Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Chapter 589



588 – This is a Sad Self-Introduction

The countdown begins. All humans wishing for a king among humans, gather. I will grant your wish all at once. Nebida must hurry a little too. Those who have contributed nothing will come to urge as if they have entrusted something.

I hope you don’t think it’s too much. If I’m going to grant it, isn’t it more efficient to handle it all at once?

“Hugh. I need to regain my strength. Help me.”

It seemed that the regressor felt the tension too.

“It should be a little longer until it’s fully healed.”

“There’s no need to heal completely. I just need to be able to move.”

“You’ll have aftereffects.”

“I don’t care.”

“No, you should care. If there are aftereffects, your strength will weaken.”

Aftereffects don’t just happen for no reason. If it only ends with occasional joint pain, that’s not an aftereffect. It hurts like hell even when it rains.

“But I have to exert my strength right now. I can’t just stand by. I need to stop Nevidar…”

“Shh!”

The great witch’s familiar is still around. Nevidar may not be watching directly, but he won’t refuse the stories passed on by the great witch.

“Okay. I get it. Mr. Shea doesn’t like the fact that his arm is incapacitated. It’s completely understandable. How frustrating it must be not to be able to move your arm?”

“…Yeah. That’s right.”

‘It’s because of the surveillance. I need to come up with a justification to deceive it, right?’

“And I don’t like that your arm is tied up either. It’s annoying to keep fussing over you. I feel like all my affection is wearing thin.”

“What?! It can’t be helped, right? Besides, you were the one who offered to help first! I rarely asked for it directly!”

You just understood it was because of the surveillance a moment ago. Why is your reaction so abrupt? I think I need to start with reading passages longer than three paragraphs.

“So, when Mr. Shea’s arm returns to normal, it’ll be good for both of us. Mr. Shea, how much sensation do you have?”

“My sensation is fine. I can feel cold and hot, and my pain perception is intact.”

“That’s a relief in misfortune.”

“Actually, it’s a problem because it’s too fine. I’m still in pain. Is it usually like this? Or did you do something about it?”

“Well? I’ve never experienced having my arm torn off, so I wouldn’t know. I certainly don’t want to.”

The regressor’s recovery was fast. While it was partly due to the regressor being a master of qi, the greater factor was the effectiveness of the demon.

With lightning threads connecting the nerves, and blood manipulation connecting the blood vessels, the broken bone fragments were gently filled in with alchemy. Perhaps because of this, the regressor’s body was almost completely healed from a mechanical perspective.

“It seems like what you need is rehabilitation training, Ms. Shea. If you stimulate your senses and muscles by moving your body, you’ll heal quickly.”

“Yeah. So, can you unwrap this bandage and get the medicine from my pocket?”

“Should I also make you some food while I’m at it?”

“…Yeah.”

“What? You really want me to take care of you, don’t you?”

“I’m in pain! Do I have to be grateful while you help me for a moment?”

“I don’t want to hear sarcasm when I can’t even repay you.”

“Ugh. Fine. I’ll repay you! What do you want?”

“Nothing in particular?”

“Hey!”

What could you possibly have to repay me with? You don’t know much, and while you’re strong, it’s ambiguous, and who knows if I’ll even get what you promised.

In any case, I unwrapped the regressor’s bandage and gave them the elixir. There were dark bruises from the shoulder down, but as I focused my qi, the swelling gradually subsided, and their skin color returned.

The regressor exerted all their strength into the tips of their fingers. The pinky twitched. It was a feeble movement compared to their will, but the fact that it moved was what mattered.

“Ugh….”

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“Don’t just flail around; let’s see how far your range of motion is right now. I’ll lift your arm, so tell me if it hurts.”

“Okay….”

Standing behind the Regressor, I supported my elbows and slowly lifted them. With each rise of the arm, the Regressor’s body flinched in pain. However, this level of pain was merely muscle soreness. The Regressor gritted their teeth.

‘What should I try today? Should I go find a new parrot with Pero? Since I got the mask, should I attempt the elephant graveyard as well?’

This is… the Great Witch’s thoughts, isn’t it? Since I can read her thoughts, she must be nearby today.

‘No. The human fruits are all ripening, right? If I’m going to choose, I should pick the limited menu. Let’s conduct an ecological survey of the human king!’

What ecological survey? That’s just voyeurism. Why are you so excited when you’re a voyeur?

But the Great Witch probably doesn’t know that I’m using telepathy. Go ahead and look as much as you want. There’s not a single reason for you to be suspicious.

“Ouch! That hurts!”

“Is it painful when I’ve only done this much?”

“Ugh. You’re putting too much pressure….”

“I did the same thing. It’s just that you couldn’t handle it, Shea.”

“Anyway, go a little slower!”

“Got it. I’ll lower it now, so try to hold on and endure.”

“…Okay.”

The start of rehabilitation training begins with checking the range of motion. The fact that the arms and legs are stiff doesn’t mean they’ve turned to stone; it means the muscles are tensed and contracted due to a significant shock.

In the case of the Regressor, there might be parts that are completely severed, so I need to move them to the limit like this to stimulate and relax the tension.

To assess the condition, I carefully lifted and lowered the arm while assisting with the exercise.

‘Oh my, oh my. Has it finally begun? The human king has been patient for so long!’

What? What kind of ridiculous thought is this?

‘Of course, I put the male and female together in one room, so there’s no way nothing would happen.’

“Hmm? Hughes. I think it stopped.”

“Ah, yes. Just a moment.”

Are you still in rehabilitation training? What does that witch think I am? No, how does she recognize this normal situation?

As I read the witch’s thoughts, I could soon understand why she had such an imagination. The witch was using a bug created by her magic to spy on the inside. The witch, who was accustomed to the senses of her magic, could see the world through the bug’s eyes, but there was a significant difference from human eyes, especially in terms of distance.

Right now, through the bug’s eyes, it seemed like I was embracing the regressor.

Did you really become a bug, even to the point of having a bug’s head, witch? Even if you think so, if you have any shame, you should avert your eyes.

‘…Ugh. But. It’s okay for beasts to mate, but it’s disgusting to see humans do it.’

Shut up! If you don’t like seeing it, then stop spying! It’s not even a spectacle like that!

“Ah, ouch! This time, it’s too much…!”

“It’s noisy. Choose your words carefully.”

“What, what did I do wrong…?”

Don’t draw the attention of the witch who’s eavesdropping. It’s because of you that the witch is interested.

‘But… the opportunity to see the king of beasts’ ecology is something you can’t buy with money. Let’s take a closer look. Let’s move to a better position to observe.’

The bug’s field of vision slowly moves. From the corner, where it was observing the entire room, it approaches closer to observe me better.

“There. Hughes. Well, actually, I’m a little grateful….”

“Just a moment.”

“Uh…”.

Leaving the regressor behind, I walked towards the moving cricket. The bug, which was focused on moving, sensed my presence and raised its head. Just before it spread its wings to escape, I slapped the cricket with my palm.

The cricket died instantly without making a sound.

‘Ah! My precious eavesdropping cricket! I cherished it!’

The naming sense is also weird. Anyway, since it was possessed, the shock would be considerable. A familiar, a magic creature linked to its master, receives the same shock as its master.

If you’ve had a near-death experience, you’d be a bit more careful now.

“Why is that?”

“A big bug was crawling around. It was annoying, so I killed it.”

“…Hugh. Is there something bothering you?”

“Well, I guess there is.”

‘It’s okay. I still have five ears and six pairs of eyes left. If I count the compound eyes, that’s countless!’

Oh wait. The great witch had received the blood of Tir and possessed an immortal body, didn’t she?

Witches use all sorts of spells and tricks to avoid the risks that come when their familiars are injured or killed. Often, in that process, the familiar’s power weakens or the link becomes incomplete. In contrast, the great witch withstands the risks entirely with her overflowing vitality.

Instead, she’s using her cunning to break free from Tirkanjaka’s control, but still. For the great witch, the death of a familiar is merely a disappointment.

‘Next, my deaf mantis…’

“…Right. You’re human too… You must have things that hurt or annoy you. I’m sorry I can’t pay more attention…”

“Yap. One more.”

“Hugh?”

“There are a lot of bugs today. So what did you just say?”

“…Forget it! If you don’t want to listen, then don’t!”

“Why the sudden change? More importantly, come on. Try curling and uncurling your fingers. If that doesn’t work, at least move with your chi and strongly focus on which part of your muscles isn’t regaining sensation.”

“Tch. Just focus and look!”

“Still, your fingers seem to be moving quite well. You might be able to move them soon?”

‘Ouch. I forgot that humans show greater aggression towards bugs compared to other beasts. If I approach carelessly, my precious bug listening device will be destroyed. The human king, how can he be so cruel!’

He thinks of bugs as listening devices too. And then he calls me cruel—can such words come from a human’s mouth?

“Forcing yourself to help me… isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

“Right now, I’m powerless, and I can’t insist on anything from you. If you don’t particularly want anything… what’s your reason for helping me?”

“The patient is asking a lot of questions. Anyway, let’s just twist your wrist now.”

“When someone asks seriously, at least respond!”

‘Bugs are only good for eavesdropping secretly; when it comes to observing with low resolution, not so much. What to do? Oh, right! I left the window open! I need to possess Pero and fly in, Pero, it’s time to launch!’

Aren’t you tired of this? Look, see how wholesome this rehabilitation training is, but don’t tell anyone.

“Hues. I’m a regressor.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Don’t treat me well. Just… I might leave you behind.”

“Leave? Where to?”

“To the next. To the next cycle.”

“Where is next?”

“…Before this all happened.”

Ah, I see… Huh? What did you say?

“Pardon? What did you just say?”

“I’m not new to this era. I’ve already repeated it more than ten times. During the repeating time, the King of Sin was always born, and the world ends. Literally.”

“Is it a prophecy?”

“It’s different from prophecy. I experienced it firsthand. This Qi Art, this treasure, I obtained them all then. I need to continue acquiring in the future.”

No, this…

“Thank you for helping me. But you don’t have to. I… can die. Then I can go back to the past, keeping what I gained here.”

“Past…? When?”

“A little before I met you.”

So suddenly….

“So I don’t want to feel grateful. I don’t want your heart. I don’t want to repay you. After all, in this round, I can’t repay you at all. The you in the next round will be different from now. Carrying the burden of the heart, going back to the past will only bring pain.”

“Um….”

“You don’t understand, right? I know. Just, I’m a regressor, and I want you to understand my situation…. That’s all.”

Shei said this as if notifying me and then focused silently on moving her fingers. Meanwhile, I had put my hands down and was quietly reflecting on Shei’s words.

So this is it….

Finally revealing it.

Sigh, it’s been months since I’ve known through mind reading. I’ve struggled pretending not to know all this time. Every time being aware that she’s a regressor, I had to be careful not to accidentally mention what I read.

However, I have now succeeded in gaining Shei’s true trust. It seems that people respond better when they are weak. The law is that the sun is more effective than the north wind, especially when it shines during cold times.

I secretly smiled but quickly composed my expression. It’s not over yet. I need to show an appropriate reaction with enough contemplation about this fact. Even if I know about her regression, it would be strange to acknowledge it too easily.

Shei herself is a clue to the regression. If I don’t analyze that regression itself, I’ll just get swept up in it. For now, let’s pretend not to know anything and ask what regression really is and what principles it follows. Shei might not know well herself, but recalling the past and explaining it bit by bit could also provide clues.

“…Okay. For now, shh. Something’s coming.”

Flap, flap.

I heard the sound of wings flapping beyond the window. It seems the parrot possessed by the great witch has arrived. Since the great witch was on her way, she probably didn’t hear Shei’s confession. Thank goodness for that.

I approached the window, thinking to greet the parrot. However, what was perched on the window frame wasn’t a parrot.

A single owl stood there, holding a dead parrot in its beak.

The dignified owl turned its head to look at me. Then, flaunting its legs, it blinked its large eyes. A note was tied to the owl’s leg. I, almost entranced, pulled out the note and unfolded it to read what was written inside.

– Your Majesty, the King of Humans.

I have come to save you, and humanity.

Please grab the attached owl’s leg and jump down,

…It seems that the one watching this room was not just the great witch.