Chapter 274
Chapter 274
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 274
Chapter Title: Sokcho, Second Round
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Zzzt-zzzt-zzzt!
“Alright. This should hold for now.”
I’ve become a [Possessor] trapped in this game world, and at the same time, a [Regressor].
With knowledge from the future, I’ve gained a chance to fix my wrong choices and mistakes. But those who defy the laws of time and space face a special penalty.
[Hound of Tindalos’s Prey]
Unlike persistent debuffs like [Shattered Mind], its structure is more like [Feast’s Offering]—irregularly boosting specific enemies or increasing encounter rates.
“I figured something like this might happen someday…”
And here we are.
“You’re walking a tough path.”
The [Smiling One], trapped in the basement barrier, speaks to me through Cheongho’s form.
Why does that guy always show up like this?
“Ha. Shut it. Any other spots I need to seal?”
“Hmm…”
Cheongho’s silhouette glances around briefly.
The image of Cheongho I see now is just a unified mental projection. Head turns and such mean nothing.
Even so, the [Smiling One] dutifully moves Cheongho’s head, scans the area, then speaks.
“Looks like it’s all sealed.”
“Good.”
“It’ll block one or two, but if their numbers grow, you’ll need another plan.”
“No need—they won’t grow.”
Living in this horrific [Cthulhu World] has taught me what matters most and what doesn’t.
The most important?
A peaceful refuge.
I won’t be hounded by [Hounds of Tindalos] even in the [Hungry Manor]. I need sleep, don’t I?
So I’ve poured every resource into reinforcing the manor’s barriers. At least here, I won’t worry about those hounds.
“Now, pay up.”
Cheongho extends a hand from inside the barrier.
“Isn’t that a bit steep?”
“Info from another timeline always is.”
“Ugh. Fine. Here.”
I toss an [Avatar Stone] infused with the [Mountain Predator]’s mana into the barrier.
“Kekeke—thanks.”
Screeech—
One of my five [Avatar Stones] gone. But it’s no loss.
I’m not just getting barriers against [Hounds of Tindalos].
I’ve traded with the high-intellect entity [Smiling One] for knowledge on spacetime structure, [Tindalos] itself, and some useful spells.
‘Lucky I bought a few extra days.’
Stopping Mun Kyung-nam took one day, but I pushed further ahead. Needed to recover Sanity points—and prep everything else.
“Alright. Anyway, prep’s done.”
Time to move.
Faster than the others this time.
* * *
—What?
Park Kwang-rim’s confusion clear over the phone.
“It’s a trap. Go there, and you die.”
—I don’t follow. What makes you so sure?
What’ll convince him to listen?
“I awakened precognition.”
—...You serious?
“Believe a wizard?”
—No.
Park Kwang-rim’s been greed-blinded for ages.
A vague warning wouldn’t make him back off—he wouldn’t have partnered with me.
“But you believe in money. How much you planning to make off this?”
—No idea what you’re scheming, but money talk’s always fun. Say, 10 billion won?
Joking tone from Park Kwang-rim.
Just tossing out a number to shut me up.
“Sure. I’ll send it.”
—Haha, see... Wait, what? You’ll pay?
“Yeah. Can’t wire 10 billion directly, so via Tudor. I’ll cover all fees—clean 10 billion, no strings. Skip it and bail.”
Not certain, but Park Kwang-rim threw a major wrench in this event.
‘Even without him, [Soul Shackles] would’ve been dug up eventually.’
It shows up a few times in the game, so cultists would find it in the Boryeong ruins underground even without his [Dowsing].
But this buys time.
And 10 billion for that time?
Worth it.
—...Deal.
“But.”
—But?
“Find one person for me. For 10 billion, that’s fair service, right?”
Laughter from Park Kwang-rim over the line. Then mumbling in Chinese. What’s he grumbling?
—So, who’s this 10-billion-won VIP?
“There’s this idiot named Jang Hyun-deok. Track him down.”
* * *
Rumble-rumble—
Massive vibrations.
Thud—boom!!
Shock and noise I’ve felt before. And nearly the same scenery as last time.
I’d rerouted Park Kwang-rim, then called Tudor to connect with Yeonam Construction.
‘What’d you do, honey?’
‘Secret.’
‘Ooh? Fun.’
Chats with Tudor and meeting with Fanny skipped—not critical, so fine.
‘Skipped what I could…’
Wanted to leave this morning, but one unavoidable errand.
‘Annoying contract.’
Meet Lee Ha-seo periodically for checkups or her experiments, or breach contract.
Not a normal contract—a magical one. Can’t ignore.
So this morning, rushed to see Lee Ha-seo…
‘Ahh, such brilliant blood—’
‘Gah! Don’t eat it! Stop!’
‘Not eating, just—’
...and got blood drawn.
Wasted time on a pointless event, so departure delayed.
“We’re almost at Misiryeong!”
Finally reached Sokcho later than last time, sky darker.
Huge win, though. Shaved off two days.
Better to confirm new madness first?
Pushing two days ahead means no new madness yet.
Sky dark now—about four hours till it arrives.
‘What’ll it be? Usual Magic Phobia? Or something else?’
Game admins know I rewound time.
Wonder how they’ll react?
‘Doesn’t matter. I’ll overcome whatever.’
Not that I have special countermeasures. But realizing my limits—means no room for weak fears or hesitation.
‘Junior. Four left.’
‘What’s four?’
‘Chances to meet me. Was six, but like how you erased our last meet by changing the future, this one’ll vanish too. So four remain.’
‘Got it.’
Feels game-like.
Even worst case, Gong Yi-su’s help lets me retry.
‘But less a save point, more…’
Like remaining lives.
Gong Yi-su at the hospital said I’d handle the [Hound of Tindalos] someday.
‘No, can’t get complacent.’
Next Gong Yi-su might not be friendly.
Plus, more regressions mean more hounds tracking me. One’s manageable, but more? No counter.
“What’s wrong? Carsick, Wizard?”
Choi Mi-na across from me asks the same as last time.
“Drink?”
“No. I’m fine. Better prep for ambush soon.”
Screech—
An Hyeong-gu’s endoscope swings my way.
“Ambush?”
“Yeah. Remember what I said?”
“Yeah, crystal clear!”
Kwak Dae-yong in front twists around, shoving his face over.
“Professor Kim— you crammed us in early, solo team, tweaking the schedule—what if it’s not safe? We’re honestly—”
Kwak Dae-yong looks unsure.
Right—including him, Yeonam’s ragtag security team has gear but lacks skill.
Big corp salary’s standard.
Same risk putting life on line—better freelance than company cannon fodder.
Even sign over corpses on death.
Fair if accident, but missions where they want the body?
“Don’t wanna donate my corpse. So—Professor Kim. Do it right!”
“Got it—don’t distract the driver!”
“Anyway—”
“Ah, Boss! Move it!”
Kwak Dae-yong retreats only after Choi Mi-na shoves his head.
“Whew, sorry Wizard, our boss is an idiot.”
Situations change, but flows mostly similar.
Ambush should start soon.
“Sharp curve.”
Yeom Cheol-min’s voice.
Screech—
Truck enters Misiryeong.
Rattle—rumble—
“Professor Kim—Professor! There, old folks! Old folks! I see old folks!”
Kwak Dae-yong suddenly repeating “old folks.”
[System: ‘Enhanced Vigilance’ activates.]
Here we go.
Senses expand naturally. [Evergreen Mountaineers] hidden in Misiryeong woods—refined mana, killing intent.
“Good. Hyeong-gu, open the door. I’m going out.”
Two days earlier, but [Evergreen Mountaineers] already hitting Mun Seung-hee for weeks.
Handle what I can before full madness hits.
“You sure solo?”
“Yeah. Gotta earn my pay.”
Clunk—
Vrooom—
Door opens—gale-force wind hits. Deep breath. Yeah, how suffocating without magic? Let’s go.
[L-Grade Garment ‘Wings of the Night Veil’’s unique function, ‘Wings of the Heavenly Demon,’ activates.
// Wings of the Heavenly Demon: Auto-casts ‘Flight’ spell.]
Whoosh—
Black robe billows dramatically, launching me from the armored truck.
Truck speeding, but I fly faster and…
[Blood Bloom]
[Spell Enhancement: Chain Explosion]
Rumble—
Fires viscous, blood-like flames toward [Evergreen Mountaineers]’ hideout.
Kablooey!
Explosion follows.
“Arghhh!”
“Scatter!”
[Evergreen Mountaineers] waiting for ambush scatter from surprise hit.
Bright hiking gear peeks through dense trees.
[Sound Wave Impact]
“Elders, sorry! If you don’t wanna get hurt, back off—all of you!”
My shout with sound wave blasts outward as shockwave.
Whirr—
Whirr—
Magicite bombs fly from all sides.
“Figured you wouldn’t. Magicite bombs get old, seriously.”
[Ignition]
Kablooey!
Spell forces explosives to detonate. Bombs self-destruct before reaching me.
“No more bombs!”
[Spell Enhancement: Range Increase]
Adds [Range Increase] to [Ignition]’s formula, widening area.
“Danger! Fall back!”
Pop-pop-pop!
Wow, pros.
They sensed it, ditched bombs or fled range instantly.
“Good, at least you retreated easy.”
[Thunder Array]
[Crashing Waves]
[Torrent]
Kablooey! Rumble!
To be thorough, summon waves and lightning to sweep the area.
Whoosh—
Back to truck.
“Huh? What’s with the faces?”
Kwak Dae-yong and others in truck stare at me baffled.
“W-way stronger than last time. Insane…”
“Real—real wizard. First time seeing power like this!”
Ah, just praise. Kinda embarrassing.
“Nah, not that big a deal.”
An Hyeong-gu scans me with every endoscope, adds useless chatter.
“And this strong while still sane…”
“Hmm…”
Few hours left, tops.
Thirty minutes to site.
Prepped Mun Kyung-nam perfectly before coming—this time, see what really happens here.