ALTANUS [4]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 967

Altanus (4)

[JinCheong's POV]

[General, by the time you receive this letter, I might not be here anymore. I want to convey my sincere apologies for leaving during this atmosphere, which is reminiscent of the old days. Who was I to you, General? A trustworthy comrade? The one and only skilled strategist in the world? Or perhaps an enemy you wouldn't feel satisfied even if you beat to death? It's possible that due to my actions, you might have personally felt disappointed at times. There have been many events, you see. However, all of that was to help you grow as a General. It's for situations like this.]

[The reason I'm leaving this letter to you, General, is naturally to make a small request. At the point when the Saint of Light, the heart of the continent, is absent, someone must take charge of the expedition in the Saint's place, facing the cruel fate.]

[You might feel burdened. That your abilities as General are lacking... I understand that better than anyone else. But don't let the burden crush you. With Hyejin by your side, you'll be able to navigate through these difficult times. Still find it challenging? Don't worry. I've already written down everything in the manual. Of course, it's not that I doubt your abilities, General. I'm sure you'll handle it well. But you know how unpredictable the world can be, right? Who could have known that I would travel back to the past?]

[So you need to move forward as if sparks are falling on your heels. There's much I can do. You'll know what you can do and how much merit you can accumulate better than anyone else. I also have various thoughts. Since my past actions could result in a butterfly effect. It might be a simple event, but there's also a high chance it's not. Perhaps you might need to conduct a small experiment. So please move more diligently.]

[I understand that you might feel coerced and not like it, but you'll need to cooperate with me to strive for merit. Also, there are plenty of people who can help you, even if you're not the General. If you need to assert yourself, then do so. Lastly, the enclosed letter contains various things. It includes the manual I mentioned earlier and information about the dungeons I know. Don't let your pride get in the way of using it. I've already shared this information with other leaders. With that, I'll end it here. Shadow Hero, fighting!]

'Damn it.'

It was a letter I wanted to tear into shreds.

It wasn't content that could be brushed off with a playful laugh. After that guy left, the expedition had literally turned into a tense atmosphere.

It would be most appropriate to say that the situation wasn't conducive to smooth progress on the expedition.

Just a few hours ago... No, even now, some expedition groups were completely paralyzed.

The main force that needed to be at the core had declared a temporary suspension of the expedition.

We were sitting there like a bunch of lifeless stones, and numerous mages and wizards were also bound in that position.

The command had issued an order to find a way to travel to the past. Researchers and mages in the continent were wasting unnecessary time on research that would never come to fruition.

It was considered pointless research by anyone's standards, and meaningless research at that.

If it was something even that insane woman following that guy couldn't accomplish, then it was already deemed impossible.

In other words, the elite personnel of the expedition were all tied up in this futile endeavor. There was no way a proper strategy could be carried out.

Meanwhile, the dungeon's difficulty was gradually increasing. Supplies were running low in this situation, and accurate information wasn't reaching us.

The headquarters had suggested withdrawing the remaining expedition groups, including the First Attack Group, and they were even muttering about cutting off support if they didn't return.

That's why there was no choice but to seize this opportunity.

[Discovered the Hero-ranked hidden quest, "Warning from the Past."]

"What on earth is this fool getting himself into...?"

[The quest will be completed automatically.]

I had to shift my attention to this side.

'Seems like it's not a bluff.'

The potion collection that fell as a quest reward was surely his.

It was already circulating in the Republic, and it had a tight grip on the market. Despite bearing traces of the passage of time, its quality was flawless.

Rather than the quality of the potion being exceptional, it was more appropriate to assume that it was maintained in its original state due to the protection provided by the quest.

When I was worrying that it might be the ramblings of a lunatic, clear evidence emerged. Lee Ki-Young was currently in the past. He would be waiting for the quest to be completed at the same location as myself.

"Commander."

"...."

"Commander." [[Note that he is only a commander only in this expedition.]]

"Yes, I'm listening."

"An order to regroup had come from headquarters. The expedition was temporarily suspended... Other expedition members, including Raphael, were also confused. If this continues..."

"Is there any item from the Library's Chief Librarian that's particularly worth reporting? For instance, related to the dungeon..."

"Nothing confirmed. The items from the Library's Chief Librarian Dolorres include three spell books that mages can use, and a few items including accessories exclusive to priests."

"...."

"What should we convey to headquarters...? "

"Could you let them know that we've found traces of Lee Ki-Young... No, the Blue Vice guild master?"

"What?"

"Just let them know that for now. I'll handle the rest. Please distribute the items in order of highest contribution afterward. Prioritize the guilds that haven't received distribution yet."

"Yes, understood, Commander."

Overall, I was still ahead in points. However, there was always a chance for a reversal.

That was his style. Always finding unexpected ways to poke holes. Of course, bluffing was mostly the case, but I don't underestimate that bastard.

He probably has a lot he can do on his side.

If it's certain that this dungeon is connected to the past, then...

Mainly, the dungeon's information, such as the boss monster's abilities or the dungeon map, could be transmitted in the same manner as just now. Perhaps he might suggest unforeseen methods. He could provide assistance to the strategy by dealing with key figures, and he might even attempt to calculate his contribution points in unexpected ways.

'It's not all bad.'

Though I didn't like it, it might be a rational judgment to make use of him. After all, we were the ones in control of the strategy.

Of course, there were also concerns separate from this game.

'Was there really a need to go after him?'

It was a simple issue. The fact that he had immediately used the invitation letter from the messenger Gerk.

He had willingly taken on the risk burden. That guy was a selfish bastard. Because of that, I couldn't help but question Lee Ki-Young's choice.

It couldn't be ruled out that he might have heard about the future from the blind girl who could see the future.

Despite being highly trashy, he was ridiculously obsessed with those within his boundaries.

'The stupid guy and the ignorant guy. Finally, that crazy woman will die.' [[What crazy woman?]]

Perhaps he himself would have lost his life as well. The fact that he lost his live was consistent with the expedition being annihilated.

Suddenly, a message popped up.

[Linked Quest Commencing.]

[Reply to be Sent from the Present - Hero-ranked]

[You have received a warning from the past. The threat that loomed before you was like a nightmare, but I believe without a doubt that you and your companions overcame that adversity. If you have evidence that you overcame the threat, please place it in the same location. I pray that you have successfully overcome this adversity.]

"Is this a confirmation task?"

He probably wasn't certain that I had discovered the quest. Although it was unknown how many hundreds or even thousands of years separated the past and the present, there was no guarantee that the quest hadn't been discovered in the meantime.

If someone else had found this quest, he might believe that there's a chance to alter the future.

He was anxious about the butterfly effect. He believed that the future had to continue flowing like this.

His ridiculous manner of speech, the threats, adversities, and nightmares he ambiguously dealt with all had such reasons.

Raising my hand quietly, a voice immediately reached my ears.

"Did you call, Commander?"

"Could you bring the achievements from Library Chief Librarian Dolores to this side?"

"Yes. Understood."

The items from Chief Librarian Dolores were probably the evidence he mentioned.

"And, Commander."

"Yes, please speak."

"Blue Guildmaster is coming this way."

'That piece of trash.'

That selfish bastard who didn't listen to requests for supplies until now, he would be dumbfounded at the news of his imminent arrival.

The behavior of the Headquarters, which was always a step behind, had caused me damage more than once.

Speeding up only in such situations wasn't enough to provoke anger.

"Sigh..."

"And the achievements you mentioned. I've also brought other items from Dolores, just in case you might need them. About the distribution... there are people worried about it. They..."

"Would you inform about it later?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"...."

[Linked Quest - Hero-ranked, Reply from the Present is complete.]

[Submitted quest items. Quest completed.]

[Linked Quest Commencing.]

[To the Prayer Room - Hero-ranked]

[Please head to the Prayer Room.]

From here on, it will get easier. Since it's called a Linked Quest, only the person who accepted the first quest will have the quest...

As meticulous as he is, there might be a few more confirmation tasks, but nothing will change.

A menacing rumbling sound is heard as I quietly rise to my feet.

"Blue Guildmaster. Over here."

"Is it true that traces of Ki Young have been found?"

"I don't have all the details... But perhaps Commander will know more. I will guide you."

It didn't take him long to arrive here.

'I didn't expect him to come this quickly.'

"....."

"....."

"I heard that traces of Ki Young have been found."

"The blind woman's words were correct. He's currently in the past. He might even be standing right where we are standing."

"What does that have to do with traces being found?"

"He sent a message from the past. It was a potion buried on the library floor. He had meticulously handled the potion, left a quest, and I merely responded to it. While you were fooling around in that spot."

I didn't tell him to take it. However, he reaches out for the potion nonchalantly.

'Disrespectful bastard.'

"...."

"Were there no other words?"

"The quest was named 'Warning from the Past.' I don't exactly remember the contents. After that, there was a linked quest. It was about offering the achievements from this floor's Named Monster to Librarian Dolores... And after that, I was told to head to the Prayer Room. Probably..."

"He's probably leading me."

"It's highly likely that he's indicating where the expedition should head. He's not in a dangerous state. The item from Messenger Gerk was also an invitation from the Church. At the very least, it's better than this place..."

'He's not listening.'

"Anyway, you don't have a reason to worry."

It still seemed like he wasn't listening. He had no intention other than staring fixedly at the potion.

Eventually, the research team of the expedition that had arrived will begin to recover the potions.

They will go through verification to confirm if the items really came from the past.

It was at that moment that nonsense sprang from his mouth.

"Starting now, I will personally take charge of the expedition."

"Bullshit."

"...."

"I hold the command. That was the intention of that bastard... No, the Commander. With a woman named Cho Hyejin. You don't have the qualifications. Can someone who has already been demoted be entrusted with the fate of the expedition again?"

'A strong but foolish bastard.'

He didn't say a word.

He merely gazed at this side quietly.

'Bastard.'

It was only natural that things would get complicated in various ways. Although this bastard wouldn't directly cause harm, he might be able to sow discord within the expedition through various means.

In reality, most of the supplies supporting the expedition were coming from the Blue Guild and the Holy See, so strictly speaking, we were outsiders.

Even if this bastard and the other bastards attempted a coup and didn't cooperate, we had no right to interfere from this side.

The idea of giving penalties for disobedience to orders was absurd. That guy was above the military law.

In the end, I had no choice but to speak.

Even though it was nonsensical...

"Don't you have other things to do?"

"What are you talking about?"

It was a lie.

"Perhaps the Church invitation might not be the only one."

It might not be just one invitation.