Everyone Else is a Regressor - Chapter 45

◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (45)

Chapter 9. Didn’t I Also Change Jobs for the Second Time? (5)

Thanks to Ur’s significant development at reaching Level 50 in Fire Spirit Magic, KiJun managed to swiftly escape the scene and rush back to his original position on the eastern city walls. He observed Tolchi, pierced by the enemy’s spike, and the enemy attempting to thrust the blood-stained Estoc at him, his expression turning complex for a moment before he called out urgently:

“Ur, Lucy―!”

With an unstoppable strike of his shield, KiJun crushed the enemy. Realizing the enemy’s blood was taking a physical form, he spread his spirit power to burn it all away and briefly checked the messages appearing before him:

-You are facing a boss monster of dark attribute. The effect of the title [The Last Hero (L)] is activated, enhancing all abilities by 30%.
-You are facing an enemy of a higher rank. The effect of the title [Transcender of Limits (L)] is activated, granting dramatically positive adjustments.

The effect of The Last Hero was something he had already felt during his confrontation with the Dullahan. Now, he was curious about the ‘dramatically positive adjustments’ provided by Transcender of Limits.

As KiJun gathered all his remaining energy to form a fang of light, striking down the vampire’s head, he felt an even stronger force enhancing the power of the fang qualitatively – a truly holy flame, not just a combination of light and fire, but a power of a higher order, beyond his current capabilities with Lucy and Ur.

“Don’t be ridiculous…” he thought, realizing that the dramatically positive adjustment was a force acting from outside, not just within him. This helped him effortlessly subdue the notoriously stubborn vampire.

As the fang struck down again, KiJun aimed to end the vampire’s life before the miraculous holy fire could vanish.

With a final strike, the vampire’s movements ceased, and the fire spread out, cleanly burning away all traces of the vampire’s bloodstains, leaving behind only the luxurious Estoc stained with red blood.

-Your level has increased to 18, with increases in various stats.
-Fire Spirit Magic (R) has reached level 53, Slaughter (R) level 10, Moonlight Blood Fang (L) level 4, and Lucy (L) level 6!
-You’ve earned 5,000 points for hunting a unique grade boss monster from the overflowing dungeon.
-You’ve achieved the final quest objective. Your heroic actions in ending the overflow will significantly amplify the quest rewards!
-A rare achievement! You’ve saved a comrade from death and completely annihilated an immortal enemy with holy fire. The people of the small town will remember you as the hero who ended the overflow. Charisma (L) increased by 1. You’ve earned 3,000 points as an achievement reward.
-You’ve obtained the rare title [Endbringer of the Overflow]. This title increases all abilities by 10% when fighting field monsters and allows early detection of overflows.

KiJun, who had not expected much from the experience points, considering he had only delivered the final blow, was overwhelmed by the enormous experience and rewards he received.

“Should I feel guilty for snatching the last hit?” he wondered, as the overwhelming sense of satisfaction from the rewards scared him.

-Contractor?

“It’s nothing… I shouldn’t think like this,” KiJun muttered, calming himself down and rushing to Tolchi, who had fallen to the ground after being released from the spike.

Feeling something vibrate in his pocket, KiJun ignored it and helped Tolchi up.

“Tolchi! Are you alright?”

“My body is… robust,” Tolchi coughed up blood through his helmet.

KiJun noticed Tolchi’s wounds healing quickly and lifted him up, reassuring him, “Rest for now. We’ll handle the rest.”

“You are indeed the hero of the day, Jun…” Tolchi responded softly.

Discovering the Estoc of the vampire on the ground, KiJun exclaimed in admiration, “This sword belongs to you.”

“No, the sword is yours,” Tolchi insisted firmly.

“The system has recognized you. Thus, the spoils are rightfully yours.”

“I just finished off the enemy you had almost defeated,” KiJun protested.

“That’s not true. You saved me and completely burnt the vampire, something I couldn’t have done,” Tolchi said, cutting short any further discussion about the spoils.

“Alright, I understand. But everyone who was on the battlefield today will remember your heroic deeds,” KiJun concluded.

Tolchi did not respond, having fallen into a healing slumber.

KiJun then carried him and laid him down under the city walls, in a temporary relief shelter. As he turned to leave, the patients recognized him and started to thank and cheer for him, calling him ‘Mage’. Embarrassed, KiJun quickly left the shelter and climbed back up the city walls.

Was his reputation for defending the city already widespread?

Soldiers and mercenaries on the walls, bolstered by KiJun’s actions, pushed the undead back with fierce determination. With their leaders gone, the undead were in disarray.

-How do you feel, Contractor?

“Not bad,” KiJun admitted.

Everyone involved in the battle was acutely aware of his presence, the thrill exceeding his expectations, mixed with a sense of accomplishment and a reminder to stay vigilant.

“I do feel a bit guilty for taking the last hit, though.”

-You fought fairly from start to finish and received due recognition. There’s no need for unnecessary thoughts.

Lucy assured him.

“Yeah… That must be it.”

KiJun, recalling Tolchi’s slightly bitter demeanor, slapped his cheeks to regain focus and declared,

“There are still monsters left. Let’s think about the rest after we finish everything.”

“Kiit!”

Today alone, Ur, who had achieved unbelievable growth, roared in agreement.

KiJun smiled and allowed Ur to freely express himself.

“Kooong!”

Ur, now the size of a giant tiger, spun in the air and solidified, beginning to run along the city walls with a remaining hint of cuteness in his roar.

The rumor of a powerful mage handling a mighty spirit spread as an added bonus.

KiJun suddenly raised his head, realizing dawn was breaking after a long night. He had been running since the previous night’s attack, and with the overflow event, he continued fighting for hours, joining forces with Turius in the late afternoon. After battling through the night, defeating undead elites and bosses, and enduring several more hours of combat, he mused, “I’ve been up for practically two days straight.”

-Our contractor really pushed himself.

Despite his usual habit of getting at least six hours of sleep, KiJun had stayed awake for two consecutive nights, a record-breaking feat for him.

At that moment, the Orc warriors, whom KiJun hadn’t seen throughout the battle, approached him. Despite their battered armor and wounded bodies, their vigor was unmistakable.

“Charbanbesh! You’re alive!”

“Of course! I fought valiantly, though not as much as Jun!”

Charbanbesh responded with a bright smile, raising his palm high.

KiJun matched his palm, and they shared a high-five.

“This is a high-five! It’s a special greeting popular among summoneds, usually signifying the successful completion of a quest!”

KiJun nodded in understanding. The fact that Charbanbesh came to high-five him seemed to confirm that the overflow had indeed ended. Almost collapsing from exhaustion, he barely held himself up, drawing on his incredible endurance and high durability stat.

“Jun is tired, too. It’s only natural after such a battle.”

“Yes, and Jun took down three enemy leaders!” another Orc added.

“Ahh… one was almost entirely due to Tolchi.”

KiJun modestly replied.

“Don’t be so humble! Everyone will remember your sacred flame that burned the demon.”

KiJun reflected on Tolchi’s words and realized the truth in them. No matter how bravely one fights, the one who appears at the end to save allies and definitively defeat the enemy garners all the attention.

“Why do you guys look so energetic?” KiJun asked, noticing their vigor.

“Our Orcish trait,” Charbanbesh explained. “The more we’re wounded and the longer the battle, the more we burn everything within us to strengthen ourselves.”

Another Orc added, “Those who develop this ability to the extreme reach the state of ‘Berserk’, a legendary realm.”

Charbanbesh continued, “Berserk may be a dream, but first, we aim to become High Orcs, with greater strength, regenerative abilities comparable to Lesser Trolls, and enhanced magic control beyond the limits of Orcs. As High Orcs, we’ll perform even more spectacularly in the upcoming greater wars.”

“High Orcs…!” the Orcs murmured dreamily. KiJun remembered hearing about Orcs evolving into the rare High Orc class and empathized with their aspirations.

“Anyway, the battle is over,” Charbanbesh said.

“If we receive the quest rewards, I’ll keep my promise and buy drinks! Let’s celebrate tonight!”

“That sounds good, but let’s rest first and then gather,” KiJun replied, smiling wryly. Looking over the clean plains under the dawn sky, he remembered that he still had unresolved matters to attend to, his smile fading slightly.

“Charbanbesh, I have something to discuss.”

“What is it?”

“If ―― makes this offer to us…”

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): What was in the deleted message? It’s your fault for not seeing it, why ask me?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Curious? Bothered? Heh, now do you get how I feel?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Huh? How I’m feeling? ……I feel like hitting you right now. Very desperately.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Overflow?! No way, crazy, how is it already an overflow just days after crossing into Reta!]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Good job, I’m relieved you’re safe……! No one should complain about not contacting while you were busy fighting!]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Anyway, well done. That’s my student for you. Ah.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): Sigh, time to fight again. Just when I started to have a conversation…….]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): What am I doing and where? Hmm, can’t tell you in detail due to information lock.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): It’s just a public quest, but a bit tough so participation is restricted. But the reward is assured, that kind of quest.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): Can you join? Ha, cute. Wake up from your dream, where do you think you are with your level.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): I might face an upgraded Summoner? What’s that about…….]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): I’ll be really busy from now, so just one thing to say?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): KiJun, you must win. Hang in there.]