Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1313. The Magic Tower (26)

Naturally, Song Soo-Kyung and his band of villains were staring at me with dumbfounded faces. Based on their original plan, they were supposed to ambush Big Boy’s party, but thanks to my loud shouting, their carefully prepared ambush fell apart.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a troll move, but one reaped what one had sown. He ordered me to rejoice and be happy, so from my perspective as a retainer, it was only natural for my mood to skyrocket.

Moreover, how could anyone stop me when my one and only priority was my master’s safety? Right now, nothing else mattered to me. My top priority was ensuring my master’s well-being.

‘Someone’s trying to threaten my master! I can’t let this slide!’

“Tsk.”

‘I absolutely won’t allow that!’

“Quiet,” Song Soo-Kyung ordered.

“Someone’s coming! I’ll protect Master! I’ll protect you, Master!” I shouted.

“Shh!” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“Master! Master! Someone’s heading this way!” I shouted again.

‘You hear that, Big Boy? You’re listening, right?’

“Over here, Master! Hurry! Hurry! Come quickly!” I urged him.

“Damn it! Mr. Song Soo-Kyung,” Heila called out.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You don’t need to panic so much, Miss Heila,” he told her.

Naturally, everything suddenly grew quiet.

Big Boy's loud and booming voice disappeared in an instant. Earlier, I was worried that they would storm in recklessly out of fury, but it seemed that my fury was unfounded and foolish.

Through my Telescope, I saw Big Boy, Carlton, and Yoojin gritting their teeth hard enough to draw blood.

I knew they would recognize my voice, and that was why I shouted on purpose. They had to have heard me calling Song Soo-Kyung “Master,” and screaming like a parrot that I’d protect him.

They had to have figured out the answer by now. I was talking about the magic circle made through human sacrifice, which they stumbled upon earlier. If they had yet to figure it out, then it wouldn't take them long to find an answer.

‘It’s a magic circle meant to activate my retainer brand.’

Though they weren’t talking to each other for fear of giving away their position, I saw them nodding silently while gripping their weapons tighter. Even Carlton, who was a bit of a coward, and Yoojin, who had just recovered, showed no hesitation on their faces.

Despite the overwhelming gap in power, my eyes caught sight of them moving forward, ready to risk everything to rescue me.

‘Damn, that’s touching as hell.’

Those guys had no intention of running away.

Live or die, they were determined to face us head-on.

“Mr. Song Soo-Kyung, I think—”

“Yes, it seems to be them,” Song Soo-Kyung interrupted.

“This way... I’ll escort you to safety,” Heila offered.

“I’ll be the one to escort you! Me! I said I’ll protect Master!” I shouted.

“Hahahahahaha! I know how you feel, so you can calm down a little. Hahahaha. There’s no helping it, huh?” Song Soo-Kyung said.

“B-But I can’t calm down! I’m scared. What if someone hurts Master? What if they harm the one who makes me so happy? Hurry and come this way, Master! Hurry!” I urged him.

“Hahahaha. Like I said, it’s not that dangerous of a situation. Things got a little complicated, yes, but we’ve got knights and mages here, and over there, it looks like there are only three of them. They're veterans, but my knights aren’t stupid enough to lose to the likes of them... Miss Heila, can you handle them?” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“...”

“...”

“Of course. Leave it to me. Everyone, maintain formation and move slowly,” Heila ordered.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay.”

Amidst the silence, the villains tightened their grips on their weapons. Even though there was almost no light in this place, I could see tension on their faces.

‘Well, Big Boy isn’t exactly someone you can look down on.’

After all, he worked in Lindel, taking contracts from the Devil’s Guild and the Magic Tower, so anyone would take him for a veteran. More than anything, the fact that he had stumbled upon death countless times and was still alive proved his worth.

Even now, he was maintaining his composure. The knights were well aware of that fact, which made this heavy silence all the more oppressive. Just as I was wondering if I could hear one of them swallow nervously, I broke the silence first.

“Master! It’s dangerous! AAAH! Master’s in danger!”

At my cry, Heila flinched and shouted, “Protect Mr. Song Soo-Kyung!”

‘Gotcha.’

From out of the darkness, two arrows flew.

‘Here it comes!’

Whizz!

The arrows whistled past the knights, flying toward Song Soo-Kyung. Instead of hitting Song Soo-Kyung, they plunged into the backs of the mages.

“Ahhhhh!”

One of the arrows pierced a mage's shoulder, while the other pierced a mage's head. The mage dropped dead before they could finish their spell. Just one line from me, and their formation crumbled.

“Damn it!”

Heila turned pale with panic. She wasn’t so stupid as to not know it meant to lose formation in such darkness and chaos. Carlton’s follow-ups arrows came without missing a beat, and they felt even sharper than usual as they cut through the air.

“Stay calm! Raise your shields! There are only three enemies!” she shouted.

‘But you can’t stay calm, can you?’

“Master’s in danger! We have to protect Master!” I shouted.

It all started falling apart because I was so excited and rushed forward recklessly.

I sprinted forward and shoved the mage who was casting a spell.

‘Huh? They didn’t fall over.’

However, it was enough to interrupt the spell. Carlton’s arrow came flying once again, straight into the face of the mage who couldn’t finish their barrier spell.

‘Mage down!’

“Gah!”

“Tch.”

Right then, I caught sight of Big Boy and Yoojin charging through the opening in the disrupted formation.

“Kid!”

Big Boy appeared on the scene with a loud shout. His shield was raised, and his axe cut through the air.

“You little punk...” Big Boy said.

“Kid!” Yoojin called out.

It was a meeting that could only be described as tragic. Big Boy’s face was painted with despair and shock. He expected it, but actually accepting it was another matter altogether. Beneath my torn shirt, there was a glowing crimson brand.

The glow was bright, proof that my body was burning hot. And that wasn’t all.

My twisted, almost deranged face, and my eyes staring at Song Soo-Kyung gleamed with an unmistakable emotion. Anyone could see that it was love. It was the kind of sight that could shake the mind of even the usually composed Big Boy.

Sure enough...

“You... you son of a biiitch!!!” Big Boy roared with a contorted face.“You bastard! What did you do?! What the hell did you do to him, you asshole?!”

“Big Boy, calm down for now,” Yoojin said.

“You bastard! What did you do to the kid, huh?! Answer me! You filthy rat! AHHHHHHHHH!!!” Big Boy roared. He swung his axe madly like a raging beast.

‘This guy’s completely lost it.’

I could almost see the thoughts running through this head. If only I hadn’t ignored the kid... if only I hadn’t felt that ugly jealousy... if I had just been a little more careful, this wouldn’t have happened...

Above all, his eyes transfixed on my crimson brand looked indescribably sorrowful.

“Kid, hold on. Just wait for me!” he shouted.

The knights stepped in to block Big Boy and Yoojin, and so the battle began.

The knights were skilled, but the berserk Big Boy was no pushover either. Even if he hadn’t received formal combat training as a mercenary, his experience hadn't betrayed him. He and Yoojin covered each other, pushing the knights back. Meanwhile, Carlton’s arrows were still flying in from somewhere unseen.

Carlton was the most troublesome opponent amidst their broken formation.

The knights facing Big Boy and Yoojin could barely keep up as they struggled to protect Song Soo-Kyung and the mages. Since they had been fighting together for a long time, their teamwork was first-rate.

Even amidst the chaotic brawl, they managed to execute their coordinated strikes.

“Damn it! Get lost!” Big Boy shouted.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!”

“Big Boy! Stop rampaging! Stay calm! The more desperate the situation, the calmer you have to be!” Yoojin shouted as well.

“I know! I damn well know! But how the hell am I supposed to calm down? How, huh?! I can’t do it. I’ll kill them all. Those bastards! I’m going to kill every last one of them!” Big Boy argued.

“Shit...” Yoojin mumbled.

“Hold on. Wait for me! I’m coming to save you right now. Kid... can you hear my voice?! Huh?! Can you hear me?!” Big Boy asked.

“...” “Say something! Anything! You’re not hurt, right? You’re okay, aren’t you?” Big Boy questioned.

Of course, Retainer Ki-Young could only stare silently back at Big Boy. He remembered them, as that was part of the story, but I felt nothing toward them. Other than love for my master, I couldn’t feel anything at all.

“You sons of bitches! You... are you even human?!” Big Boy yelled at them.

“...”

“Th-That kid trusted you with all his heart! You bastards. He fought to protect you! For your sake! He endured his fear and went up against the chimeras! Damn it! So how... how could you?! How could you betray his trust?! You filthy scum! How could you do that to him?!” Big Boy yelled.

“...”

“You deserve to be torn apart, you sons of bitches! You wear human skin, so how could you...?” Big Boy questioned.

“...”

“And you still call yourselves human?! Wait for me, kid. Wait for me...” Big Boy mumbled.

“...”

“We’ll go back home, okay? Just wait a little longer. I’ll save you again. I’ll bring you back. Let’s go home. Our home... We’ll take a break for a few days and not accept any work, okay?

"Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, I’ll make it happen. So please... just hold on. I’ll let you eat as much hambier meat as you want. Please, just wait...” Big Boy begged.

Big Boy couldn't control his emotions anymore. His own words were making his eyes well up with tears.

“Kid, you’re listening right? It’s your hyung! Just... hold on a bit more!” Big Boy shouted.

“Damn it!” Carlton shouted. He couldn't care less, even if he ended up exposing his position. He shouted just to let me hear his voice. “Get a grip, you brat! You’re not someone who gives up that easily! Kid! Ugh... I didn’t even get to thank you properly for saving me... damn it!”

Yoojin swallowed her tears and shouted as well.

Despite their cries filled with tears, Villain Song didn’t waver.

‘Wow, ruthless. He doesn’t even have a shred of guilt. Not even after this?’

“Ahhhhhhh!”

‘Seriously? Watching all that and your expression doesn’t even twitch?’

“...”

If anything, he let out a twisted grin, as if some sadistic pleasure had been sparked.

“How amusing,” Song Soo-Kyung commented.

“...”

“Truly amusing. The kid you keep talking to... seems to prefer being with me, actually. Doesn't he look happier by my side than he ever did with you?” Song Soo-Kyung questioned.

“...”

“Don’t you agree?” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“Y-Yes!” I answered.

“...”

Given the situation, I had no choice but to drive a nail into Big Boy’s heart.

“How do you feel right now?” Song Soo-Kyung asked.

“I’m happy! So happy! I feel like I could fly!” I replied.

“Is that so?” Song Soo-Kyung questioned

“Yes! Master has given me true happiness! Master showed me the joy of living as my true self!” I answered.

“...”

“A joy they could never give me!” I added.

“K-Kid... you...” Big Boy muttered. He stood before us with a face that looked as though his heart had just been ripped out of his chest.