Regressor Instruction Manual

“So...”

“So what?” I asked.

“I’m talking about the mistake you made earlier. What was your intention behind that?” Commander Jin asked.

“Intention? It’s natural for a person to break one or two cups in their life. My hand just slipped. Is there a law that says I can’t make mistakes at the table?” I questioned.

“There isn’t one, but… this is you we’re talking about. It's just strange—”

“What?” I asked.

“Since you said it’s nothing… I’ll… let it go for now,” Commander Jin said.

“...”

“...”

“It’s like you’re trying to embarrass me or something. Was that cup expensive? Or were you annoyed because the higher-ups of the Republic were there?

"Does a guest breaking a cup at your dining table affect your reputation? Don’t worry. We’re past that now. Why are you still making a big deal out of a small incident that happened during a gathering that has already passed?” I questioned.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, you fool,” Commander Jin said.

“...”

“Anyway, I’m glad it’s nothing. Don’t worry about what I just said. Looks like I got worried for no reason,” Commander Jin said.

“You always do as you please. You questioned my intentions, and now, you’re telling me not to worry about it,” I complained.

“...”

“...”

“Ahem… ahem… anyway, the Republic has become a great place to live,” I commented.

“What?”

“I said the Republic has become a great place to live. There were a few strange people here before you left, Commander. However, I no longer have to worry about this place anymore, as you've decided to settle down here. I feel at ease, so I'm happy.

"I’m saying that it feels like things are going well. I don’t see anyone I need to get rid of and there are laws and regulations in place, so it looks like we did need someone to stand in the middle of all this.

"It’s great to see you keep things under control without me telling you what to do,” I explained.

“Actually, the public opinion within the Republic isn’t that great,” Commander Jin informed.

‘I expected that.’

There was that strange guy from last time. The young man with the Supernova gang.

“There are many people questioning whether the investment that the Republic and the Democratic Country are making is a waste of money. There are people openly questioning our policies,” Commander Jin continued.

“It’s understandable,” I commented.

“I don’t know about the Union of Others, but the Federation had stopped operating as a nation for a while now. If you exclude some of the major and small cities, they can be called a lawless nation. That's how bad things have become in the Federation.

"Since the continental law was implemented to regulate the black markets throughout the continent, they say that even trades done behind the scenes have stopped completely.

"There’s a reason why the mercenary business has become so popular in the Federation. There's no saving their rotten lands, so they can’t even farm. The corrupt officials are busy worrying about their own interests. This is their reality,” Commander Jin explained.

“...”

“No one cares about the restoration of the Federation. I’m sure that place already has its own laws,” Commander Jin added.

“...”

“Of course, this will be a huge opportunity, but I don’t really agree with it. You can’t pour new wine into old bottles,” Commander Jin said.

“I thought the Republic has decided not to get involved? You said you can’t pour new wine into old bottles, but your actions are different from your words.” I pointed out.

“The Republic is different from the Federation. I’m simply leaving them alone. They’re just dogs whose cries I can’t even hear, so there’s no point in lending them a hand.

"However, it's a good thing because I can use them to keep the central government in check,” Commander Jin said.

‘That’s one way to think about it.’

I knew what they were thinking. The Republic cared more about such issues.

The Hero of Shadows had the Republic under his control, and he wasn’t naive enough to be swayed by a few rookies who had recently gotten into politics.

If he could control them, leaving them alone would be beneficial for him.

If he were to get rid of them, they'd only raise their guard, so it was like he was trying to train those rookies enough so that they'd eventually duke it out with the central government.

‘If something happens, he can use them as well.’

It could be said that the Federation's situation was drastically different from the Sacred Democratic Country that had united as one under a sacred democracy.

‘It’s been a while since we got into a political war.’

I couldn't help but think that this crazy fool had purposely refrained from getting involved in any conflicts within the Republic. It'd be entertaining, after all.

He talked about controlling them and using them to keep the central government in check, but I had a feeling that he simply let those fools loose for his own entertainment.

He was either an extreme control freak who'd feel bothered without control of all conflict, or he was a crazy man who thought of politics as a type of game.

Regardless, I was relieved that the Republic was running properly. Jin Cheong wasn’t any different from the other corrupted figures who only cared about their own interests, but at least he wasn't playing around with money and power.

“Hm…”

They said they were putting effort into their internal structure, but the Sacred Democratic Country and the Republic were the only ones functioning properly.

The Continental Protection Management Committee and I had been helping the Union of Others and the Federation, so I hoped things would work out on their own, but there were a few people who had decided to ruin our efforts.

Unless we address the issue at its roots or place decent people in there, I had a feeling that nothing was actually going to change.

“He’s a pretty good guy,” I mumbled.

“?”

“I’m talking about Gregory. Don’t you think it’s a good idea to give him a government position?” I asked.

“Ahh… him. I don’t think it’s a bad idea… but being competent and diligent are two different things. If there’s a competent staffer working under him, he’ll be pretty useful, but if that’s not the case—”

“No, Commander Jin. In troubling times like this, you don’t need skills at all. Having someone extremely diligent is the best. Do you know why the Republicans have suddenly come back to their senses?

"It probably sounds like a joke to you, but it’s because a symbol called the Hero of Shadows exists. The Federation is not going to be any different from the Republic. Humans are simple-minded, so raising them up is pretty important,” I explained.

“Excuse me, Father Lee Ki-Young. The Blue Guild is asking for your presence,” a staff member informed me.

“Ah, I’ll contact them,” I said.

‘I have no idea why they're contacting me.’

I opened my hand mirror and saw a steady stream of messages.

‘Damn it.’

I frowned as I opened Team Leader Park Joong-Ki’s direct message. I had no reason to contact him, and I also received messages from the others, but his direct message was at the very top.

"Mr. Park Joong-Ki?"

— Excuse me, sir.

"It’s been a while. Did something happen… Did Hyun-Sung…"

— A problem has occurred at the Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary. I received news that a monster appeared, while they were doing demolition work. The workers were evacuated, and the combatants were immediately dispatched, but Mr. Gregory went missing, and eleven people died.

— …

‘What is he talking about?’

"What’s the exact location?"

— C45, sir. They haven’t found Mr. Gregory’s corpse, but they believe that he died. The eleven people who died were in really bad shape. The rangers had a hard time identifying them. The Black Swan Guild’s investigation group has been deployed to investigate the matter.

'Gregory, you fool.'

"And the spear?"

— Huh? The spear? I’m sorry, I…

"Actually, it’s fine, Mr. Park Joong-Ki. Ah, it sounds like there were other people there besides Gregory’s party."

— There’s actually something I want to tell you about that. The Blue Guild…

"The Blue Guild thinks that those jerks… are the culprit, right?"

— Yes, but… they haven’t found any proof yet.

‘How ridiculous. No matter what I think about it, It’s really ridiculous.’

It looked like things could get even worse. The situation was so bad that I couldn’t control my expression.

Squiat taking Benigoa’s spear was part of my plan, but I had no idea that something would happen to Gregory. I thought it'd take a while for them to start working on area C45, and I wanted to work on Squiat a bit more before all this.

The diligent Gregory had been working night and day without taking any breaks, so they had to have reached C45 faster than I thought.

Squiat's jealousy drove him mad upon seeing the spear, and he probably stabbed Gregory in the back.

'He got killed by a monster? Yeah, right.'

Gregory’s party was strong enough to take care of the monsters there.

The fact that the main members were so badly injured to the point that they couldn’t be recognized was funny to me. It was even more ridiculous than saying that Kim Hyun-Sung had allowed Park Deok-Gu to make a move against those jerks.

— Sir?

"…"

— What should we…

"Lock up those fools."

— Pardon me?

"I’m talking about Squiat and the Supernovas or whatever who were there with him. Lock those guys up with Park Deok-Gu and Kim Ye-Ri's help—actually, no, take Ha-Yan and Hee-Young instead. Tell them not to kill them. Make sure to tell them that."

— As I mentioned earlier, we don't have evidence to accuse them of anything, sir. Do you—

"I told you to lock them up, Mr. Park Joong-Ki. Do we need evidence to do that? You must be losing your touch. You still don’t understand what I’m saying here? I’m sure… I told you to lock those guys up. You need proof? Is that important?"

—

"Just lock them up."

— I understand what you’re saying, sir. I’m sorry, I…

"Whoo… it’s fine. I’m sorry. I just got a bit angrier than usual."

— It’s okay.

"I’ll give you time off, so you should take a break. You’re not being demoted… I just think it’s best if I handle this one…"

— I will take care of it according to your instructions.

"I’m sorry for taking my anger out on you."

— It’s fine, sir.

The fact that Jin Cheong was laughing at me made me feel even angrier.

“Looks like things aren’t going well for you,” Jin Cheong commented, taking a sip of his tea.

I felt like throwing my cup of tea at his face.

‘Yeah, it’s not going well, damn it. Actually, it’s more like it’s ruined now.’

I felt like I had been too nice.

While I was gnashing my teeth, my hand mirror vibrated.

‘He’s so shameless.’

— Father Lee Ki-Young…

"..."

— I’m sorry for contacting you late, as I haven't had any time to contact you until now, Father. I’m not sure if you've already heard, but a huge accident happened at the sanctuary. A monster we believe to be at least Legendary appeared and…

"…"

— We tried to get in as soon as possible, but we couldn't save Mr. Gregory and his party members...

"Hey."

— Yes?

"..."

— Is this… Father Lee Ki-Young?

"Yeah, it’s me, you crazy bastard."

— E-Excuse me?

"Squiat, Squiat… our poor Squiat. You don’t like me, right? I look like… some weakling in your eyes, right?"

— W-What? I… can’t really… hear you…

"Do I look like an idiot… because I’ve been smiling and doing everything you asked me to do, huh?"

"You demonic bastard," I added.