Regression is Too Much - Chapter 49

WeTried Translations

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Regression is Too Much

Chapter 049

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The Regressor takes action (6)

The initials M.Z. His name was Michael Zetter.

He was the man who would be appointed the president of the American Player Association in about two months.

There was nothing known about what his abilities were, how strong he was, or what exactly he did… but I had heard that he was appointed as the association's president after receiving absolute support from within the American player community.

Also, I remembered seeing a notice that Michael Zetter had posted on Floor 2.

It was a message to the effect of, ‘After you receive the silver or bronze rewards, get the potion. And then, use that potion to train fiercely…’

Whatever the case, Michael Zetter seemed like a person who wanted to be helpful to humanity. That's why, with a sense of anticipation, I slowly began to read his post.

If you're a friend who can read this post, it must mean you've already cleared the 2nd floor, right? First, I want to say congratulations. Was the notice I put up still there? It would break my heart if it fell down.

Friends. I think the Floor 2 I experienced was quite different from the Floor 2 you all experienced. I went beyond the gold reward and received the platinum reward. Oh, it was a truly terrible experience.

At first, when I saw a criminal who had committed murder get struck by lightning and turn to a pile of ash, I thought this floor was a very common-sense floor. The methods to get the bronze and silver grade sigils were also extremely easy. It was to the point that I briefly thought that, like the religious types say, this Tower might be a blessing and not a trial.

But just like everyone else, the real challenge began with trying to get the gold grade sigil. That’s because the nobles gave out a task to harm other people.

I don't know how you all judged it, but I thought it was a trap. I don't know if the one who made this Tower is really a god or something pretending to be one, but either way, it was made to judge us, right? I thought a task telling us to kidnap another person on top of that just didn't make sense.

So without realizing it, I ended up subduing the noble. I thought he was a monster disguised as a noble, you see. But inside this guy's clothes, there was a golden box and about three platinum sigils? I asked another resident, and they told me this golden box was like Aladdin's Magic Lamp that could create unlimited sigils.

So I just gave the golden box to that resident. I gave the silver box the person originally had to the fallen noble. It would have been great if it ended with, ‘And so, after defeating one evil noble, Michael lived happily ever after with his platinum reward~.’

My gosh, I never dreamed that a huge sigil would appear above my head when I obtained the sigil. I also didn't know that people would block my path, using the fact that violence between players was forbidden.

I swear to the heavens, it was a mistake. I wasn't trying to use violence, I was just trying to lift the man who was blocking my way and place him down behind me. But I had forgotten how much stronger I had become, and I never imagined the man's ribs would break.

Yes, I committed an act of violence. I also got struck by lightning from the master of the city. (Ah, you know about the master of the city, right? I figure you would if you've talked with the residents.) It was a very electrifying experience. If there was a minor problem, it would be the fact that I endured it, when I was supposed to have been knocked out for about 12 hours after being struck by lightning? Even the master of the city burst out laughing.

Since I had endured the lightning anyway, I asked about something I was curious about. I argued that the gold grade mission was too unreasonable. After hearing my words, she flicked her fingertips and said, ‘If you want to change the rules, then come and challenge me.’

As you know, I'm pretty good at physical work, right? But I charged at her until I was exhausted and collapsed, and I couldn't reach her even once. Then I got hit just one time, and it hurt so much I thought I would die. Fortunately, she just let me go, saying, ‘Murder is not allowed.’ It was a truly humiliating experience. If she had intended to kill me, she probably could have killed me 100 times over. If there's anyone who has invented a time machine, I hope you don't act up on Floor 2.

Oh, right. I don't like the gloves I got as a reward, so if there is anyone with a B-grade or higher item or an elixir, please contact me. I'm willing to trade.

xxx-xxxx-xxxx

-My gosh. That was a close call.

-Zetter. I'm saying this as a fan of yours, but isn't trading items dangerous?

-Friend. Are you worried about Michael right now? I can tell you weren't with Michael during the tutorial.

-That was an interesting story, Zetter.

(…)

The comments continued on and on after that. I didn't know what Michael Zetter had done in the tutorial, but he seemed to have achieved a legendary status within this community. Seeing the reactions in the comments, it was clear that everyone trusted him.

And the confidence that was woven into the post. The fortitude to withstand the master of the city's attack. And even the competence of having attempted to replace the noble before I did.

I knew all the information about the 2nd floor inside and out because I am a regressor, but Michael Zetter had figured out this much information in a single attempt.

M.Z. He was certainly a talent worthy of being the Player Association president. I felt that I could trust the articles he wrote from now on.

"More importantly…"

Among the things the master of the city said, the words ‘If you want to change the rules, then come and challenge me,’ implied one more possibility, besides the information that she was belligerent.

The possibility that if the master of the city wished it, the rules of Floor 2 could be changed to some extent.

Before I regressed, when I had talked about changing the gold grade mission, the answer that came back was not ‘I can't,’ but ‘There is no need to change them.’

In other words… It also meant that if I succeeded in persuading the master of the city, it was possible to change the rules.

Several plans surfaced and disappeared in my head repeatedly… and I decided to choose the most rational option among them.

"...I should at least try, right?"

Since it's impossible for me to fight in the first place...

First, I would try to persuade her with nice words.

[You have taken damage.]

[Returning to the moment of first entry on Floor 2.]

As soon as I regressed, I first went to find the angel in the plaza.

"Angel-nim."

"Yes!"

"If the master of the city wants to, can she change the rules of the 2nd floor?"

"...All of a sudden?"

The angel was momentarily flustered, but it seemed she decided to remain faithful to her duty as she did give me an answer.

"I am aware that Archangel Raphael-nim has granted her a certain degree of authority. Yes, it should be possible."

"...Then, can a rule like ‘Climbers must get along with each other’ also be changed?"

"That's not possible. It's a core rule. Even if authority was given to the master of the city, it's only a part of it! Fundamentally, she is also a part of Floor 2 you see?"

"...What about you?"

"I'm just a guide! I'm a dispatched employee!"

What would happen if I hit this angel? A dangerous curiosity reared its head… but I decided to restrain myself.

It would be very troublesome if a trait like ‘Angel's Curse’ suddenly appeared in my traits. After all, traits are maintained even if I regress.

To get back to the point, I heard a confirmation from the angel that the master of the city could change the rules to some extent.

"...I hate repetitive work."

From here on, what I did was identical to the previous regression.

I first collected the bronze grade sigil generators, and based on that, I increased my forces. It was a structure of taking over one street, then expanding to other streets.

Perhaps because I wasn't able to act in the exact same way, the speed of collecting the sigils was slightly slower compared to the previous regression… but only the process was different, and in the end, I faced the same situation.

"Nice to meet you. I am the master of the city."

The master of the city appeared in an instant using 'Flash Step'. She asked why I had dedicated the city to a god, and this time too, the same answer came back.

"As this city is abundant in resources, a utopia in the truest sense can be created."

Up to this point, it could be seen as the same as the last regression, but…

This time, my attitude was different.

In the last regression, I had just let her absurd philosophy slide, but this time, I intended to refute it head-on.

"Have you… ever made an effort to understand the thoughts of the residents?"

"?"

"The residents aren't understanding others, they are simply suffering. Did you want those people to understand others? Isn't that not the case? You emphasize understanding, understanding so much. Yet you yourself do not even think of trying to understand others. You just stand by with your arms crossed and watch them suffer."

She wanted others to understand each other, yet she herself showed no sign of trying to understand others. I was pointing out that contradiction.

"Please stop this madness. Or wouldn't it make sense for you to also join in this cycle of 'understanding'?"

"...I don't know what you are talking about. Why do I have to understand them?"

But the master of the city just tilted her head.

"These people… are all residents of my city, you see?"

"...So what about it?"

"And I am the master of the city. Isn't it only natural that I do as I please?"

"…"

"Ah, to add a bit of an explanation for you, climber-nim… this city is an independent autonomous zone. What that means is, all the people of this city are my assets. Do you understand now? I want a city that runs ideally, it was not my intention to become a part of it."

I get that this city is a city-state, but her way of thinking is completely different.

The master of the city saw her own residents as possessions. That's why she felt no guilt whatsoever and had felt no need to ask for their consent.

"You are a climber. That is why I am respecting you. Because you are not under my jurisdiction. Therefore, you must also respect my jurisdiction."

"…"

"Now, I will give you a diamond sigil, so… please put that sack down and just leave. Or will you fight me and win the freedom of the residents?"

The master of the city took out a diamond sigil from the leather pouch tied to her right hip and shook it.

All the logic I had painstakingly prepared by racking my brain lost its meaning before her ‘resident ownership theory.’

I felt it clearly. It is impossible to persuade the master of the city.

Just as mad people always are, her own logic was firmly established.

In the end, all I could do here was to receive the diamond sigil and clear the 2nd Floor. Because I was planning to obtain the ‘Heart of Lightning Flash’ trait for now.

[You have cleared Floor 2.]

[Please select your diamond reward.]

"...Okay."

Right, so you have no intention of changing your mind easily.

You won't be satisfied until we have a fight, is that it?

If that's the case… fine.

This side has no choice but to use its trump card as well.

I chose the ‘Heart of Lightning Flash’ trait and hammered its usage into my head, then I strongly struck my thigh.

[You have taken damage.]

[Returning to the moment of first entry on Floor 2.]

"Hoo…"

Before the annoying black man could talk to me, I trudged over to a corner of the plaza, crossed my legs, and plopped down on the ground.