Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1312. The Magic Tower (25)

“Master,” I said.

“Heh... hehe...heh... hahahahahahaha!” Song Soo-Kyung laughed.

“Master?” I repeated.

“Heh... hahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha!” Song Soo-Kyung continued laughing.

He burst out into a peal of laughter. He seemed to be thinking that he was letting out some grand, maniacal laugh, but the sight only made him look more pitiful in my eyes. There wasn’t a shred of real power in his laughter.

‘He really looks pathetic.’

His voice lacked volume, and he sounded not even the least bit cool.

Instead of sounding bold, he sounded sly or petty.

Of course, it was creepy in its own way. The floor was soaked in blood, and he stood among rotting corpses, but his thin, petty laugh was completely different from the way Jung Jin-Ho used to laugh when he hunted Young Death.

‘The fact that he’s sincere makes him even more pathetic.’

“Heh... hehehehe... hahahahahaha!”

‘What a dork, acting like he’s having fun all by himself, and his followers are right there... Shouldn’t he try not to show them this side of him?’

Not even Jung Jin-Ho’s rebellious phase was this bad.

‘Why is he leaning back like that while laughing? And why does he have to clutch his head when he laughs? What’s the point of that pose? Can’t he just laugh normally?’

“Hahahahahahahahahahaha!”

‘Stop laughing...’

“Hahaha! Haa... haa... haa...”

‘Look at him panting from laughing too much. Jin-Ho never panted like that even when he was out of breath.’

“Ahh... I’m sorry. I suppose I got a bit overexcited,” Song Soo-Kyung remarked..

“...”

“...”

He was getting carried away. Even his lines sounded pitiful. If I were one of his followers, I’d probably want to cut ties with him on the spot because his solo maniacal-laughter session was just unbearable.

If he ever saw himself in the mirror, I was sure even he would feel ashamed of himself.

To me, this was almost comedy, but the mages and knights serving him seemed more frightened than amused by his actions. No, rather than frightened, it felt like they were just tired of him.

Honestly, from an outsider’s perspective, it was understandable. Thinking back to First Life Song Soo-Kyung’s situation made it even more obvious to me.

He had a weak body, an ugly face, and a weak voice, so how ruthless and brutal would he have to become just to get closer to his messiah? How insane would he have to become?

If those knights and mages had witnessed all of that, their reaction wasn't surprising at all. A knight’s face was even flushed red as he looked at him.

‘Wow, even psychos have fans.’

“We have to start moving, Mr. Song Soo-Kyung,” a knight said.

“Yes, yes. I know. I know. Heh... haha... I’m just so happy... I can’t stop smiling. I’m sorry, Miss Heila,” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“...”

“What do you think, Miss Heila? To me... he looks as if he lost all sense of self-will...” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“Yes, I agree, though he doesn’t seem completely like a puppet. He was most likely a livestock raised by a high noble,” Heila answered.

I couldn’t believe what I just heard.

‘Wow, she’s serious. Does being a knight mean you can call a retainer livestock?’

“Ahh...”

“Runes or spells that tamper with the mind are notoriously difficult to succeed. Even if you do succeed, they’re rarely flawless. That’s why retainers with hypnotic brands like him tend to fetch extremely high prices... though, to be honest, their survival rate is quite low,” Heila explained.

“Yes, yes, I know that,” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“And if the retainer also possesses combat ability... Well, roughly converted to gold, that one’s value would likely exceed the price of an entire castle,” Heila remarked.

“Ahh.”

“Also... he doesn't seem like a puppet,” Heila added.

“A puppet?” he asked.

“Yes. If you look closely, you’ll see that his face still shows expressions,” Heila said, pointing something out.

‘Really?’

“Most retainers have dead fish's eyes for eyes. Even when given commands or put under hypnosis, they'll react like dolls, but this one is different. Even now, doesn’t he look as if he’s watching and gauging our reactions?” Heila asked.

‘Shit.’

“How about giving him a simple order? Preferably something tied to emotion,” Heila suggested.

“Sure.”

Song Soo-Kyung smiled faintly and commanded, “You are happy. You are overjoyed to welcome a new master. You are so happy that you can’t think about anything else."

Naturally, the brand burned hot. It was no longer pitch-black and was emanating a red sheen. It didn’t really affect my mind, but I had no choice except to respond. At times like this, it was best to overdo it, so I plastered on an ecstatic face.

“I-I’m happy, Master! So, so happy! I’m thrilled and overjoyed to welcome my new master! I-I’m happy!” I shouted.

Just then, the knight named Heila strode over and yanked me by the hair. There was a bit of pain, and my neck felt strained, but I, Lee Ki-Young, didn’t let the smile leave my face.

‘This is what you call method acting.’

“Aaaah... I’m so happy! So, so happy! I’m overjoyed. I feel like I could die from happiness. I wouldn’t mind dying right here. I’m that happy! Hehehehe!” I shouted.

‘I’m seriously awesome. I’m not some ordinary retainer—I’m a high-end luxury retainer.’

“Hahahaha!”

Of course, from Song Soo-Kyung’s point of view, he had every reason to be pleased; he actually looked even happier than me. Heila, however, seemed to be thinking that I needed more testing. Her grip on my hair became even stronger.

‘Damn it, damn it, damn it. No, damn it. Stop. Stop. Stop.’

“Ah!”

“...”

“...”

A scream slipped out naturally, and Heila's eyes flickered with suspicion. I had no choice but to keep up the act.

“Aagh♪ Ack♪ Ahhhh♪ I’m happy! So, so happy!” I sang out loud.

‘Nice save.’

Finally, I saw a satisfied smile spread across her face. Song Soo-Kyung looked pleased as well. Still suspicious about something, the knight reached into her armor to pull something out...

“Stop,” Song Soo-Kyung commanded.

“...”

“That’s enough now,” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“But-”

“We can’t risk damaging such a precious retainer. That should be enough, Heila,” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“Then, once this is over, could you lend me this livestock? I’d like to test his functions and limitations,” Heila requested.

‘Turns out Villain Song is the reasonable one here.’

I felt an urgent need to run up to my master and act all cute.

“Master! Master! Masteeer!” I shouted.

However, he betrayed my expectations.

“Hahahahaha! Yes, yes. Of course, I’ll gladly allow it,” Song Soo-Kyung answered.

‘This bastard is seriously...’

“I-I don’t want to!”

I voiced my objection, and the knight looked at me as if astonished.

“Amazing. He can even express his own will...” Heila commented.

‘Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have done that.’

“I don’t want to! I’m scared!” I shouted.

Seeing that, Song Soo-Kyung opened his mouth with a satisfied look.

“Even if it’s my command?”

“If it’s your command, then I’m happy! Ahh... I’m so happy! Beyond words!” I answered.

“You admire me and want to protect me, right? You’d do anything for me...” Song Soo-Kyung commanded.

“Yes! I’ll protect you! I’ll do anything for you! I’d even give my life! For the master who gifted me this happiness! I’d give everything!” I shouted.

‘He has such a big smile.’

“Hahaha. Giving your life would trouble me. You’re far too precious,” Song Soo-Kyung remarked.

“I’d still give it! I’d even hand you my heart if you wanted it!” I told him.

“Hahahaha. That would be troublesome indeed. I don’t need your heart; your feelings are more than enough,” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“Feelings alone can’t possibly express it all!” I said.

‘This pathetic idiot won’t even take it. In the second life, he was desperate to get it.’

It seemed like his doubt was gone. He looked like he wanted to keep me closest to him. The knight seemed displeased about that, and she glared at me with hostility, but what could she do? I was Master’s favorite. The other mages and knights seemed like they were finally at ease.

The chimeras were swarming in, so their relief made sense, as they had just obtained a powerful ally. Sure enough, one of the knights said, “Mr. Song Soo-Kyung, we have to start—”

“Ah, I’ve been dragging things out, but it’s fine. The best time to slip out is when most of the chimeras have already entered the castle. Judging by the noise outside, it seems that moment has finally come...” Song Soo-Kyung said.

He was right.

‘Must be nice living that easy life.’

Outside, the battle was still raging on. Explosions were echoing, and soldiers were screaming. There was no need for me to use my Telescope to figure out what was happening out there. Packs of chimeras were swarming in like wild dogs, allied soldiers were scattering, and a few desperate souls were trying to lift their spears and bows to resist.

However, if even a single special variant showed up, they’d either run for their lives or lose their heads.

‘The walls are probably rubble by now.’

The barrier had already collapsed. Heren’s gates and walls were weak to begin with, so there was no way they could withstand the special variants’ attack. The battle was already over. At this point, one could only either run and hope one would make it out alive or sprawl out on the ground and accept death.

Those were the only two options left.

Kaboooooooom!

Each deafening boom was followed by a rain of dirt and dust trickling down from above.

“Hahahaha.”

Song Soo-Kyung let out a giggle and then...

“Is this it?”

“Yeah, right here. I’m sure of it.”

Voices were getting closer.

“Damn it... these psycho bastards... What the hell is this? What the hell am I looking at?”

‘Why not hang a sign while you’re at it? “Hey, we’re coming in!” Idiots.’

“Carlton... isn’t that the fat-bellied lord? Damn it...” Big Boy asked.

“So he didn’t escape. He died here instead. That’s not suicide. Someone stabbed him,” Carlton said.

“Who the hell would—”

“Who else? It’s that lunatic, Song Soo-Kyung. Look at that... Isn’t that a magic circle?” he asked.

“It was just used. Can you tell what kind it is?” Big Boy asked.

“How the hell would I know, you idiot? It’s drawn in blood,” Carlton answered.

“Human sacrifice...” Yoojin mumbled.

I heard the faint voices of Big Boy, Carlton, and the wounded Yoojin. Song Soo-Kyung and his followers heard that as well, as they stopped talking and just exchanged glances.

I also saw them exchanging hand signals.

They realized Big Boy’s party was after them, and they were getting ready to ambush Big Boy's party.

‘Idiots.’

“Shh. Quiet. Looks like they've just left this place,” Carlton said.

‘Why would you say that out loud, genius?’

It was too late, anyway, so I could only do the right thing here—shout at the top of my lungs.

“Someone’s coming! Master! Someone’s coming! They’re coming for us!” I roared.

“Shit.”

‘Did you hear that, Big Boy? Did you hear my voice?’

“Someone’s coooming! Cough! Cough! A-Achoo!” I shouted again.