Regressor Instruction Manual

‘Damn it. The situation has turned for the worse.’

I[1] couldn't let it continue like this.

‘When did it all start?’

I asked myself that question, but of course, I wasn’t going to get an answer.

I wasn't in a favorable situation at all.

Regardless of the postwar situation, the members of the Supernovas, including myself, were growing stronger under the honorary cardinal’s wings.

Handling the support funds we were receiving daily was already difficult, but we had to keep a strict record of how the funds were being used, which made the administrative work even more difficult. I

As days passed, the group became bigger and bigger.

The investment amount was an amount I'd never get my hands on, even if I were to work my entire life.

I could host a party every night, but I would still not be able to use up all that moment.

As the leader who would lead the continent in the future, my name could be heard everywhere.

‘Squiat.’

I was the guild master of a guild located in Ohio, which was basically on the outskirts of the Federation.

Everyone called me "Supernova" when I completed several expeditions on my own in the tutorial dungeon. I succeeded in grabbing the Federation and the Union’s attention, but that was where my career ended.

I settled down in Ohio, as it was close to the Federation’s central government, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that the Federation wasn't at the center of the continent.

Less than a year later, I learned the existence of the Republic, the Sacred Democratic Country, the Union of Others, and the neutral nations.

Compared to them, the Federation was weak.

‘I thought something might change.’

It was probably just a subconscious thought of mine.

Every day was the same, but I was no longer a loser like in the past.

I had become the protagonist. Squiat was always in the spotlight.

Unlike the others who couldn’t adapt to life here and had ended up falling off, I was a powerful figure whom everyone had high expectations for. Otherwise, they wouldn't have given me the moniker "Supernova."

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn't looking forward to my future.

I imagined living the life of a protagonist from a novel, a comic, or an epic story. I'd go on cool adventures with my comrades. I'd have a special job, and I'd take on quests others couldn't even dream of taking.

However, the truth was that I was only a supporting role, not a protagonist.

No, wait, I did not even have a supporting role.

Talented people like me were everywhere, like sand on the beach, and I hadn't been able to achieve anything.

Compared to Lee Ki-Young, the Honorary Cardinal of the Sacred Democratic Country, and Kim Hyun-Sung, the Sword of Sunset, I was useless.

Their adventure logs and quests were always full of surprises, and they always had strong, beautiful, and unique comrades around them. Every time something happened, they'd always be at the center of it.

When things got bad, their one comment would decide the fate of one nation or a group.

They were already the protagonists of the continent. It was unfair. I knew it was silly, but that was how I felt. They had arrived here before me, so it was unfair that our roles were decided that way.

I hadn't really experienced anything.

I hadn't gone through the Republican War, the 27th Legion Summoning Incident, and the Outer Gods War. I went through nothing. I couldn't have the opportunity to make myself known or become even stronger.

Adventurers summoned in the Federation weren’t given many opportunities to climb the ranks, and I believed that it was…

‘Unfair… I believe it's unfair’

When I witnessed Lee Ki-Young transforming into the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep, my gut feeling told me that it was my chance—it was my chance to become the protagonist once again and get rid of all the inequalities.

My gambling paid off, and the honorary cardinal agreed with me.

Everything was going well.

It was going well.

‘Damn it…’

“Mr. Squiat,” my assistant said.

“Yes, about today’s schedule?”

“I’m sorry, but Father Lee Ki-Young said that something came up. He asked that you meet with him next time,” my assistant told me.

“Whoo…”

“...”

“...”

“Do you happen to know where Father Lee Ki-Young is headed?” I asked.

“We believe he’s with Mr. Gregory…” my assistant replied.

Bang!

“Damn it!”

“...” “Damn it! Gregory again? Again?! What in the world is there to see in that basement? Damn it! Does he not know what’s more important? He knows, so why?!” I paused.

“C-Can I inform him that you’re… on the way?” my assistant asked me.

“...”

“...”

“No, it’s fine. It’s okay,” I answered.

If I were to head there, he'd probably treat me like a fool.

‘Why is he so obsessed with the dungeon cleanup? Is it because of the Federation Restoration Project? Does he think that project can change the Federation?’

“Ridiculous,” I mumbled.

In the end, we were nothing but a cleanup crew for the Sacred Democratic Country.

‘It’s no different from telling us to live off of the scraps of the Sacred Democratic Country.’

Even if he somehow managed to resolve the poverty issue here, it would be just treating the symptoms rather than resolving the issue at its roots.

The continent always had its own way of developing things, but nothing would change if I were to just stand idly by.

It’d be meaningful if I took charge and did something myself.

I had to grow the group and become stronger.

I had to become strong enough so that no one would look down on me. I had to accomplish feats that would make the continent acknowledge me. I needed to build a story of myself, just like the honorary cardinal, the Sunset Swordsman, the archmage, and the Mercenary Queen.

“This isn’t the time for a cleanup.”

This was the time to purchase dungeons and keep on going on expeditions. I had to stabilize our group and become strong enough to beat that pig in the Blue Guild.

“The honorary cardinal has just left the dungeon, and he is now heading in the direction of the Republic. They say he’s scheduled to have a lunch meeting with Commander Jin Cheong…” my assistant informed me.

“And Gregory?” I asked.

“Mr. Gregory is not with him,” my assistant replied.

‘I can’t believe I’ve gotten to the point where I'll relieved by news like this. I can’t believe that news about Gregory not being with him puts me at ease…’

“Wheew. I think it’s best if we head to the sanctuary,” I suggested.

“What? T-Then… what are you going to do… with the scheduled expedition?” asked my assistant.

“I think it’s better to take care of the Mole Saint’s Sanctuary first, as Father Lee Ki-Young’s attention is on that. We have to show him that we’re interested in the Federation Restoration Project as well,” I replied.

“Understood.”

“Although I don’t think we’ll get anything out of it…” I mumbled.

'Are there any remaining items in there? I don’t think there are any items left.’

“I’ll be leaving soon, so please let Gregory know,” I ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

‘Damn it.’

I disliked this, but I had to play along for now.

‘He’s really playing his part as a saint. Damn it.’ I was sure Father Lee Ki-Young was aware as well, so…

‘I really can’t understand him.’

He definitely knew that a singular project would not address the root of the issue, and it would not resolve the issues around me.

The scheduled expedition was canceled, so everyone in my group was going to participate in the cleanup. I wasn’t sure if this was going to help, but Father Lee Ki-Young would probably be happy to learn that so many people had decided to join the cleanup.

“That’s what I think as well. Playing along with the honorary cardinal the a priority for now.”

“Right. Let’s do as he says for now. We need to keep Gregory in check.”

“I don’t know what that incompetent fool has in mind though…”

I wasn’t exactly feeling comforted, but my comrades seemed to agree with my idea.

The warp gate whisked us into the dungeon, but we were greeted by explosions rather than voices.

‘What’s going on?’

“Reinforcements! We need reinforcements!”

“Take the non-combatants outside the barrier! Head outside the barrier! All combatants…”

‘Is there a monster here?’

I reached that conclusion, as it was common to find monsters in a dungeon that had yet to receive a thorough cleaning. I looked at my comrades and nodded. Then, they moved at once.

“Where are they?” I asked.

“They’re inside the barrier! Mr. Gregory is fighting there!”

“Got it,” I said.

“Looks like we got here at the perfect time. We’ll head inside.”

“O-Okay!”

“If you have people you can spare, please tell them to rescue the wounded.”

As if layers of protection spells weren't enough, they even put up a barrier.

Perhaps it was because of the protection spells and the barrier, but the surroundings remained clean. I also couldn't see any injured workers.

I couldn’t deny the fact that Gregory was doing a good job at managing the dungeon.

If it weren't for their system, there was no way they'd be able to react so quickly.

‘Please…’

I thought about wanting to get some of the credit.

The worst-case scenario was people finding out that I hadn't done anything and Gregory receiving all the credit. If that ended up happening, we could lose our support funds.

“I’m going in,” I said.

“Understood.”

The accident occurred on Level -4. Upon arriving at the scene, I saw Gregory and his party members covered in blood. There were dozens of monsters on the ground, but what caught my attention was…

‘What is that?’

“Hahaha… Mr. Squiat! So you came here to help us? I believe… the Federation has achieved something great. I, Gregory, have finally gotten the opportunity to repay the honorary cardinal's kindness!” Gregory exclaimed.

‘What… is that spear…’

I saw what looked like a holy spear stuck on the wall.

I had definitely seen that somewhere. Yes, it resembled Benigoa’s spear depicted in her statues..

“Father Lee Ki-Young will be happy about this,” Gregory said.

“...”

“We’ll need to investigate it thoroughly, but that spear is probably the spear that Goddess Benigoa was using when she was still alive…” Gregory added.

I had no idea how it happened, but the spear was in my hand, and it flew toward Gregory’s chest. A grotesque noise echoed as the spear made a hole in his flesh, and it was followed by a dull thud as Gregory collapsed before me.

“W-Why—Cough!Cough!”

“This is for the Federation's sake… Gregory,” I replied.

1. Squiat’s POV ☜