The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 198

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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 198
198
On the path toward the Dungeon that Hallak had scouted in advance.
It was only natural that Hallak and Palsia led the way.
[Hallak: Kekeke, following along so obediently. Not even knowing where we’re going. This is why beginner brats are so easy—just form a party with them and they’re grateful enough to tag along.]
[Palsia: True enough. Plenty of them cash out from the start. Those two look well-stocked. The way they’re wearing those robes from the beginning tells you everything.]
The true identities of Hallak, who seemed somewhat kind at first glance, and Palsia, who appeared taciturn, were none other than beginner hunters—the kind that infested the Beginner Village in any game.
After all, this wasn’t some dead game where veterans actually helped beginners.
Just as Sban had observed initially, most beginners sought out experienced players anyway.
In such circumstances, beginners banding together?
It was nearly unheard of unless they were acquaintances from outside the game.
Which was precisely why predators like Hallak and Palsia emerged.
There were far more beginners spending real money than one might expect.
They had decent money and wanted to play, but weren’t particularly skilled, so they’d splurge a bit at the start.
Hallak and Palsia primarily targeted such players.
That couple following behind was perfect prey.
The robes worn by both the man and woman were ordinary enough, but Hallak’s keen eye could discern the truth.
They possessed high-quality robes, even if they lacked special stats.
Purchasing such a fine robe was impossible on a beginner’s stipend alone.
In other words, it was proof they’d spent real money.
Though they didn’t appear to be wearing gear that screamed cash spending, they might equip it right before combat.
Hallak was certainly thinking along those lines.
[Hallak: Yeah, I found good ones.]
At Hallak’s message, Palsia furrowed his brow slightly and asked.
[Palsia: The first one we picked up looks pretty useless though. Did we really need to bring him along?]
He was referring to Sban.
Questioning why they’d brought along a beginner who hadn’t spent money.
But that was a case of knowing one thing and missing two.
[Hallak: Idiot, you think everyone who spends money in games is just an imbecile? Even if we actively look like beginners, it can raise suspicion. So we throw in a couple of these dumb bastards to lure in the cash-spending beginners.]
[Palsia: Ah, bait, you mean.]
[Hallak: Right. If they see awkwardness that can’t be faked, they’ll let their guard down.]
[Palsia: Smart as always. I prefer just staying quiet like I usually do.]
[Hallak: If you can’t act, that’s the right call.]
[Palsia: So we do it like always then? Right before the boss room?]
[Hallak: That’s when they’re most careless.]
[Palsia: Good. Let’s clean them out today.]
[Hallak: Of course. Nobody strips people better than us.]
The two exchanged messages and snickered to themselves.
But they didn’t know.
That the couple was watching them with sharp, discerning eyes.
* * *
Sban was a newcomer among newcomers, having cleared the tutorial and started right away.
Despite being such a novice, I’d heard countless times over the years that he had good instincts.
But right now, I was sensing something distinctly odd about the situation.
At first, I was too excited to notice, but as time went on, the strangeness became increasingly apparent.
‘Something feels off about this.’
Hallak and Palsia kept heading toward increasingly remote terrain.
It wasn’t strange that the Dungeon was located in a harsh area.
The distance could be considerable, and Dungeons could certainly exist in rough terrain.
Wasn’t that how games naturally worked?
It was such a common occurrence that I let it slide.
But the fact that neither of them had spoken a single word during the entire journey here—that was far too strange.
Hallak had been quite talkative until we arrived at this place.
That’s what made it even stranger.
There was something suffocating about the atmosphere, if I had to describe it.
But there was nothing I could really say about it either.
I couldn’t exactly ask why they were being so quiet.
I walked on, telling myself it was probably just my imagination.
Then.
“Have you decided on a class yet?”
“Ah? Oh, so you’re Ujin.”
A man suddenly spoke to me from behind.
Recalling that he’d introduced himself as Ujin, I responded.
As Ujin nodded with a slight smile.
I paused to think for a moment.
Just moments ago, the couple had been whispering to each other.
When had he approached?
Though I wasn’t paying attention, I hadn’t sensed his presence at all.
Feeling something unsettling, I swallowed hard.
Should I even answer this?
No, casual conversation before party hunting isn’t a bad thing.
Besides, it had been too quiet until now.
“Ah, I haven’t really decided on a class yet, but I’d be thrilled if I could draw a high-grade one.”
“I see. Normal-grade classes are certainly unappealing.”
“Right. Since I’ll have to advance anyway, it’s frustrating. I’ve heard that even if you’ve already advanced once, if a higher-grade advancement opportunity comes up, you can change your class. Though I suppose you’d lose some stats in the process.”
“Still, a better class would be far superior.”
At Ujin’s casual remark, I nodded in agreement.
He seems oddly composed, this one.
He wasn’t showing off or pretending to show off by bringing his girlfriend along.
Everything from the gleam in his eyes to his every gesture radiated composure.
Was this person someone with high self-esteem?
Or perhaps someone confident in their abilities.
It had to be one or the other, didn’t it?
Sban thought this way, feeling envious in his heart.
Dating such a beautiful girlfriend while possessing that kind of confidence—it was enviable.
Or was it the other way around?
Perhaps having that kind of confidence and composure was what attracted such a girlfriend in the first place?
Just as this thought crossed his mind and he became lost in idle musings, Hallak cried out.
“We’ve arrived!”
At Hallak’s shout, Sban snapped back to attention and lifted his head.
Ujin spoke quietly, just loud enough for Sban to hear.
“Oh, looks like we finally made it. I was curious how far we’d go.”
“Huh? Yes?”
“Ah, never mind. Come on, Aji.”
“Yes, oppa.”
“Come on, you two! If you keep dawdling, we’ll just head in without you! Haha!”
At Hallak’s slick remark, the couple of Sban and Ujin, who had been lagging behind, gradually caught up.
Watching his approaching party members, Hallak greeted them kindly with a merchant’s smile.
Then he continued his explanation smoothly.
“This dungeon happens to be one that Palsia and I discovered. As you’ll see from the dungeon description, it’s a dungeon where Cobolts appear. The characteristics of Cobolts are….”
He proceeded to list out the explanations about Cobolts and their weaknesses in sequence.
Especially since this was a dungeon they hadn’t cleared yet, he warned them to be cautious if they discovered the boss room before clearing the regular floors—he was performing the role of a proper party leader quite well.
As everyone nodded in agreement,
Hallak nodded with satisfaction.
“Since Palsia has a shield and a one-handed sword, he’ll take the front line. Next will be Ujin and Sban with greatswords, followed by Aji with a wand who has basic magic skills. Finally, I’ll cover the rear of the formation with a bow and dagger.”
One tank, two melee dealers, a mage, and an archer.
It was an ideal composition.
The archer was holding a dagger to protect the rear in close quarters.
Standing at the very back was standard practice, and it offered the highest survivability.
“Yes, understood.”
“I’m counting on all of you.”
“I’ll hold the line well.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
“Leave the rear to me!”
Ujin answered flatly, Sban bowed politely, Palsia spoke quietly, Aji responded in a small voice—whether shy or reserved—and Hallak spoke energetically.
Once everyone was prepared and the formation was set, everything proceeded at lightning speed.
There wasn’t much else to decide anyway, but it was important to quickly synchronize their movements this way.
Sban showed some tension when they entered the dungeon and heard it was designed for 5-6 people.
It was natural—he was entering a dungeon with people he’d only just met.
But what was this?
I seemed to be the only one feeling nervous.
Even Aji, though female, was preparing as if it were nothing, and for some reason, my pride felt wounded.
‘Get a grip.’
After steadying myself, I stepped into the Dungeon.
Before long, I heard growling sounds.
A monster with a height as small as a goblin but a head resembling a canine creature.
A Cobolt.
Not as cunning as goblins, but far more feral, with bodies quicker and stronger than theirs.
Hadn’t Hallak already explained this to me?
Yet four Cobolts appeared at once.
As expected, Sban’s tense body stiffened slightly, and Palsia, standing at the front, struck his shield against the ground and shouted.
“Come on――!”
He called out loudly to draw their attention.
It wasn’t through skill’s power, merely drawing their gaze, but those creatures wouldn’t remain idle upon seeing intruders.
Grrrrr! Khehhehehe!
The Cobolts charged forward with bestial cries.
The sight of four monsters charging was exactly the kind of thing to make one’s body go rigid.
But Palsia, who was said to be Level 2, had already experienced this—would he falter?
Calmly, he thrust forward a large round shield capable of covering his entire upper body, forcefully pushing two Cobolts back with it.
Boom!
As if they’d crashed into some massive wall, two Cobolts were sent reeling backward, dazed.
But two still remained.
Seeing them, Hallak shouted.
“Ujin! Sban!”
The monsters the tank let slip were entirely the responsibility of the melee dealers behind him.
While Palsia kept two bound with his shield, dealing with the other Cobolts was the priority.
At that shout, Sban gripped his sword in an awkward stance, and toward him, a Cobolt’s eyes gleamed as it charged.
Even beasts can sense whether their opponent is afraid or not.
How much more so for a monster like a Cobolt?
Sensing Sban’s fear, two of them charged simultaneously.
At this rate, Sban might be forced to retire from the fight.
But then Ujin rushed toward the panicked Sban.
Since a Cobolt was already charging at Sban, I kicked the creature mid-leap through the air.
“Kyeek!”
One Cobolt was sent flying back with considerable force.
The other bared its ferocious fangs, and I raised my sword to block.
Clang! Clang!
As it gnawed at my iron blade, blood seeped out, but it pressed forward relentlessly like a madness had seized it.
To all appearances, I was in a dire situation.
Then an arrow flew from somewhere and struck the Cobolt’s shoulder blade.
“Ow, ow, ow!”
Cobolt let out a pained cry and finally stumbled backward.
Sban’s face flushed crimson as he realized he’d lost his composure for a moment.
Hallak called out to him.
“Sban! Focus!”
“Y-yes!”
Only then did Sban’s rigid posture relax, and he gripped his sword properly again.
Ujin chuckled at the sight, then casually adjusted his grip on his blade and mused.
‘Fighting at level 1 is quite different.’

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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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