I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 280

“Kang Shin-hwa always stands out, no matter where he goes. It’s amazing every time I see it.”

“Father, isn’t it time you admitted it? Shin-hwa isn’t just popular.”

“I know. It’s just amazing to see a young man involved in major domestic and international affairs.”

“I can see why people are so enthusiastic. All monsters are equal before Shin-hwa.”

Jin Bo-mi and Jin Seong-tae were leisurely watching the Awakened-related news while drinking wine at their Jeju Island villa.

A trip for recharging.

Jin Seong-tae took his only three days of vacation for the year to visit Jeju Island, and so did Jin Bo-mi.

Although they often worked together, it had been a while since they spent time together privately.

For the father and daughter, who usually only had meals together, this two-night, three-day vacation was very precious.

“Refreshing. Really exhilarating.”

Jin Seong-tae repeatedly exclaimed in admiration as he watched Shin-hwa ‘decimate’ monsters in the video.

This video was a combat recording taken directly by the RSA [Russian Special Agency for Awakened] with Shin-hwa’s consent.

The fact that this video was being reported by various media outlets and news channels meant that the situation on the ground was worse than expected.

In other words, it also served to ‘boost’ morale so that the public wouldn’t be anxious.

Knowing this well, Jin Seong-tae and Jin Bo-mi were impressed by Shin-hwa’s actions, but their eyes betrayed their worry.

“I’m worried. I wonder if Yanghwa Guild should also prepare for an expedition.”

“No, Father. I don’t think it will come to that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Shin-hwa hasn’t contacted us separately, has he?”

Jin Bo-mi said definitively.

Shin-hwa is always meticulous in preparing for the future. Isn’t that why he didn’t leave with the KSA [Korean Special Agency for Awakened] right away?

The fact that Shin-hwa hasn’t contacted them means he probably doesn’t think it’s necessary for Yanghwa Guild to get involved.

“You have a lot of faith in Kang Shin-hwa.”

“Yes. He’s a flawless person.”

Jin Bo-mi said with conviction, words that Shin-hwa himself would vehemently deny.

Of course, Shin-hwa himself thinks he’s quite impulsive and hates thinking….

But the people around him see him completely differently. Perfect. Cautious. Meticulous planning. Thorough.

These words have become keywords that symbolize Shin-hwa. That’s what the people who have been close to him think.

“…It’s a shame to think that Shin-hwa is always dreaming of retirement and will soon make it a reality.”

“I feel the same way. By the way, what’s the progress of the construction on site?”

“It’s progressing quickly with the full cooperation and support of the Rolana Kingdom. Initially, we expected that it would take until January 2021 to have some structure.”

“And now?”

“I think we can move it up to August of this year. Of course, it will take time to complete 100% of the construction. But the completion of major facilities will definitely be faster. I’ve also finished the on-site inspection.”

“The king must like Kang Shin-hwa a lot.”

“How can he not? How much did he donate to the kingdom while buying land and building?”

“Retirement… I should be the one retiring, but here I am, still on the front lines. Tsk, tsk.”

“Haha, Yanghwa needs you a little longer, Father. Don’t say weak things and cheer up. This daughter will always be by your side to give you strength!”

“Haha, thank you.”

Jin Bo-mi, who affectionately hugged Jin Seong-tae from behind and vigorously massaged his shoulders, showed deep affection for her father.

It was a daughter’s pure love for her father. She had no interest in succession issues or anything like that.

‘Shin-hwa… I hope you’re safe.’

Although she was smiling on the outside, she was actually very worried about Shin-hwa on the inside.

Although she had put aside her ‘romantic’ feelings for Shin-hwa, she hadn’t completely erased them from her heart.

As an ordinary citizen supporting a hero, not as a woman with a crush, she sincerely hoped that Shin-hwa would be okay.

Shin-hwa had to be safe in order to be Yanghwa Guild’s eternal running mate. He had to be.

* * *

“Mr. Shin-hwa, I’m really sorry. I’ve received a call from headquarters. They need fire support.”

“Okay. Let’s meet again. Contact me anytime. If I’m in the country, I’ll be in touch.”

“Can’t you be abroad?”

“Abroad… If I go abroad, I’m planning to cut ties with the world altogether.”

“Ah, like retirement…?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I understand. Let’s solve the big problem at hand first… and then I’ll be sure to express my gratitude.”

“Then.”

“Yes.”

Iosif’s short but impactful meeting ended like that.

According to confirmed information, RSA-1, known as the RSA’s elite unit, was annihilated.

Considering that each team with a number usually consists of ‘200’ people, it was a huge loss.

‘Even though I gave them the answer sheet, they’re still dying like this?’

I was burning up inside.

Is this the power of inescapable fate? Nicholas’s words from my past life came to mind.

‘If you want to create a definite turning point, you have to change the course of the water from the beginning.’

‘If you branch out in the middle, some will flow along the new branch, but some will go back to the source. Do you know what I mean?’

‘It’s not for nothing that I’m obsessively trying to overhaul everything from the beginning. That’s the power of fate. If you twist it carelessly, it will try to rush towards the predetermined future.’

The power of fate.

Was I drawn to that power?

I thought they would have understood if I had given them a clear message through the KSA, but it seems it wasn’t enough.

Well, if it were Nicholas, he would have gone directly to the RSA headquarters and explained everything in detail.

“Hmm….”

Anyway, the situation on the ground was not good.

The place I arrived at for support was a scene of utter chaos. So much so that they didn’t even know that support had arrived.

Awakened people were groaning everywhere with injuries, and medical staff were moving busily.

The situation was such that there were overwhelmingly more injured Awakened than healthy ones. That was enough to explain the situation on the ground.

“Okay! Our team goes west!”

“Team B goes east! All lines are at a disadvantage, so let’s quickly provide rear support!”

“Since it’s a non-monitored area where it’s difficult to secure on-site footage, we’ll advance while paying more attention to the surrounding area!”

“…?”

But right then.

There was something that caught my eye.

They were wearing RSA uniforms, but in my head, I remembered them as belonging to a completely different organization.

‘Aren’t those guys key executives of Frauda?’

That’s right.

These were the guys who would later be recruited by Frauda and hold quite important positions, and they were commanding the agents.

‘Could it be.’

A bad feeling flashed through my mind.

I had a feeling that these guys weren’t sending agents to support ‘allies’.

But they were dispatching support troops to eliminate ‘potential enemies’.

In fact, most of the hastily formed support troops were Awakened belonging to guilds that would later join the anti-Frauda alliance.

‘You son of a bitch….’

At that moment, intense emotions surged from within.

Are they trying to use this critical situation that will shake the fate of the country as an ‘opportunity’?

Of course, it’s a disaster, but it’s a disaster that can be solved somehow.

But apart from that, I was amazed by the idea of using this as an opportunity to check and eliminate opposing forces.

Of course, humans are evil.

I also believe in the theory of human evil rather than the theory of human goodness. But this is way off.

Right then.

“Kang Shin-hwa?”

A man I had seen since earlier, but didn’t want to acknowledge, came up to me and greeted me.

Gaiz Mucklansk.

A figure known as the guild master of Frauda. The fact that this guy started talking to me meant that soon.

“Yes?”

“Hello? I’m Gaiz Mucklansk. We’ll take care of Mr. Kang Shin-hwa’s escort and rear.”

It was also a signal that he would stick close to me.

There is a good cause for the outside world, so there is no element of suspicion at all. It is also difficult to refuse.

We have to solve the problem of the monster outbreak together, but I couldn’t say that I would do it all alone.

Gaiz’s eyes, as if suppressing his meanness, scanned me from head to toe.

‘These hyena-like bastards….’

This was also why I wanted to retire quickly because I hated seeing this kind of thing.

Of course, I don’t want to pretend to be clean and innocent.

But I don’t want to hang out with hypocrites either.

In my past life, our Nine Lords went through all sorts of trials and tribulations to prepare for the great disaster.

I experienced so many betrayals that I couldn’t even count them.

In particular, there was a guild that turned our Nine Lords into enemies in the face of the temptation of enormous spoils.

Of course, that guild completely disappeared from the face of the earth after that day. Anyway, that kind of thing happened.

The battlefield of utter chaos that I am about to head to is a place where the conveniences of civilization do not reach.

It’s a place where even the common CCTV is not installed. Because there was no dungeon in the first place.

Gaiz must have chosen that place as a grave to eliminate me.

The reason can be attached after killing me. There was an accident.

There was no need to even collect the body. Burn it or cut it up and throw it to the monsters.

If you pick up a few relics and say it’s a trace of a hero with tears, everything will be naturally packaged and buried.

‘Okay, let’s just say we’re doing a ritual before facing Leccerole [Likho, a one-eyed creature embodying bad fate].’

I decided to firmly grasp the devil’s hand that Gaiz extended.

Same bed, different dreams.

The battlefield we are about to head to will be a vivid wildlife site where we will be fighting a common enemy, monsters, while simultaneously targeting the allies right next to us.

‘What kind of buff are you going to give me?’

I was ready.

* * *

At the same time.

‘To advance into Korea, it would be better to kill mutants like Kang Shin-hwa in advance if possible. Or make him completely mine.’

Gaiz was thinking about various scenarios in his head when he subdued Shin-hwa.

This was planned urgently, but there was a clear basis.

It was Jin Geuk-myeong’s ‘instigation’ that made Gaiz move for sure.

Shin-hwa was already at odds with Oseonghoe, Samhaphoe, and Heuksaheo. Of course, they couldn’t have a good relationship.

Jin Geuk-myeong obtained intelligence early that Shin-hwa was going to Moscow and contacted Gaiz.

From the perspective of criminal organizations such as Frauda and Oseonghoe, Korea was truly a market overflowing with gold.

Wasn’t it also famous for having the most expensive drug prices in the world?