I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 249

249

Same time.

“What’s going on?”

“What is it, Chief?”

“No, the cooperation request I received from Kang Shin-hwa is focused on a more unexpected area than I thought.”

“What is it?”

Lee Ha-seong was pondering the message he had received from Shin-hwa.

Shin-hwa had a brief conversation with him before entering the dungeon.

It was a call containing a request along with a short greeting.

“He’s asking me to list all the A-rank or higher dungeons in Russia.”

“Russia? Even if it’s domestic information, why Russia?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Most of the decent dungeons in Russia are controlled by Prauda…”

Lee Ha-seong expressed his difficulty.

South Korea is one of the exemplary countries systematically managed under the flag of ‘KSA’.

However, in neighboring countries like China and Russia, the CSA and RSA were so weak that their existence was meaningless.

At least China was divided into the Five Star Group, the Triads, and the Black Society, so they couldn’t take near-violent independent actions.

Although they are a bunch of dirty bastards, someone occasionally puts a brake on them.

However, in the case of Russia, the Prauda Guild almost plays the role of the Russian Awakened Association.

So, to request cooperation on dungeons or Awakened-related matters in Russia, you had to contact Prauda.

It’s like setting aside the KSA and dealing directly with the Yanghwa Guild domestically. In short, the tail is wagging the dog.

“Is something going to happen in Russia? There’s no way he would have requested dungeon information out of simple curiosity.”

“Maybe he’s seeing something in the future.”

“He’s someone who could do anything, so I’m getting nervous for no reason.”

Lee Ha-seong wiped away the sweat that had unknowingly flowed down.

The feeling that most Awakened people have about ‘Kang Shin-hwa’ right now was similar to Lee Ha-seong’s.

He’s someone whose inner thoughts you can’t easily predict, and any move he makes is bound to become an issue.

Three months.

That’s how long it took for a porter of F-rank to become a top-tier Awakened who even the head of the KSA headquarters couldn’t help but notice.

It was such a rapid growth that it was unprecedented anywhere in the world, so they couldn’t help but be nervous.

“He’s never asked for anything without a reason. Let’s investigate thoroughly. Should I proceed directly?”

“Would you? The branch manager can take care of dungeon-related information more meticulously than I can.”

“I will. Cooperation with the Yanghwa Guild has been going well lately, so there’s a lot of surplus manpower in the Seoul branch.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“If we can maintain a good relationship with the Yanghwa Guild like now, there’s nothing more we could ask for. Order is being established.”

“Indeed. The war on crime is also going smoothly. All of this is the result of Kang Shin-hwa’s actions.”

“He says he’s embarrassed, but… in fact, the Awakened world in Korea owes Kang Shin-hwa a great debt. That’s what I think.”

Namina’s expression, as she spoke calmly, was filled with sincerity.

From suppressing the coup by the Cheongyeon and Hongyeon Guilds to the execution of crime organization leaders like Joo Cheon-ho.

The results that Shin-hwa achieved alone were things that even the most skilled Awakened couldn’t easily accomplish.

Even Lee Ha-seong, who is called the best Awakened in Korea, is the same. He couldn’t have done it.

“I should just shut up and find out.”

“That’s a simple but clear answer.”

Lee Ha-seong and Namina nodded at the same time, as if watching a scene from a comedy show.

At this moment, in Korea, Shin-hwa’s name, words, and requests had that much power.

* * *

“It’s not that I’m trying to slack off, but I want to see the skills of the three people who have worked together when I wasn’t around.”

“Leave it to me! After all, even if it’s a high-rank dungeon, only relatively low-level monsters appear at the entrance.”

“Oppa… I’m the only melee dealer when Shin-hwa isn’t here. Aren’t you making it sound too easy?”

“Haha, do you think So-joon and I would just let Byul get into trouble? Put your worries in your pocket.”

Early strategy section.

I watched the scene of the three of them strategizing with interest, arms crossed.

Even when I was absent, the three of them – four including Jin Bo-mi until recently – had been constantly attacking dungeons.

In the early days of forming the team, there was a sense that they were just going around as a group out of a sense of duty.

But now, they seem to be interested in it in itself, and they have become confident in their skills and are fearless.

In fact, even looking at the reputation being shared in Awakened communities, etc., the evaluation of our team, Mystic, was good.

Since I had been doing limited team play, the evaluation of our team was no different from the evaluation of the three of them.

‘They’re good. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to use the word one team.’

I watched the strategy process with satisfaction.

In the past, if I was missing, the balance of the team would collapse.

This was because the focus was only on supporting me, so the central axis was missing.

But now, in my absence, they effectively attacked monsters by dividing roles among themselves.

For example.

When I participate, I am in charge of the main dealer and melee dealer roles.

Now, Yoon Byul is in charge of that role.

It’s not perfect tanking, but the ability to ‘hold’ monsters was excellent. That means she trained a lot.

And in case of an emergency, Father Choi took a position as a sub-dealer and a reserve member.

This is possible because he can use his debuff talent to hold monsters for a certain period of time.

They have created a sufficient ‘alternative’ in my absence.

‘Good. They can now be fully independent even without me. It’s much faster than I expected?’

I was very satisfied.

As if reading my mind, Han So-joon, who had taken a seat next to me, asked cautiously.

“Hyung [term of endearment used by younger males to address older males in Korean], we really practiced until we were almost dead. No, we almost died.”

“I can see that. There seems to be a lot of thought and effort put into every movement, position, and attack method.”

“Right?”

“You’re reliable. You’ve really worked hard.”

“Hehe, but after all, the healer is just a sweet spot.”

“Because you’re there, those two are attacking with peace of mind. You are the core of our team.”

“Ah…”

It was just a casual remark, but So-joon stopped with his mouth wide open as if he was moved.

It was by no means an empty compliment.

Because Han So-joon is perfectly supporting them from behind with his healing skills, the team members can be so bold.

The same goes for me.

I often engage in combat without holding back because I trust Han So-joon’s healing power.

That trust has taken root equally in all team members.

But right then.

“Shin-hwa, it’s a toothed mantis!”

I heard the priest’s shout.

I couldn’t see it because there was a low hill, but when I ran up to the top, I could see a group of monsters.

“That’s good. I needed a practical test.”

I smiled and immediately transformed my right arm into the shape of a sword. Then the priest shouted in surprise.

“Hey, what are you? Why does the sword on your right arm seem to shine much brighter than before? And the energy is amazing.”

“Hehe, I upgraded it.”

“Upgrade? You’re upgrading from steel?”

“How many things are stronger and harder than steel? From now on, it’s my turn to drive the bus.”

It wasn’t just the priest who was surprised, Yoon Byul and Han So-joon also looked at my right arm with surprised expressions.

It’s obvious at a glance.

That it has far surpassed the properties of steel and has more powerful properties.

“I used to spend quite a bit of time against those guys… now I have to cut them off easily.”

“Even so, are you okay with those guys being strengthened to match the setting of an SSS+ rank dungeon?”

“The level of the rank is not important. The important thing is whether they have the stamina to withstand the blade.”

I smiled and kicked off the ground without thinking any more, and jumped forward like a spring.

It became clear in the previous battle.

That even if I fight the way I want, my teammates will take their positions and support me.

I just have to dance with the sword and show 100%, 110% of my skills. With peace of mind.

“Oh my, it’s a bumper crop.”

As I sprinted and looked at the toothed mantis with identification glasses, I could see that they all had sturdy dimension stone cores.

Even if I estimate that there are at least 1,000 of them.

Even if they all drop the lowest-grade dimension stones, I can expect a profit of at least 100 million won [approximately $75,000 USD].

Moreover, at this level and scale of the dungeon, the dropped dimension stones are at least intermediate grade.

“10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD] for a short-term part-time job! Shall we pull it off in one go!”

With an exciting shout, my body jumped up.

Swoosh, Kuwoong!

Soon, I was imprinted as the only human ‘dot’ in the middle of the toothed mantis swarm. It was right in the middle of the enemy camp.

And.

“Is everyone ready?”

The massacre began.

* * *

30 seconds later.

“…Is this a butcher shop here?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“I knew from the beginning that the toothed mantis would not be Shin-hwa’s opponent. But I didn’t know that the toothed mantis’s outer skin would be sliced like rice straw by that blade…”

The expressions of the three people who were just watching without helping Shin-hwa’s one-man show were filled with astonishment.

It was because of the monsters that rushed towards Shin-hwa like moths to a flame, only to have their bodies shattered and scattered.

It was clearly different from before.

Even in the previous battle, Shin-hwa overwhelmed and cut down ordinary monsters, but.

At that time, they usually died from being hit in a vital spot, or died from excessive bleeding after being cut once or twice.

But this time it was different.

Shin-hwa was fearlessly rotating his body and stirring through the mantis swarm.

It was like a mixer.

It was like looking at a top-notch mixer with well-honed blades that couldn’t help but grind.

The appearance of the toothed mantis was like looking at soft tofu that could not help but be ground helplessly in the mixer.

Kiek! Kieeek! Kiek!

It was a true massacre.