The Regressor Only Protects Me [EN]: Chapter 92

The Only One Who Protects the Regressor – Chapter 92

#Chapter 92. Existence

VAREN, a space where beings reside.

If this place were described as the starting point for the Administrators, ‘humans’ would understand immediately.

This place was entirely white.

The sky, the ground, the clothes, the furniture—everything that comprised this place was dyed white.

This space exists outside of time, unbound by past, present, or future.

It is a space that has always existed and will exist forever.

The standards of VAREN are unknown even to the ‘beings’ who inhabit this space.

Someone from a higher dimension than the ‘beings’ might establish those standards, but thus far, no existence superior to the ‘beings’ has been observed.

There is also no measurable ‘distance’ from Earth.

In other words, this place simultaneously exists and does not exist; it is clearly separated from Earth yet intimately close.

The ‘beings’ call this place ‘Varen.’

The ‘beings’ are sometimes called gods, but they are not truly gods. Despite achieving remarkable feats, not all are considered great beings.

Even ‘beings’ revered as divine by some lead lives surprisingly similar to humans upon closer inspection.

They work, rest, and occasionally indulge in pleasure.

Of course, their work, rest, and pleasure differ significantly from those of humans.

Nevertheless, the aura and majesty they exude are on a completely different level from other living things.

The beings who arrived in Varen began to gather in the central hall.

The destination was the theater.

Administrators dressed in formal attire greeted the beings flocking to the theater in the central hall.

Each being took out a coin and placed it in a white storage box. Each time they passed through the gate, the administrators greeted them politely.

“Welcome.”

“Welcome.”

The administrators served as intermediaries between humans and beings, catering to the beings of Varen. They were also, in essence, businessmen.

They broadcast captivating stories live from across the universe and charged the beings for the ‘pleasure’ of viewing them.

100 Garen per screening.

Garen is the currency used by the beings.

Before the screening was about to begin, those who had gathered began to chat.

Already, thousands of beings were crowded in front of the theater.

They had gathered to witness the war between Doan and Mangyeong, the biggest match of the week.

The streets and corridors were teeming with beings entering the theater.

Inside the theater, a massive screen with an all-white background dominated the space.

On either side of the screen, profile pictures of the lords fluttered.

Park Ji-soo was on the left, and Kang Si-on was on the right.

Nothing was yet visible on the screen, but the beings gathered were already buzzing with excitement.

“Is it finally starting?”

“I’ve been waiting so long! I’ve been counting down the days……”

“Ah, look at that. It’s yesterday’s highlight reel. You have to see Kang Si-on’s amazing speech! All the residents of Mangyeong are completely captivated by one man, and their emotions are running high. Kang Si-on is the right person to unify Anyang. I’ll bet a thousand Garen on Kang Si-on.”

“What are you talking about! Park Ji-soo of Doan was even more amazing when he gave his speech. They are true ‘warriors.’ Besides, Doan’s forces are more than three times the size of Mangyeong’s, aren’t they? This war will definitely be a victory for Park Ji-soo.”

Before the main screening, the beings engaged in heated debates about the lords they supported.

Some even resorted to fistfights or grabbing each other by the collar, arguing vehemently over who was right.

Beings who were, in many ways, no different from humans.

Tens of thousands of beings had already packed into the theater.

The atmosphere was electric.

And without a doubt, the main figure behind this screening was Administrator ‘K.’

An old being with white hair and a benevolent expression approached K.

K bowed politely.

“Ah, ah. Ms. K.”

“Have you arrived, Heavenly Lord Number 13?”

“It was truly perfect, Ms. K.”

The old being gently clasped K’s hands.

And praised her.

“Where did you find such humans… Overwhelming disadvantages were reversed at once through political maneuvering. When Si-on finally pressured Ji-soo, the lines, the actions, the gestures… I felt chills throughout. In the end, Si-on’s single move narrowed the gap between the two forces… allowing us to witness such a grand war. You are truly a production genius. You did it last time… and you’ve outdone yourself again this time.”

“You flatter me.”

K smiled.

Heavenly Lord Number 13 asked K softly.

“But Ms. K, you must have poured your heart and soul into nurturing both lords. From an administrator’s perspective, who do you think will win? You’ve been by their side the longest, haven’t you?”

Kang Si-on of Mangyeong.

Park Ji-soo of Doan.

Which of the two lords would emerge victorious was the biggest question on the minds of the beings gathered here.

The betting odds remained at 50/50, fiercely contested. Even the experts who had been watching the ‘League’ [a competition or series of events] for a long time found it difficult to predict the outcome this time.

Numerically, Park Ji-soo of Doan held the advantage.

But Mangyeong had Kang Si-on.

The Doan faction believed that Park Ji-soo would win the war with overwhelming force, while the Mangyeong faction believed that Si-on would triumph against all odds.

The two groups were even seated separately in the audience, facing off against each other.

Kang Si-on and Park Ji-soo.

Both were players who had developed under K’s guidance.

The League was entertainment designed to alleviate the boredom of the beings.

K’s answer was already determined. She smiled confidently and replied.

“Ah, in my opinion……”

Heavenly Lord Number 13 was surprised by K’s response.

* * *

Above the shouting audience, a VVIP seat was prepared.

Although all the worlds of Varen were white, the interior of this space was dark.

Beyond the huge glass window in front of them was a large screen.

Everyone here was eagerly awaiting the outbreak of war.

On the screen, Kang Si-on was surrounded by crowds, constantly delivering impassioned speeches.

The next scene showed Park Ji-soo cutting his cheek with a dagger.

All were scenes replaying the lords’ speeches before the full-scale war.

Cheers and applause erupted.

Kang Si-on and Park Ji-soo, the two lords, were true stars here.

And in that dark space, a man was sitting in the VVIP seat.

Perched on a golden throne, he was none other than a human.

Not a being of Varen.

And Administrator K slowly walked into the VVIP seat.

Click, click.

Her heels clicked steadily.

“It’s ready.”

K bowed to him, and he gestured silently.

It was an order to begin.

“……Yes. I understand.”

K pressed the button. The screen changed, and the cheers of the audience grew even louder.

The screen displayed an expert analysis comparing the two forces.

[Lord of Mangyeong: Kang Si-on]

[Capital: Mangyeong]

[Resources

●Cities Held: 5

●Number of Citizens: 16,851 (Injured 91 / Minor 83, Serious 8)

●Number of Players: 29, S-Class (1) A-Class (1) B-Class (3) C-Class (13) D-Class (1) F-Class (10)

●Ranking in the Region: 2nd

●Food: 135 days (+45)

●Water: 31 days (+10)

●Approval Rating: 98

●Power:

Troops 16,851 / 1st Army (8400), 2nd Army (5000), 3rd Army (1,000), 4th Army (2421), Commanders (30)

Weapons 9,041 (+340) / F-Class (6,389), E-Class (2548), D-Class (88), B-Class (3), A-Class (13)]

VS

[Lord of Doan: Park Ji-soo]

[Capital: Beomgye]

[Resources

●Cities Held: 13

●Number of Citizens: 66,851 (Injured 2,901 / Minor 1,083, Serious 1,718)

●Number of Players: 103, S-Class (0) A-Class (3) B-Class (5) C-Class (20) D-Class (12) F-Class (63)

●Ranking in the Region: 1st

●Food: 435 days (+55)

●Water: 20 days (+15)

●Approval Rating: 64

●Power:

Troops 58,157 / 1st Division (20,400), 2nd Division (15,300), 3rd Division (13,000), 4th Division (9400), Commanders (57)

Weapons 15,041 (+340) / F-Class (12,901), E-Class (2,089), D-Class (51), B-Class (0), A-Class (0)]

As the comparative analysis data appeared on the screen, the betting amounts began to increase exponentially.

Numerically, Park Ji-soo of Doan was overwhelmingly favored.

But many still believed in Si-on’s abilities.

K slowly approached the VVIP.

And knelt in front of his seat.

As if a young puppy were acting spoiled, K lay down on his lap.

He silently stroked K’s head, and soon a soft and sweet voice was heard.

“Excellent.”

“You flatter me.”

He rested his chin on one hand and stroked K’s head with the other.

As if stroking a puppy.

Promotional videos about the two lords were now playing on the screen.

His specially crafted character moved with majestic background music.

The beings cheered every time Kang Si-on appeared on the screen.

And in his video, his younger brother Kang Jun-ho also appeared.

The beings exclaimed at Si-on’s story.

At that moment, K carefully looked up at the VVIP.

The absolute being of the League.

The one who conceived everything and oversaw the League.

He was wearing a mask, concealing his face, and always wore white gloves with lace on his hands.

And he had black eyes.

An absolute being whose gender and origins were unknown.

At least within the League, his words were absolute.

The absolute being said.

“The lords and players have now proven their worth and grown their forces. K, who are you sure will win this war?”

A gentle yet dignified voice.

That sweet voice lingered in K’s ear.

K was always happy when she heard the absolute being’s voice.

K is a veteran administrator.

So far, all the players and lords she has managed have been ranked in the upper tiers.

The achievements she has made this time were truly remarkable.

The absolute being couldn’t help but find K admirable.

And K’s answer was decided.

“……It will be Park Ji-soo.”

K chose Park Ji-soo.

No, she had believed it would be Park Ji-soo from the beginning.

Her predictions have never been wrong.

Especially now that the third round has begun, and the lords’ tendencies and the foundations of their forces have become solid, her reasoning could not be more accurate.

“Why do you think so?”

The absolute being asked for her reasoning.

K, still lying on his lap, looked at the screen and replied.

“Of course, Kang Si-on is a great lord. But he does not possess the qualities of a monarch. As you know, Kang Si-on is a lord who was not chosen by the system until he went through the first and second rounds. Park Ji-soo will ultimately defeat him. Kang Si-on will become the best assistant, growing under her leadership. This war will unfold in that way.”

“……”

K continued her reasoning, confident in her assessment.

The system chooses the most suitable person to be the lord, grants that person power, and expects that person to lead the League.

Besides, Si-on was the one who seized the throne of the lord through a coup [a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government].

A man who originally did not possess the qualifications of a lord.

He was the one who rose to that position through popular vote.

Of course, Si-on was a player that K truly cherished.

That’s why she will ensure he doesn’t die.

K’s game was already set.

So far, all the games K has overseen have unfolded according to her plan.

But the absolute being’s thoughts were different.

“Well.”

The absolute being’s beautiful hand stroked K’s hair from her forehead to the crown of her head.

The war is about to begin.

Light filled the screen again.

The beings’ shouts filled even this VVIP room.

The shouts of the beings, unable to contain their excitement at the start of the game, echoed throughout Varen beyond the theater.

The screen reappeared.

On the screen, Park Ji-soo’s warriors were advancing with passenger car tanks at the forefront.

Before the two forces collided, the tension was palpable.

The absolute being’s black eyes were fixed on only one place, one place only.

And the absolute being smiled.

“……Only high-dimensional beings would know that.”

It was the first time that the opinions of the absolute being and K differed.

For the first time across ‘many dimensions.’

Now the screen was showing the top of the castle walls.

Mangyeong’s lord Kang Si-on, at the forefront, appeared.

Soon, the vanguard of the two forces encountered each other.

(Continued in the next episode)