WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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DAMNED 13TH REGRESSION

Chapter 3: Observer, Storm Awakening!

[Hunter Joo Gong-hyeok]

Age: 21

Title: 'Horn Breaker'

Avatar: Observer (E)

Strength: 14 [F] → [F] 16(+2)

Endurance: 21 [F] → [F] 23(+2)

Agility: 17 [F] → [F] 18(+1)

Technique: 38 [F] → [D] 298 (+260 balance limit reached)

Mind: 12 [F] → [E] 149(+138 -50)

Willpower: 34 [F] → [D] 300.(+266 balance limit reached)

Mana: 16 [F]

[Your stats have increased by a total of 678 points. ‘Technique’ and ‘Willpower’ have reached the balance limits.]

Skills: Analyze Battlefield (D-), Perceive Terrain (E).

Strengths

- Living Hunter's Encyclopedia (SS)

- Avatar of Indomitability (SS)

- Martial Arts Expert (S++)

Weaknesses

- A Completely Worn-out Soul (-A).

Mental and experience-related aspects like Technique, Mind, and Willpower carried over during regressions.

Gong-hyeok could precisely time his attacks on the Minotaur's fingers and hamstrings thanks to his insane Technique stat.

But the mind is influenced by the body. The stats became too unbalanced, hitting the limit.

Gong-hyeok reviewed the traits carried over in his regression.

[Living Hunter's Encyclopedia (SS)] provides various advantages against all monsters, from stats to evasion rates.

[Avatar of Indomitability (SS)] allows continuous combat in any situation and resists mind-based spells.

[Martial Arts Expert (S++)] allows master-level handling of all weapons and gives combat advantage against opponents without A-class martial arts strengths.

Gong-hyeok's eyes catch a weakness that has risen in grade since the last regression.

[A Completely Worn-out Soul (A)]

[He is now exhausted. It's uncertain what sustains him, but soaked in distrust and skepticism of the world, he may act impulsively, such as easily giving up on life.

Permanently reduces Mind by -50.]

Gong-hyeok gives a bitter smile at the weakness indicating he's nearing his limit.

‘The next one will be tough.’

He's come this far, supported by madness and the will of many. But even those people are long gone. He feels he's reaching the limits of his humanity.

This regression is the last. Thinking so, Gong-hyeok opens his real business, the avatar.

[Avatar ‘Observer (E)’] Lv. 06

Stat increase - Technique, Mind +2

1st Ability Unlocked 'Analyze'

2nd Ability Sealed ???

3rd Ability Sealed ???

Final Ability Sealed ???

Skills provided to the user: Perceive Weakness, Analyze Battlefield

Aptitude versus Single Targets F

Aptitude versus Multiple Targets F

Aptitude versus Bosses (Boss) F

===

The stats are pitiful. Only because of the reliable reconnaissance and surveillance-type skills is it E-class. Compared to Princess Bari (SS), which naturally comes with +200 to stats, it's like an F-class of doom and destruction.

Gong-hyeok gives a wry smile at Observer's state but doesn't mind.

Even if given S++ class Chronos or SS class Indra, he wouldn't trade for Observer.

Observer's true value will be revealed when the final ability ‘Mind's Eye’ is unlocked, and it advances to the next stage, Avatar ‘GM’.

The ‘???’ displayed in Observer's sealed abilities.

A seal on an avatar represents its 'potential.'

Hunters awaken this dormant potential by repeatedly facing death and pouring coins into their avatars.

The more they overcome crises and use their abilities to their limits, gaining insight into themselves, the more the seals unlock.

Many hunters, including Gong-hyeok, have awakened their abilities one by one while climbing the numerous floors of Babel.

But.

Overcoming death or pouring coins into it.

It's just a process to find an ‘answer.’

Is the same process necessary for Gong-hyeok, who already knows the ‘answer’?

No, it's not.

Gong-hyeok pours all 82 violet coins he brought.

He could have raised his stats by 8 if he used them for enhancement, worth about 32 million won in cash.

If Yeon-si had known, she would have gone pale, saying, ‘Oppa, what about my share? What about the orphanage’s operating expenses?’

‘Forced Awakening’

A secret he learned during his fifth regression.

[★Observer's level has reached 9☆]

Observer’s body flashes like a neon sign, seemingly delighted.

Gong-hyeok gently places his hand on Observer's semi-physical body and speaks.

"Observer, start synchronization. Read my information."

[Observer synchronizes with user ‘Joo Gong-hyeok’s information.]

A ripple forms on Observer's body, connecting with Gong-hyeok's consciousness.

Then, Gong-hyeok grips it tightly as if clutching Observer's heart.

‘No time to explain step by step. Read my information. It's your future form.’

Gong-hyeok's massive 200-year battle experience and Observer's future form are infused.

Observer's body trembles violently due to the overwhelming influx of information. The screen is a chaotic mix of numbers and noise.

[Processing information due to synchronization. Observer's information will be updated.]

[The form of the source expands. Your potential and possibilities are recognized.]

Gong-hyeok watches the successfully synchronized Observer and begins unlocking the sealed abilities one by one.

‘Value everything and make predictions.’

[Observer's 2nd ability unlocked <Predict>]

A noisy clank resonates as the flat mask transforms into a one-eyed scouter.

‘Predict’ combines with Gong-hyeok’s experience, allowing him to predict opponents' attacks. If Gong-hyeok wishes, he can know which muscle will move and when the sword will be drawn.

Observer's awakening doesn’t stop there.

‘Mark the enemy on the map. Find hidden enemies.’

[Observer's 3rd ability unlocked <Detect Enemies>]

‘Detect Enemies’ marks allies and enemies on the 3D map provided by Observer.

Combined with Gong-hyeok’s predictions, it can even detect hidden enemies through unnatural air movements or bushes. In short, with ‘Detect Enemies,’ no surprise attack can succeed against Gong-hyeok.

Bzzzzz! Beep!

Observer turns bright red from overload, steam hissing out like a rice cooker.

[Reached the limit of awakening.]

[A minimum of 5 blue coins are needed to unlock the final ability.]

[A unique SSS-class skill ‘Forced Awakening’ has been added!]

‘Even with my ability, 80 violet coins are the limit.’

Coins are divided into seven rainbow colors, with violet being the lowest.

In order of value: violet < blue < green < yellow < orange < red, and there are also white and black coins, but they are hard to come by without significant achievements.

Practically, the coins obtainable from hunting range from the lowest violet to red, and it's impossible to unlock the final ability with just the violet coins from the tutorial.

[Overwhelmed by excessive information for 5 hours. Rest is needed.]

Observer collapses, flickering like a broken fluorescent light.

It was a tiresome day indeed, with stats skyrocketing and acquiring several unique skills.

It's already deep into the night outside.

Returning to the orphanage at dusk, he spent hours awakening Observer without realizing.

Stretching his neck with a crack and loosening up a bit, Gong-hyeok leaves the director's office.

It must be around 10 PM? The orphanage is as quiet as a mouse. It’s only been a few months since monsters threatened humanity’s survival.

There are no broadcasts on TV or radio due to state control, not even proper electricity.

The current human sleep pattern has returned to that of the Joseon era, sleeping by 7 PM.

In the kitchen, he finds Yeon-si at the dining table.

Asleep, pitifully using a ledger filled with notes as a pillow. Gong-hyeok quietly covers her with a blanket from the corner.

Watching Yeon-si for a moment, Gong-hyeok goes to the sink and unlocks a padlock.

A lock to keep the dangerous tools out of the children's reach at the orphanage.

Even in this 13th regression, the schedule is tight. He needs to quickly accumulate achievements to have an advantage when climbing Babel.

‘Time to start killing some people.’

Gong-hyeok contemplates what achievements he'll get from killing people as he draws a kitchen knife.

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