Please consider leaving a good rating and review of I’m a Max-Level Regressor, But…? to show your support if you like the series. It will encourage me to work on more chapters and increase release rate.
Chapter 57
If one could hear Marina’s inner voice, there would have been a ‘snap’ sound.
She had pride in her abilities more than anyone else.
Kang Shin-hwa’s words were certainly a trigger that stirred up her rising emotions.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Then this time, the dummy began pressing Kang Shin-hwa more intensely, moving its legs skillfully instead of its arms.
The attack’s intensity became even more fierce.
While the previous attacks seemed to clearly have an underlying intent of ‘not killing’,
Now it was truly like a real battle. Those kicks, upon impact, would not be strange if they crushed the jawbone.
‘Certainly powerful.’
Kang Shin-hwa was admiring it.
Marina was also continuously admiring Kang Shin-hwa’s skills, but since she didn’t show it, Kang Shin-hwa didn’t know.
Befitting her future as the one who would become Nine Lord, Marina’s movements were without any unnecessary motion.
In fact, she was blocking with all her might, barely managing.
The counterattack that destroyed the dummy’s right hand was also possible because she was fighting with all her strength.
‘Marina, you’re like Nicholas, truly a born golden spoon. You were quite useful from this time.’
Kang Shin-hwa laughed.
Even as the dummy’s fierce attacks continued dozens of times, Kang Shin-hwa cleanly blocked them with steel reinforcement.
Marina’s advantage was controlling other bodies – or dummies – to launch unpredictable and unfamiliar attacks.
Conversely, this was also her critical weakness, limiting her repertoire.
Of course, Marina’s talent was very rare, and most people had never experienced it.
But from Kang Shin-hwa’s perspective, who had sparred with Marina countless times in a previous life, these were predictable attacks.
‘In the end, she can’t precisely feel the same sensations and sense as Marina herself fighting.’
At that moment.
Swoosh!
Kang Shin-hwa, who had seemed to be only defending, made a sudden leap with an expressionless face.
Kang Shin-hwa, who touched the ceiling in an instant, twisted her body and used the defense field as a stepping stone to kick powerfully.
Boom!
With a explosive sound, Kang Shin-hwa rapidly narrowed the distance.
Swish!
She sharply dodged the dummy’s left-hand attack that was trying to exploit a gap.
“Ah…!”
A scream burst from her flustered self. Because she couldn’t stop Kang Shin-hwa, who had precisely targeted the attack’s blind spot.
Even if called a blind spot, it was only a very narrow section of about 1% of the action radius.
But Kang Shin-hwa found that blind spot too easily and arrived right in front of her.
Swish.
Finally, Kang Shin-hwa’s right arm transformed into a long sword, precisely targeting Marina’s neck.
“Damn.”
Marina spat out a short, thick word of anger. Kang Shin-hwa continued speaking while still pointing at her neck.
“Controlling human bodies or models at will is certainly powerful. The problem is the main body. The more the clone’s movements are maximized, the weaker the main body’s defense becomes.”
“Were you targeting the blind spot?”
“Yes. Unlike my body that can directly see and respond, the dummy’s reactions have a delay, however short.”
“…..”
“Eliminating blind spots is very difficult. But finding ways to lower attack aggression and protect yourself will be easy.”
“…..I lost. If this were a real battle, I would have already died.”
“In a real battle, Marina would have approached more aggressively. I don’t particularly want to put much meaning into victory or defeat.”
“Damn it.”
Kang Shin-hwa’s cool response was a great stimulation for Marina.
Though very angry, she was also satisfied because she felt she saw the essence of Kang Shin-hwa’s talent.
‘This is not a coincidence. It’s definitely not luck. Kang Shin-hwa’s cold calculation worked.’
Marina honestly admitted.
And she coolly evaluated Kang Shin-hwa’s skills from the recent sparring match.
‘This level could easily defeat an A-rank awakened. The power itself is somewhat lacking, but combat experience is abundant.’
She was curious about the secret behind this.
This level of proficiency could only be acquired if one had lived almost entirely in dungeons after the great transformation and continuously engaged in combat.
Almost all, or practically all awakened individuals use standard defense methods against opponent attacks.
It’s the easiest method and the least risky approach.
However, Kang Shin-hwa used martial arts that could become several times more dangerous if the response failed.
Thanks to this, she avoided attacks with very little force and instead targeted vulnerabilities.
“Well learned,” Kang Shin-hwa said, withdrawing the sword’s tip from Marina’s neck and returning to her original position.
Swish!
Marina then retrieved her essence from the dummy standing pathetically with one arm lost.
Having performed the test too seriously, a 500-million-won dummy now required repairs. It left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“You’re truly amazing. I’ve definitely lost. I fought with all my might, so I have no excuses.”
“Is your curiosity satisfied now?”
“Well… I can say it’s definitely, not just a little, satisfied.”
Marina nodded.
She thought this was sufficient qualification for a VVIP meeting.
She continued, “Kang Shin-hwa.”
“Yes?”
“Actually, today’s sparring was also to confirm if you qualify to meet the VVIP.”
“VVIP?”
He didn’t ask because he didn’t know.
Kang Shin-hwa knew who it was.
The head of WSA.
But also an unknown entity whose face was not publicly known.
Recalling memories from his previous life:
‘Elijah Group’ was similar, but especially WSA was an organization with quite suspicious corners.
For unknown reasons, both organizations were very passive about disaster preparation and rarely cooperated.
When Nine Lord requested help, they would always refuse with various excuses or delay support.
This had caused many instances of being unable to clear necessary dungeons or nearly reaching armed conflict.
But even then, the VVIP never revealed themselves.
Moreover, they didn’t appear even after preventing the prophesied brutal end of the world.
‘Kang Shin-hwa, this is pure speculation… But that VVIP XX seems to have some other hidden agenda.’
‘Still, since it’s all over now, there’s no need to worry too much. I’ll continue monitoring, so you rest well.’
Kang Shin-hwa recalled Nicholas’s words right after the disaster’s victory.
He also thought there must be a reason for the VVIP’s extreme secrecy and silence, but couldn’t precisely pinpoint it.
‘Anyway, if it’s a VVIP, it sounds interesting. If it’s a client with money, honor, and skill, I’m fine with that.’
Ultimately, no matter who the opponent was or what circumstances they had, for the current Kang Shin-hwa, they were simply a client.
Kang Shin-hwa dismissed it casually.
Marina said, “Later, as a WSA guest, you’ll be able to have a video conversation with the VVIP.”
“I see. Understood.”
“Well then… Shall we seriously negotiate the sale of this enhancement potions?”
“That’s what I wanted. We’ve played quite intensely before even selling anything.”
Kang Shin-hwa nodded with a smile at her topic change.
* * *
The negotiation proceeded quickly.
I had a strong will to sell, and Marina had an equally strong will to buy.
Marina seemed to have been delegated some negotiation authority from her superiors.
Throughout the conversation, I found it somewhat strange.
Marina belonged to Team Osaka while simultaneously being a member of WSA.
Seeing her handling such an important purchase, it was clear she was highly trusted by WSA.
“I want to purchase 100 packs of the newly produced enhancement potion. Is there an official name for the potion?”
“Stimulus.”
“Stimulant, meaning. It sounds quite primitive.”
“It’s a good name.”
Although this was the official name, among awakened individuals, it would inevitably be called an enhancement potion. That was more intuitive.
“Earlier, Kang Shin-hwa said giving WSA purchase priority. So naturally, there would be conditions, right?”
“There are two conditions.”
“Please tell me.”
“First, when participating as a guest, I will clear two dungeons owned by WSA as I desire.”
“Is this a request or a notification?”
“Well, it depends on interpretation?”
“Let’s hear the second condition first.”
“Second, price negotiations are possible only twice. If negotiations fail, I’ll look for another seller without hesitation.”
“So you’re saying to conclude the proposal in just two rounds, not twenty questions?”
“Let’s not engage in subtle mind games. If needed, the person who needs it should clearly show buying intent.”
I continued speaking without hesitation.
“That’s a bold move.”
“When the deal is successful, it’s clear who benefits.”
There are various forms of sales, but in my experience, the most cunning sales method is making the other party think.
My words could be interpreted differently, but to her ears—already highly interested in my enhancement potion—they would sound attractive.
My confidence wouldn’t seem overbearing, but a completely understandable boldness.
“Fine. Let’s set the price for today’s 100 packs at 10 billion won.”
One pack for 100 million won.
A reasonable offer.
Unlike top-tier magic potions, this can be produced infinitely with just the right materials.
Around 2050, Stimulus was priced around 300 million won, so considering inflation, this price is appropriate.
‘Truly an appropriate price, indeed.’
I didn’t respond.
One of the two chances I gave her had just passed.
I know my current approach might seem like ‘power play’.
In fact, I deliberately narrowed her choices to make her feel that way.
I had no regrets.
It’s true that items obtained through begging and pleading often feel more valuable.
Moreover, by increasing the item’s value, my own value naturally increases.
Premium will be added to whatever I sell afterward, making money-making considerably easier.
In other words, this could lead to early retirement in a few weeks or months.
“This is…”
“If you think about the ripple effect rather than the appropriate price, your decision will be quick.”
Even if temporary, an awakened experiencing next-rank combat abilities is no ordinary experience.
It can be a definite motivation.
Of course, conversely, it might create a side effect of increasing dependence on enhancement potions.
Isn’t the duality of doping like that?
But I’m not selling an addictive drug. So I feel justified, with nothing to feel guilty about.
“…..”
A long silence followed.
After taking sufficient time for contemplation from a seller’s perspective.
Finally, Marina’s sealed lips opened.
“Okay. Let’s go with this price.”
Hi guys, please check out the second novel I am translating “Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad“
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you would like to support me or read advanced chapters, you can do so by unlocking chapters.
Schedule: [Mon – Fri]
