Regressor Instruction Manual-Chapter 1156. Operation: Dawn (5)

The clash against the Demon Legion, the valiant efforts of the heroes, and the tear-jerking side stories of the extras were infused on this battlefield...

We had come too far to turn tail and run, so accepting defeat now would be humiliating.

Actually, that wasn’t the issue. A single misstep in our hopeful stride could cause Rohen the opportunity to rise again. I could tell what kind of situation we were in based on the expressions of people on the battlefield.

‘Damn it.’

'These guys think they won’t lose.'

The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment, and their expectations were sky high.

“The saint of Flower and Fertility is with us! Hang in there, everyone!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Yes, Captain!!!”

Their faces were filled with joy.

“Push forward! Just a little more! There’s not much left! You idiots!”

“He’s right. There’s just one more step left, Kathy.”

“I knew we could do it! Shit! I knew it!”

“This is Rohen, you demon bastards!”

They seemed to believe that we still had a chance to live—that mankind had yet to be defeated. Before the departure ceremony, they looked hopeless, but now, they looked as if defeat wasn’t an option.

Even the operation name they had chosen as their slogan was "Dawn," so how could I retreat when the spark of hope was just starting to transform into the flames of hope?

‘I have to keep the flames of hope alive, even if it means everyone is going to die.’

'Will has to push through even if his body ends up falling apart. Even if he becomes a wreck after all this.'

“You can win, Mr. William,” I said again.

— Okay, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.

The bleeding would hurt a bit, and if Will was enough to keep the flames of hope alive, then it would be a fair trade.

We weren't just taking care of the one in charge of this region; we were facing Chalkis of Flesh and Gore, a being that was granted power by the Monarch of Sunset.

When looking at Chalkis’ state, it was safe to assume that Kim Hyun-Sung also made an impulsive decision, paying the heavy price with blood.

‘Whether in the past or now, impulsively consuming things remains unchanged.’

While profits came from the summoning incidents, the mainstream event, and the humans, the price that had to be paid was pretty high as well. There was a reason why the remaining two demon lords didn’t run rampant like Kim Hyun-Sung.

The cost of maintaining the 21st Legion was significant, and there was no need for me to mention the cost of maintaining the Monarch of Sunset.

This was similar to the time when Belial couldn’t move during the 27th Legion incident. If a god or a demon descended upon the continent using a summoning ritual, they would be bound by the universal rule that every single move they made would come with a massive cost.

For someone as influential as Kim Hyun-Sung, the system would impose taxes on him. Every move that would influence required paying a certain price. If I were the Commander of the 21st Legion, I would focus on strengthening the foundation, but from our Hyun-Sung’s perspective, he couldn’t afford to do that right now...

‘He should’ve at least strengthened the foundation before making a move.’

In addition to irresponsibly expanding the Ashen Sunset Region, he also invaded another demon lord’s territory, almost leading to a war.

He was making such an aggressive investment that even ten hearts wouldn’t be enough to handle it.

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There was no guarantee that he would a war against a demon lord, nor was there any guarantee that his investment would produce results.

There wasn't enough time to deal with these two issues, but he had invested a significant amount of money into some useless fool while ignoring taxes, so funnily enough, the situation was actually in my favor.

[The Monarch of Sunset, hehehe! Experience... his greatness! You foolish mortals! Kekekekekeke!]

‘This asshole has gone completely crazy.’

[The Monarch of Sunset! He’s watching over me! Meee! He’s watching over me! Kekekeke!]

‘Why does it keep... giggling like that?’

[The Monarch of Sunset! He’s watching over... Chalkis of Flesh and Gore!!!]

The problem was that processing the scene before me was difficult.

Kim Hyun-Sung had to have realized that Will was the central pillar of the continent because he granted that flesh and gore or whatever above-average powers.

Its body became massive; its strength and magic increased significantly along with its overall stats. Its grotesque appearance turned even more grotesque, and it seemed like it had unlocked a unique habit.

I was sure it was just an ordinary high-ranking demon, but right now...

‘Donovan?’

Donovan...

He was the weakest member of the Four Heavenly Kings of the 27th Legion. This monster seemed a little stronger than Donova, who had sacrificed his life for his friend.

At the time, Kim Hyun-Sung, who experienced his first awakening, was able to take him down with his newly acquired skill, Sunset Slash, but William had nothing like that just yet. Still...

“Our opponent is unstable,” I said.

— I agree. It looks unstable.

“It was granted power it can’t use. Its mind has been ruined, and it’s highly likely that its body is also breaking apart. It still hasn't adapted to its power...” I said.

— I agree.

[I’ll tear you to pieces! You dirty pests! Kekekeke!]

Chalkis swung its fist wildly, as it was drunk on its new power.

However, Chalkis' movements didn't look like that in the eyes of an ordinary player.

It had overwhelming power and unimaginable speed and range. To make matters worse, the blood and flesh splattering from its giant claws melted whatever it touched.

Liquid-based attacks were some of the trickiest attacks a swordsman could ever deal with, but only if I weren't here.

Since I had to convey my intentions faster than I could with words, I sent an escape route through a quest.

[You look like a rat trying to run away! Keke! Kekekeke! Fear me and die!]

I also provided an attack route. Since the size of its body had increased, he had more angles that he could use to attack the monster.

[It tickles! You’re tickling me! Is this... Is this! The power of the Monarch of Sunset?!]

“I think you should be careful of the flesh that keeps falling off it each time you attack it,” I warned him.

— Yes, I’m aware of that, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.

“I have a feeling this is going to be a long fight,” I said.

— Understood.

‘Th-This will work.’

Chalkis was dumber than I thought, which was why he played the role of a dog guarding its house. After absorbing the Ashen Sunset’s power, it became even more of an idiot.

It swung its arm randomly because it was drunk on its power, and its combat pattern was simple. It would either throw itself to crush its opponent or throw its insides around, which was just barbaric.

The acid pouring over such a wide area seemed disastrous, but with eyes sharp enough to see the openings, avoiding the acid rain was a piece of cake.

I believed Kim Hyun-Sung was even aware of what Chalkis was doing, but I was sure he realized that he had made a mistake.

‘See, Hyun-Sung. You need to do research before investing. You shouldn’t let your emotions control your investments.’

[I’ll crush you! I’m... Chalkis of Flesh and Gore! Chalkis of Flesh and Gore!]

It had to have thought that its attack would work if it increased its range a bit because it started growing. Its attack, resembling a tsunami of blood and organs, loomed over William.

However, the fact that it became wider meant that it became thinner.

[The Monarch of Sunset is... trusting... me.]

“You’re strong enough to pierce it,” I said.

I was certain of it this time, as thrust attacks were William’s specialty. He got into the stance of the sword technique he was most confident in, and he stomped forward before unsheathing his sword.

It looked slow, but he moved so fast that it looked like it happened in an instant.

Mana enveloped him, making him look like he became one with the sword. He broke through the wave of blood and organs. At first, I thought his skin would melt, but even if that were the case, William's move was worthy of that exchange.

Boom!

A fissure appeared in the tidal wave of gore, and Will jumped out from the other side.

Depending on its presentation, this scene could look really cool, but Will couldn't care less about such a sight, so he didn't even strike a pose. After taking a stance with his sword, he slashed through the crimson thorns that appeared out of nowhere.

[You’re tickling me. You’re tickling me... I’m...Chalkis... of flesh and gore... you vermin!]

“You can win,” I repeated.

— Yes, I know.

“Believe in yourself a little bit more,” I told him.

- Okay.

'But I don’t think your firepower is enough to unleash the finishing blow. It’s okay. We can just overwhelm them with numbers.'

It had been a long time since Chalkis and William started fighting, and the battlefield was constantly shifting. Unlike William and Chalkis, the competent Flower Ki-Young was gradually taking over the Saint Bell battlefield.

“Show those demons that Rohen has yet to be defeated.”

“The Saint of Flower and Fertility is watching over us!”

‘Don’t say things Chalkis would say.’

“O light! O light!”

I heard priests casting purification spells, and I was doing the same.

Once in Flower form, I unleashed my holy power to push away the Ashen Sunset. My appearance gave everyone a boost. As expected, the priests were shouting out their spells, and pillars of light started rising all over the temple.

“It’s the light! The light is protecting us!”

The excited GENIUSES roared at the sight. The incompetent fools were so loud that I thought my eardrums would burst. I was sure everyone would react the same way at the sight before us.

The pillars of light that appeared everywhere were gradually pushing away the Ashen Sunset. We were simply creating a safe zone, but the sight of the gloomy sunrise clearing the Ashen Sunset was enough to give hope to everyone here.

“This is... dawn,” Kathy mumbled.

“Hope starts here, Kathy,” Aleria said.

“Yeah, I see it as well, Aleria,” Kathy replied.

“I’m sure this place will go down in history as the place where the lost light was rekindled,” Aleria remarked.

Chalkis was no longer focused on William. Instead, it was looking at me. Moments later, it spoke in a voice that sounded completely different from earlier.

It seemed Kim Hyun-Sung had borrowed its body to speak to me, but...

[You.]

‘Hyun-Sung? Did you see it from far away? How are you doing that? You know how to do that?’

[You’re not Mr. Ki-Young.]

‘Huh?’

“...”

[...]

‘What is he... talking about?’

[Who... are you?]

“...”

[Who are you... and why do you look like Mr. Ki-Young?]

I was so stunned by the unexpected nonsense that I couldn’t focus for a moment.

[Who. Are you?]

“...”

[...Where’s the real Mr. Ki-Young?]

1. Lee Ki-Young’s POV ☜