Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 52. Uninvited Guest (4)

Kim Muyeol, the chairman of the Korean Awakeners Association.

Behind that dazzling nameplate sat a middle-aged man with angular yet sleek features.

Despite the wrinkles of time, his sharp features from his eyes to his mouth hadn’t loosened; they were as sharp as a well-preserved ancient sword.

One of his eyebrow slightly raised.

“I don’t recall inviting two people.”

Kim Muyeol muttered, his gaze not on Kim Shimun standing in front of him but directed towards someone behind.

“Is that so? I thought I was invited since I’m usually summoned by the association quite a bit.”

Kim Shihyuk shrugged nonchalantly.

Yet that was all.

Despite the clear dismissal.

Kim Shihyuk’s legs were rooted to the ground like a tree.

“My lord, perha—”

Just as Secretary-General Choi Changwook, who had been watching the situation, was about to approach Kim Shihyuk.

“It’s fine. Having lost parents early, it’s understandable.”

Kim Muyeol casually waved his hand, attempting to lift the corner of his mouth.

No.

Attempted to.

“Is it because we share the same circumstances? Your empathy is exceptional, uncle.”

That voice sounded clear and distinct until then.

At those words, not only Kim Shihyuk and Kim Muyeol.

“……”

Secretary-General Choi Changwook, who was about to greet and leave, also halted his steps.

Especially Choi Changwook, whose eyes widened just like Kim Shihyuk’s, but that was all.

“……I’ll take my leave.”

Recovering his composure quickly as befitting his nickname ‘Golem,’ Choi Changwook retreated with a formal bow.

As the door closed.

“You seem to have developed quite the hobby. You never used to keep things like bonsai, did you?”

The clear voice continued.

Unnoticed, Kim Shimun had made his way to the window and was looking at the line of bonsai trees.

Towards the entirety of Kim Shimun.

“What are you trying to do now?”

A chilling pressure enveloped the room.

It wasn’t just a matter of mood.

Being a Diamond Rank player himself, a frosty aura was pressing down on Kim Shimun.

And such an aura in modern society was called.

‘Our esteemed uncle seems rather flustered, doesn’t he?’

Murderous intent.

“The murderous intent you couldn’t even breathe under back then, uncle. You haven’t changed.”

Enjoying the murderous aura that the uncle couldn’t conceal.

“Since it’s rare for the family to gather, why not put it away? You’re not getting any younger.”

Amidst Kim Shimun’s words, lifting up the corners of his mouth.

“…Are you insane?”

Kim Muyeol’s gaze sharpened even more.

Of course.

Whoosh!

The murderous pressure bearing down was undeniable.

“Op-Oppa!”

Perhaps not expecting Kim Muyeol to genuinely emit such murderous intent, Shihyuk was startled and tried to intervene.

But Kim Shimun raised his hand to stop his younger brother.

Kim Muyeol’s eyes twitched as he emitted even stronger murderous intent, but.

Snap.

With a flick of his finger, Kim Shimun merely looked at Kim Muyeol with a relaxed smile.

“……Tch.”

Annoyed, Kim Muyeol watched Kim Shimun’s finger for a while before withdrawing his murderous aura.

Then.

Crack.

The sound of something hard snapping was heard.

The hairs on Kim Shimun’s nape stood on end.

Following his instincts, Kim Shimun twisted his body.

Swoosh.

A sharp gust of wind brushed past Kim Shimun’s neck.

At that moment, the depth in Chairman Kim Muyeol’s eyes deepened.

“So the rumors were true.”

“It seems there are rumors about me I’m not aware of? But you have a rather rough way of confirming?”

“Rumors, by definition, are something the person in question often doesn’t know.”

“Ha. That’s true.”

Even amidst the sudden attack, Kim Shimun kept his smile, pressing down a branch of the bonsai that had reached near his neck with his hand.

“Tch.”

Kim Muyeol clicked his tongue in annoyance. Crunch. Along with that sound, the once sharply grown branches of the bonsai returned to their original form.

“How did you regain your abilities? No.”

As he retracted the bonsai’s branches, Kim Muyeol asked coldly, “How did you recover from your magical incapacity?”

His voice, dripping with authority, seemed surprisingly fitting despite its tone, prompting an involuntary smirk. It wasn’t because I felt overwhelmed by his authoritative presence.

It was more like, ‘He’s really trying to exert his power. Well, given the background of his uncle, it’s understandable.’

To Kim Shimun, who knew Kim Muyeol’s past, it all seemed like nothing but a bluff meant to appear strong.

“Well, I just got lucky.”

“Luck?”

At Kim Shimun’s peculiar smile and response, Kim Muyeol’s brows furrowed. It wasn’t just the unsatisfactory answer that bothered him.

“Having regained your magical abilities, it seems you’ve forgotten your place.”

Kim Shimun’s attitude was entirely different from the past. Especially, the way he seemed to subtly dominate the conversation ever since entering the room was highly irritating.

Therefore, “You might be Kim Shihyuk, but you’re a child born out of wedlock. Moreover, one born before the legitimate heir, a disgrace to the family.”

He needed to be reminded of his position.

“Remember, you’re not in a position to act so presumptuous towards me.”

“Uncle!”

Kim Shihyuk immediately reacted to Kim Muyeol’s sneer.

However, “Ha! At least there’s one aspect where I’m better than you, uncle.”

Kim Shimun could only laugh heartily.

Instead, “Though we’re both children of concubines, I wasn’t born before the rightful heir, was I?”

He took a step forward, delivering a figurative dagger with his words.

“If only you were born first like me… you wouldn’t have had such a hard time securing your position.”

Snap.

Kim Shimun’s fingers flicked, signaling the end of his words. This was precisely why he had trained his body to be flexible.

“You!”

Bang!

Kim Muyeol, having anticipated this, suddenly lunged forward. Of course, clang.

“Uncle, have you lost your mind?”

Kim Shimun was confident, and for good reason.

“… Kim Shihyuk, who do you think is the mad one here?”

Contrary to his previously sharp demeanor, Kim Muyeol, now snarling with a contorted and flushed face, and the sharply extended bonsai branches were blocked by Kim Shihyuk with a single sword, who answered steadily.

“Do I really need to say it?”

“Move aside.”

“I can’t do that.”

Crunch.

Kim Muyeol gritted his teeth at Kim Shihyuk’s immovable stance.

“Huff.”

After taking a moment to catch his breath, he ran his hand over his forehead, and the bonsai branches gradually returned to their original form.

Kim Shimun whistled softly.

“Tsk, you’re still young, uncle.”

It was like being dominated by a child, unable to control his emotions. Kim Muyeol clenched his fist in frustration but managed to calm his boiling anger at being manipulated by his significantly younger nephew.

As he returned to his original demeanor, Kim Muyeol let out a soft sigh, waving his hand over the destroyed desk and chair.

Crunch.

The high-quality wooden desk and chair were instantly restored. As Kim Muyeol finally sat down, swoosh. Kim Shihyuk also sheathed his sword and stepped back.

Rather than standing at the entrance as before, he positioned himself behind Kim Shimun. Catching his brother’s considerate gaze, Kim Shimun looked back at his uncle.

“Enough of the family pleasantries. Let’s get to the point. I’m quite busy, you know.”

“Anyone listening would think you’re the head of the association.”

“Ha! As if. Although, this guy might be, for all we know.”

Shimun beckoned Kim Shihyuk playfully from behind with a chin gesture.

Kim Muyeol’s eyes fluttered once more, but no further reaction was shown.

‘As expected of Uncle. He doesn’t fall for the same trick twice, huh.’

Shimun had wanted to shake him up as much as possible. Internally smirking, Shimun continued, “You summoned me to the association because of the terrorist incident, didn’t you?”

“To call it just an incident? It happened right in the middle of Seoul, a crime involving Awakening.”

Given Jayce Clarke’s characteristics, the battle with him was bound to be noticeable. Naturally, the involvement of the Awakeners’ Association was inevitable.

“So, I’ll ask. What exactly did you do?”

“What I did…” trailing off, Shimun met his uncle’s sharply piercing gaze.

“Don’t even think of playing dumb. I’ve already heard it all through reports. A white man in his twenties constantly scattering paper dolls.”

“Typical of the Association. So the report has reached that far already…”

“Cut the nonsense and just answer.”

Kim Muyeol’s eyes were filled with questions. Seeing this, Shimun was certain of one thing.

“What’s your relationship with Desperado?”

‘So Uncle didn’t commission them.’

The questions about recovery from mana depletion and his connection to Desperado were one thing, but had Uncle been the one to order his assassination, Jayce Clarke wouldn’t have been the only assassin sent.

‘They would’ve sent Diamond-ranked players including Secretary-General Choi Changwook just in case.’

Moreover, they would have completely sealed off the Shinlim area where his studio apartment was located. The chairman of the Awakeners’ Association had that much power, and this meticulous man was familiar with wielding power in such a way.

However, that hadn’t happened, proving firsthand to Shimun that Uncle wasn’t the client.

‘Then it’s someone else…’

At this time, the forces that had supported Desperado were three: the chairman of Korea’s association, and the United States and China. If Uncle wasn’t the client, then only the U. S. and China remained.

‘Did I ever cause friction with the U. S. or China?’

In his past life, there had been national-level frictions due to high-value materials, but that was a tale from a previous life, not the current one. Maybe Shimun’s silence was becoming too prolonged.

“Do you think everything will be resolved by keeping your mouth shut?”

Kim Muyeol’s tone grew harsher. Shimun realized one more thing upon hearing this.

‘I see. Uncle also wants to know who commissioned Desperado.’

He could understand that sentiment.

‘He’s curious about which other figures are lining up against Desperado.’

Their methods may differ, but their goal was the same. Then.

“That’s what I want to ask. How do you know about Desperado, Uncle?”

Seizing the situation could work to his advantage. Certainly, a lone Gold-rank without any backing couldn’t do as much as the chairman of the Korean Awakeners’ Association.

“Are you playing games with me now? Do you think me, the chairman of the Awakeners’ Association, wouldn’t know of a notorious villain organization?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Don’t act so cheeky. If there hadn’t been a lack of casualties this time, you would’ve been arrested already.”

“I, too, think that outcome is fortunate.”

Sincerely. The thought of others getting hurt or killed because of him was distressing. Besides, even with significant connections, it would be challenging to escape responsibility if there were casualties. In current society, crimes involving Awakeners were never taken lightly.

“You’ve been beating around the bush…”

“Have you looked into the American side?”

“What?”

“Or what about China?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Kim Muyeol’s deep confusion was palpable. Shimun’s mind raced.

‘As expected, he doesn’t know yet that the two superpowers are backing Desperado.’

It’s understandable.

Even in his past life, it wasn’t known until only a few countries were left. It was unlikely that it would be disclosed at this point. It would be difficult to believe that a nation would covertly support a villain organization for its own interests.

‘Raising suspicions would only end in conspiracy theories.’

Before the emergence of Galaxy Arena, wasn’t that a common occurrence? National conspiracy theories were just that.

“Kim Shimun, if I have to ask you one more time, even your brother won’t be able to protect you then.”

Kim Shimun smirked at his uncle, who was growling with fervent interest.

“Just as you say. Are you asking me after checking on the US and China?”

“Do you not understand what I’m saying? Why are you bringing up those two countries all of a sudden?”

“Ah, someone of uncle’s stature should already know, shouldn’t you? Why ask again?”

Kim Muyeol’s brows furrowed at Kim Shimun’s teasing.

Naturally.

People in such positions were granted the insight to distinguish conspiracy theories from the truth.

And that razor-sharp man had more than enough ability to differentiate them.

“You know how dangerous what you’re suggesting is, right? If your claims are found to be false…”

“Then, uncle would be pleased, wouldn’t he? Lying to the chairman and slandering the nation, it would be perfect grounds to lock me up.”

Kim Shimun replied nonchalantly.

In the end, our chairman, who was implicitly supporting Desperado, had no choice but to take the bait.

* * *

“Brother, are you really okay with this? What if those two countries weren’t involved…”

“They were involved.”

At that, the questioner Kim Shihyuk blinked for a moment.

Then.

“Really? Got it.”

His brother nodded calmly.

Kim Shimun was curious about his brother’s nonchalant reaction.

“Why so indifferent? What were you planning to do?”

“If hyung says it’s true, then it must be.”

“I appreciate it, but aren’t you trusting me too much?”

“No, seeing you corner uncle like that made me certain. It’s the first time I saw uncle so shaken.”

Shihyuk grinned satisfyingly, causing Kim Shimun to laugh heartily.

“I didn’t expect uncle to be that shaken either.”

“Maybe I should go to the association with you from now on.”

“You rascal.”

As they talked, the two reached the entrance of the penthouse.

Click.

As the door opened.

“Brother, you’re back?”

Was she already waiting?

Lee Yujeong approached with a worried face from inside the penthouse.

“Yujeong? Why are you here…?”

Kim Shimun’s eyes widened at Yujeong’s sudden appearance.

Unnoticed by him.

“…”

“…”

Yujeong and Kim Shihyuk exchanged glances secretly.

Then.

“I was worried about orabeoni. You and the chairman… you’ve had a bad relationship for a while now.”

Yujeong spoke worriedly.

‘Right, Yujeong couldn’t have been unaware.’

Since they had always been close since childhood.

Even if she was young, a bright girl like her couldn’t be oblivious to his and uncle’s relationship.

It must have been out of consideration that she didn’t show it until now.

At that moment.

“No need to worry. I was quite surprised today.”

Kim Shihyuk spoke up from behind.

“What do you mean?”

“Just like I said. It’s the first time I saw uncle so shaken.”

“The chairman… was shaken?”

Yujeong’s eyes wavered as she looked at Kim Shimun.

Then, regaining her composure, she said.

“Ha! It seems I missed an important scene. Brother, I’ve made tea, why don’t you sit down and tell me about it?”

She guided them to the sofa with a bright smile.

As Kim Shimun took a sip of the tea, Yujeong’s gaze turned to Kim Shihyuk.

“No, orabeoni must be tired. Shihyuk? You tell me. What happened? The chairman was shaken?”

“That’s…”

As Shihyuk explained, Yujeong reacted lively in real-time.

“Eh?! Really? He was actually like that?”

“Exactly! And hyung…”

The two chattered about the association for a while.

Kim Shimun listened to their conversation as background music, sinking into the sofa and savoring his tea.

As the tea cup was nearly empty.

Had the story come to an end?

Suddenly, with an exchange of looks and a brief silence.

“Then, hyung.”

Kim Shihyuk carefully spoke up.

“What will we do about the house now?”