Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1287. The Lonely Benigoa (4)

Benigoa avoided my gaze and added, “W-We told you that we’re not certain about any of this. If the Sunset Swordsman were to intervene with the first life, there’s a good chance that this anomaly would disappear... but I still can’t say for sure..."

“So you’re saying that the system created that octopus-like tentacled monster?” I asked.

“W-Well, judging by the situation, that seems likely? But we can’t completely rule out the possibility that someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes. In fact, that might actually be the case...” Benigoa answered.

“That’s why I need to investigate those things myself,” Belial said.

“Ahh... Now I get what you’re trying to say,” I said.

“Right? Just like how you added a new legend to Rohen, there's a chance that something or someone outside the system has decided to interfere. We still don't know whether that force is trying to help us or attack us.

"If it’s the latter, things could become messy. We’re already surrounded by enemies, after all,” Benigoa explained.

“So you’re saying that the system may have allowed this interference?” I asked.

“Yeah, probably. As far as I know, our dimension’s defense program has never been breached. No rifts have opened, no traces of external influence have been detected, so if something did manage to intervene, the system and that unknown force might be sharing the same interest, then.

"You know that the system doesn’t take sides,” Benigoa answered.

Benigoa looked pretty solemn. If it weren't for the cream on the corner of her mouth, her warning would be more convincing. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one distracted by it. Belial scowled and reached over to wipe her mouth clean with a handkerchief.

“W-What are you doing, you demon!” Benigoa shouted.

“...”

“Tsk. Anyway, the reason the system acknowledged the continent’s independence was that our interests happened to align with it. Even if an outside force gets involved, the system won't really care. Why would it? If someone else is getting its job done, then it has no reason to stop them.

"The fact that you turned Rohen upside down, Ki-Young, was just another case of your interest aligning with the system's interest. Do you get what I’m saying?” Benigoa asked.

“I know that for quite a while now, but I just... can’t bring myself to accept it,” I replied.

‘Damn it...’

Honestly, I would prefer it if the system were to fabricate some grand excuse of its own.

If an outside force really was involved, then it meant someone was targeting us.

“It’s also possible that the system did it first... and the outsider followed,” Benigoa added.

“Yeah...”

“Rather than say that someone planned this all from the very beginning, perhaps it'd be correct to say that they saw an opportunity in what the system was already doing and decided to stir up trouble.

"Whatever the reason, if there really is an outsider involved, then that's not exactly a comforting piece of news,” Benigoa said.

‘Damn it. I went so far as to declare independence just to avoid this kind of mess...’

The continent's story was not organized yet. Depending on how one looked at it, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Whether it was the result of outside interference or just another quest handed down by the system, the fact that the events were moving forward at all felt like a form of recognition.

It was like the system had acknowledged both me and Kim Hyun-Sung as the continent’s legitimate overseers. Still, it didn't make the situation welcoming. After all, Kim Hyun-Sung would probably have to cross over into the first life and get involved.

He was already having a hard enough time, and it had been ages since the masked scum even appeared in that idiot’s head.

Judging from the situation, he was probably suspicious, or perhaps he was already aware of the fact that I was the one behind the mask and had simply chosen to ignore it.

There was the Doom Ki-Young incident and the abdomen-stabbing incident, so he was likely running on some kind of denial loop, spinning the wheel of happy delusions to keep himself from falling apart.

In short, Kim Hyun-Sung had already given up on processing this whole mess. He made a conscious choice to forget his first life. Rather than drowning in the past, he had chosen to look forward to the future. I was sure that was the reason his memories of the first life were sealed.

Admittedly, it was a bit unstable, but it wasn't like I had the right to criticize him for it.

‘Dragging Kim Hyun-Sung back to the first life... while he's in that state...’

No matter how I looked at it, it was just overkill.

There was a possibility that he could run into First Life Ki-Young, which couldn’t possibly be good for his mental health. He would probably become enraged. The system wanted to resolve that problem, but I—no, we had no obligation to go along with it.

“There’s no need to get so worked up,” Belial said.

“It’s hard not to, given the situation... Mr. Bel. If we just leave this alone...” I trailed off.

“Hmm... I wouldn’t recommend that. You’d probably have to pay a price. Maybe the system will decide that you’re not fit to be this continent’s administrator... Worst-case scenario, the entire dimension can actually collapse,” Belial explained.

“Collapse? Really?” I questioned.

Belial made a sidelong glance at Benigoa. It was all because she had cupcake cream smeared at the corner of her mouth again. This time, I silently wiped it clean for her with a handkerchief.

Belial seemed satisfied enough to continue upon saying that.

“It’s a fair consequence. A dimension without an administrator simply can’t exist. You can’t just walk away from the responsibility. You created, designed, and have been managing this place, so you also need to be there at its beginning and its end.

"Isn’t this what you wanted? Something that’s solely yours?” Belial questioned.

‘Of course....’

“You don’t have to be so anxious. Nothing’s been set in stone yet. If there is outside interference, things might become a bit more complicated, but it’s still a natural phenomenon. There’s no need to panic,” Belial added.

“H-He’s right, Lee Ki-Young. There could be other options. We could try asking for help from the higher-ups... and honestly, it’s not like we’re out of time yet. Sure, he talked about the possibility of dimensional collapse and all, but it’s not something that’ll happen tomorrow,” Benigoa said, reassuring me.

“...”

“Unlike the world below, the history of the dimension is long... and its changes are slow,” Benigoa added.

“...”

“That means there’s still time to set things right. We have the ability... and the people to fix this. We just need to take it one step at a time. Like how you’ve always done... s-so for now, let’s just calm down. There’s no point in stressing over this,” Benigoa said.

“You’re both right. Sitting here and clutching our heads over this isn’t going to solve a damned thing, anyway. First, we need to locate the other gates. Secondly, we need to make contact with that damn tentacled monster...” I said.

“...”

“You two should check if there’s anything wrong with the external defense program... Ah! Mr. Belial, you said you were going to investigate something on your own, right?” I asked.

“That’s right,” Belial answered.

“All of my questions haven’t been answered yet, but... I’ve got a clearer picture now,” I said.

“R-Really? Then maybe—"

“I should head back now,” I interrupted her.

“Why not rest a bit first?” Benigoa suggested.

I was half a beat quicker than Benigoa.

‘Seriously, this girl.’

Our words had overlapped, but what I said had to have affected her, as her face revealed both sadness and injustice.

‘Why are you doing this to me right now...?’

“R-Right, of course. You’re busy... I-It can’t be helped,” Benigoa stuttered.

“...”

“Th-Then how about staying for dinner at least? O-Or actually... I had something I wanted to ask you. Could you... maybe take a look at this?” Benigoa asked.

“...”

“W-Wait right here! Just a moment, okay?! Don’t go anywhere!” Benigoa shouted.

Then, in a hurry, she ran off somewhere only to return with a massive stack of documents. The stack of documents was tall enough to cover her face. Walking over to the desk, she plopped the mountain of papers down and wiped the sweat off her brow.

“Y-You know I’m kind of dumb, right, Ki-Young? I’ve been waiting for you to come here... I'm afraid I’d make a mistake... I mean, I know there’s an urgent situation going on, but... could you just take a look at this before you go?

"I know there are issues with higher priority than this, but we can’t put everything else on pause, right?” Benigoa asked.

“...”

“J-Just take a look at this,” Benigoa requested.

‘She’s kind of pitiful like this.’

I skimmed through the documents, but there was nothing wrong with them. In fact, they were so minor that there was no need for me to intervene. It looked like Commander Jin had already reviewed them, so letting them pass as-is wouldn’t cause any problems at all.

Even so, she was glued to the desk, eyes fixed on me like I was her last hope.

I could feel the mounting pressure on me.

“...”

“...”

“Wh-What do you think?” Benigoa asked.

“There... might be a few things I should double-check. Looks like I’ll be staying for dinner after all,” I answered.

“Really?! I-I knew it! I knew you’d say that,” Benigoa said excitedly.

‘Truth is... I don't really have the time for this...’

However, the idea of leaving Benigoa completely alone again made me feel bothered.

‘She must’ve been lonely to act like this.’

Her frustrated and sad face vanished; now, she looked like she was glowing with joy. She was even humming to herself while looking through the papers again. And then, she dashed out of the meeting room, saying that she’d get dinner ready.

Belial found the situation ridiculous and stood up. “You’re carrying a lot on your shoulders.”

“It’s not a big deal. Like Miss Benigoa said, even if I went back right now, there’s not much I can actually do. Spending a little time here won’t change anything,” I said.

“...”

“More importantly... is she okay? There’s nothing wrong with her, right?” I asked.

“Not really. She just seems a little upset, that’s all... But I think I know why she’s acting that way,” Belial answered.

“What do you think it is?” I asked.

“I think she’s already started seeing you as someone from this world, and not the world below,” Belial replied.

“...”

“To put it plainly, she’s jealous, and to be honest, I actually agree with her. Of course, I also understand why you’re trying to distance yourself from this place, but those of higher standing can’t run from the responsibilities or the privileges that come with it,” Belial explained.

“...”

“Do you understand what I’m trying to say?” Belial asked.

‘What do you mean? It’s just pointless talk.’

“What I’m saying is that, whether you accept it or not, you’re someone who fits this world more than the world down below. Have you ever considered the possibility that a living god might cause more problems than they can resolve?” Belial asked.

“Is that even possible?” I asked.

“This isn’t about what’s possible or not. If you were maintaining a healthy balance like Lee Ji-Hye or Jin Cheong, I wouldn't say this, but you’re far too entangled in the world down below. I get it. Your life over there matters to you...” Belial paused.

“...”

“So Benigoa's jealousy is not unreasonable at all,” Belial continued.

“...”

“And...” Belial trailed off before continuing, “Gods who become too obsessed with the world down below rarely meet a happy... end. I’m not trying to scold you, but that’s just how it tends to go."

“...”

“If you think back to Altanus’ story, you’ll understand what I mean. In the end, keeping the right distance is what really matters...” Belial added.

Upon uttering those cryptic words, he cleared the remnants of Benigoa’s cupcake. With a simple wave of his hand, the crumbs gathered neatly into a pile and vanished into thin air.

When Benigoa returned, more conversations followed suit. The topics were varied, but for the most part, I was just indulging her childishness. Had she not gotten drunk off the wine and started yelling about delivering judgement upon the Heavenly Demon and the ascended immortals, it would have actually been a pleasant dinner.

“...”

“...”

The next day, news of a newly discovered gate reached my ears.

The location was the Magic Tower, and of course, I would surely encounter a certain someone there.