The Regressor Only Protects Me [EN]: Chapter 211

211. The Dragon’s Domain (4)

Watching Kang Si-On and Kwon Jong-Hyun from the side, Jung Hyun-soo swallowed hard.

‘…Their auras are both immense. Neither can afford to back down an inch. Amazing.’

To the average person, the presence these two men exuded was on a completely different level.

They were truly beings at the pinnacle of existence.

Like a puppy instinctively wetting itself at the sight of a tiger.

The two men were unleashing power greater than that of tigers upon each other.

It was a meeting of the strongest individuals in the League.

Jung Hyun-soo wasn’t the only one feeling the tension.

The Red Dragon also sensed Kang Si-On’s power.

It didn’t dare to attack rashly and simply shielded Kwon Jong-Hyun.

Then, Kwon Jong-Hyun covered his mouth and began to laugh.

“Kekekeke…”

Kang Si-On silently observed his next move.

If he acted hostile, they had their own plan.

But Kang Si-On thought.

If Kwon Jong-Hyun listened to his proposal, he wouldn’t be able to refuse.

Kwon Jong-Hyun rose from his spot.

At that moment, the Red Dragon thrust its massive face toward him.

Kwon Jong-Hyun stroked the Red Dragon’s skin, reassuring it.

“It’s okay. He’s not a dangerous man. Don’t worry. There’s no danger to you.”

Kwon Jong-Hyun stepped out from the Red Dragon’s shadow.

Only then could Kang Si-On fully see Kwon Jong-Hyun’s appearance.

He had hair so long it nearly touched the ground, tied back with a single cord.

His body was covered in scars, and the tattoo stretching from his left elbow to his chest was striking.

He was shirtless, wearing shorts on his lower body, and worn-out sandals on his feet.

Kwon Jong-Hyun approached and stood directly in front of Kang Si-On.

Until that moment, Jung Hyun-soo struggled to suppress his emotions.

Just his approach alone filled him with immense dread.

Jung Hyun-soo was certain.

That Kwon Jong-Hyun was just like Kang Si-On.

The air grew heavy and dark, making it difficult to even breathe.

He was a man with eyes that seemed to devour everything.

The two men glared at each other.

Kwon Jong-Hyun was the first to speak.

“I was wondering what the ruler of Seoul would say when he came to visit. It’s an absurd proposal.”

“I’m giving you a chance. I don’t want to fight you. If possible, I’d choose coexistence.”

“Fight? Coexistence? That’s a joke. There’s no such thing as coexistence. From the moment you became a Player and my friend became the target of Round 3, it won’t end until one of us is dead.”

Kwon Jong-Hyun pulled a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth.

“But honestly, I’m a little surprised. For a man who’s supposed to be the ruler of Seoul, you only brought a kid with you. Are you fearless? Or just reckless?”

Kwon Jong-Hyun lit his cigarette and glared at Jung Hyun-soo.

Jung Hyun-soo quickly averted his gaze from the piercing stare.

Kwon Jong-Hyun exhaled smoke.

“At least I thought you’d bring that power you had with you, the silver swordsman or that guy with the scent of a strong warrior.”

The silver swordsman was Jin Jae-hee. The strong warrior was Choi Myung-joon.

Of course, Kwon Jong-Hyun only sensed their power, not who they were.

Kwon Jong-Hyun acknowledged Kang Si-On’s abilities.

Not only did he possess those two powers, but he was also the one who single-handedly destroyed the Metro forces.

He highly valued that ability.

And the moment they met, he realized that this was not someone to be taken lightly.

That’s why Kwon Jong-Hyun was cautious when dealing with Kang Si-On.

Kang Si-On felt the same way.

Kwon Jong-Hyun was the one who had killed him in his past life.

“Let me ask you something. What is your goal?”

“To be left alone.”

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing. I just want you to stay out of here and disappear. That’s my only wish. But it’s impossible. My friend is the condition for clearing the round. You’ll die if you don’t kill my friend. And so will your subordinates and citizens. So you and I have no choice but to be enemies.”

Then, once again, the Red Dragon roared towards the sky.

-Kuaaaaaaaa!!!

The Red Dragon had read Kwon Jong-Hyun’s mind.

Kwon Jong-Hyun was contemplating killing Kang Si-On at any moment.

He was actually emitting a strong killing intent.

Every ruler he had faced so far had been like that.

At least Kwon Jong-Hyun was one of those who rejected this League.

If Kang Si-On targeted the Red Dragon like the others, it didn’t matter if he was the ruler of Seoul or how powerful he was.

He was determined to protect the Red Dragon until his death.

But Kang Si-On was different.

“Then fine. I won’t touch you.”

“What?”

Kwon Jong-Hyun’s intense killing intent subsided.

He raised his eyes and looked down at Kang Si-On.

Kang Si-On said.

“Your thoughts and mine align. At least when it comes to protecting the dragon. I will protect the dragon. And if you stay here, I couldn’t be happier. If you live quietly here, I’ll guarantee your livelihood in Mangyeong.”

But there’s a condition to this.

“There’s a condition. You have to keep your word. You stay here. That’s my condition. I won’t allow you to take a single step out. You can’t leave this place, and neither can the Red Dragon. You must not harm my forces in any way. If you or your Red Dragon kill even one person belonging to my forces, I won’t let it go unpunished.”

“…”

Kwon Jong-Hyun listened to Kang Si-On’s story while smoking.

“I have no intention of participating in the League. On the contrary, I plan to destroy it.”

Then, one corner of Kwon Jong-Hyun’s mouth slightly curved upwards.

“How?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Puhuhu.”

Kwon Jong-Hyun thought.

‘What an amazing man.’

His dreams and values were on a different level from the other moronic rulers he had met so far.

Destroy the League?

How dare a mere human try to destroy the League set up by the administrator? I’m curious. How is that even possible?

Indeed, the ruler of Seoul.

There was no coincidence or luck in this man’s rise to power in Seoul.

He reached the top solely through his own abilities.

Kwon Jong-Hyun said.

“I accept.”

“Good.”

Kang Si-On said only those words and turned to walk away.

Jung Hyun-soo remained wary of Kwon Jong-Hyun until the end, then followed Si-On.

Kang Si-On took a few more steps before turning back to look at Kwon Jong-Hyun. He watched Kwon Jong-Hyun and said.

“I’ll send medical staff. Don’t hurt them.”

“…”

Kwon Jong-Hyun didn’t answer.

* * *

I left the Red Dragon’s nest and approached the troops.

There, 4,000 armed soldiers and 100 ogres were lined up.

I gestured to Hwang Min-jae, who was standing in formation, to dismiss them.

Hwang Min-jae nodded and began to withdraw the troops.

It was a force gathered in preparation for any possible situation.

I approached the medical team that was on standby.

“Go ahead. I’ve spoken to him. You’ll be fine now.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

The medical staff, each carrying a medical kit, rushed into the nest.

At the same time, engineers carrying barricades began to create a boundary line nearby.

That boundary line was to protect the dragon.

I said to the commander who approached me.

“Designate this area as a civilian restricted zone. Kill anyone who trespasses, regardless of their identity or reason.”

“Understood.”

By sealing off the area itself, the dragon would be protected from any danger.

That takes care of the dragon.

I was glad that things were proceeding as I intended.

Then, Jung Hyun-soo, who was walking beside me, still trembling, said.

“Y-you’re amazing. I couldn’t even meet his eyes.”

“If our goals are the same, there’s no reason to fight. It’s the administrators’ way to provoke conflict.”

“Didn’t you feel the immense bloodlust coming from him, Chairman?”

“I did.”

An immense bloodlust.

A scent of predation so strong it was hard to breathe.

Most creatures would tremble and faint at the mere whiff of it.

In reality, Kwon Jong-Hyun was even more terrifying than the rumors suggested.

Rather than making such a Kwon Jong-Hyun an enemy, it would be better to have him as an ally.

‘Of course, I would have taken him out if our goals had been different.’

Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

With this, the most important part was resolved.

All that remained was the administrator’s reaction.

I’ll see how they react to this trap I’ve set. I expect they won’t leave me alone. They’ll use all sorts of underhanded tactics to bring me down.

Whatever.

My expansion of territory won’t stop at Seoul.

There are higher places waiting.

But there was an unsolved mystery.

It wasn’t far away either.

‘Regression.’

Who exactly is the regressor, Jin Jae-hee?

By what power did she appear in this world and change this League?

In fact, from beginning to end, I’ve had many concerns about her.

I was curious about her identity.

The ‘Guardian’ that Jin Jae-hee showed when we first entered the ogre’s cave.

The caster of that skill was clearly me.

Could it be related to the absolute being who makes up this League, whom I met last time?

And I can’t figure out why that absolute being specifically chose Jin Jae-hee’s regression.

This is a problem that needs to be considered in relation to the truth of this world.

I’ve pacified the League, but if I can’t figure out Jin Jae-hee’s identity, everything will be for naught.

I must find out the secrets of this world.

That was the last task I had to bear in this League.

Regressor.

Time leap.

Multiple universes.

Three questions arose.

What exactly is the administrator who orchestrated all of this?

What does he want?

And can I go back?

* * *

Kang Jun-ho, soaking alone in the bath, remained there for a long time.

“…”

After thinking for a while, Kang Jun-ho got up and walked.

As he got up, the attendants rushed over at once.

The young Suwon executive said.

“Chairman of Mangyeong has reported that negotiations with the Red Dragon have been completed. It seems to have been successful.”

“…”

Kang Jun-ho buried his face in the towel his subordinate handed him and roughly wiped off the water.

Two women approached and dressed Kang Jun-ho.

The executive continued.

“Chairman. Also, that woman hasn’t been seen in Mangyeong for months. In addition, Choi Myung-joon, your subordinate, Chairman of Mangyeong, has also improved. What should we do with Choi Myung-joon?”

In the highest part of Suwon was the space where Kang Jun-ho lived.

A space solely for Kang Jun-ho’s comfort.

Beyond the distant window, the scenery of Suwon could be seen.

Kang Jun-ho captured the image of Suwon in his eyes and said.

“Send him to my brother. Since I told you to send him.”

The executive didn’t like Kang Jun-ho’s choice, but decided to follow it.

“Understood. Then.”

After the executive stepped back, Kang Jun-ho trudged off somewhere.

The place he headed to was a space where no one but Kang Jun-ho could enter.

He walked down a corridor covered with a black carpet.

There was no one in the hallway.

And at the end of the hallway was a red door.

As Kang Jun-ho approached, the red door opened automatically.

“…”

Kang Jun-ho couldn’t easily enter even though the door was open.

But after taking a deep breath, he finally entered the place.

This was a vast space like something you might see in an underground palace of old.

In the center of the space was a round table.

Of the four seats, only Kang Jun-ho’s seat was empty.

Kang Jun-ho took out a cigarette from his pocket, placed it on the round table, and took a seat.

He put a cigarette in his mouth, looked blankly, and opened the lid of his Zippo lighter.

Ting-. Cheeeee.

The fire met the end of the cigarette, making a pleasant sound. Kang Jun-ho exhaled smoke once and closed the lid of the Zippo lighter.

Thwack-!

“Hoo-.”

Kang Jun-ho exhaled a long stream of cigarette smoke like a deep sigh.

As the cigarette smoke dissipated, the figures sitting at the other seats around the round table revealed themselves.

(To be continued in the next episode)