Regression Unlocks the Arhat's Contract

Regression—that was it. The Arhat's Contract Document, my unique ability. In my previous life, it had earned me some fame and gotten me into the hero party, playing a huge role in making me strong enough to join them.

Truth be told, this ability wasn't originally mine. 'Was her name Jang Nara or something?' In the original story, there was this no-name villain who picked a fight with Erina Yulis, got utterly schooled, and dragged off to prison. That guy broke out, stole a hidden opportunity from the academy, and snagged the Arhat's Contract Document.

'A nobody turning mid-boss just from grabbing one power? Ridiculous. And that opportunity was even more absurd.'

'A janitor mentioned dusting off a scroll tossed in the corner of the storage room.' It was such a random detail you'd wonder why it was even there. Later, I recalled it was foreshadowing for that exact moment.

'The comments were roasting it so hard they got blocked left and right...'

Anyway, long story short—I snatched it for myself. No way was I letting a punk like that have it. I figured it was better in my hands, especially when I was backed into a corner, grasping at straws.

'If you're gonna possess me, at least give me something decent.'

In this world, anyone who awakened was supposed to have their own unique ability. Sure, even similar or identical powers could have a world of difference in strength. The story explained it, and I'd felt it bone-deep living through it.

This was a world where innate talent ruled everything. No wonder awakeners said talent was 80%, effort 20%.

'And most talent comes from bloodlines.'

Up to your early twenties, learning and hard work mattered, but eventually, talent set the ceiling—and that was the norm. In my case, I started with zero unique ability. Barely qualified as an awakener.

The academy barely let me in as an F-class, figuring it hadn't awakened yet. But without something—anything—I'd be expelled for sure. So I shoved whatever I could down my throat first.

'...I was just scared shitless of what my future held if I got kicked out.'

That's how I got it, but it turned out to be half-baked. Why? Because I could only contract with myself.

High versatility, but weak effects and output. Useful for training or buffs at best. That was my take on the Arhat's Contract Document.

And around then, this noisy bastard calling herself 'Kay' settled into my body.

"And that ability..."

Now it could steal others' talents? Was this for real?

But the affinity explanation was murky. "Kay. What exactly do 'gratitude' and 'resentment' mean?"

"What, pissed off? Nah, not the super-smart, wise high-spec AI getting mad over a joke, right?"

"Right? Explain, please."

I listened quietly to Kay's explanation. In short: 'Do a solid for a good guy or screw over a bastard, and you get it.'

Basically, bestow 'gratitude' in some way to build positive affinity past a threshold, and it shows up on the list. Or pile up 'resentment' by crushing them or pissing them off royally—same deal.

"Pretty abstract. Guess I gotta feel it out myself."

No matter how you slice it, stealing others' talents? Broken as hell.

"Okay. Analysis done. Next, perks."

I glanced at the text etched on my shoulder. Irelua. One of the three main gods, goddess of earth and abundance.

What caught my eye in the description? Blessing type. Gods in this world were infamous for their arrogance and pride. Blessings like stigmata were rare as hell... which made this suspicious as fuck.

'Why give me something like this?'

Regression itself was bullshit. Reversing time was miracle territory, and now perks on top? 'Total of five, right? Four more to go...'

Digging deeper, the awakening condition was weird too. Death. Who the hell awakens from dying? No guarantee I'd even start round two at 100%.

'...Too coincidental. Feels like I'm dancing in someone's palm.'

I was furrowing my brow at the creeping doubt when—

"The one I'm worried about?"

"……"

"What're you on about? I wasn't doubting."

Fine, whatever it was, it was good. I'd figure it out eventually. No hobby wasting time on useless worries.

"Finally... points."

When I first possessed this body, no unique ability, but something perk-like: the Fate System.

'New features added, as expected.' Originally, only trophies—achievements—gave points. Now it felt proper. Academy novel extra protag perk? Made sense.

'Points for the shop, obviously.'

"More categories now." Originally just techniques, runes, elixirs. And I couldn't even use them properly.

"Fucking expensive."

Trophy rewards were stingy. Scraped for ages just to afford one. Twenty years of grinding got me five elixirs and two techniques. Said it all.

"But now I can farm more by clowning around...?"

My lips curled naturally. Plenty of assholes I wanted to beat down now that I was back... This was perfect.

"Boost fame, teach lessons, snag talents... Nice."

"Status window."

"Ah, fuck."

The curse slipped out. Hah, goddamn it...

"Figures it'd reset."

Adult baseline stats in this world averaged around 3. Meaning? This Choi Siwoo asshole was an awakener with civilian-level physicals.

"How the hell did this shit even get in?"

I recalled his provisional placement was like 410/500... Ninety worse than this trash? How? Banged an instructor with his looks?

Rubbing my temples, I scanned the rest.

Thank fuck the traits I used often stuck around. 'Levels dropped hard, but beggars can't be choosers.'

Swordmaster's Zeal boosted sword talent. Normally it'd evolve to something like Sword Extremity or Sword Soul. But this guy lived by the blade—no pride or ego in swinging it.

'Hence "swordmaster."' Whatever. Swing it right, and it kills. Who needs mindset for a tool?

'Next, footwork...'

Exceptional Footwork was another staple. Boosted legs and mobility, huge for my close-quarters style.

'Traits are fine, but stats suck. Strength and agility at 3...'

Class placement exam in a week. Even with past-life experience, these stats? One swing and my wrist snaps.

"No choice."

[Search] [Techniques]. Rifled through the Dimensional Shop. It had to be here...

"Found it."

Bought it without hesitation. Obviously not enough alone. Minimal growth rate—what'd you expect?

Natural question: Why not splurge on better? 'Inefficient.'

No skill matched my exact needs. Extra fluff or versatility jacked the price.

Time to do what I did before. "Kay."

"Activate contract document. Target: new technique. Conditions: past-life realm, very fast growth rate."

"No, fuck. Why so pricey?" Not even picking something uber-generic like Transcendent's Footsteps.

"Strong for a random extra swinging a sword and kicking? How strong?"

"Gilding a turd changes nothing."

Tch, problem. With the 50k already spent, this one eats 500k.

"...Kay. Bigger penalties lower the price, right?"

Scratched my chin. Then...

"Base it on 'delete trait if lose even once.' Search and add fitting ones."

"Fine by me." No way I'd lose to academy brats with wet-behind-the-ears heads.

'Even that monster quartet including Erina.' Didn't feel like losing.

"...Tch..." If Kay offered this, couldn't go lower.

'Should be fine.' Meddling and sword lessons... Guy came to mind immediately. Force it on him if he balked.

"Purchase."

Next...

"ETC. Cash purchase."

"100 million for 10k points..." Pricey as hell. Money was easy once base was set... but 10k for a measly billion?

"...Gotta do it..."

Bank account empty. Otherwise, Erina'd show up loaning cash like last time, nagging like my mom.

'Begging a woman? Fuck no.'

Made me mad thinking about it. Should've seeded basics on possession.

"Purchase 100k points."

Exactly 10 billion. Why so much for basics? 'Regressor's knowledge is for this.'

Downloaded stock and coin apps quick. Securing war chest against future shitshows was key.

Time to raid undiscovered dungeons if I had leeway, but enrollment imminent—no luxury.

Knowledge was power. "100% mooning."

Dumped 5 billion into Cheoncheon, one of top 10 guilds. Two weeks out, Wonderland Theme dungeon break handled smooth—stock blasts past stratosphere.

2 billion into that no-name startup. More funds, I'd own it outright.

"Rest into surefire coins..." Perfect. Leftover for spending, all in.

"Finally, that."

Seven days left. Must-do even if it killed me now.

"Yeah, that."

Quick search for nearest training ground...

"? Not that."

Ignored Kay's confusion, threw on a jacket from the closet. Swallowed a rising grin and headed out.