The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 67

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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 67
Episode 67
Bosses that required a party to defeat invariably came with numerous mechanics.
Perhaps it was only natural.
After all, a boss that could be finished with pure damage alone wouldn’t warrant a party effort.
The regional boss of Falcon Village was precisely that type of boss.
A five-person party Quest boss.
Yuna began briefing everyone based on the information she’d gathered from clearing previous Quests.
“Combining all the information we’ve gathered so far, the boss has been identified as a Stone Wolf.”
“A Stone Wolf, huh….”
“I’m not entirely certain, but given the name suggests a hardened exterior, it will likely be challenging to overcome.”
“And since it’s a wolf, its movements could be quite nimble.”
“Honestly, I thought there’d be a giant bird monster given it’s called Falcon Village, so this is unexpected.”
At Neira’s words, Jin-woo flinched slightly.
But no one noticed.
That Falcon had long since been deliciously transformed and made its way into Jin-woo’s stomach.
Wind Step.
I was using it quite effectively, wasn’t I?
“Yes. So after further inquiries with the villagers, it turns out this is a monster that existed before and is quite famous.”
“Oho.”
“Usually in games, there is information available about bosses.”
“So what did you find out!?”
“It might have been simple if it were merely a wolf made of stone, but it seems we should consider it as a case where an ancient divine beast lost its power and became a monster.”
“Ah, there was story content we saw while clearing the Quest, right?”
Jin-woo nodded in agreement at that.
There was always story content when clearing Quests.
Quests always contained the answers.
So Jin-woo remembered it too, and it seemed Yuna did as well.
Considering the story.
An ancient divine beast losing its power and falling into corruption.
It was likely the boss battle would take the form of guarding an Altar.
And it was still a wolf-type monster after all.
There was a distinct possibility it could summon subordinates.
Yuna pointed out those very considerations.
“This is all the information we’ve gathered so far, but there’s one more thing we need to determine.”
“What is it?”
“Whether the battle ends simply by defending the Altar, or if a second phase exists.”
“Hmm.”
“Indeed.”
Based on the developments so far, every pattern had existed.
An absolute constraint: the Altar must be protected.
No matter the circumstances, that never changed.
Then was there nothing else besides the Altar?
Yuna dug into that very point.
“So I researched the regional mythology. As a result, it appears that the Falcon of the Sky and the Wolf of the Earth maintained balance while protecting this area.”
“Guardians?”
“Yes, exactly. Usually, such guardian roles exist in a solid state, which means there would be a groggy pattern, right? And the Altar we must protect is called the Altar of the Sky.”
Yuna flashed a knowing smile.
By this point, any gamer would catch on.
So they were using the Altar to create a groggy state.
That’s why they were trying to destroy the Altar—the greatest weak point.
“I understand the gist of it.”
“When the pattern timing comes, a marker will appear on the Altar.”
“So the Altar is ultimately the most important thing. Understood.”
“Looking at it this way, it seems simple. Though difficulties might arise once we’re actually there.”
At Neira’s final words, everyone turned their heads toward Jin-woo.
Did it mean they all trusted him?
Or did it mean they had no worries whatsoever?
Either way, it didn’t feel bad.
Jin-woo nodded and replied.
“Then shall we depart now?”
At Jin-woo’s words, Yuna hesitated for a moment.
The other three party members also looked toward Yuna.
In the past, she wouldn’t have been satisfied here and would have searched for more information.
After all, they still had no information about Phase Two.
But.
This time the situation was different, and gathering more information would…
She felt like she might be making them wait too long.
Yuna made her decision and nodded.
“Yes, let’s go.”
In that voice, firm resolve was evident.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Now it was time to go see that boss’s smug face.
* * *
I’d thought the final battle would take place in the forest, since there were many forests around Falcon Village.
But that wasn’t quite the case.
A vast, sprawling plain.
And within it, there was one place that stood out distinctly.
A rounded hill in the middle of the plain.
Or rather, could it even be called a hill?
In any case, there was a hill made of rocks.
“We’re here.”
Yuna’s somewhat tense voice.
It was after I heard that.
The message appeared.
[Quest, ‘The Truth of the Stone Wolf’ is in progress.]
[An event is occurring.]
Without a Quest like this, events won’t occur.
That’s why I can’t move to another area.
Because without a Quest, I can’t clear it.
As Jin-woo was thinking such thoughts.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
An incredibly massive earthquake that shook the entire region.
Sure enough, the ground cracked in the distant Plains, and a colossal statue in the shape of a wolf emerged.
A wolf statue made of stone.
When that statue, which seemed to radiate a ferocious aura, appeared, the rocky hill likewise began to tremble.
Then, gradually breaking through its shell, something emerged.
It took the form of a massive stone monument.
Anyone who saw it would say this.
“…An Altar.”
So that’s the Altar I need to protect.
And as soon as that Altar appeared, the wolf statue likewise began to tremble.
Crack.
Cracks spread across its surface, and the wolf statue opened its eyes as if shedding a shell.
Seeing that, Yuna shouted.
“Prepare for battle!”
After Yuna’s cry, a loud sound of something shattering and bursting echoed out.
Clang!
A colossal wolf with a rocky surface began to move, its eyes gleaming brilliantly.
And the creature howled toward the sky.
“Awooooooo!”
[Warning! Warning!]
[Boss Stone Wolf, Pheiran is watching you.]
[Stone Wolf, Pheiran regards you standing before the Altar with displeasure.]
[Stone Wolf, Pheiran has turned hostile toward you.]
That howl was like a trumpet fanfare announcing the prelude to war.
While everyone was tense.
Only Jin-woo thought to myself.
‘This guy’s pretty cocky.’
At the end of the day, that beast would die in a single hit from Brewnack.
No matter the situation, there would be no tension whatsoever.
I was growing tired of brute force too, so I’d considered testing out Brewnack for once, but I shook my head.
Look at the other party members.
They were tensed up, preparing for combat.
People casting buffs with basic magic or skills they’d acquired, waiting near the Altar.
With them preparing like that, I should match their pace from the start.
Using the corpses I’d prepared in advance, I activated a skill.
The skill I used was naturally Undead Summoning—Basic.
There was no need to enhance it with other skills.
Skeletons alone would suffice.
Clack clack clack clack clack!
A total of five skeletons materialized.
And those skeletons with gleaming eyes.
Those were what frightened me the most.
It was as if they were staring directly at me.
They fought like madmen, truly.
Well, that was a good thing.
Should I let them loose?
“Go.”
As if they’d been waiting for my command, the skeletons began charging ferociously.
Even without any buffs applied, they ran incredibly well.
In fact, they ran really well.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Clatter! Clatter!
Five skeletons sprinting at tremendous speed.
Naturally, the stone wolf, Pheiran, swung his front legs dismissively.
To block their approach.
But.
Leap!
They bounded through the air, evading all his attacks, then clung to his body and wielded their blades with vicious ferocity.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword strikes swung with abandon.
Pheiran wasn’t one to stand idle.
Just as he was about to shake them off and counterattack.
With impeccable timing, they separated from Pheiran’s body and created distance.
All of Pheiran’s attacks became useless.
The party members watched the scene in stunned silence.
“No matter how many times I see it, I can’t get used to it.”
“You’re truly remarkable, mercenary.”
“The way you adapt your orders to each situation is genuinely impressive.”
“…Truly remarkable.”
Everyone seemed to believe that Jin-woo was issuing orders in real-time based on the unfolding situation.
Unfortunately….
‘What are they talking about? I’m just staying quiet.’
I could actually command the skeletons with mere thought alone.
Shouting orders every single time was considerably bothersome and exhausting.
The system was simply accommodating my preference.
That’s why these people were under a misunderstanding.
The skeletons couldn’t possibly move with such precision otherwise.
Well, Jin-woo wasn’t issuing verbal commands.
But the skeletons truly were remarkable.
“We can’t just stand here watching.”
“We should support the skeletons too!”
At Pandel and Neira’s words, Yuna and Ellen nodded in agreement.
Yuna’s order followed immediately.
“Neira and I will deploy magic from the rear, while Ellen and Pandel, please follow the skeletons and divide its attention.”
The creature still wasn’t paying attention to the Altar.
So the tanks needed to step forward and scatter its focus.
Everyone nodded and quickly took their positions.
The reason they didn’t issue orders to Jin-woo was simple.
He handled things perfectly on his own.
You could practically call him a free carry.
‘Not bad at all.’
This was quite a solid party.
Though they could never match Jin-woo’s potential.
The gap was simply too vast from the start.
Even if someone claimed otherwise…. Well?
The difference would have widened quickly.
Looking at it this way.
I could see just how exceptional my own talent truly was.
More exceptional than I’d realized.
With the skeletons, Ellen, and Pandel joining in.
The creature grew quite enraged.
Yet everyone seemed to be struggling considerably.
The skeletons as well.
Then it happened.
“AUUUUUUUU!”
A howl different from the first one.
Something far sharper and more piercing.
There’s no way I wouldn’t understand what this means.
“It’s a pattern! He’s summoning minions! Fall back!”
Before I could even process the order, I was already retreating based on instinct.
The ground around Pheiran began to tremble, and small stone wolves suddenly emerged.
They were considerably smaller compared to Pheiran’s massive frame.
Yet they still looked remarkably threatening.
There were quite a few of them.
Nearly twenty in total.
By any measure, this was a desperate crisis.
And on top of that, Pheiran began to move.
Everyone was tense, positioned near the Altar to protect it.
That’s when Jin-woo opened his mouth with a smile.
“That’s enough.”
“Pardon?”
“Huh?”
“W-what do you mean?”
Everyone except Yuna looked bewildered.
Right, this is the point where it becomes proper content.
The title would be something like “I Joined a Beginner Party.”
Something along those lines should work.
So should I show the power of a veteran player now?
Once Yuna caught on, it was already over anyway.
I’d stop holding back here.
That way the visuals would be more impressive.
Jin-woo chuckled softly and shouted internally.
‘Fusion Combatant.’
And the blending skill?
The main components were Corpse Explosion and Fireball, Heavy Strike, Negation Aura, Sonic Wave, Shock, and finally Radiant Slash.
I mixed and activated countless skills simultaneously.
Then intense light began radiating from five skeletons.
Conveniently, they were positioned in a formation that completely surrounded all the stone wolves.
The stone wolves and Pheiran hesitated, watching the skeletons glow with blinding intensity.
I could see their eyes trembling.
Perfect. This is true visual spectacle.
Now it’s time for the finale.
Snap.
Jin-woo snapped his fingers with that thought.
Shhhhhhhhiiiiing!
A sound like metal spinning at ultra-high speed rang out.
Then there was light.
――――――――――!
A tremor far more powerful than when the Stone Wolf Pheiran first appeared.
And a colossal storm swept through.
“Grrgh!”
“Hack!”
“W-what, what is this!”
“…!”
The wind pressure alone was so overwhelming that they couldn’t maintain their footing.
Where the massive storm had exploded, a crater had formed as if a meteorite had fallen.
And what remained there was, naturally….
“A-absolutely nothing?”
“W-what just happened?”
“We cleared it without even breaking the pattern?”
While everyone stood bewildered, Jin-woo moved above them through teleportation.
And hovering in mid-air with Wind Step, he spoke to them.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Countless message windows appeared alongside Jin-woo’s words.
Messages about clearing the Quest by defeating the Stone Wolf Pheiran, obtaining a common title, and such.
Plus a reward for being the first to defeat Pheiran—a Hero-grade random skill book.
However, Jin-woo alone received a different message.
[You were the first to defeat two Beginner Region bosses!]
[You have acquired the First title ‘Relentless Boss Killer’.]
[You have acquired both a common title and a First title.]
[Through the Title Hunter effect, you gain an additional 2 stat points.]
An unexpected gain.
I’ll check that later.
I need to wrap up the footage.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave. It was enjoyable.”
Jin-woo spoke politely and was about to disappear.
Up to this point, the cinematography was truly spectacular.
But suddenly, Yuna rushed toward Jin-woo’s vicinity.
She looked quite urgent.
What now?
Was she about to make a Guild offer?
I’d have to decline that.
The moment Jin-woo thought that, Yuna shouted something unexpected.
“P-please sign for me!”
“…?”
Was she asking him to sign the Guild recruitment form?
For a moment, I misunderstood it that way.
Yuna cried out urgently.
“P-Pan is a fan!”
Fortunately, I had something I’d made for broadcast purposes before, so I awkwardly pulled out a piece of paper from my inventory, signed it, and tossed it to her.
What was that?
Something didn’t go the way I’d planned.
I’ll edit this part out.
With that, Jin-woo vanished from the spot using Transfer.
The remaining party members stood there with bewildered expressions.
Only Yuna, who had received the autograph, wore a satisfied smile.

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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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