The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 23

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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 23
Episode 23
While Jin-woo carved through the orcs in a display of unmatched prowess.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on a single video.
None other than.
[The Emperor’s Shock, the Demon Realm’s Despair—What is the Hidden Dungeon’s True Identity?!]
A video with an outlandish title.
Yet contrary to its sensationalism, it had achieved the remarkable feat of claiming the #1 spot in trending videos.
A familiar story, really.
Why? Because it was simply that exceptional.
The dungeon described in the title—where the Emperor was shocked and the Demon Realm despaired—was nothing of the sort.
Pure clickbait.
In Korea, anyway.
But perhaps because foreign audiences were experiencing this flavor for the first time.
The bait had worked remarkably well.
Well, if the title alone had been all there was, it would never have gained traction.
“Did you see that?”
“See what?”
“The Emperor’s Shock, Demon Realm’s Despair.”
“Oh, of course I did.”
Word of mouth began to spread, and naturally, those paying attention started to take notice.
If it had merely been another video of the Hidden Dungeon, it would never have reached this point.
The real issue was the timing.
Pantheon had barely passed its first day.
And suddenly, footage of the Hidden Dungeon surfaces?
That was no simple feat.
Your location could be exposed, and more importantly, you’d be revealing critical information.
On the very first day.
When even the smallest clue could serve as a vital hint, to upload something like this.
Either this person was a complete fool, or they possessed extraordinary strategic acumen.
And most people held the uploader in high regard.
The reason was simple.
-Incredible talent!
As if they possessed the seasoned body of someone who’d been gaming for over a decade.
Their movements displayed a level of skill that couldn’t possibly come from ordinary talent.
But beyond that, those with a keen eye would notice something else.
That most of the Cobolts had died in a single hit.
Unless there was a significant gap in stats, monsters simply don’t die in one blow.
Anyone who’s played a game knows this.
Just how difficult such a feat truly is.
But there was a player who made it look easy?
Yet no one thought he was an idiot for it.
Actually, thinking someone with that level of skill could be stupid was itself stupid.
He’d posted that video intentionally.
Everyone agreed on that.
It was obvious, really.
-He’s trying to raise his market value.
-Check where it’s from!
-What? Korea again? That damn Korea! Do they do anything but play games!
-Damn it! They’re always like that! Seriously, a nation of insane talent!
Doubt?
Why would anyone question it?
If it’s Korea, it’s entirely possible.
It’s a nation that could easily produce someone with that caliber of talent.
Now the question was how to recruit him.
Looking at it, Pantheon was a game that would sweep across industries worldwide.
To become a standout figure in such a game?
You naturally had to build a faction.
Of course, that alone wasn’t enough.
You needed capable star players.
Just like in sports!
-E-sports have always been in the spotlight!
-Now it’s Pantheon!
-We have to build a faction no matter what!
-G-guilds! Guilds are the answer!
What most chose to become famous was predictable.
Those with the makings of star players.
They had to recruit them.
Prominent entrepreneurs and corporations moved first.
And the very first recruitment target was beta testers.
It was so obvious it went without saying.
After all, when they selected beta testers, they’d picked famous players from the game first.
Which meant they had a certain level of skill.
Well, there were exceptions.
After beta testers, what came next?
Obviously, users showing promise.
They were waging an intense war to recruit as many as possible—those with certain skills or who held first-place titles.
Wow, it was intense. Really intense.
Huh? So Jin-woo was third priority?
That’s ridiculous.
-Yellow Horse Cutting? Anyway! Sign him up no matter what!
-A scheme to inflate his market value? That’s bullshit! It’s not a scheme—it’s advertising! Find out everything!
-That’s no scheme! It’s marketing!
-Bring him in by any means necessary!
-Whatever conditions it takes!
What kind of player do corporations and entrepreneurs want?
Obviously, one who is famous, talented, and skilled.
In short, a player with box office appeal.
But what about Jin-woo?
He had already gained such renown that everyone who played Pantheon—or even just watched PanTube—knew his name.
Wasn’t he being called Yellow Horse Cutting in multiple places?
A nickname is the first step toward stardom.
And at this point in time, the stats to take down a Cobolt in one blow?
That’s obviously impossible with just one or two First Titles.
According to beta tester intel, he must have obtained not only First Titles but also some genuinely powerful skills.
He had to be signed at all costs.
-Recruit him no matter how much it costs!
While the outside world churned feverishly even in the early dawn hours,
Jin-woo was….
“Phew! All done!”
Having encountered a group of Orcs and torn out their hearts, I wore a satisfied expression.
Quest completion never got old, no matter how many times I experienced it.
[Quest completed.]
[Experience acquired.]
[Level Up!]
[Additional stat points acquired.]
[Collect the remaining rewards from the Quest giver.]
Just as expected—small fry like Orcs go down fast.
But I leveled up too?
Can I really get away with this kind of easy grinding?
What if I catch some parasite or something?
Well, I can’t help it.
I should pick up some dewormer from the pharmacy tomorrow.
Now then, since I leveled up, I should definitely check my status window, right?
[Jin-woo]
*Level: 21
*Titles: 『The First Epic』 and 37 others
*Strength – 77 (55+22)
*Stamina – 77 (55+22)
*Agility – 77 (55+22)
*Mana—77 (55+22)
*Additional Stats—19
Truly outstanding stats.
My goal by the Sword Master rank is to max out all stats at 100.
Since all my current stats have a +40% boost,
I’d need roughly 68 more, wouldn’t I?
I’m at 19 now, so… sigh, I’ve got a long way to go.
Well, things are progressing smoothly enough.
No need to rush.
So, shall we go?
Lulu~ Lulu~.
Completely oblivious to the fact that a war might break out over recruiting me.
I remain blissfully at peace.
What? They’re saying I posted that to inflate my market value?
Well, they’re not entirely wrong.
I did post it to boost my PanTube subscribers and view count.
Technically speaking, they weren’t wrong, but…
If anyone had found out,
I would’ve clutched my head and collapsed, but fortunately,
no one knows.
* * *
An alley reeking of filth.
It wasn’t the kind of stench you could dismiss as inevitable for a city of this size.
Ugh, absolutely revolting.
But I had to endure this much.
For the Hidden Piece!
After all, willpower strengthens when necessity demands it!
No, people become stronger in general when they need to!
Anyway, that’s not what matters.
‘Orcs are nothing—I’ll handle them in no time.’
I stepped into the alley and walked briskly toward Parson’s General Store.
The passages were deliberately drenched in that foul stench.
But my current tolerance had reached peak levels.
As I arrived,
a booming laugh echoed from inside.
“Kekeke! Kekeke! Kekekek!”
What in the world?
A bizarre laugh that sounded like someone gasping their last breath.
Haven’t we all known someone at school or among friends who laughs like that?
Watching them laugh makes you worry they’re about to die.
Was Jin-woo feeling the same way?
He opened the door immediately.
Probably because he didn’t want to hear any more.
Creak! Creak!
“Hack, hack?! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!”
What? Did he choke in surprise?
He looked so ancient that he seemed ready to drop dead at any moment.
I should help him quickly.
Wait?
Isn’t this bastard that chimera dark mage who performed human experiments on his own body?
Wouldn’t it be better if he died?
No, wait.
Then I wouldn’t get the Hidden Piece!
I have to save him!
‘Wait? But how do I save him?’
What was I supposed to do in an emergency situation?
I can’t think straight right now.
Oh! That’s right!
“Hack! Cough! Cough!”
“A-are you alright?”
“Cough cough!”
“Are you conscious?”
“Hack!”
Yes, that’s it.
Checking consciousness first is the right approach.
He clearly seems to still be conscious.
Judging by how he’s trembling on the ground.
‘Still’ conscious.
Look at that.
He’s still coughing and trying to say something.
Let me hear what he’s saying.
“Hack, cough! Cough!”
“Pardon? What did you say?”
“Hack hack!”
“What? Oh! The orc heart is right here!”
“Cough!”
Crash!
After hurling the orc heart he’d brought with such effort, Parson grabbed the water that had been sitting on the counter and drank it down.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
“Ahhhhh.”
Look at him gasping for breath, exhaling deeply.
Now he looks like he might actually live.
Was it water you wanted?
You should have said so earlier.
Did I not?
Anyway.
Since you’re alive, that’s what matters, isn’t it?
Let’s get down to business.
“Here are three Orc Hearts.”
Jin-woo picked up the Orc Heart that Parson had thrown earlier and handed it to him.
Parson stared at Jin-woo with trembling eyes.
As if looking at some psychopath.
After Parson accepted the Orc Heart with quivering hands.
“H-here’s your reward.”
And I was able to receive an additional reward.
Whatever else, this is quite useful.
After all, it outperforms the Alchemist Guild’s products.
Perfect as a reward.
While I was grinning happily after receiving the additional reward.
Parson asked cautiously, as if something was odd.
“I-I say, wasn’t something strange about that Orc?”
“Pardon? The Orc?”
“Y-yes! Was it perhaps stronger than usual?”
“No, it’s still just an Orc. They’re all equally weak, aren’t they? Orcs.”
“….”
Grrk.
I heard the sound of teeth grinding.
What’s that?
His reaction is strange.
Is this a linked Quest?
No, that can’t be right.
There was no Quest to find evidence that the Orc had changed and give it to Parson.
Or was something actually strange?
I didn’t notice anything particularly odd.
It was an Orc that had undergone the usual body manipulation.
Isn’t that the standard Orc here in Felsia?
‘Wait?’
Huh?
Could it be…?
Did he send that Orc to kill me?
So that’s why the Quest content changed?
Well, this bastard is a filthy chimera dark mage after all.
But this does warrant some thought.
Why did it change?
‘Because of the Esteemed One?’
If there’s a hint, it’s nowhere else but there.
Usually with something like this, there should be something that feels like NPC dialogue.
Well, there was nothing else.
He did say “esteemed adventurer” after all.
This is becoming rather problematic.
The Quest route I memorized so carefully is falling apart.
For now it’s just changed from goblins to orcs.
But later, which choice will determine whether I can capture Parson, and if I choose wrong, the hidden piece just disappears.
Gulp.
‘I really need to be careful.’
Let me think back.
Could there be hints in the next Quests?
Huh? Now that I think about it.
There was a Quest near the very end to desecrate a nobleman’s tomb, wasn’t there?
That’s it!
The hint!
‘It wasn’t officially revealed, but it seems he has a grudge against the nobility.’
There’s no reason for a Quest to desecrate a nobleman’s tomb at the end otherwise.
A body that’s been dead for so long isn’t suitable for combining into a chimera.
Normally, a chain Quest would unfold where Parson has me bring various body parts and he modifies his body with them.
If it goes like this instead?
An interesting thought occurred to me.
If things flow as I’m thinking?
‘I could gain unexpected benefits?’
Watching Parson with a subtle smile.
He’s biting his nails and muttering to himself.
He looks quite anxious.
Ah, so you’re actually worrying about something.
Then! Helping is only natural!
“Is there perhaps anything else you’d like to request?”
“Huh? Wha—? Oh, oh!”
“Oh! Do you have something?”
“I do! And how!”
“Oho, what kind of creature shall I eliminate for you next?”
At Jin-woo’s words, Parson spoke excitedly.
“My dear friend! I have a favor to ask of you. There’s a cave I know of, and I’d be grateful if you could gather some medicinal herbs from there for me.”
[Hidden Quest ‘The Suspicious Elder and the Suspicious Cave’ has been created.]
[Do you accept?]
A sinister chuckle escaped my lips.
Someone had clearly fallen into a cunning trap.
There was nothing to question.
As expected, deceiving the elderly is the easiest thing in the world~.
Not that I’ve ever actually tried it, of course.

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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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