I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 139

139

He had arrived at the scene beforehand.

Although we had never met before, he seemed intrigued by the message I had sent through Yoon Byeol.

“…….”

Before going further inside, I scattered my magic power as much as possible to sense any presence.

‘Nothing here.’

There seemed to be no uninvited guests or prying eyes. I couldn’t detect any traces of concealment either.

It was clear that this was a meeting between just the two of us.

Clack, clack.

My footsteps echoed loudly in the deserted, silent factory.

He looked at me and bowed politely as I approached.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Kang Shin-hwa.”

“Nice to meet you. It’s our first time meeting. I am Kim Jae-rim, the master of the Hyehwa Guild.”

Kim Jae-rim.

The master of the Hyehwa Guild, ranked 3rd in the country, and an SS+ rank Awakened [an Awakened is someone with supernatural abilities].

Unlike Mok Jin-woo and Shin Jung-ah, who would do anything to achieve their goals, he was a typical nice guy.

In fact, his virtue was the reason many were inspired to join the Hyehwa Guild.

In my past life, Mok Jin-woo and Shin Jung-ah took advantage of Kim Jae-rim’s good nature.

They are probably still doing so, step by step. Only he is completely unaware.

The reason I wanted to meet Kim Jae-rim was because the movements of the Hongyeon Guild, which I checked as soon as I returned to Korea, were unusual.

I had hoped that Mok Jin-woo would take my warning to heart and give up on trying to take over the Hyehwa Guild, but the reality was different.

After that day, he signed a cooperation agreement with the CSA.

Officially, it was about cooperating to attack dungeons owned by the guild and dungeons owned by the CSA.

‘The problem was the individuals from the CSA who entered the country for mutual consultation.’

I was shocked when I checked the list of CSA entrants through media reports.

Although it is not yet known to the public, they were executives who would later transfer to the three major corrupt guilds.

In other words, they were already recruited by the three major corrupt guilds from the current point in time.

There was no way Mok Jin-woo didn’t know that.

He probably disguised it as cooperation with the CSA, but it was a ploy to increase the number of Awakened in preparation for an internal war.

Since the opponent is the Chinese Awakened Management Bureau, it wouldn’t be strange even if a significant number of people came in.

‘He’s speeding things up.’

I was convinced.

An event that should have happened around the end of April according to the history of my past life was now happening earlier.

It was only a matter of time, something that was expected to happen eventually.

Having learned that history does not easily change, I intended to intervene in this matter.

Nicholas has not yet regressed, and this ‘internal war incident’ is a major event that will wipe out the Hyehwa Guild’s capable Awakeners.

There are too many Awakeners disappearing to dismiss it as someone else’s problem! Also, I needed to step in directly for my own future.

I carefully opened my mouth to Kim Jae-rim.

“I asked to meet you because I had something important to tell you. I hope it’s not an imposition.”

“Not at all. However, the choice of location was unexpected, so I came prepared.”

Kim Jae-rim smiled and showed off the thick reinforced suit he was wearing.

Being cautious is a good thing.

From the other person’s perspective, it was natural to question the true intention behind the meeting request.

“Let’s cut to the chase. The Hongyeon Guild and the Cheongyeon Guild are targeting the Hyehwa Guild. Were you aware of this?”

“Excuse me? This is news to me. We have been consistently cooperating with both guilds, so what are you talking about?”

“Exactly as I said. The two guilds are preparing a plan to take over the Hyehwa Guild’s achievements.”

“……That can’t be.”

The expected reaction came.

I wondered how such a kind and innocent person could have grown the guild this much. He trusted others easily.

‘That’s why he was taken advantage of in my past life.’

The cause and effect were clear.

Kim Jae-rim was foolishly kind, and Mok Jin-woo and Shin Jung-ah exploited his nature.

Perhaps at this very moment, they are acting like angels in front of him, getting closer to him.

“Alright. I won’t ask you to believe everything I say from the beginning. There’s not enough evidence for that.”

“…….”

Kim Jae-rim’s eyes were shaking. He seemed more shocked by my words than suspicious.

“Among the executives of the Hyehwa Guild, there are Kim Jang-hyuk and Jo Seon-woong. Right?”

“That’s right.”

“Investigate their activities secretly. Especially their authorized movements.”

“…….”

“If you approach it as checking whether the executives are doing their jobs well, you’ll feel less uncomfortable.”

“Investigation… Those two are executives I cherish. Are you saying they betrayed me?”

“Not yet.”

Kim Jang-hyuk and Jo Seon-woong become core executives of the Hongyeon Guild after the Hyehwa Guild collapses.

They would later proudly boast about how they had ‘designed’ the downfall of the Hyehwa Guild from the beginning, as if it were a heroic tale.

“Hmm… I can’t believe it.”

“I’m not asking you to believe it. I’m just asking you to investigate it once, just in case. Like an internal audit.”

“I understand.”

“And soon, the Hongyeon Guild will propose cooperation in attacking a dungeon. They need to tie up the master’s feet.”

“That part is already settled.”

“Already?”

Kim Jae-rim nodded.

The reason I mentioned this part was because.

In my past life, the point at which Mok Jin-woo targeted Kim Jae-rim was when they went into the dungeon together.

While they were in the dungeon, cut off from outside contact, the situation unfolded outside.

And as soon as they finished attacking the dungeon, they attacked Kim Jae-rim and killed him.

It was the worst possible outcome, being robbed blind. So I wondered if it would happen again this time, but it seems the D-day has already been set.

“March 20th. Only about 11 days left.”

“Master, can you let me participate in that dungeon attack? Whether as a guest or a mercenary.”

Since Kim Jae-rim agreed to the dungeon attack, Mok Jin-woo probably thinks he hasn’t noticed their true colors.

He probably suggested it to Kim Jae-rim to see if the plan had been exposed, and was probably flustered when he readily agreed.

“That’s…”

“I won’t ask for any spoils or support. I just want to participate.”

“I understand. I’ll think about it.”

Kim Jae-rim’s eyes wavered.

He still trusts Mok Jin-woo, but he seemed confused because I was speaking with too much confidence.

Since a person’s nature doesn’t change easily, he was more likely to suspect me now.

I expected it.

I had a ‘second plan’ in mind to let things flow and look for other methods.

I intend to put into practice the importance of first, second, and third plans that Nicholas always emphasized.

“I’m not asking you to trust me, Master. But please, question what you’ve taken for granted.”

I delivered my final, summarized message.

If Kim Jae-rim doesn’t feel anything from this, I’ll have to choose a roundabout path.

“I need some time to think.”

“As much as you need. I respect your decision.”

That’s how my awkward first meeting and conversation with him ended.

Even though I know the future, it’s so difficult to convince people in the present…

Nicholas.

You really went through a lot in my past life, really. I respected him anew.

* * *

That evening.

“Hmm.”

Kim Jae-rim, who had quietly returned to the guild building, was carefully reviewing the upcoming schedules.

“The teams scheduled to cooperate are all different, and the dungeons are different, but the dates are unusually close together.”

And this time, the participation structure of the forces was also different from usual, with the Hyehwa Guild’s participation rate being significantly higher.

The reason was.

Because the Hongyeon Guild had been participating with a large number of people, they proposed to change the ratio this time.

It was coincidental.

“But how?”

The fact that this story came from the mouth of Shin-hwa, a perfect ‘third party’ who was not even inside the guild, was unexpected for Kim Jae-rim.

He didn’t seem to have any particular bad blood with Mok Jin-woo, and there seemed to be no reason for Shin-hwa, who had formed a small team, to plot a division between the guilds.

“Kim Jang-hyuk, Jo Seon-woong…”

Kim Jae-rim tasted bitterness as he repeated the names of the executives.

Was it really right to suspect his trusted confidants based solely on the words of an outsider?

Kim Jae-rim was agonizing and worrying, racking his brain over what Shin-hwa would have decided immediately.

* * *

“Yes, Chairman. I have the site and investment funds, and Yanghwa Group has the determination and technology to proceed quickly. I think we’re the best partners.”

-That’s right. We can be good partners. Have you heard? The Jije Station area will be reclassified as a Red Zone next week.

“Yes, I received a call from the KSA [Korean Special Ability Association].”

-Anyway, we’ll send the working-level staff regarding the site development, so please cooperate well.

“Thank you for always taking care of me.”

-Although Kang Shin-hwa is no longer affiliated with our guild, I still look forward to working with you in the future. And please take good care of our Bomi.”

“Your daughter is always doing well. There’s nothing lacking.”

-Bomi and I will consider you a lifelong benefactor. Please don’t forget that we are always grateful.”

“You’re welcome. Then I’ll contact you again.”

Late at night.

The call with Jin Seong-tae, the chairman of Yanghwa Group, which had started in the evening, finally ended after a long time.

Even with a site, the procedures for investing, developing, and obtaining permits are so complicated.

That’s why I went through a preliminary coordination process to entrust these parts to Yanghwa Construction.

Usually, it’s right to talk to the executive in charge of the work, but Jin Seong-tae called first.

I was grateful for Jin Seong-tae’s concern, even after I left the guild. There may have been business-related matters as well.

“He’s a bit late.”

I had a guest waiting.

It was Lee Ha-seong, the head of the KSA headquarters.

Immediately after finishing the conversation with Kim Jae-rim, I chose a partner who seemed to communicate better.

“Wow! Tomorrow, I’m finally crossing the South Pacific? I’ll see Krivia Island and taste the delicacies served in the kingdom.”

My heart was already pounding.

It was the work of finding an island that would be the foundation of my retirement life. It’s going to be my new home, so I can’t help but be excited.

In addition to the on-site inspection, it was also a purpose of rest to look around and relax.

With my current state of mind!

Just lying down on the white sand and watching the waves crashing in from the emerald sea would be enough to heal my mind quickly.

Of course, this is just the beginning.

If I want to lay the foundation on a deserted island with nothing, I have a long way to go.

I have to start now to make my retirement possible within a few years, as I envision it.

“I have to increase my magic power, make money, and prepare for the future, which is not in my nature. I have so many things to do.”

I sighed, pressing down on my throbbing forehead.

Paradoxically, I have to work very hard now for a retirement where I can do nothing but play and eat.

“It’s just the beginning.”

This word sums it all up.

The first step to true retirement!