Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1425. Continental War (5)

“I’m telling you, it’s true!” Sung Ji-Hoon shouted.

“...”

“I’m a hero, I tell you. You’ve heard of summoners, I mean players, right? The moment I was summoned to this continent, I was chosen by the Holy Sword. Of course, there are security restrictions and whatnot from above, so I can’t explain the details, but I’m clearly different from the other people here.

"I was invited to save a continent in danger,” he said.

“...”

“I know I don’t look like it right now, but there’s a reason for all of this, okay? Seriously, what’s with that look?! There really is a reason behind this. It might be easier for you to understand if I say that my power is sealed.

"No, not sealed, just temporarily—What? Hey, have you seen Sword Art Offline? The one where—Ah... of course you couldn't have seen that. You said you’re from this world,” he mumbled.

“...”

‘He’s really loud as hell, damn it.’

And the most humiliating part was...

‘I know that anime.’

I wasn’t completely sure, but I remembered a friend recommending it back when I was on Earth. Naturally, I had completely forgotten what it was.

All I remembered was that it sported big-eyed characters facing danger together in the face of friendship and love.

Since he liked the protagonist, I simply agreed and said that I liked the protagonist of that anime, too.

Whenever I said that his values or way of thinking were a bit similar to the protagonist’s, he would grin from ear to ear. That was why it was stored somewhere in my head, but I had never imagined I’d hear it again here, of all places.

‘Wow, he’s the real deal.’

From the looks of it, he had to have been influenced by all kinds of content—no, not just influenced. He was completely immersed in those things. It even looked like he still hadn’t shaken it off.

“It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but... apparently I’ve got some talent... like a genius or something. A genius among geniuses. You know what I mean, right? Of course, I’d be a genius. I’m a hero chosen by the gods, after all,” he continued.

“...”

“The threats coming to this continent are just the beginning. Jin Cheong? He’s certainly a villain, but the real villain is behind him. What you and I need to focus on are the ones pulling the strings.

"There's unimaginable evil lurking in the shadows,” he said.

‘Just get lost already. Seriously.’

Even while marching along in that embarrassing armor, he babbled on nonstop, which was simply ridiculous.

“Alright, I get it, so please be quiet. You don’t want to get caught by the other soldiers, do you? This is still the Republic’s barracks. Your actions are already unsettling enough, but do you really have to be that loud? You need to quiet down now, especially when there are other people around. You need to be more careful,” I said.

“You don't believe me,” he said.

“No, I do,” I argued.

“You don’t,” he said.

“No, I believe everything. I believe that you are a hero. I believe that you were chosen by the Holy Sword. I believe that you were invited by the gods, and I believe that you'll soon find the reason you were invited here. I believe you,” I told him.

“No, I’m serious,” he said.

“I believe you. I really do. So please stop saying strange things. I’m worried someone will notice that I brought you along with me,” I said.

“For someone who’s going to become a hero’s companion someday, you are awfully timid,” he complained.

‘Hero’s companion, my ass. You’re timid, too.’

Even though I never once said that I would become the hero’s companion, it seemed like I had already become his companion anyway.

I didn’t know why, but watching him show excessive fondness toward me was really uncomfortable.

Of course, I had saved his life, we were around the same age, and there was the fact that I had apparently passed some unknown personal standard of his, but even taking all that into account, I couldn’t understand why he was being so friendly with me.

Could it be that I had some kind of aura that attracted losers? Or perhaps this continent just liked losers in general. Thinking about Kim Hyun-Sung, it seemed like a plausible theory.

‘Or maybe this bastard is just bored...’

“By the way,” Sung Ji-Hoon said.

“...”

“That masked guy over there... what is he?” he asked.

“I don’t know either. We met after coming here,” I answered.

“He definitely isn’t an ordinary person. I mean, I didn’t have the Holy Sword at the time, but I never thought I'd get subdued that easily. And he also gives off an ominous feeling. I bet you that guy used to work underground in the past. He gives off a certain scent. The smell of secrets,” he said.

‘His instincts are surprisingly sharp.’

“And also, was it Alps?” he asked, while I was staring intently at his face.

I wondered whether he was going to guess her identity correctly, too.

“Why do you ask?” I questioned.

“...”

“...”

Then, he carefully asked, “Does she have a boyfriend?”

“...”

“...”

“Ask her yourself,” I told him.

“I-I’m not very good at talking to women,” he stammered.

‘Ah, I really want to kill this bastard, damn it.’

“...”

“...”

“If it is okay with you, could you ask her for me, Jin Yoo? Don’t be too obvious since it might make her uncomfortable. Just ask her casually. I don’t look that unappealing, right? I’m kind of.... kind of handsome, right? Not bad looking, at least. I’m tall too, am I not? Do I not give a good impression?” he asked one question after another.

“...”

“Would she like it... if I gave her a gift or something?” he added.

‘No. I think she would be seriously creeped out.’

Up until now, I had met countless idiots, but I could say with certainty that I had never seen one on his level.

No, there was one back on Earth, but at the very least, that bastard belonged to the type of person who would never show how much of an idiot he was.

Even Kim Hyun-Sung, who lacked social skills, wasn’t as bad as him.

I couldn’t even begin to understand how someone like him was chosen as a hero.

What the hell kind of hero selection criteria was it that led to this idiot being chosen?

Were the admins at the time obsessed with Sword Art Offline or those popular stories about high schoolers getting isekai’d?

Where exactly was the intelligence Kim Hyun-Sung had mentioned to me?

What on earth did they believe in to entrust the entire northwestern region to this guy?

I even doubted whether the concept of intelligence existed in this guy. Of course, he was a high schooler, and perhaps his mental age was even younger than that.

Compared to other kids, I was sure his values had yet to become fully formed, but still....

‘High school kids these days are smart as hell.’

I could nod with a benevolent smile toward Sung Ji-Hoon, but when it came to the hero chosen by the Holy Sword, I couldn’t nod at all. I also couldn’t understand how someone with that face was a loser.

‘Normally, people won't leave alone someone with his looks. He’s taller than average, too. Even if he dresses like trash, at least his face is decent enough...’

I felt like he had customized his character while being summoned, or perhaps he just had the worst fashion sense imaginable. Looking at him, his hairstyle was something I could never believe had come from the modern world.

He had spiky hair that one would only see in a Japanese host club or an anime. I had no idea what style he was going for. At least, it was more tolerable when he was asleep.

I felt like he wanted to look good in front of Alps, as he kept adding volume until he finally turned into a Japanese host.

I would bet my life this guy was socially awkward.

“I went to an all-boys middle school, and then I dropped out of high school. You’re the only one I’m telling this to, but back then, I wasn’t a hero or anything. I was shorter, and my parents weren’t around. Here, I'm more like I'm in an academy,” he explained.

“...”

‘The hairstyle... actually kind of suits him.’

“...”

“...”

He seemed kind, though. No, he was kind. Yeah. I felt like he just had to change his hairstyle, and it would be enough.

‘If I deliberately look for them, I should find plenty of good qualities in him.’

Even while marching, he wouldn't stop reaching back to carry my bag. There wasn't much in it to begin with, but it seemed he was still concerned, as he insisted on lifting it for me. He was noisy and babbled on endlessly, but he had never really said anything rude or done anything bad.

Besides... his talent alone was on a completely different level. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he was chosen purely for his talent. Of course, I had yet to see him in a proper fight, but I could tell even at a quick glance.

Despite having traveled quite a long distance, he showed no signs of fatigue. He hadn't shed even a single drop of sweat, and even though he had lost the Holy Sword, he seemed capable of using holy power in a limited way, as he had been sending holy power to me nonstop.

My ears were a bit tired from the noises, but thanks to him, I was enduring the grueling march just fine.

“Then if you’re a hero, why are you here instead of leaving?” I asked.

“What?”

“You say you’re a hero, yet you’re still here. Haven’t you heard the rumors? There’s a rumor that a demon has possessed Commander Jin Cheong. You’re from the Empire, aren't you? Should you really be here? The Empire and the Republic are at war right now,” I told him.

“That does not really matter,” Sung Ji-Hoon said.

“What?”

“This is a small matter anyway,” he added.

“What? How is this small...” I muttered.

“Wars between humans always happen,” he said.

“What?”

“It’s nothing new. I heard wars kept breaking out in the Empire as well. The Republic is the same. The Union of Kingdoms and the Federation have always been at war, too. I have a bigger goal. Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? The gods chose me,” he explained.

“...”

“The gods don’t favor humans. The same goes for me, even though I am their chosen one. The Republic and the Empire are all the same to me. Of course, if a demon has truly possessed Commander Jin Cheong, it would be a problem.

"I know better than anyone that he’s being morally criticized, but that’s separate from my mission. I’m on no one’s side. Even if I’m active here right now, it’s not really an issue,” he added.

“Then why did you participate in the war?” I asked.

“Because I received a divine message telling me to take part in the war,” he answered.

“A divine message?” I asked.

“Well, I can’t tell you the details. I’m a man of many secrets. I can only say that the main god of this continent told me to head here. Heh,” he said.

‘Don’t touch your hair, damn it. Stop striking pointless poses.’

'Stop acting so smug.'

It seemed that Lee Chang-Ryeol and Alps were thoroughly annoyed by him.

In the middle of the long march, I caught sight of Lee Chang-Ryeol letting out a deep sigh. Alps’ face was no better. I had no idea if she had heard that he was showing interest in her, but her face clearly said she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him and didn’t want him anywhere near her.

Completely unaware of that, Sung Ji-Hoon rested the cheap iron sword he had been issued on his shoulder and bounced it around—a ridiculous attempt at posturing.

There was even a playful expression on his face. His expression and behavior didn’t seem serious at all, and it was to the point that it felt unnatural.

Every aspect of his attitude was like that. It was the same when he called Chang-Ryeol an NPC. This idiot really seemed to be treating all of this like a game or a joke.

‘What the hell is with this guy?’

There was a myriad of things I couldn't understand about him.

“What kind of character is he? I know he’s real, but still... what the hell?’

Honestly, I felt the same as Alps.

I didn’t really want to get close to this guy, but... for now, I had no choice but to speak.

“Have you read It’s Wrong to Seek Encounters in a Dungeon?” I asked.

“Ah! That one! Do you know? The continent is my domain!” he answered.

It was a novel written on this continent, not Earth, but...

“Of course I’ve read it!” he added.

It was the perfect topic to bait this type of guy.

‘I’ve been dealing with idiots like you for years...’