The Regressor Can Make Them All-Chapter 347

Looking back, there were many things that didn’t quite make sense.

“Is Master still alive?”

After defeating the Destroyer of Fragmentation with the summoned three dogs, the Mad Dog had asked about the condition of his master, Jin-Hyun. At the time, he was told that his master was alive but in poor health, as it was before any treatment had been administered.

And upon hearing that, the Mad Dog had then hesitated for a moment before making an unusual request.

“Make me stronger to the point that I’ll never break, no matter what challenges I face. That’s all I want.”

It was as if he knew there would be an event that would surely break his spirit. Instead of asking for his master's health to be restored, he had sought strength for his past self. At first, Se-Hoon had thought he said those words because he believed there was no way to cure Jin-Hyun.

But now, looking at the current situation, everything became clear.

“You... You knew this would happen, didn’t you? But you opted to not say anything.”

When confronted, the Mad Dog straightened his head, which was previously twisted from the blow, and indifferently muttered, “...So you rigged the spear so that it would send a signal when my synesthetic mindscape flowed out from the spear.... You really are forging things even stranger than before.”

Instead of answering, the Mad Dog had fixed his gaze on Shadowgrief, the spear held in Sung-Ha’s hands.

And that just made Se-Hoon narrowed his eyes in anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Even Se-Hoon, whose emotions had weathered countless battles before and after regressing, couldn’t hold back his fury. If the Mad Dog had simply warned him earlier, he could have prevented Jin-Hyun from siding with Doppelganger and turning into a demon.

However, the wasted opportunity wasn’t what enraged him the most—it was the Mad Dog’s attitude.

“...Do you really have so little faith in me?”

Their relationship couldn’t be called close by ordinary standards, but... but they had forged a bond through struggles of life and death.

Was that connection truly so shallow?

The Mad Dog met Se-Hoon’s gaze without a word.

“If... if I had told you, you would definitely have been able to prevent it all from happening.”

“Then why—”

“Which is exactly why I didn’t tell you.”

“What...?”

It was a completely unexpected response that left Se-Hoon speechless.

“Even if you stopped Master from becoming a demon, what would have changed? You’d only keep a dead weight that contributes nothing.”

“What are you...?”

“But, if, like before the regression, Master became a demon and was ended by my past self with his own hands, he should be able to grow into who I am now.”

The Mad Dog, who could defeat S-rank heroes with ease and face the Harbingers of Destruction head-on, described his strength so indifferently—as if it were some sort of prize he had won from killing his master.

He stared at Se-Hoon with cold, sunken eyes.

“Between the inept me alongside the dead weight Master and the Mad Dog, who fought countless battles alongside you—who do you think is more useful?”

The terrifying past of killing his master, who had turned into a demon, had made the Mad Dog the man he was. To ensure his past self would grow stronger, the Mad Dog deliberately withheld everything about Jin-Hyun from Se-Hoon.

“Besides, Master chose to become a demon himself, both before your regression and now.”

Demons influenced by external interference—be it mind manipulation or forced corruption—rarely retained their original appearance. Their struggle distorted their synesthetic mindscapes, usually resulting in their forms twisting into grotesque shapes.

But Jin-Hyun had not mutated; instead, he had reverted to his prime, even retaining his original synesthetic mindscape. And that meant one thing: it was voluntary. And Jin-Hyun was also voluntarily seeking to kill his most-prized disciple.

“You should know well that those who treat becoming a demon as a tool always meet their demise no matter what.”

“...”

“So don’t try to interfere. It’s not a bad thing for you either.”

Without another word, the Mad Dog walked past Se-Hoon and approached the motionless Sung-Ha.

Do I... really have a reason to stop this?

During the moment Sung-Ha had passed by, Se-Hoon had reached out but hesitated.

Jin-Hyun had chosen power over humanity and had already crossed the line. It was impossible to restore him, meaning someone had to kill him.

If the situation can’t be undone... then it’s better to make Sung-Ha stronger.

If Sung-Ha’s synesthetic mindscape grew significantly stronger through the ordeal, he might reach the Mad Dog’s strength even faster than the Mad Dog had. For the sake of defeating the Demon Force and saving humanity, standing aside right now was the correct choice.

But... is that really what I want?

Unable to come to a conclusion, Se-Hoon wrestled with his thoughts.

Meanwhile, the Mad Dog had reached Sung-Ha.

“What are you doing? Pierce your heart already.”

“...”

Sung-Ha’s eyes wavered, stunned by the whole situation. But then he slowly raised Shadowgrief once more, pointing it at his own heart. Although he hadn’t been able to hear the conversation between the two, it was clear Se-Hoon had failed to persuade his future self.

The me from the future... regretted it all my life.

He was certain his future self regretted not being able to put down his master with his own hands until the very end, that he regretted failing to repay a lifetime of teachings.

That was why he was determined to avoid any lingering regrets now. He could feel the resolve in his heart resonating through the weapon he held. Surely it was the right choice.

And yet...

“...”

For some reason, his hands trembled. He just couldn’t bring himself to drive the spear into his chest. Just inches from his heart, the spear froze, hesitation overpowering him.

How foolish...

The Mad Dog’s gaze hardened at the sight of Sung-Ha faltering.

Was he still hoping that another way might exist, even after coming so far? The Mad Dog’s anger flared at his past self, unchanged even after meeting Se-Hoon so much earlier.

He clenched his fists, feeling the frustration boil over. He thought about the regret he had endured and how deeply he had longed for the current moment. Yet, even when faced with the chance he had yearned so much for, his past self failed to grasp its value.

“Are you planning to disgrace Master again with a pathetic death?!” The Mad Dog’s voice erupted in a roar of fury.

“...”

“Pierce your heart right now! If you don’t—”

“You’re still the same as always.”

Just as the Mad Dog reached out, prepared to force the blow, Se-Hoon, lost in thought, interrupted him with a soft mutter.

“What?”

“Always acting so selfishly, deciding things by yourself, and leaving behind everyone as you please—it’s all exactly the same.”

Memories flooded Se-Hoon’s mind. Bloodied hands, a fallen hammer, and... endless regrets.

Reminiscing, Se-Hoon strode forward without hesitation, grabbed the spear shaft, and looked Sung-Ha in the eye.

“Sorry to interrupt your dilemma, but we’re out of time. While we might be in your synesthetic mindscape right now, the time outside isn’t entirely frozen.”

Their opponent, Jin-Hyun, was now more powerful than ever with his demonized form. The protective barrier Se-Hoon had set up with his power of Boundaries wouldn’t hold forever.

“So let me put it plainly. That guy is right. Your master has lost it, and there’s no way to bring him back. In fact, if you kill him out there, he might even be proud of how much you’ve grown.”

“...”

Sung-Ha’s fingers trembled faintly, and he began moving the spear towards his chest once more. At that moment, however, Se-Hoon’s grip tightened.

“But do you really want validation from a stupid master like that?”

“What...?”

“That master of yours, who never even asked what you wanted, berated you for mistakes, called you useless, and now tells you to kill or be killed—is that whose approval you want?”

Se-Hoon’s tone was sharp and unwavering.

“Do you really think satisfying someone like that will make you happy?”

Not just Sung-Ha, but even the Mad Dog was stunned into silence.

Se-Hoon’s harsh criticism of the master they had revered cut deep. It was to the extent that they would have immediately lashed out and demanded an apology in the past. But now, something stirring within them stopped them—a warmth in their chests.

“If you think so, then fine. I’ll stab you myself and end this. But if not...”

Walking over to the other spear lying on the ground, Se-Hoon picked it up and placed it in Sung-Ha’s left hand.

“Forget your master and go fight for yourself.”

Sung-Ha stared blankly at the Sun Piercing Spear in his left hand, entranced by Se-Hoon’s words.

Woong-

A warm heat surged from deep within the spear, as though it had been waiting all along. Feeling the long-suppressed emotions welling up in his heart, Sung-Ha gripped the shaft tightly.

“I see. I get it now.”

Shank-

He drove the spear straight into his own heart without hesitation.

***

Crack-

The two-thirds of his abdomen that had been blown away had now fully regenerated, and the Flame Demon could feel vitality surging through his entire body. Injuries that would have been fatal for a human healed with ease, a testament to the strength of a demon’s body.

So this is what power feels like... The Flame Demon glanced down at himself impassively.

Savoring the overwhelming strength, he started to understand why the heroes who had hit their limits had chosen to become demons at their ends. Power coursed through his entire being, creating a sense of liberation that washed over him.

He exhaled, directing his gaze forward.

...They still haven’t come at me?

In front of him knelt Sung-Ha, with Se-Hoon’s hand resting on his shoulder. Both men were surrounded by a black shadow, making it clear they wouldn’t be easy to kill.

I guess the healing process is taking some time.

The Flame Demon shifted his gaze to Se-Hoon, who had suddenly appeared from a black void. There were no allies by his side, and no signs of interference from the Perfect Ones.

He assessed his remaining strength. While he had absorbed the powers of Won-Ryong and the mentors that came with him, he wasn’t in perfect condition.

Rationally, retreating to stabilize my strength would be wise right now.

Doppelganger had advised as much as well, and he himself agreed with the logic.

Woong-

However, instead of fleeing, he steadied himself. Gripping Raging Flame, a spear gifted to him by Doppelganger, he began channeling his mana into it.

I’ll end this here.

Deciding that only one of them would walk out alive, he aimed Raging Flame at Se-Hoon first. Doppelganger had warned him never to touch Se-Hoon, but he had no intention of honoring such restrictions.

Whirr!

The spear spun rapidly, tracing a fiery arc in the air and wrapping the Flame Demon in its blaze. Condensing the flames at the spear’s tip, he then lunged at Se-Hoon, driving the weapon toward his head.

Clang!

But a black spear intercepted Raging Flame precisely, halting its strike.

Boom!

Flames erupted violently from Raging Flame’s spear tip. The original plan had been to pierce Se-Hoon’s skull and ignite the explosion within, but with his attack suddenly blocked, the Flame Demon ignited the explosion in the air, backfiring and scoring him instead.

“Ugh...!?”

Startled by the unexpected backlash, the Flame Demon quickly retreated. Soon, the fire dissipated, and the two figures emerged once more: Sung-Ha, fully healed, and Se-Hoon, standing with a weary expression.

The Flame Demon sighed. He had been just a bit too slow.

“What a hassle...”

Although Se-Hoon appeared fatigued, he seemed still capable of providing support from the rear.

Wary of both, the Flame Demon was about to reposition himself when Sung-Ha’s calm voice resounded. “Stand back.”

The sudden command made the Flame Demon pause, unsure of what he had heard. In contrast, Se-Hoon, stretching his stiff body from the rush over, nodded.

“Good luck, then.”

Without any intention of joining the fight, Se-Hoon retreated to a safe distance.

It was an unexpected development that made the Flame Demon frown.

“What’s the meaning of all—”

“Why do you strive so badly to become stronger?”

Holding two spears loosely at his sides, Sung-Ha stared directly at the Flame Demon.

“I can’t understand the point of strength gained through such vile methods. Please enlighten this ignorant disciple of yours.”

There was no mockery in his tone, just genuine incomprehension.

Realizing that, the Flame Demon’s face contorted before he recovered his composure and answered. “Strength needs no purpose. It is pursued instinctively, like breathing. That’s all.”

“So it’s not a means to an end, but an end in and of itself?”

“Exactly. Searching for meaning in strength only sets limits for yourself.”

Wealth, fame, and recognition—pursuing strength to attain such goals only led to complacency once those goals were achieved. However, if strength itself was the goal, one could pursue it endlessly in hopes of reaching the pinnacle someday.

That was the Flame Demon’s philosophy.

“Once a person finds satisfaction, they stagnate. Stagnation breeds doubt, which then transforms into certainty, which in turn ties them down. Slowly but surely, they start regressing.”

“...”

“I, however, refused to let that happen. I was prepared to become stronger and stronger forever, yet... I was dragged down by this aging, failing body.”

The Flame Demon’s voice was growing louder, his agitation palpable.

“Can you even imagine the despair I felt? Climbing a mountain until your feet bled, only to be sent tumbling back down to the base!?”

“...”

“To escape that fate... was it so wrong? To break free from that endless cycle—was that such a SIN?!”

Faced with injuries, aging, and the limits of talent, some gave up, while others went to any lengths to overcome those barriers. And right now, the Flame Demon’s outcry was one that could cross anyone’s mind in moments of desperation.

And yet, Sung-Ha looked at him and answered with a weary expression.

“How would I know?”

“What?”

“I never struggled to learn the Inferno Ring. I never faced a wall while training with you or on my own. And whenever I encountered anything remotely similar, that guy helped me overcome it in no time.”

He glanced at Se-Hoon, recalling the time he first learned to control dual-element mana under his guidance. Then he turned his attention back to the Flame Demon, who wore a blank expression.

“You claim you chose me for my talent, yet you berate me for not understanding the bitterness of regressing. Don’t you think that’s a bit contradictory?”

“What are you...?”

Stunned by his unprecedented retort, the Flame Demon struggled to respond.

Sung-Ha pressed on without hesitation. “They say children are a reflection of their parents. Broadly speaking, that also applies to the relationship between a disciple and their master. Do you know what that means?”

“...”

“It means that every time you scream about my incompetence, you’re doing nothing but spitting on your own reflection. Doesn’t that make you the fool?”

Moments ago, Sung-Ha had been utterly cowed by his master’s harsh words. In contrast, he was now unleashing scathing criticism with startling confidence.

“Whew...”

Even Se-Hoon couldn’t hide his astonishment at his brutal honesty.

“You arrogant brat!”

The Flame Demon’s face twisted in rage.

Yet, despite his master’s fierce glare, Sung-Ha showed no sign of fear.

Instead, he voiced the thoughts he had buried deep in his heart. “You have no use for an incompetent disciple like me, and I have no need for an inept master like you. So, as of today, I’m leaving the Flame Sect.”

“You’re leaving... the Flame Sect?”

“That’s right.”

With just those five words, Sung-Ha severed the bond that had chained him to his master, freeing himself from his shackles.

Newly freed, he raised one of his spears, pointing it at the Flame Demon, and shifted into a fighting stance.

“Now, come at me, you washed-up relic.”

For the first time, Sung-Ha revealed his true self—a side he had never shown in front of Jin-Hyun.

“...”

Falling silent, the Flame Demon just stared at Sung-Ha before tightening his grip on Raging Flame and steadying himself.

“Ha. Don’t get too cocky now, brat!”

The two clashed with explosive force.