Regressor Instruction Manual, Episode 888
Vacation (6)
It was a known fact that Lee Ji-hye had no interest in the situation of the continentals. She was only concerned with fulfilling her own desires. Her behavior was completely opposite to her habit of always handling work properly. It could be because she was too immersed in herself or because of her obsession with enjoying a vacation. I'm not sure if she felt that there was no time to rest except now, or if she completely forgot about the things she said to provoke me to get a rise out of me.
"Nuna, you're nothing."
"..."
'Shibal, act better.'
"Lee Ki-yeon... you're nothing."
"..."
Her quietly muttering gaze contained love that was stained with glowing hatred and anger. If she had been serious about being an actress when she was on Earth, she might have become a famous actress rather than an unknown. I'm curious about what made her change so much and become one with her character to the point of giving me goosebumps.
'Your storytelling is amazing. Really.'
As Lee Ji-hye had warned, her behavior towards Ki-Yeon had become somewhat rough since yesterday's incident. It was as if she was forcing herself to say that she wasn't interested in Ki-yeon. According to her own setup, even a little empathy was disappearing, so it was a state where it could be said that she was in adolescence. She was struggling to deny her true feelings. The sudden change that occurred in just three days was abrupt, but there were underlying backgrounds that I didn't know about.
Lee Ji-hye assured that there were no problems with continuity. Lee Jihoo was stained with Lee Ji-hye's colors, and even her behavior was dirty...
'Shiba, why bother saying it? I have to get my head on straight too.'
"..."
"Young master"
"Shut your mouth."
"That's not it..."
"I said shut your mouth!"
With a thud, Jihoo pushes me against the wall.
"Why? Have you started missing me again?"
'No, dammit. Can someone please stop him? We have work to do.'
"Young master, it's not..."
"You can't help it either."
The sleazy punk smirks and reaches out his dirty hand.
"Stop it!"
A timid protest, but his gaze remains unchanged.
Unlike before, when there was a hint of affection, there is only hatred and greed on Jihoo's face.
In the end, Jihoo withdraws one step, as if giving up, exhaling tears without restraint, and quietly glancing at Ki-yeon from behind.
The profound acting skill of a 10-year veteran actor is felt in his facial expression. His eyes show regret for his actions a moment ago, and his breathing is rough.
Even turning around after grabbing my trembling hand is perfectly executed.
"Get out."
"What?"
"Get out of my sight, noona. I don't want to see you now."
'You've really gone too far, damn it.'
"..."
The sound of things breaking beyond the tightly closed door reflects Jihoo's heart. He's probably still performing method acting even when I'm not around.
I'm really scared of this noona. The more time passes, the more she gets absorbed into her acting.
As Tikitaka becomes more natural, I must also be careful not to get too absorbed in it.
I need to keep a clear mind. Someone has to keep their sanity.
'There's also the black market problem.'
If the actor the noona hired isn't someone from the guild, then there must be a black market operating in Colorado without anyone's knowledge.
If there's no particular reaction from the federal government, then the scale might not be significant, and they may only use a separate community among themselves. I don't know what their primary commodity is.
'Meanwhile, the state of the federal citizens...'
When I went down the stairs, everyone's gaze turns to me.
There shouldn't be anyone who would pick a fight like yesterday with Jihoo, who was equipped with item balls shaped like money. Young master Jihoo already took care of Jirein with a single blow. [His name keeps changing, so I'll just use Jirein as his name from now on].
The adventurers are the same as yesterday. They still seem energetic and don't seem to be having any problems. The city of Colorado itself is like that. Yesterday and the day before, I felt the same way, but there is only a dreamy and hopeful future, as if it were not a federation that had experienced many incidents. It's to the point where I wonder if the statistics released by the Black Swan are incorrect.
'If it's like this, I wonder if the budget for the counseling center was wasted for nothing.'
The bustling noise is heard. There are people drinking rum during the day, people running around to apply for parties, and people looking for quests they can use.
"Looking for a good quest. Anyone want to party together?"
"Excuse me."
"Looking for any priests who want to party together. All professions are welcome. Please feel free to say so."
'Are the Federation people particularly mentally strong..? I heard the Union side isn't doing so well. Actually, even the Church had a hard time in the early days. It's much better now, but....'
"It's still hard to understand."
It could be a difference in background. Colorado has many outsiders and the atmosphere of the city is very energetic. It's an appropriate judgment to say that it's a city where people who have overcome difficult pasts and want to move forward gather.
"I wonder if there's any place to sit around here."
I looked around and sat in an empty seat.
"Oh, what about Lee Ji-hoo's meal?"
I went back up.
"Young master, about the meal..."
But I couldn't hear his voice.
I went back down and sat in the seat I had just left, looking around. There was nothing particularly noticeable.
"Should I go outside for a moment?"
I could buy some bread at a nearby bakery. If I said something about what the young master likes, it might lead to a new direction.
And I could also take a look around the neighborhood, as I hadn't seen it properly yet.
It was natural that I immediately changed my direction. The outside was not much different from the inside, except that it was crowded with adventurers who were just starting to prepare for their expedition.
There were three to five or even dozens of adventurers preparing to leave, packing the necessary items for their expedition or shouting to catch the last bus. I could also see those who were hunting.
"Going out for hunting or gathering resources.
The unusual scene appeared in sight.
"What are those?" I looked around with my mind's eye for someone to ask.
And then I noticed a title that stood out.
[Title - Potion Addict]
If it were just one or two people, I could have overlooked it with a smile, but it was not just one or two. Half of the party, and even ordinary laborers and merchants had the title of drug addict, making for an unbelievable sight.
In an instant, I began to piece together what had happened and why there was such an abundance of energy. Who is the Colorado administrator? If things are at this level, isn't it strange that the city administrator is not involved?
-Jihye. Noona?
"...."
-Nuna?
'I didn't expect it to be so easy.'
There shouldn't be any problems, if you think about it, it's not a strange point that they showed such a normal appearance. Even the people of the religious country who rely on faith and receive the grace of sacrifice and resurrection cannot easily forget the memories of the past, so how can those who were somewhat marginalized continue to lead a normal life? This must be the power of covert investigation.
"Huh, it seems like everything has fallen... Ah, damn it... what should I do?"
"What should you do? You have to rescue them. There is still some time left before we leave. Come back quickly."
"Can't you lend me some?"
"I have nothing else to give you. Malong. Didn't I tell you beforehand that it would be a mission taking over a week? If you don't want to hear a complaint from the clan master, come back quickly...I'll cover for you as much as possible."
"Got it. Ugh, I'm so annoyed."
"...."
A guy named Malong, who is separate from the party, is seen swearing. He seems to be carrying potions of unknown origin and is moving them separately to a carriage, confirming my suspicions. As I blend in with the crowd, I feel confident that no one will recognize me.
The guy starts heading towards narrower alleys, which is expected as it's not a black market. It's likely that they have their own distribution channels. If someone associated with the ruling class in Colorado is involved, the structure would be very complex.
I have some catalysts in possession, equivalent to a hero grade, which is easy. Even with lower physical stats, I am at the level of a unique hero with the unique class "Summoning Alchemist" In fact, I am strong enough to face warriors of above-average grade, I even learned some martial arts from Kim Hyun-sung.
As the item was easily obtainable by many, the place where the guy stopped wasn't too complex. Look at this, isn't there a typical crime scene going on in the back alleys that can be seen anywhere?
'Gotcha, you guys.'
"Prepare a week...no, a month's worth."
"Yes, understood. Ah, I'm sorry but the price has gone up a bit."
"Didn't it go up last month too?"
"Haha. I'm sorry. The supply can't keep up with the demand because there's so much of it..."
"I understand you want to make a profit but be reasonable. We're doing this to make a living, and if we don't have anything left after the expedition, who will buy it?"
"We are fully aware of our customers' perspective as well."
"Anyway, thanks again this time." "Yes, thank you for using our service. And...please be a little more careful from next time."
"What?"
"Seems like you've brought a customer with you."
At the same time, a cold feeling was felt on my neck, that was the moment.
"Who are you?"
"Uh...I, I, well...I just...I didn't see anything."
At the same time, something blocked my mouth. I could smell a strong medicine. They probably intended to knock me out, but the body of the god of sacrifice and resurrection doesn't listen to inferior drugs.
Of course, I was scared. So I relaxed my leg muscles in an instant, and judged that pretending to be unconscious would be better. As I threw my body to the side, I felt a grotesque hand catching me with a grunt.
"..."
-Noona?
What should I do?
I think I've been kidnapped."
"What, a slave? Is that it?"
It was the voice of men who seemed like trash, no matter who heard it.
`~~~~
provide Raws if possible please.