The Regressor Only Protects Me [EN]: Chapter 127

127. The Prepared Future (2)

“What are you going to do now? As a wanderer and a king, you’re bound to cause a stir in the League, for better or worse. You could become prey for countless players. Did you know the rankings for each player will be updated soon? You won’t be anything special, and Jin Jaehee… of course, she’s strong. But someday, the top-ranked players will devour you. Don’t be complacent.”

I ignored her.

Because there was no point in talking to K anymore.

I had taken all the rewards I wanted, and K was now useless.

K’s body slowly began to disappear.

“I’ll be watching to see how far you can climb. But it won’t be easy. Just like your life so far.”

At the same time, color began to fill this black and white space.

The administrator’s skill was unlocked.

Even in this moment when color was filling the space, K provoked me.

“I sincerely look forward to the day you fail…”

Before she disappeared, I looked at K one last time.

She was raising the corners of her mouth.

It didn’t take long for K to disappear.

“…”

After that, I began to hear sounds again.

The victorious shouts of the soldiers directed at me.

Soon, all the soldiers were visible.

* * *

The soldiers were cheering for me.

The soldiers’ shouts, loud enough to shake the heavens and the earth, echoed all around.

The soldiers roared as if they were standing at the end of the world.

They were all stained with blood, covered in wounds, and in terrible shape.

I looked around at them.

‘Finally…’

It was finally over.

I thought of K’s words.

‘The top-ranked beings will devour me…?’

It was truly a laughable statement.

Who did she think I was?

She only saw what I showed her during the last round.

I saw a bigger future.

Jin Jaehee and I have been planning to destroy this League.

All the plays so far have been just preparation.

The preparation ends today.

I unified Anyang City and laid the foundation.

I pondered K’s words.

‘The top-ranked beings… devour me? Devour…’

I already knew who the best players who would shake the League were.

Kwon Jonghyun, Park Misun…

The theme of the 3rd round.

The theme of the 4th round.

And finally, the theme of the 5th round.

The regressor knew all the futures.

Based on the future she told me, I made a plan.

From the 2nd round until now, several years later.

My plan has long gone beyond simply surviving.

As she wished, and as I wished.

I completed the response methods for each top-ranked player.

Everything is perfect, up to the last round where I would be defeated in my past life.

These are the soldiers for that round.

These soldiers who are roaring at me.

Will now become my loyal slaves.

Until now, I have predicted all of this and created results.

Everything went smoothly as planned.

The ones who will shake the League in the future are determined.

Jin Jaehee, Kwon Jonghyun, Park Misun, and so on.

There won’t be anyone else.

I turned around, listening to the soldiers’ shouts.

There, Jin Jaehee, stained with blood, was emerging from a pile of corpses.

Today, all the pieces of the puzzle have been put together.

Now it’s time to hunt them.

* * *

Anyang Station, Subway Line 1.

The beams of light shot by the government rescue team illuminated various parts of Anyang Station.

They were wearing neat uniforms.

Mangyeong’s soldiers also had their own equipment and wore neat uniforms, but they couldn’t match the military uniforms they wore.

Moreover, the rescue team had rifles.

A man who appeared to be the leader of the rescue team approached the soldiers.

“Are you injured? Please put down your weapons first.”

The soldiers flinched and stepped back.

What on earth should they do?

Should they run away?

Should they fight back?

This is Mangyeong’s territory.

But before that, it was originally a city belonging to the Republic of Korea.

Who the hell are they?

How did they break through the collapsed subway tunnel and get here?

A soldier holding a bow carefully asked the leader of the subjugation team.

“Team leader… What should we do?”

“…”

The team leader had no idea.

Encountering government forces was not something that a mere subjugation team leader could decide.

At least the deputy head of the force had to come and sort out the situation.

But the situation progressed quickly.

Before the soldiers could report to their superiors.

The soldiers came up from the railroad tracks and began to confront the soldiers at a certain distance.

At that time, a soldier wearing a gas mask and a ‘Sergeant’ rank on his bulletproof helmet slowly walked forward.

And he calmed the soldiers as if he were soothing a child.

“Calm down. We are a rescue team dispatched by the government. We are not your enemies. The Republic of Korea government is still standing. If you put down your weapons, we will take the necessary measures.”

“Necessary… wh-what measures?”

“First of all, we will conduct a safety inspection. As you know, there are many monsters in the world now. Some of them cause epidemics. We will find out if you are safe and help you with treatment. Doctors are also on standby.”

At the soldier’s calm voice, the soldiers glanced at each other.

But no one opened their mouths.

Mangyeong’s military law, as defined by Sion, stipulates that forces from other lands are considered ‘enemies’ first.

In other words, according to military law, soldiers were in a position to arrest soldiers in the current situation.

Anyang Station is Kang Sion’s territory.

‘…They probably don’t have bullets anyway. There’s no need to be afraid. We have more people.’

Guns are prohibited weapons in the League.

That’s a fact that even the little kids of Mangyeong know.

The team leader took a step forward and said.

“…This is Mangyeong’s territory. It’s you who have to put down your weapons.”

“Mangyeong…? What are you talking about?”

“This is Mangyeong. It’s Mangyeong’s territory, and you’re invaders who came in without permission.”

“Whatever Mangyeong is, you are citizens of the Republic of Korea.”

“Shut up! You’re the ones who have to throw away your weapons.”

The team leader raised his hand and ordered the archers to load their bows.

He decided to carry out Kang Sion’s orders rather than comply with the rescue team’s demands.

The archers drew their bowstrings and aimed at the soldiers.

Then, the soldiers behind the sergeant also shouldered their rifles and aimed at the archers.

A touch-and-go situation.

The sergeant tried to calm the situation.

“What you are doing is an act of treason. It is also stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.”

“We follow Mangyeong’s decree.”

“We can arrest you by force.”

“Do you think we’re idiots? Everyone knows there are no bullets. Are you scared? I’ll count to three. If you don’t put down your guns before that, I’ll kill you.”

“We really have bullets. So…”

“…One.”

At that time, the sergeant also shouldered his gun.

“Calm down. This will only make both sides tired. We came here under the orders of the President…”

“…Two!”

“Last chance! Lower your bows! Or we’ll shoot you!”

“…Three!!!”

The soldiers released their bowstrings at the soldiers who did not listen to their demands until the end.

Twang-!

The arrows that left the bowstring wriggled and flew towards them.

And at the same time.

Tudududududududu-!!!

Fire spewed from the soldiers’ gun barrels.

* * *

“Hoo…”

“Sergeant Jo! Are you okay?!”

“…I’m fine.”

Sergeant Jo frowned and pulled out the arrow that was stuck in his shoulder.

Boom-! Chwarrrrr… [sound of blood gushing]

Then, blood flowed down along his shoulder line.

Sergeant Jo looked ahead.

All the people who were shot were lying down dead.

Unlike arrows, bullets caused instant death if even one hit the body.

The battle between bows and guns was, of course, a landslide victory for the guns.

“Sergeant Jo. What should we do now?”

When the corporal asked, Sergeant Jo looked around at the squad members.

“Is anyone hurt?”

“…No. Everyone is fine. But Sergeant Jo, your wound…”

Sergeant Jo looked forward again and sighed deeply.

And he said with difficulty.

“I’m okay, I’m okay, so… Pick up all the bullet casings and take only their clothes and weapons and go back.”

This place was the area of a warlord who had caused a rebellion like Gwangmyeong City and illegally organized a force.

Then there was only one decision the government could make.

Massacre only.

Of course, not right now.

Sergeant Jo and his squad were just a reconnaissance team dispatched by the government.

The soldiers immediately followed Sergeant Jo’s orders.

They gathered the clothes and weapons of the Mangyeong soldiers.

The flow began to change greatly with the appearance of the government forces.

* * *

Jin Jaehee put a coat over me.

I glanced at her once and fastened my coat.

Jin Jaehee naturally asked me.

“Did you meet K?”

“Yeah.”

I approached the cheering soldiers.

They naturally made way for me.

Jin Jaehee followed me and asked.

“Did it go according to plan?”

“She said she’ll give me the wanderer’s authority within a month.”

“We’ll have time to reorganize our forces and go on an expedition.”

“The first target is Kwon Jonghyun. That monster bastard. Oh, and this.”

I handed her the ‘Blade of 창날’ [Blade of Changnal – likely a specific artifact or weapon name].

Jin Jaehee, who took the 창날 from me, tilted her head.

“It’s important. You must never lose it. I’m in this state right now. I’d like you to keep it for now.”

“It’s a stone.”

“I wouldn’t say an ordinary stone is important.”

“Ah, yeah. I understand.”

As I passed through them, the soldiers naturally began to follow me.

In the ruined city center.

The soldiers with spears and bows were shouting everywhere.

We finally won, and now it was time to take the rewards.

Dong-an was destroyed.

Not only that, but all the plans we had initially made were also achieved.

Now it was time to move in earnest for our purpose.

At that time, Choi Myungjoon, who was buried in the 육질 [Yukjil – likely refers to a type of monster or structure], poked his head out.

“Hyung-nim!!! Are you okay?!?”

He was struggling to get out of the remaining 육질 prison.

Next to him was a math teacher.

I glanced at him once and moved on.

Then he kept shouting at the back of my head.

“Hyung-nim! Are you okay?! Is there anywhere you’re hurt?!? …Hey, Math! Get me out of here!”

“I’m trying…!”

I came out of the prison and approached the road.

At that time, the head of the Order Department and the deputy head came up to me and bowed.

“Congratulations on the victory. Are you hurt anywhere? I brought a doctor.”

“…”

The head of the Order Department and the deputy head had already started reorganizing since I destroyed Beomgye Station in Dong-an.

She had already started restoration work throughout Anyang City and was waiting for the war to end.

“Head of the Order Department.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Please sort out the situation here. Reassign the soldiers to their roles as workers, and provide appropriate education to the warriors of Dong-an who were captured as prisoners.”

The warriors of Dong-an will now live again as my labor force.

The captured prisoners will need education.

“Also, give them rest after work. Release a certain amount of luxury goods, and alcohol is fine if necessary.”

“My lord… No, what are you planning to do now, Your Majesty?”

I approached the deer.

I took the deer from Dong-an with the victory of the war.

Now the deer will be a great means of transportation for Mangyeong.

I put on the saddle and got on the deer. Then the head of the Order Department came to me and asked carefully.

“Let’s go to the palace. Your Majesty looks like you need rest. We will prepare it.”

I had no intention of resting.

I can rest after I die.

But Jin Jaehee thought differently.

She rode the deer and came up next to me and said.

“Rest. There’s nothing you can do right now anyway. Good rest is also training.”

The deputy head of the Order Department also chimed in.

“Jaehee is right. At least take a day off. A feast is prepared in Mangyeong. Please consider the efforts of the chefs who have put in the effort thinking of the king.”

I was lost in thought, holding the reins.

What is rest?

I don’t know.

My sister is still moving away from me.

She must be fighting against the evil humans and monsters of the world and living in fear every day.

When I think about how hard that little thing is having right now, my heart aches.

The war is over, but my heart was not at ease.

A little rest.

Yeah, maybe it’s okay to rest a little.

I’ve been running well so far, so I’m going to catch my breath and prepare to run better.

To move faster.

I nodded and swung the reins.

Whirr-. Smack!

Then the deer made hoof sounds and ran down the asphalt.

Into the ruined city center.

Half-collapsed buildings, corpses and wrecked cars everywhere.

The screams of unidentified monsters tore through the sky. In addition, the shouts of the soldiers continued to echo throughout Anyang City.

Passing the crosswalk with peeling paint and crossing the road with wrecked cars scattered here and there, you can see Bisan Bridge.

I remembered when Jin Jaehee and I first crossed this place.

Back then, when I didn’t know anything, I thought everything would be fine.

I thought my sister would still be in that room, and I never thought I would run into that damn aunt again.

What if I had met my sister back then and been with her until now?

Would I have been able to become the king of Anyang City now?

“…”

No one knows.

I wanted the end of this story to be happy.

Because I’ve never been happy in my life.

That’s my only real reward.

* * *

Jin Jaehee, riding the deer, followed Kang Sion and drove the reins, and for a moment looked at the dried-up corpse on one side of the battlefield.

He was Lee Sebeom.

He was supposed to have survived by Sion’s side.

When they first met at the shopping mall, Jin Jaehee recognized Lee Sebeom at once.

He was the one who served as the chief of staff under Sion and built the prosperity and development of the force.

The person named Lee Juyeon who was next to Lee Sebeom seemed to have died at the time.

‘Maybe…’

Instead of Lee Sebeom dying, Lee Juyeon might be alive.

The future has definitely changed.

And no one knows what kind of future it will create, but it won’t have any impact right now.

‘…’

Jin Jaehee thought, looking at the dried-up Lee Sebeom.

The change has begun.

And the last round with Kang Sion, which should have been lost, can also be changed enough.

After all, her choice was right.

“…”

Jaehee gripped the reins more tightly.

The remaining rounds.

It will definitely be difficult, but it will be okay with Kang Sion.

Jin Jaehee trusted Kang Sion.

Because he has been doing well so far.

Just keep doing this.

Then the future will definitely change.

That was why Jin Jaehee regressed in regret.

She drove the deer following Kang Sion.

(Continued in the next episode)