Regressor Instruction Manual

My first thought was that Lee Jihye might want to get rid of Kim Hyunsung.

Lee Jihye had kept Kim Hyunsung in check until now, and she had expressed it unknowingly.

Assuming that Kim Hyunsung becoming our enemy was also...

'Her doing.'

Many factors made her dislike Kim Hyunsung.

He had irreplaceable force, and there was no choice but to hold him responsible for turning me into a rag and killing me in the first place.

Jihye and I had the personality to forget about grace, but we never forgot about our grudges.

It made sense to have this kind of build up ready if she thought he had to pay for his actions anyway.

Before deciding whether it was reasonable or not, such thoughts continued to run through my head.

It was then that I heard Jihye’s voice.

I’m asking just in case, but you don’t think I’m planning something, do you?

"..."

Of course. I feel like the situation isn’t bad, but please know that I have no reason to do so. I wouldn’t want to turn oppa into an enemy. I’m a person great enough to respond to all sorts of things. I know that Kim Hyunsung is important, but Lee Kiyoung is more important to me. That left me no option but to design the plan with him as a priority.

"..."

I have the ability to lead the situation, but not the ability to change it. I haven’t tried, but that doesn’t really mean anything. No matter how many times I see it, tens or hundreds of times, the future remains the same. It is quite natural to say that I was able to arrive at one conclusion.

"A conclusion that this is the right future?"

This is the correct answer. You erased your memory because you didn’t want to change this future. To block the possibility of heading to another future.

That was convincing. The circumstances that had made her think that way were understandable.

In fact, she should have thought so. If I had been in Lee Jihye’s position, I would’ve done the same and made the same decisions.

She’d started the game, knowing I would want to rule out variables.

If the future with all impurities removed meant Kim Hyunsung’s death, there was room to allow that it was the correct answer.

Maybe...

'That’s what happened.’

Of course, there was still some time left until I could be sure that this was the correct answer, but I thought the possibility was high given the situation.

It was quite plausible. If I’d had the memory, I would never have gambled in favor of Kim Hyunsung’s death.

Recalling how he was a little shaken when the Seraphim’s sword once raged at him...

'It’s even more so the case now.’

Lee Kiyoung had erased his memories himself.

You thought you were a variable.

"Maybe..."

You couldn’t even trust yourself. You must have been unable to maintain your composure. That’s how I judged it. I decided based on the fear of ruining the future you had designed. I’m certain of my judgment, but am I wrong?

"Why did you tell me this?"

I told you before. You’ll find out someday... and I didn’t want to be the object of your resentment. Maybe it’s also because I’m convinced that the future won’t change no matter how hard I try. I’ve come too far already. Stepping on the brakes or turning the steering wheel will no longer allow me to avoid it.

'It’s already right in front of you.’

But looking at your reaction, I think I shouldn’t have told you.

She was talking while stroking the spear.

Her stare at it held no emotions, leaving me clueless about what she was thinking.

Of course, she wasn’t concerned about Kim Hyunsung.

'She’s cold because he’s not one of her people.’

Perhaps, if Ha Yeon soo had been in Kim Hyunsung’s position, she would have turned red and made a fuss about it.

Don’t think I’m too cold. Isn’t there a way? There’s really no chance you’d gamble with killing Kim Hyunsung. Actually, I think you had insurance. Of course, you’re doing something bad to him, but I don’t think it’s enough to force him to give up his life. Considering you threw the dice with confidence, there must be something there.

"That’s not wrong either. You’re right. The problem is that I don’t know what insurance is. I don’t even know anything about it."

Of course, that didn’t mean something didn’t come to mind. In fact, a hypothesis came to mind as soon as I heard Lee Jihye’s words.

'The bet’s reward may not be Lee Kiyoung’s resurrection.’

There was a possibility that it was Kim Hyunsung’s resurrection.

The content of the bet might be different from what I thought. Had it always been like that in the first place?

"Does that mean he’s sacrificing himself to die for me?"

Yes. Yuno Kasugano saw him fade away, and you opened your eyes. Given the circumstances, it would be correct to say that he saved you, right?

The content of the bet could be whether Kim Hyunsung would sacrifice himself to save me or not.

"It might not be your resurrection we’re gathering divinity for right now, but his."

I’m not going to make any hasty decisions. I’ll just leave it to you. My head hurts too much to think about this.

"No. This is probably right... Yeah, that makes sense. There are a few things that are bothering me, but... there is a high probability that this is the correct path. Even if my plan fails, there may still be a way to save him through Lucifer."

It’s risky to call in that insurance. In any case, there is one thing we can do.

"Drag this as much as we can?"

Yeah. Exactly.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t nervous, but I was in a situation where I had to force myself to laugh.

If I didn’t keep running the happiness circuit, my mouth would dry out with nervousness.

'This is right.’

The God of Sunset would return anyway.

Where else could there be such a miracle? It was also a perfect picture for the narrative, and there was nothing to complain about. The insurance was also well prepared...

But, fuck, I was worried. It couldn’t go this way. It really couldn’t.

'At this point?’

I had to think of another way. It wouldn’t be too late to fix it after it happened.

I just had to take a few more deep breaths, check again, and think of the number of cases one by one.

I felt like my hands were shaking. My breathing kept getting faster, and my heart seemed to be pounding.

It was hard to keep my sanity with the cold sweat and the feeling that I would faint anytime, but peace permeated through me as I slowly touched my eyes.

'There’s no way I would abandon him.’

There was no way I would abandon the regressor whom I raised with all my care. If I were going to abandon him like this, I wouldn’t have used him in the first place.

I even got the mythic grade Regressor Instructor’s Manual for him.

It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that I had thrown away more than half of what I had gained since I came to the continent.

I couldn’t help but think that my past self must have had insurance for himself, not just for Kim Hyunsung’s safety but also for Lee Kiyoung’s own sake.

My breath stabilized, and I smiled slowly. I felt like I was now in a state where I could make rational decisions as usual.

An indescribable pleasure wandered through my brain, which was sending danger signals. So much so that it became blurry for a moment.

'Now I’m calm.’

"I think it’s ready. Jihye?"

Oh, I’ll add one more clause to my demands. Maybe it would be better for you to go to counseling with me.

"I think you need it. You probably feel it’s embarrassing to go alone... It’s nothing to be ashamed of at all. Of course I’ll go with you, Jihye."

...

Once again, I turned my gaze to Kim Hyunsung.

Then it’s time to work.

I saw him wielding his sword numbly, with tears continuing to flow from his eyes.

At first glance, that scene could lead to misunderstanding. Our Hyunsung had become the enemy of mankind and was raising his sword against them. Anyone would think that upon witnessing it.

However, there was a postwar situation. The people had to see it.

In fact, it did require editing in several ways.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!

Sunset Swordsman, What the hell... are you doing...?

Save... Save... me... it’s a monster... a monster...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I apologize. We... We were wrong... I’m sorry...

Fight him. He’s a human in the end! He’s no different from us.

'Actually, no. He can’t be called human at this point.’

There was a feeling that the method was too cruel. It was hard to describe because it seemed like he would inflict the worst pain on all those involved.

The red colors continued to pop out in all directions, and the screams didn’t stop, reaching the point where it looked like hell even to me.

In the meantime, the sunset light did not fade.

It could mean that he had completely escaped from Lucifer, but perhaps it also meant that he was making this choice as the God of Sunset.

Maybe I was right.

'But it’s okay. I can understand.’

Perhaps even the continental people would understand it enough.

If they looked at Lee Kiyoung’s ruined corpse, they would probably realize and sympathize with the Sunset Swordsman’s anger.

'I’ll have to cast this in Laios.’

Hayan shouldn’t see this.

Director Lee Jihye and Camera Director Ronove wouldn’t have to explain everything.

Not surprisingly, a large Goddess’ Mirror floated across the continent.

The corpse of the Honorary Cardinal, completely destroyed, was in the New Continental Protection and Management Committee.

The Sunset Swordsman gritted his teeth as his tears flowed, his sword in his hand.

Why...?

...

Why are you doing this? Why? Why?

...

He loved you all.

...

He loved you more than anything else.

...

What the hell is wrong with you people...? Why can’t you leave him alone? Why did you have to violate him like this? He’s the one who sacrificed everything. He didn’t spare himself even at the moment of his death... Why...? Why did you have to do this? Did you have to take everything? Motherfuckers. You fucking bastards!

Please... let... me live.

He’ll say he can forgive you. He’ll say that it’s okay, it’s meaningless, and he can give it all away... he’s always been like that. But I can’t forgive you. I can’t possibly forgive you. I know this will make Kiyoung sad. I know I’m doing the unforgivable, but I don’t think I can forgive any of you.

...

No matter how many times I think about it...

I’d felt it a while ago, but he looked like a half crazy person.

The scene was so dark that I no longer knew if this would work positively anymore.

There were probably many people who would be scared after seeing this.

Whatever the circumstances, there would certainly be those puzzled by the inhumanity that Kim Hyunsung was showing now.

However...

'Fear is also faith.’

Not only admiration for gods but also fear of them could be considered faith.

Maybe even more effective than admiration. To be honest, I couldn’t even think of any difference between them.

Perhaps the guy who was moving now knew it best.

Why don’t you recognize it, God of Sunset?

...

Why can’t you understand, oh god?"

Grabbing one of his eyes, he stepped forward...

...Onto the stage.