Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1078: Picnic (41) (Illustration)

It was important to always look sad.

It was also important to pretend like I was okay whenever I felt someone's gaze on me, and I would never forget to add a hint of sadness.

It was a small change that people would go unnoticed by those unfamiliar with me, but those who knew me well would certainly notice it.

The guild members would certainly feel that something was off.

All I needed to do was look into the distance for a few seconds for the veteran members to notice that something was amiss. As for the new guild members, I just needed to make it a little more noticeable. Obviously, everyone knew why I was sad.

‘It’s because of Kim Hyun-Sung.’

It was all because of that incident. The incident that happened at the banquet hall. The incident caused a conflict between us, and it was clear that my actions had changed after that incident.

‘It’s all because of Kim Hyun-Sung. He’s the culprit.’

My expression looked awkward, and my eyes were swollen from crying so much. My energy levels were low as well.

We were at the point where I looked lonely as I looked at the sunset alone, and Kim Hyun-Sung was out every day hanging out with people whose names I had never heard before. The victim and the culprit were clear, even if one were to look at us from above while riding a griffon.

Under normal circumstances…

‘Playing politics with your acquaintances is the basics.’

The guild members were walking on eggshells. Most of the guild members were waiting for this storm to pass without any other issues, while the veteran members were trying to get us to make peace.

It was clearly Kim Hyun-Sung’s fault for disturbing the banquet hall after getting drunk, but I had no idea what he was going through.

The guild members had to have decided that it was better to just watch because there have been many times when we simply got over it. When the fight became a little intense, the reconciliation team would get dispatched…

‘It’s possible…’

Park Deok-Gu was in charge of me, and Jo Hye-Jin was in charge of Kim Hyun-Sung.

They visited us to tell us that we needed to be understanding of each other. They told us that we needed to reconcile, but how could they be fair in a situation like this? They were trying their best to mediate, but it was natural for one person to receive sympathy while the other would receive criticism.

— I have to. Say something.

— But… Miss Kim Ye-Ri.

— This isn’t right. I don’t know the details, but even if it’s Ki-Young oppa’s fault. This isn’t right. This… this isn’t right.

‘Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about Ye-Ri.’

— It was Hyun-Sung oppa who made the mistake first at the banquet hall.

— We don’t know what happened between them. We all know that the guild master will never treat the sub guild master like that. I thought there was a reason behind his actions, but now that I think about it, the guild master was out of line.

— I think the guild master was a bit rash this time as well. He did make a mistake at the banquet hall, but I couldn’t understand his actions after the incident… I’m disappointed by how he handled it afterward.

— I knew. You were going to think that way, Jung-Yeon unni.

— Yeah, you’re right. My Deok-Gu got so angry that I had a hard time trying to calm him down. He probably felt really bad for my brother-in-law. He’s pretending to be as happy as possible… but I think he didn’t get any sleep last night as well.

‘I became her brother-in-law without even knowing it.’

— I just. Can’t understand it. I’m going to go tell him today. I can’t watch any longer.

— Well, if that’s what you want to do… I won’t stop you, Miss Ye-Ri… but I don’t think the guild master will back down so easily this time.

'You grew up to be such a fine young lady, Ye-Ri. I’m so proud.'

The others weren't all that different.

— Excuse me, Miss Alps.

— Yeah?

— Do you think things are okay between the sub guild master and the guild master?

— I-I’m not sure. It’s my first time experiencing something like this as well. I’ve heard them arguing or fighting from time to time, but it’s my first time seeing them in such a serious situation. Miss Park Lian also said I should be careful about how I act because the mood isn’t that great right now…

— It must’ve been her first time experiencing a tense situation like this. You have to be careful as well, Belier.

— I-I will. B-But Miss Alps, was it the guild master’s fault—

— No. Don’t say it even if that’s what you think. That's what I think, too… but we just need to wait until this incident passes. Miss Jo Hye-Jin seems to be working hard as well.

— Woof! Woof!

— Shiro! You be quiet as well.

— Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!

— You can’t bark like you did last time when the guild master walked past us, got it?

‘People are already on my side, including Shiro.’

Deok-Gu had been constantly requesting a one-on-one talk with Kim Hyun-Sung, and I remembered Jo Hye-Jin saying that she had met him multiple times.

‘I really didn’t need to go this far with politics.’

Kim Hyun-Sung was already in a desperate situation. I thought the scene of me coming down with an upset face after watching the sunset by myself would work, but I had no idea that it would be this effective.

‘Yeah, it should work.’

On the outside, he looked determined like before, but I could tell that he was mentally unstable. Not only was he looking at his hand mirror several times a day, but I saw him glancing over at the door to my room from time to time with a worried face.

Kim Hyun-Sung had created that ridiculous plan so that his friend wouldn’t be in pain any longer. He had to cause pain so that I wouldn’t be in pain, and I was sure he was doubting his plan by now.

He seemed to have realized that he had gone too far to go back to how he used to act.

“O-O-Oppa, are you okay?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“Of course I’m okay. I feel relieved because you’re here with me,” I answered.

“R-Really?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“Yeah, and these aren't just empty words,” I told her.

One thing I wanted to praise Kim Hyun-Sung for was that he hadn't talked about Rohen to the guild members.

‘At least he’s keeping her a secret.’

I wasn’t sure if it was because he wanted to take care of it himself without telling the others or if it was because I told him not to tell the others, but Kim Hyun-Sung remained quiet about the root cause of the issue.

I was also not sure if it was all because he had decided to take on the role of a villain or if he simply didn't want to put me in an awkward position, but I appreciated Kim Hyun-Sung's silence.

“W-Wait here. I’ll bring you food,” Jung Ha-Yan offered.

I nodded at Jung Ha-Yan's kindness before looking at Kim Hyun-Sung through my Telescope. He was still staring at his hand mirror seriously while sitting at a table alone.

— Whoo…

He sighed. He glanced at his hand mirror again and placed it down.

'I don’t think he’ll reply even if I send him a message…'

— Damn it…

‘He probably thought I was going to show some kind of reaction. You think sending a message will resolve everything?’

— Damn it!

For some reason, it was embarrassing seeing him grab his head as if he were suffering from a headache. He was overreacting so much that I thought he was the perfect personification of the word "melodrama," but thanks to his handsome appearance and serious gaze, it was a sight worthy of watching.

After forcing himself to look away from his hand mirror, he looked at a cabinet.

— Whoo…

What he took out from the cabinet was the hard liquor that made him drunk last time.

— I didn't drink that much… even in my past life.—

‘This jerk.’

It seemed like he had no idea that the alcohol was the reason behind his bizarre behavior on that night, and it was proven by how he had decided to drink alcohol while acting like he was the pitiful one here.

‘I need to make him stop drinking.’

When I saw him deliberately making himself drunk, I couldn't help but question if he was the same guy whom I had picked to become the regressor.

— Whoo…

If I had known that he was an alcoholic, the Masked Hero wouldn’t have picked him as well.

“O-Oppa, S-Sora, come eat. The food is ready,” Jung Ha-Yan announced.

“Miss Jung Ha-Yan…” Han Sora mumbled.

“...”

“I’m crying… You’re now… cooking for us, Miss Jung Ha-Yan,” Han Sora continued.

“He… hehehe… It’s nice that we’re all gathered like this,” Jung Ha-Yan remarked.

“It’s really delicious, Miss Jung Ha-Yan,” Han Sora said.

“W-What do you think, oppa?” she asked.

“I agree with Sora…” I answered.

“...”

“...”

“H-Hang in there, oppa,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

“She’s right. It’s not your fault,” Han Sora chimed in.

“Hyun-Sung oppa… was acting kind of m-mean,” Jung Ha-Yan remarked.

“No, we just had a bit of a misunderstanding… It’s nothing to be worried about, Ha-Yan,” I told her.

“L-Let me know whenever it gets hard,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

‘What will you do if I tell you?’

'You’re making me nervous.'

‘I shouldn’t act like this here. Ha-Yan and Hyun-Sung might end up fighting at this rate.’

I had no plans of watching the clash of the world’s strongest adventurers, so I pretended like I was okay. When I told her that I had been relying on her during the hardest times of my life, she felt a little better and started enjoying the food.

‘Damn it.’

Meanwhile, Kim Hyun-Sung was still drinking the hard liquor.

Once we were done eating, Jung Ha-Yan suggested, “S-Sora, you should sleep here."

“What?”

“A-A staff said they’ll bring an extra bed,” she informed her.

“Ah… I see. But… how could I… H-How—when you…” Han Sora stuttered.

“Still…”

Kim Hyun-Sung continued to drink his hard liquor even after the commotion in this room was over.

‘What time is it?’

'He’s still not drinking, is he?'

[Mr. Ki-Young… are you sleeping?]

He texted me a few hours ago.

Soon, I heard his loud voice, and I couldn’t help but frown.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

“Mr. Ki-Young… are you sleeping?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“...”

“Mr. Ki-Young! Are you sleeping?! Are you there?!” Kim Hyun-Sung shouted.

‘That drunk behavior of his is going to become a habit at this rate.’

The snoring Jung Ha-Yan got up and exclaimed, “Eek!”

“Mr. Ki-Young! There’s something… I want to tell you. There’s something—”

“G-Get out of here!” Jung Ha-Yan yelled.

“Miss Ha-Yan, I’m really sorry for coming so late at night, but there’s something… hiccup… I need to tell… Mr. Ki-Young…” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“Y-You’re being rude! A-And you’re drunk! O-O-Oppa is sleeping right now!” Jung Ha-Yan told him.

“Hiccup. Mr. Ki-Young… Mr. Ki-Young… I just… I just need a moment,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘Ack, his drunk behavior is really annoying.’

Hikari's Thoughts

Author wooden spoon: It’s an illustration of everyone in their hanboks!