Not A Regressor - Chapter 55

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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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I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 55
A Game I Have No Choice But to Win (2)
After leaving the Star Palace.
Kwon O-jin returned home first.
Ha-eun, who had been smoking on the stairs, noticed him and got to her feet.
“Wow, you’re back already?”
“I said I’d be back soon.”
“You lie so much every day—how am I supposed to believe you?”
Ha-eun let out a snort of laughter and approached him.
“How is Vega?”
“Well, pretty much like you.”
A few days ago.
I recalled her image from when I had regained consciousness after being unconscious for three days—how she had embraced me while tears streamed down her face.
“P-Pretty much like me, my ass!”
Thwack.
Ha-eun’s face flushed as she kicked at my shin.
“Ugh.”
“You’re such a baby. Oh right, someone from the Association came by while you were gone. Han Jun-man, I think? Some guy who looks like a gorilla.”
So the director had visited.
Well.
Lately he’d been coming to the house every day to check on my condition.
“What did he say?”
“What else? He said you’re still not mentally stable and can’t see anyone yet, so I sent him away.”
“Okay. Good job, sis.”
I was currently avoiding contact with the Association under the pretense of not having fully recovered consciousness.
‘Because there’s something I need to do in the meantime.’
If word got out that I had regained consciousness, I would have been flooded with inquiries given that I was at the center of the subjugation incident.
Currently, only Ha-eun and Vega knew that I was in perfect condition.
‘Oh, and that bastard Riak too.’
Anyway.
Thanks to this, I had been able to handle several necessary tasks over the four days since regaining consciousness.
“What are you having for lunch?”
“A calorie bar.”
“No.”
Ha-eun frowned.
“Just kidding. I have something to do today, so I’m going to skip lunch.”
“Really? Hmm… then I’ll have to eat later too.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Your sister has things to do as well.”
With that, Ha-eun passed through the doorway and headed outside.
“Where are you going?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Since when do we keep secrets from each other?”
“Says the one who should be talking.”
Ha-eun raised her middle finger.
“Anyway, I’ll be back soon, so stay put at home.”
“Mm.”
Though staying put wasn’t really an option given the circumstances.
“Oh, right. Sister.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t worry even if something happens to me.”
“…What are you planning now?”
Ha-eun approached with a hardened expression.
“Hehe. I just have some things to take care of. I’m telling you in advance so you won’t worry.”
“What kind of things?”
“It’s a secret.”
“This bastard…”
After that, Ha-eun clung to me persistently, but I didn’t reveal anything.
“Sigh. Well, there’s really nothing to worry about, right?”
“Right.”
“Then I’ll trust you and go.”
Ha-eun glanced back several times anxiously as she walked away.
‘She should catch on with just that much.’
She knew me better than anyone else.
Even if something happened, there would be nothing to worry about.
“So then… before I start.”
I recalled what I had organized over the past four days.
‘First, that thing buried in central Sokcho.’
I still hadn’t discovered the identity of the black shimmer that Ha-eun had destroyed.
When I went back later, it had already vanished without a trace.
‘Was it related to the demonic beast that was hiding beneath Seoul Station?’
The grotesque flesh monster hadn’t appeared this time.
But both had one thing in common—they had been concealed beneath the city.
“…I really can’t figure this out.”
Simply being buried beneath the city wasn’t enough to connect them, and without confirming what exact power lay dormant, I couldn’t make hasty assumptions.
‘At least it’s certain that both are connected to the Black Star’s power.’
Of course, the “Black Star” that the Black Star Society spoke of wouldn’t be just one.
Just as there were multiple Constellations, there was a high probability that the Black Star Constellation wasn’t singular either.
‘Vega also said the aura felt beneath Seoul Station and the aura felt at the Mokdong Gate were different.’
Anyway, I’d set that aside for now.
“Next…”
I opened my skill window.
Three skills obtained from this subjugation operation.
Exceed, Transformation, and Hydro Affinity.
‘Exceed… well, I can’t test that one.’
As Vega had said, it was a skill I shouldn’t use carelessly.
‘Transformation is exactly what I expected.’
I gazed into the mirror and activated Transformation.
Crack, crunch!
My body could shrink or grow larger, my face could be rearranged to look like someone else entirely, and I could even adjust my vocal cords to change my voice.
“This is genuinely insane performance.”
The mana consumption was considerable, but not burdensome enough to be a real concern.
If used properly, this ability would have infinite applications.
‘Especially for me.’
It wasn’t like giving a tiger wings—it was like strapping a jet engine to it.
Honestly, obtaining this Transformation skill felt like a greater achievement than acquiring the Aquarius stigma.
“This is excellent.”
I smiled brightly, satisfied.
‘And finally…’
My expression twisted slightly.
“…this skill is a bit of a chicken rib.”
I sighed deeply, thinking of the Hydro Affinity skill.
‘When I just read the description, I thought it was some absurdly broken skill.’
But actual testing revealed it was completely different from my expectations.
It was true that I could absorb water and heal wounds as the description stated.
“But it requires… way too much water.”
A deep sigh escaped me.
The amount of water needed to see the effects of Hydro Affinity was excessively large.
‘Dozens of liters just to heal a scratch.’
Healing a wound that bled required over a hundred liters of water.
‘Of course, the trick of absorbing moisture from the air doesn’t work either.’
The absorption range was quite wide, but I couldn’t exactly carry hundreds of liters of water around with me all the time.
‘And it’s not like I have an inventory system like in a game.’
The effect itself was good, but the resources required to achieve it were too much.
It would be more efficient to carry a single high-quality potion than to lug around hundreds of liters of water.
“This skill is hard to use in actual combat unless I’m fighting near a river or beach.”
Still, it seemed useful for quickly healing wounds after battles ended.
If I went to a nearby bathhouse and soaked in hot water, most wounds would recover.
‘Though it only heals external injuries.’
From my experiments, it didn’t heal internal injuries from excessive mana consumption.
“Tsk… well, it’s better than nothing.”
Beyond potions, gaining additional means to rapidly treat external wounds was a worthwhile achievement.
“That should wrap things up here.”
Now it was time to handle the matter concerning Pandinius Guild.
“Well, this shouldn’t be difficult.”
Difficult didn’t even begin to describe it—this was so simple and straightforward it was almost laughable.
“Ah, right.”
I cleared my throat once.
-Brrr.
I dialed Han Jun-man’s number.
[Oh, Kwon O-jin? You’ve regained consciousness?!]
An urgent voice came through the receiver.
“…Yes. Still a bit hazy, but… I’m doing much better.”
[Phew. Thank goodness, truly.]
His genuine concern was evident in the deep relief coloring his voice.
‘This is actually quite touching.’
Regardless, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
“I woke up and checked the news. Quite a lot has happened over the past week…”
[…You’ve heard about Pandinius Guild?]
“Yes.”
[I actually have many things I’d like to ask you about regarding that matter. Could you come to the Association right now?]
“No. There’s something I need to ask you for first.”
[A request?]
I spoke in a low, measured tone.
“…Please prepare a press conference. I have decisive evidence that can prove the connection between Pandinius Guild and Choi Jong-chul.”
[What, what did you say?]
A voice filled with shock came through.
[Kwon O-jin. Wait… is that really true?]
“Yes. Choi Jong-chul wasn’t connected to Starlight Lake Guild.”
[That’s…]
Han Jun-man’s voice trailed off, heavy with shock.
If what I said was true, it would be a bombshell massive enough to overturn public opinion entirely.
[Understood. I’ll prepare it right away. Would Yeouido be acceptable as the location?]
“Yes. That would be safer and better.”
[…Be careful, Kwon O-jin. Once this information spreads, there’s no telling what might happen.]
Han Jun-man’s voice had turned rigid and grave.
The question of who was backing Choi Jong-chul was indeed a major issue.
“I understand. Ah… in that regard, could you arrange for some bodyguards at the press conference? My physical condition hasn’t fully recovered yet.”
[Bodyguards… understood, Kwon O-jin. Just trust me.]
Han Jun-man spoke with confidence in his voice.
“If we’re talking about bodyguards, there’s definitely someone quite famous for that.”
I knew.
They were renowned enough to rank among the top three Awakeners in the Association.
“Understood. Then I’ll wait for your call with confidence.”
[I’ll contact you again within the hour.]
I ended the call.
“Well then.”
I suppose I should start preparing myself.
Not that there was much to prepare, really.
-Whirrrrrrr!!
The stigma inscribed on my left chest blazed with light.
Without the usual azure lightning.
Silent.
* * *
“I am Special Investigator Choi Woo-jin of the Association.”
“I’ve heard much about you.”
Before stepping into the press conference hall.
I exchanged greetings with Choi Woo-jin.
A man with sharp eyes and a cold impression.
‘The Hunting Hound, Choi Woo-jin.’
A renowned Awakener who pursued every case he took on to its bitter end.
“It’s rather amusing that one Special Investigator guards another Special Investigator… but well, given the nature of the case, let’s overlook it.”
Choi Woo-jin cast a cold gaze, clearly displeased with me.
Fair enough.
From his perspective, I was essentially a parachute-appointed Awakener who became a Special Investigator.
‘There’s no way he could view me favorably.’
It didn’t matter.
He wasn’t the type to neglect his duties simply because he disliked someone.
“This way.”
I entered the press conference hall under Choi Woo-jin’s protection.
-Click! Click! Click!!!
A torrent of camera flashes.
“Kwon O-jin! Tell us about the situation at the time!!”
“Is it true you’ve only been Awakened for six months?!”
“You’re being hailed as a national hero because of this incident—what are your thoughts on that?!”
I took the podium, ignoring the barrage of questions.
I swept my gaze across the crowded journalists and opened my mouth.
“Good day. I am Special Investigator Kwon O-jin of the Association.”
I bowed my head slightly.
“I will not be taking personal questions today.”
“…Pardon? You’re not taking questions?”
The reporters stared at Kwon O-jin with bewildered expressions.
If he wasn’t going to take questions, what was the point of holding a press conference?
“I came here because there are facts I absolutely must convey to all of you.”
His voice remained composed and measured.
“When I fought Choi Jong-chul after he transformed into a beast, I discovered something critical about him.”
I continued, my tone grave.
“What exactly is this critical fact?!”
“Choi Jong-chul is… a member of the Pandinius Guild, not the Starlight Lake Guild.”
“Gasp!”
“Is that really true?!”
My bombshell revelation sent the press conference into uproar.
“Do you have evidence to substantiate these claims?!”
Evidence.
Of course I did.
“Of course I have it—cough! Hack! Gag!”
There was no way I could have it.
“Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!”
“Blood, there’s blood!!!”
“What, what is this!!! What’s happening!!!”
Screams erupted from the crowd.
“Gag! Hack!! Cough!! Retch!!!”
Dark crimson blood poured from my mouth.
Collapsed on the floor, my body convulsed as my eyes rolled back into my head.
“Damn it!!!”
Choi Woo-jin rushed over urgently.
Boom!!
A powerful aura exploded outward in violent waves.
“What, what is this? What’s going on?!”
“Could he be… dead?”
“Just keep filming!”
The reporters, their faces twisted in confusion, frantically pressed their camera shutters.
“Kwon O-jin!! Are you alright, Kwon O-jin!!!”
“Cough… gag! Hack!”
“Damn it! Get the medics!! Call the emergency team!”
Choi Woo-jin shouted fiercely as he examined my collapsed body.
Dark crimson blood pooled on the floor.
Choi Woo-jin’s expression twisted savagely as he touched the blood with his finger and brought it to his tongue.
“…This is.”
Spit!
He spat blood, his voice dropping to a grave whisper.
“Poison… I’ve been poisoned.”
His expression hardened like stone as he surveyed the Association members around him.
“Seal the entrance.”
His eyes gleamed with lethal intensity.
“Everyone here is now a suspect.”
A chilling gaze swept across the journalists.

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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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