The Regressor Can Make Them All
Chapter 359

Chapter 359

For the successful development of the specialized equipment for the undead and approval of management of the Danger Zones, Wurgen held a grand banquet. Except for those who had fallen out of Wurgen’s favor, nearly all high-ranking officials and notable figures were in attendance.

Thus, there were naturally familiar faces to Se-Hoon that could be spotted here and there.

Even Inoue came... and Myers too.

From a distance, Ren made eye contact and offered a brief nod. Not far away was Aaron, who also greeted Se-Hoon, giving him a slight tilt of his head.

Yet all Se-Hoon did was acknowledge them with a faint gesture before quickly averting his gaze. He knew engaging them would undoubtedly lead to meaningless chatter, which would definitely attract a crowd.

It’s not bad to draw attention, but dealing with them right now will be such a hassle...

His discomfort was noticeable, discouraging most people from approaching him. Yet, a few still lingered nearby, circling in hopes of an opportunity to strike up a conversation.

Feeling the interest in him growing day by day, Se-Hoon sipped his drink with a speculating gaze.

I wonder how many are Watchers?

Although the recent large-scale purge operation had uprooted many of them, the most critical agents were likely still entrenched. At a gathering of internationally renowned figures, it wouldn’t be surprising if a few were hidden among them, avoiding even Se-Hoon’s detection.

The obvious ones were all caught... meaning the rest should be those who stayed hidden until the very end.

Perhaps they had flawlessly severed all connections that could prove their affiliation with the Watchers, or perhaps they were individuals the Heroes Association tolerated for the greater cause of defeating the Demon Force? Though the latter was just a rumor, it was not one that could be entirely dismissed.

Ren is currently the most suspicious.

There was no concrete evidence yet, but he was certain Ren was one of the three Magi of Succession. Thinking they would need to be investigated eventually, Se-Hoon was deep in thought until a voice broke him out.

“Why the long face?”

Richard approached with a broad grin; his tone was lighthearted.

“Come on, everyone’s going to feel on edge if the star of the banquet looks so dour.”

“I was dragged here against my will, so I deserve to grumble a bit.”

If not for Wurgen’s insistence that he attended as part of the agreement for approving his specialized equipment, Se-Hoon wouldn’t have bothered showing up.

Hearing Se-Hoon complain, Richard glanced at his formal attire with a curious expression.

“Is that so? I figured you were enjoying yourself, since you’re dressed to the nines.”

“I’m only wearing this because it was a gift,” Se-Hoon nonchalantly replied, looking down at the suit Eun-Ha had bought him in New York.

Richard’s eyes sparkled. “Ah, so that’s the famous suit I’ve heard about.”

“Famous? Oh, you mean the dating rumors?”

“Exactly. But wow, you’re surprisingly indifferent about it. Hmm...”

Despite seeing Richard smirking mischievously, clearly teasing him, Se-Hoon remained calm.

“At first, I did find the rumors to be slightly bothersome, but after hearing variations nonstop since the first semester, I’ve grown used to them.”

In truth, he had also often been linked to Eun-Ha in similar ways even before regressing, so he now easily dismissed such stories as wild imagination.

His unshaken demeanor disappointed Richard, though, judging by how he clicked his tongue before shifting the topic.

“Do you want to step out for a moment? The view outside is worth seeing.”

“Sure.”

Following Richard to the balcony, Se-Hoon took in the dazzling cityscape under the night sky. And while he was engrossed in the view, Richard waved his hand lightly.

Swish-

From beneath their feet, darkness mana rose like curtains, enveloping them and blending seamlessly into the darkness. It was skillfully executed, blocking sound and distorting their appearance, catching Se-Hoon’s attention.

“You’re quite adept at this.”

“Ah, well, I trained a lot as a kid. With enough practice, reaching A-rank wasn’t too hard. Beyond this, though, I’d never make it no matter how hard I tried,” Richard said with a wry chuckle.

But despite his words, Se-Hoon studied him with interest. Although Richard downplayed his abilities, the spell he had just used possessed a finesse that even some S-rank necromancers couldn’t replicate.

It’s reminiscent of Wurgen’s spells... as if he was taught while knowing that he could also handle the power of Boundaries.

Intrigued by the thought that the training Richard had undergone might have had connections to the powers of Boundaries, Se-Hoon was just about to delve deeper when Richard changed the subject.

“So, what do you think will happen now?”

His reluctance to discuss the past was apparent. Forcing the issue wasn’t worth souring the mood either, so Se-Hoon just went along with the topic change.

“We’ve done all we can for now. All that’s left is to wait and see.”

“I see.... Taking on the President isn’t easy, is it?”

“Well, it is Wurgen we’re talking about.”

Richard took a sip of his drink, staring into the night.

“I thought I’d feel better after dealing a blow to the President this time. But it’s... not quite what I expected.”

“How so?”

“Hmm... I guess I feel more frustrated than anything.”

Pulling a piece of candy from his pocket, Richard unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth.

“We might have disrupted his plans, but we still don’t know his true intentions. It just feels like we’ve only scratched the surface.”

“Well, that’s true.”

If Soul Frame had been a truly fatal constraint, Wurgen would never have accepted it in the first place. Yet he had, which indicated it was within his ability to manage.

“Unless we address this core issue, nothing we’ve done will truly matter.... Phew, I sound ridiculous right now, don’t I? I haven’t even helped much, and here I am complaining on and on. Sorry about that.”

With a bitter smile, Richard apologized. Staring at him, Se-Hoon remained quiet for a moment before bluntly remarking, “You must really hate Wurgen.”

“...”

Falling quiet, Richard soon replied in a voice laced with mixed emotions, “It does seem that way.”

Richard, too, hadn’t realized just how deeply his resentment ran until now.

“Still, I need to be mindful of my methods. If I only care about the result, I’ll become no different from the President,” he added with a sigh.

If one lived solely for revenge, there would always come a point where they stopped considering what lay beyond.Then, when they finally arrived there, done with their revenge, all they would find was nothing but white ash—the crumbled remains of everything they once were.

Come to think of it, I nearly ended up like that myself.

Recalling the past, Se-Hoon realized that if someone other than his master had found him in that abandoned warehouse, he would have died there, never regressing back to the past like he had. Just that one encounter had triggered a massive chain of butterfly effects—a thought Se-Hoon couldn’t help but dwell on.

“That’s a good mindset.”

“You...you think so? Saying it out loud is a bit embarrassing,” awkwardly replied Richard, scratching his head. He then cleared his throat, attempting to change the subject, and asked, “By the way, do you meet with the Heroes Association President often?”

“Hm? No, not really.”

Richard paused at that response before his expression briefly turned serious and he spoke again. “You might want to be more cautious when dealing with him in the future.”

“...Why’s that?”

“Last time I met him, he gave me this."

Reaching into his jacket, Richard pulled out a business card and handed it to Se-Hoon.

“He told me to contact him if I wanted to discuss UD Group and the future of his plans.”

Se-Hoon’s eyes narrowed, focusing on the card. On the surface, it seemed like Gregory was simply searching for someone to provide insider information about the UD Group. But going by the subtle undertones in Richard’s account, it suggested it went deeper.

I thought Gregory was going for non-intervention. Did something change his mind?

Was it another consequence of Se-Hoon’s regression, or was it something unknown to him even in his past life? Either way, it wasn’t something to be dismissed lightly.

“I’ll keep it in mind. Hold on to the card, just in case.”

“Got it. So, what’s your plan now? I’m heading back inside.”

Instead of replying, Se-Hoon silently pointed upward.

“Ah, I see. Make sure to cover for me.”

With a wry smile, Richard dispelled the surrounding darkness and returned to the banquet hall. When he was gone, a notification message suddenly popped up before Se-Hoon’s eyes.

[A bond has been successfully established with the subject ‘Richard Kruger’.]

We’re finally on the same boat now.

Their cooperation had always felt tenuous, as though it could be severed at any moment. However, after the recent event, it seemed their bond had been solidified, judging by Richard’s actions.

What his Fatestone would reveal was still a mystery, but for now, the simple confirmation of trust was enough of a gain. With his thoughts now organized, Se-Hoon kicked off the ground and leapt upward.

Swish-

As he descended, a glowing platform appeared just in time to catch him—formed from the power of Boundaries. Smirking faintly, Se-Hoon ascended the glowing-platform stairs briskly.

When he reached the rooftop, he found a cushion on the edge of the railing, facing the cityscape. On top of it rested Wurgen’s pristine white skull.

“You sure like to talk. Did you enjoy your time mocking me?”

Listening to Wurgen’s gruff voice, Se-Hoon casually sat beside the cushion and answered with feigned innocence. “Mocking? I was just expressing my gratitude for your grace.”

“Being blatantly sarcastic, are you? You insolent brat...” grumbled Wurgen irritably, falling silent after.

Se-Hoon remained quiet too, waiting patiently. It wasn’t yet his turn to ask questions.

“Did you figure out what my intentions are?”

The straightforward question hung in the air as Se-Hoon briefly deliberated what to say. If his deduction hit the mark, Wurgen might decide to shoulder any risk to eliminate him.

Yet even though the possibility loomed large, he spoke his mind, his voice steady. “I believe you’re trying to expand your power by merging with the undead.”

Wurgen and the undead both exist on the boundary between life and death, their essence fundamentally similar. While that didn’t mean Wurgen and the other undead were identical beings, the possibility of achieving that outcome wasn’t entirely implausible.

“Continue.”

Encouraged by Wurgen’s prompt, Se-Hoon elaborated. “If you were to use your Eye of the Nether on an undead, that entity would essentially become a clone of you. Not only would your sight be shared, but you’d be able to fully control its body and even grant it limited access to your powers.”

The unification feature of the Eye of the Nether, combined with the unique traits of both Wurgen and the undead, made such a scenario plausible.

“However, it’s impossible for the clone to become completely identical to the original. Even with infinite access to mana, the resentment contained within would overwhelm it.”

By their very nature, the undead ran off the Netherworld’s mana, which meant they inevitably absorbed the resentment within. And for a clone to replicate the power of Wurgen, that would require an unsustainable amount of mana, and thus an immense amount of resentment.

Even an S-rank undead couldn’t endure that for long.

“That’s why you wanted to devise a solution: specialized equipment designed to dispel the accumulated resentment.”

With such a device, the clone could harness the Netherworld’s infinite mana without succumbing to its effects, effectively replicating Wurgen’s power. In turn, that would mean Wurgen could multiply by thousands, perhaps tens of thousands.

That sounds truly terrifying, on second thought...

Se-Hoon shuddered. With such an army, even the fiercest wars could be effortlessly won.

But what would happen afterward? Se-Hoon couldn’t imagine any resolution that aligned with his vision of the future. It was for that reason that he had ensured the specialized equipment wouldn’t allow them to transform into clones.

“...You’re a twisted one.”

Wurgen’s mutter was laced with weariness, but he neither affirmed nor denied Se-Hoon’s claim.

“Is that why you forged that stupid leash?”

“To be honest, it was a coincidence. I didn't expect it to turn out so well.”

Had there been even the slightest shortfall in materials or technique, the result would have been far less effective. In other words, it was luck, which Wurgen grumbled about before falling silent.

Now, it was Se-Hoon’s turn to ask a question.

“Why do you want to clone yourself so badly?”

In the first place, what was the purpose behind such a pursuit?

“I have no memory of reaching the top,” Wurgen said after a moment of silence.

“...Sorry?”

“On the final floor of the Tower—the 444th floor—I was gravely injured with a third of my body torn apart and lost consciousness. I should’ve died from blood loss right then and there.”

Wurgen’s recount of his story was in a detached tone, as if it were someone else’s tale. He gazed at the night view.

“But when I woke up, I was standing at the summit of the Tower... in this form.”

“...”

“Perhaps I crawled to the top in my dying moments. Or maybe I was already a corpse, dragged there by necromancy. Who knows? No one witnessed it.”

A brief blink had altered everything.

It was a sentiment Se-Hoon, though unsure of the full extent, could empathize with. After all, his own regression had evoked a similar sensation.

“At first, I tried not to think about it, but it was impossible to not dwell on the memory. Is ‘Wurgen Kruger’ actually the resurrected me? Or is he just a skeleton mimicking my life?”

Just as necromancers pondered whether undead were truly living beings, Wurgen had long been grappling with his own existence. The very search for an answer itself had since become the core driving force of his being.

“The clones are part of that verification process. By creating entities identical to my original self, I thought I might uncover the truth.”

“I see...”

“Well, with things as they are, I’ll have to try a different approach. There’s still plenty left to attempt.”

Although Wurgen spoke nonchalantly, Se-Hoon could tell there was more to the story. But for now, he decided to just leave it at that.

Gathering his thoughts, Se-Hoon offered a candid response.

“In that case, I can help you.”

“You... help me?”

“Yes. All that matters is uncovering the truth, right?”

Wurgen stared at Se-Hoon for a moment.

If they succeeded, Wurgen might finally calm down.

“Do as you please. I can’t do anything about it right now, anyway,” Wurgen said, letting out a soft chuckle.

His words implied he’d act the moment an opportunity arose, and there was little Se-Hoon could do to prevent that.

“We’ll see how things play out.”

Acknowledging the limitations of the present, Se-Hoon rose from his seat.

“Seems the conversation’s over. I’ll be on my way.”

“So much for the opportunity I gave you. What a waste.”

“Connections like this aren’t something I need. See you next time.”

With a leap, Se-Hoon teleported away, leaving Wurgen clicking his tongue in annoyance.

“He’s becoming more insufferable by the day,” Wurgen irritably muttered before turning his gaze forward once more.

Beneath the night sky’s glow, his eyes locked onto the faint, white outline of the nearby Tower of Heroes rising into the heavens.

“I guess it’s not too far now...”

No matter when the chance came, he wouldn’t let it slip away again.

The white skull with its unblinking sockets remained fixed on the cityscape, the light of the Tower of Heroes reflected in its depths.

***

Heading immediately toward a study lined with countless books, the elderly Daniel stormed into his sister’s home, his face contorted in frustration.

And upon entering, his piercing gaze locked onto its owner.

“You’re the one who said you could handle all of this! What the hell happened?!”

“I said we had a chance. Why don’t you calm down a little?”

Unlike him, Laura was composed, her tone unruffled. Yet that served only to enrage Daniel further..

“Calm down? Do you think I can just calm down right now?! Father approved Se-Hoon’s specialized equipment, and the entire group is in turmoil! Do you have any idea how many people are trying to get along with that bastard Richard now?!”

Not too long ago, just being associated with Se-Hoon had left Richard isolated. But now, everyone was scrambling to forge connections with him.

But while it was normal for the power dynamics within the UD Group to shift according to Wurgen’s will, the things occurring behind the scenes were particularly unsettling.

“Divisions are forming even among those stupid demons. If this keeps up, we’ll lose everything—our opportunities, everything!”

Daniel’s furious shouting echoed through the study, growing louder and more intense until it abruptly ceased, cut off as though someone had pressed a mute button.

It left a sudden silence in the room that was unnatural and jarring, even to Daniel himself.

What... what’s happening?

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t form any words. It was as if he had been trapped in someone else’s body. Alarmed, cold sweat trickled down his back as he stared at his sister.

“...”

Laura, her chin resting on her hands, was watching him with a detached expression.

He instinctively knew. She still looked like his sister, but Daniel, who had spent decades navigating the business world, knew that the entity before him now was something else entirely.

“Feeling cool-headed yet?”

Her voice was soft, laced with an eerie chill. Trembling, Daniel nodded.

Seeing that he calmed down, Laura—or rather, Tuner who had taken control of her body—smiled faintly and withdrew his spell.

“Gasp... cough! Cough!”

Daniel collapsed into a coughing fit, his face pale. Yet Tuner didn’t even glance at him, his thoughts instead drifting to the events in the lab.

I used to get thwarted at every turn, but... this time, they’ve shown me something truly interesting.

Se-Hoon’s specialized equipment had derailed the original plan, making it impossible to proceed as intended. However, it also presented a new angle of approach, sparking fresh ideas in Tuner’s mind.

As his thoughts coalesced into a solid plan, Daniel finally regained his composure.

“Uh, um... sir...” Daniel began hesitantly.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“If you’re preparing something... could you at least tell me when it will begin?”

Despite the risk of death hanging over his head, Daniel couldn’t resist asking; his self-interest in the matter outweighed his fear.

“...Family traits run deep, don’t they?”

Chuckling dryly, Tuner gave him what he wanted with deliberate calm.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Who... who’s going to inform me?”

Hearing the quiver in Daniel’s voice, Tuner turned his gaze toward the window, fixed on something beyond the horizon.

A sly smile crept across his lips.

“That damn Tower over there will.”