Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1271. Count Kim Hyun-Sung (1)

My instincts told me to hide.

‘Shit.’

I thought that standing out wouldn’t be much of an advantage at all.

‘Why are they here all of a sudden?’

The familiar voice caught me completely off guard, especially when I had been trying so hard to avoid them. Now that I thought about it, wasn't the Blue Guild always handing me trouble as if it were candy?

Since there was no guarantee that they’d be any different in the first life, I felt like the best course of action was to stay out of sight.

Of course, I was still curious about their version in this life, so I threw a dirty blanket over myself and aimlessly wandered around. The camp was buzzing with energy after word got out that the Blue Guild was here.

People whose faces were unknown to me appeared to see the unexpected visitors.

Even the Red Mercenary Guild wasn’t any different. The one who’d been goofing off just moments ago was now in formation, ready to greet the late-night guests, but they had their weapons ready, just in case.

‘What’s with this atmosphere, damn it?’

“Be ready to enter combat at any moment," someone mumbled nearby. Judging by his look, he was probably one of the officers of the Red Mercenary Guild.

‘Why do you have to be ready to enter combat?’

“How dare those bastards come here?”

“What the hell were the rangers doing? How did those assholes get in here?”

On closer inspection, even those who looked like they were Blue Guild members looked tense. It was hard to believe they were supposed to be working together because they were so wary of each other.

I had expected it, but it seemed that the Blue Guild wasn’t made up of the elite, tight-knit people they were in the second life, as I spotted a few who clearly didn’t meet the mark.

They reminded me of uniformed soldiers rather than a guild.

The atmosphere was so different from the current Blue Guild that they looked really awkward in my eyes.

They way they were packed in formation felt forced and unnatural.

Their banners, symbols, and emblems were slightly different from what I remembered. Their gear was standardized as well, rather than bespoke. Except for a few officers, everyone seemed to be using the same equipment.

‘Are they treated differently depending on their rank in the guild?’

It wasn’t a bad approach.

In fact, it was surprising that they had some sort of system instead of just winging it.

Their approach was drastically different from the current Blue Guild, but they managed to create a place that could genuinely be called a guild.

Kim Hyun-Sung, who had been granted the title of "Count" by the Empire, was the Guild Master of the Blue Guild, so it made sense that he was popular, but controlling such a large number of people was a different issue altogether.

Of course, I was sure Kim Hyun-Sung wasn't the one controlling all of them.

There were surely other capable administrators beside Jo Hye-Jin.

Anyway, the group was cautiously making their way toward the Red Barracks, where Cha Hee-Ra was located. Naturally, the Red Mercenary Guild wasn’t about to just stand by and watch. Their attitude was questionable at best to call them allies.

I had no idea if there had been bad blood between them from the very beginning, but at the very least, it was clear that they weren’t on good terms now. To make matters worse...

“How dare you come here, you bastards!”

I saw a scruffy-looking man hurling trash at the Blue Guild members.

‘What’s going on, damn it?’

“Get lost, you traitors!”

“You shameless, disgusting bastards!”

‘What’s with this mood?’

“You disgusting bastards! Tch! Damn murderers!”

It wasn’t just one person. As if swept up by the atmosphere, multiple people rushed forward, hurling garbage at the Blue Guild.

The Blue Guild accepted it quietly without saying a word.

“Charlotte’s dogs are here! Hahahaha!”

“Go away! You bastards!”

“Get lost!”

‘Shit, I never thought I’d have to witness this. Hyun-Sung didn’t tell me anything.’

“Get out of here right now!!!”

“How dare you come here! You assholes...”

Perhaps they were aware that they were on the same side, as they dared not unsheathe their swords, but their faces looked like they could swing their swords at any moment.

‘Is the public opinion in Lindel pretty bad?’

It was definitely possible. Setting everything else aside, the crowd calling Kim Hyun-Sung "Charlotte’s dog" made it clear to me how they were being treated here.

Honestly, it was obvious. I heard firsthand about the conflicts between the summoners and the Empire, so it was no surprise that Kim Hyun-Sung, backing the Empire, wasn’t looked on favorably.

While it looked like the conflict was over, plenty of bad blood had to have lingered, and assuming those masked scums had thrown fuel into the fire, it wasn't strange that they became isolated. Actually, back then...

‘Hadn't Ji-Hye noona... said that they were on the Empire’s side?’

I had a feeling that perhaps Ji-Hye noona had planned Kim Hyun-Sung’s appointment as a count, but I couldn’t say for sure.

Of course, there was a chance that the outrage was all because this place was managed by the Red Mercenary Guild and their affiliated guilds, but no matter what history those two guilds shared, I couldn’t understand their blatant hostility toward each other.

The rift between them had clearly grown very deep and wide.

‘But where is our Hyun-Sung...’

He was even hiding somewhere in the crowd, out of sight. With so many people gathered around them, I had to push my way through just to see the Blue Guild members.

‘I don’t see Hye-Jin. Is she already dead at this point in time?’

'Huh?'

I could see Hwang Jung-Yeon. She was a bespectacled mage standing in the back.

‘So where the hell is Kim Hyun-Sung?’

The Blue Guild members moved swiftly, and I saw someone walking forward amidst the crowd.

‘It’s Hyun-Sung.’

There was no need for me to see that to know that it was him.

I was staring at First Life Kim Hyun-Sung, and he was clad in a long black fur coat. His sunken eyes stood out for no reason. His appearance wasn’t much different from now, but he seemed even more out of place than Cha Hee-Ra. His eyes seemed completely devoid of any emotion. The moment I saw his face, I felt as if the air itself froze over.

‘Count Kim Hyun-Sung’s got some serious presence.’

The ones who had been throwing garbage at the Blue Guild members suddenly stopped. It wasn’t that they were worried about being arrested for insulting nobility. They were just completely stunned by Kim Hyun-Sung's presence.

This wasn’t the kind of hatred filled with venom.

If the current Doom Hyun-Sung was like a raging flame, then this one would be more like extremely cold ice. He looked like a northern duke straight out of subculture fantasy, and I found myself swallowing nervously as I watched the tense scene.

‘It’s surprising there isn’t a single scar on his face after everything.’

Cha Hee-Ra looked like she had no scars, but perhaps the inside of Kim Hyun-Sung's cloak told another tale. When the crowd went silent, Kim Hyun-Sung calmly said, “Miss Cha Hee-Ra.”

“...” “Miss Cha Hee-Ra,” Kim Hyun-Sung repeated.

“...”

“Miss Cha Hee-Ra,” he said again.

The red tent opened, and the Mercenary Queen appeared.

‘Damn, this drama’s getting way too good.’

I wasn’t the only one completely engrossed in this drama. The type of excitement varied, but the onlookers were also swallowing nervously, keeping their eyes locked on the unfolding situation.

I felt like if someone drew their sword, everyone else would follow, casting spells and unsheathing their swords in an instant.

“...”

“...”

“What is Kim Hyun-Sung, the genius swordsman of Lindel and the pride of the Empire, doing here?” Cha Hee-Ra asked.

“You already know,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.

“Not really... and even if I did... I’m not sure if it’s really appropriate for you, who values etiquette and appearances, to show up so suddenly like this... and with all these troops, to boot,” Cha Hee-Ra said.

“...”

“Anyone seeing this would think you were trying to start a war. Is this some kind of show of power... or something like that?” Cha Hee-Ra asked.

“You know very well that it’s nothing like that. I just... wanted to inform you that the operation is scheduled to begin shortly, Miss Cha Hee-Ra,” Kim Hyun-Sung replied.

“You think I don’t know that? I’m part of that operation, too,” Cha Hee-Ra said.

“As far as I can tell, it looks like you’re acting on your own,” Kim Hyun-Sung commented.

“Acting on my own... That’s a bit harsh. I’ve been cooperating just fine with the Black Swan Guild and the other guilds, you know that, right? If you’re here to spout more nonsense about us joining your operation again, then get lost, you asshole. Don’t piss me off,” Cha Hee-Ra threatened.

“...”

“...”

“We’re on their tail,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard that. So catch them already. Isn’t that what you’re good at? Acting like a bloodhound...” Cha Hee-Ra said.

“This might be our last chance,” Kim Hyun-Sung told her.

“Bullshit,” she mumbled.

“Please... just this once, help us. For the summoners and for Lindel. I’m not asking you to forget the past. We’ve both made mistakes... but now is the time to work together... Why can’t you understand that?” Kim Hyun-Sung questioned.

“...”

“I’m not the only one who has a score to settle with the Murder Brigade. I’m not asking you to join me. I’m asking you to stand with us toward a shared goal,” Kim Hyun-Sung continued.

“Hmm...”

“If we let them go, it will only bring greater trouble later, Miss Cha Hee-Ra. You’ll regret this day without a doubt,” Kim Hyun-Sung added.

‘He’s being sincere.’

I didn’t know all the details, but I could roughly understand how things were unfolding. I didn’t know what happened between them, but whatever the case, now was the time to work together.

I was sure Kim Hyun-Sung had come all the way here to persuade her.

‘Is this some kind of reconciliation event?’

Was this some kind of event where two groups, who never really trusted each other, ended up bonding while taking down the brigade? I really hoped Hee-Ra noona would work with Hyun-Sung.

‘Please...’

Normally, she would accept Kim Hyun-Sung’s offer. If I weren't around, she would go along with it. Without any other trustworthy option, she would likely have no choice but to accept.

A sudden wave of cold sweat washed over me.

“This is my answer,” Cha Hee-Ra said, “Get lost, you asshole."

Obviously, the Red Mercenary Guild’s camp cheered.

“Let's goooo!!"

“That’s right! Get out of here, you bastards!”

“Get the hell out of here! Empire gods! Tch!”

‘Damn it.’

“Don’t think I won’t be able to get those bastards without your help, Count Kim Hyun-Sung,” Cha Hee-Ra said.

“...” “Let’s see who captures them first,” Cha Hee-Ra suggested.

Feeling that something was off, I had no choice but to rush forward.

“Mr. Ki-Mo. Ahn Ki-Mo!” I shouted.

“Huh? Yes? Sir, isn't he the guild master...” Ahn Ki-Mo mumbled.

“We’re leaving now, so get ready,” I ordered.

“What?”

“Tell everyone to come here. We’re heading out now,” I told him.