Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor : TheBattleSage
Editor Notes/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 13: My Temper is Worse >

“Demonic Army Commander. Name: Gu Cheonyang. He is the younger brother of Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Gu Cheonpa. It has been eight years since he rose to the position of Demonic Army Commander. During that time, he has undertaken numerous dangerous missions and established the Demonic Army as an elite organization recognized by everyone.”

Seo Daeryong was well aware of the Demonic Army Commander.

“He did a good job then.”

“Yes, he did.”

“Can I see the anonymous report that came in?”

“Yes, here it is.”

He showed me the report.

The content, written in a deliberately crooked handwriting to disguise the writer’s identity, was very simple.

―Serious corruption within the Demonic Army. Investigation required.

After staring at it for a long time, Seo Daeryong asked.

“Why do you look like that?”

“Let’s imagine. There’s corruption within the Underworld Pavilion. And you find out about it.”

I asked, looking at Seo Daeryong.

“Would you send an anonymous report?”

“I wouldn’t.”

Seo Daeryong answered without hesitation.

“Right? It has nothing to do with you.”

“No, that’s not why.”

“Then why?”

“Because sending an anonymous report wouldn’t change anything.”

There was a sense of defeatism in his indifferent response.

“Isn’t your Underworld Pavilion supposed to exist to change our cult?”

“To be precise, we are the sword used by those who want to change the cult. We are not the main agents of change.”

“If the higher-ups don’t change, the cult won’t change either?”

“I never said that.”

But his expression seemed to say, “Isn’t that right?” Given his naturally gloomy demeanor, this pessimistic and cynical view suited him well.

“Anyway, this person sent the report. He thinks he’ll die if he’s caught. You can tell by how he tried to disguise his handwriting. But why did he send the report? As you said, nothing will change.”

Instead of the silent Seo Daeryong, Lee Ahn stepped in to answer.

“He probably didn’t send it out of a sense of justice… Maybe he has a grudge against the corrupt individuals?”

“That makes sense.”

I nodded and handed the report back to Seo Daeryong.

“Anyway, we must find this person. If we appear weak, he will never reveal himself.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“So? Can you do it?”

“I have to. I came here under orders.”

“It’s truly dangerous, I’m telling you. The Demonic Army Commander might be involved. Aren’t you scared?”

“No.”

“You know about the last investigator who died, right?”

“Yes, the investigator who died back then was my immediate superior.”

“Oh, I see.”

“He was the one who taught me everything.”

There was a certain sadness in his calm words. Perhaps he memorized all the information about the Demonic Army members because he wanted to avenge his dead senior?

“Do you feel sad when you think of him?”

“He died so meaninglessly.”

“It wasn’t a meaningless death. That death brought you and me here. And you should be scared. They killed an Underworld Pavilion investigator and even wiped out their own colleagues. In short, they’re people with nothing to lose.”

“I don’t want to be scared of such filthy people.”

It was clear from his words. He wanted to avenge his senior. A great anger was lying dormant in that small body under the lingering melancholy.

“Well, shall we go investigate then?”

As I was about to leave with Seo Daeryong, Lee Ahn followed us.

“Young master! Please take me with you.”

She thought investigating the Demonic Army was dangerous.

“No, it’s an official mission. Take this time to rest.”

She needed to stay away from me.

Lee Ahn, who was looking at us worriedly as we walked away, suddenly glanced around.

I had extended my energy to gently pat her on the head from behind.

Don’t worry, Lee Ahn. I have come a long way for days like this.

* * *

The Demon Dragon Court, residence of the Demonic Army’s members, was located in the western district of the main school’s outer area.

As befitted an elite organization, the building was large, and the facilities were excellent.

When I arrived at the entrance of Demon Dragon Court with Seo Daeryong, two of the Demonic Army members blocked our way. As expected of Demonic Army members, known for their large builds, these gatekeepers were twice the size of an average person.

“Where are you from?”

“Underworld Pavilion’s special investigator, Seo Daeryong. Move aside!”

Seo Daeryong had a small frame but was full of determination.

However, despite his forcefulness, the two Demonic Army members did not seem nervous or scared at all. Instead, they mocked him.

“Special investigator? Doesn’t look special at all.”

One of them muttered softly as if talking to himself, but it was meant to be heard clearly.

Before either Seo Daeryong or I could say anything, the other one quickly stepped forward.

“You can’t enter without permission from the higher-ups.”

Seo Daeryong took out the investigation order for this case.

“The higher-ups are right here. Here’s the order.”

“Wait a moment. I’ll report to the higher-ups.”

“We’ll meet your superior directly. Move aside.”

I stood behind, just observing how Seo Daeryong would handle the situation.

“You can’t enter without permission.”

“This order is the permission!”

Their voices grew louder.

“What nonsense is this? If you’re here, you must follow our rules.”

“Nonsense?”

Without hesitation, Seo Daeryong kicked the shin of the guy blocking his way.

Whack.

“Ugh!”

The guy, clutching his shin, raised his fist.

“You bastard!”

Seo Daeryong, still in place, glared at him.

“You’re trying to hit an investigator from Underworld Pavilion?”

The guy didn’t dare to hit Seo Daeryong. No matter how arrogant the Demonic Army were, assaulting a special investigator from Underworld Pavilion would mean instant imprisonment.

“Ah, should I just beat this rat up and pay the compensation?”

This was exactly the level of the Demonic Army.

Well, it wasn’t just the Demonic Army. Many members of our cult lived impulsively, without any sense of control.

We lacked the clear ideology of the Demonic Path.

Maybe it once existed, but we had lost it over time.

Our cult had no contemplation on why it should exist in the martial world or what it should pursue in the future.

A collective of wicked people united by the mistaken belief that brutality and strength were justice and truth. If someone criticized our cult this way, I wouldn’t be able to refute it since it was the truth.

Seo Daeryong raised his voice.

“Move!”

“I said wait until the superior arrives!”

They didn’t budge.

It was due to this reality that Seo Daeryong said the following.

— Sending a petition changes nothing.

This scuffle by his small frame showed the reality of our cult.

After watching for a while, I finally stepped in.

“Do you know who I am?”

Even as I intervened, the two guys didn’t back down.

“Yes, we know.”

“You don’t seem to understand. If you knew it was me, would you act like this?”

Before my words even finished, I ruthlessly kicked one guy’s groin with all my strength. Kicking the shin didn’t seem to work, so I aimed for something more vital.

Thud!

“Aaaaagh!”

The guy clutched his groin and rolled on the ground.

“Talking about compensation while I’m watching?”

My fist landed on the startled face of the other guy.

Bang!

That huge guy went down with one punch.

Seo Daeryong stared at me in shock. He hadn’t expected me to openly beat up the Demonic Army like this.

“What are you doing? Lead the way.”

“Yes, let’s go.”

Seo Daeryong led the way, and I followed behind him.

Before long, a group of the Demonic Army members blocked our path before we could enter the main building.

“Move!”

When no one stepped aside, Seo Daeryong raised a command letter and shouted loudly.

“Can’t you see this? You’re obstructing an official investigation. Do you all want to rot in prison?”

No matter how much he raised his voice, they only sneered; none of them showed any sign of fear. Moreover, they looked down on him even more because of his small stature.

Then, the group parted, and a man walked out.

“Who the hell is causing a ruckus here?”

“Special Investigator Seo Daeryong. State your identity.”

“I am Godang, leader of the first division of the Demonic Army. Is that good enough for you, you bastard?”

At that moment, Seo Daeryong quickly sent me a telepathic message.

– This man is practically second in command. He is known to be one of the most notorious among the Demonic Army.

It seemed Godang noticed Seo Daeryong’s lips moving as he sent the message.

“Does this bastard have a death wish? How dare he send a telepathic message right in front of me?”

The ones at the front gate and this guy were all unbelievably arrogant. The reason they ignored me was because the Demonic Army was an organization that supported my brother. Even Demonic Army Commander’s, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon brother, was known to back my brother. That’s why they were openly disregarding me.

“Leader Go, I am a special investigator from the Underworld Pavilion, officially dispatched. Watch your words!”

Seo Daeryong stood firm even in front of Godang.

‘I like him.’

After dealing with trash like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s disciples and the arrogant Demonic Army, seeing Seo Daeryong felt refreshing.

Godang’s eyes flared up, not liking Seo Daeryong’s attitude.

“Watch my words? What if I don’t?”

“I will arrest everyone for obstructing the Underworld Pavilion’s investigation and insulting an investigator.”

“Arrest? Hahaha.”

As he laughed loudly, his subordinates also burst into laughter.

“Try it if you can!”

These were people who would have acted the same even if enforcement martial artists had come with him.

Seo Daeryong looked back at me, unable to do anything more.

It was time for me to step in again.

“Leader Go, it’s been a while.”

I walked up to Godang, grasping his hand firmly as if shaking hands with a welcoming face.

“When did we last meet? Was it at the last banquet? It’s good to see you.”

Contrary to my warm greeting, Godang’s expression was not pleasant.

“I need to urgently see the Demonic Army Commander, so let’s stop with the territorial disputes and make way.”

With that, I walked in with him.

The path naturally opened, and Seo Daeryong and I walked in together, still holding hands.

Godang’s subordinates looked puzzled at how easily he made way compared to his initial attitude.

Walking down the corridor, we parted with Godang at the stairs.

“I’ll treat you to a drink next time.”

Seo Daeryong, surprised at how easily we got through and up the stairs, asked with a shocked face.

“Were you acquainted with Godang?”

“No. I met him for the first time today.”

“Then how?”

“That guy will have to eat with his left hand for a while. I broke his hand when we shook hands earlier.”

“What?”

Seo Daeryong was so shocked he shouted.

Breaking the Demonic Army second in command’s hand without showing any expression—how could he not be shocked?

“I had no idea that happened. But why didn’t he have his subordinates attack?”

“If he did, it would be revealed that he was harmed. His hand broke while shaking hands? He couldn’t show any sign of pain in front of his subordinates out of sheer embarrassment.”

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. When Godang tried to counterattack after his hand was suddenly broken, I quickly sent him a telepathic message.

―If you act up, you’ll never use this hand again.

I gripped his broken hand as if I would crush it completely. Given the precedent of crushing a Blood Heaven Blade Demon disciple’s arm to the point of no recovery, Godang was frightened.

“That ill-tempered Godang won’t just sit still.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“He’ll try some kind of retaliation.”

“If he does, his head will burst and he’ll die. This is a prophecy.”

Seo Daeryong looked at me with newfound respect.

“Isn’t it admirable?”

“Your personality is…”

“Why stop mid-sentence? Dirty?”

“…”

“You can’t tell a lie, can you?”

“That’s why I’m often disliked.”

“Being disliked by someone could also mean being liked by someone else.”

Seo Daeryong stared at me in silence for a moment before changing the subject.

“The Demonic Army Commander’s office is on the seventh floor. Shall we go?”

“It’s unnecessarily high. Let’s go.”

And so, we walked up to the seventh floor.