Damned 13th Regression – 323



<Regression number 13 is damn right, episode 323>

Side story – 11th work by Geom Mi-seong

Among hunters the Avatar is considered their most trusted friend.

This is true even though there are occasional situations where the hunter’s consciousness is eaten by the avatar.

How trustworthy is the avatar who always takes the same side in this harsh wilderness of Babel?

I killed those friends.

He killed the avatars who were crying out of betrayal.

Their souls were trapped within Mystiltein.

<Joo Gong-hyeok—!>

I wasn’t sorry about that betrayal.

Wasn’t this something that was planned from the last episode the 10th episode?

On the contrary it feels a bit late that the plan has finally been put into practice now that it is only the 11th.

So the reason I killed him was to become like a dragon god.

In order to gain immense power that cannot be erased by the Demon King’s annihilation law.

<How dare you betray me!>

The shout of the dying thunder god 『Zeus』 sounded like thunder.

Joo Gong-hyeok sneered while the criticism echoed in his eardrums.

“Is there such a thing as betrayal in the first place? “It’s hard to pretend to be a colleague when you’re just a folding screen for using skills.”

<How did you—!>

“And I shouldn’t accuse you of betrayal or anything you bastard. “Aren’t you the guy who betrayed your wife and swallowed her in your stomach?”

The thunder god 『Thor』 who was disappearing like Zeus intervened.

<You have a long story to tell Joo Gong-hyeok. It looks like you really want to make an excuse right? That seems to be evidence that you feel guilty about this situation…>

Joo Gong-hyeok was silent.

Well it’s not wrong. Isn’t Zeus the avatar who has been with you in almost every episode since you learned how to get it?

There were times when I thought the male god was friendlier than Hayeonsi.

To be honest it was an avatar for which the expression ‘friend’ wasn’t that awkward. Especially since he always sticks up next to me and makes useless chatter.

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It was definitely something that made him feel depressed.

It is helpful to think of other thoughts to erase depression.

The power of the gods absorbed by Mystiltein swirls within.

Joo Gong-hyeok thought feeling more powerful than ever.

This will definitely kill the Demon King. The problem is Cluesti who needs to be fought before that…

* * *

Killed Archangel Azazel.

In the 9th episode I fought with Cluesti together with her and as she was dying on the unfolding “battlefield” she said this.

“Cut off my head and inherit that power! And keep fighting warrior!”

The “battlefield” he obtained was so useful that Gonghyeok felt regretful about giving up her power.

So he killed her right away while she was momentarily weakened. This time I absorbed her power.

If the other archangels protest they will have to excuse themselves by saying that they knew they would die if left alone.

I don’t think the archangels would accept that excuse but so what?

Like it or not angels are required to be neutral.

I don’t think Metatron will try to retaliate for this incident. As before…

Red blood seeps into the fallen Azazel’s red hair.

It is painful to look at the intense red color that stings the eyes.

Gonghyuk thought as he looked away from her corpse.

Cluestijeon will be easier now.

* * *

Godmother Christina has a habit. After killing Cluesti on the 39th or 41st floor he has a habit of hugging his favorite student one beat later.

This was the case every time the two of them defeated Cluesty so it could be said to be a habit at this point.

Joo Gong-hyuk clearly understands her habits. I just can’t forget it.

Was it the 3rd time?

When she first defeated Cluesty Christina looked at Joo Gong-hyuk with blood-filled eyes and then suddenly hugged him without caring about the pain she felt right away.

The moment of emotion that I felt at that time is also strongly engraved in Gonghyuk now that he has repeated the episode.

Ah how sweet was that moment when the longed-for mother completely acknowledged her son?

That moment of emotion the moment I finally became a proud son…

Joo Gong-hyeok does not miss the moment when she becomes even more defenseless.

“Gonghyuk what are you doing now….”

The unfolding of “Battlefield” is also an opportunity to be alone with her.

A golden opportunity to kill her without being seen by others.

Since I had already obtained the battlefield powers I was confident that I could defeat Cluesti on my own. It was for this reason that I lured her into taking him down together.

“It will get easier in a moment.”

A pouting Mystiltein emerged from her back.

There were drops of blood in her eyes the aftereffects of overusing Doom. The blood soon flowed like tears.

Joo Gong-hyuk wiped her tears and recalled the lesson from the third episode.

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If you get the chance kill Christina.

When Joo Gong-hyeok reigns as the dictator of the hunters on Earth she should not be there to cause trouble.

If you want to manage and punish unruly hunters as you please you must do so.

It just so happens that Joo Gong-hyeok needs to think about what happens after he returns to Earth.

Isn’t it now that we have prepared the victory card to defeat Cluesti and defeat the Demon King?

What must now be prioritized above all else is not Babel’s strategy but the blueprint for heading to Earth.

Now you must return to Deus and tell them that their leader has met a glorious end.

* * *

Killed the Four Heavenly Kings Hildegard.

Although she was an enemy she was secretly helpful. The GM also said she wasn’t the real enemy. That’s why he killed her who was considered more reliable than most of his allies.

It was to obtain “foresight.” With all his abilities already at 100 he killed her to become stronger.

And Joo Gong-hyuk thought.

Now I’m going to get the skill level EX.

Because of all these betrayals and murders the 11th Joo Gong-hyeok is the strongest of all time.

It is a perfect being that needs neither companions nor avatars.

So now there is no need to take a hunter as a companion to the scene of a life-threatening battle.

Since the Dragon God has been killed a long time ago there is no need to send out hunters to fight against the beast people and there is no need to form an elite corps of hunters to clear the path to the demon king when heading to the 88th floor.

Absolutely nothing!

That means that in this episode more hunters will survive than ever before.

However Babel is a place where death abounds even if you stay still.

Hunters die in Babel even if they just stay in place to survive.

* * *

Hunter Raul is dying.

On Earth Edgar the guy who ran the Hunter Mafia was someone who was seriously contemplating whether to kill him or not.

Every time Edgar as the head of the “Legion” stands on the stage and speaks about the value of honorable sacrifice and worthy death that sly Hunter Mafia bastard mutters something like this.

‘Whether it’s a meaningful death or a dog’s death everyone dies the same… I have to survive even if I have to run away no matter what!’

I’m muttering quietly to myself but there’s no way superhuman hunters can’t hear even small words so I’m actually telling them to listen to everything.

Are you saying this is a statement that justifies fleeing from the enemy?

It must have been difficult for Edgar to bear it. If it weren’t for Raoul’s ability to be the ranker for each mission in Babel he might have been killed long ago.

Raul died today while fighting to protect a resting point.

It was a completely unexpected attack by the beastmen.

An attack simply for the sake of revenge as a dying race with no strategic significance whatsoever.

While other hunters and people were panicking Raoul stood upright on both feet and died while fighting.

Edgar and Joo Gong-hyeok who came to support belatedly stood in front of the dying Raoul.

Raoul was already half a corpse.

The entire lower body was blown away and the poisoned intestines of the West Jok became mushy.

It’s a wound that couldn’t be saved even if Hayeon-si was alive.

Well Raoul it doesn’t make any difference whether he’s alive or dead…

While Joo Gong-hyeok was indifferent Edgar looked at Raoul.

“You had a meaningful death Raoul. He always said he would run away. Did you have any change of heart while climbing to this high floor?”

In response to Edgar’s question Raoul struggled to open his mouth.

“Why do you want to spread the word widely if you make a good will?”

It may have been a joke but Edgar is a man who doesn’t know jokes.

“I plan to. “The anecdote about a hunter who used to say he would run away but fought back until the end will help boost morale.”

“Fuck it. I regret it so much. “Why did you fight when you could have run away?”

“So is that really all you feel? regret?”

“Well… well…”

Raoul looked at Edgar with bleary eyes. Then he muttered.

“…It seems like there is something filling in my heart right now. “It seems like something I call self-consolation…”

“….”

“I can sleep peacefully without feeling this way. You take care of the rest. “You guys remember us.”

Raoul and Joo Gong-hyeok’s eyes met.

At that moment when Joo Gong-hyuk was surprised Raoul’s breathing stopped.

Joo Gong-hyeok unconsciously approached Raoul.

He closed his eyes and was surprised at his own sentimental behavior.

Did this feeling still remain?

Edgar looked at Joo Gong-hyeok. It seemed that it was not only Joo Gong-hyeok who became sentimental but also Edgar.

Edgar wiped away his tears with his bloody hands and said:

“egg plant. Gonghyuk. “Shouldn’t we help the honorable fallen warrior rest in peace?”

Because Edgar cared about Raoul’s death the funeral was held in a grand manner.

Quite a few hunters attended the funeral.

“Why did you say that guy died? That sucks….”

I also slowly remembered Joo Gong-hyuk.

Babel’s 1st floor mission: When a fight broke out between a group of hunters Raoul would fire a gun into the sky to draw attention and then mediate.

At the time I thought he was just enjoying showing off his presence but it may have been an effort to do his own thing. Anyway I don’t think there was anything I had to do to save myself when I was given work.

Thanks to this Raoul was known as a ‘good guy’ among hunters.

And when a good guy dies there’s always someone who recites this line.

“The good guys die first. In this Babel…”

This time it was Jeong Hyeon-do who recited that line.

Joo Gong-hyeok who was listening from afar became angry for a moment.

That kid?

That line could be considered a self-reflection of the survivors who survived thanks to the sacrifices of the fallen but it sounds different when Jeong Hyeon-do recites it.

That guy is the guy who somehow survived most of the episodes and returned to Earth!

To Gonghyeok who knows this fact it seems like unreflective self-deprecation and a kind of deception that he knows he is bad and is better than other bad guys who don’t know that fact.

Should I kill you?

I suddenly had that thought but I really didn’t.

Until now Gonghyeok had committed all kinds of betrayals and even massacred hunters but wasn’t it all because it was necessary?

You wouldn’t kill someone just because you were angry.

And in fact it is true that the good guys die first. In this Babel it is a kind of aphorism.

There are two ‘good guys’ to whom that adage always holds true.

* * *

There is another law that I realized during my eleventh regression.

Edgar and Soma Sangay always die.

Since the two do not survive to the point of clearing it is only their corpses that always return to Earth.

Or the body can’t return either.

In fact it is easy to understand why Soma Sangai dies frequently.

Even if he talks about something grandiose such as saying that Yaksha will become the cornerstone of the world in the end isn’t he just a guy who only looks at the reality unfolding before his eyes?

The fact that he can do more good if he stays alive is not a reason for him to save himself.

So Soma Sangay always takes the biggest risk.

As a result if a risk they cannot handle comes they will eventually die.

This is a perfect example of the law that says the good guys die first.

But why does Edgar always die?

I just can’t figure out why.

The repeated deaths of this hero cannot be explained simply by the law that the good guy dies first!

Isn’t Edgar the head of Babel’s largest force?

No hunter of great stature can force the leader of a legion to engage in a battle risking his life. Additionally Edgar has the responsibility of commanding the corps.

There was good reason to be cautious.

And yet each time Edgar stepped forward and died.

In fact there was no need to do so from the 8th episode when Joo Gong-hyeok’s strength was increased.

Both Joo Gong-hyeok the leader of the Holy Spirit Corps in the 8th episode and the Thunder God Joo Gong-hyuk in the 9th episode were powerful enough to not need Edgar’s death.

However Edgar died in both episodes!

Indeed Edgar died for various reasons in each episode.

Once upon a time Edgar was cursed and all his abilities became 1. Edgar who was crying at that time did not stay calmly in the safety zone on the 5th floor. He fought tirelessly to regain his original strength and died.

There was even a case where he died while taking on the responsibility of the death of the Four Gods.

There are many more who died while fighting to send Joo Gong-hyeok to the Demon King as part of the elite death squad.

Likewise Edgar’s death is so inevitable that it seems even more fateful.

It would be really helpful if this guy survived until he returned to Earth.

Due to this thought Joo Gong-hyeok decided to save Edgar in this episode.

This was the plan that had been in place since the 9th round ended in a miserable failure.

“All in silence.”

After the funeral Edgar gave a speech.

Each of his speeches begins with one sentence.

“Humanity’s survival takes priority above all else.”

And the content of the speech is similar in each session. Although other details may be different the three contents are the same.

Live like a human being and die like a human being.

We all have a reason to fight even if it means risking our lives.

At least I will fight until the very end…

“Now that the final battle is approaching… On that decisive day I will fight until the very end!”

Thunderous applause erupted. Not only the members of the corps but almost all hunters showed respect to the King of Justice.

After the small banquet Joo Gong-hyeok and Edgar had a drink alone.

Now that Almog Biton and Christina are dead Joo Gong-hyeok the new leader of Deus and Edgar the leader of the legion were in fact the representatives and heads of all hunters.

Their drinking party was also an opportunity to decide the future of the hunters.

And at this drinking party Joo Gong-hyeok criticized the speech of another representative Edgar.

“It’s a shame to fight until the end. “Don’t ever do that.”

Edgar narrowed his eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“Never stand in front of me. “What kind of a nuisance would it be if a bastard named Commander dies?”

“There are separate corps executives in charge of front-line command. “I just give them authority.”

“It’s okay and your specialty is making spears of light and throwing them away. Why are you giving a shit about the vanguard? “Do you have a scar fetish and are trying to produce scars on your face?”

“hey.”

“Never attack from the front but instead launch a spear from behind.”

“Gonghyuk….”

“no. If you make a big window of light it will attract attention right? However if you don’t fight at all you won’t have authority as a leader… Reserve corps? Yes reserve unit. You remain in reserve. Don’t worry step forward at a critical moment and turn the game over. Do you understand?”

It wasn’t something I said once or twice. Every time he met Edgar Joo Gong-hyeok repeated similar words.

Take care of yourself If you want to continue to be respected by the hunters you may not be able to avoid fighting at all but don’t take on too risky tasks and survive until the end.

You are what you have to be….

“Gonghyuk I am….”

Edgar was embarrassed but Joo Gong-hyeok almost scolded him.

“Never show off!”

Gonghyuk remembered the 9th episode.

In the 10th episode he infiltrated the beastman city and was caught by the Dragon God and died so the 9th episode was the most recent clear episode.

At that time Gonghyeok attempted murderous control as a dictator who reigned over the hunters. Hunters who did not listen were massacred and strong rules were established to oppress them.

Hunters could not bear the stress.

They banded together and started a rebellion. At that time Joo Gong-hyeok used the power of the “battlefield” he had prepared in advance to block the hunters from taking the Earth hostage but even that was not enough preparation in the end.

Because the number of rebels was so large the abnormal situations they could cause were also diverse.

Of course unexpected variables arose. As a result of avatar predation an amorphous chaotic being was born.

The Earth was destroyed and Joo Gong-hyeok had to go through another regression.

Just thinking about that time still makes me shiver….

The lesson of episode 9 is that Joo Gong-hyuk himself is not a very good leader.

Not even a good dictator. A good dictator is not one who suppresses rebels well but one who prevents rebellions from occurring in the first place.

However when Gonghyuk took control of the hunters they revolted after only two years.

It was a tragedy caused by a semi-ministry dictatorship that had only power and fear but no authority or respect.

So we need better leaders.

Like Joo Gong-hyeok in order to preserve the Earth we need a hunter leader who can control and judge the hunters while also earning the respect of the hunters.

Christina is disqualified because she will not control and judge. Not to mention Almog Biton who was just looking out for his own self-interest and was sure to get stabbed in the back.

So Edgar is perfect.

The leader of Babel’s largest human force “Legion.” Edgar of the King of Justice and Silver Arms.

There is no need to doubt his qualifications as a leader. The kind of leadership that is respected by everyone is something that Joo Gong-hyeok did not have.

And there is one more thing about Edgar that is as important as his leadership.

Despite his handsome image as the King of Justice Edgar is an executioner who kills stray hunters without mercy.

As the final battle approaches the atmosphere in which fugitive hunters and dimension refugees trying to escape danger are condemned and executed as traitors is in fact encouraged by Edgar.

It is not surprising that the method is harsh and cruel.

In one episode there was a time when Joo Gong-hyeok and Edgar were called the front-line executioners and the beheaders of the Urban League.

It was a time when Joo Gong-hyeok gave him a list of demon contractors who would one day betray him and Edgar went ahead and killed them in advance and set an example by executing the hunters who fled from the front lines as cruelly as possible.

It was an early episode in which humanity was so outnumbered that it was impossible to survive without mobilizing the strength of each and every hunter.

It is surprising that even in such a ruthless episode he was called the King of Justice.

Edgar is a tough but respected silver-armed man.

Wouldn’t this man who has similar tendencies but is called a hero be able to rule over the uneducated hunters in a true sense?

Of course I have no intention of leaving it to that man alone. I have already made plans for after returning to Earth.

Even as the two work together to control and judge the hunters Joo Gong-hyeok secretly plans to be harsher and more cruel than Edgar.

As a result in order to make Edgar look merciful when in fact he is not very merciful he plans to behave so that he can continue to receive the respect on Earth that he received in Babel.

So that Edgar’s existence can be accepted by hunters as an example of a true leader.

So that that hard-line control can truly continue….

“I’ll say it again never die. okay?”

“Gonghyuk? Whenever I get my hands dirty or fight fiercely it’s all for the survival of humanity. Trying to stop that is….”

“For the survival of humanity you must not die you bastard!”

“why?”

Joo Gong-hyuk almost shouted for a moment.

I almost had to explain in detail what those damn hunters were like in the 3rd and 9th rounds. I almost cried out loud in condemnation at the destruction that their reckless actions had caused!

Of course it shouldn’t be like that. I don’t know why but when Joo Gong-hyeok’s return becomes public among the hunters a group of abominable archangels force him to return once again.

Go through this trouble one more time?

Absolutely not.

I must die this time. It must be possible!

It doesn’t matter whether you die of old age or get hit by a moving truck. It doesn’t matter if the Earthlings and Hunters who worked hard to save him end up being labeled as a dictator and die.

As long as I can end this life that has now become a series of pain I don’t care what kind of ending it is!

Yes all of this is for the sake of dying this time…

“Just in case I caught the demon lord and if you are followed the corps executives will be searched as well. Do you have a grudge against those bastards and are planning to kill them because you think it would be difficult to kill them alone? If you plan to do that tell me in advance. “I’ll kill you all now!”

Despite Joo Gong-hyeok’s threats Edgar only had a stiff expression and did not say anything.

Joo Gong-hyeok who was worse off scolded him.

“Answer me! Chew? Do you think this is a joke? “Go and kill me now!”

Joo Gong-hyuk unable to bear Edgar’s silence stood up. He trotted out heading towards the place where the corps executives were having dinner.

Just like Edgar Joo Gong-hyeok is a man who doesn’t know jokes. If we let things go like that two or three people might actually die.

Edgar finally opened his mouth and swore.

“Yes I will not die in vain.”

Only then did Joo Gong-hyuk take his seat. Then he repeated what he had said before.

“There’s no need for you to go out in danger in the first place! “Who killed Cluesti the leader of the Four Heavenly Kings Edgar?”

“Christina’s sacrifice and….”

“There was no need to sacrifice. I could have killed him alone! Does this sound like a bluff?”

It’s not a lie.

Nowadays when Joo Gong-hyuk’s unrivaled strength is well known it is widely said that Cluesti could have killed Joo Gong-hyuk alone.

Isn’t there even a place where there are hunters who laugh at their godmother Christina who died at that time saying she died like a dog?

The atmosphere that ridicules her solemn sacrifice was actually created by Joo Gong-hyeok through behind-the-scenes work.

As Joo Gong-hyeok he hoped Edgar could hear the sounds of her being laughed at. Then the motivation to make that damn sacrifice might decrease. It’s a trick to somehow increase Edgar’s chances of survival.

“Who killed Vinecliff? I killed it myself! Hildegard and Heydrich who? I! I killed them all by myself! Hildegard was a little annoyed but the rest weren’t that difficult!”

While Edgar gritted his teeth Joo Gong-hyeok shouted with bloodshot eyes.

“I’ll say it again I will kill the Demon King alone. “Don’t think about being a hunchback and getting killed but take care of yourself!”