Regressor Instruction Manual-Chapter 1152. Operation: Dawn (1)

‘It still sounds pretty bad.’

I thought Lee Ji-Hye had entered the continent in some form, but I never imagined she’d enter the continent while taking over her daughter’s body. I was sure her daughter agreed to it, but it was so shocking that I was at a loss for words.

"Noona, what about Domi? Is she fine with this?"

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

— You think she wouldn’t be fine with this? She’s spending all day, every day with her mother, and it’s not like before when I would use harsh methods to discipline her... I’ve been getting along really well with Domi lately. If you don’t trust me, I’ll let you talk to her.

"No, you don’t need to do that..."

— Also, I don’t think you should be asking how people are doing. Do you know whose fault it is that we’re in this mess?

"..."

— I'm smiling right now while talking about this, but do you have any idea how much of a mess it was back then? People were crying, and Kim Hyun-Sung disappeared somewhere... It was complete chaos.

"..."

— By the way, your problem is that you don’t care about the consequences.

"I could say the same thing about you... Are you sure you took care of everything there before coming here? If you’re here, who’s taking care of things over there?"

— Commander Jin and Benigoa are there as well.

"Will he be okay by himself?"

— Who knows? But he’s a responsible man, so it should be fine. The problem is that he’s really greedy. I’m sure he’ll approve two or three projects while we’re gone... but I’m not that worried.

— In fact, the proposals he made so far weren’t that strange. A lot of things were rejected just for the sake of rejecting them... but now it’s time for him to fulfill some dreams.

‘That’s true, but...’

— Of course, I respect his opinions... but he’s just making himself miserable...

— Being too greedy is his problem. That will be his downfall someday.

— Ah! Come to think of it, Sahaga and Gela were recruited as well.

"Ah, you’re right. By the way, noona."

— What?

"Who helped Kim Hyun-Sung? It wasn’t you, right?"

I asked out of curiosity, but the answer was already there. If she had helped him, then there would be no reason for her to come here in Domi’s body.

— You can figure that out yourself because I definitely didn’t help him.

"Don’t be like that..."

— I’m not saying that on purpose. I really don’t know. Logically speaking, it’s probably Belial or the crow... but who can say what the answer is? I’d tell you if I could, but I can’t. Anyway, I already placed the bait.

"Ah, the Memory Bead Fragment?"

— Yeah, that. I really like your story. Our Flower Ki-Young’s memories are spread out all over the Rohen Continent. I think Kim Hyun-Sung also took the bait... and the timing isn’t that bad. We decided to change the Ashen Sunset Region to the Northern Region. I can’t hear all the details since I’m outside... but it’s obvious what Kim Hyun-Sung is thinking.

"..."

— There's no reason for him to expand his territory to the north right now, so the central region managed to buy more time.

"But isn’t someone else in charge of that area?"

— That’s why I’m saying it’s good. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I don’t think the northern region is going to just give us their territory.

— I'm sure the owner of that place will be surprised upon hearing that we were there to locate a Memory Bead Fragment, even though it’s not even there. It seems like we're assuming that there's going to be an armed conflict there...

- Hm...

— When considering the many different possible situations, this is the best time to create a safe zone in the... Ashen Sunset region.

'Yeah, it seems to be that way. There’s a reason why I’ve been preparing all of this.'

It would be unreasonable to attack the Ashen Sunset Region right now, but we could definitely create a safe zone. Actually, it was more like we were more than capable of doing that.

‘A war will most likely break out.’

Hyun-Sung wasn't exactly fond of demons.

‘The problem is that we need to deal with Hye-Jin.’

— Ah, hold on. I think Thro is about to cry. I’m going to go comfort him.

"..."

— He tends to cry when he’s alone. Ah! Also, I think we’re going to head to the central region.

"Really? Why there?"

— We received a mission. Securing Flower Ki-Young’s new recruit is a top priority, but the Memory Bead Fragment is just as important. Someone needs to gather information and deliver it. I need to make a report about the strange phenomena happening all over the continent. For example, an orc suddenly becoming smart.

"So you’re going to return to the city, right? Have you already set things up with the key figures?"

— Of course. Is there someone you want to get rid of?

"If there is someone, I’ll make a list and send it to you. It’s highly likely there won’t be any... but just in case."

— You’re worried that someone will get in the way when you create the expedition team, right?

"Yeah."

— Then send me the list. I need to head to the city right now. I’m going to feed the kids something delicious and walk around.

"Already?"

— I’m busy as well because I have to clean up after someone.

‘I don’t think it’s because you’re busy.’

There wasn't any reason for her to be busy, except for exploring her childlike side again and having some fun. However, I couldn’t really say anything since I was the one receiving help.

“I’m busy as well,” I mumbled.

I was sad that our conversation ended so quickly, but I didn’t mumble it because I was annoyed with Lee Ji-Hye.

I still had to prepare for the expedition as fast as possible because the expedition to the Ashen Sunset Region was decided at the last minute. The Flower and Fertility Familia as well as the other familias were well-prepared, so they were ready to go.

Unfortunately, I had been living in a civilized world, how could I trust those monkeys?

‘It’s a mess.’

I expected it, but their level of uncivilized behavior was unimaginable. I couldn’t help but think that even the chimpanzees in Planet of the Apes were more organized than these guys.

Someone knocked on the door while I was busy making revisions. I turned and saw someone whom I had been seeing a lot recently, and of course, I smiled brightly at her.

“Ah! Miss Emilia,” I greeted.

She was Will’s adjutant, but now, she was my adjutant.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you while you’re working, Commander,” Emilia said.

“You can just call me Lee Ki-Young. Titles... are still awkward for me,” I told her.

“You are rightfully in the position of commander of the allied forces. You can be a little more confident. On the contrary, what’s more embarrassing is...” Emilia paused.

After glancing at me, I noticed her blushing, and I was sure she was talking about the operation I was revising right now because Emilia was one of the people who guided the existing command structure and operations.

It looked fine from her point of view, but the result of someone who only scratched the surface and someone who had been through it all would never be the same.

If she had any kind of eye for detail, even if it were just a tad bit, she would notice the difference between us.

“You don’t have to think that way. I’m receiving a lot of help as well. If it weren't for the basic guide, I would be lost for a long time. I was able to solve things easily... because you and the others had provided such a thorough guide,” I told her.

“Your words of consolation are making me feel even more embarrassed,” Emilia said.

‘You’re still a bit better, at least. Realizing that this is embarrassing means there’s room for growth.’

Many people would throw a tantrum upon being corrected. No matter the group, people tended to dislike outsiders. The Flower and Fertility Familia was a little better because I had William’s support, but the leaders of the other familias didn't necessarily trust me.

Obviously, I couldn’t communicate better with people like Emilia.

It only happened once at the academy... but I showed the Rohen Continent what a genius looked like. I possessed an overwhelming level of strategy and intelligence that the culprit couldn’t even approach me.

It was the same for the manual I was writing right now. From the command structure to tactical guides, I changed everything from start to finish, and the reaction wasn’t all that bad.

‘It’s best to create a strategy based on the genius concept because I’ll have a chance with that.’

Those without experience and had yet to prove themselves would make others feel uncomfortable toward them, especially when they were in a commander position.

Who would want to entrust their life to a rookie commander? If I were in their shoes, I wouldn’t be able to trust myself completely. The somewhat uncomfortable looks I was getting in the current meeting likely meant it in that way.

“Amazing. I can’t believe you did this much... in such a... short period of time. I’m really impressed. It’s to the point that I don’t have anything to say about the presentation...” Tanaka said.

“Thank you, Mr. Tanaka,” I said.

“Even after witnessing the events at the academy with my own eyes, I was still skeptical... and I had my doubts even after hearing Mr. William’s words... but geniuses must really exist. Haha,” Tanakalaughed.

‘At least he says it nicely.’

“But I’d be lying if I said I felt uneasy. It’s not that I’m doubting your abilities... but I can’t emphasize enough just how important this operation is. There are too many factors to worry about, such as if you’ll make a mistake during crucial moments or if you’ll be crushed because of the pressure weighing on your shoulders,” Tanaka explained.

“...”

“How about we keep the strategy you made and appoint someone else as the commander?” Tanaka suggested.

If I were to interpret this negatively, he was suggesting bringing in a professor who would take advantage of the hard work of a talented college student, but I didn’t interpret it that way because it was understandable for them to feel that way.

“It’s too early to discuss who will get the credit, but that doesn’t mean people will question your abilities, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. How about we make arrangements so that you can make accomplishments in the merit system equivalent to those of the commander-in-chief?” Tanaka suggested.

If they were to offer that much...

‘I can interpret it as him saying he’ll lessen the burden and help me avoid the responsibility.’

It felt like he was trying to be considerate so that I wouldn't have to worry about failing the expedition. Rather than letting this genius fall apart because of one mistake, it sounded like a message filled with the dreams and hopes of those who wanted to nurture and help me rise to the top of the continent.

It wouldn’t be strange at all if I decided to step down from here, and if I had been the previous version of Lee Ki-Young, I would have agreed with what they said. Of course, I was talking about the version of myself before I lost Raymond Bolt.

However...

‘I need to become stronger.’

For Grandpa...

‘Don’t back down, Lee Ki-Young.’

For the comrades whom I would meet again one day, I couldn’t give up. I decided to let my responsibilities, burden, and fear nurture me to help me grow.

Instead of nodding, I shook my head and looked around confidently. William, who looked at me anxiously, smiled. The change of clothes was a symbol that I had grown internally, and his deduction had just been confirmed.

“No, I came up with this plan, so I can’t let someone else take the responsibility,” I declined.

“...”

“If you trust my plan... then you must trust me as well. I may lack experience and haven’t been on the continent for a long time... but I’m confident that no one will be able to understand and execute this plan better than me. I’m...” I paused.

“...”

“I’m a genius,” I added.

“...”

“So if there are no objections, I’ll be the commander,” I said.

“...”

“The name of the operation will be Dawn, and it will be executed in three days,” I announced.