The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 48

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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 48
Episode 48
300% damage and armor penetration?
Isn’t that completely broken?
The Six-Light Slash seemed incredibly overpowered too.
But this is just…
‘Could the Epic-grade classification be a mistake?’
I checked again, but it was still Unique+ grade.
Everything that came out today exceeded its listed grade.
There had to be a reason for this.
Ah, thank you so much, Ether.
Location really does matter, doesn’t it.
Alright, from now on, all my draws will be at the Temple!
No exceptions.
Then let me move on to the next task.
What else do I have left to do?
‘I’ve already claimed all the rewards.’
I still have some playtime remaining, though not as much as I thought.
But only a few hours are left.
Starting something new in this situation wouldn’t be ideal.
I should handle some simple tasks first.
Listing items on the Auction House?
That can wait until later.
The most important thing right now is one thing!
‘Inheriting the blood-drain option onto the Demon Sword Gram!’
This is the most crucial task.
Normally, option inheritance isn’t something you can do easily.
But since Ether gave me a Unique-grade inheritance stone before, it’s not a problem.
Now that I think about it.
‘When I inherit, the option changes depending on the item’s grade, right?’
For example, the axe is Hero+ grade.
And the Demon Sword Gram is Epic+ grade.
That’s a difference of at least two tiers.
In such cases, if I inherit the Hero+ option, it gets upgraded to match the Epic+ grade.
So.
The blood-drain option currently on the axe is a 20% chance to drain 5% of damage dealt.
Both the probability and the drain percentage could increase.
‘If that happens, the Berserker won’t be a problem anymore.’
No, rather, it would become an incredibly tenacious enemy that barely ever dies.
Ugh, that’s terrifying.
That doesn’t mean I won’t do it.
I have to do it.
Then shall we head to the Blacksmith right away?
We’re already in the city anyway.
I need to handle this quickly.
If I don’t do it now, I’ll forget and never get it done.
The closer I got to the Blacksmith, the louder the noise became.
The clanging of metal mixed with waves of heat.
Yes, this is truly what a Blacksmith should be.
Last time I came here looking to get an enhancement title as well.
It’s still just as noisy.
“Hello there!”
“Oh, you’ve come!”
An NPC I’d grown somewhat friendly with after he enthusiastically enhanced my items last time.
His name was… Ah! That’s right, Pan.
“Ah, Pan! It’s been a while!”
“Haha! A while? Didn’t you just come by yesterday?”
“Haha! But somehow it feels like it’s been ages!”
“That happens! So what brings you here today? Don’t tell me—another enhancement?”
I chuckled softly as I watched Pan ask with barely concealed anticipation.
Enhancement really is every man’s dream, after all.
But I don’t feel like doing it again.
The failure rate for Unique and above is just too high.
Maybe later when I gather materials to lower the failure rate.
Anyway, I shook my head.
Pan looked at me as if asking what else could have brought me here.
“I came to inherit options today.”
“Oh! Option inheritance?”
“Yes, these items.”
Pan’s eyes widened as I handed over the Unique inheritance stone, the Demon Sword Gram, and the axe.
These were certainly items worthy of such a reaction.
A Unique inheritance stone and the Epic+ Demon Sword Gram.
From Pan’s perspective, these were practically legendary items from myths and tales.
So of course he couldn’t help but be shocked.
Look at how his hands trembled the moment he received them.
His expression was genuinely moved.
“Y-you’re truly entrusting these to me?”
Why the sudden formal speech?
Well, he’s moved, so I suppose it makes sense.
“Yes, I’m counting on you.”
“Huff, huff.”
Pan stared at me with an expression of genuine astonishment, still visibly shaken.
Heh, this is actually my first time entrusting an Epic-grade item to someone. I’m a bit nervous myself.
But Pan seems even more flustered than I am.
That’s what I was thinking to myself.
Then Pan dropped to one knee and spoke.
“Ah, I thought you were a customer of distinguished character! But I never realized you possessed such a legendary weapon! My sincerest apologies!”
“No, no, that’s not necessary.”
This is a bit overwhelming, honestly.
He’s really pressing himself on me!
Imagine a gruff blacksmith like that thrusting his face toward you.
It’s absolutely terrifying.
Yet Pan, eyes gleaming with fervor, bowed his head before me.
Wow, he’s genuinely moved, isn’t he?
“This sword is truly magnificent. A demonic blade straight out of legend! Yet because you wield it with perfect mastery, even though I—a mere outsider—touched it, not a trace of curse manifested.”
“Ah, yes.”
“And look at this!”
With that, Pan pointed to a section of the demonic blade Gram and continued.
“The demonic essence has been purified, awakening the true power of the demonic blade. How could I possibly remain silent upon witnessing such a thing!?”
Now that he mentions it, it does seem a bit lighter in color than when I saw it before.
Is this a hidden effect of the War God class?
I’m not entirely sure yet, but it might reveal itself as I use it more.
Pantheon has always been that kind of game.
Rather than revealing everything outright, it absolutely loves having players discover things for themselves.
Which means there could be exclusive perks or class-specific quests unique to the War God.
Especially since it’s a god-tier class.
It wouldn’t be strange to have class-exclusive effects or quests.
‘Besides, it’s a god-tier class. That’s a tier above Demon Lord or Hero.’
Mastering a demonic blade is, in a sense, only natural.
Maybe I’m even better at wielding it than a Demon Lord would be?
I felt a swell of pride at Pan’s words.
Seeing my satisfaction, Pan continued in a trembling voice.
“I, I swear upon my name as a Maister that I shall bring forth my absolute best—no, my greatest skill!”
At first, it felt burdensome.
But hearing him speak like that.
I actually thought I’d made the right choice.
Wow, he’s even staking his craftsman’s honor on this?
That’s incredible.
After all, inheritance, reinforcement, and crafting all depend entirely on the blacksmith’s skill.
In other words, they do exactly what they’re paid to do.
Well, such things exist.
But look at what Pan is saying right now.
He’s staking his own name, isn’t he?
Unlike some detective who peddles his grandfather’s name, he’s putting his own on the line.
That’s worth getting your hopes up for.
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“Yes! Please!”
Pan spoke those words and stepped before the anvil, gripping the hammer.
A hammer that shimmered with golden and azure light—something I’d never seen during the previous reinforcements.
Damn, if only he’d had that from the start!
No, wait.
Because it broke quickly back then, I didn’t even get the First Title.
Hmm, let me calm down.
Either way, it’s fortunate he brought it out now.
And so Pan cried out.
“Hyaaaah!”
What if his hand slips?
He’d actually kill me then, wouldn’t he?
But contrary to my worries.
The hammer came down hard against the Succession Stone and the axe.
Clang――――!
Ah, what a clear and pure sound!
It feels good.
And look at that golden radiance emanating from the Succession Stone!
A good omen.
Then he strikes again.
Clang――――――!
“Ooh!”
“Still ways to go!”
Clang――――――――!
The third strike!
The extraction still isn’t complete, it seems.
The axe remains intact.
Wow, normally two strikes would be enough for extraction and the axe would shatter.
Yet even on the third strike, it hasn’t broken.
Of course, the more strikes, the better and more abundant the extraction becomes.
But it’s already been three times.
And still the axe hasn’t shattered.
And then.
Clang――――――――――――!
He still endured!
Though Pan’s face was drenched in sweat, his eyes still burned with determination!
Oh, he could still go further!?
I watched with bated breath, my palms slick with perspiration.
And then
Clang――――――――!
Whoosh――shatter!
“Ah!”
“Sigh.”
Pan and I exhaled simultaneously.
It was so frustratingly close.
But five times was still remarkable.
The maximum I’d ever witnessed before was four times.
Including broadcasts, that is.
So five times was practically unprecedented for me.
Still, it was disappointing.
“If I had concentrated a bit more, it would have been better.”
“No, I think five times is already incredible.”
“Haha… I appreciate you saying so, but with a legendary magic sword of this caliber, I’m ashamed my skills fall short.”
“Ah.”
I couldn’t bring myself to deny it.
It was Epic+ rank, after all.
If I said I wasn’t disappointed, that would be a lie.
But what could I do?
It was already done.
There was no helping it.
As I made that expression, Pan’s eyes blazed with renewed determination.
“The extraction fell short, but I won’t make mistakes in the inheritance!”
“Yes! Please do your best!”
Pan shouted with fierce resolve.
“Hyaaaaaaagh!”
A strange and prolonged battle cry!
He brought the hammer down upon the inheritance stone.
A brilliant radiance erupted forth.
A pure white light so dazzling it seemed impossible it came from a magic sword!
I stared directly into the blindingly white light that burst forth, my mind racing with possibilities.
What that light could mean.
Could it be…?
Is it… real?
My eyes widened with uncertainty.
A message materialized before me.
[Critical Success!]
“Gaaahhhhh!”
“Ahhhhh! Damn it!”
Both Jin-woo and Pan were so shocked they nearly fell over.
A Critical Success, no less!
That incredibly rare notification that appears during crafting, enhancement, or inheritance!
And it just appeared now!
Look at how even Pan, a master craftsman, is reacting in disbelief.
The odds were astronomically low!
Yet it succeeded.
As expected.
Pan held the Demonic Sword Gram with trembling hands, its surface emanating a soft crimson glow.
‘That… that effect?!’
I steadied my racing heart as best I could.
I took the Demonic Sword and examined its options.
Then.
“Gasp!”
I thought I was having a heart attack.
Seriously.
[Abnormality detected in biometric vitals.]
[If condition worsens, forced logout will be initiated.]
Even the system recognized my shock.
And for good reason.
Just look at the options.
『Demonic Sword Gram +3』
*Growth-type Item
*Level: 1+3
*Grade: Epic+
*Attack Power: 525
*Durability: 750/750
*Equip Restriction: Demon King Class Jobs
→Shares the wearer’s experience and grows alongside them.
→All Attack Power +10%, +3%
→When attacking with Demonic Sword Gram equipped, 30% chance to recover HP equal to 25% of damage dealt.
→Attacking with Demonic Sword Gram applies ‘Demonic Sword’s Curse’ to the target.
→Targets afflicted with ‘Demonic Sword’s Curse’ fall into bleeding and become unable to recover for 10 seconds.
→’Demonic Sword’s Curse’ can stack, and duration increases with each stack.
→Skill ‘Wrath of the Demonic Sword’ becomes available.
→Using skill ‘Wrath of the Demonic Sword’ increases all Attack Power and all stats by 150% for 30 seconds.
→When the duration ends, all skills are sealed for 10 minutes
→The skill ‘Sword of Wrath’ can only be used once per day.
→The skill ‘Gate of the Demon Realm’ is now available
→The skill ‘Gate of the Demon Realm’ can only be used once per week.
*The Demon Sword Gram’s rank will increase when it reaches its level cap.
I merely inherited it, yet the enhancement stats rose. Look at that.
Attack power increased by 225, and the level jumped by 3 as well.
But most importantly, the options.
Look at the options.
Life drain at a 30% chance to absorb 25% of damage dealt?
Insane.
But look at the curse of the Demon Sword after that.
A completely new option suddenly appeared.
This is absolutely insane.
“I truly cannot thank you enough.”
“…No, no. To surpass the masterpiece of my entire life—I have no regrets even if I were to die now.”
“Ah, no! Please, come to your senses!”
I desperately tried to snap Pan back from his death-like state, turning pale as snow, and offered my gratitude.
This deserves a double bow of appreciation, truly.
Ah, but I shouldn’t do it twice.
“I’m truly grateful.”
“Not at all. It’s a great honor for me to have even touched such an incredible weapon. I won’t accept any inheritance fee.”
[Craftsman Pan’s affinity has reached maximum.]
“Please visit again next time.”
“Of course.”
The inheritance was far more satisfying than I could have hoped.
I never expected a critical success to grant +3 enhancement.
And I saved time as well.
With this, I could accomplish other tasks too.
First, I absolutely must visit the Auction House.
But the real problem lies ahead.
Advancing to War God was wonderful.
However.
‘The required experience has grown far too much.’
Even after completing the noble quest, my level didn’t increase. That tells me everything.
And now that I’ve obtained the Demon Sword, a growth-type item.
The required experience must have increased further.
For now, I must abandon focusing solely on leveling.
The efficiency simply isn’t there.
Of course, I’m still faster than other players.
I need to revise my plan.
More than anything else.
‘With the Demon Realm’s Gate option on the Demonic Sword Gram, I can go anywhere.’
This means I can also claim the hidden pieces I’ve missed.
The Auction House is important, but this is even more critical.
Traveling to different regions.
Where should I go?
Since I can only do this once a week, I need to think carefully.
A place came to mind almost immediately.
A location in the same Deron Kingdom, but at a distance from Nen Village.
‘Yes, that would be perfect.’
I had my next destination set.
Now, should I head to the Auction House?
* * *
A Beginner Region in the Deron Kingdom.
It was a quiet place called Falcon Village.
Of course, since so many people played Pantheon, there were quite a few people here as well.
Still, it was relatively quiet.
There was a party leading the way in that place.
Average level: 28.
One of the mages in that party spoke urgently to the archer who was their leader.
“Yu, Yu-na! Did you see this?”
“See what?”
“A Rare+ grade class change book on the Auction House!”
“What?”
Han Yu-na looked at the Female Mage in apparent shock.
A Rare+ grade class change book?
It made no sense that something like that would be released on just the third day.
Thinking she must have misread it, she entered the Auction House to check.
It was real.
“…It really is.”
“Shouldn’t we secure this by any means necessary?”
“…”
While Han Yu-na wore a serious expression, lost in thought.
A strange voice echoed from a distance.
“Huh? It’s a bean.”
“Huh?”
At the unpleasant remark, Han Yu-na turned her head.
A man with the unmistakable appearance of a beginner walked past, feigning ignorance.
‘What was that?’
There was something oddly familiar about that figure.
I felt like I’d seen them somewhere before.
Deliberately pushing the thought aside, Han Yu-na refocused on the Auction House.
It wasn’t just the Dark Mage job change book.
Three Rare-grade Cobolt sets had been listed all at once.
All these items released simultaneously?
There could only be one person responsible.
“I think that user ‘Hwang Gyeong-ma-jeol’ put these up for auction, don’t you?”
At the Warrior’s words, Han Yu-na nodded in agreement.
It certainly seemed right.
No, I was certain of it.
But then.
Wait?
Hwang Gyeong-ma-jeol?
The moment I heard that name, the familiar-looking user from earlier flashed through my mind, and I glanced around—but the user I’d seen before was nowhere to be found.
And I realized.
‘That user is in Nen Village, so I must have been mistaken.’
As far as Han Yu-na knew, there was no way to move between villages.
It was probably just her imagination.
Meanwhile, the beginner-clothed user who had moved away from Han Yu-na exhaled a sigh of relief and muttered under their breath.
“I forgot she was here. I need to be careful not to run into her.”
It wasn’t a mistake—it was actually Jin-woo himself.

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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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