I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 191

Two days later.

-Keuheo…….

With Shami, who had a plump belly and was sound asleep, lying next to me.

I was already watching TV, stuffing my mouth with my third bag of potato chips.

The Awakened news was reporting on the war against crime, organized as a ’24-hour special’.

“KSA’s [Korea Superhuman Association] Director Lee Ha-sung briefed that the Black Cross, which lost its driving force of resistance due to the death of Joo Cheon-ho, is rapidly expressing its intention to surrender.”

“It was Kang Shin-hwa who eliminated all the executives, including Joo Cheon-ho, the leader of the Black Cross, this time.”

“Citizens are sending enthusiastic praise for Kang Shin-hwa’s continued heroic actions. Shall we hear it directly?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to see and hear with my own eyes.”

Except for a brief coverage of Lee Ha-sung’s briefing, the follow-up reports were all about me.

Of course, it is true that I was the one who eliminated the leader and executives of the Black Cross…….

“Everyone is wondering who is worthy of being called a hero in Korea, right? I want to say without hesitation that it is Kang Shin-hwa!”

“I think Kang Shin-hwa should be designated as a national treasure, and all citizens should protect him!”

“If you ask who is Korea’s superhero, I would definitely say it’s Kang Shin-hwa!”

“Ugh.”

From my perspective as the person involved, the interview content was so cheesy that my fingers might not be able to handle it.

The problem was that the interview was a sincere interview containing the citizens’ true feelings.

In other words, the media has been image-making me in that direction early on.

Of course, it was true that the things I had done had somehow become ‘realizing justice’.

But I never acted with the thought of becoming a hero who would save the world.

If I had, I would have enjoyed the media spotlight, staging numerous performances like Nicholas in my previous life.

“Meanwhile, the Japan Awakened Association (JSA) praised the ‘War on Crime’ that took place in Korea this time and gave it a thumbs up.”

Mitsuya Satoshi (JSA Director) – “We praise Korea’s actions to realize justice and express our respect to Kang Shin-hwa, a key member.”

“That’s enough.”

*Click.*

I just turned off the TV.

I thought that if I kept watching, my fingers would never straighten out.

I figured the media would be working hard to churn out news about me for the foreseeable future.

So today, I came with Shami to the fifth safe house that I had never been to before.

Along with the Hwagok Station safe house, this place near Yeonsinnae Station is my own top-secret hideaway.

Just in case, I checked the CCTV and saw that the house in front of Junghwa Station was already swarming with reporters.

“KSA’s work is fast.”

In the meantime, the 300 billion won bounty for Joo Cheon-ho, Lee Chang-woo, and Jung Man-chun had been deposited into my account.

Perhaps because it was a pre-established crime fund, the budget execution seemed swift.

I had already decided how to use this money.

I was planning to discuss further with the Lolana Kingdom about using it to purchase Yulianes Island, which is close to Krivia Island.

I thought that Krivia Island alone wouldn’t be enough for my retirement.

The area of Yulianes Island was larger than all of Krivia Island combined.

The purchase price, investment, and royal subsidies would quickly deplete even with 300 billion won.

But I didn’t care.

There are still endless ways to make money!

First of all, all tasks related to island purchase and construction were entrusted to Yanghwa Construction.

And since Jin Bo-mi is acting as an intermediate channel, I needed to contact her.

‘Is this the first contact since her birthday?’

When I thought about it while making a phone call, it was the first time I had contacted her since her birthday on March 15th.

Even then, she was happy to receive the gift, but she seemed to have a lot on her mind.

Now twenty years old.

She seemed to need to recharge her batteries as she was suffering from too much attention and work at a young age.

-Shin-hwa!

Before the signal rang even twice, I heard a welcome voice calling my name from over the receiver.

Jin Bo-mi’s unique high-pitched voice sounds even better today.

She seemed very happy to receive my call.

Every time I call, I just ask for things, but still… an angel is an angel.

“How have you been?”

-I’m fine! What’s going on?

“There is. Something very important.”

-Oh? What is it?

“I mentioned it briefly before, right? About the purchase of Yulianes Island.”

-Yes, you did! I have already finished the preliminary purchase price survey and sounded out the Lolana Kingdom!

“How was it, the reaction?”

-Since the kingdom has a small population anyway, there are many undeveloped islands, right? King Ibakson XV said he welcomes it!

“The price range is the same as we thought?”

-Yes, it’s set at just the right price. We can cut it down a bit more when we enter into full-scale negotiations.”

“Okay, then please proceed with the purchase of Yulianes Island.”

-Okay! By the way, Shin-hwa, I’ve seen a lot of news yesterday and today! You’re really cool, really!

“I definitely feel good hearing Bo-mi’s sincere praise.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Jin Bo-mi’s reaction, who was as happy as a child.

Clearly, my meeting with Jin Bo-mi was not ordinary from the beginning.

Since then, she has always shown me affection and sent me enthusiastic support.

Sometimes, she even seemed to think of me more than herself.

‘Do I have good fortune with people?’

The priest and So-joon are the same, and they all seem to like me and care for me.

It’s not like I’ve been extremely caring for them, but it’s like they’re grateful to be with me.

‘Well, Nicholas also gave me a lot of harsh words, but he said it was an honor to be with Nine Road.’

His words suddenly came to mind.

Of course, that Nine Road will never be formed again, whether he regresses or not.

Because the traitor has been identified.

If Nicholas regresses, he will have to rewrite everything. He missed too many things from one to ten.

-Shin-hwa, I…….

Meanwhile, Jin Bo-mi’s voice, which was coming from the other side, suddenly dropped.

I felt like she was slightly sobbing at the end of the last comment, which felt ominous for some reason.

“What’s wrong?”

-Ah, I’m sorry. I suddenly got emotional……. Don’t worry! There is no problem with handling the work!

“What is it? Tell me.”

I asked Jin Bo-mi, who was trying to hide her emotions, as if urging her a little more.

Anyway, we are people who have given and received a lot of help and sympathy to each other. I don’t want to ignore her like a stranger.

-That’s…… I’ve temporarily stepped down from the guild and group work for recharging. I’m going to live alone for the time being.

I wondered if it was possible, but it was.

I don’t know what other people’s reactions are, but I thought it was the right choice.

It’s not always the right answer to grow up receiving only precious protection and love like a flower in a greenhouse.

It’s good to leave her alone.

It would be good to give her a new experience, as she hasn’t experienced freedom until now.

“Bo-mi.”

-Yes?

“You’re not thinking of being out for a long time anyway, are you?”

-That…… I don’t know.

“If it’s a break you got because you needed to recharge, you won’t be hanging out with guild or group people anyway.”

-That’s right.

“Then join Team Mystic as a short-term mercenary. There will be no one here to give you a hard time or put pressure on you.”

Fortunately, our team has Yoon-byeol, who is close to Jin Bo-mi, a kind priest, and So-joon.

-Would it be okay……. for me?

“Everyone will welcome you as long as you don’t just try to freeload.”

I spoke honestly.

Of course, I know that Jin Bo-mi is not that kind of person.

Strictly speaking, she is closer to the type who works hard and tries to do her part while training hard like Yoon-byeol.

-Thank you, Shin-hwa.

“I’m giving you a vacation to come to our team for a while. I hope you get a lot of advice here.”

-Thank you so much.

“Come to the office tomorrow. I’ll tell the team members in advance.”

-Okay.

“There’s nothing to think about complicatedly. Carpe Diem! Just be faithful to this moment.”

-…….

I could feel the depression that she was stubbornly holding back in Jin Bo-mi’s reaction, who was answering with silence.

It’s a growing pain that you have to go through once.

It was like seeing myself when I was young, so I really wanted to help this time.

As a life senior who has lived life twice, no, almost three times as long, apart from a relationship between a man and a woman.

* * *

A few days later.

Shin-hwa made an appointment to meet Lee Ha-sung and was waiting for him to come to his house.

The matter related to the bounty had already been settled.

The purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss the three major Chinese corrupt guilds together.

This is because the opponent is too big of an organization to solve it alone.

So, I was looking for a way to utilize KSA’s influence.

Meanwhile, Shin-hwa, who was looking around SNS while waiting for Lee Ha-sung, saw Nicholas’s message that had arrived on Facegram [a fictional social media platform similar to Instagram or Facebook].

[Shin-hwa! This is Nicholas Hagen! I’m going to visit Korea one more time before returning to the United States!

I’ve been watching the news a lot!

It’s really cool! I want to meet Shin-hwa and eat delicious Korean food together!

Then, I’m planning to travel to Gangwon-do for 2 nights and 3 days, which I couldn’t go to last time, and then go back!

Do you have time?]

“Look at this guy……? I’m giving up my vacation and planning to beat up the leader of a criminal organization…….”

Nicholas sent the message purely without knowing anything.

Shin-hwa frowned at the sudden surge of emotions.

Of course, it wasn’t because he resented him.

It was just that he was so envious of Nicholas, who was living a comfortable life thanks to not regressing.

Shin-hwa immediately sent a reply.

[I have time. Shall we meet?]

[Great! There’s a great restaurant I went to last time! I want to be there with you!]

[Leave a message when you enter Korea. I can check it right away!]

[Okay! Great!]

Nicholas, who was sending replies right away, looked very excited.

This time, I was going to meet him and talk about this and that, and subtly probe Nicholas’s inner thoughts.

Judging from the circumstances, it was definitely true that he didn’t regress. Nicholas, who likes to step forward, would not hide the fact that he regressed.

‘No, no. He must be tired like me. He may be acting like he’s not even though he’s regressed!’

Don’t make the mistake of thinking about others by applying them to yourself!

Shin-hwa somehow had such a reasonable suspicion.

A past life that had been plagued by a life of preparing for the Great Disaster by leading everything as planned as a regressor.

Maybe in this life, he left everything to me……?

“Nicholas, is this bastard trying to have a honey-sucking time alone, you XX [expletive, implying laziness and taking advantage]?”

Of course, Shin-hwa couldn’t help but think this way. A face-to-face interview seemed necessary!