Chapter 30

Ch.30 The Regression Of Calamity-Level Monster Tamer

Knock knock knock.

“Come in.”

Click.

The sound of a well-oiled door handle opened to reveal a room in complete disarray.

Books and documents piled up like mountains.

Even now, I felt it reflected the room’s owner’s personality quite well.

“Oh, Si-woo. What’s up? Are you here to donate the Kakan research as I suggested? Good thinking. I’ll provide appropriate compensation in return—”

“That’s absolutely not it.”

I cut off Baek Mi-ran’s words cleanly.

If I didn’t cut her off properly, I’d end up like last time.

So to change the subject, I immediately brought up the main reason for my visit.

“It’s about the Artifact you experimented with recently. I came to tell you about that. And as a bonus, I’ll also answer the question you asked me before.”

“Oho…… To my ears, it sounds like you’re boldly coming here to give ‘advice’ to the Director of the Incomprehensible Magic Beast Research Institute?”

Baek Mi-ran’s words were correct.

An invention she created based on the Heart of Evil.

I had come to offer some slight commentary on that.

“Though rare, a layperson’s perspective sometimes hits the mark that experts don’t think of. And…….”

“And?”

“I know more about the Heart of Evil than you do.”

“……Yeah. I was going to ask you about that in the first place, anyway.”

The origin of the Heart of Evil, the method, the objective.

I knew all of it.

However.

‘That information would just be useless truth to her research.’

What Baek Mi-ran needs right now isn’t a listing of such information.

Telling her such things would only complicate her mind.

The part she should focus on is somewhere else.

“Yes, but before I speak about that, I have one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Something a genius like Kang Si-woo wants to ask me…… What could it be?”

“What is the goal of the research you’re currently conducting?”

Clink…… clink.

At my abrupt question, Baek Mi-ran’s hand, which had been lowering her teacup, stopped for a moment.

But soon she tilted the teapot again and poured her tea.

“Suddenly? I thought you already knew my research topic.”

“I’d like to hear it directly from you, Director.”

“……Well, it’s ‘the existence of humans and all living beings through Magic Beast brainwashing,’ isn’t it?”

“Are you certain?”

“…….”

At my follow-up question, Baek Mi-ran’s expression twisted strangely.

Understandably so, she must find this insufferable young man overstepping his bounds.

But to move to the next stage, I needed to press on this very question.

“You asked how I know about your research.”

“……Yeah. Since it’s such a niche topic that even the academic world ignores it, how could you—”

“Simple. Because I’ve been more interested than anyone else. Far more than you could imagine.”

I’d read every paper on that research from the first to the most recent.

Of course, it was only after regressing, after Earth had long since rushed toward destruction, that I read them late…….

In any case, her Artifact operates as follows.

‘Using the mechanism of [Erosion], she [brainwashes] Magic Beasts.’

It’s a truly arrogant method.

An ignorant idea that can only be conceived because the entity causing the erosion is unknown.

But if you ‘change perspective,’ her goal becomes achievable.

“I asked to meet you through Gyeoul because of these reasons.”

“…….”

“So I ask again. What is the ultimate purpose of this research? No, actually, why did you start this research in the first place?”

Humans often confuse ends and means.

She before the regression was one of those people too.

‘Of course, she eventually realizes it, but by then it’s too late…….’

That’s another reason I came here besides Kakan.

Baek Mi-ran is currently too immersed in the means.

So I had to redirect her perspective back to the purpose.

“…….”

At my follow-up question, she fell into brief silence.

And soon she spoke the answer.

“……Survival.”

“Yes, your first paper was also titled ‘Exploring Survival Methods from Gates and Magic Beasts.’“

“…….”

The word ‘brainwashing’ was added after she learned about the Heart of Evil.

There’s no need to brainwash Magic Beasts for survival.

It’s not even possible in the first place.

‘If the Tower were that flawed, it would’ve collapsed long ago.’

Only Tamers can command Magic Beasts.

This is the Tower’s ‘law.’

In other words, the system.

And those things cannot be manipulated at will by mere creations.

“…….”

“…….”

Baek Mi-ran forgot I was even there.

She forgot she was in the middle of moving her teacup.

She fell into her own world of contemplation.

‘I think I’ve done enough now…….’

Click—

I quietly left the room, leaving Baek Mi-ran lost in thought.

I could reveal even more secrets of heaven, show her the future answer sheet she had written.

But I didn’t.

‘Why? Forcefully?’

Wasn’t there a possibility that a better solution could emerge than that answer sheet?

I didn’t want to commit the foolish act of unnecessarily closing off possibilities.

I crossed the corridor with quick steps.

‘A month until going to the Ark…… I need to hurry to finish the preparations I’ve planned by then.’

It was also time for me to take the next step for my own true ‘purpose.’

***

The low-setting evening glow hit Baek Mi-ran’s eyes.

“……Ah.”

Only then did she come to her senses and check the clock first.

6 PM.

‘Kang Si-woo visited around 11:30 AM…… ‘

Baek Mi-ran had stood like that for about six hours.

Her joints and muscles seemed to be screaming. She stretched and buried herself in a plush chair.

“Ugh…… I’m dying, I’m dying. I must be getting old. I can’t do this anymore.”

It was something that happened often when she was young, but at this age, it was truly rare.

Having many experiences was both an advantage and a disadvantage.

‘This kind of inspiration is so rare these days.’

Back when she first stepped into this world.

During her peak, absorbing all knowledge like a sponge drinking water.

Deep contemplation used to happen often back then.

And each time, she would produce results that astonished the academic world.

‘But after reaching this position, I’ve felt constantly stagnant.’

Yes, Baek Mi-ran felt her spirit withering as she aged.

But today, a young man had quenched her burning thirst.

‘Kang Si-woo…… The more I see that guy, the more impressive he gets.’

It wasn’t just his knowledge of Magic Beasts and his abilities as a Tamer that were exceptional.

Of course, that alone would be a high-level achievement difficult for someone so young.

‘Achieving that much alone wouldn’t happen with just effort.’

Your way of thinking itself has to be different from ordinary people.

To be called a so-called ‘genius.’

“Huh? This is…….”

Just as she was about to organize the results of her long thoughts, Baek Mi-ran discovered a small note on the table.

Written in neat handwriting, the note contained someone’s explanation.

I’m leaving this since I thought you’d be curious.

Information about the Heart of Evil came from gently probing some low-level Followers.

So it’s only fragmentary information.

So while I do know more than you currently do,

I think it’s information you could figure out yourself if you put your mind to it, haha…….

By this point, you’d probably notice anyway, but to be frank, everything you were curious about was just buildup for the question I asked earlier.

In any case, I’m leaving quietly so as not to disturb your contemplation.

If something comes up that needs doing as an advisor, please contact me at this number.

“Hahaha…… Look at this bastard.”

Quite a reckless fellow, isn’t he?

Baek Mi-ran carefully placed Kang Si-woo’s note in her front pocket and tapped her desk with her finger.

‘At this point, he’s presentable in appearance, ability-wise…… well, he’s proven himself sufficiently to the whole world, hasn’t he? And looking at this note, the kid seems to have a delicate side too. I’m really jealous of him…….’

As a son-in-law, that is.

Baek Mi-ran thought of her over-the-hill daughter.

‘My Gyeoul. Capable, good family background, good looks taking after me. My only worry is the personality she inherited from her father…… but seeing how she brought in such a decent guy, maybe she doesn’t have completely bad judgment…… and maybe she didn’t inherit my poor taste in men after all?’

Baek Mi-ran seemed to have made a decision and clamped her mouth shut.

Then she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number.

[My Love Brick Wall ♥]

As soon as the recipient information appeared on the screen, Baek Mi-ran started the call.

“Hey, honey. You know that friend Gyeoul kept recommending to you as an Ark professor? So this time at the White Gate…….”

[…….]

“……Yeah, that friend. That guy is also an advisor to our research institute.”

[…….]

“I hired him directly. Anyway, you’re handling that main project called ‘War with Followers,’ right? And Gyeoul got appointed as a field manager when she got promoted, right?”

Baek Mi-ran continued speaking while reading official documents on her computer monitor.

“And looking at the official documents, we need to send one person from our research institute, right? So here’s the thing—as Director, I want to recommend that friend as our research institute’s representative. I just sent his personal information documents by email—”

[…….]

“No! I know about procedures and manuals! That’s exactly why I’m recommending him according to those! Yes, it’s a recommendation, not a nepotistic appointment.”

[…….]

“Hmph. If that guy fails, I don’t have anyone else to recommend anyway. Do you think there’s anyone better? Hah…… Fine, follow the procedures and manuals you love so much. Bye!”

Baek Mi-ran huffed and reclined in her chair again.

She had no idea why that guy, who was the complete opposite of her when they were young, had looked so cool back then.

Of course, she acknowledged his abilities matched her own.

‘Right now my insides are burning with a thousand fires, a thousand fires.’

In any case, there’s no need to worry about passing.

Given that he has the knowledge to hatch Kakan and the ability to subdue a Blade Beak Ostrich in one go.

“This reckless bastard. If he said he’d do it, he should follow through, right?”

He said if there was work to do as an advisor, I should contact him, so I can’t say anything else.

‘With this, my plan to set Gyeoul up with him should go smoothly.’

She pressed the computer shutdown button and cut off the trail of following thoughts.

In the darkened monitor, the smiling face of Baek Mi-ran was reflected.

***

“Here, take this. You need a full stomach to do anything.”

“Huh? Yes…….”

I handed a cup of rice bowl I’d bought nearby to the young man with a dazed expression.

His name was Kim Pyeong-on.

The very first member of the guild’s founding.

“Did you rest well these past few days?”

“Um, I rested so-so, but…… yeah.”

“How about you stop stammering?”

“I’ll g-get better gradually.”

Watching him stammer makes my stomach turn, but then I remember that was why he was a hidden gem in the past! And I felt good instead.

‘Yeah, those monsters all got rehabilitated under my hand. Surely I can handle one innocent person like this.’

Of course, I can’t judge humans and Magic Beasts on the same scale.

But I was confident.

All roads lead to one place, don’t they?

“Hmm…… Well, humans are creatures of adaptation. So you’ll be fine soon.”

“I’ll d-do my best.”

“Anyway, what’s your level, Pyeong-on?”

“I r-recently became level 10.”

“Perfect timing. So you worked as a Gate Management Agency official until recently, so you know what’s over there, right?”

I gestured my chin toward the distant gate being controlled by public authority.

The gate rippled with an indigo hue.

‘Yes, the Indigo Gate. A gate that appeared a week ago, and it’s reported that 30-level late-stage mosquito-type Magic Beasts are appearing.’

Kim Pyeong-on transmitted his words through Jeoneum since his response was lengthy.

True to form, when using Jeoneum, he conveyed his words cleanly without stuttering a single syllable.

“You know well. This time our guild won the contract for clearing that gate.”

‘That’s g-good news…….’

“Right? So let me introduce you. This is the partner who will clear this gate together with you.”

“Puu―woook―“

‘……Is that M-me? A gate with nearly 40-level Magic Beasts swarming it? And with this tiny Magic Beast…… ‘

At my introduction, Seongsik blinked his round eyes and made a sound like a small trumpet.

Naturally, Kim Pyeong-on was flustered.

“Yes, you’ll clear the gate with this guy.”

‘Then what will you b-be doing, Kang Si-woo…….’

“Well, obviously I’ll give orders from the back. Don’t you know the Tamer job?”

‘I remember you h-had two wolf-type Magic Beasts…….’

“Those guys need rest after pushing themselves hard recently. Oh, and one more thing.”

“……?”

“From now on, until I say otherwise, you’re forbidden from using Jeoneum.”

It’s part of the educational training to properly teach Kim Pyeong-on. Of course, it’ll be inconvenient for him, but it can’t be helped.

“I…… I h-have to go h-home…….”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I have to g-go h-home—”

“Ah, so you want to clear it quickly and go home? Why don’t you speak up?”

“N-no, that’s n-not…….”

I grabbed the nape of Kim Pyeong-on’s neck and dragged him, who was trying to resist somehow, toward the gate.