Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

A world of gray.

White and black rocks of various shades created an intricate landscape.

At the center, two men silently faced each other in a naturally enclosed arena with a sunken floor.

And one them, “It looks like you didn’t get hurt.”

Shimun broke the silence, touching the air.

“Hurt? Hah! Of course not.”

Yuto lets out a laugh.

“I am not weak enough to fall for such a clumsy assassination attempt.”

His firm response matches his composed appearance.

Then, “Oh dear.”

He slightly furrows his delicate brows.

“It seems I’ll get scolded by the guildmaster again.”

He glances at the only open sky.

Shimun, realizing what this meant, he said with a smirk, “It’s okay. Our conversation right now isn’t being broadcast.”

Somewhat taken aback, “It’s not being broadcast?”

Yuto tilts his head with wide eyes. Shimun nods slightly.

“Yeah. I muted it just now.”

“Muted? Ah…”

Yuto let out a small sigh.

“So, you touched the air earlier to set it to mute?”

“Exactly. It’s almost identical to Arenia. Try checking it yourself.”

Yuto immediately opened the options like in Arenia. Then,

『Would you like to mute the conversation content? (Yes / No)』

『The mute is already applied.』

Just as Shimun said, the setting screen popped up.

“This is…”

With a dry laugh, Yuto dismissed the settings and asked,

“How do you even know about these things?”

“Just figured it out while doing various arenas.”

“Well… the arenas you conduct aren’t ordinary, after all.”

Yuto shook his head.

Then.

“Well, I suppose that’s enough greetings.”

Grasping the hilt of his sword at his waist, he quickly Transfored from a composed and quiet boy into he a sharp swordsman.

“For a day like today, I’ve been training tirelessly. Now… it’s time to see the results.”

Swoosh!

A sharp chill pierced the air, its intensity making the skin tingle.

‘As expected of Yuto. Truly befitting a high ranker who led Japan until the end in his previous life.’

After a brief moment of admiration for his incredible growth speed,

“It’s always welcome.”

Shimun said with a smile, arms relaxed.

“Then, here I come.”

With those words, Yuto’s arm, gripping the hilt, flashed.

Swish!

A clean yet terrifyingly fast iai strike.

But.

Buzz.

Crack.

Shimun immediately activated Odin’s Eye and Dragonoid.

‘I can see it.’

Although difficult to catch, he could see Yuto’s sword attack, even at their Diamond rank. And before the future sight could even reveal its path,

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Shoot (波) Annihilation Cannon (殲滅砲).

Shimun fired a black beam.

Crackle!

Black sparks fly between the two. Yuto’s iai strike, initiated with sword draw, was intercepted by the Annihilation Cannon.

However, Shimun stayed alert.

Tsuup.

He immediately stepped back. The reason was simple. Yuto’s lineage was that of a combat swordsman. Naturally, his first objective would be to close the distance against a mage class player. And as expected.

Step.

A light but powerful footstep was heard. With just one step.

Swoosh!

The distance closed. Yuto extended his sword from the right. The speed was considerable.

Ssshh.

This time, Shimun’s future sight revealed the trajectory of Yuto’s attack. Dodging the future sight’s path with his right arm,

Boom.

Shimun unleashed the powerful demonic energy of his Heavenly Demon Fist.

Shoot (波) Annihilation Cannon (殲滅砲).

Booom!

A deafening noise, hard to believe it was caused by a sword and a fist clashing, erupted. The shockwave pushed Shimun back, and his eyes held a trace of surprise.

‘He’s still in the Diamond rank, yet he already knows how to use Shortened Steps.’

Shortened Steps (縮地).

Literally reducing the earth, it was another of Yuto’s abilities. An SS-Rank ability using the technique of step reduction. As a power related to space, ‘In his previous life, he only used it when he became a ranker…’

Its usage was extremely complicated. Even Yuto, hailed as Japan’s greatest genius, could only utilize it after becoming a ranker in his previous life.

And now he’s using it at the beginning of the Diamond rank?

‘His claim of training tirelessly wasn’t a lie.’

Although a step behind his brother Kim Shihyuk, objectively, Yuto was a genius among geniuses. A genius who exerted relentless effort on top of that would naturally advance to previous life’s heights faster.

But regardless, ‘This is a bit annoying.’

Shimun felt a strange sense of irritation. The reason was simple.

“Yuto, what’s a genius trying so hard for?”

The saying goes, ‘the rich get richer’. Seeing a talented person grow stronger through relentless effort, as someone who had ended his previous life at level 1, it felt somewhat bitter.

But, perhaps this was just Shimun’s misunderstanding.

“Is that something you should be saying!”

Yuto, instead, was outraged and lunged again.

This sudden outburst, ‘Why is he acting like this?’

Shimun was momentarily confused but refocused. Considering Shortened Steps played a significant role in Yuto becoming a ranker in his previous life,

Shimun brought his focus back to the battle.

Shrk.

Was it a series of strikes this time?

Seeing future sight’s trajectory lines drawn towards limbs, neck, torso, and chest,

Flicker.

Shimun’s left eye glowed golden. Fiery Golden Eyes activated.

And then.

‘It wasn’t just a simple series of strikes.’

What originally appeared as straightforward trajectories through future sight, shifted slightly, maintaining similar intervals.

He could now see the type of energy with the Fiery Golden Eyes, giving a more detailed analysis of Yuto’s attacks.

‘A multi-angle series of strikes using the SS-Rank Shortened Steps ability…’

Not merely using it as a step technique, but applying it to the intervals within the sword strikes.

Especially in this kind of continuous attack, Even though there was a time gap between attacks, it created a scenario where simultaneous hits seemed possible.

As if being attacked simultaneously by multiple arms. Fortunately, ‘It seems he hasn’t yet reduced the range of the sword strikes.’

He hadn’t shorted the range of his sword strikes as he did in his previous life.

‘If he had managed that, he’d be on par with Shihyuk already.’

In the past life, Yuto was the only one who could face his brother Kim Shihyuk with a sword.

Reducing each attack’s interval, range, and distance, Yuto’s swordsmanship required Kim Shihyuk’s SSS-Rank ability, heavenly Martial Body, to counter anew each time—the epitome of unpredictable and ever-changing combat.

Swoosh!

With minuscule differences in interval, Yuto’s sword strike targeted Shimun’s neck.

Shimun made a quick decision.

‘This can’t be prolonged.’

This formidable youth admired him as a strong opponent. But his inherent motive was growth from this challenge. Therefore.

‘End it in one shot.’

Dragging the fight out any longer would not be beneficial for him. With this resolution, Shimun tilted his head back ever so slightly.

Exactly 1 cm.

With a precise movement, he dodged the first strike and immediately pushed off the ground.

Thus.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Heavenly Demon Constellation Steps (天魔君臨步) Illusion (幻影).

Sasa-shk.

In an instant, Shimun split into five figures.

Perhaps Yuto hadn’t anticipated this?

“Damn!”

Yuto let out a distressed groan but that was all. In his previous life, and now, he was still Japan’s greatest genius, “I just need to split my attacks!”

He quickly adjusted the path of his sword strikes.

‘As expected…’

Shimun’s lips curled into a slight smile. From the start, why had he unleashed almost simultaneous multiple sword strikes?

It was due to the difference in skill between them. But if each attack came in individually like this, it wasn’t a significant threat.

Indeed.

Sshh.

The previously convoluted trajectories of future sight simplified greatly. With his four copies simultaneously reading Yuto’s sword paths, “Well done, Yuto.”

With genuine admiration, Shimun sliced through the air.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Strike (擊) Peerless Slash (無雙斬).

A dark demonic aura.

And an even darker, thickened devil energy formed a crescent moon slicing through the air.

The black crescent moon swiftly clashed with Yuto’s sword aura, imbued with SSS-Rank Sword Talent (劍才) and SS-Rank Shortened Steps.

Just like a ghost walking through walls, the black crescent moon passed through Yuto’s sword aura.

Sshk.

As if deleted, Yuto’s sword aura disappeared without a trace where it touched the black crescent moon.

Swish.

Another four black crescent moons, mirroring the first, swept towards Yuto from all directions.

“Indeed…”

And so, Yuto welcomed them with a radiant smile.

“I still have a long way to go.”

Swish.

With that, the preliminary match between Japan and Korea concluded.

『The first match between Korea and Japan has ended.』

『The winner is Korea.』

The Diamond rank match ended.

*

Yuto was shattered into five pieces, thus ending the first match.

『Ah! And so it ends!』

『Erasing sword aura so cleanly! It’s an unbelievable attack!』

Choi Kangyup and Song Jaekyung, the commentators of KNA, exclaimed in shock.

Not only them,

-Insane lol

-No way, is it really possible to erase sword aura like that?

-This is my first time seeing such a thing.

-I’ve seen it before. Back when Kim Shihyuk fought a European ranker, he showed something similar.

-But Kim Shihyuk is a ranker! Kim Shimun is just in Diamond!

Even though it was just a preliminary match, viewers watching the first Korea-Japan match were astounded.

Of course,

-You guys don’t watch his stream? This is nothing compared to the craziness he shows.

-Seriously, getting surprised over that?

-Lol, but Yuto is really strong now. Why did he get so much stronger? He’s different from last time.

-Yeah, if it wasn’t Kim Shimun, he’d slice through regular Diamond rankers easily.

-Agreed. Those multiple sword strikes were baffling even for me as a Diamond rank.

For those who regularly watched Shimun’s streams, the battle wasn’t that surprising.

Next,

『Ah! The Vietnam match ends this way as well!』

『Didn’t know Go Malsuk was such a powerful player! Ending it in one blow!』

『Kim Shihyuk! Truly showcasing skills befitting his title as the Sword Saint!』

Korea continued their winning streak against other countries.

Thus.

『The semifinals end this way! So far, they’re undefeated and unstoppable!』

『This is incredibly impressive! At this rate, winning the finals seems highly possible!』

『Exactly! I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s finals!』

Possibly due to their undefeated record, they had already reached the semifinals and won.

“Indeed… they are strong.”

A middle-aged man with a cold demeanor watched everything unfold.

“What do you think, Cheol Chunryu?”

Zhang Liqiu asked quietly.

“Haha! As the guildmaster says, their skills are quite impressive.”

The source of the boisterous laughter, a man known as Cheol Chunryu, stroked his scruffy beard and replied.

“If it had been me just a few days ago, I would have died after a few exchanges.”

Even though he was speaking to the guildmaster of the Continental, a faction rivaling the world’s strongest, his tone was anything but polished.

“A few days ago…”

It didn’t seem to bother Zhang Liqiu at all.

“So, you’re saying you’re different now?”

“No doubt! You know who’s supporting me from behind, don’t you?”

Cheol Chunryu patted his thick chest, a mix of muscle and flesh, which jiggled as he did. Fortunately for him, Zhang Liqiu’s gaze had already shifted back to the Korean arena channel,

KNA.

“Cheol Chunryu. While the support from a Constellation is strong, personal skill matters the most.”

“Oh, come on~ You know I nearly reached ranker status, right?”

“Hm. You’re aware of how Kang Mu, Do Zhun, and Zhang Shilingmet their demise, aren’t you?”

“Haha! But those were mere lackeys with no backing. Comparing them to me, a ‘Suitable One’, is unfair.”

The three rankers who lost their lives in the recent assassination attempt against Kim Shimun.

Though they weren’t rankers, “And besides, they weren’t even in a proper fight. It was just Black Dragon’s plan going awry and getting them killed.”

Cheol Chunryu casually discussed their deaths, but Zhang Liqiu frowned at a different point.

“Where did you hear that from?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The vice-guildmaster told me everything.”

“Ha…”

Zhang Liqiu let out a short sigh.

“Regardless. This Continental Representative Battle will be between us and those guys. Defeat is not an option.”

As Zhang Liqiu continued, “Honestly, Kim Shimun is intimidating, but it’s a fifty-fifty chance, isn’t it? Shouldn’t you worry more about our candidate?”

Cheol Chunryu subtly shifted the topic by glancing backward.

Luckily for him, it worked well.

The reason was simple.

“Right. We have you.”

“G-Guild master.”

A tall and handsome man. Showing courtesy with fist folded in palm.

“Seo Wiryong.”

It was Seo Wiryong, currently the greatest prodigy of the Continental.

Moreover, “What’s your response to the previous proposal?”

He was clear opposition to Zhang Liqiu, belonging to the former guildmaster, song Il-chun’s faction.

Naturally, Zhang Liqiu’s interest was focused on Seo Wiryong.

‘Tsk! His wariness towards the old man Song remains unshaken.’

Cheol Chunryu, who had narrowly avoided the guildmaster’s fearsome attention, breathed a sigh of relief internally.

Continuing, “It remains the same.”

Seo Wiryong’s voice was tense yet firm.

“…The same as before?”

A chilling voice. Zhang Liqiu’s gaze became even more piercing as he stared at Seo Wiryong.

Whoooosh!

He emitted an overwhelming aura of intent to kill.

So intense, “Ugh!”

Cheol Chunryu, who claimed to be on the verge of becoming a ranker, couldn’t help but shiver.

Naturally.

“Ugh!”

Platinum-ranked Seo Wiryong couldn’t withstand it.

Staggering, he fell to one knee.

Into his ear, “Are you truly going to ruin everything because of that old monster?”

Zhang Liqiu’s voice, tinged with fury, drilled into him.

“The position of Asia’s strongest nation, and even the representative for the Interdimensional Competition. Are you willing to lose all of this because of that old monster?”

In response, “It’s not because of Song-nim…”

Shivering, Seo Wiryong struggled to shake his head.

“It’s not that I’m disrespecting you either. It’s just that my path aligns with Song-nim’s.”

“When did I ever ask for your loyalty? I merely offered my strength for this Asia battle.”

“But it’s power obtained with external help, not my own effort.”

“What does it matter? As long as you become stronger.”

Step.

Zhang Liqiu moved toward Seo Wiryong.

Just a single step.

But like Yuto in the preliminaries.

He appeared before Seo Wiryong in an instant.

“Gah!”

Grabbing Seo Wiryong by the throat, he said, “With your own eyes, haven’t you seen? The Continental is better known now than under that old monster’s leadership.”

Slowly lifting the shaking Seo Wiryong, “Our title as one of the twin pillars of the world is meaningless. We were always second to the American Dream. But mine will be different.”

Extending his arm, he raised Seo Wiryong high.

“We will be the best in everything. We will be the strongest. So, submit.”

He stared at Seo Wiryong with eyes filled with arrogance and madness.

The pressure on his body.

And the overwhelming presence that came with it nearly shattered his spirit.

“No… I…”

Seo Wiryong defiantly held on,

“That… isn’t… something to achieve… it’s… something that follows…”

He managed to say.

Then,

Bang!

“Gah!”

He was flung against the wall, or rather, slammed into it.

“Pathetic weaklings never know their place.”

Zhang Liqiu clicked his tongue.

Crrrack!

Breaking Seo Wiryong’s limbs with ease,

“Argh!”

Ignoring the screams,

“Cheol Chunryu, restrain this worm and hand him over to Dephina.”

“What? Oh, yes!”

He immediately left the room.

*

The next day.

『The finals of the ‘Asia Division’ of the Continental Representative Battle are starting.』

Representing Asia. The eagerly awaited finals to determine the participant for the Interdimensional Competition had arrived.

TL’s Corner:
Damn, what did they do to Seo Wiryeong?