Chapter 95

# 95

Regression User Manual Chapter 95

We Will Be Together Forever (9)

"Are you feeling any better, Park Gahyun?"

"I feel a bit better. I can still hear the hallucinations, but I'm not as mentally or physically drained as before. I can't believe this is happening..."

'It's all thanks to Jeong Yeon.'

I didn't repeat the same line.

I thought it wouldn't hurt to boost my value as much as possible. Since I can't show an impressive performance in combat, I need to appear competent in other areas.

"What kind of magic did you use?"

"Hahaha. Actually, it's not quite complete magic. Did you know that the brain is composed of neural networks that handle and process stimuli? That's why, medically, the brain is classified as part of the central nervous system."

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

I could see Park Gahyun's expression, as if asking what I was talking about.

To be honest, I don't even know what I'm saying.

I don't know much about the brain, and I'm not a psychology expert.

However, I could see the expressions of those looking at me change. Even though they might overestimate me, their eyes widened when I mentioned some professional knowledge.

"The central nervous system has a unique metabolism. To produce adenosine triphosphate... to do that, oxygen must be supplied..."

How many people in South Korea would have this kind of knowledge?

Of course, no one would understand what I'm saying.

I'm just spouting whatever comes to mind.

'There's no one here who works at a brain science research institute...'

Even if they understood, combining magic and alchemy is a field I've pioneered.

It was a lucky break, but this is the best environment to show off.

"Ah, I explained it a bit too complicatedly."

"Ah... no, it's fine."

"To put it simply, this kind of curse, whether it comes from magic or some unknown method, ultimately affects the brain. Whether it's magic, alchemy, black magic, or divine power, they all ultimately affect the brain."

"Ah, I see."

"Think of it as the brain making a mistake. Of course, I couldn't correct that mistake, but I could at least administer antibiotics."

"What...?"

"The realization that what we see and hear is not reality. The human body is truly amazing. Of course, it's not something that can be treated with just medication. The study of magic is more complex than you might think. To explain it in terms of alchemy..."

"Ah... I see. Yes."

They nod, but of course, no one understands.

After all...

'I don't understand it myself, so how could they?'

Even a brain science expert wouldn't understand what I'm saying.

Of course, someone like Jeong Yeon or Jeong Hyeon might ask annoying questions, but I thought they would figure out the correct answer on their own if I gave a rough explanation.

'Great.'

I can almost hear my reputation rising.

I never thought such a situation would arise when I first came to the guild.

"Actually, when I heard that you brought an alchemist for such a high price, I thought the officers were crazy... But now, seeing you, it really feels like a genius has joined. Ha... By the way, what did you do on Earth...?"

'Genius, my ass.'

A con artist is a better fit.

"I wasn't doing anything particularly great."

"Did you work at a research institute...?"

"Something like that. It's a bit difficult to explain in detail."

Of course, it's a complete lie.

"Thank you so much. Having you, Kiyoung, really makes me feel secure. I thought geniuses only existed in the media, but it's amazing to have one right here."

"Hahaha. You flatter me. I just know a lot of trivia."

"You seem to be the smartest person I've ever met."

Moreover, Park Gahyun seemed to have a subtle liking for me.

We had a common interest in leaving our siblings on Earth and coming here, and she seemed to think the brain was sexy, but of course, I couldn't reciprocate her feelings.

Jeong Hyeon's face was trembling. I could see her clenched fists and her biting her lip.

'It's not completely fixed yet.'

Jeong Hyeon probably thinks that no matter what treatment I apply, it can't be fixed for life.

"Thank you. I feel embarrassed in front of Jeong Yeon."

"No, I just have a good memory."

To summarize, they now see me as a genius alchemist who might only be born once in ten thousand years.

"The other alchemists I've met didn't give me this feeling..."

"There are probably many alchemists smarter than me in Lindel. The difference is that they didn't receive support, while I had a good start. Actually, it's all thanks to the guild."

"You're so humble."

It's not humility but the truth.

Of course, there might be a few idiots, but there are bound to be a few outstanding individuals.

However, no matter what I say, the image that has already taken root won't change.

'Kiyoung, the genius alchemist sent by heaven.'

The image was firmly established.

People usually envy those who excel at things they can understand.

Conversely, they look up to those who achieve things they can't understand.

For them, what I've done must seem incomprehensible.

If the dungeon run ends, there will be many opportunities to influence the guild.

Especially since Lee Sanghee's position, who originally held the real power, has weakened.

Of course, Lee Sanghee isn't power-hungry. She has a sense of responsibility but feels the pressure and burden, so she might even welcome this situation.

Especially, she seems to feel great self-loathing for the abnormal behavior she showed while under the curse.

'Almost killed all the guild members.'

Or 'I don't fit in.'

She blamed herself.

Even while resting, she had many conversations with Kim Hyunseong, and the time she spent in distress was long.

Again, people usually look up to those who do things they can't understand.

So far, they've looked up to me, but in the future, it's obvious who they'll look up to in the dungeon.

I was a bit curious about how our regressed member, who had been silent, would move.

Just then, during a brief rest.

"I'm truly sorry for everything."

"Ah..."

"Even though I was affected by the curse, I should have maintained my composure. I have no excuse for putting you all in danger."

'Good.'

It was Lee Sanghee who spoke.

I thought it was a good character. She bowed her head even though there was no need to apologize.

"From now on, I will adjust the party's strategy. I believe prioritizing the strategy over rescuing survivors is more important. After completing the strategy, we will rescue the bodies and any possible survivors."

'Finally.'

It was a very rational decision.

It's impossible to save the dead at the cost of the living.

Although the order is reversed, Lee Sanghee's words carry significant meaning.

"However..."

"Of course, we won't stop searching for survivors. We will change our formation to move faster."

"Yes."

"Kim Hyunseong will lead the front."

"Yes, I'll do my best."

It seemed Kim Hyunseong had grilled Lee Sanghee. Or perhaps he thought this was the right timing.

There are no more party members affected by the curse. Thinking about the effort he put in to cure the curse, I felt a bit guilty but also a bit relieved.

For him, it was like one worry had been lifted.

I could see him quietly smiling at me.

His slow and steady movements, putting away his sword, were quite impressive.

He seemed to have a presence that dominated the atmosphere.

'Intimidation?'

It wasn't a killing aura.

As he straightened his posture, everyone else started to stand up.

The expedition members felt as if they were under a spell.

'That's right.'

That might be what an ideal leader looks like.

It wasn't just my opinion.

Lee Sanghee was also looking at Kim Hyunseong with a dazed expression.

Kim Hyunseong could be seen as a bit dictatorial. After all, coming to this dungeon was his decision, without consulting the party members.

He pushes forward with what he believes is right and moves straight toward his goal.

'It's the right path. Let's go together.'

That's what it seemed like.

He has a charm that makes you want to follow him.

I don't know much about leadership, but he seems like an ideal leader to me.

He might be lacking as a ruler, but as a leader, he is more ideal than anyone I've seen.

"We're moving out."

After speaking, he immediately started walking.

Everyone stood up and followed him.

Kim Hyunseong, who had been walking slowly, sped up, and the other party members followed suit.

They ignored the branching paths and small rooms.

His pace, which seemed to ignore the possibility of monsters or traps, was confident.

It wasn't because he was confident in his ability to handle unexpected situations, but because his goal was simply to find the path.

'Are there no more monsters?'

The possibility that there were no more monsters here came to mind.

It wasn't an impossible idea.

This dungeon, named the Cursed Shrine, might use curses as a means.

If that hypothesis is correct, it's obvious where Kim Hyunseong is heading.

To the master of the dungeon, the caster who cursed us.

The scenery changed as they walked.

The branches and small rooms disappeared. Despite walking quickly, they hadn't reached the end of the large shrine.

Of course, curses had been cast a few times, but no one was greatly affected.

It was evidence that the treatment was working well.

"There are no undead..."

"I received reports that there were..."

"It's likely that the sightings of undead were also part of the curse. Although we can't confirm it yet, it's a reasonable assumption."

"Still, don't let your guard down."

"Yes."

They found bodies along the way. Former guild members of the guild.

They didn't check in detail why they died, but it was easy to guess.

They either killed themselves or each other.

Lee Sanghee was a bit confused, but it didn't hinder the expedition.

After moving a bit further, they saw a small, crudely decorated door.

When they slowly opened the door, they saw a woman sitting in a chair.

She had a pale face and her eyes were closed.

Immediately, new information appeared on the status screen.

[You have encountered Yuliena, the Cursed Shrine's master and the caster of the curse. A quest has been activated.]

[A mandatory hero-level quest has been triggered.]

[Hero-level quest - Kill Yuliena (0/1)]

They had reached the end.