Chapter 77: The Regressor Completes It All

Mount Everest, located in Nepal.

Once a high mountain with extreme climate changes, it is now incomparable to its past since the emergence of mana.

Ku-gu-gu-gu!

A sudden strong wind on a sunny day.

The relentless wind that could easily carry away massive rocks continuously swept the summit, and a bone-chilling cold settled, freezing both body and mana.

Among the regions where mana emerged and mutations occurred, this was one of the most extreme. An out-of-place sound intruded upon the harsh high mountain.

Creak—

A brown rocking chair swaying gently back and forth in the wind.

Beside it lay a white longbow, and on it, an old woman in a white fedora and coat leaned comfortably.

Her white hair tied in a single braid, her eyes tightly closed, the old woman, Habaekyeon, seemed to be enjoying the harsh high mountain environment like a resort. She put on wireless earphones and spoke.

"I was trying to find the main body, but they fled to the hideout of the Illusion Demon. So I just killed them all."

—Killed them all? How many were there?

"Thirty-four. Fourteen were A-rank, and the rest were B-rank. It was quite a large scale."

Habaekyeon's casual story left Magwangsu with a look of disbelief.

'They must have been quite experienced to have the Illusion Demon create a hideout for them. If anyone heard, they might think she only caught the minions.'

If this were announced publicly, it would be a significant event, causing a stir as a large-scale extermination. If it were another hero, they might have announced it for their reputation, but Habaekyeon seemed completely uninterested.

She was indifferent to such things, and as a peak ascender, she could kill demons of that level at any time.

—Then, did you find no evidence at all?

"That's right. Demons who use mana wouldn't leave such evidence. Their tails are probably all dead by now."

—Tsk. It's not going to be easy.

The primary goal of protecting the artisans of each workshop was successful, but without a means to pressure the Barumut family, the problem wouldn't be resolved.

Magwangsu, frowning while holding his phone, made Habaekyeon chuckle.

"Relax. If you get more wrinkles, you'll look even worse."

—...Don't look.

"I'm not looking; it's just visible."

Whoosh!

From the summit of Everest, where even a step ahead is hard to see, to the artificial island in the North Pacific where Babel stands, she effortlessly pierced through the distance of thousands of kilometers.

That abnormal vision, or rather, that ability beyond such concepts, made Magwangsu glare at Habaekyeon's direction with annoyance before sighing.

—Can I ask you for one favor?

"Watch over that friend of yours?"

—...Yes. Now that you know I interfered, I won't touch the workshops, but in return, I might target him more persistently.

Targeting the workshops was, in a way, a simple and moderate solution for the Barumut family.

But since that's no longer possible due to Habaekyeon, it's likely they will now target the main culprit, Lee Sehoon.

'He can target anywhere, not just Babel, so I need to be cautious.'

I have my own tasks to handle, so I can't watch over him. The best option is to ask Habaekyeon, who can see anywhere, to provide protection.

"Hmm..."

Seeing Magwangsu's serious expression, Habaekyeon stroked her chin before answering.

"I can't do it."

—What?

"I would have watched over him casually in the past... but I don't have the time now."

Habaekyeon's calm answer made Magwangsu's expression stiffen. Anyone can become busy, but for a peak ascender, it's a different story.

—What happened?

"The Black Sea is moving slowly. It's not certain, but something might happen."

Habaekyeon, known as the Far-Seer, can see the entire world, but not everything.

The Swamp of Ten Thousand Demons covering Antarctica, the powerful demons like the Ten Evils, and the six Demon Realms scattered around the world.

Among them, the Demon Realm called the 'Black Sea' is slowly moving north from the Southern Ocean.

"Africa is also getting restless these days, and there are many things to pay attention to. If I have the time, I'll check it out, but I can't promise anything."

—...Then, there's nothing I can do.

Everyone has priorities.

If Magwangsu knew the location of the Doppleganger, he would have prioritized that. He reluctantly accepted it.

Watching Magwangsu, Habaekyeon glanced elsewhere and smiled.

"Don't worry too much. The situation is quite interesting right now."

—What is?

"You'll see. I'll keep an eye on the workshops, so keep your promise and make a proper place for your nephews and grandchildren."

Habaekyeon ended the call, and Magwangsu frowned. Habaekyeon, who had been watching him, suddenly turned her gaze.

"Hmm. An A-rank."

In a back alley of a Chinese city, a demon carefully emerged from a manhole.

Confirming it was a demon on her list, Habaekyeon reached for the string of the white longbow she was leaning against.

Twang—

The string, flicked lightly with her finger, sent a blue arrow flying, tearing through the surrounding gale and disappearing into the horizon before accurately landing on the demon's head.

Boom!

The demon vanished in a splash of blood. Habaekyeon, still with her eyes closed, leaned back in the chair.

Creak—

The rocking chair moved slowly under the clear sky, free from the snowstorm.

* * *

[Barumut Family: Full Reevaluation of Mass-Produced Weapon Industry]

[Head of the Family, Max Barumut: 'Focusing on Strengthening Internal Affairs and Ongoing Projects']

[Small and Medium Workshops: 'Forming a New Organization to Protect Minor Artisans']

Breaking news covering global news sites.

The mass-produced weapon market, the largest by trading volume in the weapon industry, where the Barumut family had a dominant market share, had surrendered to small and medium workshops.

The unbelievable news shocked people, and those who heard it later naturally flocked to the review video by Ryu Eunha, the starting point of all these events.

[D-Rank Mass-Produced Longsword Comparison Eating Stream (Really Eating)] - [Ryu Eunha]

Views: 94,282,146 Comments: 150,216

The views approached 100 million in less than a week.

Subsequent videos also surpassed ten million views, thanks to her serious reviews while eating weapons like food.

The situation grew larger over time, and Lee Sehoon, seeing the reactions, had a mixed expression.

'I expected it to become a topic, but I didn't think it would be this popular.'

A new talent of Ryu Eunha that he didn't know before the regression. Lee Sehoon thought about continuing the eating streams to make some money.

"Really, it's unbelievable..."

Lea, leaning over his shoulder, looked at the news on his phone with a curious expression.

"How could Barumut be wiped out in a day? Is this fake?"

"It's not fake. Haven't you seen the news?"

Lea, resting her chin on his shoulder, grumbled at Lee Sehoon's reprimand.

"Some annoying junior keeps nagging me to develop enchantments for mass-produced energy weapons. I don't even have time to watch the news. Sorry, I didn't know."

Lea, who had been so engrossed in development that she had dark circles under her eyes, made Lee Sehoon mutter.

"If you can't do it, just say so."

"…It's not that I can't do it, but the time and budget are woefully insufficient. It's a different matter!"

How could she be so indifferent when solving the difficult problems of the weapon industry that dozens of companies and research teams had struggled with?

Lee Sehoon looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"What did I say? I said I finished all the preparations, so hurry up and make it. You're complaining about that...?"

It's not like he said he would lock her up if she didn't finish in a few months. What's the problem?

Seeing Lee Sehoon's genuinely puzzled face, Lea smiled.

"Our junior will definitely run a business alone in the future. No, everyone around her will die of anger, and she'll naturally end up alone. Hahaha."

Seeing Lea making strange comments because the work was tough, Lee Sehoon took out a credit card he had brought.

"Take it."

"What's this for?"

"You said the budget was insufficient. There's about 120 billion in it, so buy what you need."

The contract money received from each workshop in exchange for the design.

Sales revenue would take time due to initial investment, but with that amount, there would be enough for Lea and himself to use for research.

"…"

Lea, looking at the credit card in her hand with a blank expression, then looked at Lee Sehoon seriously.

"I love you, boss."

"Sure. Now stop talking nonsense and get back to work."

"Got it!"

Lea, who answered respectfully, ran to the cluttered lecture room, and Lee Sehoon, looking at her with a puzzled expression, turned his gaze back to his phone.

'Now, people are starting to suspect the background.'

It was strange not to be suspicious when all the superior versions of the mass-produced weapons Barumut handled were released simultaneously.

'On the surface, Professor Kim Incheol will be the focal point... then the most suspected will be Ludwig, right?'

Although he and Kim Incheol are close, no one in their right mind would guess that a freshman who just entered could have created all the designs.

Most people would think that Ludwig secretly supported several artisans to develop the designs and used them to dominate the mass-produced weapon industry.

'Since they thought a peak ascender was involved, most won't touch it... but I'm not sure about the UD Group.'

Jürgen Krüger, the head of the richest conglomerate in the world, the UD Group, is also a peak ascender and won't back down easily.

Given the blood ties and cooperative relationship with Barumut, they might apply pressure from various angles.

'In the end, it depends on whether Barumut talks about me.'

Lee Sehoon deliberately revealed his involvement to Barumut in this incident.

He wanted to exploit the opportunity of Barumut's hasty move to deal with him and also wanted to confirm the relationship with the UD Group.

'If it's a proper cooperative relationship, I'll bring them in; if not, I'll hide it.'

Anyone who knows the truth of this incident won't take him lightly.

The UD Group, and even Barumut, would likely try to kidnap and use him rather than kill him.

'If the UD Group doesn't know... it would be better to completely remove them from this game.'

Three peak ascenders have emerged in this situation.

The Ascension Master Ludwig, who backed him, the Far-Seer Habaekyeon, and the unknown Jürgen, Barumut's collaborator.

However, Habaekyeon only took charge of the workshops' security and didn't interfere otherwise, so the situation was essentially equal.

'If the UD Group helps, Barumut might move calmly...'

How could he make them back off?

While Lee Sehoon was pondering, his phone's news site updated, and a breaking news caught his eye.

[Pilgrim Church: 'Cooperating to Protect Minor Artisans for Human Peace']

[Pilgrim Karl Andersen: 'Distributing superior weapons to believers is a proof of faith']

"…Huh?"

* * *

Inside Michael's laboratory.

Michael, sitting at his desk, muttered with a blank expression.

"The UD Group has decided to completely withdraw from this matter. It seems the Pilgrim Church's involvement was the decisive factor."

"…"

"If we reveal that Lee Sehoon is behind this, they are more likely to cut ties with us and try to win him over rather than join forces to deal with him. No, that's what will happen."

Michael, calmly reciting the news from the family, looked at his eldest son, Bier, who stood silently.

"The damage to the family from this incident is so severe that it's hard to list. How could your grandfather reconsider passing the head of the family position to me?"

"…"

"Your uncle must be thrilled. He thought he would be buried underground for life, but now he has this opportunity."

Michael, speaking calmly, looked at the nameplate in front of him.

Vorsipa's Deputy Dean. How much effort did he put in to reach this position and pave the way to become the Dean?

Recalling the memories, Michael's hand caressed the nameplate.

Clang!

The metal plate flew and shattered on Bier's face.

The blood that splattered and dripped down his chin.

An ordinary person would have had their head crushed, but Bier's injury stopped at a torn forehead.

However, Michael, dissatisfied with the shallow wound, twisted his eyes and spoke again.

"Bier."

"…Yes."

"The issue of your succession is no longer a problem. The head of the family position I promised to dedicate my life to is about to disappear because of your foolish actions."

Michael's eyes, filled with anger and even murderous intent, made Bier answer quietly.

"I'm sorry."

His expression remained unchanged even with a torn forehead and bleeding. Seeing his unwavering demeanor, Michael took a deep breath and asked.

"You must have prepared something to come out so confidently. What is it?"

"I contacted the Puppeteer."

"…"

Bier's words made Michael's eyes widen.

One of the Ten Evils, incomparable to the demons they had commissioned.

Michael, looking at Bier with a more serious expression, asked.

"What's the price?"

"Besides the commission fee, I offered the corpse of the subject."

"Indeed, he wouldn't hand over such a talented individual... accept the condition that we can study it first. When?"

Bier, his eyes shining, answered.

"During the next practical exam."