The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 223

Returning to Babel from his meeting with Baek-Yeon, Se-Hoon enjoyed his first moment of leisure since the summer vacation began. Aside from when he headed out to work on the Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Devices for the Pleasure District whenever Dawn called, he used all of his time to research the powers of the Perfect Ones.

Each day was peaceful without major incidents, and a week flew by before he knew it.

Hmm... I think we should be almost ready by now.

According to Amir, who had contacted him a few days ago, the signs he had mentioned were starting to appear throughout the Pleasure District. Now, once the final preparations were complete on his side, he could begin the assault at any time.

The only question remaining is when should I make those final preparations...

Pondering it over while finishing a hastily eaten sandwich, his breakfast that morning, he suddenly heard a loud noise from the front door.

Bang, bang, bang! Ding dong, ding dong!

Wondering who it was, he sent a Shadow Thread to press the intercom button and saw Lea slumped with her face practically plastered against the door.

“Right on time.”

Chuckling at the timely arrival, Se-Hoon pressed the button on the intercom with the Shadow Thread to open the door. Shortly after, Lea walked into the kitchen, practically dragging her feet.

“Ugh...”

Awkwardly stopping before the kitchen table, Lea made a strange noise. Looking at her from up close, the color of the dark circles around her eyes had deepened to black, and her pupils were only half-focused. She looked completely dazed.

Seeing her like that, Se-Hoon curiously asked, “How long has it been since you last slept?”

“About... four days...?”

Lea's voice was full of uncertainty like her memory was fuzzy. Feeling sorry, Se-Hoon gave her a wry smile and stood up.

“Want some coffee?”

“No... I’ll just get even more sleepy if I drink something now.”

“Really? Then at least sit down—”

“No.”

Cutting him off, Lea waved her hand feebly and the look on her face became more determined.

“I’ll fall asleep right away if I sit down now. I’ll show you the finished product and then leave right away.”

Realizing her eagerness to show the finished product that made her come straight here instead of taking a nap from those words, Se-Hoon acquiesced.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Whew...”

Taking a deep breath, Lea pulled out the completed Inkstone Bracelets from her void pocket and placed them on the table.

Wooong-

Placed on the table together, they immediately began resonating with each other. Typically, additional enchantments would eliminate any resonance the original possessed, but Lea’s enchantment made the resonance even clearer than before.

So she perfectly replicated the enchantments.

Pleased that her skills had improved significantly since the first time he had seen her work, Se-Hoon put the bracelets on his wrists and ankles.

Hmm. These don’t feel like anything.

In the past, just wearing them would have drained his strength, but now that his physical abilities had improved, the bracelets didn't affect him at all.

Shaking his body lightly, Se-Hoon looked up at Lea, who was staggering.

“Now all I have to do is summon Abgrund, right?”

“That’s right.... Then the enchantment will activate.”

Having gained Lea's confirmation, Se-Hoon immediately summoned Abgrund from beyond the boundary.

Woong-

Glowing, the enchantments engraved like constellations on the surface of the Inkstone Bracelets lit up all at once when Abgrund appeared. An invisible link began forming between the equipment, and when it stabilized, the Netherworld’s darkness mana stored in Abgrund naturally began flowing into Se-Hoon’s body.

“Oh...”

Unlike before, when he had to forcefully draw it out with the power of Boundaries, the mana moved much more smoothly.

Seeing Se-Hoon marveling at the feeling, Lea rubbed her eyes and explained, “I noticed that no matter how well one can handle the power of Boundaries, there seems to be an inherent incompatibility with the living. It was like an unsolvable mismatch.”

“There’s definitely some truth to that.”

Although Se-Hoon had become accustomed to using the power of Boundaries to draw darkness mana from the Netherworld, he still couldn’t say he had full control over it. To make a comparison, it was as if he was drinking from a saucer instead of a cup—there was still a strange disconnect.

But now that disconnect had completely disappeared.

“So, I designed the enchantment to use the bracelets as a medium to allow you to harness the power of Boundaries. Simply put, it’s like tricking both the darkness mana and your body simultaneously with an intermediary.”

“Tricking them both... huh?”

Thinking about Lea’s explanation, Se-Hoon drew out darkness mana from the Netherworld again.

Sss-

Gathering at his fingertips, the summoned mana rose into the air and transformed consecutively into an axe, a spear, and a dagger. During the process, he focused on the movement of the mana, which had become much more refined than before.

If it’s like this...

Recalling what he had been recently researching about the power of Boundaries, Se-Hoon compressed the darkness mana into a single point.

“What are you doing?”

“Shh.”

Shushing Lea, Se-Hoon focused on the compressed mana in his palm.

Woong-

Pressed together, the compressed mana elongated and soon looked like a thin line etched in the air. Then, connecting that line to the Netherworld, Se-Hoon slowly widened the gap.

Splitting open, the line revealed a black void that settled in the center like an empty pupil—a recreation of the Vision of the Abyss, Wurgen’s unique necromantic magic.

But just as the spell was about to fully form, the black void seemed to turn and lock onto Se-Hoon.

Clench-

Feeling a chill down his back, Se-Hoon reflexively closed his hand and dispelled the Vision of the Abyss.

What was that just now...?

It was a completely different sensation than when he first used Wurgen’s Vision of the Abyss. It was as if... the eye had its own will.

Narrowing his eyes, Se-Hoon gaze moved to the black mark on his palm; it was a sign of the Netherworld's taint.

Is it warning me not to take the Netherworld lightly?

Things had been going so smoothly lately that he had arrogantly believed the Perfect Ones' powers were less complicated than they were.

Resolving to be more careful in the future, he used the power of Boundaries to erase the tainted mark.

“...What just happened?”

In her dazed state from the lack of sleep, Lea couldn’t fully comprehend the whole thing since it had happened so quickly.

Checking that the taint had been removed, Se-Hoon calmly responded, “I was just conducting a little experiment. Anyway, you did a great job. This is better than I expected.”

“Really?”

“Do you think I’d lie about something like this?”

At his praise, Lea’s eyes regained their focus, and she eagerly asked, “So, how many points does it get?”

“Huh?”

“Remember, last time, you gave me an eighty. What about this time?”

Remembering how he had given her a score when she helped enchant the Phantasmal Spyblade, Se-Hoon contemplated it for a moment before replying, “I’d give it ninety points.”

The enchantment was well-crafted and of high quality, but there were still some shortcomings.

“I thought it’d be at least a ninety-five...” Lea despondently said, her expression shifting between happiness and frustration. Accepting it in the end, her eyes soon lost focus and Lea collapsed forward.

Surprised, Se-Hoon moved to catch her before she hit the table and checked her condition.

“She’s completely out...”

Her mana, along with her physical and mental strength, had been completely depleted. With such a condition, Se-Hoon was honestly awed that she had managed to make it all the way to his place.

Making a wry smile, Se-Hoon picked her up.

“Let’s see...”

Thinking of laying her on the sofa, Se-Hoon soon changed his mind and headed to his bedroom.

Slide-

Using Shadow Thread, Se-Hoon skillfully removed Lea's white lab coat and hair accessories, then pulled back the blanket to make space. Gently laying her on the bed, he placed his fingers on the carotid artery in her neck.

Ba-dump-

“Mhmmm...”

Manipulating her blood flow to speed up her recovery, Se-Hoon covered her with the blanket before leaving the bedroom.

She should regain some energy in an hour or two.

Deciding to let her rest briefly, Se-Hoon closed the door and went to sit on the sofa in the living room.

Summoning Abgrund from the kitchen into his view, he fell into thought. The compatibility with the Sphere should be fine. The only thing left is...

The only thing remaining was whether the rest of his plan would unfold as he anticipated. Pondering his next move, he decided to start by adjusting the power of Boundaries to restore the corrupted mana circuit inside his body.

“Hmm? You summoned me a bit earlier than usual today.”

Awakening, the Seeker immediately began analyzing the surroundings with curiosity. Truthfully, the term “awakening” was a bit of a stretch since the Seeker was essentially dying and reviving every time Se-Hoon summoned her, but she didn't seem to mind.

I guess she most likely was already like this before she was killed.

While Se-Hoon started to believe in Baek-Yeon's claim that meeting her in person would be problematic, the Seeker had noticed the Inkstone Bracelets on Se-Hoon's wrists and ankles.

“That's quite intriguing equipment you got there. Did that Lea girl you mentioned earlier enchant them?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s impressive. The enchantment structure is pretty innovative, I must say. The younger generation is certainly more advanced than we were back in the day.”

Contrary to that quiet and youthful voice of hers, her choice of words made her sound like an old man.

But he hadn’t awakened her for that. Not wanting to waste any time diddle-daddling, Se-Hoon got straight to the point.

“I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Hmm, if you let me examine your body for a bit, I may be willing to listen...”

Woong-

“I’m kidding! I’m kidding!”

Sensing that her consciousness had slowly started dispersing, the Seeker quickly backtracked.

“I’m going to refuse every time, so can’t you stop already?” Se-Hoon asked with a frown, pulling back the power of Boundaries.

“Well, even if you say no today, who knows what might happen tomorrow? Consistency is key to success, you know.”

With a smug expression, the Seeker seemed proud of her persistence.

And that made Se-Hoon smirk. “Is that why you tried to get Ha Baek-Yeon to sign an agreement when she was unconscious?”

“Did that old grandma really have to bring that up...? Anyway, what are you trying to ask me?”

Changing the subject smoothly, the Seeker focused her attention on Se-Hoon as he began to explain his upcoming plan.

“Hmm...”

The Seeker pondered for a long time before finally whispering the answer to him, “It does seem doable. Based on the information I have and what you’ve provided me, there shouldn’t be any technical issues.”

“That’s a relief.”

“However, I’m concerned about whether that Lea girl can keep up with you.... Are you sure she can handle it?”

While the Seeker did acknowledge Lea’s undeniable talent and skills, she also knew that life was unpredictable.

“Don’t worry.”

But Se-Hoon was completely calm.

“When it comes down to it, she’ll do whatever she can to get it done.”

He was absolutely certain of that. After all, the only alternative was her death. It was an unchanging truth that applied to most people, which he had learned from first-hand experience before the regression.

***

I was not strong enough...

As her lifelong regret played back in her mind, Lea, who had been sleeping like the dead, suddenly jolted awake.

“Huff... Huff...”

Cold sweat drenched her entire body, and her head throbbed with pain. She had dreamt of that dreadful day when both her parents had vanished—a nightmarish day that had been plaguing her for decades.

Running a hand through her disheveled hair, Lea tried to shake off the lingering terror.

“Is today my unlucky day...? Hmm?”

Muttering to herself, she tried to reach for her phone when she noticed something amiss. Taking a closer look, she noticed the layout of the room was different from her own. Awakening in an unfamiliar room, she blanked out. Then, when she abruptly realized where she was, her eyes widened.

No way...

Realizing whose bed she was in, she practically leaped out of it.

“He could’ve just left me on the sofa.... What is this... eek!”

The state of the bed made her let out an involuntary shriek. Looking at the sheets soaked with sweat from her nightmare, she broke out in a fresh wave of cold sweat.

This... this is bad.

Regardless of her closeness with Se-Hoon, there were still standards of dignity to maintain. Spotting her hairpins and ornaments on the nightstand, she quickly activated a newly inscribed enchantment.

“Setting!”

With the influx of her mana into the hairpins and ornaments, they began rising into the air and flew toward the bed. The three hairpins then started rotating in a circle above the bed, and when the blue pin and red ornament glowed, the sweat on the sheets started to evaporate.

“Phew...”

At the sight of the bed linen becoming fresh and dry again, Lea let out a breath of relief. Just then, the bedroom door creaked open.

“You’re already awake... Hmm?”

Stepping into the room, Se-Hoon paused and puzzledly surveyed the room before looking curiously at Lea.

“Did you spray perfume or something...?”

“Aghhh!!”

Bang!

Letting out a scream, Lea rushed to the window and opened it so forcefully that it nearly shattered. Sparkling, the green hairpin quickly began ventilating the room’s air.

Whoosh!

Confused by everything that happened in the blink of an eye, Se-Hoon gave Lea a perplexed look.

“What’s up with you all of a sudden?”

“Shush. Don’t ask any more questions. I have my personal standards too, you know.”

“Uh, okay... sure.”

Baffled by Lea’s uncharacteristically desperate appearance, Se-Hoon moved on to the main topic.

“Get dressed and come out. We need to move quickly.”

“Huh? We’re going somewhere?”

“We’re going to the Puppeteer’s hideout, like I mentioned before.”

“Oh, right... wait, what?”

Her hands freezing, Lea, who was about to tie her hair up, looked at him in confusion. She was becoming more and more bewildered.

They were heading to the Puppeteer’s hideout now? While it wasn’t entirely surprising, since he had told her that they would go one day, why did they need to hurry?

“...Who’s coming with us?”

“Who else? Just you and me.”

“No one else is coming?”

“Nope.”

Falling silent, Lea then cautiously asked, “Can I submit my resignation right now?”

To that request, Se-Hoon smiled gently at her.

“Nope.”