The Regressor Plays the Game Too Well - Chapter 69

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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 69
Episode 69
Small City Marganti.
Its scale was smaller than the Free City Felsia.
After all, it was a small city.
Yet the users felt no particular inconvenience.
Why?
Even as a small city, it boasted a considerable size.
Moreover, the level restriction was the same as Felsia.
Levels 30 to 100.
This meant it had the capacity to accommodate that many players.
Almost there now.
I found myself wishing once again that I had a mount.
I had obtained a pet recently, but…
Something about it felt off.
After all, it was an egg created from Ruin, the Apostle of Ru, the God of Light.
If something hatched, wouldn’t it be humanoid?
It would absolutely not be a mount.
Don’t even hope for it.
Anyway.
The experience gain has dropped significantly—I’m starting to feel it now.
I never imagined I’d hit a wall before reaching level 100.
I couldn’t have foreseen this.
But there’s no need to rush.
I’m still ahead of everyone else.
Normally, I would have resented wasting time on travel like this.
But recently, I’d found some peace of mind.
This wasn’t about making quick money and leaving.
I had to think long-term.
Rushing only leads to burnout.
Both body and mind.
Come to think of it.
I should pay more attention to my physical health.
I should exercise.
I used to exercise occasionally even while streaming.
Though not professionally.
But I should do it for my health.
Especially for someone like me, who spent all day in a capsule at home, it was essential.
Otherwise, I could literally die.
As I was thinking about this, the Coachman shouted to me from the cargo hold.
The reason was obvious.
“We’re almost there!”
“Ah, thank you.”
I replied and leaned forward to look, and there it was—unmistakable.
Walls smaller than those of Felsia.
Yet even so, the charm of the place seeped through.
This was fantasy.
Unlike the grand Felsia, arriving at a new city stirred a different kind of excitement.
I found myself more anticipating this place than Felsia.
Because of the hidden piece?
Well, I couldn’t deny that was part of it.
But there was another difference.
‘Felsia was somewhere I’d visited before regression, but Margantia is my first time here.’
A new region.
Anyone who loved games would go mad for it.
Back in the console game era, games like Dragon Quest were fun just talking to every villager.
In Pantheon, that could take months.
There were far too many NPCs.
Lost in idle thoughts, I chuckled softly and rose from my seat.
I wanted to hurry into the city and meet the aged sage Wirun.
How much time had passed?
Both I and the Coachman sensed something was amiss.
It was when the carriage drew close to the city gates.
The guards near the walls moved about with unusual bustle.
‘What’s this?’
All this commotion just for a single cargo carriage?
Something felt off.
The moment I thought that,
I remembered.
The noble’s insignia I currently possessed was in my inventory, so it shouldn’t have activated yet.
Could just the effect of the Honored One cause all this?
That couldn’t be it.
Then, a forgotten title surfaced in my mind.
Now that I thought about it, there was a title with a similar effect.
『Benefactor of Nobles』
→First Title
→Granted to the user who first became a benefactor to a noble house
→Increases base affinity with most nobles.
→Increases the probability of receiving quests from nobles.
Could it be synergizing with the Honored One?
Jin-woo swallowed hard, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
Just as expected, a grand trumpet fanfare blared, followed by the voice of a herald.
Pah-pah-bah-bah-bam――!
“The rightful master of this land and the true ruler of Marganti! The esteemed Baron Philip has arrived!”
Why such a grandiose entrance?
Marquis Jihokin’s arrival had been far more subdued.
And this man was merely a baron, not even a marquis.
How peculiar.
Moreover, a red carpet had been laid out.
One could sense the intention to keep the nobleman’s shoes from getting soiled.
It was rather excessive.
Jin-woo watched the spectacle with a bewildered expression.
Seeing his reaction, an elderly gentleman with blonde hair and blue eyes descended from the carriage and greeted him.
“Hehe, so I finally get to meet the renowned Jin-woo.”
This was incredibly burdensome.
Sweat was practically pouring down my face!
‘Thank goodness Kong Yuna’s party hasn’t arrived yet.’
I’d come early without much thought, simply wanting to claim the dungeon first.
It turned out to be the right decision.
If they saw me like this?
I’d be utterly mortified—practically dead from embarrassment.
Or perhaps forced to log out entirely.
Either way, standing here silently felt awkward too.
Still, my counterpart was nobility.
“Aha, well… no, that’s not quite right. Renowned, you say?”
“Hehehe, excessive modesty becomes discourtesy. I’ve heard tales of your exploits—how could you not be renowned? Besides, I’m on intimate terms with Marquis Jihokin himself.”
“…Haha.”
“Hehehe!”
Jin-woo laughed awkwardly.
Baron Philip laughed heartily in return.
I understood he was attempting some form of political maneuvering.
But was it meaningful?
I was a foreigner anyway.
I wondered if such elaborate efforts were truly necessary.
Until the message appeared.
Ding!
[You have received a grand welcome from nobility at the city gates for the first time.]
[You have acquired the First Title ‘One of Refined Grace’.]
[Through the First Title ‘Pioneer’, you gain an additional stat point.]
[You have acquired a First Title.]
[You have acquired an additional stat point from the Title Hunter effect.]
[You have received a grand welcome from Baron Philip, a nobleman of the Deron Kingdom.]
[You have acquired 300 Honor.]
Oh well.
Yeah, I suppose this is necessary.
The Baron is doing this, after all.
What complaint could I possibly have?
If he needs more, I can do even more!
As Jin-woo thought this to himself,
Baron Philip smiled at him and opened his mouth.
“First, let us travel together by carriage. I have something to discuss with you at my residence, which is why I took the liberty of coming to find you despite the impropriety.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful for such a magnificent welcome.”
“Hehehehe! I’m relieved to hear you say so. Well then, shall we go?”
Baron Philip spoke with a pleased smile.
Nobles are fine in general, but this part I dislike.
Their words drag on.
Such pointless formalities they observe.
Ah, no wait.
It’s all necessary.
In any case, that’s right.
But what could he want to discuss?
‘A Quest, surely?’
For a nobleman to summon me like this, it seemed like quite a significant Quest.
Nothing came to mind immediately.
During the carriage ride here, I had considered hidden pieces related to nobility, but there were none.
Han Yu-na hadn’t encountered any either.
Neither had the other rankers who operated in Marganti.
Since it was a small city, after all.
It didn’t feel like there was much being hidden.
Aside from the truly decrepit sage Wirun, there wasn’t much of note here.
Still, since it’s a noble’s Quest,
they should offer something quite worthwhile!
‘Even if he’s only a Baron, nobility is nobility.’
A Baron who rules an entire city
must have some capability.
So I shouldn’t worry about the reward.
The only issue is that it will likely take quite a while to actually receive the Quest.
Baron Philip, from what I’ve seen so far, is a typical nobleman.
I’ll probably have to endure considerable chatter.
But what can I do.
‘There aren’t enough Hidden Pieces here to justify refusing.’
I’ll have to take on a Nobleman’s Quest instead.
Tsk, there’s no helping it.
I hope it’s at least a simple Quest.
From the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem too serious anyway.
Though I am curious.
What could it be?
But first, I have to endure this lengthy tea time.
In old console games, I could skip all of this.
It’s a shame that function doesn’t exist here.
* * *
How much time had passed?
Baron Philip set down his teacup quietly and regarded Jin-woo with a somewhat serious expression.
I’d already heard what the request was.
After wasting a full two hours, that is.
Even if Yuna’s party came, this time slot would be difficult for hunting Hidden Pieces.
But mentally, it was exhausting.
Anyway.
What Baron Philip had to say was actually quite simple.
Moreover, it aligned reasonably well with my objectives.
“So you’re saying you’d like me to meet Wirun?”
“Yes, precisely that.”
“Huh.”
Jin-woo sighed as he watched the message that had been flickering before his eyes.
It was none other than a Quest acceptance window.
[Quest ‘News of the Aged Sage, Wirun’ has been created.]
[Do you accept?]
A Quest that goes directly to the Aged Sage Wirun?
Normally, I’d have to complete a chain of Quests just to catch a glimpse of him from a distance, yet here’s a direct Quest to meet him?
Why did this appear so suddenly?
Things are progressing more smoothly than expected.
Compared to that, two hours of tea time?
Hardly a waste.
Gulp.
“Yes, I accept. This is work only Jin-woo, who has earned Gruen’s recognition, can accomplish.”
“Then, what exactly am I supposed to do?”
At Jin-woo’s words, Philip carefully lifted his teacup and sipped his black tea.
Why not just tell me directly?
Dragging it out like this is why it took two hours.
Well, it’s still far better than chain Quests anyway.
What could be the reason for seeking out Wirun?
“The matter is that Wirun is not a brother to Gruen, is he not?”
“Yes, that is what I have heard as well.”
“In fact, the moment Wirun heard that Jin-woo was coming to Margantia, he came to find me.”
“The Sage came?”
“Yes, that is so. I cannot say for certain, but I cautiously suspect that Wirun may have some special business with Jin-woo.”
“Ah, if Wirun is looking for me, then I should go at once.”
As Jin-woo answered thus.
The system, recognizing my acceptance, generated a Quest window.
[News of the Aged Sage, Wirun]
*Description: Upon hearing that you have come to Margantia, you learned that the aged sage, Wirun, has been searching for you.
The reason is unknown, but it appears to be connected to Gruen, the former commander of the Imperial Knight Order.
*Objective: Go to the aged sage, Wirun, as quickly as possible.
*Reward: To be determined based on circumstances.
What in the world is this about?
Wirun is looking for me?
Suddenly?
The unexpectedness of it all made me swallow hard without thinking.
But wait.
‘He spent two hours talking just to tell me this?’
I felt my frustration about to burst.
But I barely managed to hold it back.
Still, I am nobility.
Still, I am nobility.
I must compose myself as much as possible.
I took a short breath and suppressed my anger.
But what should I say?
As I was thinking thus.
Baron Philip opened his mouth.
“No, there is no need for that.”
“Pardon?”
What nonsense is this?
If the aged sage Wirun is looking for me, shouldn’t I go immediately?
Bewildered, I looked at Baron Philip, unable to comprehend.
Baron Philip smiled faintly and resolved my confusion.
“The thing is….”
“I came myself.”
An elderly man with a hunched back suddenly appeared in the reception room, cutting off Baron Philip’s words.
I recognized him immediately upon seeing him.
His severely bent posture and withered, diminished frame were so frail that one could believe he might die tomorrow.
This man was none other than Gruen’s elder brother, the one called the Guardian of the Deron Kingdom—and the Grand Mage renowned as the second strongest in all of Deron!
The aged sage, Wirun.
*Gulp.*
“Delighted to meet you, young one. I am Wirun the Wise.”
[Quest ‘News of the Aged Sage, Wirun’ has been cleared.]
[Rewards have been granted.]
[Wirun’s satisfaction is considerable.]
[Rewards have been increased.]
How in the world had this happened?
I was bewildered, but one thing was certain.
‘This is incredible.’

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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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