The Regressor Can Make Them All-Chapter 371

Se-Hoon could summarize the power of Eternal Nocturne Wurgen Kruger, the most powerful necromancer in the world, into three defining traits.

First, the boundless mana of the Netherworld; second, an undead army that could resurrect endlessly; and third, the power of Boundaries that was capable of killing even S-rank heroes with a mere glance.

With such traits, it seemed impossible to defeat him. However, if the right steps were taken from the beginning, victory was not beyond reach.

Wurgen’s power stems from the Netherworld.

If the Netherworld, essentially an infinite supply of mana, could somehow be suppressed, then the reliant undead army and power of Boundaries would all inevitably weaken—a truth no more profound than saying, “If you pierce their heart, it will be easier to fight.” In other words, it was an obvious truth.

That was why the key was how to exploit that weakness. And the answer Se-Hoon arrived at was to just use a power that could rival the infinite mana of the Netherworld: the everlasting Sacred Flame.

Fwoosh!

A translucent flame consumed the darkness blanketing the city, spreading rapidly while devouring everything in its path. It was almost as if the rising sun on the horizon were driving back the night.

What... what is this...? Richard’s eyes widened in disbelief.

When had Eun-Ha gained such overwhelming power? Even though he was witnessing it firsthand, Richard still found it hard to believe.

And like him, Eun-Ha was similarly gazing at the flames she had conjured.

Is this... what I imagined?

After the battle with Succession in the United States, Eun-Ha had unlocked a new power known as the Ore Core, which allowed her to channel the essence of any piece of equipment or material she consumed.

It was a confusing ability, one she hadn’t understood the extent of. But now, upon seeing the scene before her, she couldn’t not realize its true significance.

Fwoosh!

The fierce blaze roared past buildings, roads, and even abandoned cars and scattered debris, leaving everything unscathed without even a single trace of soot. Such a result was only possible because of the weapon crafted by Se-Hoon, which was infused with Sacred Flames begrudgingly supplied by Li Kenxie.

The essence of the equipment—its synesthetic mindscape—manifested as flames that burned only the darkness of the Netherworld.

But this alone isn’t enough.

Though the flames rampaged uninhibitedly at first, the darkness, as if finally noticing the attack, retaliated with a massive tidal wave. Like a tsunami, it crashed down on the flames as if to extinguish them completely.

Yet Eun-Ha was unfazed. She calmly drew upon the Sacred Flames surging within her body once more.

Woong!

[The fourth furnace ‘Crimson Will’ has been activated.]

The Primordial Ring encircling her heart heated up further, and the Ore Blood began coursing faster through her veins. Soon, a bright crimson mark shifted from her heart to the tip of her left hand.

Clenching her left fist, compressing her power and synesthetic mindscape even more sharply than before, Eun-Ha locked onto her distant target and unleashed a punch with all of her might.

Prominence

A pillar of scarlet flames pierced through the darkness, striking the black pillar at the heart of the city directly.

Boom!

Immediately, the raging wave of darkness dissipated under the fiery onslaught, leaving the towering black pillar exposed, trembling violently as flames scattered in all directions.

And once the flames themselves dissipated, what remained was only a straight, gaping path leading straight from the rooftop to the black pillar.

“Move!” Luize shouted urgently, realizing it was the moment they had been waiting for.

Immediately, Sung-Ha and Amir leapt from the rooftop, followed a beat later by Richard, who had hesitated momentarily.

“Gust Stairs.”

Whoosh!

Landing on invisible platforms conjured midair, the four were suddenly propelled forward at an incredible speed by an abrupt, powerful gust that surged from behind.

“Ugh?!”

Richard stumbled, startled by the unfamiliar method of movement. The other three, however, were accustomed to it and could balance themselves effortlessly as they focused on surveying their surroundings.

They smoothly passed through the darkness driven back by the flames, which seemed to be desperate to resist but struggled to regain its strength, and closed in on the black pillar without much issue.

Yet, instead of relaxing, the group grew even more tense, preparing for the inevitable counterattack.

“...!”

Sung-Ha reacted first, swinging his dual spears.

Boom!

A massive dark spear shattered into four pieces, scattering to the sides. Behind it, its launcher emerged near the black pillar.

Thud!

A colossal arm, large enough to rival the surrounding skyscrapers, gripped the ground as it dragged its enormous body out.

Rumble!

An enormous skeletal torso, its size rivaling nearby high-rises, broke free. The surrounding darkness swirled rapidly around it, fusing into its form.

In the blink of an eye, the massive skeleton transformed into a giant shadowy figure without a single facial feature.

“The Shadow Giant...”

Recognizing the creature, Richard stared at it with wide eyes. The Shadow Giant was a creature Wurgen had frequently summoned before he developed the Einherjars. It was not a true undead, being closer to a summoned entity that could be created through necromancy whenever needed.

But while the creature lacked intelligence and had simple abilities, it became a completely different beast when it was paired with the Netherworld’s infinite mana.

Rumble-

The Shadow Giant drew its arm back, the surrounding darkness rapidly condensing into an immense spear far larger than the one before. Despite the Sacred Flames clinging to its body, the giant didn’t falter. Instead, it just absorbed even more darkness to snuff out the flames effortlessly.

It had just been mere moments, yet, fueled by the limitless mana of the Netherworld, the Shadow Giant had completed its dark spear and had leveled it at the four approaching figures.

Unable to process the sheer amount of mana the spear seemed to contain, Richard froze, unsure of what to do.

“It should be better to engage it head-on. I’ll intercept its attack!” A voice cut through the tension.

“Then I’ll deliver the counterattack. Provide backup!”

“Got it—just move already!”

The three moved rapidly.

Thud!

The spear shot toward them, hurled with enough force to shake the ground.

Watching the massive weapon shooting toward them, Amir calculated its path with his Winter Sky Eyes and hurled his own spear of ice to meet it.

The size difference was staggering—the ice spear was no larger than a toothpick in comparison. Even the energy within them was worlds apart.

Yet Amir was unfazed, calmly observing his own spear’s trajectory. And then, when the two spears collided, that was when it occurred.

Frost Alchemy: Snow Moon Flower

Ice blossoms bloomed from within the ice spear, shattering the massive dark spear to pieces.

Crash!

What had seemed unstoppable was undone in an instant, its overwhelming force rendered meaningless.

Yet that result was only natural for Amir. After all, no matter how much power a weapon contained, even the slightest distortion could crumble it like sand if the synesthetic mindscape it contained wasn’t stable.

With his Winter Sky Eyes to perceive the synesthetic mindscape in the dark spear and Frost Alchemy to dismantle it, Amir had a natural advantage against the mindless creations of Wurgen.

And the same held true for Luize.

“Seizure.”

Luize’s incantation seized the remnants of the dark spear’s mana and the Sacred Flames around it, redirecting it all toward Sung-Ha.

Whoosh!

Bathed in the influx of energy, Sung-Ha gripped his dual spears tightly and hurled one at the Shadow Giant with full force.

Shadow Ring: Moonchase

Boom!

Crimson-black flames erupted from Sung-Ha’s spear, obliterating the Shadow Giant’s upper body. It had been so thoroughly destroyed that it was unable to regenerate, causing it to collapse entirely.

The resonance between the darkness of the Netherworld and the Sacred Flames had erased the necromantic spell sustaining the giant from existence.

Now I see why Se-Hoon chose these three...

Though their physical abilities fell slightly short of other S-rank heroes, the three possessed a keen eye that far surpassed brute strength. They had a knack for exploiting their opponents’ weaknesses, allowing them to strike at the heart of even the most formidable enemies.

“Let’s pick up the pace!”

As Richard marveled at their synergy, Luize sped up further to rush toward the black pillar. Even with the Shadow Giant destroyed, the three hadn’t relaxed at all. Instead, urgency filled their expressions.

And at first, Richard didn’t understand why—until he saw it, that is.

Rumble!

The black pillar shook violently, releasing a torrent of dark mist that coalesced into a single, massive figure.

The giant was a semi-transparent undead draped in a black robe, its body marked by countless thin lines that split open to reveal glowing eyes.

The Eyes of the Nether...

Unlike the Shadow Giant, which relied solely on its infinite mana supply, the new creature before them could also wield Wurgen’s power of Boundaries.

Glaring at the approaching group with its dozens of glowing eyes, the new manifestation of Wurgen unleashing an ear-splitting wail.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!”

The sound pierced not only the four’s ears but their very souls. However, even though the wail alone could have instilled terror, the four continued forward without shaking.

Noticing, the creature reached out to block their path. Just then, Eun-Ha shot forward like a blazing meteor, having been prepared for such a moment.

Boom!

The resulting shockwave tore the creature apart. But as it tried to regenerate, Eun-Ha continued her relentless assault, consuming the surrounding darkness. She threw her fist forward to confront the massive figure, allowing the four to leap into the black pillar before being swept away by their battle.

Gloop-

A sticky sensation enveloped them as their view shifted in an instant. Inside the black pillar, which was filled with the endless darkness of the Netherworld, there was only one intact structure left standing—the UD Group’s headquarters.

Woong!

The towering form that had once stretched high into the sky was gone, replaced by the crumbling remnants, now reduced to half its original size. Above it, darkness flowed like a sticky waterfall, cascading downward.

Intuitively, the four of them just knew that the Eternal Nocturne was somewhere within, making them all simultaneously move toward it.

Swish-

They began racing up the exterior wall, ignoring the creeping darkness coming toward them. Normally, if one didn’t wield the power of Boundaries, they wouldn’t be able to resist the encroaching darkness. But thanks to Se-Hoon’s preparations, they had something to counter it.

Woong-

A faint white line surrounded their entire bodies like a barrier. They each held a nail—an improved version of Soul Frame, Soul Nail—secretly created by Se-Hoon to mimic the effects of the power of Boundaries. Its effects seeped into their bodies, protecting them from the encroachment of the darkness.

If we can pierce the President’s body with this...

It would put an end to this chaos. With that determination, Richard held his breath and kept running.

Clang!

Amir deflected a spear that shot up from below with his ice dagger. But during the moment the four had halted due to the sudden ambush, shadows had surged from all directions along the wall, transforming into undead.

However, they were not typical undead; these still retained some semblance of their appearance from when they were alive.

“...Einherjars,” Richard muttered in a tense voice, recognizing their familiar forms.

The legions of elite warriors that served under Wurgen—composed only of those whose skills and abilities ranked above S-rank during their living days, now further strengthened by the Netherworld’s infinite supply of mana—stood before them.

Summoned to protect their master, the Einherjars were poised to face the intruders. However, despite knowing their role, their expressions were all filled with bitterness.

“Apologies. I tried my best to refuse marching outside, but... there’s nothing we can do here.”

“I’m... sorry...”

As they still kept their souls and memories from their living days, they knew that the current situation was wrong. Unfortunately, though, they couldn’t defy their master’s orders. With guilt and helplessness etched onto their faces, they adjusted their stances.

But while Richard bit his lip at the sight, Luize was calm.

Her voice cut through the tension. “Enough.”

Surveying the undead, she remained indifferent.

“Just tell us what we can do.”

“What you can do...?”

“You know, like, help us point out what’s effective against you guys or let us know where to aim.”

Taken aback, the undead, still in their fighting stances, hesitated briefly before beginning to give explanations in turn.

“I think you guys can start by simply attacking us. We’re casting a spell that takes thirty minutes to prepare right now.”

“Ah. But don’t expect us to take a hit deliberately for you. It seems we’re programmed to switch to faster spells if you’re in range.”

“I’ve shifted the target to the head—no, the heart, or wait, maybe the legs. Never mind. I can’t fix the attack in one spot, but I can signal where I’m aiming through words or gaze.”

In a tense standoff, the Einherjars each detailed their current states and limitations.

And after listening to everything, Luize turned to Amir and Sung-Ha.

“Well? You guys think we can work with this?”

“Barely but... it’s doable,” Amir replied.

Adding on, Sung-Ha said, “Let’s just stick to the formation we practiced before.”

Even in front of the despair-inducing scene of multiple S-rank enemies, the three of them carried on with nonchalance, making it hard to believe they were mere students.

They were so composed that Richard couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you guys afraid at all?”

How could they remain so composed in the face of such a battle?

Exchanging glances, Luize answered for all of them.

“Well, that guy left this to us. So we trust it’ll all work out somehow.”

“...That’s all?”

“Yes,” Luize said matter-of-factly. “Because that’s what it means to trust.”

Se-Hoon would forge their weapons and devise plans for them, while they would wield those weapons to bring the plans to fruition. Of course, risking their lives for something like trust wasn’t as simple as it sounded, but the three had grown accustomed to such a situation—as if they had been doing it for years.

“Enough talking. We’re about to move!”

Hearing the urgent shout of the Einherjar at the forefront, the three adjusted their stances.

“No matter what happens, we’ll get you there safely,” Luize reassured.

“Just keep running straight. Leave the rest to us,” Amir added.

“And even if you die, Se-Hoon will figure something out,” Sung-Ha quipped.

“...”

Seeing the three surrounding him like a protective barrier, Richard took a deep breath and redirected his gaze. Resolute, his focus locked on a single target: the destination beyond the Einherjar.

Steeling himself, Richard shouted, “Let’s go!”

He surged forward with all his might.

Boom!

Explosions erupted all around him, accompanied by the clash of metal. The Einherjars’ weapons came within inches of him, but each was deflected at the last moment. Spells launched toward him, meant to tear him apart, were all dismantled by Luize’s incantations.

Manipulating gravity, freezing enemies beneath their feet, and disorienting them with resonance—the three worked in perfect harmony, their actions seamlessly synchronized.

But despite their efforts, Richard couldn’t fully keep up. Yet, even though unblocked attacks scraped past his body and left him battered and bloodied, he never stopped running.

“The briefings are lagging behind!”

“Use the time complaining to cast one more incantation!”

“This is actually kind of fun!”

They had all sustained injuries far heavier than Richard, but the three relentlessly pushed through the Einherjars’ formation. Gritting his teeth, Richard pushed his legs harder until they finally scaled the outer wall and reached the top of the building.

“...!”

There, he saw not the skeletal figure he expected, but Wurgen’s original form, just as it had appeared in old photos.

Richard instinctively sensed something was off, yet he didn’t stop.

This is the only way!

He just hoped that his judgment—and Se-Hoon’s—was correct and pulled the Soul Nail from his coat, driving it into Wurgen’s heart.

Thunk!

Light instantly erupted from the Soul Nail as it transformed into countless white threads, binding Wurgen’s body. At the same time, the Einherjars all froze, their weapons falling silent.

Feeling a surge of relief, Luize, Amir, and Sung-Ha, exhausted but triumphant, surveyed their surroundings that were beginning to crack. Both the darkness and the black pillar crumbled to pieces, its fragments toppling to the ground.

The Soul Nail, tying up Wurgen’s true body, had neutralized all his replicas and sealed him in one go.

...Did we do it?

There was still the question of what to do with Wurgen’s true body, but that decision would fall to someone else, either another Perfect One or Se-Hoon himself.

Richard let out a sigh of relief—

Thump-

A sinister pulse echoed from somewhere. Richard froze. He couldn’t figure out where it came from, but his instincts were screaming something was terribly wrong.

Reflexively, he grabbed the white threads binding Wurgen...

And the curse engraved on Wurgen’s heart detonated.

Boom!

***

Far from the center of Frankfurt, on a distant rooftop, the Heroes Association's tactical team—stationed as backup in case Se-Hoon’s plan failed—stared in astonishment at the collapse of the black pillar.

“They... actually pulled it off?”

“They really did it with just five people...”

Amidst the rising flames engulfing the city, they could only marvel at the success. The rooftop was abuzz with chatter about Eun-Ha’s extraordinary feats, but only Julia, standing at the edge of the rooftop, was listening to something else.

A chorus of voices flooded her earpiece.

“The replicas all turned into mere skeletons! What happened?!”

“We were just about to subdue all of the replicas in the city, but the pillar just collapsed! Julia, what’s going on over there?!”

“Julia! Answer me—”

Smash!

Julia crushed the earpiece between her fingers, silencing the voices.

“They... failed.”

The essence of her plan—the retrieval of the power of Boundaries—had been lost.

Of course, if Richard enslaved the Eternal Nocturne, there could still be hope. But considering the scathing remarks she had directed toward him before, Julia doubted he would choose that path.

He might even end up trying to bring back Wurgen.

It seemed implausible, but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen—which was why Julia reached into her coat.

“Stop right there.”

A calm voice stopped her; Ryuuma, standing in the shadows, was staring at her.

“Don’t do anything reckless. If you stop now, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything.”

Thunk-

An unpleasant pressure weighed down on her chest, directly over her heart. Feeling the strange sensation, Julia looked down at her body and let out a faint laugh.

“Did you implant this in me when I crossed over?”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

The audacity of planting a shikigami inside her body so secretly, only to feign ignorance, was astonishing. Shaking her head at his shamelessness, Julia smirked bitterly.

“You’re not pitying me, are you? Ah... I see. You’re planning to use me to gain control of UD Group shares.”

“If your family needs our help, there’s no reason we can’t lend a hand. Of course, that’s only if that old man doesn’t survive.”

“So, if he is alive, you’re planning to hand me over?”

Ryuma remained silent, confirming her suspicion.

Julia chuckled bitterly. Everything she had worked to achieve was now out of her reach, leaving her with only one option.

Letting go of that final bit of hesitation, Julia acted swiftly.

Spurt-

Though her heart ruptured, she had achieved what she sought: activating a curse she had commissioned from Tuner as a last resort. To set it into motion, Julia had sacrificed herself..

Her body tumbled off the edge of the building, like a puppet with its strings cut.

Whoosh-

The world spun upside down. In her reversed view, she saw the once-serene sky being torn apart. From the opening, black darkness erupted like a volcanic explosion, spilling out in all directions.

It was a calamity beyond anything seen before, dwarfing even the chaos that Wurgen had created.

As she plummeted, Julia smiled at the sight, even as the ground rushed toward her.

At her very last moments, she was truly so glad that Se-Hoon’s team had subdued Wurgen, that monster.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel