The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 2

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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 2
Episode 2
Pantheon was not a game where talent alone could yield results.
Unless one possessed overwhelming talent, mediocre ability would get you nowhere.
In that sense, Jin-woo’s talent was nothing extraordinary.
Then how had he managed to achieve such results?
Simple.
Through sheer persistence.
Whenever there was a cause to uncover, I would pull all-nighters to figure it out.
I didn’t sleep when creating content either.
With a schedule like that, when would I have time for romance?
In any case.
The analytical prowess born from such relentless determination was bound to be formidable.
Persistence and analytical ability.
Thanks to those two qualities, despite starting a year late, I managed to break into the upper-middle ranks.
Of course, this was only possible because I possessed a modicum of talent to support it.
Had any single element been lacking, the Jin-woo of that era would never have existed.
And now that same Jin-woo had returned to before the game’s launch.
A full month before release, no less.
More than enough time to prepare—an embarrassment of riches, really.
‘The most valuable thing to obtain in the starting village is the First Title.’
Those First Titles available from the very beginning.
Just off the top of my head, I can recall over ten of them.
Even ordinary titles provide considerable advantage.
But First Titles—granted only to those who arrive first?
They operate on an entirely different level.
Some are said to be more useful than high-rank skills.
Need I say more?
When this First Title system first emerged, it sparked considerable debate among players.
And rightfully so.
There were First Titles more useful than high-rank skills, after all.
Most of all, the fact that only one person could obtain each one seemed patently unfair on the surface.
But Pantheon’s message remained consistent.
‘Discover it yourself.’
Venture into this new world with an adventurous spirit.
That was the slogan with which the game began.
In a way, it was both the game’s defining characteristic and its appeal.
Conventional, perhaps, but it worked.
Everyone learns the joy of discovery through treasure hunts in childhood, after all.
That’s simply how RPGs are meant to be.
True, early starter users had snatched up quite a few First Titles, which was frustrating, but that didn’t mean those who started late couldn’t obtain them either.
It was a matter of degree, not an absolute impossibility.
Of course, even without First Titles, the differences in skills and hidden pieces couldn’t be ignored.
But then again, wasn’t that the same in any other game?
So I had to plan efficiently.
I’d think about skills and titles with good synergy between them.
The more meticulous the plan, the better.
Jin-woo crafted his strategy with relentless precision.
With careful preparation, a month slipped away in an instant.
* * *
Popular games are invariably brimming with anticipation before launch.
Pantheon was no exception.
Rumors already circulated from beta testers singing its praises—from the most glowing endorsements to claims that it had achieved the most perfect virtual reality implementation.
With such whispers spreading, how could one not be excited?
Naturally, those truly passionate about gaming waited with bated breath.
Of course, among them all, probably no one anticipated it quite like Jin-woo did.
‘Ten minutes left!’
A historic moment.
Back then, I was too busy working part-time to catch Pantheon’s launch, wasn’t I?
How foolish.
Though I suppose I had no choice.
Before Pantheon, only an extremely select few could make money from gaming.
Anyone who believed they’d be among that elite was either foolish or genuinely overflowing with talent—one or the other.
Unfortunately, Jin-woo simply hadn’t been one of them.
But this time was different.
Hadn’t I already seen the results?
And that was long after the fact.
‘I’d started rather half-heartedly back then.’
I hadn’t taken Pantheon seriously from the beginning.
I’d started thinking I’d just enjoy it casually, and through sheer luck, I’d even reached a job class.
I’d been genuinely fortunate.
And that remained true even now.
Who could have predicted I’d regress?
I didn’t understand how it happened or why I’d regressed.
I didn’t particularly care to know either.
I simply wanted to seize this opportunity and enjoy it!
I logged into virtual reality, mentally reviewing the countless plans I’d organized over the past month.
I felt my consciousness transfer as I moved to the virtual space.
It was like a desktop on an old PC.
Jin-woo clicked on Pantheon, which he’d pre-downloaded there.
[【0 minutes : 44 seconds】 remaining until opening.]
Now it’s finally beginning!
I’ll claim first place in this new server launch!
Jin-woo watched the countdown tick away with that determination burning in his chest.
When the timer finally reached zero, a message materialized before him.
[Connecting to Pantheon.]
[The temples of all gods turn their gaze upon you.]
Seeing the message I’d witnessed countless times before my regression, I felt a peculiar sensation of weightlessness wash over me.
Yes, this is it.
I’m finally logging into Pantheon.
After waiting an entire month, I thought I’d lose my mind.
Of course, my preparations were flawless.
But waiting was still waiting, no matter how ready I was.
The moment I logged in, something massive—a colossal stone tablet—came hurtling toward me.
Already seasoned from my previous life, I knew exactly what it was.
“Set my nickname as Jin-woo.”
Crash!
Before it could even reach me, it shattered, and a message appeared.
[Nickname set to ‘Jin…]
Same as before.
I answered before the message could fully display.
“Got it.”
There was no reason to waste time on this nonsense!
The first titles were waiting for me!
Everything after that proceeded at lightning speed.
Next came a mirror, but as always, I answered before it could arrive.
“Keep my appearance as it is.”
Again, I answered before the message could fully form.
“Yes.”
I was fast—absurdly fast.
Most gamers would struggle here for ages.
Agonizing over nicknames and customization!
Truth be told, I felt a twinge of regret too, but I knew those things were utterly useless.
First titles took priority over customization and nicknames!
Absolutely.
This was something you couldn’t afford to hesitate on.
After quickly finishing the remaining minor settings, one final map appeared.
Most players would spend considerable time here.
No gamer would carelessly select their starting region.
Naturally, everyone would read through the characteristics of each kingdom and descriptions of the villages!
But Jin-woo had no need for such tedious measures.
He already had everything memorized.
Heh.
Was this what they called an overwhelming information advantage?
Wearing a rather smug expression, I spoke before the map had even finished generating.
I’d already decided on the kingdom and village.
“Nen Village in the Deron Kingdom.”
Why choose this place out of over twenty kingdoms and far more starting regions?
What else would there be?
This was the place where hidden pieces were abundant and first titles were easy to claim.
The monster respawn rate was excellent, and it was the best region for early growth.
Later on, it would become quite popular.
I needed to secure everything worth taking before the crowds arrived.
Most of all, there was the hidden dungeon.
How could I resist?
Back then, thinking of those who discovered it first used to make me bitter.
But now there was no need for that.
I’d make sure to claim my share.
[Nen Village in the Deron Kingdom······.]
I answered before the message could finish displaying.
“I designate it.”
I was moving so fast it felt almost absurd.
Faster than anyone else! Different from the rest!
With everything designated, a new message appeared.
[Will you proceed with the tutorial?]
Finally, a message worth not skipping.
No way.
“Skip it.”
[Are you sure you wish to skip the tutorial?]
[*Warning* No further explanations about the game will be provided······.]
The warning meant nothing to me.
I already knew everything.
Knew it inside and out, even tested it firsthand.
Usually in virtual reality games, the tutorial contains hidden pieces and other rewards.
At the very least, some titles.
But in the Pantheon?
‘There’s nothing to gain from the tutorial.’
Well, actually there is.
But to obtain it······.
[You are the first to skip the tutorial.]
[You have obtained the First Title ‘Faster Than Anyone’.’]
A First Title that can only be earned by skipping the tutorial faster than any other user.
Other than this, what titles can you get from the tutorial?
There’s the First Clear Title, but skipping it doesn’t make much difference.
Actually, this is better.
『Faster Than Anyone』
→First Title
→A title granted to the first user to skip the tutorial
→Experience +20% up to Level 10
Though it comes with the condition of only up to Level 10, the additional experience gain is substantial.
That’s quite something.
The title you get from clearing the tutorial quickly grants all stats +5 up to Level 10.
It’s like gaining auxiliary stats.
But after Level 10, those stats disappear.
Compared to that, the experience increase is far superior.
Besides, this was part of my plan from the very beginning.
[You have completed all processes.]
[You are being transported to Nen Village in the Deron Kingdom, your selected starting region.]
[May the blessings of the gods be with you.]
Finally, a message appears after skipping through the tutorial.
The entire process took less than a minute.
In an instant, my body felt weightless as the surrounding scenery shifted rapidly.
Until moments ago, I’d been in a white void, but now I found myself in a place that exuded the atmosphere of a quaint European countryside village.
‘I started here even before my regression.’
The feeling is somehow different this time.
The absence of other players, with only NPCs present, feels somewhat strange.
Nen Village had always been popular.
In any case, I need to hurry now.
There’s no one here at the moment, but that won’t last forever.
It’s just about time for others to finish the tutorial, and the faster ones might already be checking their maps.
Some might have even started the tutorial already.
Of course, I won’t be caught up to.
I’ll secure everything first!
But before that, I need to claim my rewards.
The result of finishing faster than anyone.
Then I deserve to receive the reward.
As expected.
A message appeared.
[You have set foot on the Pantheon continent for the first time.]
[You have obtained the First Title ‘First Adventurer’.]
『The First Adventurer』
→First Title
→A title bestowed upon the first user to set foot on the continent
→Experience +20% until Level 10
Kekeke, this is it.
This is absolutely perfect!
By skipping the prologue and starting quickly, I’m already walking in with +40% experience.
Both titles are a bit underwhelming for first titles, but you can’t ask for better in the early game.
Reaching Level 10 isn’t easy, after all.
At this rate, I’m practically guaranteed to snag the first Level 10 title as well.
That one isn’t as ambiguous as these two.
It’s a title I absolutely must obtain.
Well, with this setup, I’ll definitely get it.
But I can’t let my guard down.
If I mess this up after planning everything so carefully, there’s nothing more foolish than that.
But it’s fine.
I have a game strategy guide in my head.
Hehehehe, knowledge is power, after all!
Since I’ve arrived here faster than anyone else, there’s only one thing I need to do first.
I quickly surveyed my surroundings and realized this was the Central Square.
A fountain spraying water refreshingly, and NPCs sitting around it.
After scanning them, I smiled slyly and approached an elderly man leaning on a staff, sitting by the fountain.
I approached him and asked gently.
“Greetings, elder.”
“Huh? You… I haven’t seen your face before?”
“Haha. Yes, that’s right. Actually, I’m an adventurer who came to this continent to embark on adventures at the call of the divine.”
“Oh! So you’re that adventurer! I heard a divine oracle had come down, but to think you’d arrive at our village so quickly. Haha, how wonderful!”
Seeing how warmly he welcomed me, my mood lifted naturally.
Wait?
Why would an NPC’s words make me feel good?
Isn’t it obvious?
Why else would I talk to an NPC in a game?
Obviously to squeeze rewards out of them!
This old man isn’t just any ordinary elder.
“Hehehehe, forgive me. I can’t just let someone who visited our village first leave empty-handed. Even if it’s just me, I’m the Village Chief.”
A Village Chief, no less.
Talking to the Village Chief is a golden rule in RPGs.
And a hidden reward that only goes to the first person to speak with him!
“Here, take this.”
The Village Chief handed me several books and a box.
A polite refusal?
Not a chance.
Heh, what child would turn down a gift from an adult?
No, that wouldn’t do at all.
“Haha! Thank you so much!”
It was a smooth beginning.

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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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