306 – Regressor’s Fight (25)

Cheonma has proven to be the worst monster ever that should not appear on the 28th floor. Its magical power tramples all other magical powers, and its fists can pierce a person’s heart. The problem is that I have to defeat this monster.

In this worst crisis, Boongboongi… suggested that we regress together with Cheonma.

“You’re not saying that we should make Cheonma our comrade… or something like that?”

“Of course not.”

“Are you trying to negotiate with Cheonma? You’re saying that I’m a regressor, and that you can’t beat me… or something like that?”

“That’s not it either.”

“Hmm…”

At first, I was very reluctant about the plan to increase the number of ‘other regressors’, so I wasn’t very keen on it. But I decided to listen anyway. Choi Ji-won must have thought that there was a possibility, so she brought it up to me. She

folded her hands and assumed a listening posture. Choi Ji-won, who gained confidence from that, opened her mouth.

“So what Boong-Boong means is… let’s actively use the regression.”

“Actively?”

“Yeah. Let’s actively use the information advantage.”

“…”

Information advantage. There are many information advantages I have over Cheonma.

The martial arts Cheonma uses. The fact that I am regressing. My magic power. The regression trigger. Cheonma’s magic power, etc. But aren’t they already being used actively enough?

“Let’s think about the nature of regression.”

Choi Ji-won added an explanation.

“I also did some research on regression. There are many types, such as time going back, moving world lines, and the world spinning around.”

“… You did a good job researching it.”

“Anyway, we have no way of knowing about this type. After all, isn’t the core of regression ‘memory’? Right?”

Although there is a difference in that the status window also regresses. In the end, the core is memory. If you regress only to the status window without the memory, it will just repeat the vicious cycle like when you found that monster on the 23rd floor.

“BoongBoong wants to use this memory aggressively.”

“Are you talking about planting a memory?”

“That’s right.”

Only then did I understand BoongBoong’s plan. BoongBoong… suggested that we plant a ‘false memory’ in CheonMa.

“As long as we don’t get caught, I think it’s a good plan. CheonMa doesn’t know that you are the one responsible for the regression, and doesn’t know that you will regress when you touch him.”

For example, let’s say you plant a memory in CheonMa that says, ‘If you eat an orange, you will regress after a disaster.’ Every time CheonMa eats an orange, he will regress right after being disadvantaged. Do you think CheonMa will believe in regression? He will experience it himself, so why wouldn’t he believe it and give up? I’ve spent a long time on this floor, but for Cheonma, it’s always the first time. No, for all living beings except me, life is the first time. It’s impossible for anyone but an archangel to notice regression on their own.

So Cheonma will be bewildered by the sudden regression. He won’t believe it the first time or two. However, if disaster strikes every time he eats an orange repeatedly, Cheonma will notice the commonality. He will notice. That the orange is the problem. Cheonma is a genius, and he learns tens to hundreds of times faster than others.

Cheonma’s memories? The weakness of figuring out regression? I can just kill Cheonma and move on to the next floor. The choice is mine. Even if Cheonma has memories of the past, if he dies, that’s the end. There’s no going back.

“But if I get caught… the risk is too high.”

The problem is the risk if I get caught in regression.

“The ‘memory implantation process’ that BbungBbung talks about won’t end in one or two times. It’ll require trial and error, and I’ll have to go through regression multiple times.”

The repetition is the problem. Cheonma is not stupid. In order for me to regress together, we have to feel strong emotions towards each other, and that is the problem. Even if it is like that for the first one or two times. If I continue to regress whenever I feel strong emotions towards you, Cheonma, who is quick-witted, will definitely notice.

“If I hide this, it will be difficult to plant memories in Cheonma in reverse. If I were to plant smoke, the information I want to emphasize would eventually fade.”

“… That’s true, though.”

“And if I can’t kill Cheonma using this method, it would be a real disaster. It’s impossible to cover up.”

In addition, the risk of not being able to kill Cheonma is too great. Cheonma, who realized that he was regressing because of me? At that time, it would be safe to say that he would definitely rush to seal me.

“There are many loopholes, you know.”

“… That’s right.”

Choi Ji-won nodded in agreement. It’s still… a plan with many loopholes.

“But…”

“But?”

“First, let’s listen to Cheonma’s story and think about it again.”

However, I had a feeling that this could be one of the last resorts. If I packaged and polished it well, it could be helpful.

“Rest for about a week. Let’s go make an alliance with Cheonma. We need to gather information.”

Cheonma, who had been telling me to stop. I should hear what he has to say.

[I took damage.]

[I return to the point where I first entered the 28th floor.]

***

Pressing Cheonma was easy. No, rather than saying it was easy, it would be more accurate to say that I had become too accustomed to it.

Cheonma’s fighting style is to figure out the enemy’s capabilities and then use the martial art he thinks will work best among his trump cards. I’m still so calm that I know what he’s going to do.

This is how unreasonable regression is. There is a difference in ability, a difference in talent, and yet it allows me to push forward. How would it feel if the opponent knows everything about me but I don’t know the opponent? I don’t know. I don’t even want to know.

“I’ll admit it. You are… a difficult opponent. I have a long way to go, so I’ll make a very merciful offer.”

Anyway, after about 50 moves, Cheonma admitted it again. I am an opponent who cannot be defeated without using magic power.

“I will guarantee the safety of you and your companions. For now, how about we go our separate ways?”

It seems like a merciful offer at first glance, but if Cheonma is given enough time, he will be able to release his own power. In the end, it is Cheonma who needs time, so he is making a time-wasting offer. Should I call it vulgar or smart?

Anyway, in the previous episode, I rejected this offer. And I had to hear the sound of Cheonma’s heart exploding in full 3D when he punched me.

But this episode is different. It’s not like I’m simply accepting the offer.

“How about we cooperate?”

“…”

“There must be something I can help you with. There must be something you can help me with.”

I plan to suck up all the information this time. I plan to reveal all the secrets that Cheonma is hiding. That’s why I proposed a non-aggression pact and even a cooperative relationship. Of

course, Cheonma didn’t respond. He had noticed a hint of my regression, and that’s why he kept saying things like ‘strange’ and ‘weird’ in every episode. A strange

and bizarre kid suddenly suggesting cooperation? There’s no way I’d accept that.

That’s why I decided to throw out a little more bait.

“I know a part of your identity.”

“… Identity?”

“Cheonma. Right?”

“…!”

He’s never called himself Cheonma. No one in this arena knows that this guy’s true identity is Cheonma. I mentioned it naturally because the angel told me, but everyone just thought Guntar had gone crazy.

“… How did you know?”

“If you ally, I’ll tell you.”

“…”

This is the privilege of the regressor. Mentioning information from the past that is unknown at the present time. Taking the initiative based on the superiority of information. It’s not called a “return ring” for nothing. Information that only I know can have a cheat-like effect depending on how I use it.

However, one thing is certain: this guy is also in a pretty urgent situation. He has some kind of huge restriction. Otherwise, there would be no reason to conserve magic power, and no reason to hide his strength. I bet that Cheonma was also mentally preoccupied.

“…”

In any case, Cheonma didn’t move for three minutes after my proposal. He just held his weapon and kept thinking.

How much time had passed?

“There is a condition.”

“What condition?”

“What do you think about angels?”

Cheonma asked with his arms crossed. The guy’s eyes shone sharply. It was just like Jiwon’s piercing gaze.

“I will decide the alliance depending on the answer.”

“…”

That’s fortunate. That’s really fortunate. I already knew that Cheonma had ill feelings toward angels. Fortunately, I also hated angels. I hated the fact that he let such a Cheonma go, I hated the fact that I was the one dealing with the aftermath, and I hated the fact that I was still just watching.

“I hate him. No, I hate him.”

I truly hated angels. The only exception was the angel Anael, the fated one. I had never had positive feelings toward any other angels.

“Hmm.”

Cheonma slowly closed his eyes, perhaps sensing my sincerity.

“I understand.”

In an instant, the pressure that had been emanating from his body disappeared. He had completely withdrawn his hostility toward me.

“Follow me.”

Cheonma put away his weapon. The drone chattered in the air, but Cheonma grabbed it and crushed it with his hand.

“We can help each other.”