Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

– What’s going on? Why is he so shocked?

– Dunno. Why is he so surprised?

The chat exploded with curiosity over Kim Shimun’s shock. Understandably so.

– It’s rare to see that guy surprised.

– True.

– Isn’t it because of the hidden boss?

– Are you new here? He wouldn’t be this shocked over a hidden boss.

– Exactly, lol. Do you know how many hidden bosses Kim Shimun has taken down?

Kim Shimun had tackled many challenging Arenas before, and the viewers knew it well.

– Chill, maybe they don’t know!

– Watching the stream for a long time isn’t a badge of honor, lol.

– It’s amazing to see him surprised, especially after he crushed a 190 vs 1 siege.

– It was 190 vs 2. Didn’t you hear his convo with Yuto?

– Ah, yes…

– These guys are hilarious, lol.

The chat ignited naturally. But Kim Shimun had no time to glance at the blinking chat in one corner of his vision.

The reason was simple.

‘Nemea’s Lion Cub is a hidden boss leading to the Main Arena.’

Main Arena. Like a Special Arena, it could be accessed under specific conditions after a regular Arena.

However, as the name suggests, it was markedly different from a Special Arena.

Specifically,

『You can choose to forgo this hidden boss and conclude the Arena normally.』

『However, if you forfeit, “Nemea’s Lion Cub” and all related elements will never appear again in NO. 274 Earth.』

‘Just as I thought… only once per dimension.’

It’s a one-time challenge per dimension. And the associated elements will never appear again.

‘The same applies even if the Main Arena is failed.’

As expected,

『These conditions apply even if you fail to defeat the hidden boss “Nemea’s Lion Cub.”』

The message followed promptly.

Consequently, “We can’t pass on or fail this challenge…”

Even Yuto, who was usually composed, showed concern.

– What’s this nonsense now?

– This is why he was shocked, lol.

– Yeah, looks like it.

– Damn, those messages are intense. How can anyone even play Arena like this?

– Exactly, penalties for both forfeiting and failing. What are we supposed to do?

– OMG, penalty fees~

The viewers were equally alarmed by the situation. If they forfeited or failed to kill the hidden boss, this is a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.

– Isn’t it really risky?

– Right. If Kim Shimun tries and fails, he’s screwed.

– Every hater from all over Korea will mob him, saying he wasted a unique hidden piece.

– It’s not just Korea. It’s the entire Earth. The whole world would be in chaos.

– The whole world hating on me…? Oh shit!

The potential to face global criticism weighed heavily.

Feeling the pressure, “Kim Shimun, what should we do now?”

Even Yuto was nervously stammering.

“Give me a moment.”

Kim Shimun rested his chin on his hand, quietly staring at the system message floating before him. Everyone watched him intently.

– Scared?

– Lol, Kim Shimun is totally freaked out, haha.

– Makes sense. This seems different from the hidden bosses he’s faced before.

– Right. I’ve never seen a notification like that in my life, lol.

– Are we finally going to see Kim Shimun fail?

– Ah, I hope he bites the dust soon~~~

– It’s about time he gets knocked down a peg~.

Though filled with envy and inferiority, malicious comments flooded in, but that was all. Most of the audience was not swayed by the toxic messages.

– Lmao, nothing’s even started yet, and people are already freaking out.

– The haters are coming out in droves, huh? They see this as their golden opportunity.

– Wow, so many toxic newcomers—I bet they have no clue what kind of stream this is.

– Sister Goat! Please, lay down the law!

– Can we get some cleanup here, please?

– Prayers went out to the chat moderators, the revered ones among the viewers.

As if answering those prayers,

Black Goat: Got a problem? Then get lost, you bastards!

『Moderator ‘Black Goat’ has expelled user dlrjclaus.』

『Moderator ‘Black Goat’ has expelled user doehrwkdla.』

Odin: This is a critical moment. If you have no sense of timing… Get out!

『Moderator ‘Odin’ has expelled user tjfakdlrjteh.』

『Moderator ‘Baal’ has expelled user sorkwuTek.』

A cascade of expulsions ensued. With over 3 million viewers, the wave of expulsions didn’t stop.

– Everyone, hit the deck!

– Look at all the bans, lol.

– The moderators are really effective, haha.

– Black Goat! Please ban me too!

『Moderator ‘Black Goat’ has expelled user Goatee.』

Watching all this, the genuine viewers cheered.

Amidst the chaotic chat, ‘Capturing the hidden boss itself isn’t the issue…’

Kim Shimun repeatedly read the notifications.

‘It’s the fact that the Main Arena is appearing now, before the regular Arena season, that’s the problem.’

The regular Arena season wasn’t supposed to start until early next year, 2031. That was the information Kim Shimun knew from before his return.

Naturally, the Main Arena should start appearing next year as well. So why now?

Staring intently at the notification, Shimun thought,

‘Well, pondering this any longer won’t help.’

He sighed lightly and closed his eyes.

‘I noticed that even the top-ranked Constellations seemed unaware. It’s pointless for me to worry.’

The Constellations, even the higher-ranked ones, had been taken aback.

Moreover, ‘Judging by how the Constellations aren’t raising objections, it’s not a situation where I’d lose out.’

Though he didn’t have a direct sponsor, Shimun understood now.

If the conditions were against him, his five reliable backers watching over him would have intervened already.

But the Constellations were merely surprised, no one had raised objections to the Galaxy Arena.

Most importantly, ‘If I defeat it, I can proceed to the Main Arena, Nemea’s Lion’. This wasn’t just any hidden boss, but one leading directly to the Main Arena. An event he’d miss out on if it appeared for another player.

‘Such a rare opportunity has come knocking; I can’t let it pass.’

Kim Shimun glanced at Yuto, who was likely looking at the chat window with a nervous expression.

“Yuto.”

“Yes, Shimun.”

“Let’s proceed with this.”

Yuto paused momentarily before responding.

“Alright. It doesn’t seem like an ordinary hidden boss… but since the penalties are the same whether we try and fail or give up, we might as well go for it.”

Yuto nodded slightly. In Yuto, Shimun saw a reflection of his younger brother, Shihyuk, during his childhood.

“Don’t be too tense. Just relax.”

Kim Shimun smiled warmly, patting Yuto on the shoulder.

Then, “We will take down the hidden boss.”

As Kim Shimun confirmed to the system,

『The hidden boss “Nemea’s Lion Cub” has appeared.』

Boom.

A powerful tremor shook the ground.

*

Japan’s top-rank prodigy, often called a genius, Yuto, found his mouth slightly agape.

“Uh… Kim Shimun.”

“What?”

“Didn’t it say ‘Nemea’s Lion Cub’?”

“It did.”

“Then how on earth…”

Yuto couldn’t finish his sentence, but his bewilderment was clear. It was understandable. In the cracked center of the Barbarian Fortress,

Rumble.

A cage emerged, within it, a lion with a magical restraint around its neck.

Growl.

Showing its large fangs and growling. Even a rough visual estimate showed it to be the size of a small apartment building. Every step of the lion caused a minor quake,

Thud. Thud.

As it paced within its cage.

Unlike the horrified Yuto, Kim Shimun’s eyes sparkled as he examined the Nemea’s Lion Cub.

“Wow.”

With its splendid golden fur and size akin to a small apartment, it had the form of a maneless lioness.

‘It looks just like what I saw in my past life.’

Kim Shimun remembered every detail about the main Arenas since each one was crucial. Especially the details about Nemea’s Lion, the reason was simple.

‘In my past life, it was Malsuk who completed Nemea’s Lion.’

Heavenly Demon Go Malsuk, who stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother Kim Shihyuk and the Spear King Zhang Liqiu, was the player who cleared Nemea’s Lion, the main Arena.

‘It felt like winning the World Cup or the Olympics.’

Go Malsuk had many enemies due to his unpredictable and self-centered nature, but when clearing Nemea’s Lion, the entire world of players cheered together.

It was understandable.

‘The penalties for failing the main Arena are unimaginable.’

Most notably, ‘The severance of connections with related Constellations is particularly devastating.’

There was a severance of ties with Constellations.

‘It means a reduction in Constellations sponsoring Earth, and players who had Constellations as their backers losing those connections.’

The impact of this was substantial. From the loss of power in Outbreaks or high-risk Arenas to dimension-related buffs, the disappearance of powerful players led to various areas suffering damage.

Just the severance from Constellations had such repercussions.

However, the high-level items and quests branching from the Main Arena, losing all of them?

‘It would repeat the fate of Earth from my past life.’

An Earth where only China and the United States persisted, barely holding onto their territories. It was due to multiple failed Main Arenas, leading to significant damage.

Growl!

A more threatening growl from the lion cub broke Kim Shimun’s thoughts. Kim Shimun’s eyes grew even calmer as he looked at the lion cub.

Fortunately, ‘A lion cub of this level is manageable with my current specs.’

Even though it was a hidden boss related to the Main Arena, it was still within his capabilities to handle. It just required some time.

“Yuto.”

“Yes.”

Luckily, Shimun had someone to buy him that time.

“I’ll send the remaining monsters to assist you. Stall it for just five minutes.”

“Leave it to me.”

Yuto nodded and stepped forward.

Screech!

Rustle.

The remaining Bladewhisper Bats and Gashmaws followed him. Kim Shimun closed his eyes immediately.

Shhh.

An unknown energy began to surge around him. Yuto glanced back at Kim Shimun and then gripped his sword hilt firmly.

“I was feeling uneasy about just getting a free ride. This works perfectly.”

Unlike the calm demeanor he had when talking with Kim Shimun, Yuto’s eyes now sharpened as if they could cut through steel.

“I’ll show my true worth this time. Viewers, please watch closely.”

His gaze was deadly enough to tear apart Nemea’s Lion Cub.

In response to Yuto’s fierce determination,

– Oh! Go, Yuto!

– We believed in you!

– Yuto-kun! Do your best!

Various supportive messages poured in from Yuto’s chat. Yuto smiled slightly at the encouragement before launching himself forward.

Swish.

Moving smoothly like a snake swimming through water, Yuto’s swift movements brought him right up to the lion cub outside its cage.

Slash.

His sword, drawn at an incredible speed, shimmered with a bluish haze. A thin line trailed from its tip to the lion cub’s front ankle.

“First, the front paw.”

His voice was cold. Turning back, Yuto smirked slightly.

Or rather, he tried to.

Growl.

‘I cut it with sword ki, and it’s unscathed?’

Yuto’s eyes quickly regained their composure as he observed the undamaged front paw of the lion cub.

“Indeed, a hidden boss like no other.”

Nodding thoughtfully, he sheathed his sword once more.

“My apologies. Let’s do this properly this time.”

His eyes grew even sharper, ready for another strike.

With a swift motion, Yuto moved much faster and more gracefully than before.

Bang.

Even before reaching the cub’s front paw, he swung his sword.

“Slash Strike.”

Hummm.

A clear and sharp blue light,

so cold it seemed to bite the air, extended from the drawn blade.

More than just sword ki, it was a high-level embodiment of aura—sword force.

Shuuuck!

A sharp slicing sound brushed past the lion cub’s front ankle. Even Yuto’s keen eyes showed a flicker of surprise. The heavy sensation felt through the hilt was reminiscent of striking a rock with a bare blade.

‘It cut through.’

But it was also a sign that he had effectively slashed his opponent.

‘No matter how extraordinary a hidden boss, it should lose one leg at least.’

Humm.

Yuto turned the sword force into a sword shield, stepping back cautiously. Preparing for an imminent spray of blood. However, Yuto’s movements came to an abrupt halt.

The reason was clear. Instead of red blood, soft golden fur gently scattered before his eyes.

Swish.

And then, a low rumble resonated above, emanating from the lion cub.

Growl.

Its slightly upturned lips made it seem as if it were smirking.

“This can’t be…”

Yuto found it hard to gather his thoughts. Understandably so.

‘I used sword force and Slash Strike, yet there’s no damage?’

His best attack given his current level, an all-out effort to cut through, had left the lion cub’s front ankle with only a slight displacement of fur.

Not a drop of blood had been shed. From above Yuto’s head, a dark shadow loomed.

Swish.

And then, a massive paw came crashing down.

Boom!