Chapter 90

# 90

Regression User Manual Chapter 90

We Will Be Together Forever (4)

"We will be together forever. We can live together. We can stay here together, big brother. Hehehe."

It was a voice that sent shivers down her spine.

Judging from the continuous whispering in her ear, it seemed she hadn't even considered the possibility that he might wake up from his sleep. Or, rather, at this moment...

'Is it even a state where normal judgment is possible?'

Jung Hae-yan's mental state was not particularly healthy.

While Seon Hee-yeong could be considered similar, she had a firmly established set of values.

This was fundamentally different from Jung Hae-yan, who was entirely dependent on this side.

To be more precise, the difference lay in whether she could control herself or not.

Although it was unknown whose voice Jung Hae-yan was hearing...

"I won't listen to you. So don't talk to me. I won't listen anyway."

She thought it might be her own voice.

Given the circumstances, this seemed to be the correct interpretation. The voice was telling her that killing to possess was right.

"Big brother can't die. Just the legs? You think he'll run away? That's impossible. Big brother told me he loves me. He won't run away... And if you do that, big brother will be in pain. I don't want that..."

She felt a hand caressing her leg. Even though it was a minor touch, she wanted to scream and push it away, but she couldn't.

After all, she was supposed to be asleep.

"Still, just in case? No, it's not necessary. There's no need to go that far. If you do, even your arms will be gone, and you won't be able to stroke my head, silly. You're a fool."

"..."

'Damn it.'

The situation seemed to be getting more serious.

I understand why she's acting this way.

Even now, I can hear voices other than Jung Hae-yan's in my ear.

The voices of the damn Jung Jin-ho and Park Hye-yeong are making me furious.

With her already unstable mind, the curse has only made things worse.

The curse is eroding her mind faster than it does others.

Although she keeps saying it has no effect, it's clear to me that Jung Hae-yan is being influenced by the voices.

However...

'She hasn't completely lost it yet.'

The first evidence is that she knows she shouldn't show this side to others.

She quietly closes her mouth whenever someone stirs. She's still maintaining her sanity.

She clenched her lips and tried her best not to open her eyes.

"Seems like you're awake?"

"..."

"No, you haven't woken up yet. You never wake up easily once you fall asleep. Even magic..."

"..."

"..."

"Oh, this isn't home, is it? I forgot."

'Fucking...'

Even with her eyes closed, she could feel Jung Hae-yan's face getting closer to hers.

Her rough breathing was directly reaching her.

It seemed she was trying to confirm whether she was really asleep.

After a while, she felt a light kiss on her lips and then Jung Hae-yan moved away.

'Hmm...'

The rustling sound indicated that she had judged it was dangerous to stay by her side.

She couldn't feel Jung Hae-yan's breathing or her touch anymore.

She had already moved back to her own spot. After some time, she was considering whether to open her eyes slightly when she heard the voice again.

"Am I right? You're still sleeping, aren't you? Hehehe."

She heard the sound of her moving away again. This time, she was really far away.

She tried to sleep, but there was no way she could fall asleep. Although she had had a good night's sleep earlier, she felt anxious, as if she had been given a bigger assignment than the dungeon strategy.

'Let's think this through.'

Resolving this situation is more important.

In fact, Jung Hae-yan's strange behavior isn't something that started just a day or two ago. Even her actions of casting magic on my room and on me were incomprehensible.

However, those actions weren't meant to harm me.

Rather, they were more protective in nature.

They were to protect me from rivals and invisible threats.

The numerous spells cast on the bed were also a kind of considerate act.

In short, Jung Hae-yan is trying not to harm me as much as possible.

This is completely different from the current situation.

'Now...'

She is trying to expand the scope to include harming me. From what just happened, it's almost certain. What she's planning is probably...

'To live in this dungeon forever, just the two of us.'

It's so absurd that I can't even speak properly.

The idea that she thinks she can find water and food here is ridiculous.

While it might be possible to get water through magic, this place is not suitable for human habitation.

Of course, there's no certainty that Jung Hae-yan will move, but I believe it's right to prepare for any possible scenario.

If we assume that Jung Hae-yan has made up her mind, she has two options.

One is to kill those who enter this place and hide. The other is to disappear after taking me away.

It seems she is more inclined towards the second option, but there's no guarantee she won't choose the first if the situation gets worse.

'Of course.'

I don't think Jung Hae-yan can kill the entire expedition, but...

'It's possible.'

Jung Hae-yan is smarter and more resourceful than I think.

This is different from when she dealt with Park Hye-yeong.

The place we are in is a dungeon that swallowed five parties, and everyone is experiencing hallucinations and delusions. Even with Kim Hyun-seong, the variable of Jung Hae-yan is not included in the regressionist's plan.

If Jung Hae-yan's plan is executed and succeeds, the dungeon we are in might be renamed from a Hero-grade dungeon, the Cursed Shrine, to a Legendary-grade dungeon, the Mad Mage and the Cursed Shrine.

'The Mad Mage and the Cursed Shrine...'

Thinking about it again, it seems plausible.

From Jung Hae-yan's perspective, those who entered this dungeon to clear it are seen as people trying to destroy her love nest.

This is the worst of the worst endings.

Of course, I have no desire to rot here for the rest of my life.

While this place might become safe and comfortable, being deprived of freedom is not my style.

'What should I do...'

There are several options, but the first is to keep Jung Hae-yan's mental state as stable as possible.

I've been given another assignment to solve besides the dungeon strategy.

While I was thinking about my next steps, the surroundings started to get busy, indicating that it was morning.

The first voice I heard was, of course, Jung Hae-yan's.

"It's time for big brother to wake up."

"Ah... Okay."

Nodding and looking at Jung Hae-yan, her status window appeared in my view.

[Viewing Player Jung Hae-yan's Status Window and Potential.]

[Name - Jung Hae-yan]

[Title - None. You need to try harder.]

[Age - 21]

[Trait - ??]

[Class - Archmage - Hero Grade]

[Attributes]

[Strength - 17/Growth Limit: Rare or Lower]

[Agility - 15/Growth Limit: Rare or Lower]

[Stamina - 29/Growth Limit: Hero or Lower]

[Intelligence - 61/Growth Limit: Hero or Higher]

[Endurance - 22/Growth Limit: Rare or Lower]

[Luck - 52/Growth Limit: Hero or Higher]

[Mana - 70/Growth Limit: Legendary or Higher]

[Equipment - Holy Protection]

[Special Ability - The Way to Become a Mage - Hero Grade]

[Overall Evaluation - Your growth rate is impressively fast. Player Jung Hae-yan has a near-perfect understanding of mana and magic. While it's difficult to advance to higher levels due to low intelligence, it's expected that you will gain momentum soon. Mentioning Player Lee Gi-young is almost embarrassing. I see something interesting. Your trait is changing. If you don't want to turn the Cursed Shrine into a new form of dungeon, you need to make an effort. I hope you survive, as I've grown attached to you.]

'So it was going to be like this.'

The only fortunate thing is that the change in her trait is not yet complete.

I don't know what the question marks mean, but according to the overall evaluation, Jung Hae-yan is at a crossroads.

She can continue as a pure advocate or transform into something completely new.

I don't think the new trait will have a positive impact.

Looking at Jung Hae-yan again, she seemed normal, which made me feel uneasy.

"Hehehe."

But it was natural for her to immediately start acting.

She seemed very pleased when I stroked her face with a smile.

"Can you still hear the voices, Hae-yan?"

"Yes, a little. But it doesn't bother me anymore. It's just a hallucination."

"Exactly what are they saying?"

"I'm not sure. I can't hear them clearly anymore. Don't worry."

A lie.

"Good. I'm glad. We need to prepare to leave. What about the others?"

"I heard they're leaving in 30 minutes. They're all packing up..."

She held my hand tightly.

I smiled slightly and kissed her lips naturally.

It felt like an old couple exchanging morning greetings.

For a moment, I saw her blushing.

'Good.'

It's a positive reaction. I felt that being a bit more proactive from my side would be good, and it seems to be working.

Of course, I continued to say nice things and stayed close to her.

I thought what she needed now was more affection.

She wasn't talking to herself, and her eyes didn't look strange.

At least, she didn't seem to be in a serious state when she was with me.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"I've already packed everything. Hehe."

"Ah, thanks. Shall we go?"

"Yes."

"Ah, big brother, wait... I have something to say."

"Okay?"

"Last time... Last time."

"Okay. Last time?"

"When we... had our first... first kiss, remember?"

I remember.

Before going to Cha Hee-ra, I kissed her to reassure her.

"At that time."

"..."

"You said you love me, right? You said I'm the only one, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"Do you... still feel the same? Do you still love me?"

'This...'

It was hard to determine the right answer.

But seeing the demanding look in her eyes, I realized what choice I was facing.

Normally, nodding would be the right answer.

But it was hard to tell if this was really the right answer.

It was natural to worry that a single word could change her trait.

While I was thinking, the demanding voice came again.

"Do you still love me?"

Her eyes looked urgent. I nodded and spoke slowly.

"Of course, I still love you and will continue to love you."

"Ah, I'm relieved."

"But... why now?"

"It's nothing."

She looked very happy, but it was still unclear if my choice was correct.

Her trait hadn't changed yet.

"I love you too, big brother."

"Me too..."

At that moment, Jung Hae-yan's status window changed.