306 - Regression Is Too Much

Regressor's Battle (25) Cheon Ma had proven to be the most formidable monster that should never have appeared on the 28th floor. His magical power surpassed all others, and his fists could pierce through a person's heart. The problem was that I had to find a way to defeat this monster. In this dire situation, Boongboongi... suggested that we should retreat with Cheon Ma. "You’re not saying we should make Cheon Ma an ally... or something like that, are you?" "Of course not." "Are you thinking of negotiating with Cheon Ma? Telling him I’m a regressor, and that he can’t defeat me... or something like that?" "That’s not it either." "Hmm..." Initially, I was very hesitant about the plan of adding another 'regressor', so I wasn’t particularly interested. However, I decided to listen. Choi Ji-won must have thought there was a possibility, so she conveyed it to me. Folding her arms and taking a listening position, Choi Ji-won, feeling confident, began to speak. "So, what Boongboongi means is... let's use regression actively." "Actively?" "Yes. Let’s actively utilize the information advantage." "…" The information advantage. There was a multitude of information advantages I had over Cheon Ma. The martial arts Cheon Ma used. The fact that I regressed. My magical power. The trigger for regression. Cheon Ma’s magical power, etc. But hadn’t these been used enough already? "Let’s think about the nature of regression." Choi Ji-won added further explanation. "I've also done research on regression. There are many types, like time rewinding, world line shifting, and world spinning." "… You’ve done a great job researching." "Anyway, we have no way to know about this type. Ultimately, isn’t the core of regression ‘memory’? Right?" Even though there were differences, such as the status window also regressing. In the end, it revolved around memory. If you only regressed to the status window without memory, it would merely repeat a sinful cycle like when encountering the monster on the 23rd floor. "BoongBbung wants to utilize this memory aggressively." "Are you talking about implanting memories?" "That's correct." It was only then that I understood BoongBoong’s plan. BoongBoongi... suggested that we implant 'false memories' in Cheon Ma. "As long as we don't get caught, I think it’s a great plan. Cheon Ma doesn’t know it's you responsible for the regression, nor does he know you’ll regress when you touch him." For instance, imagine implanting a memory in Cheon Ma that says, ‘If you eat an orange, you will regress after a disaster.’ Each time Cheon Ma eats an orange, he would regress right after a loss. Do you think Cheon Ma would trust in that regression? He would experience it himself, so why wouldn’t he believe it and give up? I have spent a long time on this floor, but for Cheon Ma, it is always his first time. No, for all living beings except me, life is their first time. It is impossible for anyone, except a grand angel, to realize the regression on their own. So, Cheon Ma would be baffled by the sudden regression. He wouldn’t believe it the first or second time. However, if a disaster occurred every time he ate an orange repeatedly, Cheon Ma would recognize the pattern. He would realize that the oranges were the problem. Cheon Ma is a genius, and he learns tens to hundreds of times faster than others. Cheon Ma’s memory? The flaw in understanding regression? I could just kill Cheon Ma and move on to the next floor. The choice is in my hands. Even if Cheon Ma retains memories of the past, if he dies, it’s over. There’s no going back. “But if I get caught… the risk is too high.” The problem is the risk if I get ensnared in the regression. “The ‘memory implantation’ process BbungBbung mentioned won’t end in one or two times. It requires trial and error, and I have to regress several times.” The issue is the repetition. Cheon Ma isn’t a fool. In order for me to regress together with him, we must feel strong emotions toward one another, and that’s the crux. Even if it’s just the first or second time. If I keep coming back every time I feel strong emotions toward you, Cheon Ma, who is very intelligent, will definitely notice. “If I try to hide this, it will be hard to implant memories in Cheon Ma in reverse. If I plant smoke, the information I want to emphasize will eventually fade.” “… That’s true.” “And if I can’t kill Cheon Ma with this method, it will be a real disaster. There’s no hiding it.” Moreover, the risk of failing to kill Cheon Ma is too great. Cheon Ma, realizing he’s regressing because of me? At that point, it’s certain he’d immediately seal me away. “There are many pitfalls, though.” “… That’s right.” Choi Ji-won nodded in agreement. It was still… a plan with many holes. “But…” “But?” “First, let’s hear Cheon Ma’s story and then reconsider.” However, I felt this might be one of the last options. If I package and polish it well, it could be advantageous. “Let’s take a week’s rest. Let’s try to form an alliance with Cheon Ma. We need to gather information.” Cheon Ma had commanded me to stop. I had to hear what he had to say. [I have taken damage.] [I have returned to the point where I first entered the 28th floor.] *** Subduing Cheon Ma was easy. No, instead of saying it was easy, it would be more accurate to say that I had become too accustomed to him. Cheon Ma’s fighting style involved figuring out his opponent's abilities and then using the martial arts he deemed most potent from his arsenal. I remained calm because I knew exactly what he would do. Such was the unreasonable nature of regression. There was a disparity in skill, a difference in talent, yet it allowed me to keep pushing forward. How would it feel if my opponent knew everything about me, but I knew nothing about them? I didn't know. I didn't even want to know. “I admit it. You... are a tough opponent. I still have to fight hard, so I’ll make you a very generous offer.” Anyway, after about 50 moves, Cheon Ma admitted once again. I was an opponent he couldn't defeat without resorting to magical power. “I will guarantee your safety and that of your companions. For now, how about we part ways?” It seemed like a generous offer on the surface, but if given enough time, Cheon Ma would unleash his own power. Ultimately, it was Cheon Ma who needed time, so he was making an offer purely to buy it. Should I call it cunning or clever? In any case, in previous episodes, I declined this offer. And I had to hear the sound of Cheon Ma's heart exploding in full 3D when he punched me. But this episode was different. Not that I was accepting his offer outright. “How about we work together?” “…” “There’s surely something I can help with. There’s definitely something you can assist with.” This time, I planned to absorb all the information. I intended to uncover all the secrets Cheon Ma was hiding. That’s why I proposed a non-aggression pact and even a cooperative relationship. Of course, Cheon Ma didn’t respond. He had sensed a bit of my regression, which is why he kept remarking how ‘strange’ and ‘weird’ things were in every episode. Strange and a peculiar kid suddenly suggesting cooperation? There’s no way he’d accept that. That’s why I decided to toss out another little bait. “I know part of your identity.” “…Identity?” That's right, isn’t it?” “…!” He never called himself Cheon Ma. No one in this arena knew that this person’s true identity was Cheon Ma. I mentioned it naturally because the angel told me, but everyone thought Guntar was mad. “…How do you know?” “If you ally with me, I’ll tell you.” “…” This is the privilege of a regressor. Mentioning information from past timelines unknown to others in this one. Taking the initiative based on informational advantage. It’s not called a “regression ring” for nothing. Information exclusive to me can feel like cheating, depending on how I use it. However, one thing is certain: this person is also in a very urgent situation. He has some major limitation. Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to conserve his magical power, and no reason to hide his strength. I'm sure Cheon Ma is under mental duress as well. “…” Cheon Ma didn’t move for three minutes after I made my proposal. He just held his weapon and continued to think. How much time passed? “There’s a condition.” “What condition?” “What do you think about angels?” Cheon Ma asked while crossing his arms. His eyes shone sharply. Similar to Jiwon's piercing gaze. “I’ll decide on an alliance depending on your answer.” “…” What a stroke of luck. Pure serendipity. I already knew that Cheon Ma harbored ill feelings toward angels. Fortunately, I also disliked them. I hated the fact that the angel let someone like Cheon Ma roam free, I hated the fact that I was the one facing the consequences, and I hated the fact I was still merely observing. “I detest them. No, I despise them.” I genuinely loathed angels. The only exception was the fated angel, Anael. I've never had positive feelings toward any other angels. “Hmm.” Cheon Ma slowly closed his eyes, perhaps sensing my sincerity. “I understand.” In an instant, the pressure emanating from his body dissipated. He had fully retracted his hostility toward me. “Follow me.” Cheon Ma stashed away his weapon. The drone trembled in mid-air, but Cheon Ma caught it and crushed it with his hand. “We can help each other.”