The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 143

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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 143
Chapter 143
In the Zapin Territory of the Bark Empire.
Count Zapin, who ruled over that land, wore a deep frown, weighed down by the tedium of daily life.
His territory, where incidents and accidents were virtually nonexistent, offered nothing but monotony day after day.
Yet recently, some entertaining news had begun to trickle in.
They said that countless beings blessed by the Goddess had been summoned across the Continent?
These ones called Travelers.
Upon hearing this tale, Count Zapin recalled an ancient legend passed down through his family line.
A place transmitted in secret through generations of the House of Zapin.
It was none other than a Dungeon.
He could not fathom why such a venerable noble house of the Empire would serve merely a Dungeon.
And one that could not even be entered, at that.
But since it had been passed down as legend, he simply accepted it as such.
According to the legend.
-One blessed by the Goddess’s grace shall guide the House of Zapin to greater heights.
This phrase had been left behind.
And that very phrase was carved directly before the Dungeon’s entrance.
To any observer, the Dungeon and the Travelers seemed to be connected.
Such thoughts kindled hope within him.
But it was taking far too long for Travelers to reach this place.
‘This is taking longer than expected.’
Perhaps they had not yet grown strong enough to come this far.
He had yet to lay eyes upon a single Traveler.
Since the Zapin Territory was so vast, he could not know precisely where anyone might arrive or from which direction.
Still, if a Traveler had come, surely word of such an event would reach him.
Yet no such news had come, which meant no one had arrived in his territory at all.
They said quite a few Travelers had come to the nearby City.
But Count Zapin had not seen a single one himself.
Each day was nothing but tedium.
His yearning to visit that legendary Dungeon burned fiercely.
But what could he do?
No Travelers were coming.
It was while passing such monotonous days that—
“Count Zapin! A problem has arisen in the City within your territory!”
“What sort of problem?”
“A sudden earthquake occurred on the mountainside, and the Mountain has collapsed, my lord.”
“The Mountain? Suddenly?”
“Yes. The residents of the City are beseeching you to investigate the cause, my lord.”
Such an event occurring without warning was truly strange news.
It could have ended with simply sending an investigation team.
But why didn’t it feel right?
Count Zapin had an inexplicable sense that he shouldn’t settle for that.
A gut feeling that something interesting might happen if he went there himself.
And wasn’t that excuse rather convenient?
The Count personally stepping forward to care for his territory’s people in the wake of a sudden accident.
It was truly an excellent pretext.
Moreover, his reputation would improve as well.
With such thoughts, Count Zapin rose from his seat.
He turned to the Butler with a question.
“Have you heard anything about what happened in that city before the accident occurred?”
He asked without any particular expectations, merely going through the motions.
But.
“Yes, my lord. In fact, just a few days ago, a traveler arrived in that city.”
“What? A traveler?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
A traveler in such circumstances?
There was no reason not to go.
Count Zapin smiled with satisfaction and spoke to the Butler.
“I shall go myself. Should you discover that traveler, order them to be detained by the lord’s command.”
“Yes, I shall carry out your orders.”
“Go.”
Thus Count Zapin set himself in motion.
* * *
Jin-woo looked around with evident discomfort.
Guard Soldiers from the city had him restrained.
What was the meaning of this?
They gripped their spears and regarded Jin-woo with excessive caution.
Though it was understandable.
From their perspective, Jin-woo appeared nothing short of a monster.
NPCs could sense a user’s formidable power, after all.
And they distributed Quests accordingly.
In other words, what appeared before their eyes now was simply a monster.
A terrifying monster whose eruption they could never predict.
Well, understanding the situation, I decided to wait.
There was nothing else to do anyway.
‘I’ve already obtained Wrath of the Earth.’
An Epic-tier area-of-effect skill, no less.
An area skill on par with the Thunderbird’s Roar.
It would be nice to obtain a Legendary skill here as well.
That would be too greedy.
If I mix various things here, it will become far more powerful.
I’ll need to acquire more earth attribute skills, though.
But I’ve already confirmed it produces tremendous destructive force right now.
Ah, that’s right.
It seems collapsing the mountain while experimenting with skills has become a problem.
‘Since the Dungeon was named the Temple of Ancient Earth.’
There must have been something important there.
Since I haven’t gained any particular notoriety from it.
I thought it would be fine.
Perhaps people really do need to think before they act?
Well, what can I do about what’s already done?
I should at least apologize.
While Jin-woo was thinking this.
I heard the Guard Soldiers whispering among themselves.
“When is the Count arriving?”
“We, we can’t keep this monster restrained forever.”
“Ah, but looking at it, there’s a sense of dignity about it, so maybe it’s okay?”
“Y, yes, it does seem that way.”
Hmm, it seems the Guard Soldiers are confused due to multiple effects.
Though Jin-woo is strong, I’ve obtained positive effects from various NPCs.
That must be it.
It feels like a restraint due to the Count’s orders.
It doesn’t seem like they’re restraining me for doing anything particularly wrong.
But why does the Count want to meet me?
Jin-woo tilted my head while thinking this.
Now that I think about it, it doesn’t seem to be because I collapsed the mountain.
But the Count wouldn’t just come without reason, would he?
‘I’m curious.’
Jin-woo stopped thinking here.
There was nothing more to gain from thinking further.
All I could do was wait.
Well, I had plenty of time anyway.
Obtaining the Wrath of Earth was naturally expected.
And on top of that, Isis was nearly complete.
I never dreamed it would take so long for Isis to digest the core of the typhoon.
Once that was resolved, completion would come quickly.
So for now, I had nothing to do.
‘Is the Count trying to give me a Quest?’
Now that I thought about it, rumors had circulated about Zapin Territory before.
There were rumors that Count Zapin had invited several users and sent them into a Dungeon.
But since there was no concrete evidence or testimony, everyone dismissed it with a shake of their head.
There was once a rumor that Barmon had entered that Dungeon.
But Barmon had flatly denied it.
-I have never entered such a Dungeon.
With that statement, word spread that there was no Dungeon in Zapin Territory, and interest gradually faded.
Naturally, rumors of Count Zapin gathering users ceased to circulate after that.
Could it possibly be connected to this?
I’d been bored anyway, so the timing felt fortunate.
As I always said, noble Quests were invariably worthwhile.
It was right then.
“The benevolent and wise Count Zapin has arrived!”
Thump! Click!
Everyone nearby showed proper respect, but the Guard Soldiers around me remained vigilant throughout.
However, when I also showed proper courtesy, the situation became somewhat awkward.
A look of uncertainty crossed their faces.
Count Zapin observed my demeanor with interest.
He had heard that most travelers blessed by the goddess who came to this land were rude and lacked manners.
Yet here was one who showed such courtesy.
The Count’s attendants widened their eyes in surprise.
Only the surrounding Guard Soldiers remained visibly flustered.
“Very well. Given the circumstances, I shall not fault you for any lack of propriety. Rather….”
Count Zapin spoke thus while observing me with a subtle smile as I maintained my respectful posture.
Then he asked.
“Are you a traveler?”
“Yes, that is correct, Count Zapin.”
“Ah, yet you seem quite versed in etiquette. There is even a certain dignity about you.”
“I possess only modest knowledge.”
“You speak well. Then, show me around. Guide me to the Market Hall.”
“Yes! Understood!”
The Count smiled with satisfaction as he observed the soldiers’ heightened discipline.
And I, watching the Count, smiled subtly as well.
This is turning out far more entertaining than I expected.
He confirmed I was a traveler, and there’s no sense of hostility.
The feeling is unmistakable.
I smiled with genuine happiness at that sensation.
This smells like a jackpot Quest.
I followed Count Zapin toward the Market Hall.
So that Dungeon really does exist.
Things were becoming far too entertaining.
* * *
Count Zapin observed Jin-woo sitting confidently before him and pondered.
Truly, it was an extraordinary power.
In fact, it genuinely was.
Not everything could be sensed.
Yet that fighting spirit, seemingly boundless, was nothing short of remarkable.
One careless misstep could result in his entire territory being swept away—such was the thought that crossed his mind.
Even an intuition whispered that this might be more than mere speculation.
Still, Count Zapin did not surrender his composure.
A nobleman must conduct himself thus.
“I’ve heard that travelers are generally discourteous, yet it seems rumors are not to be trusted.”
“Haha, I cannot speak for other travelers. Many lack proper etiquette, so I humbly ask that you not harbor ill will toward others you may encounter.”
“Heh, that is understandable. People are all different, as they say.”
“Yes, that is so.”
Jin-woo and the Count exchanged pleasantries in this manner.
Soon, the Count regarded Jin-woo and posed a serious question.
“What are your thoughts on legends?”
He moved directly to the heart of the matter.
Though there was a sense of indirectness to his approach.
One who understood legends would surely answer.
Jin-woo responded without hesitation.
“I would like to know whether you speak of living legends, or of legends themselves.”
“Ho?”
To grasp that distinction.
Truly remarkable.
The Count reflected quietly on this.
Indeed, the two differed significantly.
Living legends referred to those like Nível, Wirun, and Gruen—individuals who left behind tremendous achievements or created brilliant techniques.
Yet legends themselves were different.
For legends invariably left behind items and skills.
And the Count’s question pertained to the latter.
“The latter.”
“Regarding legends themselves, I do not claim extensive knowledge, but one thing is certain—legends are real.”
“Heh.”
This was precisely the answer the Count wished to hear.
He had never imagined such words would come from a traveler’s lips.
He could not have foreseen it.
Yet was that not all the better?
The Count gazed intently at Jin-woo as he pondered.
If this man understood legends, then he must have witnessed one himself.
A living legend and legend itself.
Both of them.
“There is something I wish to ask of you.”
“Haha, you need only speak, and it shall be done.”
Words that conveyed absolute readiness.
Count Zapin found himself smiling at such audacious confidence.
Truly, this was no ordinary youth.
Observing Jin-woo, Count Zapin spoke.
“Our House of Zapin possesses a legend passed down through generations—one concerning a Dungeon. I would very much like for you to venture into it.”
At the Count’s softly spoken words, Jin-woo’s heart leaped with exultation.
Yes! This was it!
What manner of Dungeon could it be?
Given the mention of legend, could it truly be a Legendary Dungeon?
As such thoughts consumed him.
Count Zapin opened his mouth once more.
“Have you heard of the God of War?”
“Pardon?”
Words Jin-woo had never imagined tumbled from the Count’s lips.
The God of War.
Here, of all places?
Why does he appear 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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