WeTried Translations

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Regression is Too Much

Chapter 056

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Choi Ji-won is too strong (7)

“…What did I just see?”

“…I can't believe my eyes.”

The players who had remained conscious began to pick themselves up, one by one. Amidst the numerous unconscious players scattered across the ground like luggage.

“…So it actually worked.”

I was internally mulling over what had just happened.

The idea first came to me the moment I saw the master of the city toss me the diamond sigil from the pouch at her waist.

The other residents are being controlled by the sigil boxes. So then… perhaps? The master of the city too? That was the thought process that started the plan.

The fact that the master of the city's personality was far too childish and arrogant for a 'master of the city' also played a part. Honestly, for a 'master', she was acting too much like a brat.

Of course, it wasn't something I did with complete certainty. In my head, I figured the odds were about fifty-fifty.

If the diamond box was really in there, it would be a simple matter of snatching the pouch.

If there had only been a single diamond sigil rattling around inside, I planned to secretly put a bronze box in it and nonchalantly toss it back to her.

The master of the city would receive it and instantly become a beggar, and I imagined myself standing before her, taunting, ‘Congratulations. You are now a beggar.’

“…Thank you.”

My train of thought was broken as the master of the city staggered towards me.

No, the one who had been performing the role of the master of the city… I don’t know what to call her.

“Really… thank you.”

The (former) master of the city no longer exuded the same pressure as before. It was hard to believe she was the same woman who had boasted such overwhelming majesty.

She just… looked like an ordinary village girl, wearing a suit of armor that didn't suit her at all.

“…So.”

I voiced the question that had been on my mind ever since I saw the diamond box.

“Who are you?”

“…”

After a moment of hesitation, the master of the city finally spoke.

“…The real master of the city is dead. He died half a year ago.”

A year ago.

The real master of the city, weary of the endless fighting between the classes, offered this city to a god.

The master of the city was a young nobleman who had inherited the city at a tender age after his parents died away from home.

A spirited young man pursuing ideals in a harsh reality, he had a clear goal of turning this city into a perfect utopia, and he also had the drive to execute it.

However… What the immature master of the city hadn't considered was that the process of forcibly making others ‘understand’ was far more painful than he had imagined.

By now, most people had adapted one way or another, but when the city's rules first changed, it was complete pandemonium.

Actions were compelled. Personalities were twisted. Who am I, what on earth am I now. The number of people who couldn't accept it was overwhelming.

At first, the master of the city tried to think positively.

‘This is just a process of adaptation. Someday, after a long time has passed, the residents will be grateful to me.’

But no matter how much he tried to brainwash himself, reality did not change.

He had stepped forward to create a better city, a perfect city.

But the city before his eyes was a cruel play where everyone was controlled like puppets on a stage, shedding tears of blood.

It was already far too late to turn back. The situation was, quite literally, heading towards catastrophe.

The young master of the city agonized and agonized. Until he reached the conclusion that someone needed to take responsibility.

“…So he made a decision.”

There was a need to normalize Floor 2, this city.

In recognition of his contribution of offering the city, he was granted the position of ‘temporary administrator’.

Thanks to this, he fully understood the newly changed rules of the city. The key was his own existence.

Except for rules with physical enforcement, like ‘You cannot leave the city area’, the master of the city had to personally punish all other rule-breaking acts.

In other words, for Floor 2 to remain Floor 2, his own existence was essential.

Which means…

“That's how he died. By blowing up his own heart. His last words… I think they were ‘I'm sorry.’”

If only I were gone.

Floor 2 would not be able to function as Floor 2.

It would not be able to fulfill its role as a trial, as the god wished.

If that happened… the god might create a new 2nd floor.

The city residents might become free.

Thinking this, the master of the city committed suicide.

“…Never dreaming that there was a sigil box that would force someone to act just like him…”

Next to the maid, who had watched his death in horror, an angel appeared holding something shiny.

That day, the second master of the city was created.

She did not agonize like the original master of the city, she did not reflect, and above all, she was arrogant.

Self-reflection and self-examination are processes that allow a human to grow into a more excellent intelligent being, but the new master of the city was not given such functions.

Because this Tower had no need for such things.

“…The angels placed restrictions on all the other residents to prevent them from telling this story… but perhaps they thought there was no need to silence the person directly involved, so they didn't place any separate restrictions on me…”

“…”

I opened my mouth to say something, but no voice came out.

It was because I felt that everyone, except for the original master of the city who had made a huge mess, was a victim.

“…What do you want?”

I have no idea what the god who created this Tower wants.

I don't understand the motives of a being who does this kind of thing, yet presumes to judge humanity for its evil deeds.

Is it something like, ‘since I'm such a bad guy, grow up strong and come take my head?’

Or what, think about what humanity did during the colonial era? This is not even a drop in the bucket?

Surprisingly, it might have no meaning at all. It could be something done for a reason like, ‘Well… because it's fun.’

Seeing the angels' side openly commit evil deeds made my head spin.

“Hoo…”

Through my experience on Floor 0, I knew that at times like this, I had to just look forward.

I don't think about problems that have no answer even if I think about them. What was important was the current situation.

“So… you're free from the box's curse now, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm…”

I glanced at the diamond-colored box in my hand, then at the large sack placed at the alley entrance. It was the sack full of sigil boxes.

Now, there is no master of the city. There is no one who can enforce the rules.

There is also no way to obtain a sigil. After all, the boxes are all stuffed in that sack.

<Floor 2>

-Clear Condition: Gain the recognition of a city resident and bring back the sigil of recognition to clear. However, you must not leave the city area. Get along with your fellow climbers!

Except for ‘You must not leave the city area’, all the rules had become null and void.

Just as the master of the city had wished, Floor 2 could no longer function as Floor 2.

“In that case…”

What am I supposed to do? The moment I had that thought.

“Congratulations!”

Suddenly, an exquisitely beautiful voice was heard.

At the same time, a radiant pillar of light erected itself in the center of the plaza, and baby angels appeared from nowhere, playing trumpets with beaming smiles.

-[Wondrous Achievement Notification!]

-You have succeeded in neutralizing the hidden boss, ‘Master of the City’!

-A special reward will be given to [Kim Jun-ho] for his great contribution!

On top of that, a message window, one I hadn't seen in a while, popped up before my eyes to congratulate me.

It was as if they were welcoming a great warrior of the gods returning from a mission.

And as the trumpet of victory resounded.

“…Huh?”

I realized that I was the only one awake in this plaza.

Even firefighter Cheol-jin, who had been exchanging glances with me just a moment ago, the other players who had been breathing heavily and even the (former) master of the city, who had been telling me her story with swollen eyes, they were all collapsed on the ground.

“I healed them. You don't need to worry.”

However, seeing their steady breathing and peaceful expressions, it seemed they were simply asleep.

I peeked over at Ji-won and saw that all the wounds, big and small, that she had sustained during the battle were healed.

So he wasn't lying.

I lifted my head again and shifted my gaze towards the pillar of light, the source of the voice.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

A sharp nose. Smooth skin. Large eyes and bright red lips. Auburn curly hair that cascaded down his back.

Was the human form crudely modeled after this angel?

Or was the creature god put the most effort into creating, the one right before my eyes?

An angel with an androgynous appearance slowly walked out of the pillar of light with a warm smile.

There were no pure white wings spread behind his back.

There was no radiant halo floating above his head.

But it was truly a divine entrance, a sacred sight.

Made all the more so in contrast to the plaza, stained with the smell of burning and dust.

“I am Archangel Raphael.”

The archangel said to be in charge of everything from the 1st to the 5th floor had descended.

Footnotes:

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