The Regressor Only Protects Me [EN]: Chapter 130

130. Metro Forces (1)

Metro Forces.

A new external force threatening Mangyeong, following Doan.

They occasionally patrolled along the railroad tracks, claiming to be government rescuers and using persuasive tactics to win people over.

So far, no citizens have fallen for their tricks, but it has been enough to create anxiety within the force.

The anxiety stems from the idea that the South Korean government is still intact.

From the government’s perspective, Mangyeong was clearly a criminal organization.

Therefore, a clash was inevitable.

Kang Si-on blocked the railroad tracks and designated the Anyang Station area as a military zone.

He then dispatched Wanderer Choi Hyun-ji there to conduct reconnaissance for a set period.

After the declaration of the end of the war, two weeks passed quickly.

During that time, Kang Si-on and Jin Jae-hee prepared for the Suwon expedition. The force’s personnel worked hard to restore the war-torn area, and Choi Hyun-ji returned after completing her reconnaissance of Seoul.

“Ah-. Cola. Cola. Give me cola. I’m so tired.”

Choi Hyun-ji immediately asked for cola as soon as she returned to the force.

Mana Police Station Conference Room.

Executives gathered here to receive a report on the results of her reconnaissance.

One of Choi Hyun-ji’s greatest strengths was her ability to ‘secretly infiltrate deep into enemy forces.’

A skill she acquired while living as a wanderer for two years.

Using her ability, she could become as inconspicuous as a rat running around on the street and infiltrate enemy lines.

And the information she had learned through this reconnaissance was quite shocking.

“I knew about the Seoul Metro Forces to some extent, but… I honestly didn’t know they would be this big.”

Choi Hyun-ji, still holding a cola in one hand, took out several items and placed them on the desk.

“This is a map. This is the currency they use: lighters, bottle caps, batteries, and so on. And this is what I found out about the leaders of each station.”

Executives gathered around the desk like elders in a marketplace.

The Metro map she had obtained was a compilation of several maps, like the Daedongyeojido [a detailed map of Korea created in the 19th century].

Around it, she placed various items belonging to the force.

The executives looked at them one by one, listening to Choi Hyun-ji’s words.

“I bought it very expensively. It was also difficult to buy.”

It was a map bought with Mangyeong’s national treasury, but it was so elaborate that you couldn’t find one like it anywhere else.

The executives who gathered around the map all exclaimed in admiration.

Seoul Metro.

Denser and wider in scope than any other city in the world.

In case of emergency, it is deep, wide, and safe to be used as a large-scale underground bunker.

The existence of such a large subway system was possible because South Korea was originally a country prepared for war.

The force that claimed to be the South Korean government had occupied the Metro during the last round and was building another underground world there.

The population is at least 100,000.

There is also a new religion inside.

Each station was ruled by a different lord.

The currency used was also diverse.

Listening to Choi Hyun-ji’s explanation, Si-on recalled a Russian novel he had read in the library during lunch break in middle school, likely referring to *Metro 2033*.

“Actually, in the first round, the subway was the biggest stronghold compared to the roads. Those guys calling themselves the South Korean government seem to have been slowly building up their power since then. They are probably the number one force in Seoul. A unique thing is that each station is an independent force, like the European Union. They are united with Yongsan Station as the central force, and they select representatives from each station to elect a president. The term is 6 months.”

The meaning of being the number one force in Seoul Special ‘City’ was extraordinary.

Kang Si-on and Park Ji-soo had waged a bloody war of conquest to win the title of the number one force even within Anyang City.

Seoul is a city of ten million people.

He couldn’t even imagine how much blood they had shed so far.

“One good thing is that this Anyang was called a cliff in the last round?”

“A cliff?”

One of the executives looked at Choi Hyun-ji and asked back.

Choi Hyun-ji was now eating snacks.

“You know Line 4, Indeokwon Station? There is a huge sinkhole between that station and Gwacheon Station. It’s so difficult to cross that it’s almost impossible. So those guys living in the underground world couldn’t even think of coming down to Anyang in the direction of Line 4. They should just come down to the ground, but the new religion there prohibited going to the ground and prevented people from going outside the station. …Of course, they did come down to Line 1 this time.”

“A huge sinkhole…”

Listening to Choi Hyun-ji’s explanation, Si-on had something in mind.

The main boss of the 3rd round that Jin Jae-hee told me about, and the key to clearing the 3rd round.

The sinkhole must be its trace.

Si-on looked at Jin Jae-hee.

Jin Jae-hee nodded as if what he was thinking was right.

Choi Hyun-ji’s explanation continued.

“Most of the people living near Anyang want to join Mangyeong. I was surprised that Metro uses lighters as their main currency. Mangyeong’s market power must be quite strong, even for Seoul people.”

It happens often.

When the value of a foreign currency is higher than the value of one’s own country’s currency.

The value of lighters was recognized even after the end of the 2nd round of extreme cold.

This is because they could be used to make fire, were highly portable, and had some rarity.

The value was also divided according to the amount of oil inside the lighter.

For example, in Mangyeong.

If the value of an empty lighter is set to 1, the value doubles each time the gas capacity fills by one-fifth.

The value of a new lighter with a sticker is usually five times that of a regular lighter.

It was good news that Mangyeong’s currency was widely recognized both internally and externally.

If the currency is commonly used, it meant that Mangyeong’s market was a huge potential market that could be used by citizens of other forces.

‘If I use this well…’

Kang Si-on came up with a clever plan.

Choi Hyun-ji turned around from her seat, looked at the executives, and sat on the edge of the desk.

“Anyway, that’s all the information I’ve found out. You probably don’t have to worry for now. They are still aiming to stabilize their power rather than directly confronting Mangyeong. But you can’t let your guard down. The primary goal is not Mangyeong, but if you go down to the secondary goal…”

“What about weapons? Isn’t there more important information?”

“…Weapons? Ah~. That’s right.”

And Choi Hyun-ji’s next words were enough to create a sense of fear among the executives.

Choi Hyun-ji finished speaking with a grin.

“They have guns. Not toys. Real guns.”

The executives’ shoulders trembled.

* * *

I came out of the conference room with Jin Jae-hee.

The executives were gathered in the hallway, talking to each other.

She turned the corner with me and asked.

“There’s no change in plans, right?”

“Yeah. Well, not for now.”

No matter how powerful they are, having swallowed up the entire Seoul Metro, they won’t be able to move rashly now.

Besides Anyang, there are countless forces in Seoul.

Whether they are ground forces or underground forces, they will be sharpening their knives to devour each other.

For now, Mangyeong has wiped out all the clearly hostile forces, and now the force will enter a period of stability.

There is no change in plans.

We will proceed as planned.

I looked back at Jin Jae-hee as I went down the police station stairs.

“Are you ready for today’s training?”

“Ah… Well…”

Then she avoided my gaze as if she was reluctant.

I scolded her.

“It’s okay. Just do the same thing you did to me.”

“…I’m really bad at teaching anyone.”

“You were good at it.”

“That was when it was you. You understood perfectly even if I explained it strangely.”

“The kids will do well too. They’re gathered over there.”

“Ah, over there. Wait, wait. Si-on.”

As soon as we stepped outside the building, the 2nd-level executives were all gathered.

Jeong Hyun-soo and Ha Yoon-ha, who had made great contributions in this war, were also there.

And these two will begin training for the next week.

As I approached, Jeong Hyun-soo straightened his back and shouted.

“My lord, have you arrived!”

“You’re a king now. You idiot.”

Ha Yoon-ha, who was next to him, corrected the wrong designation, but Jeong Hyun-soo was persistent.

“My lord! Have you arrived!!!”

“Are you well prepared for today?”

“Yes!!!”

“Yes.”

The two proved their worth through this war.

Now, they will grow that value and make it helpful to Mangyeong.

That role is Jin Jae-hee’s.

She is a returnee and a master of artifacts.

She will be able to grow them faster than anyone else, just like she taught me.

At that time, Jeong Hyun-soo and Ha Yoon-ha’s eyes shook.

Jin Jae-hee, who had approached from behind me, looked down at the two children with a nonchalant, cold look.

And she sighed deeply and said.

“Be prepared.”

With those words, Jin Jae-hee walked past the two children.

Jeong Hyun-soo and Ha Yoon-ha glanced at me.

I gestured for them to follow her, and the two children quickly began to follow Jin Jae-hee.

‘They seem more confident than I expected.’

After the war, Hyun-soo asked me.

He asked me not to feed his father’s body to the ogres, but to bury it in the ground.

I allowed it, and Jeong Hyun-soo held his father’s funeral.

For a while, he seemed dejected and depressed, but he seemed to have recovered quickly.

The two children are like gold dust in the sand.

Ha Yoon-ha, Jeong Hyun-soo.

I plan to raise these two as the next leaders of Mangyeong.

The two children who trust and follow me more than anyone else are suitable to be raised as my successors.

Furthermore, to grow them into overwhelming players to win in this league.

This will not take long.

* * *

“Artifacts are consumable abilities, so you have to use them well depending on the situation.”

“…”

“Also, when dealing with players, always watch their eyes and hands. No matter how insignificant the ability is, never let your guard down.”

“…”

“And also… And also…”

“Please be quiet. Memorize it in your head!”

Ha Yoon-ha, who couldn’t stand it anymore, exploded and pushed Jeong Hyun-soo.

Then Jeong Hyun-soo frowned and retorted.

“What? You have information-related abilities, so you can understand quickly, but ordinary people are different!”

“Even if I don’t have information abilities, I can just memorize it right away? And how are you an ordinary person?”

“Be quiet. Ugly?”

“What? What did this potato head say!”

Ha Yoon-ha growled and ran at Jeong Hyun-soo.

Even before the war with Doan, Ha Yoon-ha and Jeong Hyun-soo knew each other.

There weren’t many kids of the same age in Mangyeong, and the two were recognized by Kang Si-on and were active as 2nd-level executives in the force.

Of course, they only knew each other, but they weren’t on good terms.

Being the same age means that their values ​​conflict a lot.

Besides, the two were in the so-called turbulent period, middle school 2nd graders.

“Originally, you were my subordinate! You idiot!”

“How am I your subordinate when we’re in different units? You potato head!”

“…Stop.”

Jin Jae-hee sighed and looked at the two.

They grabbed each other’s collars, pulled their hair, and scratched each other, making a fuss.

Seeing the two, Jae-hee was reminded of her friends who had been with her in her past life.

It was a nostalgic scene, but now was not the time to be immersed in emotions.

“Jeong Hyun-soo, you practice maintaining your ability for 5 minutes. And Ha Yoon-ha, you practice the skill of filtering out unnecessary information. It’s been three hours since the practice started, why can’t you concentrate? If you fight one more time, you’ll be hanging upside down on the streetlights.”

“…Yes.”

“Yes…”

It is difficult to refine artifacts.

You have to concentrate for hours to grow.

These two did not have the concentration like Kang Si-on, nor were they equipped with a learning attitude.

That’s why she had no choice but to engage in training in a coercive manner at times.

Of course, Jin Jae-hee also entered training while teaching the two children.

Now that she will be running in the field, she will have more encounters with monsters than players in the future.

Among the monsters, there are many who are so cruel that you can’t even imagine.

Alligator turtles are just cute levels of cuteness.

‘…I can’t be relieved either.’

Jin Jae-hee can still get stronger and reach higher levels.

It’s only the 3rd round now.

She closed her eyes to concentrate.

Sitting on the hood of a scrapped car as if meditating, she raised her mental strength.

As much concentration was needed, she gradually drew her thoughts into the realm of the unconscious.

Concentration… Concentration…

“Why are you coming over? I told you not to come over. You practice in the toiiiiilet! That suits you.”

Concentration is…

“Ah! Joom! Don’t bother me.”

Concentration…

“Wow-. You’re uglier when you frown.”

Con…

“Do you really want to die today? Huh?!?!?”

“That’s what I wanted. Do you want to taste electricity? Zzzt-?”

Thump-!

Jin Jae-hee got up from her seat and picked up an electric wire nearby.

An electric wire used instead of a rope.

Jin Jae-hee, who was holding it tightly, strode towards the two children who were still raising their voices at each other.

And until the sun went down, the two children were hanging upside down on the streetlights.

(Continued in the next episode)