WeTried Translations

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Regression is Too Much

Chapter 032

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The regressor’s conditional strength (1)

"The number of people gathered in this clearing is well over fifty, just at a glance. This means not everyone can swallow a Golden Marble to move on to the next stage. This Tower, it's trying to drive us apart."

Familiar lines. A familiar situation.

If you feel like you've seen this before, you're probably right. In the past, I once pretended to be a good person to get Ji-won's attention.

I acted like a man with high ideals but insignificant power, and I succeeded in learning swordsmanship from Ji-won...

What I have to do this time is the same.

I'm going to act like a virtuous man.

"But it's written that if we defeat the boss, a portal will be created. This means there is definitely a way for all of us to survive together."

Am I a good person? A hero?

No.

I don't have the qualities of a hero like Ji-won's father, I'm just an ordinary person who sometimes can't even trust himself.

But there's a reason why someone like me is going out of my way to pretend to be a good person.

Cooperation.

For my plan to succeed, I needed everyone's absolute cooperation.

I decided that to draw out everyone's cooperation, playing the part of a 'Hero' would be more ideal than being a crazy psychopath.

...Besides, if I'm going to clear the tutorial this time, wouldn't it be better for my reputation to be positive rather than negative?

"Everyone. Instead of fighting each other, we must join forces."

In a past regression, when I gave the same speech, the reaction I got was complete disregard and ridicule.

But this time is different.

"Ugh... Ummm..."

"Hmm..."

The people were completely absorbed in my speech.

Even the firefighter Cheol-jin, who didn't believe in things like the Tower or the status window, was giving a small nod.

It's only natural. With the A-grade trait 'Curiosity', they can't help but listen to my story.

If the me of before was a 'young man frustrated by his high ideals but lack of power', the me now is a 'young man with both high ideals and great power'.

I've gained the power to act proactively.

Now, it's time for a little variation. I had a different goal, after all.

"Everyone. I am strong."

Step.

I raised my sword towards the sky.

"I'm probably stronger than everyone here combined."

These are people who don't even have a level yet. It's only natural that I'm stronger than them, with the exception of Ji-won.

Now, I'll show you a performance.

Be in awe.

"Hoo..."

I build up my momentum.

I tense my muscles and widen my eyes.

My target is my old nemesis.

A blade of grass.

"Hup!"

Slice!

The sword I swung with all my might cleanly bisected the grass.

From a normal person's perspective, the sword would have been nearly invisible.

But ending it here would lack impact.

Slash. Slash. Thrust. Spin. Slash.

I use my physical abilities to their absolute limit.

Just as I had shown the scrawny kid in the previous regression, I showed off my swordsmanship with all my strength, and the eyes of the people watching blankly began to widen.

Shock. Admiration. Surprise. Fear.

I wasn't acquiring any traits, but I could feel their emotions clearly.

"Haaah..."

Finally, my sword dance was over, and I plunged my sword firmly into the ground.

The look in their eyes was different from before.

If at first only curiosity could be read, now respect, amazement, and a faint fear could be read.

The 'Awe' trait had been activated.

Everything is going according to plan so far. A crazy combo that starts with the Curiosity trait and leads into the Awe trait.

I've succeeded in taking control of the clearing's atmosphere.

The only variable would be Ji-won intervening... but she was just watching with her arms crossed, seeming to observe the situation for now.

Now, for the finale.

"Everyone... I can feel it."

I picked up a new sword from the weapon pile and pointed in the direction where the Minotaur was likely sealed.

"Because I am stronger than you, I can feel it. Over there, there is a tremendous foe. It is targeting us."

Normally, even if I said I could feel a monster, people wouldn't have believed me.

But thanks to the combination of the Curiosity and Awe traits, they are now overwhelmed by my presence.

"That thing... is targeting us. It's sharpening its blades to harm humans. It's coming to covet our blood!"

"Ugh... Uwaaaaah...."

Some were so completely immersed in my story that a man's legs gave out and he collapsed.

"But... it's alright."

Now, it's time to reassure the people. I tried my best to put on the coolest smile I could manage.

"I will protect all of you."