Regressor Instruction Manual

-That’s all that’s left.

‘No, what do you mean? There are many more than that.’

-Just give it to me.

-…

-Give it up, you disgusting bastard!

‘And why are you cursing so much? You should be more careful with your words.’

-All I have left is…

‘But what should I do? He really thinks that.’

Still, I thought I understood why Kim Hyunsung had said such a thing.

‘The third round?’

I guessed he had really made up his mind.

He hadn’t told me his plans, but it was obvious what he was thinking.

Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t carry a heavy load on the third try since he would no longer share the burden with me.

If the third round really started as Kim Hyunsung thought, maybe I wouldn’t be able to meet him.

I didn’t know if I would retain my memory or not, but Kim Hyunsung would definitely try to avoid me either way. He seemed to be thinking of carrying all the weight by himself.

His absurd plan for the third round was based on the basic premise that we wouldn’t come across each other in the beginning, even in the tutorial.

‘Really?’

And probably the dungeon exploration.

‘Are you planning on doing everything alone?’

He most likely wouldn’t join the guild in the third round, either.

‘You’re thinking of abandoning the Blue Guild too, which means you’ll fight without power. That’s funny. Do you think it’s possible to handle everything yourself?’

The State Revolution and…

‘How are you going to win in the Republic War? What will happen to the Twenty-Seventh Corps incident? How will you respond to the changed future? Can you respond to every minor and major detail?’

The Eberia incident and the Crack Museum. The Foreign War. He would handle all the battles and events by himself from start to finish.

I couldn’t say anything. Kim Hyunsung’s thoughts were so unrealistic they made me laugh.

It was impossible. It didn’t matter how much he had grown since the first round. Even if he could regress at his current level, he wouldn’t be able to handle all of it alone while keeping his identity from me.

However, that stupid bastard seemed to think it was possible.

‘You greedy bastard. You even want to be the hero in the shadows.’

He was going to take Jin Qing’s position.

‘That’s bullshit.’

That was so like him since he had always been the type to think he had caused the Saint of Light’s suffering and everything happening on this continent.

As if he hadn’t existed in the continent back then, he wanted to take responsibility for everything that had happened up to now.

Of course, that was no easy task.

Even if Kim Hyunsung was the ideal hero, in my opinion, he was too easily shaken, lonely, timid, and indecisive.

He was also easy to backstab and was mentally weak. If he got hooked on something, he often rushed in without hesitating, and he had poor financial management skills.

He was also the type to build a wall to keep himself away from social life, which meant his social skills were low.

Of course, if this bastard wanted to act as a hero among the shadows, he wouldn’t have to run into anyone else, but he had to have some limit.

He would know that too.

He was most likely aware that it was impossible for him to survive the third round the way he wanted to due to his mental capacity.

I was certain that Hyunsung knew he was moving away from his desired future and would never be happy, that the war would be long and hard, and that he would have to give up everything he had ever had.

That was why…

‘You’ll take the Regressor Instruction Manual. That’s it.’

Maybe he thought that was the only driving force that would allow him to endure the third round.

But no, he seemed to intend to use it as the sole consolation rather than the driving force.

The comfort that he wasn’t alone even if his battles restarted once more, the relief that he was connected with his most-trusted person, and the fact that he had something to lean on would be his driving force and shelter.

‘If your aim is related to the Regressor Instruction Manual anyway… why do you think I won’t find out about it? Are you smart enough to handle that? The Regressor Instruction Manual is mine, not yours. It is irrational to think that there is a way to claim it. The Saint of Light knows everything. What makes you think my third-round self won’t know what you did? I don’t know how it will be at first… but eventually, I’ll find out. What you’re trying to take is mine, after all.’

It wasn’t just that.

‘Even if he regresses without it, the connection won’t be broken.’

Of course, if the regression started while Song Sookyung had what was mine, being anxious about losing the Regressor Instruction Manual would be understandable.

But there was no denying that it was still a useless worry.

It was a trait engraved on my soul, not my body, and it is still connected to this day. It wasn’t just an item.

‘I mean, will we regress with it in Song Sookyung’s possession? Probably not.’

The chances were indescribably slim. It was impossible unless there were errors or bugs.

“That’s not good. Third round, my ass.”

I’d clearly said there would be no third round.

That was also a disease. Hyunsung might be thinking that the Regressor Instruction Manual would complete him, but it was no different than an alcoholic relying on alcohol.

It was funny. Hyunsung didn’t realize that it would be a fundamental solution in the end, but he probably also felt a little sad, thinking that there would be nothing else left.

That he looked so desperate was most likely because he’d had such a thought.

-Give it back! Give it… back!

-…

Boooooooooooooom!!!

Once again, Kim Hyunsung swung his sword against the beasts.

He was more desperate than before, but his enemies wouldn’t die. Rather, they simply divided or continued to block his path.

Song Sookyung’s temple was gradually expanding its scope, and when it was enough to completely engulf a city, demons close to the Twenty-Seventh Legion could be seen blocking it.

Although common and a cliché, it looked like a work of art depicting the epic of an ideal hero fighting to prevent the end of the world.

The hero shed tears as he fought without rest.

Even when he got crushed, fell, and became tired, he got up once more and illuminated the darkened hall with the light of the sunset.

Brighter. Hyunsung continued to shine brighter. Although his purpose itself was somewhat blasphemous, his light should reach everyone who was struggling at that moment.

Everyone was looking at him. It was such an amazing sight that it made them forget to breathe.

Kim Hyunsung never stopped.

Perhaps because the continent had received a penalty for failing the event, Kim Hyunsung began to look more nervous than before. Maybe it was because he’d realized that he really didn’t have time now.

He continued to cut through the monsters, but his gaze remained focused on something else. His purpose was clear, and nothing else mattered.

Kim Hyunsung soon grabbed his head as he shook it.

-I said that isn’t yours!

Song Sookyung began to invade his mind.

-It is now.

-No. That’s not your power. You didn’t gain it, and you’re not allowed to touch it. So give it to me. Get out. I told you to get out. Son of a bitch. It wasn’t made for you. Get out of my head, bastard!

-It’s mine now. No, it doesn’t even matter if it’s not mine. But this force must be used properly. Do you feel it? This power is the key that will make you complete. With this power, you can reach your maximum potential. Didn’t I tell you? Lee Kiyoung made you weak with this power, but I’m different.

-This ugly monster bastard.

He continued with the parade of famous lines.

‘He’s going crazy. Look how desperate the people are. Watch our audience cry, Hyunsung.’

-I can do it for you. I can be him. I can do things he couldn’t.

-You can never become Kiyoung.

-No. I can. If I kill myself, I mean. If I can kill myself, I can be equal to him.

-You’re going to die, either way, scum.

-It will be a meaningful death. Yes. A very meaningful one. I shall have a glorious and sublime death for this continent! I will take his body and his soul, and I will kill myself, God of Sunset.

-You’re insane…

He slowly spread his wings and reached out a hand toward the sky.

The bizarrely shaped tower continued to stretch out with his beckoning.

Song Sookyung looked up and smiled brightly.

Kim Hyunsung, too, was looking at the unusual tower, made of tentacles and strange objects, as if it were a symbolic temple.

He had already seen what was on top of that.

His face had become more distorted, changing to a more desperate look.

-It’s not just you. I can be complete too. I will take the Son of Light’s soul and make it mine. I will then be reborn as neither he nor me. I know I’m not enough, but the new being will be different. With him, you’ll truly be really complete.

-…

-You will have no choice but to acknowledge me. In the end, you will understand that I was right all along.

For the first time, I thought it would be better if he didn’t come back to his senses. The circumstances weren’t suitable for filming a pitiful melodrama.

‘Overall, the situation’s a bit exaggerated.’

It was a little too provocative. However, it was undeniable that it was extremely desirable.

The Son of Light’s soul was tied to the top of the tower made of disgusting foreign matter. The villain laughed at the temple he’d built to take it as the hero struggled to save it.

Of course, my soul wouldn’t be taken away, but this scene was provocative enough.

I could tell just by looking at people’s reactions.

The son of Benignore, who had sacrificed everything, had his body humiliated. And now, his soul was being put at risk.

The enemy was too strong, and there seemed to be no hope for mankind.

The swordsman, who they’d thought was their only hope, seemed to be in despair.

There was no reason not to pray. I saw people crying all over the place.

The voices of those cheering with all they had poured into my ears.

‘Please…’

They hoped the sunset hero would win.

‘Please.’

They hoped nothing would happen to the body and soul of the Son of Light.

‘May the continent, the God of Sunset, and the Son of Light be saved through our faith.’

They hoped for their little prayers to reach us, begging they would be of help.

‘It’s reaching us, everyone.’

It had reached us. It was very clear and touching. I would never forget the support they had given me. I looked for the light.

‘Give me the light!’

Kim Hyunsung spoke.

“K-Kiyoung…”

“…”

“Kiyoung? Kiyoung… Kiyoung…”

I also had to go with the flow.

I slowly opened my eyes and spoke quietly.

“Don’t… worry about me. Please…”

And just like that.

I felt my body being filled with divinity.

I felt it pouring over and over again into my very being.

‘I will never forget your great support!’