After Regressing, I Gained the Power of the Demonic Dragon - Chapter 7

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 7
Kim Sang Jun’s gaze shifted from the Recording Stone to Sang Hyuk.
“What’s your basis for saying Taeseong?”
Sang Hyuk fell silent for a moment.
He couldn’t explain what had happened before the Regression.
“I can’t say right now.”
“You’re accusing a competitor without even revealing your grounds?”
“I’m certain of it. The problem is, I don’t have evidence yet. Before we alert anyone outside, let’s verify it ourselves first.”
Sang Hyuk pointed to the final inspection photograph displayed on the Tablet.
“When assembly was complete, this component wasn’t there. Now it’s in all three prototypes.”
Kim Sang Jun’s expression hardened.
“You’re saying someone accessed the prototypes after the inspection was finished?”
“Taeseong wouldn’t have someone walk directly into the Research Building and tamper with them.”
At that, Kim Do Hyun turned to Kim Sang Jun.
“Sang Jun.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Seal the other two prototypes in their current state. Use only this one for repairs.”
“Understood.”
“Starting with anyone who accessed the prototypes after the final inspection—compile a list. Secure the access logs and component delivery records in their original forms.”
“I’ll check immediately.”
Kim Sang Jun called the security director at once.
Once the connection went through moments later, he spoke in a low voice, issuing instructions.
“Identify everyone who entered the prototype storage area since the final inspection. Lock down the storage area now, and back up the access logs and internal footage to a separate server. Don’t contact anyone on the list yet.”
He intended to secure evidence before any insider caught wind of the investigation.
While Kim Sang Jun confirmed the sealing procedures with the security team, Kim Do Hyun turned his attention to Kim Seo Yun.
“Can you have it fixed before tomorrow’s verification?”
“If I can properly remove the Black Component, it’s possible.”
Kim Seo Yun examined the interior of the equipment case.
Two of the units bore charred edges from twelve successive recreation tests.
Only the remaining one was still in an unoverheated state.
“I’ll use this one. I just need to remove the component that wasn’t in the original design and run another inspection.”
“Will there be any issues with approval, then?”
“Since we’re restoring it to its original state rather than adding something new, there shouldn’t be.”
Now only this single prototype could be used for the verification.
Until now, they couldn’t afford the risk of destroying the last unit without understanding the cause.
But now Sang Hyuk’s recording pointed with precision to the location of the component that needed to be removed.
Kim Do Hyun checked the wall-mounted display screen.
[Time until Korean Players Association Practical Aptitude Verification]
[17:19:34]
The numbers continued to count down.
“Start immediately.”
With that order.
The conference room door opened.
Researchers moved the prototype designated for repairs to the Test Laboratory.
Seal devices were installed on the remaining two units, and a security team member took custody of the cases at once.
Sang Hyuk followed Kim Seo Yun into the Test Laboratory.
The prototype was placed beneath a bright work light.
The recording equipment powered on, and every step of opening the outer casing began to be documented.
Click.
The black casing separated.
Directly beneath the central Mana Stone, a Black Component the size of a fingernail came into view.
It bore the exact same shape as what they’d examined magnified on the Recording Stone moments before.
One of the researchers drew in a sharp breath.
“It really was there.”
Kim Seo Yun cross-checked the approved design against the prototype before her eyes.
The Black Component appeared nowhere in the design.
Only traces remained of someone forcibly inserting it after assembly was complete.
“I’ll remove it now.”
Kim Seo Yun grasped the Black Component with a small pair of tweezers.
As she applied careful pressure, the wedged component came free.
Clink.
The Black Component fell onto the silver tray.
The researchers stared at it in unison.
The cause of twelve failed tests was nothing more than a thumbnail-sized piece.
One researcher immediately transferred the component into a transparent evidence case.
[Evidence 01]
[Recovered From: Ilseong Prototype Unit 3 Interior]
Kim Seo Yun examined the empty space, then reviewed the approved design once more.
“No other damage.”
Her voice lifted for the first time.
“Please close it back up.”
The researchers reassembled the outer casing.
They placed the prototype on the test stand and began with a general diagnostic.
Hum.
A Blue Protective Barrier wrapped around the test stand in a perfect circle.
[General Diagnostic]
[Barrier Output: Normal]
[Prototype Internal Temperature: Normal]
The first inspection passed.
But the general diagnostic had been normal from the start.
The real problem appeared when the Monster’s Mana made contact.
Kim Seo Yun immediately prepared the Monster Mana Simulation Test.
[Monster Mana Wavelength Output: 5%]
[Test Duration: 3 seconds]
Kim Seo Yun adjusted the test device’s output and looked toward Sang Hyuk.
“Can you examine inside the equipment again?”
“Yeah.”
Sang Hyuk opened the Draconic Eye.
Heat flared behind his eyes as the equipment’s interior came into view.
Below the Mana Stone, the space where the component had been removed sat empty.
“All clear. Go ahead.”
Kim Seo Yun pressed the button.
Monster Mana flowed from the test device, engulfing the Blue Protective Barrier.
The researchers held their breath, eyes fixed on the test stand.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
The click that had sounded when the trap activated never came.
The Blue Protective Barrier remained steady, wrapping around the prototype without wavering.
[Practical Wavelength Simulation 1st Trial]
[Barrier Output: Normal]
[Prototype Internal Temperature: Normal]
“Normal!”
A researcher’s voice rang through the Test Laboratory.
Kim Seo Yun immediately ordered the second trial.
The same Mana engulfed the barrier once more.
This time, too, the equipment remained active.
After completing the third trial, three identical results stacked on the screen.
[Practical Wavelength Simulation 1st Trial: Normal]
[Practical Wavelength Simulation 2nd Trial: Normal]
[Practical Wavelength Simulation 3rd Trial: Normal]
The researchers’ tense shoulders dropped all at once.
One leaned back in his chair and exhaled a long breath, while another checked the three results over and over again.
Kim Seo Yun looked at Sang Hyuk before glancing at the screen.
“That’s enough. You can rest now.”
Sang Hyuk closed the Draconic Eye.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. Look how red your eyes already are.”
She guided him into a chair and handed him a Cooling Pack.
“The simulation tests are over. What’s left is the Practical Aptitude Verification tomorrow. Rest until then.”
“You should rest your hands too, I think.”
Sang Hyuk’s gaze settled on her bandaged fingers.
“I’m used to this much.”
“Is that supposed to be a point of pride?”
Sang Hyuk laughed, as though utterly bewildered.
A brief smile crossed Kim Seo Yun’s lips as well.
Sang Hyuk pressed the cooling pack against his eyes.
In the darkness, Kim Seo Yun’s voice continued, clear and steady as it had been just moments before.
Before the Regression, that voice had been his last contact—fractured by static and noise.
This time was different.
Even with his eyes closed, he could hear her directing the researchers nearby, her words flowing unbroken.
Sang Hyuk released the tension in the hand holding the cooling pack.
This time, he would protect his sister no matter what.
As dawn approached, Kim Do Hyun returned to the Test Laboratory.
“Is the revision finished?”
“The reproduction test passed all three times. Now we just have the Practical Aptitude Verification tomorrow.”
Kim Seo Yun regarded Sang Hyuk’s bloodshot eyes.
“I’ll bring Sang Hyuk to the verification center as well.”
“Do that. Get the submission prepared.”
“Understood.”
The researchers placed the prototype into a shock-resistant case.
Click.
The locking mechanism engaged, and a red seal sticker was affixed.
[Korean Players Association Practical Aptitude Verification Submission]
The next time that case opened, it would be in front of actual Monsters.
* * *
The next day.
Korean Players Association Practical Verification Center.
The test site was filled with Ilseong officials, industry reporters, and observers from competing firms.
Standing before the Taeseong Group delegation was a woman in a beige suit.
Yun Chae Rin.
She belonged to the Taeseong Group Strategic Planning Division and was Sang Hyuk’s fiancée.
She gazed at the sealed case from Ilseong placed on the verification platform.
‘So they went through with the verification after all.’
But it made no difference to Yun Chae Rin either way.
If Ilseong postponed the verification, it would be logged as voluntary withdrawal.
If they pushed ahead and the barrier failed, the defect would become official record.
Either way, Ilseong would be disqualified, and the Secondary Evaluation and subsequent supply negotiations would transfer to Taeseong.
‘But why did they go through with it? They couldn’t have fixed it in just one night.’
Yun Chae Rin was certain that Ilseong would never find the cause.
No matter how thoroughly they combed through the blueprints or disassembled the equipment, they couldn’t find the trap—no bigger than a fingernail—hidden among countless components in a single night.
Not unless they possessed some special eye capable of seeing the exact moment the trap activated when struck by the Monster’s Mana.
Then Yun Chae Rin’s gaze shifted toward the technical area of Ilseong’s section.
Among Kim Seo Yun and the researchers stood a familiar face.
It was Sang Hyuk.
‘What is he doing over there?’
According to recent rumors, he’d been holed up in his room doing nothing but drinking.
A Conditional Awakener who hadn’t even awakened his Special Trait.
A fiancé who had nothing to show for himself except the title of Ilseong’s youngest member.
Yet there he stood, among the technical team.
Yun Chae Rin felt a moment of confusion, but she quickly dismissed her interest.
Sang Hyuk was merely a formal fiancé bound by mutual family interests.
A relationship that would naturally dissolve once Ilseong collapsed.
Nothing more.
The Association’s examiner unsealed the prototype.
“We will now begin the Primary Practical Aptitude Verification of Ilseong Group’s Entry-Level Mana Defensive Equipment.”
The iron door of the isolation chamber rose.
Screech.
A captured Low-Level Monster dragged its chains as it shambled forward.
The demonstration player fastened Ilseong’s defensive equipment around his wrist.
A low hum filled the air.
The blue protective barrier enveloped his body.
One of the journalists leaned forward, eyes fixed on the barrier.
“Well, at least it’s operating stably for now?”
The journalist beside her responded.
“Normal operation was always working fine. It’s only after the monster’s mana made contact that it supposedly shut down.”
“Then we’ll know soon enough whether the defect allegations have merit.”
The monster lowered its body.
Rough mana flowed from its form and brushed against the blue protective barrier.
Every eye on the Taeseong side snapped toward the barrier.
If the hidden component was going to activate, it would be now.
One second.
Two seconds.
But the barrier did not fail.
A Taeseong operative lowered the tablet he’d been gripping.
According to the schedule, the barrier should have already vanished by now.
Yun Chae Rin’s eyes narrowed.
‘Why isn’t it shutting down?’
Before Yun Chae Rin could find an answer, the monster’s claws raked across the floor.
Crash!
Massive talons lashed out against the blue protective barrier.
The barrier bent inward sharply, and the demonstration player’s body was driven back half a step.
Yet the blue light remained.
[First Impact]
[Barrier Maintained]
[Prototype Internal Temperature Normal]
The expression of a Taeseong operative hardened.
“Normal? That can’t be right.”
The monster charged again.
Crash!
The barrier held fast through the second collision.
The blue light, which had now withstood three sets of talons, continued to envelope the demonstration player completely.
[Practical Collision Defense: 3 Successful Blocks]
[Barrier Output Normal]
[Prototype Internal Temperature Normal]
The association examiner entered the final results.
[Ilseong Budget-Grade Mana Defensive Equipment]
[First Practical Aptitude Verification: PASS]
[Secondary Evaluation Participation Eligibility: MAINTAINED]
“You’ve passed.”
A collective breath that had been held in the Ilseong waiting area suddenly released.
Researchers gripped each other’s shoulders, and word that Ilseong had resolved the defect spread rapidly through the press section.
Camera shutters fired in succession.
Several journalists immediately called their newsrooms the moment the pass verdict appeared, and an association official confirmed Ilseong’s name once more on the Secondary Evaluation participant roster.
In contrast, heavy silence descended over the Taeseong waiting area.
Those who had come to witness failure could not tear their eyes from the pass verdict.
With that single verdict, Ilseong had secured two prizes: advancement to the Secondary Evaluation and eligibility for follow-up supply negotiations.
Two opportunities that Taeseong had been certain would be theirs.
Only after confirming that both opportunities had been preserved did Kim Seo Yun slowly uncurl her tightly clenched fist.
Her palm bore deep nail marks.
“Sang Hyuk.”
“Yeah.”
“Without you, Ilseong would’ve been eliminated today.”
Sang Hyuk gazed at her palm, marked with crescents from her nails.
“That’s not true. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re the one who fixed the equipment.”
Kim Seo Yun’s eyes grew red.
Watching from a distance, Yun Chae Rin looked back at Sang Hyuk.
Not only Kim Seo Yun, but the researchers’ gazes too naturally converged on him.
What had happened last night remained unclear.
But one thing was certain.
Sang Hyuk wasn’t simply here as a spectator to the verification.
The man he’d dismissed as worthless mere moments ago.
That man now stood at the center of Ilseong, having overturned the board that Taeseong had so carefully laid out.
‘What on earth happened last night?’
Yun Chae Rin stepped away from the Taeseong waiting area and came to a halt before Sang Hyuk.
“Sang Hyuk. Could we talk for a moment?”
Yun Chae Rin.
Still his fiancée now, but in the previous timeline, the woman who’d been the first to notify him of their engagement’s dissolution when Ilseong collapsed.
As Sang Hyuk faced her, the Engagement Ring on her finger caught his eye.
But this time, he had no intention of waiting for her announcement.
‘I’ll break the engagement first.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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