Chapter 12

# 12

User Manual for the Regressor 012

Lee Ji-hye

"Let's sit down for a moment."

"I, I…."

She looked hesitant.

Her shoulders were still trembling, and she was wiping away her tears, looking a bit like a child.

After all, she is an ordinary 21-year-old.

Experiencing such an unprecedented situation in this place, it's not surprising that she's acting this way.

I can't fully understand her feelings, but it seems she doesn't even know what just happened or what situation she's in.

"Sorry, hic… I'm sorry."

"I don't quite understand what you're apologizing for."

"But I, hic… I…"

"Ji-hye, you haven't done anything wrong. I haven't seen the full situation, but… could you slowly explain what happened?"

"I really didn't mean to, it wasn't like that. I, I just…"

"I understand. You can tell me in your own words."

As I smiled slightly and spoke, she slowly began to tell her story.

In fact, I already had a rough idea of what happened, and I could predict the general outline.

The problem is that I can't understand her words at all.

Her tearful, disjointed lament was hard to follow.

Her intelligence value wasn't low according to the system, but it seems that intelligence is not solely based on logical thinking.

"So, suddenly Seok-woo…"

"Yes, yes, I see."

"He grabbed my hand and shouted."

"Ah…"

But whether I understand or not isn't the most important thing.

Empathy is more important.

It's more important to listen to why she's crying and why she feels wronged, rather than to judge right or wrong.

'I'm on your side.'

I didn't say it, but I think she feels that way.

"So, that's how it happened… Suddenly Deok-gu came and… hit that man, and Ji-hye, hic…"

"I see."

"Then Ki-yeong came and…"

"Yes."

The problem is that this lamenting session is quite long.

It took a few more minutes before her lengthy story finally came to an end.

"That must have been tough."

"No, no. I, I'm feeling a bit better now."

I can definitely tell she's calmed down.

Her shoulders, which were trembling intermittently, have found their place, and her face, which was continuously tearful, is now showing a hint of a smile.

She has regained some composure.

"Thank you, Ki-yeong."

"There's no need to thank me. I just wanted to understand the situation…"

"No, no. It's not that. I mean, you believed me earlier…"

"Ah…"

"Ever since we first met, I've only received help. I haven't done anything for you…"

"You don't need to worry about it."

"Why are you so kind to me? Can I ask…?"

It's hard to grasp the essence of her question.

I can't tell if she has a crush on me or if she's suspicious.

I think the latter is more likely.

I believe Yu Seok-woo approached me in a similar way.

An appropriate response.

"I just did what I thought was right, but if I have to find a reason…"

"Yes?"

"I have a younger sister at home. When I see Ji-hye, I think of my sister."

Actually, I don't really think of her.

Yul-ha's personality is completely different from Jeong Ha-yeon's, and it's hard to find any common ground except for their age.

But I think this is the right answer.

"Ah…"

"Ji-hye is probably around the same age as my sister."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"

"Ji-hye…"

"I have two older sisters, but… I haven't been in touch with them for a long time…"

A sad expression. I don't think it's necessary to pry.

"Your parents…"

"They're not around."

"We have something in common."

"Ki-yeong too?"

"Yes."

A strangely joyful expression.

"We're a bit similar."

"Yes, that's true."

Having something in common is a good thing.

Seeing her quietly fold her hands, I couldn't help but smile.

I considered whether to approach her more actively or to step back, but I couldn't come up with a clear answer.

After thinking for a moment, I continued from where I left off.

"If you don't feel uncomfortable…"

"Yes?"

"I'd like you to be a bit more relaxed around me. It's purely my desire…"

"Ah? Ah? Yes! How, how…?"

"Let's start by talking more casually."

"Yes? Yes… If, if so, more casually…"

"I'll be more casual."

"Yes… No, yeah. I, I understand. O, O, Oppa."

She seems embarrassed.

This confirmed that Jeong Ha-yeon is not good at interpersonal relationships.

Looking at her quietly, I could see her overall stats with my mental eye.

[Viewing Player Jeong Ha-yeon's Status and Potential Abilities.]

[Name: Jeong Ha-yeon]

[Title: None. You need to work a bit harder.]

[Age: 21]

[Trait: Pure Advocate]

[Occupation: Unemployed]

[Stats]

[Strength: 11 (Rare or lower growth limit)]

[Agility: 11 (Rare or lower growth limit)]

[Stamina: 14 (Hero or lower growth limit)]

[Intelligence: 22 (Hero or higher growth limit)]

[Endurance: 14 (Rare or lower growth limit)]

[Luck: 23 (Hero or higher growth limit)]

[Mana: 10 (Legendary or higher growth limit)]

[Overall: You have a stat limit of Legendary or higher. While your physical stats are generally low, you have the potential to grow explosively as a mage or priest in the future. You currently don't realize that you can feel mana. If you become a mage, you will naturally be on a different level from Player Ki-yeong, so there's no need to stress.]

Her strength has increased by 1, and her stamina by 2 compared to the last time I saw her. It seems she has been working hard on building her defenses.

The most interesting thing is that her mana value is 10.

Unlike me, who gained mana after becoming a mage, she has had mana since she was summoned here.

Even though she hasn't felt it yet, there might be a way to help her if I assist her.

I was considering whether to bring up the topic of mana and magic when…

"Oppa, Ki-yeong… Can, can I talk to you for a moment?"

It's not Jeong Ha-yeon's voice.

The voice coming from behind belongs to Lee Ji-hye.

I can see Jeong Ha-yeon's anxious face.

I could have predicted that Lee Ji-hye would come, but it's a bit faster than I thought.

'She's definitely…'

This woman is quick on the uptake in these matters.

'Is she trying to get closer to me?'

It's already clear who is in a higher position.

Just now, it was not only about resolving the conflict between Yu Seok-woo and Jeong Ha-yeon but also about determining who is in a higher position between me and Lee Ji-hye.

She probably realizes this too.

There's no official hierarchy, but she has indirectly realized that I am above her.

Trait: 'Selfish Ambition.'

When people like her, or even me, find a new power figure, there are two patterns.

They either reject or cling to the new power figure.

I thought her actions were faster than expected.

It's not a bad deal for me, but it's worth considering further.

I looked at Jeong Ha-yeon and spoke softly.

"Can you step aside for a moment? I need to talk to Ji-hye."

"Ah. Yes. I understand. Oppa."

The emphasis on the last word suggests she's a bit anxious.

In the end, Jeong Ha-yeon quietly got up, and Lee Ji-hye took her place. She kept looking back, clearly not happy with the conversation.

"What's the matter?"

"I… I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry for causing a disturbance."

"No, actually, Ji-hye, you didn't do anything wrong."

"No, Oppa. It's my first time in such a situation, and I got overly excited without thinking about the outside. I should have thought about the people working hard outside and tried to resolve it quietly…"

"It's fine. If I were in your position, I would have been confused too. I might have reacted a bit too sensitively, and I'm sorry for that."

"No, Oppa. You were just doing your job."

She looks very young, but it's still strange to be called 'Oppa' by someone older than me.

"I…"

"Go ahead."

"It's about Seok-woo."

"I don't plan to call Seok-woo right now. Treatment should come first, and I have things to do as well."

"Ah. That's a relief. I was worried that I would keep causing trouble. I was too confused to make a proper judgment. If you entrust it to me, I'll try to take some action… Can I handle this matter?"

I had to think about it.

I haven't thought about how to deal with Yu Seok-woo.

With no laws or police here, there are no set rules for punishment or penalties.

"Ha-yeon…"

"I've also thought about it, and I might have been too harsh on Ha-yeon. If you entrust it to me…"

"Do as you see fit. Managing this place is your job, and I apologize for butting in."

"Ah! No, that's not what I meant."

"Yes. I understand what you're saying. I just hope we don't have to deal with such issues again."

The point is that I'm acknowledging her authority to some extent.

She definitely understands what I'm saying.

'I'm not trying to block you.'

But don't do anything that irritates me.

It's a way of telling her to submit.

As I finished speaking, she subtly grabbed my hand.

Objectively, Lee Ji-hye is beautiful. I tried to calm my heart, but her slight closeness was hard to adapt to.

More than that, I'm curious why she's approaching me this way.

"It must be tough for you to deal with outside issues… I'm really grateful that you're also taking care of this."

"It's nothing."

"If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know. Anything at all."

She even lightly caressed my thigh.

By this point, it was clear what she wanted.

"Anything at all?"

"Yes. Anything."

Her more proactive approach was a bit surprising.

She may be foolish, but she's not stupid. She doesn't think I'm a fool.

What I see is a strange ambition.

'Power lust? Ambition?'

It doesn't matter which.

"I like ambitious men."

For me, power and ambition are defensive mechanisms to protect myself. Of course, the cause or motivation isn't important to Lee Ji-hye.

She wants the result.

The question is whether getting closer to her will benefit me.

All she has is the ability to control this foolish group.

There are many uses, but that's all she has.

She knows this well, which is why she's trying to get closer to me.

It might not be very useful to me, who isn't particularly bound by the group, but it won't hurt to have her.

Or maybe it could be useful in other ways, like with Jeong Ha-yeon…

'What should I do…'

I think she knows I'm not easily swayed.

If she can't realize this, she's truly a thoughtless fool.

'That's not the case.'

The goal is a contract? A simple relationship?

Lee Ji-hye can gain a lot. Reaffirming her shaky power, creating a connection with someone who might be the second-in-command, and using the public perception that she and I have a good relationship.

Whatever it is, getting closer won't hurt.

The thinking that anyone who isn't an enemy is an ally is foolish.

"What can I gain from this?"

"I don't know. What about Ha-yeon?"

I smiled and leaned closer to her.

Her face, filled with a strange excitement and anticipation, came into view.

'Good.'

A long-forgotten sensation.

I gently pressed my lips to hers. It might look romantic at first glance.

But our thoughts are different.

'Let's use each other.'

I smiled slightly and spoke.

"We seem to have a lot in common."

"Yes, I think so too."