Regressor Instruction Manual

"I-I[1] really don’t understand… Are you really Father Lee Ki-Young?"

— Who else would I be?

"…"

— You must be thinking that you’re the king of the world because I did everything you asked of me. Are you having fun going around and showing off that petty ability of yours? You must feel like you've obtained everything.

— Unfortunately, you crossed the line, Squiat.

"…"

— Aren't you supposed to be cautious? Why are you not cautious at all?

"Excuse me…?"

— Why are you not being cautious? If you were careful like you usually were, this wouldn’t happen. Right? Am I right?

— I’m not acting like this because I want to do it. I just wanted to stay a saint, but you haven't realized that at all. I really didn’t want to do this. I want to remain as an insignificant honorary cardinal for the denizens and the adventurers. I just wanted to be everyone’s lovable honorary cardinal. Why can't you understand that?

"…"

‘What the…’

— I’m leaving right now.

‘What the hell happened?’

— I’m leaving right now to crush that head of yours, so wait for me.

‘This is… really the honorary cardinal?’

— Do you have anything to say? I won’t be listening, but if there’s something you want to say, then say it. I might lessen your punishment depending on your excuse.

The turn of events was so sudden that I blanked out. The voice echoing in my ears belonged to the honorary cardinal I was familiar with.

As usual, his voice was as gentle and as noble as always, which was befitting of a saint, but he was spouting swear words that I couldn't have imagined I'd hear from his mouth one day.

I couldn’t even understand what he was trying to say, as he was swearing nonstop as if he were some back alley thug.

I questioned whether he was in his right mind or not, as his behavior was erratic—he'd laugh, provoke me, and curse.

No one would be able to think properly in a situation like this.

I immediately assumed that someone was impersonating the honorary cardinal or someone was playing a joke on me.

I was sure there was nothing wrong with the communication channel with Father Lee Ki-Young, but one ought to avoid speaking in absolutes. Someone could have accessed this communication channel, or perhaps there was a technical error.

‘What in the world…’

"I’m Squiat of the Federation. I don’t know who you are, but—"

— I’m Mosquito of the Federation, blah, blah, blah. I don’t know who you are, blah, blah, blah…

‘Crazy bastard. Who… in the world…’

"I don’t know what you’re doing."

— I dun know what you’re dooooing…

‘How dare this childish jerk…’

"You’re impersonating the honorary cardinal right now. The Continental Protection Management Committee—"

— I’m the honorary cardinal. How dare you say that someone is impersonating me? You’re pretty stupid, aren’t you? You still don’t understand what’s going on? You think you connected to the wrong communication channel? Really? ℟

"…"

— The communication channels on the hand mirror don't get technical errors, Squiat. There’s nothing wrong with the system.

"…"

— It looks like you don’t believe me, so I’ll kindly explain what’s going to happen to you.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that this wasn’t a joke.

And it was because I heard knocking on the door.

“Mr. Squiat.”

“...”

“Mr. Squiat. My name is Alex, and I'm a member of the Continental Protection Management Committee’s Inspection Team from Lindel. May I come in?” Alex asked.

“...”

“Mr. Squiat, I’ll say it again. My name is Alex, and I'm a member of the Continental Protection Management Committee’s Inspection Team from Lindel. Are you available to talk? I would like to ask you a few questions regarding the disappearance and the death of Mr. Gregory…” Alex repeated.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

— Do you believe me now?

‘What the hell is going on?’

I could hear many voices outside, so I assumed that I had already been surrounded.

“What are we going to ask him?! Move aside, Alex! You crazy murderer! How could you! How could you betray Father Lee Ki-Young’s kindness?!” Kennen shouted.

“Calm down, Kennen! We’re still investigating it! You know that you shouldn’t act like this. Hey! George, say something!” Alex yelled.

“Well, procedures are important,” George commented.

“Damn it! I’m an idiot for coming here with you guys. Go away, Kennen! This is my jurisdiction, so leave! Mr. Squiat, I’m Alex from Lindel! Are you inside?” Alex asked.

— Shouldn’t you start acknowledging it?

"W-Who are you?"

— What do you mean? I’m the Honorary Cardinal of the Sacred Democratic Country, the Saint of the Continent, the Sub Guild Master of the Blue Guild, and the God of Sacrifice and Revival. Need more titles? You still don’t get what’s happening, do you? Hold on. I’ll make sure you understand what’s going on.

Once his words fell, the Goddess’ Mirror installed at the camp came to life.

The news titled “Special Report” was played. It wasn’t all that different from the news that they usually played, but this news contained shocking information. It also had a stupefying title that said, "Gregory Party’s Murder Case."

[Squiat of the Federation is the suspect, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. The Continental Protection Management Committee has decided to impose a lockdown on the capital, including the Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Squiat, and he has been labeled the primary suspect of the crime.]

— Squiat of the Federation is the suspect, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. The Continental Protection Management Committee has decided to impose a lockdown on the capital, including the Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Squiat, and he has been labeled the primary suspect of the crime.

The news anchor said the same exact words Father Lee Ki-Young was saying through the hand mirror.

[Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of the following criminals from the Federation—Raynan of Extinction and Robinwood of Frenzy. They're famous for being a part of a group called "Supernovas of the West."

[The Sacred Democratic Country is working with the authorities of the Federation for the investigation; they’re also working closely with the Continental Protection Management Committee to find out exactly what had happened.

[Some groups have blamed this incident on the honorary cardinal's excessive sympathy for the Federation. Denizens of the Democratic Country, please continue with your daily…]

— Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of the following criminals from the Federation—Raynan of Extinction and Robinwood of Frenzy. They're famous for being a part of a group called "Supernovas of the West."

— The Sacred Democratic Country is working with the authorities of the Federation for the investigation; they’re also working closely with the Continental Protection Management Committee…

It was like the world had changed in an instant.

More stupefying titles appeared on the screen.

[A Report About Squiat of the Federation, a Cold-hearted Murderer - Report Kim Sung-Kyeong of the Lindel Daily Report]

[A Report About Squiat, the Tyrant of Ohio, a City on the Outskirts of the Federation - Report Kang Yoo-Mi of the Continental Protection Management Committee’s Suspension Division]

[What Happened in the Dungeon on That Day? - Kim Sung-Kyeong, Dungeon Columnist]

[The Hope of the Federation? The Supernova of the West, AKA the Evil Organization of the Federation. About the Rotten Apples in the Federation. The Ones Who Must Be Discarded - Correspondent of the Democratic Newspaper Company]

‘Am I… dreaming right now?’

'Damn it. This is crazy. Shit. What the… hell… is going on?'

— Do you believe me now?

"…"

— Are you finally convinced?

I had to give in for now. No, it was more like I needed to find out what was going on.

"Why… are you doing this?"

— You really don’t know? You know better than anyone why I’m doing this.

"I don’t understand… what you’re saying, Father Lee Ki-Young."

— You killed Gregory and stole Benigoa’s relic.

"No, I… didn’t."

— Hey, I know you killed him. You’re the one who made all the mess there.

"I really… don’t know what you’re talking about, Father Lee Ki-Young. There must be… some kind of misunderstanding here."

— …

"If you’re saying this because of your suspicion of me… I can explain everything. First of all, there's no—"

— There’s no evidence or proof? Hey, I don’t care about that stuff. You think I don’t know that there’s no proof? I know that there isn’t any proof. Honestly, I can find proof if I want to do so, but I’m not going to do that because it's going to take a long time, which is really annoying.

— That’s not what’s important, though. It’s the fact that you lost my trust.

"T-That doesn't make—"

— It makes sense to me.

"How can that…"

— I’m the law here.

"…"

— …

"Damn it. You think I’ll let you have your way?!"

— …

"Do you realize the fact that this call is being recorded right now? I knew something was off. An honorary cardinal like you has actually spoken such words? Was it all an act? Was it all an act?"

— So what?

"Are you going to be okay if the denizens heard our conversation?"

— Upload it.

"…"

— Do it if you can.

I looked down at the Goddess’ Hand Mirror and was about to save the recorded audio, but…

‘...’

— What’s wrong? Can’t save it?

"…"

— Are you even recording? Looks like there’s something wrong with your device. You’re sweating so much, Squiat. I want to show you how funny you look right now. I see you looking around and struggling with your hand mirror in hand.

‘Damn it… is he watching? How is he watching? Is there a surveillance orb somewhere?’

— Where are you trying to escape to? Where are you going to run to? Even if you escape, do you really think that you can run away?

"Squiat!" someone shouted outside.

“Fuck!” I exclaimed in fear.

Perhaps it was because I was scared, but my body moved before my mind.

The voice outside made me grab the spear.

For now, I had to get out of this place.

The right choice here was to leave and make plans for the future. Regardless of my current situation and the honorary cardinal’s true identity, I had many things to handle first, and the very first thing I had to do before anything else was to get out of here.

‘I need to gather forces.’

Father Lee Ki-Young was hiding his true self, and it was possible that the members of the Blue Guild and the entire Democratic Country were being fooled by him.

My assumption was right. The behavior he showed in the dungeon was his true self. He had been pretending to be noble and holy, but the being inside of him was a demon that specialized in deceiving humans.

The continent would find out. It wouldn't happen today, but it'd happen someday.

‘Damn it, damn it. I haven’t lost yet!’

'Look at Benigoa’s spear. I've already become a transcendent being.'

“Damn it! Go in and suppress him!” someone shouted outside.

I escaped through a different exit and started running away.

— You’re probably wondering how I got this far, right, Squiat?

"…"

— You’re probably wondering about the difference between the two of us.

"…"

— The crux of the matter isn’t who got here first or who got here late.

"…"

— I have never compromised.

"…"

— Whenever things escalate to this point, I will never compromise. And those daring enough to climb up the ranks and challenge me… I sent them all to hell except for a certain someone.

Just as I thought I managed to escape, I saw a mage wearing a large hat. The hat was lowered, obscuring her face, so I couldn't identify her at first glance.

“H-H-Hello.”

“H-H-How… are you doing?”

1. Squiat’s POV ☜