The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 36

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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 36
Episode 36
A Nobility Quest.
Nothing particularly special about it.
It’s a standard Quest.
Not a Hidden Quest—just a regular one.
The only difference is who’s issuing the Quest.
The Quest giver is a noble.
That’s why it’s called a Nobility Quest.
Why, you ask?
‘Because the rewards are on a completely different level from what ordinary NPCs offer!’
Generally, most Quests reward you with what the NPC possesses.
That’s usually how it works.
If that seems insufficient, the system fills in the gap.
You know that common message, right?
The one that just appeared.
‘Receive your reward from the Quest giver.’
In other words, you receive only what the Quest giver actually has.
But nobles?
‘They’re the ones who possess more than anyone else in the Pantheon.’
Before my regression, how many people would grovel at a noble’s feet just to receive a Nobility Quest!
Jin-woo’s display of courtesy just now was no accident.
Without it, I wouldn’t have received the Quest at all.
Thinking back on those days brings tears to my eyes again, sob.
In any case, Nobility Quests offer rewards worthy of that effort.
This time should be no different.
I was anticipating this as well.
What kind of reward would he offer?
“Since you’ve expressed your gratitude, I cannot simply stand idle. Ben?”
Marquis Jihokin called to Ben, who stood behind him.
Ben bowed his head with a reluctant expression and replied.
“Yes, Marquis.”
He clearly disliked this.
But what could be done?
The Marquis had ordered it.
Ah, I was thrilled.
Seeing Ben’s reluctant demeanor like that.
It was truly exhilarating beyond measure.
But what would he give?
‘At minimum, it should be a Rare item or higher, right?’
Or perhaps it could even be a Hero-rank item.
With that thought, I could clearly see Ben’s frustration.
How delightful.
So he’s seething inside because he has to reward someone he looked down upon?
Since things have come to this, I shouldn’t be surprised even if the reward is substantial.
If I accept it calmly, it’ll only irritate him further.
As I was thinking such thoughts.
The Marquis continued speaking.
“Go and bring Eucria’s Ring, the Earring of the Ninth Night, and the Blessing of the Earth.”
“M-Marquis?!”
“No, I… Hup!”
No, damn it.
I almost cursed.
What did you say?
What did I just hear?
Did I mishear?
But Ben’s expression suggested otherwise.
Looking at him, it seems I heard correctly?
For me to nearly curse in front of a nobleman—it must be serious.
‘He just said to bring the Blessing of the Earth, right?’
Ah! He must be showing off his items.
No way, he wouldn’t actually give them.
That can’t be.
I don’t know about Eucria’s Ring or the Earring of the Ninth Night, but the Blessing of the Earth…
Just because I brought a ledger and a journal, he’s giving that away?
The Blessing of the Earth?
Surely not!
No, it can’t be, right?
Even as I thought it couldn’t be, I gazed at the Marquis with hopeful eyes.
Ben spoke to the Marquis in great confusion.
“M-M-Marquis, p-please reconsider? I understand this person is your benefactor, but all of these were from when you were young…”
But.
“Silence!”
Crash!
“H-Hyeek!”
The Marquis struck the armrest of his chair forcefully.
Whether to marvel at the chair’s durability despite such a tremendous impact.
Or to marvel at the considerable force behind the strike.
Either way, Ben was so startled he tumbled backward.
I had never seen the Marquis in such a state before.
Goodness, I never saw anything like that even before my regression.
When you think of Marquis Jihokin, the image of benevolence and compassion comes to mind first, doesn’t it?
But to see him so enraged like that.
I suppose it makes sense given that a dark mage is involved.
Though his reaction did seem a bit excessive.
And the reward was excessive too.
‘Wait, is this actually a good thing?’
In any case.
The atmosphere as we were leaving felt unusual.
If he really is giving the Blessing of the Earth, that would be incredible.
It’s a Unique+ grade item, after all.
So Jin-woo probably doesn’t believe it either.
It doesn’t make sense.
‘Before my regression, the Zenith Guild was the one who obtained it.’
The Zenith Guild.
One of the two Super Mega Guilds that operated in the Deron Kingdom.
They were always the guild fighting against the Mountain Guild.
The Blessing of the Earth was none other than an item the Zenith Guild had obtained.
I remember the Mountain Guild insisting that since they were the guild of the earth, the Blessing of the Earth should be theirs.
Shameless bastards, really.
Anyway.
‘If it’s true, that’s incredible.’
How many times had the Zenith Guild overcome crises with the Blessing of the Earth?
They even kept the method of acquisition secret, claiming it was to check the Mountain Guild.
So it was with Marquis Jihokin all along.
I never could have imagined it.
Then Yucria’s Ring and the Earring of the Ninth Night must also be exceptional items.
Wait, he’s giving these to me just for running errands with the ledger and journal?
This is insane.
So you’re saying I shouldn’t accept?
Please, don’t say anything so ridiculous.
While Jin-woo was lost in these frivolous thoughts.
The Marquis opened his mouth again with firm resolve.
“I am not one who cannot offer this much gratitude to my benefactor. Have it brought at once.”
“Yes, yes. Understood.”
At the Marquis’s firm voice, Ben quickly left the reception room.
Watching Ben’s departing figure, the Marquis let out a small sigh.
“I apologize for the butler’s shameful behavior. It was not a sight befitting my benefactor.”
“Not at all, these things happen.”
“I am grateful for your understanding.”
“But why do you call me your benefactor?”
I’m not asking because I don’t know.
I already understand, but I’m asking anyway.
For the Quest!
As expected.
His expression shifted, now brimming with concern.
So it’s finally coming out.
I need to listen carefully.
“Sigh, it’s quite an old tale. It’s rather lengthy, but….”
“I don’t mind.”
“Then….”
And so Marquis Jihokin’s story began.
Well, game stories tend to follow common patterns, don’t they?
Usually they involve family matters.
Especially with noble families—their tales are always intertwined with family.
Marquis Jihokin was no exception.
Except his story involved two family members.
One concerned his wife, Maren.
The other was his son, Ron.
‘It was quite a tragic story, really.’
The tale began with Marquis Jihokin’s wife, Maren.
The sickly family member—a staple of noble narratives.
In Marquis Jihokin’s case, that was his wife, Maren.
Naturally, Marquis Jihokin spared no effort or method in attempting to cure her illness.
But Maren’s disease was incurable.
With no signs of recovery, Marquis Jihokin eventually gave up, overwhelmed by despair.
Yet there was one person who refused to surrender.
His son, Ron.
‘That’s when he fell into dark magic, or so the story went.’
To save his mother, Ron turned to dark magic.
Following the predictable narrative, Ron too was consumed by dark magic.
Displaying signs of corruption, Ron caused a disturbance in Felsia before vanishing without a trace.
No one had seen Ron since.
Marquis Jihokin was consumed by guilt, knowing his son had fallen to dark magic because of him.
And soon after, his wife Maren lost her life as well.
How could he not despise dark magic after all this?
Ugh, even knowing it’s a game, I find myself emotionally invested.
Hearing Marquis Jihokin recount this story in a voice thick with sorrow, yet delivered with such restraint, only deepened that feeling.
“And so it came to pass. Yet despite all this, I remain a helpless father—unable to even find my own son, much less root out the dark mages infesting this city.”
“No, no. How can you say such things? You’re not helpless. At the very least, your son wouldn’t think so.”
“Sigh… I’m not entirely sure…”
Tch.
Why is he like that?
He needs to pull himself together if he’s going to find his son.
Of course, I’ll help him.
The reward is far too exceptional to simply ignore.
Right.
In any case, I knew exactly where Ron had gone.
Ron’s whereabouts were no mystery to me.
And I understood precisely why he had become that way.
Everyone could probably guess, couldn’t they?
‘The Demon Sword Gram.’
That’s right.
The Demon Sword Gram.
The root cause of Felsia’s calamity—and the very reason undead and dark sorcerers infested the city so relentlessly.
The dark sorcerers had succeeded in devouring Ron with the Demon Sword Gram.
But there was one variable they hadn’t anticipated.
‘Ron turned out to be far stronger than expected.’
Because of this, the Demon Sword Gram couldn’t completely consume Ron.
With the faintest shred of reason remaining, Ron managed to escape—a fact that remained hidden in the game’s lore.
In other words, the Demon Sword was responsible for the abundance of both undead and dark sorcerers.
But because Ron had hidden himself so thoroughly, finding him proved nearly impossible, and this situation had persisted ever since.
Game lore, perhaps, but it was surprisingly well-constructed.
Of course, I knew his location.
Though the timing wasn’t quite right yet.
But knowing where he was—that mattered.
However…
‘…Ron is dead.’
Tsk.
It’s bitter, but what can I do?
It’s just a game, after all.
I shouldn’t get too emotionally invested.
A game is simply a game.
Moving past it is better for my mental health.
Just as I finished the conversation and was collecting myself, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock.
“Marquis, I’ve brought everything.”
Ben’s voice came through.
Oh!
I’d forgotten about that while listening to the story.
Rewards!
Yes, yes, rewards!
“Come in.”
“Yes, sir.”
At the Marquis’s command, Ben opened the door and entered.
And the luminous items Ben had brought with him.
Oh, my mouth was watering uncontrollably.
My appetite was absolutely awakened.
I found myself staring blankly at the items for a moment.
Ben’s expression was somewhat displeased, but he laid them out before the Marquis nonetheless.
“I’m truly grateful you brought me these ledgers and journals this time. Your contribution is truly immense. So please, accept this without hesitation.”
Oh, I absolutely had to accept this.
How could I possibly refuse!
I took the items the Marquis offered me.
A message appeared.
[You have received the Hero+ item ‘Eucria’s Ring’ from Marquis Jihokin, Mayor of Felsia.]
[You have received the Hero+ item ‘Earring of the Ninth Night’ from Marquis Jihokin, Mayor of Felsia.]
[You have received the Unique+ item ‘Blessing of the Earth’ from Marquis Jihokin, Mayor of Felsia.]
[You have become a benefactor to a noble house for the first time!]
[You have acquired the First Title ‘Honored Guest of the Nobility’.]
[You have acquired a First Title.]
[Through the Title Hunter effect, you have gained an additional stat point.]
What?
A First Title too?
Wow.
I was so thrilled I couldn’t even speak.
Let me see.
『Eucria’s Ring』
*Grade: Hero+
→Maximum HP +10%
→Maximum MP +10%
『Earring of the Ninth Night』
*Grade: Hero+
→All speed +10% in darkness
→Skill ‘Shadow of the Dark Night’ becomes usable when equipped
→Using skill ‘Shadow of the Dark Night’ enters a concealed state.
→Concealment is dispelled upon attacking.
*Cooldown: 600 seconds
『Blessing of the Earth』
*Grade: Unique+
→HP recovery speed +30% while both feet are touching the ground
→Skill ‘Blessing of the Earth’ becomes available while both feet are touching the ground
→Using skill ‘Blessing of the Earth’ restores all HP, and for 1 minute after use, you become free from the earth’s constraints.
*Blessing of the Earth can be used once per day
『Benefactor of the Nobility』
→First-tier Title
→A title granted to the first user to become a benefactor to a noble house
→Basic favorability with most nobles increases.
→Probability of receiving Quests from nobles increases.
Huh…?
Such rewards for a simple Quest?
Wow.
This is starting to feel a bit unsettling.
It was then.
Marquis Jihokin, observing Jin-woo’s reaction, carefully opened his mouth.
“I’m fully aware of how shameless and discourteous it is to make such a request of my benefactor, but would you perhaps be willing to hear me out?”
At Marquis Jihokin’s words, a new message appeared.
[The Mayor of Free City Felsia, Marquis Jihokin, is requesting a Hidden Quest.]
[Will you accept the Hidden Quest ‘Darkness of Felsia’?]
“Of course.”
I could do this ten times over without breaking a sweat.

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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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