The Regressor Can Make Them All-Chapter 412

“...” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“You know the future, don’t you?”

Se-Hoon looked at his opponent, the one who uttered the most threatening question for a regressor.

And upon seeing Aria meet his gaze without wavering, patiently waiting for an answer with absolute certainty in her eyes, Se-Hoon briefly considered a few things before asking, “What makes you think that?”

“There are plenty of reasons. The dramatic changes that occurred before and after your admission in Babel; your abnormal growth rate; your technological skills that are seemingly from decades ahead of our time; and your rapid and precise responses, as if you already knew every event in advance.”

Until the middle of last year, and even during the subjugation of the Pleasure District, Aria brushed it off as mere luck or extraordinary talent. However, after the Silent Volcano mission, she could no longer dismiss Se-Hoon’s timely actions that had long surpassed the point of being mere “coincidences.”

“Everyone already knows you have something special. They just don’t know exactly what it is.”

“...”

“Also, the reason I’m certain you know the future is—”

“The Sword of Destruction,” Se-Hoon finished, cutting off Aria with a sigh. “You must have seen my memories when you entered that guy’s synesthetic mindscape. Since we were synchronized at the time.”

Just as he had glimpsed Aria’s past, she must have also seen his—which, to her, would be the future. Having expected it already, Se-Hoon accepted and acknowledged it instead of denying it needlessly.

“Huh... You admitted it more easily than I expected. I thought you’d keep playing it off,” Aria commented, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise.

“What’s the point in denying it when I’ve already been exposed? I’m not the only one who can foresee the future, after all.”

The Pilgrimage Church had their Oracle Cards, and if one searched, other foresight abilities weren’t exactly rare. Of course, fragmented glimpses of the future were vastly different from the memories of a regressor who had lived through that future, til the world’s end.

But there was no need to explain that much.

“You’re more exposed than I thought.”

“So what? It’s not like you’re my enemy.”

Pausing at Se-Hoon’s nonchalant response, Aria looked down at her teacup, which she was tilting back and forth, and murmured, “That’s true...”

To Se-Hoon, her actions and satisfied expression were puzzling, but he glossed past them and moved on.

“Going back, what exactly did you see that made you so sure?”

Since she confirmed it was the glimpse into the Sword of Destruction’s synesthetic mindscape, it had to have been related to his memories. But was there really something in there that would make her so certain it was the future?

Taking a moment to think, Aria remained silent before answering, “...I think it was your expression.”

“My expression?”

“The way your future self looked at me.”

A gaze that contained something beyond mere killing intent or hatred—it held an absolute denial of what was happening before his face that was marred by despair and resentment.

“That single look convinced me. There was no way it was just my imagination.”

How could someone conjure up such an expression through mere imagination?

So that’s another way to tell, huh. Se-Hoon let out a bitter chuckle.

To him, that expression was nothing unfamiliar. However, in the eyes of others, it must have been astonishing. Recalling the face he often made in the past, Se-Hoon quickly pushed the memory aside. “I see. Well? What is it you want to know?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you bring this up because you wanted to know about the future?”

Contrary to what he expected, however, Aria’s expression was asking why she would even do something so meaningless.

What the...?

He was unable to understand her reaction. And soon enough, Aria finally realized that as well, letting out a small sigh.

“Ah... I see. I didn’t explain myself properly.”

Since she had bluntly confronted him about knowing the future, it was only natural that he reacted the way he did.

Realizing her mistake, Aria quickly clarified, “Everyone has different thoughts on this, but I believe the future is something incredibly unstable.”

“...”

“It constantly shifts in endless ways—especially when observed by someone like you.”

Cling-

She lightly flicked her teacup with her finger, and the liquid inside began rippling chaotically, dangerously close to spilling over at any moment.

Yet without even glancing at it, Aria continued, “If I were someone capable of gaining something from that chaos, I would have a power related to it. Because that’s how this world operates.”

“...”

“But I don’t have that kind of ability at all. So, should I even try to know?”

Se-Hoon looked down at the tea inside her cup. Within the erratically trembling liquid, he could read countless possibilities.

However, he then shook his head, dismissing all of them.

“There’s no need.”

The future only revealed itself to those who could make use of it. Having gained insight from their conversation, Se-Hoon felt a sense of satisfaction. At the moment, it was still vague, but he was certain that if he dug deeper, he would uncover something significant.

This is turning out better than expected...

Contrary to his concerns, Aria had not become a Perfect One, and in resolving doubts about that concept, he had also gained a clearer understanding of their powers and connection to the Golden Ring. If he asked the Perfect Ones after organizing his thoughts properly, he would likely be able to answer all his remaining questions.

Then the only remaining issue is... our Relationship.

From what he had experienced so far, Perfect Ones—like demons—were beings that rejected the Blacksmith of Bonds system. There was the time when he had forged one with Wurgen, but there had been too many unique circumstances to consider that a standard case.

Well, she hasn’t actually become a Perfect One and there’s already a Relationship established, so it should be fine... right?

Part of him wanted to extract their bond just to be sure, but if that severed their Relationship entirely, it would be catastrophic.

With his thoughts reaching that point, Se-Hoon contemplated whether Aria would undergo any changes.

“Oh, there’s one more thing I wanted to ask.” Suddenly remembering something while sipping her tea, Aria spoke up. “This time, too, you let someone else take the credit. Why do you go so far to hide your achievements?”

In the Silent Volcano operation, Se-Hoon had played the most crucial role. However, the official reports told a different story. He had only taken the credit for the strategic planning, giving the credit for eliminating the Sword of Destruction and conquering the Silent Volcano to the main raid team.

“Well... It’s best to keep information hidden... as much as possible...”

“Do you really mean that?”

The Heroes Association, the industry, and even their enemies in the Demon Force all knew who had played the most significant role. What was he even trying to hide?

Facing her pointed question, Se-Hoon hesitated for a moment before finally answering with a sheepish voice. “I mean it. It’s not about deceiving the enemy...”

“...You mean that your goal is to deceive the citizens?”

“Exactly.”

Aria tilted her head in puzzlement. Although becoming famous wasn’t always a good thing, hadn’t Se-Hoon already reached a stage where it no longer mattered?

Seeing her skepticism, Se-Hoon continued his explanation. “For example, let’s say we told the truth about this recent operation. Who do you think the citizens would consider the most important figure?”

“That would be you, obviously.” There was no hesitation.

Jason’s efforts in fighting the Sword of Destruction had been significant, but it was Se-Hoon who had resolved all unforeseen crises and secured victory. Anyone who participated in the raid wouldn’t be able to deny it.

“I think so too. Because that’s how it actually was.”

Even though he knew he sounded arrogant, as a regressor, Se-Hoon had no intention of letting others take credit for free when he had foreknowledge and experience they lacked.

“But can we say for certain that judgment is always correct?”

“Hm?”

“What I mean is: regardless of who died, if I had survived, could I have still taken down the Sword of Destruction and conquered the Silent Volcano? Can we say that with absolute certainty?”

“...”

Aria stopped herself from responding. She had realized that the likelihood was high, but there were too many variables to say with absolute certainty.

“A person’s value changes depending on the situation. And that includes me.”

No matter how perfect a blueprint was, without the necessary materials, it couldn’t be built. Se-Hoon firmly believed that his own contributions had only been possible because he had the right people around him at the right time.

By the same token, if the right conditions were met, there would be times when someone else was more important than him.

“High-ranked heroes have strong synesthetic mindscapes, allowing them to remain rational and unaffected by external factors. But the citizens are different.”

“...”

“They’ll start placing excessive value on me, slowly becoming dependent on that image.”

Just as the pre-regression Aria had once been called humanity’s hope, he could end up in that same position. In that place, if he were to die fighting the Demon Force, humanity would lose their will to fight before the battle even began.

Not that I have any intention of dying...

Still, the worst-case scenario had to be prepared for. Questioned by Aria, Se-Hoon took the chance to once again remind himself of both his importance and the risks that came with it.

“I don’t want people to rely on me like that. I’m not someone who deserves that kind of trust.”

“Hm... So, that’s why you shared the credit?”

“Pretty much. But why did you ask in the first place?” Se-Hoon questioned in a gruff tone, slightly embarrassed by the topic.

“I’ve just always been curious. You don’t fear Perfect Ones or Harbingers of Destruction, yet you’re afraid of something like this?”

“...What?”

“I never expected the thing you fear most would be... ordinary people.”

In her eyes, Se-Hoon trusted the people, yet was afraid of their expectations—doubting whether he truly deserved their trust. She had discovered a strangely cautious side of him, one she hadn’t expected from someone always overflowing with confidence.

In truth, it reminded her of her past self.

He still has a long way to go.

He was great at guiding others, yet he himself hadn’t found his own direction, remaining lost in uncertainty.

Having understood Se-Hoon a little better, Aria gazed at him.

“What do you mean, afraid? Stop spouting nonsense. That’s ridiculous...”

At the sight of Se-Hoon grumbling, clearly flustered at having his insecurities exposed, Aria rested her chin on her hand and chuckled.

“Don’t worry.”

“...About what?”

Despite his grumbling, the atmosphere between them had changed: they were closer, more familiar than before. For the first time since she met him, Aria felt a genuine sense of camaraderie.

Softly smiling at that feeling, Aria reassured him.

“If it comes down to it, I’ll protect you.”

[The bond with ‘Aria Myers’ has grown to Lv. 4.]

[Since the bond has grown to Lv.4, your Relationship with ‘Aria Myers’ can now be redefined as ‘Accomplishment’.]

[Relationship: Accomplishment]

[The end of long-held expectations can sometimes bring more relief than achievement. For someone tormented by conflicting desires, that relief could have even led to despair—never to rise again.

But the dream you unearthed from the past has found them a way to move toward the future once more. While the future remains uncertain, the dream you have reminded them of will never be forgotten as they strive toward accomplishing it.

*A Fatestone is created whenever a goal is accomplished.

*The maturation rate of the Fatestone increases whenever the subject experiences a sense of accomplishment.

*The probability of the subject’s synesthetic mindscape manifesting inside the Fatestone increases as the Relationship deepens.

*Currently created Fatestones: 1]

“...”

Looking up from the system message before him to the sight of Aria beyond it, Se-Hoon felt a complicated mix of emotions.

Relief that their connection remained intact and shock that, of all people, Aria’s bond had reached level four, swirled within him.

This is completely insane.

If such a thing had happened before he regressed, he would have thought he was under some sort of mind control and would’ve crushed his own heart on the spot.

However, now, he even felt happiness within the mix, since he knew it wasn’t a bad thing.

Feeling a mix of awkwardness and embarrassment, Se-Hoon let out a deep breath.

And at that reaction, Aria—clearly amused—smirked triumphantly.

Alas, the sight of her made him feel aggrieved, and he couldn’t stop his mouth.

“...For free, right?”

“...”

The warm atmosphere immediately stiffened as Aria’s eyes narrowed, her smile gradually fading.

...Was that too much?

Though they had grown closer, maybe he had pushed it too far? He scrambled to think of a way to recover the situation—

Swoosh-

Refusing to look at him, Aria turned her head away with a pout.

“Hmph. Whatever.”