The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 5

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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 5
Episode 5
When receiving instruction, there’s no need to do anything extra.
As I mentioned before, skills are generated simply by listening.
Isn’t that how the system works?
You just swing a wooden sword and acquire a skill.
It doesn’t specify how or in what manner you should swing it.
Truly, if you just swing it carelessly, a skill materializes.
But.
‘If I actually did that, I’d be a fool.’
I’ve met Gruen—did I really think I’d walk away with just a single skill?
I had no intention of doing so whatsoever.
Only those who don’t know how to seize an opportunity carelessly swing and call it done.
If I can’t capitalize on an opportunity like this, I should quit the game.
I couldn’t settle for merely raising affinity a little.
After regressing, no less?
I’d abandoned half-hearted efforts long ago.
‘Exhale.’
I relaxed my body appropriately and gripped the sword.
Then I stood before the training dummy.
A sword I’d swung in the game nearly ten years, until I was sick of it.
Though I already knew, I recalled the points Gruen had emphasized again and raised the blade.
Solid strength emanating from the lower body.
In other words, creating an unwavering foundation.
So the sword wouldn’t flail about haphazardly.
Was that difficult to understand?
Hardly.
I’m a ten-year veteran player, for crying out loud!
‘As natural as breathing.’
Jin-woo, who possessed considerable talent, understood exactly what that meant.
And as a result of swinging the sword accordingly.
Whoosh!
The wooden sword cut through the air with swift precision.
Remarkably fast and clean.
Most importantly, it didn’t waver.
If someone were watching, they might think it was just an ordinary sword swing.
But it was anything but ordinary.
After all, you only see what you know.
What could the ignorant possibly comprehend?
An excellent stroke.
Still,
‘It’s a shame my Stamina and Strength stats don’t align perfectly.’
By the standards of someone who knew swordplay, it was an excellent strike.
But from my perspective, there were quite a few shortcomings.
Issues that arose from the stats not being balanced as I’d envisioned.
And my execution fell short of my intentions.
I felt uneasy about it.
Would Gruen really be satisfied with this?
I didn’t think so.
Well, at least I performed better than what Gruen had shown me, so maybe it’s acceptable?
The moment I turned around while harboring those doubts,
I could see Gruen with both eyes squeezed shut.
‘Startled. He looks absolutely terrifying.’
Why did his face always look so frightening whenever I saw it?
Anyway, what was he doing like that?
He was already scary normally, but with his eyes closed and his expression contorted, he looked far more terrifying.
I wondered if he’d actually appear in my nightmares.
No, but why was he like that?
Did it mean he couldn’t bear to watch with his eyes open?
Was my performance really that pathetic?
Surely it wasn’t at that level?
‘This is serious.’
Was he displeased?
Looking at the situation, that seemed to be exactly what it was.
What on earth was happening?
Ding!
[You have acquired the skill ‘Beginner Swordsmanship’.]
[You have acquired a martial arts skill for the first time.]
[You have obtained the First Title ‘Devoted Training Fanatic’.]
『Beginner Swordsmanship』
*Grade: Normal
*Level: 1
→Basic attack power +30% when wielding a sword
→Sword-related skill damage +10%
→Advances to next tier upon reaching Level 10
『Devoted Training Fanatic』
→First Title
→A title granted to users who acquire a martial arts skill for the first time
→Martial arts skill proficiency +10%, martial arts skill power +10%
What a tactless notification system.
Basic Swordsmanship and a First Title—both excellent rewards.
But why now, of all times?
This is already my sixth First Title, and I’ve accumulated three skills from them.
So why doesn’t this feel like a victory?
It’s all because of Gruen, standing there with his eyes closed and his brow furrowed in that infuriatingly silent way.
Isn’t it far too quiet?
I’m suffocating from the tension.
No, I can’t even hear him breathing.
‘Say something, anything.’
My skin crawls—I can’t take this anymore.
How much time had passed like this?
“…You.”
“Yes!”
“Would you consider becoming my disciple?”
“I’m sorry?”
What kind of absurd thing was he saying…
Wait, did I hear that correctly?
Disciple?
“You’ve surpassed what I taught you and wielded the blade with skill.”
“Ah.”
“That speaks to extraordinary talent. For someone holding a sword for the first time, your technique was beyond belief. I stake my reputation on it.”
What? Gruen, of all people, offering such praise?
And he wants me as his disciple?
Did I really mishear him?
As if to confirm I hadn’t misunderstood, Gruen spoke once more.
“So I wish to take you as my disciple. What do you say?”
Ding!
[Gruen, Guard Captain of Nen Village, invites you to become his disciple.]
[Upon acceptance, you will advance to the class 【Gruen’s Disciple (Hidden)】.]
[Do you accept?]
‘Insane.’
What am I looking at?
A Hidden class job?
Here, in a beginner’s village?
When I’m not even level 10 yet?
Normally, advancement is only possible after level 10.
Unless it’s a Hidden class job.
And that Hidden class just appeared before me.
‘Less than thirty minutes since I started the game?’
For a moment I froze, but I shook my head slightly and regained my composure.
This is a golden opportunity.
I can’t call it anything but fortunate.
More than that.
‘He’s taken a genuine liking to me.’
There’s no reason to suggest becoming a disciple to someone you don’t favor.
Wouldn’t you agree?
In any case, it means my affinity with him has increased.
That’s quite excellent.
And on top of that, the occupation of Gruen’s disciple.
I’d heard of it even before my regression.
It was a top-tier ranking occupation.
A remarkably famous one at that.
But.
‘I can’t accept this.’
Who was Gruen, after all?
Called the Guardian of the Deron Kingdom and one of the continent’s master-class warriors!
One of the named NPCs, no less.
His disciple?
How could that possibly be bad?
Moreover, becoming someone’s disciple means your master provides support too!
It’s truly an occupation with no drawbacks.
The only issue is that it pales in comparison to Sword Master.
The problem is that refusing here might lower his affinity toward me.
Sigh, why must I face such a trial?
I’ve worked so hard to make a good impression.
What is this?
Still, I can’t abandon the Sword Master path.
Gruen’s affinity is regrettable, but there’s no helping it.
“My apologies.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m afraid I cannot become your disciple, as I have other aspirations I must pursue.”
I declined as respectfully as possible.
This is the best I can do.
Ugh, losing Gruen’s affinity is truly a shame.
But some things simply cannot be helped.
I made the difficult choice to let it go.
And then.
The muscles on Gruen’s face began to twitch.
It was utterly grotesque.
Could that possibly be… a smile?
My lips were twisted into a smile, though.
Wait?
Could this actually be a death flag?
Am I about to earn the “First Death” title?
Ding!
[You have rejected Gruen’s offer.]
[Gruen’s affinity has increased significantly.]
Huh?
What is this now…
“Krahahahaha!”
“Kugh.”
Since when does someone’s laughter deal damage?
Wait, is this even a person?
Jin-woo was visibly in pain.
Gruen seemed to realize it for a moment and raised his hand in apology.
“My bad, ahem. I just got a bit carried away.”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
So laughing out of joy can actually deal damage?
Could I have learned that if I’d become his disciple?
Ah, I should have.
Leveling up just from laughing.
“A true man doesn’t serve under anyone! Right! Absolutely right!”
“Haha….”
“A friend after my own heart. The Village Chief was right about you.”
“No, I’m still just a greenhorn.”
“Krahaha! That’s true too! But in all my years, I’ve never seen talent like yours! Even if a talented person swung a sword for ten years, it wouldn’t compare! No! Even with ten years of practice, they couldn’t reach this level!”
Well…. I’ve been swinging a sword for nearly ten years, though?
That part’s true.
Ah, how do I even explain this?
There’s no way to explain it.
Though I thought that, I held my tongue.
Either way, what’s good is good, right?
“Right! I shouldn’t just sit here. I should give a gift to such a spirited and talented friend.”
“Haha, what….”
It was the moment I was about to continue speaking.
Gruen came to an abrupt stop and raised his massive hand.
No, why is this guy so extreme?
My heart’s about to burst.
Tap.
Huh?
Ah, w-why are you placing that on my head?
Gulp.
A palm that appeared even larger than Jin-woo’s head was placed directly on his crown.
If pressure were applied like that, it felt as though my head would burst like a watermelon.
C-could the gift actually be death?
So I really couldn’t refuse after all.
Just as such thoughts flickered through my mind like a lantern show.
Ding!
[Gruen’s Blessing has been bestowed upon you.]
[You have received a blessing from the Master for the first time.]
[You have obtained the First Title ‘One Blessed by the Martial Way’.]
『Gruen’s Blessing』
*Grade: Unique
→Master’s Blessing
→A blessing obtainable only by those acknowledged by Gruen
→Recovery Speed +20%
→Base Attack Power +20%
→All Stats +10
『One Blessed by the Martial Way』
→First Title
→A title granted to the user who first received a blessing from the Master
→All Stats +10%
“…?”
Ah, various thoughts flicker through my mind like a lantern show.
I’m so happy I might actually die from happiness.
This is how it goes.
Insane.
No, does this even make sense?
The Master’s Blessing already?
And a First Title at that.
Isn’t this the best thing I’ve ever obtained?
And he’s giving this to the one who rejected his offer to become a disciple?
Wow, he’s incredibly generous.
Gruen wasn’t just Gruen—he was a god.
‘But more importantly.’
With this, I’ll need to adjust my plans somewhat.
For the better?
With this?
Obtaining the ‘Sword Master’ will become far easier.
Unexpected windfalls like this are impossible to resist.
This is way too sweet.
Wait, let me check something.
My stats have already increased.
All stats went up by +10 and +10%.
What?
You think that’s nothing special?
You’re out of your mind.
Right now, it might seem trivial.
But once I level up and my stats grow further?
Think about it.
‘A +10 boost to all stats at level 1 is worth far more than I can imagine.’
The initial stat allocation is 5 points.
Then each level grants an additional 5 points.
With four stats—strength, agility, vitality, and magic—that’s 40 points total.
That’s the equivalent of eight level-ups.
And you’re saying that’s nothing?
I’ve obtained something extraordinary right from the start.
“I’m truly grateful.”
“Kahahaha! Investing in a promising young talent is only natural!”
“Even so, making such a bold investment isn’t something everyone can do. I’m truly grateful.”
“You bet!”
Gruen seems pleased by my sincere gratitude.
I can definitely feel the affinity has increased.
“I wonder if I’ve managed to hold onto a promising young talent.”
“Not at all.”
“Haha! Well then, get to work. I have other people to look after.”
“Yes, thank you for everything.”
“I look forward to seeing you again next time.”
And with that, Gruen coolly disappears.
Is being straightforward a trait of the people in this village?
Anyway.
I’ve obtained everything I wanted—and far more than I expected.
Should I proceed with my plan as scheduled?
‘There’s a lot to do before the others arrive.’
There were still many first-time titles to claim in this village.
I need to hurry before the players finish the tutorial.
“Let’s go!”

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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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