Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Muuido Island next to Incheon International Airport. A black car drove onto the island.

Was it because of the dim time of day?

Or perhaps the torrential rain?

This coastal tourist hotspot in the metropolitan area was exceptionally quiet despite the early summer season. The car traveled down a deserted coastal road and stopped at a beach.

“Quite a crowd.”

A man got out of the car.

Swish.

Opening an umbrella quickly to shield himself from the pouring rain, the man walked towards the shore. Was it because of the high tide?

Along with the intense rain, rough waves crashed on the shoreline. Dangerously, the man approached without hesitation.

“It should be around here…”

The heavy rain rendered the umbrella almost futile. As his pants soaked up to his waist, the man frowned.

“Dr. Choi Woosuk, I presume?”

A voice pierced through the loud rain. Dr. Choi Woosuk quickly looked up. Surprisingly, there was only dark rainwater and waves. There was no human figure in sight.

Swish.

His hand instinctively reached inside his coat.

“Ah, please don’t be alarmed. I’m Kang Hwihang, sent by Spear King-nim to escort you.”

“A man from Continental. A pleasure.”

Withdrawing his hand from inside his coat, Dr. Choi Woosuk gave a smile of greeting.

However, “But… where are you?”

Still seeing nothing but the stormy scene, Dr. Choi Woosuk frowned again.

“My apologies. It’s been a while since I escorted a non-Awakened person.”

A sly voice resonated. And with it…

Swish.

As if drawing back a transparent curtain, the space in front of him opened up. Dr. Choi Woosuk’s eyes widened momentarily in surprise. Regaining his composure, he stepped into the newly opened space.

It felt as if he had entered another world.

‘The rain… isn’t falling?’

The noisy sound of the rain abruptly ceased. Choi Woosuk looked around in bewilderment.

“My goodness….”

His mouth fell open. And for good reason. The rain, which had been too heavy for an umbrella to be effective, was still pouring down.

However,

Tap tap tap.

The downpour was blocked by a transparent barrier, cascading down its sides.

Perhaps pleased with Choi Woosuk’s reaction, a man, appearing to be in his 30s with a somewhat lean physique, “You’re quite a distinguished guest, so I prepared to minimize any discomfort.”

Presumably Kang Hwihang, he gestured forward with a sly smile.

Within that smile, ‘Tch. So this is how Awakened ones are. He seems to be of a relatively high rank, yet he’s so eager to flaunt his power.’

Detecting feelings of disdain and superiority, Choi Woosuk internally clicked his tongue but said nothing more.

“As expected of a player from the world’s top guild. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

Contrary to his inner turmoil, his expression was that of a composed elder filled with admiration.

Was it because of his youth?

Or perhaps it was his inherent personality?

“Haha! You flatter me. For a Diamond-tier mage like me, this is as easy as pie.”

Kang Hwihang burst into hearty laughter. Of course, Choi Woosuk didn’t miss the subtle emphasis placed on the word “Diamond.”

The arrogance was palpable.

Maybe the verbal flattery had its desired effect?

“Oh dear, you’re quite soaked.”

Kang Hwihang momentarily murmured with a concerned expression, then extended his hand towards Choi Woosuk.

“We wouldn’t want someone so esteemed to catch a cold.”

Vrooom.

A dark blue aura emanated from Kang Hwihang’s fingertips.

With a motion as if dusting something off, the aura swirled and as his hand moved sideways.

*Swish.

The rainwater that had soaked Choi Woosuk’s clothes was shaken off onto the ground.

“Hoho…”

Choi Woosuk let out a chuckle at the nearly dry feel of his clothes.

“This way, please.”

Seemingly satisfied with the reaction, Kang Hwihang guided Choi Woosuk with an even broader smile.

As they walked further,

Tap tap tap.

The sound of the heavy rain hitting the transparent barrier grew louder.

Choi Woosuk’s eyes scanned their surroundings ceaselessly as they walked along the beach following Kang Hwihang.

‘There wasn’t a transparent barrier like this outside… this must be within a magic barrier.’

Creating another space within the same space, while difficult to explain scientifically, was a principle Choi Woosuk understood to some extent because of his knowledge of barriers.

‘But that’s not all.’

Choi Woosuk’s gaze turned to the sandy path leading to the island ahead.

‘Earlier, the path to Shilmi Province was submerged by the high tide.’

Before entering this area, the coastal water levels were clearly at high tide.

Naturally, the sandy path to Shilmi Province was submerged underwater, and fierce waves accompanied the storm.

Yet, within this place, there was a clear sandy path leading to Shilmi Province?

‘To manipulate the environment within the barrier… they must have an SS-Rank barrier specialist.’

Modifying the environment within a barrier required barrier-related abilities at an SS-Rank level or higher.

Choi Woosuk couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Sending a Diamond-tier mage and an SS-Rank barrier specialist just to escort a non-Awakened like me?’

But that wasn’t all.

‘Even the robed figures around us have extraordinary presences.’

Walking along the sandy path following Kang Hwihang, there were individuals in deep hoods stationed at regular intervals, as if standing guard.

While the distance from the coast of Muuido to Shilmi Province wasn’t extremely far, it wasn’t close either.

‘We’ve only reached halfway, yet there are already over fifty people…’

Counting from the moment he stepped onto the sandy path, Choi Woosuk stopped counting the number of people. Since the intervals at which these individuals were placed were almost uniform. By the time they reached their destination, silmido, there would likely be around 100 people.

‘Impressive. Truly the Continental.’

The Continental, along with the American Dream, was considered the world’s strongest. Such an escort was fitting for their stature.

Choi Woosuk’s thoughts were interrupted by, “How do you find it, Dr. Choi?”

Kang Hwihang’s voice awakened him from his reverie. Choi Woosuk raised his head and met Kang Hwihang’s gaze as he continued walking.

“What do you mean?”

“This escort.”

Kang Hwihang spread his arms wide without pausing his steps.

“Doesn’t it feel like you are a king of a nation?”

“A king?”

Choi Woosuk tilted his head, wondering what he meant. Then, he noticed a small movement in his peripheral vision.

It was the hem of a robe from someone who had just passed by.

Choi Woosuk’s gaze naturally followed it behind him.

“…”

He stiffened.

No wonder.

‘When did this happen!’

The robed individuals he had passed by, nearly 60 of them, were silently following him in formation.

‘Even though I’m a non-Awakened, I didn’t notice this many people following!’

Nearly 60 individuals.

How could he not notice such a large number trailing behind him?

This was not merely a difference between an Awakened and a non-Awakened.

‘They say the rank that separates proper players is Gold…’

Sixty-plus individuals trailing him perfectly without him noticing. And considering there would be about 30 more, implying around 100 individuals in total, all being of Gold rank.

With that realization, “How do you find it? Satisfactory?”

Choi Woosuk understood what Kang Hwihang’s sly smile implied. An escort of nearly 100 Gold-rank players.

Along with a Diamond-tier mage and an SS-Rank barrier specialist.

“Hoho! Not just a king, I feel like an emperor.”

For a non-Awakened, it was an unparalleled luxury.

Delighted by Choi Woosuk’s reaction, “To call yourself an emperor with just this? You must be from a small place to mention emperors so easily. Haha!”

Mockingly, as if observing a country bumpkin visiting a big city, Kang Hwihang used subtle tones to mock.

However, despite his tone, “Oh, be careful now.”

Thud.

Using his abilities to clear even a small stone, Choi Woosuk realized. It wasn’t just about dismissing him as a non-Awakened. He now understood why Kang Hwihang had been subtly pricking and treating him favorably at the same time.

‘I see, they’re trying to win me over?’

It wasn’t surprising.

‘Even though similar research is conducted in the Continental, my research direction differs.’

While they both focused on utilizing dragon genes, the end goals were different.

‘I study dragons for medical purposes, as a substitute for stem cells…’

Choi Woosuk’s focus was on finding ways to transplant the superior physical abilities of dragons into humans.

Moreover, he aimed to ensure that despite physical changes, the mind remained as intact as possible. His research fundamentally sought a better future for humanity.

That’s why he only experimented on confirmed villain Awakened, never civilians.

However, ‘They research for power.’

The Continental was different.

More specifically, it was the research pursued by Zhang Liqiu, the King of the Continental. Zhang Liqiu was a man who devoutly believed in the survival of the strongest.

He would stop at nothing to become stronger.

‘That’s why he is conducting research to forcibly awaken civilians.’

In reality, it’s called civilian awakening, ‘But it’s all to transform them into dragons, increasing the number of combat-ready personnel.’

It was merely an experiment to create more private soldiers. Indeed, they had rounded up civilians with no potential repercussions and conducted experiments.

For this reason, despite the numerous lucrative offers from Zhang Liqiu over the past years, Choi Woosuk had consistently refused.

However, ‘I don’t have a choice anymore.’

With the Continental’s help, if he escaped to China, there would be only one option left.

They might coax and entice him initially, but if he kept refusing, they would resort to any means necessary.

Ultimately, it would be wise to comply with their requests while they still treated him well. Of course, it wasn’t entirely negative.

‘Well, my research had hit a wall. Their similar field of study could greatly aid mine.’

The difference in scale was one thing, but whenever they exchanged research knowledge, he had noted their remarkable progress.

As they finally reached the end of the sandy path to Shilmi Province, “Kang Hwihang! Over here!”

Besides the team positioned on the path, a group of about ten people greeted Kang Hwihang.

Then Choi Woosuk realized, ‘They must all be at least Platinum rank.’

Not having positioned them along the path was another indicator.

“Why did it take so long to bring one person?”

“My neck was about to fall off waiting.”

“Typical of mages. Always so bloody slow.”

Their cynical reception of the Diamond-tier mage Kang Hwihang was telling. But Choi Woosuk’s amazement didn’t stop there.

“Is that the one?”

A voice, clearly spoken but inhuman in tone. The figure, nearly three meters tall and wrapped in a robe like a bed sheet, looked anything but ordinary.

Even more so.

“Yes. I apologize for the delay. Since Dr. Choi Woosuk is a non-Awakened, it took some time to escort him respectfully.”

Kang Hwihang bowed at a 90-degree angle, showing utmost courtesy.

“Enough. Even you Awakened ones are lacking; how much more so a non-Awakened.”

The robed figure exuded arrogance that dwarfed even Kang Hwihang’s mannerisms. And this figure, “We understand. The limitations of the species cannot be helped.”

“Hehe! Let’s hope his research is completed soon.”

Was not alone. There were two more. The foremost robed figure receiving Kang Hwihang’s report turned his gaze to Choi Woosuk.

Even just being looked at gave Choi Woosuk chills.

‘Wh-what is this!’

It felt as if a wild beast was staring him down. Fortunately, there was no sign of hostility.

“Choi Woosuk, was it? Come this way.”

The robed figure gestured towards the sand beside them. Choi Woosuk nodded and began walking there.

Crunch.

As he drew closer, strange patterns and a formation appeared on the sandy ground beside them. Seeing it, Choi Woosuk immediately recognized what it was.

‘A teleportation magic circle, I see.’

Using this, he would be transported directly to China. Just as he was about to step into the magic circle, “Wait.”

A voice like a growling beast rang above his head. Choi Woosuk halted his movements.

“Kang Hwihang, didn’t you say this man is a non-Awakened?”

The robed figure asked in a much lower tone.

“Y-Yes? Ah, yes! Dr. Choi Woosuk is indeed a non-Awakened.”

Kang Hwihang’s flustered voice came from behind.

“Then why does he reek of death?”

The robed figure sniffed around like an animal catching an unpleasant scent, voicing his dissatisfaction.

In response, “What’s going on? It’s true, isn’t it?”

“Choi Woosuk, were you an undead all along?”

The two robed figures behind began sniffing and approaching as well. Naturally, “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Unnerved by the inhuman figures closing in, Choi Woosuk stepped back with a bewildered expression.

“Or perhaps you possess an artifact related to necromancy.”

“I-I do possess a self-defense artifact, but it has nothing to do with necromancy!”

Choi Woosuk quickly fumbled in his coat, pulling out a rod-shaped artifact.

“Look here!”

“Hmm…”

The robed figures examined it closely.

“Indeed, I sense no necromancy.”

“It contains single-use spear-type magic. It’s merely a self-defense artifact.”

They nodded to each other as they inspected the artifact. Then, “I see.”

The foremost robed figure looked at Choi Woosuk.

More precisely, “Choi Woosuk, the scent wasn’t coming from you.”

He directed his gaze to the expansive sandy area behind Choi Woosuk.

At that moment, “You noticed well.”

A clear voice rang out. The space the robed figure was watching wavered.

Then,

Swoosh.

The characteristic ashen hue of necromancy flowed out.

“A dragon, but you can smell better than a dog.”

A strikingly handsome man with a peculiar, ethereal crown appeared. The man seemed almost ghostly, shimmering with a translucent ashen color.

“T-That’s!”

“Kim Shimun! It’s Kim Shimun!!”

Recognizing Kim Shimun’s face, the Continental’s players immediately drew their weapons and charged.

Kim Shimun paid no attention to the approaching players.

Snap.

He snapped his fingers.

Then,

Boom!

A fierce lightning strike broke through the transparent barrier that had been shielding them from the torrential rain.