The Regressors are Trying to Kill Me

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 3

To be honest, I didn't quite understand the situation.

"Did you say artifact-secured loan?"

"Yes. You borrowed 850 million won from us using an artifact as collateral."

"Then where is that artifact?"

If you took out an artifact-secured loan and couldn't repay the debt?

Wouldn't you just hand over the artifact?

Of course, there could be a story behind it, like the artifact being a memento of his deceased Awakened father or something.

That's ridiculous.

Anyone who would pawn such a precious item is already a lost cause.

Even if it truly was his parents' memento, it's still the same.

Any normal parent would rather their child give up the item and settle the debt to live a good life than be shackled to debt as a slave to their possessions.

"You really don't remember? It broke two weeks ago."

Then, his younger brother, who had been silent until now, let out a deep sigh.

Hong Ilha's brother looked at me with eyes filled with a myriad of emotions.

"You always wanted to quit being a porter and become a Hunter, didn't you? Your stats weren't bad for an F-rank. You wouldn't listen to me when I tried to stop you, and you ended up taking out a loan to buy an artifact and then used that artifact as collateral. And two weeks ago, you went on a rampage trying to hunt and broke it! That's how you ended up with a debt of 800 million won! Do you get it now? We're ruined!"

"Ah."

I learned one more thing about Hong Ilha.

It's not easy to judge people, but this guy definitely lacked a sense of reality.

"Then where did the broken artifact go?"

"I don't know! You took it back to where you bought it. You said you were going to get it repaired."

"What kind of artifact was it?"

"Hey!"

Slap!

My brother— Hong Ilha's brother, slapped me across the face.

"A sword and shield set!"

He sniffled and wiped away his tears.

"That's what it was. Sorry for hitting you."

I shook my head.

"It's okay."

Honestly, I deserved that.

And I also figured out what had happened to Hong Ilha.

This idiot got scammed.

It's a scam where the sellers of the artifacts and the loan sharks are in cahoots.

'We're selling artifacts for cheap. The previous owner died a terrible death, so Rankers won't buy them because they think they're cursed. They keep failing to sell at auctions, so we're offering them at a low price.'

They say things like this, and low-rank Awakened who want to quit being porters and become Hunters flock to them.

'Wow! Really? How much is it?'

'1 billion won!'

'Uhm. I don't have that kind of money.'

'Then we'll delay the final payment for you. We'll introduce you to a loan company, so go there and get an artifact-secured loan. Then you can get this artifact without spending a single penny.'

'Oh my god!'

'You'll easily earn enough money to repay the loan once you start working as a Hunter. And if you decide being a Hunter isn't for you, just hand over the artifact to the loan company. What do you think?'

'Thank you so much!'

What happens next is obvious.

The weapon he bought for 1 billion won was obviously not an artifact, but a piece of junk hunting device smeared with mana stone scraps or a temporary enchantment scroll.

An 'artifact', a relic imbued with the power of the Constellation, and a 'hunting device', a mere weapon made from monster shells or bones, are completely different things.

A real 'artifact', especially a proper sword and shield set, is incredibly expensive.

800 million won?

That would barely cover the cost of the shield's handle or the sword's crossguard.

A low-rank Awakened, blinded by the hope of quitting their porter job and becoming a Hunter, would try to hunt monsters.

And when the "artifact" shatters, they'd run away.

That's where the scam is complete.

Once an artifact is broken, it's indistinguishable from a hunting device.

Of course, a high-rank appraisal scroll or a high-level Awakened Mage could tell the difference if they examined it closely, but where would a mere porter find such expensive consumables or a high-ranking Hunter?

It's a dead end.

This was a scam with a long and rich history.

When I was the chairman of the Awakened Association, I received reports on the porter ecosystem.

Back then, we cracked down on this type of scam through cooperation between guilds, the association, and the government.

And now, I've fallen for that very scam.

If I were truly Hong Ilha, this would be a hopeless situation.

But of course, I'm not Hong Ilha.

What I needed now was time.

Once I regain my strength, I can resolve this kind of issue without even lifting a finger— just by telling the relevant official to "take care of it."

"I apologize."

I lowered my voice, recalling the times when there were casualties during Gate defense battles.

Trying to sound trustworthy.

Like I was bowing my head in front of thousands of cameras and the bereaved families watching beyond them.

I bowed deeply.

"You trusted me and lent me a large sum of money, but I made an irresponsible choice. I'll make sure to answer your calls and repay you steadily, even if it's just 50,000 or 100,000 won a day."

The key was to instill trust.

The belief that this guy wouldn't run away.

"I'll start working as a porter again tomorrow and try to pay at least part of this month's interest."

These guys weren't planning on taking everything from me at once anyway.

Even if I showed up with 1 billion won, they'd probably close their office and run.

Their goal was to keep sucking me dry.

"Please, could you give me a little more time?"

"...Yes. Alright, customer."

"I'll see you again next Monday."

As expected, they left without a fuss.

They thought time was on their side.

This time, it would be on mine.

* * *

Hong Ilha's younger brother, Hong Wolha, was taken aback by his brother's attitude.

'I've never seen that guy bow his head before.'

The way he politely sent the loan sharks away seemed quite mature.

"...Come in. Let's eat dinner."

He knew why his brother was obsessed with becoming a Hunter.

Contrary to popular belief, the mortality rates of Hunters and porters weren't that different.

And as people perceived, there was a significant difference in income between Hunters and porters.

He wanted Hong Ilha to stop working as a porter.

He mistakenly believed that it would be safer for him to work as a Hunter alone than for them to continue watching each other's backs while mining mana stones.

It was a kind but foolish thought.

It was a hundred times better to work together than to leave his family alone in a dungeon.

Moreover, once registered as a 'Hunter' instead of just an Awakened, one would be subject to conscription whenever a Gate appeared.

Hong Ilha's stats were decent for an F-rank, but he was still an F-rank.

He would die if even an E-rank monster appeared, yet he thought he would become like those Rankers who got a tutorial re-entry ticket once he became a Hunter.

In a positive light, he was optimistic and full of hope.

'I bought it! I bought it!'

'Just wait a little longer. I'll make sure you don't have to go into dungeons.'

'Just block with the shield, and stab with the sword as if you're resting it on the shield!'

In a negative light, he was naive.

'The interest? It's higher than I thought. I'll give you what I've saved from working as a porter for now.'

'Please wait a moment. The artifact will be repaired soon. I'll give it to you then.'

'Th-the artifact is... completely broken. But! You said it was a secured loan?'

That brother had changed overnight.

'You trusted me and lent me a large sum of money, but I made an irresponsible choice. I'll make sure to answer your calls and repay you steadily, even if it's just 50,000 or 100,000 won a day.'

To think he would say such things.

Hong Wolha was deeply moved.

"Brother."

"...Yeah."

"Why did you go to the Han River?"

"To get some fresh air. I was thinking about things."

"So… You didn't go there to jump in and come back wrapped in a blanket?"

"I slipped. The railing was old and it broke."

"Liar."

"Just play along. I'm back, aren't I?"

Even his smile was different.

The original Hong Ilha had a much lighter laugh.

It was lively, but also childish.

Now, he had a serene, faint smile.

It was a mature smile, as if asking for understanding just this once.

Hong Wolha let out a soft sigh.

"Brother. Let's give up on our ambitions and just work as porters together. If we keep working and surviving like we have been, we'll pay off the debt within three years. We're still in our mid-20s."

"Okay."

"We have plenty of time. We can stay here until we're 35. And since we're Awakened, we can try taking the police or firefighter exams. If that doesn't work out, we can always do manual labor together."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You worked as a porter alone and paid for my potions. It's my turn to save you now."

* * *

Click.

After a few blunders, I finished washing the dishes and went into Hong Ilha's room, locking the door behind me.

"Why is it so messy?"

I tidied up his desk while evaluating Hong Ilha.

Not the worst, but someone who was only functioning thanks to his good brother…

I needed to get back to Baekya's life as soon as possible.

Click.

I drew the curtains closed.

I sat down on a chair and swiped my finger from top to bottom.

"Status window."

I was nervous.

What level are my abilities at, how many skills and traits have been carried over— is the contract still valid, and so on.

If, by any chance, I only have Baekya's memories, I won't be able to save my disciple from the curse, let alone repay Hong Ilha's debt.

The status window opened.

+

【Status Window

1. Name: Hong Baekya

2. Class: Pyromancer (S+ ‣ F)

3. Titles: Humanity's Sun, Bringer of Dawn, Master of Fire, The First and Greatest Climber....

4. Regional Server: Republic of Korea

5. Ascension Level: 7th Rank Angelus/Angel

6. Skills: Satellization (S+) Dragon's Breath (S+) Law of Light (EX) Radiant Light Sword (S+) Thermal Radiation (S+) Radiant Wave (S+) Wave of Fire (S+) Accretion Disk (S+) Elementalization (S+) Sunrise (S+) Aurora Curtain (S+)....

*Skills cannot be used due to a significant decrease in stats.

*Lower skill levels or increase stats.

7. Stats: [Strength 999 ‣ 18] [Agility 999 ‣ 17] [Health 999 ‣ 18] [Mana ■■■ ‣ 15] 】

+

"...At least my name remains."

At the very least, I avoided living as Hong Ilha, who only inherited Baekya's memories.

The Tower still says I'm the 'Sun' Baekya.

My class level dropped due to the decrease in stats, but the class itself remains Pyromancer.

The countless titles I've accumulated so far are also still there.

My Ascension Level was originally 3rd Rank, but it dropped to 7th Rank.

I've raised it once before, so I can raise it again quickly.

Thinking about the contract, I called out to my Constellation.

"Sunny?"

【"You called?"】

As if she had been waiting all along, a reply came immediately.

【"I'm glad you succeeded. I thought I wouldn't be able to watch your story anymore."】

"Ha, haha."

I couldn't help but laugh at the deep sense of relief.

"I couldn't have let it end with such a bad ending. As you said, you've sponsored me so much."

My Constellation remained by my side even after night fell.

An unwelcome notification also rang in my head.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

【Aitel System Notification: A decrease in Ascension Level and Mana, and the collapse of the Sanctuary have been confirmed. The connection with the Constellation will be adjusted to match the 7th Rank.】

【You cannot possess followers. Contracts will be terminated.】

【You cannot receive personal quests from the Constellation.】

【'Comet Shop' will disappear from the Status Window.】

【'That Vast Universe Inventory' will disappear from the Status Window. Items stored in the inventory cannot be taken out until the inventory is reactivated.】

Countless benefits disappeared due to the decrease in Ascension Level, which signifies the strength of the connection with the Constellation.

However, my constellation comforted me with unique reassurance.

【"Don't worry about it. I'll raise your Ascension Level back up soon."】

【"But why are your stats in such a state?"】

"I'm wondering the same thing."

I forced a smile and zoomed in on the stats section.

【7. Stats:

[Strength 999 ‣ 18]

[Agility 999 ‣ 17]

[Health 999 ‣ 18]

[Mana ■■■ ‣ 15] 】

My class, 'Pyromancer', or more precisely, 'Elemental-type Esper', is all or nothing.

If successful, you're an all-rounder who can create firestorms, summon lava giants, and wield flaming swords. But if you fail, you're just a jack-of-all-trades.

And I was the most successful Esper in the world.

Three of the four stats were at the class limit, and one completely transcended it.

Those stats I was so proud of were now devastated.

As the Aitel notification said, I can't use any skills in this state.

With 15 Mana, I can barely cast 'Flame Arrow (E)', let alone 'Dragon's Breath (S+)' or 'Radiant Wave (S+)'.

【"It seems like you'll have to either raise your stats or lower your skill levels."】

【Your Constellation 'Sunny' is feeling dejected.】

My vision darkened.

Siyeol.

It looks like it'll take a bit longer before I can hit you.

Until then, don't you dare die.

Protect the country well.

Get along with your friends.

Manage the Gates properly.

And if you have time, please feed the phoenix in my building.

【"There's no way to raise your stats right now, so how about lowering your skill levels?"】

【"I know you worked hard to raise them. It's a shame, but it can't be helped. Think of it as a cheap tragedy."】

【Your Constellation 'Sunny' carefully suggests.】

"You're right. No! Wait a minute."

I was about to lower my skill levels but shook my head.

Maybe.

"I thought of a way to drastically increase my stats."

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]