Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Netori or Die, Your Choice
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Netori or die, pick one. Get on with it lol
Kaitsu offered no response.
But that didn't matter.
Words don't express everything about a person's feelings.
To varying degrees, everyone hides their true thoughts and puts on an act.
To truly know someone, you have to infer from subtle gestures and expressions after conversations or actions.
That's how I'd always sized people up before, and it had paid off.
.....
And I had to admit my approach was naive.
A seasoned regressor, perhaps?
There wasn't the slightest twitch in his eyes, mouth, fingers—nothing at all.
Everyone has some kind of habit, but he was like a perfectly crafted machine.
A mask worthy of admiration.
But these few seconds.
This short time spent silently scanning me like he was probing—it sparked all sorts of thoughts.
For instance, it could mean he was assessing me because my words rang true. That'd be ideal for me.
But that's just wishful thinking on my part.
He might just be stunned by how ridiculous my words were.
Plenty of chance he's thinking inside, What the hell is this idiot?...
Still, I figured the odds of that were low.
Kaitsu spoke up.
"What are you?"
"You said you never saw me."
It might mean this guy has a massive intel network that somehow missed me—but considering my actions aren't widely known, or that he had no reason to seek me out, etc., the chances are slim.
And factoring in the character profile, my conclusion was: regressor.
[Kaitsu Hiro
The protagonist of this game, a man with a righteous heart.
He holds infinite potential to become anything.
Yes. He carries the possibility of becoming truly limitless.
Even if he fails, he can always go back...
]
This was it.
Compared to other characters, it's ridiculously short.
For the supposed protagonist, it's way too concise.
Yet from that description, I caught the regressor vibe.
Especially this part: Even if he fails, he can always go back.
If this world were a game, it would mean restarting after game over.
But this is the real world.
The closest thing to game mechanics here would be regression.
I don't know if his regressions let him save-load to any point he wants or if there are conditions.
The word "infinite" suggests no limit on tries, though...
Yeah, it's just my guess.
But one I couldn't ignore.
Do you know how many years I wasted as a gaming shut-in?
At some point, games started featuring regressor characters everywhere—you can spot 'em just by their speech patterns.
Those guys are cautious about major future events but recklessly bold in minor stuff.
Like casually dropping clues to mysterious irregulars without thinking.
That's the mindset: restart if it goes wrong.
Even if a thoughtless remark gets them killed, they learn and try again.
If they lose to me or get tricked into dying, I just become a target to kill next loop.
His tone suggests he's regressed countless times.
He probably hasn't met me in previous loops...
A guy who's never shown his face before blocks a dragon, becomes Prynar Academy's first outsider instructor and student—that's gotta pique interest.
If his words are true, then yeah, my sudden appearance would stand out.
So he leads with the sword to fish for info.
Fighting here would be a bad call all around.
Still, it pissed me off. Should I test him?
Or dig for more info first?
As I pondered how to open, Kaitsu helpfully spoke up.
"What bullshit is this?"
"I've been avoiding you on purpose because I didn't want to meet, but now I can't anymore."
He ignored the question with random nonsense, but it only sharpened his focus.
He doesn't know who I am.
The unknown is scary.
Right?
"I don't know how many regressions you've been through... but here's some advice. Even seemingly minor situations—don't act like a total dumbass."
A brief silence, then.
"What are you?"
That question practically confirmed he was a regressor.
"What else? Outsider Dre."
"Bullshit."
It's the plain truth, no lies.
But he wants lies, so I'll oblige.
"A prophet."
"...A prophet?"
"I can predict your actions and avoid them, but I don't know your past deeds. That's the gist."
"......"
"I took down Prostia with this power too."
At "Prostia," Kaitsu's eyes narrowed—he seemed to connect the dots.
He'd be confused.
It sounds like a lie, unbelievable, but if I'm a prophet, it explains everything so far, right?
Accept it. Feel at ease.
But Kaitsu showed no sign of lowering his sword. Suspicion filled his eyes.
And? What're you gonna do about it?
You said you've never seen me before.
Why haven't you?
Did I die before you spotted me?
Yeah, probably got done in by Yuna back in Milf Village.
Fighting that crazy self-proclaimed idol slime, I'd have treated the world like a pure game and let my guard down—perfect setup to die.
Guess I got lucky this loop.
"......"
"What, you gonna do something about it?"
As I smirked at the hero, the gods suddenly crossed my mind.
What were they thinking?
Why give me this "character profile" info?
If they were handing out intel, why pretend it's a game and skip the resurrection token other outsiders have?
What do they want from me?
It felt tied to why Kaitsu never met me before.
Were my thoughts dragging? Kaitsu shoved his bound sword hard, pressing me.
Damn, he's stupid strong.
"Tell me the truth."
"I've only said facts."
"Hilarious. Could a prophet who sees the future have stopped Prostia? If so, that prophetess would've done it ages ago."
Prophetess, huh.
Another tidbit I didn't know.
"Prostia's descent rate was low. I maneuvered it that way. A bunch of other factors let me barely block it."
"Do you even realize how flimsy that story is?"
Shit. Not buying it.
World doesn't solve easy. Push to the end anyway.
"Believe it or not, up to you. But know this: I saved the world in your place? No reason to hate me, right, hero?"
"......"
Hostility lingered.
What now?
Honestly, provoking him gains nothing.
Pretend to be allies, extract info, dodge risks—that's smart.
As a regressor, he'd know future dangers, right?
But I didn't want that.
What did I want?
Looking back, everything I'd done here was revenge or survival.
Now I've got food, shelter, clothes sorted, but my body's still breaking down—still fighting to survive.
No symptoms yet, so it doesn't hit home, but I'm dying.
Survival's necessary, not fun.
What I want... yeah, fun.
That was the conclusion.
I'd seen the trailer of the Ten Heroes' exploits, thought I want that fight too, and came here.
Getting stronger ties to survival, but it's enjoyable too.
I had shit to do back home.
Before that, a game to care for myself turned into my whole world.
Games were just plainly fun, unlike reality.
Yeah, I crave enjoyment.
And this stupidly handsome hero pisses me off.
Already grating, now this crap—makes me wanna fuck him over.
Repay the asshole ruining my fun in kind.
Evil for evil.
Decision made on what I wanted.
"You've only stopped one of the Eight Demon Kings so far? Kinda slow, no?"
"...A prophet would know. Those guys..."
He starts to say something, then clams up.
Oh, juicy info incoming?
Poke more?
"Point is, never meeting me before means you were a massive fuckup."
"What?"
"Yeah. If you weren't trash, we'd have crossed paths. Meeting me now for the first time... how much idiot shit and garbage did you pull last loop?"
I snickered, and Kaitsu's eyes narrowed.
Didn't seem pissed, though.
Lots of regressions toughened his mentality.
"Hmph."
Suddenly, Kaitsu let out an annoying chuckle. What? Why the smug laugh?
"A prophet, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Then you know what I'll do next."
"Uh, well..."
Wait, this bastard...
Caught off guard, I bullshitted.
"My power has limits."
"Even if it's like that prophetess—big events or personal crises only—real prophet or not, you'd know my next move."
"......"
"No, you already saw it. That's why you approached."
Fuck.
This guy's gonna attack.
Or kill me, since prophets sense their own death.
Dunno why, but he's full of hostility toward me.
Or projecting someone onto me.
Got wrecked by an Asian-looking guy pre-regression?
Or that prophetess.
Kiiing
Light from the sword... fake-out.
Real deal's the slash at my neck.
Disengaging from the blade lock to attack. Pro term: disengage.
He shoved my sword aside, leaped back, charged, and swung.
...I severed his blade.
All in under a second.
Clang!
"?!"
Crunch.
My wrist throbbed.
Bones vibrated, hand went numb.
I endured the pain, reset my stance.
Holy shit. Perfect opening, and?
Plus, that was Severing Sword?
Kiiing.
Looking close, that light blocked the Severing Sword power.
Not just a feint, huh.
Hero lives up to the name—sneaky bastard.
He was shocked too—eyes widened slightly.
Kaitsu took two steps back.
Not retreating. Prepping something.
But I couldn't chase.
His counter would land for sure.
Stuck, can't move rashly.
Spec gap's too wide.
But anger outweighed fear of losing.
This prick suspects and attacks just 'cause he doesn't know me, then trash-talks.
Though my prophet bullshit started it.
"Destruction attribute, huh."
"?"
"Not just a fake prophet, then. But even that couldn't handle Prostia..."
What the hell.
From midway, he was mumbling to himself, not me.
That pissed me off.
Crazy fuck punches first with "never saw you" bullshit, now ignores me?
Whoosh.
Flames erupted from my sword.
Kaitsu squinted.
"Wielding destruction and fire together?"
"Let's do this for real, you fuck."
At least I'll snap that shiny sword in two.
Kaitsu stood still, then reached toward his chest.
Pulling something, no doubt.
Like hell I'd let him.
Thud!
I kicked off the ground.
Couldn't move before without getting hit sure, but seeing him go for an item? No sitting still.
Different motion means not guaranteed hit... or so I thought.
Whoosh!
Ice spikes erupted from the ground this time.
This bastard's got every trick.
Dodging's easy, but he'd follow up.
No—he was already right up in my face.
Shit.
No choice.
Seeing Kaitsu's attack, I transformed my body.
Flash.
Clang!
"?!"
Kaitsu's sword bounced off.
Didn't expect the deflection—his eyes went saucer-wide.
Makes sense.
That strike? Spread out, it'd level the area.
This fuck uses that on a person?
Not fully trained yet, but time to try it.
'Absolute Sword.'
Inhale. Focus.
Kaitsu sensed something—face hardened, sword blazed bright.
Then.
I felt a presence closing in.
Kiiing...
Kaitsu killed the light. I hurriedly doused my flames.
And sheathed our swords in sync.
"Lord Dre?"
On the rooftop.
Repelt gazed down at us, face full of worry.
Lucky—we retracted our auras just before she spotted, so no fight vibe.
More like suspicion without proof.
.....
Fuck. Why'd I sheathe first?
This prick started it.
Worried touching the hero would bring Gold or Clarit heat, so I stood down.
Plus, didn't wanna drag Repelt in.
Complex reasons stopped me—but who knew he'd pull back first.
Even with suspicion and hostility in his eyes.
Come to think, profile said righteous personality.
Hesitant to involve innocents or bystanders.
Only thing I like about him—the rest is pure trash.
Ah. Wanna beat his ass so bad.
I shot him a let's move elsewhere, punk glare.
Kaitsu didn't get it—looked at me like what's this idiot saying? The fucker.
Hop.
Repelt leaped from the roof, toed the wall, landed lightly.
That armor's heavy, yet she's top-tier knight.
"I sensed an ominous aura and hurried over... Are you alright, Lord Dre?"
"Yeah. Fine."
Only after confirming I was safe did Repelt exhale in relief.
Damn. Wanna hug her.
Other women would've checked the hero first.
Then Repelt finally turned to him, awkward.
"...Hero, sir? Are you alright? I heard you told Lady Anna you had somewhere to be."
"......"
Kaitsu said nothing, but his face had reverted to that friendly mask.
Look at this acting fuck.
"Sorry for the worry. My apologies."
"No need to apologize. But just now..."
She wanted to ask if they fought, but atmosphere didn't allow.
"Yes. I was observing Lord Dre's skills."
"Ah, so that's why you're together."
Even saying that, Repelt's face brimmed with doubt.
What's with these two? Obvious as day.
Clap clap clap
"Huh?"
Repelt gripped her shield, alert to the applause.
Kaitsu and I stared each other down, wary.
"......"
"......"
Clap clap clap clap clap.
"Where's it... Ah!"
"......"
"......"
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
By now, less claps, more hard hand slaps.
So damn loud.
Won't look even on spite, fuck.
"Hey, you shitty bastards. When people obviously want eyes on 'em, shouldn't you stare like that pretty knight lady?"
A man lounging on the roof whooshed down.
Thud!
Unlike Repelt, brute-forced the drop—stone cracked under him.
Brute...
But can't ignore despite the antics.
Dunno about Kaitsu, but Repelt and I hadn't sensed him till the claps.
Insanely strong.
Not someone to dismiss lightly.
But sorry, couldn't peel eyes from Kaitsu.
What might that fuck pull if I blinked?
Same for him—we still locked gazes.
"You two just staring since earlier? You guys into that? Huh? Gay?"
"What the fuck?"
"...A misunderstanding."
But the mystery man's bullshit demanded reaction.
Hero's eyes flickered interest.
More like, Kaitsu—you held back cursing earlier, face twitched, huh fucker?
Total hypocrite, inside and out.
The bastard flashed a smooth smile and said,
"Continent Sword. Kang Geom-il, I presume."
"Hm?"
Kang Geom-il?
Korean name?
The black-clad man with a massive greatsword on his back spread his arms wide.
"Honored the hero knows me."
"How could I not know one of the top-class outsiders?"
Top outsider?
Asita mentioned otherworldly transcendents—the elite among outsiders.
This guy's one?
Kang Geom-il offered his hand to the hero, who shook without hesitation.
Released, now to me.
"Hey. Yedre."
"......"
"Wanted to meet you. I'm Pro..."
"Wanted to meet a guy? Gay?"
"......"
"......"
Kang Geom-il gave a what's this moron? look.
Fuck. Paid back the gay jab. Whatever.
Then Repelt shouted.
"Right! This isn't the time, Lord Dre."
"What's up?"
Her next words hooked not just me, but the two guys too.
"His Majesty has set the rewards ceremony. You must go to the palace tomorrow."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Dre was gone.
'Who'd have thought someone would hurl such abuse at Miss Clarir...'
It was so sudden she couldn't comprehend, but it felt good inside.
Asita knew how cunning yet brilliant Clarir was.
That's why her stunned face was priceless.
Asita blankly recalled Dre.
Then suddenly worried how he'd think of Medeus following him that morning.
He seemed sulky—like jealousy—which thrilled her.
'...Huh.'
Why was she always thinking of Dre?
To support her father and Apiz Leisia, she needed ties with high-status talents.
Hero Kaitsu was a must.
Not just networking—as a woman, he was handsome, capable, kind-looking. Naturally appealing.
But.
Asita hadn't spared Kaitsu a thought, too fixated on Dre.
"...I'm losing it."
Asita pushed away her feelings.
Not yet. Didn't want to admit it.