I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 209

209

Honestly, until now, I had this nagging feeling that Nicholas, after his sudden regression, would rope me into something.

Like being on call 24/7.

Part of me was also frustrated because I had no idea what that ‘something’ would be.

I felt that way, but there was no need to show it, so I just kept my thoughts to myself.

But now it’s clear.

A significant problem has cropped up in the future we know, and Nicholas has left me clues that I can piece together.

If it’s a ‘problem’ I didn’t experience in my past life, then the scope of my thoughts and speculations narrows considerably.

If there had been another catastrophe after the Great Cataclysm, Nicholas would have mentioned it from the get-go.

The fact that he didn’t means…

New problems that I only learned about after I regressed.

For example, problems related to Lecher [likely referring to a specific organization or individual] or stories involving the Apostles are almost certainly involved.

However, the reason Nicholas couldn’t be upfront about it must be due to some ‘causality’ he always harped on.

He left clues like this Agauht [likely a key item or concept] to subtly skirt that causality and get the message across.

“You’ve been through a lot, too.”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

Nicholas had repeatedly told me to take a good rest after stopping the Great Cataclysm.

He even had grand retirement plans, though not necessarily in the same place as me.

But instead of resting, he had to make additional arrangements while dealing with the problems that followed…

The image of Nicholas, looking well over sixty in the video, was no exaggeration.

‘No need to overthink it. I’m a variable to them, but they’re also variables to me.’

I decided to simplify my thinking.

It’s unfortunate, regrettable, and infuriating that his vigorous retirement plans have been pushed back.

But looking at it another way, my existence will also be an uncalculated variable for the Apostles or Lecher.

The existence of a regressor.

It was definitely absurd enough for me, the ‘person involved’ who regressed, to initially question its logic.

‘We’re each other’s counter punches.’

I thought with a smile.

It’s a battle of who identifies the opponent’s weaknesses and problems first and lands a blow.

Until now, I’ve had a complete advantage.

With Nicholas’ arrangements added to the mix, it’s like having solid backing.

“Damn it, you son of a bitch…”

Still, I couldn’t help but curse Nicholas.

Why did he entrust me, someone not even qualified to enter the Nine Lords and only thirty-fifth in line, with such a crucial task?

Even as I said that, I was secretly grateful that he seemed to consider me a top priority.

I don’t know.

Since he never explicitly stated his thoughts, I’m just interpreting it in a way that suits me.

Anyway, the future has become clearer.

Retirement will proceed as planned.

But I have no choice but to intervene with those guys that Nicholas is clearly warning me about.

It’s annoying just thinking about it!

But at this point, no one but me can intervene in this important event.

I have to do what I have to do.

Instead, I’ll demand a high price for it later.

Then Nicholas will definitely have to regress… Damn it, will he even come? Judging by his condition, I doubt he will.

* * *

[To activate Agauht’s will and establish the connection, the connector’s rank must be ‘S+ Rank’ or higher.]

[Only the person who possesses Agauht’s will can move through dimensions using the connection.]

[Kasnand V, who was eliminated in the first battle, will be permanently destroyed, and the existing Kasnand V will take his place.]

The myth, whose connection with Nicholas was severed, additionally confirmed the continued message prior to the normalization of time.

‘I needed to reorganize anyway, so this is good. This isn’t a problem to approach lightly, like doing overdue vacation homework.’

Shinhwa nodded.

His current rank is S-.

I can’t guarantee how long it will take to reach S+ Rank, but it doesn’t seem like it will take too long.

This is because if I actively utilize my knowledge from my past life and preemptively secure dungeons that will help increase my magic power explosively.

Once I reach the Secret Dungeon, it seems I can activate Agauht’s will at any time.

Kasnand V also used the term ‘existing,’ so perhaps the original guy at the S Rank level will take his place.

[The duration of stay is directly proportional to the amount of magic power injected into the will, and the maximum time is set.]

‘This is the problem.’

Although there’s a maximum limit, it means the duration of my stay increases with my magic power.

Therefore, the conclusion is that I need to increase my magic power to uncover more clues.

In future growth, ‘magic power’ will be a more important factor than anything else.

[The time that was temporarily stopped will be activated after 5 seconds, limited to the target person.]

“I’ll prepare well and come.”

Shinhwa left his final words and waited for time to normalize.

It was surreal to see only himself moving busily while Toshio and Marina stood frozen.

It would be incredibly useful to have the talent to stop time, but there was no Awakener [individuals with special abilities] like that in his past life.

That’s how he finished the capture of the Secret Dungeon, which had been full of ups and downs.

For Marina and Toshio, it was a pleasant journey to explore a new world and learn about new things – the highest grade dimensional stone.

But it was different for Shinhwa.

He had to use the Flower of Resurrection, which he had saved to win against VVIP, a big shot named Russell.

Moreover, his mind wasn’t at ease, as he had opened a hidden Pandora’s Box.

That night.

Before returning home, Shinhwa came to Kansai Airport, escorted by Marina.

Thanks to having about two hours to spare before the plane took off.

I was able to enjoy dinner at a restaurant near the airport that Marina had booked in advance.

The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was great.

“I really owe you a lot for capturing this Secret Dungeon. I only ever get help from Shinhwa.”

“Don’t mention it. We just did what we had to do.”

“Hey, no need for unnecessary modesty. I can say for sure! Secret Dungeons cannot be explored without Shinhwa.”

“Hmm…”

“Right? You can’t think of anything to refute, can you? I’ll definitely ask for a lot of cooperation regarding Secret Dungeons in the future. I humbly ask for your help.”

As Marina said.

The ownership of the Secret Dungeon itself belonged to Team Osaka.

But for now, Shinhwa was the only Awakener who could safely pass through the ‘concentrated fire’ section inside the Secret Dungeon.

Only Shinhwa.

After the dungeon capture ended, Toshio ran simulations and created virtual capture plans several times.

He concluded that they couldn’t capture it without Shinhwa.

Even if they were lucky enough to break through the entrance with overwhelming numbers, they would eventually be annihilated in the second concentrated fire section.

So, it was natural that Marina and Toshio had no choice but to be humble to Shinhwa.

“I think I’ll come often because it’s a dungeon I’m personally very interested in. There are some routes I couldn’t go to this time, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll come again soon. Contact me as soon as the dungeon resets.”

“Of course! Actually, because of the highest grade dimensional stone… I’m quite greedy for it, to be honest.”

Looking at Marina’s reaction, it seemed there would be no problem entering the Secret Dungeon in the future.

If I could get her understanding in the last boss area, I could find a connection point with Nicholas at any time.

After dinner.

While taking a quiet walk along the road near the airport, Shinhwa and Marina had more conversations.

It wasn’t that anyone suggested it first, but somehow they ended up walking along the road.

“Shinhwa, do you know what?”

“What is it?”

“I worked with Shinhwa in the dungeon for quite a long time this time, right? We worked really well together.”

“We did.”

It was definitely a long time.

Moreover, monsters kept appearing without a break, so there were many things to coordinate.

The density of internal monsters was higher than when Marina and Han So-joon captured the Guam Dungeon in the past.

“I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. It’s like Shinhwa and I have been working as a team for a very long time?”

“Why did you think that?”

“I think a lot during battles. When I’m in my current position, what kind of teamwork would I want from my teammates?”

“That’s what many people think.”

“So, while watching Shinhwa, who was in charge of tanking, I was thinking about that too. How much synergy will I have with him?”

“I guess you liked the result?”

“It wasn’t just that I liked it, it was completely the best! It was like you went in and out of my head and took your place so well!”

“Hahaha.”

Shinhwa replaced his answer with a laugh, but it was actually a very natural result.

In his past life, the Nine Lords were nine people, but they showed fantastic teamwork as if they were one body.

Since the team was formed, the nine of them went together to any dungeon unless there was something special.

In particular, Marina, who was famous for her picky requirements at the time, was a ‘grim reaper’ who caught Shinhwa.

Shinhwa, who had been suffering under her for decades, couldn’t possibly not know her ‘taste’.

“So that’s why I feel a sense of déjà vu. We’ve only worked together twice, but it feels like we’ve been together for decades.”

“Let’s continue to have good teamwork in the future. Well, there’s no harm in having good teamwork, right?”

“That’s right! Hohoho. Oh, and I apologize again for Michelle’s matter.”

“It’s okay. Rather, it’s good because there are fewer mouths to feed.”

Shinhwa joked as if he didn’t know anything.

‘Maybe when I return to WSA [likely an organization] work, I’ll have a headache because of this.’

It seemed like it would be a busy season for each other.

* * *

After returning home.

“…”

I was lost in thought for a while, watching the spring rain that had just begun to fall at dawn.

I fell asleep around midnight but woke up after only two hours.

It was because of a few thoughts that had been making my head complicated since returning home.

“Should I just re-establish the Nine Lords? Isla is a traitor, and Nicholas hasn’t regressed, so… about Seven Lords?”

The reason was simple.

If Nicholas had made arrangements to help me, it would be faster to gather strength and deal with it quickly.

“No. I can’t be sure that only Isla is a traitor.”

This isn’t a Mafia game.

Since there is a definite traitor among the nine, I naturally become suspicious of the rest.

Honestly, there was no one I could be sure wasn’t a traitor.

Even Marina, who is very cooperative with me now, was ultimately under the VVIP who was an Apostle [a term for an enemy faction or powerful being], wasn’t she?

Of course, I have Akero’s Eye, which can identify Apostles and followers.

But I couldn’t be 100% sure that I could find out all the Apostles or followers with Akero’s Eye alone.

I’m just guessing.

“This is awful.”

When I think deeply, it should be organized, but rather, it felt like I was stirring wildly in cloudy smoke.

But right then.

Drrr. Drrr.

The smartphone, which is usually quiet, rang diligently even though it was dawn.

The caller was Hwang Seok-cheol.

The first special suit seemed to be finally completed!