The Regressor's Calculations
From a broader perspective, Inesa—the leader of Do—who believed she knew the future, had not changed her ultimate goal of obtaining the Evolution Jewel. All that was required was to watch and ensure she did not cross any lines. Even if the schedule had been moved up, she wouldn't leave Korea. As long as the major threads remained intact, Inesa would stay in the country longer, pouring her efforts into acquiring the newly invigorated Goblins. Given the nature of her abilities, the time required to work on the Goblins was one reason for her prolonged stay.
But that was not her only purpose. In this country where she had endured a horrific childhood, she would also seek out and destroy those who had driven her to the edge. In fact, that might very well be her primary objective, and Jo Giman firmly believed she would remain here even at great risk.
Kang Yeonsu's early involvement is annoying, but a few countermeasures should suffice. Inesa needed to grow stronger, if only for Jo Giman's sake. Therefore, Kang Yeonsu's interference could not be allowed to go too far. While staying here, Inesa would discover newly awakened Sensory ability users and keep them close. Once that happened, they would all be dancing in the palm of her hand.
"I can see it. I can see it all."
Jo Giman was a regressor living his seventh life. Though not to the extent of Inesa, the leader of Do, he possessed a certain degree of future-predicting ability. That ability had grown stronger with each regression, and he was now confident it had reached a fairly reliable level.
"Inesa... The look on her face the moment she realizes she's been caught after living a life of seeing through everything—that expression is truly a masterpiece. Kk-kk-kk-kk-kk-kk...!"
Her twisted expression, unable to believe she had misread the future, never failed to make him burst into laughter whenever he recalled it.
"That woman's shell is tough and unappealing when she switches bodies. The real delicacy is the main body inside. Kk-kk-kk—"
Already salivating at the thought, Jo Giman licked his lips with his long, forked, snake-like tongue. After calming his excitement for a moment, he summoned his right-hand man, Jeong Ju-in.
"Yes. You called for me."
"Ensure the individuals on this list can continue supporting Do by diverting Kang Yeonsu's attention. Stirring up the guild's financial issues that we've kept buried would be an effective method. Pressuring the Association's funding sources will naturally lead to that outcome."
"Yes. I will execute it immediately."
Jeong Ju-in found it strange that Jo Giman alternated between formal and informal speech toward him these days, but at a single gesture from Jo Giman, he stopped thinking about it and vanished.
Once Jeong Ju-in disappeared, Jo Giman closed his eyes and observed the movements of Sensory ability users active around the world.
They're so preoccupied with the rapidly increasing number of monsters that they can't think of anything else. Thanks to that, even the troublesome ones have quieted down, which works in my favor.
Monsters causing trouble across the globe and the top-tier hunters struggling to stop them.
The more monsters you hunt, the more frequently they appear. There's only one solution... lowering the influence of the evil god rooted in the other world.
It was a method he had discovered by chance while operating in that world to kill the archmage Falkai, when he experienced reducing the Blue Eye's control.
The only path leading to the world dominated by the Blue Eye is one only I can traverse. This was confirmed by the Blue Eye itself.
Therefore, he was the only one who could pull this world out of the abyss.
Tremble—
The pleasure of confirming, one by one, clear evidence that he was the center of this world. And the process of saving a world thrown to the bottom while being revered as a god, along with the experience of devouring his worshippers alive. The sight of his followers' faces twisting in shock, despair, and rage when they were devoured by the very god they had trusted and relied upon was always thrilling.
Just imagining it made him unbearably delighted, to the point where he wanted to rush outside, grab anyone, and tear them to pieces. Such a stimulating experience far surpassed the pleasure he felt when embracing a woman—it was the ultimate ecstasy.
It was only natural that a man consumed by such twisted desires would lose interest in the opposite sex. The work of slowly destroying the enemies who had ruined his life was already complete, so there was nothing left to hold him back.
If only I could continue this life forever.
That desire had been boiling within him for some time. That was why Jo Giman had earnestly requested of his patron, the Seven-Headed Dragon, that this regression be his last, and surprisingly, he had been told just days ago that there was only one way.
"Hey... Is the only way to increase the number of regression cycles really to eliminate the Blue Eye?"
[......]
Jo Giman asked the empty air in a low voice. After confirming the Seven-Headed Dragon's answer once more, he nodded and let out a sigh.
"... What a demanding fellow."
The annihilation of the Blue Eye... I don't know if it's possible, but since I saw hope last time, it's not entirely impossible.
He tapped his desk with his fingertips before unfolding the map again. In this regression, the combat power of the top-tier hunters had greatly increased overall, but their behavioral patterns had become much simpler than in previous regressions. That gave Jo Giman considerable leeway.
Early in this regression, he had felt anxious because something seemed off, but in the end, things were turning in his favor. His eyes sparkled as he traced the map with his finger.
Let's see—shall I go with that fellow in Montenegro next?
He grew stronger by targeting prey at its most delicious moment and consuming them one by one. That alone had already elevated Jo Giman's power to an unfathomable level.
"Kk-kk-kk-kk-kk— Once I clear the Giant's Dungeon, finally—"
His vertically slit pupils stretched out side by side as he wore a sinister smile.
* * *
The next day.
Even Yeonhee, who always slept in on her days off, woke up on time today. After finishing our preparations, we headed straight to the Association for the promotion.
When we appeared in the lobby of the Association building, we drew people's attention again, but this time we were able to move to the next stage more smoothly than before.
However, the moment we arrived at the lobby of the C-rank promotion hall underground, people's interest exploded once more. The reaction was larger than expected, and even I was taken aback.
"Ooooh...?! It's Lee Yeonhee!"
"That's the summoner they say is the strongest in D-rank alongside No Hayun... But who's that guy next to her?"
"Look at that mana. Whoa... Insane. Has his mana stat already reached four digits?"
"They say she can operate a hundred summons at once, so maybe that's it."
Since when did we have a hundred summons...?
"Crazy... She can control a hundred summons with egos simultaneously? Is that even possible? It's like looking left and right at the same time."
"Don't try to understand a genius. It'll only hurt your confidence. We just need to go our own way."
"Damn it... I don't know. I'm jealous. So jealous."
"Just looking at her face, she's insanely pretty... Her voice probably melts you too."
Over a hundred hunters directed their murky emotions toward us without filter, each muttering something. In an instant, a dark wave of mana swirled around us, strong enough to make our cloaks flutter.
"Uh... I-Ilwol. Let's go to the corner."
Startled, Yeonhee instinctively moved toward an empty corner. But people flocked after us, and the area became crowded again. They seemed to hesitate for a moment before actively approaching us.
"Excuse me, we're planning a joint raid with A-rank hunter Kim Jin-ah—"
"Can I post the photo on SNS?"
"I heard you haven't signed with the White Knight Guild yet. Is that true?"
Requests for photos and autographs were basic, and there were especially many people offering to feature us on video platforms. In the end, I stepped forward to block them.
"What the hell is this armor? Are you her manager?"
"Hey, just come out a little. I said one photo is all I need."
As people surged forward and Yeonhee was pushed into the corner, I decided enough was enough and infused my body with the energy of flames. When I transformed into the intermediate form before my [Combat Type] transformation, people recoiled in shock, and some even drew weapons from their subspaces.
"Shit, you scared me! What the hell is that? It was a monster?"
"Hey, hey, a summoner threatening people with their summon doesn't look good."
Wipe the drool off your face before saying that, you bastard.
The ones who had been pushing forward just to get a look at Yeonhee's face now complained the moment they were intimidated.
"We ask that those in the waiting room refrain from approaching other hunters. This is your second announcement. Those in the waiting room—"
"Hmph! So damn stuck-up."
Only after the announcement did they grumble and return to their seats, now watching me more than Yeonhee.
"That guy... is he the summon of Lee Yeonhee, the one called the Grim Reaper?"
"Was he shaped like that? He looks completely different from the photos. Wasn't he supposed to have a monstrous appearance?"
"I heard he's a rare monster that took the mage route from a skeleton soldier... Why is he wearing full-body armor like a warrior? Is it a bluff?"
"A skeleton mage... Is she trying to create a lich or something?"
"Lich isn't just some random pet name. Kk-kk—"
"... What did you just say?"
"You were talking nonsense, so I called you out. Why?"
"You son of a bitch."
"Oh dear, why start a fight? Stop it. Melee types are my prey, you know. Even if you're angry, just holding it in like an idiot is the way to extend your lifespan."
"Krrr... Just wait until after the exam."
"Anytime."
They're old enough to know better, yet they're still this childish... Can't they stop fighting even here? They're not kids.
When hunters who awakened at a young age and lived basking in their own greatness gathered in a confined space, such petty squabbles were bound to happen frequently. A significant number of hunters who gained powerful talents and strength tended to have weaker self-control and simpler thoughts in return—and these people were exactly that type.
I'm already tired. Come to think of it, compared to these people, our party members are all really kind and gentle.
No Hayun's face, who had attacked me without warning, suddenly came to mind, but relatively speaking, that was the case.
Anyway, I had already braced myself for being the subject of people's gossip once we came here, so I sat back down next to Yeonhee and carefully observed the hunters.
"Ilwol, how is it...? Do you sense anyone with suspicious energy?"
"Clack clack..."
"Phew— That's a relief. I have to stay tense no matter where I go. It's a bit exhausting, isn't it?"
"Clack clack clack."
At least, my senses didn't detect any hunters with suspicious energy.
With this many hunters, it's unlikely there isn't at least one...
Most of the hunters here for the promotion test were hiding their mana as much as possible while waiting, so I couldn't be certain there were no suspicious individuals.
What about those guys? Are they not here?
The four-member assassin group from Veil, whom we had encountered twice in the D-rank dungeon. During our last greeting, they had confidently suggested we fight once after reaching C-rank. Since they were ahead of us, I thought they might be promoting around the same time, but they weren't here.
"Member number 47, please proceed to the C-rank promotion test hall—"
Even though we had come as early as possible, we were the 47th in line. After waiting for over an hour, we were finally able to enter the promotion test hall.
And waiting for us inside the test hall was, as expected, Maeng Seong-yong—the same examiner who had tested us last time.