Chapter 47

# 47

User Manual for the Regressor 047

Even in a place where there is a tiger, a fox can become the king (2)

‘What is he talking about…’

His face really looked amused.

It also seemed curious, but more like he was savoring something.

"Actually, no one has ever spoken to me so directly before... You seem pretty confident? To be honest, your appearance is somewhat to my taste... but I do have a bit of a thing for snake-like features. I like eyes that are a bit slanted. To be blunt, you’re not exactly handsome, but you do have a certain charm."

“Um...”

"Admittedly, I’m not completely without interest. But I’d still need to test whether you’re a product worth trusting... What do you think?"

She crossed her legs and tapped the seat next to her.

Only then did I understand what she had taken my proposal to mean.

My face turned red in an instant.

‘What...’

The word "sponsor" seemed to have caused a misunderstanding, but I didn’t appear to be so stupid that I couldn’t understand such a conversation.

‘Is she not taking me seriously?’

Probably, that’s the case.

"That’s not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"It’s... "

"Lee Gi-young. My offer to invest in you only applies if you join our guild. Of course, if you come with your lovely lover. Even if you come alone, I might still consider it. You don’t seem particularly talented, but I’m not entirely negative about alchemy. I think it’s not bad to build good relationships."

"Oh."

"But the idea of continuing to invest in you even after you join another guild is absurd. That’s not my role. It’s the responsibility of the guild you belong to. Investing in a stranger? I’d rather give you money in exchange for a few dates a month. That would be a better deal. Do you understand?"

‘Damn.’

The facts hit me hard.

In other words, she thinks it’s a better deal to invest in a bed than in your personal growth.

Of course, being protected in this way isn’t entirely bad.

Whether it’s an act or not, she seems to want me right now.

But it feels more like she’s found an interesting toy rather than someone she genuinely likes.

I hate the idea of becoming a well-behaved dog for her, even if it might be beneficial.

But.

‘I can’t do that.’

I can’t lower my value that much.

A toy that has been in someone’s possession will eventually get old.

I don’t want to be just that.

"Of course I understand, Cha Hee-ra. I’m not asking you to be my personal sponsor. I’m asking you to sponsor our party, which was the first to clear this tutorial. Kim Hyun-seong and Jung Hae-yeon will definitely grow. They might even become among the strongest on the continent."

"So what?"

"Excuse me?"

"So what? Whether they grow or not doesn’t really matter to me. I’m already one of the strongest. Our guild members are also top-notch. I might want a mage, but I can hire one anytime with gold. The Red Mercenaries have the financial power to hire mages from the Magic Guild or the Magic Tower. Even if Jung Hae-yeon grows, it will take at least three years... Do I have a reason to sponsor you until then?"

“...”

"What I need are mages from the Red Mercenaries. I don’t need what others have. If you keep talking nonsense, just come over and act cute. I’ll give you a fair price. I’ll even give you gifts occasionally."

‘Bitch...’

The offer of gifts is really disconcerting.

It feels like she’s going to take everything I say as a joke.

I slowly pull out the artifact I’ve been holding.

She looks curious, a glint of interest in her eyes for a moment.

Of course, she would be.

It’s the item she put in my pocket when we first met.

[Mana Pendant - Rare Grade]

[A pendant that increases mana by 3. It has the function of amplifying magical effects. Its origin is unknown.]

"I don’t need this."

She looks bewildered as the pendant falls to the side of the bed.

She doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening.

"You... "

I’ve definitely taken a risky move, but at least I’ve managed to have a serious conversation.

"It’s not about gold."

“...”

"What I need is your reputation and power. I need the brand of the Queen of Mercenaries. I’m not interested in these things."

"Do you understand what you’re doing? Not touching newbies is an unwritten rule, but this approach won’t be good for you. You keep getting good offers, so you might not realize your position... "

"I know exactly where I stand. I know that I can disappear without a trace at your word, and that I could die unnoticed anywhere... "

“...”

"That’s why you... no, you need me."

As I slowly speak and look at her, the room is filled with a killing intent and mana.

The pressure is overwhelming, far beyond anything an old person could produce.

"Interesting. I know what you’re thinking and what you’re trying to say. I find it fascinating that you’ve grasped my character, even if only for a moment. Honestly, it’s my type. There aren’t many men who can be confident in front of me... I haven’t received such treatment in a long time, especially from a newbie who’s just joined."

“...”

"But you do realize it’s a bit over the top, right? You know, alchemy is about equivalent exchange. If you’re going to use me as a meat shield, you should have something equivalent to offer. If not, you’ll have to take responsibility for your actions."

It’s hard to speak.

But I can’t call it a failure.

I’ve at least created an opportunity for dialogue.

"Speak."

"The first is... a share in the potions I will make in the future."

With trembling hands, I pull out the hero-grade book from my pocket and throw it on the floor.

A look of interest flashes across her face.

"You sound like you’re going to become that great... I don’t know where you got the hero-grade book, but if that’s all you have, it might be a bit tough."

"I’ll give you one percent... "

"Only?"

"You’ll be sitting on a pile of gold."

It’s a bluff, a lie.

But from her perspective, it might sound strangely credible.

Why?

Because I’m putting my life on the line.

"The second is... a friendly relationship with our party."

"I already said, I’m not interested in what’s not mine."

"We will grow to a size you can’t even imagine."

"Cheater."

"I’m not joking. We will become strong and represent this empire. As an ally of the Red Mercenaries, we will always be by your side. You can build a good relationship with us, before any other guild or power."

"Do you realize that what you’re saying is just empty talk? Even if there’s no investment cost, there’s no guarantee that the potions you make will be good or that your party will grow."

"The third."

“...”

"I will provide you with the mages you need."

"Bullshit."

"After this tutorial, I will select people who can produce efficient results within two years, not three, and give you a list of names, Cha Hee-ra."

She remains silent.

If the Red Mercenaries’ project is just starting, my proposal might be appealing to her.

"Interesting, but is it possible?"

"The first reason I’m confident is that I will soon become a blue officer with negotiation rights."

"Hmm..."

"The second reason is... "

“...”

"It’s a secret."

"You."

"Alchemy is about equivalent exchange, as you said."

My ability to find talented people is a secret.

While her protection is important, revealing everything would be a loss for me.

Cha Hee-ra remains silent.

She’s undoubtedly considering whether my secrets and her protection are equivalent.

I wish she would laugh heartily and end this meeting smoothly, like a character from a manga.

But it doesn’t seem like that will happen.

She’s thinking seriously, weighing the pros and cons.

‘Damn.’

She might be trying to deduce my secrets.

The certainty that our party will grow and the ability to find mages who can grow.

She might have reached some conclusions, even if not perfect.

‘Did I reveal too much?’

I was biting my lip when she spoke.

"The share in the potions you make will be 3%, not 1%. I’ll also take a list of mages and a list of melee classes. And the terms are set by me."

"What...?"

"Don’t you need my protection? No one will touch you. In exchange, the terms are set by me."

"How...?"

"You’ll know by the end of today. So, are you in or out?"

There’s no reason to refuse.

"Thank you."

"Let’s have a separate talk later... "

Cha Hee-ra waves her hand, signaling me to leave.

She looks quite satisfied.

I could tell she liked my proposal.

‘Done.’

As I turned and left the room, I saw people rushing towards Cha Hee-ra’s room.

They all seemed to be melee classes.

A quick glance revealed they were officers of the Red Mercenaries.

They were probably discussing the conversation that just took place.

They were likely discussing how to handle my proposal and how to protect Lee Gi-young.

The question is how to protect him.

As I left the Red Mercenaries’ quarters feeling good, a message appeared on my status screen, revealing her thoughts.

[You have obtained a title.]

"What?"

[Title - The Queen of Mercenaries' Consort]

"Damn."

This was the first title I obtained after coming to this continent.