Chapter 59
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Regressor Makes Everything
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"...For now, I'll just take these."
Lee Se-hun decided to accept only up to the Dragon Slag from Ludwig's ongoing rewards.
He had secured all the urgently needed items, and considering Ludwig's abilities, it seemed wise to hold some back.
'He must have his own standards, but if my value rises, he'll likely offer more.'
Plus, he could use the promise of future rewards as an excuse for a private meeting later. Not a bad deal at all.
"Time might make you forget, so take them as soon as possible."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Then head back and get some rest."
Whoosh─
The moment Ludwig's gaze fell upon him, Lee Se-hun vanished from the president's office just as cleanly as he had appeared.
Confirming that Lee Se-hun had safely arrived back on his hospital bed in the distance, Ludwig withdrew his senses and turned to Ryu Eun-ha.
"We'll handle it as an attack by villains, as discussed. It might be a hassle, but if interview requests come in, humor them a bit. As for the culprits... point to those you've always disliked."
"Understood."
"And for the research budget... let's start with 1 billion. It'll just be you and that young friend using it—too much might make the other professors jealous."
It was a modest sum compared to what professors typically received for research support, but considering it was essentially for Lee Se-hun alone—a cadet—it wasn't bad.
And if they produced results, the budget and support could expand indefinitely. It was a solid deal, so Ryu Eun-ha nodded.
"We'll do that."
"Make it count. This could lead to 'Summit Climber' status."
"......"
Ryu Eun-ha silently met Ludwig's words.
A rank above S-class heroes, a title and qualification granted only to those who reached the top of the Hero's Tower.
Close yet impossibly distant—that name drew a calm response from Ryu Eun-ha.
"I'll do my best."
"I expect great things."
"Then......"
As Ryu Eun-ha bowed her head and turned to leave the office, she suddenly spun back to face Ludwig.
"President."
"Yes?"
"I noticed Cadet Lee Se-hun first."
Ludwig blinked at Ryu Eun-ha's abrupt declaration, then chuckled softly.
"And what are you getting at?"
"...Just wanted you to know."
Brushing it off, Ryu Eun-ha exited, leaving Ludwig alone. A low voice echoed through the office.
[That lump of metal knows how to get greedy.]
A voice leaked from beyond the white void. Ludwig nodded at the sarcasm.
"Indeed. I never imagined she'd warn me—not some other professor, but the department head herself."
[Be careful. She's already growling—if you poke her, she'll bite.]
This time, it was just the president looking out for him, so no complaints. But if he'd pushed a contract or promised support, Ryu Eun-ha wouldn't have stood idly by.
Recalling how she'd stepped between him and Lee Se-hun earlier, Ludwig let out a small laugh.
"No need to worry. It's not at that point yet."
[Such a baffling hobby... Anyway, which side do you think it is?]
Wiping the smile from his face, Ludwig replied to the voice's question.
"Likely the site 'Molting' was researching. The knot material seems to be part of Jurgen's body."
[Transplanting a Summit Climber's body into monsters to accelerate awakening... Their tech has advanced again.]
News like that would cause a massive uproar, but Ludwig felt no particular surprise.
As the head of Babel—an educational institution and massive research facility—he had long anticipated reaching such realms.
"But... it's a bit early."
[Then?]
The voice rose higher than usual, laced with anticipation. Ludwig responded calmly.
"Better to knock them down once."
With that, Ludwig vanished from the office, and the white void disappeared without a trace.
From that day on, inexplicable landslides and building collapses occurred worldwide.
"Hmmm......"
Back in his room, Lee Se-hun woke from a short nap and immediately checked his condition.
His body felt like it was being pricked by needles all over. His bones ached dully, and his joints creaked like they'd been wrung out. Amid the relentless throbbing pain, he sighed.
'This is manageable.'
It hurt like hell, but painless wounds were far more dangerous.
In that sense, these injuries were mild. But no one around him would listen, no matter what he said.
'Should've taken some elixirs from Ludwig......'
With a decent elixir, he could've handled it instantly with Spirit Link Magic.
As he debated saving the rewards or shortening his six-week recovery, there was a knock.
Knock─
"Hey. You asleep?"
A perfunctory knock and bored voice. Recognizing the owner, Lee Se-hun sat up in bed.
"Come in."
The door opened at his permission, and a silver-haired girl—Louise—entered holding a black plastic bag.
"What're you here for?"
"Heard you got attacked by villains and hurt, so I came to see."
Plopping into the chair by the bed, Louise brazenly eyed him up and down.
"But you look fine? I heard it was serious......"
"Serious? This is basically a scrape."
Aside from the bandages, he showed no visible injuries, leaving Louise puzzled.
"Really? Professor Ahn wouldn't exaggerate for no reason......"
"I'm telling you, just some torn muscles, hairline bone fractures, minor mana circuit damage."
"Where?"
"Everywhere."
"......"
Louise stared silently, then muttered bitterly.
"I was wondering what 'serious' meant... you must've hit your head......"
"......"
"Eat this and calm down. Jason cherries—you like 'em."
Handing over the black bag of cherries with a gentle smile, Louise drew an incredulous look from Lee Se-hun.
Anyone else, maybe—but Louise saying this? Hard to get used to.
'Violent Dog would've spat on me saying spit heals it.'
Proof she hadn't gone off the rails yet—good sign, but he still wished for some sympathy.
As he sighed and ate the cherries, Louise cautiously asked again.
"So, you're really not that hurt?"
"I'm fine. That worried?"
"Worried? Just curious, and you twist it into something weird......"
Grumbling irritably, she met Lee Se-hun's gaze. He smirked faintly.
"Really? Professor Ahn said you were pestering her about me so much she was exhausted."
"What?! I told you not to say anything, and you already......!"
Yelling reflexively, Louise realized something, eyes widening as her neck flushed red.
"You...... you......"
"Yeah, yeah. Can't expect it from others, but you gotta worry about me."
She'd helped in the ward, learned fitting Speech Magic—least she could do was care like a human.
Nodding satisfied, he recalled a pre-regression trick.
"Oh, perfect timing. Say some Speech Magic to heal me quick. More sincerity, better effect."
"......"
"What? I'm hurting here."
Urged on, Louise's eyes glowed blue, fists clenched, trembling—when another knock.
Knock knock─
"Coming in."
A crisp knock, door bursting open before a reply.
The black-haired young man with a stoic face—Yeom Seong-ha—entered. Lee Se-hun's eyes widened.
"What're you doing here?"
"Heard you were hurt."
As if that explained everything, Yeom approached, scanning him head to toe.
"Doesn't look bad. Aren't you overplaying it?"
His tone might sound challenging to others, but Lee Se-hun lit up like he'd been waiting.
"Right? I said I'm fine, but they won't discharge me......"
"Shouldn't have come to the ward at all. From now on, no checkups unless you're dying."
"Thinking the same."
Perfectly in sync, the pair drew a strange look from Louise.
'Am I the weird one......?'
As Louise puzzled over their casual rapport, Yeom pulled a small booklet from his pocket and handed it over.
"Take it."
"What's this?"
"Catalog of items you might need."
Lee Se-hun skimmed it: elixirs, body-boosting gear—all top-notch. He looked up in surprise.
"Pick one?"
"Yes. Payment for the outstanding balance."
"Thanks—wait, what?"
Not quite what he expected, Lee Se-hun blinked.
"Not a get-well gift?"
"Settling the bill. You must need something now."
"......"
"Problem?"
Staring blankly, then sighing, Lee Se-hun shook his head.
"Of course......"
Yeom Seong-ha bringing gifts? Uncharacteristic.
Spotting the chance to settle up, Lee Se-hun pondered how to teach him—when Louise cut in.
"Then just take it and go?"
Irritated, she glared.
"Wanna sell? Set up a stall at market. Don't haggle in a hospital room."
Her blatant hostility drew a calm glance from Yeom.
"You're Louise Valente?"
"So?"
"Hmmm."
Eying her appraisingly, he muttered disappointedly.
"Not that strong."
"...What?"
"Quiet. This doesn't concern you."
Ignoring her now, his dismissal chilled Louise's eyes.
"No thanks?"
"What?"
"Said no. Deaf?"
Looking up at him, she sneered.
"Who're you to order me around? Hilarious."
"...Insolent."
"Not as rude as you."
The room's temperature plummeted with each exchange, mana roiling ominously. A powder keg atmosphere.
Lee Se-hun watched fascinated.
'These two... personalities clash just like before.'
He'd thought pre-regression it was their messed-up states, but no—their natures just didn't mesh.
'Still, politer than Mad Dog and Violent Dog.'
They'd have traded blows by now. Observing their growling standoff intently—
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Huh? Why's the door op—Senior Yeom?"
Erika and Jake entered through the open door. The tension eased slightly; Lee Se-hun blinked in surprise.
"What, get-well visits?"
"Heard it was bad... What happened here?"
Jake glanced around warily at the vibe. Erika strode in, planting herself between Louise and Yeom.
Ignoring them entirely, her insertion furrowed their brows—then.
"Here. Get-well gift."
She handed Lee Se-hun a wooden box.
A sleek, ominous box. Opening it carefully, he found yin-yang elixirs. The scent alone screamed quality. He checked the info.
[Yin-Yang Elixir (陰陽丸)]
Grade: Hero Quality: Top
An elixir balancing yin and yang mana.
Specialized in body activation; amplifies power based on mana attributes.
Caution: Opposing mana may cause clashes.
*Activates body regeneration.
*Yin and yang mana amplify attribute mana.
"......"
Hero-grade elixir, and a rare versatile one like Yin-Yang Elixir. Beaming proudly, Erika met his gaze.
"This the get-well gift?"
"Yeah."
"Not 'buy it'?"
"Not that petty."
Her firm reply drew his glance to Yeom Seong-ha.
"......"
Yeom's face hardened, finally sensing it. Meanwhile, Jake approached with a black box.
"Uh... I brought something too."
Opening it revealed a palm-sized black jelly, slime-like, thick with dark mana.
'This is......'
Familiar texture—he checked the info.
[Shadow Ether]
Grade: Rare Quality: Top
Ether refined from dark attribute mana.
Rapidly recovers damaged dark mana and boosts affinity.
*Recovers dark attribute mana and increases affinity.
'Shadow Ether... This purity could even awaken dark mana.'
Perfect timing—he'd planned to bloom it soon. Satisfied, Jake smiled.
"Heard dark mana injuries are tough post-trauma, so I got it. Good?"
"Perfect. You didn't buy it to make me pay, right?"
"I'd... usually not do that?"
Glancing at Yeom nervously, Jake hedged. Lee Se-hun turned.
"Any reflections?"
Yeom should get it now. Meeting his eyes, Yeom approached stone-faced, leaning in to whisper gravely.
"Be careful."
"...?"
"They wouldn't give those for free. Likely tampered."
"......"
Dead serious advice. Smiling, Lee Se-hun patted his shoulder.
"Out."
Yeom Seong-ha alone was booted from the room.