477 – So, Try Turning This Decaying World Upside Down
The term “catch up with humans” brought a perplexed expression to the regressive being’s face.
“Catch up…?”
“Yes. I recognize myself as the king of humans, but I don’t possess their power. Somehow, humans don’t have a king like the beasts do. It’s as if humans have transcended and become something else entirely.”
Calling myself an ordinary human is genuinely sincere without exaggeration or pretense. The current me is an ordinary human without power, knowledge, or will. Thanks to the lone wolf’s cunning, I can represent the person in front of me, but that’s all.
I really don’t know how it happened, but the king of humans became separated from humans.
“As you know, the king of beasts has tasks to perform. Well, you could call it the duty of existence?”
“What is it?”
“You know, representing and acting on behalf of the species. So wolves fight dogs, elephants mourn their kind’s death and guard the graves, beavers build dams, and horses run across the plains. That kind of thing.”
It might seem insignificant, but precisely because of that, the king of beasts is even more attached to such tasks. The king of beasts, possessing the universal characteristics of a species, is a typical existence.
I was the same… supposed to be.
“What tasks does the king of humans have to do?”
“I don’t know.”
I don’t know.
Actually, it might not exist at all. Humans are such versatile beings, you know. They guard graves even though they’re not elephants, and they build dams even though they’re not beavers.
But if they can do all that, shouldn’t I have that ability too? Yet, I don’t. It’s as if someone took it away from me.
“You’re the king of humans, aren’t you? But you don’t know your duty?”
“That’s why I want to know. Once you know, you can do anything. So, I’m looking for the being that changed humans. I don’t know much, but if there’s a reason for humans to change, that’s the only one.”
The regressionist knew exactly what he was talking about. Beings who had undergone regression more than ten times couldn’t easily fathom such entities. The regressionist uttered that name with an awkward expression.
“The knowledge that digs into the world and the power that changes humans. Maesin.”
“That’s right. The power that irreversibly transforms humans. I want to know about the background surrounding that power, not the power itself. Knowing that will reveal how humans have changed.”
How honest and straightforward this explanation was. Even a regressionist with many doubts would have to accept it in the face of such a simple and clear explanation. Indeed, truth and sincerity tend to communicate effectively.
“…I still have questions, but there’s no contradiction. The king of sin I saw was a different human from Hughes, but he must have also served the power of Maesin.”
Satisfied, the regressionist asked with a softened expression.
“Is that why you’re chasing Maesin?”
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“Yes.”
“Lie.”
“You understood. That’s fortunate… right? What?”
When I asked unexpectedly, the regressionist clenched his fist with an indifferent expression and answered.
“It differs from the information I know. You’re hiding the truth, aren’t you? Stop thinking about hiding and just spill it.”
‘There’s no contradiction with my information, but still, he’s the king of humans. There must be more information he’s hiding. I’m not sure, but my feeling tells me there’s definitely something more. If I dig deeper, it’ll come out.’
Bluffing, was it? Without any certainty? So vague?
Well, this is ridiculous. Because it’s so absurd, I retorted.
“What’s different?”
The regressed individual casually turned their head to try and stab at me, but everything I said was the truth from the start. There can be no contradictory or conflicting parts. Not finding anything strange, the regressed individual replied haphazardly.
“Anyway.”
“Tsk. You caught me. That’s right. In truth, I have no interest in drinking and my real goal is to travel the world and meet women from different countries. Isn’t it instinctual for any creature to find a mate? I simply acted in accordance with that instinct.”
“As expected!”
“Lies, you human! What do you mean by ‘as expected’?”
When I shouted, the regressed individual flinched and vomited.
“…Really?”
“Of course not! If I were going to meet women, wouldn’t I have stayed as Tyr’s companion and lived comfortably? If you’re going to bluff, do it properly. What am I supposed to do when I’m caught up in such ridiculous lies?”
Don’t you know not to gamble if you’re not sure? If this were a gambling table, I would have paid a heavy price for a failed bluff.
Knowing his own embarrassment, the regressed individual turned away from me with his arms crossed. Seizing the weakness, I immediately scolded the regressed individual.
“Anyway. You understand, right? So you should cooperate with me a bit.”
“Cooperate? What kind of cooperation?”
“The Thousand Eon you have. That’s a relic of the Masher, right?”
“This?”
“Give it to me.”
As I reached out my hand towards the invisible sword, the regressed individual touched the Thousand Eon hesitantly.
‘If I rashly hand over the Masher to the human king, it might be dangerous… Nah, that can’t be. Nothing will happen.’
The thoughts were simple and the actions were fast. After capturing the Thousand Eon, the regressed individual handed it to me. I carefully held the Thousand Eon, making sure not to cut myself.
I can feel the power of the swirling space within the small space. The wind feels like it contains a hurricane in the compressed space. Even if I make a small hole, it feels like the wind will explode. I could wield it myself, but it seemed difficult to truly harness this power.
Certainly, this is the elixir. However, I have no idea what kind of elixir it is. In the first place, there is no sense of purpose or hidden agenda here.
The regressor, looking intently at the vial with concern, spoke.
“Have you seen it all? Then give it back. The power in this vial is compressed to the point that it’s dangerous in the hands of a novice.”
“You really thought through the idea of entrusting such a dangerous thing to me.”
“Because you’re different!”
‘I thought it would bounce back the moment I touched it. Nothing happened? Well, I guess those who aren’t chosen can’t feel the energy. Can a human king handle every tool with ease?’
Wait. What? Was I talking about the potential danger to me? Not because I was worried that I might harm myself with the power of the elixir?
The regressor’s emotions are capricious and unpredictable, making them difficult to gauge.
There’s nothing to gain. After examining the estimate, I returned it to the regressor and asked again.
“This is also an elixir, right?”
“What if it is?”
“But Cheon-ang doesn’t have that. The elixir that changed the world and the ideals of the elixir. Even though it died and disappeared, the remnants of the ideals that should still be engraved in the wind that changed the world are not visible. It’s not the elixir I was looking for.”
“You were aiming not for the elixir’s power itself, but the ideals and enlightenment of the person who became the elixir, right? My goal is not to obtain power but to catch up with humanity.”
Once again, reminding myself of my purpose, I asked the regressor.
“Where is this elixir?”
The elixir of the sky. The source of this mysterious power that manipulates space and wind. And the regressor, who has gathered treasures and abilities through twelve regressions, was the fastest way to reach the elixir.
… I tried to secretly gather clues while accompanying him, but since I got caught, there’s no choice. I straightforwardly interrogated the regressor.
“Even if I don’t know what kind of god Cheonsin is, there must be someone who first discovered it. That person became the elixir and left Cheon-ang. Did Shea get Cheon-ang from there?”
“… If that’s the case?”
“Stop pretending not to know and just tell me. Where is that place, and who is the Mazin there? If you don’t want to talk, just say so.”
No need to answer. After all, I can just read the memories.
Surprisingly, the regressor does not recall how they obtained the Celestial Essence during this regression. Whether it has become a routine through regressions or if it’s because they recognize it as their own, I don’t know. The process of obtaining the Celestial Essence must have been there, but it was absent from the regressor’s awareness.
“Sungsan Yullim. The sacred sanctuary of the auspicious Celestial Shrine, where the initial saint connected with the heavens.”
But by digging into it like this, I can’t help but recall. I focused my mind to read the regressor’s thoughts, unveiling the information about the Mazin they’ve already found behind the veil.
“A bit higher from there… standing on the altar at a specific time, only those who recognize the presence can see the space and grasp the Celestial Essence. Since I already have it, I found it easily, but it might be difficult for others.”
Oh. The information flows smoothly. Despite the regressor’s lack of enthusiasm, the information they possess is genuine. The experiences through repeated regressions were too sweet to ignore.
Sungsan Yullim. And the altar in the sky. While recalling the information I gathered and trying to decipher the method, the thought was abruptly cut off.
What’s this? If you’re going to think, do it until the end. Why stop thinking at the most crucial scene?! Don’t stop thinking. Remember until the end!
While I internally vented my frustration, the regressor gave an unexpectedly straightforward answer.
“I’ll tell you.”
“What?”
It was so unexpected that even after reading the thought, I couldn’t believe it and asked again.
“Really? This easily?”
“Why be surprised? You asked.”
“Look at Shei’s behavior. Until now, she’s been ticking and never revealed her true feelings. But suddenly, she comes to me and willingly offers help. It feels more suspicious than joyful.”
“If you don’t like it, just say so!”
“It’s not about saying it; why do you always get annoyed? If you really want to help, I welcome it.”
It’s perplexing that someone who aimed the Celestial Essence at me a while ago is so cooperative, but well. Once again, to catch up with the ever-changing thoughts of the regressor in real-time, I used my unique technique.
‘The king of sin will inevitably appear. Even if the forbidden fruit that engenders sin, destroying the fake world tree of Nebida, is annihilated, he will eventually emerge and sweep the world. Like the kings of other beasts, the king of sin will exist one per generation. I cannot prevent the very birth of the king of sin.’
What?
Fake world tree? Forbidden fruit? Engendering sin?
Now I’m curious. What did the regressor see or hear in the previous regression? Strange knowledge is emerging one after another.
I knew that twelve regressions were no joke, but… judging by what has been shown so far, I thought he was just a greedy treasure hunter who roamed the world and collected treasures through regression. Even deep and dark knowledge that is not easy for witnesses to obtain is coming out. What is regression, exactly? It’s clearly right in front of me, but why is it not registering properly in my mind? It’s baffling from head to toe.
‘Maybe Hughes could become the king of sin. I might be offering the poison to the king of sin….’
Likewise. The regressor might be a secret weapon created to target the human king.
‘But it’s worth checking. Let’s try it once.’
But there is worth in checking the regressor’s knowledge. It’s just a small thing. If we’ve come this far, it’s worth checking, even if we can’t use it.
The betting is over. Now all that’s left is to reveal each other’s hands. The regressor was the first to speak.
“However, there is a condition.”
“You seem to be quite reasonable now. It’s annoying. Just listen, what’s the catch?”
“There is a catch. This is for me, but at the same time, it’s for you.”
The regressor, who suppressed my grumbling, spoke with confidence.
“If you are truly the king of humans, keep the promise with the king of dogs. Then I will trust you and take you to the sanctuary. Of course, without informing the Celestial Blue.”
“A promise with a dog?”
I looked at Aji. Aji, who was tense, thinking that I and the regressor might fight, relaxed as the conversation flowed smoothly. Then, our eyes met, and Aji grinned.
The promise made between a dog and a human in ancient times. I don’t have the memories of that time, and neither does Aji. However, the contract between the two species as kings is still valid. Therefore, Aji and I must keep our promises to each other.
Aji protects humans, and I protect Aji. Just as humans take care of dogs, dogs protect humans.
…Having lost all power and authority, I have also lost the compulsion of the promise. However, so far, I have only delayed it due to lack of ability, but I have never thought of breaking the promise.
Why? Because it’s a promise.
Promises are meant to be kept, you know. I’m not a swindler either.
“Well, I intended to keep it. But how does that help?”
“It does help. It’s a fight between dogs and wolves. Depending on the outcome….”
Hold on for a moment. The thoughts of the regressor deepened.
Werewolves. A race within a race that has been mixed with beasts and discriminated against by the Immortal Agarta, yet distinguished and ostracized from humans. They possess superior senses and physical abilities than humans, but due to their inherent naivety and even stupidity, they have been alienated.
Distinction and discrimination create differences. A thick barrier built by perception and customs separated werewolves from humans. While humans enjoyed peaceful lives leaning on one side of the barrier without knowing how the other side was changing, there was a disturbance one day in the calm peace brought by the barrier. Emotions filled to the brim began to overflow, crossing over the high and thick walls. It was already too late when they noticed. The accumulated gap, piled up as it was, seemed ready to burst with just a slight touch.
And among such werewolves, the ones who had the largest numbers and played the role of a buffer zone in the midst of conflict, being friendly to humans, the dog werewolves.
The regressor murmured, picturing their appearance in a future that had not yet arrived.
“The choices of the dog werewolves will change.”