Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1227. At the Continent (1)

“...”

“...”

“So...”

“...”

“In the end, Dummy Ki-Young will return to Rohen someday. It might take some time... but you basically provided him with a way to go back,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

“Yeah, something like that. Actually, the faster it is, the better. I don’t mind having a lot of work, but we don’t really need to take care of that as well. As long as we can use it for multitasking, that’ll be enough.

"There were some up-front fees, but things should stabilize pretty quickly,” I told her.

“...”

“It was a relief that building Paradiso hadn't cost me anything. If we had to pay for that as well, I probably would’ve scrapped the whole thing,” I added.

“Hmm...”

“Since it’s still a developing continent, Rohen has plenty of potential to deliver strong results. It’s got plenty of potential, and how we make use of it is up to us. Of course, I’ll offer guidance when needed...” I said.

“Aren’t you worried? The dummy might cross the line,” she asked.

“The contract has plenty of restrictions in place to stop that, noona. Not that we need to make use of any of them, as it’ll be over with just a push of a button... Even if he gains a form, mimics humanity, and shows potential for growth, he’s still just a bunch of data.

"No matter how hard he tries, there’s a limit to how far he can reach,” I answered.

“Of course, but he was honestly kind of creepy. Like you said, he might not cross the line, but I did feel like he was a bit too passive,” she said.

“...”

“If it were me, I would lock things down more securely... I especially don’t like the fact that Woo Hyo-Yeol and Flower Ki-Young managed to trigger a recall on Kim Hyun-Sung. They must realize that they hadn't actually won.

"What makes it even worse is that they’ve already gotten a taste of what winning feels like, even though they didn't actually win,” Lee Ji-Hye added.

“You...”

'...have a point.'

Ji-Hye noona wasn’t right. Despite the misfortunes and risks that befell Kim Hyun-Sung, the fact that they somehow managed to drive him out was a great achievement.

It wasn't exactly a true victory, but the fact that he had already tasted success in battle meant that he could draw strength from that experience and bare his fangs against us.

Of course, the odds were slim, and if I had to explain why, there would be too many reasons to list. Various restrictions were already in place to completely block that possibility, but the key factor was this...

‘There are too many things for him to protect.’

If he crosses the line, he wouldn't suffer alone.

I was sure that was deeply ingrained in his mind.

“Also, I’m not going to turn it into a colony, noona. It’s more like a branch. Yeah, he’s taking a slightly bigger cut, but the meaning behind the wording is important. It’d be strange to even consider fighting about it,” I told her.

“Hmm.”

“In that sense, I don’t think that kind of experience is bad. We can’t always be babysitting them whenever something goes wrong, and Rohen needs to have a good story or two. That way, their faith can grow stronger and they can learn to stand on their own,” I explained.”

“Well... you do have a point. Having more work isn’t necessarily a good thing, but can I ask you a question?” she asked.

“What is it?”

“Why did you implant your memories within Flower Ki-Young? I feel like it wasn’t really necessary. There was no reason for you to go as far as removing a part of you and implanting it within him,” she asked.

“Of course, there’s a reason behind it,” I argued.

“I know there’s a reason, and it’s not that I don’t understand that. It’s to prevent the dummy from doing something stupid... and yeah, technically, it’s to backstab the GENIUSES there

"However, it’s not like there wasn't any other way. I mean, sure, the plan wasn’t bad in terms of quality, but to be honest, the process itself just felt like a hassle. That’s why I’m asking what the real reason was,” she explained.

“I was just... curious,” I answered.

“What were you curious about?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“You and Yuno kept going on about how all hell would break loose if I were to go there, talking nonsense about the continent and such, so I wanted to see for myself if it was actually going to come true. But in the end, I couldn’t stay to find out...” I replied.

“Still, didn’t you get some kind of result?” she asked.

“Not really,” I said.

“You can tell from the way he’s acting right now. He’s making a fuss just so he can go back. Imagine if that place isn’t the Dummy World but the continent,” I added.

“He’s—”

“He was created based on you. Look at him. He’s all gloomy in that supposedly happy Dummy World. Huh? He’s crying. Are you crying? Oppa, look at him. He’s crying. Dummy Ki-Young is crying. Despite having dummy friends, he must be feeling a void in his heart. What should we do?” she asked.

‘Gosh, Lee Ji-Hye.’

“He’s putting on a sad act because he knows that we’re watching him,” I told her.

“Are you sure he’s not genuinely crying because he misses Rohen?” she questioned.

“Why are you comparing me to him? It’s not like I cry just because he cries,” I complained.

“It just made sense. Oh wow, look at him looking up at the sky. He must want to leave. It’s understandable since he’s stuck there upon getting a taste of the world outside." Lee Ji-Hye pointed out.

“He’ll be out in a few years anyway,” I mumbled.

“Who knows if it’ll take decades? What if it takes hundreds of years?” she asked.

“Anyway, I don’t want to watch anymore. The update is over. The dummies are going to be sent over there anyway, so I’m not sure about the point of that...” I said.

“I’m not sure... No one knows if it'll be easy or hard... Huh? He’s venting out his anger this time. He’s taking his anger out on the temple. Seems like he takes after someone who has no patience. Looks like he’s feeling down... He’s not even meeting his favorite dummy friends,” she said.

'Ugh, Lee Ji-Hye...'

“Then... what about you? I wonder what our Dummy Ji-Hye is doing. Ah, just as I expected, she noticed something amiss. Ah, I wonder what she’ll do. Ah... is she going to take out her mask?” I asked sarcastically.

“...”

“I think she has an idea that Dummy Ki-Young is going to head to Rohen. Noona, look. She put on her mask. She’s trying to destroy everything. Pfft! She looks like she might stage a coup if he doesn’t take her away soon. Or maybe not... Wait... I think she’s planning to take revenge.

"She must be thinking that Dummy Ki-Young is trying to get rid of her. Man... she sure has a nasty side,” I continued.

“I don’t do things like taking revenge, and I’m not going to wear masks either. Maybe there’s something wrong with the data,” Lee Ji-Hye argued.

I saw Ji-Hye noona clearing her throat and awkwardly avoiding eye contact with me, but...

‘I think she’s really capable of doing that.’

I couldn't help but think that way. If I were to secretly move somewhere without telling Ji-Hye noona, she’d probably react the same way as Dummy Ji-Hye.

I bet she’d chase me to the ends of hell to take revenge. Perhaps that was why she was so eager to hide the Dummy World.

Even though I hadn't said anything, the way Dummy Ji-Hye was acting was so much like the real Lee Ji-Hye that the latter was actually blushing while watching Dummy Ji-Hye.

“Let’s stop...” Lee Ji-Hye suggested.

“Okay... noona. Let’s stop. How about we tease Commander Jin instead?” I suggested.

“That sounds more fun,” she commented.

“He probably made a total mess while we were gone,” I said.

“I’ve already checked things out. It wasn’t bad, but... a project’s progress has been really slow. The results aren’t terrible or anything. It's just... a bit disappointing? Honestly, he yapped too much at the beginning. He must have realized just how difficult this actually is later on,” she informed me.

“How bad is it? We’re not losing anything, right?” I asked.

“It’s generating some revenue, but the problem is that it’s way too small compared to what we have invested. I can’t imagine how long it’ll take to get that money back. If I’d known it’d be like this, I wouldn’t have handed it over. If only we could put that money to better use...” she complained.

“Haa... this guy’s hopeless. He must’ve thought that this task was as easy as playing house in the Republic. I’m honestly speechless... I knew it from the moment he wanted to cause trouble,” I said.

“According to him, he’s lacking manpower,” she said.

“Yeah, right. I assigned additional staffers to him before I left. You remember Sahaga and Gela, right? Anyway, he’s just indirectly saying he can’t handle things without you and me. This is exactly why I shouldn’t promote incompetent people so easily,” I said.

‘I got something to work with.’

“You’re having fun. You must be looking forward to going back."

Lee Ji-Hye was right. It had been a while since I left the continent and stopped doing my usual work, so I was genuinely looking forward to returning to the continent.

I occasionally saw the members of the Blue Guild and had quick conversations with them, but with everyone else, that wasn’t the case at all. I was talking about Hee-Ra noona, Rafael, and even Pope Basel.

I also hadn't been talking to my colleagues like Benigoa, Belial, and even Oscar. I hadn’t seen them in a long while.

Even the less notable people, whom I never really cared much about before, started to catch my interest. I was talking about the likes of the Mist Summoner, Senator Caitlyn, Senator Elise, and Lady Marilyn... I actually wanted to chat with the senators.

Now that I thought about it, I was also worried about Hye-Jin since I hadn’t seen her in a long time. Unlike the Blue Guild members who went over together, she stayed behind on the continent, so I was sure that she had been going through a lot emotionally.

There were also Dialugia, Dialuria, and Max. Of course, it had been a while since I had a proper conversation with the guild members.

I was planning on taking a break after the continent-cum-ungeon incident, but many things happened afterward until I ended up where I was today.

While I was quietly thinking about them, Ji-Hye noona said, “Rest, for now.”

“I was really going to take a break even if you hadn't said anything, but only after I'm done taking care of Commander Jin's mess. Actually, that’s not the only issue here... The continent’s okay, right?” I asked.

Just in case a war or something similar had started...

“Of course, there are problems there. The Blue Guild was gone for so long that it was like the guild had shut down upon your departure.

Officially, they announced that the Blue Guild was going on a long expedition, but do you really think that people would understand that? Kim Hyun-Sung locked himself away like a hermit, and the few guild members who do go outside just walk around with gloomy faces,” she answered.

“I see,” I said.

“I did my best to handle it, but it was hard. Father Basel went absolutely wild in the Vatican. Dialuria wouldn't stop crying to the point that the residents of Lindel couldn’t sleep at all. Some people in the Federation and the Alliance started acting up as well.

"And Cha Hee-Ra? She’s like some kind of animal. She’s been hibernating and hasn’t set foot outside the Red Mercenary Guild at all,” Lee Ji-Hye added.

“...”

“Many rumors were going around, and one of them speculated that the Blue Guild had taken on an expedition way beyond their capabilities. Some said you guys were raiding a dungeon above Mythic. Others even speculated that some kind of accident might’ve happened. I’m sure Hye-Jin had a really hard time handling everything,” she added.

“...”

“I think you should apologize to her,” she suggested.

“Obviously, but...” I paused.

‘Those rumors are still going around, huh?’

I never really thought of such rumors as a bad thing. If anything, it was a good sign. The fact that rumors were spreading about figures like me and Kim Hyun-Sung getting into accidents in dungeons only proved that the continent was constantly getting updated.

Our continent, at its core, was built on a structure that constantly demanded adventures, expeditions, legends, and myths. The economy would only work if we created environments where adventurers could make a living.

The continent entered a lull after the continent-cum-dungeon incident, and it was largely due to the inflation on the adventurer levels.

The adventurers had grown stronger, but there were no dungeons left to raid.

Content for high-level players had decreased, and thanks to a more structured raid system, field commanders allowed even Rare and Epic adventurers to take on high difficulty dungeons.

As a result, the Legendary and above adventurers were running out of content to enjoy. We tried to make up for it using the Rift Land, but it couldn’t accommodate that many adventurers.

‘After the Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary...’

Perhaps that could count as progress. It was a direct message to high-ranking adventurers living on the continent.

In a way, it was a warning—a warning that there was still content out there that was dangerous even for people like Kim Hyun-Sung and me. It was also a sign that there were still unlocked myths or legends waiting to be uncovered. Regardless of what anyone said...

‘Looks like Commander Jin actually did something.’

It wasn't like Benigoa was the project leader.

“You’re going to rest today, right?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“Rest? What are you talking about? I need to go to Commander Jin right away and see if he made any mistakes,” I answered.

“Looking like that?” she questioned.

“Huh?”

Ji-Hye noona quietly took out a mirror.

“What... the hell...” I mumbled.

I saw a teenager standing in front of the mirror.

He seemed a bit taller than Mini Ki-Young... but despite that, he was still small.

“...”

“...”

“Why... am I not back to normal yet, noona? I definitely... fused,” I asked.

“I’m not sure... Maybe it'll take some time for it to settle in?”

Ji-Hye noona patted my head as if she found me cute.

“Should we wait a bit before leaving?” I asked.

“What are you saying? Everyone is probably waiting for us as we speak,” she replied.

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