The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 194

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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 194
194
Jin-woo, who had spent thirty-six years as a hopeless romantic, understood the frustration well enough, but Gia was proving to be no less exasperating in her own right.
Even after going on dates, the fact that they remained in this ambiguous limbo spoke volumes about the peculiar chemistry between these two.
Under normal circumstances, they would have progressed far beyond dating by now, advancing their relationship at a pace most would consider natural.
But then again, everyone moved at their own speed, didn’t they?
The trouble was, these two seemed to be running backward instead of forward.
In any case.
That was simply how it was.
But if one were to ask whether Gia harbored the same thoughts as Jin-woo, the answer would be decidedly no.
In fact, her thoughts were entirely different.
Perhaps it was better to say that her inexperience as a hopeless romantic was a saving grace?
[Dain: He said he likes you? Haha, have some confidence!]
[Ji Eun-mi: No;;;;; He’s literally showing you he likes you and giving you the green light, and you still can’t believe it? That’s a sickness;;;; Go get him;;;;]
Da-in: Hehehehe, all the older sisters are gone, so our maknae is going too, sob sob.
Ji Eun-mi: Huh? What are you talking about? Hahahaha
[Da-in: Ji Eun-mi, you? Could it be?]
Ji Eun-mi: Hehehehe
[Dain: Who do I hang out with now ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
As long as Da-in and Eun-mi were around, such a thing could never come to pass.
Here lay another crucial difference between Gia and Jin-woo.
Unlike Jin-woo, whose convictions had hardened into concrete, Gia actually listened to what they had to say!
Perhaps that was why.
She found herself with a bit more courage.
The problem was that this courage was channeled in a rather peculiar direction.
‘Once I become a bit more equal to oppa… then…!’
Her plan was simple: once she reached a level more comparable to Jin-woo’s, she would confess.
She already knew that Jin-woo liked her, and she liked him too.
But shouldn’t lovers be somewhat equal to each other?
Clinging to this flawed logic, she had thrown herself into the Pantheon with obsessive fervor.
The result was that she hadn’t seen him even once since the celebration ceremony.
She had already surpassed level 100 and was now targeting the 130s.
Her leveling speed was in an entirely different league compared to Barmon and Yuna, who were only just breaking into the 100s.
Of course, even if she reached level 150, she would still fall far short of matching Jin-woo’s power.
But at least it would close the gap somewhat, wouldn’t it?
Though even that was proving difficult.
While her leveling speed was indeed fast, the rate at which her experience accumulated had slowed considerably, even while conducting mass hunts with the Yellow Dragon’s assistance.
At this pace, reaching level 150 would take at least another two or three months.
By this point, even Gia had begun to feel anxious.
Should she reconsider her goal?
Should I lower my standards?
Such worries came naturally, but for some reason, if I did that, it felt like my affection for Jin-woo would become a lie, and that was the problem.
Here came another issue of being single.
Being stubborn about pointless things.
Wasn’t Jin-woo exactly like that too?
‘Sigh, what should I do?’
My worries lingered for quite some time.
Jin-woo barely contacted me, so I couldn’t tell if he was waiting for Gia or if his heart had already moved on.
My anxiety only grew with each passing day.
My older sisters were cheering me on from the sidelines, so I was somewhat reassured.
But it wasn’t 100% reassurance.
Just as my restless anxiety was intensifying.
My phone rang.
A call from a senior whose number I only knew.
Actually, I didn’t originally know it, but I learned it through Jin-woo—it was Young-jin.
Why was he calling?
Full of questions, I answered the phone.
“Hello?”
-Ah, Gia, it’s Young-jin.
“Yes, yes, I know, Senior Young-jin.”
I spoke with a slight edge, as if asking what his business was.
Young-jin asked in quite a serious voice.
-Well, the thing is, I was wondering what you think of Jin-woo, so I decided to call you.
“Yes, yes?!”
I was utterly flustered.
So suddenly?
He’s asking just like that?
Had something changed in Jin-woo’s feelings?
As countless thoughts raced through my mind, a familiar voice came through the phone.
-You crazy bastard!
Jin-woo scolding Young-jin.
So Jin-woo was there with him too.
The situation became crystal clear.
They must have been discussing me and Jin-woo.
Young-jin suddenly called like this to ask Gia about Jin-woo?
How obvious.
My face flushed so intensely I thought it might burst.
Regardless, Young-jin’s voice came through the phone again.
-Yes, yes, I was just wondering what you think of Jin-woo, so I called.
“Ah, um… w-when you ask so suddenly like that…”
I told myself it was out of embarrassment.
But truthfully, I was terrified of Jin-woo hearing it.
I had no idea how he would react.
I already knew through my older sisters that Jin-woo was interested in me.
Still, it felt wrong to say it without even seeing his expression.
Yes, I wanted to see his face when I said it.
So I asked with a trembling voice.
“Are the two of you together right now?”
Even though I already knew.
I asked anyway.
I expected a casual affirmation.
But instead, there was silence—as if he were flustered.
Young-jin probably hadn’t expected me to respond like this either.
Having mustered my courage, I decided to push forward.
“Then… should I come there too?”
—Oh!?
Young-jin let out an exclamation that sounded quite eager.
After finally finding my courage, I clenched my fists and trembled with nervous energy.
The way I quivered with uncertainty was probably quite endearing.
Which is why I couldn’t respond immediately.
Young-jin spoke for me instead.
—Yes, yes, come on over. I’ll call Hye-jung too.
“Ah, yes, understood.”
Would it be easier if Hye-jung, Young-jin’s girlfriend, came as well?
From how quickly he answered, it seemed likely.
I responded immediately.
Young-jin continued.
—I’ll send you the address via text. It’s close to this guy’s place.
“Ah! Yes!”
Now that I’d found my courage, Young-jin was helping me too.
Whatever Jin-woo thought didn’t matter anymore.
I had already taken the leap.
I was determined to see it through.
No.
I needed to prepare quickly instead.
I rapidly assessed my appearance.
Just to be safe, I checked the mirror.
My appearance was flawless by anyone’s standards.
Yet to my own eyes, something always seemed lacking.
Frowning, I quickly searched for a comb.
I had washed my hair this morning, which helped, but it still wouldn’t settle down properly.
To others, my hair looked as sleek and lustrous as ebony.
But to myself, it seemed riddled with flaws.
After brushing it several times,
I could see it had definitely become much more composed than before.
To be safe, I gathered my hair at the back and tied it into one section, creating what was commonly called a ponytail.
My black hair against my pale skin looked quite striking.
As I considered applying makeup, I suddenly recalled my older sisters’ advice.
Since my skin was naturally fair and pale, applying heavy makeup would only make things worse—they had advised me to focus solely on my eyebrows, lips, and eyeliner.
I followed their guidance faithfully.
Though the eyeliner was a bit uncertain at first, my natural dexterity allowed me to draw it quite convincingly.
Only then did my expression show satisfaction.
Yes, this was a battle.
Not that I thought of it that way myself.
But I prepared with the intensity of combat readiness.
The shower had eaten up some time.
But even so, it was only about thirty minutes.
Thinking it wouldn’t be right to keep him waiting any longer, I stood up to get dressed and hurry out when a text arrived from Young-jin’s number.
[Young-jin: Don’t worry about us. Take your time and prepare well before coming~.]
I had a truly reliable ally.
Even so, I had no intention of being leisurely about it.
I had already prepared my outfit.
The dress my older sisters had said looked pretty when they saw it before.
This would be sufficient.
Even I had to admire how I looked, and only then did I finish my preparations and leave the house.
* * *
When Hye-jung arrived, Jin-woo stared at the two of them seriously.
What in the world was this?
Why were they meddling in someone else’s love life?
Looking at them as if he couldn’t understand,
Young-jin spoke to Jin-woo with an exasperated expression.
“If anything, shouldn’t you handle it well yourself? You’re glaring at us after we help you when you can’t manage it.”
How had this guy become able to read minds?
I was going crazy.
“It’s not that I’m reading your mind—it’s just that what you’re thinking is so obvious.”
“Shut up!”
“Hehe, you were like this in high school too. Still so transparent.”
“Sigh, that’s exactly why. I’m helping not because you’re a friend, but because it’s you.”
“Well, our Young-jin should be a bit kinder.”
Watching Young-jin and Hye-jung continue their teasing, Jin-woo stared at them both as if utterly exasperated.
Why are those two so carefree about this?
If Gia came and said, “Please don’t tease him like this—he’s not interested in Jin-woo oppa!” they wouldn’t even take responsibility for it!
Though I suppose it won’t go that far.
This is a matter of feeling, purely a matter of feeling.
There’s a difference between stepping forward on your own and being pushed, isn’t there?
But that doesn’t change the fact that I lack the courage to make the first move.
“Sigh, seeing this guy makes me think Gia is going to have such a hard time.”
“I should educate this fool from the sidelines.”
“What am I even—!”
I bristled at my old classmates’ teasing.
Both of them glared at me as if to say, “How can you say that after seeing this situation?”
I felt a bit stung and lowered my gaze.
It absolutely wasn’t because I was scared.
In any case, I remained anxious.
No matter what Young-jin and Hye-jung said, that anxiety persisted.
‘What if she breaks up with me over this? Seriously.’
From my perspective, it was perhaps a natural concern.
For thirty-six years, I’d never even received a confession, let alone experienced romance.
This was largely my own fault.
After becoming a gamer, I stopped going out.
All I did was order delivery at home or exercise at a nearby gym.
Even then, I’d wear my headset like an impenetrable fortress while working out.
I was actively blocking any approach from others.
So how could anyone have confessed to me?
It was the same in university and high school.
I only got along well with guys and had no interaction with girls whatsoever.
Why?
Because I was more comfortable with guys.
So I unconsciously put up walls with girls.
Despite being popular, no one could approach me.
And since no girl was brave enough to confess to me despite it all,
I never received a single confession.
Besides, I wasn’t the type to hang out actively with friends like some social butterfly.
The biggest social activity I’d done since my regression was just a class reunion.
I’d walked down the very natural path to becoming a forever-alone guy.
As a result, my interest in romance naturally waned, and only fear grew.
So even though Gia was showing interest in me, I reacted this way.
“I still don’t understand why he’s so worried.”
“Hmm, not all forever-alone guys are like that, right?”
“…Shut up, both of you. If you don’t know, stay quiet…”
I could only resent those two for not understanding my feelings.
But only for a moment.
Hye-jung and Young-jin suddenly widened their eyes and rose from their seats.
What was happening?
I turned my head toward where they were looking, wondering what had caught their attention.
Gia was entering with a shy smile.
Radiant in a way I had never seen before.
“I’m… here.”
I could only gaze at her in awe, utterly captivated.

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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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