Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

South Korea’s largest arena channel, commonly known as ‘KNA’, was more heated than ever.

The reason was simple.

“It’s rising! The viewership is rising again!”

“Isn’t this an all-time high for us?”

“No, it’s the second-highest. The first was during the first National Competition.”

“But with the trend continuing, who knows what will happen?”

Since the establishment of KNA, they were experiencing the second-highest viewership ever.

Naturally, this excitement extended to the two commentators covering the finals.

『Finally, the Continental Representative Battle! The finals for Asia are starting!』

Choi Kangyup and Song Jaekyung could certainly feel it too. But the two handled it professionally.

『The finals are attracting a lot of interest! Song-ssi, what do you think about today’s final match?』

『Ah… I think it will be very close.』

They suppressed their heightened emotions, focusing on the broadcast.

This wasn’t just because they were on air.

『Although Korea has an undefeated record, their opponent, China, has also reached the finals undefeated.』

『Indeed. We gathered many expert opinions at KNA, and everyone says the outcome of the finals is unpredictable!』

Both teams were undefeated. Both Korea and China had reached the finals without a single loss. This was significantly influenced by the deaths of rankers and promising talents from other Asian countries.

However, discussing political issues was against KNA’s guidelines.

『This shows how evenly matched the two teams are.』

『I agree.』

The two commentators discussed an objective analysis, avoiding the incident.

『Looking at just the ranker representatives, we have the Sword Saint and the Spear King. Both are the top rankers in their countries.』

『True. And in the Diamond rank and the Platinum rank, it’s the same. Both sides are evenly matched.』

『Although in terms of reputation, China’s Cheol Chunryu and Seo Wiryong have the upper hand. Recently, Kim Shimun and Go Malsuk have shown outstanding performance, leveling the field!』

The commentators shared their views.

-And no clear favorite here lol

-Zhang Liqiu and Kim Shihyuk have been rivals for ages.

-Kim Shimun is awesome, but Cheol Chunryu is near ranker-level, right?

-Yeah, that guy was a top contender from Continental years ago.

-And Seo Wiryong has quite a list of achievements.

-But lately, our girl… she’s strong lol

-Why can’t you just say Miss Fck? lol!

From viewers to arena experts, everyone found it hard to predict the winner.

As many eyes focused on the screen,

『The finalist countries are China and Korea.』

『The order of participants will be random.』

A familiar notice played, signaling the start.

Roll.

A roulette sound similar to spinning a random box was heard.

Then.

『The first match is ‘Platinum Rank’.』

『The representatives for each country will be summoned.』

Two Platinum rank representatives.

Flash.

“First match, huh?”

“……”

Go Malsuk and Seo Wiryong were summoned.

『The finals are starting.』

『The arena is ‘The Demon’s Pinnacle’.』

The barren space transformed.

*

It seemed like sunset.

Spikes rose everywhere like bamboo shoots, and in a central peak resembling a public stadium, a place that could almost be believed to be a volcanic crater.

“Damn, this place is huge.”

A slender woman with sharp eyes, Go Malsuk whistled as she scanned the surroundings. It wasn’t just simple sightseeing.

‘With this much space, I won’t fall easily even if I charge recklessly.’

As a combat class, and a martial artist, knowing the battle area was the basics of the basics.

At that moment.

『The Constellation Heavenly Demon slightly furrows his brows and says, ‘Don’t lose here.’』

A sudden reaction from the Constellation appeared.

‘What’s with this old geezer suddenly popping up?’

Go Malsuk tilted her head, puzzled.

However, with no further reaction, ‘Crazy old man, he must be out of his mind again.’

She bared her teeth slightly and shook her head.

In any case, ‘Even if that perverted old man didn’t say so, I have no intention of losing.’

To ensure a victory against the Continental, she had undergone hellish training, getting beaten to the brink of death by the ranker Lee Yujeong and then healed repeatedly.

Step.

Go Malsuk took a step forward and stared straight ahead. Her opponent, a fellow martial artist, was none other than Seo Wiryong, China’s top hopeful.

Go Malsuk nodded her chin.

“The map isn’t too bad, right?”

Despite the bad blood with the Continental, she had no particular ill feelings towards Seo Wiryong.

To be precise, she had no ill feelings towards him personally.

‘It’s Zhang Liqiu’s faction that’s bad. His side was said to be fine.’

She had already been informed by Shimun about the internal factions within the Continental.

And having watched several of Seo Wiryong’s broadcasts, given they were both in the martial arts category at the Platinum rank, ‘He’s actually a nice person.’

Unlike the notorious reputation of the Continental, Seo Wiryong didn’t display such traits.

He was known to warmly embrace even the trolls who would have been instantly team-killed by someone like her.

Of course, ‘He’s a good person. Just not my type.’

She greeted him out of respect for their mutual acquaintance, Shimun.

“……”

But Seo Wiryong remained silent, without showing even a slight emotional change, staring at her stoically.

To that, “Hey. Why aren’t you responding? It’s awkward here.”

She felt momentarily awkward but that was all.

‘Damn it! I went out of my way to say hello. But I guess we’re not close enough for that.’

Go Malsuk scratched the back of her head and clenched her fist.

As if to break the awkward atmosphere, “Anyway, let’s fight properly…”

Thud.

While she was loosening up her shoulders, she heard the sound of feet pushing off the ground.

Swish!

Simultaneously, Seo Wiryong’s swift advance came upon her.

“Ugh!”

Go Malsuk frowned deeply.

“Why are you attacking while I’m talking!”

Woong.

She launched a powerful demonic energy-infused punch. Naturally, she didn’t use the Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Fist. A martial artist’s fight is fundamentally close-range combat.

Hence, instead of throwing in heavy initial strikes, the aim was to exchange a series of quick attacks and defenses.

‘First, I’ll fake him out with this.’

Mixing offense and defense, ‘Then follow with a roundhouse kick and the Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Fist…’

Seo Wiryong’s initial punch seemed like a feint as well. That was the assumption.

Crack!

Go Malsuk’s roundhouse kick struck too easily.

“What?”

She didn’t expect it to actually land. Her eyes blinked in surprise.

Ouch!

Soon, a stinging pain climbed up her leg.

‘Why is he so tough…’

Before she could even process her shock, Seo Wiryong grabbed her leg clamped to his neck.

Thunk!

Only then did Go Malsuk realize.

‘That’s it!’

Why her attacking foot hurt, and why Seo Wiryong seemed unscathed despite the roundhouse kick to his neck.

“Damn it!”

Frustrated, she twisted her body and lashed out with her other leg.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Heavenly Demon Supreme Step (天魔君臨步) Suppression (抑制).

Boom!

Bringing her leg down like a blunt weapon, she stomped on Seo Wiryong’s arm with Heavenly Demon Supreme Step.

The force freed her from his grip.

Bang.

She utilized Air Walk to gain more distance.

“…….”

Seo Wiryong shook off the restrictive power of the Heavenly Demon Supreme Step with a blank expression.

Specifically,

‘Why is his neck covered in scales?’

Rather, his neck was now covered with black scales. Landing on the ground, she stared at them with bewilderment.

‘Wasn’t that ability used only by that guy?’

Scales.

Not just any reptilian scales, but dragonic ones. Given her frequent encounters with Shimun’s Dragonoid, she could clearly distinguish them.

“Tch. I don’t know what’s going on, but.”

Go Malsuk clicked her tongue.

‘Is his speed ridiculously enhanced because of that damn transformation ability?’

Considering Kim Shimun’s monstrous capabilities, she fully understood how overpowered dragonification abilities were.

Then.

Bang!

A powerful sound of air being pierced reverberated.

“Crazy!”

Go Malsuk screamed in shock. It wasn’t just because Seo Wiryong’s speed had increased.

‘This feeling!’

The air-piercing sound of Seo Wiryong’s approach. The black scales now covering his entire body except for his face.

‘It’s exactly like when those civilians transformed!’

In the past, the Continental’s assassination team that had attacked them in the middle of Gangnam. They were mutated civilian monsters known as mutants.

Swoosh.

Go Malsuk immediately maximized her demonic energy.

And then.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Strike (擊) Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Fist (覇皇碎).

Kwwaang!

Even though she unleashed the Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Fist filled with powerful demonic energy,

“…….”

Crack.

It barely made a dent on his left shoulder, leaving only a few shattered scales and no visible damage.

‘Not saying a word since the beginning… So, he’s just like those crazed civilians.’

Go Malsuk quickly grasped the situation.

Thump.

She used the restrictive power of the Heavenly Demon Supreme Step to leap back immediately.

Then.

Bang!

Seo Wiryong’s scaled arm crashed down, piercing through the restrictive power. Its impact was so immense, a massive blast erupted from its force.

Thwack.

The unseen shockwaves emanated from where Seo Wiryong’s arm struck the ground.

‘Knowing Seo Wiryong’s nature, he wouldn’t have obtained that ability willingly. Was it forcibly implanted?’

Dodging the shockwaves skillfully, Go Malsuk pondered briefly,

“Argh! Damn, this is so complicated!”

She ruffled her hair in frustration and cursed. After all, overthinking wasn’t her style.

‘Kim Shimun, that guy is definitely watching…’

So there was only one thing for her to do.

“I just have to crush him.”

All she had to do was destroy the transformed Seo Wiryong. Fortunately, this wasn’t a particularly difficult task. Not just because it was her area of expertise.

“Hey. I admit you suddenly got a lot stronger….”

Crack.

Gripping her fist tightly until her bones cracked, Go Malsuk continued,

“But that’s all there is!”

Boom!

She effortlessly dodged Seo Wiryong’s threatening kick that had suddenly flown towards her.

Swoosh.

She sliced through the air. Black crescent moons formed from her hand blade. The strike from the Peerless Slash technique hit Seo Wiryong’s upper body.

But,

Crunch!

Only black sparks and friction sounds emerged. Without spilling a single drop of blood, Seo Wiryong stood.

But, Go Malsuk wasn’t discouraged.

‘As expected… His overall specs are insanely high, but his movements are too simple.’

He didn’t even feint. Attacking exactly where he intended, as if shouting, “I’m going to hit here!”

Absorbing any other attacks just like a tank.

Of course, in the same Platinum rank, such brute force alone could crush everyone.

‘But compared to Kim Shimun, Yujeong, or Shihyuk, he’s nothing.’

Compared to the monsters she had faced, he was almost adorable.

Critically, ‘He just looks similar. He’s much weaker than Kim Shimun.’

Kim Shimun, who seemed to transcend the human species, had an aura that was both lofty and superior.

‘Just facing him made my heart race.’

In comparison, Seo Wiryong was just another dragon species.

Then.

“D-Damn it, race?”

Flushing with sudden embarrassment, Go Malsuk spat out a curse. Even while avoiding Seo Wiryong’s claw swipe, “Anyway, damn it, this is different!”

She shouted angrily, stomping hard.

Boom.

Stomping hard.

Then.

Sasa-shk.

She split into six figures in an instant. With her forms surrounding Seo Wiryong,

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Shoot (波) Heavenly Demon Sphere (天魔玉).

Bang.

She shot small black balls into the sky.

“I’m different from that bastard!”

She shouted with inexplicable anger,

Heavenly Demon Divine Art (天魔神功).

Strike (擊) Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Fist (覇皇碎).

The five black orbs in the sky. Go Malsuk struck the Heavenly Demon Orbs with Supreme Emperor’s Demolition Fist.

Thus,

KABOOM!!

With the massive explosion of demonic energy engulfing the entire peak,

『The Platinum rank match in the finals has ended.』

『The winner is Korea.』

A message announcing the winner appeared.

***

『Ah! The first match is taken by Korea!』

『Incredible! Go Malsuk is absolutely amazing!』

The two commentators of KNA, Choi Kangyup and Song Jaekyung, exclaimed in admiration.

As the first match of the finals ended, they continued to cheer for Korea’s first victory while also analyzing the match.

『Seo Wiryong showcased a new ability we hadn’t seen before, but Go Malsuk broke through with sheer power!』

『It seems there was an issue with the proficiency. The specs were incredibly high, comparable to high-tier Diamond rank, but the attack methods were too simple.』

『Indeed. We didn’t see any of the intricate techniques he previously demonstrated!』

They professionally analyzed the match content. And in the waiting room provided by the Galaxy Arena for the finals, a refreshing young man watched the broadcast.

“As expected of Malsuk.”

Kim Shihyuk nodded approvingly, his voice slightly elevated.

“Judging by the specs, it was comparable to high-tier Diamond rank. But she calmly exploited weaknesses…”

His voice trailed off.

The reason was simple.

“…….”

Shimun was silently watching the screen, lost in thought.

Kim Shihyuk, who had been observing his brother quietly, asked, “Hyung? What’s wrong?”

Fortunately, it seemed he wasn’t deep in thought.

“No, I just have something on my mind.”

Shimun responded immediately. And Kim Shihyuk, quickly guessed what was bothering his brother.

“Is it because of the ability Seo Wiryong used?”

It wasn’t difficult.

“How did you know?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re the only one who has shown a similar ability until now.”

So far, the only one capable of transforming similarly to the dragonkin was Shimun.

Ultimately,

“Moreover, Seo Wiryong didn’t originally have such a transformation ability. His combat style was entirely different.”

The sudden transformation of Seo Wiryong into a dragon was surprising. Considering the usual stories Shimun had told about the Continental and the dragonkin,

“Did Zhang Liqiu do something to Seo Wiryong?”

It was easy to guess that Zhang Liqiu had tampered with Seo Wiryong.

“Yeah.”

Shimun nodded without further elaboration.

“So, what happens now? Will something bad happen to Seo Wiryong?”

Kim Shihyuk asked with a serious expression.

At that, “No. He should be fine.”

Shimun shook his head slightly.

“The problematic aspects were gradually dissipating during the match. He should be back to normal by now.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Kim Shihyuk showed signs of relief at Shimun’s answer.

However, Shimun’s expression didn’t lighten.

After all, ‘It felt exactly like those mutated civilians during the last assassination attempt…’

During the past incident, the Continental’s assassination squad, which had secretly entered Korea with the help of his uncle Kim Muyeol, had used civilian test subjects who felt similar to Seo Wiryong just now.

But, ‘Those civilians were completely beyond redemption. So how did Seo Wiryong lose only his Dragon Force?’

Like a sponge soaked in detergent, Seo Wiryong, who participated in the finals with his body brimming with Dragon Force, saw this energy gradually dissipate as the battle continued.

‘On the bright side, it’s fortunate that Seo Wiryong isn’t seriously affected. On the downside…’

Shimun’s eyes narrowed.

‘It means their experimentation with transforming civilians has advanced.’

The temporary transformations now evidently left no solid evidence.

Therefore,

‘I don’t like this…’

Shimun didn’t have a pleasant reaction.

The only consolation, ‘At least I wasn’t deceived about the nature of their efforts, and I got a rough measure of their progress.’

Before Shimun,

『The second match is ‘Ranker’ level.』

『The representatives for each country will be summoned.』

An announcement for the second match appeared.

“Oh? It’s my turn.”

His brother’s voice came from beside him.

Turning his head, “Don’t think too much about it, hyung.”

His brother, exuding his usual bright smile, stood there.

“I’ll take care of Zhang Liqiu and avenge Seo Wiryong cleanly.”

He thumped his chest confidently, assuring his brother that he wouldn’t even need to participate in the third match.

Yet, for some reason, Shimun, who had always found his younger brother reliable in his previous life, felt unusually worried today.

‘I’ve got a bad feeling.’

“Be careful. Don’t let your guard down.”

Hoping it was just a baseless anxiety, he warned his brother engulfed in the summoning light.

“Don’t worry! Trust me!”

He answered energetically.

Flash.

With that, Kim Shihyuk vanished.

TL’s Corner:
I don’t know what refreshing young man means. I’d like to think that he’s just chillin’.