The conversation with the system ended just like that.
My perverted provocation failed to achieve its purpose and fizzled out meaninglessly, leaving behind only the fact that the system was a real degenerate bastard.
Annoyed, I headed to the Item Shop to spend the cache box the system had gifted me along with the cash I had accumulated from clearing quests.
《Your current rank is Silver.》
《Hidden items are now revealed.》
It would’ve been a shame to ignore a notification like that, right?
Sure enough, the recommended list showed a wider variety of items than before. Admittedly, some were questionable in terms of practicality or price, but the selection was clearly better than before.
‘Let’s just get this much for now.’
I scrolled down the list and picked out a few that seemed potentially useful.
[Herb of Recovery]
Restores energy and heals wounds.
(Healing effect is minor, so use with caution.)
[Wings of Skywalk]
Tiny wings that let you fly. Attach to your shoes. (Duration: 5 minutes)
[Feign Death Potion]
Allows the drinker to mimic a corpse. Significantly lowers heart rate and body temperature to appear dead. User falls into deep sleep during the effect. (Duration: 15 minutes)
All three were newly updated items. Practical, reasonably priced — I was thoroughly satisfied.
On top of that, I added another item I had bookmarked last time.
[Time Stop Potion]
Drinking this potion stops time for 10 seconds. Only the user can move within the frozen time.
[Charm Boost Talisman]
Tear the talisman to receive a temporary charm buff. Enhances appearance, making it glow slightly, and increases others’ favorability.
Back then, I’d dismissed it as overpriced and useless, but looking again, it wasn’t half bad.
Especially the "Charm Boost Talisman" — it irritated me that something meant to boost charm, of all things, cost 80 million cash. But since my goal was to befriend the main characters and turn them into allies, I figured it was a worthwhile investment.
‘Yeah, buff is a buff, whether it’s charm or whatever.’
The price stung a little, but I told myself I was just spending the cash that pervert gifted me.
Since the thought came to mind, I took a moment to check one of the quests I’d received right after regression — the most important one: the main quest.
[Main Quest: Meet and Become Allies with the Main Characters. (Progress: 32%)]
You must meet the main characters scattered throughout the world and become their ally.
(Condition: Earn their trust.)
[Main Characters]
Key figures needed to stop the Catastrophe and protect the world.
If a main character dies, you will not be able to stop the Catastrophe. Protect them at all costs.
Warning! If even one main character dies, the quest fails.
Quest Failure: World Destruction.
Still as brutal as ever.
‘Oh? But the progress has increased.’
When I first got this quest, it was definitely at 0%. At some point, it had gone up to 32%.
Guess all the effort paid off. Smiling with satisfaction, I tucked the new items into my inventory and closed all system windows. Seeing the surroundings gradually brighten, I figured it was time to head back.
“Hey. You listening?”
Before leaving, I tried speaking to the system again. As expected, there was no response, but I kept talking anyway.
“I still don’t understand a lot of things.”
Why I was chosen for regression. What its actual goal was.
“Gratitude aside, you’ve got to admit it’s suspicious.”
I looked down at the small yellow flower lying between blades of grass. It was the item the system had gifted me earlier — a flower with no effect whatsoever.
“I don’t care if you’re spying or stalking. Just talk properly next time, alright?”
I did gain something, after all. Just confirming that the system was a communicative entity was a huge win for me.
No answer came, of course. Without regret, I turned and began my descent down the mountain.
The morning after my solo walk at dawn, we got ready to descend the mountain as planned. The one who came to see us off was King Seohwa.
“Are you really sure you won’t come with us?”
Wearing the plain clothes she used to wear five years ago when she lived with Song Jiwoon, King Seohwa looked just like an ordinary person. She adjusted her cardigan, which had slipped off her shoulders, and gently shook her head.
“I’m more comfortable here than among humans. Besides, someone needs to stay behind to protect this temple and mountain.”
Even though I had purified the place, the mountain remained a restricted zone — meaning criminal Hunters could sneak in anytime.
The biting chill that had engulfed the area when the king went berserk had faded now that she’d regained control of her power. Though for a Supporter like me, it was still rough, with blizzards raging through the peaks, it was far better than before.
If criminal dealer Hunters started creeping in one by one, the mountain would soon become filthy and ruined again. Someone had to guard it.
“It’ll get lonely, though. Especially since we’re taking Eunbok with us.”
Originally, we hadn’t planned to take Eunbok.
The cat had lived in the temple for years, and I’d learned before regression that cats are territorial and shouldn’t be moved lightly.
But from yesterday, Eunbok had somehow sensed our departure and began clinging to me, Ryu Sunghyun, and Song Jiwoon, meowing mournfully. We couldn’t bring ourselves to leave him behind.
Cradling Eunbok gently in my arms, I teased.
“You’re really going to treat me like some old fogey, huh? You’re the only one who dares talk to me like that. Don’t worry — I don’t age like humans. Go on now.”
The king turned to Song Jiwoon again and spoke solemnly.
“My disciple, once you descend the mountain, you’ll have to reclaim the age you’ve forgotten. Your slowed aging may mean you still look like you did 20 years ago, but time hasn’t stopped for you. You must stay sharp.”
“Yes, Master.”
“It worries me... that someone as inexperienced as you is inheriting the leadership of the group your twin sibling left behind...”
Her eyes shifted toward me and Ryu Sunghyun.
“But you’re not alone, so I trust you’ll be fine.”
A warm breeze swept past the king. With silver hair flowing and a serene smile, she looked completely at peace.
“I’ll be here guarding this place. Come find me if you ever need help.”
Resolute in her decision to follow in her disciple’s footsteps and protect the mountain, the king showed no sign of hesitation.
She watched us until we completely disappeared from view. Song Jiwoon kept glancing back, taking heavy steps.
Seeing his expression, I tried to comfort him.
“We’ll be back soon. There’s still purification work to be done here.”
“...Really?”
“Yes. And don’t be too intimidated by the guild work, either. The current Guildmaster will help you ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) out a lot, and the other members are all good people. Isn’t that right, Vice-Guildmaster?”
Trying to lift the heavy mood, I gave Ryu Sunghyun a meaningful look. He awkwardly nodded.
“Yes. Everyone will welcome you.”
...That didn’t sound convincing.
Narrowing my eyes, I glanced at both Ryu and Jiwoon.
‘Is he shy or something?’
Ryu Sunghyun was polite to a fault, but not particularly social.
Strictly speaking, he hadn’t known Jiwoon for long, and now the guy was becoming his boss — it was probably messing with his head. As for Jiwoon, he was understandably nervous about starting a new life outside the mountain.
I understood both sides, but we couldn’t afford to let this awkward tension fester. They used to be close before regression — surely they’d be fine again.
“Cha Seohu Hunter.”
As I quietly walked along, feeling unsettled myself, Song Jiwoon — ears slightly red — cautiously stepped closer.
With Eunbok claiming my arms, Sahyeon, who had been holding my hand, cast a sharp glance his way.
“...Thank you. Thanks to you, I feel much more at ease.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“And... if it’s alright, I have one question.”
A question? I looked at him curiously, and after hesitating a moment, Jiwoon asked:
“This person is the Vice-Guildmaster of Circle, right? Then... do you hold any official position, Cha Seohu Hunter?”
“...!”
Startled, I widened my eyes, prompting Jiwoon to quickly clarify.
“I didn’t mean anything by it! I just thought — since you both came to visit me together, there might be a reason...”
“No, it’s fine to ask.”
I exchanged looks with Ryu Sunghyun.
‘Did we forget to tell him?’
‘Now that you mention it... I think we actually did.’
We silently groaned and rubbed our foreheads.
Not that it was a huge deal, but still — how did we completely forget?
I turned to Jiwoon, flustered and apologetic.
“Caretaker.”
“Yes?”
“I... am not a member of Circle Guild.”
“...Excuse me?”
“I formed a two-person guild with my younger sibling here. We’re just on good terms with Circle, that’s all...”
“......”
As Jiwoon processed the explanation, his pupils trembled violently.
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you earlier. I swear I wasn’t hiding it on purpose — there’s just been a lot going on and I... Caretaker? Are you alright?”
“Ah... yes...”
No, he didn’t look alright at all.
Watching him visibly deflate, I grew concerned. But there was no going back. We couldn’t join Circle Guild.
Sahyeon and I were a package deal. If we entered the guild, everyone would be put at risk.
Jiwoon even stumbled briefly, clearly shaken. He must’ve grown uneasy after realizing I wasn’t actually in the guild.
After that, he walked in silence, lips pressed tight. He didn’t seem angry — more like he was lost in thought.
I could feel his intense gaze stabbing the back of my head now and then, but after accidentally misleading him, I couldn’t muster the nerve to ask what he was thinking.
‘...Whatever. Let’s just get back to Circle Guild.’
Let the fake deal with it or something. Choosing to escape from reality, I hastened my steps down the mountain.

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