Regressor Instruction Manual-Chapter 1173. A Secret Visitor (1)

Victory was always sweet.

[[Mainstream Event Monarch of Sunset’s Second Story. The Army of the Forsaken Saint has been completed. In honor of the surviving players, a buff will be granted to all players on the Rohen Continent until the end of this mainstream event.]

[Blessing for the Forsaken Ones]

[MP Consumption decreased by 20%. Recovery Rate increased by 30%.]

[Mainstream Event “The Army of the Forsaken Saint” Raid Rankings]

[1. Lee Ki-Young - 4,524,511 points]

[2. William - 2,231,561 points]

[3. Jung Ha-Yan - 2,231,561 points]

[...]

[...]

[7. Han Sora - ...]

[We’ll be giving coins and items to the top-tier players who worked hard during the Army of the Forsaken Saint raid.]

‘That’s crazy.’

The bigger the reward, the sweeter it would be.

‘It’s seriously crazy.’

Obviously, I expected our overall stats to increase once we cleared this story, but I had never imagined that the system would bestow upon all of us a buff.

I wondered if things like this happened in Rohen often, so I looked around, but most of the players had a similar reaction to me. They were either shocked or surprised, so the players of Rohen also thought that this was an unusual reward.

‘It’s giving us this much?’

Of course I had an idea as to why we had received this kind of reward. It probably thought the mainstream event was unbalanced. The system, which prioritized balance, had to have decided to offer the humans the least bit of mercy.

Since the system got involved unofficially, it could be a sign telling us that Rohen’s forces weren't enough, but thanks to its involvement, we got a buff that decreased our MP consumption and increased our recovery rate.

The buff was valuable and worth the effort.

Of course, the sweet mist of hope descended upon humanity once again. I saw the soldiers jumping around as if they were in the middle of a festival.

William and Emilia seemed like they just wanted to enjoy the victory right now rather than ask about that incident. To be exact, they created an atmosphere that helped the soldiers celebrate.

I saw them needlessly raising their flags and praising me.

‘Yeah, yeah. I am the Rank One player, after all.’

But that wasn't all...

‘Let’s be honest here. I did everything from start to finish, and I even created William.’

To boost their morale, I had to create a hero and turn them into an icon. To be honest, there was no one better than me for that role.

“It’s mankind and Rohen’s victory,” William said.

“...”

“Both the light and the Saint of Flower and Fertility have won!” William shouted.

“Wahhhhhhhhhhh!”

Naturally, the excited crowd gathered around and started praising the Flower and Fertility Familia’s bravery and deeds. Right now, I needed to be kind of emotional, but the excited crowd approached me and tossed me up in the air.

‘Why are they holding a festival? Is the fight over or something?’

“For the Saint of Flower and Fertility!”

'Did we win it all?'

“For the Saint of Flower and Fertility! Hahahaha! For the Saint of Flower and Fertility!!!”

It looked like a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie, and there were even two lovers sharing a kiss upon overcoming this mainstream story. I looked everywhere, and it felt like an ending song was being played from somewhere.

I wouldn’t find it strange if the credits started rolling along with the music, so I thought about calming down, but the ordinary soldiers and the leaders of familias in the command center reacted similarly as everyone, leaving me with no choice but to shake my head.

“...”

‘It’s their first time...’

They had never finished a fight this big and intense. The battle was indeed intense, but they were already acting like sports players who had just emerged victorious from the most epic match of all time, even though this was only the second story.

‘This is why the system gave us a buff as a reward. Look at how you guys are acting.’

The excitement and adrenaline from the battle still remained. Honestly, I wasn’t too keen on it, but...

“I think it’s best if we hold a small celebration for today’s victory,” I suggested.

I thought it would be best to let them ease up a bit.

“Would you like to do that?” William asked.

“Yes. They’ll probably try to avoid a full-scale war for the time being. The 21st Legion is still in the middle of their northern campaign... and they used a lot of resources for this battle,” I answered.

“Okay.”

“I think it’s best to give the soldier time to rest... and distribute as many supplies as possible. If there’s alcohol, that’s fine too... I hope we can honor the fallen and celebrate the soldiers’ victory,” I told him.

“I’ll do as you ask, Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” he said.

‘Just mentioning alcohol seemed to have settled the atmosphere.’

As soon as it was announced that there would be a celebration to celebrate our victory after the post-battle cleanup, the soldiers moved in perfect harmony.

Saint Bell, which had become a mess due to the war, was tidied up in no time, and some even gathered in small groups.

The heat of the battle and the joy of victory were still on their faces, but at least they had become a bit calmer than before.

Of course, this group was no exception as well.

“Sora! Kgh... hiccup...” Jung Ha-Yan cried.

“Ah... M-Miss Jung Ha-Yan...” Han Sora cried.

I noticed Jung Ha-Yan and Han Sora letting go of their built-up emotions. Overall, people seemed to welcome the reinforcements from Arhendel, but among them, Jung Ha-Yan and Han Sora stood out the most.

Like a cicada clinging to a tree, Jung Ha-Yan was stuck on Han Sora.

“Have you been... doing well?” Han Sora asked.

“Y-Yeah. W-What about you, S-S-Sora?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“I’ve been doing well, too. Why do you look so pale, Miss Jung Ha-Yan? Have you been eating properly?” she asked.

Of course, like a true Korean, Han Sora was worried about whether Jung Ha-Yan had been eating properly or not. Ha-Yan had been eating well. Actually, I had been feeding her well.

“You’ve been skipping meals again, haven’t you? Ah... I knew it... You really went through a lot by yourself, didn’t you?” Han Sora questioned.

“I-I wasn’t alone. I-I met nice people... They’re somewhere else right now. Sora, there’s a person named Nam Goong-Seon there...” Jung Ha-Yan mentioned.

“I see,” Han Sora said.

“Before that, I've been... making my magic stronger... s-so I couldn’t go to you even if I wanted to...” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.

“I understand.”

They started catching up, and even back on the continent, Jung Ha-Yan was always the one who talked while Han Sora listened to her. It looks like things hadn't changed at all.

I noticed Jung Ha-Yan glancing over a certain area. She was looking at the people who came with Han Sora. They were keeping their distance while gauging Han Sora’s mood.

“But... w-who are those people who came with you?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“They’re... the party members I work with. I-I got permission from Mr. Lee Ki-Young... and decided to start working in Arhendel,” Han Sora answered.

‘Why is she using me?’

“Oppa did?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“Yes. Ah! H-He probably forgot everything right now. Yeah... r-right,” Han Sora stuttered.

“Party member?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“Yes... we’re... in the same party,” Han Sora answered cautiously.

“Ahh... I-I see...” Jung Ha-Yan said.

“Can I introduce you to them?” Han Sora asked.

“Yeah,” Jung Ha-Yan answered.

Thankfully, the guy who spouted nonsense to me last time wasn’t here. I wouldn’t exactly call them replacements, but I noticed veterans among the group. Some members were efficient and reliable.

They could be put to good use, just like Grandpa Bolt.

‘She made a pretty good party. Maybe she’s trying to sacrifice an old warrior as well.’

It seemed like it was only yesterday when I was a bit worried about her due to her bold claim that she could grow stronger in Arhendel, but I had never imagined that she’d prove herself like this so soon.

Moreover, she earned quite a bit of trust from others. She hadn't just gathered party members, but she had also established herself as the party’s leader.

‘I always knew she was talented.’

Han Sora had been waiting for an opportunity to spread her wings, but unfortunately, I wasn't sure whether she would have the opportunity to do that upon our return to the continent.

Meanwhile, I saw even more awkward scenes.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Jung Ha-Yan.”

“Ah, I-I see...” Jung Ha-Yan said.

‘It’s really awkward.’

Han Sora glanced at me, and she was clearly asking me to hurry up and ease this awkwardness.

“Hello,” I greeted.

“Ah! Hello, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.”

“O-Oppa!” Jung Ha-Yan greeted me.

As expected, Jung Ha-Yan stuck to my side again.

“I’m sorry that I took so long to introduce myself. I’d like to thank you officially. Thank you very much for coming here for Saint Bell, no—for Rohen,” I said.

“It’s nothing. We should actually be the ones to thank you. All of you were summoned to Rohen recently... but you stepped up for Rohen. Your actions made me feel so insignificant, and I also feel embarrassed, as I was the first to be here. You probably won’t understand, but...

“If it weren't for Miss Han Sora... I’m sure we’d be wasting our time.”

“But you still came here,” I pointed out.

“Haha...”

“Do you mind if I sit down?” I asked.

“It would be an honor, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.”

To hear a veteran, who had been in Rohen for a long time, address me with such respect was the reason why people had to succeed in life.

“I haven’t had the chance to thank you, Miss Sora. Thank you,” I said.

“Sure... sub—I mean... Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” Han Sora corrected herself.

“O-Oppa, about what I mentioned before,” Jung Ha-Yan chimed in.

“Yes, Miss Ha-Yan?”

After that, there was a small moment of useless chatter, and as always, we talked about various topics. Of course, we eventually talked about more appropriate matters, especially about the battlefield.

No matter where I was, people were bound to gather.

William and Emilia joined the group at some point, and the leaders of other familias, who wanted a taste of sweet power, joined in as well, but I honestly didn’t really care about the others.

Anyway, after spending some time with Jung Ha-Yan and Han Sora, I couldn't help but think about our continent. If I were the real Lee Ki-Young...

‘What exactly made me come here? Wealth and power? I would be happy to give it all up and spend time with my family on the continent.’

I was suddenly reminded of how precious everyday life was...

“Cheers!”

“For the Saint of Flower and Fertility!”

It was late at night, but there were still campfires everywhere, and I could still hear people talking to each other.

“Can I ask about your next plan?”

The answer to Will’s question was pretty obvious.

“I think we need to make preparations.”

“Pardon?” William asked.

“Because we’re going to be heading to the Demon King’s Castle next,” I added.

“...”

“We shouldn’t wait for the enemy; I think we need to take the initiative and attack the Ashen Sunset Region,” I suggested.

I sounded calm when I said that, but it felt like the atmosphere became heavy due to my words.

‘It might seem a little difficult.’

But we still need to go...

Externally, we were at war with another monarch, and internally, I was suspicious about the fake Hyun-Sung. Moreover, the madness surrounding it was intensifying, so heading to the Monarch’s Castle at this time was the right choice.

“I can’t say with certainty, but...” I paused.

“Yes?”

“The enemies are probably puzzled as well,” I added.

I was sure they were having a 100-minute debate[1] about whether Kim Hyun-Sung was insane or not.

As expected, a visitor arrived stealthily on that same night.

1. Based on a late-night debate program in Korea "MBC 100 Minutes Discussion" ☜