <strong>

    </strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65

    WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

    <strong></strong>

    Trantor/Editor: Ryuu

    Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

    Everyone Else is a Regressor (65)

    <strong></strong>

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Kraaaaaa!

    <strong></strong>

    Hati seemed so pleased with KiJun''s taunt that it immediately gathered blue energy at the tips of its ws andunched five crescent-shaped magical energies.

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy quickly analyzed the sharp attacks that tore through the air and burned with mana.

    <strong></strong>

    It''s the power of the moon... It seems to be mixed with coldness. I can feel the divine power, too. That thing is a divine beast!

    <strong></strong>

    ''The fact that The Last Hero title is activated means it''s a dark attribute divine beast, right? That''s somewhat relieving.''

    <strong></strong>

    While the two were calmly assessing the situation, Ur was the one bustling with activity.

    <strong></strong>

    Normally, a mere beast would have no way to dodge attacks flying through the air, but Ur was anything but normal; it was a spirit.

    <strong></strong>

    mes fiercely zed under Ur''s four legs, forcefully propelling its body forward.

    <strong></strong>

    Ur dashed parallel to the ground, leaving trails of mes in the air, and Hati''s magic, missing them entirely, exploded in the air, inflicting more damage on the werewolves in the vicinity.

    <strong></strong>

    ''What kind of regr attack is this, a wide-area deathblow?''

    <strong></strong>

    One thing was clear: that monster was not something one could handle alone.

    <strong></strong>

    I wondered how the party members would react to it.

    <strong></strong>

    Would they join him to fight off the monster together?

    <strong></strong>

    Honestly, he couldn''t be sure.

    <strong></strong>

    And the reason was obvious.

    <strong></strong>

    As he had confided to Lora, KiJun was aware that there was an enemy within the party.

    <strong></strong>

    To be more precise, he had deduced the presence of a Vampire.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I wanted to apany them too. It was necessary to observe a Vampire closely and gather more information. And when the time was right, I nned to step in and take care of it...''

    <strong></strong>

    He hesitated at the unexpectedly human-like demeanor shown by the Vampire.

    <strong></strong>

    As long as the Vampire didn''t bare its fangs at him, he felt he shouldn''t be the one to attack first.

    <strong></strong>

    Even if the Vampire had joined his party with some ulterior motive.

    <strong></strong>

    Attacking a Vampire that wasn''t hostile to him seemed no different from Charbanbesh and Kipuz attacking orcs just because they were orcs.

    <strong></strong>

    Although the Half-Orc Martial Artist In said to distinguish enemies based on light and dark attributes.

    <strong></strong>

    The fact that Vampires belonged to the dark faction, while Charbanbesh and Kipuz belonged to the light faction, had no influence on KiJun''s judgment.

    <strong></strong>

    Not in the slightest.

    <strong></strong>

    Because

    <strong></strong>

    Contractor!

    <strong></strong>

    "Aaaaaah!"

    <strong></strong>

    His train of thought was abruptly cut off by Lucy''s voice.

    <strong></strong>

    Before he knew it, the divine beast of darkness was right in front of him.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun gritted his teeth and extended his two shields forward, infusing them with light and mes to forge them into a single massive shield.

    <strong></strong>

    Kooooooot!

    <strong></strong>

    "Ugh!"

    <strong></strong>

    The moment he entered the close range where he could count the hairs on the beast''s huge body with his eyes, Hati swung its paw, and KiJun deflected it at an angle!

    <strong></strong>

    Kwaaaaaang!

    <strong></strong>

    Both Hati and Ur roared fiercely.

    <strong></strong>

    Beep The Shock Absorber, exceeding its limit to absorb shock in just one collision, cried out in desperation.

    <strong></strong>

    "Kuh!"

    <strong></strong>

    Kiiit!

    <strong></strong>

    And KiJun, with Ur''s help, managed to deflect the remaining shock that hadn''t been fully absorbed, and he leaped off Ur''s back to face Hati directly.

    <strong></strong>

    Krrrrrrr...!

    <strong></strong>

    Hati, surprised that its full-powered attack was so easily blocked, became wary, its eyes filled with caution.

    <strong></strong>

    But that was only possible thanks to the Shock Absorber.

    <strong></strong>

    Now, KiJun truly had to rely on nothing but his own body.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Ha, it''s been a while since I''ve had such a thorough workout.''

    <strong></strong>

    As the enemy lowered its stance and became cautious, KiJun solidified his stance even more, pushing his physical abilities to the limit with Salutaris and Adamant.

    <strong></strong>

    Facing a formidable enemy, he gripped both shields in the proper manner to maximize defense while readying himself to attack any vulnerabilities that might appear.

    <strong></strong>

    "Come at me."

    <strong></strong>

    Kaaaaaaang!

    <strong></strong>

    The wolf that swallowed the moon and the human emitting light and mes like the sun shed once again.

    <strong></strong>

    Thankfully, KiJun had aplete advantage in terms ofpatibility, and except for two attributes, all his stats were at Legendary rank.

    <strong></strong>

    However, his lower race rank and level still held him back, preventing him from overpowering Hati.

    <strong></strong>

    Bang! Bang! Kwaang!

    <strong></strong>

    After a few light shes, the wolf, realizing KiJun wasn''t as solid as before, smirked ominously.

    <strong></strong>

    Its ws then glowed with a deeper blue, enhancing them into sharper and more lethal weapons rather than shooting out energy as before.

    <strong></strong>

    Contractor, don''t try to block that with your armor. It''ll get torn apart.

    <strong></strong>

    ''Even with Adamant reinforcing it?''

    <strong></strong>

    It will definitely tear through adamantine, I''m sure. Concentrate Adamant on just the two shields to increase their strength!

    <strong></strong>

    There are few experts better at assessing the strength of an enemy than Lucy.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun obediently followed Lucy''s advice, concentrating power on the shields and again blocking the wolf''s attack that seemed to slice from his head to his crotch.

    <strong></strong>

    Kwaaaaang!

    <strong></strong>

    It wasn''t just a physical collision.

    <strong></strong>

    Terrible cold and heat shed, creating clouds of steam.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhaps intending to freeze and shred KiJun in one go, the wolf''s eyes sparked with a cold me as its attack was blocked once more.

    <strong></strong>

    Kuaaaaaang!

    <strong></strong>

    The moment a fierce brawl began.

    <strong></strong>

    The wolf swung its front paws mercilessly to tear him apart, while KiJun, refusing to back down, gritted his teeth and countered every move.

    <strong></strong>

    The coldness imbued in the wolf''s paws was terrifying, befitting its name as a divine beast.

    <strong></strong>

    But the holy fire in KiJun''s two shields,bined with job effects, skill effects, and title effects, harmonizing with adamantine, made even the coldness emitted by the moon-eating wolf evaporate before it could get past the shields.

    <strong></strong>

    "Kuuuuk Is that all you''ve got!"

    <strong></strong>

    While frantically maneuvering the two shields to block the beast''s attacks, KiJun began to taunt the enemy.

    <strong></strong>

    If he continued to just block attacks, he might get a good workout, but he would never be able to ovee the beast.

    <strong></strong>

    To defeat the beast alone, he needed to take risks and create openings, unless, of course, he received support from others.

    <strong></strong>

    ''So ites to this.''

    <strong></strong>

    The howling of the wolf, the falling frost, the rising mes, the steam, the fierce collisions.

    <strong></strong>

    His savior, holding his creaking body together and reinvigorating him.

    <strong></strong>

    As he received new energy, his bones and muscles reinforced with adamantine, his shields strengthened.

    <strong></strong>

    Facing the giant wolf, taunting it until his throat was raw, yet...

    <strong></strong>

    He found himself thinking of his party members again.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I thought that if it were for a third party NPC, we might be able to join forces.''

    <strong></strong>

    Even if the invasion of Gratia Kingdom by the vampires was a foregone conclusion, and the vampire who had joined the Jahil party was also part of that group, inevitably making them adversaries, the NPCs they met within this relic were unaffiliated with either side, so he had thought they could temporarily be allies for their sake.

    <strong></strong>

    ''I thought it could be possible.''

    <strong></strong>

    Recalling the conversation he had with his party members the day before, KiJun smirked bitterly and gripped his shield tighter.

    <strong></strong>

    The sharp edge of the shield pointed forward in an aggressive stance.

    <strong></strong>

    Now somewhat ustomed to the damn heavy barrage, he intended to somehow bring down the enemy before he himself copsed.

    <strong></strong>

    After all, when had he ever fought hoping for someone else''s help, especially when he had formed a party with such ring gaps, expecting the party to function perfectly was greedy.

    <strong></strong>

    ''It''s fine. I have Mr. Nietzsche and Mr. Copernicus with me.''

    <strong></strong>

    Ah, they were still around.

    <strong></strong>

    Kaaaa!

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun extended the shield in his left hand to deflect the wolf''s front paw, while catching the giant tail sweeping up from the ground from his blind spot with his right hand, thrusting it forward with all his might.

    <strong></strong>

    The me blooming at the tip of the shield shot out like aser, infused with light.

    <strong></strong>

    The moment the holy me collided with the blue coldness in the tail, with Ur''s full power imbued, it red up, engulfing the wolf''s tailpletely!

    <strong></strong>

    Kaaaaaak!

    <strong></strong>

    Hati, feeling the golden mes burn through the coldness and even its tail, panicked and rubbed its tail against the ground.

    <strong></strong>

    Now, Contractor! The internal mana is concentrated in the tail, making other parts weaker!

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy''s urgent cry.

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun, chuckling to himself at how even a divine beast is still a beast at heart, didn''t miss the opportunity to strike at the enemy''s weakness.

    <strong></strong>

    ''The target should obviously be''

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s arms, shining brilliantly like fangs, pressed down on one of the wolf''s front paws while the other bit precisely into the w-like weapons sprouting from that paw.

    <strong></strong>

    With a crunch, the fangs tore through the flesh, pulling out one of the wolf''s ws from the root!

    <strong></strong>

    Kyaaaaaaaak!

    <strong></strong>

    With masterful butchery skills reaching the realm of legends, you sessfully extract a part of the body from a legendary entity. You obtained [Moon''s w (L-)]. Separated from the main body, it has lost its source of power and weakened, but gathering several will restore its true power.

    <strong></strong>

    Butchery (R) skill has reached level 17!

    <strong></strong>

    The wolf''s w, thicker and longer than an ordinary sword, was sucked into KiJun''s inventory as it flew through the air.

    <strong></strong>

    Perhapscking the dreadful regenerative ability unlike werewolves, the wolf couldn''t regenerate its torn w and howled in pain, frantically attacking KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    Kyaaaaaak!

    <strong></strong>

    "Let me pluck the rest of the seven..."

    <strong></strong>

    However, just as the enraged divine beast of darkness opened its jaws wide to swallow KiJun whole.

    <strong></strong>

    Bang!

    <strong></strong>

    A bullet, fired from behind, flew in and lodged itself in Hati''s throat as if sucked in.

    <strong></strong>

    A giant slug bullet for a silver-ted shotgun, but the enormous magical power within was unmistakably from someone KiJun knew well...!

    <strong></strong>

    "Herbert!"

    <strong></strong>

    Realizing the identity of the reinforcement and calling out his name, KiJun didn''t miss the ring opening Hati revealed from the dual shocks.

    <strong></strong>

    Crunch, the blood-stained fangs tore into the opposite front paw of the still-intact wolf, sessfully plucking another w.

    <strong></strong>

    The sight of the giant wolf retreating, bleeding from both front paws, was almostughable.

    <strong></strong>

    Just six more to go!

    <strong></strong>

    Lucy''s voice, lively yet slightly eerie, was heard as KiJun nced back to see theposed gentleman standing there as usual.

    <strong></strong>

    The difference was that he appeared quite weary and injured in ces, holding a triple-barrel shotgun, which meant...

    <strong></strong>

    "I''m sorry, Jun. I''mte."

    <strong></strong>

    "Is that so?"

    <strong></strong>

    It wasn''t that he waste ining to help.

    <strong></strong>

    The fact that Herbert had been detained proved that the opponent he had fought was no easy adversary.

    <strong></strong>

    And if such an enemy existed, then naturally...

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun asked, suppressing the surge of emotions.

    <strong></strong>

    "If you''rete, then Gunman Kei..."

    <strong></strong>

    "The boy is safe, probably. There seemed to be a barrier, so... I didn''t touch it unnecessarily. His parents managed well."

    <strong></strong>

    Despite knowing it wasn''t the time, KiJun momentarily closed his eyes.

    <strong></strong>

    Countless thoughts swirled aimlessly before settling heavily.

    <strong></strong>

    There was no end to being swayed by what he couldn''t protect.

    <strong></strong>

    Now was the time to focus on what he had saved and what he needed to protect.

    <strong></strong>

    He opened his eyes again.

    <strong></strong>

    "Thank you."

    <strong></strong>

    "It''s what I should do for the quest. Of course, depending on the boy''s mental state, all the silver we brought might be in vain..."

    <strong></strong>

    "I mean, foring to help me."

    <strong></strong>

    At KiJun''s words, Herbert''s eyes widened.

    <strong></strong>

    Then, regaining hisposure, he said:

    <strong></strong>

    "As a party member... it''s only natural to help the leader."

    <strong></strong>

    Herbert, having tended to his wounds, aimed the triple-barrel shotgun at Hati, who was stealthily approaching them again.

    <strong></strong>

    "Let''s deal with the rest by killing this thing."

    <strong></strong>

    Kooooooooooh!

    <strong></strong>

    "...Yes, let''s do that."

    <strong></strong>

    KiJun''s shields, once again radiating bright light, taunted Hati, and the beast, forgetting the hit it took from Herbert, charged straight at KiJun.

    <strong></strong>

    The shields and the wolf collided with a thunderous noise, and the shotgun, seizing the opportunity, fired.

    <strong></strong>

    Once again, the boss battle began.

    <strong></strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): KiJun, you must be curious about something.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Wondering why I didn''t exin beforehand.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You''ve noticed I''m from the dark faction, right?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Was it too obvious? I could''ve just told you, but that was a bit hard. Silly, right?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You could''ve asked too. It''s not like I couldn''t answer...]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Ah sorry, that was a bit cowardly of me. I''ll be honest.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I didn''t want to say it myself.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I didn''t want you to have a prejudice against me.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): It was going to be obvious once we crossed into Reta, what a fool I am.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Still, I''m sorry. If I knew such dangerous situations would arise, I should''ve told you in advance.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Who''s dangerous in the dark faction, how they act, what to be cautious of... I should''ve told you all.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Thanks for pretending not to know all this time.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): But don''t be too lenient on the others because of me.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You know, being a tutorial NPC, I''m somewhat free from faction issues. But those from Reta fighting for continental supremacy, it''s different.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Regardless of their will, many must follow the intentions of their faction or civilization.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): And to defy such ''fate,'' a significant price is needed. Be it soul, body, or self...]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Or a massive amount of points. Heh, now do you see why I''m gathering points?]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): No reward for praising me? Instead, I''lle myself. So just wait.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Oh, right. In very special circumstances, if there''s an irregr mutation in race, the faction can change, but this is really rare, so no need to worry.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): ...But saying this makes me a bit anxious that such a thing might happen around you.]

    <strong></strong>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Why won''t this message delete?]

    <strong>

    </strong><hr>

    <strong></strong>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

    <strong></strong>

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (66)</strong><hr>

    Lora also saw the appearance of a gigantic, truly enormous wolf swallowing the moon on the battlefield.

    The sight of Jun, riding a giant red me beast, unique to me Humans, and rushing into battle, naturally drew the attention of everyone on the battlefield.

    She eximed in a sharp, panicked voice.

    "We have to... We have to help! Jun can''t possibly defeat it alone...!"

    She couldn''t believe he was actually willing to risk his life without hesitation to confront the monster.

    She thought she knew of his heroism, but never imagined he would be so reckless with his own life.

    Lora''s heart ached at his unwavering attitude even in the face of crisis.

    He was someone who should not die here.

    She had to save him, even if it meant sacrificing her own life...!

    "Hmm, what to do?"

    However, Armillca just said that and snickered.

    Even while carrying Lora, her agility remained unchanged, and with one hand supporting Lora and the other wildly swinging a long sword, werewolves were being shed and falling as if drawn by a ma.

    With the disappearance of the moon and the consequent weakening of the werewolves, Armillca''s battle had already reached a level that could only be described as a massacre.

    "This is why werewolves are no good. Without the moon, they can''t use their power properly. How inferior."

    "Armillca, we don''t care about the other werewolves right now. We have to save Jun!"

    "Ehh, really? He seems to be of a higher rank than us. Looks dangerous, why don''t we just run away?"

    Helping the party leader as a fellow party member was a matter of course, not needing any consideration.

    Armillca''s attitude was an uneptable act of betrayal.

    "How could you... We''re in the same party!"

    "Ah, right. Cancel, cancel"

    She wasn''t talking about retracting her statement.

    She meant to cancel the party status binding her with Jun.

    Immediately after, whether she truly left the party or not, her name disappeared from the party window, which could only be seen while in a party.

    Voluntary withdrawal of a party member duringbat was considered taboo, and the system imposed a penalty of not being able to join a new party for a month. If a mercenary affiliated with the Mercenary Guildmitted such an act, they could face activity suspension, or in severe cases, expulsion or even assassination.

    Lora''s expression turned icy.

    "You."

    "Ahaha, worried I''ll get in trouble with the guild? It''s okay, they''re all going to die here anyway. There won''t be anyone left to testify. Lora, you should leave that party quickly too."

    "Armillca!"

    "Or are you worried you might die? That''s even less of a concern. I''m not nning to let you die. I''ve really fallen for you. So much that I don''t care about any mission, hehe."

    Hey, Lora.

    Calling her name affectionately, Armillca''s lips stretched into a sinister smile.

    Her fangs, sharp as if dripping with blood, gleamed red in the darkness.

    "Did you figure out who I am?"

    "Uh!"

    At that moment.

    Lora, having prepared for such a situation in advance, attached a paper she had pulled out onto Armillca''s back.

    The light exploded brilliantly, propelling Lora into the airand In, who had been frantically following, safely caught her.

    "Lora, are you okay!"

    "I''m fine, oppa... Thank you."

    "Oppa? Ohoppa?"

    The vampire, having barely extinguished the paper that had caught fire on her shoulder, bared her fangs at In and growled.

    She knew In had been following from behind, but she didn''t like that their rtionship seemed closer than she had thought.

    "What are you? Don''t tell me... you touched my Lora?"

    "Lora is my sister."

    In replied solemnly to Armillca, who was asking with a menacing air as if she wouldn''t just kill him quietly if he had touched Lora.

    After gently setting Lora down, he swung his staff around to secure her safety, and Armillca dumbly asked back.

    "Sister...?"

    "Is there a problem?"

    "Phew, haha!"

    She burst intoughter, forgetting the current situation.

    "I''ve heard stories about stupid orc brutes unable to control their lust kidnapping human women as ythings! Huh, but it''s the first time I hear of a half-orc considering a human as family! Puhaha..."

    "We have the same father."

    "What?"

    Armillca froze on the spot,pletely taken aback by the unexpected response.

    Half-orc, In, illuminated his staff with a bright light, his eyes turning cold.

    "It means my mother was an orc, vampire."

    A familiar, yet unwee energy.

    An orc wielding the divine power of light!

    Armillca couldn''t believe her eyes.

    Were there two priests in the party?

    ...And both capable of wielding light strong against vampires?

    "Our father was a high priest of Ishtar. That''s why my sister and I were born with Ishtar''s divine power."

    Lora, having opened a book filled with divine power, released dozens of papers at once, casting a huge holy spell as she continued.

    "I lied to Jun, saying I was born a normal human. I regret it, but I don''t regret it. Thanks to that, I could deceive ''enemies'' like you too."

    "The guild always prepares for contingencies. We didn''t know you were a vampire, but we considered the possibility of someone infiltrating to harm the hero of Turris."

    "Ha I thought I had perfectly deceived you, but I was the one deceived? What aedy... A dulledy."

    Armillca suddenly turned serious and ran her blood-stained finger along the de of her sword.

    Blood lines drawn by her fingers wriggled as if alive, forming characters, pulsing along with the sword to enhance its powerthe vampire''s unique ability, ''blood power.''

    "Ishtar! By your light, bind and melt this filthy darkness!"

    "Ah!"

    Just as Lora''s holy spellpleted, forming golden rings that surrounded and constricted the area, attempting to bind Armillca''s movements, she astonishingly resisted more than half of the holy spell.

    "Why do you think I operate in human society? Lora, it''s because I''m especially resistant to light among vampires."

    Even now, she maintained a gentle tone towards Lora alone, which Lora found utterly chilling.

    "Don''t you think we''re fated to be together? Right?"

    "......"

    Lora didn''t respond but burned a few more papers to strengthen the holy spell, yet Armillca, seemingly unconcerned, smiled and aimed her sword at In.

    Her two eyes, now blood-red, glinted like a wild beast''s.

    "After we deal with these nuisances, let''s have a thorough talk. Yes, about our future. Once I make you my blood kin, we can spend eternity together"

    "Shut up, vampire!"

    Unable to bear her presence any longer, In charged with his staff at the forefront.

    Kaaaaang!

    The steel staff, enhanced by the power of Ishtar, the bringer of dawn, collided with the vampire''s blood-powered sword, creating a terrible recoil.

    In stepped back, and Armillca, holding her ground, shook her hand.

    With his feet firmly on the ground, In took another step forward, his eyebrows trembling.

    "Kuk...!"

    "No matter how much you prepare."

    Armillca, instantly seeing his tension, smirked.

    You always do that. Even if you realize I''m a vampire, what''s the point if you can''t stop me? It''s sad, but that''s your limit. There''s only one way to ovee it."

    The tip of the sword,unched at a speed beyond human perception, inevitably split In''s steel staff in two.

    The light within it burst out, attacking Armillca, but a shield of blood formed around her, blocking the light and evaporating it.

    Armillca emerged unscathed, so much so that one might doubt she was a vampire at all.

    "The only way is toe to the darkness. Of course, this is for our Lora. I wouldn''t even consider giving a chance to a filthy orc like you!"

    Armillca, as if fencing, raised her sword again andunched it.

    Lora created a shield of light with her holy magic, but it only momentarily halted Armillca''s de.

    The sword meant for In''s throat ended up piercing his arm instead, not entirely meaningless...

    "Did you forget my ability?"

    "I didn''t... forget...!"

    In gritted his teeth and retorted to Armillca, who mocked him with a grin.

    At the moment the sword pierced him, the blood from the wound rapidly decayed, aiming for his heart, butIn pulled forth his divine power to purify it entirely.

    Instead, he advanced towards Armillca, firmly gripping the de that had pierced his arm.

    "Got you...!"

    "Stupid orc. It''s better for our Lora if you die quickly."

    Irritated by his stubborn resistance, Armillca narrowed her eyes and tightened her grip on the sword.

    "Die, now. Lora is waiting for me."

    "You''re the one who''s going to die!"

    Lora''s sharp voice.

    Even then, Armillca, who wasughing as if she found it adorable, suddenly felt something sparkling in the dark sky where the moon had vanished.

    Thinking it couldn''t be, she tried to move, but In, who had grabbed her arm over the sword, held her tight and wouldn''t let go.

    "Let... go...!"

    "Ishtar, goddess of love, may the woman who rejects me change her mind and stay by my side"

    "Love?! Don''t make meugh, what joy could there be in receiving love from an orc! Let go!"

    In''s divine power was more tenacious than Armillca had imagined.

    He was busy enough purifying the decaying blood in real-time, yet he also managed to cast Ishtar''s holy magic to bind her movements!

    Then she realized In''s face was turning ck.

    This half-orc was neglecting even to purify his own blood, pouring all his divine power into holding her!

    "You... want to die?"

    "If it means I can protect my sister, anytime."

    The moment In grinned, a spear of light fell from the sky, piercing Armillca from head to toe.

    "Kaahk!"

    Armillca vomited arge amount of blood.

    Blood, the source of a vampire''s power.

    Armillca, who was a formidable opponent for In and Lora even whenbined, lost blood and rapidly weakened.

    In reality, even with the difference inpatibility, this should have been impossible.

    There was only one reason for this.

    "Damn man...! It''s all because of that cursed cooking...!"

    Armillca cursed Jun, recalling the food filled with the power of light he had made.

    She tried to avoid it, sensing its danger, but still had to eat a bit, inevitably weakening her resistance to light.

    In and Lora, who had eaten all of his cooking, had their abilities to wield light amplified.

    "Die!"

    At Lora''s urgent cry, another shooting star fell from the sky.

    Armillca was certain that if it hit her, her body would be obliterated.

    Despite frantically shaking the sword held by In and even resorting to unfamiliar blood magic to free herself, he stood firm like a mountain.

    But strangely, just before the spear of light fellIn''s eyes widened in panic, and he threw her aside.

    Was he suddenly afraid of death? But that wasn''t the case.

    "Lora!"

    "Eek?!"

    Just as In had thrown himself to protect Lora, a werewolfnded with a thud where she had been standing.

    Thanks to In''s sacrifice, Armillca avoided the spear of light and preserved her body. She watched the werewolf, her hair disheveled from the battle, quietly.

    This werewolf,rger than any other she had seen in the ruins, had pitch-ck fur and intimidating muscles.

    Above all, as a vampire, she could sense the thick scent of bloodthe mark of one who had taken many lives.

    "You''re..."

    Armillca quickly picked up her sword from the ground and aimed it at the werewolf.

    She nced at Lora to check her condition.

    Thankfully, Lora seemed unharmed, protected by the orc who had used his body as a shield. The orc himself wasn''t moving, but if he had died, it would only be a relief.

    If she could escape with Lora now, that would be ideal, but the werewolf in front of her seemed unlikely to allow it.

    Then there was no choice but to fight.

    "You''re Quinodon?"

    Yes, and you are hostages.

    Quinodon, the leader of the werewolves seeking revenge on Vrykkas, grinned wickedly with his filthy teeth.

    For the great revenge, for a new evolution. You must be sacrificed.

    "Kuh, hostage? I don''t know why you need hostages, but it seems I looked too weak to you"

    Armillcaughed and stabbed her sword into the ground.

    Her blood, scattered on the ground, bubbled up and was absorbed by her sword''s de, turning it bright red.

    You think I''ll let you pull any tricks!

    "Ha!"

    Quinodon, who had closed the distance in an instant, swung his dark and eerie ws.

    Armillca blocked with her blood-drenched de, but the overwhelming strike from the battered body pushed her back.

    I''ll end this quickly!

    "You..."

    Facing the werewolf''s filthy eyes, Armillca whispered quietly.

    "You''ve been hiding, haven''t you? Since you couldn''t defeat me head-on, you waited for me to die to kidnap Lora, right?"

    It was patience for a great cause.

    "Excuses for being a coward, huh? Tsk!"

    Grrr...!

    Perhaps stung by her words, the werewolf pressed down on Armillca forcefully.

    Armillca, maintaining a calm facade, was inwardly frantic.

    It seemed impossible to win in her current state.

    But she never considered, not even for a moment, abandoning Lora to escape alone.

    They had to escape togetheror somehow defeat the werewolf right here.

    But how?

    Thwack!

    Suddenly, a spear of light flew in, piercing the werewolf''s back.

    The holy magic of light, as effective against werewolves as it was against vampires, drained Quinodon''s magic and weakened him.

    Seizing the moment when the werewolf''s strength faltered, Armillca swiftly sliced his arm and retreated, shouting gratefully.

    "Lora! Thank you, I love you!"

    "I''m not doing this for you...!"

    Holding a few pieces of paper radiating light, Lora gritted her teeth and responded.

    She stood in front of In, whoy on the ground, as if to protect him, with a piece of divine paper burning on his chest.

    "To protect my brother, and... to prevent that bastard from interfering with Mr. Jun. Don''t be mistaken and fight with your life, vampire!"

    The absurdity of joining forces with a foe they had just been fighting for their lives against was like aedy.

    Moreover, they had to assist a vampire targeting them!

    But no matter how coldly they thought about it, this was the best course of action.

    To save her brother''s life and not be a burden to Mr. Jun.

    Lora clenched her teeth and resolved to fight alongside her enemy.

    "Of course."

    Perhaps delighted even by Lora''s harsh words, Armillca, breathing excitedly, faced her foe with a smile.

    "Until I make Lora my kin, I absolutely cannot die...!"

    Kraaaaah!

    The battle raged on, entangling the forces of light and darkness, humanity, vampires, and werewolves in chaos.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (67)</strong><hr>

    In a fierce but brief battle, KiJun managed to extract four more ws from the wolf that swallowed the moon.

    Now, only two more needed to be pulled out for the beast''s front paws to transform from lethal des into mere bludgeons, albeit ones filled with extreme cold.

    Of course, they would still be immensely powerful!

    Roarrr!

    It wasn''t the sound of a bomb exploding.

    As the giant wolf charged, shredding everything in its path, KiJun, having leapt back, countered the beast''s assault with a massive shield of light formed from merging his two shields, creating a thunderous echo.

    Roarrrr!

    Guh, grhhhh!

    A chilling wind,den with frost and apanied by a terrible shock, melted into the holy mes enveloping KiJun, generating thick steam.

    Having discharged all its stored energy and returned to functionality, the Shock Absorber beeped loudly before running out of power again.

    But of course, KiJun stood his ground, unyielding.

    Are you okay? KiJun!

    Even if I''m not I have to be! Fire!

    KiJun responded to Herbert''s voice from behind, his veins bulging with effort, as he swung his shield to strike the face of the wolf, still reeling from the collision.

    Blood spurted from Hati''s snout as it got hit by the shield, almost simultaneously with a slug round hitting its rtively softer belly, causing significant impact and pushing the beast back. However, Hati''s murderous intent remained solely fixed on KiJun.

    ''Is this truly possible?''

    From a distance, as a dealer, Herbert marveled at the difficulty of finding a tank as exceptional as KiJun, who not only held the beast''s attention with remarkable stability but seemed an impregnable iron wall.

    Despite increasingly aggressive attacks, KiJun maintained a steadfast gaze on the enemy, inspiring even Herbert to believe in victory.

    Is victory within reach?

    After taking several critical hits from both KiJun and Herbert, Hati was severely wounded.

    KiJun''s every power was antithetical to the beast, augmented by Herbert''s legendary gun and bullets, enhancing his capabilities beyond their limits.

    But these factors weren''t as crucial in this battle.

    Roar!

    Stay back!

    As the tidal wave of ferocity surged towards KiJun, threatening to crush him in an instant, he faced it head-on without a moment''s hesitation, his courage unwavering.

    Herbert, fire!

    Roger!

    Bang!

    KiJun, amidst the beast''s onught, managed to pierce Hati''s snout with his bloody fangs, halting its movement momentarily before striking with his shield, only to retreat before the beast could counterattack.

    ncing worriedly at Herbert, he asked, You okay?

    Ah jammed, sorry. I''ll fix it right now.

    Herbert felt a mix of joy and guilt at KiJun''s informal tone, realizing they were truly fighting side by side as party members.

    Yes, they were still in the same party.

    But how could KiJun trust him sopletely without a shred of doubt, even knowing his true nature?

    This unity is only for now.

    Herbert envisioned the aftermath of their battle with the moon-swallowed wolf.

    Inevitably, the conflict between KiJun and Herbert, dictated by the darkness coursing through Herbert''s veins, would lead to a fatal showdown.

    Swallowing hard at the stark image of death, he thought, If one of us must die, perhaps it''s better if I

    At that moment, Herbert closed his eyes tightly, overwhelmed by the thought.

    However, at that very moment, Herbert felt a foreign magical power stirring within him.

    Startled, Herbert''s eyes snapped open.

    The magical shotgun he was holding dropped to the ground and rolled away.

    Don''t move!

    Lucy''s sharp voice echoed in KiJun''s mind as he observed Herbert.

    He might attack the contractor. Shouldn''t we act before the situation worsens?

    KiJun didn''t respond to her but readied himself again with his two shields at the front.

    His enemy was a Legendary-ss adversary.

    It wasn''t the time to lose focus over something that hadn''t even happened yet.

    But thanks to Herbert, we''ve made significant progress, right? It''s worth a try.

    KiJun''s mind was clear.

    His arms, holding the shields, were steady.

    His legs, nted firmly on the ground, did not falter.

    The Adamant skill was still focused solely on the two shields.

    So, what was the source of his unwavering strength?

    It didn''t matter.

    Contractor!

    It''s okay... I won''t lose.

    KiJun, gritting his teeth in response, tightened his grip on the shields and looked up at the wolf.

    The beast was nearing its limit.

    Its two front paws were bloody, with all but one w extracted, one eyepletely burst, several teeth broken and bleeding in its mouth, and several thick silver bullets lodged in its abdomen, emitting smoke.

    Despite its still daunting presence, KiJun thought, if that''s a mountain, then just tear it down.

    Bring it on!

    Awooooooooo!

    Hati responded with a howling filled with rage and murderous intent, charging at KiJun.

    KiJun faintly smiled and drove thebined shields into the ground.

    He then amplified and channeled the radiant and spirit power from the earth into the shields through Salutaris, with Lucy and Ur''s elemental powers merging to create a blinding holy fire.

    The resulting sanctity was astonishing, even to him, far beyond mere light and me.

    Facing the icy cold wolf had cemented his mastery over the ''holy fire.''

    Roarrrrr!

    Beep!

    The enormous wolf, once again, failed to breach KiJun''s defenses, stopping in its tracks. The Shock Absorber, having recharged at some point,mendably absorbed the impact and cried out.

    Despite the trembling in his hands, KiJun forcefully pulled out the shield and, taking advantage of the wolf''s unsteadiness, aimed his fangs

    Contractor!

    Suddenly, Lucy''s sharp voice halted his action.

    Youre not blocking...?

    Lucy, startled, dispelled the forming light barrier, and the next moment, a projectile flew from behind and struck the immobilized Hati''s remaining eye, igniting it spectacrly.

    Roarrrrr!

    The impact was far more powerful and elicited a more violent reaction than any previous slug rounds, effectively burning out the beast''s eye with a single shot!

    Could it have been the time taken to change the ammunition?

    Now''s the time, KiJun!

    The marksman, having sessfully blinded the divine beast, called out loudly, boasting of his feat.

    KiJun, seizing the moment, swung his left shield again.

    Therge, sharp fang-shaped shield cleanly extracted thest w from the beast, and at that moment

    You have sessfully extracted a part of the body from an enemy that has reached the Legendary realm. You obtained [w of the Moon-Eating Wolf (L)]. The eight collected trophies havebined into one, forming [w of the Moon-Eating Wolf (L)]!

    Butchery (R) skill has reached level 25!

    Though an incredible message appeared, there was no time to inspect the Legendary-ss loot.

    As KiJunnded on the wolf''s head, the beast, realizing his presence, frantically tried to shake him off. But KiJun, anchoring himself firmly, did not fall and, seizing the opportunity, struck again at the same spot with the shield!

    Crack!

    Roarrrr!

    Finally, the wolf''s hide was breached, and blood spurted high. The beast''s blood, cold as befitting a creature of darkness, evaporated before it could freeze KiJun''s skin, thanks to Ur''s resistance.

    Roar!

    At that moment, another projectile struck the wound KiJun had made, tearing through the wolf''s hide and erging the wound.

    KiJun, smirking, struck down with the shield again.

    Roarrrrrrrrrr!

    As the wound widened and blood gushed out, the dying beast let out a roar filled with rage, making a final desperate attempt.

    Suddenly, its entire body darkened, and a surge of ck energy aimed directly at KiJun burst forth.

    No!

    Lucy screamed, trying to intercept, but the dark energy bypassed her light barrier and enveloped KiJun.

    The Moon-Eating Wolf sacrifices a part of its soul to curse you with a voracious curse. However, your Legendary-ss radiant and spirit power, along with the skill Salutaris (L), resist and weaken the curse.

    [Unbreakable Internal Clock (L)] strongly resists physical and mental interference.

    Sessful resistance. A positive adjustment has been given to [Salutaris (L)]. [Salutaris (L)] skill has reached level 10! Your radiant and spirit power has increased by 3 each!

    Then, a familiar message appeared, this time apanied by permanent skill and stat growth.

    Feeling his mana and spirit power surge, KiJun twisted his lips into a smile and raised the King of the Well high.

    With all his energy focused, the enhanced King of the Well resembled a zing lightning bolt.

    Now, die!

    The golden lightning pierced through the wolf''s forehead.

    The wolf opened its mouth as if to scream, but the sound faded into nothingness before reaching anyone''s ears.

    Immediately after, the lifeless body of the beast copsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.

    It was the moment KiJun achieved his first victory over an unrestrained Legendary-ss enemy.<hr>

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 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (68)</strong><hr>

    Among all the enemies you have faced in my life, you nearly singlehandedly brought down thergest and most massive one. The Umon grade title [Experienced Hunter] has grown into the Unique grade title [Giant Killer]! When facing an enemyrger than oneself, all stats will increase by a minimum of 5% and up to 20% depending on the size difference. Charisma (L) has increased by 3. You have gained 5,000 points.

    You have achieved victory against a legendary foe that should have been impossible to defeat at your current level! A very positive adjustment will be made to the Legendary grade title [Transcender of Limits]. If you seed in recording a few more legends, an epic with you as the protagonist will bepleted. Charisma (L) has increased by 2.

    The first things that came to mind were those two messages.

    The title that he had obtained long ago in the tutorial, which he had forgotten about due to itsck of effect, had suddenly grown into a Unique grade, bing a valuable asset that could be used for a long time.

    The Demon Lord... Having defeated Bice and having ''experience'' added to the Transcender of Limits, which had grown to a Legendary grade, hinted at the possibility of further growth of the title.

    The term "epic" felt familiar.

    It was clearly discussing a grade above Legendary, ''Epic''.

    But why? He had definitely hunted it together with Herbert.

    It was certainly an incredible feat for the two of us to hunt a legendary grade boss monster, but looking at the system messages alone wasn''t something odd...?

    While he was thinking that far, KiJun suddenly realized that Herbert had left the party.

    Just when he was about to question that, the second wave of messages began.

    It was more intense, directly bringing changes to KiJun''s body and mind.

    Level has increased by 15 to level 45! Strength (U) 9, Dexterity (L) 7, Endurance (U) 12, Light Magic (L) 9, Spirit Power (L) 8 have increased.

    Even though you received help from an outsider, you stood your ground without retreating against a legendary enemy and ultimately delivered death with your own hands. Through this battle worthy of legend, Strength(U) 2, Dexterity(L) 1, Endurance (U) 3, Light Magic (L) 1, Spirit Power (L) 1 will grow.

    me Spirit Magic (R) has reached level 74, ughter (R) level 35, sh Throw (R) level 12.

    Blinding Taunt (U) has reached level 9, Moonlight Blood Fang (L) level 10, Lucy (L) level 11, Adamant (L) level 10, Salutaris (L) level 15.

    You have gained 5,000 points as a reward for defeating the relic boss!

    It was too significant a change to take in with a clear mind.

    The increase in level alone was groundbreaking, but the brief yet intense skirmish with Hati had also granted him status bonuses equivalent to about 3 levels.

    Not to mention the substantial growth of his skills, KiJun''s abilities were already on a different level than when he had entered this relic.

    Contractor, are you okay?

    ''Of course. My body, which was broken, has recovered in an instant and is now brimming with vitality.''

    After receiving the giant wolf''s charges and attacks with his body multiple times, causing it to creak all over, now his whole body was overflowing with energy.

    What about his stats? When he first came to Reta, they were reset and floundering around the base figures, but through various experiences and leveling up, they were now approaching the 40 to 50 range truly showing their might.

    Especially with the significant growth in Endurance, it felt as if he had regained his identity as a Tank.

    If Endurance reached the Legendary gradeperhaps he could withstand the charge of a creature like Hati with quite some ease.

    "It''s over, Jun."

    "Yeah, Herbertwhy did you leave the party...."

    While enjoying the pleasant fantasy, KiJun turned at Herbert''s voice and was about to question his departure from the party when he saw one of his hands aze and stopped midsentence.

    It must have been because of the heavy silverted pistol in his hand.

    "You..."

    "I''m d I can introduce him to you. My partner, dimir."

    Herbert spoke with a cheeky tone, as if introducing his gun was more important than his hand being on fire.

    Indeed, the pistol in his hand was more refined and artistic than the magic shotgun that Gin''s father had, even more so than any other pistol KiJun knew of. Its long barrel was engraved with all sorts ofplex characters, and at the center was a crossshaped mark.

    This mark was made of a metal purer and brighter than silver, the main reason it was igniting sacred mes.

    "Your eyes do not deceive you. It''s made of divine silver, also known as mithril. It''s not only exceptional at annihting evil beings but also useful in enhancing sacred power and magic power. It''s so precious that I didn''t dare to cover the entire barrel with it, just satisfied with engraving a cross when it was blessed by the Pope and filling it in. Even that was quite effective."

    "Herbert."

    "The barrel alone is 40 centimeters, made of various reinforced metals, weighing 25 kilograms. It only uses 15mm pure silver bullets, blessed sanctified steelcore bullets. The peacemaker, dimir. Isn''t it perfect?"

    "Herbert..."

    Truly a masterpiece created for hunting immortal monsters, with the weight of the gun and the absurd recoil of the bullets that no ordinary person could handle.

    But why did Herbert have it?

    That question was immediately answered by Herbert''s next words.

    "Do you know about Dhampirs, Jun?"

    "...I do."

    Dhampirs are the offspring of a vampire and a human, a rare urrence given vampires typically do not engage in reproductive activities with humans.

    They inherit the strengths of vampires without their weaknesses, such as vulnerability to sunlight, and have the ability to detect vampires, making them potentially excellent vampire hunters...

    "Vampire Hunter Ruthven. Quite famous, I was, until my death."

    The problem arises when a Dhampir dies; they resurrect as a full vampire.

    Given the sanctified pistol in his grasp was causing him real-time damage, Herbert, or rather, Ruthven, was undoubtedly a vampire.

    "The feeling of being pursued by an enemy that wakes up inside me is indescribable. The freedom I longed for slips through my fingers. Instead, I''m leashed and manipted by those I opposed."

    KiJun then realized.

    Why Ruthven had a peculiar sh with Armillca, another vampire.

    Rather than deceiving KiJun, he subtly, or at times overtly, hinted at his own identity.

    It was all a sign of his resistance against the bloodpelling him.

    Probably holding that pistol now was for the same reason.

    "To the werewolves of the relic... you empathized with them more than I did, that''s why."

    "Ha, I am curious to see which path the sole survivor will choosebut never mind."

    Ruthven smiled wryly, holding the pistol that seemed more likely to harm himself before his enemies, aiming at KiJun.

    "If that boy ovees his loss and walks the path of an immortal hunter like me, please hand this gun to him. As you see, I no longer have the right to wield it."

    Thanks to you, I got to hold it onest time, Ruthven added, making KiJun realize something.

    "What about my cooking?"

    "Right. I diligently ate it to replenish my stamina in preparation for fighting you, but I never expected such an effect, what a surprise."

    KiJun couldn''t help butugh at his biting sarcasm.

    Was it due to rolling on the ground and being jostled on therge body during the fight with Hati that his helmet hade off, allowing Ruthven to see the loosening at the corners of his mouth?

    "You were a greatrade, Herbert."

    "Ah... You were a greatrade too. Thank you for making me have no regrets about my choice. But now youre an enemy"

    "Shall I introduce myself again? I am the Vampire, Ruthven. Now, let''s fight."

    KiJun, hesitating at those words that seemed to finalize the challenge, finally took a stance with his two shields.

    Having fully reaped the achievements of defeating a legendary foe and undergone a massive level up, KiJun was in peak condition.

    On the other hand, Ruthven, who had left the party before receiving the rewards and thus hadn''t properly settled the achievementsnot to mention not having leveled upwas in a battered state.

    Thus, this was less a battle and more akin to a preordained ritual, which only made the expressions on both of their faces all the more serious.

    "Don''t die, Jun. No, I suppose I''m not one to say that when I''m about to shoot you."

    "Shoot all you want. I won''t die."

    KiJun dered confidently and charged forward with his shield raised.

    Ruthven smirked and pulled the trigger of his beloved weapon.

    It didn''t take long for the oue to be decided.<hr>

    The battle with Quinodon, the leader of the werewolves, was intensely draining.

    Lora''s sacred artifact, filled with a vast amount of sacred power from sacred characters, waspletely depleted, and Armillca, having used even her own blood to attack the enemy, was at her limit just maintaining her physical form.

    Although Quinodon was also severely injured in return, it was uncertain who would emerge victorious and survive the aftermath.

    Damn... these vermin...!

    Quinodon cursed them through gritted teeth, but he couldn''t truly afford to risk his life in battle.

    He still had unfinished business on this battlefield.

    He had never imagined he would be pushed to such a dire state by the two he intended to take as hostages for an easier victorytruly beyond his wildest dreams.

    If he retreated now, there would still be a chance.

    Be thankful I have a task at hand...!

    Ultimately, he spat out his words as if chewing on them and turned to leave.

    Lora,cking the energy to even chant sacred spells, could not stop him from going after KiJun.

    "Armillca...! Go and kill him, you still have the energy!"

    "No, Lora. I too have unfinished business."

    Armillca, her sword nowpletely stained red, showing no sign of returning to its original color, turned to Lora and smiled as she nted her sword into the ground.

    Lora stiffened her expression and stepped back, recalling their rtionship.

    However, she couldn''t leave her brother lying there defeated and ultimately stopped.

    "Are you really going to turn me into a vampire?"

    "Right. If Lora remains human, I''ll eventually have to kill you. I don''t want that."

    "Your... your mission wasn''t supposed to be like this."

    "Mission? What do I care?"

    One step, then another.

    Armillca closed the distance between them with a smirk.

    "I''m a direct descendant of the noble bloodline. Unlike ves like Ruthven, who are merely puppets to the elders'' will. Ah, by Ruthven, I mean Herbert. The vampire. Perhaps he''s putting a hole in that me Human''s head right about now?"

    Musing, Armillca paused, then frowned and shook her head.

    "Maybe he failed. But what does it matter? They''re both going to die by that monster anyway."

    "Mr. Jun won''t die. He''lle to kill you."

    "Ah, our Lora still doesn''t know. This isn''t my real body."

    Armillca''sughter left Lora in shock.

    "Its not... your real body?"

    "Though it was made with quite a bit of the original''s blood, uh, it''s ultimately just an avatar. If it were the real thing, it wouldn''t be this weak. So don''t worry if I disappear here. We''ll meet again, and we''ll be together forever."

    "That can''t... be..."

    Lora had pushed herself and her brother to the limit to corner Armillca.

    And she wasn''t even the real body?

    A sense of profound despair left her legs, already nearly devoid of strength,pletely giving out.

    This couldn''t be happening.

    It shouldn''t have happened.

    "Don''t, don''te any closer."

    "Your tantrums are cute too."

    "I am a priestess of Ishtar, your bite would be poison to you!"

    "It might hurt me, but it''ll be ecstasy for you. If I can make you mine, I can give up this avatar''s life any time."

    Armillca, chuckling and closing the distance, enveloped Lora in an instinctive fear.

    She might have been able to escape.

    Her brother wouldn''t want her to be a vampire and be forsaken by Ishtar.

    He wouldnt resent even her if she ran, leaving him behind.

    "Uh."

    But Lora couldn''t bring herself to flee.

    Even if her brother didn''t want it, she wanted to protect him.

    She remembered the face of the hero who fearlessly risked his life for strangers.

    If she only admired and never acted, she would remain the same forever.

    "Lora, you''re truly beautiful and amazing. Finding you was the greatest blessing of my life..."

    "And you are an ugly vampire."

    Lora, gathering strength in her legs, stood her ground with a resolute attitude.

    She resisted the fear of her very being changing.

    At that moment, she felt a golden energy bubbling up from deep within her.

    Realizing KiJun was with her, Lora smiled faintly.

    She was emboldened.

    "Go ahead and bite, monster."

    "You''ll be with me soon."

    Armillca embraced Lora and bit down on her neck with a crunch.

    The initial sting was followed by a wave of pleasure that made Lora shudder.

    Her vision was filled with Armillca''s eyes, glowing red and seductive.

    She saw Armillca''s beautiful hair and felt her enticing scent and chose to close her eyes instead.

    Thinking how foolish she was to have had any positive thoughts about Armillca for even a moment.

    "Ssss"

    Ishtar''s divine power was indeed fierce.

    For daring to vite her priestess and attempting to corrupt her with darkness, Armillca had to taste the agony of her body being shattered to pieces.

    A bite that would not have been dared by the original body.

    But driven by the determination to push all her remaining blood into Lora, Armillca endured the pain.

    After finishing injecting more blood into Lora than she had drawn, Armillca, overwhelmed by the pain of the holy blood and the pleasure of vampirism, as well as the sense of aplishment in making Lora hers, staggered back, unable to hold herself up.

    "Ah, ahahaha."

    She watched as Lora, released from her grasp, lost consciousness and fell onto the half-orc''s chest.

    As a vampire, she could sense the fantastic evolution urring inside Lora as their bloods mixed.

    A racial transformation was taking ce.

    "It''s done, it worked...!"

    Staggering and mumbling as if drunk, Armillca felt herself disintegrating from her fingertips.

    Of course, she was prepared for the avatar''s dissolution, but she couldn''t just disappear like this.

    Kneeling before the fallen Lora, Armillca kissed her forehead and then whispered softly in her ear.

    "When you wake up,e find me, you''ll know how... I''ll leave you a gift before I go. See youter, my Lora."

    And then she added, "Ah."

    "When you find me again, call me Carmi."

    Right after those words, her body disintegrated into pieces, scattering away.

    All that was left in her ce was an extradimensional pouch borately decorated with golden thread and jewels, and a bloodstained sword.

    At that moment, the body of Lora, left alone, twitched.

    A dazzling golden light and a blood-red hue rose as ifpeting, then blended together.

    Initiating a transformation that neither Carmi nor anyone else could have anticipated.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (69)</strong><hr>

    Ruthven''s marksmanship was astounding, and despite his race being fatally mismatched for handling a blessed gun, the bullets he fired were incredibly fast and powerful.

    However, KiJun was a summon who had contracted with spirits of light and me.

    His shield, already quite sturdy, became nearly invincible against firearms.

    -Tung!

    A bullet, deflected by the swiftly swung shield, streaked through the air like aser and prated Ruthven''s thigh in return.

    The bullet, coated in silver and enhanced by the light and me from KiJun''s shield, evaporated the vampire blood flowing through Ruthven''s veins and stiffened his magical circuits.

    Bouncing bullets off his shield to hit the shooter was an amazing feat, an adaptation of the sh Throw skill, but a surprising technique for those on the receiving end.

    "Ha."

    Even as he fell, losing his bnce, Ruthven admired purely.

    "Everything about you is beyond expectation... Vampires have be aughingstock because of you."

    Ruthven chuckled and looked up at KiJun, letting his gun hand droop.

    But KiJun, seeing that Ruthven couldn''t move, also lowered his shield.

    "You won''t kill me?"

    "I have my own principles."

    KiJun spoke calmly.

    "I want to be a superhuman who is not swayed by external pressure, situations, or my own desires."

    "AaahI kind of got that from the short time we explored the relic together. Cough, sounds a bit naive, doesn''t it?"

    Ruthven, coughing up ckened blood, teased KiJun.

    KiJun snorted in response.

    "Theres no use provoking me. Killing someone who never intended to kill me from the start leaves a bad taste."

    "You''re going to tire of it. Cough... What if I escape alive? All your information will be delivered to the vampires, right?"

    "I have no information that would be problematic if leaked."

    "There is one. If they eat your cooking, all vampires will weakenAh, Carmi will probably spread that herself. Cough, oh, Carmi is Armillca''s real name, by the way, a vampire."

    "I know."

    Seeing that nothing he said would change KiJun''s mind, Ruthven sighed and raised his gun.

    "It was always like this. I intended to test you, but it turns out I was the one being tested all along... Not bad, but you''re too straightforward."

    Bang, Ruthven fired thest of his mana into the trigger.

    KiJun, realizing the shot wasn''t aimed at him, quickly turned around.

    The first thing he saw was the giant wolf Hati''s body, split open at the abdomen.

    Next, a blue moon fragment soaring into the airHati''s heart.

    Lastly, the figure of a ck-furred werewolf, caught off guard and failing to catch it, entered his view.

    "So you fall prey to such hyenas coveting your loot."

    Ruthven mocked KiJun.

    Who was the one who insisted on fighting without time to loot?

    KiJun, incredulous, casually retorted.

    "Actually, I didn''t kill you because I knew this would happen."

    "Smooth talker."

    -Grrrrr...

    Could that be Quinodon, the one who led the other werewolves into this relic?

    He seemed quite strong, of coursebut recalling how I had been wary of him as a Legendary grade, I couldn''t help butugh.

    Moreover, his sorry state and apparent injuries suggested he might have already shed with KiJun''s party members.

    ''Right, Lora, In!''

    KiJun, suddenly remembering his party members, became anxious, but dealing with the werewolf before him was the immediate priority.

    ''Lucy!''

    I was already prepared!

    Keiiit!

    Chains of light sprang from the ground, swiftly binding the werewolf.

    Ur added his power a momentter, igniting the chains and inflicting additional damage on the werewolf.

    This much!

    The werewolf, Quinodon, forcefully tore apart the chains binding him.

    But before he could seize the heart floating in mid-air, a hand reached out from behind.

    "Uh...?"

    -What!

    Even KiJun, sharing senses with Lucy, couldn''t catch the movement in timewas it not just fast, but stealthy?

    In any case, the hand suddenly reached out, snatching the moon fragment without giving Quinodon any chance.

    The essence of the moon, swallowed by Hati and merged with the divine beast''s heart in his body, was highly condensed.

    The greatest treasure of this relic, sought by Quinodon

    "Mr. Jun."

    The werewolf holding Hati''s heart called KiJun''s name.

    His entire body was soaked in blood not his own, his eyes gleamed with murderous intent, and his axe, originally silver-ted, was now so stained with blood that its original appearance was barely discernible.

    Yet, there was still rationality in his voice.

    "Instead of the moon-infused silver, may I have this?"

    "Gin..."

    Even as KiJun faced him and called his name, he couldn''t believe it.

    The guy who seemed to have no talent for battle had fought until his weapons and body were drenched in blood.

    It is mine!

    "It''s not yours. It belongs to Mr. Jun."

    Facing a werewolf twice his size, Gin skillfully maneuvered his body to dodge every attack and protected the heart.

    He''s be apletely different being. His level seems to have risen tremendously too.

    With Lucy''s remark, KiJun realized something.

    Hadn''t the area been eerily quiet since a while ago?

    He had thought everyone fled at Hati''s appearance, but if not, then...

    If someone had been killing them one by one...

    If it was the werewolf before him...

    His rapid growth would make sense.

    "Indeed... Cough, you''ve ovee it."

    "Ovee? That''s oveing?"

    "If you may, could you give that to the boy... At least, it has a higher chance of sess than consuming the moon-infused silver, Cough... "

    Ruthven spoke calmly.

    "Of course, he won''t be human. But gaining the strength to resist reality is better than dreaming an impossible dream... Hoo."

    KiJun recalled what Ruthven had said earlier and closed his eyes, then reopened them.

    Ruthven wasn''t curious if Gin could be human again; he sensed that Gin would walk the same path as him.

    An immortal hunter.

    Sensing the anger and hatred emanating from the werewolf, who could no longer be called a boy, KiJun bit his lip and finally said,

    "Gin, if you be a monsterI''ll kill you."

    He formally transferred his loot to Gin.

    "It''s okay, Mr. Jun."

    Release it!

    Lucy''s chains, spawned anew, captured Quinodon as he surged towards Gin with his remaining energy.

    From the moment Ruthven noticed his attempt to steal, Quinodon''s intention was as good as thwarted, his struggle now onlyughable.

    Gin, too, sneered at him and muttered quietly.

    "I''m already a monster, aren''t I? Feel free to take my life."

    After finishing his words, Gin swallowed the blue heart in one gulp.

    No, nooo Ahh!

    A racial transformation urred.

    Firstly, a mist-like ck smoke seeped out of Gin''s body and dissolved into the air.

    Next, a simultaneous surge of blue and silver light enveloped Gin''s entire body. Quinodon, trying to break the chains and pounce on him, was repelled by the light, suggesting it was indeed the essence of silver.

    The change was brief but dramatic.

    Though smallerpared to Quinodon, Gin''s physique, which was muchrger than that of an average human or Ain, shrank noticeably to resemble that of a regr human male.

    "Ah...?"

    Not just in size, but his overall appearance became more human-like too.

    He still had the silver-blue tail and wolf ears, but apart from those, he looked entirely human.

    His hair turned blue, and his still youthful face now bore silver eyes.

    As KiJun heaved a sigh of relief, a message appeared as if on cue.

    You havepleted the Hidden Quest! By fulfilling the wishes of the unfortunate werewolves trapped by the curse of the Vrykkas, you have removed the yoke from the necks of the runaways!

    You have skillfully resolved a quest that was hidden in its very existence, approaching it without prejudice towards light and darkness. A very positive adjustment is added to [Unveiler of Veils (R)]! The title effect amplifies the rewards beyond limits! You have gained 12,000 points!

    Your level has increased by 5 to 50! Strength (U) 3, Dexterity (L) 3, Endurance (U) 5, Light Magic (L) 2, Spirit Power (L) 2 have increased!

    As a quest reward, the lowest stat [Strength (U)] increased by 3, the next lowest [Endurance (U)] by 3, and additionally, Charisma (L) increased by 5!

    You have gained 1 skill point to increase the level of a skill of your choice as a quest reward!

    "What is this...?"

    "You''ve escaped the curse of the Vrykkas... congrattions."

    Ruthven chuckled andmented as Gin, now resembling a muscr young man, awkwardly felt his own body.

    "With the true power of the moon now within youyou''ll no longer be swayed by the moon in the sky."

    Swoosh, he tossed the gun in his hand to Gin.

    Gin, though confused, caught dimir. Unlike when Ruthven held it, dimir didn''t ignite in mes in Gin''s hands.

    Rather, it resonated with the magic flowing within Gin, enhancing its power in real-time.

    "It has found its master."

    Ruthven muttered with satisfaction and pointed at something.

    Gin, following Ruthven''s gesture, saw a ck werewolf struggling to stand, charging towards him.

    How dare you, such a lowly creature!

    Though it was like a hyena, aiming for a backstab, its persistence in clinging to its target was indeed worthy of the wolf name.

    Bang!

    Without hesitation, Gin pulled the trigger, sending a silver bullet through its forehead.

    As Quinodon, already at his limit, fell lifeless, Lucy remarked quietly,

    There were plenty of chances to end it. You let it go, didn''t you?

    ''I just thought it''d be better to end it myself.''

    KiJun sighed and replied, prompting Ruthven to speak again.

    "Could you give us a moment, then?"

    "You wanted to be killed?"

    "So, I found someone to do it in my ce."

    "Ha."

    If he was so eager to die, KiJun felt it was no longer his concern.

    ...Besides, Ruthven seemed like he would die soon without anyone''s interference.

    Though he wondered why he hadn''t received the quest reward, it seemed he was automatically excluded from the quest due to leaving the party.

    If Ruthven had anticipated even this...

    KiJun snorted, hiding his bitter feelings.

    "Do as you please."

    "Mr. Jun..."

    "I''m sorry to pass this on to you."

    He patted the flustered Gin on the shoulder and spoke softly,

    "Please."

    "Okay."

    As KiJun walked past him, he spotted the still intact corpse of the giant wolf.

    Normally, a monster''s corpse would disappear once the parts rich in magic were harvested.

    After extracting eight ws, crushing the teeth, and even removing the heart, the fact that the corpse remained was extraordinary.

    ''Or does it not count if harvested while alive? If so, the ughter skill is more amazing than I thought.''

    KiJun pondered for a moment before checking with Lucy.

    ''Have you found In and Lora, Lucy?''

    Both are safe. In is carrying Lora and walking this way. You can go on with your business.

    ''Thanks.''

    Now that he had confirmed the safety of his party members, KiJun dragged the wolf''s corpse away, careful not to disturb the two''s conversation, and quietly proceeded with the butchery.

    He selected the sharpest and hardest teeth (U+), harvested the most intact and tough parts of the hide (U+) for possibly making two or three leather armors, and after all that, the wolf still didn''t disappear, which impressed him, so he butchered the ribs (L).

    ''Why are only the ribs of Legendary grade, it''s infuriating.''

    -But why the ribs, Contractor?

    ''Well, I''ve already taken all the parts for equipment, so now it''s time to choose the parts for eating. Didn''t you know, Lucy, that hunting monsters is partly for the food?''

    I love how you be eloquent when ites to eating.

    Keiiii!

    Naturally, both Lucy and Ur had long been influenced by KiJun''s ways, eagerly anticipating the meal he would prepare from the legendary wolf Hati''s ribs.

    Despite the wolf''s massive size suggesting over a ton of ribs could easily be harvested, regretfully, only about 300 kilograms were secured before the remainder of the wolf''s corpse vanished in a sh of light.

    ''Ah, I should''ve just skinned it without taking the ribs.''

    Regret was futile after the fact.

    KiJun stored all the harvested items in his inventory and watched the disappearing body of Hati, lost in fleeting thoughts, when he noticed a small coin falling to the ground.<hr>

    Phew, the sensation of an avatar disintegrating is truly dreadful.

    Part of the soul of the vampire Carmi, a split spirit, was flying inside the relic.

    As she told Lora, her avatar was made of blood, but that alone was insufficient for proper thought or to wield a vampire''s power.

    Thus, a part of the soul had to be temporarily encapsted, but failing to properly reim this piece could severely harm the main body.

    Ideally, I wanted to ensure our Lora fully awakened as a vampire before making a move, but it seems that vermin Ruthven likely failed, so no choice.

    Given a mission to investigate and possibly kill the man who inflicted significant damage on vampires, only for him to constantly oppose her and act strangely, she was not surprised by his pathetic failure.

    If he returned alive, she''d dly crush him herself, she vowed while flying, when suddenly something dark blocked her path.

    It was another spectral entity.

    What are you?

    Hehe...

    It approached with a sinisterugh and whispered to her,

    You dared harm Him and thought to escape?

    What nonsense are you spouting, you lowly spirit?

    You can''t escape.

    The spirit suddenly expanded.

    Her beautiful, flowing ck hair spread out like a curtain, engulfing everything in darkness.

    Only then did Carmi realize the spirit was no easy foe, but by then it was toote.

    The spirit, having engulfed Carmi''s split spirit, digested it to strengthen itself, thenhehe,ughing as if nothing had happened, returned the way it came.

    Back to His side.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (70)</strong><hr>

    [Damaged Yggdrasil ess Permit (L-)]

    [A permit to enter the mystical Iron Forest. However, it''s torn in half, and its power won''t activate unless the other half is found andbined. Infusing magic will guide you to the location of the torn half of the permit.]

    KiJun sealed the coin deep within his inventory as soon as he checked its information.

    Yggdrasil is known in Norse mythology as the forest located in Jtunheimr, thend of the giants, called Jtunns.

    It''s known as the Iron Forest, inhabited by giants and powerful wolves.

    Yes, wolves.

    In Yggdrasil, the wolves Skoll, who swallows the sun, and Hati, who swallows the moon, were born.

    To add, their father is the infamous Fenrir, the Wolf God.

    ''Why would I seek out such a mystical ce?''

    Moreover, it seemed likely that the other half of the permit was with Skoll. While Skoll would indeed be an attractive quarry, if asked whether it''s currently feasible to hunt, KiJun would shake his head.

    Hati had been a formidable opponent, uncertain of victory even in a rematch.

    Without Ruthven''s timely aid and KiJun''s possession of attributes directly opposing Hati''s.

    Defeating him would have been impossible.

    But somehow, it feels like having that will entangle you with werewolvester, Contractor. Right?

    ''I was thinking the same, so don''t remind me.''

    Let''s forget it.

    The thought of facing vampires a year from now was headache-inducing enough.

    "I''m d you''re safe."

    "In."

    Aware of In''s approach through sensory sharing with Lucy, KiJun greeted him with a nod.

    In was covered in blood, mud, and grime, but fortunately, he didn''t seem to have any serious injuries.

    Given the blood and traces on his body, it was surprising how unscathed he appeared, which In quickly exined.

    "Youpleted the quest. Thanks to that, I survived. No matter how tough I am as an orc, this time, I nearly met my end."

    "Ah."

    Realizing that In and Lora were still part of his party, KiJun eximed in amazement.

    That''s right.

    When the Hidden Quest waspleted, KiJun wasn''t the only one who received the rewards!

    In, and likely Lora too, had their levels increased as part of the quest rewards, aiding their recovery.

    "I''m d I could help but where''s Lora?"

    "...She was bitten. I even warned her in advance, but to end up like this, I''m ashamed."

    KiJun''s expression hardened instantly.

    There was no need to ask who had bitten her.

    If the level-up had healed her, Lora wouldn''t be lying there as if dead, which meant...

    "Has she be a vampire?"

    "It''s peculiar. If she had be a vampire, she should''ve lost Ishtar''s divine power, but that''s not the case."

    "Ishtar''s divine power?"

    "Ah, I haven''t exined yet."

    With that, In btedly revealed that he was Lora''s halfbrother and also a priest of Ishtar, apologizing for keeping it hidden.

    But KiJun, having known the vampires'' true identities and still kept it secret, had no right to be angry with In.

    "Rather, I''m the one who should apologize. I dragged you into danger..."

    "I joined the party in anticipation of the vampires'' appearance. If you say that, I have even less of a face to show."

    "Anyway, as the party leader, I should have protected you... Ah, forget it. You can speakfortably. I''m too tired to bother with formalities."

    Sighing, KiJun took Lora into his arms.

    He noticed two distinct bite marks on her neck and asked Lucy.

    ''How is it?''

    For now, she''s not a vampire. Given the ''blood power'' she possesses,mon among vampires, maybe half a vampire? But it''s impossible for a vampire to harbor so much light and survive.

    After examining Lora with focused senses, Lucy ended up tilting her head in confusion.

    She seems to have changed a bit too, Contractor. If you have silver on you, can you try bringing it close to her?

    Following Lucy''s suggestion, KiJun nodded, obtained In''s permission, and brought out the moon-infused silver close to Lora.

    Instead of harming her, the silver, reacting to the divine power within her, emitted a dazzling light.

    As expected. Could she have be something simr to a Dhampir, like Ruthven mentioned earlier?

    ''So Lora is still aligned with the light?''

    Definitely. I''d feel it immediately if she were aligned with darkness.

    ''You''re the best, Lucy.''

    Keiit!

    ''Of course, our Ur is the best too.''

    Typically, being bitten by a vampire and undergoing a racial change would inevitably align one with darkness.

    However, Lora remained aligned with light despite the transformation, indicating she underwent an irregr mutation simr to what Gin experienced.

    Considering Bice''s message suggested such mutations were rare, it was absurd that two urred on the same day.

    ''It''s a relief they both remained aligned with light.''

    KiJun, reassured that Lucy''s power didn''t harm Lora, immediately poured his spirit power into her, revitalizing her energy.

    Perhaps stimted by the simr origin of the light spirit power, a dazzling golden light surged, intertwining with the crimson, enveloping and invigorating Lora.

    Only then did KiJun notice the subtle change in Lora''s appearance.

    Parts of her originally bright and beautiful golden hair had turned red, as if dyed or highlighted.

    As the light subsided, Lora''s eyelids fluttered before slowly opening.

    "Uuum... Oppa...?"

    Mistaking In''s divine power for Lucy''s spirit power, Lora murmured ''oppa'' as she fully opened her eyes, meeting KiJun''s gaze.

    Thankfully, her clear, pure blue eyes remained unchanged.

    Relieved, KiJun asked her.

    "Are you awake?"

    "...Haa."

    After a moment of silence, she closed her eyes again and let her head fall weakly.

    KiJun, taken aback, was about to speak to her again when In, with a heavy shake of his head, interjected.

    "She''s passed out."

    "Why?"

    "At least she''s safe. I''ll carry her again."

    "No, In, you should rest now. I''ll carry her..."

    "I appreciate the thought, but if you were to carry this child, I fear Lora may never wake up."

    "Why is that!"

    Ah, I knew this would happen...

    ''You knew too, Lucy...?!''

    KiJun, shivering at the thought of the terrifying potential for knockout magic within him, left him to his devices as In, cradling Lora, suddenly let out an exmation of admiration.

    Following In''s gaze, KiJun saw a man slowly walking towards them and let out a low sigh.

    The man, with his wild blue hair resembling a wolf''s mane and eyes shimmering silver, was wearing Ruthven''s clothes.

    He carried his mother''s battle axe and his father''s magic shotgun in an Xshape on his back, and on each side of his waist, he had a pistol and a crossbow in their respective holsters, looking every bit the experienced hunter.

    Of course, it was Gin.

    "Where''s Ruthven?"

    "He''s gone... I wanted to bury him near my parents, but he turned to ash and nothing was left."

    Turning to ash upon death, a well-known trait of vampires.

    Considering Gin inherited all of Ruthven''s gear and hisplex expression, it seemed Ruthven requested more than just his own death.

    Having transcended their racial limitations and harboring enmity towards those races, they likely shared a connection.

    Gin, now closer, bowed his head and said,

    "He said, Mr. Jun, you will fight vampires in the future."

    "So?"

    "I want to help. My life is yours, use me as you see fit."

    "No, that''s not necessary."

    "...I know I''mcking, but..."

    KiJun scoffed at that.

    "It''s not that you''recking. It''s absurd for you, who just freed yourself from the shackles of Vrykkas, to willingly take on another burden."

    "I''m different!"

    Gin firmly shook his head in response to KiJun''s words.

    "I now have the freedom and the will to make my own decisions! I want to help you out of my own volition... If I''m not a burden, I wish to join you!"

    "Fine."

    "Excuse me...?"

    Surprised by KiJun''s easy agreement, after initially refusing, Gin looked dumbfounded.

    KiJun flicked Gin''s forehead.

    "Ow!"

    "Don''t forget the precious freedom you''ve regained. Don''t talk about letting others use you."

    "...Mr. Jun."

    "Don''t make that moved face either."

    KiJun, snorting, pushed away the overwhelmed Gin and firmly stated,

    "Once we''ve dealt with the vampires, you can think about whates next. That is if you don''t die in battle."

    "I won''t die! I promise!"

    Gin responded energetically, bowing deeply. His demeanor, far from the revengefueled one from moments ago, seemed much more stable.

    Considering Ruthven cared for someone in a simr situation until his dying moment, KiJun couldn''t help but smile at the thought of Ruthven''s actions before his death.

    Deep down, KiJun was truly grateful to him.

    Ultimately, your choice was right, Contractor. That''s a relief.

    ''Of course, this time. But I don''t n to say my choice was right just because the oue was good, Lucy. I just want to keep making choices that don''t go against my principles, no matter the situation.''

    Yeah, I''ll always support you, Contractor.

    KiJun smiled again at Lucy''s words.

    Having at least one ally who always affirms you can''t be a bad thing.

    "Mr. Jun."

    In, gazing at the sky now darkened by the loss of the moon, spoke with a grave tone,

    "We should leave soon. The energy sustaining the relic is fading, and it will copse shortly."

    "Right we''ll head to where we first entered."

    Their exploration of the relic was concluded.

    The quests werepleted, and although not everyone was saved, a werewolf gained freedom.

    With five entering and two dying, plus one addition, making them four, KiJun looked back at his party and dered,

    "Let''s go back."

    What was supposed to be a months-long expedition when they left the small town ended in just four days, including the travel time back and forth.

    The ripple effects of that brief expedition were anything but minor.<hr>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You think I don''t care which side you''re on? Of course, I knew that! Did you think I was scared and trembling?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You really want to die, huh? Getting cocky because you haven''t been scolded by metely?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): It''s okay to be scolded as long as I can see you? What, you''re not Jun, are you!]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Who said not to talk?! I told you it''s okay sometimes!]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You didn''t see it, did you? If you saw it, you''re dead. I''ll really kill you.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I''m suspicious, but I''ll let you live for now. If we meetter, everything you''ve hidden from me will be revealed.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Huh? Irregr mutations happened twice in a row? A priest and vampire mix, and a werewolf with the moon mix? What''s that, a new trendy way tomit suicide?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Both are fine... Huh, such beings are usually called ''Viins.'' Dhampirs like you mentioned are a prime example, but those two are really tant.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Take good care of them; they''ll be a great help. Ah but.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Did they eat your shiny cooking?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I knew it. I''m jealous.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): It must have been delicious. I want to eat it too.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You better make a lot when we meet. Really a lot, enough to fill up my inventory.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): ...Don''t say that to just any girl, okay? Answer me right now.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Ah, I really can''t be at ease.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): One of the mutated ones is a girl, right?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): She fainted seeing your face? Why?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I''m still worried... It''s not like there will be more girls there, right?]<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (71)</strong><hr>

    She opened her eyes.

    Then she closed them and then opened them again.

    She thought it was dark because it was night, but that wasn''t the case.

    Carmi''s ck eyes filled her vision.

    Are you ready toe to me, Lora?

    Those enchanting eyes, focusing solely on her, gradually turned red, making it impossible for Lora to even think of escaping.

    It felt like touching those ruby-like red eyes would cause them to bleed, and overwhelmed by this, Lora could do nothing but stare at them.

    She realized toote that such a gaze was akin to indulgence.

    You''re not running away. How obedient.

    She smiled seductively.

    Her hair, a mix of gold and ck, softly caressed Lora''s neck.

    The thought that if mixed with her own hair, it could make a fluffy nket crossed her mind, a foolish thought indeed.

    You''ve been waiting for me, haven''t you? You wanted to be one with me...

    She hadn''t run away before, simply to protect her brother.

    But within the fuzzy, floating sensation, Lora convinced herself that might be the case.

    Carmi leaned in, baring her sharply pointed fangs.

    I can''t wait to meet you again. Let''s be one...

    The chilling sensation of her fangs piercing her neck came with a slight pain and a rush of ecstasy, making Lora shudder.

    Perhaps being a vampire wouldn''t be so bad...

    And then she fully woke up.

    "......"

    An unfamiliar ceiling.

    After nkly blinking for a moment, Lora lifted the nket to check inside.

    Relieved, she let the nket fall and looked up to see her half-brother''s face.

    Seeing him wearing aplex expression, Lora frowned.

    "Brother, I''m disappointed."

    "No, it''s not like that, Lora."

    The half-orc In hurriedly exined.

    "You wouldn''t wake up, so I came to check on you!"

    "Me? But I woke up just now... Ah."

    She remembered waking up to Jun''s face right in front of her and immediately losing consciousness again.

    Recalling that embarrassing moment, she tried to stand up and bang her head against the wall, but In desperately stopped her.

    "This is Jun''s house! If you break it, it''ll be a disaster!"

    "Jun''s house?!"

    Thankfully, Lora calmed down at that. Well, more like she became utterly flustered upon realizing she had slept in his bed, not quite knowing what to do with herself.

    Could it be... Jun sleeps in this bed every day?

    And I slept in this bed!

    "Have you calmed down?"

    "Just give me a moment, please...!"

    Lora managed to suppress the burgeoning fantasies about KiJun.

    It was about erasing all thoughts rted to him!

    ...And, as a bonus, thoughts about Carmi too.

    "Okay, let''s talk now."

    "Then, let''s discuss your current condition."

    In began exining, and Lora listened with a rtivelyposed expression.

    Knowing she would no longer be human the moment she was bitten, she was prepared for that when she woke up feeling unusually light and energized.

    She also knew she wasn''t purely a vampire, as that wouldn''t exin the divine power of Ishtar still flowing within her.

    "When I was about to lose my self, I felt as if Mr. Jun was supporting me. Maybe that''s why I could resist bing a vampire."

    "Hmm, that''s possible. I sometimes feel my father''s presence too."

    "Don''t talk about Mr. Jun as if he''s dead!"

    In''s exnation continued for a bit longer.

    They had returned to Turris but had to exin the situation to the guild due to two members dying after being brought from outside the city.

    KiJun went to meet the lord with nica and headed to the Mercenary Guild, while the party members were told to stay at his house for the time being.

    That was because one of the party members had turned into a werewolf, and another had been bitten by a vampire, making it impossible to disband the party just like that.

    "The werewolf must be that boy... Gin, right?"

    "All the other werewolves died, leaving him the sole survivor... He might join KiJun from now on. He obtained the trait of silver, making him strong not just against werewolves but also vampires."

    "I see..."

    Lora couldn''t help but feel a connection with Gin, who had undergone a simr transformation during this period.

    Especially since both of them could now y a role in fighting vampires.

    "Maybe it''s fate."

    "Shall I call him in?"

    "Are you crazy?! I''ll get dressed and go out to meet him, and now you leave the room, brother!"

    "I used to change your diapers when you were little..."

    "Get out!"

    After shooing away the grumbling half-orc, Lora sat on the bed and checked her status, only to be shocked.

    Originally, she was born with a rare grade of divine power, which had now reached unique grade, and her charm was also rare grade. However, her other stats were pretty dismal.

    But now?

    [Lora Nir (18th Year): Sham-reta Half-Breed 2nd Generation]

    [Titles  Candidate for Saintess (Rare), Healer of Compassion (Rare), Seed of Paradox (Rare), Bloodline of the Elders (Unique)]

    [Sham Priestess of Ishtar (Rare)  Lv54]

    [Strength (R)  13+5]

    [Dexterity (R)  8+5]

    [Endurance (R)  11+5]

    [Divine Power (U)  1+15]

    [Charm (R)  66+15]

    [Blood Power (R)  25+25]

    Lora''s strength, agility, and endurance had all been raised to the rare grade, and a new stat called Blood Power, also of rare grade, had been added.

    However, as a counterbnce, her divine power had dropped to the lowest measure of the unique grade. But considering what she had gained, this was a minor cost.

    Humans struggle so much to raise their status grades, but vampires can easily...

    Despite it being her own status, Lora felt a sense of emptiness just looking at it.

    This exined why the forces of light, despite outnumbering those of darkness, couldn''tpletely eradicate them and were even being pushed back.

    But Lora was partly mistaken; not everyone turned into a vampire experiences such enhancement.

    It was only because Carmi, a high-ranking vampire, used all her clone''s blood to make Lora her direct descendant, which enabled such miraculous growth.

    Carmi was far more superior than Lora or anyone could have imagined, evidenced by Lora''s new title Bloodline of the Elders (U) which she hadn''t noticed amid her numerous concerns.

    My race has changed too.

    She was now a Hybrid.

    Unable to refute the name given her circumstances, Lora was at least grateful she hadn''t been stripped of her priesthood.

    She tried to act in ordance with her new race''s name, struggling to maintain clear thoughts as she got up.

    Come to me. We''ll be together forever.

    Shut up!

    Lora, who had just recalled her dream and heard Carmi''s voice in her head, snapped back to reality, remembering this was Jun''s house.

    I mustn''t be swayed, stay calm. There''s no need to panic, Mr. Jun will protect me... just like before.

    After taking a deep breath, Lora changed into a new set of priestess robes from her inventory.

    Then, noticing an exquisite silk pouch by the bed, she hesitated but eventually opened it, realizing intuitively that it was left by Carmi.

    Inside, she found choctes, which Carmi often had, even during meals. Lora had wondered if Carmi and Shadow Stalker, Ruthven, were in a rtionship given how they shared choctes, never guessing they were both vampires.

    Ah... this.

    Only now did Lora realize these weren''t ordinary choctes but were mixed with blood, likely human, for vampires to consume easily.

    Ugh!

    Feeling nauseous at the realization, Lora looked at the choctes with teary eyes, disgusted with herself for wanting to try them, despite knowing people had suffered for their creation.

    Eating this chocte was hypocrisy. Whether she drank blood directly or consumed it in chocte, the fact that people suffered remained unchanged.

    ...It''s delicious.

    Despite knowing this, Lora couldn''t resist her vampire instincts and indulged in the choctes, smiling unknowingly. She forced a neutral expression, finishing a piece and contemting the rest.

    After consuming the blood-mixed chocte, Lora felt clearer-headed and, despite the guilt and sense of betrayal, felt better and explored the rest of the pouch''s contents.

    The most striking item was a red dress, not a fluffy evening gown but one cut above the knee, clinging to the body, emphasizing the figureclearly Carmi''s taste. It was unique grade, boosting closebat stats and Blood Power just by wearing it.

    This, this perverse woman...!

    Torn between ripping the scandalous dress and considering its benefits for her current condition, Lora was conflicted until she found the matching fis stockings and garter belt, both unique grade but effective only as a set.

    ...Shameless.

    Her face paled at the sight, and she quickly stashed the garter belt and stockings back into the pouch. Even with their excellent performance, boosting agility and enabling new skills, she couldn''t bring herself to wear them, fearing Jun''s reaction.

    Carmi...!

    Furious at Carmi for causing her such turmoil, Lora considered confronting her directly.

    ...I can do it!

    She realized she could sense Carmi''s location, perhaps a call to join her. This could help Jun by finding and eliminating the vampire''s base before their attack, despite the dangers.

    I must tell him, now!

    Rushing to the door, Lora hesitated at the sight of a blood-red de by her bedsideCarmi''s weapon, enhanced with her blood, felt like an extension of her own body.

    ...I''m not just a priestess anymore.

    With newfound vampire strength and Blood Power, she couldn''t waste these abilities. Picking up the de felt right, as if destined.

    No, not now.

    Shaking off the enthralling feeling, Lora stashed the de in her inventory and opened the door.

    There you are.

    KiJun stood there, an awkward smile on his lips, hand raised as if to knock.

    How are you feeling?

    ...Sigh.

    Lora!

    And Lora fainted again, herst thought on KiJun''s smooth neck and the dark impulse from within.

    This time, she remembered.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (72)</strong><hr>

    The exploration of the ruins ended prematurely due to a surge of unforeseen variables.

    There was much to reflect on, and many things to reconsider regarding future ns.

    Nevertheless, the party members who originally belonged to the Light Faction somehow returned safely, and the Werewolf who longed for freedom survived and came into the world of light.

    Of course, Lora, who was bitten by a Vampire, and the long Werewolf lineage would face many hardships before being fully epted in this world.

    "Is it really such an issue? Then, let''s live together for the time being."

    When KiJun dered without much hesitation, the movements of nica, the lord''s daughter and butler, who was passing tea to Lora, and Lora, who was receiving the teacup, abruptly stopped.

    On the other hand, Gin, who was blowing on his portion of tea, didn''t seem surprised since it had already been decided that he would live with KiJun, and he clenched his fists tightly and eximed.

    "Leave the housework to me! In my family, I was the one who took care of cleaning andundry!"

    "What about cooking?"

    "I can cook too, but the dishes made by Jun are tastier. Hehe."

    Seeing Gin, who seemed to have regained some of his original innocence, KiJun couldn''t help but snicker.

    Then, noticing nica and Lora frozen in ce, he nced at In, who was sipping his tea as if nothing had happened, and asked.

    "Do you know why they''re acting like this?"

    "I think I know. But if I say it, my life might be in danger, so I won''t."

    "What kind of ability of mine, unknown even to me, could be putting you in danger...?"

    KiJun sighed deeply and tapped the table to ''restart'' nica and Lora.

    "I wouldn''t insist if it makes you ufortable, but my standing in Turris is quite favorable. Living with me wouldn''t subject you to strange looks from others. If In also lives with us, it could give off the vibe of sharing lodgings with party members, making it even more natural. Is that not okay with you, Lora?"

    "No, it''s not that I dislike it! It''s just too overwhelming!"

    Finally thawing from her frozen state, Lora eximed with a trembling voice.

    nica, who started moving as well, hurriedly tried to stop him.

    "Jun, weren''t you ufortable living with many people? If you wish to amodate the party members, I can arrange rooms for them in the lord''s mansion. No one would dare to cast strange looks then!"

    "Ah, about feeling ufortable..."

    KiJun pondered over that part.

    Truth be told, if he were to live with Lora, In, and nica, he would have to give up hiding his identity from them.

    However, believing that these individuals, each bearing the pain of their own races, would ept him even if they knew his origins were human, he hadn''t really worried about it.

    "...Jun?"

    The problem was nica.

    Revealing his identity to the newly formed party members was one thing, but it seemed somewhat unfair to keep it from nica, who had just started assisting him with sincerity.

    Meanwhile, nica, sensing KiJun''s dilemma and roughly understanding his thoughts, slightly hardened her expression and took a step back.

    "There were matters you wished to discuss with the party members. Then, I shall take my leave for today. You mentioned wanting to visit the forge tomorrow, so I''ll see you by 11 a.m."

    "No, nica. Stay."

    "Y-Yes."

    KiJun inadvertently called her by her name.

    But she was probably just waiting for him to say that.

    Seeing her quickly return to her spot, KiJun, somewhat bbergasted, asked her.

    "Can you keep a secret from the lord?"

    "To be honest, I''m not particrly close to the lord. I will keep the secret."

    "I thought about telling the lord too, but it seems unnecessary to go that far Well, anyway, good."

    As KiJun touched the mask covering his face, all members instinctively swallowed and focused their gaze on him.

    What''s with this atmosphere, as if I should add sound effects?

    Dum-dum-dum-dum...

    ''No, it''s okay. Never mind, Lucy.''

    Feeling the atmosphere bing too tense, KiJun quickly removed the mask.

    His skin, previously flushed red, returned to its human color, and his zing eyes also reverted to normal.

    His red hair turned back to ck, settling down revealing KiJun, who, on the outside, appeared to be just a normal human.

    ''If only the Light Man race showed more outward signs, I wouldn''t have needed to disguise myself.''

    Hehe, perhaps that''s due to the Contractor''s will.

    KiJun ced the mask on the table and awkwardly smiled at those who were silently observing him.

    "In truth, I am human. To be precise, a Rare-grade Light Man, but my foundation as a human hasn''t changed."

    The notion that the human race, even with growth, is inherently limited is widespread in Leta.

    Due to the racial characteristics, it''s believed that dramatic physical, magical, or spiritual changes are unlikely, leading to the misconception that their growth is inherently limited.

    If they knew just how incredible the Light Magic that constitutes KiJun now is, such thoughts would vanish instantly.

    "I''ve been told that revealing my human identity couldplicate things, by a merchant I have an exclusive contract with. That''s when I got an item perfect for disguising my race and started using it. I refused to stay at the lord''s mansion because I was worried about my identity being exposed."

    "Jun..."

    "That''s all there is to it. If you''re disappointed to find out I''m human I''m sorry."

    *Sigh*

    For some reason, Lora fainted again.

    As In expected, he caught her andid her on the sofa, then silently nodded at KiJun.

    "I had suspected you were not merely a me Human. You were too dearly loved by the light."

    "Ah, right. While we''re at it, let me introduce her. Lucy?"

    Hello! From today on, I''ll be eating at the same table too!

    Lucy, as if waiting for her cue, hopped onto the table, making her presence known.

    KiJun briefly exined Lucy''s identity and his own abilities to the bewildered party.

    "Spirit Magic... It''s more surprising that you''re not a me Human but that. So ''Ur,'' what we knew as the me Beast, is also a spirit."

    "Correct. Lucy is a Light Spirit, and Ur is a Fire Spirit."

    Kiiii!

    After finishing his exnation, KiJun looked around the party with an awkward smile.

    Lora had fainted, In was nodding as he had guessed as much, and Gin, not fully understanding the difference between me Humans and humans, thought it was time for apuse and pped his hands.

    And nica was rubbing her forehead with a very tired expression.

    "nica?! I-I didn''t mean to make you feel bad"

    "No, the fault lies with me. I spoke without knowing that Jun came from a human background."

    nica closed her eyes tightly, then gathered her hands demurely in front of her abdomen and bowed deeply to KiJun.

    "I apologize, Jun. I always believed I was fair, but in the end, I was a fool swayed by prejudice. To think there are people like you among humans, and yet I spouted nonsense as if I knew everything about the human race. I have no way to atone for this..."

    "People naturally judge based on their experiences. I''m not iming all humans are righteous. I''ve been wronged by humans too."

    "I assure you, I have no intention of belittling or underestimating you because you are human, please understand..."

    "I know. Thank you."

    KiJun consoled her with a bitter smile, and seeing that he wasn''t truly angry, nica felt somewhat relieved but still wore a troubled expression.

    "Is there still a problem?"

    "No, it''s fine. Even if he''s my father, he won''t be..."

    nica murmured something in a low voice, shaking her head sternly.

    KiJun heard her clearly but chose to pretend he didn''t, thinking it would only lead to more trouble.

    "Alright, then I''ve said everything I needed to. So, there''s no objection to us living together here?"

    "Lora would never object. However, Jun."

    In spoke in a solemn tone.

    "I think it would be best if I left the party. And of course, I won''t be staying here either."

    "What?"

    KiJun was taken aback by the unexpected statement.

    In had always had a good impression of KiJun, and they hadmunicated well even within the ruins.

    Knowing a bit about hisplicated family situation, and realizing that not only was In skilled with the staff but also wielded Ishtar''s divine power, KiJun had no doubt In would be a great asset against Vampires in the future!

    "In, if there''s somethingcking in me, please tell me. I can''t promise to fix it right away, but I''ll try."

    "No, I am the one who iscking."

    In firmly shook his head.

    "There wasn''t much I aplished in this expedition. I neither aided in defeating the enemy nor did I properly protect Lora. Instead, she was endangered because of me. Honestly, I''vee to realize my own weaknesses."

    "What...! That''s because the enemy was too strong. It''s not that you werecking. Moreover, if we''re to me, it''s my fault for neglecting the enemy despite knowing about it"

    "Lora now has the power to protect herself. Moreover, the power of a priestess of Ishtar remains intact."

    KiJun earnestly tried to dissuade him, but In seemed to have already made up his mind.

    "Putting it bluntly, Lora, who oveps with my position, is in a superior situationpared to me. It''s as if my upying a spot in the party is a nuisance."

    "The position of a priestess of Ishtar can ovep as much as needed! It would be a huge help when facing Vampires!"

    "I truly appreciate your high regard for me, but..."

    In looked at KiJun with a serious expression and argued.

    "If you truly intend to infiltrate the kingdom of Vampires"

    He already knew from discussions with the party members that Lora had the ability to track Carmi.

    Thus, there were talks ofunching a preemptive strike before the Vampires could attack.

    KiJun had thought that In would certainly participate in that surprise attack, but it seemed he had other thoughts.

    "It would be better to take someone better than me. With a knight, a hunter, and a priest in the party, it would be wise to look for a mage."

    "No... Look here."

    "If no suitable talent appears by then, I''ll dly participate. But it''s unlikely. Your reputation is bound to grow."

    In stood up and walked towards KiJun, extending his hand.

    "Could we shake hands as a memento?"

    "Ah... Of course."

    Realizing there was no changing his mind, KiJun sighed softly and shook his hand.

    The half-orc sped KiJun''s hand with hisrge, pot-lid-like hand, shaking it whileughing.

    "It was an honor to be with a hero."

    "It won''t be easy to find someone as capable as you. Don''t forget your promise to join us when the timees."

    "Of course."

    In nodded and whispered in a slightly quieter voice.

    "Please take good care of my precious sister."

    "Leave it to me. I''ll definitely protect her."

    "No, it seems unnecessary to just protect. Respect her wishes."

    "Huh?"

    "It''s nothing."

    Leaving behind enigmatic words, In left without any hesitation.

    Afterward, when Lora awoke, KiJun assigned her and Gin rooms to stay in, sent home nica who oddly didn''t want to go home, and only when it was time to sleep did KiJun realize one thing Lora was no longer just a simple priestess.

    "Indeed, now that Lora can fight on the front lines, it means I shouldn''t just protect her but also train her to fight on her own!"

    Ah Yeah, I think that''s probably what he meant, Contractor!

    The next day.

    After dining at the same table with nica, who had arrived surprisingly early, along with four others and two spirits, KiJun visited the forge as he had discussed with nica the day before.

    The forge''s master, Glittertos, personally greeted KiJun, but contrary to expectations of being led to a private space, Glittertos brought him into an open area visible to anyone who entered the forge.

    "Glittertos? There are quite important items here."

    "Yeah, let''s see those important items."

    Feeling the unabashed stares of outsiders, KiJun spoke with a hint of panic, but Glittertos nonchntly urged him on.

    Are dwarves such an inconsiderate race? KiJun was perplexed, but nica calmly nodded.

    "Jun, it''s time to show off. Just do as the master says."

    "Show off...?"

    "People died. The expedition ended too quickly."

    KiJun caught on to nica''s blunt words.

    He had been focused solely on the expedition''s details and hadn''t grasped how their venture might be judged...

    "From the outside, it might look like we fled from a failed expedition."

    "That''s exactly right. The master has naturally set the stage for you to prove in public that your expedition wasn''t a failure."

    KiJun felt both remorse and admiration.

    Dwarves... were the epitome of attentiveness?!

    However, Glittertos didn''t care what KiJun was thinking and simply urged him to show what they had obtained from the expedition.

    "Alright... First off, these are the Werewolf''s ws."

    "Werewolf? You''ve been dealing with some bizarre creatures again. It was very wise of you to bring their ws..."

    Glittertos, incredulous at the items presented, blinked a few times, then, likely due to some item appraisal feature in his monocle, meticulously examined them.

    "Can''t believe it''s actually Unique?"

    Then, dismissing it with a scoff, he looked at KiJun, who was keeping aposed face, and chuckled.

    "Of course, you wouldn''t just beat up some low-level Werewolves."

    "I didn''t bring out the ones below Rare grade, but would you need those?"

    "What kind of question is that? Bring out everything above Umon grade. Looks like I need to raid the treasury today."

    The dwarf sealed a huge deal with a heartyugh.

    By then, the onlookers, who had been sneaking peeks, began murmuring that the expedition might not have been a failure after all.

    "Need a Werewolf heart too?"

    "Is it Unique grade?"

    "Yeah."

    "It''s the best catalyst. I''ll buy all above Rare grade."

    In fact, the loot obtained by KiJun''srades, not killed during battle, slightly declined in quality, and in the case of thest Werewolf, Quinodon, Gin had dealt with it personally, leaving no loot.

    Nheless, after selling all the loot from the Werewolves, KiJun recovered the 2,500 gold spent on buying full te armor here and even amassed an additional 2,000 gold.

    Of course, he had to share some with the party members, but even considering that, it was a significant amount.

    "Werewolves... are expensive."

    "High-grade corpses are always in demand. Not to mention these are Werewolves were talking about."

    KiJun inwardly apuded himself for not reacting and nica for pretending not to hear.

    "Next up is..."

    It was time for the Moonlight Stones.

    Naturally, the dwarf flipped out again.

    "This is a new material! I''m losing my mind, really!"

    As the dwarf pped silently, an attendant rushed over.

    "Bring the treasury here! Now!"

    "Calm down. I can''t sell all of this."

    "I know, but I wanted to express my wish for you to sell as much as possible!"

    Moonlight Stones contain the power of the moon.

    Although they enhance Vampires and Werewolves, that also means they''re effective for Lora and Gin, who have be fixed members of KiJun''s party.

    Thus, KiJun nned to either make new equipment for the two or enhance their existing gear with Moonlight Stones.

    He also wanted to keep a few samples...

    Fortunately, they had mined arge quantity of Moonlight Stones at the mine they visited to obtain moon-infused silver, allowing Glittertos to purchase a satisfactory amount.

    This added another 5,000 gold to KiJun''s coffers.

    "Are you really okay with this?"

    "Do you want to know what Im thinking? Today''s a big day for the dwarfmunity."

    Glittertos responded seriously to KiJun''s concern about being overpaid.

    In fact, nica also seemed to think they could have gotten more, so it seemed Glittertos wouldn''t go bankrupt.

    "More?"

    Glittertos grinned.

    "You didn''t just bring things to sell, right?"

    "Youre sharp. From now on, these are not for sale. I brought things I want tomission."

    "I''ve been waiting. As long as I can get my hands on it, that''s all that matters!"

    KiJun, as if waiting for this moment, brought out the moon-infused silver, ''Silver Moonstone''.

    It was a lump of ore from which he could extract about 2 kilograms of pure silver even after removing impurities.

    "......"

    The dwarf was speechless, coveting it.

    "Divide it into three. One for coating a de, one for a gun, and one for adding to my future shield."

    Hearing his words, Lora and Gin, who had apanied him to the forge, perked up their ears.

    The two looked at him with moved expressions, but KiJun, now used to it, ignored them.

    "This... such a treasure..."

    Glittertos, seemingly not interested in conversing, rubbed his cheek against the Silver Moonstone with a grotesque expression.

    KiJun poked him with a wry look.

    "Hey, there''s more."

    "Nothing can surpass this... This ''Silver Moonstone'' is a miraculous substance that won''t appear again in this world... The god of minerals must have blessed me...!"

    "Really? More amazing than a divine beast?"

    "Wait a moment."

    Glittertos quickly came to his senses and adjusted his posture.

    "Say that again, VIP. Keep in mind that your remarks could upgrade your customer status to VVIP."

    That day, Glittertos Forge was literally turned upside down.

    The news that a Legendary-grade divine beast had appeared and that Jun, the me Human, had captured it spread throughout Turris in no time, and faster than KiJun anticipated, it spread across Gratia, making him known to everyone in the region.

    KiJun became a VVIP customer of Glittertos Forge.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (73)</strong><hr>

    KiJun''s party was strengthened without a trace left by the byproducts of the dark beast Hati, the Moon-Swallowing Wolf.

    Initially, the n was to use the leather (U+) for Gin''s under armor, long leather jackets and pants, and protective gear to be worn under Lora''s priestly garments...

    "Um, I think I''ll be fine without clothes."

    "Lora?"

    It was Lora herself who refused.

    Despite being incredibly shy, she insisted without backing down.

    "I just need gloves and boots. Ah... and maybe."

    "And?"

    "A corset perhaps...?"

    The men didn''t understand her request at all.

    However, nica seemed to recall something and after whispering to Lora for a moment, she soon asked the master to call for a female leather craftsman.

    "It seems we''ll just need to make a corset, gloves, and boots for Miss Lora."

    "If Lora wants it, that''s fine but."

    Of course, KiJun had heard that soldiers going into battle wore corsets to protect their waist and abdomen, but it was still a surprising and sudden request.

    Tightening the corset too much could be harmful to one''s health and even make fighting difficult, especially since Lora''s waist was already slender.

    As KiJun pondered how to express this concern without offending her, the craftsman arrived and began consulting with Lora in earnest.

    Glittertos watched the scene from a distance and then turned to KiJun to ask.

    "To make a corset, metal is needed for the frame. Do we have a metal that matches this magnificent leather?"

    "Hmm... maybe this would work?"

    KiJun pulled out one of Hati''s ribs (L) he had harvested.

    When he also poured out the beast''s teeth (U+), no one else mentioned the need for any other metal.

    "So with this leather, we''ll make the hero''s under armor, and for the wolf-eared guy, a jacket and pants... With the scraps, we can make at least one pair of gloves. We''ll split the moonstone into three pieces to coat the weapons... and use moonstone for all the finishing touches..."

    As Glittertos busily nned the work, he suddenly clicked his tongue.

    "Of course, the leather is good, but if we had only taken the bones, we could have made a full te armor set."

    "I didn''t think that far when butchering. But are bones alone enough to rece metal?"

    "A person nning to make a shield out of a Duhan''s head is asking this?"

    Convinced by Glittertos''s words, KiJun nodded in agreement.

    "Next time, I''ll just bring back the bones. Make a splendid full te armor with them."

    "It sounds like you''re already eyeing the next beast to hunt."

    "......"

    KiJun remained silent, exercising his right to remain silent.

    Glittertos, unable to force the new VVIP member to speak, hummed a tune, confident that he would handle a divine beast''s materials again.

    Yet, KiJun had onest material left from the beast, the ws of the Moon-Swallowing Wolf, which he had extracted in real-time during the hunt,bining the eight ws into a massive clump.

    "Can this be added to my shield?"

    "Wow, it''s amazing. Truly."

    While the U+ grade materials were certainly impressive, Glittertos felt the true presence of a divine beast''s materials in this most potent substance, aside from the beast''s heart that Gin had already consumed.

    "With the Duhan''s head, a Monoceros''s horn, and the Moon-Swallowing Wolf''s ws, and moonstone for the finishing touches... I mustplete it, even if it seems impossible."

    "Do you need more materials or catalysts?"

    "Moonlight stone should suffice. Anything more is unnecessary. Just blending these contradictory materials is challenging enough."

    Recognizing the value of this endeavor, Glittertos grinned and clenched his fists.

    "But it will be a major project that takes months, so let''s finish the other things first. Starting with that absurdlyrge handgun."

    First, Glittertos extracted pure ''moonlight'' and divided it into three.

    He disassembled dimir, repaired its tinyponents to perfection.

    Admired the cross filled with divine grace.

    Reted the rest with moonlight, excluding that part.

    Called enchanters and priests to adjust the various enhancement enchants and blessings on dimir, ensuring no issues arose.

    "U+ grade... I couldn''t increase the grade. Well, it was already an extraordinary gun. What about bullets? Are you using magic bullets?"

    "I''ve learned the magic bullet skill, but I n to create and use my own bullets. I''ll make them myself. I learned from my father."

    "Excellent. Oh, hand over that shotgun too. I''ll strengthen it with moonlight."

    After perfectly handling dimir (U+), the magical shotgun (U), and the crossbow (R), Glittertos eyed the massive battle axe on Gin''s back.

    "I should take a look at that too. Hand it over."

    "Ah, this is a keepsake from my mother. I''d like to keep it as is..."

    "The de is fine, but the handle won''tst long. I''ll just rece the handle for you."

    Only a small part of the rib KiJun had presented was used for the corset.

    Glittertos refined the rest to use as a haft, fixed the axe de to it, and even added Hati''s teeth (U+) to reinforce the de and apply magical enhancements.

    Eventually, the axe, originally of rare grade, became unique grade, to Gin''s satisfaction.

    "Next is thedy''s turn."

    "Here... it is."

    "Ah, that sword. It looks like a masterpiece just by looking at it... Oh my."

    The sword that Carmi had wieldednow Lora''s weaponwas named Rotten Moon.

    It was a name dripping with Carmi''s peculiar taste, but the horror wasn''t limited to the name.

    "The murderous intent is overwhelming..."

    "I can suppress it with my power."

    "No, let me sharpen the de anew."

    Glittertos carefully covered the de of Rotten Moon with moonlight and meticulously sharpened it on the spot.

    He refined the rampant murderous intent, somehow cramming it into the thin de and delicately shaping it.

    As the sacred task concluded, Lora, set to wield Rotten Moon as a priestess of Ishtar, personally blessed the weapon.

    "Oh, the grade increased slightly. It''s U+ grade now."

    "Thank you...!"

    "I sense a formidable karma from this sword. And that gun. As you and your owner umte more karma, you might eventually reach legendary status."

    Hearing Glittertos''s offhand remark after diligently adjusting the weapons, both Gin and Lora''s expressions hardened.

    They each had their own thoughts.

    ''Whether it''s affection or hatred, the deeper the emotions imbued in a weapon, the more it gets stimted.''

    Satisfied with their reactions, Glittertos turned to KiJun and said.

    "VVIP, the armors will be delivered as soon as they''repleted. As I mentioned earlier, the shield will take some time, so keep using the one I gave you."

    "Alright, Glittertos. I''m counting on you."

    Having disposed of all the loot from the ruins and entrusted the creation of weapons and armor, KiJun felt relieved as if he had finished a pile ofundry.

    Exiting the workshop, KiJun, resolved to make Hati rib stew for dinner, hummed a tune, stopped by nica.

    "Mr. Jun, you need to visit the Mercenary Guild."

    "Ahright. Lora, Gin. Will you go ahead without me?"

    "Understood!"

    "We''ll be training hard...! So much that you''ll be surprised when you return!"

    Lora and Gin, whose statuses had amplified with their race change and who had just renewed their arms, appeared to have grown significantly on the outside, but their foundations were somewhatcking.

    KiJun, for their rapid growth, devised a perfect n based on the training he had undergone with Bice, and the two, who revered him greatly, would follow it withoutint, no matter how challenging.

    As the two pledged to devote themselves to training and headed back to the vi, Lucy murmured in a distant voice.

    So this is how the legacy of hellish training is passed down.

    ''Shh.''

    Arriving at the guild with nica, they were greeted by the now-familiar face of the administrative officer, who led them to a room where the master of the Turris Mercenary Guild was also present.

    The master, a middle-aged man with an unexpectedly ordinary aura, wouldn''t have reached his position if he were truly ordinary.

    After exchanging greetings and taking their seats, the guild master spoke first.

    "Though unintended, I apologize for deceiving the hero of Turris... and thank you for protecting Lora."

    "Is it about Lora''s...?"

    "No, not that."

    The master hurriedly shook his head at KiJun''s stunned look.

    "Lora was adored by all guild members. She''s the sister of In, who is highly trusted in the guild... Despite her young age, she possesses such immense divine power that her future was very promising."

    "Lora might find it difficult to continue serving as a priestess in the mercenary guild from now on. I''m sorry."

    "I never thought someone as talented as Lora would stay in such a confined guild. Please take good care of her."

    After some more trivial conversation, he got to the main point.

    "Anyway, with this incident, we''ve secured solid evidence that a vampire assault on the Gratia Kingdom is imminent. We''re already gathering those within the Gratia Kingdom who will move in concert with us, along with the lord."

    "It''s good that things are moving quickly."

    "I heard from the lord about ns to infiltrate the Vampire Kingdom directly."

    KiJun looked at nica, who reassuringly nodded back.

    KiJun also nodded and shared the truth with him.

    "That''s right. I''ve gained the ability to track them."

    KiJun had previously discovered a way to enter the Vampire Kingdom''s realm through an alternate space in the ruins where the vampire had stayed.

    Now that Lora could track Carmi''s location, they were in a position to infiltrate the Vampire Kingdom and precisely attack its leadership.

    "We''ll need to form a suicide squad. We can''t move inrge numbers, but we can form about four elite parties..."

    "It''ll be the highest difficulty quest in the history of the Gratia Mercenary Guild''s establishment."

    The administrative officer, chuckling, turned to KiJun and said.

    "I''ll fill any vacancies quickly. Considering your name has spread throughout Gratia, talents will naturally flock to you."

    "Throughout Gratia? I haven''t done anything worthy of that yet."

    "You didn''t know?"

    KiJun tilted his head in confusion, and the administrative officer, with wide eyes, said.

    "The rumor that you hunted a divine beast has already spread among the summons."

    "...I just came out of the forge?"

    "Retaphone, you know."

    Laughing, the administrative officer''s words were half-believed by KiJun.

    But by then, the rumor that Jun, the me Human, had hunted a divine beast was already spreading beyond Gratia throughout Reta.<hr>

    In the office of the deputy master on the second floor of the Ars Mercenary Guild, a small city in the east of the Gratia Kingdom.

    deputy master Be let out a low exmation as she checked the neatly organized reports and the evidence attachedloot from the vampires.

    "You''ve organized this thoroughly. Even including one of our guild staff. We definitely can''t overlook this."

    "I knew the deputy master would say that."

    JiHye, the brain of YeMin''s party and a mage, answered with a faint smile.

    Be chuckled at her response.

    "I thought you''d take this seriously... So you waited for the chance to report directly to me, skipping other staff members. A young human, quite bold, aren''t you?"

    "It''s well-known that Ars''s mercenary guild''s Be values fairness and discipline."

    JiHye smoothly ttered, though in truth, she had sent EunShin to spy in the guild and choose the person most likely to listen to them!

    "You must have heard I''m difficult and strict."

    "Yes, so I thought I could trust you. It seems there''s a trend in this guild to look down on us humans."

    Originally, YeMin was supposed to be here.

    With her high charm, attracting NPCs'' favor and creating quests out of nowhere, YeMin was perfect for the job.

    However, fearing YeMin''s charm might negatively affect Be''s character, JiHye stepped in, and fortunately, it seemed to work well enough.

    "You think you can say that directly to me, the guild''s deputy master?"

    "I thought it best to be honest with you, deputy master. I apologize if I was rude."

    "Noit''s okay. You''re not wrong. No need to beat around the bush when we both know what''s going on."

    Be, otherwise simr to humans, had notably pointed ears on both sides.

    Despite her very young and beautiful appearance, with smooth blond hair, making her seem like a fairy straight out of a storybookthere was a reason she was called the most fearsome being in the guild.

    She sharply discerns lies and quickly grasps the essence of beings.

    Those with even a hint of deceit tend to avoid her.

    "To be honest, I heard about this from an acquaintance. So I could more easily believe your words."

    "You already knew... about the vampire appearance?"

    "In the west, Turris."

    Be briefly answered and then pressed her forehead as if her head was throbbing.

    "But I never expected them to extend their reach to Ars, so close to the capital. With this development, I might need to seriously meet with the lord of Turris..."

    "Um, if there''s anything our party can help with? Having encountered vampires directly here, we can provide testimony, and we''re quite confident inbat for humans..."

    "That''s not necessary."

    Be lightly dismissed JiHye''s sly attempt to expand the quest and leaned in close to the disappointed JiHye, saying.

    "Instead, how abouting to me? I like the way you work."

    "Me?!"

    JiHye, surprised by the unexpected scout offer not even aimed at YeMin, stepped back. As she rambled about already having a party and being quite satisfied with it, Be seemed regretful and said.

    "How about this? Work as my attendant until this matter is resolved. I''ll likely need to be on the move a lot. I might even need to visit Turris..."

    "Um, then my party members..."

    "I''ll make sure the guild members treat your party members better for now. If this esctes, your party members might get a good ''quest'' and join the operation."

    But if JiHye refused Be''s offer, all those opportunities would vanish.

    Faced with an offer she couldn''t refuse, JiHye reluctantly nodded, also secretly pleased that someone as great as Be needed her help.

    ''Sorry, Uncle Soo, this is just a momentary goodbye...''

    This is all for the growth of our party, so Uncle Soo would understand, right?

    I might not see him for months, but he might miss me a bit, right?

    ...It''s not just me who''s sincere, right?

    "Ah, but deputy master Be. You mentioned the west, right?"

    "The small city of Turris in the west. It''s about the same size as Ars but much more interesting. You''ll like it too, JiHye."

    "Actually, our party is looking for someone who''s likely in the west of the Gratia Kingdom."

    "Oh, then that''s even better. I''ll give you some free time, so why don''t you look around there?"

    "Yes, I''ll do that."

    Yes, this way, even Min can understand.

    She might even jump at the chance to go instead.

    JiHye thought so and smirked.

    Afterward.

    Of course, YeMin, eager to join, had to be persuaded by JiHye, who argued that they couldn''t leave now that the guild''s treatment had improved.

    ...Especially since Be wouldn''t cover the expensive teleport gate fees for YeMin''s party too.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (74)</strong><hr>

    That evening, KiJun truly made Hati rib stew.

    First, he trimmed the excessive fat, cut the meat taken from the bones into bite-sized pieces, drained the blood, and briefly boiled it with green onions, garlic, onions, and pepper.

    Then, he just had to strain the broth to remove impurities, add the meat and sauce, various vegetables, and simmer it all in a pressure cooker...

    At this point, KiJun faced a significant dilemma.

    "Rib stew should have the bones in it... At the very least, I wanted to make broth by simmering the bones."

    "Please, hold back, Mr. Jun. If you simmer those bones, we''ll lose a Legendary grade material!"

    Viv, who came over for dinner upon hearing that KiJun had returned from his expedition, screamed at him to stop.

    Of course, with ordinary heat, it wouldn''t be possible to extract broth from those Legendary grade bones, but KiJun had Ur, the Fire Spirit!

    KiJun, who wanted to grill at least one rib bone to make broth, couldn''t ovee Viv''s persuasion and had to settle for making rib meat stew instead of actual rib stew.

    "Ah."

    "What is this, it melts the moment it enters the mouth...!"

    "Wow, it''s delicious. Is wolf meat always this tasty?"

    "It''s a divine beast, a divine, beast!"

    Contractor, another bowl, please!

    Kiiiiiiiiii! Kihit, Kiiiiiiiiiiii!

    Even that alone turned it into a heavenly delicacy, but what was more astonishing than the taste of the rib stew was:

    You have consumed a dish that challenges the legends. All stats below Legendary grade have increased by 1. Light Magic (L) has additionally increased by 2.

    The power of the moon resides within you, ensuring you will not be affected by cold for the next month.

    By perfectly preserving the power contained in the ingredients, you havepleted a legendary dish that resonates deeply with the soul. Your Soul Cooking (U) skill has reached level 5.

    Wait, the stats are permanently increased?

    This is literally a panacea!

    As KiJun, bewildered, looked up, he saw that those seated around the table were staring back at him with equally stunned expressions.

    The only one somewhat maintaining herposure, having heard various things here and there, was Viv.

    "It''s not just any legendary monster''s meat, it''s the meat of a divine beast. I''ve heard it can even cause a racial mutation, so a boost in stats shouldn''t be surprising."

    KiJun reluctantly epted her exnation, remembering how Gin had evolved after consuming Hati''s heart.

    Of course, the conditions for stat growth were quite strict, requiring one to eat at least 200 grams, equivalent to one serving, and the effect wouldn''t apply a second time.

    Likely, even if the same divine beast''s meat were cooked differently, it wouldn''t have any more effect.

    "Give this to the lord."

    KiJun packaged about 300 grams of the rib stew in a thermos and handed it to nica.

    She appreciated his thoughtfulness but hesitated.

    "But then, Mr. Jun''s cooking skills will be exposed."

    "So what? As long as he doesn''te bothering me to cook, it''s fine. I''ve received various kinds of help from the lord, so I want to repay him this way."

    "Understood, thank you for your kindness."

    nica, determined to prevent the lord from stepping foot in this vi, epted it.

    KiJun, smiling faintly, also packed some stew for Lora and asked her to pass it to In.

    Then, he cautiously asked Viv.

    "Do you... do food delivery by any chance?"

    "Looking for someone to deliver delicious food to?"

    Annoyed by Viv''s smirking response, KiJun managed to hold back from giving her a noogie and asked again, to which Viv chuckled and replied.

    "I can''t go personally, but my sister could deliver it for you. I''ll send it to her, and she''ll deliver it to ''that person.'' But the fee will be quite high."

    "Fee? This will satisfy them."

    KiJun, holding out ''two'' sealed containers with the stew, convinced Viv as well.

    "That should be more than enough. Okay, I''ll send it right away."

    "That person?"

    "That person?"

    Sensing an unusual undertone in their conversation, Lora and nica reacted sensitively, but KiJun remained nomittal.

    Noticing Gin looking slightly gloomy after enjoying the delicious meal, KiJun realized his oversight.

    "Gin, can we talk?"

    "Yes? Yes!"

    After stepping outside with Gin and ensuring no one followed, KiJun spoke to him in a soft voice.

    "I''m sorry, Gin."

    "No?! Ah, no!"

    Gin, startled, waved his hands in denial, then eventually bowed his head deeply.

    "It''s not your fault at all, Mr. Jun. I was just foolish..."

    "No, I was thoughtless. I''m sorry."

    Talking about packing family meals or sending them to Bice...

    In front of Gin, who had lost his family not long ago, it was inconsiderate to a fault.

    However, Gin shook his head firmly, denying any wrongdoing on KiJun''s part.

    "No, no... It''s not your fault at all."

    "...Gin?"

    "It''s just that I was too weak, too cowardly, didn''t realize it sooner, too stupid. That''s why it happened..."

    KiJun realized Gin was talking about something else entirely.

    For him, what happened at the dinner table was irrelevant.

    His thoughts automatically returned to the memories of that day whenever he thought of his family.

    "Icked the courage to look, to listen. I just covered my ears and crouched down, stupidly, should have fought back instead of being such an idiot."

    "...Gin."

    "The ones at fault are the werewolves. The werewolf that trapped arade, the werewolf that betrayed my mother, and... the werewolf that turned away from his family. I''ll kill them all someday."

    Gin calmly cursed all werewolves, including himself, and KiJun realized a simple truth.

    Gin had grown, but he was still young, and the wound in his soul was too deep and fresh to heal.

    Ruthven had merely refined Gin''s scattered hatred and murderous intent, carefully stacking it inside him so it wouldn''t leak out.

    Yes, just like Glittertos had finely sharpened the de of Rotten Moon at the workshop.

    Before harming himself, he made a minimal adjustment so Gin could find and harm his enemies.

    "That''s why I''m really grateful to you, Mr. Jun. For generously giving me such a monster, supporting me, and epting someone like me..."

    With passionate voice, Gin clenched his fists tightly.

    "I will definitely help you in exterminating the vampires, Mr. Jun. And then, after that, I''ll kill all the werewolves. Until not a single Vrykkas remains on thisnd."

    "Don''t push yourself too hard. You need to take care of yourself first and foremost."

    "Ah, Ruthven asked me to give you something."

    Gin, abruptly changing the subject, pulled something out and handed it to KiJun.

    It was a blood-colored key, subtly vibrating.

    Despite knowing Gin was changing the topic, KiJun couldn''t help but be drawn in by the key''s extraordinary appearance.

    It was clear at a nce that this was no ordinary object.

    Taking it, KiJun frowned, and Gin exined.

    "Ruthven said to use this as a bargaining chip if you didn''t ept me. He said you would inevitably find it..."

    "Inevitably find it?"

    KiJun realized the purpose of the key from that alone.

    Gin nodded and continued.

    "Ruthven said it''s a key to a ruin meant for vampire hunters, obtained before he became a Dhampir. He couldn''t visit it after bing a vampire."

    "He kept it hidden all this time. Gotta acknowledge his perseverance."

    The key was, fortunately, of Unique grade.

    KiJun pocketed it and nodded.

    "Alright, then let''s go there as soon as your armor is ready."

    "It''s a ruin that only one person can enter."

    "Just one?"

    KiJun flinched.

    Dungeons with an entry limit were often even more challenging.

    "I''ll probably need to focus on basic training for a while, and I assume Lora will too. Maybe you can visit in the meantime."

    "Alright... Anyway, thanks. And I owe Ruthven till the end."

    KiJun gazed at the blood-colored key, trying to gauge the ruin, but of course, he couldn''t discern whaty inside from just looking.<hr>

    The next day, nica visited early in the morning again.

    KiJun, who had woken up at dawn to drill Gin and Lora, made her wait for a moment before checking in with them.

    "How manyps have you run?"

    "37ps!"

    "I... I ran 22ps..."

    "Lora, can you catch up with the fifteenps you''re behind?"

    "I''ll definitely catch up, even if it takes a bit longer!"

    "Good, keep running. Once you''ve hit 50ps, it''s time for strength training."

    Watching Gin and Lora, drenched in sweat and dragging heavy iron balls instead of tires, race up the hill, nica, who had been serious, pretended not to see anything when KiJun looked at her.

    Would you like to try it too? He was about to half-jokingly suggest when she spoke seriously.

    "You should meet with the lord."

    "Hmm? Is that old man determined to make me his personal chef?"

    "He seemed to be seriously considering it, but I stopped him."

    If not for that, there would be no reason to call him again so soon.

    As KiJun tilted his head in confusion, nica bowed deeply.

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Jun..."

    "What are you sorry for?"

    "The lord... he meant well... that is, he wanted to give you a surprise gift, but..."

    "I''m getting more worried."

    Why such a lengthy and ominous introduction?

    As KiJun narrowed his eyes and red, nica finally gave in and grabbed his hand.

    "Let''s go together first."

    "Exin to me!"

    "Please be mentally prepared..."

    "Hey!"

    Thus, KiJun was dragged all the way to the lord''s mansion and only understood nica''s behavior upon reaching the parlor.

    Because there, along with the lord, was a woman KiJun had never seen before...

    Her skin was flushed red as if radiating heat.

    Her red hair was tied up in a ponytail at the back of her head, with the ends aze.

    Her bright red eyes were also ame.

    And, to top it off, she had a cute little ming fox, or rather a Crimson Fox, perched on her shoulder.

    Sitting there was a woman who looked unmistakably like a me Human!

    ''It''s over!''

    KiJun fully understood why nica had been so flustered the moment he saw the woman. He wanted to turn and run, but nica had already blocked his escape.

    ''Hey, aren''t you going to move?''

    ''I''m sorry, but if you run away now, it''ll only make things worse!''

    The lord seemed quite pleased with the intense eye contact between the two.

    "Haha, young people be friends so quickly! I''m getting jealous!"

    "My goodness..."

    And before it was toote, the me Human woman, noticing KiJun, stood up and sighed softly.

    "Really, I thought I was the only me Human left alive..."

    It''s over!

    Could this mask really fool an actual me Human?

    KiJun knew that rtionships built on lies eventually crumble.

    Especially in this case, if he left the woman''s misunderstanding uncorrected, it could escte into an uncontroble situation. So, despite knowing it was impolite, he said to the woman.

    "I need a private space to talk."

    "I''d like that too. Lord, would you mind if we borrowed a room?"

    "Of course. It must have been a long time since you met a fellow kind, so take your time."

    The lord, who likely arranged this meeting, smiled contentedly.

    KiJun mentally cursed the lord as he moved to another room with the woman.

    As nica, looking anxious, followed them, KiJun scowled and mmed the door shut.

    Then, turning around at lightning speed, he bowed deeply to the woman.

    "I''m sorry!"

    "Hmm? Look up at me. I feel like I''ve been saved from hell right now. I thought I was the only me Human left in this vast world, but to have a fellow kindred still alive..."

    "That''s why I''m nota me Human! I''m sorry!"

    KiJun said, removing his mask.

    The woman, who had been staring nkly at KiJun''s transformation from me Human to, precisely, a Light Man, suddenly burst intoughter.

    "If you apologize so seriously, it makes me feel bad."

    What?

    Did she realize it all along?

    As KiJun slightly rxed, thinking she might have been aware, the woman snapped her fingers, and amazingly, the mes in her hair and eyes disappeared, and her flushed skin turned pale.

    "Huh?"

    "I''ve also mastered a disguise technique. It seems you still need an item to do so, right?"

    "Hmm?"

    "But why reveal your identity here, despite having a disguise item? Were you also looking for your kin? You''re brave, but thanks to that, we''ve met."

    "Uh?"

    Something seemed off in the conversation.

    KiJun stopped the woman from continuing and insisted again.

    "I''m telling you, I''m not a me Human. I was just pretending to be another race with this item. I didn''t even know me Humans actually existed."

    "Yeah, yeah, so that''s your concept. Got it, it doesn''t matter either way. The important thing is you''re my kin, and I''ll protect you from now on."

    I''m telling you, I''m not your kin!

    But as KiJun tried to correct her misunderstanding, Lucy stopped him.

    It''s no use, Contractor. This person doesn''t seem to be all there.

    ''...What?''

    Look, the Crimson Fox seems to realize it.

    Following Lucy''s words, KiJun looked over the woman''s shoulder to see the cute fox giving him a troubled look.

    Turning his gaze back to the woman, he noticednow that the mes had subsided, her eyes were unfocused, swaying slightly.

    "You''ve already be friends with Rodim? You really are different. This child never opened up to anyone but me."

    "...Rodim, you say."

    "Yes. And your partner?"

    KiJun found hope in her words.

    Rodim, this fox, resembled a spirit but was distinctly different.

    Thoughposed of magical energy, it had no connection to spirit power.

    So, showing her Ur''s true form would inevitably

    "Ur, who is a spirit, not a Crimson Fox..."

    "Wow, so cute! I thought our Rodim was the cutest, but Ur is no slouch"

    Kiiii...

    The woman embraced Ur and burst intoughter without listening to KiJun.

    With Ur looking distressed and Rodim cing a delicate hand on his forehead, it was clear the first mistake had been firmly made.

    At this point, even if KiJun showed up bitten by a vampire and transformed, she would stubbornly insist he was a me Human.

    KiJun realized at that moment, this woman was an enormous minefield.

    "My name is Cynti. You can call me Ti."

    "AhI''m Jun, Cynti."

    "Right, Jun! You must have had a hard time holding out alone. From now on, I''ll always be with you."

    If her kind words sounded like a deration of nuisance that she would never leave his side, was that his misunderstanding?

    At this point, cursing the lord to death and beyond seemed insufficient.

    He wouldn''t be satisfied unless he ground the lord into dust.

    ''I want to escape. Save me...''

    Who would have thought this karma woulde back to haunt...

    Despite the curses, considering how she ended up this way, KiJun couldn''t solely me her.

    Reta was truly a cursed world.

    He sincerely thought so.<hr>

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 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (75)</strong><hr>

    When KiJun, donning his mask once again, returned to the room with Cynti, the lord teased him, saying that nica had been restless the moment the two of them stepped out together.

    "You''re quicker than I thought. When did you charm our butler?"

    "Lord, you might be greatly mistaken."

    KiJun replied in a gloomy voice, and shook his head from side to side towards nica, who was still restless, indicating that things hadn''t gone well.

    KiJun, who answered nica''s questioning gaze with a look that said she wouldn''t believe him even if he told her the truth, reported to the lord in a displeased tone.

    "Cynti has decided to join my party."

    "Aha, I had guessed as much. She is a me Summon, well-known even on this continent. She will be of great help."

    Indeed, while KiJun was posing as a me Human, she was hiding her identity as a me Human and acting as a Summon.

    ...Wouldn''t it be just perfect to take them both down if they stick together?

    Moreover, since KiJun wasn''t actually a me Human, it would put Cynti in unteral danger.

    So, for her safety, it would be better if they stayed apart...

    "Don''t worry, I''ve heard about dealing with vampires. You know, Jun, our race''s mes are especially strong against those vile beings."

    Cynti didn''t seem to have any intention of doing so.

    No, seeing that she came to him prepared to protect him from now on, considering she had been suffering alone until now, it might have been her intention from the start to face any danger that mighte from being with KiJun.

    But, as much as I hate to admit it, among all the people I''ve met sinceing to Reta, she seems to be the strongest.

    ''That''s the problem.''

    KiJun frowned deeply, agreeing with Lucy''s words.

    KiJun was confident in his ability to gauge others'' capabilities, as he possessed legendary-grade mana and spirit power, but Cynti seemed to possess strength beyond the unique grade.

    Among them, quite high-ranking, to the extent that he suspected one or two of her statuses might be of legendary grade.

    If her job was also high-grade, and perhaps if she had legendary-grade skills... it would make for a good match with KiJun.

    ''Unless I overwhelm her, I won''t be able to easily chase her away...''

    And besides, it''s questionable whether this woman will seriously contend with the Contractor.

    So, the conclusion was the same.

    There was no way to immediately separate this woman from KiJun.

    "Sigh... Then, let''s leave it at that for today and disperse."

    "No, actually, there''s still business to attend to."

    KiJun, who didn''t care about me Humans or Vampires and just wanted to rest alone if possible, was held back by the clueless lord.

    "A person from the small town of Ars in the east of Gratia is supposed toe. I wanted you to meet her together."

    "Have you already involved another town''s lord?"

    "Not a lord, but the Mercenary Guild."

    KiJun blinked, not understanding the lord''s words.

    Why was the lord in contact with a mercenary guild?

    Of course, it''s possible to coborate with a mercenary guild, but why one from another town?

    That seemed very strange.

    "Listen, Jun. As you''ve discovered, there are already vampires disguising themselves as citizens, even summons, within the Gratia Kingdom."

    "That''s right."

    "With that situation, it''s difficult to inform the entire nation and prepare for a massive vampire assault. We don''t know how far the vampires have infiltrated this country."

    "I can identify vampires."

    "Who would believe that besides me and our butler? What if a person of power turns out to be a vampire and turns the tables on us?"

    Why involve nica?

    But KiJun understood what the lord wanted to say.

    "If this fact bes known, the worst-case scenario could lead to changes in the vampires'' ns... I need to be careful even about whom I talk to."

    "Considering the vampires tried to contact you this time, their ns might have already changed. So we need to be even more cautious from now on."

    KiJun nodded at the lord''s words and then asked again.

    "So, the person you''ve carefully chosen is from a mercenary guild in a small town on the opposite side of Turris?"

    "A very reliable selection. You know the administrative officer of our city''s mercenary guild, right?"

    "Ah."

    A Half-Nymph.

    ording to the administrative officer, those with Nymph''s blood are very sensitive to good and evil.

    "So, the person from the Ars guild too?"

    "Yes, she has Nymph''s blood. I understand she''s the Deputy Master. This time, she contacted me through the administrative officer after having a tough time with the dungeon boss and even a guild employee turning out to be a vampire."

    KiJun felt a sense of irony at those words.

    "An employee... So, while they have the ability to judge good and evil, they couldn''t immediately identify a vampire."

    "It pains me to say this, but didn''t Tolchi spend several years as a knight in our domain? Just having the ability to distinguish good from evil isn''t enough to condemn and punish someone as a criminal."

    The lord ended the discussion with a low blow, leaving KiJun with no room for rebuttal.

    Good and evil can never be the sole criteria for punishment.

    Understanding this, KiJun couldn''t hide hisplex feelings, but the lord smiled and added,

    "Instead, it''s possible to choose whom to trust and talk to. That''s why those with Nymph''s blood are helpful in this matter."

    "Indeed."

    Just then, someone knocked on the reception room door, and a soldier entered to announce the arrival of a guest.

    The lord nodded and said to KiJun,

    "Right on time. Let''s meet together."

    He tapped the seat next to him, signaling for KiJun toe and sit.

    KiJun found his friendly demeanor burdensome and had not forgotten the grudge of being handed the minefield named Cynti, but since the lord had not intended any harm to KiJun, he reluctantly sat down.

    Then, as if nica and Cynti had agreed, they stood behind the sofa where they were seated.

    "Cynti, it''s ufortable, so please don''t..."

    "It''s better for protecting you this way. And feel free to speak casually."

    Cynti said with a reliable smile, but the sight of nica ring at him was too much for KiJun to bear.

    He wanted to put a mask on nica right then, but the limitation on the mask''s use was a source of eternal regret.

    Just then, the reception room door opened, and two women entered.

    One was a beautiful young woman with smooth blond hair and pointed ears, resembling the administrative officer of the Turris Mercenary Guild, and the other was a striking human woman with jet-ck hair and eyes.

    But more astonishing than her being human was...

    ''Is that JiHye?!''

    She was the mage JiHye, who had been in the same party as KiJun during the first tutorial!

    How could this be?

    Come to think of it, didn''t they say half of the Earthlings were summoned to the east of Gratia?!

    But honestly, if there were to be a reunion, KiJun had thought he''d meet Min before JiHye...!

    Caught off guard by this unexpected reunion, KiJun had a bewildered expression as the Nymph woman, having greeted the lord, extended her hand to him.

    "You must be the me Human Jun, who''s been making quite a stir recently. Nice to meet you. I''m Be, the Deputy Master of the Ars Mercenary Guild."

    "Im Jun."

    KiJun wanted to immediately throw off his mask, hug JiHye, and reveal his identity, but he couldn''t in this situation.

    Suppressing his impulse with superhuman patience, KiJun briefly stated his alias and shook hands with her.

    JiHye seemed to tilt her head at the sound of KiJun''s voice, but it was impossible for her to recognize him just from his voice and alias after 10 years.

    "This is the first time I''ve met someone like this."

    "Hmm?"

    Meanwhile, Be seemed to take an interest in KiJun, examining him as if he were fascinating, and then smiled satisfactorily.

    "No wonder you were chosen by the legendary beast. I''m impressed, Lord of Turris."

    "He came to me. I''m grateful."

    "Before we get into the main topic... who is everyone here?"

    "One is my daughter, and the other is bound by fate with Jun here."

    "Of course. My life is with him."

    KiJun wanted to shout out loud that he wished she wouldn''t do that, but no one seemed to understand his feelings.

    "And the person behind you?"

    "She''s someone who eradicated the vampires hiding in the guild and brought me the report. You can trust her."

    With Be''s introduction, JiHye bowed her head.

    Surely JiHye wasn''t hunting vampires alone, so there must be other party members with her, right?

    KiJun was dying to ask her how she ended up encountering vampires, but he had to suppress his curiosity for now.

    "I thought I sensed a strong mana aura, and indeed, it''s someone who has aplished great feats."

    "You tter me."

    "Hehe. The ability verification is alreadyplete, and you''ll be able to perform well on the field. Now, shall we get to the main point?"

    Be began a serious discussion with the lord about the vampire invasion, and KiJun had to join in to share everything that had happened so far.

    KiJun''s exploits were hard to believe, but his achievement of hunting a legendary beast added a high degree of credibility.

    After revealing his vampire hunting record, his current partyposition, and even his n to infiltrate the vampire kingdom, Be pondered for a moment and then asked.

    "What do you think, JiHye?"

    She suddenly turned and asked JiHye, who had been listening to the conversation.

    "Me? What do you mean...?"

    "It seems there''s a vacancy in the party. How about you join them?"

    "Me?!"

    JiHye eximed in surprise.

    "It''s a great opportunity, but I already belong to a party...!"

    "You won''t be able to return to your original party until this situation is resolved. So, I''m asking if you''d like to help Jun, who is central to this ''quest''. Our paths will ovep a lot."

    "Um, well, but Ick the ability, and even if Be says so, wouldn''t the others be inconvenienced? Moreover, depending on the quest''s progress, my party could y a significant role, so leaving them would be too unfair to myrades...!"

    KiJun knew JiHye.

    Right now, she was desperately trying to avoid joining a party with KiJun, who was likely to take on the most dangerous role in this quest!

    Of course, she had a strong sense of loyalty and would not hesitate to face danger for herrades, but she didn''t know that the me Human Jun she was facing was ''KiJun''!

    "Hoh."

    As expected, the lord responded positively.

    "I was just thinking that Jun''s party needed a mage. If she''s an individual whose character and abilities have been verified, there''s no reason to refuse! What do you think, Jun?"

    "Hmm."

    KiJun pretended to be deep in thought, bringing his hand to his chin and tilting his head, causing anxious JiHye to tilt her head as well.

    This time in the opposite direction, and JiHye''s gaze followed suit.

    This is fun.

    KiJun wanted to tease her a bit more, but he realized he just wanted to vent his frustration caused by Cynti and stopped the joke, smiling bitterly.

    "If she''s an outstanding mage, I have no reason to refuse. Let''s test her abilities. There are things summons want to discuss... Be, may I borrow her for a moment?"

    "Of course!"

    Be, pleased to see the talents she had noticed working together, smiled and nodded, and JiHye, realizing she couldn''t go against the flow, slumped her shoulders in resignation and nodded.

    "It''s an honor to have my abilities evaluated by Jun... I suppose..."

    "Yes, take it as an honor."

    Cynti nodded heavily, as if she had been fighting alongside him for five years.

    KiJun had a lot he wanted to say, but he suppressed it all and stood up.

    "Then follow me."<hr>

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I just got a bad feeling. Chills ran down my spine.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Jun, are you okay? Didn''t get hurt anywhere?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Didn''t meet any dangerous people?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): It''s always when things like this happen that you don''t check messages, you bad guy.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): (Message deleted.)]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You bad guy...]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Oh? Nabang''s here.]

    ...

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Jun? Forget what I said about being a bad guy.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): You know my heart, right?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): The braised ribs are delicious.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): So delicious.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Your cooking is like magic.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): What kind of magic?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Ah.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I was going to delete it, but why do you see it at times like this?!]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Don''t ask what kind of magic. I won''t tell you.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Rift): I said I won''t tell you?!]<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (76)</strong><hr>

    Having undergone the tutorial twice, JiHye considered herself an expert in the growth of a summon, system knowledge, and quests. However, one aspect she still found challenging to adapt to was dealing with other races upon entering the continent of Reta.

    While there were certainly many regr humans among the NPCs, who coexisted with other races in this world, few of them werebatants.

    Although the humans who appeared in Reta as summons had to choosebat roles like mercenaries to earn points, their treatment and perception were not favorable, and more often than not, the higher echelons were dominated by non-human races.

    "If only they were all humans, it would have been easier to deal with andpete. Plus, being born naturally strong is just so unfair and cowardly... Though, among humans, there are naturally gifted ones like YeMin."

    Despite having been summoned to Reta not long ago, a certain me Human had already made a name for himself by halting the overflow in Turris and even seeding in hunting a legendary-grade divine beast. The whole of Gratia, not just Turris, was abuzz with his feats.

    Following him to his dwelling, JiHye muttered under her breath.

    "Of course, I''m thankful to my parents for birthing me with such intellect... But every time I see someone else''s innate talent, what I have seems insufficient. Maybe that''s proof of my own pettiness."

    All because of YeMin, who surpassed her in every aspect.

    Constantlyparing herself to YeMin and burning with inferiorityplex, it seemed she had naturally developed this mindset.

    ming the overly exceptional party leader, she took a new look at the man ahead, the me Human, Jun.

    His physique wasn''t much different from that of an Earthling.

    Almost simr to KiJun oppa, perhaps.

    After all, KiJun oppa was the party''s tank and was significantlyrger than an average person.

    "But everything else about him is different His body emits smoke, there''s something like a spirit on his shoulder, his physical condition seems superior, and even his mana seems higher than mine, not to mention his charm."

    Yes, charm.

    That was especially important.

    When she first saw that masked man in the reception room of the Ars Mercenary Guild alongside Be, the Deputy Master, JiHye almost fainted.

    With the mask covering above his nose, only his fiery eyes and lower face were visible, but even that was enough to gauge his handsomeness.

    It had been several days since she arrived in Reta, and until now, she hadn''t found men of other races, however simr to humans, attractive...

    It wasn''t JiHye being picky; there simply hadn''t been any handsome men!

    "If we remove that mask, he must be unbelievably handsome... Oh no! I shouldn''t be thinking like this, I have Uncle Soo!"

    Given her 20-year-long unrequited love for MokSoo, the feelings she harbored had transcended mere affection to be something integral to her. Yet, even she couldn''t help the flutter in her heart upon encountering an excessively charming man.

    And Hmm, it was slightly pleasing, albeit troubling, that this man seemed interested in her!

    Though he tried to hide it, the stolen nces and his restless demeanor were dead giveaways!

    "Phew, is this bing troublesome? I''m d, but I have Uncle Soo But wait, as sorry as I am to this man, using this situation might just stimte Uncle Soo a bit? If he realizes other men are interested in me, even that dense man might..."

    But what if, instead of getting jealous, he encourages her to pursue it happily?

    If Uncle Soo reacted that way, JiHye was certain she''d lose all hope in life and sink into despair.

    While JiHye was tangled in her thoughts, the man ahead, Jun, suddenly stopped.

    Naturally, those following him, including Cynti and JiHye, and nica, who had casually tagged along, all halted as well.

    "This is where I''m staying. The lord lent it to me."

    "The lord..."

    Eh, did his tone just change a bit? JiHye wondered, but still couldn''t help admiring the grand mansion he pointed at.

    While her party struggled daily over renting one or two rooms in an inn, this man had made a splendid appearance in the city and received a mansion from a lord, making the disparity all the more frustrating.

    "nica, it''s just us here, right?"

    "Yes, there''s no one else. Now, please exin. Why couldn''t you handle this on-site, and why is Cynti''s attitude like this?"

    "If you had just told me beforehand, this wouldn''t have happened. I could have avoided the misunderstanding."

    JiHye was slightly disappointed watching nica confront Jun in a somewhat friendly manner, and him responding in a very rxed tone to her.

    After all, nica seemed significantly more attractive than herself and appeared to have a deep rtionship with the man.

    JiHye had briefly indulged in a fantasy where an incredibly attractive man devotedly pursued her, something out of a novel. Tearing away that fantasy now, Cynti spoke up.

    "As I said earlier, I can adapt to whatever you pretend to be, so don''t worry, Jun. If you don''t want it, I won''t even mention that you''re a me Human."

    "Since I''m already pretending to be a me Human, that''s fine. Ah, that''s enough. Now, watch closely as I prove my past connection."

    Ah, even his slightly weary and tired way of speaking was a bit sexy

    While harboring such thoughts, a thunderbolt struck JiHye''s mind.

    The man, without any hesitation, removed his mask to reveal his true face.

    His flushed skin cooled down, and his ming hair returned to ck.

    But above all, his eyes.

    The reliable eyes that always seemed deep and calm, soothing the hearts of those who met his gaze.

    Were looking right at her.

    "KiJun, oppa...?"

    "Yes, JiHye."

    The man, KiJun, affirmed with a gentle smile.

    "I''m d you''re safe. How have you been? What about YeMin and the others?"

    "No, how, how did oppa..."

    Overwhelmed, JiHye stumbled back a few steps.

    While KiJun''s timely appearance was surprising enough,

    The fact that he had made such a mark by stopping the overflow alone, even hunted a divine beast, and even disguised himself as another race was astounding.

    But at that moment, what shocked her more was the transformation in his charm!

    "Didn''t you recognize me by now? My voice is the same, my voice."

    "My voice changed too! Oppa, you''vepletely changed!"

    Frustrated, JiHye yelled, causing KiJun to awkwardly scratch his head.

    Even that gesture was endearing.

    "Crazy JiHye, get a hold of yourself, that''s KiJun oppa"

    No matter what KiJun had been doing for the past 10 years, the overall change in his face could only be described as ''miraculous''.

    While each feature was recognizable as KiJun''s,

    The exquisite arrangement and subtle adjustments maximized his appeal, eliminating any minor ws and bringing out the best performance possible from KiJun as a human being.

    Especially notable was his previously not-so-fair skin, now as white and clear as if milk had been poured over it, enhancing his alreadyforting presence and making his deep eyes even more captivating.

    "How much has his charm grown? Honestly, even if ced next to YeMin, he wouldn''t be overshadowed... Is this even possible?"

    Though she had respected him as a reliable older brother figure and never considered him romantically,

    Now, having epted him as a different person, a potential romantic interest with the mask on, JiHye found her heart unsettled even after he revealed his true identity.

    "Um, um..."

    She seems to have lost her mind, Contractor.

    "It''s been a while since we met. I was quite surprised too."

    KiJun, seeing JiHye unable to calm down, smiled bitterly.

    He wanted to ask about YeMin, EunShin, and MokSoo, but it seemed it would be impossible for the time being.

    At least he was relieved to know that the members of his former party were doing well in Reta.

    For now, that was enough.

    "Anyway, I can''t join for a while."

    "Huh?!"

    At his words, JiHye snapped back to reality.

    "Why, oppa? Let''s go to Ars right now! Everyone is waiting for you there, especially YeMin! You''d be shocked to know how much YeMin has been freaking out over the past 10 years without you!"

    "I''d love to, but I already have connections here. There are things I need to sort out... So please understand. Let''s keep our reunion a secret for now."

    "If I tell them, they''ll rush here immediately. If you''re noting over, it''s only natural to keep it a secret..."

    "Thanks for missing me. I missed you all a lot too, really."

    KiJun, with a bitter smile, came over and patted JiHye''s shoulder.

    Considering their rtionship, such physical contact shouldn''t have been surprising, but JiHye froze, as if struck by a massive shock.

    KiJun oppa had changed.

    Both his body and mind had transformed

    "Did you see, Cynti?"

    KiJun then unted his close rtionship with JiHye to the me Human woman, Cynti, who had been silently observing them.

    "This is the biggest proof that I''m not a me Human. Ie from the same world as this human, and we went through the tutorial together."

    "Uh-huh, okay. You''ve put in quite an effort. It''ll be useful when you need to hide your identity. Well done, Jun."

    "......"

    Of course, even this failed to sway Cynti''s fixed attitude.

    The great American author, Mark Twain, revered as the father of American literature, once said, ''It''s not what you don''t know that gets you into trouble. It''s what you know for sure that just ain''t so.''

    Cynti had already established the absolute truth in her mind that KiJun was a me Human and automatically corrected any conflicting information in her brain, so even if KiJun showed his status window to prove his purity, she wouldn''t have believed it.

    Hoping for even a slight change in her misconception, KiJun sighed deeply, abandoning all hope, and turned his gaze to nica, who had been watching the entire scene.

    "See? My persuasion doesn''t work on her. No matter what I say, she''s determined to believe I''m a me Human."

    "Mr. Jun, are you alright?"

    Even nica realized Cynti''s attitude was odd and looked at him with concern.

    It was then that Gin and Lora, sensing someone''s presence, rushed out from the backyard.

    "Mr. Jun!"

    "You''re here!"

    They were drenched in sweat, with heavy metal objects strapped all over their bodies.

    KiJun used to train under Bice in the same way, adding burdens to his body during solo exercises.

    Reminded of those days by their appearance, KiJun nodded in satisfaction, and the two, noticing a new face, cautiously inquired.

    "Mr. Jun, who are these people?"

    "They''re all women..."

    Noticing the almost animalistic wariness in the young man with animal ears and the otherworldly charm of the young woman, KiJun chuckled and introduced them.

    One believed him to be a me Human and hade to help, while the other had been a fellow human who went through the tutorial with KiJun. The irony of the situation was palpable.

    "Are both of them going to join the party?"

    "Ah, right. Cynti has already agreed to join, and JiHye... What do you say?"

    "Me, me?"

    JiHye, still reeling from the shock of the neers'' appearance, reacted to KiJun''s question.

    KiJun calmly exined the situation they were about to face.

    "We''re going to be involved in some dangerous activities. If you''re not up for it, I don''t want to drag you into this. As you said earlier, when it''s time to fight the vampires, we''ll call YeMin and the others anyway. Wouldn''t it be enough if YeMin shines in the party then"

    "No, KiJun oppa."

    JiHye, who had been looking confused until then, suddenly spoke up seriously.

    "So you''re telling me to leave you to face danger alone while I back out? Do I seem that heartless to you?"

    "I mentioned it because it might take a while and be tough."

    "If it were someone else, maybe, but how can I back out knowing you''ll be in trouble, KiJun oppa? We''rerades! Are you saying you don''t consider me arade anymore after 10 years apart?"

    Yes, this was JiHye''s true nature.

    She might appear cold to others, but once someone was within her circle, she was wholeheartedly dedicated.

    Realizing her core hadn''t changed even after a decade, KiJun smiled and shook his head.

    "No, I was just saying that to save face."

    "Huh?"

    "I''ve found the greatest mage I know. How could I let you go? I''m not letting you off easily, so be prepared."

    "?!"

    JiHye was astonished, her mouth agape.

    What? KiJun oppa wasn''t like this before!

    "Oppa... What happened to you? How did you change so much?"

    "I had a great master."

    Here we go again.

    As KiJun reminisced about Bice with a distant look, Lucy shook her head, and JiHye was left trembling,pletely mistaken about the kind of Casanova KiJun must have trained under.

    "Cough, Mr. Jun?"

    nica, seemingly displeased with their ''closerades'' vibe, interrupted with a cough.

    "It''s good that you know each other well, but considering you''ve been apart for 10 years... shouldn''t we verify yourrade''s current abilities?"

    "Ah, right. I brought her here to check her abilities."

    "That''s right."

    JiHyeughed off nica''s slightly hostile demeanor.

    Though she often felt inferior whenparing herself to others, it stemmed from a strong desire to be recognized for her abilities.

    That drive allowed her to continuously improve.

    Especially in her self-proimed specialty, magic, JiHye was confident.

    "Let me show you. I''ve never been told I''mcking in magic."

    She could boldly im to be the strongest in her field.

    Even nica had to acknowledge her skills after witnessing JiHye''s magic demonstration.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (77)</strong><hr>

    After everyone agreed to JiHye joining the party upon witnessing her magical demonstration, KiJun first took her inside to talk.

    She was on the path of bing a High Human, the only orthodox evolutionary route essible to humans blessed with mana, currently at the Umon rank. KiJun had thought that advancing from human to High Human would be immediate, but it turned out she was now an ''Awakened Human.''

    "To be a High Human in Reta, you need to be at least of Unique rank."

    "That''s no easy path..."

    KiJun felt relieved. While there were quite a few Earthlings with Umon status right after being summoned to Reta,

    He had worried about what would happen if Earthlings, not knowing how to advance their ranks, were dropped into Reta as Commons. But it turned out they entered Reta havingpleted their racial evolution up to Umon during the tutorial.

    "There seemed to be many humans who advanced their statuses, but not many appeared to have evolved their racial rank."

    Moreover, JiHye had managed to advance her specialized status, mana, to Unique rank, exining the destructive power of her magic.

    Since the average rank of summons brought to Reta and their status levels were close to Umon, it was clear that she had significantly surpassed the average.

    And then, in cases like orcs specialized in physical strength, statuses like strength or endurance were rated a rank higher at Rare

    "Uncle Soo is just about there. An Umon rank Barbarian with Umon dexterity and Rare strength and endurance. But he has many good skills, so he can easily overpower an orc."

    "Uncle Soo a Barbarian... Hmm, doesn''t quite fit, does it?"

    The elder of KiJun''s party, MokSoo, was a man whose handsomeness was undeniable.

    Despite his rough behavior and love for alcohol, he looked like a model.

    And now he was a barbarian? Seeding the great Conan in my stead?

    ...Does it match his usual behavior?

    "We had no choice. The rest of the party members had excellent mana senses, except for Uncle Soo, who was somewhatcking. So, he chose to focus entirely on physical strength, leading to this oue."

    "I see..."

    "So, he grew a bit in size, but when not inbat mode, he reverts to his original form, so it''s okay. It''s like... a reverse charm?"

    "Right, that makes sense."

    Knowing JiHye''s affection for MokSoo, KiJun nodded happily as she raised her voice slightly while talking about him.

    "So, what''s the situation now? Are you two dating?"

    "What?! No, no!"

    "...Not? Then, are you dating EunShin?"

    "Why would EunShin''s namee up?"

    Confused when asked if she was dating MokSoo, and puzzled why EunShin was even mentioned, JiHye''s reactions made KiJun realize that even after 10 years, the party''s intricate love affairs hadn''t resolved.

    ''I''m starting to not want to go back to the party...''

    That''s right, Contractor. There''s a saying that new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. Let''s ignore it, ignore it.

    Lucy, sensing KiJun''s displeasure with his known connections, whispered to him like the serpent of Eden, but he ignored her as usual.

    "Ah, but both EunShin and YeMin are of Rare rank now. We found a ruin after finishing the tutorial, you know?"

    "I know."

    KiJun nodded as if it were obvious.

    Not only did he know, but without any information or preparation, he had rolled around the ruins for four years, mapping them out in his head.

    "You know? You, KiJun oppa?"

    "Of course, how else could I have evolved to Rare rank?"

    "Come to think of it, yeah."

    Though JiHye felt slightly deted that KiJun already knew the story she brought up proudly, she was pleased to hear him appreciating their efforts in conquering the ruin and the dramatic rank advancements of EunShin and YeMin.

    "You did well. I''m proud."

    "I just stepped back considering the future and power of the party."

    Touched by KiJun''s sincere praise, JiHye responded with a refreshed expression, then suddenly realized something.

    "Then, oppa, you must have it, right? That thing, King of the Well."

    "Oh, was that amon reward?"

    When KiJun pulled out the shield, JiHye smirked, thinking, ''A shield again?'' but then paused

    "KiJun oppa, you said you use two shields these days."

    "That''s true, but..."

    "Here. I was told to take it in case something happened, and I balked, but it turned out to be useful."

    Holding out what she retrieved from her inventory, KiJun''s eyes widened in surprise.

    Though it was in the form of a staff due to JiHye holding it, it was undoubtedly the King of the Well that he recognized!

    "This is great. YeMin wanted to give you something; this will be perfect."

    KiJun, somewhat incredulously, epted the staff extended towards him.

    "Really? It''s okay to give this to me?"

    "Oppa, as you might guess, we''re pretty well-off with weapons. Honestly, we don''t need it."

    Although the King of the Well had its shoringspared to items of the same rank in terms of attack and defense, for KiJun, who could use it to its fullest potential, it was an invaluable asset!

    To give it away so easily? Really?

    [King of the Well (Unique)]

    [Durability  2,500/2,500]

    [Attack (U) / Defense (U)  50]

    [Option 1  Increase Strength, Mana Power by 5]

    [Option 2  Contains the power of wind, allowing it to be sted in all directions or cast sharp trajectories when wielding a weapon. Consumes mana upon casting, and power is proportional to the product of Mana Power and Strength. Requires a cooldown period after casting.]

    [Usage Restriction  Must possess the title ''Conqueror of the Hidden Dungeon'']

    [Congrattions. You are the most outstanding frog in this narrow well!]

    The item''s infuriating description confirmed it was indeed the King of the Well KiJun knew!

    Holding a Heater Shield in each hand, KiJun felt deeply moved as they resonated, trembling slightly in his grasp.

    "Thank you, I''ll use it well."

    "I can''t really imagine how you''ll fight with two shields, though."

    "You''ll be surprised."

    Surely, since it''s not just any shield.

    Lucy''s whispers were ignored once again.

    "Cough, Jun. I also have some good weapons suitable for a me Human."

    "No, keep those for yourself."

    KiJun firmly replied to Cynti, who tried to wedge her way into the friendly exchange, then dered as he stored the shields.

    "So, with the five of us forming a party, no one has any objections, right? Let''s all agree on that and celebrate the formation of our party"

    Party!

    Lucy eximed excitedly.

    This time, KiJun didn''t ignore her.

    "Yes, let''s have a party."

    What''s essential for a party celebrating the formation of a new party? First and foremost, meat, with hundreds of kilograms of Hati''s ribs still in stock, and now that JiHye and Cynti had joined the party members, it was decided to make Hati''s ribs the main dish to boost their strength.

    After all, forming a party means sharing meals, and naturally, today''s menu was destined to be...!

    "Your long wait is over. Here we have rib pot rice, radish soup, assorted pancakes, and today''s freshly made kimchi."

    "Wow."

    "The aroma is so savory, my mouth is watering."

    The sight of pancakes made with various ingredients including fish, vegetables, and meat was mouthwatering, and the radish soup made with beef and radish, seasoned with soy sauce and simmered until tender, wasforting. But the star of the show was the rib pot rice; after simmering the broth with mushrooms, ginkgo, and chestnuts, the rice was cooked in it, and then ribs marinated in sauce were ced on top and steamed a little longer, creating a nutritious and heartfelt rib pot rice.

    "Having soup, rice, and kimchi all at once, when was thest time I saw Korean food... wait a minute."

    Like the others, JiHye was entranced by the divine scent wafting from the rib pot rice in front of her when she suddenly snapped back to reality and eximed.

    "Do we have rice here?!"

    "We did, didn''t we? Even during our tutorial."

    "There was none in Ars, no matter how hard I looked...!"

    Realizing anew that Turris was a city bustling with trade, JiHye took a big spoonful of rice and started devouring it without saying a word, and so did the others around the table.

    Then, with grains of rice still on her lips, JiHye raised her head and shouted.

    "Doenjang jjigae*... oppa, what about doenjang jjigae...?!"

    *A korean dish. In english its known as soybean paste stew.

    "We haven''t found doenjang yet. I barely managed to find fish sauce, not soybean sauce. I made radish soup to keep it refreshing, so just have that."

    Considering the vast world of Reta, there must be ces that make doenjang and soy sauce. Since KiJun had asked Viv to look into it, news should being soon.

    After finishing her portion, JiHye twitched, likely experiencing a status boost.

    "What did you feed me, oppa...?"

    "Divine beast. The one we caught this time."

    "......"

    "Oh my goodness..."

    Cynti, having tasted divine beast meat for the first time, also experienced a status boost. After checking the system message, she looked disbelievingly at her hands producing mes a few times, then, before anyone knew it, she hugged KiJun tightly.

    "Thank you, Jun!"

    "?!"

    Not only KiJun but most of those seated at the table were startled by her sudden action.

    However, Cynti ignored the nces from all around and, focusing solely on KiJun, smiled brightly and said.

    "After being stagnant for so long... perhaps your help could allow me to glimpse the next realm!"

    "Uh... okay, can you let go now?"

    Rodim, the me Spirit Fox, like Lucy and Ur, also partook in the rib pot rice and radish soup, quickly finishing the soup and then blinking itsrge, astonished eyes adorably.

    Then, it approached Ur and whispered something inaudible, which led Ur to nod and whisper something back to Lucy.

    Contractor, if she keeps eating such warm soup, it might even heal that woman''s mind.

    ''That''s some good news.''

    Indeed, it seems that every problem in the world can be solved one way or another with delicious food.

    KiJun was ready to cook chicken soup for the soul every day if it would help Cynti.

    "Now, let''s discuss our uing ns."

    After everyone finished eating, KiJun made a brief deration.

    Lora and Gin tensely straightened their backs, while Cynti and JiHye sharpened their focus.

    nica was ready to take notes, paying close attention to him.

    "Of course, by ns, I don''t mean anything grand. Especially Lora and Gin, you''ve just undergone racial mutations, and your statuses can still be raised through training, so you''ll be following the schedule I''ve prepared for at least a few months."

    "Is that so..."

    "I''ll train hard!"

    Lora seemed slightly disheartened, while Gin responded energetically.

    Lora seemed simr to Gin in the morning, perhaps the addition of new members made her eager to contribute sooner.

    KiJun looked at Lora and gently reassured her.

    "Don''t be too hasty, Lora. Laying a solid foundation now is essential for unlocking all your potential."

    "Yes, yes. It''s just... nothing."

    Catching a glimpse of Cynti and JiHye, Lora squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.

    KiJun chuckled and turned his gaze to Cynti and JiHye.

    "It''s not like the three of us can do much either. Even if we tried to sync up in a dungeon, it''s meaningless without all five."

    "I''ll adapt to whatever you n, Jun."

    "Aren''t we supposed to be tracking down the vampires?"

    "The lord is already discussing this with various coborators. If they find a lead, they''ll request our cooperation."

    nica interjected in response to JiHye''sment.

    KiJun nodded gravely and then said.

    "So, I''ve been thinking... JiHye, your mana status is currently Unique, right?"

    "Heh, correct."

    JiHye replied proudly, and KiJun also let out a chuckle before continuing.

    "And all your other stats are Common."

    "My dexterity is Umon, but... oppa?"

    "Then let''s start your training too. I''ve been concerned about your unbnced condition."

    "What?"

    "Ah...!"

    JiHye''s face fell, while Lora''s, for some reason, brightened.

    On the other hand, Cynti, knowing she just needed to stay by KiJun''s side, simply nodded silently.

    And so, JiHye joined Lora and Gin''s training from the next day.

    No objections were epted.

    "No, oppa, I''m a mage, why do I need to train my physique Gah!"

    No objections were epted.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (78)</strong><hr>

    JiHye had noints about joining KiJun''s party until the Vampire Kingdom raid was resolved.

    She was prepared to be away from herpanions for a few months anyway, and it wasn''t in her nature to cruelly leave KiJun behind, knowing he was undertaking dangerous quests.

    Moreover, JiHye felt a certain sense of victory in having met KiJun, whom YeMin had been desperately searching for, and even became part of the same party without YeMin''s knowledge.

    So, even though JiHye didn''t particrly like KiJun, she found satisfaction in winning this seemingly insignificantpetition, given her lifelong inferiorityplex towards YeMin.

    "Wake up, JiHye."

    "Ugh... already?"

    "It''s time for morning training. Jun and Gin are already outside."

    "What time is it... six in the morning?!"

    Regret immediately set in when Lora, who had appeared at dawn, woke JiHye by shaking her vigorously.

    "I''m a mage, I just need to increase my magical power..."

    "The higher your realm, the more you need a strong body to support powerful magical power... Jun said so."

    Lora, also sleepy, yawned as she spoke.

    JiHye wanted to argue but couldn''t, knowing KiJun''s magical rank was higher than hers.

    Even the lovely girl yawning in front of her had a unique-grade divine power and all other physical stats at the rare grade!

    ''It''s unfair. Not only did she survive a vampire bite without any issues, but her status also grew.''

    Burning with jealousy, JiHye followed the girl to the backyard training ground.

    There, she found KiJun, lightly dressed for a morning run, and silently admired him alongside Lora as if they had agreed to do so.

    Despite not making eye contact, their hearts were in sync.

    ''Not bad at all. Yeah, not bad.''

    KiJun, in a sleeveless T-shirt and shorts, showcased his well-defined physique.

    JiHye remembered apuding MokSoo and EunShin for relentlessly training to achieve high physical grades in their second round, but even their efforts seemed iparable to KiJun''s perfected body.

    ''No, Uncle Soo inbat mode isn''t bad either. Yes, of course... Uncle Soo still has room for growth! Someday!''

    As JiHye internallypeted with those unaware, KiJun called her and Lora over.

    "Don''t just watch, run too."

    "What? Yes!"

    "Understood!"

    The running was just the beginning.

    Strength training, skill training tailored to their unique abilities, and sparring with KiJun concluded the morning.

    KiJun, Gin, Lora, and JiHye spent about two hours sweating from their workout.

    KiJun had learned from Bice over ten years that it was crucial to gauge an opponent''s level urately and provide appropriate training.

    However, the training shouldn''t feel easy; it should push one to surpass their limits through rigorous practice.

    In short, push them to the brink of death without actually killing them.

    "Demon!"

    JiHye cried out, her voice nearly gone.

    The unexpected transformation of her long-missed brother had initially excited her, but now it filled her with a different kind of palpitation.

    "I''m a mage, you bastard!"

    "Mages don''t get stabbed by swords? Don''t talk nonsense. Just get better if you don''t want to be hit."

    KiJun smirked and wiped the blood from his cheek.

    To an outsider, even this action might seem charming, but knowing the blood was hers only made it terrifying.

    "Exploit my weaknesses, block my attacks. Just do those two things. I''m moving ording to your status level; you can''t fail at this. If it were real, you''d be dead."

    "If we do this every day, I''ll die for real!"

    "So, did your stats go up?"

    KiJun asked sharply, as JiHye gasped for breath.

    Unable to lie, JiHye turned her head slightly and replied in a low voice.

    "Endurance 2, Strength 1."

    "Wow, beingmon grade really does make a difference in growth rate. How long has it been since you''ve raised stats without leveling up?"

    "First... time..."

    KiJun smirked, needing no further words, and called Lucy to heal JiHye.

    That damn Light Spirit could track, attack, defend, enhance, and now even heal, leaving JiHye astonished as her wounds quickly healed.

    Soon, fully recovered, JiHye noticed the werewolf boy Gin and the doll-like girl Lora also rolling on the ground in a simr state.

    Against KiJun, it didn''t matter if their physical stats weremon or rare.

    KiJun had pushed them just enough, based on their levels, to not kill them.

    "You''re moving better, Gin. You''ll be good at shooting too?"

    "Of course, Jun!"

    "Lora, you worked hard too. Seems like you''re getting over the habit of closing your eyes whenever something flies at you?"

    "Thanks to Jun... Ehehe."

    Despite the pain, Gin and Lora were grateful to KiJun and promised to do better next time, unlike JiHye, who hadined. This made JiHye feel foolish, but recalling the excruciating pain, she thought it was not her but them who were strange.

    ''But it seems KiJun''s advice wasn''t wrong.''

    JiHye sighed inwardly, examining her stats.

    Her stats were allmon except for her unique-grade magical power and umon-grade dexterity.

    Since arriving in the Reta continent and starting to level up, her magical power had initially increased rapidly, but after reaching 60, other stats began to improve.

    At first, she thought reaching legendary grade wouldn''t be easy but hoped continuous leveling would get her there someday.

    After listening to KiJun, she wondered if the stat distribution during leveling was a natural phenomenon to bnce her physical abilities.

    ''I had my suspicions, but now I wonder if it''s toote to start physical training... It seems difficult, so I''ve been neglecting it.''

    KiJun had hit the nail on the head with hercency.

    Meeting KiJun at this time might have been a blessing in disguise.

    "Hmm, with such efficient training, maybe JiHye should focus on sparring for a while, at least until her Strength and Endurance reach umon grade."

    "Wh-What did you say, oppa?"

    "You heard me right."

    "Kyaaak!"

    "Is that a wyvern transformation skill?"

    "Kyaaak!"

    Maybe it would have been better not to meet him.<hr>

    After the morning training.

    For breakfast, KiJun really made chicken soup.

    He sauted chicken and various vegetables, added chicken broth, and for a less nd taste, mixed in boiled short pasta like penne or fusilli, finishing with salt and pepper. A simple dish, but its effects were anything but.

    "Aaah..."

    "It''s like my soul is being healed..."

    Comining about the hardship ofing to Turris, JiHye forgot all her training stress while enjoying the delicious soup.

    With such a meal, even a day of intense pain seemed bearable, almost like brainwashing magic.

    "So this is how you''re training me, that kind-hearted brother turning so cruel..."

    "Just say it''s delicious if it''s delicious."

    "It''s delicious!"

    JiHye admitted honestly, prompting Lora and Gin to shout in agreement.

    "It''s really good, Jun!"

    "Superb! In that case, another bowl, please!"

    "Me too, Jun!"

    Viv, who had seamlessly joined the breakfast table and emptied her bowl, drew everyone''s attention but remained unfazed and asked for a refill.

    Sitting next to her, Cynti nced at her and quietly finished her own bowl.

    Notably, Cynti didn''t participate in the morning training.

    While KiJun''s party trained, she watched from afar, then brazenly took a seat when breakfast was ready.

    But knowing she was a match for KiJun, no one daredin about her presence.

    Sensing the odd atmosphere, KiJun chuckled and offered to include her in the training.

    "Cynti, want to join us for training tomorrow? I was just looking for a sparring partner."

    "If Jun asks, I might as well."

    Cynti smiled brightly and nodded eagerly, as if she had been waiting for the invitation.

    Just as KiJun was about to say more, a visitor arrived.

    Of course, it was nica.

    "Good morning, Jun."

    "There''s a portion for you, so don''t look so pitiful ande eat."

    "Thank you!"

    After devouring the soup, nica turned to KiJun with a serious expression.

    "Jun."

    "More soup?"

    "Yes, thank you. ...No, not just the soup. I mean, I''ll take the soup, but..."

    nica quickly finished the refilled soup and spoke.

    "An opportunity hase sooner than expected, Jun."

    "You''ve already found the vampires?"

    "No, it''s an opportunity to make your name known."

    "Hmm?"

    Originally, KiJun intended to gain the lord''s support to increase his visibility and form a group for the vampire raid quest.

    Although he ended up finding a sub-master from the Ars Mercenary Guild in another city due to a vampire incident, it wasn''t enough.

    "A rumor that you caught a divine beast has spread faster than expected. A love call hase from Kor, a major city in Gratia."

    "Kor... where have I heard that before?"

    "That''s where the twin-tail vampire was active."

    "Right, that''s it."

    "Twin-tail vampire, what kind of crazy name is that..."

    Ignoring JiHye''sment, KiJun listened intently as nica borated on the ''love call.''

    The caller was the summon guild alliance ''Demander'' active in Kor, representing the opinions of major races in Kor and resolving disputes among them.

    "Racial guilds, huh. Didn''t know about that."

    An important note here is that ''race'' and ''civilization'' are not synonymous.

    For example, KiJun is of the human race and belongs to the Earth civilization, but there are many human summons from other civilizations in Reta.

    "So, racial guilds are formed regardless of civilization, focusing on uniting the same races."

    "It''s true that it''s easier to unite with your own race. If you have to fight, it''s easier to face another race than your own, right?"

    KiJun agreed with nica''s slightly bitter statement.

    Despite forming close rtionships with members of other races within the light faction, KiJun knew that to win the civilization war, he would eventually have to oppose them all.

    ''Cyntiing to me must be for the same reason...''

    As KiJun felt the unwavering gaze of Cynti, he wondered.

    "What happens in a civilization with multiple races? Do they prioritize race over everything and fight among themselves?"

    "Sharp observation. But typically, a civilization has a dominant race, and the civilization''s representativees from that race. For them, the minority races within their civilization are irrelevant."

    KiJun frowned at this revtion.

    It made him wonder if it was fortunate that Earth only had humans.

    "I get the gist. Same race equals easier understanding, leading to racial guilds forming alliances to resolve disputes. So, why are they interested in me?"

    "You possess great power despite not being part of any n alliance. Wouldn''t you be the perfect mediator?"

    "So, they contacted me to resolve racial disputes?"

    "Exactly. Are you aware of ''Summon Titles''?"

    Gratia is a country ruled by NPCs, the people of Reta.

    However, summons who achieve great feats are asionally granted titles, whiche with territories.

    The issue is that there are more summons eligible for territories than there are territories avable.

    "Why not just not give out titles?"

    "The Gratia royal family needs to appease the summons to use them. So, instead of creating new territories, they allow summons with titles topete for territories through territorial battles."

    "Siege warfare?"

    "Exactly."

    KiJun felt like he had seen this scenario before, reminiscent of middle-aged men striving for the title of castle lord in games!

    "The real problem isn''t the territorial battles."

    "Sounds like the biggest problem to me."

    "The issue is the summons fighting over the right to apply for territorial battles."

    "Can''t they just chill out...?"

    With limited territories for summons and even the application rights for territorial battles being restricted, it''s a mess.

    KiJun was reluctant to get involved, but nica''s sparkling eyes suggested it wasn''t a simple matter.

    "The Demander guild alliance is a huge organization. Theypete for the right to apply for territorial battles within the alliance, which has be an event in itself."

    "Ah, I see..."

    "If you participate as a mercenary in this power struggle and shine, it could instantly boost your visibility. Plus, Kor is a central city with many opportunities to meet nobles!"

    "I understand the appeal and that it''s a good opportunity... but."

    KiJun looked at his party members with regret.

    He had seen significant growth in them just during the morning, and the idea of leaving them was disheartening.

    And JiHye seemed too pleased at the prospect of avoiding sparring with KiJun.

    "Let''s all go."

    "What...?!"

    As nica interpreted KiJun''s thoughts and spoke, JiHye was shocked, but Gin and Lora sighed in relief.

    "We''re all part of the same party; there''s no need to leave anyone behind. Let''s move together. Surely, they''ll cover amodation costs."

    "I was nning to follow you anyway, Jun."

    Cynti''s words made KiJun shrug and nod.

    "Alright, then. Let''s all head to Kor."

    "Then, I''ll prepare for the trip."

    nica smiled contentedly, and KiJun finally understood the true meaning of ''together.''

    "You''reing too?"

    "Of course. Who else will assist Jun if not me?"

    At that moment, sparks seemed to fly in all directions.

    KiJun nced at Ur, wondering if he was responsible, but the creature just looked back, unimpressed.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (79)</strong><hr>

    After formally epting the request from the Summon''s Racial Guild Alliance ''Demander,''

    KiJun was slightly hopeful he would finally get to use something called a teleportation gate, but that wasn''t the case.

    The teleportation gate, requiring a base fee of 100 gold coins just for use and exponentially increasing fees depending on the distance traveled, was akin to an international calleveryone knew it existed and acknowledged its convenience, but no one wanted to be the first to use it due to the exorbitant cost!

    "Moreover, the fee is per person, not per use, and it also consumes Reta Points. Summons are particrly sensitive about their points. There''s no way they would support it."

    "They summon us and thenin..."

    "Instead, they provided transportation. Since we''ve contacted them to ept the request, it should arrive in about three days."

    "Transportation? Three days?"

    "Yes."

    nica, who was checking the documents, smiled slyly as she spoke.

    "In the meantime, it might be wise to practice holding on tightly to something. All party members."

    "Hold on... and endure...?"

    KiJun didn''t quite understand what that meant, but he grasped that he needed to focus even more on his party members'' physical training during the remaining three days.

    That was why JiHye ended up being rigorously trained not only in the morning but also in the afternoon and evening.

    After thoroughly exhausting the party members and somehow reviving them with a delicious lunch in thete afternoon, KiJun stopped by the mercenary guild.

    It was to report the formation of a new party.

    "I''ve heard about you. The renowned summon hase."

    Guided by a staff member to a private room, the now familiar administrative officer greeted him with a strange smile.

    Sitting next to him was Be, the person who had brought JiHye to Turris and also the Deputy Master of the Ars Mercenary Guild. Seeing their pointed ears side by side, their closeness wasn''t surprising.

    "Ah, you know her already, right? This is Be, the Deputy Masterr of the Ars Mercenary Guild."

    "I''m aware. She brought thest member of our party."

    "How is she? She''s a talent we''re proud of in our mercenary guild."

    As Be set down her teacup, KiJun responded indifferently.

    "She''s not dead."

    "What did you do to her?"

    "Training. Along with our party''s youngest members."

    "Hahahaha! Indeed, a different mindset from ours!"

    "I wonder if it was a good idea to bring her here..."

    KiJun decided to ask Be everything he was curious about since he had the chance.

    "I heard she was brought as a personal secretary, but is it okay to just give her to our party? Of course, I''m very satisfied with her abilities."

    "That was just an excuse. I brought her hoping she would achieve great things and grow by standing out. Seeing you convinced me I had to pair her with you."

    "I thought so."

    KiJun recalled the moment Be seeded in pushing JiHye onto him, her eyes shining unusually bright. It seemed she was less interested in personal gain and more in the growth of talented summons.

    "What about her remaining party members? She was worried about them."

    "We''ve already promised full support from the guild. And my word in the Ars Mercenary Guild is not to be taken lightly. It will likely open even better opportunities for them."

    "Good, then that''s settled."

    "You seem to care a lot about humans."

    Be''s casual remark made KiJun nce at her.

    She averted her gaze first.

    "A slip of the tongue."

    "Hahahaha! Even Lady Be gets scared, today really, ugh!"

    The administrative officer, who had beenughing heartily, suddenly doubled over as if stabbed by something unseen.

    KiJun looked at him as if he were foolish andid down a paper he had brought.

    "It''s the registration form. We''ve updated our party members, so we need to register anew to officially ept requests."

    "Ah, updating the party. The party leader is, of course, Jun... and the members include the priestess Lora, the hunter Gin, the summoner Cynti, and the mage JiHye, making a total of five. With a priestess, summoner, and mage, it''s quite a luxurious partyposition. The vanguard might feel pressured, but with Jun there, there''s nothing to worry about."

    The party name was, of course, not JAHIL but something new.

    Lmen, a Latin word meaning light, torch, radiance, day, etc.

    It symbolized not only most of the members in KiJun''s party but also their intention to fight vampires, making the naming quite clear in its purpose.

    "Quite grandiose at least on the surface, nobody could find fault with it. But."

    As the administrative officer took the registration form and let out an intriguing remark, he suddenly tilted his head.

    "Do you already have a request in mind?"

    "The racial guild alliance Demander in Kor. nica contacted them. They must have formally requested it from the lord."

    But as soon as those words were spoken, the expressions on both the administrative officer and Be''s faces twisted simultaneously.

    KiJun''s face also contorted in response.

    "...It seems they don''t have a good reputation?"

    "As you know, the idea of various races from different civilizationsing together in harmony is almost a fantasy, especially if the organization is led by summons, not Reta people."

    Be''s words made KiJun nod as if he had expected as much.

    "They called me because of internal disputes. A power struggle over the right to apply for territorial wars? They need my help for that."

    "Ah, the power struggle. It''s indeed famous... but it''s a headache to get involved in."

    KiJun felt the same way when he first heard about it.

    "Be careful. The alliance is just that in name; if you look closer, it''s full of sharks fighting for a bit more influence. Don''t show any weakness. Clearly define your allies through magical contracts and be thoroughly wary of everyone else."

    "Be''s right. Demander is indeed a massive group forming the core of Gratia I understand why nica brought this request, but she''s never been outside Turris... she might be a bit nave."

    The administrative officer scratched his head and spoke, making KiJun understand why nica seemed so excited.

    "Anyway, be cautious even with a ss of water or a bowl of soup in Kor. Ah it feels a bit hesitant to say this to a hero fighting against vampires."

    The administrative officer said with a bitter smile.

    "If the dark faction is an easy enemy to identify, the light faction is a difficult one to understand. Being a minority race yourself, you must know better. In the end, the only one you can trust is yourself and perhaps your own race."

    At that, KiJun thought of Cynti and felt a mix of emotions, replying sharply to the administrative officer.

    "Are you, a different race, saying that?"

    "Well, I''m almost like an NPC now ouch."

    Be reached out and pinched the administrative officer''s ear.

    Even as she did so, she kept a cool expression and exined to KiJun.

    "We are bound byplex magical contracts with the guild, the lord, the country, and so on, making it impossible for us to deceive you. So, while you don''t have to agree with everything we say, please consider our advice."

    "I understand. I was just saying."

    With a slight smile, he responded and prepared to leave, saying he''d appreciate their help with the official request when it arrives. But just as he was about to turn away, something urred to him, and he asked, "Was Cynti very famous?"

    "Yes, quite famous. It''s almost surprising she hasn''t moved to the central continent, given her undeniable strength. There are many who specte she might have reached the legendary realm as a summon."

    "That''s unlikely,dy. If she were legendary, she''d be wreaking havoc in the Tyrannus Empire, not wandering the border nations."

    "Hmph, you think legendary ranks aremon in Tyrannus? Even a mid-tier unique can easily be a guild master there."

    KiJun was impressed. If being a mid-tier unique in Gratia meant being among the strongest, in Tyrannus, it was only enough to be a guild master. Or perhaps it was fortunate it wasn''t a n.

    "But... what you''re really curious about isn''t her strength, is it?"

    At the administrative officer''s sharp interjection, KiJun flinched.

    "I only learned about the me Humans after meeting you, but when I investigated, Cynti''s name came up immediately. There were rumors she''s a survivor of the me Humans, and joining you only added credibility to those rumors."

    "Is that so..."

    "Though you might be fine since you''ve been open about your identity, Cynti has hidden hers until now. It might sound funny, but please take care of her."

    KiJun''s eyes narrowed at the administrative officer''s words, but he knew it was unnecessary to say.

    "Once she''s part of my party, she''s one of mine. I''ll protect her no matter what."

    "Wow, she''d fall for you for sure Ouch!"

    The administrative officer, moved by KiJun''s firm response, got smacked by Be again.

    KiJun, watching their bickering, couldn''t hold back his curiosity and asked, "So, what''s the rtionship between you two?"

    "Siblings. Same father, different mothers."

    "I''ve been hearing that a lottely."

    "The world''s like that! So, our hero, take good care of your lower half, okay?"

    "Mind your own business."

    "Ah, wait! Take this."

    As KiJun scoffed and turned to leave for good, the administrative officer, still nursing his sore head, handed him a thick stack of documents.

    KiJun took it and saw it was information rted to me Humans.

    "I thought it''d be best to give you this, since you were curious about Cynti. You probably know this, but it might be good to understand how other races view me Humans."

    "Thanks. Seems like there''s some ssified info mixed in."

    "Good eye. Just make sure to read it alone and then burn it."

    The administrative officer, with a sinister chuckle that seemed straight out of a spy movie, was met with a smirk from KiJun. After bidding farewell to both the administrative officer and Be, who was shaking her head, KiJun left the guild.

    Once outside, KiJun was besieged by a whirlwind ofplex thoughts: Cynti, JiHye, races, Demander... Kor, vampires.

    Why overthink it? I can detect any malice or murderous intent aimed at my Contractor! Just crush them all!

    "Right, Lucy. Counting on you as always."

    Yet, KiJun also recalled the harrowing events within the recently visited ruins.

    Disasters that he couldn''t prevent on his own, sacrifices made.

    Even if he could protect himself, there was a chance his party members could fall into danger in an instant.

    To prevent that indeed.

    His party members needed to be stronger themselves!

    "Guess I''ll have to push them as hard as I can before we leave."

    So, that''s the conclusion, huh.

    Lucy silently offered a prayer for the members of the Lumen party, who were bound to roll around in rigorous training.

    As all members of the party underwent their harsh training, tumbling around for three days, the equipment ordered from the Glittertos Forge arrived alongside the transportation provided by Demander.<hr>

    YeMin''s party, now reduced to three, managed to enter an efficiently managed rare-grade dungeon directly overseen by the guild, thanks to Be''s assurance.

    Despite the critical drawback of all three members being closebat fighters, their exceptional abilities as some of Earth''s finest ensured they adapted well to dungeon hunting.

    "It''s boring without JiHye."

    "We really should have bought that RetaPhone."

    YeMin''s murmur was quickly supported by EunShin.

    MokSoo, tending to his injuries alone, snorted at their words.

    "The cheapest one was over 30,000 points. How could you afford that, let alone two?"

    "Ugh, but I keep worrying something might happen to JiHye noona..."

    "She''s with someone reliable, so it should be fine."

    MokSoo said, nodding in reassurance, then suddenly added, "What if JiHye went looking for Jun?"

    "I wouldn''t like that."

    YeMin blurted out without thinking, causing both men to turn their gaze sharply towards her. Flustered, she waved her hands frantically.

    "No, it''s not that I don''t want to meet Jun oppa! I just don''t want JiHye to meet him first! It makes me jealous..."

    "So, that''s what you were trying to say."

    "Ugh, why did she have to go, not me?"

    "Well, she''s the only one in our party capable of assisting others..."

    EunShin sighed and added, "But let''s just wait and see. We can still participate in the quest somehow. Until then, let''s level up as much as we can."

    "Right."

    YeMin nodded firmly, then her eyes sparkled at MokSoo.

    "Let''s hit the rare rank for your race first."

    "Heh, your gaze is terrifying."

    But when they returned to the city after intense leveling, an unexpected man was waiting for their party.

    If it had been KiJun, it would have been the reunion YeMin dreamed of.

    "Ive been looking for you! Hey, join the human guild the Union!"

    Unfortunately, it wasn''t KiJun waiting for her but Choi Kang, one of the other three Earth representatives, far from the reunion she had hoped for.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (80)</strong><hr>

    With its sharp golden beak, keenly shining eyes, a head full of abundant feathers, and elegant golden plumage around its neck, it had all the same features as a bird of prey that belongs to the eagle family, known as the Golden Eagle. However, unlike what the name might suggest, this creature wasn''t bald at all.

    KiJun marveled as he came face-to-face with the creature.

    "Wow, it''s huge."

    "What is this thing?"

    JiHye clung to KiJun in shock, only to be quietly pulled back by Lora and Cynti who had approached from behind.

    Had it been just an unusuallyrge golden eagle, JiHye might not have been so terrified.

    However, the problem was that beneath the eagle''s upper body and wings was the lower body of a lion.

    It was a Griffin, a mythical creature known from legends.

    "They''re trying to dominate through intimidation."

    Growl

    nica attempted to subdue the griffin with the sharp horn on her forehead,menting on its strategy.

    "Griffins are known more for their rarity and symbolism than their strength. They''re incredibly intelligent and loyal, but that also makes them difficult to tame. Owning a griffin is proof of a prestigious guild"

    Screech

    Whether nica failed to dominate it or not, the griffin grabbed a clump of dirt with its sharp raptor talons and flung it at her.

    Of course, KiJun quickly intercepted it with his shield, preventing it from reaching nica.

    "So, they''re trying to show their authority and give us a hard time with this ill-tempered griffin. Is that it?"

    "Exactly. ...Thank you."

    "It looks kind of cute from the front..."

    As KiJun dusted off the dirt from his shield and faced the griffin, its round eyes seemed to shoot him a fierce look. Then, sensing something beyond the fiery gaze, the creature suddenly shrank back.

    Squeal

    Surprisingly, the griffin began to nuzzle up to KiJun, seeking affection.

    KiJun sheathed his shield and gently stroked the creature''s head, watching nica quietly.

    nica looked unfairly wronged but chose to stay quiet, not wanting to get hit by a dirt clod for intervening.

    Instead, she turned to look at the belt and therge oval object connected to the griffin''s waist,menting, "If it''s a griffin with a sky chariot, it''s definitely among the high-end modes of transportation in Reta. Demander... I''ve only heard about them, but they must have considerable influence."

    "Hmm, is that a sky chariot?"

    "Come see, Jun. It''s quite spacious!"

    At Lora''s call, everyone approached and inspected the interior.

    While the exterior was covered in an unknown metal, the interior had plush seats like a carriage,plete with windows for observing the outside.

    "It looks totally like a UFO from the outside..."

    "Shh."

    KiJun cautioned JiHye, who was speaking carelessly, and felt the seats.

    Both KiJun and Lucy smirked with a sense of superiority.

    Comparing thefort of seats wherever they went had be a bad habit for the two.

    "Shall we take off then? We were supposed to brace for some turbulence, but since that one seems to like Jun, we shouldn''t have to worry."

    "Are we really going to ride this thing...? It seems really unstable."

    "The sky chariot is enchanted with magic to minimize turbulence during flight, so you can board with confidence."

    "Let''s get on, everyone!"

    "Hehe, I''m going to fly in the sky...!"

    As the party members boarded the sky chariot, filled with either trepidation or excitement, nica followed Lora, JiHye, and Gin inside, then Cynti urged KiJun to hurry.

    "Come on in, Jun."

    "Uhm."

    But KiJun was still facing the griffin, which seemed to want something from him, making it impossible for him to just leave it be.

    Then, the creature approached, bending its knees and offering its back, leading KiJun to realize what it wanted.

    "You want me to ride on your back?"

    Squeal

    "Wait!"

    nica eximed in rm, popping her head out.

    "Jun, do you possess a high-level Riding skill?"

    "I was thinking of learning it now."

    "Then stop joking and get inside! Griffins are not to be ridden without a Riding skill!"

    Screech!

    As KiJun made a bold move to try, nica got scared by the griffin''s threat and ducked back inside the chariot.

    Seeing herpletely dominated, KiJun shook his head and patted the griffin''s head.

    "I''ll give it a try, and if it''s too hard, I''ll give up."

    "You must understand, the griffin is definitely trying to trick you into trouble on its master''s orders."

    Maybe so, but KiJun thought it might be good training nheless.

    After all, the greater the challenge in training a skill, the greater the achievement when it''s mastered. KiJun, determined to master the Riding skill during the trip to Kor, mounted the griffin''s back.

    "Let''s go then."

    Screech

    With a loud cry, the griffin spread its wings wide.

    As it took a powerful leap, the ground shook, and in an instant, the creature soared into the sky, lifting the connected sky chariot with it.

    Despite the chariot''s im of minimal turbulence, it remained surprisingly stable in the air.

    The cContractor doesn''t need such things. Eventually, you''ll be able to fly through the sky at the speed of light.

    "Ah, that''s a bit... Whoa?"

    KiJun''s legs instinctively tensed up.

    The griffin''s body shook uncontrobly as it pped its wings violently to ascend, tilting almost vertically.

    But KiJun, a skilled Tanker, maintained his bnce, gripping the griffin''s back with one hand and doing his best to hold on.

    Squeal

    Carrying the weight of six, including the five in the chariot and KiJun on its back, the griffin soared higher into the dawn sky, surpassing the sun and diving into the clouds with a pleased cry.

    "Phew."

    Breaking through the clouds into clear skies, KiJun dried the moisture on his armor with Ur''s heat and grinned.

    He was getting used to the rapid ascent.

    "Shall we speed up?"

    Squeal?

    As if asking if he was sure, KiJun chuckled at the griffin''s questioning cry.

    "This is nothing."

    Screech

    epting KiJun''s challenge, the griffin slightly folded its wings and, releasing a strong wind magic, increased its speed and dashed through the air!

    "Oh, does this guy handle elemental magic!"

    It seems so. No wonder it''s a mythical creature. Can you handle it, Contractor?

    "Anytime"

    Of course, it wasn''tfortable.

    The speed was so intense that any rxation in his muscles felt like he''d be flung backward, and the wind cutting against his skin felt sharp enough to slice through.

    But to surrender to just that would be a waste of his Legendary-grade stats.

    As the griffin elerated even further, KiJun adapted, finding a more rxed posture and holding near its neck.

    "Let''s go faster."

    Squeal?!

    By now, even the griffin recognized KiJun''spetitive spirit, but couldn''t back down now, not if it wanted to maintain its noble mythical creature status.

    Releasing all its magic for another burst of eleration, the griffin''s wings glowed with visible wind magic as it surged forward.

    "Yeehaw!"

    Hmm, the Contractor really does have an affinity for light.

    Screech!

    As KiJun easily adjusted to the speed, Lucy, for some unfathomable reason, felt satisfied.

    After about three hours of flight, when the griffin began to slow, KiJun sensed its fatigue and gently coaxed it to descend, finding a wide in nearby for a smoothnding.

    "I wanted to try a dive."

    Squeal.

    He''s saying let''s hunt togetherter. ...Hey, I understood the griffin without Ur tranting. Why are you butting in?

    Heh.

    With a stablending from the griffin and the UFO... sky chariot following, a message appeared before KiJun.

    You''ve achieved a rare feat! By riding the Griffin without a Riding skill and not only managing it splendidly but also breaking its speed limit, your Charisma (L) has increased by 1. As a reward for this achievement, you''ve earned 3,000 points.

    You''ve obtained the rare title [Sky Rider]. With this title, your speed increases by 10% while riding, and you''re more likely to gain the favor of all kinds of mounts.

    With overwhelming talent that makes the impossible possible, legendary charm that wins the affection of mythical creatures, a body that withstands surpassing speeds, and achieving a feat that grants you a rare-grade [Riding] skill, you can now ride any kind of mount, including mythical ones.

    KiJun had thought he might immediately gain the Riding skill, but to also achieve a feat was unexpected.

    The conditions for the achievement seemed to be based on "surpassing speed limits through the rider and griffin''s bond," which made sense since he used the power of the Light Spirit to break the griffin''s limits.

    "Um... well, if I got the title and the skill, that''s enough. If anyone questions it, I''ll say it was an attempt to highlight thexity in the achievement system."

    Not sure who that excuse is for.

    Growl.

    "Right, right, you did well. I''ll feed you in a bit, just wait quietly."

    After petting the griffin a few more times and dismounting, KiJun approached the chariot. As the door opened, nica appeared with a somewhat pale expression.

    "What''s wrong?"

    "Jun... were you alright...?"

    "Of course, why?"

    "Wow... you''re truly amazing. We experienced hell inside the chariot due to the turbulence... If JiHye hadn''t cast a spell to reduce it, we might have all been found as corpses inside, except for Cynti."

    JiHye, who had cast the spell, was the most deathly pale, sprawled inside the chariot, while Gin and Lora, having burnt everything to ash, hung their heads in shame.

    "How was the griffin ride, Jun? You seemed to enjoy it."

    Only Cynti, whose stats were evenly high across the board, stepped out of the chariot with a calm face, smiling broadly at him.

    KiJun reported to her that he had sessfully mastered the rare-grade Riding skill, as he had hoped.

    Upon hearing this, nica, who had been listening, eximed excitedly.

    "A rare-grade Riding skill, you say?! Riding skills start atmon grade..."

    "Oh, is that so? Why did I get the rare grade right away?"

    "That might be because the Riding skill grants the ability to ride mythical creatures starting from the rare grade."

    Cynti calmly exined her theory.

    "Normally, you''d need a rare-grade Riding skill to even think about controlling a griffin. But since Jun did the opposite, he was recognized with the rare-grade skill."

    "Is that... even possible?"

    "It''s not unheard of. Some people create Legendary-grade skills right from the start."

    KiJun nodded in agreement.

    Although it was bestowed by Bice, the unique way he utilized it to create Salutaris, which was Legendary-grade from the start, was a simr case.

    "I see..."

    "If you''re envious of the skill, want to try riding too, nica? You might be able to get it too."

    "No, thank you."

    nica smiled faintly and immediately declined.

    KiJun checked with the rest of the party, but they all declined with the same expression as nica, much to their misfortune.

    Fueled by the meal KiJun provided, the griffin regained its energy and spent the afternoon breaking speed limits in the sky, covering the three-day journey in just half a day.

    They arrived at Kor, a major city in Gratia.

    * * *

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Meeting an old colleague by chance? Bing part of the same party?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): And it''s a woman?]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Ah, no chance on that front? There''s another guy in the party you like...]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Yeah, like you have time for romance now. You''re still only Rare-grade. Don''t even dream about it.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I''lle and judge for myself. You know, right? Consider every woman a foe and be wary until then.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): A me Human? So your disguise was a me Human? Ah...]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): A bit of aplicated story with that race. As far as I know, they belonged to only one civilization.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Yes, just one. They made it hard to track them by pretending to be from different civilizations, but as far as I know, they''re all from the same civilization.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): So if there''s a survivor, it''s definitely noticeable.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Still around, huh? Must be a civilization representative then.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): Yes, I know. Who else but you? Hang in there, Jun.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): I''m always on your side. You won''t lose to anyone.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): ...But don''t try too hard just to show off. It''ll be annoying if that woman ends up liking you and clinging to you.]

    [Bice(Dimensional Waiting Room): It''s already toote for that?]<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (81)</strong><hr>

    Your remarkable synergy with the griffin during the sky sprint has elevated your [Riding (R)] skill to level 5.

    As the griffinnded near Kor, and the party disembarked from the chariot, it toddled over to KiJun, once again seeking affection.

    While KiJun was petting its chin, the sky chariot connected to its waist began to shrink in size.

    Purr...

    Eventually, the chariot shrank to the size of a rugby ball, and with a final nuzzle against KiJun, the griffin took off, soaring over the high walls of Kor without any hindrance and disappeared inside.

    "Seems it dropped us off here because outsiders can''t enter without a check..."

    Struggling to recover from the long flight''s exhaustion, nica managed to gather her wits andmented on their situation.

    It was evening by then. KiJun, having healed the staggering party members, hurried into Kor before the city gates closed.

    "Halt, what brings you here..."

    "Here."

    The checkpoint was easily passed.

    When nica showed some kind of insignia, the guards promptly stepped aside and saluted.

    "Honor be to the holy lineage that guards Gratia! Wee to Kor!"

    "May you have a pleasant journey."

    Indeed, nica was a direct sessor of a noble family within Gratia, a part of its ruling ss.

    Though she didn''t show it, there was a hint of pride in her demeanor, tempting KiJun to tease her. However, seeing Gin and Lora already making a fuss, he decided to let it slide.

    "So, nica, you are nobility!"

    "Now that you mention it, we''ve been taking it for granted, eating together in the same house... If I''ve been rude to you in any way until now, I sincerely apologize, Lady nica!"

    "It''s just a nobility from the frontier, please don''t mention it too much... Don''t you see the eyes around us...!"

    KiJun intervened, partly to save nica.

    "So what''s the n, should we head straight to the guild alliance?"

    "Ju-Jun. Ahem... Well, although the griffin has returned, and they might be aware of our arrival in the capital by now... This is probably an unexpected time for them."

    They likely expected them to take at least two more days, nica added.

    "So it''s best to visit them tomorrow morning. I''ve arranged amodations at a ce the Lord usually stays when in Kor. Let''s head there; they should have rooms avable. It should be this way... Oh."

    Though her words were convincing, nica''s fascination with Kor''s vastly different and more expansive streetspared to Turris was evident, resembling someone who just arrived in the city from the countryside.

    Gin, who had spent his life trapped in ruins, and Lora, who had rarely left Turris and spent most of her life praying in temples, shared nica''s awe.

    Trusting Cynti and JiHye to take care of the party, KiJun messaged Viv that they had arrived in Kor.

    [Partner (Reta): I''lle to your amodations to update various information.]

    [Me: Do you know anything about the racial guild alliance Demander?]

    [Partner (Reta): They''re difficult customers who always try to haggle and have many demanding requests. I wouldn''t get involved if I were you.]

    [Me: ...]

    [Partner (Reta): But, being a multi-racial alliance, there are some good people among them. Orcs are simple and straightforward, which can be infuriating, but they are honest, and Catis, although sly, don''t usually stab you in the back.]

    [Me: It''s a bit... you shouldn''t categorize by race. Let me know if there''s someone specific to be wary of.]

    [Partner (Reta): It might sound odding from me, but humans are probably the most dangerous. And goblins. Especially those not following the evil god, which are few but part of the light faction. Regardless, goblins are a nuisance. Why are they part of the light faction? Just exterminate them on sight like cockroaches!]

    [Me: I said not to generalize by race. Can you calm down?]

    Noting to be wary of goblins and, reluctantly, humans, KiJun couldn''t help but remember that his first enemy in Reta was an orc from the light faction. Judging people solely by their race was not something he could condone.

    "Ah, this way! Follow me, Jun!"

    "Alright."

    Feeling the gazes from all around, KiJun sighed and followed nica.

    The amodations she led them to were exclusive to Reta''s nobility and inessible tomoners, but thankfully, nica''s presence allowed them all to stay.

    In arge room with an attached bathroom and toilet, where KiJun was to stay alone, he offered to share with Gin, his only malepanion. However, Gin humbly declined, preferring a smaller, cheaper room.

    Watching him go, nica muttered, "Even though I''m the one paying..."

    "I''ll pay for it. Gin''s part of my party."

    "No, it was just a jest. I n to bill the racial guild alliance anyway."

    Smiling and taking the receipt from the front desk, she dragged all the female members, including Cynti, who was trying to stay by KiJun''s side, to their rooms.

    However, when KiJun went out to meet Viv, having bypassed nica''s watchful eye, he found Cynti leaning against the corridor wall.

    "There''s a bar on the third floor. Care for a drink, Jun?"

    "Sure, I was hoping to talk more with you."

    KiJun, who wanted to spend more time with Cynti, dly epted.

    After messaging Viv toe in the morning, they entered the third-floor bar, essible only to guests, and felt the stares from everyone inside.

    Sensing KiJun''s difort, Cynti reassured him with a trustworthy whisper, "It''s okay, Jun. I''ll protect you no matter who it is."

    "No need for that kind of appeal."

    This woman keeps trying to seduce the contractor, and it''s getting on my nerves...

    ''Cancel what I said about not believing you, Lucy...!''

    "......"

    Cynti looked at KiJun''s withdrawn hand silently.

    Her hand twitched as if she wasn''t ready to give up, but KiJun had no intention of advancing their rtionship in such a rushed manner.

    In the tense silence that followed,

    "You were here after all, you two."

    "nica!"

    Their savior arrived to break the awkward atmosphere.

    "May I join you?"

    "Of course, wee! It''s on me."

    "Tch."

    With nica''s arrival, Cynti clicked her tongue, and soon Lora and JiHye peeked out from behind her.

    "Jun, I''m here too... I wanted to try alcohol for the first time..."

    "Wow, I''ve never been to such a sophisticated bar even back home."

    "If everyone''s here, let''s move to a table."

    With five instead of two, the atmosphere wouldn''t be strange.

    KiJun felt more at ease and settled at a table with the group, unaware of the murderous res directed at him from around the room for being with four women.

    "Hmm, feels like we''re missing something."

    "Should we order some snacks? We rushed dinner because of the move."

    "Good idea."

    "Jun, could you rmend something light for a beginner like me...?"

    "Oppa, me too!"

    "Beginners, huh? Then you should start with something sweet and low in alcohol, like cocktails..."

    But what theycked wasn''t snacks. KiJun realized the next morning when he saw Gin rubbing his eyes anding down to the dining hall.

    After exchanging nces with everyone, they silently agreed to pretendst night''s gathering never happened.

    Viv, sensing the awkward atmosphere upon arrival, tensed up, but no one mentioned the previous night''s events.<hr>

    After updating information with Viv, KiJun left the others to train and took only nica out.

    Cynti protested, wanting to follow, but KiJun convinced her to help the others, promising her timeter.

    JiHye screamed as usual, but her screams meant the duel with Cynti was beneficial for her too.

    "Ugh... then take this one at least."

    Coo!

    Reluctantly, Cynti left but insisted on giving KiJun her Crimson me Fox, Rodim, who now upied his other shoulder, alongside Ur.

    "Your obsession with Jun seems quite severe..."

    Walking towards the racial guild alliance''s headquarters with nica, she shook her head at Cynti''s behavior.

    Even Rodim seemed to agree, causing KiJun to smile wryly and respond to nica.

    "What can I do, now that we''re entangled, I have to deal with it."

    "You don''t seem to dislike it..."

    "It''s not that I like it."

    "I''m aware she tried to seduce you yesterday. I''m not talking about romantic feelings, but human emotions."

    KiJun felt hit by nica''s sharp words and twitched.

    Sensing his vulnerability, she sighed and continued, "If you were truly weak, I wouldn''t say anything. But you''ve hunted divine beasts. It''s ufortable to see Cynti treating you like a helpless child, meddling in everything."

    "Ah, that''s not it, nica. We already have a connection."

    "You already have..."

    "I don''t n to deny the rtionship that started from a misunderstanding. Besides, I already know too much..."

    Recalling the documents from the Turris Mercenary Guild and the messages from Bice, KiJun grimaced.

    "Cynti is now part of my party. I want to take care of her."

    "If you slip up even a bit, you''ll be taken advantage of. Fortunately, Cynti ispetent, but..."

    "Yeah, that''s just how I am."

    KiJunughed off nica''s warning and added, "So, help me avoid bing a fool."

    "......"

    Perhaps his words, meant to show trust, came off as irresponsible. nica remained silent afterward, upset.

    KiJun tried to exin he didn''t mean to burden her alone, but she seemed not to listen, and even Lucy seemed miffed.

    And Rodim? It just watched KiJun struggle.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (82)</strong><hr>

    "Wee. I hope your journey here was pleasant. You have arrived at the Gratia Federation of Racial Guilds."

    As soon as KiJun and nica entered the grand edifice, a vigorous greeting caught KiJun off guard.

    The one who extended the greeting was a cat, standing on two legs and dressed in clothes.

    While the cat was irresistibly adorable, and KiJun had to resist the urge to embrace it with all his might, Ur gently meowed from atop KiJun''s shoulder as if to caution restraint.

    "Meow, are you a summon, guest? Both of you seem incredibly powerful."

    "There''s only one spirit."

    Lucy was hidden from sight from the beginning, so it wasn''t a lie.

    KiJun responded to the bipedal, talking cat, named ''Catsee,'' while scanning the interior of the building.

    The mostmon sights were orcs and humans, simr to those frequently seen in Turris.

    Transitioning to a world where orcs and humans coexisted was initially jarring for KiJun, but he had gradually be ustomed to it.

    Another notable observation was the presence of ''civilized goblins,'' which were not seen in Turris, moving around in considerable numbers.

    Catsees were sporadically visible, and there were also many beings that looked like humans shrunk to half their size.

    "Are those dwarves? No, they seem even smaller and less muscr..."

    KiJun had only ever encountered the dwarf Glittertos, so he couldn''t be certain.

    As KiJun tried to mask his curiosity, nica stepped forward to speak on their behalf.

    "I am nica, the acting lord of Turris. We are here on behalf of Jun, who has epted an assignment from Demander."

    "Ah, I''ve heard about that! Please,e this way!"

    Is this little one... making it sound like it''s speaking informally by cutting off its words and mimicking a cat''s meow?

    Harboring a reasonable suspicion that this might be intentional, KiJun followed Catsee along with nica.

    Catsee naturally led them down the hallway, borating as they went.

    "If it''s a task from an outsider, it must involve the power struggle, right? I have quite a bit to say about this power struggle."

    "Ah! How can you intercept such important guests, Catsee!"

    Just then, a man with animal ears protruding from his head spotted them and approached, reprimanding Catsee immediately.

    "Meow!"

    With its ears perked up, Catsee let out a cry and then vanished from sight.

    The man, having approached briskly, looked around despite Catsee''s disappearance, then bowed slightly to KiJun and nica, saying,

    "Are you Mr. Jun? I apologize for the dy. The representatives of the alliance are waiting, so please follow me to the conference room."

    "What about Catsee who was guiding us until now?"

    "It seems it slipped out during another task. Catsees are capable but tend to be fickle and whimsical, leading to situations like this. My apologies."

    Left speechless, they silently followed the man to the conference room where the leaders were waiting.

    True to the name ''Federation of Racial Guilds,'' the reception room housed representatives from four different races: orcs, humans, goblins, and beastmen.

    KiJun noticed an empty seat next to a robust, muscr man with round bear-like ears protruding from his head.

    "Are there usually five of you?"

    "The representative from the Catsees is currently on an expedition, hence the absence. Please, take a seat."

    Responding to his question, surprisingly, was a goblin adorned with ornaments. Though KiJun had somewhat anticipated this due to her essories, she was indeed female.

    The goblin, acknowledging the spirit and the Crimson beast on KiJun''s shoulders, introduced herself without mentioning them.

    "I am High Goblin Honey Pub, representing the goblins in Demander. Though it''s a humble title, I''ve been granted the rank of junior baron by the Gratia Royal Family."

    "me Human, Jun."

    As the door closed with a creak, KiJun took his seat opposite them, but nica remained standing behind him, unmoved.

    Noticing her horns, a few individuals seemed to guess nica''s identity, and the goblin narrowed her eyes, inquiring,

    "And you are...?"

    "I am nica, the acting lord of Turris, serving as an aide to Mr. Jun."

    "An acting lord, how unexpected. We were under the impression that Mr. Jun was not affiliated with any faction yet."

    "He has registered a party with the Mercenary Guild of Turris. The lord has been supporting him in various ways."

    "So, that''s the extent of their rtionship... My apologies, I did not intend to be rude. There was just a lot of curiosity about Mr. Jun''s exact affiliation."

    The goblin''s words were sharply pointed.

    KiJun, sensing nica being provoked and noticing her horns beginning to gather a faint light, decided it was time to intervene.

    "Let''s hear about the task."

    "Of course, but before that, I''d like to make a proposal. Would you consider officially registering as a citizen here in Kor?"

    That could be dangerous.

    At this rate, nica might genuinely pierce that goblin''s heart with her horn.

    "Ahem, allow me to exin in more detail."

    Perhaps fearing that the goblin was attracting too much attention, the human representative stepped forward.

    He appeared to be at least of Rare grade, though not a Common, but he looked like an ordinary human.

    "Our sponsor in Demander is very keen on supporting Mr. Jun. We brought it up first because, should you be a citizen of Kor, the reward for taskpletion would naturally increase."

    "The sponsor is, of course, a high-ranking noble."

    The goblin couldn''t resist adding, as if it would be a shame to leave anything out.

    The mention of ''high-ranking noble'' was a critical blow to nica, who was already sensitive about being a frontier noble.

    Perhaps the goblin was there just to provoke nica.

    Even iming to have a junior baron title, to provoke nica, a genuine noble of Reta who might inherit Turris as a summon, seemed audacious.

    It was either a sign of confidence in the Racial Guild Federation or trust in their noble sponsor...

    KiJun began to realize that this Federation of Racial Guilds might not be as simple as he had initially thought.

    He repeated his earlier statement more firmly, yet softly.

    "Let''s hear about the task."

    That should have made his position clear.

    The goblin shrank back, while the human, now smiling wryly, finally got to the point.

    "Understood. Are you aware of the power struggle for the application rights to a domain?"

    "Of course."

    "To be direct, what we desire from Mr. Jun in this power struggle is to act as the ''supervisor.''"

    "...Supervisor?"

    "That''s right."

    The human representative smiledfortably.

    "This year''s power struggle will take the form of a conquest battle... Mr. Jun, you will be ying the role of the boss that guards the final stronghold in this conquest battle."

    "...Boss."

    Was he being expected to y a role akin to a dungeon boss?

    Understanding KiJun''s concern, nica gently tugged at his sleeve, indicating she had something to say.

    "What do you think, nica?"

    "About the Catsee, it does seem quite remarkable."

    "Not that, them."

    "That, let''s discuss back at the inn. ...Jun? Look over there."

    Following nica''s gaze, KiJun saw the Catsee that had pretended to guide them earlier peeking around a corner in the corridor.

    The Catsee was awkwardly walking on all fours, pretending to be a cat, but it was obviously a Catsee since it was wearing clothes.

    "What a cute cat. It seems familiar somehow."

    "...nica?"

    "Meow, meow."

    As if bewitched, nica began to follow the Catsee, which let out a cute cry and then vanished from sight.

    KiJun, in a panic, grabbed nica to stop her.

    "That''s a Catsee, what are you doing!"

    "Yes?!"

    Realizing her mistake, nica''s eyes widened in shock.

    "Ah, I must have been under an illusion spell."

    "Ah, what a hassle this has be."

    As the Catsee murmured and disappeared from view, another summoner from the alliance appeared in the hallway, asking KiJun if something was wrong. He reassured them that all was well and quickly left with nica.

    "What could have been its purpose? It didn''t seem intent on harming us."

    "I think so too. Maybe the Catsee''s disguise wasn''t meant for us but to deceive someone else."

    KiJun pondered thoughtfully.

    "Maybe it''s rted to the absence of the Catsee representative today."

    "That''s concerning..."

    Fortunately, their worries were soon addressed.

    "Ah, Jun!"

    Greeted with a smile, Cynti ran up to KiJun, giving him a quick hug before releasing him.

    "Look, Jun. A cute cat hase to the inn''s backyard!"

    "Meow, meow."

    The Catsee, awkwardly pretending to walk and smile like a cat.

    KiJun chuckled and promptly captured the Catsee.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (83)</strong><hr>

    "Meow! Is this cat abuse?"

    Even while being dangled helplessly in KiJun''s grasp and carried into the room, the creature kept up its noisy wailing.

    "Bad monster, tormenting a good cat!"

    "If you keep making noise, you might get arrested for illegal entry."

    "Meow..."

    Catsee, dressed like a doll in cat clothes, froze on the spot.

    Only once they were inside the room, where no one could interfere, did KiJun drop Catsee onto the floor and lean in close to ask,

    "Now, tell us why you came to us and what you want."

    The fierce re in his eyes, intensified by the mask, shrank Catsee considerably.

    In the oppressive atmosphere, making a light joke about merely wandering around and stumbling upon his party was out of the question.

    "Ugh..."

    "There, there, all good."

    At that moment, as Catsee''s body stiffened under KiJun''s gaze, Cynti stroked its head and spoke.

    "Don''t be too hard on the cute cat, Jun."

    "Meow, meow."

    "You should snap out of your delusion soon."

    Rodim, who had been quietly perched on KiJun''s shoulder until now, sighed and hopped onto her shoulder, lightly tapping her cheek with his paw. However, it was futile.

    "Ah, Rodim. Are you jealous? How cute."

    Koooh...

    At the sight of their master hugging both Catsee and herself, rubbing her cheeks against them, Rodim sighed and looked to KiJun for help.

    He shrugged and called for Lucy.

    ''Is it possible?''

    Of course. It seems this woman has gonepletely mad, lowering her magic resistance significantly...

    Considering that nica had snapped out of her delusion the moment KiJun grabbed her, the fact that Cynti, a more powerful being, couldn''t break free from her own delusion was a grave issue.

    However, once Lucy''s spirit power touched her, it didn''t take long for Cynti to regain her senses.

    Coming to, she blinked a few times, carefully set Catsee down on the floor, and bowed her head to KiJun.

    "I''ve made a fool of myself. The cat was just too cute."

    "Are you sorry for deceiving me... Catsee''s illusion is quite strong, but it doesn''tst long. Isn''t that strange?"

    "Let''s skip the apologies and get to your purpose here."

    The atmosphere finally allowed for a conversation.

    KiJun, reclining on the sofa in the hotel room, sighed and spoke, prompting Catsee to clear its throat and climb onto a nearby table to speak.

    "Actually... I came to find out about the request you received."

    "You''re part of Demander. Why don''t you just ask them directly?"

    "That''s the problem...! They''re proceeding with this power struggle without including us Catsees!"

    As expected.

    It was suspicious from the moment one of the five representative seats was vacant.

    As KiJun faced Catsee with a serious expression, gaining courage from it, Catsee mmed its tail on the floor and eximed,

    "This power struggle is uneptable on many levels! It''s a scam!"

    "Go on."

    "Sever has only recently joined the alliance! Originally, that spot should have been Catsee''s!"

    "And how did Sever end up participating in the power struggle in ce of Catsee? Catsee is one of the five representative races of the alliance. Logically, there''s no reason for it to be sidelined."

    "That''s..."

    Catsee''s exnation was simple.

    Catsee had always been one of the weaker members within the alliance, but it secured its position as one of the five representatives based on the strength and achievements of its race''s guild master, ''Imagine''.

    However, this guild master, Catsee, was too stubborn, often shing with the other representatives.

    The other representatives, who never really liked him, took advantage of his absence on a long-term mission to n the power struggle and conveniently excluded the Catsees, pushing the recently joined Sever into their ce.

    "Catsee has always relied on a few elites, including our leader. But with the leader and most of the elites away on a mission, those of us left in the alliance have been reduced to mere underlings!"

    "It sounds usible, but there''s one thing that bothers me. The goblin representative, HoneyPub, said that Sever participated in the power struggle without understanding the stakes."

    "That''s even better."

    Catsee stroked the white fur on its chest and said,

    "A weakerpetitor means the goblins have a better chance of winning the power struggle. They only have to deal with trolls! This power struggle is entirely orchestrated by the goblins!"

    "Listening to you, it does seem that way."

    Sever is a race that only appeared on the Reta continent a few years ago.

    They are presumed to be from a single civilization, acting cohesively and cleverly concealing their race''s representative.

    The guild master of their race''s guild, ''Hide'', is merely a figurehead, likely put forward to conceal the real power.

    "They must have decided to give up on winning the civilization war and instead focus on surviving as long as possible on this continent. They joined the race alliance just to scrape up whatever benefits they could."

    "It does sound like they''ve thought things through for the survival of their civilization."

    "They might already be siding with the goblins. It''s infuriating and heartbreaking that such trash could take the ce of our noble Catsees, making it hard for us to sleep..."

    Looking at Catsee in front of him, KiJun doubted whether this race could win against goblins and trolls in the power struggle and im victory.

    As KiJun narrowed his eyes, Catsee snorted and said,

    "You might be wondering,but our elite Catsee knights, led by our leader, are different! With Lord Boots leading us, Catsee could defeat both goblins and trolls and win the territorial battle!"

    "But your leader is currently absent."

    "That''s a valid point... Oh, if only our leader''s return wasn''t dyed, we wouldn''t have to suffer this humiliation..."

    "Have you not contacted him? You must have a RetaPhone."

    "I''ve contacted him long ago, but he insists on finishing his mission first and won''t listen..."

    Indeed, he seemed to be a terribly stubborn person.

    Depending on the oue of this power struggle, the race guild alliance might face significant changes.

    But that''s something for Demander and Catsees to resolve.

    "So, what do you want to do? From what I hear, it seems like a lost cause for you."

    "Not at all."

    Catsee perked up and its eyes gleamed.

    "If we can push back the power struggle itself, we''ll have another chance! Once the leader and the knights return, we can push out Sever and participate in the power struggle!"

    "Is that even possible?"

    "There''s enough flexibility in the territorial battle schedule to make it possible! Those damned goblins lobbied the nobles to secretly advance the power struggle schedule just to exclude us Catsees!"

    The more KiJun heard, the more his prejudice against goblins seemed to grow, but he decided to take only half of it seriously.

    KiJun was still unsure what race Catsee belonged to.

    Although HoneyPub, the goblin representative, had been trying to coax him and had been irking nica, that alone wasn''t enough to conclude that all goblins were bad.

    "Even if you ask anyone on the street, they''ll tell you that this power struggle by the Demander was originally meant to include Catsee!"

    Right, at least that much seemed to be a fact.

    Moreover, holding a major event within the alliance with one representative missing seemed suspicious. If there was any way to postpone the power struggle to ensure fairness...

    KiJun realized his sympathies were leaning towards Catsee and clicked his tongue.

    Not being swayed by prejudice and acting ording to one''s own standards is indeed difficult.

    But perhaps even Nietzsche would prefer a cute cat over a vile goblin that stirs up trouble.

    "What do you think, nica?"

    "If you trust the horn on my forehead."

    nica, a descendant of the Monoceros n with the ability to distinguish good from evil like a nymph, stroked her softly glowing horn and spoke calmly.

    "At the very least, they seem more trustworthy than goblins. If there''s no loss on our side, maybe we should discuss further."

    "If you think so..."

    Finally, seeing KiJun nod, Catsee''s eyes sparkled as it pounced on him.

    "Can you exin the power struggle to me? Maybe we''lle up with a solution!"

    "That might be possible, but, hmm. How can I trust you?"

    Due to the magical contract, KiJun was restricted from discussing the power struggle details with others.

    Of course, it was impossible to keep it a secret from everyone, so he could share some information with those closely connected to him. However, Catsee in front of him was far from being in such a rtionship.

    "Grrr, no choice then...! If it''s necessary, now''s the time."

    After pondering for a while upon hearing KiJun''s words, Catsee finally sighed and said,

    "Give me a pair of shoes."

    "Shoes?"

    "Yes, shoes. I''m not yet worthy of boots, so give me a pair of slippers."

    "Boots? And now a cat in slippers..."

    KiJun felt like he understood what Catsee was trying to say.

    Although he hadn''t read the original work by French author Charles Perrault, it was likely that half the world, with eyes wide open, would remember the cute ''Puss in Boots''.

    The cat that spoke humannguage, cleverly helped its master, and could transform into anythingeven turning an ogre into a mouse to devour it.

    There were many stories that the cat was inspired by Catsee.

    And that meant...

    "Are you saying you want to be my subordinate?"

    Catsee looked surprised at that.

    "You figured it out. This is a traditional ceremony passed down among us Catsees."

    "Do you really need to go that far? Even if you listen, there might not be a solution."

    "If it can help our race, I''m willing to sacrifice myself!"

    But... honestly, this cat didn''t seem very helpful.

    However, Catsee was adamant, and KiJun had no choice but to give it a pair of sneakers he had in his inventory.

    They were made of divine beast leather.

    "Such a fine gift?!"

    "Jun...?!"

    Both Catsee and nica were astonished at receiving it.

    KiJun shrugged and exined,

    "Afterpleting the requested item, there was a tiny bit of leather left, so I told them to make whatever they wanted with it. It''s good that someone of the right size showed up."

    "I see..."

    nica seemed convinced and quietly observed the tiny sneakers in Catsee''s hands.

    She appeared somewhat envious.

    KiJun was also wearing new underarmor made from the divine beast Hati''s leather, hidden beneath his armor.

    "...nica? Should I make you a pair of shoes next time we catch a divine beast?"

    "I would gratefully ept just the thought... Butst time at the forge, you mentioned something simr. It''s almost as if you''ve already marked the next divine beast to hunt."

    "......"

    "Jun?"

    As KiJun exercised his right to remain silent, Catsee, now fully standing on two feet with the sneakers on, joyfully bounced on the desk.

    "I never expected such a generous gift! Thank you, meowster!"

    "There''s no need to call me master. And can''t you do something about that ''meow''?"

    "That''s impossible. Oh, by the way, my name is Nabi."

    A name that would suit a real cat.

    The moment Catsee, wearing the sneakers KiJun gave, revealed its name, he felt a connection simr to when he made a contract with a spirit. It was probably a spiritual link he could sense due to his ability to manipte spirit power. Thinking this, he took off his mask and revealed his real name to Catsee.

    "Alright, Nabi. My name is KiJun."

    "Weren''t you the burning monster?! And my name isn''t Nabi! It''s Nabi!"

    "Right, Nabi."

    "Meo! It''s not Nabi, it''s Nabi!"

    "Nothing has changed..."

    It seems the unique speech pattern is just as frustrating for Catsee itself.

    Realizing that the magical contract''s restrictions didn''t apply to Nabi, KiJun promptly exined the power struggle to it.

    "Hmm, hmm... There seem to be quite a few loopholes."

    After hearing the exnation, Nabi''s eyes sparkled, and it nodded its head.

    "Especially the condition that ''outsiders'' cannot approach the ''battlefield'' during the power struggle. This means, doesn''t it imply that we can use tricks from a distance?"

    "Are you a cat or a demon?"

    "But sniping them from a distance one by one would quickly get us caught and end everything. We need a more fundamental n to overturn the board..."

    After pondering for a moment, Nabi''s eyes sparkled again.

    "What if we tamper with the teleportation devices they''ll be wearing? Causing them to malfunction and teleport everyone before the power struggle even starts!"

    "Then the power struggle wouldn''t be the issue. They''d immediately hunt down Nabi for breaking it."

    "I''m already caught!"

    As Nabi, who had sworn allegiance to KiJun in exchange for information on the power struggle, struggled toe up with a useful n, KiJun wondered if it would be better to take back the shoes and chase the cat away. Just then,

    "Hmm. If we can avoid determining a winner in the power struggle, how about this approach?"

    nica hesitantly spoke up.

    "It''s a heavy burden on you, Jun, but I''ve been considering this issue ever since the power struggle was first exined..."<hr>

    Koooooo!

    As the ogre, known as the king of terrestrial monsters for its ferocity and strength, bellowed with all its might, the dealers from various parties gathered for the raid were knocked to the ground.

    "This bastard, ugh...! Its ''Battle Roar'' skill is at least unique grade!"

    Someone shouted, but that information did little to help defeat the beast.

    "It''s impossible, my body... I can''t move!"

    Kuaaa!

    The nearly 4-meter tall muscr monster smashed nearby warriors into pulp with a horrifyingly powerful punch and roared again.

    "Reserves, should we step in? Or do you want to try more?"

    As YeMin quietly spoke while watching from behind, the heavy armored beastman mercenary leading the main raid party clenched his teeth.

    He disliked YeMin''s party, which had been gaining achievements and support from the guild, and had tried everything to exclude them from this raid.

    Eventually, convincing the guild that three parties were enough for the ogre raid, given their ''long-term'' achievements, he managed to make YeMin''s party the reserve force...

    Kuaaaa!

    As seen, the rampaging ogre was tearing through the three parties one after another.

    The problem was the ogre''s unexpected strength and the numerous skills it possessed that they hadn''t anticipated.

    The raid leader, realizing they were heading towards total annihtion, gritted his teeth and shouted.

    "Damn it... Engage! Now!"

    "Just like that?"

    "What?"

    And this was the moment YeMin''s real battle began.

    "When you tried to exclude us from the fight, you were all eager, but now that your main force is in danger, you want us to fight? The situation has changed, so the conditions should too."

    "Conditions? What are you talking about?"

    "If we''re going to fight..."

    YeMin and her party began to retreat significantly.

    The man panicked and urged her to step forward, but the ogre reached him before she did.

    Half of the raid participants were already rolling on the ground, with half of those never to return.

    The rest, still standing, weren''t in good shape either, illustrating just how fearsome the ogre they faced was.

    "The guild must have thought the raid would fail without our party."

    "We learned in the tutorial that when fighting monsters, we should focus solely on the monsters. It seems these people never went through a tutorial."

    MokSoo muttered disdainfully, and YeMin snorted in response.

    Their conversation was interrupted when EunShin suddenly mused,

    "Would it have been different if we''d joined the Union?"

    This reminded YeMin of the man who had recently visited their guild, urging them to join the human-only guild, "Union." They had declined, seeing no need toplicate their sessful situation with guild support. Recalling the man''s distrustful gaze, she couldn''t help but think he was an idiot.

    "Pfft, they''d be worse. Those who unnecessarily stir up a sense of kinship and emphasize group identity are the worst."

    "And the one who fell for it is an even bigger fool."

    "Both of you still seem to have hard feelings towards Mr. Choi..."

    "I simply don''t trust someone just because they''re the same race."

    Watching YeMin''s immediate response, MokSoo smiled and asked,

    "But are we really okay with this? If they die, we''re next."

    "We can win. It''s not like they''re dying for nothing."

    No matter how unexpectedly strong the ogre was, the raid wasn''t entirely without damage.

    The problem was that the blood shed by the ogre was far less than that of the raid participants.

    "If we could take down that thing by ourselves, we wouldn''t need to resort to such annoyances."

    "That would be cool. Oh, looks like the raid leader is about to surrender."

    "Damn it... I''ll give you everything, everything!"

    At that moment, YeMin smiled satisfactorily and discarded the magical device the guild had provided.

    It was a device that measured the damage each party inflicted on the raid target to fairly distribute the monster''s loot. Now, it was unnecessary.

    "Get the signatures, Shin."

    "Got it."

    EunShin quickly collected signatures from the surviving raid members with a magical contract in hand.

    Realizing that YeMin''s party had prepared for this situation, they gritted their teeth but had no choice but to sign, given they had attempted to trap them first.

    They would be shocked to know the guild had anticipated this and prepared the magical contract.

    Of course, that was a secret.

    Kooooo!

    "We can''t hold it off for long!"

    As the ogre charged, not sparing the humans gathering signatures, MokSoo stepped in to draw its attention.

    Despite being only umon grade, MokSoo, with his high-quality equipment from the second tutorial and advanced defensive skills, had significantly higher defense than the other tanks!

    "5 seconds is enough!"

    YeMin replied shortly and leaped forward, activating ''all'' her legendary-grade skills.

    With the ogre''s health already below half, draining her resources to leave it near death was no challenge.

    "Die!"

    YeMin''s longsword, radiating dazzling light, tore through the ogre''s thick neck as it attacked MokSoo, cutting more than halfway through.

    The slender swordswoman, wielding only a needle-thin sword against the ogre''s massive body, achieved a result that left all survivors wide-eyed in astonishment.

    "Impossible, such power..."

    "Human beings can''t... it must be at least unique grade..."

    As the survivors gaped and muttered, YeMin, having swiftly dealt with the situation, wasn''t at ease.

    ''If we could have killed the ogre without interference, we wouldn''t have needed these schemes.''

    The mercenaries here were only active in small towns.

    Merelynding the final blow on an ogre wasn''t enough to celebrate.

    She needed to be stronger.

    Especially for the day she would reunite with KiJun, she had to be much stronger.<hr>

    Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84

    <strong></strong>

    <strong> Everyone Else is a Regressor (84)</strong><hr>

    The sound of chocte snapping crisply reached Lora''s ears, sweetly resonating.

    It was like a medicine that calmed the vampire urges that surged up every so often, virtually supporting the remnants of her human life.

    Initially, Lora loathed herself for thinking of the victims whenever she ate the chocte, but consuming it daily gradually faded those feelings.

    "Delicious, isn''t it? Once you''re used to this, why not try sinking your teeth directly into a human''s neck and drink their blood? It''ll surely be much sweeter and tastier, Lora."

    "Shut up, you trash."

    She had grown ustomed even to Carmi''s voice, which intruded at all times.

    She muttered insults, unthinkable in Mr. Jun''s presence, inwardly as she chased away that voice.

    She nibbled on a piece of chocte, letting it melt in her mouth.

    The soaring euphoria, the faint spread of sweetness, the scent of blood.

    An unquenchable, sticky thirst clinging to her throat, akin to regret.

    "My lovely Lora, you can''t hold out with just that forever. Look around, there''s someone you want to suck the blood from."

    "Go away."

    "Such a pity it''s not me. Because you know, the one a vampire desires to feed on is

    "Go away!"

    She hastily stashed the remaining chocte in her inventory and stood up, sensing someone approaching from afar.

    In the early dawn, there weren''t many who would gather in the rented lodging''s backyard, including her.

    Soon, a young man with two wolf ears perked up appeared and greeted her.

    "Lora, you''re here early."

    "Did you sleep well, Gin?"

    Relieved that it wasn''t Jun but someone else, Lora also greeted him, checking if her lips had loosened.

    Eating chocte slightly uplifted her mood, and showing that face to someone else would make her want to die of shame.

    Moreover, she needed to regain herposure before Jun arrived, especially since she got excited chasing away Carmi''s voice.

    "Calm down, calm..."

    "There."

    Gin, hesitatingly calling out to Lora, who was patting her cheeks topose her expression, said,

    "Lora? If there''s something bothering you, I can listen."

    "What?"

    "I mean, I''ve been in a simr situation before... so it might help. Maybe."

    Lora found itmendable that she didn''t scream at that moment.

    Simr situation? Of course, Gin had aspects simr to hers, but presuming to empathize with her situation uninvited was unwee.

    Gin wouldn''t feel the desire to drink the blood of someone he respected or be tormented by a vampire spouting nonsense in his head.

    Knowing nothing and suddenly saying they''re simr, she wanted to rebuke him, but

    "Thanks. I''ll ask for advice if I feel like it."

    Thinking even this surge of anger was due to Carmi''s influence, Lora managed to reply with a neutral response, clearly a polite rejection.

    Even a fool would understand that.

    Gin''s shoulders drooped a bit dejectedly and so did nica''s, who appeared simrly disheartened.

    "Good morning, both of you."

    "Ah, good morning...?"

    "nica, are you alright?"

    "I''m fine. Probably."

    nica replied tersely, obviously not fine.

    The reason for her expression was simple, as evident from her early dawn presence here Jun had dragged her into training as well.

    "Is everyone here? What about JiHye?"

    Then, the person responsible for gathering them all, Jun, showed up.

    As expected, Cynti was already clinging to his side.

    ''Latching onto Mr. Jun so brazenly when you''ve barely met him...!''

    Lora muttered inwardly, grinding her teeth.

    It was extremely irksome, but there was nothing she could do if even Jun couldn''t handle it, let alone her intervening.

    As nica, having greeted Jun, said,

    "JiHye said she''lle down after finishing her makeup."

    "Why bother with makeup when we''re just going to sweat and fight right away..."

    "Hehe, even Mr. Jun doesn''t know everything. ...I also wear light makeup."

    "What?!"

    Startled by nica''s confession, Jun silently turned to Cynti.

    She nodded, indicating she too was wearing makeup.

    "But why...? It''ll all just get ruined during training."

    "Jun. Over half the female poption on this continent is inbat roles, so naturally, cosmetics are developed to suit that, right?"

    "So why?"

    "It''s not just for skin protection, but to look pretty. Especially for you right now."

    "That, that so..."

    Overwhelmed by Cynti''s profound response, Jun stepped back and turned to Lora, asking,

    "What about you, Lora?"

    "I''m still, also due to my priestess status... I hesitate to adorn myself too extravagantly."

    "Is that so."

    Jun, visibly relieved, made Lora feel somewhat better.

    But she soon realized his relief wasn''t exactly pleasing for her.

    ''Does he see me as just a child, not needing makeup, when I''m an adult too...?''

    If Jun knew her usual thoughts, he''d likely be shocked.

    Lora''s gaze lingered on Jun''s neck.

    The healthy veins pulsating on his alluring neck.

    And the sharply defined corbones below...

    She swallowed her saliva.

    Imagining herself leaning on his sturdy shoulder, sinking her teeth into his sweet-blooded neck.

    ''No.''

    She bit her lip, suppressing the urge.

    The chocte, hastily concealed due to Gin''s early arrival, filled her thoughts.

    But even if she wanted to sneak away for chocte, JiHye''s fully-armed appearance made that impossible.

    "I''m here, KiJun oppa."

    "Then let''s start today too. Everyone, attack together, don''t hold back if you see an opening!"

    "I''ve thought about it, but this is just too brute-force, Mr. Jun!"

    "That''s riching from you who suggested it. Now, everyone, attack!"

    "I didn''t mean I wanted to fight Mr. Jun directly!"

    As usual, the training turned into a small-scale raid where everyone attacked Jun.

    Lora sighed, wondering if she couldst until the training ended, but knowing Jun wasn''t someone to take lightly, she gripped Rotten Mood, emptying her mind.

    "Here I go, Mr. Jun!"

    And she, too, charged at Jun, who had already repelled all other members with a roar.<hr>

    The idea nica came up with after hearing about the cat butterfly wearing single shoes was simple yet unbelievably difficult.

    ''If we rank by the impact on Mr. Jun, wouldn''t it suffice to defeat everyone without getting hit even once?''

    Nabinia looked incredulous at her words, but KiJun thought it seemed usible.

    If sessful, no one could me KiJun, and it wouldplicate determining the victor of the faction fight.

    Hesitant until now due to unawareness of the detailed circumstances, KiJun made up his mind with those words.

    ''I can legally postpone the territorial war without anyone getting hurt. It means achieving our goal without getting deeply involved in the guild alliance''splex situation.''

    The reason no one anticipated such a possibility was that they couldn''t imagine participants of the faction fight being annihted without even touching KiJun.

    However, KiJun excelled in blocking attacks, boasting ownership of Adamant (L), considered the pinnacle among defensive skills.

    ''I just need to deflect every attack from all directions without taking any impact.''

    Judging the level of the goblin representative he saw that day, KiJun humbly admitted that with his current abilities, he couldn''t deflect every attack without damage if participants were as capable as the race representatives.

    Thus, for the two weeks until the faction fight, to sharpen his evasion and defense in multi-opponent situations and to help nica and the party members grow, he arranged such a crude training schedule.

    Kuuooooong!

    With the roar of the me Cat, a giant me hurled towards him.

    At the same time, nica, speeding from the left, kicked powerfully, channeling dense mana into her elongated leg.

    From the right, Gin, with his axe strengthened by divine beast bones and teeth, charged, baring his teeth.

    The coordination among thebatants, including nica, was starting to click.

    "Kyak!"

    "Kuh!"

    Yet, the sharpness in each of their attacks was stillcking.

    KiJun''s shields, wielded with tremendous force, easily repelled nica and Gin.

    Immediately after, he infused one shield with holy fire and threw it straight ahead.

    The shield, spinning through the air, blocked Cynti''s fireball, igniting bright mes.

    "Caught it."

    "Ah!"

    Lora, who tried to sneak up behind KiJun, was caught off guard by his swift turn, and he grabbed her wrist holding the sword.

    "Mr. Jun... Aaack!"

    "You shouldn''t let your guard down just because you caught someone from behind."

    The moment KiJun caught her, the pink fantasies that bloomed in Lora''s mind crumbled and rolled on the ground along with her wrist.

    It was the price for momentarily forgetting that KiJun, usually gentle and gentlemanly, showed no mercy during training.

    "Oppa, you were the one off guard!"

    "Hm?"

    Then, with JiHye''s sharp shout, KiJun felt a powerful magical restraint constricting him.

    While he was dealing with the others, she hadpleted her magic with unique-grade mana, binding his legs and arms tightly!

    The Unbreakable Internal Clock resists the powerful magic trying to restrain the body.

    "Oh, JiHye, when did you learn such magic."

    "This isn''t the time to be impressed, Jun!"

    In front of him, Cynti, who had just hurled a fireball, was now charging straight at him.

    Initially reluctant to attack him, she became quite adept at sharp assaults after being repeatedly told it would aid his growth.

    Though she stillcked murderous intent...

    "Ha."

    Then, the shield KiJun had thrown into the air to block the fireball returned to him as if tied by an invisible string, aiming for Cynti''s back of the head.

    Rodim, guarding her back, leaped towards it, firing mes to block it.

    With Rodim distracted, Cynti kicked off the ground, closing the distance, and aimed a fiery fist at KiJun''s immobile abdomen.

    "No way!"

    As she was about tond the punch, one of KiJun''s shields surged up, deflecting her fist.

    "Huh!"

    "Huuuuuh."

    Crack, craaaack!

    Despite Cynti''s relentless attacks with both fiery hands and feet, she was repeatedly thwarted by KiJun''s shields.

    Boom!

    Eventually, a heavy kick from him hit her thigh, sending her sliding backward.

    Even then, an indelible smile lingered on her lips.

    "You''re still strong, Jun!"

    "No, Cynti, you should be more serious."

    "I am serious. I didn''t hold back at all."

    "You''recking resolve, resolve."

    Certainly, the mes Cynti produced and the power in her fists and feet were formidable.

    But crucially, the will to defeat him was absent, making their exchange feel less like a desperate battle and more like a rhythm game where he just needed to match the timing to defend.

    KiJun grumbled as he caught the shield that circled back through the air and smoothly wore it, while JiHye, who had been nkly watching, suddenly regained her senses and eximed.

    "How can you just deflect all that mana I poured in and move around like it''s nothing!"

    "Didn''t I tell you? My unique skill has evolved, so now these kinds of restraints, barriers, or status effects don''t work well on me."

    "That''s not something you can just brush off!"

    "So, next time, stick to offensive magic like Cynti. You can try closebat too."

    "How can I go toe-to-toe with oppa!"

    With Gin and Lora, both rare-grade or higher in closebat stats, rolling on the ground, how could she, not even reaching umon, dare to approach KiJun for closebat...

    Imagining herself turned into a mess, JiHye shook her head and slumped to the ground.

    "Anyway, I''m out of mana. I can''t go on."

    "Mr. Jun, I''d like a break too... We''ve been fighting for about three hours now, I''ve never done such extreme training in my life...!"

    nica, undoubtedly skilled inbat butcking in endurance and battle sustainability, also dered forfeit.

    Gin and Lora didn''t expressly give up, but after hours of continuous fighting, their spirits seemed drained, their eyes cloudy.

    And Lora, still holding her wrist and blushing, had a strange expression...

    "Lora, is there something wrong with your wrist?"

    "Ju- Mr. Jun. It''s fine, just a little... ah. Ahhh."

    KiJun carefully infused the light spirit''s power into Lora''s wrist, which he had snapped earlier.

    Lora, being Ishtar''s Priestess and also carrying vampire blood, shouldn''tg behind KiJun in regenerative ability. However, considering how the holy fire in all his attacks might have affected her, he poured in more power than necessary.

    "How is it, better now?"

    "Ah, yes. I''m fine...!"

    Her focus still seemed off, despite iming to be fine.

    Her face was red as if she had a fever, and she appeared restless.

    Suddenly, KiJun noticed her gaze was directed below his face and touched his neck.

    "Is there something on my neck?"

    "No... gulp."

    Lora, seemingly parched, swallowed her saliva and inched slightly closer to him.

    For some reason, KiJun too felt his body tensing up at her movement.

    It was then that Cynti intervened, separating the two.

    "Ah."

    "Lora seems tired too. Let''s call it a morning and go have something to eat."

    "Sounds good, it''s about time anyway. Let''s eat and rest a bit before we start the afternoon session. nica, JiHye, you can''t skip."

    "Understood..."

    "This darn oppa."

    However, the two, who had been utterly drained, perked up and clung to KiJun upon hearing he had been cooking stew in the kitchen since morning.

    Gin, who had been rolling on the ground, also sprang up and followed him.

    "Sigh."

    Lora, gazing intently at KiJun''s departing back, let out an indecipherable sigh and was about to follow when

    "I''ll join you..."

    "You."

    Before she could, Cynti blocked her path.

    Lora looked up at her quietly, and Cynti asked in a low voice,

    "Did you try to bite Jun just now?"

    "I don''t understand what you mean."

    Unable to face Cynti directly, having hit the nail on the head, Lora averted her gaze.

    Cynti nced around to ensure no one was nearby, then, igniting mes in her dark eyes, red at Lora.

    "From now on, you better be careful. I... I can do anything to protect Jun."

    "Is that so."

    She had no choice but to nod, guilty as charged.

    However, unable to suppress the emotions brewing inside her since seeing Cynti glued to KiJun''s side that morning, Lora eventually added,

    "That''s for aplete stranger to say."

    "You."

    "Please, just ensure your excessive obsession doesn''t be a burden to Mr. Jun."

    "......"

    "Hmph."

    Stung by her words, Cynti''s expression hardened, but Lora brushed her off, dusting her nun''s habit and checking her clothes underneath before leaving.

    Internally regretting her harsh words, ming them all on Carmi, who incessantly annoyed her, Lora bit her lip, realizing she could never return to her once pure self.<hr>

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