I’M A Max-Level Regressor [EN]: Chapter 300

“You’re not going to reconsider?”

“No. I want to rest. I’ve done too much, more than I’m capable of.”

“How long are you planning to rest?”

“Well, if I had my way, I’d want to rest forever.”

“It’s not like you haven’t mentioned retirement once or twice before, so it’s not exactly new… but it still stings.”

“Haha, every meeting must come to an end. And every farewell leads to another meeting.”

I shared the story with my Team Mystic colleagues over a refreshing can of beer.

Unlike Priest and Han So-joon, who kept expressing their regret and lingering feelings.

Yoon-byeol simply nodded silently whenever I spoke.

Because she already knows my heart.

Because she respects my choice.

It also seemed like consideration, not wanting to add words and disturb my peace of mind.

“Don’t think we’re breaking up for good, because I can come running anytime something happens. So-joon, stop making that gloomy face.”

“……Okay.”

“I understand, hyung [older brother/male friend]. I’m sorry. I should respect your decision as it is, but I overstepped.”

“No, it’s okay. I just hope you understand that this is a decision I made after a long time of deliberation.”

“Of course! That’s how it should be!”

“Let’s have Byul-ie noona [older sister/female friend] be the new leader. She’s good at practical work and coordinating opinions.”

“No objections.”

“I’m obviously terrible at it, and to be blunt, Ji-hyuk hyung isn’t ready to be a leader either. Right?”

“Hey, why do you have to hit me with the truth like that……”

“Hahaha, was I too honest? Hehe.”

Seeing Priest and Han So-joon exchanging jokes, it didn’t seem like they were too heartbroken or worried.

That’s probably right.

Because I created a foundation and network where they can function sufficiently as a trio even without me.

Recently, the three of them have been increasing in value to the point where they’re receiving love calls from various guilds and organizations.

I’ll have to watch and see how the situation unfolds in the future…….

I can confidently say that the three of them will achieve dazzling growth like the ‘Nine Lords’ in my past life.

That’s because I worked hard to lay the groundwork and create the stage for them to do so.

“I’ll invite the three of you to the island as guests when the island’s facilities are somewhat complete. Let’s have a fancy meal then.”

“Hehe, sounds good!”

“Okay. Looking forward to it!”

Seeing the bright faces of the two, I felt good too.

Considering their potential and possibilities, there might not be time to call them later.

Starting tomorrow, Han So-joon and Priest are scheduled to participate in dungeon raids with the KSA [Korean Special Abilities Association].

“I won’t leave the group chat, so let’s share updates there from time to time. So it’s not boring.”

“Let’s do that.”

“Okay, hyungnim [term of respect for an older male].”

“But why has Byul-ie noona been so quiet since earlier?”

I cautiously asked, seeing Yoon-byeol only nodding silently.

It’s not that I don’t understand her feelings, but I was curious because she seemed to be sparing her words too much.

“Just… It’s sad to laugh, but it feels pathetic to cry.”

“Heh, that’s a very noona-like worry.”

I chuckled.

That’s really like Yoon-byeol.

“I’m tired, so I’ll get up first.”

“……Huh?”

Yoon-byeol quickly got up from her seat. Then Han So-joon, who was next to her, tilted his head.

Even though she doesn’t talk much, Yoon-byeol always attends and takes care of these kinds of gatherings.

But today, she seemed very uncomfortable in this place, as if she were a different person.

It’s not that I couldn’t guess what she was thinking…… but it wasn’t like her.

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she opened the office door and disappeared at a fast pace.

I excused myself to Han So-joon and Priest and immediately followed after her.

Since the farewell itself was over.

I can always talk to Priest and Han So-joon later through text or other means.

Meanwhile.

As if she were an assassin-type Awakened, Yoon-byeol disappeared in a flash, running down the stairs at a rapid pace.

“Noona, noona!”

Barely catching up to her, I grabbed Yoon-byeol’s hand.

“…….”

Tears were streaming down Yoon-byeol’s face as she turned her head sharply, pulled by my hand.

Her face was already a mess… like a panda, from how much she had cried in that short time.

“Keuk.”

I shouldn’t laugh, but I laughed. Of course, it’s not that I’m taking Yoon-byeol’s feelings lightly or insignificantly.

Perhaps it’s because she has become a slightly more special person to me that this appearance seems ‘cute’.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

“Why?”

“I can’t see you.”

“There’s texting, or video calls. What’s the problem?”

“That’s not you, it’s just your voice or your screen. Not Kang Shin-hwa himself.”

“Then should I not go?”

“That’s not what I mean. Hmph… I came out because I didn’t want to show you a tearful sight, but if you follow me like this, you’ll see everything.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I don’t want to. Showing you a pathetic side.”

“Hey, it’s super cute. The way you bite your lip trying to hold back tears is really cute.”

“…….”

“It’s not like we’re breaking up forever. Don’t talk like you’re too heartbroken. It’s not like we’re cutting off ties completely.”

“But…….”

In that moment, Yoon-byeol’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at me, and the image was etched into my eyes.

Cute and pretty.

I don’t know why I feel such paradoxical emotions from tears of sadness, but she was really pretty.

Yoon-byeol was a truly precious relationship to me.

Since my regression, she willingly became my hands and feet, staying by my side as I lived a busy and hectic life.

If she hadn’t been there, I would have been more stressed and had more headaches.

At some point, she took a place in my heart. It’s been quite a while, for sure.

But I was weighed down by the trauma of my deceased ex-girlfriend and the heavy, momentous weight of the future.

I tried to ignore and disregard my feelings for her. I knew her feelings but pushed her away.

But now…….

I didn’t need to do that anymore.

Of course, regardless of my feelings for her, I absolutely needed time to rest.

It’s a sorry thing to say to Yoon-byeol, but I, who was almost completely drained, desperately needed time alone.

I wanted to be alone, completely undisturbed by anyone during that time.

It wasn’t an emotional issue, but a necessary task to soothe my exhausted mind and body.

It was a ‘reward’ that I wanted to give myself, who had been running non-stop from my past life until now.

“Noona.”

“……Huh?”

“I like you.”

“Uh……?”

Before Yoon-byeol could say anything, I pressed my lips firmly onto hers.

I didn’t hide my feelings anymore.

I like her.

If I were to start a new love with someone in my life after regression, I wanted that person to be Yoon-byeol.

I’ve deceived my heart a lot, and in turn, made Yoon-byeol suffer. It was all my fault that I unintentionally made her like a sunflower, only looking at the sun without any promise.

The lips that were meant to touch lightly soon became sweet breaths that hotly explored each other’s hearts.

There was no first or second.

Hugging each other tightly, we were true to our feelings, not caring about the gazes of passersby.

I was happy.

To be able to share such deep affection with the person who is with me in the depths of my heart.

*Chu*

“Ah…….”

As the short and intense kiss ended, Yoon-byeol stroked my jawline with a flushed face.

Her soft touch, filled with affection, felt warmer and happier than ever.

“Noona, I have a favor to ask.”

“Yeah. Tell me.”

“December 31st. From that day, before the new year, let’s be together in our hearts and bodies. Until then, can you wait a little longer so I can rest?”

“……Yeah. I can do that. I will! For Shin-hwa, and for me.”

“If I find peace of mind sooner, I’ll call you to my side without hesitation. I promise.”

I stamped my hand firmly with Yoon-byeol’s hand, tightly clasped in mine.

Time to soothe my tired heart is definitely necessary. That way, I can fully focus on love.

“I’ll wait.”

“I promise it won’t be long. And I’ll always think of you, noona. Because you’re the person I like.”

“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

“You are the most precious person to me. Thank you for waiting for me, who is lacking, and for liking me.”

There was no further conversation.

We hugged each other tightly again, and exchanged warmth, exploring each other’s lips more deeply than before.

I was happy.

And it was good.

So much so that I wished this moment would last forever.

That’s how the time of 정리 [jeongni – tidying up, organizing, settling] ended.

Three days later.

Having completed all the preparations, I suddenly left for the South Pacific.

Enjoying the solitude in the private jet, courtesy of Yanghwa Group.

Retirement, which I had been shouting like a parrot since right after the regression!

The goal that seemed like a pipe dream has now become a reality.

Damn it, it’s real retirement.

It’s liberation from the life of the world.

Now I will play, eat, sleep, and relax, enjoying my own time. At least for this year, for sure!

Even if I’m with Yoon-byeol afterwards, I won’t leave this island.

She will come out to the island and be with me.

“Retirement……! It’s retirement!”

A roar filled with mixed emotions!

In the private jet, I repeated the same words several times, sincerely enjoying the happiness of retirement.

* * *

About 3 months later.

October 1st.

Shin-hwa, who came out to the beach from the villa to enjoy the red sunset before dinner, walked barefoot along the endless white sand.

The walk on the uninhabited island, where there was no one watching and no one disturbing, created a picturesque scene like a movie in itself.

While walking along the white sand.

“Pretty.”

Shin-hwa smiled contentedly, looking at a few photos that Yoon-byeol had recently taken.

The photos were so good that I wondered if this person was really my girlfriend.

No, she’s originally pretty, so the photos must have come out well.

She was scheduled to come here next week.

I don’t know how long it will be, but she will be with him for quite a long time.

There were many foods I wanted to make for her, and many memories I wanted to make.

Shin-hwa’s heart was already fluttering.

At that time.

“……Huh?”

Far away.

Someone was walking towards this way from the end of the white sand.

This place was a place where even construction workers knew it was Shin-hwa’s private area, so they didn’t come easily.

Who is it that is walking so confidently as if it were their own island?

Soon, when the figure of ‘someone’ obscured by the backlight of the sunset began to become clear!

Shin-hwa was able to recognize him.

“Nicholas?”

It was Nicholas.

I was worried about what happened because there was no SNS activity from a week ago.

It seems that it was not because something bad happened, but because he came to find me.

But why?

There was nothing urgent between Nicholas and me that would warrant coming all the way to this island.

In the first place, there was no way Nicholas would know that I was here.

As they looked at each other with awkward expressions, the distance gradually narrowed.

Shin-hwa had an expression that said, ‘Why are you coming out from here?’

Nicholas was looking at Shin-hwa with a sulky face. As if he had something to say.

At that moment.

Before Shin-hwa could open his mouth, Nicholas stretched out one hand and opened his mouth first.

Gulp-.

For no reason, in a situation that didn’t seem like anything, Shin-hwa swallowed his dry saliva.

Shin-hwa’s gaze turned to Nicholas’s lips, which were trembling.

And.

“Shin-hwa, I’ve come.”

“……!”

I could hear it.

The guy I longed for because I thought I would never be able to reach him, and therefore wanted to see him even more!

Nicholas Hagen.

It was the moment I finally met that regressed guy.

*Gong*Geum*