The Regressor Can Make Them All-Chapter 325

A draw.

Such an ending for the finals should have been an exciting outcome, but not now, under the current circumstances.

“A draw? Aria clearly won.”

“She even broke Yeom Sung-Ha’s spear...”

If they had fought in true combat, breaking the opponent’s weapon didn’t automatically mean victory. However, in a duel, such symbolism carried weight. And with the already high expectations of Aria to have the upper hand, many questioned the decision of making it a draw.

But of course, there were also those who agreed with Ludwig's decision.

“You’re talking nonsense. Didn’t you see the barriers collapsing at the same time?”

“They both would’ve died together if it were true combat. Why are you making such a fuss about one broken weapon?”

Under Ludwig’s supervision, the tournament was held under conditions designed to mimic those accompanying true combat. Thus, breaking the opponent’s barrier held greater significance than usual. However, that wasn’t something the audience could fully appreciate from their perspective.

Even the atmosphere between the two finalists on the stage, surrounded by all of the murmurs of dissatisfaction, was anything but pleasant.

“...”

Glare was covered in cracks. Though it had narrowly avoided breaking, Aria was dissatisfied that it had.

I’m sure I swung knowing it would shatter.

To be even more honest, she had intended to break it outright, pouring all her strength into summoning the sword that existed in her synesthetic mindscape. And yet, despite her resolve, her sword didn’t break, and the match ended in a draw.

Utterly dissatisfied, Aria recalled the reason for it and turned her head.

“...”

There stood Sung-Ha, silently gazing down at his fractured Sun Piercing Spear and shattered Nocturne Piercer.

Glaring at him, Aria strode toward him with firm steps.

“Are you pleased?”

“...”

Her tone was sharp, bordering on sarcasm, but Sung-Ha remained silent. Watching him, Aria’s expression grew complicated, and she eventually sighed.

“Fine. I’m not really in a position to criticize. After all, I didn’t even manage to cut down a fool like you.”

At the match’s climax, Sung-Ha had dismantled Aria’s Soul Sword with his Darkened Sun of Despair and advanced right in front of her. With just one more step forward, his victory would have been guaranteed. But at the last moment, the Sun Piercing Spear truly reached its limit, causing Sung-Ha to adjust his stance abruptly.

“Instead of driving the Sun Piercing Spear forward, you deflected my attack with Nocturne Piercer.... Most must have thought you lacked strength and had to change your posture.”

Aria, too, had been fooled at first by how natural his movements were. But the moment their weapons clashed, she realized the truth. The Sun Piercing Spear, which Sung-Ha had pulled back, was still charged with enough compressed flames to destroy Aria’s sword completely.

Yet, Sung-Ha had adjusted his stance, and it was for one reason only: he didn’t want the spear to break.

“Is that spear that precious to you? So much that you’d give up the crown for it?”

“...”

Sung-Ha didn’t respond, just continuing to stare at the two spears in his hands.

Seeing him like that, Aria, who had an innate ability to sense others’ emotions, roughly grasped his feelings.

“...If that’s how you feel right now, you should’ve just won back there,” she muttered under her breath, a puzzled look on her face.

With nothing more to say, she turned and returned to her side of the arena.

Now alone, Sung-Ha finally looked up at the audience. The spectators were all watching with curiosity, wondering what kind of exchange had just taken place. But Sung-Ha ignored them all, searching among them for someone who was no longer there.

And when he realized that was the case, he let out a soft mutter.

“Master...”

***

“...”

“...”

Luize and Amir frowned deeply at the broadcast in Luize’s waiting room, a stark contrast to the excited atmosphere everywhere else.

They both stared at Sung-Ha, who stood silently beside Aria as she was being interviewed by Lan Fang. Unlike most people, who wouldn’t have assumed Sung-Ha had deliberately changed his stance, the two of them knew better, having trained with him recently.

As a person who fights until death, he wouldn’t suddenly back down like that.

I never thought he’d make that kind of choice at the end.

And they were also fully aware of the materials used to make the Sun Piercing Spear, which allowed them to comprehend Sung-Ha's actions. Ridiculous as it was, they couldn’t help but sympathize with him.

Thinking similarly, the two exchanged a brief glance before both turning to Se-Hoon, who was also quietly watching the TV.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm?”

At the question directed at him, Se-Hoon shifted his gaze and noticed their serious expressions, prompting him to chuckle softly.

“What, are you worried I’ll lash out at him for losing stupidly like that?”

“Well, not exactly...” Luize awkwardly trailed off.

Smirking at Luize, Se-Hoon nodded as if to say he understood.

“I’m not upset about it. Protecting his spear was his own decision, after all.”

If Aria’s last strike had landed, the Sun Piercing Spear would’ve definitely been destroyed beyond repair. After all, both of Sung-Ha’s spears were only Hero-rank, and Aria’s swordsmanship even had a uniquely destructive effect on weapons, one different from someone like Eun-Ha.

Considering that the Sun Piercing Spear’s blade was made using Sun Shooter’s spearhead, I can’t blame him for choosing to preserve the will of his master that resides within it.

Se-Hoon had no intention of criticizing what path Sung-Ha chose. However, what came after was a different matter.

“But he does need a wake-up call.”

“What? You just said you weren’t upset...”

“That’s if his choice was truly deliberate.”

Not explaining further, Se-Hoon pointed to the TV, where the two found Sung-Ha appearing as indifferent as ever.

But then Luize and Amir noticed something—a subtle difference in his normally stoic demeanor.

“Is he... regretting it?”

“It does look that way. He seems a bit down...”

Most people wouldn’t have noticed, but to them, Sung-Ha’s emotions were crystal clear even through the screen.

“Tsk... If he’s going to keep making decisions he’ll regret, I can’t let this slide. If we don’t address this now, he’ll make an even bigger mistake in the future.”

The Mad Dog would never have made such a blunder, but Sung-Ha was still growing; it was bound to happen, eventually. And now that it had, Se-Hoon decided it was time to help him set his priorities straight.

“He’s heading toward the east gate.”

Hearing Ludwig’s voice in his ear out of the blue, Se-Hoon’s eyes widened before he let out a sigh and quickly stood up.

“I’ll be leaving first.”

“Huh? The closing ceremony isn’t even over yet.”

“There’s someone I need to meet. See you guys.”

Leaving without another word, Se-Hoon headed straight for the east gate. Most people hadn’t left yet, so the area wasn’t crowded. And among the already sparse figures, there was only one person walking steadily toward the exit—Jin-Hyun.

“Sir.”

Hearing Se-Hoon call out, Jin-Hyun stopped and turned around slowly.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

As always, Jin-Hyun greeted him warmly, as if nothing was amiss.

“Same as always. How about you? Are you feeling better?”

“They said there were no major problems with my condition. My strength is coming back. Oh, if you happen to see the Pilgrim, please pass along my thanks.”

“I will. But... are you leaving already?”

Jin-Hyun paused. “I’ve seen the outcome, and I have other matters to attend to. As for Sung-Ha...”

“You must be disappointed in him.”

“...”

Falling silent at the blunt remark, Jin-Hyun let out a heavy sigh.

“I can no longer control my mana, but I can tell what Sung-Ha is thinking just by looking at his face. He’s my disciple, after all.”

Just by seeing his expression, Jin-Hyun had understood what had happened and why. Yet he wasn’t surprised at all—today’s mistake was something he had warned Sung-Ha about long ago.

“He let his emotions cloud his judgment, missed his chance to win, and now even regrets it. How could I not be disappointed?”

“Even if those emotions were directed at you, sir?”

Despite the nature of the question, Jin-Hyun’s expression remained steady. “That only makes it even worse. He claimed he would follow his chosen path no matter what, yet he faltered.”

In the first place, Jin-Hyun had only agreed to receive treatment from the Pilgrim to confirm Sung-Ha’s growth with his own eyes. However, Sung-Ha once again displayed his immaturity, causing Jin-Hyun to be deeply disappointed.

There’s not much I can say...

Sung-Ha had made his choice, and Jin-Hyun had accepted it. Whatever an outsider like Se-Hoon thought wouldn’t change anything, but still, Se-Hoon couldn’t shake off a sense of irritation.

I’ve always wondered why the Mad Dog was so inflexible.... Turns out he got it from his master.

Surely, if someone survived, they could learn to walk another path. But while Sung-Ha might entertain such ideas, Jin-Hyun clearly had no intention of doing so.

“I know you’re not too thrilled about this,” Jin-Hyun said. “But tell me—what else can I do? In my current state, with no mana left in my body, I’m just an ordinary old man. There’s nothing more I can offer an S-rank hero.”

Hearing about Jin-Hyun’s complicated emotions, Se-Hoon contemplated in silence.

“...Can’t you just stay by his side?” Se-Hoon asked, speaking up.

“...”

“I think that alone would be enough for him.”

Though rare, there were people who considered simply having someone by their side a source of strength. Se-Hoon was such a case himself, and he believed Sung-Ha was too.

“...” Jin-Hyun gave Se-Hoon a long, thoughtful look before replying with a bittersweet smile. “We each have our own role to play... disciple and master alike.”

His words carried genuine conviction, so Se-Hoon didn’t press further, just watching as he turned to leave.

“Guide him well for me, will you?”

With those last words, Jin-Hyun walked slowly out of the Hall of Martial Arts, his weak but steady gait unshaken.

“My master was always more steadfast than I was.”

Back then, when he had been forging, the Mad Dog had suddenly said those words. Se-Hoon had dismissed it as a random remark then, but now, watching Jin-Hyun, he finally understood.

Neither that guy nor I could ever defy our master’s will.

Reminiscing over old memories that resurfaced, Se-Hoon let out a wry smile.

“I think it’s about time to start.”

Ludwig’s voice once more abruptly rang in his ear. Although the finals had concluded, the tournament’s true purpose—the recruitment of Li Kenxie—was only beginning.

“Let’s do this.”

***

Still sitting in the middle of the audience, the surrounding seats essentially deserted, Li Kenxie kept his eyes glued to the stage, where preparations seemed to be underway.

Looks like they’re finally doing something.

While some of the matches had been entertaining, none had convinced him to stay in Babel.

I guess there are two things left to check here.

First, the new metal forging technique that was to debut at the event. Second, Se-Hoon’s newly forged weapon, which was supposed to prove him wrong.

Then, once he had, Li Kenxie planned to leave for Huangshan immediately with Li Fei.

There’ll be no reason to remain in this place.

He had no faith that the insolent young man would accomplish anything, and more importantly, staying was having a negative effect on Li Fei’s growth.

“...”

Li Kenxie frowned as he observed Li Fei. Since Se-Hoon’s visit, Li Fei had been glancing around nervously. Because of the stern warning he had given her earlier, she refrained from approaching Se-Hoon directly, but it was clear her mind was still preoccupied.

And if that continued, Li Kenxie was certain it would lead to “obsessions” forming in her mind.

“...Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue in frustration due to his granddaughter’s state of mind, Li Kenxie watched her for a while until he heard an announcement from the arena.

—Before the awards ceremony, we’ll now present a demonstration of the new metal forging technology developed by Lee Se-Hoon.

The audience’s attention was immediately drawn to the stage and to Li Kenxie himself. The new method directly challenged the Rule of Iron, which was a technology Li Kenxie had pioneered during his time as an S-rank hero.

“...”

Without a change in expression, Li Kenxie quietly watched as two figures stepped onto the stage: Lee Se-Hoon, who had orchestrated the event, and Aria Myers, the co-winner of the tournament.

Why is Aria Myers there?

Is she here to demonstrate?

Buzzing in speculation, the audience watched in anticipation.

Then, Se-Hoon spoke, calmly raising his voice. “Can you all hear me? If you can, clap three times.”

They were perplexed; the audience couldn’t understand the sudden request. However, someone from Li Kenxie's side did.

Clap, clap, clap.

“Looks like you all can hear me well. Thank you to the person who clapped!”

At the soft clapping, Se-Hoon waved at the source of the applause: a young girl—Li Fei—who waved back briefly before shrinking under her grandfather’s stern gaze.

“Ah...”

But while Li Kenxie frowned at her, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her.

Meanwhile, Se-Hoon continued on, unbothered. “As I’ve declared, I’ve developed new metal forging technology, possibly surpassing the current standard, which is often referred to as the Rule of Iron.”

Even with Li Kenxie in the audience, there was not a trace of hesitation in Se-Hoon’s words. That alone drew admiration from the crowd, considering few could speak so boldly in front of a Perfect One.

“But words alone mean nothing. So, for all of you watching, I’ll prove it in the simplest, most definitive way.”

Se-Hoon turned to Aria as two swords materialized beside them. Despite radiating no mana, the blades drew the audience’s gaze with their simple yet entrancing craftsmanship.

Se-Hoon gripped one sword and swung it lightly.

“This sword was forged using only steel, crafted by me. The other one, which Aria sunbae is holding, was made under the same conditions by Sacred Craftsman Li Kenxie.”

At his words, the audience’s eyes naturally turned to Li Kenxie, who silently observed from his seat.

So this is what he was planning all along.

Li Kenxie had suspected as much when Ludwig made the request, but seeing it play out exactly as expected left him speechless.

How reckless of him. It would be a close contest, at best.

While Se-Hoon’s sword was, indeed, exceptional, it wasn’t significantly better than his own. Worst case, Se-Hoon’s own sword might break first during the clash.

Is he planning to use that girl to pull some kind of stunt? No, he doesn’t seem that foolish...

As Li Kenxie mulled over Se-Hoon’s intentions, Se-Hoon made his next move.

“Now, I’ll cut the Sacred Craftsman’s sword with mine.” He paused before casually adding, “Ten times in a row.”

“...Ten times in a row?”

Li Kenxie furrowed his brow at the unexpected declaration. But before he could mull over it some more, Se-Hoon faced Aria, and they swung their swords at each other with precision and speed.

Clang!

A clear metallic sound echoed as a blade flew through the air. Tracing the path back, the audience's eyes darted to the source and found Aria’s sword—split cleanly in half.

“What...?”

The sword had broken in a single strike.

Li Kenxie's eyes widened as he stared at the scene.

In contrast, Se-Hoon had a confident smile as he lightly shook the dust off his blade.

“That’s one down.”