I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 241

241

A while later.

“I think I know for sure how Libehen managed to get here with his men without being disturbed.”

“Was it a buff?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Jang Dong-shik nodded as if he had already expected my answer.

The Awakener’s ‘talent’ disappears upon death, but the Awakener’s ‘buff’ is inherited by the target who killed them.

I hadn’t confirmed it directly in my past life, but named individuals like Libehen and Elijah were always followed by ominous rumors.

They would relentlessly seek out Awakeners with buffs, kill them, and intentionally absorb their buffs.

This couldn’t be dismissed as mere conspiracy, as the allure of buffs was that significant.

Buffs, which could be seized like artifacts and possessed a rarity unmatched by anything else, were always a sweet temptation for Awakeners.

Therefore, many Awakeners hid their buffs or explained them as talents.

A misstep could make them a target for the ‘higher-ups’.

In any case, Libehen had two buffs. And they were incredibly useful.

[Weakness Detection]

[Areas where bodily functions have dropped below half appear in blue, distinctly different from the actual skin or clothing.

Areas where bodily functions have completely collapsed appear in black.

However, you can temporarily suspend the detection ability with a thought if you don’t want to use it.]

[Space Movement]

[Ultra-long-distance movement beyond borders, airspace, and the high seas becomes possible in proportion to the invested magic power. However, movement is only possible to places you have directly experienced.

The maximum number of people is limited to 10, and a round trip for ultra-long-distance movement is counted as ‘1 use’.

The duration of the Space Movement buff is 1 day, and reactivation is 7 days after the round trip is completed.]

Using Weakness Detection on Jang Dong-shik, he was entirely red from head to toe.

He seemed to have sustained many injuries in the previous melee, but fortunately, none were critical.

Weakness Detection seemed good, but what really caught my attention was Space Movement.

In terms of magic from the NAS continent, it was like obtaining ‘Teleport’ magic.

However, unlike Teleport, which only allows one person to move, the characteristic was that group movement was possible.

Of course, it was disappointing that there was a 7-day waiting period for buff usage after each use.

But it was enough, as I wouldn’t be constantly going back and forth everywhere.

If not used for combat, it meant I could visit my retirement home in the South Pacific once a week.

Moreover, I could even go on a 1-night, 2-day trip using the one-day duration!

“First, this baggage… Ha, there aren’t many parts left, which is troublesome, but I still have to store it.”

I stored the relatively intact head among Libehen’s scattered remains (?) in my subspace.

Looking at a person’s head alone wasn’t pleasant, but I felt relieved that the bastard who deserved to die was dead.

“An SS-rank Awakener taking down an EX-rank… Honestly, I don’t even know what to admire.”

“What’s there to admire? Just take it as it is. Nothing in the world is perfect. Living is a series of surprises.”

“You’re talking like an old man.”

“Well, mentally, I’m definitely old.”

I was actually half-joking. My body is twenty-four, but my mind is definitely that of someone nearing sixty.

“Thank you so much. Thanks to you, I was able to protect my life and my daughter.”

“Yeah. Let’s go pick up So-hee. Can you walk?”

“Even if my body feels heavy, a father’s heart lightens when he thinks of his daughter.”

“Let’s talk about the rest after we make sure So-hee is safe. And let’s move our residence for the time being.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s no guarantee the Revengers won’t target you. They might avenge their dead boss.”

“I guess so.”

“I have several safe houses, so I’ll let you stay in one of them temporarily.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“You’ll know why it’s necessary after we talk a little later.”

I grabbed Jang Dong-shik’s hand and pulled him up with all my might.

His hands were rough and hard like the bark of an old tree, probably from handling tools and machines for a long time.

Of course, Jang Dong-shik had made a lot of money as a master craftsman.

Regardless of money, his life seemed quite difficult. It was probably because of the void left by his deceased wife, a love that money could never fill.

Perhaps because it hadn’t been long since I met Lee Yoon-ah, I felt even more empathy for Jang Dong-shik.

The sense of loss I felt when I lost Lee Yoon-ah in an accident in my past life was so great that I still didn’t want to recall it, even after decades.

Even I, who had become detached from most incidents, accidents, and painful memories, was tormented by that one event as if it were a trauma.

Is that why?

Even though I knew very well that Jin Bo-mi and Yoon Byeol-i had feelings for me, I couldn’t open my heart easily.

In any case, Libehen was dead.

Five Apostles.

Two of them were dead, and one was closer to an ally than an enemy, a situation where I had to make him a helper.

‘Next is Isla Blanchett.’

My next goal became clear.

In fact, until I obtained the Space Movement buff from Libehen, I had been worried about how to approach her.

Now it was simple.

Using Space Movement, I could enter Australia without being noticed, just like Libehen this time.

And if I hid my identity using strategic camouflage?

I could pick out and deal with Isla with ‘tweezers’ without causing guild or international problems.

I’m not a warmonger or a murderer.

I’m just silently dealing with those who are hindering my retirement and relentlessly tormenting Nicholas in my past life…

Traitors or trash.

For the day when I can forget everything and leave for the South Pacific.

* * *

“Damn it, the hideout is completely wrecked.”

“How about starting over this time? Unless you’re a pervert who enjoys the dangerous atmosphere of the Black Zone.”

“But this place still holds many memories with my wife…”

“At the same time, it’s a place where every second is a worry for So-hee. How long are you going to keep your daughter caged?”

Shin-hwa rebuked Jang Dong-shik, who was reluctant to leave the ruined hideout.

There was definitely a problem.

Libehen and his men had completely destroyed the traps and defense facilities, so Jang Dong-shik’s hideout could no longer protect him and his daughter So-hee.

It was fortunate that Jang Dong-shik continued to move to the outskirts, drawing attention.

Otherwise, a series of explosions would have occurred in the hideout, and his daughter Jang So-hee might have died.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“I’ll find people to move the large-scale processes inside the hideout to another location as soon as possible.”

Shin-hwa immediately thought of Yang-hwa Group.

They were willing to cooperate in every way, no matter the request, so this would be nothing for them.

A while later.

Jang Dong-shik came out with Jang So-hee, who was cheerfully playing with a cat doll.

Shin-hwa had been worried that So-hee would be crying alone, but she was calm, almost to the point of being composed.

“No matter how I look at it, she doesn’t look like her father.”

“Haha. That’s right. I would have wanted to die if she looked like me. So-hee, this is Uncle Kang Shin-hwa. You have to say hello, okay?”

“Hello! I’m Jang So-hee!”

“Okay, So-hee. Uncle will take you to a place where you can rest comfortably with your dad. There are cats there too!”

“Wow! Cats?”

“Yeah! Do you want to see a picture?”

Shin-hwa showed her a picture of Shami on his smartphone.

Because she hated having her picture taken so much, 99% of the pictures were of her sleeping.

And even those were humiliating pictures of her sleeping soundly, belly up, mouth open, and tongue sticking out.

“Wow! So cute! So cute!”

“Let’s go with Uncle. Jang Dong-shik, are you ready to go?”

“First, I’ve activated triple security on all the important processes. No petty thieves will be able to touch them.”

“What about the rest?”

“The work tools can be bought again. It’s time to change them anyway. Let them take them.”

“Then let’s go without regrets.”

Shin-hwa nodded.

He felt good that things were working out well.

It felt like the threads weren’t tangled and everything was flowing smoothly. Of course, it was just a hunch.

* * *

-The child is so cute! Where did you get such a child? Do you have a hidden daughter…?

“What are you talking about? She’s the daughter of a colleague who came with me. Take good care of her. Then I’ll give you more Churu [creamy cat treat].”

-I like children too! Unlike Shin-hwa, who is lecherous or sly, she’s completely pure! I really like her!

“Why are you bringing me up there? Chloe is there too, so take care of her. Got it?”

-Okay!

I returned to the safe house and entrusted Jang So-hee to Shami, who was playing with Chloe.

I thought she would dislike her because she was an outsider, but she seemed to have been captivated by Jang So-hee’s bright eyes.

Thanks to that, the three of them started playing excitedly in the private room, not even noticing the time passing.

Meanwhile, I sat across from Jang Dong-shik with the island table between us and poured him wine.

It wasn’t just any wine, but high-quality potion-infused wine that helped with stamina recovery.

Just eating the potions alone tasted terrible, so I added wine separately.

“It seems like we have a lot to talk about from now on.”

“That’s right.”

Jang Dong-shik spoke first, and I agreed.

In any case, he was from the NAS continent and a member of the five Apostles favored by Recheler, the ‘Pentanas’ [powerful figures].

I considered him an ally for strategic purposes, but I couldn’t completely trust him.

“Should I speak first?”

“No, I’ll speak. First, let me point out the important core. I’m not from the NAS continent.”

“So mentioning Akero to Libehen was a lie. But how do you know about Akero?”

“It’s a long story to explain, and I don’t want to go into detail. You don’t need to know much.”

It was actually quite annoying because I had to start with regression and explain everything in detail.

And I thought it would be a problem to reveal all the facts to Jang Dong-shik.

“Hmm…”

“Let’s make one thing clear as proof. If someone approaches you without hostility, you can sense dark energy, right?”

“It’s possible. Of course, the problem is that no one willingly allows their dark energy to be sensed by the enemy.”

“Check it out first. See if I’m related to the NAS continent. That will make it clear.”

“Is that okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’m immune to most tricks.”

I shrugged at Jang Dong-shik’s reaction, who was narrowing his eyes.

It was a self-deprecating question from Jang Dong-shik, asking if he could trust me entirely, but I brushed it off casually.

If Jang Dong-shik had malicious intentions, he could pretend to sense dark energy and then suddenly push his dark energy into me.

Based on this, he could gain control of my body or mind. Because he’s a dark magician.

But it wouldn’t be a problem for me, who knows how to respond.

‘Then he’d be screwed.’