The Regressor's Confession
The bloody battle that unfolded in the Dunhuang Desert.
More than half of the hundred fighters mobilized by the Nine Dragons Syndicate lay dead. Among the survivors, many suffered grievous wounds that left them barely able to stand.
Only a handful remained upright on steady legs.
In contrast, every member of our guild had survived.
“Ugh… uuuugh.”
“Just bear with it a little longer.”
Shin Junseok was applying potions to the wounded team members. They had all sustained injuries both large and small, but the fact that not a single one had died was what mattered.
After all, as the saying goes, even rolling in a pile of dog shit is better than the afterlife.
-How unexpected.
“What is?”
-That you would show any mercy at all.
“It wasn’t mercy. It was a transaction.”
I had suppressed the surviving Nine Dragons Syndicate members by sealing their pressure points. After causing this much chaos, I needed bargaining chips if I wanted to leave China safely.
In this world where the number of players determined a nation’s ability to maintain order, the Chinese government couldn’t simply overlook the deaths of more than thirty Platinum-rank players.
“Well, I can’t be completely certain.”
-Do not rulers exist to protect their own citizens?
“You’re a goddess. Since when do you care about things like that?”
-Heh heh. I have spent quite some time observing mortals while awake, you know.
“In general, you’d be right… but there’s no guarantee they’ll act that way.”
China placed immense value on national face. It would be convenient if they interpreted this incident as a personal grudge between the Nine Dragons Syndicate and me, but from another angle it could easily escalate into conflict between nations.
-It seems we cannot let our guard down.
“That’s why I prepared a Plan B. We’ll be fine.”
In the era of destruction, far worse things had happened. It was a good thing I had built connections with the Black Network. Without them, I would have thought much harder before coming to China this time.
“Master, are you all right?”
“I’m perfectly fine. That aside…”
I trailed off, studying Lee Jiyoung’s complexion. Her lips were trembling faintly. A cloudy haze had settled over her usually clear eyes.
Yes. To me this was practically routine, but for Jiyoung, taking a life was a first. It was only natural she would react this way.
“Shouldn’t I be the one worrying?”
“Wh-what are you saying? I’m perfectly fine.”
“Saying that with a face that looks like you’re about to cry doesn’t make it very convincing.”
I gently patted her shoulder.
Staining your hands with blood.
With the Tower of Babel synchronizing with Earth at an ever-increasing pace, it was an unavoidable reality. Still, the fact that it was inevitable didn’t mean she could simply brush it aside.
“Don’t hold it in too much. It’s better to speak up when it gets hard.”
“Hic.”
Jiyoung’s voice grew thick with tears.
Pretending not to notice, I shifted my gaze to the others.
“Are you two all right?”
“Master, do you truly believe there were no such incidents when the Nine Dragons Syndicate selected me for training?”
“I fought to protect my family. If I hadn’t killed, I would have been killed.”
Ping Lei and Enrique answered calmly.
Karla appeared largely unshaken as well.
Only Hong Yunsu turned his eyes away, struggling to control his emotions.
“You heartless, tearless people.”
Jiyoung was crying right there—how could they say that!
“Master, are those words not rather ironic coming from you?”
-That does seem a bit much.
Wow. The day had finally come when Nyx and Ping Lei would team up to scold me.
“I feel so wronged.”
It was as if the entire world had become my enemy.
On the way back from the desert, we marched the captured Nine Dragons Syndicate guild members at the front.
“Master, those are drones.”
“The Chinese government must have deployed them.”
The very fact that the government had issued the gate conquest request was proof of their connection to the Nine Dragons Syndicate. These surveillance drones were meant to conceal any traces.
I approached one of the injured Nine Dragons Syndicate players and slung an arm around his shoulder.
“Hey. Smile.”
“H-huh?”
“Just smile, damn it.”
The terrified player forced a trembling, grotesque grin. I waved casually at the hovering drone.
This should be enough to convey my message.
“Master, are you a thug?”
“What kind of thing is that to say? It’s an effective means of communication.”
“Wow. Unbelievable.”
Jiyoung, who had quickly regained her spirit, looked at me with reproach.
“The Chinese government is more tenacious than expected, Master.”
“Don’t worry. I’m well aware.”
Ping Lei subtly revealed his concern. This kid—always acting tough. I knew he was worried, but I had already prepared countermeasures, so there was no need.
When we neared Dunhuang City, several ambulances came racing toward us at high speed.
“Is Player Yu Jinho present?”
“That would be me.”
“C-could you please explain what happened here?”
“The moment we attempted to enter the gate, a Gate Break occurred. The Nine Dragons Syndicate members who had come as support got caught up in it…”
I trailed off, observing the Chinese government official’s face. It flushed and paled by turns.
You already know it’s a lie better than anyone.
I sidled closer to the Nine Dragons Syndicate players and flashed a wide grin.
“It doesn’t look like we have much time, does it?”
The official turned away and muttered something under his breath. I sharpened my hearing, but couldn’t catch the words.
They were already drafting anti-player measures. How fast.
-Is it wise to give them this much time?
“I’m not exactly sitting idle either.”
I pushed Ultrasound and Detection to their maximum synergy. Roughly thirty players were hidden within a five-hundred-meter radius, half of them Platinum-rank. I kept my nerves taut, ready to respond to an ambush at any moment.
Depending on which path the Chinese government chose, their fates would be decided as well.
After some time had passed…
“…Honored Yu Jinho, may we prioritize treating the Nine Dragons Syndicate players?”
“We have urgent business and must return to Korea immediately.”
“We had prepared a banquet to thank you for saving Dunhuang from the threat of a Gate Break.”
“I must respectfully decline.”
A banquet? I’d be lucky if they didn’t poison the food.
“Understood. Then we will escort you via passenger plane.”
“Ah, these friends said they wish to see us off before receiving treatment.”
I once again draped my arm around a Nine Dragons Syndicate player’s shoulder.
If I let them send these guys off for “treatment,” who knew what would happen afterward?
The official ground his teeth audibly.
“…Understood.”
A tense war of nerves continued after that, but nothing major occurred until we left the Dunhuang Desert.
Only when the plane took off did I finally release the tension and let out a long sigh.
“They let us go more easily than expected.”
-Did you not say you had plans prepared in case of armed conflict?
“I do. I just didn’t want to use them since it would’ve been a huge hassle.”
This was on a completely different scale from the war I had waged against the drug cartels. I was now at odds with an entire national government. While I was confident I could return safely, it would require taking multiple detours.
-Then I suppose you will not be able to enjoy cotton candy or cake this time either.
“Please don’t say such spoiled things, Goddess.”
-Hmph. It seems I must re-educate you on the proper way to show reverence to me.
“Yes, yes. Whatever you wish.”
I reclined my seat, letting Nyx’s words go in one ear and out the other.
The moment my back touched the seat, a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. I didn’t resist the pull of sleep and closed my eyes.
The Gate Break in the Dunhuang Desert Causes Massive Casualties.
Joint Raid by the Nine Dragons Syndicate and Yeokcheon Prevents Further Loss of Life.
Death of Ranker Zhang Wufei Delivers Major Shock to China…
It hadn’t been long since we returned from the Dunhuang Desert, yet articles were already pouring in.
Player rankings updated in real time. Hiding Zhang Wufei’s death had been impossible from the start.
Rather than conceal the news, the Chinese government had chosen to turn him into a martyr and praise him.
-How unexpected. At this rate, they have no way to shift the blame onto you, do they?
“Because the Chinese government has more to lose.”
It was far better for their image to claim he had died fighting a Gate Break than to admit the Nine Dragons Syndicate had been crushed by Korean players.
Letting us leave safely was their silent pressure to play along with the performance.
However.
“There’s no need to dance to their tune.”
They had willingly handed me a card I could use to pressure the Chinese government. How generous of them?
After the bloody battle in the desert, the guild members had each grown another step stronger. While risking your life inside a gate was one thing, fighting humans was an entirely different experience.
“Are the two seniors all right?”
“We went in prepared, didn’t we? It couldn’t be helped.”
“I owe the Guild Master a great debt. If it weighs on your mind, please teach me more.”
The two rankers and the rest of the team showed less reaction than expected. I didn’t know their true feelings, but at least it didn’t seem like any of them would leave the guild right away. That was a relief.
Not only that. Having entrusted each other with their backs during the desert battle, they had grown noticeably closer.
Internally, it had become an opportunity to strengthen our bonds. Externally, it had elevated the guild’s prestige another level.
“Thanks to Special Task Force member Jinho, my later years have become so splendid.”
Kim Woosung, the Association President, had personally visited the guild house to shower us with praise.
Thanks to the Chinese government’s official statement, Korea’s player standards had once again been announced to the world, and we had gained significant diplomatic benefits as well.
“The President himself wishes to meet you.”
“I have a habit of getting nervous around important people.”
“Hahaha! What an amusing joke!”
I wasn’t joking, though.
“Don’t worry. I will personally block any attempts by other ministries to reach out to you.”
“Thank you.”
The Player Association’s full support and cooperation. The effort I had put into winning them over through Han Suchang was paying off handsomely.
After finishing all external affairs, several days flew by.
“Analyst, I’m taking the day off.”
“Please leave guild matters to me.”
I entrusted all work to Analyst Thomas and returned to my personal room.
-It is quiet.
“Yeah. It’s been noisy lately.”
I stared directly at Nyx.
I had once told her that, when the opportunity came, I would reveal all my secrets to her.
After surviving the bloody battle in the Dunhuang Desert, I sensed that day was not far off.
Where should I even begin?
I slowly parted my heavy lips.
“Goddess… the truth is, I’m a regressor.”
A secret I had never told anyone.
I spoke the words lightly, as if they were nothing at all.