I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 207

207

“What? You’re saying Michelle suddenly left and went towards the dungeon entrance?”

“That’s absurd…”

Marina and Toshio, who arrived a bit late at the crossroads to meet Shinwa, tilted their heads.

Shinwa being late was one thing, but Michelle, who should have been with him, hadn’t arrived.

Explaining the whole situation as it was would require too many explanations to the two of them.

So, Shinwa made up a plausible excuse.

After all, the person who could confirm the truth was now a guest of the afterlife, residing in the subspace.

“Actually, there wasn’t much left of the dungeon, and she said she had completed her mission and wanted to leave.”

“That’s ridiculous. Tsk.”

Marina clicked her tongue.

She was puzzled by Michelle’s sudden departure, but she didn’t doubt Shinwa’s words.

If something had happened between them, they would have heard some noise long ago.

Of course, this was only possible because they were completely unaware of Michelle, or rather ‘Russell’s,’ soundproofing abilities.

Moreover, considering Michelle’s level as stated in her profile, there was no possibility that Shinwa could have harmed her.

The fact that she didn’t have strong connections further supported Shinwa’s story.

“Once this raid is over and we get out of the dungeon, I’m going to complain to the VVIP [Very Very Important Person]. She has no manners.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Shinwa nodded.

Of course, even if they called the VVIP now, they would never get through. Not unless they could call the afterlife.

‘Maybe at some point, the VVIP’s vacancy will become a reality. Since the final decision-maker is gone.’

Shinwa pondered.

If the VVIP’s position became vacant, the person most likely to inherit the position would naturally be the Branch Manager.

Until now, unlike other Awakened Associations, the WSA [World Awakened Association] had a VVIP reigning above the Branch Manager.

As it was named the ‘World Awakened Association,’ they had created an additional position above the highest rank, the Branch Manager.

But since the VVIP was killed by his hand, the Branch Manager was most likely to succeed.

‘If Jonas naturally succeeds, I don’t have to worry too much about the future of the WSA.’

He wore a satisfied expression.

In his past life, Jonas was known for his wise and sensible decisions.

Even when the WSA clashed and conflicted with the Nine Lords, he tried to mediate from the middle.

Even risking falling out of favor with the VVIP.

And he had even come to the Nine Lords and promised personal cooperation.

With someone like that, he thought the WSA was unlikely to go in the wrong direction.

Above all, the existence that could have a negative influence was already dead and gone. The conclusion was simple.

“Let’s go. Anyway, that’s enough dungeon exploration for now. It’s still a bit far, but I can see the barrier of the boss room.”

Shinwa pointed to where the barrier, a sign of the boss room, was indeed located.

There was still some way to go, but as Shinwa said, it wasn’t to the point where they needed a professional scout.

“Shinwa, I’ll apologize on her behalf. Getting help from outside only caused trouble.”

“It’s okay. Let’s not talk about the person who left. The WSA will take care of Michelle’s problem.”

“Okay. Let’s start again!”

With that, the raid resumed.

* * *

I thought throughout the journey.

Whoever designed this dungeon must have been extremely obsessed with tormenting intruders.

Swoosh! Psh! Thud!

I used the Liquefaction ability to my heart’s content.

“Ha, really.”

As a result, my mana consumption increased exponentially, and the clothes I was wearing were instantly tattered.

“The Liquefaction ability is really amazing every time I see it. The fact that a person can become so fluid…”

“I think the same as you, brother. This rare ability is one that can’t be converted into money.”

Whenever I showed off my Liquefaction ability, Marina and Toshio marveled at it like children.

It was certainly a unique ability.

However, the more the body’s form collapsed, the more mana was needed for the recovery process, which was a disadvantage.

In any case, I covered more than 80% of the section leading to the boss room barrier with just the Liquefaction ability.

If I hadn’t come to this dungeon.

Even if they had luckily passed the initial concentrated fire section, they would have all collapsed here.

I could say that with certainty because they had created a section with even more extreme difficulty than the initial section.

“A true bus ride [being carried by someone stronger].”

“I know. It was like that when we first entered, and it’s the same in this fire section… I feel so powerless.”

Marina and Toshio lowered their heads apologetically.

The fact that the siblings always had the same opinion seemed to be because they had similar minds and character.

These two were quite good partners.

In fact, there was no problem with that thought because in my past life, Marina had been with the Nine Lords as a colleague.

Moreover, Toshio was a well-known Awakened who was famous for being polite and respectful to others.

‘Stop it, that’s enough. What’s so important about having good partners? It’s all over once I retire.’

I stopped my thoughts, which were drifting in a sentimental direction.

Perhaps the nostalgia for the Nine Lords still remained.

When I saw talented people, I naturally wanted to have them as colleagues.

‘Hey, Kang Shinwa. You’ll know why I’m so thirsty for talent and clingy when you regress.’

Suddenly, Nicholas’s words came to mind. I didn’t understand what he meant at all back then….

I’m starting to understand the thoughts and worries that guy might have had.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I want to understand and resemble the life that Nicholas suffered.

Whoosh! Pow!

“Hoo, it’s easier now.”

Even in the midst of that, I endured the magic bullets that flew at me again.

Whoosh! Thud!

I completely destroyed the magic bullet firing device that was diligently pouring attacks on me from nearby.

I can definitely feel the reality of my body leaping to S-rank.

The difference between the alphabet of a rank changing from F to E and from A to S is like heaven and earth.

Although it can’t be compared with exact numbers, the total amount of mana increases by at least twice in the process of going from A-rank to S-rank.

Considering that A-rank itself possesses an enormous amount of mana, it increases significantly.

So, the me who endured at the dungeon entrance as an A-rank and the me who is enduring now as an S-rank have to be different.

‘Besides, I used a trick, but I still caught the SSS-rank Awakened VVIP, right?’

I think I can be confident in my skills now.

As long as the opponent isn’t a so-called complete EX-rank, I can calculate that I can somehow ‘struggle.’

That means it’s worth trying.

I’ve always been overpowered.

Every time, going one step further was the basic option, and I even pushed my power to the extreme, aiming for two steps.

It’s nothing new.

With my current rank, I can handle Apostles like Elijah or Isla, according to my calculations.

“It’s almost over.”

I said, pointing to the firing devices that seemed to be few in number.

Certainly, the firepower had weakened, and the point of impact was not accurate, so the magic bullets were flying to the wrong places.

“Everyone, get ready. It’s time to meet the unknown boss monster of the Secret Dungeon.”

The time of the final battle was approaching.

Before finally entering the barrier of the boss room, the three of us obtained a lot of loot.

The biggest gain was obtaining 12 top-grade dimension stones from the monsters we caught in the middle.

The distribution was fair.

However, the reactions after seeing the top-grade dimension stones were distinctly different between me and the Marina siblings.

For me, it was nothing special, but for the two of them, it was the first time they had seen the appearance of a dimension stone.

Thus, the inflection point of regression was marked once again in a different form.

Top-grade dimension stones were discovered by other Awakened, not me, at a much earlier time than in my past life.

Research on this will accelerate even more in the future.

This is separate from the fact that I obtained top-grade dimension stones from the dummy dungeon in the past.

“Shinwa! Shouldn’t we keep the top-grade dimension stones we obtained today a secret?”

“I was wondering if we could do some personal research until its existence is known to the world?”

“Do as you please. Maybe top-grade dimension stones will be found here and there in the future?”

I casually changed the subject.

Because I’m even making a special suit with top-grade dimension stones, I can’t keep the secret for long as they requested.

Toshio said.

“Ha… This dungeon really has many secrets, just like its name, Secret Dungeon.”

Tell me about it.

The connection with Nicholas, which only I know and the two of them don’t, also exists here.

Anyway, the time has come to open the hidden Pandora’s box.

* * *

Soon after.

Shinwa, who crossed the barrier and entered the boss room, was greatly surprised to see the boss monster he encountered with his own eyes.

‘There really is something here?’

Secret Dungeon.

There was a familiar figure in a dungeon where there was no reason to have a familiar face.

Kasnand V.

He was the King of the Dead whom I had seen in the underground dungeon on the Nas Continent.

He was the owner of the dungeon that I had accidentally discovered and raided in the process of exploring the Nas Continent after killing Lechero.

The experience I had on the Nas Continent was special, so I remembered everything without forgetting anything.

The boss monster I had encountered back then had appeared here.

[Kasnand V: SSS+]

‘I guess it’s an upgraded version.’

Shinwa bit his lip.

The Kasnand V he had met at the time was at the S-rank level, so he could be subdued without difficulty.

However, his level, which he met again in the Secret Dungeon, was different from before.

“……”

I carefully retraced my memories.

If it is adjusted to SSS+ rank, one attack and one pattern play will be very powerful.

In particular, Kasnand V is the type who enjoys using a ‘long spear’ as a weapon, so there were many difficult parts to deal with.

“First of all, let’s all do some thorough doping [taking performance-enhancing drugs or potions]. I’ll take charge of the reconnaissance, so please just provide support.”

Shinwa took the lead.

And he diligently recalled the path and pattern of attacks that Kasnand V could draw.

Because once the battle starts, there is no time to reorganize the strategy.

‘I have to win no matter what! That way, I can find the connection with Agauht’s will.’

His will burned.

The motivation was clear.

I have to quickly solve the secret that Nicholas hid in the Secret Dungeon!

That way, I can definitely get an estimate of my retirement!

So for any reason.

Kasnand V was definitely ‘a guy to kill.’