Regression is Too Much - Chapter 98

WeTried Translations

Translator: ZEROSUGAR

Editor: Abstract

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Regression is Too Much

Chapter 098

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The night is too dark (7)

“Aaaaaah!”

“Help us! Please, save us!”

“Aaaaaaaah!”

The final screams of the dying had a power that was suffocating to even hear. For me, who couldn't see what was happening behind my back, it was even worse. I could imagine the horrors unfolding there.

“No, no…”

I had to push the monsters back with everything I had. No, this was already my best. I had been swinging my sword so much it felt like my arm would fall off, and now, risking regression, I began to use my entire body, including my elbows and feet.

“Keuk!”

“Grrrrrk!”

Flesh split every time my sword swung, and flesh burst when I kicked. Death lingered everywhere my body touched, and a golden halo of light was everywhere.

It was, in the truest sense, a display of divine might. A state of awakened consciousness born from a mixture of desperation and focus. The moment a monster entered my vision, it terrifyingly turned into a halo of light.

And yet.

“Why, why!!! Why won’t you help me!!!”

It still wasn’t enough. Although I was advancing step by step, the number of people I had to save was in the hundreds. This speed was absurdly insufficient.

“Come out! Come out! Fight! You goddamn bastards!”

I screamed until my throat was raw, but now, not even a reply came back. William Smith, who had been trying to get out of his room, was no longer visible.

“Can’t you hear these screams? People are fucking dying right now!”

“Even if it’s just us!!!”

A woman's shrill voice rang out from somewhere.

“...We have to live, don’t we... Do you really think it makes sense to try and break through to the second floor right now?”

“Then what about me? I’m telling you it’s possible right now. If you just help a little…”

“That’s… you.”

“…”

Even though a fierce battle was raging on, I momentarily flinched.

“We’re... not as strong as you... If we go along with a plan like that, we’ll all end up dead…”

“Aaaaaaaah!”

“Save me! Save me!”

“I know this is wrong, too. I know it goes against human decency. But… it can’t be helped…”

The owner of the voice was sobbing. Her voice, a complete mix of self-loathing and the will to survive, trembled.

“I’m… not some great person who can die for others…”

There was no word from the other rooms. But that silence was its own form of silent agreement.

A firefighter who jumps into a pit of fire, prepared for death, is noble. But the essence of that nobility is based on the premise that ‘not just anyone can do it.’ A person who can risk their life for others is a hero.

And… the people gathered here were not heroes, but ordinary citizens.

“…”

I wanted to rebuke them, but I couldn't think of the right words. In essence, I was the same as them. It was only because I was free from the threat of death thanks to regression that I could do something like this so casually.

I had ended up empathizing with their cowardice.

“Jun-ho! Jun-ho! Are you still far away?”

“Please, save us! Please, save us!”

“Mom, mom…”

But even in the brief moment I agonized over this, the otherworlders were dying. There was no time to think. Action came first. I had to do what needed to be done.

“Everyone, follow me!”

I swung my sword wide, pushing back all the surrounding monsters. In that gap, I took out a magical tool from my waist and threw it violently onto the floor.

Vooooom!

A protective barrier instantly blocked the right hallway. It was too early to use it, but I had no choice. I had to clear a path to the stairs immediately.

“Fuck, fuck!!!”

It was so unfair.

I tried so hard. I tried, repeating regressions. I had obtained a level of martial power that ranked among the top players.

And still, I lacked the strength to save people.

I had to stand by and watch as people died behind my back.

What do you want?

What is the reason for suddenly dragging people into the Tower, giving them power they never wanted, and throwing them into such a harsh environment.

It isn’t rational. This… this doesn’t make any sense.

I’m angry.

I’m angry, but the fact that there’s nothing I can do about it makes me the angriest.

“Get lost, all of you!”

I didn’t even know who I was yelling at. I just channeled my indignation into the sword and swung it wildly. I didn’t even have the chance to check if the otherworlders were following me. All I did was cut down the monsters in front of me.

And so I charged forward like a madman, until I finally reached the stairs.

Snap!

With a metallic sound, my sword broke in half. It was the price for swinging it like a club even after the blade was completely ruined.

Normally, this would have been the time to take a step back and calmly assess the situation. But right now, I didn't want to. Even if it meant regressing, I wanted to spit out this feeling that was balled up in my heart.

“Uwaaaaaah!”

I charged at an orc with my bare hands, holding nothing. Regression? The consequences? I didn't think about such things. This was pure anger, frustration, and self-loathing.

Voooong—

The moment I realized that, I felt a heavy, hot energy from my right hip. It was the spot where the scabbard I got on the third floor was hanging.

In a realm beyond consciousness, my hand reached out and grasped the hilt. With a feeling that it fit perfectly in my hand, a single red sword was drawn from the scabbard.

-Anger

The moment the status window informed me of the sword’s name, I was already slashing.

It was rough, destructive, and hot.

“Kueeeek!”

“Kyaaak!”

Perhaps the heat wasn't just my imagination, as the monsters cut by the sword began to burn. No, they burned intensely even without being touched.

“This…”

The moment I recognized it, what I had to do was decided.

“You goddamn bastards!!!”

I charged towards the stairs.

To kill even one more monster.

I’m frustrated.

I’m frustrated with the monsters that forcibly poke at my weaknesses, even though I prepared to the best of my ability.

I’m angry.

I despise these monsters that charge at me with bloodshot eyes.

I’m heartbroken.

The weight on my two shoulders is painful, and I am ashamed of myself for not being able to bear it.

I’m sorry.

I promised I would protect them. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.

I poured all these complex emotions into my sword and cut. Without any thought, I immersed myself in destruction.

Is this a sense of liberation? A refreshing feeling spread from my chest, and energy surged from my body. I feel like I could do anything right now.

I cut them down in a trance. It felt like I was playing a game. When I swung the sword, full of anger, the enemy in front of me burst into flames.

I cut, and cut again, and when there were finally no more monsters in sight, the sword named ‘Anger’ disappeared. At the same time, my head spun and my vision shook.

“Heok, heok, heok…”

I found myself lying on the ground without realizing it. The frozen earth stung my cheek. This was the courtyard in front of the castle. When did I get here?

A deep sense of exhaustion. A gnawing hunger. This was the first time I had felt like this since I started repeating regressions. My body felt completely empty.

“…”

My head finally cooled and settled. My gaze naturally fell to the scabbard hanging at my waist. I could still clearly feel the touch of the crimson sword I had been holding just a moment ago.

Did this scabbard create a sword in response to the deep anger I felt? Or did I meet some condition the moment I became angry. The causal relationship was not yet clear.

-00 : 35 : 11

There were 35 minutes left. I realized why I couldn’t see any more monsters. Since I had slaughtered them all, there was no way any would be left.

“Ha… haha…”

Only then could I let out a small laugh. I had won. No matter how much this fucking Tower tried to screw me over, I had endured in the end. Regression? I probably will. This event will become something that never happened.

But even so, the fact that I won right now does not change. Even if that bastard of an angel threw a fit, I overcame it.

After lying on the floor like that for about 5 minutes, emptying my mind.

“Hoo…”

I got up and started to trudge back into the castle. A win is a win, and now it was time to handle the aftermath.

“Jun-ho-nim, are you alright?”

As I headed to the basement first, Joong-hyun greeted me with a smiling face.

“We are… fine. There are three who lost an arm, and four who lost an eye… but no one died. It’s thanks to your plan hitting the mark, Jun-ho-nim.”

The atmosphere in the basement wasn't bright, but it wasn't dark either. Everyone had properly fulfilled their roles and splendidly endured the ordeal. They had achieved a satisfactory result.

“How is the third floor? Have you been able to contact them?”

“Our magical tool also broke during the battle, so as for that, we don’t really know…”

“...I understand. Please rest up, and I will see you on the first floor.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After getting a rough grasp of the situation, I headed to the second floor. A considerable number of otherworlders were wandering the hallways. A quick glance told me there were well over a hundred.

“...Thank goodness.”

To be honest, a moment ago, I hadn't been worried about the otherworlders. I was just focused on killing the monsters in front of me.

But seeing this sight, my heart felt a little more at ease. I didn't think I could save everyone from the beginning.

Their expressions are gloomy, but I’m satisfied with this. Even if it wasn't a perfect success… I had succeeded.

“...Jun-ho-nim.”

“...Sir Thomas?”

“...You need to come… I think…”

I thought I had succeeded.

The thick smell of blood filled my nose the moment I opened the door and entered. An ominous feeling crawled up my skin.

The first thing I saw was William, leaning against a wall.

William, who looked completely exhausted, was staring at the floor with empty eyes.

“…”