Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

The capital of Ukraine, Kiev. Upon arriving there, Shimun and his party were greeted.

“Welcome. First, please review the mercenary contract and confidentiality agreement….”

After stopping by Ukraine’s Awakener Association to complete several procedures as mercenaries, they immediately boarded a military airship with several other mercenaries.

Was it made by production awakeners using Arena materials?

“It’s really fast.”

“Right? Had no idea airships could go this fast.”

The enormous airship boasted considerable speed. Although the mercenaries, including Kim Shimun’s party, were heading towards the outbreak location, they gazed out the window with somewhat excited eyes.

Kim Shimun, too, didn’t leave his seat and watched the scenery outside the window.

‘It’s definitely different from what I saw in my previous life.’

The landscape outside was mesmerizing. As one of the largest grain producers in the world, with wheat fields even featured on the national flag, the vast golden fields swayed gently under the sunlight.

‘Beautiful.’

Just watching the extensive wheat fields swaying in the breeze made his heart feel at ease. Of course, it couldn’t be compared to the realm of Shimdrasil, but there was something uniquely picturesque about it, something that came from its vastness and abundance.

At the same time, ‘This is why they became a target.’

A wave of bitterness washed over him. He recalled the Chernozem incident he had seen on the news in his past life, and how Ukraine looked a few years later.

‘It was a land of death. Just that.’

The memories were still vivid before his eyes.

However, ‘This time will be different.’

As it had always been, things would turn out differently this time as well.

Breaking Kim Shimun’s reverie, a voice reached his ears.

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

It was Go Malsuk, the only one seated besides Kim Shimun, while the others were busy sightseeing out the window.

“What’s up?”

When Kim Shimun blinked and asked, Go Malsuk hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Why did you accept my request?”

“Request? Oh, you mean coming to Ukraine together?”

Go Malsuk nodded silently. Kim Shimun chuckled.

“You said you wanted to come along, didn’t you?”

“…Is that it?”

“Well, it was also welcome for me. You’re a Platinum rank, but your actual level is Diamond, isn’t it?”

It was a Platinum-ranked outbreak. In times when even a Diamond-ranked awakener was needed, why would he refuse someone offering to come along?

Finally…

‘She was unusually angry.’

Since Rin relayed the news about Ukraine, Go Malsuk had been exceptionally emotional. Of course, given her famous temper, known to many as “Miss X-Baal”, no one else noticed anything peculiar.

But, ‘There’s something.’

Kim Shimun could sense it.

‘Something I didn’t even know about in my past life.’

There was something unknown, even to him, her only friend in her previous life. That was partly why he readily accepted her request.

Yet Go Malsuk, unaware of his thoughts, could only trust what Kim Shimun was saying.

“You little punk! Does that mean you finally acknowledge this nuna’s skills?”

Kim Shimun responded, “I’ve never doubted your skills.”

“…Is that so?”

Go Malsuk averted her eyes with an awkward expression.Kim Shimun, noticing her reaction, thought, ‘Why is she acting like that all of a sudden?’

He knew this was a behavior she often displayed when feeling both embarrassed and pleased.

‘Women… they’ll always be a mystery.’

He could only shake his head at her unpredictable nature. Then, “Wait. Is Malsuk even a woman?”

Thinking it was too absurd of a notion, he inadvertently muttered this aloud.

“…What did you just say, you jerk?!”, Go Malsuk’s emotions, which had been sky-high, plummeted instantly.

*

The Dnipro River, slicing through Ukraine’s capital city of Kiev.

The eastern region of this river is Ukraine’s agricultural heartland, responsible for about 47% of the country’s wheat production.

Naturally, it should have been an area showcasing an expanse of golden, swaying wheatfields in all their beauty.

However, “There are too many damned skeletons!”

“Over here! Zombies are circling this way!”

“Give us some air support! The wraiths are going crazy!”

The reality was different.

“Damn it! Arrows and spells are raining down!”

“Move the injured quickly!”

These were the familiar sounds you’d always hear in large-scale Arena matches.

However, “Shit! Don’t skimp on barriers! If someone gets injured, it’ll cost us more!”

“Which idiot cast area-of-effect spells like that?!”

“Those abyss morons should just focus on support!!”

The players fighting the outbreak monsters were more on edge than ever. It was understandable. This wasn’t an Arena match; it was real.

Thus, “Argh, kgh!”

“Ahhh!”

Misfired arrows and stray spells, attacks that would just result in elimination in the Arena, in reality, claimed lives.

Even the seasoned participants, who risked their lives, could only survive if they had the necessary survival skills.

“Nastia! No!”

“Brother! Get up! I said get up!”

In reality, only the silence of the dead and the screams of the living remained. And then, “Hmm….”

An East Asian man, watching this life-and-death struggle through multiple screens, shrugged his shoulders and turned away.

“This just doesn’t taste right.”

He muttered, discontentedly.

“We poured in so many sacrifices to elevate it to Platinum rank, and yet the death toll is just this?”

Ukraine had a solid player base below the Platinum rank. As a result, even a Platinum Outbreak had few casualties in the region’s lockdown and external battles.

Especially.

Hwaaa—

A noble, pure white light. Contrary to her pristine and beautiful appearance, the woman, “Ugh, such a rotten smell.”

Boom!

With strength rivaling that of the Green Skins, she was massacring the undead.

“And of course, brute strength alone….”

Slash.

The man, with a crisp appearance unlike his lethality, was slicing nearly a hundred enemies with a single strike, showcasing exceptional prowess. The East Asian man watching their performance laughed sarcastically.

He couldn’t help it.

“The Unbreakable Saintess and the Sword Saint….”

These two, Yujeong and Kim Shihyuk, were top-ranked players in South Korea, even contending globally. Their appearance was entirely unexpected.

“Why on earth did those two come here?”

With a puzzled look, the East Asian man turned around.

In the distance,

Hissss….

A menacing aura of dark green and grey blended together. The aura, eerie and ominous, was no longer just concentrated but spreading outward.

Rustle.

The wheat fields of the area, known as “God’s Gift” or the “Golden Plains”, were crumbling within seconds. At the center stood a black man with ashen hair.

“Kamisato Haruto, what did you just say?”

Malik opened his closed eyes and asked again.

“I asked why those two came here.”

The East Asian man, Kamisato Haruto, repeated his earlier question. At that, Malik turned his gaze to the screen Haruto was indicating. The pure white divine energy and the unseen sword strikes.

It was a combat scene recognizable by any top-ranked player.

“Hmm. Yujeong and Kim Shihyuk, huh.”

Malik muttered quietly as he watched the screen. Haruto, in an annoyed tone, asked Malik, “Malik, didn’t you say everything was settled with the Ukrainian government?”

“Indeed, it was. We extracted the souls of most political figures and replaced them with banshees.”

“But what are those two? Why are they, Korean rankers, here?”

“I really don’t know.”

Malik shook his head from side to side.

“We can’t just wipe out the entire political world. So, we compromised by hiring mercenaries from the black market.”

“Are you seriously suggesting those two participated in the black market’s mercenary recruitment?”

“Is there any other reason they would be here?”

“…”

Haruto’s face twisted incredulously as he pursed his lips. And for good reason.

“Do you think that’s something a sane person would do? Why would top-ranked rankers, who are doing well for themselves, ever work as mercenaries in a place like this?”

They were among the most successful rankers currently active. And yet, here they were, participating in an outbreak in a foreign country, not even their own, risking their lives.

But, “I can’t fathom it either, but do we have any other explanation?”

“There’s that, but still….”

Malik’s words were simple but persuasive, leaving Haruto at a loss for a rebuttal.

A hint of annoyance spread across Malik’s usually blank face.

“We’re already busy as hell. Don’t bother me with useless crap. I might just kill you first.”

Though his tone was harsh as always, the current environment created a clear distinction in power even among core members of the organization.

“Sorry, Malik. It’s just too out of the blue.”

Haruto tactfully stepped back without pushing further.

Following this, “Sir Malik, a message from Lady Marlina. The formation in the area will be completed in 10 minutes.”

A robed figure beside them reported.

“Good.”

Malik nodded and looked at Haruto.

“Haruto? Anyway, those two will eventually enter the outbreak zone.”

“Of course. No matter how well they fend off monsters, if they don’t eliminate the core, the outbreak continues.”

“And inside, it’s your playground, isn’t it? Handle it with your usual chaos.”

Concluding his words, Malik turned around immediately, heading towards the concentrated ominous energy.

“This refined dimensional ability being called chaos. That hurts, you know?”

Haruto’s voice followed after him, but that was all. It seemed he hadn’t expected a response anyway.

“Heh! Still, he’s not wrong.”

Chuckling to himself, “Guess I’ll head to the ‘Edge’ too.”

Swish.

He melted away into the space without leaving a trace.

***

Thousands, tens of thousands of undead continuously swarming.

Fortunately, “It’s time to switch the tankers!”

“Healers, rotate in intervals!”

“Supplies have arrived! If you’re late, there won’t be any enchanted weapons!”

Thanks to Ukraine’s solid mid-to-low-tier players, they were holding their own against the pouring undead hordes.

“There are so many of them.”

“Tell me about it.”

Due to the contributions of mercenaries, including Yujeong and Kim Shihyuk, the damage from the outbreak hadn’t spread beyond the area.

‘At least, not yet.’

“Presiden, if we keep up this battle of attrition, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”

Nikita, the only ranker in Ukraine, with black hair and pale skin, looked worriedly at the president.

“Hmm, indeed, that seems to be the case.”

Ukraine’s Awakener Association president, Aleksandrovich Kozlov, stroked his bushy beard.

“But you are the country’s only ranker. We can’t send you alone.”

“President, I am not alone. I already have the members of the separate unit….”

“Nikita. Do you not understand what I am saying?”

Kozlov cut off Nikita’s words. Even though Nikita knew well what Kozlov’s words and gaze implied, “…We are not that weak.”

He could only mumble a rebuttal in a small voice.

“I know. I’m not underestimating the country’s high-tier players.”

Kozlov flashed a gentle smile at Nikita.

“But remember, you are the country’s only ranker. Please treasure yourself more.”

Perhaps due to this advice from Kozlov, a first-generation named player, “I was being hasty. I apologize.”

Nikita took a step back with a much calmer expression.

“Hmm. However, as you said, we must eliminate the core inside to end this outbreak.”

An outbreak. Unless the core inside is dealt with, monsters would continue pouring out of the dimensional rift.

Of course, if they kept killing them as they came out, there were cases where the monsters inside the rift could eventually dry up.

‘Ending it without dealing with the core only happens up to the Silver rank at most.’

Unfortunately, it was something that had never happened in a Platinum-ranked outbreak.

‘Maybe the U. S. or China could do it. But with our forces, holding out like that would be tough.’

Even the current frontline was being maintained with the help of mercenaries, specifically Yujeong and Kim Shihyuk’s participation.

‘In the end, we do need to send an internal team to eliminate the core….’

As the president of the Awakener Association, Kozlov knew Ukraine’s Awakener forces better than anyone.

‘If we send only our players, even if we eliminate the core, we’ll be left with nothing but wounds.’

In the worst case, they could lose the few high-tier players they had.

Grit.

The sound of grinding teeth emerged between his wrinkled lips.

‘Damn government fools! While the nation’s talents are dying, who cares about the country’s dignity!’

Kozlov clenched his fists tightly, cursing the idiots in the government, but that was all he could do.

“Sigh….”

For now, the outbreak before their eyes took priority. He steadied his breath and collected his emotions.

Moreover, was there really no way out?

“Aah! Night Hunter, come in. It’s been a long time.”

“Long time no see, Mr. Kozlov.”

Kozlov warmly welcomed a rough-looking East Asian man who entered the command post with open arms.

***

“It’s truly been a long time, Shimun-nim.”

A school uniform that doesn’t fit the battlefield swarming with undead. But the refined appearance and attire of the young boy match perfectly as he bows his head.

Kim Shimun gazed at the boy who greeted him with slightly surprised eyes. And for good reason.

“Yuto?”

The boy before him was someone who shouldn’t have been here.

“Why have you come here?”

“There’s nothing like risking one’s life in actual combat to become stronger.”

“Well, that may be true, but….”

Kim Shimun blinked. Risking one’s life at such a young age seemed somewhat reckless, didn’t it?

Moreover, Yuto was an up-and-coming prospect, set to become Japan’s next ranker. However, Yuto seemed indifferent to such concerns.

“Besides, although I was slower than you, I, too, have been promoted to Diamond.”

He continued, speaking in a clear and tidy voice.

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Yes. I watched your Diamond debut match with great admiration… but did you see my promotion match by any chance?”

Somehow, Yuto’s pristine eyes seemed to sparkle more than usual.

‘It’s hard to say I didn’t watch it….’

What else could he say?

It wasn’t an official Arena promotion match, and he didn’t have the luxury of following broadcasts of promising talents from other countries.

With a slightly troubled expression, Shimun shook his head.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see it. I was busy with my debut match and everything.”

“I see. It’s fine. A strong person seldom pays attention to those weaker than themselves.”

Yuto answered with a bright smile. Although his words could easily be misunderstood, his straightforward and sincere expression made his intention clear.

Kim Shimun, knowing a bit about Yuto’s character, simply accepted his greeting.

“Anyway, nice to see you.”

At that moment, “Kim Shimun-nim!”

A deep voice came from behind.

“The talk with the president is concluded.”

It was Jinwook, the Night Hunter.

Following him,

“Hyung, we are done.”

“Orabeoni.”

Taking a break, Kim Shihyuk and Yujeong also followed him in.

“As you expected, the Ukrainian side wants us to join the internal team for the outbreak.”

“Of course they would.”

Kim Shimun nodded at Jinwook’s report.

‘They wouldn’t expect rankers to join from the start.’

No matter how much money was offered, it’s extremely rare for rankers to work as mercenaries.

Moreover, it was a Platinum-grade outbreak. Even rankers could risk their lives.

“So, as you suggested, except for Yujeong, everyone agreed to join the internal team….”

Jinwook trailed off, and his gaze landed on Yuto, who stood awkwardly next to Kim Shimun.

“Ah, he’s fine.”

Kim Shimun waved his hand dismissively.

“So, did you rewrite the contract?”

“Of course. As you suggested, we included a clause stating that the president will use his authority to help with any request.”

“You’ve done well.”

Blocking something is one thing, but you should receive what you deserve. Nodding with satisfaction, Shimun looked at his party.

“Then everyone except Yujeong, join the internal team and handle the core.”

“Wait, you’re not coming?”

“Hyung, why is Yujeong the only one excluded?”

Asked Go Malsuk and Kim Shihyuk almost immediately.

“Explaining will take too long. Just do as I say.”

“No, hyung!”

“Enough. Honestly, Shihyuk, you alone are more than enough for the internal mission. Including Yujeong would be overkill.”

“That might be true… but isn’t that the same for me?”

It seemed Kim Shihyuk thought it was unfair that Yujeong appeared to be getting a break, and he expressed his discontent openly.

“Yujeong has a separate task to handle. That’s why.”

Kim Shimun lightly quelled his younger brother’s complaints.

“A task?”

“Yeah. It might even be more dangerous than the internal team.”

“…There’s something, isn’t there.”

Kim Shihyuk’s face darkened immediately, as did the others in the group. Kim Shimun continued to speak calmly.

“That’s why it’s important for you to finish the internal mission as quickly as possible. That’s why I’m also sending Malsuk and Jinwook.”

“Alright, I understand.”

“Be careful, Shimun-nim.”

Even without further explanation, the group nodded understandingly without questioning. Kim Shimun smiled warmly at them.

“That being said, don’t rush. Who knows what dangers lie inside.”

In his past life, the outbreak had been Silver rank, not Platinum. There was a high possibility of unexpected variables.

At Kim Shimun’s warning, “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“…Be cautious.”

“Then we’ll be off, Shimun-nim.”

The three nodded and started walking towards the outbreak.

“This… feels like I’ve just heard something really big.”

Yuto, who had been quiet, finally spoke up.

“Unfortunately, I also volunteered for the internal team. So, I won’t be able to stay with you, Shimun-nim.”

“It’s alright. It might just be an old man’s unnecessary worry.”

“Haha! Is that so?”

Yuto suddenly burst into laughter.

“Though I don’t have much Arena experience with you, for some reason, I feel like your intuition is never wrong.”

He then answered, “Then I’ll also try to finish as quickly as possible. Ah, I won’t worry about you. After all, you’re strong.”

He turned and walked towards the outbreak. It seemed Ukraine also prepared an internal team, as the frontlines started to falter,

“Why aren’t they dying as fast?”

“It’s because the high-rankers pulled back!”

“Stop talking and kill more monsters.”

“Everyone focus your fire! Concentrate!”

The once stable frontline gradually began to be pushed back. Seeing this, Shimun said, “Yujeong, I’ll help out here, so you can rest and drink this.”

He handed her a potion filled with a white liquid from his inventory and started moving.

“No, let me come with you, orabeoni.”

Yujeong quickly downed the potion and followed Kim Shimun.

“I told you to rest.”

“The potion you gave me is very effective, and anyway, I didn’t expend much energy since they’re only intermediate undead.”

Yujeong proudly patted her body and walked ahead. Undead at mid to lower levels wouldn’t pose much of a problem for a Saintess like her. Knowing full well that she was worried about him, Shimun said,

“Fine, come along. But remember what I said earlier, right? Save your strength as much as possible.”

“Of course. I’m curious, after all. What could makes orabeoni uneasy?”

“…I’m not particularly uneasy.”

“Hehe. Is that so?”

Exchanging trivial jokes, they joined the frontlines.

Smash.

Crash!

Matching Yujeong’s pace, they swept through the undead, stabilizing the frontlines.

About ten minutes later, from not too far away,

Swaaaa!

“What is that?”

“Why is there suddenly this ominous energy….”

A dark green and grey aura suddenly surged into the sky.