Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 57. Debut Battle (1)

TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader

“As always…”

From a luxurious window capturing the night view of Seoul, Kim Shimun leaned and shook his head while looking at his phone.

“Still can’t be honest, huh.”

Isn’t this what you call tsundere?

For a brief period after the terrorist incident, Kim Shimun’s lips curled into a smile as he slowly read through the fifty or so messages sent by Go Malsuk.

‘This really brings back old times.’

Until the phone disappeared.

And even after it was gone, Malsuk was always like this. Rough on the outside but deep and caring on the inside.

‘Thanks to that, my life was saved a few times.’

A Level 1 magic-impaired alchemist. His survival till the end wasn’t just due to his efforts and luck. It was also thanks to the help of friends like Malsuk.

“Once Malsuk arrives, I need to connect her with the Heavenly Demon right away.”

Then naturally, like in his previous life, Malsuk would become the Heavenly Demon’s pick. And he would get the 2-star Heavenly Demon’s Qi technique as a reward for the quest given by the Heavenly Demon, for free.

Truly, a situation where everyone is happy.

‘It’ll be quite the spec up, too.’

Even just the 1-star Heavenly Demon’s Qi demonstrated immense power among those of the same rank, didn’t it?

Of course, as the level increases, so does the required amount of demonic energy.

But having a total alchemy energy of over 68, the 2-star Heavenly Demon’s Qi would be manageable. Not to mention the newly added Dragonification and Vision.

There was just one thing that bothered him.

‘Dragonification should be usable as soon as the Philosopher’s Stone awakens… but what about Vision?’

The Dragonification and Vision he obtained this time.

Among them, Vision, which was bound to Odin’s Eye, had no known method of use.

Thud.

Walking across the spacious corridor to stand in front of a mirror, Kim Shimun concentrated and raised his alchemy energy, focusing it on his left eye.

Keen.

With a unique ringing, Odin’s Eye activated.

Golden magic circles layered before his eyes.

There was no difference from before.

Swoosh.

Except for the pupil that split through the center of the golden iris, revealing itself. Just like the massive blood-red eye that attempted to kill him in his previous life.

The eye, transformed into that of a reptile, proudly displayed its presence.

“I just can’t figure out how to use it.”

Kim Shimun’s head tilted slightly to the side. So did the activated Odin’s Eye.

‘Unless it’s an artifact, usually acquired traits or abilities are automatically usable…’

Just like how one naturally knows how to move and breathe without being taught. It was normal to instinctively know how to use one’s abilities. But this darn Vision, how to use it was completely elusive.

“Well, I’ll figure it out somehow.”

Kim Shimun exhaled softly and deactivated Odin’s Eye.

“Anyway…”

He then looked out at the dazzling night view. Or rather.

“A gold debut match, huh? I had completely forgotten.”

He should refer to what appeared before his eyes as a message window.

[Based on cumulative data, player Kim Shimun’s next arena match has been set as the ‘Gold Debut Battle’.]

Gold Debut Battle.

An arena match exclusively for players who have just entered the gold rank.

But not everyone could be matched.

‘Only the top 500 based on MMR, right?’

It didn’t matter whether they came through placement matches or promotion matches.

Only the top 500 based on MMR were selected, and those selected had to wait like this.

[Time remaining until the debut battle: 22 hours 27 minutes.]

Without participating in any other arena matches, they simply had to wait for the debut battle.

Of course, if not all 500 were matched, the waiting time would not increase. From the very beginning, participation varied by country and by the levels of participating players.

“Platinum debuts are usually country-wide, so full matching is common, but wasn’t it around 100 people for Korea?”

From Platinum onwards, matchmaking is global, thus always full participant slots. On the other hand, Korea’s teams typically consisted of about 100 participants.

The issue was, “Most will be in parties of three.”

Curiously, the Galaxy Arena allowed up to three-player parties for these debut battles. As a result, most participants would join as duos or trios.

This meant that even players or guilds that were otherwise rivals could be seen partnering up.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter.”

Kim Shimun casually swiped away the message windows. After all, he had shown his Platinum-ranked prowess before.

Wouldn’t this arena, with an explosive level-up to twelve and even a spec-up with Tiamat’s blood, further solidify his standing?

It might seem arrogant, but parties didn’t scare him. Even the top Gold rank wouldn’t be able to touch him. He did, however, feel a sense of regret.

‘It would have been great if Malsuk could have debuted with me.’

Now that his mana disability had recovered, not being able to fight alongside an old friend was a shame.

‘Think positive. It’s a matter of time before it resolves.’

In his previous life, after mastering the Heavenly Demon Technique, Go Malsuk didn’t miss being top in Diamond.

So, with some time and connection, catching up to his own rank should be swift.

“Alright! Let’s finish setting up the lab before the debut match.”

Stretching thoroughly, Kim Shimun headed towards the laboratory.

* * *

Late at night, Lights on in corporate buildings weren’t out of the ordinary in South Korea.

However, if those lights were at the top floor of one of the most influential guilds, the Myth Guild, that was another story.

“Sigh…”

A deep sigh.

An eight-to-two pomade, though a classic hairstyle, “Is this all the members?”

The man, despite being middle-aged and with sharp eyes, high nose bridge, and jawline, wasn’t considered old-fashioned but rather distinguished.

In front of such a man’s elegant desk, “Yes, you’ve seen the participants for this debut are indeed only two.”

A man in a sleek suit bowed respectfully. Maybe it was because of his height, only the nameplate reading [Myth Guild Master, Go Changjin] was visible to the bowing man.

As he lifted his head, “Hmm.”

Go Changjin, lightly frowning and tapping the report with his finger, was a sight to behold. The report-giving man instinctively felt sweat on his palm.

It wasn’t only because the person in front of him was a first-generation player and a Diamond-ranked expert.

‘He seems quite displeased.’

As a first-generation player himself, he could tell that the mood of his long-time leader was exceptionally down.

“Ha Gwang-Il.”

“Yes.”

“What about Choi Jinsu? I don’t see him in the report.”

Though it was clear why he wasn’t listed, Ha Gwang-Il swallowed hard under Go Changjin’s probing.

“That is…”

Then, “He decided to postpone joining the guild.”

“Postponed?”

Go Changjin’s eyebrows slightly raised at Ha Gwang-Il’s strained reply.

“It seems the last arena influenced his decision.”

“The last arena? Ah, that sewer survival event.”

“Yes.”

Was it Go Changjin’s displeasure, Ha Gwang-Il couldn’t question how this stern man was aware of a mere Silver-rank arena event.

“He felt his shortcomings deeply despite finishing as a second-place, promoting to Gold. He intends to focus more on training,”

Ha Gwang-Il explained.

“Training?”

Merely a Silver, not even Platinum.

And he dares to speak of training after barely making it to Gold?

From the standpoint of a player who’s still active in the field despite being from the first generation, it would assuredly seem like nonsensical talk.

However, Go Changjin’s gaze conveyed none of that sentiment.

“For your information, our support was only extended until the last arena, so guild-level backing has expired.”

“I like the sound of that. Indeed, my judgment never fails me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Extend Choi Jinsu’s support for another year, on the condition that he participates in this debut alongside our promising candidates.”

“But Guild Master, a year’s support is far too costly! Even providing support at the level for promising candidates until now is overly generous for someone who isn’t even a guild member!”

Ha Gwang-Il added urgently, but that was all.

“So are you suggesting we use a mercenary? Do we have someone for the debut to take on such a role?”

This man of iron will had been consistent since his younger days.

“That is…! Understood.”

Having been by Go Changjin’s side as they built the Myth Guild from the ground up, Ha Gwang-Il was well-acquainted with such characteristics of his.

Without further argument, he simply nodded.

Of course, “But that’s not to say we lack a candidate for the mercenary role entirely.”

He didn’t agree entirely, reluctant as he was. The support for a promising candidate for a year required a significant financial commitment.

“Who might that be?”

“A player who defeated Choi Jinsu in a one-on-one match in the recent survival event.”

Just as the related documents were being pulled out by Ha Gwang-Il.

“Aah, you mean Kim Shimun.”

Go Changjin seemed to already know the contents of the documents.

To which, Ha Gwang-Il blinked in surprise.

“Do you know the player?”

“‘Knew of the player,’ would be more accurate. He was somewhat famous, after all.”

“Famous, you say?”

Confusion deepened on Ha Gwang-Il’s face. Understandably so. Although lagging behind Guild Master Go Changjin in skill, was he not a Diamond-rank player from the first generation?

“You might not know. After all, it was a topic even the upper echelons kept under wraps.”

Go Changjin’s chair slightly turned.

He gazed down at the twinkling night view below the dark nighttime sky.

“Do you remember the previous Association President?”

“How could I not? He was the strongest player.”

To dare to regard someone else as the best in front of the Guild Master. At the audacity of his old colleague, Go Changjin let out a quiet chuckle.

“Indeed, damn strong he was. And the same goes for his bloodline.”

“If you’re referring to Kim Shihyuk then… Wait. Kim Shihyuk? Kim Shimun?!”

Ha Gwang-Il’s eyes widened.

“Your hunch is right. Kim Shimun is indeed the son of the former Association President.”

“But, but the former Association President had only one son, Kim Shihyuk, and Kim Shimun is older.”

“Obvious, isn’t it? He must have had the child before getting married.”

At that, Ha Gwang-Il’s mouth fell open.

Surprising as the secret may be to anyone who hears it.

“Nothing strange about it. A man lacking neither in power nor looks. Why would he restrain his youthful passions?”

“So, you’re saying that player Kim Shimun is the illegitimate child of the former Association President…”

“Exactly.”

Go Changjin continued nonchalantly.

“What’s important is not that. It’s uncertain whether awakening is tied to lineage, but this so-called illegitimate child, Kim Shimun, was born with exceptional initial stats.”

“Initial stats?”

“Yes. In the realm of magic, he had a Magical Energy stat of 10.”

“Good heavens!”

Shock colored Ha Gwang-Il’s face. Understandably so.

“Even now, it’s rare to awaken with a maximum stat of 10…”

A prized domain: Magic.

And to awaken in the critical stat for magic, the Magical Energy, at its maximum value?

“That’s phenomenal. Do you happen to know what his trait was?”

“No, the trait wasn’t disclosed.”

“Because he’s an illegitimate child?”

“That could be a reason… But well, it seems everything was ruined before anyone could take notice.”

“Ruined, you say?”

“You probably know about it. That terrorism incident that happened 10 years ago. They said he was struck by mana incapacity after that.”

“Ah.”

Ha Gwang-Il let out a short sigh.

Mana incapacity. Among the existing Arena diseases, it was considered the worst kind, a rare disease so uncommon worldwide.

To have experienced such a remarkable awakening only to be afflicted by such a dreadful disease!

Ha Gwang-Il’s face quickly hardened as he was sighing.

“Wait. What do you mean by that?”

“Yes, if he’s active like that, it means he must have recovered from mana incapacity. And that,” Go Changjin’s gaze shifted from the night view to Ha Gwang-Il.

“It’s highly likely related to the mana petrification cure that was released in the black market recently.”

The coincidence between Kim Shimun’s activities and the appearance of the cure was too synchronized. Ha Gwang-Il also noticed that and nodded.

“We have to try to recruit Kim Shimun at all costs. Then information about the cure as well…”

“Let it go. Just focus on Choi Jinsu only.”

“May I ask why?”

“Didn’t we already send a signal during the promotion battle? It seems like there’s been no response to that.”

“Wait, did you actually watch Kim Shimun’s broadcast?”

Though Go Changjin didn’t reply, Ha Gwang-Il, feeling as though he had received an answer, looked down at the document in his hands with a confused face.

‘Did Changjin hyung actually watch an arena broadcast of merely a Silver rank?’

Sure, among the current Silvers in the country, Kim Shimun was the best. Even guilds from overseas had tried to contact him with sponsorships. It was highly likely that a few guilds, including Holy Trinity, had already contacted Kim Shimun.

But, ‘There are so many talents in this wide world.’

At a time when even players were undergoing generational changes, a player like Kim Shimun might shine, but that’s all there was to it.

Not someone Go Changjin, who had built a colossal guild called Myth during the first generation, would personally take an interest in. That was what had been thought.

‘It seems I must completely re-evaluate Kim Shimun.’

Go Changjin, who normally wouldn’t bother watching arena broadcasts unless it concerned Rankers.

The fact that he watched a broadcast of a mere Silver, was not something to be taken lightly.

Watching Ha Gwang-Il lost in thought, Go Changjin glanced at the report in front of him.

“Are there any competitors worth our attention in this debut match?”

“So far, only the Scorpio Guild. As for Holy Trinity, their latest batch hasn’t been doing well.”

“The Scorpio Guild huh… Kim Jongjun, that guy really was born lucky, beyond his capacity.”

“Considering he accepts anyone without discrimination, the probability is higher, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

Go Changjin, who would call the vice-master of the Scorpio Guild as easily as one would a household dog.

Soon, “Kim Shimun will probably participate in this Gold debut match too.”

With his chin propped in his hands, Go Changjin continued with a grave face, “Jang Jisoo and Cha Hyun-woo alone won’t be able to hold him off. For the sake of at least defending our rank, we must definitely include Choi Jinsu.”

“I’m sorry, but I believe that even if Kim Shimun is strong, he cannot beat our lineup with Choi Jinsu added in.”

Ha Gwang-Il responded with the same expression.

It was obvious.

Excluding the Scorpio Guild for now, there weren’t any batches in this debut match that posed a threat to the Myth Guild.

Although the Scorpio Guild’s batch was threatening, that was all there was to it.

Given the combat power of individuals and even the job balance, there was no chance against this batch of the Myth Guild.

But, “Is that so?”

Was this iron-willed man thinking differently?

“Then Gwang-Il, how about we make a bet for old times’ sake?”

With one eyebrow slightly raised, Go Changjin gave a sly smile.

“If I lose, I’ll appear in that childish guild promotional video you’ve been so keen on.”

“Alright, hyung. If I lose, I’ll double the amount of our charity donation this year.”

“Double, huh. You’ll regret it.”

“Unlike hyung, as the vice master, I trust our members. I’ll be leaving first then.”

With a nod, Ha Gwang-Il left the room.

Sigh.

Go Changjin, now with a cigarette between his lips, exhaled a thick plume of smoke and leaned back into his chair comfortably.

‘Our kids, huh… That arrogant kid. Maybe it’s about time I passed on the guild master position and took a break to make him realize.’

The cigarette smoke quickly dispersed. In the midst of it, Go Changjin’s gaze fell upon a picture. A younger version of himself.

And in his arms, a girl with sharp eyes smiling brightly. Gazing silently at it, Go Changjin slowly closed his eyes.

TL’s Corner:
Damn, Go Malsuk, Go Changjin???