I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 149

149

I opened the door immediately.

I knew who it was without needing to confirm their identity.

“You’ve arrived.”

“As expected, Hwagok Station is much quieter than Sadang or Sindorim, isn’t it?”

“I think it’s because there are no dungeons nearby. Plus, it’s 새벽 [saebyeok – dawn] now.”

“Let’s go inside first. We can talk inside.”

The guest who visited my house at 새벽 was none other than Lee Ha-sung.

There’s only one reason he would come to me directly: Mok Jin-woo.

-Who is it…….

“It’s okay, Shami. It’s a guest I know. Don’t worry and go back to sleep.”

-Krrr…….

I sent Shami, who had woken up with sleepy eyes at the appearance of the guest, back to her 专属 [zhuānshǔ – exclusive; personal] bed.

Since only I can hear what Shami says, there was no need to worry about Lee Ha-sung hearing her.

“Your cat is very cute. I raise a dog.”

“I haven’t been a 집사 [jipsa – butler; in cat/dog owner context, it means ‘owner’ or ‘caretaker’] for long. I’m a beginner 집사, so I have a lot to learn. Haha.”

I laughed and activated a few devices I had installed in the house.

I had asked Yanghwa Construction for internal construction through Jin Bo-mi, and it was a radio wave interference device.

In simple terms, it’s a 도청 [docheong – wiretapping] prevention device.

“…….”

Lee Ha-sung quietly nodded and watched me.

He seemed satisfied with my meticulousness from the start.

Of course, he should be!

I hate troublesome things, but that doesn’t mean I ignore the basics.

“Let me get straight to the point. Do you really have 미래시 [miraesi – future sight] talent, Mr. Kang Shin-hwa?”

“Did you find any meaningful evidence?”

“I think it’s safe to say it’s conclusive evidence. I can’t reveal the source, but I’ve confirmed the connection between Mok Jin-woo and Shin Jung-ah through a recently secured information network.”

“A recently secured information network… Is it internal recruitment or something?”

“Let’s keep that a secret. The important thing is that we have obtained confirmation.”

You can’t underestimate KSA’s information-gathering ability.

Quite a few Awakened people with connections to KSA are 潜入 [qiánrù – infiltrating] into most guilds. It’s a kind of surveillance.

However, it seems they hadn’t touched Hongyeon Guild’s internal information because there had been no reason to suspect them.

“An abnormally large purchase of combat supplies was detected, and the movements of CSA executives were also suspicious.”

“Right?”

“The 공개 [gonggae – public] schedule and actual 행보 [haengbo – movements; actions] are slightly different. The total number of people who received dungeon licenses and the number of participants are also different.”

“What about the other parts?”

“Most of the executives who entered the country have been identified as having connections to the 오성회 [Oseonghoe – Five Stars Society], 흑사회 [Heuk Sahoe – Black Society], and 삼합회 [Samhaphoe – Triads].”

“It feels like the puzzle pieces are falling into place one by one.”

“The KSA has finished its judgment internally.”

“Has the internal meeting decided on the future stance?”

“Yes. First of all, thank you for Mr. Shin-hwa’s tip-off. I think your 미래시 talent has 예지 [yeji – foreseen] a really big incident in advance.”

“Actually… it’s just the beginning. If it’s okay, can I take a look at the materials you brought?”

“Ah, I prepared them to share opinions sufficiently. Please feel free to check them.”

Lee Ha-sung handed over the file.

In fact, now that the KSA has noticed Mok Jin-woo’s scheme to some extent, I can step back.

A situation close to 내란 [naeran – insurrection; rebellion] is right in front of us, so there’s no way the KSA would just stand by and watch.

However, if I take the initiative and make sure to play a role here, my scope of action in the country will widen in the future.

If I have the KSA and Yanghwa Guild as my 후위 세력 [huwi seryeok – backing force], no one will be able to touch me 함부로 [hamburo – carelessly; recklessly], even overseas.

I’m already receiving special treatment, but wouldn’t it be nice to receive even more ‘챙김 [chaenggim – care; consideration]’?

촤륵. 촤륵. 촤륵 [chwareuk – sound of flipping pages].

“As expected of KSA.”

I looked through the information they had obtained and clicked my tongue repeatedly.

As expected, a national institution is a national institution. If they set their mind to digging, there’s no information they can’t find.

Thirty minutes later.

After reviewing all the contents, I had a heated conversation with Lee Ha-sung about the next plan.

He was the head of an organization, but he listened to my opinions.

“In this case, the one who sits heavy on their 엉덩이 [eongdeongi – butt] and pulls out the 칼 [kal – knife] late wins.”

I emphasized this point.

I pointed out that if we respond first, the opponent might notice and not reveal their 마각 [magak – true colors].

Even though there is clear evidence.

That’s because it will be data to prove the circumstances when the attack on the Hyehwa Guild occurs.

“I have a plan in mind, but I would like to hear Mr. Shin-hwa’s opinion.”

“Shall we begin then?”

A discussion began.

To draw a much bigger picture than the one Mok Jin-woo and Shin Jung-ah are drawing.

It was a secret conversation between the two of us.

* * *

As time passed.

At a quiet time, from morning to lunch.

부우우웅 [buuuuung – sound of an engine revving].

I was stepping on the accelerator with all my might.

Of course, while complying with the speed limit.

Since it was a special day, I rented an expensive sports car and was moving along the coastal road.

Of course, Jin Bo-mi, the protagonist of today, was sitting in the passenger seat in a demure posture.

Since Jin Bo-mi had been asleep the whole time from Seoul to here, the only conversation we had was the greeting we exchanged in the car.

I heard that she had been 공략 [gongnyak – strategizing; conquering – often used in the context of dungeons or games] a dungeon until 새벽. It would have been nice to rest on her birthday.

Anyway, while concentrating and holding the steering wheel, I spoke to Jin Bo-mi, who had just woken up.

“I was late in keeping my promise.”

“No! I really wanted to meet Shin-hwa today, and I was so happy when I got the call!”

“I wonder if I should have picked today. Your body must be heavy after 공략 a dungeon.”

“Not at all! I slept well in the car, so I’m fine! Did I snore or drool?”

“I won’t tell you.”

“Ah……! No!”

Jin Bo-mi hurriedly checked here and there on the pink chiffon dress she was wearing.

“You can drool, so what? Even if you did, it’s all dried up, so you can’t see it now.”

“Aaaagh!”

I could feel a bit of 허당미 [heodangmi – a charmingly clumsy or silly side] from Jin Bo-mi, who was scratching her head.

She’s definitely young.

I felt like I was dealing with a ball that could bounce anywhere, and it reminded me of my pure, young days.

So I didn’t want her to get caught up in the dirty work of power struggles or fights.

In my previous life, she lost her life at this time, specifically yesterday, due to a disease caused by 마력 방출 장애 [maryeok bangchul jangae – mana emission disorder].

She obviously doesn’t know, but I wanted her to live a new life for her sake.

I asked Jin Bo-mi.

“Do you like 회 [hoe – raw fish; sashimi]?”

“회? Of course, I like it! I especially like 회 that’s caught right away at a 횟집 [hoetjip – raw fish restaurant]!”

“I happen to have a place in mind, and it’s just a little further, so would you like to eat there?”

“Yes! Wow……. Did you look at the course in advance?”

“You know me so well.”

I nodded.

It’s all thanks to the memories of my past life.

Around this time in my previous life, I couldn’t find the joy of life, so I became engrossed in 식도락 [sikdorak – gourmetism; pursuit of delicious food].

After that, I spent all the money I earned as a real 짐꾼 [jimkkun – porter; someone who carries luggage] only on eating. Only at 맛집 [matjip – famous or delicious restaurants].

As a result, I stirred up the entire east, west, south, and north, and I knew many places on the east coast as well.

At that time, Jin Bo-mi suddenly changed the subject.

“Mr. Shin-hwa, I’ve said this every time, but I really think you’re amazing. A 별종 [byeoljong – an oddball; a unique person], I guess?”

“Why?”

“Just two months ago, you were clearly an F-rank Awakened, right?”

“I was. To be exact, I was an F-rank 짐꾼.”

“But now you’re B+ rank? That means you’ll be A rank soon!”

“I won’t set a date and go up, but I’m aiming for A rank.”

“I had a high rank from the beginning when I awakened. So I thought it was 하늘이 내린 행운 [haneuri naerin haengun – heaven-sent luck].”

“The chosen one?”

“Hoho, that’s right! I praised myself for my 先天적으로 타고난 [seoncheonjeogeuro tagonan – innate; inborn] rank, but when I see Mr. Shin-hwa’s transformation, I don’t think I can even show my 명함 [myeongham – business card]!”

“My goal is to grow while gritting my teeth until I see the limit. Of course, by any means necessary.”

“Ms. Ye-hee and Mr. Tae-ho also talk about you every time. Since you’re gone, your 빈자리 [binjari – empty seat; absence] must be really big. I actually feel it too.”

“Mr. Jung-hoon received the 탱킹 [taeking – tanking] class well, so he’ll get better and better.”

“When I was with Mr. Shin-hwa, I felt like a passenger on a bus, but now I feel like I’m pushing the car from behind with you. Hohoho.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I know. But I thought you were a really important person to us. Especially the 의존도 [uijondo – degree of reliance; dependence] was very high?”

I felt good because the executives of Yanghwa Guild, including her, seemed to recognize me again.

They say you don’t know when someone is there, but you know when they’re gone, so I guess they miss me.

I still have the intention to cooperate with them if there is a large-scale dungeon 공략 later.

However, I will not cooperate without any special meaning, as if doing charity work.

If there are more mouths than necessary, the pie that can be eaten decreases exponentially.

“Anyway, driving along the sea like this makes me understand why you want to retire.”

“How does it feel?”

“The quietness of having no people is more comfortable and nice than I thought. It’s like I only have to worry about myself?”

“Right?”

My face brightened as I answered. It was a comment that accurately 짚은 [jjipeun – pointed out; hit] the 감정선 [gamjeongseon – emotional line; feelings].

Exactly as she said.

A life where I only have to worry about myself.

A life where I don’t have to worry about what others think of me, how they see me, or how they gossip about me.

That was the ideal and destination of my retirement that I wanted.

“As you know, Mr. Shin-hwa, my father is such a 유명인 [yumeongin – celebrity; famous person] that the 기자들의 스포트라이트 [gijadeurui seupoteuraiteu – reporters’ spotlight] is focused on me a lot.”

“I guess so. Especially considering Ms. Bo-mi’s appearance, you can’t help but get more attention.”

Every time I see Jin Bo-mi, I think she could be the top member of a girl idol group.

She’s a really pretty and cute person. She has over 1 million followers on her 페이스그램 [peiseugeuraem – Facegram; a fictional social media platform similar to Instagram] alone.

“My father says he doesn’t want to put pressure on me, but that’s not what he wants, right?”

When I nodded, she added.

“Since I’m the daughter of a family that everyone calls 재벌가 [jaebolga – chaebol family; conglomerate family], I have a lot to worry about… I regret that my life is not as 평범하지 [pyeongbeom하지 – ordinary; normal] as others.”

“You had no choice but to receive attention in some form since you were young. You didn’t have peace of mind.”

“That’s right! There’s no mental 여유 [yeoyu – leeway; margin; space] in my life. There are too many roles required of me.”

It was a concern that she could 충분히 [chungbunhi – sufficiently; enough] have at her age, and I could 공감 [gonggam – empathize] because I had the same concern.

As I started working with Nicholas as a 나인 로드 [nain rodeu – Nine Lord] in my previous life.

I also received a lot of attention.

And Nicholas emphasized that in order to give people ‘hope,’ I should always maintain a bright appearance and do a plausible ‘연기 [yeongi – acting].’

Since I became an existence no different from a celebrity, I was forced to show the public what they wanted to see.

Nicholas always emphasized 희생 [huisaeng – sacrifice], and that was the opposite of me, who always thought of myself first.

Right then.

꾸욱 [kkuuk – sound of pressing or stepping].

I stepped on the brake and parked the car on the side of the coastal road for a moment.

And I stared at her.

Because there was something I really wanted to say to her with meaning. It was an important thing to say.