Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

In a bar that might have been trendy a few decades ago. It seemed to have been modified somehow, with spacious seating areas, none of which were lit up.

“He’s late.”

“He’s probably exhausted from using all his power again.”

Various voices emerged from several seats.

Then,

Creak.

The door inside the bar opened,

“Ugh! I’m so stiff.”

An Asian man who just entered stretched his neck as he walked into the bar. Despite the dim light that barely showed any outlines,

“Wow~ Quite a crowd gathered without my escort? Is this a first since the organization’s founding?”

The Asian man acted as if he could clearly see the people there.

“Your oily chatter is the same as ever, Kamisato. You weren’t even a founding member, so what do you know?”

An irritable female voice was heard not far away.

“Oh~ Our madam is feeling slighted. Being a second-generation member still makes me an early member, right?”

Haruto, with exaggerated movements, took out a bottle of whiskey from the bar, “Members come and go so quickly in this organization.”

He let out a laugh that was almost a sneer.

Then,

Whizz!

A long, sharp metal object flew through the air.

But as if he had expected it, “Tsk, so aggressive.”

Haruto, pouring a drink, gestured with his empty hand.

Hum.

The long metal object that had been aimed at his neck was now stuck in mid-air.

To be exact,

Crash!

It was lodged in the opposing side of the bar, having crossed through the gap in space that Haruto created.

“You’re treating a survivor like this?”

Haruto, having finished pouring his drink, swirled the glass with a smirk.

“If member turnover is so quick, why even bother coming back? You should’ve died in Ukraine.”

The owner of the long metal object, Madam, shot harsh words at him.

“Calm down, Madam. If I die, the organization can’t function. Don’t say such things.”

Haruto maintained his signature smile to the bitter end, which seemed to be extremely annoying.

“You damn bastard!”

Madam, as she was called, stood up from her seat. Not just standing,

Roar.

The air itself seemed to quiver with her intense killing intent, but that was as far as it went.

“Enough.”

A cold and deep voice immediately dissipated the intense atmosphere. The same went for Haruto’s dimensional ability that blocked Madam’s metal object. The man with the deep voice continued speaking slowly.

“Our plan failed, and we lost Malik. Right now, it’s not the time for petty squabbles but for dealing with the situation first.”

“Exactly, exactly! That’s why having a mid-rank boss is great.”

“Acting boss, Haruto. Get the title right.”

“Yeah, yeah. Same difference.”

Haruto gave a playful salute with a mischievous gesture. Unlike the woman who had been called Madam earlier, the man didn’t seem to be affected by Haruto’s attitude.

“The boss is very concerned about this incident. Losing Malik, who was in charge of human sacrifices, is bad enough, but we also lost the patron Constellation.”

He continued speaking calmly.

“Even with the reduction in sacrificial support, the situation is not looking good.”

“What’s new? The Continental had been cutting back support for their experiments for a while now. Just ask American Dream for more.”

“Even American Dream has said they will stop their support because of this incident, Haruto.”

“Eh? Really?”

Haruto widened his eyes in surprise.

“I don’t know the details, but apparently, it has raised issues that need addressing.”

“What, so we won’t be getting any support until that’s resolved?”

“Correct. Since self-sufficiency is too risky, human sacrifices are banned for now.”

“No way! So where are we supposed to get our specs from?”

“There’s always the arena. Go and compete there.”

The acting boss spoke firmly.

“Ugh! Go through all that trouble and get tiny rewards in return? That’s a headache.”

Haruto sighed deeply and shook his head. Then, “Hey, can’t I just bring in 100 people on my own?”

The woman called Madam asked in a slightly suggestive tone.

“If I offer just a bit more, I can rent mythic-grade artifacts. Eh?”

“Sorry, but that’s not possible. We don’t even have sacrifices to send to the boss right now.”

“Damn it! Then why not take someone else’s?”

“Madam, this is already decided. All member activities are suspended for now.”

“Damn it!”

Madam cursed outright. However, the man with the deep voice didn’t pay any attention to her.

“Haruto, when will you recover?”

He asked, turning to Haruto.

“I’m not sure…since I messed with both dimensions and time this time, and human sacrifices are banned, it’ll take a while.”

“Time? You mean you used the power of the Edge?”

The man showed some surprise at Haruto’s reply. Haruto nodded with a sly grin.

“I didn’t want to use it either, but against the Sword Saint, there was no choice.”

“Well, there was also the Saintess outside….”

The man trailed off for a moment.

Then, “Those two rankers are one thing, but my attention is caught elsewhere.”

“You mean Kim Shimun?”

“Yes.”

The faint outline of the man nodded.

“As the boss has repeatedly mentioned, every time our operations go wrong, that guy is involved.”

As soon as he finished speaking.

Boom!

A loud explosion erupted from one side. In any other place, such a sudden blast would have caused alarm.

“Mo’Gadam, this is a spot the boss cherishes. You might get scolded if you keep breaking things.”

Haruto and the others inside the bar showed no signs of disturbance. Then, a middle-aged Arab man emerged from the wreckage.

“Shut up, Kamisato.”

Mo’Gadam growled at Haruto before turning his gaze to the acting boss.

“Acting boss, I will handle Kim Shimun’s elimination.”

“Calm down, Mo’Gadam. I never said I would eliminate Kim Shimun. I merely…”

“Merely?”

“I just feel he might be worth meeting.”

One of Mo’Gadam’s eyebrows arched.

“Why? You know better than anyone the damage he’s done to the organization.”

“That’s precisely why.”

“What do you mean… I see. You think he might have our internal information, so you plan to interrogate him?”

“That’s just the boss’s conjecture. Besides, Haruto, you said you saw him face Quetzalcoatl, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Haruto nodded.

“I saw him from a distance while fleeing, but I clearly saw him facing Quetzalcoatl’s descent.”

“And yet, we failed this time. As the boss predicted, Kim Shimun must have something up his sleeve.”

“Indeed, even if it was an incomplete descent, it was still a Constellation. Yet, Quetzalcoatl ended up being expelled.”

Listening to their conversation, Mo’Gadam asked with fierce eyes,

“So, when do we catch him?”

“We’re waiting for the right moment. If our predictions are correct, an opportunity will arise soon.”

“I’ll take care of it then. Interrogation, too.”

“Don’t worry, Mo’Gadam. I’ll make sure you get involved.”

The man who said that looked at Haruto.

“Haruto, there are some remaining sacrifices. I’ll allocate them to you specifically. Recover as quickly as possible.”

“Kyaa~ As expected, you can’t do without me.”

Haruto exclaimed in delight.

However, behind his playful demeanor, “Oh, and acting boss. Even if it’s less efficient, can I handle the sacrifices myself? It’ll help relieve the stress.”

His eyes were full of cruel intent.

—

Incheon International Airport.

The return of the Shimdrasil members who participated in the Ukrainian incident should have made it bustling.

“Just one question. Just one!”

“This is excessive repression!”

“It’s violating the public’s right to know!”

Journalists were lined up outside the airport, showering it with protests. The reason was simple.

“Even the Awakener Association doesn’t have the right to do this!”

“What? Government approval?! How…”

“Wait, even the police are here!”

The Awakener Association, along with police forces, had completely blocked the journalists from entering. As a result, the airport was entirely off-limits except for travelers and staff.

“Good thing we contacted them in advance.”

Shimun, who successfully returned quietly, walked out of the airport gate with a satisfied look. His younger brother, Kim Shihyuk, walking alongside, “Indeed, power is nice in times like these.”

Seemed to be more relaxed and smiling more brightly than usual, freed from prying eyes. Shimun playfully glanced at his brother.

“If it’s so nice, you should start preparing to be the association president. I’ll back you up.”

“I-I mean hypothetically. How could I take that position? I’m too young!”

Kim Shihyuk seemed genuinely distressed by the idea.

“Stop pretending to be young. Just admit you want to enjoy yourself more.”

“… Honestly, I do want to have more fun. Brother, I’m only 24.”

“You punk.”

Shimun chuckled at his brother’s response and then looked over his shoulder.

There,

“…”

“…”

Two women of contrasting allure quietly followed. Both had their usual expressions, but Shimun could sense something was off.

‘Is something wrong?’

Yujeong and Go Malsuk.

Shimun could tell their moods were low.

‘They don’t seem to be hurt…’

Even if they were, Yujeong, as a Saintess, would have already healed them. His brows furrowed slightly in confusion.

“Shimun.”

A businesslike voice broke his thoughts.

Turning his head.

“Then I’ll take my leave here.”, Olivia, who had exited the gate with them, was bidding farewell.

Shimun asked, puzzled.

“Olivia, are you just leaving? Why don’t you join us for dinner or something for a debrief?”

“Yeah, Denson. Have a drink with us. We have some good stuff.”

Kim Shihyuk nodded and joined in.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have other matters to attend to.”

Olivia shook her head, her eyes slightly softened.

“What do you have to do? Senior Jinwook is taking care of everything in Ukraine.”

“I appreciate that. If the Night Hunter arrives, please pass on my regards.”

True to her nature, Olivia’s refusal was clean and resolute. Still, there seemed to be a bit of reluctance.

“Still…”

“Shihyuk.”

Before his brother could insist further, Shimun intervened. Kim Shihyuk relented with a sigh. Shimun offered a slightly embarrassed smile.

“Sorry about him. He really loves his drinking sessions.”

“No need to apologize. I regret not being able to join since the invitation comes with good intentions.”

Then suddenly, Olivia added, “And even though I joined late and couldn’t be of much help…”

She extended her hand to Shimun.

“It was an honor to stand with you in preventing the catastrophe.”

Caught off guard by the sudden gesture, Shimun looked at her extended hand for a moment.

“You’re too modest. Your help in holding them at the altar was immense.”

He clasped her hand. Thanks to Olivia, who had single-handedly stormed the altar maintained by the Brotherhood of Death, the ritual couldn’t proceed.

The outcome might not have changed without her, but her contribution was significant nonetheless. Thanks to Olivia, the scale of Chernozem’s devastation was considerably reduced, which was an undeniable fact.

Maybe because she sensed Shimun’s sincere gratitude,

“… Thank you for your kind words.”

Olivia smiled warmly, a rare sight. Yet for some reason, although it was a warm smile, “I’m glad my actions weren’t in vain.”

It appeared somehow sorrowful to Shimun.

Then, “Yujeong.”

“Yes.”

Olivia turned to Yujeong, standing beside Shimun.

“There is a clear difference between a hero and a villain in their means. Please remember that.”

She abruptly uttered what seemed like an out-of-place remark. However, “… I’ll keep that in mind.”

Despite smiling, Yujeong’s reply held an oddly peculiar tone.

‘Did something happen between them?’

Shimun intuited that something transpired between the two. After briefly observing Yujeong, Olivia turned again, “Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

In her signature precise manner, she bowed and departed.

“No senior around now, so I’ll hog all the good liquor tonight.”

“Quit your nonsense, I’m here too.”

“Sure. Kim Shihyuk, I’m here as well.”

“Fine, let’s say Malsuk drinks, but Yujeong, you too?”

“Yeah, I feel like… I need to drink tonight.”

As the group conversed, ‘Stopping the outbreak alone so suddenly… Could it be…?’

Shimun quietly watched Olivia’s receding figure and then pulled out his phone.

“Yes, Uncle. It’s me. Thanks for holding off the reporters, but there’s something else I need.”

*

Clatter.

Creak.

The familiar sounds of mechanical arms and golems at work filled the air. Using this as a background soundtrack, Shimun sat on a sofa in the center of his lab, staring into space.

“Let’s see. My alchemy energy increased by 50 this time. Last time, the new version of the stat enhancement agent increased it by 24, and strength, agility, and stamina all went up by 6 each…”

He kept mumbling to himself.

“My base alchemy energy is 417. The total alchemy energy is now 422…”

Then,

“All bound stats have surpassed 200, with each at 211.”

A satisfied smile spread across Shimun’s face.

In response,

-Seriously. You’re not even at level 200 yet, and your main stats are over 400? Can that be real?

The Philosopher’s Stone in the flask approached, shaking its head in disbelief.

“I got lucky. I didn’t expect to gain 50 stat points from this incident.”

-Well, it did surprise me too. And you couldn’t even absorb everything.

“True, but I’m not disappointed.”

-Why? If you had absorbed it all, you could have hit 1000 alchemy energy.

“I doubt I could have handled that.”

-Ah, that’s a good point.

The Philosopher’s Stone nodded in agreement with Shimun’s reasoning.

-The Fragment of Tartaros option only provides ‘maximum favor,’ after all.

Even absorbing just the 100 stat points nearly made him faint. And Shimun was undoubtedly a living being.

‘If I had absorbed all that aura, I would probably have died.’

Although not a necromancer, the exposure to the aura gave him a strong feeling that this was the case. Even necromancers could only resist the Underworld river to some extent.

Ultimately, they would die if they fell in. Shimun closed his status window and opened up the notifications he had been putting off.

『Rewards for the outbreak in Ukraine are being distributed.』

『As a reward, the awakening rate of players in Ukraine will increase by 40% for the next 6 months.』

『As a reward, a buff increasing ‘EXP gain by 30%’ and ‘stat growth rate by 50%’ for 2 weeks has been applied.』

『This buff applies to all players who are part of or participated in the Ukraine event.』

The messages scrolled rapidly.

‘True to their word, the rewards are substantial.’

Especially,

‘A 40% increase in player awakening rate for six months…’

Shimun, having experienced his previous life, knew very well how monumental a 40% awakening rate boost was.

‘Such buffs are usually given as rewards in regular arenas for national or racial competitions.’

An increase in awakening rate was one of the major rewards in the regular arena.

Although it couldn’t immediately compensate for the fallen players,

‘Within three months, the number of players in Ukraine will probably surpass the casualties from this incident.’

With a 40% increase in awakening rate for six months, the number of awakened in Ukraine would significantly rise.

And,

‘I didn’t expect them to give both EXP and stat growth buffs.’

These buffs were also precious rewards in the regular arena.

Not to mention, Shimun already had the World Tree’s buff.

“Wait, how do these buffs stack up?”

Shimun quickly opened his title window.

‘The Companion of the World Tree buff gives 50% for each, totaling 110%. Adding the 2-week buff…’

Shimun’s eyes widened.

‘Total EXP gain of 80%, and total stat growth rate of 160%?’

Then,

“I can’t let this go to waste.”

This called for immediate arena action.

His eyes sparkling, Shimun moved towards the connection device.

Then,

“Wait.”

He suddenly stopped.

‘I’ve already hit Diamond rank, and now my alchemy energy surpasses 400…’

Shimun blinked and immediately opened his inventory.

Inside was a golden piece of leather.

An entry item for the main arena, which he had obtained from the hidden boss during the last siege arena.

‘I might be ready to take this on now.’

It was 『Hide of the Nemean Lion’s Cub』.

TL’s Corner:
I was supposed to only do 5 chapters today. But I curiosity got the best of me.