314 - Regression Is Too Much

314 – The Regresor's Struggle (33) Cheonma's objective was simple. To not retreat, and to escape the tower. ‘…Even if I escape the tower, if I get injured outside, I’ll be sent back here.’ There was a reason why Cheonma, who was quite astute, set such a straightforward goal. For starters, it was because he didn't have the initiative from the beginning. He had no knowledge of the Transcendent who granted him the power of 'regression.' He didn't understand what the Transcendent wanted from him, nor did he know how long this regression would continue. Cheonma was in the dark about everything and was full of questions. Meanwhile, the only reasonable choice was that Cheonma wished to avoid using 'violence.' He believed that the fact he would regress when injured indicated an intention to avoid battles if possible. ‘If I can regain all my power… maybe there’s a chance.’ Moreover, there was hope that if Cheonma could recover his full strength, he might be able to discern the identity of this power. Even though Cheonma had been defeated by the Supreme Angel, that story took place when he didn’t have a physical body. Cheonma, when exerting all his might, was capable of contesting several of the tower's laws. To 'escape' from the tower from the outset, he needed that level of strength. If he could utilize all his abilities, he could tear through space. As for time... he had never attempted it, but it was a possibility. He was Cheonma, a genius, and someone who looked down on himself. He had suffered due to ignorance, but now that he knew, he could overcome it. His confidence lay in that belief. In short, his primary goals were to avoid violence as much as possible, regain his full strength, and then escape the tower. Identifying the subject of this regression and eliminating the regression itself could be considered secondary objectives. ‘Move.’ With the path ahead now clear, Cheonma’s actions could not be halted. He convinced the false Guntar, arranged his daily life, and persuaded him to set up matches in the arena. Cheonma could only grow stronger through combat, making fighting unavoidable. However, there were several conditions. First, he must not get injured. Second, he must not excessively harm his opponents. Not harming the opponent meant understanding the Transcendent, and avoiding injury meant comprehending the regression. Viewed from this perspective, it seemed straightforward, but Cheonma faced more than one or two difficulties. "Guntar! How about a match today?” The biggest issue was that Asian man, Kim Jun-ho, who pretended to be friendly. He persistently sought to fight, and indeed, they had clashed several times. The problem was that he was exceptionally strong. He hated how sharp the other's momentum was, but what he despised most was his unique magic. That cold magic would paralyze his body unless he used his own magic to counter it, but Cheonma couldn't readily use his magic. If he were following his usual style, he would create distance by unleashing dark energy, but Cheonma was currently portraying Guntar. He couldn't resort to cowardly tricks like unleashing dark energy. Guntar was fundamentally a noble monster. "Refuse. Find an excuse." "Oh, sorry. I have something scheduled." "... Oh, really? That's unfortunate." Cheonma wanted to unleash his magic and tear him apart, but he restrained himself. This was not an opponent to be easily defeated. Without the regression threat, he would welcome a worthy adversary, but fighting as the 'real Guntar' without getting injured was daunting. So, was it acceptable not to fight Kim Junho? That wasn't the case. "Guntar! I want to challenge you!" "Let's give it a try!" Guntar was a renowned and powerful figure, attracting numerous fools eager to challenge him. The problem was that the current Guntar wasn't one to decline such offers, and the fact that he refused Kim Jun-ho's proposal was already raising suspicions. ‘Say yes.’ “… Fine.” The arena matches were also highly unpleasant. Someone with a concealed gun in their hand. Someone who trusted their body augmented with machines and detonated grenades. Someone wielding weapons that would electrocute anyone who touched them. Naturally, this violated arena rules. There were many living only for the moment, but these were extreme. As if orchestrated, only those using dirty tricks targeted Cheonma. Lacking information, Cheonma had no choice but to go back. Cheonma was a monster. Cheonma was a genius. However, whether he was a monster or a genius, he would bleed if pierced by a sword. It was unavoidable since his power hadn't fully returned. Even amid all this, Cheonma chose actions that would cause the least harm, but he couldn't prevent his return. He would undoubtedly win if he fought to the end, but he loathed the fact that he couldn't do so. However, every disadvantage carried an advantage. The regressions yielded information to Cheonma. If you don't know, you can suffer. Conversely, if you do know, you won't suffer. Because he was Cheonma. Because he was a ruler. Because he was the one closest to being a god. The rate at which Cheonma was progressing was astounding, even considering his advantages. No, this shouldn't be called 'growth.' Cheonma was already complete, and the benefits he experienced were due to his initial ignorance, so it would be more accurate to say he felt 'surprised.' To begin with, if you get hurt, you regress—doesn't it make sense to be taken aback by that? Regression. Regression. Regression yet again. ‘…’ It was challenging to suppress his murderous intent amidst it all. There were so many weaklings, so much trash. Cheonma's honest desire was to rend flesh, revel in screams, and bask in the scent of blood. He longed for that exhilarating sensation, but he couldn’t succumb to his desires in a scenario where it was certain to draw the Transcendent’s attention. Clear and brilliant. The mind of a master who had reached a realm akin to a serene, tranquil lake. Cheonma's mind, though tinged with blood and slightly twisted, was perpetually calm. He was too powerful and great to be swayed by emotions and ruin everything. If only you reach out your hand. After unleashing your magical power, if you simply wave your hand lightly, trash that would otherwise demolish your limbs was an enormous patience… That was what Cheonma contemplated. Retreat. Move forward further. Retreat. Move forward further. With each regression, Cheonma inched closer to his goal. Cheonma was a genius and learned faster than anyone else. Now, he had reached the point where he was unaffected by regressions but instead used them. He had become accustomed to them. “The time it takes for a regression varies slightly each time. What does that mean?” With his leisure, he analyzed the regression in detail. ‘Here, say this. If you remember, you must have done it.’ “That, that…” He also became adept at manipulating the false Guntar. That individual sought recognition as the real Guntar, and if Cheonma subtly tapped into that desire, he could move as he pleased. How severe was his regression? At a certain point, he became strong enough to control his body at will if Cheonma so desired. Although he fought in many battles, he wasn’t discovered to be ‘Cheonma’ and avoided injury. If he battled a bit longer, he could unleash all his magical power, but Cheonma refrained. He thought that releasing his power in this arena was too risky. There were angels, and the arena itself was a stage within the ‘Tower.’ He needed a safer place, one with less scrutiny. “Guntar, do you want to go home?” “Yes.” “Hmm…” The place Cheonma chose was Guntar’s hometown. It was there that Cheonma had spent a considerable amount of time, and it was where his secret wife was hidden. He He would return there to reclaim his body. After that, he would release his magical power and escape the tower with the items he had hidden. It was a perfect plan. Cheonma calmed his mind. He had also adapted to appeal to the Transcendent, and since the real Guntar often returned to his hometown, there was no cause for suspicion. He was on the brink of escaping the tower. This was the end. No, it might be a new beginning. Once he regained his full power, he could delve deeper into the regression that bound him. By understanding the regression, he could take a step closer to becoming a transcendent being. In any case, this marked the end of this tiring arena… "Should we throw a celebration party?" That was the plan. Until a familiar Oriental wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Hey, shouldn't we throw a party to celebrate Guntar's sanity? He's been through so much in the arena, right? Just caught up in all sorts of trouble." "Right, right. Who would've thought there'd be maniacs throwing grenades? He must've had a hard time." "Let's have some drinks or something!" The beastmen roared with laughter at the Oriental’s words. For some reason, Kim Jun-ho had earned the title of a beastmen lover, and because of that, the beastmen usually embraced his suggestions. ‘… Hmm.’ Cheonma personally despised the party culture and wanted to urge them to think about becoming stronger. The fake Guntar seemed eager to go, but with the persuasion skills Cheonma had honed through regression, he could change his stubborn nature. “… Fine.” However, Cheonma refrained. Thinking that the real Guntar would surely accept, he had no choice but to remain silent. After all, it was just a party, right? "Oh, this is my friend. You can call me JW." However, on the day of the party, when a black-haired woman with a ponytail, someone he had never encountered before in his life, appeared… He was truly shaken. "She has a sword?" "Hey, lady. Why are you bringing a sword to such a joyful occasion?" "I'm heading back to my place." "Go ahead, there’s nothing you can do if you’ve already gone." Cheonma's sharp instincts set off alarms. The woman was as dangerous as Kim Junho. No, perhaps even more so. ‘…’ That such a formidable and hazardous woman appeared now, just as he was leaving the arena? It was truly coincidental. It was very… unsettling. ‘Be cautious.’ “… What could possibly happen? It’s just a party. What should I be wary of?” "Guntar, what are you saying?" "Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself, just talking to myself." The fake Guntar replied casually. Though Cheonma's spirit grimaced, he rationally acknowledged that the fake Guntar had a point. Yes, it was entirely possible that it was just his first time seeing her. The arena was vast, and there were so many people. It wasn't unusual to meet someone for the first time amidst regressions, and her appearance now could very well be just a coincidence. Even if it wasn’t a coincidence, if Cheonma was aware, nothing would come of it. It was best to leave it at that. According to Cheonma, at least. However, Cheonma trusted his intuition. In the worst of crises, the only thing he could rely on wasn’t the trash that called themselves comrades, nor the armor praised by the blacksmiths, nor the sword he purchased at a high price. Himself. The only thing he could put his faith in was himself. Cheonma always trusted himself, and as a result, he had reached this point. His plan was about to succeed. If he could just get through this party, Cheonma could escape the tower. He could return to Guntar's home planet and control his body leisurely. Once that was achieved, he could unleash all his powers. He just needed to get through this moment. So, stay vigilant. ‘… ‘ He was not afraid nor excessively anxious. He was merely being as cautious as needed. Even if everything was purely coincidence, he must not let his guard down. But if you were to ask whether Cheonma’s guard was truly 'full-powered,' the answer was no. It wasn’t an issue with Cheonma's mindset. It was something rooted in the subconscious. To return. Cheonma had another chance. Even if he failed, he could begin anew. The mentality of a man with no refuge is inherently different from one who has assurance even when taking shelter. The same applied to Cheonma, who had nearly abandoned his humanity and wandered into the path toward becoming a transcendent being. Despite training his body and mind, he remained human. And ‘carelessness’ and ‘peace of mind’ were fragments of humanity. “Enjoy the party, but always stay cautious. Someone might have their sights on you.” “Yes, yes. Understood.” “Tomorrow you can go home. When you meet your family there, your memories might return clearly.” “… Family.” “They will confirm it. That you are the real Guntar.” “… Alright. I don't expect anything, but I'll stay careful.” Even the fake Guntar was cooperating with me. Despite not having a good premonition, I did everything I could to prepare. Yes. What could possibly happen today? “Jiwon, are you ready? This is your first and last chance.” “Yes.” It was all just a coincidence.