I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 128

128

“Hyung, do you want to hear my honest thoughts? Without any sugarcoating, very accurately.”

“That’s right. I like it when people are direct. I really hate it when people beat around the bush to make things sound better.”

“How could I lie in front of you, Hyung? Besides, you’re a clergyman, Hyung….”

“Hahaha.”

Choi Ji-hyuk laughed awkwardly.

As Shin-hwa said, he was currently living the life of a clergyman, but in reality, the boundaries were ambiguous.

This was because so much had changed with the Great Cataclysm [a world-altering event] and the opening of the Age of Awakened [era where people gained supernatural abilities].

A body that required blood-sucking, and the slaughter that had to be carried out to survive in the dungeon.

All of these things had changed Choi Ji-hyuk’s life as a believer.

He had once asked the diocese to excommunicate him, but it was not accepted.

This was because there were quite a few priests and nuns who had awakened their talents in this way after the Great Cataclysm.

This was no exception for other religions, including the church and Buddhism, so awakening and talent were not a problem.

Instead, they created a separate department within the religion to manage the awakened ones.

This was for the purpose of actively contributing to the stability of society and protecting the safety of believers.

“I can see it clearly in your eyes. Hyung’s potential. Should I give you an easy analogy? It feels like I’m looking at a lottery ticket with a guaranteed win.”

“Me…? I still have a lot of shortcomings. I’m working hard, but I’m struggling to keep up with you.”

“It’s only been a month since we met. You know that Hyung went from E-rank to D-rank in that time, right?”

“I know.”

“Is that simply because I told you the shortcut? People with no foundation at all will wander around for a long time even if you tell them the shortcut.”

“Hmm….”

“That’s why it’s not a joke that ‘talented people’ grow faster even among the Awakened.”

The rich get richer in talent.

It was a saying that had been around for a long time among the Awakened.

If you have excellent innate potential, you can quickly develop your talent and your rank will go up quickly.

On the other hand, if the potential is low, there is a clear limit even if you work hard for the rest of your life.

“Honestly, I don’t know. You always say that I have infinite potential, but….”

“Let me be more clear. For example, even if there are a dozen D-rank Awakened by my side, they can’t produce the firepower of an SSS-rank [the highest rank].”

“That’s right.”

“But if you are by my side, I can fight an SSS-rank monster. Only thanks to you.”

“Thanks to me alone….”

“You are the person who allows me to take my limits one step further. Are these people common?”

“Not common.”

“Skills like the Swamp of Despair, which greatly reduces defense, are really valuable skills. Not all debuffers have this ability.”

“That’s right. That’s definitely true.”

“So how can I not be greedy? A person who takes my limits one step higher?”

Shin-hwa’s voice, speaking with emphasis, was full of conviction. Choi Ji-hyuk felt a deep resonance in his heart.

Shin-hwa recalled his memories of his past life.

Of course, it was a memory that ended sadly with Choi Ji-hyuk’s death, but that was only in his past life.

His strength is that he listens to any advice without prejudice and quickly makes up for it.

His open ears and mind allowed him to change like a chameleon, and the results were always positive.

‘If I keep pushing him hard, Hyung is talented enough to join Nine Lords [an elite group]. I’m sure of it.’

Shin-hwa was certain.

In addition, his strong sense of justice and passionate personality made him suitable as a team leader.

He thought that his personality was suitable for leading Team Mystic even after he retired.

Everything was a planned arrangement.

A foundation to make the team run organically in the future and cooperate with Nicholas.

He knew it was selfish because it was entirely for himself, but he didn’t think there was no price to pay.

Because he was going to develop his colleagues’ talents to the extreme.

He was going to give them the power to match it.

“I’m not running a charity. As a partner of the team, I will demand efforts and challenges commensurate with it, and I will also demand necessary obligations.”

“I know.”

“I will also be clear about cutting ties when trust is betrayed.”

“You have to.”

“I hope we can grow together, win-win, under trust. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Thank you, really. I’ll work really hard in the future. I can’t repay you for the help I’ve received so far with words or money, so I’ll give you my life….”

“Never say that. Words like giving your life or dying instead.”

Shin-hwa frowned.

It was a trauma.

He had lost Han So-joon and many partners who had worked well together in his past life.

He didn’t want to repeat the same tragedy.

“Of course, I can’t die, but I’ll put my heart into it that much!”

“Anyway, it’s forbidden to talk about dying in front of me. And use this. You’ll be able to use it well.”

Thump!

Shin-hwa nonchalantly threw a red ring he had taken out of his subspace at Choi Ji-hyuk.

It was the Blood Tear Ring that the Black Lion, who had been removed from the dungeon as bait, had been wearing.

“This… is an artifact that uses blood as a medium?”

“It’s perfect for Hyung. If you wear that ring, it will be easier to control debuffs or increase their duration than before.”

“Are you sure you can give me this amazing ring?”

“This is all investing in the future. Don’t worry, I’ll get it back later with labor in the dungeon.”

“Thank you, thank you so much!”

Choi Ji-hyuk bowed his head repeatedly.

Blood Tear Ring.

It was a ring that enhanced talent using a separate medium called ‘BP (Blood Point).’

It was also a ring that could not be activated in the first place unless it was an Awakened of the vampire type like Choi Ji-hyuk.

‘I will grit my teeth and become stronger because Shin-hwa believes in me and expects so much from me. And I will definitely protect him from any danger by his side!’

Invisible mouth shape.

Inaudible voice.

Like that.

Choi Ji-hyuk was making the same resolution as ‘that time’ in his past life.

* * *

“Wow, it’s really hectic.”

“LAX is always like that.”

“I knew that LA International Airport was notorious for delays and traffic congestion, but I didn’t know it would be this bad.”

When I stuck out my tongue at the sight of the crowded airport, Jin Bo-mi smiled and replied.

The only comfortable thing was that, unlike Korea, where more and more people were starting to recognize me.

In the United States, there was not a single person who recognized ‘Kang Shin-hwa.’

‘I guess this is why celebrities like to travel abroad. It’s more comfortable because no one knows you.’

LAX is the nickname for LA International Airport.

It is a rare case where a nickname has become an official name.

Anyway, the distance from LAX to the K-10004 dungeon that we were going to attack was not as far as I thought.

15 minutes at most?

So I was thinking of taking a taxi to get there, but something unexpected happened.

Woo-oong! Woo-oong!

‘The ring is reacting?’

The ring suddenly started to resonate.

Seeing that it was suddenly reacting after being quiet for a while and that the intensity was increasing, it seemed that the target was approaching.

It didn’t seem like Elijah.

The degree of resonance of the ring was weaker than when I met Elijah.

At that time.

‘Elijah Group’s number 5, Belik?’

I was able to make eye contact with the mysterious being that caused the resonance.

It was Belik, a man known as the number 5 of the Elijah Group and an SS-rank Awakened [one of the highest ranks].

In a fleeting moment, a strange look passed between me and Belik.

It was a secretive and sinister look, just like when I met Elijah before.

“Kang Shin-hwa, are you here? The people behind you must be your companions Jin Bo-mi, Han So-joon, Yoon Byul-i, and Choi Ji-hyuk!”

“Hello, Belik?”

Jin Bo-mi received Belik’s greeting in fluent English.

‘Come to think of it, Yanghwa Guild signed a cooperation agreement with Elijah Group this time, right?’

I understood the sudden kindness and interest of the Elijah Group.

It seemed that Jin Bo-mi had asked the Elijah Group for help to make the move from LAX easier.

Or maybe they offered to help first.

‘I found one more guy in an unexpected way.’

Add one more here.

I didn’t know if Belik was one of the five apostles of Rechelo that he had seen in the hint, or if he was an additional guy who had come over like the three black magicians last time.

But since I found one guy hiding in Elijah’s shadow, I had one more clue.

“Jin Bo-mi and Kang Shin-hwa are coming with their companions, so we have been preparing in advance. Our Elijah Group has prepared accommodations, so please enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you for your consideration!”

“We are just doing what we have to do. How can we ignore such valuable guests?”

“Tsk, when I personally asked for a request, you didn’t even give me a sniff. I didn’t know that you would change to a super luxurious treatment when Kang Shin-hwa came.”

It seemed that the favor was being given to me, not Jin Bo-mi.

Elijah, you bastard.

Is this to let me know that he is paying attention to me?

I felt creepy because I thought he would be looking at me with a happy expression.

“If we want to purchase high-quality products produced by Team Mystic, we have to keep our minds straight!”

Belik and the Awakened he brought with him bowed to me at right angles.

For a moment, I was greeted so politely that I was mistaken for Elijah.

Why are you so humble?

“Wow… Is Shin-hwa’s popularity starting in the United States now?”

“I know, right? I never imagined that the Elijah Group would give us such special treatment.”

Choi Ji-hyuk and Han So-joon, who had already smelled the scent, were making surprised expressions.

In addition, people passing by were taking pictures of me as an executive wearing the Elijah Group’s epaulettes greeted me.