Regressor Instruction Manual

Perhaps she was going crazy out of stress, but she kept hearing this strange voice.

However, the voice was so clear and ominous to even think that she was going crazy. In addition, it was written in Lee Ki-Yeon’s lore that it wasn't her first time hearing that voice.

When she first arrived on the continent, she recalled hearing Elune’s voice, but this was clearly different from back then. Unlike before, when the voice made her feel warm and cozy, the voice she was hearing right now sounded cold and dark, like the desert night.

‘O Elune.’

It was the first time she uttered Elune’s name upon leaving the temple, but Elune’s voice became unclear in her memories. Someone’s sweet voice was whispering into her, and it was taking advantage of her anxiety and desperation.

[You don’t need to reject it, my child.]

“Who… who are you? Why in the world…” she questioned.

[I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time. Yes, a very long time.]

“Stop…” she mumbled.

How could she not be scared? Her face turned pale, and she took out her hand mirror.

‘Someone… help me.’

She was moving instinctively. This wasn’t something she could handle on her own. She couldn’t really speak properly, as it felt like Death was right in front of her.

It felt like the darkness of the abyss was choking her, and at the same time, it felt like the darkness deep in her heart was spreading deep inside her. Who wouldn’t need another person’s help in a situation like this?

However…

‘Who…’

Who was she supposed to ask for help? Was there anyone who could come here right now? No, was there even anyone on this continent capable of helping her?

Based on the story, Lee Ji-Hoo had betrayed Lee Ki-Yeon, and Elias had also turned his back on her. She also didn't have the contact details of The Blue Guild’s guild master, as their relationship had ended a long time ago.

Her friends and comrades were no more; the short relationships she made with the people at the Rift Museum and the people of the Friendship Clan were all over.

Lee Ki-Yeon was alone in this vast continent. She looked around awkwardly, but there was no one who could help her. She stretched out her hand as if asking for help, but there was no one looking at her.

“H-Help… someone…” she muttered.

“What?”

“Help m—”

“What the? Is she… drunk?”

“Kgh… cough…”

“She’s… giving me the creeps…”

Ha Yeon-Soo appeared briefly as an extra, and she quickly turned around to leave as if she had stumbled upon someone creepy. From the perspective of the nameless extra, Lee Ki-Yeon wasn't someone approachable.

Her makeup was smudged, and she staggered as she walked amidst the rain that had suddenly fallen upon the desert.

She was simply unlucky.

She had stumbled upon a tourist, but they hated getting involved with other people and the strange Lee Ki-Yeon was no exception.

If Lee Ki-Yeon had been just a bit lucky, she would have met someone else and received their help. Then, she would be able to overcome the darkness as always. This incident wasn't exactly that big of a deal, but it was probably the deciding factor.

‘Ah… I’m alone.’ Lee Ki-Yeon thought.

“I’m… alone. Heuk!" Lee Ki-Yeon cried.

“...”

“I’m… really… alone… now… heuk… heuuuk!” she repeated.

“...”

“I… really have… nothing now,” Lee Ki-Yeon said.

No one wanted Lee Ki-Yeon.

‘I feel like crying.’Nôv(el)B\\jnn

[That’s right, my lovely child. You’re alone. No one wants you. No one truly cares about you.]

“...”

[You poor child. You pitiful child. My seed.]

“Heuk… heuuuk…” Lee Ki-Yeon cried.

[The small spark inside of you is disappearing.]

“...”

[The spark of hope inside you that didn’t seem like it would go out… is starting to disappear. Child, take my hand. If you want to protect the spark inside you, take my hand.]

“...”

[Leave everything to me and rest now.]

“Rest…” she mumbled.

[No one may want you, but I need you. The power, the darkness, and the small spark that is still inside you… I need them all. I need everything you possess.]

“Okay…” Lee Ki-Yeon answered.

[Come into my arms. If you do…]

“If I do…” she repeated.

[If you do, I’ll give you the most peaceful rest ever.]

“...”

[I’ll give it to you.]

Shwaaa!

Rumble!

She heard strange noises that lasted only for a few seconds. Then, someone clapped, and the noises stopped. Everything had come to a halt as if time itself had stopped.

No, time didn't stop, as the raindrops in the air were still falling to the ground. Through the raindrops, Lee Ki-Yeon saw her reflection. To be exact, she was Gela hugging her tightly from behind.

Clap!

She couldn’t see anything anymore, and jet-black rain… started falling from the sky.

Shwaaa!

‘She went a little overboard with the production.’

Shwaaa!

‘I wonder if this was really necessary. It’s not bad because it’s a classic cliche, but this is just too much.’

Ji-Hye noona and I were the types of people who believed that there was always a shortcut, but this was a bit too much. The fact that they hadn't told me about all this was incredibly effective. Red rain was the standard, but black rain was just as ominous.

As expected, I heard confused voices from everywhere.

“What the…”

“What is this…”

“What’s… going on all of a sudden…”

“Is someone playing a joke right now?”

“Or is an event being held at Laves right now?”

“Damn it… this is really bad luck… Is this really only happening in Laves?”

“What the hell? The radio suddenly stopped… working… Hey, someone connect me to the situation room!”

“They’ll send a disaster text soon. This isn’t the first time we’ve experienced a strange phenomenon like this on the continent.

"I heard green rain had fallen a few years ago at a kingdom bordering the Union. It probably happened because the continent was still a dungeon at the time.”

“It’s been a while since the dungeon here was cleared… We should do a separate investigation.”

“Ah! I got a reply, sir. They ordered us to gather because they decided to dispatch the Investigation Committee.”

“Is this an emergency?”

“No, I don’t think so… That wasn’t the impression that I got. The Red Goddess of War… didn’t really show… any reaction. She just said there's probably an issue with the climate control system, but we have to group up just in case.”

“Then we should group up.”

Those invited to Laves and the members of the races in the Administration Committee headed toward the shelter. Everyone seemed to be convinced that there was something wrong with the climate control system, as they weren't all that nervous.

However, there was one elf whose thoughts seemed to be drastically different compared to the others.

‘Elias.’

He was tapping nonstop on his hand mirror; he looked both nervous and anxious.

“Miss Ki-Yeon? Can you hear me, Miss Ki-Yeon?” Elias asked.

‘He must have realized just how serious the situation is.’

“Miss Ki-Yeon, it’s Elias. Miss Ki-Yeon? Where are you right now? I’ll look for you right now. There are things I still haven’t told you…” Elias said.

‘If you break Ki-Yeon’s heart, it’ll be the end for the continent.’

He had decided not to ignore Elune’s warning.

‘The red thread is scary.’

Who could have known that this would happen all of a sudden? On the first day he met Lee Ki-Yeon, Elias received a divine message, and there was a misunderstanding immediately afterward.

Within six hours, we confirmed each other’s feelings. Upon confirming that there was a red thread connecting us together, we got even closer, but it all happened in just two days.

We broke up less than twenty-four hours after we became a couple.

I[1] couldn’t see him, so I assumed the prelude to the destruction of the continent was about to happen.

It all happened in just four days, so it was not strange that Elias couldn't keep up with me. In addition, the way the elves perceived time was drastically different compared to how humans perceived time.

‘But even I think that things are happening pretty fast.’

If it hadn't been for the passionate emotions between us, our relationship would have ended so much faster that anyone would think that it was forced.

Even if Elias were a human being, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with this pace, so he was struggling to keep up with the changes. The anxiousness gnawing away at him urged him to call me. He realized that he had made a mistake as he stood there, stewing in his own anxiety.

“Elena, are you… No, I’ll head there,” Elias said.

Just as I expected, Elias frowned deeply. Not only was he worried about the continent, but he was also worried about Lee Ki-Yeon, the woman he had lost contact with at some point.

“Where… are you?” Elias questioned.

Jo Hye-Jin appeared in front of him, but the problem was that she was with another man.

“Mr. Elias?” Jo Hye-Jin greeted him.

“Miss Hye-Jin,” he said.

“Who is this, Miss Hye-Jin?” the man asked.

“Let me introduce him to you, Mr. Ji-Hoo. He's Mr. Elias, the leader of the Everia Kingdom and the Union of Other Races—”

“Wait… Miss Hye-Jin. Have you… seen the person I was with two days ago?” Elias asked, interrupting her.

“What? Who are you referring to…” Jo Hye-Jin asked.

“I’ll keep it short,” he said.

His explanation was short and fast. He told her about his first meeting with Lee Ki-Yeon, their breakup, the divine message he had received from Elune related to the destruction of the continent, and the possible link between this black rain and the woman named Lee Ki-Yeon.

It wasn’t something she could just ignore because Jo Hye-Jin received a divine message before. However, what caught my attention more than Jo Hye-Jin’s serious expression was Lee Ji-Hoo’s frown.

‘Ji-Hye noona is crazy.’

“Did you just say… Lee Ki-Yeon?” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.

“Yes, but who are—” Elias asked.

Lee Ji-Hoo turned around and bolted, as there was no need for him to listen to Elias' answer. I wasn’t sure where he was headed, but he started running away. There was no need for him to explain why he was running, nor was there any reason for him to run.

It was like he was running simply because he wanted to do so.

The scars on his face had transformed him into a monster obsessed with revenge, but it was nothing more than a mask. Based on his lore, his unbroken mask would soon shatter into pieces.

“Ki-Yeon…” Lee Ji-Hoo mumbled.

‘Ji-Hye noona. She's really… she's really a weird one.’

“Ki-Yeon… Ki-Yeon!” Lee Ji-Hoo roared.

He sounded like he had lost everything—no, he was desperate, as if it were the end of that summer.

1. Lee Ki-Yeon's POV ☜