Regressor Instruction Manual

It was strange, but it felt so natural that it was like I had known how to do this from the very beginning. I could feel a brand-new power welling up inside of me. It was a novel yet familiar feeling at the same time.

I could clearly feel the changes that were happening to me right now.

There was a burst of radiant golden energy, and I could feel a powerful energy that I couldn’t control properly.

I wasn’t the only one who felt something strange. When the radiant golden swords appeared, my siblings looked at me in disbelief, wondering if they were dreaming.

“S-Sera…” Cheru stuttered.

“I’ll protect you this time… Cheru,” I said without realizing it. I actually wanted to run away right now. I spoke and pretended to be fine, but my legs were shaking. However, I gained courage when I saw the golden swords in the sky.

The swords seemed to have been crafted so masterfully that I felt like I could stop the enemy by wielding them.

“Did you… really… just do that?” Cheru asked.

“Yeah, I think so,” I answered.

“You awakened your powers, right, Sera?” Dialuria asked.

“Yeah, Domi. I actually don’t know what’s going on,” I replied.

“Father… will be happy. Congratulations, Sera,” she said.

He’d probably be happy. He'd probably hug me and pat my head before telling me that I had done a good job.

I was so happy at the thought of it alone that I felt like flying.

I wanted to show my father those radiant golden swords. The confusion and chaos that filled my head disappeared in an instant. Upon seeing my awakened powers, I was sure… he would… compliment me. Of course, it wasn't that easy.

“Yeah, but we have to survive this place first,” I mumbled.

[What an interesting power, child. It’s impressive as well. Yeah… it’s kind of surprising.]

“Divine Punishment,” I said.

The swords emitted a radiant light and changed directions. They rained down on the enemy. It was difficult to control each and every sword, but…

‘I can do it. No, I have to do this.’

I had to succeed no matter what.

“AAAAAH!”

[Nice try… but you’re too weak…]

She was right. Her hands easily blocked the swords that rained down on her. The shockwave that the demigod had unleashed blasted them away, and some couldn’t move forward upon getting blocked by the white veil surrounding the woman.

Despite that, I couldn’t stop attacking, as that was all I could do.

I believed the golden swords could still become even stronger.

“Divine Punishment!” I shouted.

[Not only that… you still don’t know how to control your powers.]

“Hmph. Of course, he doesn’t know. He just awakened them,” Dialuria commented.

[You…]

“You thought I was done? Max! Start it!” Dialuria shouted.

“Okay, noona!” Max answered.

— We’re changing tactics. Our goal is no longer to escape the dungeon but to clear it. I’ll send over the plan with Sera as the lead, so please focus, everyone. We’ll start the operation in exactly thirty seconds.

Dialuria's words were delivered to my mind through the party’s communication channel.

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

If Dialuria noona and Max hyung believed that we could clear this dungeon, then…

‘There’s hope.’

Max's calculations had never been wrong, so our chances of victory had to have increased significantly. The golems immediately surrounded Max, and a sturdy defensive barrier manifested around him as well.

This was all for the sake of taking out all elements that were unnecessary to his calculations. I was sure Max was surrounded by Goddess’ Mirrors at the moment, just like Father whenever he was on a raid.

Twenty seconds later, I heard Max's voice.

— It’ll be a little difficult but don’t feel pressured. It’s okay if you fail. Trust us.

My task was to control the summoned swords.

— Let’s do it.

“Okay!”

— Sera, you don’t have to answer.

“Okay!”

Countless swords rained down on the woman. Some were fast; some were slow. Some moved vertically, while others moved quickly at bizarre angles.

Obviously, I could not control all of them.

There were more swords that were out of control than swords that were actually under my control, but Max hyung said that it would be okay if I ended up failing.

Domi was manipulating the unnecessary and out-of-control swords among those I had summoned. In other words, Domi was manipulating the variables.

Max hyung was sending directions in real time, while Domi was fulfilling her task faithfully.

Compared to their tasks, my task was a lot simpler because I could see what was happening. Meanwhile, they had to think about every single possibility in order to readjust the directions that were being sent to everyone.

Swords that had lost their way moved toward where Thro, Cheru, and Dialuria were waiting; they all followed the path that Domi had drawn for them.

The vanguards were given the simple task of grabbing the swords that couldn't reach the unstable demigod or were blasted away.

It wasn’t as easy as I thought.

They had to switch places and dodge the unstable demigod’s attack while doing their main task.

The word "flashy" was not enough to describe the three melee warriors.

Thro and Cheru moved forward while helping each other, and Dialuria moved forward with her sword in hand. Domi would occasionally help the three warriors.

I could try my best, but I would never be able to reach the same level of performance as them. After all, I couldn't really approach the enemy, as there were too many radiant golden swords streaking across the air.

‘But there is something I can do.’

The unstable demigod swung her arm, looking annoyed. Brown spears manifested and rained down on us from her arm. Dialuria transformed, blocking those spears that were aimed at Cheru and Thro using her large frame.

Spears pierced Dialuria’s dragon body, but the defense gave Thro and Cheru a chance to move past the attacks. They snatched a radiant golden sword out of midair and charged at the unstable demigod.

“Now, Sera!” Dialuria shouted.

“Okay, noona!” I answered.

There really was divine punishment.

BOOM!

“Don’t stop! Don’t stop, Sera!” Dialuria yelled.

“AAARGH! Divine Punishment! Divine Punishment!” I roared.

“Keep going! Keep going! It’s an all-out attack!” Dialuria shouted.

“O-Okay!” I said.

“Give it everything you got!” Dialuria continued.

“...” “Kill her! Kill her! You villainous jerk! You asshole! Have a taste of a dragon’s Breath! Have a taste of real dragon’s Breath!” Dialuria shouted.

‘We can win!’

“Yaaaaaaaaaaah!”

‘We can do it!’

How long had we been attacking her?

“Stop attacking! Stop attacking!” Dialuria exclaimed.

When the dust from the massive explosion had settled, I saw the imperfect demigod staring at us with an indifferent look.

“N-No way,” I mumbled.

“Shit…” Dialuria said.

“Noona?” I said.

“Shit! Damn it! Let’s move to our next plan, Max!” Dialuria shouted.

“...”

“...”

The woman in front of us smiled.

Dialuria noona transformed back into her human form and grabbed her sword.

And that was when the woman before us opened her mouth…

[Laves!]

“Huh?”

[Children, you pass.]

“What?”

“Ah!”

[I thought the dungeon was going to be difficult, but who would’ve thought that you'd clear this dungeon with flying colors?]

“Ah… I-I see,” Dialura said.

“What?”

“That’s what it was. Whew… I’m glad. Whoo… I’m really relieved,” Dialura added.

[According to the God of Sacrifice and Revival, your courage, the way you care for each other, your determination, and the fact that you did not lose hope until the end are what helped you pass this dungeon!

[However, he did say to mention the parts you could’ve done better.]

“Ah…”

[To get straight to the point, the God of Sacrifice and Revival isn’t in this dungeon, but…]

“Yes?”

[You reached this far, and Mr. Lee Ki-Young, my superior, has prepared a gift for you. The Blue Guild’s badge!]

“Huh? But this… this isn’t the badge!” Dialuria pointed out.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

[To be exact, this is a fragment of the badge. Your job is to collect the fragments of the badge that are spread all over the Laves Desert. You've just found the first badge.

[I don’t know what kind of hardships and difficult adventures you’ll end up in… but all I can do is pray for your future. Maybe—no, I’m sure… you’ll experience more danger than you did in this dungeon.]

“Awesome! This is awesome!”

[Also…]

“Yes?”

[The God of Sacrifice and Revival said that there’s something he wants to tell you himself.]

“Father said that?” I asked.

The tension went away in an instant. I was embarrassed, and I was crying alone while my siblings were cheering. I couldn’t stop myself from crying.

Cheru patted my back to comfort me, and I cried even harder.

However, anticipation soon grew inside me.

‘He must’ve been watching.’

“AAAAH!”

‘He really must’ve been watching!’

“It’s Dad! AAAH!” Dialuria shouted.

‘He was really… really watching.’

When I remembered how I had awakened and played a crucial role in clearing this dungeon, I felt more excited than relieved. It was hard to calm down my racing heart because I was excited to hear his compliments and words of encouragement.

“Dad!” Dialuria yelled.

I saw a shadowy figure on the large screen.

[You did well.]

“Dad! Dad! Dad!” Dialuria shouted.

“Father!” Max yelled.

[Dialuria, Max, you two did really well. Thro, Cheru, Domi, and Sera. All of you did really well, too. It was really impressive, and the fact that all of you have grown stronger makes me really happy. Especially you, Dialuria.]

“Thank you,” she said.

[I was very touched by how you took care of your siblings. The way you kept your guard up until the end and thought about the next plan reminded me of your mother.]

Just as I expected, he called out each person and praised them for their achievements.

[Cheru, you…]

“Thank you, Father,” Cheru said.

[I have something to tell you as well, Domi.]

“Thank… you,” Domi said.

When it was finally my turn, I stepped forward while calming down my racing heart. I was really excited because my siblings looked at me as if they were getting ready to congratulate me, but…

[Sera…]

“Yes!” I answered.

[You… You’re really… I mean…]

“Yes!”

[Wheeew… It’s nothing. I shouldn’t say anything.]

[...]

[I should hand you the next quest, right? It’s not good to dilly-dally. The next quest is obtaining Sahaga's gift. Sahaga is the God of the Desert Elves, and it’s probably best to hear the hints from Gela. Good luck. Enjoy and do your best in your quest. I can’t wait to see it, my children.]

‘Uh…’

“Okay!”

“He must’ve not seen it, Sera,” Cheru said.

“Y-Yeah…” I stuttered.

“Don’t be so disappointed. Once the dungeon log is uploaded, I’m sure Father will check it, and he’ll compliment you by then,” Cheru said, reassuring me.

“Yeah.”

“Now, now! Next is getting Sahaga’s gift. Focus, everyone,” Dialuria ordered.

“Okay, unni,” Domi answered.

“First, let’s take care of the remaining quests and obtain the Blue Guild Badge. Once we're done, we'll go and find Dad. Let’s do a cheer and then head out,” Dialuria suggested.

“Okay!”

“One, two, three! Teamwork!” everyone shouted.

“Teamwork!” I shouted.

***

“It was interesting…” I[1] commented.

“...”

“...”

“It definitely was interesting,” I said.

1. Lee Ki-Young’s POV ☜