The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 277

The Destroyer of Seas, the last of the Six Harbingers of Destruction to reveal itself, was the final blow to the world that was already on the brink of ruin. Out of them all, the Destroyer of Seas boasted the title of the strongest Harbinger.

However, the Three Dogs had simply dubbed it “janitor.” It excelled in destroying stars, cleaning up the situation, but in terms of sheer power, it was actually weak.

We did manage to decapitate in the end.

But even though the so-called “strongest” was widely considered the weakest of the Six Harbingers, it was not a being that could be underestimated.

“When I checked the area where the City of Nightmares used to be, I noticed some new types of monsters being born. It was clear something influenced them, so I analyzed the genetic material left behind.”

Whoosh-

The projection in the air shifted, revealing a massive incubation capsule connected to countless pipes.

That’s...

Inside the capsule was a demon lying motionless, as if it was a corpse. There were some differences, but its overall appearance was eerily similar to the Destroyer of Seas, who Se-Hoon had hunted down once before.

“Using those results, I’ve found a vessel capable of holding the Harbinger Shard. While it still needs some adjustments, with a bit more experimentation, we’ll be able to awaken a new Harbinger of Destruction.”

“Do you have any data from the experiments?” It was one of the four people shrouded in shadows who spoke.

“We do, but it’s not exactly pleasant to look at.”

Whoosh!

The projection shifted again, now showing the demon in the incubation capsule standing on a desolate plain. Then, the moment its eyes glinted with malice, it took a step forward.

Boom!

Only for its body to explode into pieces, scattering black blood in every direction.

“As you just saw, it can only serve as a vessel for the Harbinger Shard for now. We still need to do proper research on the Harbinger Shard before we can stabilize it.”

“So you're saying you’re going to capture the White Whale?”

“That’s right. There’s no benefit in letting it roam free, especially in these disturbing times.”

At those words, Se-Hoon recalled the massive whale he had seen earlier.

So, that thing had a Harbinger Shard inside it.

Apparently, the Black Sea’s recent erratic movements were because of the Harbinger Shard lodged deep inside the living creature.

“Besides that, there’s not much else. The Emperor of Ascension destroyed most of our research labs, so we don’t have any materials. The body parts of the Eternal Nocturne are... well, lost, too.”

Se-Hoon’s eyes narrowed, hearing the frustrated grumbling of Exuviation’s representative.

Could he be...?

He had a hunch about the identity of the Exuviation representative, but he deliberately pushed the thought out of his mind. If he somehow gave them any hint that he knew, the other party could also figure out his identity.

“Next is Transcendence. Please proceed with the briefing.”

A brief silence fell at Glen’s prompting, and then a dispassionate voice emerged from within the crowd.

“We’ve made no significant progress. We’ll skip.”

The tone of the speaker was odd. Rather than an admission of failure, they seemed to lack interest in the meeting itself. However, no one said anything. After all, if the other groups had no results to present, it would be in their favor during the future distributions of the budget.

I have no clue who that person is.

Se-Hoon tried to pinpoint someone who the speaker's tone reminded him of, but in a field filled with emotionless lunatics, it was too hard to do.

Meanwhile, Glen moved on to the next speaker.

“Succession, please share your results.”

Prompted, a soft female voice soon echoed from within the group of people. “We’ve come up with new calculations for the Sword of Destruction and False Heaven projects. At our current pace, we should see results for both within five years.”

“Do you have any data to back up your claims?”

“Unfortunately, the calculations were just completed a few days ago, so we don’t have them ready yet. We’ll present them at a later date,” Succession’s representative said with confidence, clearly proud of their progress despite the lack of concrete results.

The Sword of Destruction and the False Heaven...

It was hard to guess what the projects were based on their names alone, but since he had enough knowledge about the behind-the-scenes of Succession, he could connect the dots quickly.

Those projects should be about the Myers family and the Inoue family, respectively.

In the previous timeline, a mysterious black sword wielded by the Destroyer of Swords had turned Aria into the Destroyer of Light. And in the Inoue family’s attempt to imitate a Tower of Heroes, they had created Gluttony, a powerful demon that immediately claimed a spot in the Ten Evils.

Not only did the project names fit those results perfectly, but the timing was also spot-on.

Seeing as how they had to do new calculations right after all the things I’ve done recently... it’s too coincidental to not be related to my actions.

He realized he had inadvertently allowed Succession to glimpse new possibilities through his influence on the growth of Aria, Jake, and Erika.

But he didn’t mind.

It should be fine as long as I can intervene.

If he had been unaware, Succession could have blindsided him someday. But now that he knew what they were after, he could plan accordingly.

“What about the other projects? I thought you guys had two more undergoing,” asked the man who had been grumbling earlier.

A brief silence fell. Then, Succession’s representative opened her mouth again. “Because of recent incidents, the Destroyer of Perception project is under full review again. With the collapse of the Pleasure District, the supply chain for materials has been nearly severed... and the core components are also running out of control.”

Though Succession’s representative was trying her best to suppress her frustration while explaining their situation, she was clearly struggling to maintain their composure.

And it was likely because their plan to turn Doppelganger into the Destroyer of Perception had been thwarted by the recent elimination of the Dream Demon.

“So, in the end, you guys also have no results to show for now.”

“...You could say that.”

“That’s all I needed to know.”

Satisfied with the answer, the man said nothing more, and an awkward silence fell, prompting Glen to move on quickly.

“Next up is Offering. Please proceed.”

Hearing those words, the man who just questioned Succession’s representative spoke up once more, on behalf of Offering. “The research is progressing as planned... and we’ve acquired a new technician.”

All eyes in the room immediately turned to Meirin, who was casually sitting in a chair.

“Hm...”

However, Meirin didn’t even notice. She was far too engrossed in crafting sparks in her hand to care about her surroundings—which was bizarre, given the company present. Yet the man was unfazed.

“With her help, we’ve improved the efficiency of the rituals, allowing us to create even stronger equipment. Thanks to that...” Trailing off, the man calmly looked around the room before, a brief moment later, he calmly declared, “We’ve successfully recruited the Seven Saints.”

The room stirred.

The Seven Saints referred to the seven rulers of China, who each had a piece of the Sacred Craftsman's Sacred Equipment. In other words, Offering had recruited the top subordinates of a Perfect One.

“All seven of them?”

The man shook his head in response to Succession’s representative's question.

“Only two so far. But once they show results, the remaining five will follow soon enough. They’re greedy individuals, after all.”

The implications of such a powerful faction joining hands with the Demon Force were obvious, but Se-Hoon remained unfazed.

With Caden as a member, it’s not impossible.

Caden Miller—the first disciple of the Sacred Craftsman Lee Kenxie, and the one who vanished with his master’s legacy. Se-Hoon originally thought the Demon Force had assassinated him because of the rumors, but after his regression, he had discovered the truth through the Dream Demon.

And now, here Caden was, representing them at the meeting.

He’s learned well from that old man. His movements are just like his master’s.

Glancing at Offering’s representative—Caden who was in disguise—Se-Hoon focused on the meeting again.

The presentations had been brief, but with what he knew of the future, Se-Hoon thought they were full of clues and confirmations. And now that he had gathered an ample amount of information, the next step was to stir up the conference until it suited his needs.

“Finally, we’ll hear from Dawn for the last presentation. Please begin.”

The atmosphere shifted as gazes turned to Se-Hoon, some of them full of surprise. A first-time participant was leading a presentation?

Feeling the curious stares fixed on him, Se-Hoon internally asked the Seeker, “Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

Hearing the confident reply, Se-Hoon took a moment to gather himself before speaking. “I’ve discovered a way to bring Him back to the world.”

A tense silence swept over the room. Every single person knew exactly who Him referred to.

“From now on, we will focus all of our efforts on bringing Him back. Once He returns, He will decide the course of our future.”

A heavy silence loomed over the room. The return of the entity they worshiped was something to be celebrated among Dawn, but for the others, it served as a chilling reminder that a Perfect One who knew all their secrets was about to return.

For that reason, the other Watchers actually preferred that Dawn didn’t achieve their goal. And that must have also been a part of why the Blast Dog had even managed to avenge herself against Dawn—the other Watchers simply never interfered.

With his lingering doubt from the past now affirmed, Se-Hoon took a deep breath.

Now’s the most important part of my presentation.

If he ended the presentation now, not only would the Demon Force try to stop him, but all of the other Watchers might attempt to abduct him, hoping to seize control of the Seeker’s resurrection.

I can’t let that happen.

It would be such a waste to throw the rare opportunity to cause a stir among the Demon Force.

“I know this isn’t what you want to hear. After all, a Perfect One is as much a threat to us as they are to you.”

“...”

“But I can promise you this: when He returns, you will all be freed from your ignorance and all of the countless mysteries that plague you now.”

With those words lingering in the air, Se-Hoon activated Metamorphosing Dreams, dissipating the boundary that was trapping the Seeker.

Swish!

Countless dreams flashed before his eyes in an instant, and out of them all, one of them materialized, using his body as a medium to manifest in reality.

Crack!

The Seeker’s immense power engulfed Se-Hoon’s body, physically altering it. It wasn’t just merely circulating through his mana circuits like before.

Boom!

Crimson power, reminiscent of the dawn sky, erupted from Se-Hoon and shook the black barrier that surrounded the room.

“...!”

An overwhelming force capable of casually shattering Apostate’s barrier skill filled the room in an instant—a presence only a Perfect One could possess. Everyone in the room instinctively shifted into combat stances.

Then, the Seeker, now filling Se-Hoon’s body with her aura, looked at the room full of alarmed faces.

And with an arrogant smile, she declared, “This is the power of Omniscience that you all so desire.”

Bang!

The Seeker’s power vanished in an instant, swiftly locked away once again by Se-Hoon, who had re-established the boundary within his body.

Crack!

Though the Seeker had taken control over half of his body during that brief moment, the redeployed boundary completely suppressed her, forcibly separating the power from his form.

“Dammit...”

Having failed her attempt to take control of Se-Hoon’s body while they were cooperating, the Seeker clicked her tongue in frustration.

And after confirming she had been locked away, Se-Hoon scanned the room.

“...”

“...”

Still reeling from the surreal display of the Seeker’s brief resurrection, everyone stared at Se-Hoon in shock. Even Glen, a fellow member of Dawn, looked completely astonished, having never expected such a perfect manifestation.

“It looks like the message was delivered. That concludes my presentation,” Se-Hoon concluded, wrapping up his speech. He was perfectly composed.

Regaining his composure after a moment, Glen hesitantly moved the conference forward. “That... that concludes the results presentations. How shall we proceed with the budget distributions?”

“...Let’s take a short break first.”

“I agree.”

Without anyone rejecting the proposed break by the representatives of Transcendence and Succession, the meeting paused naturally.

Whoosh!

Light filled the room as the blackened chamber returned to its original state, bringing back the buzz of voices.

“Hey, clearing your body of bad blood improves the efficiency of Blood Arts!”

“Are you joking? Bad blood is the essence of Blood Arts. Why would you clear it?”

Amidst heated debates over the Blood Arts, Se-Hoon surveyed the room.

They’ve all slipped away already.

Recalling how the participants of the conference seemed to be deep in thought after witnessing the Seeker’s brief resurrection, Se-Hoon wasn’t sure how they would ultimately react. However, he was at least half certain that he had successfully fended them off for now.

They didn’t abduct me on the spot, so I’m already half-successful.

The Watchers had only let Dawn into their group so that they could make use of the power of Omniscience that the Seeker could offer. To them, who were seeking to perfect their technologies, the Seeker’s power was an irresistible tool.

But it’s a double-edged sword. Once Seeker fully resurrects, she might turn into an enemy, so they’re hesitant.

However, Se-Hoon had just solved their dilemma in front of their eyes.

They should support Dawn now that they know the Seeker will help them with their research.

It was almost as if a Perfect One had just declared they would betray humanity. But they still didn’t fully trust Se-Hoon yet. Regardless, it had surely piqued their interest.

I’ll use this opportunity to manipulate the Watchers and uproot every single one of them.

His plan was coming together. Satisfied, Se-Hoon was basking in the feeling when a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Hm.”

Turning his head, Se-Hoon saw Meirin, who had been sitting in the corner, had approached him.

“...Do you have something to say?”

Se-Hoon was calm, careful not to reveal any signs of unease. Meirin, on the other hand, appeared visibly hesitant, stroking her chin with a slightly awkward expression.

“This might sound quite out of place, but... did you happen to steal my technique by any chance?”