I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 14

Early in the morning.

Even before the sun rose, Jin Seong-tae was wiping the beads of sweat from Jin Bo-mi’s forehead, his face etched with worry as he watched over his daughter.

Jin Seong-tae looked as if he would burst into tears at any moment, seeing his daughter’s pale complexion, which seemed worse than yesterday.

“Bo-mi, why are you suffering like this?”

“I’m sorry, Father. It’s all my carelessness that’s causing trouble for you…”

“Trouble? In-seok, what trouble are you causing me? You’re the one suffering! My daughter, who was a well-known A-rank Awakened! Heaven is truly heartless.”

“It’s okay. I’ll get better soon.”

“Cough! Cough!”

“Ah!”

But, belying Jin Bo-mi’s words, she coughed up dark red blood.

For an Awakened, the circulation of mana was as important as blood circulation for an ordinary person.

To think, ‘It’s just the mana circulation being blocked, so it doesn’t matter,’ is a thought that only an ordinary person would have.

Basically, there is a default amount of mana consumed to maintain one’s Awakened talent.

But if that is blocked, the body uses the Awakened’s life force instead of mana to maintain the talent.

It starts to eat away at their future lifespan. Therefore, mana emission disorder was very dangerous for the Awakened.

At that moment.

Knock knock.

A knock was heard.

Since this was a VIP hospital room, access was restricted. Nevertheless, the fact that someone was delivering news meant that there was some important information.

“Come in.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened, and a man stepped inside.

It was Jeong-hoon, who had been Jin Bo-mi’s bodyguard, aide, and Awakened, shadowing her for a long time.

“I received a call from someone who says they can treat the young lady. I also talked about the treatment method for a while.”

“Is there something bothering you?”

“The words sound plausible, but he’s an F-rank porter. His name is Kang Shin-hwa. No matter how I think about it, he just seems like a guy spouting nonsense.”

“There’s no need to look at a person’s background. Not long ago, I trusted someone who claimed to be an SS-rank Awakened, but in the end, he was just a con artist trying to make pocket money.”

“Yes. To convey Kang Shin-hwa’s words as they are, he says the cause of the young lady’s illness is mana emission disorder.”

“Mana emission disorder?”

“Yes, Chairman. It’s a matter of inducing mana circulation, but he assures me that other Awakeneds can never do it.”

Until now, the concept of mana emission disorder was not well-established in the world of Awakeneds.

Rather than thinking of it as a disorder, they recognized it as a state where the body’s condition deteriorated and the efficiency of mana circulation worsened.

This perception changes around 2027. It’s still a long way off in the future.

“Really… did that person say it was mana emission disorder?”

Jin Bo-mi blinked and asked Jeong-hoon in a frail voice.

He quietly nodded, and Jin Bo-mi continued.

“It’s true that mana circulation isn’t working at all. I’ve never thought of it as a disorder, but it seems like the starting point of the story is different from the others who have diagnosed me so far.”

“If it’s a diagnosis that an F-rank porter can make, why haven’t other Awakeneds known about it?”

“A famous doctor isn’t necessarily only in a famous hospital.”

Jin Seong-tae said indifferently.

Perhaps because he had seen all sorts of things while treating Jin Bo-mi, his voice seemed half-resigned.

“All the other contacts said that their healing power was miraculous, and they told me to trust them and leave it to them. They even blabbered about watching the treatment period for at least three months.”

“Those words are no longer needed. What did that F-rank friend say?”

“He says it will take half a day.”

“What? Did he really say that?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

There were many who had made confident claims about treatment so far, but no one had guaranteed the period.

Everyone said that it would take time, so they made loopholes to escape.

But this man was not like that.

“Bring him here right away!”

Jin Seong-tae’s order was given.

“However! Tell him not to even think about coming if there is even an inch of falsehood in his words. I cannot show mercy to those who exploit the desperate hearts of a father and daughter.”

“Yes, Chairman. I’ll be back.”

Jeong-hoon left immediately.

* * *

Thanks to a good night’s sleep, my physical condition was at its best.

I thought I might be able to attempt heart modification around evening, but with my current condition, it seemed sufficient.

‘If I modify the heart, its utilization will definitely be more diverse than other parts.’

The heart is the part corresponding to the source of life.

At the same time, it was the core of mana emission, so it was a very important organ for Awakeneds as well.

The modified heart, in conjunction with the lungs, creates an explosive increase in cardiopulmonary endurance.

Perhaps after the modification is complete, I will have the stamina to go head-to-head with a marathon runner.

Not only that.

It also becomes possible to highly condense mana and store it in the heart.

In other words, it’s like having a mana auxiliary battery in the body.

‘The total amount of mana I can hold as is. In other words, it’s like having one more 100% mana recovery potion.’

There are many special features in many ways.

In addition, mana emission power rises sharply, making it possible to infuse mana into others.

It becomes possible to share the mana I have.

For this to be possible, the heart’s own emission ability must be very excellent, but currently, no one can do this.

Once I finish heart modification, I will probably be the first in the world.

‘That’s why Nicholas always took me with him when he went to dangerous places or long-distance expeditions. He said a human battery was absolutely necessary.’

Everything comes back to Nicholas.

He was a guy who had a great influence on me, so I couldn’t help but think of him often.

He must be living somewhere in the United States now.

Well, maybe he’ll come find me when he regresses [returns to an earlier point in time with his memories].

I don’t think I need to go find him first.

“Huff.”

Sitting cross-legged on the pleasantly warm marble floor, I immediately focused my mind.

I had already contacted the Yanghwa Group’s representative.

Judging by the fact that they said they would come to find me in just a few minutes after hanging up the phone, they must be quite urgent.

‘Heart modification. Output assistance in conjunction with the mana lung. Lung and modification interlock. Mana concentration work.’

I immediately went into modification.

The mana that had been freely circulating through the body was all concentrated in the heart.

It was a concentration that pushed in everything without leaving even a single grain.

The heart is a sensitive area.

Modification must be done quickly with high output in a very short time.

Otherwise, the heart will be pressured more than necessary.

If you’re not careful, it’ll go pop! and burst like a balloon.

Then, of course, the owner of the body cannot survive.

So, in my past life, I put in a lot of effort and repeated attempts and gave up. I didn’t want to die by mistake.

“Keuk!”

The heart, which had accepted a large amount of mana, reacted explosively and began to change.

A sudden change occurred, with cold sweats flowing and convulsions occurring throughout the body.

I did not waver and continued to concentrate and concentrate.

Anxiety, a sense of crisis, hesitation.

These are the factors that have the worst effect on modification.

In my past life, I tried to modify the bladder and the surrounding area, but I hesitated, and I almost became a so-called ‘eunuch.’

It’s a memory that I recall with a smile now, but it was really serious at the time.

‘Good. It’s going smoothly.’

The difficulty of heart modification is not very high, about medium.

The brain, which is the most difficult to modify, was the highest, no, extremely high, based on my standards.

If successful, I become a walking supercomputer, but if I slip up even a little, I become an idiot.

“…….”

Concentrate, concentrate, and concentrate again.

With my eyes closed, I endured the process of modification, befriending the pain that was now as familiar as a friend.

The things that I had repeated countless trials and errors and interruptions in the past have now become simple and easy.

In that way, the heart was also rapidly transforming into a heart of mana.

* * *

[Judgment Grade: D]

“I only fixed one heart, but the stage goes up right away? At least a year shorter. Fast, fast.”

Shin-hwa examined the changed judgment grade with a satisfied expression after finishing the modification of his heart.

All body modifications are linked to an increase in mana, and the heart seems to account for a significant proportion.

Shin-hwa stopped in front of a potted plant placed on one side of the living room.

All living organisms can be infused with mana.

Of course, plants cannot utilize mana, but they can at least have it.

“Hap!”

With a shout, Shin-hwa pumped his heart with all his might and explosively spewed out the mana within.

Then, the next moment!

Shaaaaa!

Energy began to surge in the potted plant, and in an instant, blue light began to pour out from the entire potted plant.

It had become a potted plant containing mana.

Of course, eating this potted plant like a potion does not restore mana.

However, in an emergency, it is possible to use this as a material to cause a mana explosion.

In other words, it can be used like a bomb.

“The preparation is all done.”

The setting to solve Jin Bo-mi’s problem was all finished.

Mana emission disorder is solved with the heart, and the body’s difficult recovery is solved with saliva. It’s a perfect solution!

Drrr.

As expected.

Exactly 5 minutes before the promised time, a call came.

“Yes, this is Kang Shin-hwa.”

-We have arrived. We would appreciate it if you could come down as soon as you finish preparing.

“Yes, I’ll go down right away.”

Shin-hwa put on the casual suit he had bought yesterday again and left the house.

Since it was a formal occasion, he was going to observe basic etiquette.

* * *

On the way to the Yanghwa Building where Jin Bo-mi and Jin Seong-tae would be.

“…….”

“…….”

The car was as quiet as a mouse.

This car, which had a very comfortable ride, was an F company vehicle that was limited to only 10 units produced worldwide.

I knew that one of them was owned by Jin Seong-tae, and as expected, he brought it.

‘Jeong-hoon. He was an A-rank Awakened skilled in kickboxing, but his misguided loyalty became a big problem.’

I already knew who the driver of this car was.

He was quite a capable person.

But after Jin Bo-mi’s death.

He finds all the Awakeneds who gave her unfounded false treatments and kills them with his own hands.

He became a serial killer.

Until the KSA [Korean Special Ability Association] formed a dedicated team to arrest him, countless ‘swindlers’ died at his hands.

And just before being arrested by the KSA, he stabbed himself in the neck with a dagger and committed suicide.

So, like the future Jin Bo-mi, he is also a person destined to die someday if left as is.

At that time.

“Kang Shin-hwa.”

Jeong-hoon opened his mouth for the first time in a heavy, low-pitched voice.

His gaze, which I met through the rearview mirror, was as cold as ever.

“Yes, speak.”

“Thank you for your support. However.”

“Yes.”

“There have been too many people these days who are trying to wickedly enrich themselves under the pretext of treating the young lady.”

I fully understood his concerns.

I don’t think everyone who came forward to treat her had good intentions. It was the same in my past life.

So, it was only natural that he would send me a look of anxiety and suspicion.

“I understand.”

I nodded.

Then, Jeong-hoon continued with a slightly trembling voice.

“Please! Please save the young lady. I sincerely hope that Kang Shin-hwa will create a miracle. I don’t want to be disappointed again!”

Since Jeong-hoon will turn black [become corrupted or evil] due to Jin Bo-mi’s death in the future, the words he uttered did not sound trivial.

However, it would be no fun to end the conversation here in a bland way.

Of course, I am confident that I will not disappoint him.

Then, wouldn’t it be even better if there was something in return when I meet expectations?

I smiled and asked him back.

“Then what will you give me if I succeed in the treatment? If you don’t want failure, shouldn’t there be a reward commensurate with success?”