Absolute Regression Chapter 77

Episode 77 Who will take that spot?

Today I brought all my people.

From the Bloodthirsty Demon who suggested this method, to Ilhwa Sword Master, Ian and Seodaeryong, and even Demon Lord Jangho.

I didn’t tell the rest of them why I was visiting the Fengchun sect leader. I didn’t want them to do anything intentionally. Today, there is no need to persuade or impress. Just show them who you are.

“We have brought our distinguished guests with us. Welcome!”

The leader of the Pungcheon Church welcomed us with open arms, looking the happiest he had ever been since we met.

I made a big mistake with the chained man, but have you already made up?

“I suddenly felt interested and came to see you with my companions. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“That’s okay. Isn’t this a good opportunity to interact with the heroes of the new religion?”

“You have the same heart as Hahae.”

Among those who came together, the first person to greet me was Hyeolcheon Doma.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Welcome.”

Of course, the leader of the Fengchun sect was very familiar with the demons.

“I heard that you have become close friends with Lee Gong-ja recently.”

“You misheard. It’s not that we’ve become close, I’m the left wing of the Duke of Yi.”

We used to joke around about wings among ourselves, but I didn’t know that Hyeolcheondoma would say this to someone else.

Perhaps he was trying to show the Chained Man that he trusted the Sword Dance Theater. Even I didn’t expect him to show something like this, so how surprised must the Sword Master Ilhwa have been?

I knew she wouldn’t like this position, but I asked her to let me see Hyeolcheondoma at least once more. I also had the will to make her mine.

Ilhwageomjon, who had been looking at Hyeolcheondoma with a surprised face for a moment, spoke to the leader of Pungcheon.

“That doesn’t mean I’m the right wing.”

It was her will to not get involved with the Bloodthirsty Demon in any way, but the leader of the Fengchun Sect took it as a witty joke and expressed his gratitude to her.

“I heard that Cheongseon was a great help in becoming the Demon Lord this time.”

“I did it because I trusted the scholar.”

She gave me the ball. Here’s one more.

“And Thomas helped me a lot. I got an abstention, but Thomas got a full vote.”

She didn’t mention any specific names, but she made it clear that she got one vote thanks to Doma. No matter how much she hated Doma, she couldn’t stand to take credit for someone else’s work because it made her feel uncomfortable.

It was the first time I heard of this story. Naturally, I thought that Ilhwageomjon got one vote and Hyeolcheondoma got one abstention.

But the Bloodthirsty Demon got one vote? This eccentric old man came to see me and didn’t show any emotion.

I sent a message to Hyeolcheondoma.

-You said you were being bullied?

―I guess someone helped him because he was so pitiful.

-If you get bullied twice, I will make all the Amazons kneel.

-You won’t have to come back and ask for help again.

-thank you.

-Okay.

The leader of the Pungcheon Church expressed his gratitude to Hyeolcheon Doma by giving him a lottery ticket.

“Better than my friend.”

“In the first place, isn’t it strange to find friends in the world of martial arts? You meet and part ways as needed. Living like that is in many ways a cleaner way to live.”

“Good teaching, I won’t forget it.”

So the two demons finished greeting each other, and this time Jangho greeted him.

“I am Demon Lord Jangho. It is an honor to meet you.”

“It is an honor for me to meet the brave Demon Lord like this.”

“I urged His Majesty to let me see the new king.”

“It’s just a name in name only, so I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

Jang-ho followed me without asking why after hearing my request. This trustworthiness that made it seem like he would silently carry out any task was something special that only Jang-ho had.

Next, Seo Dae-ryong greeted us.

“I don’t know if I should be here, but I am Seo Dae-ryong, an investigator at Hwangcheon-gak.”

“I know you well. You’re our Duke’s right-hand man, aren’t you?”

Then, Seo Dae-ryong opened his eyes wide and looked at me. Did you really say all that? I smiled at his expression and said,

“I guess everyone knows this without me having to say anything. I guess that’s how it is.”

The last person to say hello was Ian.

“My name is Ian, and I am assisting you. It is an honor to meet you.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such lively eyes.”

“Thank you for a good look.”

Her momentum, as she was in the midst of her training, was like a sword these days.

A sharp momentum that seems to strike anyone.

How to lower this expectation was her task going forward.

“If the investigator over there is my right-hand man, then Ian here is like my heart.”

Ian was embarrassed when I said that in front of everyone. Her face turned red, but I spoke confidently as if making a declaration.

“Everyone knows this. Ian is the heart.”

There is a world of difference between talking alone and talking in front of people. If you can say something when you are alone, you should be able to say it in front of everyone. That is a real relationship.

But usually, it’s not easy to find such a relationship. It’s really not easy.

In that sense, meeting Ian was a great stroke of luck for me. Not just because of the life debt I had before returning. As I told my father, it was because she was a great person.

A person who can sacrifice his life for someone, even if he has nine tails hidden behind him.

She revealed that because she became friendly with me, otherwise she would have hidden her true identity as a fox and done her duty like a bear all her life.

“That doesn’t mean you have to throw yourself for me. Just because someone thinks highly of me doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice yourself for him. Don’t forget that. The two are completely separate things.”

These were my values regarding superiors and subordinates.

It was something I said to Ian, but it was also something I said to the Chained Man.

The leader of the Pungcheon Church was amazed.

“I’m jealous that there’s someone who can praise you like this.”

He saw the chained man over his shoulder. What was he thinking?

“I can’t just sit by and watch this man brag about his subordinates. Now, let me introduce someone. The man in chains over there is this man’s right-hand man.”

I was secretly surprised. The leader of the Fengchun sect had never introduced the man in chains before, but he introduced him today. He even referred to him as his right-hand man. There must have been some change between the two after that slip of the tongue.

Bloodthirsty Demon asked openly.

“Why did you bind the man who was your right hand in chains?”

“I held him back forcibly because he was a person who would ascend if I turned my eyes away even for a moment.”

“Shouldn’t we allow those who are destined to ascend to ascend?”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

Hyeolcheon Doma nodded with an expression of understanding.

“That’s right. These damned snakes are so unruly that humans like us can’t easily handle them.”

Then, the Bloodthirsty Demon looked at me. He said that he would let go of the person he was going to send, and at the same time, he praised me for being a dragon that would ascend to heaven.

Bloodthirsty Doma is really quick-witted and good at reading the mood.

If he were just ten years younger, or even twenty years younger, he might have made Hyeolcheondoma his military commander. Of course, he would jump up and say he would never do that.

Meanwhile, the table was set for drinking.

We sat around and poured each other drinks.

I don’t think fate controls everything for humans. Fate just gives us opportunities. It’s up to people to judge and seize those opportunities.

I did a lot of research and preparation for my return, but the Chained Man was missing. He was someone who might play a really important role in my life after my return.

But that’s okay.

Rather, it is because I did not know in advance and did not prepare for this that this kind of place was prepared for me. It is a place that can reveal who I am, and thus ultimately makes me reflect on myself.

Ian opened the first door of today’s session.

After a few rounds of drinks, Ian cautiously stepped forward.

“Would you mind if I offered him a drink?”

The person she was talking about was the Chained Man. It was something I didn’t ask him to do. The leader of the Fengchun cult had made a big slip of the tongue once because I had given him alcohol before.

Ian, unaware of this fact, was making the same suggestion.

The leader of the Pungcheon Church smiled and spoke to me, unlike his previous reaction to me.

“That guy will like it too.”

It’s definitely different. What on earth happened?

Ian took the bottle and glass and poured him a drink, asking politely.

“Is the gentleman guarding this bell?”

I didn’t think he would answer, but unexpectedly the man in shackles opened his mouth.

“At first it was like that… … but now the paper is protecting me.”

Ian continued the conversation, not knowing whether or not he knew how precious this answer was.

“Similar to me.”

The man in chains glanced up and looked at her.

“At first, I protected you, but now you are protecting me.”

I saw a faint smile on the corner of the chained man’s mouth. That must have been why Ian was able to continue speaking naturally.

“That servant doesn’t tell the unmanned person to leave? Our master keeps telling me to leave. He wants me to live my life. Is that really so? Or is he sending me away because he hates me?”

Then the man in chains answered her question again.

“I wouldn’t say in front of everyone that someone I hate is my heart and I’m going to throw them out.”

It was a new look for the Chained Man. He had already answered Ian’s questions twice.

As with Ian’s question from the beginning, I had a feeling that the Chained Man’s answer might be directed at me, not Ian.

“Ah, I guess so?”

Ian looked at me. I could feel her tail now spreading. She must have had a hunch that the reason she brought them here was related to this man. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be having this conversation with the chained man.

I tapped my heart twice and pointed my finger at her.

Ian laughed heartily.

“You act like that so much, it seems like a joke.”

Seo Dae-ryong, who was sitting at that time, went there with his glass and joined them. He moved so naturally that there was no need to stop him.

Seo Dae-ryong said as he sat down next to Ian.

“I think that’s because you’re too worried about this drone.”

“Me?”

“Yes. From what I’ve observed of you, your subordinates have a strong desire not to die. It’s like a parent’s wish for you to leave the dangerous Dosan Sword Forest and live well. I think that’s why you made me learn martial arts from you.”

“Ah! Maybe that’s true.”

Ian looked at me again. She had been trained in the art of the Bicheon Sword, so of course her words would have sounded plausible.

I told her.

“That’s a misunderstanding. I’m teaching you so that you can use it properly in the future. If you’re that naive, you’ll be used for the rest of your life!”

Then Seo Dae-ryong answered on her behalf.

“When working, there are times when it is comfortable to work under someone who treats you well. It is more difficult to work under a clumsy and indecisive leader.”

Ian held out his glass as if he sympathized, and Seo Dae-ryong toasted.

“Inspector Seo, why do you like our master so much?”

“Do I look like I like it?”

“If not, you wouldn’t have come here, right?”

Ian saw through Seo Dae-ryong’s personality at a glance.

That was true. He, who hated being flashy and taking risks, volunteered to sit next to Ian, which showed his own courage.

“Because I am the right-hand man.”

Although he said it as a joke, those words contained many of Seo Dae-ryong’s feelings.

It was at that moment that the man in chains raised his head and asked softly.

“What if someone tries to take that right-hand position?”

It wasn’t the answer to the question, it was the first thing he said. Those first words were so provocative.

Seo Dae-ryong was startled by the unexpected question. The man in the chains had intense eyes visible through his flowing hair.

Seo Dae-ryong’s expression showed his complicated feelings as he tried to answer, but soon he answered calmly.

“I’m too timid and scared to fight back. Just tell them to take over. I’m working hard to become someone else’s right-hand man for that day. Luckily, everyone has a right-hand man.”

At that answer, the provocative gaze of the chained man calmed down.

Meanwhile, Hyeolcheondoma looked dumbfounded because he realized that he was the one who was being teased. I looked at Hyeolcheondoma and said.

“Raise him well.”

“hate.”

At that moment, Demon Lord Jangho looked at them and said something unexpected.

“I’m the next candidate for right-hand man. Inspector Seo may give up the position because he likes people, but I won’t give up the position of right-hand man to just anyone.”

It was the moment when Jangho revealed a new side of himself.