Chapter 89: The Regressor Completes It

After returning from the Black Lotus flood.

All the cadets were transferred to the Ascus ward for treatment, and even Iseun, who had no serious injuries, received a brief examination.

"This level of injury doesn't require hospitalization. You can be discharged today."

"Thank you!"

Relieved that he wouldn't have to enter the boring ward, Iseun teased Jake, who had been given two weeks of bed rest, as they walked out. However, it didn't take long for him to realize that this was a misconception.

"I noticed the puppet fragments of the doll master at the lotus tree and realized something was wrong. Was there anything else unusual?"

"Was there any sign before the new monster appeared? Did you notice anything different about the inside of the flood...?"

"Cadet Iseun! Could you tell me about what happened that day... Ow!"

Investigators from Babel and the Hero Association, as well as unauthorized reporters, were all present.

With a major incident finally breaking out after a long time, both inside and outside Babel were in chaos, and naturally, the attention focused on the two witnesses, especially Iseun, who had been discharged.

'That Jake, why was he smiling...?'

He wanted to visit Jake in the hospital and hit him with a hammer, but unfortunately, the situation was such that he couldn't easily get away.

[Continued violent crimes by the Mains. Is this acceptable!]

[A mysterious monster appeared in the Black Lotus flood. It is estimated to have been active for at least 15 years...]

[UD Group CEO Wergen Kruger, 'The Hero Association lacks the ability to fully manage dangerous areas']

Not just a Main, but the doll master of the Ten Evils had hidden a monster in a dangerous area and attacked Babel's cadets.

Even one of these events would have been a major incident, but with both happening simultaneously, the impact was enormous, and various groups seized the opportunity to criticize each other for their own interests.

And Babel was also dragged into the fray.

[Babel, separated from the artificial island, reveals its true form to the world.]

[Babel's lax curriculum. It needs to be revised now.]

[Kiron Military Academy's Principal Evan Flynn, 'This incident is just the beginning.']

Various sensational articles criticizing Babel's capabilities.

While it was a significant achievement that no one died in the emergency, the criticism for not being prepared was inevitable.

Therefore, Babel chose to acknowledge the situation openly and respond differently.

[The second son of the Myers family. He defeated a B+ grade mutant monster and saved his classmate!]

[A tragic genius abandoned by many masters. Who gave him a sword?]

The B+ grade mutant monster that appeared in the flood, Jake, who felled the new tree, and Iseun, who made and assisted with the sword.

Babel highlighted the two cadets' achievements to the public, and gradually, the attention began to shift.

Unlike the Hero Association, which manages dangerous areas, Babel is primarily an educational institution. While there were regrets about the response, it wasn't necessarily a mistake.

"Thanks to you, everything was handled well. You've done a great job."

After the situation was somewhat resolved, Iseun, invited to a famous Japanese restaurant by Kasar, wore a bashful expression at the praise.

"You did all the hard work. Weren't you very busy with the press conference and the association's investigation?"

"That's true. Whether in the past or now, dealing with the aftermath is more tiring than the actual fight."

Kasar, looking exhausted but relieved, continued.

"Professor, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"What exactly are you doing in here...?"

Sitting at the counter, Iseun asked, and Kasar, who was preparing fish on the opposite side, answered calmly.

"What am I doing? I'm preparing to make sushi."

Kasar, who seemed to think Iseun should have known, answered nonchalantly.

Wearing a white chef's uniform that didn't fit his build, Iseun read the restaurant's name on the menu again.

[Enkun]

'Thought you were the owner... turns out you're the chef.'

As Iseun looked at the surprising scene, Kasar, who had finished preparing the fish, washed his hands and answered.

"Once I became an S-rank and a mentor, both professors and cadets started watching me closely. It was annoying, so I created this place as a hobby and a place to talk freely."

"Oh... So, has it helped you relax?"

"No. After eating, they all get indigestion and buy antacids. They seem to find it hard to talk about work here."

"..."

Then what's the point of this place? Sensing Iseun's skeptical gaze, Kasar smiled.

"Anyway, I feel more relaxed now, so it's a good thing."

In a situation where both sides were uncomfortable, only one side became uncomfortable. Iseun, who was still skeptical, asked.

"...Huh?"

Kasar's kitchen knife made Iseun's eyes widen.

'That's... '

The kitchen knife sharpened by Helena, a retired professor from the Metallurgy Department at Akalup's hardware store.

Seeing the knife, which still bore the marks of his own work, Iseun was surprised, and Kasar glanced at him.

"This kitchen knife. You sharpened it before, right?"

"Yes, I did. Did you know?"

"I heard from your sister. At the time, I thought it was some nonsense when I heard a freshman had sharpened it..."

Reflecting on the recent events, it might have been a sign. Kasar, who had skillfully cut the fish, continued making sushi.

"Both you and Jake will receive full marks for the extermination practice. Since you also caught a mutant, there will be a significant gap in scores."

"Thank you."

"Also, there will be an award ceremony this weekend, and the principal said he will provide additional rewards. Think about what you want to receive."

If it were any other place, the award might have been the end of it, but providing additional rewards was typical of Babel. Iseun, feeling pleased, listened.

"Also, the investigation of the mutant monster and the new tree will be concluded soon."

Iseun, realizing the importance of the matter, straightened up.

"They said there were no significant abnormalities, and the shares will be distributed based on the contribution to the battle... Jake said he would transfer all his shares to you."

"Yes, we had a prior agreement."

The reward for making the glowing sword. Jake paid the price with the byproducts of the new tree he obtained this time.

"Then you will have 80%, and I will have 20%."

"..."

The new tree, which was once divided among hundreds of companies and heroes, and now Iseun would own 80% of it. His heart raced.

'No, I don't know yet. Calm down.'

Unlike the previous extermination, this time the new tree was only a B+ grade and in an incomplete state.

Given its immature state, it might require several trials to use it as before, so securing as much as possible was important.

'And which part to take is also important.'

Iseun, calming his excitement, looked at Kasar.

"Would you consider selling your share to me?"

"Hmm... Trying to monopolize it?"

"More materials are always better, and I don't think I can find them elsewhere."

Kasar, who had just finished making a piece of sushi, placed it on a plate and answered.

"Then there are two conditions."

"Please tell me."

"There will be a large-scale extermination on the 'Pilgrimage Path' in Indonesia soon. If you have no special plans, come with me."

"Pilgrimage Path..."

A boundary line where the 'Pilgrim' Karl Andersen, one of the Ascenders, set up a holy barrier to prevent the Swamp of Ten Thousand Beasts from spreading.

Regular extermination teams are formed to weaken the barrier, and Kasar was inviting Iseun to join.

'If it's in Indonesia, it's probably a C to B grade dangerous area... I won't die.'

While he couldn't be completely at ease, Kasar would be there, so there was no need to worry too much.

Eating the sushi on the plate, Iseun nodded.

"Understood. What's the second condition?"

"I know some skilled people who can't use weapons properly. If you have time, I'd like you to take a look at them."

Iseun, surprised by the unexpected request, showed interest.

"People like Jake?"

"Not quite, but similar. I'm not asking you to make them weapons, just to take a look."

People recognized by Kasar for their skills.

They might be people Iseun knew before the regression, and it wouldn't hurt to build connections, so he nodded.

"Taking a look shouldn't be a problem. I'll do it."

"Good. When both our schedules are set, I'll contact you. I'll give you a two-week notice, so don't worry and focus on your work."

"Understood."

Kasar, who had finished the conversation, glanced at the empty plate.

"Want more?"

"I'll eat if you make more."

When would he get to eat Enkun's sushi again? Iseun, requesting a refill without hesitation, made Kasar look at him curiously.

'This guy... doesn't seem to be bothered by me at all...'

Fighting the doll master's subordinates and all, he really has a cool head. Kasar, feeling more fondness as they talked, smiled and took out a new fish.

"Alright. I'll let you eat as much as you want today."

As Iseun watched Kasar enthusiastically prepare the fish, he suddenly remembered something and asked.

"By the way, where is the principal? He didn't appear at the press conference."

"Oh, the principal?"

Kasar, who had removed the scales and cut the head off the fish, answered calmly.

"He probably went to deal with some ignorant person."

***

A gloomy warehouse on the outskirts of France.

A person in a hood walked into the warehouse, which had been abandoned for a long time and was rusted and dusty.

Dust flew and the setting sun's light filtered through the broken windows. As the person, Bier Barmut, entered the darkening warehouse, he spoke.

"Come out."

His voice echoed through the warehouse.

At the same time, something stirred in the shadows, and a figure resembling a person moved.

Creak, creak

The figure, moving strangely, sat down on a chair in the shadows.

"Our customer seems very angry."

A woman's voice, natural despite the strange movements, made Bier's expression twist.

"Do you still ask such a question when you know the situation?"

"Of course, I know. Or do you not? Your subordinates didn't report to you..."

Bier, clenching his fists without realizing it, shouted.

"Your damn puppets couldn't even injure Iseun, let alone kill him!"

When he first made the request, Bier didn't think it would succeed for sure.

He knew how thoroughly Babel prepared for cadet practices and that the S-rank hero Enkun Kasar was on site.

Thus, he had only half-expected success. Even if Iseun had been seriously injured, requiring long-term recovery, it would have been enough to disable his magic circuit with the cooperation of 'Dawn'.

However, the result was a complete failure. Not only was Iseun not injured, but he rose to a higher position, complicating everything.

"Because of this, the whole world now knows about him. If he receives the protection of the Ascension Festival, it will be over! What do you plan to do about this situation?"

Being a distinguished cadet and receiving the 'protection' of the Ascension Festival's Ludwig is a different level from just being a talented cadet.

Ludwig, as the head of Babel and an Ascender, has significant influence. If he protects someone, many will distance themselves from those who oppose that person.

'Not only will my family and all related parties be replaced in Babel, but our external businesses will also suffer...'

To survive, he would have to join the UD Group, led by the mysterious Wergen Kruger, who has similar influence.

But at that moment, the Barmut family would cease to exist, and they would become subsidiaries, losing their current status and freedom.

As the situation worsened due to his failure, Bier, clenching his fists in anger and fear, listened.

"Ahahaha!"

The figure, the doll master, burst into laughter.

Despite the hearty laughter, the figure moved strangely, and Bier, feeling a chill, watched as the doll master waved a hand.

"You don't know what kind of person that old man is."

"What?"

"He likes talented people, but his standards aren't that simple. Iseun is far from receiving his protection."

The doll master, stroking his chin, continued.

"But... You've made many connections, so if he's slightly annoyed, he'll cut you off."

The voice cut off abruptly. Bier, startled, looked at the figure.

Then, a strange silence filled the warehouse.

"Ah, sorry. One of my relay points just got destroyed, so the connection was briefly lost. The old man seems a bit annoyed."

"What do you mean?"

"Our great Ascension Festival is personally tearing apart my bases. If I talk more, he might come here too?"

Bier's face turned pale. If it were discovered that he was dealing with the Ten Evils and the family, the consequences were unknown.

'But if I go back like this...'

If he couldn't negotiate with the doll master and secure another chance, not only he but his father might be eliminated.

As Bier hesitated, unable to leave,

"Anyway, don't worry about Iseun. I'll take care of him next time."

The doll master, leaning back in the chair, spoke calmly.

"Really?"

"This time, the owner of the tree I used is very angry. In exchange for keeping quiet, I agreed to help with a task... I think I can take care of him then."

If he was planning to collaborate with another group to set up another attempt. Bier, frowning at the doll master's