I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 197

Episode 197

Things went much smoother than I had anticipated.

Thanks to Lee Ha-seong’s quick actions, Hwagwang Industries conducted a thorough investigation into the production process of all their mana potions.

In the process, they discovered several altered products and detected changes in the process caused by someone.

Of course, Hwagwang Industries was turned upside down.

The discovery of impurities in a company with a global supply chain was no small matter.

According to Lee Ha-seong,

Chairman Jang Seok-cheon of Hwagwang Industries wanted to arrange a meeting to express his gratitude to me for the prior tip-off.

In any case, they planned to recall all contaminated potions and revamp the production process.

In the short term, they would suffer significant losses, but in the long term, it would be beneficial for them as well.

Ultimately, Hwagwang Industries was also a ‘victim’ of Jin Geuk-myeong’s misguided plan.

From my perspective, it was better for Hwagwang Industries not to repeat the same disaster as in my previous life through this virtuous cycle.

‘Good, good.’

I let out a sigh of relief as I watched a series of news reports being broadcast on state-run TV.

It was a really good ending.

There have been no further movements from the Five Stars, Black Society, or the Triads since then.

Just then.

Lee Ha-seong, who was sitting next to me, drinking canned beer and watching TV together, started to speak.

Having finished all his work and returned to the hotel to rest, both he and I were dressed comfortably.

“It turns out that a significant portion of China is under the influence of the three major guilds, including Communist Party officials.”

“It’s safe to say they’ve bribed every possible connection.”

“I expected it, but realizing it again this time, it’s shocking how deeply they’ve penetrated.”

“It will only accelerate in the future. The CSA [Corporate Security Agency] is already acting as a rubber stamp for the three major guilds.”

“The talk about dispatching CSA executives last time had that nuance. Even if we publicly raise the issue, they can’t find a reason or explanation.”

“They have backing anyway.”

“In any case, I’m once again impressed by Shin-hwa’s foresight ability. It really never fails.”

“It wouldn’t be foresight if it failed,” I joked.

As I often made excuses, there were times when I really wished I had foresight.

This is because knowledge as a regressor collapses once the upcoming future begins to change due to the ‘point of divergence of regression.’

But foresight would be able to see even the changed future, so it would be much more useful.

Unfortunately, there are no flowers or buffs related to foresight.

No awakened person with this ability existed in my previous life either.

That’s why I’m recklessly ‘scamming’ with my regression knowledge.

“Shin-hwa, I have a question. May I ask?”

“Of course. Isn’t today a day to relax?”

“Haha, that’s true.”

“I never imagined I’d be eating dried pollack with the head of the main branch in a hotel room while watching TV.”

It was definitely a casual and comfortable setting.

Lee Ha-seong had become more intimate as conversations and meetings had become more frequent recently.

The age difference was fifteen years, almost like an uncle, but we communicated well.

That’s probably because my actual age – my age before regression – was about the same as Lee Ha-seong’s.

“Is foresight something that can see everything for everyone?”

I wondered when this question would come up.

Of course, I had a model answer in mind.

“Not really. It’s structured to only show important events and important people.”

“Ah, I see.”

“If I could see through everything, I would have become a prophet or a seer, not just an awakened person. Hahaha.”

I burst into a hearty laugh.

That’s exactly how my regression knowledge is.

I have many memories from my previous life, but I don’t know the future of everyone in the world.

I only remember the big stocks, so I can’t do day trading every time, can I?

“I was thinking of asking about my future… but that would be a foolish question.”

“Good thinking.”

I nodded.

I know Lee Ha-seong’s future.

That he will die in an unexpected accident during a dungeon raid at the end of 2040.

But I don’t want to tell him this fact.

In other words, I don’t have to worry about his death for at least 20 years.

Interpreting dreams is better than having them.

Isn’t that a good interpretation anyway?

Because there’s a guarantee that he won’t die for at least 20 years.

Lee Ha-seong pondered for a moment, then changed the subject and asked me back.

“Shin-hwa.”

“Yes?”

“Can you see your own future? I’m curious if you can’t activate your own foresight.”

“Haha, that’s right. It’s like the light under the lamp, I can’t see the most important future.”

“Seeing things like this makes me think that the talents of awakened people are like God’s pranks.”

“You can say that again.”

Lee Ha-seong’s question was subtle, but it resonated deeply with me.

That’s because even I, who can predict the future with regression knowledge, don’t know my own future.

‘…Will I really be able to retire the way I want to?’

This was a question that had always filled my head since I regressed.

At that time, I thought I could just make enough money, take care of what I needed, work hard, and then retire!

Look at me now.

I’m traveling all over the world and playing an active role.

People even call me a hero and refer to me as a guardian of justice.

Moreover, Park Hyun, who was my exclusive reporter, quit the newspaper company a while ago and became an executive of the ‘Kang Shin-hwa Official Fan Club Cafe.’

He said he would start ‘fangirling’ over me in earnest.

Thanks to that, his career, which had covered everything about me in detail….

Was becoming an asset to the fan club cafe.

Well, I didn’t hate it.

Because I knew that no matter where he was, he would always tell good stories and anecdotes about me.

“Anyway, thank you for your hard work, Head of Main Branch. But please continue to monitor things closely for the time being.”

“Of course. We have more black agents from the KSA [Korean Special forces Agency] in China than you think. Don’t worry.”

I felt reassured by Lee Ha-seong’s guarantee.

As long as Lee Ha-seong thinks the same way as me.

The gang of the three major corrupt guilds, led by Jin Geuk-myeong, will not use the Great Light Worm again.

I’ve stopped one big incident for now.

With this mouth.

Mission clear!

It was the moment I put an end to the second of the four major incidents scheduled for 2020.

Now there are two left!

I’ve solved half of them, so I’m at the turning point.

* * *

The next day.

I arrived at Kansai Airport in Japan, not Incheon Airport.

It was to embark on the secret dungeon raid scheduled with Toshio, Marina, and Michelle.

There was no reason or schedule to stop by Korea, so I came straight to Japan.

“Cough…! I didn’t even stop by Korea and flew straight to Kansai Airport. Is this real?”

I let out a hollow laugh.

The bigger problem is that I’ll continue to be busy afterward.

Once the secret dungeon exploration is over, I have to fly to Australia right away.

The deadline for the local enhancement potion production that I promised Ayla is set for April 10th.

Of course, I could always cancel the appointment if circumstances didn’t permit.

But since I’m not just going out of goodwill, but to obtain the necessary ingredients for the product.

It was a schedule that I needed to visit at least once, even if it was annoying and difficult.

‘If I collect rare plants, including Katra, from Australia, I can cultivate them at Dient Farm.’

Dient has become capable of cultivating various plants regardless of species through useful ‘subordinates’!

That was the biggest reason why I scheduled the trip to Australia, even though it was a hassle.

‘If continuous production is possible at the farm, I won’t have to go abroad for materials anymore.’

It’s a bit cumbersome now.

But in the long run, it’s a great arrangement that greatly increases ‘rest time’! So it became a definite motivation.

‘It’s one mountain after another.’

The Five Stars problem was solved for now, but now the new relationship linked to the secret dungeon was a problem.

‘Why hasn’t there been a single peaceful day since I regressed?’

I couldn’t help but sigh.

It’s true that I started working without thinking, planning to make money like a dog and retire like a king.

But so many relationships have become intertwined beyond what I had imagined.

Especially Elijah and VVIP, who had no contact in my previous life.

In this life, they have become beings who can directly and indirectly influence my future actions.

Even Elijah is one of the apostles sent by Reccero.

‘If I put aside all the problems and retire coolly…….’

It would be comfortable for now.

But everything will boomerang and come back to me someday. Because they are unexploded time bombs.

I wish I hadn’t known!

I feel that way every time.

The price of knowing the uncomfortable truth was too heavy a burden for me, like opening Pandora’s box.

‘Who really regressed me?’

Still an unresolved question.

Because I haven’t properly found the answer to this question, I’m still dreaming and imagining retirement today.

I have a long way to go.

5 minutes later.

I met Marina outside Gate 1 of Kansai Airport and got into the sedan she brought.

Toshio wasn’t there, so he must have been waiting at the site.

“I’ll take you there!”

“I’m always relying on you.”

“We’re the ones relying on you. Thank you for taking the time despite your busy schedule.”

“Where is Toshio?”

“He’s waiting at the base camp near the secret dungeon. Michelle is almost there too.”

“Michelle Streli.”

“Yes, that’s right. VVIP personally selected and sent her, so her skills must be good.”

“Does VVIP know that I’m participating too?”

“Of course! He bragged so much about it. He said he thinks he’ll be able to succeed in the internal investigation this time!”

Marina purely believes in VVIP.

She didn’t do anything wrong.

As someone who has been favored by VVIP for a long time and has enjoyed privileges and special treatment, it was a natural reaction.

“…….”

I fiddled with Akeroth’s Eye, which I had taken out of the subspace early on.

On the other hand, I put the black magician’s ring on my finger upside down in the subspace.

It was insurance for the worst-case scenario.

Akeroth’s Eye is a device that unilaterally recognizes apostles, but the ring reacts mutually.

And so, the sedan with me and Marina headed quickly in the direction of the secret dungeon.

After enough time had passed.

I could see the back of Toshio and Michelle, who had already arrived at the scene, beyond the windshield, along with the shimmering gate that came into view.

And.

The moment I carefully aligned the direction of Akeroth’s Eye’s gaze with Michelle’s position.

‘…What is this.’

Woo-oong!

The eye reacted.

The Eye was detecting the unique murderous aura of a black magician from Michelle.

Instead of reinforcements, another apostle came to this place.