WeTried Translations

Translator: ZEROSUGAR

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Regression is Too Much

Chapter 085

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The Regressor is flustered (6)

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere was as cold as the biting wind. Although I said I would vouch for him, it was because we knew nothing about Baron George.

“…Even if you say you vouch for him, what are we supposed to believe?”

A man with a surly expression shrugged his shoulders.

“What we have in common is that we are ‘players’ and have a shared goal… but he’s a complete stranger. Is there anything between us that could be called trust?”

“Isn't trust something that is built up over time?”

Baron George, who retorted nonchalantly, looked toward the castle and gave some kind of signal.

“Thomas!”

“Yes, my lord Baron!”

Presently, in response to the baron’s signal, men dressed in winter clothing walked out from inside the castle with disciplined, steady steps.

They were carrying thick wooden logs on their shoulders, which they seemed to have brought from the ‘room full of materials’ that Smith had mentioned.

“I have a good eye for people. Did you call yourselves ‘players’ earlier? You all… are strong, and free. At first, I even mistook you for a group of mercenaries.”

Baron George waited for the man called Thomas to arrive before continuing.

“But look here. Didn't you say you were going to repair the castle walls and reinforce the gate?”

“…We did, didn't we?”

“Is there anyone here who knows how to do that kind of work? No. Is there anyone here who has even lived in a ‘castle’? I, however, have lived in a castle my entire life.”

“…”

There was no one.

Of course, with 100 people gathered, there might be one or two with some knowledge. But the absolute majority didn't know.

They had only vaguely thought of blocking the castle gate with heavy objects and replacing old stones with ones found nearby.

"Hmm."

After sweeping his gaze over our reactions, Baron George gave a small nod.

“The George barony is a domain located in the mountains. The land wasn't suitable for farming, and the geographical conditions weren't very good either. But fortunately, there was a rather large iron mine within the domain, so we had no problem making a living.”

Thud!

A heavy wooden plank was placed on the snow.

“Mining is a profession where you have to risk your life, so we use slaves… but in a place where iron is produced, what kind of work would people do? The absolute majority are blacksmiths who sell weapons. Since the forest is so dense, some work as carpenters.”

The sturdy man who carried the plank had broad shoulders and thick forearms. He wasn’t noticeable because he was standing with the players whose bodies had been enhanced by the status window.

“Therefore… let us handle the work of fortifying the castle and you all can search the castle. At this rate, wouldn't that be helpful enough?”

“…”

It would be… helpful. The thick forearms of the sturdy men were more reassuring than any words.

But a problem still remained.

“But… what will you do when the monsters actually appear?”

The woman with the jutting chin I saw earlier glared and argued.

“You all are much better at repairing the castle walls than we are. But what if monsters appear from outside? Or what if monsters appear from inside the castle? Do we have to risk our lives to protect you then?”

“…”

Baron George’s expression hardened slightly.

“…Among the people of my domain who came here, there are also about 10 soldiers. Thomas here is a knight. But… yes. I suppose we wouldn't be of much help to you all.”

He glanced for a moment in the direction of the castle where his people were, then looked back at the players and spoke.

“We will protect our own safety. If we find ourselves in danger, you don't need to help. It's fine to divide the areas and act separately. However, please allow us to use the castle. That is all I ask for as a condition of our ‘cooperation’.”

“If we use the castle together, there will inevitably be a situation where we have to help you…”

“Now, now. Please calm down.”

I gestured to Baron George with my eyes while calming the woman down.

“We’ll discuss it amongst ourselves and get back to you. Let's meet in that room by the stairs from before.”

“…I will do so. Thomas! Move the planks near the main gate!”

“Yes, my lord Baron!”

After Baron George and his party returned inside the castle.

“Let me see that sword.”

“Ah, uh, yes.”

I took the sword from a man standing next to me and swung it through the air three times.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

An intimidating sound cut through the air, but inwardly, I wasn't satisfied. The thick gloves prevented me from putting proper strength into it.

“Oh, ooh…”

“What was that, just now…”

However, it seemed most of the players didn't think so, as I could feel their gazes change.

A gaze that held a slight sparkle, mixed with a subtle fear. My ‘Awe’ trait had activated just as I intended.

-Awe [A]

-Praise for your greatness. Fear of what cannot be understood.

-You can use a degraded version of a trait from a target affected by Awe one time.

-Lee Jeong-hyeon: Roar (B-) >>> Shout (E-)

-Kim Ji-hoon: Smash (C) >>> Strike (F-)

-Yoon Min-su: Leap (D-) >>> Hop (FF)

- …

A message window appeared before my eyes.

“…”

Come to think of it, the Awe trait had evolved. At first, I had only activated the trait to lead the meeting according to my intentions, but I ended up testing the changed trait by chance.

But the trait grades… E? F? At this level, you have to consider them unusable traits. Unless it was a unique case like Dok Su-hee, it seemed they had very little practical use.

I took my eyes off the message window, looked around at the players, and opened my mouth.

“I believe there will be pros and cons to us cooperating with Baron George. And we can't completely trust them yet.”

“Th-then why…”

I didn't answer, instead pointing with my chin at the wooden materials placed next to the castle gate.

“That stuff. Why is it there?”

“…”

“I can understand there being weapons in the castle. That means a situation will come where we have to use them. I can also understand there being food. Food is indispensable for survival, so there must be food. But why are there winter clothes and wooden materials?”

From the moment we were summoned to the 4th floor, we were wearing winter clothes. We don’t need more winter clothes.

And as for the wooden materials, there is almost no one who knows how to handle them. They aren't particularly necessary.

And just in time… there are otherworlders who can make good use of what has been given.

Could it be… that the Tower gave us something for ‘no reason’?

“In the first place, isn't utilizing those otherworlders itself a part of the 4th floor? That's what I think.”

There was no way the residents were summoned here for no reason. If those summoned had been old and frail elders, women, and children, it would have been the Tower's way of asking, ‘Can you survive while protecting them?’

But that wasn’t the case. They are united around Baron George, and at the same time, they are competent. They are not subjects to be protected, but assets to be utilized.

“The 4th floor… isn't it a place where we can only endure by mobilizing everyone, including the residents? I believe we must cooperate with Baron George. Are there any objections?”

“…”

“…”

There were no objections. The simply foolish ones were under the influence of my Awe trait, and those strong enough to break free from the trait’s influence had their gears turning.

“I will leave the detailed personnel arrangements to Smith-ssi. Please set up a rotation for guard duty, watching the castle exterior, and exploring the castle interior during breaks.”

“I understand.”

William Smith nodded reluctantly.

“Then, I will go and speak with Baron George.”

Thinking the situation was more or less settled, I walked toward the castle.

“…So who is that person anyway?”

“…I don't know. But he seems crazy strong, so let's just listen to him for now.”

The stares boring into my back were sharp. But surprisingly, I felt nothing.

“…”

I had passionately argued that we must utilize Baron George.

But when you thought about it, I was also ‘utilizing’ the players. I was using people without hesitation, as fodder for my regression.

Because, in my heart, they held no great meaning.

…I should get some rest after clearing the 4th floor.

“So, how did it go?”

“I look forward to working with you.”

"Haha, we look forward to it as well."

Baron George and I exchanged a handshake. But the corners of my mouth didn't even twitch.

In a way, it was natural. I had no intention of giving my heart to anyone else.

I had to be careful not to look down on others too much, but I also had to be careful not to get too close. The mission of the 4th floor was ‘survival’, and countless people would die.

…If someone I was close to died horribly in front of me, what would become of my mental state? I must always be on guard.

Therefore, I had no intention of getting close to anyone on the 4th floor. I would maintain a suitable distance and clear the 4th floor. This was my current goal.

“Good, then we must discuss the details. What is the plan for guarding the castle walls? We can do it, but…”

“The players will do it. Their physical abilities are different to begin with, so their visual range will be different.”

“Good. Then next, let’s talk about the castle wall repairs.”

“Since you said the majority of your people are blacksmiths, I would like to request weapon repairs.”

“I’d also like to discuss what to do in case an unfortunate incident occurs between a player and one of your people.”

Baron George and I talked about the various situations that could arise, and one by one, rules were established.

We had been exchanging opinions for about 30 minutes when,

Flicker.

Whether it ran out of oil or was blown out by a draft, the torch on the wall sputtered out.

There wasn't a single window in the room, so darkness naturally fell.

“Ah, dear… please wait just a moment.”

But a moment later.

Hummm.

A glowing sphere appeared on Baron George’s palm, brightly illuminating the room.

“…Magic?”

“Ah, I am a 3rd-rank mage. I didn't mention it because I'm not really helpful combat power… please don't think ill of me for it.”

“…”

My mind started spinning faster than it had at any point since entering the 4th Floor.

A mage. He knows how to handle mana.

Baron Licht from the 2nd floor.

Flash Step.

The S-grade trait was lying dormant in my status window, resting because I didn't know how to handle mana.

“My lord Baron.”

“Let’s… make just one deal.”

I had no intention of getting close to anyone on the 4th floor.

But there were always exceptions to the rule.

Footnotes:

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