The Regressor Only Protects Me Chapter 38

#Episode 38. Edict (3)

“Let’s be honest. You just need a puppet. A puppet to blame for everything. I’ll be that puppet.”

When Zion spoke, the conference room fell silent.

And then I calmly waited for Gil In-ho’s next words.

‘The bait has been thrown.’

Now I just waited for him to ask.

Gil In-ho, who arrogantly leaned back his chair, remained silent.

He was watching Zion with his arms crossed.

The silence continued for a while.

At that moment, the corners of Gil In-ho’s mouth slightly rose.

“Puhhhhh.”

Soon his hearty laughter echoed throughout the conference room.

“Poohahahahahaha! Ah, I lost, Mr. Zion.”

Gil In-ho placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head.

He kept laughing as if he found this situation funny, then looked at Officer Lee Cheong-chun and said.

“The officer is right. Kang Si-on is an amazing person. To be honest, when I first saw him, I thought, ‘What the hell is a middle school student walking up to me?’ … No. Is he joking with me?’ But what is this? He’s a lucky charm. Lucky.”

“Hahaha, I agree with you, sir.”

Only then did the police chief follow him and laugh to set the mood.

Gil In-ho took a sip of the instant coffee that was on the desk.

It was coffee that the reconnaissance team had airlifted from a convenience store.

Not only that, there were cookies, jellies, and food on the desk.

They were living a comfortable life here.

“Honestly, even if the situation wasn’t like this, I would have taken Mr. Sion in myself. There’s no one like you among the young people these days. Excellent. Oh, I hit you hard. Really. Just like you said, with just one word from me, I could turn you from a murderer to a great man. Yes! Let’s be honest! I have a lot to lose. That’s why there are things I shouldn’t do myself.”

The police chief sitting next to the congressman noticed him and smiled faintly along with him.

Zion looked at Gil In-ho without changing his expression.

“But it would be different for Mr. Sion. You have nothing to lose. It would be possible for me to make you a hero here. The press? Reporters? They would just take my word for it and write it down. On the front page of the newspaper, a hero of troubled times! A hero of the people! Kang Sion! When you get a little older, I could raise you politically! It’s not like it’s a big deal to spread it around like this. Of course, the opposite is also possible.”

When Rep. Gil In-ho expressed his opposition, he emphasized it with some force.

“But don’t worry, Mr. Zion. I really like you right now. I really like people like you. Ambition, confidence, conviction… … and above all, spirit. I apologize for being rude. I’m sorry. I misjudged you. There are so many people who try to take advantage of this situation. When you do this politics for a long time, you can tell a person’s true colors just by talking to them for a few words. Your true colors are huge. I will make you a hero.”

After saying that, Zion secretly calmed down.

It seems that the persuasion worked.

Gil In-ho interlocked his fingers and placed them on his nose.

His voice became calm again.

“I will appoint you as manager, but there is one condition.”

“Go ahead.”

Gil In-ho immediately spoke about the conditions.

“Try to solve the cold.”

“… … .”

Dealing with the cold without electricity was quite a challenge.

But they could no longer ignore the cold problem.

Of the two whiteboards, one was filled with meeting notes on the cold weather issue.

But it wasn’t like there was no way.

“Let’s give it a try.”

Zion answered, and Gil In-ho emphasized again.

“Let’s do it, no. We absolutely must do it.”

Gil In-ho set the mood heavily.

But now, Kang Shi-on had no intention of backing down.

To achieve great results, you need to have the appropriate authority to do so.

“It depends on what kind of authority you give.”

“Phehheh! As expected, you don’t back down even one step. Of course, Mr. Sion. Chief.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Please issue the first decree.”

“Oh, yes! I understand.”

The chief waved his finger in the air in response to the congressman’s words.

It was the ‘Monarch’s’ spear that was invisible to others.

Zion recalled what he had heard from Jin Jae-hee.

royal order.

A privilege exclusive to the monarch that allows him to use the reward points obtained by completing monarch-exclusive quests.

For some reason, Zion was able to perform quests in the pre-monarch stage, but originally it was a system that only monarchs could have.

In Round 1, you could only check the monarch temporary status window items, and this system was added in earnest from Round 2.

As a result, it was a system that had to be taken over one day, eliminating the preface in front of one’s eyes.

If you can just get that system, you can run your power the way you want, rather than having to convince others like this.

Zion wanted that system.

Gil In-ho said to Zion.

“Originally, I didn’t issue any edicts. I didn’t want to negotiate with terrorists. But now things are different. I have to do something. The authority you’re talking about. This edict, right?”

Zion nodded.

They have been looking for someone to take responsibility so far.

And now he’s trying to shift all the blame to Zion, whom he just met.

In the end, it was just a case of passing the buck, but it actually worked to Zion’s advantage.

“I hereby grant Mr. Zion control over all personnel other than the police officers and those present here.”

“Edict. Article 1, Paragraph 1, Proclamation.”

At that moment, a notification window appeared in the air.

Proclamation by the monarch.

It was the first power of the monarch prescribed by the system.

Absolute power.

By using the powers prescribed by the system, monarchs can control their own forces.

[The first force of Manan, King Park Geon-woo]

[Proclamation of the Edict]

[Announcer: Park Geon-woo]

[Article 1, Paragraph 1: All management authority, except for those classified as police officers and VIPs, among the personnel included in the force is delegated to ‘Kang Shi-on.’]

The proclamation of the decree appeared before all members of the power, excluding the monarch.

Gil In-ho, who was looking at the announcement notification window, spoke to the police chief.

“Let me make one exception.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“That the Chief and I can relieve you of that position at any time we wish.”

This was Gil In-ho’s brilliant move.

The power given to Kang Shi-on was merely a loan, and could not be higher than their own position.

Gil In-ho used this clause to provide minimal insurance for Kang Si-on.

“All right.”

The chief, who accepted Gil In-ho’s proposal, added additional details.

[Article 1, Paragraph 1: The authority to manage all citizens, except those with police status and those designated as VIPs, is delegated to ‘Kang Shi-on’. However, if the monarch Park Geon-woo and citizen Gil In-ho wish, they can remove the position.]

[Please set the level of punishment in case of violation.]

“Punishment level?”

“Let’s put him in detention.”

“Let’s do that.”

[You have entered the violation.]

[Do you wish to proclaim the stated decree?]

“I declare.”

The moment the police chief spoke.

Paat-!

A golden light began to shimmer across the bodies of the people inside the conference room.

As declared by the police chief, it was stored in the interface of the internal components included here.

Zion looked at his own rippling palms.

He was now a subject of that edict.

It was a great power.

Even though he is clearly a human, the edict is stored inside him as if he were a game character.

And that power came solely from the monarch.

The power to subdue hundreds of people with just one word.

It was truly the power of God.

Gil In-ho said with a faint smile.

“Now, Mr. Zion, please come up here every day at 6 p.m. to report on your work. And I will prepare a private room for you.”

“A private room?”

“Yes. Those who have power should have their own proper place. I’ll give you an office. Don’t worry. It’ll be much more spacious and comfortable than the cramped space below. Oh, and now, if you ask our officer for things like the bathroom or food, you can use them as many times as you want.”

It was a privilege.

The people here lived a different life from ordinary citizens.

Although it may not be called wealthy, there were rich and poor here too.

There was no reason why Zion should not receive this benefit.

Because for his own purposes, he also needed a solid rest.

“yes.”

Kang Shi-on accepted it.

“Mr. Zion.”

“yes.”

“Don’t disappoint me. I have high expectations.”

Gil In-ho said with a hearty laugh.

Zion glared at him and thought.

He said he was looking forward to it too.

Anyway, I will kill both City Councilor Gil In-ho and Police Chief Park Geon-woo with my own hands and seize this power.

* * *

I left the conference room and followed Lee Cheong-chun.

He guided me to the duty room for the on-duty police officers, which was located on one side of the fifth floor.

Squeak-.

When I opened the door and went in, there was a bed and a desk there.

There were a few cardboard boxes stacked in the corner, and there were no windows.

“I’ll bring one more bed. Jin Jae-hee, you should come too, right?”

“yes.”

It was definitely a spacious room for two people.

It was on a whole different level from the times I spent hanging out with people downstairs.

Just one reconnaissance made a clear difference in the way I was treated within the force.

“It can’t be helped that it’s cold, but I’ll bring you a few thick blankets.”

Lee Cheong-chun said as he lifted the cardboard box in the corner and took it out.

I nodded lightly to him.

“Thank you for recommending me.”

“Yes. What.”

Lee Cheong-chun put all the cardboard boxes away and leaned against the doorstep.

He let out a sigh and spoke to me.

“That’s because I have such high expectations of you, Mr. Zion. And you saved my life, so this is beyond my reach. If you have any other requests, please call me anytime.”

I bowed my head to him again and greeted him, and Lee Cheong-chun smiled before quickly closing the door and disappearing.

After he disappeared, I walked slowly and sat down on the bed.

‘It was a success for now.’

By gaining the trust of Detective Lee Cheong-chun, the plan to get closer to the leadership was achieved more easily than expected.

Anyway, it’s true that the crocodile turtle almost took our lives, but thanks to him, we also gained the trust of Detective Lee Cheong-chun.

Now I had to think about the next number.

I had to gain the trust of the top brass.

To do that, I had to solve the ‘cold’ problem that Gil In-ho had ordered me to solve.

‘It’s cold.’

I laid my head back and flopped onto the bed.

It was fluffy.

When I closed my eyes, I felt like I could fall asleep at any moment.

Before the world was destroyed, I was a person who had never laid down in a bed.

My brother and I are always on the ground.

I spread several layers of blankets on the floor and slept with a pillow as my head.

My brother and I have never had any proper personal space since we were little.

In fact, even when my parents were around, our family was still poor, so it was difficult to expect to go to school and eating out was a dream.

I always slept with my younger brother sharing a blanket.

Summer and winter.

When I was younger, my only wish was to have a comfortable bed where I could sleep alone.

And now.

It wasn’t until the world was destroyed that I was able to get my own bed.

I was lying there staring at the ceiling.

It was so fu*king soft.

I had a mountain of work to do, but I was so tired that I fell asleep first.

I’ve been fighting an alligator snapping turtle since last night and haven’t been able to sleep yet.

What felt strange was that even though things had gotten to this point, for some reason my life felt like it was getting richer.

Negotiating with the older generations of society, with whom you would normally be unable to speak, or persuading others to take your side.

Unlike when I used to feel regretful about only getting 4 hours of sleep a day, I can now sleep comfortably.

Even the current bedding was better than the original world.

The only thing missing in my current life is that I don’t have a younger sibling by my side.

Everything went according to plan.

First, gain the trust of the leaders of the power bloc.

Gil In-ho said he had high expectations for me, but I also had high expectations for the power I would receive.

This was just the beginning.

Eventually they will hand over their power to me.

First of all, I will raise the approval rating within the internal forces to the maximum.

For the citizens, it will change everything.

Internal systems, modes of operation, food, toilets, even heating systems.

Anyway, Gil In-ho and the chief are only concerned with their own safety and won’t be aware of the external situation.

“It’s cold.”

I thought about how to solve it.

Then, a sound was heard.

The door opened and I felt a few movements.

There was a dull thud as the bed was laid, several people went out, and then another one came in.

Silence came again.

But the silence didn’t last long.

“There are about two hours left until the artifact is unlocked.”

“… … .”

It was Jin Jae-hee.

I opened my eyes slightly and looked at her sitting on the bed opposite me.

She was sitting quietly at the end of the bed with her legs together.

She was wiggling her toes.

I closed my eyes again and asked.

“You didn’t sleep?”

“Yeah. Because there’s not much time left until the opening.”

“… … .”

After that, the conversation did not continue.

I kept quiet for a while.

The sound of something rubbing.

And heavy breathing.

These were sounds that aroused curiosity.

I opened my eyes again and looked at her.

Jin Jae-hee was pulling up the bottom of his pants and undoing the bandage.

Swish-, swish.

There was a long gash on his calf.

The bandage was soaked with blood, as if the bleeding had not stopped completely.

Jin Jae-hee was changing the bandage.

It was a wound I got while protecting myself from Nepenthes.

Jin Jae-hee must have been conscious of my gaze as he carefully pulled down the bottom of his pants.

And then he said.

“I checked the edict. It went well.”

“huh.”

“I think I can complete the remaining quests well with this.”

I got out of bed and sat down on the edge.

Jin Jae-hee rolled up the bloody bandage and put it back in his bag.

“Let’s start training in earnest starting tomorrow. I hope your abilities are the same as in my past life, but that might not be the case. I’ll prepare for the training. Since I’ve already got a room like this, I think I can do a lot of things… … .”

“More than that. Are your legs okay?”

I asked about the wound, and Jin Jae-hee raised her head as if she was a little surprised.

After making eye contact for a moment, Jin Jae-hee smiled slightly and lowered his head.

I asked her why she was smiling.

“Why are you laughing?”

“No. Just.”

Jiik-.

Jin Jae-hee zipped his bag all the way shut.

“Because you were the kind of person who didn’t care about anyone.”

There was bitterness in those words.

I asked her again, thinking about what it meant to be a person who didn’t worry.

“Is it weird?”

“No. Just. Just. No.”

Jin Jae-hee was more flustered than necessary and mumbled his words.

Her appearance was a little strange, but I soon thought it was nothing special.

“Two hours until opening?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“Okay. I need to get some sleep.”

“I’ll wake you up when it’s time.”

“You too, sleep.”

I lay on my side.

And I pulled the thick blanket that Lee Cheong-chun had brought up to my neck.

A warm feeling enveloped my whole body.

Jin Jae-hee continued to speak to me.

“No. That can’t be. Who knows who might come looking for you? You have to grow up quickly. You have to find your little brother. I’ll make sure to wake you up the moment you open up.”

“Jin Jae-hee.”

“huh.”

He said with his eyes closed.

Her expression, her thoughts, were unreadable.

But she must be more tired than I am right now.

“Let it be. I don’t really care about the artifact being released a few hours late.”

“uh……?”

“So go to sleep. Even if you wake me up, I won’t wake up.”

I buried my body further into the blanket and turned over.

Jin Jae-hee needed a break.

Because they care about their surroundings more than I do, they can detect danger in advance, and they stay put even when they think it is safe.

Physical fatigue may be compounded by mental fatigue.

Whether or not you trained two hours earlier now won’t make a difference in whether or not you find your brother.

Above all, she needed to rest.

I was so sleepy that I felt dizzy.

I should have gone to sleep right away, but the reason I stayed awake was to hear her answer.

Just before I fell into complete sleep, I heard her low, soft voice.

“… … Okay. Thank you.”

Only after hearing her answer did I lose my senses and fall into a deep sleep.

* * *

Dawn when everyone is asleep.

Jin Jae-hee still couldn’t sleep and was looking at the back of Zion who was fast asleep.

She was squatting with her legs crossed.

Whenever and wherever I looked at Zion, it seemed as if I could hear ‘his’ voice.

-You must keep it.

A man with a face full of blood and a dying face.

-You know.

The image of herself shedding tears while holding the man.

-He is the only one who can return us all… …to where we came from.

The man’s hand, with the strength draining from his cheek.

-… …Meet in the original world.

She sobbed, holding the body of the dead man in her arms.

Even now, my body was trembling with longing. He must be playing a league game in the Busan area right now.

Maybe we could meet as enemies, but I had to be here.

As he said, only he can bring us all back to where we were.

And then we meet again in the original world. In the original world where we made music together and dreamed together.

Jin Jae-hee could still feel the body heat of the man who had become a cold corpse in her arms.

It was just as cold and chilly as it is now.

(Continued in the next episode)