Regressor Instruction Manual

“I think that’ll be best,” I said.

“I didn’t know that you had such strong feelings toward the guild, hahaha,” Lee Seol-Ho laughed.

“...”

“Of course, he should.”

‘Crazy gramps.’

I had no idea about the contributions of those old gramps to the Blue Guild in the past, but considering how much Lee Sang-Hee respected them, it was possible they weren’t like this in the past. I also thought that they might have a deep relationship with the unknown guild master, but that was all stories of the past.

‘Crazy gramp.’

I was at the point of gnashing my teeth because I felt very bitter about the fact that our party’s will and the will of those old gramps were the same.

“I’m certain they’ll be helpful since they have already changed to their third jobs.”

“They’re really amazing. It was worth investing a lot of money into them.”

Hwang Jung-Yeon was looking at Lee Seol-Ho as if he was being absurd. It was different from the expressions she showed me so far. She frowned so much that her optimistic nature didn’t fit her, but it was natural for her to make that expression since it seemed like Lee Seol-Ho was watching a situation that was irrelevant to him.

“The guild members that recently joined are volunteering to go with us, but the people that should protect the guild are being quiet. Have you not considered volunteering first before pushing others to do it?” Hwang Jung-Yeon asked.

It wasn’t just Lee Seol-Ho. It applied to a few others as well. They seemed like they were afraid and also a bit embarrassed at the same time. I guess they had a conscience because they turned gloomy as they looked away.

“Ahem…”

“This body of mine isn’t strong enough to stand on the front line anymore.”

“I remember that just a moment ago, you said we needed even a little bit of power,” Hwang Jung-Yeon retorted.

“Aren’t all the roles that we have for the guild all different? It’s the same for us non-combatants… it’s been a while since Mr. Lee Seol-Ho retired and the same applies to the other executives here. Standing on the front line at this age… I’m sure we’ll only get in the way.”

“Really? It seems to me like you’re just trying to avoid the responsibility,” she said.

“You’re being harsh.”

“I don’t think I’m wrong. Just be honest. Say that you don’t want to go,” she argued.

“Huh… don’t you think you’re being too harsh?!”

“I’m sure you know very well just who’s the harshest person right now,” she answered.

I noticed that their emotions were getting stronger. If I was in Hwang Jung-Yeon’s place, I would’ve reacted the same way as her, but I wasn’t in the position to say anything. I was certain that they were categorized as non-combatants, so taking them with us didn’t make sense in the first place.

“I’m embarrassed. You people are so embarrassing,” she said.

I could be overthinking, but I thought that Lee Seol-Ho and the other gramps expected us to die and never come back.

Just like my imagination, my scenario was perfect. If the combat group didn’t return alive from the epic-ranked dungeon, then they would use the influence that they had been growing all this time to take over the guild and create a new system with Lee Seol-Ho in the center. The world was changing anyway, so this would be a good opportunity. The chance was low, but they might even hand over the entire Blue Guild to someone else.

‘They’ll make money.’

Even though the Blue Guild may not have any more combat groups, the assets, the guild house, and the infrastructure that had been built so far were valuable. Considering the possibility that Kim Hyun-Sung could be after the same thing, it wasn’t a bad assumption.

What I didn’t understand was Lee Seol-Ho’s lackeys and their actions.

‘Is someone supporting them?’

It was possible. Normally, those types of old gramps weren’t the type to gamble unless they had someone supporting them from the back. They were the type to pressure the young members to gamble while they wanted to live a safe life. I thought that maybe those old gramps got to their current position by sacrificing many people, but if that wasn’t the case, then it didn’t matter because it wouldn’t change the fact that they were like stagnant water.

Just as the atmosphere was getting really heated, Lee Sang-Hee spoke up once again. “Please stop. I’m sure the others are frustrated as well. You acting all worked up like this isn’t like you, Miss Jung-Yeon.”

“But, Master…”

“We cannot take the executive officers to a dungeon and the same goes for Mr. Lee Seol-Ho. He has already retired and considering the fact that he has been ill recently, taking him with us isn’t a reasonable decision. Of course, I completely understand how you feel because I feel the same way. Honestly, I’m not happy with the actions that all of you are showing right now,” said Lee Sang-Hee.

“Oh…”

“That’s…”

“Ahem.”

“Nothing we can… ahem.”

“It wasn’t like this before… and I’m very embarrassed to show this side to both Mr. Hyun-Sung and Mr. Ki-Young. This wasn’t the image I wanted for the Blue Guild. I understand why everyone is acting this way, but it’s true that we can’t go to a dungeon with non-combatant members. I know that your condition isn’t like what it was before, however… I’m very disappointed by the actions that Mr. Lee Seol-Ho and the others have shown. No, I’m disappointed in myself the most because of my incompetence,” she explained.

I noticed how quiet the old gramps became. Even pretending to go with us to the dungeon would have decreased the disappointment by half, but instead of doing that, they pushed Kim Hyun-Sung and me into the job, so Lee Sang-Hee would understandably feel disappointed.

Lee Sang-Hee looked at us. While I was contemplating what I had to say to convince her to take us with her, I heard her speak. “Mr. Hyun-Sung and Mr. Ki-Young.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry about repeating what was said earlier and I know very well that I’m being shameless. If it’s alright with you… could you join us in this expedition?”

Her voice was trembling and not only that, but Lee Sang-Hee had even lowered her head. She was biting her lips and there were tears in her eyes.

‘It’s understandable for her to change her mind.’

If it was a month ago, even Lee Sang-Hee wouldn’t agree with taking us.

‘So that’s why.’

I guess stats that were over 60 and the third job were enough to enter an epic-ranked dungeon and that was probably the reason why she changed her mind. Honestly, the Blue Guild was in the worst situation. We had to enter a dungeon with the guild’s main power and to make things worse, we didn't know whether the parties in the dungeon were still alive. I understood her feeling of wanting to at least bring us with her since we were the guild’s last hope and currently, Kim Hyun-Sung’s party, the one I was a part of, looked quite amazing. It was quite obvious what Kim Hyun-Sung’s answer was going to be after hearing the mother of the guild, Lee Sang-Hee’s request.

“Of course.”

It was such an obvious answer that I smirked.

“Thank you,” she said.

“We’re only doing what needs to be done,” he replied.

“Then, we’ll form a rescue team immediately and leave for the expedition,” she said.

“Okay.”

“The members will be me, party two and party seven. We’ll be leaving in 30 minutes, so please prepare for the expedition as soon as possible.” Lee Sang-Hee ordered.

“Okay.”

“For those who’ll remain in the guild, please try to make contact with the Red Mercenary Guild and the other guilds. Please ask them to send help as soon as you get in contact with them.” She ordered the others.

“Okay.”

“Mr. Seol-Ho.”

“I really hope you don’t disappoint me. And… I’ll trust you,” she told him.

“I’ll repay you for your trust, Miss. Lee Sang-Hee. As soon as I get in touch with the other guilds, I’ll make sure they set off together,” he responded.

“Thank you.”

Lee Sang-Hee left the room immediately as if there wasn’t any time to waste. Hwang Jung-Yeon also left the room after lightly nodding toward me and even the administration team started to become busy. It was the same for me and Kim Hyun-Sung.

After heading to the first floor, we explained the situation and the other party members nodded. Seeing how things were going well under Sun Hee-Young’s lead, I thought that there wasn’t a need for me to do any huge preparations for this expedition. The timing was also perfect since I had other things I had to do other than preparing for the expedition.

‘Trust my ass.’

Lee Sang-Hee was a good person, but she wasn’t the ideal leader. If I were to exaggerate a bit, she was an idiotic leader. Trusting in someone was a good method when dealing with talented people. For example, like Deok-Gu and Ha-Yan. I was sure that Lee Sang-Hee felt the same way about Lee Seol-Ho and his lackeys as I did when I looked at Deok-Gu and Ha-Yan, but dealing with people like those old gramps in this way wouldn’t be a huge help. I didn’t really know what Lee Sang-Hee’s idea of trust was. Perhaps she was trusting those that stayed with the guild up until now or believed that everyone would be together even when the guild became unstable. Well, it didn’t matter which one it was, but those types of trust were easily betrayed.

In my opinion, the old gramps up there were no different from the people in the slums where Sun Hee-Young had volunteered at. The only difference between them was that the people here were luckier than the people in the slums and the fact that they had stepped on others to climb the ranks. I wasn’t criticizing them because that could also be considered a skill, but I was certain that was the only thing they knew how to do.

‘Trust is…’

It was a feeling that could only be maintained when two people could scratch each other’s backs and in that sense, the old gramps probably thought there wasn't anything they could get from Lee Sang-Hee. If that really were the case, then there was no way that her trust could be maintained.

“We’ll leave in 30 minutes…” I said.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing, Ha-Yan,” I replied.

“Are you taking anything else with you, oppa?” she asked.

“By the way Ha-Yan, could you call Ye-Ri for me?” I asked her.

“Excuse me?”

“There’s something I need to ask her to do… we don’t have a lot of time,” I told her.

“Okay.”

After Jung Ha-Yan quickly left, I saw Kim Ye-Ri looking at me with a slightly suspicious look moments later.

‘She’s fast.’

“Could I ask you to do something for me?” I asked Ye-Ri.

She nodded lightly.

“It’ll be helpful to Mr. Hyun-Sung as well.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

“Could you deliver a message to a person named Lee Ji-Hye in the Black Swan Guild?” I asked.

“Lee Ji-Hye?” she asked.

“Yes, Lee Ji-Hye. If possible, try not to get caught by others… and of course, you’re not allowed to read it,” I informed her.

“Okay…”

“If you tell her that it’s from me, she’ll welcome you. You have to be quick,” I told her.

“Okay.”

Kim Ye-Ri immediately left and for some reason, different thoughts popped into my head. It was honestly difficult to tell whether my actions were right, but I believe that this was somewhat the answer.

‘Why?’

Because I knew very well that once the trust was broken, they would become my enemy.

“It’s the perfect day to clean up.”

It was time to drain out the stagnant water.