267 - Regression Is Too Much

268 – Proven by the Regressor (8) "I can't hold back." A voice, laden with exhaustion, spoke. "There was no other choice. This is the best option. Humanity? Morality? The situation is not relaxed enough to mention such gentle words. The snowstorm is gradually expanding its reach, and there are reports that Bingryong’s breath can be heard." A voice struggling to defend its actions. "People are dying in droves. All I have is food piling up in storage. The mouths to feed have been halved, if not more. The best course is to gather all the food and keep it sealed away." "That's misleading." I raised my chin and retorted. "You tricked the fighters. The reason those people exist is to be exploited by you. You're trash." "I'm trash. And it wasn't deception; it was mercy." The voice responded. "You. Have you ever raised animals? Even if you haven’t raised them, you still consume meat, don't you?" "What are you trying to say?" "Pigs. Cows. Chickens. Imagine if, one day, they gained intelligence close to that of humans." "…" "Animals slated for slaughter. Pets, who are utilized throughout their lives and whose bodies are ultimately destined to become meat, surely have their own reasoning… I'm simply unhappy." Even if chickens reared on a farm were to become aware of the opposite sex one day. Nothing would change. You cannot alter your destiny merely through the abnormal behavior of a chicken. "I initially resisted in that way. Anger. Despair... At some point, you end up awaiting death day by day. Have you ever thought about the feelings of livestock doomed to be eradicated?" "…" It's not wrong. Granted... If it has to be done, it's simpler for both parties if the one being killed is ignorant. What if the barbarians he spoke of were rational beings? Caught in a time barrier with a terrifying sorcerer, sacrificed for demons, with no way to escape. Merely waiting for death. How hopeless and terrifying that situation is. On the contrary, it could be regarded as mercy.” "You consistently bring forth misleading opinions." But as I said before, this is a story about when you 'must' kill. "Have you ever thought of seeking another way? No. Now that you’ve admitted you're trash, nothing more needs to be said. Still, you must not coerce me. I cannot hold back." I crossed my arms and spoke confidently. "It’s undeniable that only someone who has found another way can say that. Did you try? Probably not." The sorcerer said. I can't hold back. This is the best option. In my opinion, he had no right to say that. "I saw your memories. Is it recognition you seek? I do not approve of your methods. I have no intention of acknowledging them." “…" "And about the farm. Is this your story? I too enjoyed using similar methods." No matter how much I thought about the previous farm story, it seemed autobiographical. "Perhaps, you also lived a life akin to livestock in the past. Still, aren't you living as you are now? Can we truly be certain that there is no hope for the chickens and cows?" "... Yes. There's no guarantee. Perhaps a miracle could happen, and a solution for coexistence might emerge." A sorcerer calmly admitted it. "But what happened to me wasn't a miracle. I was born a bastard child in a noble family, scheduled to be killed for political reasons. We were raised with a clear purpose." "What a pity. I think it doesn’t matter." "Listen. I wanted to live. That's right. Knowing I was destined to die, I wanted to live a little longer. I thought if I could survive, I could do things I couldn't do before. That was my genuine wish." The sorcerer’s voice cracked. The scent of blood mingled with his voice. "A sorcerer attacked our family. He killed my parents, my brothers and sisters, and the servants. After killing them all, he asked if I wanted to be his apprentice. Refusal certainly meant death." "…" "I wanted to live. But… I wanted to live life on my own terms. I didn’t want a life where someone else shoved food into my mouth. Chickens and cows cannot survive on their own. A miracle must be granted by another. I didn't want to live such another’s life… Isn't it better to just die?" The sorcerer muttered, "The story is pointless now." "I repeat, I am an evil person. Human filth. But this is the best option. I don't regard the warriors I raised as humans. They are irrational livestock. If you wish to extend foolish mercy, it’s for their benefit. Aren’t they actually happy?" Happiness. It was happiness. The warriors seemed content. Without worries or concerns, they did their utmost to achieve the goal of death. The sorcerer called it mercy. Yet, this is hypocrisy. It’s hypocrisy to consume chickens raised in an environmentally friendly way. "I repeat, you do not deserve the best. Are you truly sure this is the best option?" "NO. No one can know for certain except you, the one who has returned." The calm voice of the dark sorcerer began to simmer with anger. "Are you certain? Have you lost your mind, perhaps? Do you think others have the luxury to try all options like you and then pick the one that suits their taste? I merely chose the best-looking option among the possibilities given to me! My life has always been like that! I was compelled to make choices!" "…" "You... What do you know? Even if you fail, you can just return, but do you know what true failure means? Do you know how I feel?" I attempted to respond, yet I was at a loss for words. Because I sensed that no matter what I said, I wouldn't be able to convince him. Alright, even before entering the tutorial. I've faced both major and minor failures. However, if I were to ask this person, who bears the weight of deciding the world's fate, 'Have you done your best?', could I truly reproach him? I'm unsure. "Hehe... Okay. It's natural for you. Since I was granted the ability, I suppose I must use it." The sorcerer laughed. "That's right. It was given to me, so I must use it. Okay. Is my anger the bitter jealousy of someone who has nothing?" Suddenly, I felt the sorcerer's eyes glaring at me. "Since you're already envious, I'll even curse you." His crimson eyes, his voice filled with the resentment of someone lost and desperate, with bitterness. "I hope you find yourself in an unavoidable situation as I have." "…" "When everything goes wrong, and you can’t pinpoint where it’s failing, when you can't fix anything, I hope you realize that the next best choice you made was the worst. I hope you deeply regret it." The image of a sorcerer spitting blood. Eventually, I lost consciousness. ** "Junho!" "His pupil... It seems he's awakened." "Over there!" "…" Choi Ji-won grabbed my shoulder and shook me. Behind her, a blue portal flickered. Was the 27th floor already cleared? "The dark horse... What about the Buddhist priest?" "He’s dead. No, I killed him." As I slowly turned my head, I saw the sorcerer’s body, its neck severed from its torso. A blood-stained weapon, belonging to an Italian man, was also visible. "What happened? Suddenly, the sorcerer fell too… Junho just collapsed…" A French woman asked, her eyes wide. Because she was fairly close, she stepped back a little and said. "Just... I experienced a mental battle. I won." "Aha..." In truth, I think I won when the sorcerer's body died, but isn’t it better to seize the victory while I can maintain the mood? It’s also in line with this mysterious aura. "Take a moment to think…" I dusted off my clothes and stood up. My mind was in turmoil. I didn’t understand the legitimacy or background of the sorcerer. There was only one thing I was interested in. The sorcerer’s expertise. Would he return as well? I didn’t know. I’m not as strong as the old ones who realized my ‘return,’ I’m not connected to the Archangel, I’m not a player, and most importantly, I’m not that powerful. It’s true that he's weaker now, but whatever. I couldn't confirm it since I didn't know his exact condition. I suppose I need to check it after the regression. Another thing to check is... "What’s the reward?" "I heard you can check it by going to the first floor? Shall we go right away?" "What... Since I won, there are plenty of things I want to talk about." Okay, let’s get out of here first. Let’s exit and assess the situation. As I collected my thoughts and attempted to get up. -Let’s go! -Gazaa!!! Suddenly, there was an uproar. From the direction of the cave entrance, a loud rumble slowly approached. "Go... Huh?" "This... What is this..." The warriors, who had finally arrived, widened their eyes as they looked down at the sorcerer’s corpse. "... Let’s go." I didn't have the confidence to deal with what ensued, so I stepped through the blue portal. My own problems were already confusing enough.