The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 39

Kwang-Soo, a former S-rank hero who once traveled the world with Ludwig and hunted countless monsters and demons, had a foul personality and mouth which didn’t earn him the greatest reputation. However, back then, he was considered an outstanding figure, thought to be the next Perfect One.

And even now, as a professor at Babel Academy, he was still a respectable figure to the graduates he had taught.

“...”

“...”

Rub. Rub.

But to Se-Hoon, he was nothing but a senile old man who would not stop examining him with fumbling hands.

“Don’t you dare move. I warned you.”

Kwang-Soo touched Se-Hoon’s entire body, starting from his shoulders and going all the way to his calves. He even fiddled with Se-Hoon’s hands and feet. Meanwhile, Se-Hoon just looked at Kwang-Soo with a strange expression.

No matter how I look at him, he just seems senile...

He had been assuming that Kwang-Soo was half-senile, and now it seemed certain that he was. Se-Hoon started to seriously ponder whether Kwang-Soo’s senility was a result of the butterfly effect caused by his intervention with the current timeline.

“You. What exactly are you?”

Finally taking his hands off Se-Hoon after ten minutes, Kwang-Soo looked at Se-Hoon with sharp eyes.

“Last time, you seemed like an experienced blacksmith. And this time, you’re seemingly like an experienced spearman with that stance. What kind of sorcery is this?”

“Excuse me?”

“Is it your unique skill? Or is this your true strength?”

Hearing the questions Kwang-Soo asked as if interrogating him, Se-Hoon realized what he was thinking after taking into consideration the suspicion and faint hostility in Kwang-Soo’s gaze.

Does he think I’m an informant sent by the Demon Force?

To protect the Abyss of Demons, which eroded the Earth’s environment and changed the ecosystem to make it suitable for them, the demons gathered together into what was known as the Demon Force.

“It would be wise for you to answer carefully.”

Although Kwang-Soo wasn’t blatantly showing hostility, his gaze deepened as he stiffened his right hand like a blade. He wasn’t going to kill Se-Hoon, but the moment Kwang-Soo was convinced that Se-Hoon was a spy, he would make sure to sever at least one of Se-Hoon’s limbs.

It was a situation that would make even an A-rank hero sweat, yet Se-Hoon began to feel nostalgic.

Wow. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this position...

Thinking about it, he was in this same kind of situation back when he first met Kwang-Soo before the regression. The memory made Se-Hoon chuckle to himself.

And upon seeing that, Kwang-Soo found him extremely strange.

...Perhaps he’s just a madman, after all?

From how Se-Hoon reacted while under his intent to kill, he appeared more like a mad genius than a spy.

As those thoughts went through Kwang-Soo’s head, Se-Hoon calmly opened his mouth, seemingly having finished thinking.

“So, you’re saying that, even though I’m a blacksmith, my stance during the duel was so flawless that it’s suspicious.”

“...Yes.”

At Kwang-Soo’s response, Se-Hoon glanced down at his own body.

I knew that Harmonite would help me skillfully use my body... but it seems like its effect is beyond what I imagined.

Rather than just skillfully using a spear, Harmonite had helped him even adopt the stance of a skilled spearman. Though the two things sounded similar, Se-Hoon knew the difference was significant.

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His entire body, from head to toe, had been optimized for handling a spear. The result that Kwang-Soo referred to as a stance wouldn’t be possible with just pure talent; it also needed the years that one spent becoming familiar with the weapon.

I need to explain this well.

He was able to form a bond with Kwang-Soo thanks to the misunderstanding, but if he didn’t explain properly, this newly formed bond would potentially turn into a bad Relationship.

Not wanting to waste this opportunity, Se-Hoon slowly began to speak, recalling how he handled Kwang-Soo before the regression.

“This is the result of an applied technique of my skill. It’s not as significant as you think.”

“An applied technique?”

“Let me stand up for a moment.”

Getting up, Se-Hoon started to move his body, jumping lightly on the spot. As he moved around, the threads he felt tied to his body were unwound, loosening up any tension left.

Confirming that the traces of the Harmonite had completely vanished from his body, he looked directly at the intently observing Kwang-Soo.

“That stance just now was temporarily mimicked using a skill. As you can see, after the skill ended, the effect disappears quickly.”

“Hm...”

“It’s the result of specifically controlling muscles here and there... anyway, it can be considered as an applied technique that changes my body into someone else’s momentarily.”

If the technique only applied to a single part of the body, it would be categorized as a type of enhancement. However, since it applied to his entire body, including his organs and extremities, it was something beyond just ordinary enhancement.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how incredible this technique is...

Aside from once again realizing how incredible Harmonite was, Se-Hoon also realized how remarkable Iron Desire, or rather Eun-Ha’s talent, was. He began to consider being more considerate when forging equipment for her.

After Se-Hoon’s response, Kwang-Soo, with a serious expression, asked, “Is there a limit to that skill?”

“It takes time to observe and using it forcibly puts a strain on my body. In fact, I can barely even stand right now.”

In reality, it was a technique he knew before the regression that he was only able to perfectly reproduce with the power of Harmonite. But seeing how well it turned out this time, using Harmonite in such a way seemed viable.

With an unusually serious expression, Kwang-Soo began muttering, “Observation, huh... then...”

Seeing Kwang-Soo’s interest, which was greater than expected, Se-Hoon soon realized what he was thinking.

He must be thinking about that Doppelganger guy.

Doppelganger was one of the demons of the Ten Evils. It was a vile creature that slaughtered countless talented heroes by mimicking their techniques.

For some reason, Kwang-Soo seemed to have a deep grudge against Doppelganger. There was no other reason why he would rush off wherever there was a sighting of it.

The bond formed right now must also be because of that guy.

Kwang-Soo either suspected he was Doppelganger or thought that his technique would be useful for finding the creature. No matter what the reason was, it was clear that Kwang-Soo had decided it was beneficial to form a bond with Se-Hoon. In other words, to easily raise Kwang-Soo’s bond level in the future, Se-Hoon would need to assist with hunting down Doppelganger.

“Ahem. I questioned you earlier because... well, my apologies. There’s a demon with a similar ability as yours, so I reacted a bit sensitively,” Kwang-Soo explained, looking somewhat embarrassed as his suspicion was alleviated.

In response, Se-Hoon nodded.

“I understand. If it’s related to demons, I would have done the same.”

“Right? Heroes these days lack awareness of demons. Back in my day...”

Noticing Kwang-Soo was about to start reminiscing unnecessarily, Se-Hoon quickly shifted his posture, cutting off Kwang-Soo.

“Um...”

“Ah, right, you said that the technique strains your body. Perhaps today’s class can be put off for a different date.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s actually a good thing.”

After scanning Se-Hoon from top to bottom, he stroked his chin.

“Now that I’ve seen your technique, I need to change the entire teaching method. Initially, I planned to just fine-tune your technique... but now, I think it’ll be better if I overhaul it entirely starting with the fundamentals.”

“The fundamentals?”

“What I mean is that there are more efficient ways that you can use your body. I’ll explain when everything’s prepared, so you can go for today.”

“Okay. Then I’ll be going...” Se-Hoon nodded and left the training ground.

Stroking his chin, Kwang-Soo watched his departing figure.

Why did a guy like that choose Borsippa?

Given his talent and how he fought during the duel, he could aim for the position of Aqar Quf’s honor student if he set his mind to it.

Ah, come to think of it, his family background was grim.

Though initially uninterested in Se-Hoon’s background, he decided to look into it later. Apart from his newly found interest, he needed to figure out what was needed to persuade Se-Hoon to join the search party for Doppelganger.

Once he grows up... I might even recommend him for the Enforcer role after graduation.

Of course, it was uncertain if Se-Hoon would reach that level, but for now, it would be better if he paid a bit more attention than usual. Unknown to Se-Hoon, Kwang-Soo, who had been indifferent to teaching others, began to show motivation for the first time.

“My own sword...”

Meanwhile, Jake, who had been pushed aside to a corner, intently stared at the door Se-Hoon had exited through.

***

“Hm...”

Stepping out of the classroom, Se-Hoon began mulling over what just happened with a curious expression.

I didn’t expect to form a bond with that old man...

Before the regression, Se-Hoon had only awakened his unique skill, Blacksmith of Bonds, after the war against Demon Force and the Six Harbingers of Destruction had officially begun.

Thus, since Kwang-Soon had gone MIA while tracking Doppelganger and was later considered killed, he had been unable to form a bond with him.

I wonder what kind of Fatestone his bond would yield.

Given Kwang-Soo’s skills, it would likely be something related to physical abilities. The exact nature would need further confirmation, but since Kwang-Soo was an S-rank hero, Se-Hoon expected it to be useful.

While pondering how he should naturally extract the bond, Se-Hoon’s phone began to vibrate in his pocket. Only a few people knew his number, so Se-Hoon immediately checked the caller: Yeom Sung-Ha.

“...Tsk.”

Though reluctant, Se-Hoon couldn’t ignore the call.

“What?” he answered gruffly.

—Have you decided what you want in return?

Sung-Ha’s immediate straightforward question made him frown.

“It’s only been a day. What’s the rush?”

—I feel uncomfortable since I haven’t paid for something I’ve received.

“What?”

—Anyway, that’s how it is. I want to pay you, at least partially.

Realizing that Sung-Ha was feeling uneasy about receiving help merely out of goodwill and not as a part of a transaction, Se-Hoon sighed deeply.

“You’re really being a drag...”

—Stop yapping and just tell me what you want. I’ll compensate by trying to get my hands on it, materials or whatever.”

“Compensation, hm...”

Se-Hoon initially thought of just asking for some expensive material, but after pondering for a moment, he had a better idea.

“Help find someone for me.”

—...Find someone?

“She’s someone I’m personally curious about. Her name is Luize Valent. She’s a mage, probably a student of Babel Academy.”

Se-Hoon decided to look for the next of the Three Dogs—Blast Dog Luize Valent.

Unlike Sung-Ha, Luize wasn’t well known in the past, so it was difficult for him to find her through ordinary searching methods.

However, Sung-Ha, who was unlike him, would have a better chance of finding her.

Plus, this guy isn’t someone who would go around talking about it.

If it became known that Se-Hoon was inquiring about her, then given the Blast Dog’s sensitive nature, their relationship would turn sour before it even began.

Therefore, maintaining secrecy, even if it took additional time, was crucial.

—That’s a new name to me. Are you somehow acquainted with her?

“That’s none of your concern. Just find out what she’s doing right now and where she is. Speaking of which, do you even know anyone who could help find her?”

—Are you underestimating me?

“Of course I am. Aren’t you just a lowlife in the Flame Sect?”

—...I have other sources.

The fact that Sung-Ha didn’t deny being a lowlife, made Se-Hoon chuckle.

“Anyway, just find out what she’s up to. And make sure you keep this a secret. Got that?”

—Got it. I’ll contact you as soon as I find her.

Click-

The call ended abruptly as if Sung-Ha no longer cared now that he had heard what he wanted. His habit of hanging up immediately after finishing his business seemed to be the same as before the regression.

If this guy is like this, I wonder what Luize will be like...

If Sung-Ha was a headache due to his stubborn personality, then Luize, the Blast Dog, was a ticking time bomb.

She would be fine for a moment but would then suddenly ignite, causing all sorts of incidents and accidents in her anger. The trouble she caused was unmatched among the Three Dogs in terms of scale.

But she said she became like that after her injury, so she might be a bit more calm now.

There was a high chance she might have a screwed-up personality like Sung-Ha, but as long as it wasn’t to the extent it was pre-regression, he thought he could manage.

Deciding to prepare, Se-Hoon started to organize his thoughts.

Vrr-

But before he could start, his phone vibrated again in his hand. Seeing Sung-Ha’s name reappear so soon, Se-Hoon became puzzled.

“What now?”

Had something else come up? The moment he answered, Sung-Ha’s blunt voice entered his ears.

—Found her.

“...What?”

Se-Hoon couldn’t believe that the information he couldn’t find himself was uncovered in mere minutes. Taken aback, he wondered if Sung-Ha’s network was more extensive than he thought.

—Luize Valent is a second-year student in the Department of Elements. She was originally a promising student, ranked second in her department.

“Ooh. Second place, that’s quite... wait. What do you mean by ‘was’?”

Why did Sung-Ha use past tense? Sensing something wrong, Se-Hoon’s expression hardened.

—Six months ago, during a sparring session in the Hall of Martial Arts, an accident occurred. A weapon had exploded, leaving her with severe injuries. She’s been on a leave of absence since.

“Ah.”

For the first time, Se-Hoon felt cursed by his own thick-headedness.