Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1308. The Magic Tower (21)

“...”

“...”

“Ah...”

“...”

“Um... excuse me,” I said.

“Yes?” Song Soo-Kyung answered.

“Um...” I mumbled.

“Yes? What is it?” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“Oh! I-It’s nothing,” I answered.

‘He’s going to fall for it no matter what.’

The fact that he pretended as if he hadn't noticed the brand on my belly was enough to confirm that he had taken the bait. He ignored the brand on my belly, but it wasn't because he felt sorry for the retainer mage.

‘It must be because he’s thinking about something scummy.’

Song Soo-Kyung was already wrapped up in the thought of wanting to stand next to Kim Hyun-Sung. Raw, unfiltered ambition and a desire to rise higher were all bundled inside him, so there was no way he would pass up such a golden opportunity.

If he somehow obtained me, the benefits would be endless. Not only could he climb higher in status, but he could also completely fill the gaps he felt in himself.

Retainers weren't taboo here, so there was nothing wrong with that.

Song Soo-Kyung had never really cared about the means as long as it would allow him to reach his goals. In the second life, he accepted the power of a demon without hesitation and desired the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival’s eye. Hence, harming a young retainer was nothing to him. On the outside, he seemed kind, but...

“You don’t look well. Are you feeling alright?” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“Y-Yes,” I answered.

“You fainted recently from mana exhaustion. Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard today?” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“I-I’m fine. I am tired, but...” I paused.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you went inside and rested?” Song Soo-Kyung suggested.

“Huh? Ah, yes, that’s probably best,” I said in agreement.

‘Anyone can tell that I’m totally flustered, right? What if I get caught? Can he see how I’m acting? Can he see me panicking?!’

Even to an observer, it was clear that I couldn’t get my bearings.

The anxiety of “What if I get caught?” was written all over my actions, making me look really dazed.

Song Soo-Kyung, who wondered if he had seen it wrong, managed to confirm the facts through my subtle change in actions and demeanor. Once again, he stared at me intently, as if he had organized his thoughts.

Covering his mouth with his hand, a faint chuckle escaped from him. He was probably quietly changing his plan.

“Big Boy hyung!” I called out.

“You little punk, you’re here,” Big Boy greeted.

“Where have you been?” I asked.

“Just moving some supplies with Carlton and smoking,” Big Boy answered.

“You said you were quitting... You smell,” I told him.

“That was the very last one. Anyway, how was it? Meeting the other mages,” Big Boy asked.

“I mean... everyone seemed really nice. I was a bit surprised by all the questions, but it was fun,” I replied.

Of course, it was standard not to tell Big Boy that tiny little detail. He was likely too busy with his own unnecessary thoughts to pay much attention to the odd behavior of a child.

“Tsk. So nobody asked any weird or arrogant questions?” Big Boy asked.

“They were all really kind. We even practiced synchronizing our magic signatures. I learned a lot of things for the first time,” I answered.

“Did you enjoy it?” Big Boy asked.

“I did, but not as much as being with you, hyung. Hehe...” I giggled.

“...”

“...”

“You silly little brat... always saying things you don’t mean...” Big Boy muttered.

The word "embarrassment" was written all over his face.

“Today, we’re having hambier meat until we burst,” Big Boy said.

“R-Really?!” I shouted.

“Yeah, you little rascal!” Big Boy shouted.

Seeing Big Boy’s bitter smile as he ruffled my hair to hide his embarrassment, I felt like he had come to a certain conclusion. Of course, he didn’t seem ready to entrust me to Song Soo-Kyung right away, but he started keeping an eye on me, or perhaps he was trying to put some distance between us.

For example...

“About that guy,” Big Boy said.

“Yes?” I answered.

”Song Soo-Kyung. What do you think of him?” Big Boy asked.

“He just seems like a good person. Kind, too. I heard he could’ve escaped from Heren, but he stayed because he felt responsible. The fact that he’s trying to take charge here... is what makes him a bit different,” I answered.

He would ask questions like that to try to figure him out.

“Think you can be alone today?” Big Boy asked.

“Whaaat?!” I yelled.

“Kid, do I have to stick to you forever? I’ve got things to do too, you know! When I was your age...”

He’d spout stuff he didn’t mean, trying to force me into some kind of socialization training. Of course, even Big Boy understood that this was a long-term project, and that surviving the Heren defense came first before finding a proper home for the kid he had been temporarily taking care of.

But really, how could a sap like him think rationally? It looked like his head was full of thoughts that he wasn’t fit to be my guardian.

Ridiculously enough, it was as if the upcoming siege wasn’t even on his radar.

‘Anyone watching him would think there’s no damn war going on right now.’

We were in a situation where our lives could be at risk any moment, and yet he was falling apart like this over some kid he picked up. When I saw him drinking, I had to face the fact that this guy’s mentality was more fragile than I thought.

‘Seriously? Is your life over or something?’

“Kgh... urgh...”

“Hey, what’s with all the booze, hyung? Carlton hyung, what’s wrong with Big Boy hyung?” I asked.

“No idea. Where the hell did this idiot even get the liquor... damn it. Stupid bastard, drinking so much he can’t even stand. The war’s right around the corner, and the chimeras could attack any time... what an idiot...” Carlton complained.

“What are you talking about, Carlton, urgh. I’m still fine. You said they're not even moving right now, right? What’s wrong with having a little fun, huh? Urgh,” Big Boy mumbled.

“Ugh, you reek of alcohol... Come inside, hyung,” I said.

“You brat. Adults are allowed—hic! to have a drink or two, okay? Getting all cocky... Back then, you couldn’t even look me in the eye—hic... now you talk back to me all the time. Honestly, picking you up was... urgh... such a damn mistake. Damn it,” Big Boy continued.

“Ah... don’t say that, hyung. Seriously,” I said.

“Tch! Get lost. Quit clinging to me, you pest...” Big Boy said.

‘You’re acting like the world ended or something.’

Carlton just stared at Big Boy with an exasperated gaze.

There was a hint of sympathy in his eyes as well.

“Try to cut him some slack. Lately, he’s been under a lot of stress... and with the war, the pressure’s getting to him,” Carlton said.

“If I don’t understand him, then who will?” I questioned.

“Good grief. The dumb, stubborn idiot,” Carlton mumbled.

“He really seems to be struggling these days. There isn’t anything else going on with him, is there?” I asked.

“It’s nothing serious. Just overthinking, that’s all. You know him, always acting tough, but he’s pretty fragile underneath. He could just be uneasy about this siege... or maybe there are a bunch of reasons mixed together,” Carlton answered.

It was understandable, especially if he was assuming that he'd die in this war.

‘Well, that’d be enough to put anyone in this state.’

Naturally, he couldn’t help but worry. No matter how much he stayed by my side, Big Boy was still a frontliner, a position with the highest death rate.

Sure, he managed to survive so far by relying on his wits, but no one knew better than him that this siege was an extremely serious one. And of course, he would be thinking about what would happen to me after his death.

He always kept such thoughts bottled up, but Song Soo-Kyung's appearance and the fact that we were all just sitting ducks behind the walls made those thoughts explode with unprecedented ferocity.

He couldn't make a decision. The uncertainty and helplessness had to have made him more confused and scared. If I weren't here, he'd never have that worry in the first place.

‘You’re not going to die anyway, damn it.’

After Carlton and I managed to move him to the bed, I couldn’t help but ask, “How was the meeting? Nothing bad happened, right?"

“I just sat there holding my spot. What could I possibly say? I’m not the type or rank to speak up at meetings like that. They just babbled about pointless stuff again. Like where the hell those chimeras came from... things like that.

"Especially since their numbers keep increasing. There’s plenty to talk about, like their goals, why they’re doing this, and all that,” Carlton answered.

‘That’s rich. You guys are the ones that brought them here.’

Aside from Big Boy’s party, there were others involved, but apparently, they never once felt like it was their fault.

“Maybe there’s some kind of underground tunnel... like a sewer?” I asked.

“What? No way... Heren doesn’t have any sewers. You’d find those in places like the Empire or Lindel. There are supposed to be some underground passageways leading out of the castle, but... the rangers already scouted the area, and of course, they didn’t find anything. They’ll probably send troops there anyway, just to be sure...” Carlton replied.

“Then the chimeras must’ve come through some kind of summoning magic circle,” I assumed.

“A summoning magic circle?” Carlton asked.

“That’s right,” I said.

“Hold on... now that I think about it... you mentioned that you used some kind of magic circle for your spells, didn’t you?” Carlton asked.

“Yes. It’s hard to explain exactly, but I think it’s a kind of summoning magic. My master also—”

“Master?” Carlton interrupted.

“Ah... no, I mean... the previous... I mean...” I muttered.

“If it’s hard for you to talk about, you don’t have to,” Carlton said.

“No, it’s fine. I mean... that person also used a similar kind of magic. It was a bit different from a demon summoning circle, though. And it wasn’t like a warp magic circle either,” I explained.

“Really? Might be worth looking into,” Carlton said.

‘Then, of course, you should look into it.’

They’d have to swing by the second life if they wanted to get Jo Hye-Jin to reach Kim Hyun-Sung. Sure, there were many overlapping events, like Song Soo-Kyung, Big Boy, and the rest, but there was just one core question—Was Kim Hyun-Sung coming to Heren or not?

The masked scum was after Kim Hyun-Sung, which was the reason the chimeras had been hammering away at the Heren's Castle.

Kim Hyun-Sung’s awakening was almost complete. Well, perhaps not quite. Whether it was Second Life Jo Hye-Jin or even Dummy Hye-Jin, there was no denying that this was the moment for Jo Hye-Jin to return and for Kim Hyun-Sung to get his head back in the game.

“Really?” Carlton asked.

“Yes. First thing’s checking if there are any magic circles inside the walls. If special variants somehow manage to get in...” I suggested.

“It’ll be a big problem,” Carlton said.

“Exactly,” I said.

“So the increasing number of chimeras is also...”

“Probably. I can’t say for sure, though... and honestly, I’m more likely wrong,” I answered.

“No, the higher-ups will see it as worth looking into. Once we deliver this info, they’ll handle it. Either way, it’s plenty to think about. I’ll head upstairs,” Carlton said.

“Okay. Be safe, Carlton hyung,” I said.

“Yeah, and don’t let that idiot’s drunk rambling get under your skin,” Carlton added.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,” I told him.

Once Carlton stepped out, I glanced at the bed.

Big Boy was still sprawled out on the bed.

‘God, you’re pathetic.’

In a strange way, however, it made him appear more human.

‘Worrying over things that don't matter...’

“Kid... you... little... kgh...” Big Boy mumbled.

“...”

‘Talking in his sleep, too. Must be nice to live like that.’

“Hambier...” Big Boy muttered.

‘That damn hambier.’

“I’m... sorry...” Big Boy said.

‘Sorry for what, you idiot.’

While I was staring at his sorry state, there was a loud boom!

“Uh...”

“Attack! Chimeras are swarming!”

‘What? Already?’

“Gear up, everyone! To the battle stations!”

Shouts erupted all over the place.

‘Already?’

“Big Boy hyung! Big Boy—” I shouted.

Before I could even finish my sentence, he bolted upright, grabbed me, and dragged me outside.