Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1318. First Life Ha-Yan (1)

‘Why on earth would I save Jung Ha-Yan?’

The first thing that came to mind was doubt.

‘Seriously, why?’

This was going to sound harsh, but Jung Ha-Yan’s death had already been decided. It was one of the biggest stories in the first life, and it was also the longest, hardest project among the masked scum’s schemes. She was the only card, the only key, that could balance humanity with the Outer Gods, and at the same time, she was one of the most powerful individuals alive. Her feats, turning ground warfare into naval warfare and teleporting away the whole of Lindel, hardly need repeating.

In the first life, the one closest to Divinity wasn’t Kim Hyun-Sung or Lee Ki-Young, but Jung Ha-Yan. That was why her death was inevitable.

‘Because she was the strongest in the world.’

The timing of her exit was also nothing short of perfect. It came when humanity and the Outer Gods were locked in battle. Humanity was throwing every last resource into the fray, and just when Ki-Young and Ji-Hye started to believe that they could finally control the continent, Jung Ha-Yan stepped down from the stage.

Soon afterward, Ji-Hye also left the stage, and Ki-Young’s regression plan began—no, it began much earlier, but it was only then that he moved with a clear and definite purpose.

The flare was lit by the pig, and the one who pulled him out was Kasugano Yuno. The one who made him decide to take the leap seemed like it was Lee Ji-Hye, but from the pig all the way to Lee Ji-Hye, Jung Ha-Yan was aboard the ship.

She wasn’t a crew member, but a passenger.

She was a passenger who had to disembark sooner or later.

And all of a sudden, Jo Hye-Jin was saying that we had to keep Jung Ha-Yan alive and that she ought to stay on the ship until she was finished balancing the factions and carrying the Outer God War to its very end.

‘That’s absurd.’

Could it be a misunderstanding?

Had Jo Hye-Jin heard it wrongly? It was natural for me to question it. Perhaps there was some problem with Ha-Yan’s timing? There could also be something that went wrong, and it needed to be fixed. In any case, I had no choice but to talk to Jo Hye-Jin.

“...”

“...”

“What... What on earth do you mean by that?” I asked.

“How should I know? You’re the one who said it,” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

“Are you sure I really said that?” I questioned.

“Yes, I clearly heard it,” Jo Hye-Jin replied.

“I said to save Ha-Yan? Just this once?” I asked.

“Pardon? What do you mean by just this once?” Jo Hye-Jin asked.

“No... it’s nothing. So, what exactly did I tell you?” I asked.

“I'm going to repeat what you said word for word—rescue me from Heren and send me to the Magic Tower. When I asked why, the only thing you said was that Miss Ha-Yan had to be saved. That's it, nothing else,” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

“What did my face look like back then?” I asked.

“Well... I think you looked the same as usual, but after telling me the location of the Six Stars Gate, you disappeared and said you were busy...” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

“Are you absolutely sure it was me? Couldn’t it have been someone who just looked like me? Maybe someone who seemed a little thinner than I am now...” I questioned.

“No. I think you looked a bit older than you are right now, but I’m certain it was you. Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No, not wrong exactly... I just can’t understand why the future me would say something like that...” I told her.

“...”

Jo Hye-Jin wore a face full of curiosity, but she didn’t ask any questions. She knew I was lost in my own thoughts.

‘Strange.’

It was definitely strange. The most reasonable assumption was the one I’d mentioned earlier... something had gone wrong, and Jung Ha-Yan was in danger. Most likely, the order of her exit was changed.

'Had I already witnessed Jung Ha-Yan’s death?’

It only made sense to think that Future Lee Ki-Young witnessed Ha-Yan's death and was trying to fix the problem by reaching back into the past. At this point, Jung Ha-Yan’s death meant the collapse of the first life, so of course, my future self would be desperate to fix things.

The problem was that I couldn’t even imagine her dying.

‘Who could possibly kill Jung Ha-Yan?’

What kind of accident would it take to bring down the Goddess of Magic herself?

The only one who came to mind was First Life Ki-Young. But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a reason why he would force Ha-Yan off the stage so soon. I knew him best. Ha-Yan was already a card in his hand, and he wasn’t ready to throw it away.

Until he discarded that card with his own hand, he would never let her go.

“...”

“...”

If the idea that Jung Ha-Yan was destined to leave the stage early was no longer appropriate...

‘Then maybe it was a change of heart...’

There were countless excuses.

Perhaps he merely wished to see whether the story, even if its central thread had unraveled, could still stumble toward the right future. Perhaps he had simply grown weary of it all. He was also probably thinking about flipping the script.

There was a small chance that he felt compassion for First Life Jung Ha-Yan.

“Have you managed to sort out your thoughts a little?” Jo Hye-Jin asked.

“No, not yet,” I answered.

‘Come to think of it, there’s no real reason Jung Ha-Yan has to meet such a dreadful end.’

The only thing that mattered was that Jung Ha-Yan existed at the right moment, and that method didn't necessarily have to involve death. She could fake her death, or the story could simply end with her disappearing altogether.

Regardless of the reason and whatever drove Future Lee Ki-Young to make such a choice, one thing was certain—the answer was at the Magic Tower.

Just then, I saw Big Boy, Carlton, and Yoojin wrapping up their conversation.

“Whoo... whoo...”

They looked furious with bruises everywhere. It looked like they really decided to beat each other up.

The victor was...

‘Looks like it was Big Boy...’

Sure enough, he appeared, striding over with confidence.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Carlton said.

“No, not at all. So...” Jo Hye-Jin asked.

And just like that, Big Boy said, “Miss Jo Hye-Jin.”

“Yes?” Jo Hye-Jin answered.

“I appreciate your offer... but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline your proposal,” Big Boy said.

“...”

“As you may know, there was a bit of an unfortunate incident recently... Of course, I’m not doubting the Blue Guild or your intentions, Miss Jo Hye-Jin. We’re already more than grateful for how much kindness you’ve shown to people like us... and especially for giving such a good offer out of concern for the kid.

"However... rather than deciding our next destination right away, we’d like to take some time to steady ourselves,” Big Boy explained.

‘That’s reasonable.’

“To be honest, talking about the future of the continent or the future of Lindel are topics that are really hard to grasp for people like us, who are living day by day.

"On the grand scale, of course, it would be right to follow what you say, Miss Jo Hye-Jin, but...” Big Boy trailed off.

‘Why the hell is this guy speaking so well?’

“Frankly, I don’t want our kid to be used as some tool for war,” Big Boy continued.

“That wasn’t really what I meant, Mr. Big Boy. As you know, the Magic Tower studies many kinds of magic besides destructive ones...” Jo Hye-Jin argued.

“Even Miss Jung Ha-Yan ended up joining the war, didn’t she?” Big Boy questioned.

“That’s...”

“Miss Jo Hye-Jin, our kid...”

‘God, this is so embarrassing.’

“Has been through a lot of painful things,” Big Boy said.

“...”

“...”

‘Spare me the melodrama.’

“HIs wounds haven’t even healed yet... I don’t want to create new ones already. Our kid needs time to rest. At least, that’s how it looks to me,” Big Boy continued.

‘Big Boy... you fool...’

There wasn’t a trace of falsehood in his words. Though he stuttered here and there, struggling to get everything out, his sincerity came through.

The ridiculous part was that his words were actually getting through to Jo Hye-Jin.

For some reason, she was nodding with a serious face.

‘I don’t need any rest.’

“...”

“...”

Carlton and Yoojin, too, looked as though they were respecting his decision. Of course, I had no choice but to open my mouth right away. From the start, I didn’t need his permission anyway, and if I were to stay quiet, this would only become bothersome.

“I want to go,” I chimed in.

“...”

“...”

“I want to go... to the Magic Tower,” I said.

A thirst for unknown knowledge, curiosity, and a yearning for dreams, but more than any of these, what stood out most was the desire to protect my own people.

“Y-You little brat. Right now—”

“I’m going. I want to go,” I interrupted him.

He had the face of a father bewildered by his child’s first rebellion.

It was probably a normal reaction.

‘It’s puberty.’

“Do you even know how I feel right now...?” Big Boy asked.

“I don’t care what you say, hyung. I’m going to the Magic Tower,” I said.

“...”

“Even if I end up standing on the battlefield, it doesn’t matter. I already told you, didn’t I?” I said.

“...”

“That I’ll protect you,” I reminded him.

‘Eyes that don’t waver. A calm, steady voice.’

“...”

“...”

“Y-You arrogant little brat... Who even said I needed your help?!” Big Boy yelled.

“...”

“At your age, you’re not supposed to care about stuff like that!! Even if this world has gone insane, kids should just be running around happily. But you’re talking about protecting someone... How dare you say something so cocky?” Big Boy criticized me.

“I’ve... already made up my mind, hyung,” I told him.

“What?”

“I’m sorry, Big Boy hyung. But I-I really want to go,” I said.

It hurt that I had to act out this cheap melodrama and was forced to showcase my acting skills in it.

“D-Damn it. You arrogant brat,” Big Boy muttered.

“I’m sorry, hyung,” I told him.

“Fine! Do whatever you want!” Big Boy yelled out.

He even slammed the door on his way out, perfectly completing the scene. The absurd part was that there was a smile tugging at his lips. Sure enough, Carlton and Yoojin came over, patting my shoulder and head.

“Don’t worry too much, kid. Big Boy was just saying things. We’ve all decided to respect your choice... Of course, that includes Big Boy, too. Hahaha! He only acted like that because he’s proud of you,” Carlton reassured.

‘You idiots... I’m sick to death of your cheap melodrama.’

“In the end, what’s so great is that you finally spoke up on your own, even though you were a bit arrogant. I can’t say that I’m not worried, but I trust you. This is how you start becoming an adult, after all.

"Talking about protecting us and being our strength. We’re still pretty strong ourselves, but your eyes were filled with conviction. I liked that, haha,” Yoojin said.

Their lines were embarrassing to hear while sober, but they seemed to think it was touching as they ruffled my hair without hesitation. Was it really so praiseworthy that a retainer finally voiced his will for the first time?

Carlton, of all people, even looked like tears were welling in his eyes.

‘What the hell is wrong with these guys?’

The atmosphere was so over the top that it was dizzying. And then, stepping out the door, I saw Big Boy waiting for me. Of course, he had something in his hand.

‘Ah...’

“It’s a staff,” Big Boy said.

‘When did he prepare this? It definitely doesn’t look cheap.’

“I don’t approve of your decision, you know,” Big Boy said.

‘Cut it out already, guys. Stop acting like this is a drama.’

“So just... work hard... or whatever...” Big Boy muttered.

Clearly embarrassed, he shoved the staff firmly into my hands, and then he vanished without looking back. Not that it mattered, but we’d be seeing each other back in the room anyway.

Part of me wanted to tell him to quit with the nonsense, but right now, I had no choice but to shout out loud, like a hero of some shonen manga marking the start of a new chapter.

“Got it!” I shouted at him.

“...”

“...”

Just like that, ten days later, the boy who was once a mage’s retainer set out for the Magic Tower. At the same time, Kim Hyun-Sung, who had lost his brother in bread, revealed himself to the world once more.