Chapter 33: The Regressor is Conditionally Strong (2)

Chapter 33: The Regressor is Conditionally Strong (2)

“Goblin Shaman. I need your help.”

“...Heh?”

The Goblin Shaman looks at me with an expression that seems to say, “What’s this guy’s deal?”

He snorts, his face scrunching up in distaste, and then breaks into a small laugh.

“Heh heh... Human. I’m a dying Goblin. You’ve chosen the wrong one to ask for help.”

Then, the Goblin Shaman bursts into fits of coughing.

It seems he still doesn’t quite understand what I’m trying to say.

“...Shaman.”

“Cough... Cough...”

“I’m a Regressor. This isn’t the first time we’ve met.”

“...?”

“You’ve told me everything. The ancient dungeon, human adventurers, the voice of a god, and why you came to this tower.”

“...Heh. Human, you speak nonsense.”

Although the Goblin Shaman turns his head away while muttering a curse, I clearly see his milky white eyes waver.

“Seriously. This is the third time we’ve met. Do you know how much trouble I had to go through because you decided to dive into the swamp with golden beads?”

Slowly, I unravel the story of my experiences in this tower.

From the moment I regained consciousness, to the moment of joy when I acquired the Regression trait, and even the moment when I was double-crossed by the Goblin Shaman and heard the message he left on a stone.

I thought I had shared my tale quite earnestly, but...

“...So what do you want me to do about it, human?”

The Goblin Shaman scratches the back of his head, clearly unimpressed.

“Let’s get straight to the point. Heh. I could easily break the monster’s seal right now if I wanted to.”

He menacingly brandishes his staff.

“...Calm down.”

As he claims, if the Goblin Shaman were to release the Minotaur’s seal here and now, I’d have no choice but to regress.

But he hasn’t yet. Which means he’s somewhat interested in what I have to say.

“What do I want? Simple.”

I remember how the Goblin Shaman had all the other goblins kill themselves, effectively eliminating any source of food.

“Bring all the goblins on this island. Right here, to this spot.”

“...Cough. And then?”

“My trait gains strength when I’m protecting someone during a fight. If I’m in a situation where I’m protecting all the goblins, I could obliterate that monster in one go.”

“...Ha ha.”

The Goblin Shaman laughs, as if the idea is absurd to him.

“...Human, are you perhaps an idiot?”

He gestures wildly with his free hand, the one not holding the staff.

“I despise humans. I maintain this seal with the hope that humans suffer. Understand, human?”

“...I get it.”

“So do I look like a fool to you, human? Why should I help you people?”

“...”

He’s right.

There’s no reason for the Goblin Shaman to assist us.

In fact, he’d probably relish seeing us in pain; he has no incentive to help.

But without saying a word, I simply place my hand near his nose.

“...Human, what are you doing?”

“Smell it.”

“...It just smells like a human hand. I don’t understand what you want me to smell. Cough.”

“That’s exactly my point.”

“...Heh?”

Sniff. Sniff.

The Goblin Shaman flares his nostrils, smelling my hand once more.

“...Ah.”

It appears he has caught on to what I’m trying to convey.

“The smell of blood. You don’t sense it, do you?”

The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! Hero [C] - In moments of crisis, people think of you. You become stronger when fighting to protect someone. The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated! The effect of the Hero’s Trait is activated!

Slowly adapting to the overflowing power, I signaled to the Goblin Shaman.

“Cough, then I’ll release the seal, human.”

The violet rope connecting Minotaur to his staff snapped.

“Gruuuuuuuu...”

Slowly rising from his position was the Minotaur.

Clutching and unclutching his fists as if he couldn’t believe it, he soon picked up his axe.

“GRUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!”

“Wo-woahhh!”

“Aaahhh!”

It was a roar so loud it felt deafening.

His enormous eyes were unmistakably locked onto me.

His twitching muscles were gathering strength to crush me.

Had this been before, I might have been overwhelmed by his formidable aura and run away...

But now, I instinctively knew.

That wasn’t the war cry of an excited warrior; it was the howl of a frightened beast.

“You feel it too, don’t you?”

Step by step, I began walking toward the Minotaur, twirling the sword in my wrist.

Thump. Thump.

“Gr-GRUUUUUU!”

And as I closed the distance, the Minotaur retreated, little by little.

Even a child could see it. The beast was intimidated.

“Hah.”

Normally, Minotaur isn’t a monster created to be slain in the Turtorial. It exists merely as a mechanism—to set the time limit for the Tutorial floor—and to provoke conflicts among people.

Even Choi Ji-won, a monster beyond comprehension, had said she couldn’t guarantee a victory against this Minotaur.

Yet this unbelievable monster was fleeing before me, intimidated.

The very fact was so satisfying that I couldn’t help but smile.

Suddenly, I turned my head to look for Choi Ji-won.

“...”

Choi Ji-won scans me up and down with a stern expression.

I never thought the day would come when she’d be on guard because of me. I did say that I’d catch up to her someday, and now that I actually have, the feeling is surreal.

Of course, it’s just temporary doping... but a win is still a win, right?

The hard work has paid off. I can feel a sense of pride.

“GRRRAAAAAAA!!!”

Thump, thump, thump, thump-thump.

Thinking it saw an opportunity when I turned my back, the Minotaur charged at me crazily.

I spin smoothly in place to face the creature.

“Come.”

Maybe it’s because I’m focused, but time seems to slow down just a bit.

I tighten my grip on the sword in both hands.

I recall Choi Ji-won’s teachings once more.

My target is... the neck.

Although it’s a neck covered in muscle, with my current state, it’s possible.

No, it’s more than just possible.

Because, at this moment, I am... ‘hero’.

I lightly push off from my position.

The swing of my sword comes naturally.

And just as both my feet softly touch the ground—

Astonishing Achievement Alert! - You have successfully defeated the hidden boss, ‘Demon of the Labyrinth’!

- There are zero casualties! Bonus experience for Legendary Ventures awarded!

- Special reward is granted to the biggest contributor, [Kim Jun-ho]!

The Minotaur’s neck rolls on the ground.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

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