REGRESSOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Chapter 984: Altanus (21)

I was sure it was just me because I had yet to execute my plans.

No, it had to be just me.

‘I have to hold out for ten hours or hold out until all the quests I prepared are complete.’

I had no idea what the expedition team was up to, but they could hold out for ten hours.

If their memories were gradually being erased…

‘They could take other actions.’

Jin Cheong’s side could be coming up with another plan, and I was sure he’d come up with a backup plan to not forget me. He'd either write it down on his tiny notepad or prepare a signal or code that only he would recognize.

The important part wasn't losing connection before the ten-hour mark.

The problem was…

I wasn’t sure how losing memories of me was going to affect them, but if the same thing were to happen to Jung Ha-Yan or Kim Hyun-Sung, I could already deduce what was going to happen.

They would probably run rampant and quiver like they were having a seizure, and I could honestly see that happening. Hye-Jin and the others would become anxious, but at least… they wouldn't abandon their tasks.

If the expedition group was in danger, and I had to completely rely on Kim Hyun-Sung and Jung Ha-Yan, then the problem would get worse. Kim Hyun-Sung would go on about the third life, say sorry, and talk about how it was not worth protecting at all blah, blah, blah…

‘He might actually be the better one.’

I was worried because I had no idea what kind of trouble Jung Ha-Yan was going to kick up.

‘I wonder how Ji-Hye noona is doing.’

She was probably trying hard to find a way as well.

Regardless of what was going to happen, the important part here was carrying out the tasks that I could do. If people were really forgetting about me in real-time, then it would be reasonable for me to complete all the tasks that I had already started.

I started moving.

The bombs that the black mage had installed were making the extreme situation even more extreme.

Kaboooooooom!

The bombs weren't that strong, but the explosions were enough to terrify the people here. I heard screams everywhere as if the explosions had sent the flames of hell everywhere, and people were running away while keeping their heads low.

It seemed like they were instinctively running toward the place they thought was safe, but they wouldn’t be able to find a safe place in this chaotic Underground Temple.

A few Templars were containing the crowd, but…

‘Who would trust you guys?’

They knew better than anyone that the Templars wouldn’t be able to control this situation. The fear created by the hellfire explosion and their fear of the explosions couldn’t be contained by the group that had already failed once.

“Kyahhh!”

“Move! Shit! Move out of the way!”

“E-Everyone!”

“I’m leaving this place!”

Booom!

“Lady Deliha!”

“Damn it! Damn it!”

“Let us leave this place, damn it!”

This was the same sight I saw at that black market. There were people cowering in the corner, while there were some people hiding under the decorative tables. Most of the people tried to get away from the explosions without choosing a particular destination.

Boom! Boom!Boom!

The explosions continued.

The explosions seemed like they were part of a massive bluff, but this was enough to plunge the entire Underground Temple into chaos.

To make matters worse…

‘I can’t really move around either, damn it.’

So many people were running around desperately, and I couldn’t even move, let alone maintain my balance. People were colliding with my shoulders, and I got worried about getting pushed back by the crowd.

And that was when I heard a familiar voice.“Father!”

“...”

“Father! Father!”

“Genny!” I shouted.

I heard Templar Genny’s voice from afar.

He pushed through the crowd while biting his lips.

“Father!” Genny shouted, grabbing my hand.

“Father Draktaris—”

“You have to get away, Father! I’ll take… you to a safe place… for—” Genny interrupted me.

“I have to go to Father Draktaris,” I interrupted him.

“But…”

“Please take me to Father Draktaris,” I requested.

‘Nothing is happening now, damn it. It’s all a bluff.’

Of course, the explosions had to be somewhat realistic.

It felt like the Underground Temple was going to crumble anytime soon.

The chaos gave birth to more chaos, and the chaos would transform into bigger chaos. Despite the fact that nothing was really happening, everyone was running around as if the world were ending, so it felt like the world was really going to end.

Templar Genny didn’t look that different from other people.

He had received formal training, but he was still afraid.

It made sense. After all, he was still a rookie, so this situation was probably terrifying for him.

I was sure he wanted to take me to a safe place, but he couldn’t ignore my gaze. I looked as if I was about to face an indescribable fate, so he probably thought it was best to listen to me.

There was also a gleam of responsibility in my eyes.

“B-But…” Genny stuttered.

I bit my lips and tried to shake off his hand, but he pulled me.

“Father Draktaris is probably still with the wounded. This way,” Genny said.

“Templar Genny…” I said.

“I’m too stupid to know what’s going on right now…” Genny said.

‘It’s natural not to know what’s going on.’

“But I believe you’ll be able to resolve this,” Genny added.

“...”

“Please save the Underground Temple, Father,” Genny begged.

Obviously, I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to interrupt the actor who was in the middle of acting out his part.

Kaboom!

“This way, Father!” Genny shouted.

‘He’s really immersed.’

There were loud explosions, and Genny reacted like a demon was about to appear every time there was an explosion.

I was embarrassed because he was sweating and was genuinely trying to carry out his role on the set. Of course, it wasn't like he was useless. He actually broke through the large crowd and created a path for us to take.

“Father!”

But it was sad seeing him act like that when there was basically no threat.

He was too immersed.

Would he notice it soon?

I used a single-use catalyst because I was worried about him getting disappointed about the fact that there was actually no threat.

A large arm of a monster popped out from the wall.

It happened out of nowhere, but Genny reacted quickly, rolling on the ground while holding onto me. I rolled on the ground as well. Genny unsheathed his sword and made quick work of the arm.

“Hyah!”

“...”

“It’s weak…” Genny mumbled.

‘Shit, should I have not done that?’

“No… it’s not weak. I became stronger. It’s thanks to Father…” Genny paused.

“...”

“I became stronger thanks to you,” Genny continued.

‘Is there no place to hide?’

Templar Genny looked confident. This one battle… was enough to make a recruit or even a low-ranking Templar feel confident about themselves.

Earlier, he was filled with nervousness, but he seemed to have grown a little stronger. He was still a rookie, but I could see that the rookie Templar was trying to become stronger through this incident.

I felt like the narrator ought to say something along the lines of, "This was when Templar Genny became even stronger."

Templar Genny was a butterfly who had morphed out of fear and despair. He rolled gracefully on the ground, making sure that the collapsing walls wouldn't land on me.

He truly had immense potential, and I could see his hesitation disappearing from his actions.

Thanks to that, I managed to reach Draktaris in the blink of an eye.

“I brought Father Lee Ki-Young, Father Draktaris!” Genny announced.

“...”

“I brought Father Lee Ki-Young!” Genny repeated.

The door was opened.

They probably had a meeting about whether they would open the door or not, as they had yet to check the situation outside.

Draktaris and the priests here couldn’t abandon the wounded, so the guards had no choice but to worry about Draktaris’ safety. It was a good thing that they had made that choice, as it was the right choice to make.

As expected, Draktaris was surrounded by his guards as he approached me and grabbed my hands, saying, “I’m glad. I’m really glad that you’re safe, Priest of Prophecy."

“Right now-”

“I actually sent three of my guards outside to assess the situation outside. I couldn’t leave because of the wounded here… Can you tell me what’s happening outside? Actually… are you feeling better?” Draktaris asked.

“I’m… not sure either, but… I think that the things that are going to happen in the future are happening a bit earlier than expected. I know it’s hard to understand… but it’s highly likely that there’s a variable,” I replied.

“...”

“...”

“If the future you saw… is true, then we don’t have time to do this. I must take my guards and gather the troops who are making preparations in the Underground Temple,” Draktaris suggested.

“I understand your worry, but Father Draktaris…” I paused.

“...” “You must stay here,” I told him.

“...”

“You must stay here at least until things quiet down,” I said.

“What do you mean?” Draktaris asked.

“If you leave this room now, you… you…” I paused.

Do you understand what I'm trying to say?

There’s no way he wouldn’t know; he wasn’t an idiot, after all.

Draktaris was quick-witted, so he asked, “Did you witness my death?"

'That’s right. You’ll die if you leave here now. You’ll die a painful and worthless death.'

“I’m a servant of Lucifer, Father. I’m not afraid of death—”

“I… I…” I mumbled.

“...”

“I’m afraid to see you die! Father Draktaris,” I shouted.

“...”

“I’m afraid!” I repeated.

“...”

“I know better than anyone that you’re not supposed to die here. In the far future… In the very far future, you’ll do something great, Father. I can’t tell you the details, but you… will save this Underground Temple… and Saint Altanus. You’ll do greater things than stabilizing this place right now,” I told him.

“...”

“I’m well aware that you can't ignore the pains of others, and this decision is going to torment you more than anyone, but…” I paused and made eye contact with him before continuing, "promise me this…"

My eyes were filled with utmost sincerity.

“Please swear it on Lady Lucifer’s name,” I requested.

“...”

“Swear on Lady Lucifer's name that until they find you, even if it’s not me… I'm talking about the people who truly love Lady Lucifer, people who want to reform the Underground Temple, people blessed by the Goddess, and those who have been selected by the light… swear on Lady Lucifer's name that until they appear before you…!” I exclaimed.

“Priest of Prophecy…” he mumbled.

“You must survive and wait… be patient until they appear before you… be patient for the sake of the hope that will come someday…” I muttered. A teardrop, a sad look, and a strong will. “Swear that you’ll live… for the sake of that day!”

I spoke without any hesitation and yelled, “Promise me."