I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 299

299

“Suddenly?”

“Not suddenly, I’m just trying to take a break now.”

“To disappear suddenly when the world is interested in every move you make, Kang Shin-hwa… That’s really like you.”

“I’ll take my smartphone at least, so let’s keep in touch sometimes.”

“Can’t I come visit?”

“You can. But don’t expect the island owner to take care of you. I’ll turn a blind eye as long as you take care of your own food and lodging.”

“……A sudden farewell makes me feel strange.”

“Haha. We weren’t even dating, so why would you feel strange?”

“You may not have been interested in me, Shin-hwa, but I was very interested in you.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I understand. If you ever return to the life of an Awakened, please remember our Team Osaka. Got it?”

“Okay. I will.”

“You never give a definite answer.”

“Hahaha.”

Before leaving Japan, I thanked Marina, who had spared no support and help for me.

And said our goodbyes like this.

I wasn’t confident in contacting them again later to explain in detail, so I took the opportunity to finish saying goodbye.

Everyone probably thought that my retirement, which I mentioned like a habit, was just a complaint or lament.

Or they seemed to think that I would still be active as an Awakened while living on the island.

But they were wrong.

Once I go to the island, I don’t intend to come out easily.

Unless a major war breaks out, I have no intention of getting involved in matters outside the island.

Anyway, I thanked Marina, who had helped me a lot, and said goodbye to her.

Marina is the only person I have to say goodbye to abroad, not in Korea. I have no business abroad.

* * *

After returning to Korea, I sat in a cafe at the airport, drinking an Americano and pondering.

Regarding Cribia Island, Yulianes Island, and the surrounding islands, which will be my retirement destination, the construction progress was still ongoing, not 100% complete.

In the case of Cribia Island, the basic living spaces, including the villa and sports facilities, were completed.

In other words, I could let the construction continue and live only in the completed spaces.

There was no need to wait until everything was ready.

Go in first, and then worry about the problems that follow! This has been my thought for a long time.

“I don’t want to make a fuss.”

I was planning to leave the airport after organizing the people I needed to say goodbye to in my head.

First, I couldn’t help but think of Jin Bo-mi and Jin Seong-tae.

They were the first significant connections I made after my regression and are still a reliable support to me.

In addition, they are still in charge of the construction of my retirement destination and manage the development project around Jije Station.

I might be able to cut ties with other people for sure.

But Yanghwa Group is different.

There are many things tied to them, especially regarding money and investments, so I will need to contact them regularly even after retirement.

“KSA… I don’t think it’s necessary.”

I briefly thought of Lee Ha-sung and Na Mi-na, but then dismissed the idea. We have become quite close recently, but.

It wasn’t like we shared a deep friendship or shed blood, sweat, and tears together.

I thought I could just notify them by phone after moving to my retirement destination.

“Jang Dong-shik already knows what I’m going to do, so I just need to tell him to take care.”

Jang Dong-shik is the same.

A short greeting is enough.

“I’ll take care of Shami when the Nas Continent and Earth are connected later. For now, well.”

I fulfilled my long-cherished wish of 解除 [releasing] Shami’s curse, and she, now human, is diligently adapting to life in Korea.

When she feels lonely, I can visit her to boost her morale(?).

Above all, I felt relieved that Shami felt as comfortable with Jang Dong-shik as I did.

Jang Dong-shik would also pay more attention to Shami out of a sense of responsibility for his past ‘karma’.

And she would be able to share more stories and emotions with Jang Dong-shik, who is from the same hometown.

“Then, the last ones left are… my Team Mystic colleagues. It would be good to say a proper farewell to the three of them.”

The last ones that came to mind were Yoon Byeol, Choi Ji-hyuk, and Han So-joon, the members of our Mystic team.

I decided on the order of meetings.

Meet Jin Bo-mi and Jin Seong-tae.

Meet Jang Dong-shik and Shami.

Finally, see my three colleagues.

In particular, I plan to let Jang Dong-shik and Shami share the safe house I currently have.

Selling it would be ‘small change’ for me, and I didn’t want to sell the house that Yanghwa Construction had painstakingly built.

“Then… shall we start the meeting for retirement? I’m 괜히 [unnecessarily/without reason] excited. Was the word ‘retirement’ such an exciting word?”

I chuckled at the already fluttering feeling and prepared to head to Yanghwa Group.

* * *

“Shin-hwa, isn’t it too early?”

“Bo-mi, there is no early or late in a decision once you’ve made up your mind. The time you choose is the most appropriate time.”

“Shin-hwa’s time is just about to begin… I’m just 괜히 [unnecessarily] sorry. I’m being presumptuous.”

“Haha, no. My decision is firm, and I have no intention of changing it. I just came to say my last goodbyes before leaving.”

Jin Seong-tae and Jin Bo-mi, who had arranged a meeting after receiving Shin-hwa’s call, looked regretful.

That’s because they were planning to take a few advertisements using Shin-hwa, whose stock price had recently risen sharply, as a model.

But since he was leaving the secular world, they couldn’t hold him back and ask him to shoot some advertisements.

“Contact me anytime if you have business in Korea.”

“Yes, Chairman. I think I’ll probably contact you often.”

“Contact Bo-mi regarding practical matters.”

“Of course.”

“I hope your time of rest is peaceful. You never know when the world will become turbulent again, do you?”

“That’s right.”

Shin-hwa nodded, but inwardly shook his head vigorously.

That’s because all the dangerous elements that could cause such a thing were already dead.

Revengers, Elijah Group, Golden Sky Guild, WSA, etc….

Since all the hidden apostles have been rounded up, there will be no major problems for the time being.

The only thing that bothers me is the three major evils of China….

‘If I make up my mind, the Five Stars Society, the Triads, and the Black Society are nothing.’

I was confident that I could wipe them all out if I made up my mind to step on them.

I am an EX+ rank Awakened.

Comparing only the ranks, the only person who could threaten me was the Chinese monk, Wonhae.

And Wonhae was a born believer who was less interested in secular affairs than Shin-hwa, who was about to retire.

I might exchange noble and precious words like enlightenment with Wonhae later in life.

But there will be no reason to fight him as an enemy.

In my previous life, Wonhae did not interfere in any secular matters.

Even the fact that he had passed away was known long after. Because he lived alone in a hermitage.

“Shin-hwa, thank you so much. It wasn’t a famous doctor or colleagues who saved me, who was dying, but you, Shin-hwa.”

“Memories are 새록새록 [vivid/fresh].”

“I will never forget your grace for the rest of my life.”

“Hehe, I won’t tell you to forget it. Think of it as a life you got as a bonus and live fiercely.”

“I will definitely!”

Seeing Jin Bo-mi’s bright smile made me feel good. She has a pretty smile.

“Although we are physically apart, I will contact you often. To check on the Chairman and to discuss practical matters related to the island with Bo-mi.”

“Do so.”

“Okay, Shin-hwa.”

“I’m going to wrap things up and leave within this week. If there’s anything to discuss, please contact me before I leave.”

“The construction is going smoothly, and the development is progressing steadily. There’s nothing else to discuss.”

“That’s good, then I’ll be going.”

Shin-hwa stood up right away.

He said everything he wanted to say.

He heard all the feelings.

All that remains is to adapt to the changed life and reset each other’s relationships.

* * *

Next, I met Jang Dong-shik and Shami as planned.

When I talked about retirement, Jang Dong-shik nodded calmly.

I had talked to him about it several times before.

It was a reaction that could be shown because he knew to some extent the behind-the-scenes story of Shin-hwa’s hard work as an ‘apostle’.

“You’re not just cutting off contact and disappearing, are you? You’re just thinking of it as a long-term vacation, right?”

“That’s right. I’ll come visit sometimes, so let’s eat something delicious with Jang Dong-shik and So-hee.”

“……I just started living as a human! Shin-hwa says he’s going to leave, bad!”

“Let me rest a little. I don’t want to explain in detail, but I’ve been working like a dog for the past six months.”

“……I’m sorry, Shin-hwa. I know better than anyone how hard you’ve worked. And you saved me. You worked so hard to find a way to cure me. I remember everything.”

“That’s enough.”

“I’m also learning Korean hard! And finding people who are suffering from curses like me! When the Nas Continent is connected later as Shin-hwa said…….”

“Yeah. At that time, I’ll definitely go with you and look for the faces you miss in your hometown together.”

“Yeah! I got it!”

“It’s not like I’m going to die, I’m just physically moving away. Think of my heart as being next to you.”

“Okay! I’ll do that!”

“Take good care of Chloe too. She’s going to feel betrayed.”

“Chloe’s been sulking a lot lately…….”

“One special churu [creamy treat for cats] is enough. I’ll tell you the recipe, so make it. She’ll get over it quickly.”

“That’s right. I can’t forget the taste of churu… But it doesn’t taste good since I came back as a human.”

“Hahaha.”

The conversation with Jang Dong-shik and Shami ended well in a warm atmosphere.

Both of them clearly showed signs of regret, but they understood because they knew how hard Shin-hwa had worked.

It wasn’t a problem if they didn’t understand.

Anyway, it was also a part that could be easily accepted because they understood Shin-hwa’s hard time, who had been running non-stop.

As planned, two of the total five safe houses were used by Jang Dong-shik, two by Shami, and the remaining one was used as a common space.

In the case of the common space, it was decided that Shin-hwa would stay there temporarily when he visited them occasionally.

And Shin-hwa put enough money into her account for Shami’s living expenses.

100 million won [approximately $75,000 USD].

With this amount, she won’t have to worry too much about realistic money problems for the next year or two.

After finishing the meeting like that.

Shin-hwa headed straight to Team Mystic’s office, where the three were gathered, as if doing overdue homework.

As much as I didn’t want to create a grand farewell party or a drinking party.

Dryly and calmly.

I was going to leave the team’s affairs to the three of them and leave suddenly.