Regressor Instruction Manual-Chapter 1159. Suspicion (3)

I had tricked myself before, after all. The fake Lee Ki-Young theory was less plausible, but if it was necessary, then the real Ki-Young theory could be worth considering.

More importantly, I couldn’t leave Rohen alone.

Even I think... that it was ridiculous to be in chains, but...

‘Shit, shit, shit.’

I couldn’t help but think that this was all I had.

It was surprising that I found myself becoming attached to the relationships I had formed in Rohen, which felt like a game-like place at first. I couldn’t help but wonder if they had tampered with my emotions while designing me.

‘I wouldn’t have acted like this if I had nothing in the first place.’

I felt a sense of emptiness at the thought that the things I had obtained on this continent weren't mine. I was anxious that none of it was mine to begin with.

They were the ones responsible for creating this situation.

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“Damn it...” I mumbled.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” William called out.

“...”

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young?” William called out again.

“...”

“It’s William. Can I come in?” William asked.

“...”

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young?” William said.

The door swung open. I turned and saw William looking at me with a worried gaze.

“Are... Are you okay?” William asked.

‘What do you mean, okay?’

“...”

“Are you okay?” William asked again.

I noticed his slightly frowning face. He looked shocked.

I finally realized how bad I looked right now.

William looked like he was trying to find the reason behind it. He was wondering why I had decided to lock myself in my room for hours. The way he hesitated with a slightly sorrowful face made him look kind of pathetic.

He was bad at comforting people, and it was proven by how he quietly cleaned up the room after examining my condition.

There were glass shards all over the place. At first, it seemed like the temple was in decent shape, but upon closer inspection, the room was pretty messy.

Theological texts were torn to pieces and scattered around, and there didn’t seem to be much left intact in the room. It was like someone had thrown a fit or went into a frenzy.

It was natural for him to be worried since I was spacing out in a place like this.

The timing was kind of awkward for me to greet him as if nothing was wrong, so I had no choice but to keep acting. I acted melancholic, and there seemed to be a story behind my sadness. I looked like I was heartbroken by something.

Despite that, William didn’t rush into comforting me. He didn’t ask why and simply did his job quietly.

Just as I was feeling uncomfortable beneath the awkward silence, he finally started talking, “Mr. Lee Ki-Young.”

“...”

“I’m embarrassed to say this myself, but...” William paused.

“...”

“When I first arrived here, I didn’t look like I do now,” William continued.

“...”

“Of course, it’s a story from a long time ago, but... I experienced failure a few times and have broken down several times. I lived a bit recklessly due to stress... and you may not believe me, but at one point... I struggled with alcohol addiction,” William confessed.

‘So he wasn’t like this from the start. But no alcohol. That’s dangerous.’

“Before becoming a player, Rohen was a really lonely place as a human from Earth. It’s like I was thrown into the world alone. I didn’t have friends I could confide in nor people who could provide mutual support,” William added.

‘Yeah, that’s understandable.’

“It sounds cliche, but I changed after stumbling upon the Flower and Fertility Familia. It seems like nothing, but belonging somewhere is really important when overcoming this kind of environment. I’m talking about family,” William said.

“...”

“I think of them as my family, and they also treat me like I’m family. I was with them during those difficult and sad times, so I managed to overcome it.

"I was able to find my true self again, and thanks to them, I was able to dream about the future. What I liked the most was that I had people to share my happiness, sadness, and pain with,” William explained.

“...”

“I won’t ask you to share your story because everyone has their own reason for hiding things, but Mr. Lee Ki-Young. It’s important to share your sadness. I believe sharing your current emotions and the things you’re feeling is really important,” William advised.

“...”

“I don’t know... if I’m reading it right... but I think you’re struggling right now, Mr. Ki-Young,” William said.

“...”

“I wasn’t lying when I told you that you were a family member of the Flower and Fertility Familia,” William added.

‘Will, you...’

“I just wanted you to know the truth,” William said.

‘Don’t treat me with so much warmth. That makes me want to lean on you.’

Without realizing it, a tear escaped from me. I saw him slowly reaching his hand out toward me while thinking his persuasion worked. It was annoying, but I really think it kind of worked. Normally, I would just ignore it, but the choice of rejecting his hand didn’t pop into my head.

Without asking the reason behind all this, he was telling me that he would empathize with my sadness and that I was part of their family, so how could I ignore him?

However, I was sure this situation had sparked a suspicion in him.

He knew that Flower Ki-Young had many secrets, but he probably couldn’t ignore Chalkis' words. He probably wanted to ask who the real Lee Ki-Young was and how I connected to the 21st Legion.

Despite the fact that the giant key, which could pierce the Demon King of Sunset, was on the line, he didn’t try to get an answer from me by questioning me aggressively.

‘I’d expect nothing less from Will.’

I couldn’t help but acknowledge that he was being considerate.

“Everyone was alone at first, Mr. Ki-Young,” William said.

Obviously, holding his hand was the right choice because acting too melodramatic wasn’t a good look.

I also needed to deal with Saint Bell first.

“...”

“...”

“I-I can’t tell you right now. Some things come to mind, but they’re all fragmented images...” I told him.

“You don’t have to tell me the things you’re going through right now,” William said.

“I... I... I don’t know why I’m acting like this either, Mr. William. All I can say now... is to trust me,” I said.

“I already told you that I trust you,” William reminded me.

“Ah... right... you did... say that,” I mumbled.

“You just need to focus on the things you can do right now, Mr. Ki-Young. No matter what happens or what comes up, the Flower and Fertility Familia will support you and will remain by your side,” William said.

‘Why are you trying so hard to make me feel moved?’

It was hard to decline when I was feeling weak. My mind was still a mess, but I had to stand up. Regardless of the situation, I still had a choice to make. It was impossible to deviate from the current course, and I knew that better than anyone.

“I know it’s a bit sudden, but... Mr. William, about Saint Bell...” I asked.

“We’re getting things ready like you had requested,” William answered.

‘You’re preparing for the sit-in protest?’

“I’m glad you checked in on it ahead of time. This place... will be Rohen’s—no, mankind’s final line of defense...” I said.

“You’re right. The engineers, mages, and stonemasons are hurriedly building a wall. There's a slight issue, but the mood is great. It’s a small victory, but they seem to think this is a huge step,” William explained.

“I’m glad they feel that way,” I commented.

“Also...” William paused.

I walked out and saw the key figures of the operation looking at me.

When I looked at William, he nodded at me.

‘Yeah, this is how it should be since I showed them my potential.’

“It was a huge victory, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. Hahahaha, a great victory,” one of the key figures said.

“I’m glad you feel that way,” I said.

“At first, I thought the operation to reclaim Saint Bell was ridiculous, but the Saint of Flower and Fertility has proven himself in the end,” another chimed in.

“...”

“The soldiers are all waiting for you, Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” William said.

'Are you guys going to cheer for me or something? It’s understandable since I’m a war hero. Imagining the excited survivors coming all the way here improved my mood, but...'

“Excuse me... Mr. William,” someone said.

“Yes?”

“In front of the city... Actually... I think you should head there yourself,” they added.

“...”

“I think... the enemy has sent a messenger,” they said.

I quickly realized that we didn’t even have time to relax.

William walked through the narrow path with a pretty solemn face. The others didn’t look all that different. They weren’t so stupid that they wouldn't notice that something serious had happened.

‘A messenger?’

It was the same for me.

Of course, Saint Bell was no longer in the Ashen Sunset Region, but it wasn't exactly completely protected. Whatever Kim Hyun-Sung's side had prepared, the unexpected quick feedback made it difficult for me to shake the unease filling up my heart.

My footsteps felt heavy.

I climbed up the low castle wall and looked forward...

“...”

I saw a face I hadn’t seen in a while.

‘Sun Hee-Young...’

Sun Hee-Young's hands were quietly folded before her long nun’s robe. Unlike before, her hair had grown so long that it was dragging on the floor. No, it didn’t look like hair. It looked like a waterfall of dark holy power. Each time she took a step, something black would sway. I was sure everyone felt the same way as me.

‘That’s dangerous.’

That was what my instincts were telling me.

Of course, I was happy to see her more than anything, but I couldn’t help but flinch when I saw her gaze landing on me.

I had no idea what she heard from Kim Hyun-Sung, but Sun Hee-Young, the Saint of the Forsaken, looked at me as if I were a worthless bug.

[...]

“...”

[Offer the Saint of Flower and Fertility.]

“...”

[If you do, the Monarch of Sunset promises to show you mercy.]