Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Hellfire.

Could there be a more fitting word for this scene?

The heat was so intense it felt like it was squeezing the sanity out of their minds. Even more astonishing, this unbelievable heat had already been mitigated once.

And then, a fierce black flame was being contained by an Arab man.

Whoosh.

“Ugh!!”

Bashar Abdul gritted his teeth so hard that the blood vessels in his eyes bulged, as he struggled to contain the black flame with invisible energy.

Despite his efforts, like a caged beast, the infuriated black flame raked against the invisible barrier.

Creak.

American Dream’s top prospect, Andrew, could only watch in horror.

‘Bashar, who possesses the SS-ranked trait “Master of Flames.” can’t handle this fire?’

The SS-ranked trait “Master of Flames” allowed him to control flames at will, making him a nightmare for anyone associated with fire magic or fire elements.

Such SS-ranked “Master” traits were unparalleled. Even the globally renowned Korean ranker from the first generation, Ironwood King Kim Muyeol, had a similar SS-ranked trait, “Master of Plants.”

In his presence, druids and plant-related monsters were nothing but toys. Bashar Abdul should have had similar control, and yet…

‘I can’t fully suppress it and can only manage a portion…?’

Had he completely blocked it, it wouldn’t have been so alarming. The dark-red orb that had entered through the breached wall had turned everything into ashes except in the direction where Bashar Abdul stood.

Andrew, along with nearly half of the survivors, happened to be in Bashar’s direction, leaving about 80 players clinging to their lives.

But now, “Ugh! I can’t hold it… anymore…!”

Even that was nearing its limit.

Creak.

With a rusty mechanical noise, Bashar Abdul’s arms, which had been containing the black flame, started to give way.

Andrew, with his SS-ranked trait “Analyst,” activated to the fullest, his blue eyes glowing as he shouted, “You cannot stop that with sheer strength! I’ll cast a teleportation spell; just hold out until then!”

As he spoke, the black flames, breaking through Bashar Abdul’s SS-ranked trait, rushing in like a tsunami of fire.

Whoosh!

“Fire Resist!”

“Barrier!”

“Protect us, divine shield!”

Magic and support players cast protective shields in front of the staggering Bashar.

“Bashar, this way.”

“Grab onto my shoulder.”

Agile assassination players supported Bashar with quick movements. As they stepped onto the magic circle that had been completed on the ground,

“I will teleport us to the other side where the black flames have already passed!”

Without waiting for a response, Andrew activated the large-scale teleportation.

Vroom.

The distinctive hum of spatial transfer filled the air, as 80 players vanished from the area. Simultaneously, the black flames shattered the multiple protective barriers and engulfed the spot they had just vacated.

Whoosh!

***

Whoosh.

Crackle.

The roar of the raging fire and the sound of wood and other materials burning filled the air. Opposite from where Bashar Abdul had contained the black flame, the 80 players now stood, having been moved to a place already ravaged by the malevolent flames.

They stood with their mouths agape.

“Oh my god…”

“That was about to engulf us?”

“As expected of Bashar. He managed to contain that alone for several minutes.”

They stared blankly at the spot where they had been moments ago. It was understandable. Half of the Barbarian Fortress that had been spared thanks to Bashar Abdul was, being incinerated in real-time by the dark crimson flames.

Whoosh.

Flames raging with a voracious hunger for destruction. It felt like witnessing a natural disaster beyond human control. Especially for Andrew, whose gaze was filled with something beyond shock.

It was more than that.

‘Those flames aren’t ordinary magic… they’re akin to a form of divine energy.’

His SS-ranked analytical trait, along with the added insight from the Constellation Athena, revealed the true nature of the black flames consuming the Barbarian Fortress.

Andrew bit his lip hard.

‘What is this? Kim Shimun is supposed to be a mage. How can he wield a power akin to divine authority?’

Magic and divine energy may seem similar, but they are fundamentally different.

Magic is a study that harnesses various energies, like mana, according to specific formulas and knowledge.

‘Could he be from the Support class?’

Divine power, however, is the realm of high-level supports or Constellations. It’s a force that defies academic or scientific explanation; it’s the power of the gods.

The two orbs Kim Shimun threw contained such power.

Of course, ‘I can’t entirely be sure it’s divine energy.’

It was just an impression. Andrew couldn’t definitively confirm Kim Shimun’s power as divine. If it were truly divine energy, bashar wouldn’t have been able to contain it.

‘There was something slightly different about it compared to divine energy.’

How to describe it?

It felt like the divine energy of a high priest who doesn’t serve any god. Its form resembled divine energy, but its essence was different.

In other words, it felt like it lacked something to be truly considered divine energy.

And…

“Hah.”

Andrew let out a hollow laugh.

‘A high priest’s divine energy without a deity…’

It’s like a bun without filling, or earth without the sun; utterly nonsensical.

‘It’s probably beyond my current level to fully analyze this.’

No matter how advanced his SS-ranked trait and the support from Constellation Athena were, Kim Shimun likely possessed specs far beyond even that.

Either way, “We can’t just lie down and take this.”

Despite being overwhelmed by an incomprehensible power, they couldn’t just stay down.

“Kim Shimun must be in terrible condition after using such powerful spells twice. Bashar, please recover your condition as much as you can.”

“Yes, bashar. Your fire resistance didn’t work against his last spell. Rest up and be ready to help when he uses another fire spell.”

The bulky black man beside him, Ron, nodded, patting the exhausted Bashar on the shoulder.

“Ugh… understood.”

“Archers and mages, prepare for long-range attacks with me. We can’t give him any breathing room.”

“The walls are useless now. Fighters and assassins, join me at the front.”

Andrew and Ron took command of the situation seamlessly.

“Understood.”

“Hey! Tanks, stick with Ron!”

Around 80 players followed their orders naturally. Andrew and Ron were also promising talents of the world’s strongest guild, American Dream.

Apart from Bashar, there weren’t any players left who could match up to Andrew and Ron.

To be precise, ‘Everyone else was incinerated by Kim Shimun’s black flames…’

Andrew wore a bitter smile. How thrilled they were to see the initial match of 190 players. All familiar faces. Even those usually met only as opponents, whose skills they all acknowledged.

‘Talented individuals from South America, Africa, and Europe perished in an instant.’

Apart from Bashar, the only skilled player among the current 80 survivors was Ron, a promising talent from the same guild.

‘Still, he must have exhausted a lot of mana. He used such powerful spells twice, he can’t have much left.’

Unless he was a ranker from the Diamond tier, no matter how out-of-the-ordinary a talent Kim Shimun was, his mana pool would have its limits.

‘No matter how exceptional he might be, he only started Arena matches earlier this year.’

At most, he would be in the early to mid-100s level. Even if he had obtained various bonus stats, his mana stat couldn’t be that high. That’s what Andrew thought.

Screech!

A shrill scream tore through the sky.

“What is that?”

Looking up, Andrew’s brow furrowed deeply. There was a reason. Pale, emaciated bats flew into view.

“Bladewhisper Bats?”

The monsters known for their screeching, that could cut like blades, were flying in. And, “How many are there?”

“Why are Bladewhisper Bats here?”

In a swarm, no less.

‘Roughly counting, there must be nearly a hundred… where did so many come from all of a sudden?’

Watching the swarm of bats, Andrew’s eyes widened.

“Ki-Kim Shimun!”

Andrew’s sudden shout rang out.

“What?”

“Andrew, what do you mean—Oh!”

Players who had tilted their heads in confusion suddenly shouted in realization.

Then, “The monsters we saw in the National Tournament!”

“They’re Kim Shimun’s summons!”

“Shoot! Take them down now!”

The players, recognizing the monsters from the Platinum division of the National Tournament, hastily unleashed their prepared long-range attacks.

However,

Screech!!

The Bladewhisper Bats had already opened their mouths.

Wheee!

The sharp, cutting screeches filled the air.

One or two might have been manageable, but the combined screeches of over a hundred Bladewhisper Bats were overwhelming, even for Platinum-tier players.

“Ugh!”

“Ah, I’m dizzy!”

The players, struck by the ultrasonic waves, began to writhe.

“Damn it! What are the healers doing!”

“Give us some protection spells at least!”

The combat players staggered, shouting in frustration.

“We’re too dizzy to… ugh!”

“We can’t concentrate….”

The mages and support players, who needed to focus, found the situation even more debilitating. They were unable to react properly.

Fortunately, “Sonar Barrier.”

Andrew was not the top prospect of American Dream for nothing. With his SS-ranked trait activated, his blue eyes shone as he cast protective barriers over the area.

“Andrew, you’re the best!”

“Thank you!”

The players, freed from the ultrasonic waves, staggered and expressed their gratitude.

“Nice one, Andrew.”

Even at the forefront of the group, Ron, who had the least trouble maintaining his balance, gave a thumbs up. Andrew nodded, acknowledging his partner’s praise, but he remained pensive.

‘Why, exactly?’

His face remained clouded with uncertainty.

‘Kim Shimun can summon Felbats, can’t he?’

Felbats, which bombarded enemies with green acidic droplets from the sky, were among the most powerful bat-type monsters.

Even Diamond-tier necromancers favored them for sieges. But, ‘Why did he specifically summon Bladewhisper Bats?’

While their status ailments could disrupt even top Platinum-tier players, their actual attack power was negligible.

Why would he choose to summon them?

Suddenly, ‘Wait. There are only about a hundred Bladewhisper Bats?’

Andrew’s eyes widened. In the National Tournament, Kim Shimun had shown a total of 300 summoned monsters. But now, only about a hundred were visible.

‘Where are the remaining 200?’

Naturally, Andrew’s thoughts were filled with questions. And soon, he realized the answer.

A faint, yet unmistakable vibration that even someone of his high Platinum-tier sensitivity couldn’t miss.

Rumble Rumble.

He felt it beneath his feet.

‘No way!’

A chill ran down his spine. The warning from his gut.

“Everyone, get off the ground!!”

Andrew shouted a desperate warning while casting a levitation spell, but it was too late.

Only two players reacted to his call:

Ron, who had been at the front, and Bashar, who had somewhat recovered.

And then,

Boom!

“The ground!”

“Ahhh!”

Another hell exploded beneath them.

*

“Aaarrrgh!!”

“Screeech!”

Terror-filled screams echoed incessantly. Below those screams, the cause of such horror emerged:

Squirm, crunch.

Worm-like monsters covered in sharp thorns and fangs. The Gashmaws slithered like seaweed in the ocean. With around 300 of these worm monsters, the scene of them splitting the 80 remaining players among themselves was nothing short of a new level of hell.

And observing this entire spectacle in real time, the school-uniformed boy, ‘Amazing!’

Yuto’s eyes sparkled, his face flushed, and his fists clenched tightly.

‘The magic from before was impressive, but this synergy of monsters… I never imagined it!’

The Bladewhisper Bats, with low attack power but capable of causing status ailments, and the Gashmaws, with high attack power but less successful in ambushes, complemented each other, leaving only the strengths in their synergy, making them incredibly effective.

‘Even I would be in danger if caught in that combination.’

Yuto shuddered slightly, his thoughts interrupted by a voice near his ear.

“Yuto.”

It was Kim Shimun’s voice, calm but carrying an undertone of menace.

“That’s a lot of trouble I’ve caused you. I hope you’ll work with me to clean it up.”

Yuto turned to see Kim Shimun, his eyes burning with determination and a hint of satisfaction.

“Yuto, it’s time to go.”

A clear, distinct voice echoed. Yuto quickly turned to Kim Shimun.

“Yes?”

“It’s time to go.”

“Go where… exactly?”

“Where else? The Barbarian Fortress.”

Kim Shimun gestured nonchalantly toward the front. Yuto’s expression twisted slightly in puzzlement.

“There…?”

His voice was filled with confusion. And understandably so.

‘I don’t see why I even need to step in….’

Thanks to the surprise attack from the 300 Gashmaws emerging from the ground, the 80 surviving players had been torn to pieces and devoured by the monsters.

The absence of any more screams proved it. However, something in Kim Shimun’s casual tone made him reconsider.

“What, Yuto, are you scared of those bug monsters?”

Kim Shimun smirked.

“No, I’m not scared of bugs!”

Yuto quickly denied it.

“I just thought you had already dealt with the situation.”

“Oh.”

Kim Shimun let out a small sound of understanding and shook his head.

“No, three of them are still alive.”

“Still alive?”

There was no need for Kim Shimun to elaborate.

Boom!

Screech!

A loud explosion and the screams of Gashmaws echoed immediately. Blinking in slight surprise, Yuto’s expression turned even more peculiar.

“Did you leave them for me to deal with?”

“Hmm? No, not really.”

Kim Shimun denied it.

“… I see.”

Yuto’s expression remained strange as he looked at Kim Shimun.

With that same expression, he headed toward the half-destroyed, hellish Barbarian Fortress.

“Then I won’t hesitate.”

“Damn it!”

“Ron! Another wave is coming below!”

Rough curses came from within the broken fortress walls. Yuto calmly surveyed the scene inside the fortress.

‘It seems he wasn’t lying about not leaving them behind deliberately.’

Andrew, Ron, and even Bashar were undeniably skilled.

However,

Screeech!

Crunch.

Even the best could not easily escape the deadly combination of Bladewhisper Bats and Gashmaws.

“Just die already!”

“Damn it, how many more do we have to kill?!”

The three acknowledged rivals were fighting a desperate battle.

However, even they were struggling,

“Gah!”

“B-Bashar!”

“Damn it! Andrew, cover Bashar!”

Bashar’s fall worsened the situation.

“You…!”

“Kim Shi-muuun!!”

Recognizing Kim Shimun and Yuto, Andrew and Ron shouted angrily. But that was all.

“Well done. Now, rest.”

Swish.

With a swift, clean drawing of his blade, Yuto decapitated all three. Was it because the last three resistors disappeared?

Screech.

Rustle.

The broken Barbarian Fortress echoed with the cries of the remaining monsters. Kim Shimun approached Yuto, who was silently looking down at the corpses of the three fallen players.

“You did well, Yuto.”

“I only swung my sword once. It’s all thanks to you, Shimun.”

“No, those three were skilled enough to survive. You did your part too.”

“I just grabbed a piece of the pie…”

“No. You. Did.”

Kim Shimun firmly grasped Yuto’s shoulder.

“You did. Your part. So, ‘together’, we finished the Arena.”

Kim Shimun barely held back from telling Yuto to wake up to the situation, emphasizing the words ‘together’.

“Ki-Kim Shimun…”

Yuto’s usually calm and somewhat cold eyes filled with a touch of moisture.

“You really are…”

Yuto lowered his head, his lips trembling slightly.

“Yes, you’re right. We cleared the Arena together.”

He acknowledged and then raised his head.

“Thank you, Shimun. Truly, thank you.”

Yuto’s face, usually reserved, was now filled with a rare smile.

『You have completed the mission from the three Constellations.』

『You acquired 10,000 achievement points.』

As the mission completion window appeared before him,

“Yes, that’s the spirit.”

Kim Shimun also smiled warmly.

At that moment,

『The Barbarian Fortress has been partially destroyed.』

『The seal on the fortress has been broken.』

『Due to special conditions being met, the hidden boss “Nemea’s Young Lion” has appeared.』

Messages rapidly flashed before their eyes.

『Constellation Zeus widens his eyes.』

『Four other Constellations express their astonishment.』

Even the Constellations, including Zeus, were shocked beyond belief.

And for Kim Shimun, ‘Main Arena? Why is this showing up now?’

He was equally taken aback.