The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 109

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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 109
Episode 109
Jin-woo and Nível found themselves staring intently at the steel sword, which gleamed with an ethereal brilliance.
Then Jin-woo looked at Nível.
His expression seemed to ask: Is this recipe really supposed to be this good?
As if posing that very question.
Nível, seeing Jin-woo’s bewilderment, unconsciously shook his head.
As if to say: There’s no way.
Both of them stood dumbfounded, staring at the sword.
No matter how many times they looked, it was simply too radiant.
It was insane.
Jin-woo swallowed hard without thinking and examined the steel sword’s options.
Then.
『Steel Sword』
*Grade: Unique
*Attack Power: 155
*Durability: 300/300
*Equip Requirement: Strength, Agility, Stamina each 60 or higher
→Attack Power increased by 5%
→When wielding the Steel Sword, there is a 10% chance that ‘Steel’s Breath’ is imbued into the blade
→While Steel’s Breath is active, all damage dealt increases by 50%
“Huh!?”
“Wha—!?”
Jin-woo and Nível cried out simultaneously.
The options were far too clean and perfect.
The equip requirements were quite reasonable, and the options themselves were exceptional.
A sword with attack power increase and an automatic skill that triggers at 10% chance.
The attack power increase alone was a solid option, and the additional effects were equally impressive.
Options befitting a Unique-grade weapon.
Jin-woo swallowed hard at the sight.
No matter how excellent the iron ore material was, this was extraordinary.
To obtain this from a Normal-grade Steel Sword recipe?
Then that means…?
‘I obtained a Unique-grade crafting recipe earlier.’
The crafting recipe acquisition right obtained from clearing the Dungeon with Barmon.
If I use that?
The very thought was terrifying.
If a Normal item had transcended Rare and Hero grades to reach Unique,
Then with a Unique recipe, wasn’t it possible to surpass Epic and reach Legendary?
Whether it was actually possible, I’d have to try it to find out.
The results are already there, aren’t they?
Regardless of whether it’s possible or not, the very act of considering possibilities doesn’t make sense.
‘Heh.’
I’m crazy, seriously.
Nível watched Jin-woo with deep contemplation.
Normally, he would have wanted to teach him everything.
But was there really a need to do so?
Passing on his own techniques.
That’s fine.
But Jin-woo’s own talent and skills were gradually blossoming.
And they were extraordinary talent and skills at that.
Most importantly.
‘There are aspects similar to my techniques.’
He must have demonstrated them through intuition.
But there were similarities to the techniques he used.
Though some parts were more refined or sophisticated.
Conversely, there were also immature aspects.
That’s why he was troubled.
If he simply passed on his techniques, Jin-woo could learn crafting right now.
But was that the right thing to do?
‘Hmm.’
But consider his own situation.
Had he ever learned under another blacksmith?
No, he hadn’t.
That’s why he never received any technique transmission.
Then.
Nível made his decision.
Unaware of what Nível was thinking, Jin-woo simply grinned at the steel sword.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
After all, I’d created a Unique from just a Normal.
Extract just one decent weapon recipe from the Unique recipe.
And mass production becomes immediately possible.
‘If I just craft and sell without fighting, I could make hundreds of millions?’
Hundreds of millions is nothing—I’d make tens of billions without breaking a sweat.
I already have over 100 billion in hand.
But I can’t let my guard down.
Because there exists something truly terrifying: taxes.
Once I handle everything, a considerable amount will definitely be deducted.
Thinking about that, I need to plan for steady income going forward.
And I’ve just obtained something perfect for that.
‘I’ve obtained something incredible.’
And if I receive instruction from Nível on top of that?
The icing on the cake.
It couldn’t possibly get any better than this.
While Jin-woo was reveling in such joy.
Nível spoke to him.
“Jin-woo, listen here.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t learn under me.”
“Yes—what!?”
What on earth was he saying all of a sudden?
But he’d been teaching me so well until now—what was this about?
Had something displeased him?
Or was he jealous because I was performing better than expected?
I didn’t know the reason, but I decided to apologize first.
The moment Jin-woo was about to kneel.
“You already possess your own firm convictions as a blacksmith. Your technique is the same. There are aspects similar to mine, some superior, and some lacking.”
“Yes?”
Wait?
The direction of this conversation felt unusual.
It didn’t seem like he was simply telling me to leave.
Let me hear him out.
Jin-woo listened to Nível’s words while remaining in an awkward posture.
And as Jin-woo gave his full attention.
“In truth, while teaching you my techniques, I tried to infuse my know-how and experience into them.”
“Yes. I understand that.”
“But I’ve grown concerned that doing so might dull your instincts right now.”
“Ah!”
Synthesizing Nível’s words, that was indeed the case.
The technique Jin-woo had just employed came from watching Zik’s video and learning from it.
It appeared that this contained Nível’s know-how passed down through generations.
But Zik had gone further, creating a concentrated technical video by leveraging his own experience.
Of course, not anyone could replicate it.
It was only possible because it was Jin-woo.
In other words, Jin-woo possessed crafting talent as well.
Watching such a Jin-woo, this was what Nível was saying.
That his own know-how was unnecessary for Jin-woo.
It wasn’t wrong. Since Jin-woo remembered every detail of Zik’s video, which had refined and polished that know-how.
“So I’ve decided. Take this instead.”
“Huh?”
Jin-woo accepted the book that Nível handed to him.
And then
[Skill Book, ‘Master Nível’s Craftsmanship (Legendary)’ has been acquired.]
[Skill Book, ‘Solar Refinement (Legendary)’ has been acquired.]
“Th-this is…”
“It’s a skill book distilled from everything I have.”
“Ah, a-ah.”
I never imagined I’d gain skills this quickly.
To receive such recognition.
Jin-woo found himself swallowing dryly as he gazed at Nível.
Nível nodded as he looked at Jin-woo.
Then he spoke.
“It’s yours now.”
“Ah, th-thank you so much.”
“You’re not my disciple. I’ll think of you as the next generation who inherited my craftsmanship. Your vessel is too grand to take on as my disciple.”
“That’s not true. I received your teachings, so you are my master.”
At those words, Nível’s expression went blank for a moment before he chuckled and nodded.
If Jin-woo thought of him that way, it was truly something to be grateful for.
Nível gave Jin-woo a light pat on the back.
As if urging him to go quickly.
And he spoke.
“You still have much to do, don’t you? Go on now.”
“Yes.”
I had obtained what I wanted.
The old Jin-woo would have just left.
But something about Nível, who seemed somehow lonely, weighed on my heart.
Looking at Nível that way, Jin-woo hesitated before speaking.
“Why don’t you take on another disciple later?”
“Hm?”
“Instead of a freeloader like me, wouldn’t it be good to properly take on one disciple?”
“Heheheh, why would I take on another disciple when I have such a reliable one as you?”
At Nível’s words, Jin-woo looked at him seriously and spoke.
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to properly take on one real disciple instead of someone like me?”
“Hmm.”
“Master, surely you should have the joy of teaching in your twilight years, shouldn’t you?”
“…I’ll give it some thought.”
“Thank you. Then, take care of yourself. I’ll be going now.”
Nível watched Jin-woo’s departing figure.
Watching the back of Jin-woo, who would play in a world far greater than his own, he chuckled softly.
His role was now complete.
I had found a successor to pass on my craft to.
Now I had no regrets.
That’s what I thought.
I could simply pass each day meaninglessly.
That’s how I was living.
Since my body could no longer touch steel.
But how much time had passed?
A few weeks after Jin-woo left.
Someone opened the door and walked in.
“Are you here?”
“Hmm?”
I had no visitors to expect.
How long had it been since I’d had a guest?
It felt like the first time since Jin-woo.
To visit a blacksmith with its forge cold—this visitor was quite the eccentric.
And I could see him clearly.
Unlike Jin-woo, he had a youthful appearance.
Yet his eyes burned with passion no less than Jin-woo’s.
The young man asked me a question.
“It seems you’re not using the forge. Would it be alright if I rented it?”
What was this now?
I looked at this youthful young man and laughed.
Why did Jin-woo’s words come to mind at this moment?
“Hehehehe! Do you know how to work as a blacksmith?”
“Ah! Yes! I know a little, but I don’t have any skills yet!”
Watching the young man answer so boldly, I smiled.
My body was deteriorating by the day.
Recalling Jin-woo’s final words, I asked.
“Didn’t other blacksmiths teach you?”
“Ah, it seems the territorial attitudes are quite severe…”
“Hehehehe, I see.”
I’d heard such things happened often.
Petty fools.
“What’s your name, lad?”
“Ah, it’s Zik.”
Looking at the young man who answered, I asked one final question.
“Would you like me to teach you a bit?”
At my final question, Zik’s eyes sparkled as he answered vigorously.
“Yes! I will study hard!”
I laughed, watching Zik answer so boldly.
And as I recalled Jin-woo’s words, which seemed to have foreseen even this, I closed my eyes.
‘Thank you.’
Still, it seemed I could spend my remaining years in joy.
* * *
After leaving Nybel’s Blacksmith, Jin-woo immediately learned the skills.
There was nothing particularly different about them.
Both were Legendary, but crafting skills were rather straightforward, weren’t they?
Skills that were merely notes containing crafting bonuses and various refinement techniques.
But Jin-woo gazed at those two skills with care and nodded.
Now I could craft things on my own.
Still.
‘Phew, I mustn’t forget my gratitude.’
It was a debt I owed to the game, after all.
It felt somewhat awkward to call Wirun or Gruen my teachers.
But Nível was different.
He felt more like a true mentor.
Perhaps it was because he seemed to care for me more.
Or perhaps my heart was more moved because I knew Nível would soon pass away.
Whatever the reason.
The fact remained that Nível weighed on my mind.
But I didn’t think about visiting him again.
‘There’s nothing crueler than that.’
That’s why I said it.
Zik could come find him later if he wished.
Hoping the two of them would meet well, I began to move.
After all, Jerba was full of dungeons where I could obtain various recipes and materials.
If I gathered those and sold them?
I could make considerable profit.
I wished I could forge a sword to match Gram.
One of the paired swords I was currently using, Eucria’s longsword, left something to be desired.
Of course, it wasn’t bad at Unique+ rank.
‘Still, it feels a bit lacking.’
Among the crafting methods, there was even a technique that allowed me to artificially add desired options to the same recipe.
If I used this?
I could create the items I wanted.
Thinking this way, Jin-woo pondered which dungeon to visit.
Which dungeon was it that dropped sword recipes?
I felt like there might have been a hidden piece there.
Since recipe hidden pieces weren’t particularly famous, my memory was hazy.
But then I was able to recall it.
“Living Armor’s Tomb!”
Now that I thought about it, that place existed.
If I went there, I could obtain the sword-crafting recipe.
The moment this occurred to me, I headed straight for that location.
I remembered where it was.
I might wander a bit, but it wasn’t as though I couldn’t find it.
‘Let’s go right now!’

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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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