The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 266

With the barrier in the museum dispelled, Erika and Se-Hoon returned to the limousine, resuming their trip.

“...”

“...”

Silence filled the car.

Glancing at the girl gazing out the window without a word, Se-Hoon gauged the tense atmosphere before cautiously asking, “So... we’re heading to your house now, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Ahem. I’ve always wanted to visit it once. This is exciting.”

“Yeah.”

“...”

“...”

Erika’s curt response cut the conversation short again, leaving Se-Hoon smiling awkwardly at the uncomfortable silence.

It’s like I’m not allowed to laugh even once... geez.

It wasn’t just anyone—the person who always had a mysterious air about them was dazed, with her hair sticking out in all directions. How was he supposed to keep a straight face at that?

Anyone would have laughed in his situation, yet Erika had been sulking ever since, refusing to make eye contact.

If she were the Blast Dog, she’d have just smacked me and moved on.

Although it could’ve ended in a brawl if she actually did retaliate like the Blast Dog would have, at least there wouldn’t have been any lingering tension like the one he was enduring right now.

Well, considering her age, maybe I went too far...

Erika likely had painstakingly prepared the test, only for it to fall apart in one go. Then on top of that, she even was laughed at. It was no surprise she felt a bit hurt.

Deciding to smooth things over, he pondered over what to say for a bit, and soon an idea struck him.

“Aren’t you curious how I figured it out?”

“...”

Flinching slightly at his words, Erika turned her head ever so slightly and finally met his eyes for the first time since they got back in the car. Realizing he’d said the right thing, Se-Hoon started explaining.

“The barrier back there... you based it on the spell you showed me before, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a pretty solid barrier. If one doesn’t know how to dispel it, they won’t even be able to search for it. It’s practically a death sentence for anyone trapped inside.”

To escape the barrier, one had to find the correct path. But to find the correct path, they had to already have known about it from the start. Essentially, it was a barrier designed to confuse those who didn’t know how to dispel the barrier in the first place.

“However, it has one weakness.”

“Weakness?”

Seeing curiosity flickering in Erika’s eyes, Se-Hoon grinned and pointed at her.

“You. The weakness is that you knew how to dispel the barrier.”

Although Se-Hoon didn’t know how to dispel the barrier at the time, Erika, the creator, obviously did. That was why Se-Hoon had scattered his Shadow Threads everywhere—all to track her gaze, gathering a wealth of information based on her reactions.

Then, once he had everything he needed, he activated his power of Perception to learn the dispel method from her.

It was my chance to earn some points with Erika.

He had already been familiar with the overall structure of the barrier, and by piecing together clues from Erika’s gaze, he combined them with the information gained from the power of Perception and managed to dispel the barrier.

“...”

Erika remained silent, ruminating over the explanation. Then, a long while later, she seemed to have somewhat settled her thoughts.

Finally opening her mouth, she asked, “So I wasn’t supposed to know the dispel method for my own barrier?”

“If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have escaped so easily. But...”

“But it’s impossible to not know how to dispel my own barrier, right?”

It was simply absurd for the person who created the barrier to not know its dispel method. And if they didn’t, there was no guarantee the barrier would function properly in the first place.

Cautiously watching Erika sink back into deep thought, Se-Hoon let out a breath of relief.

Looks like she somewhat accepts the explanation.

He had escaped, but there was no guarantee it was to her liking as he had used the power of Perception to do the trick. Erika had likely wanted him to fully understand and dispel the barrier more methodically, but he had solved it with a shortcut.

From how she’s not that angry at me, though.... Does it mean as long as I dispel the barrier, that’s enough?

Still eyeing Erika, who was in deep thought, Se-Hoon recalled the core of the barrier he had been trapped in earlier.

Back then, I had no clue at all... but I’m starting to get a feel for it.

Unlike a typical barrier, it was one that manifested one’s synesthetic mindscape, which was as fickle as the human heart, making it difficult to interpret.

To do it properly, one would have to find the source of that synesthetic mindscape... and that’s no simple task.

And if someone did manage to do so, following it blindly could also lead to harm. Thinking about just how complex the barrier was, Se-Hoon suddenly felt something light and transparent brush over him.

Whoosh-

Se-Hoon gazed at Erika instinctively.

“A barrier?”

“Yes, it’s letting us know we’ve entered the family’s private estate.”

Intrigued by Erika’s explanation, Se-Hoon looked out the window to see a dense forest surrounding them. They had entered the Sea of Trees, where the Inoue family’s main estate was located.

Huh... This place looks different from how I remember it.

The last time he’d seen it was before the regression, when the place had been a barren wasteland without a single blade of grass. It vastly differed from the scene of trees and mountains that filled his entire view.

Marveling at the sight, Se-Hoon watched the scenery as the car drove deeper into the forest. Then, before he knew it, they arrived at a parking lot where several cars were lined up, and the entrance to the estate came into view.

“Wow, there’s quite a lot of people here.”

“Spells are used for all kinds of things.”

Some came to learn how to protect themselves better, while others came with more malicious intent. However, the latter were often tolerated if their targets were demons or criminals.

Entering through the entrance that just opened, the car ascended further up the mountain and passed through three more gates before it finally stopped.

“We’re here.”

Stepping out of the limousine with Erika, Se-Hoon looked up at the long, steep staircase in front of him. It was as long and daunting as the stairs at Mount Baekdu.

Amazed, Se-Hoon asked, “This is an artificial mountain, right?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. It looks surprisingly natural for an artificial one.”

The mountain blended in seamlessly with the surrounding environment, and the mana emanating from it didn’t feel artificial whatsoever.

He truly could not help but admire how scenic it was. Meanwhile, Erika had already begun climbing the stairs.

“Let’s go already.”

“Alright, alright.”

Ascending the stairs slowly together, Se-Hoon felt the concentration of mana in the air thicken. Unlike Mount Baekdu, a naturally formed sacred mountain, the mountain they were on was artificial; its ambient mana felt uniquely distinct.

I know this place maintains the barrier, but... it feels like there’s something more here.

Keeping the feeling in mind, Se-Hoon soon reached the top. But just before reaching it, he glanced back down to take in the view below. He could see numerous buildings spread out beneath the artificial mountain. To him, they all looked like places where disciples from all over gathered.

Recalling something as he observed the sight, Se-Hoon narrowed his eyes.

Given this sight... this place should be where Gluttony was sealed.

To seal Erika, who had gone from being an S-rank hero to Gluttony of the Ten Evils, the Inoue family sacrificed thousands of their own people. But with everything gone when he visited before the regression, there had been no way to confirm.

Now, however, Se-Hoon thought he might be able to uncover something.

With that thought in mind, Se-Hoon turned his gaze forward and climbed the final few steps.

“That’s my home.”

Looking up at Erika’s words, Se-Hoon studied the Inoue family’s main estate, which was at the end of the path.

The wooden building, of a seemingly ancient architectural style, was a wooden house surrounded by white walls. Its architectural style seemed ancient, but being built atop a mountain, it blended naturally with the surroundings.

Observing the building, Se-Hoon gave Erika his first impression.

“It feels ominous.”

Unlike the Meyer family estate, which lacked heavy security apart from alarms and protection systems, the Inoue residence bristled with visible defenses, even from the outside.

If an A-rank hero tried crossing the perimeter unknowingly, they’d likely end up torn to shreds by the spells and curses installed.

“We have been through a lot. So we kept adding more security measures over time.”

“Is that so? Hm. Well, I guess your family wasn’t always as powerful as it is now.”

While the Inoues were the most influential family in Japan right now, they must have faced plenty of ugly incidents before securing that position.

Erika nodded.

“The biggest incident was probably when my mother died.”

“...”

Se-Hoon froze up momentarily at the suddenness of the grave topic, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Ahem. It must have been tough.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know. She died from an ambush while giving birth to me.”

“...”

Se-Hoon's lips twitched, and he quickly clamped them shut. If he inadvertently dug deeper, he feared an even more horrifying story might spill out.

It might be better to just look around.

Staying silent, the two crossed the main gate and entered the building through the front door. Not long after, they started walking down a corridor with a view of the inner courtyard.

The garden there was meticulously maintained, but vicious barriers were spread all around; Se-Hoon could tell at a glance that they would lure intruders into specific places where deadly traps were undoubtedly waiting.

All these barriers and with the hidden guards everywhere.... it’s like a fortress.

Perhaps it would be more efficient to take a page from Eun-Ha’s book and just wipe the place off the map rather than sneak in. Though, since the Inoue family likely had countermeasures in place for that too, unless it involved a Perfect One, it wouldn’t be easy to bring the estate down.

Mentally assessing the estate, Se-Hoon was soon interrupted by a voice that broke through his thoughts.

“I think those eyes of yours are scheming something dangerous.”

Turning to face the direction the voice came from, Se-Hoon saw a young man wearing glasses step out from a door along the hallway—Inoue Ren.

Dressed in a traditional black Yukata, Ren, with his jet-black hair and fan in his hand, had a cold, expressionless face. Like always, Ren somehow exuded a sticky, unpleasant vibe despite his studious air.

“I wasn’t scheming anything,” Se-Hoon curtly replied.

“Really? From what I could tell, you looked like you were figuring out how to blow this place up.”

He hit the nail on the head.

Guessing Ren had apparently been watching from somewhere inside the house, Se-Hoon replied, “Well, don’t a lot of people think like that, imagining what it’d be like to fight you?”

“Your thoughts seemed a bit more dangerous than that... but, well, as long as you don’t decide to pull it off, I have no issue. It’d be silly to punish someone for imagining things after all.”

“You’re being quite cautious, though.”

It was a sharp remark. Raising an eyebrow at Se-Hoon, Ren soon smirked.

“You’ve gotten snarkier than before.” @@novelbin@@

“Well, I’ve got plenty of people backing me now. I simply don’t feel the need to cater to unpleasant people anymore.”

“Hmm...”

Ren tapped his chin with the edge of his fan, observing Se-Hoon closely.

And in that moment, right before the conversation could continue further, Erika, who had been standing quietly, finally spoke. “I think you should let me finish the tour before chatting, Ren.”

“Ah, right. You’re right. My bad,” Ren said with a chuckle, looking like he’d only just remembered.

“Sorry. I’ve been tired from all the training lately, so I’ve been making a lot of mistakes.”

“Training...”

Curious, Se-Hoon was about to ask about it when he instinctively turned his head the moment Ren swung his black fan.

Clang!

Reaching out, Ren caught the item that ricocheted off the fan in one swift motion.

“...An arrow?”

Gazing at the blue arrow with a note attached to the end, Se-Hoon felt that the mana exuding from it seemed somehow familiar. He watched Ren untie the paper, which caused the arrow to dissolve into pure mana and disappear.

“I think this one’s for you.”

“...For me?”

Taking the note Ren handed him, Se-Hoon read the brief message on it.

“Why are you visiting that place?”

The message was brief, with no sender name, but when connecting it to the arrow, Se-Hoon immediately figured out who it was from.

Ha Baek-Yeon?

The arrow’s form was identical to hers, and besides, only someone like her would dare to shoot an arrow into the Inoue’s estate so casually.

Now that I think about it, he was supposed to receive a lesson from her over the break...

Remembering the special privileges granted only to the honor students, Se-Hoon figured out what Baek-Yeon was getting at but remained puzzled.

She could have just called me.... What’s with the note?

Confused, Se-Hoon was staring at the note, trying to make sense of it, when his reflexes kicked in. Deploying the Celestial Infinity Blade, he sliced through the air.

Clang!

Deflecting another arrow with White Light, Se-Hoon quickly caught it in midair upon realizing what it was. Then, upon seeing another note, he untied and read it.

“I didn’t really want to greet the guy in front of you, so I’ll teach you remotely like this. You’re not just there for a casual visit, are you? Are you looking for traces of Watchers?”

“...”

Se-Hoon’s expression turned more serious. Did she already know something?

Clang!

Snap-

Ren flicked his fan, deflecting an arrow and catching it, and simultaneously, Se-Hoon snatched another one out of midair. Seeing that they both now held a second arrow, Se-Hoon and Ren exchanged a glance before they started reading the note.

“There’s a place inside the building obscured from even my vision. If you’re searching for traces of Watchers, try checking there. I’ll create an opening for you once you’re close.”

Fwoosh.

The note burned to ashes, and similarly, Ren’s note vanished without a trace.

A place even Ha Baek-Yeon can’t see, huh...?

Considering how uncommon that was, Se-Hoon was sure it hid something pretty dangerous. Contemplating what the place could hold, Se-Hoon heard Ren sigh and saw him pressing his fan to his forehead.

“Of all the options, she chose a sparring match.... She’s quite mischievous, isn’t she?”

“...”

“I’d prefer if you withdrew, but... that’s not going to happen, will it?”

Gazing between Ren, who seemed both amused and troubled by the unexpected sparring match, and Erika, who stood nearby gazing at the two of them with curiosity, Se-Hoon had but one thought.

This is the opportunity I was waiting for.

Thinking the same thing, the two Inoue siblings were itching to experience Se-Hoon’s combat abilities firsthand.

Amused, Se-Hoon smirked.

“I’ll take this chance to crush this family thoroughly.”

***

Sitting in a pitch-dark room, a middle-aged man was feeling his way up a candle at his fingertips.

Then, once his fingers were near the wick, he snapped.

Fwoosh.

Igniting, a flame dimly illuminated the room, barely reaching beyond his own face. Everything else was still shrouded in darkness.

“Ugh...”

While the man grimaced at the unsettling situation of his face being the only thing visible, another flame flickered to life on the opposite side, revealing a middle-aged woman.

“...”

“...”

Both their expressions hardened upon meeting each other’s eyes—they were the heads of the Himura and Amane families, who, respectively, were the second and third most influential families in Japan.

“What a ridiculous situation we’ve ended up in.”

“You tell me...”

Countless thoughts crossed their minds about how they had gotten to this point.

Soon, another voice rang out from the darkness, calm and unperturbed. “It’s up to you two whether this becomes a truly ridiculous situation or not.”

Unlike the other two, the individual had no candle, but they could still vaguely make out his figure, a swirling vortex of shadows.

The entity, known as Faceless, went by another name as well—Doppelganger of the Ten Evils.

“...”

“...”

The two family heads immediately tensed, knowing that their lives and the honor of their families could be overturned with just a word from them.

Feeling their throats dry up, the two exchanged glances and a silence fell.

“So, what do you want from us?” asked the head of the Himura family, finally breaking the silence.

Still hidden in the shadows, Doppelganger made its offer. “Lee Se-Hoon is in Inoue’s main estate right now. Kill him and bring me his body. If you do, I’ll erase all traces of our dealings.”

A silence fell once again.

Then, a brief moment later, the head of the Amane family bit her lip before speaking up. “Do you really think that would be possible?”

Although they were referred to as the Three Great Families, in reality, even when combined, the two of their families barely matched the Inoue’s strength. And that wasn’t even mentioning the Inoue’s main estate atop the sacred mountain, which was a place even S-rank heroes and the Ten Evils wouldn’t dare invade.

And yet, Doppelganger was asking them to attack it on their own? The two struggled with their doubts.

Ignoring their struggles, Doppelganger calmly continued. “Ryuuma, the head of the Inoue family, is away right now. While his children are there, they're not nearly as powerful as he is.”

“Hm...”

“And...”

Thud.

Something landed in the candlelight—a collection of multicolored crystals glowing ominously.

“Plant these along the ley lines near the estate. It’ll cause the mountain’s power to go haywire, rendering its defenses useless. If you guys still don’t think you can kill him even without that, then just tell me right now. I can end your lives peacefully here.”

Both family heads began to sweat. Then, with trembling voices, one of them barely managed to ask, “If we do kill him... will everything really be over?”

“Yes. The Inoues will be framed as traitors colluding with the Demon Force and will also be held responsible for Lee Se-Hoon’s death. You two would then get the chance to erase all evidence of colluding with me and walk away clean.”

From the way Doppelganger spoke, it was like the task it gave them was the simplest thing in the world.

“This is the last chance I’m giving you guys, so it’s in your best interest to throw yourselves at this with your lives on the line.”

With that, Doppelganger vanished from the room without another word.

Left alone, the two family heads exchanged glances before simultaneously turning their gazes toward the ominous crystals on the table. They knew very well that the moment they accepted the task, they would be left with no choice but to commit an even greater sin than everything else so far.

Yet... they also knew that the moment they had entered the room, there was no turning back.

Just this one last time...

If we can just get through this...

With similar thoughts crossing the minds of both family heads, as if sharing the same resolve, their eyes met. Then, without a word, they moved in unison and snuffed out their candles.

Fwoosh.

The crystals quietly vanished in the darkness.