The Regressor Can Make Them All-Chapter 377

The Golden Origin Armor, the one recently discovered in Russia, was the most dangerous and powerful among all pieces of the Five Element Equipment. Its skill, storing the wearer’s ability internally for later use, was relatively common. However, the armor had a unique feature—it permanently kept the ability.

“For the first owner, it was simply a sturdy suit of armor. The second, it was still a sturdy suit of armor but with an eruption ability. And the third, it was sturdy, had eruption powers, and had gained electrical discharge capabilities.... Like so, the armor has continued to evolve in such a fashion.”

Stepping out of the Void Terminal, Meirin walked along the snow-covered streets of Moscow while calmly briefing Se-Hoon.

“The previous owner was a C-rank demon who got caught up in a power struggle. The moment he donned the Golden Origin Armor, he ended up facing an S-rank hero. What do you think happened?”

“Hmm... he barely managed to escape?”

“No. He killed the S-rank hero right there on the spot.”

Meirin took out a cigarette, placed it between her lips, and lit it.

“He was gravely injured, but still. An S-rank hero losing to a C-rank grunt who barely knew how to fight? Simply absurd.”

When it came to battles, strength alone normally wasn’t the deciding factor. Skills, experience, natural talent—all things that couldn’t even be compared needed to be factored in. Yet, even then, an S-rank hero died to a mere C-rank demon who had the fortune of acquiring the Golden Origin Armor?

Exhaling a deeper cloud of smoke than usual, Meirin posed a question to Se-Hoon. “What do you think?”

“Hmmm, could it be that the Golden Origin Armor is a bioweapon?” Se-Hoon questioned seriously, having given it a moment of thought.

“...Why?”

“I can only think of that as the logical explanation. Even if the wearer was a fool, the armor could have fought on its own.”

“That... does make sense.”

“Right? Ah, but considering it was initially used like an ordinary suit of armor, maybe it mutated as it grew...? Could something have happened when the demon wore it?”

Quietly listening to Se-Hoon ramble on about the armor’s possible mechanisms, Meirin made a peculiar expression.

So he wasn’t just a blacksmith in name only.

Those who prided themselves on their strength would typically react to such a story by dismissing it—calling it luck or blaming the dead hero for being foolish. Almost all of them believed that no matter how powerful a piece of equipment was, what truly mattered was the wielder—themself—and that they were among the elite who wouldn’t have died.

They’re not entirely wrong... but that’s not how a true blacksmith should think.

Unlike them, a blacksmith should analyze a piece of equipment’s function and consider how it was made—which made Se-Hoon’s response exactly the kind of answer Meirin liked.

“Professor, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Who’s the current owner?”

“Ah... I almost forgot.”

Meirin rummaged through her inner pocket, finding and pulling out a photograph that she handed over to Se-Hoon.

The photo depicted a figure entering an alley at night, their face almost entirely concealed except for their eyes. The image quality was also poor, making identification even more difficult.

However, there was one thing clearly visible despite that.

“That thing inside their coat... that’s it, isn’t it?”

“Correct. We don’t have confirmation of their identity yet, but they seem to be a B-rank hero wanted for murder.”

“Could it be a fake or some other copy-equipment?”

Pulling out another photo, Meirin responded, “This was the scene where fifteen Russian special forces operatives were killed recently. There were clear traces of abilities matching those of the Golden Origin Armor.”

“Then we have to assume it’s the real deal.”

Equipment like the Five Element Equipment never stayed with one person for long. By the time their identity was confirmed, someone else had usually taken it already. And that meant the battle for possession was likely happening even as they spoke.

Hmmm...

Staring at the two photos, Se-Hoon pondered over the current owner of the armor.

I guess it was pretty weak before.

Before his regression, the Golden Origin Armor only started resurfacing eight years later, by which it had already become an entirely different monstrosity. It had transformed completely into a bioweapon that stole its wearer’s mind and body, turning anyone into an S-rank or higher monster.

Because of that, it was later renamed “Golden Origin Demon Armor” and was classified as an actual demon. Some had even argued it should be designated as one of the Ten Evils.

If Eun-Ha and Aria hadn’t taken it down in time, it really would have become one of the Ten Evils.

The longer it was left alone, the more dangerous it became. Knowing that well, Se-Hoon agreed that securing the Golden Origin Armor was clearly in his best interest. frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

There was just one problem—Meirin was with him.

There’s no way Master would just abandon a request.... So then the key here is figuring out who her client is.

The first name that came to mind was Offering, as they had deep ties to the Five Element Equipment and had collaborated with Meirin in the past. They had even researched the Fire Heaven Greatsword. In the first place, their leader—Caden—was the very person who had collected the Five Element Equipment and released them into the world.

Hmmm... Offering’s motives are unclear.

If they intended to study the Five Element Equipment, they could just have kept them from the start. If it was them, why did they release them worldwide? Was it simply because Offering hadn’t been formed at the time? Was releasing them part of their bigger plan?

Regardless of what it is... I can’t let them have it. The problem is how I should go about it.

If he openly stole it, Meirin would resent him for interfering with the request. But if he stole it in secret, she would be disappointed that he wasn’t useful. That meant he had to create a situation where Meirin had no choice but to let it go.

Hmm... What’s the best approach...

Lost in thought over it, Se-Hoon suddenly looked up upon feeling strange gazes from those around him.

“Hm?”

The streets of Moscow were bustling with people, looking just as they always did. But hidden in between the crowd, Se-Hoon spotted something unusual: a significant number of high-ranking heroes from various countries.

Why are there so many...?

Russia was a country where most heroes were military-affiliated, creating a closed-off atmosphere that wasn’t welcoming to foreign heroes. For that reason, most tended to avoid Russia altogether. Yet they were everywhere today?

Could it really be because of the Golden Origin Armor?

If so, then it was understandable that people would covet the equipment of legends. Still, such an open gathering was suspicious. Wanting to know, Se-Hoon focused on the increasing attention around them, and by his side, Meirin smirked upon noticing..

“Bringing you along was definitely the right choice.”

“I haven’t done anything yet?”

“Just wait. They’ll be here soon.”

Although still confused, Se-Hoon obediently followed Meirin into a business hotel.

“Welcome, Lee Se-Hoon. Welcome, Ryu Meirin.”

The moment they entered the lobby, a man in a black suit stepped forward and bowed. Judging from his demeanor, he seemed more government-affiliated than someone from the Heroes Association.

“I’ll check in first.”

With a pat on Se-Hoon’s shoulder, Meirin walked past him toward the front desk. And the suited man simply watched her go.

That was when it finally dawned on Se-Hoon what was happening.

She’s dumping all the trouble on me.

Sighing internally, Se-Hoon gestured toward a sofa.

“Let’s talk.”

“Understood.”

Seeing that they had both sat down, Se-Hoon got straight to the point.

“We can’t give up the Golden Origin Armor.”

In Danger Zones, whoever claimed it first became its rightful owner—just like the battle over the Verdant Lotus Spear. However, when the conflict broke out in a normal city, things were different. The land’s owner—the nation itself—could claim ownership and block anyone from taking it.

And that was exactly what Russia was trying to do right now.

“Hmm... that’s...”

“Of course, I have no intention of breaking the law. Taking someone else’s possession by force? Even the Chairman would scold me for that.”

While he wasn’t about to snatch it from someone who had already secured it, if the authorities got in the way, the Perfect Ones backing him might not hold back. Hearing Se-Hoon’s blunt and straightforward threat, the man’s expression hardened even further.

He was clearly making some calculations in his head, and afterwards, the man spoke once more. “Understood. However, please try to capture the hero alive if possible.”

“That, I’ll do my best.”

With no more to say, the man stood up, gave Se-Hoon a slight nod, and left the hotel. Almost immediately, Meirin returned, having finished checking in, and took his seat.

“How did it go?”

“We agreed to stay out of each other’s way.”

“Hmm. I’ll give it about eighty points.”

Hearing the slight disappointment in her tone, Se-Hoon squinted. If she was deducting twenty points, that meant she preferred a more aggressive stance—something like, “That’s ours. Touch it and you die, you bastards.”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”

“Really? Fine, I’ll raise it to ninety points.”

“...Alright. Anyway, what’s going on? Surely this can’t be just about the Golden Origin Armor, right?”

Why had so many high-ranking heroes from around the world gathered? Why was Russia reacting so aggressively?

“It is because of the Golden Origin Armor,” replied Meirin matter-of-factly.

“...There’s really no other incidents involved?”

“Well, no. If I had to say, it’s related to the Black Tower incident.” She lit another cigarette before continuing in a languid voice. “The so-called S-ranks and A-ranks—all so proud of their strength—were abruptly reminded of just how weak and insignificant they truly were before the Perfect Ones. You think they’d just sit still after that?”

The moment a Perfect One acted out on a whim, not only them, but even the entire world could be wiped out without resistance. It was a truth humanity had long known but deliberately ignored—until the Black Tower incident forced that fear to the surface once more.

Now, heroes worldwide were feeling the threat firsthand.

“Normally, they’d try to restrain them, but that’s impossible against the Perfect Ones. By the same token, challenging them directly is also far too risky. So instead, they’re all scrambling for power however they can.”

“That’s...”

“Yeah. It’s pointless.”

Blowing out a puff of smoke, Meirin chuckled.

“No matter how special the Five Elements Equipment is, they’re still just Legendary-tier equipment. Having one of them isn’t enough to stand against a Perfect One.”

“...”

“And they know it too. Yet they’re still trying.” Meirin watched the drifting smoke, finishing her words with a murmur, “Because just sitting still feels too terrifying.”

“...”

Se-Hoon frowned. He had heard about the fear humanity now had against the Perfect Ones from Gregory before, but he hadn’t realized how severe it had gotten.

I need to push up the schedule for the Six Great Demon Realm subjugation to winter break.

Adjusting his plans in his head, Se-Hoon fell silent. Then, all of a sudden, Meirin—who had been quietly smoking—got up.

“Okay, I’m tired. Let’s go up.”

“What about the investigation?”

“That guy covers his face all the time. You think he’ll show up in broad daylight? Let’s move at dawn.”

“Yeah... That makes sense.”

Following Meirin, Se-Hoon took the elevator with her to their floor and walked down the hallway to the far left. He stopped when she stopped, glancing between the two doors marked “1001” and “1002” before him.

“So, which one is mine?”

For some reason, Meirin looked at him strangely.

“What room?”

“...I need somewhere to sleep, too.”

Was she seriously going to tell him he should have booked his own room?

Seeing Se-Hoon squinting suspiciously at her, Meirin finally seemed to have realized the situation.

“Ah. You must be mistaken. We only booked one room.”

“...Why?”

“It’s a waste of money. Plus, in an emergency, separate rooms would just slow us down.”

Beep-

Meirin tapped her card key, unlocking the door to reveal a small twin room with two beds placed side by side.

“...”

Se-Hoon’s face slightly stiffened.

Meirin, however, just casually walked in and flopped onto one of the beds.

“Close the door. It’s cold.”

“Okay...”

Though unsettled, Se-Hoon stepped inside and closed the door.

And then...

“Ahhh!”

Crash!

A loud commotion erupted from the hotel next door. Through the walls, the uproar of a silver-haired guest causing chaos could be heard.

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