The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 232

The human race generally avoided exploring areas that were contaminated by the Abyss of Demons and weren’t protected by the Pilgrim’s Path. After all, most of those regions, particularly the Six Great Demon Realms, were so perilous that even S-rank heroes couldn't guarantee their safe return.

Yet, despite the danger, the Pilgrimage Church still regularly sent out exploration teams, known as the Pilgrim Squad, to investigate them. And out of them all, they had deemed the City of Nightmares the most dreaded of the Six Great Demon Realms.

Of all the realms, it had to be this one...

The City of Nightmares, which the Pleasure District was currently floating above, was located directly where Brasilia, Brazil's capital, once was.

With its strange, purple buildings rising from a wasteland, the city didn’t look too threatening. However, stepping inside would reveal just how sinister it was.

The first signs would be the phantom whispers that those traveling nearby would hear, sounding as if people were conversing around them. Then, shadowy figures resembling humans would begin to emerge from the buildings over time. And finally, when the City of Nightmares started to resemble a normal, lively city, everybody that had gone inside to investigate would vanish without a trace.

There’s no fixed pattern to the signs or the disappearances. That’s why it’s considered one of the hardest places to investigate.

According to the Pilgrim Squad's research logs that Se-Hoon had read pre-regression, even a quasi-S-rank hero, one of the earliest members of the Heroes Association, had disappeared the moment they set foot inside.

That was how treacherous the City of Nightmares was.

“The City of Nightmares...”

Amir was in disbelief.

Sighing, Se-Hoon tried to reassure Amir. “There’s no significant change to the plan, and we’ll still prioritize rescuing your cousin. Though while we’re at it, I plan to investigate the interior thoroughly.”

“Are you trying to find a connection between the Pleasure District and the City of Nightmares?”

“Yup. The Dream Demon wouldn’t have built the Pleasure District above this place just because they have a similar feel, right?”

Se-Hoon turned his sunken eyes toward the doors of the elevator that was descending to the Dream Castle. He had calmly suggested that he didn’t know the reasoning behind the Dream Demon building the Pleasure District on top of the City of Nightmares, but he actually did have a vague idea as to why.

It must be because of the Harbinger Shard.

The Harbinger Shards were both the cores that powered the Six Great Demon Realms and the keys to the birth of the Harbingers of Destruction.

If Se-Hoon’s guess was right, the Dream Demon intended to link the Pleasure District and the City of Nightmares to ascend to the status of a Harbinger through the City of Nightmare’s Harbinger Shard.

Things must have not gone according to plan back then, judging by how she relocated the Pleasure District later. Still, I can’t rely solely on that information because of how many changes I brought to this timeline.

Because of his actions, Se-Hoon’s very existence had become a significant variable in the Dream Demon’s plans. Because of that, he needed to tread carefully. Any rash moves he made to eliminate variables now could likely end up hastening the birth of the first Harbinger of Destruction.

It’s as if I’m on a bomb disposal mission. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Although the situation hadn’t turned out exactly as he expected, he remained calm and gathered his thoughts. The potential birth of a Harbinger of Destruction was a monumental variable, but, if things went well, he might be able to use the situation to eliminate one of the Six Harbingers of Destruction much earlier than before.

Determined to make the most of it, Se-Hoon wrapped up his thoughts.

“As I said earlier, we’re going to do our best to rescue your cousin. However—”

“I understand what you want to say.”

Amir’s voice was heavy.

“I’m not foolish enough to be greedy in a situation like this. I’ll succeed with the opportunities I’m given, without leaving any regrets.”

Noting the clear resolve in his voice, Se-Hoon nodded in approval.

“Good. Let’s do this.”

Ding!

Declaring their arrival, the elevator doors opened to reveal a luxurious corridor of the Dream Castle. In contrast to the chaos outside, the Dream Castle was peaceful.

That is, besides the ominous swirling energy filling the corridor.

“That’s...”

“It's likely caused by the ongoing battle outside. If we enter the corridor unprepared, we’ll be twisted apart immediately.”

The entire Dream Castle had been plunged into a dream-like state that could shift unpredictably without any warning. In such a place, only those with the ability to control the dream were able to move about safely.

“Whew...”

Taking a deep breath, Se-Hoon began weakening the power of Boundaries that he placed on his right eye, allowing the light in the Dream Demon’s Eye to grow more sinister. He then casually glanced at Amir, despite the threat of his right eye becoming completely consumed if he lost focus for even a moment.

“Try to stay close and hold on to my shoulder.”

“Okay.”

Firmly grabbing Se-Hoon’s left shoulder, Amir stepped out of the elevator and entered the corridor with Se-Hoon.

Swoosh-

A strange floaty sensation immediately overwhelmed their senses. It felt like gravity had weakened, but it was actually due to their bodies being partially transformed into dreams and causing a decrease in density.

So this region automatically causes one’s body to be converted into a dream...

Astonished by the environment, Amir looked around warily. He intuitively felt that even an S-rank hero would struggle to survive for long in such a place, so he couldn’t help but be thankful to Se-Hoon for having the Dream Demon’s Eye equipped.

“Do you know where he is?”

Amir focused on Se-Hoon’s question. “I heard he was situated deep inside, but I don’t know the exact location...”

“Okay, that should be enough to find his location.”

Since the Dream Castle wasn’t actually a real building but a manifestation of the Dream Demon’s synesthetic mindscape, one would have to “feel” where they were going to successfully navigate it. Heading to an exact pinpoint location wouldn’t be helpful.

The innermost area...

If it was the innermost area, then it was the core of the Dream Castle. Now with a feel of where to go, Se-Hoon watched as the scenery around them immediately shifted. They were now standing in front of a staircase leading downward to a massive door embedded in the ground. Heading downward, the walls would enclose them from all sides, giving the strong sense of a trap.

“Let’s go right in.”

“Sure.”

The two descended the staircase, stopping before the massive door. Se-Hoon then drew on the Dream Demon’s power while looking down.

Click-

They dove into the abyss revealed by the opened door.

***

“Hmm...”

Amir slowly opened his eyes, waking up naturally. He began scanning his surroundings: he was in his bedroom in his family estate. Sitting up from the huge bed that could easily fit five people, Amir stared blankly at the room with a strange expression.

Did my room look like this...?

His room felt familiar yet also somehow foreign. Feeling a peculiar dissonance, he touched the blanket.

Its texture felt so vivid that Amir believed it couldn’t be a dream. Yet the thought still lingered. He chuckled wryly.

I must not be fully awake yet.

Perhaps he had strained his mind too much last night, staying up late with all that paperwork. Deciding to shake off his drowsiness, he got out of bed and headed to the bathroom attached to his room.

Upon finishing a quick shower, he changed his clothes. However, he still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off even though he had done everything as usual.

He rubbed his eyes as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror.

I’m going to need some coffee if I want to get anything done.

Sighing deeply, he left his room and headed downstairs. He passed by the servants who greeted him politely and the meticulously maintained garden that stretched beautifully outside the windows—he couldn’t tear his eyes away from any of it. Although he had seen it every day, today he wandered through the house.

“Amir!”

He heard a cheerful voice called out to him from behind. But just as he was about to turn, someone threw an arm around his shoulder, practically draping themselves over him.

“Ugh?!”

Falling forward, Amir barely managed to regain his balance. He then turned his head to see the person who had suddenly appeared and threw an arm around his shoulder.

It was a man with tanned skin and curly hair tied back in a ponytail. He had a handsome face, but the ever-present smirk made him look more like a mischievous boy.

“...Zayed?”

Amir was in disbelief, staring blankly at the man.

And the man, Zayed, noticed the strange reaction, so he gave Amir a strange look back.

“What’s with that reaction?”

“How... How are you here?”

His long-lost cousin was standing right beside him, alive and well. Shocked, Amir froze, causing Zayed to narrow his eyes.

“You forgot I was coming back today, didn’t you?”

“...What?”

“I went through hell out there to provide for the family, yet you didn’t even sprinkle flower petals and welcome me home? Wow, I’m so heartbroken that I might cry. Boohoo.”

At the sight of Zayed exaggeratedly making a show of wiping tears from his eyes, Amir gradually began to recall the details.

That’s right.... He did say he’d return today after saying he was going on a month-long mission.

How could he have forgotten such an important thing? Feeling a sudden wave of guilt, Amir looked apologetically at Zayed, who was still pretending to cry.

“I’m so sorry. My brain must have been unplugged after working late into the night.”

“Ah, I see. Uncle’s pushing you hard again, huh?”

Understanding, Zayed shook his head with a sigh and let go of Amir’s shoulder.

“Go make me some coffee, and I’ll forgive you,” he then said, patting Amir on the back.

“Oh, sure. I was going to make some for myself anyway.”

“Good, good. Let’s go, then.”

Regaining his playfulness, Zayed pushed Amir forward, urging him toward the kitchen. And Amir, after a brief moment of surprise, let out a small smile and began walking.

They soon reached the kitchen, and Amir promptly began boiling some water and grinding coffee beans with a grinder.

Whirrr-

The sound of grinding filled the room.

Mindlessly grinding going about it, Amir glanced at Zayed, who sat waiting at the table.

“So, what kind of mission were you doing out there this time?”

“The usual—gathering intel, selling information here and there. I also took out a few demons and monsters to keep my status as a hero.”

Zayed was completely nonchalant with his chin resting in his hand, acting like it was his normal routine. But then he abruptly straightened up, having had something come to mind.

“Oh, right. I ran into Broken Sword this time.”

“By Broken Sword... you mean Ma Kwang-Soo?”

“Yep. We sparred a little. I almost lost a couple of times, honestly.”

“That’s... wait, you managed to beat Ma Kwang-Soo?”

Amir stopped grinding, staring at Zayed in shock.

“Of course! You think I was named the strongest S-rank just for show?” Zayed exclaimed with a smug grin.

“...”

Amir was speechless. Zayed had always been talented, but he wasn’t this talented. He still recalled how Zayed had only recently reached A-rank. So then, how could he have defeated someone like Ma Kwang-Soo?

Confused by the countless questions filling his mind, Amir furrowed his brow.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“...It’s nothing. I guess I’m still not fully awake.”

Shaking his head, Amir dismissed all of his doubts for now and resumed grinding the beans.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Accepting the freshly brewed coffee, Zayed sipped it. Following suit, Amir did the same, savoring the familiar taste of the coffee he often drank at home.

After a few moments of silence, Amir looked at Zayed.

“Zayed.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you remember the Dream Demon?”

A brief silence fell over the room. Fixing his eyes on Amir, Zayed slowly lowered his coffee cup.

“You’re acting quite strange today. Are you feeling alright?”

“I just need to know something. Can you answer my question?”

Hearing the sincerity that bordered pleading in Amir’s voice, Zayed stared at him for a moment before letting out a long sigh and scratching the back of his head.

“Of course, I remember her,” Zayed replied, his expression softening. “It's been over ten years, but how could I forget? I mean, our entire family was nearly wiped out.”

“Are you talking about... the day the Dream Demon attacked?” Amir’s voice was tinged with unease.

“Yeah. That day, Uncle was seriously injured, and many of the elders passed away.”

Zayed's gaze drifted off as if recalling the past. But then he suddenly focused on Amir again.

“Things would have been a lot worse if you hadn't warned us about the Dream Demon's attack.”

“...I warned you?” Amir parroted quietly, still processing Zayed’s words.

Reminiscing, Zayed’s eyes filled with warmth.

“We couldn’t stop her entirely, but thanks to you, we managed to minimize the casualties. So, if you’re still blaming yourself for what happened that day, don’t. You did your best.”

“...”

“You’re always acting all grown up, but deep down, you’re still a kid. Tsk, tsk...”

With a teasing chuckle, Zayed ruffled Amir’s hair just as he used to when they were kids. Despite everything that had happened, Zayed still treated him with the same kindness, without... any resentment.

Even after all that... he has no hate for me.

Staring at Zayed quietly, something stirred in Amir. But he quickly bit his lip, unsure of what to say. For some reason, he felt that if he said anything, everything would unravel and the cherishing moment would come to an end.

Noticing that Amir was unusually silent, Zayed gave him a puzzled look.

“Wait, you usually shove me away when I mess with your hair. What’s with you today? Are you sick or something?”

“It’s nothing, really...”

“Hmm.”

Doubtful, Zayed observed Amir closely before pulling his hand back. Then, without another word, he drained the rest of his coffee and stood up from his seat.

“Get up. Let’s go spar.”

“...What?”

Taken aback by the sudden suggestion, Amir blankly stared at Zayed.

Returning the stare with a knowing look, Zayed crossed his arms. “You look like you need to break a sweat, not sit there and sip on some coffee. Let’s go.”

“Wait, hold on—ugh!”

Not allowing Amir to protest, Zayed hoisted him over his shoulder and carried him out to the training yard, causing the soldiers who were practicing there to bow their heads and stop.

“I’ll be borrowing the space for just a bit. Fetch us some training weapons, will you?”

Obeying the order, the soldiers quickly stepped aside to make space for the two of them.

Setting down Amir, who was still bewildered by the sudden change of events, Zayed began preparing on the opposite side of the yard.

“If you don’t take this seriously, you’ll regret it!”

“...I’m sure I will.”

Amir knew well that while Zayed might be playful, he didn’t hold back when it came to training—he would even throw his seven-year-old cousin to the ground if necessary.

Making a resigned smile, Amir began to stretch. Just then, a soldier approached carrying a tray of training weapons. Finishing his stretches, Amir reached out to take one, but his hand suddenly stopped.

“Huh...?”

Looking down at the tray, he examined two daggers radiating an unnatural cold, like they were carved from ice. Their sharp blades sent a chill down his spine.

These daggers aren’t for sparring.

Realizing the daggers were far more dangerous than even the ones he typically crafted with his Frost Alchemy, Amir looked up at the soldier who had brought them in confusion.

“You must’ve brought the wrong weapons. Could you—”

“No.”

The soldier, whose sharp features reflected a calm determination, cut Amir off.

“These are the right ones. Take them, Amir.”

“...What?”

“Just take them.”

Hesitating at the soldier’s firm voice that left no room for argument but still compelled him, Amir slowly reached out and grasped the daggers.

Upon contact, a cold sensation surged from his palms, traveling up his arms and spreading through his entire body. It felt like he had been doused in ice water, bringing clarity and a flood of memories.

“...”

Staring down at the daggers in his hands, Amir turned his gaze toward the soldier. Now, the soldier, who was watching him intently, resembled Se-Hoon.

“This is your only chance. Remember that,” Se-Hoon said in a low voice before stepping back, the tray still in hand.

Amir watched Se-Hoon retreat. A beat later, he turned to face Zayed who stood on the other side of the training yard holding two simple, rugged daggers. His cousin appeared relaxed while waiting for Amir, but there was an edge to his stance that made the whole scene feel too real.

Breathing in deeply, Amir began walking forward, his footsteps echoing against the training ground.

Thud, thud.

He could feel the sensation of the dirt beneath his feet, the heat of the sun beating down on him, the eager gazes of the soldiers around them, and the gaze of the family head from the second floor.

There wasn’t a single thing that didn’t feel real.

Clench-

However, Amir tightened his grip around the cold daggers in his hands, rejecting everything before him, and stepped in front of Zayed.

“Huh? What’s this? You got yourself some new daggers?”

“...”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You’ll need every advantage you can get—”

“Zayed.”

Amir’s quiet voice sliced through Zayed’s playful banter, making Zayed shut his mouth. There was something different about Amir now—he was more mature, more serious.

Thrown off by the change, Zayed blinked repeatedly.

“This isn’t real.”

Amir’s voice was tinged with bitterness.

“We’re in a dream... one that you created.”