WeTried Translations

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Regression is Too Much

Chapter 064

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The Regressor likes a satisfying resolution (6)

"Alright, I'm done!"

After holding onto the wolf’s corpse for a good while, Su-hee tucked a finely chopped piece of the wolf's heart into her pocket.

"…Why are you taking that?"

"I'm going to use it as an ingredient for an Enchant. I can simply grant an attribute that I want, but having materials like this can produce a much better effect!"

"Really? W-well then… should we get going now…? I think we’ve rested enough…"

"Just a moment… Let me wipe off this blood!"

I left Dok Su-hee behind, who was smiling brightly about getting a good ingredient.

“…”

My head was completely filled with suspicion about Chan.

Kang Chan. He was suspicious, far too suspicious.

Honestly, looking only at this current regression, thinking Chan is suspicious might seem excessive.

But let's think about the last regression. When I didn't announce in advance that there was a monster, Chan did not break away.

Instead, he diligently searched the clearing, acting as if he hadn't noticed any monster at all.

But this time, as soon as I said there was a monster, he suddenly disappeared somewhere? And then, just as all the fighting ended, he slyly returned, showing me his loot and claiming he ‘caught another monster’?

It doesn't add up. If Chan had truly sensed the monster's presence, he should have left just the same in the previous cycle. Or at the very least, he should have noticed the wolf hiding on the ceiling.

"…It’s strange."

In other words, Chan’s claim that he caught a monster was, with a very high probability, a lie. That red orb was also likely a reward from a previous floor, not from catching a monster.

If so, the thing to reconsider is why Chan ran away.

There are two main possibilities.

First, Chan had some unavoidable reason why he couldn't fight right now, and because of that, he had no choice but to leave.

Second, Chan is actually a total weakling, and he's just putting on a bluff right now.

And to me, the latter possibility seemed much more likely.

You might ask why I suspect him, even though Chan has shown such an overwhelming presence until now. I'm suspicious because a similar stereotype already exists.

Among the genres of creative works, there is a genre called the ‘misunderstanding genre.’

The protagonist is actually a nobody, a complete amateur, but everyone around him perceives him as an immense powerhouse.

They praise him, saying things like, ‘Ooh, as expected of so-and-so-nim!’, and powerful people who are famous worldwide come to him and acknowledge him, saying things like, ‘Hmm… quite impressive…’.

But the protagonist himself is trembling in fear, repeating everyday worries like, ‘What do I do now?’. The fun of the misunderstanding genre comes from this gap in perception.

Now, having read the explanation above, let's think about it again.

What if… Chan's ability itself is just the ‘ability to emit killing intent,’ and nothing more?

What if him subduing the fairy was actually just a stroke of luck piled on top of another stroke of luck?

But because everyone around him praised him, saying, ‘As expected of Kang Chan-nim!’, his stock price soared day by day, and he maintained his reputation by spewing killing intent at anyone who doubted him. What if that's the case?

If so, it makes sense that Chan ran away.

He was so scared by the fact that a monster was right in front of him that he fled, and he might have been hiding in some corner, trembling and crying, ‘I’m scared…’.

Kang Chan. His name sounded so damn strong for some reason. But in reality, he was ‘Yak Chan’ (Weak Chan).

“…”

I turned my head and glared at Chan, who was walking with a blank expression.

Of course, there was a chance that my thoughts were wrong. This was all just my speculation, a ‘maybe he is’ kind of guess.

In any case, the first person I meet the moment I regress is Chan. I could just check then.

"Looks like we're here?"

As I was organizing my thoughts about Chan, we walked for a long time.

When we returned to the clearing where the wolf had been, the stone gate that had been blocking the way was gone.

"Hmm…"

What followed was a pitch-dark passage with not a single torch. I took a torch from the wall and thrust it into the darkness, revealing a path, but the atmosphere was very unsettling.

"…We have to go, right?"

I really didn't want to go, but there was no choice. Having entered this Tower, there was nothing to do but move forward.

Thud.

"Ugh…"

A pained groan came out from Gyeong-jun.

One might have expected someone to worry, but the other three just walked on in silence.

It was because this wasn't the first time Gyeong-jun had hit his head on the stone wall. It felt like it had already been five times.

"Hmph…"

The reason was simple. In his ‘Spirit Descent’ state, Gyeong-jun had crushed his glasses, so he couldn't see well.

What should I call the glasses-less Gyeong-jun? Should I just call him ‘Jun’ (Gyeong means glasses in Korean)? I walked along the damp cave path, having such a silly thought.

We walked on in silence for about 10 minutes.

"By the way, why did the spirit that descended break your glasses?"

It was Su-hee's question that broke the silence.

"Well… the spirit really hates glass or mirrors."

"…Is there a particular reason why it hates them?"

"It said it doesn't like how they distort the human form… The last time it descended, it broke my glasses first thing."

Gyeong-jun explained, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Can I ask something too?"

Thanks to Su-hee opening the door, I decided to ask something I was curious about as well.

"That spirit? Gyeong-jun-ssi, you can see it with your own two eyes right now, can't you?"

"Yes. I can see it."

"What does it look like?"

"Uhm…"

Gyeong-jun contemplated as he walked slowly.

"It has dark skin… and wears something like a decoration made of feathers on its forehead. It’s not wearing a shirt, and I’m not sure about the lower half because it doesn’t materialize in the spirit state. Oh, and it carries a spear with a very ornate design on its back."

“…”

Imagining it based on the description, an image of a jungle native comes to mind. The fact that it uses a javelin also makes it seem like it would hunt elephants in Africa.

But the indigenous people of Africa don't have the ability to summon wooden spears out of thin air. Since I met a mage who used magic on the 2nd floor, it would be reasonable to see this as a spirit from another world.

"That must be tough for you."

I ended up saying my thoughts out loud without realizing it.

The gentle Gyeong-jun, together with a rough spirit.

It's painful to be around someone who is your complete opposite. How quickly a person could break down in the military if they got the wrong senior. Moreover, Gyeong-jun has to be with that spirit until the very moment he falls asleep… A feeling of pity for him welled up.

"…It’s tough, but I’m okay."

But instead of hanging his head, Gyeong-jun gave a faint smile.

"I’m not doing anything directly myself, but… just by lending my body, I’m being helpful, right? In conquering the Tower."

"…You are, aren't you?"

"Climbing this Tower is ultimately no different from contributing to humanity… so I’m satisfied."

“…”

I didn’t answer and turned my gaze straight ahead.

You can tell just by listening to him talk. This man is kind and good-natured. But for that very reason, I shouldn't get closer to him.

Anyone can die while proceeding through Floors 3-5.

If I repeatedly watch a kind and friendly companion die, my own heart will quickly wear away.

I quickened my pace a little to distance myself from Gyeong-jun.

"Now, since we’ve talked about my boring story… I’m curious about your story, Su-hee-nim?"

"Oh, me?"

"Yes. You look like a student from your appearance… if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?"

"Ah, I’m in high school…"

Rumble.

The ground shook for a moment, cutting off Su-hee’s voice as she spoke.

"Ahead…"

At the end of the dark path we had been walking, relying on a single torch, a familiar stone gate was blocking the way.

“…”

There they were, as always, four palm-shaped grooves. The four of us exchanged glances and placed our hands on the grooves.

Rumble.

Slowly, with a vibration, the stone gate moved.

"Hmm…"

The stone gate disappeared, and the scene that was revealed was astonishing.

"…Is it a mirror?"

A mirror. A mirror. A mirror.

It was a space entirely filled with mirrors.

A path with the floor, ceiling, and walls all made of mirrors appeared before our eyes. Was it just my imagination, or did it remind me of a mirror maze at an amusement park?

It was a dark space relying on the light of a torch. The flickering flames and the images of the four of us were distorted and reflected here and there, and the sound of an eerie wind echoed like background music from a horror movie.

"Hmm…"

It probably wasn't just a simple mirror. It was a mirror maze located on 3-5, no less. It would be more reasonable to think there was some kind of trap or a unique gimmick.

Would we be abducted to another world if we touched the mirror? Or perhaps a doppelgänger? An assassin that jumps out from within the mirror?

While I was racking my brain, trying to come up with possible scenarios.

"Jun… Jun-ho-ssi!"

Su-hee urgently tapped me on the shoulder.

"What is…"

Awakened from my thoughts, I turned my head to look at Su-hee.

"No… No…!"

Behind Su-hee, I saw Gyeong-jun clutching his head and groaning in pain.

"There are too many mirrors…"

Drooling from his mouth, his face flushed bright red, Gyeong-jun clutched his head.

"Ah."

Gyeong-jun had said it earlier.

The spirit that descends on him absolutely detests mirrors and glass.

From that moment, the world seemed to turn in slow motion.

The three of us, including me, hastily turned to get away from the mirror maze.

"…Do you seek to delude me again, without ever tiring!"

His eyes completely crazed, Gyeong-jun summoned his usual old wooden spear.

Crash!

Gyeong-jun's spear flew at the speed of light, shattering a mirror.

Due to his terrifying strength, the shattered mirror fragments scattered in all directions, decorating the empty air.

"Uwaaah!"

I tried to get as far away as possible, but it was already too late.

Thwack!

Even though I twisted my body to dodge, I couldn't stop the fine mirror fragments from embedding into my exposed skin.

[You have taken damage.]

[Returning to the moment of first entry on Floor 3-5.]

Slowly, my vision began to blur.

Sadness. Anxiety. Despair. Fear.

This was fucked up.

I like satisfying stories.

I love nothing more than a satisfying story where the protagonist coolly smashes through the trials before him.

But what is this? Why do I have to be the only one who suffers such unfair treatment every time?

What? The spirit possessing the body of a person I’m clearing 3-5 with hates mirrors, so he broke a mirror maze, and I got hit by the fragments and regressed?

I'm angry.

I can't contain my anger.

"…Wake up, brat."

Was it because my eyes were crazed with fury?

"…Hey."

"…?"

"Fight me."

I lunged at Kang Chan.

Footnotes:

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