The Regressor Can Make Them All

Chapter 288

With the opening ceremony complete, classes resumed across all departments the next day.

And a new semester meant students also began choosing new minor courses for the semester. Typically, students who picked their minor courses somewhat cluelessly in the first semester were the ones who made the most switches, while the other first-years rarely changed.

However, there was a different buzz in the air.

“What minor are you going to take this time? Are you going to stick with the same one?”

“Nope. I’m planning to check out Gehenna. I heard they’ve got all sorts of wild classes there.”

Gehenna, the Special District that had been revealed yesterday, had introduced hundreds of new minor courses. Reanimated heroes from the past—some famous, others unknown despite their skills—were now teaching those under Wurgen’s orders, returning as undead instructors.

“Hey, did you hear? They’ve brought back some forgotten techniques in Gehenna.”

“Yeah, I know. My professor actually rushed over there to check it out himself.”

Due to such a huge variety of courses being introduced, not only students, but even professors visited Gehenna. Due to that, rumors quickly spread, drawing interest in attending from even those outside.

Gehenna’s influence was global, beyond just Babel. But still, not everyone viewed the explosive start to a new semester positively.

“...Eight students dropped my class?”

“Yes. It seems one of the most popular professors in this field reappeared in Gehenna as a lich, and everyone flocked over to his course...”

“What nonsense is this?!”

Naturally, the influx of new courses in Gehenna caused a steep drop in the enrollment of existing classes, leaving professors disgruntled as they faced losses of both students and budgets.

Of course, they acknowledged that the students’ choices were to be prioritized; it was just that having things change so suddenly felt excessive to many. And a few of them even went to respective deans to complain, unable to contain their frustration, but the words they got were far from sympathetic.

“Well, they wouldn’t have left if you’d taught them well, would they?”

“Maybe you should consider leaving Babel then...”

“Noted. I’ll make a note of this in your next semester’s budget review.”

Babel wasn’t a place where just students faced competition—professors did as well. Complaining about their lack of students only advertised their shortcomings, which those who had gone to the dean belatedly realized.

If things stay like this, even my position as professor could be at risk...!

No matter what it takes, I need to hold my ground!

Babel’s still growing reputation meant more heroes would likely start applying for professorships, which also meant failing to maintain results could lead to existing professors being completely ousted. With even the professors being stirred into action, Babel became even more energetic than before.

“This is a mess...”

On his way to the Department of Blacksmithing, Se-Hoon observed the situation unfold in fascination. He’d expected that the Special Districts would bring some changes to Babel, but not such a stir on the very first day.

Classes taught by once-deceased heroes, huh...

Just the training facility introduced during the opening ceremony, Valhalla, had struck him as a bold move. He hadn’t imagined the possibility of Wurgen going as far as offering full classes.

But now he wondered if there would be any backlash from those outside, though it was only for a moment, having realized there wouldn’t be a problem.

After all, each of those heroes should have already signed a contract.

Unlike regular demons or monsters, who had been killed and forcibly bound to servitude, the undead heroes should have all willingly pledged their service to Wurgen, both in life and after death.

They even receive proper compensation for their work.

Although Wurgen was known for his shady dealings as a corrupt businessman, he had firm principles when it came to the dead. In some ways, that might even be why the ominous art of necromancy had become so accepted by humanity.

Gehenna, huh...

Lost in thought, Se-Hoon remained in that state until he reached Helena’s lab.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Hearing Helena’s voice from within, Se-Hoon opened the door to see Helena, busy with paperwork, tossing a folder onto the table with a light thud.

“I’m almost done. Go ahead and take a seat on the sofa.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Taking a seat, Se-Hoon opened the folder she’d tossed him, flipping through the contents. It contained the details of a new project that was set to begin, listing Helena, the head professor of the Department of Blacksmithing, and Se-Hoon himself as those at the helm.

Ordinarily, a mere student taking on a project of the scale of the one in his hands would have caused a stir within the department, but now, not a single complaint was expected.

My class attendance will all be optional, and the grades will be based on project outcomes... straightforward enough.

Satisfied, Se-Hoon nodded. It was an arrangement that would free him from attending regular classes during the semester. Truthfully, he didn’t particularly mind being caught up in formalities, but he appreciated the opportunity to keep things simple at Babel.

Besides, it makes this project more of an official affair.

Smiling, Se-Hoon was reviewing the project he’d planned with Ludwig when Helena stood up, having finished her paperwork.

“Want a drink?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Great. That saves me the trouble of preparing one.”

Speaking with her usual bluntness, Helena sat across from Se-Hoon and looked directly at him.

“Did you read through it all?”

“Yes. I think we can proceed as outlined.”

Receiving the folder back from him, Helena gave Se-Hoon a subtle look.

“...Are you really planning to go through with this?”

“For now, yes. Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s not that...”

With a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, Helena glanced down at the folder. For now, only Ludwig, Eun-Ha, and herself were aware of the project. The details weren’t particularly complex, but the involvement of the Sacred Craftsman made it far from simple.

I just can’t predict how this one’s going to play out...

Helena was well aware of Se-Hoon’s skills and talents, but the opponent was the Sacred Craftsman, a legend among blacksmiths with countless accomplishments and a legacy that was still growing. She couldn’t help but be doubtful of a mere first-year being a match for such a figure.

Well, since the Chairman already approved, maybe there’s a chance after all.

Her role as his advisor, Helena remembered, was to fully support Se-Hoon so he could maximize his abilities and potential. Any other considerations were deemed to be unnecessary by her.

Having settled her thoughts, she looked at Se-Hoon once again.

“You must have something in mind if you’re pushing this confidently. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll get going...”

Seeing Se-Hoon just about to rise from his seat, Helena spoke up after briefly hesitating. “...Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Just one question before you go.”

“Of course.”

“Any updates on the Barmuth family case?”

The Barmuth family had killed Helena’s son in the past—aiding her in her revenge against them was the condition she had set when she accepted her role as Se-Hoon’s advisor.

“If it’s about the Barmuths... just a moment.”

Excusing himself, Se-Hoon dialed Amir’s number.

—What can I do for you, brother?

Pleased that Amir had promptly responded before the phone barely rang twice, Se-Hoon got to the point, requesting, “I need the Barmuth files. Could you send what you’ve organized so far?”

—When do you need them?

“In one minute.”

—...Excuse me?

Ignoring Amir’s confusion, Se-Hoon just started counting slowly.

“One... two...”

—What? All of a sudden like this...?

“Three... four...”

—Ah...!

When Amir hung up immediately after, Se-Hoon began watching his phone, continuing to count silently. Then, when about forty seconds passed—Vrrr—a series of messages arrived.

Amir: Just semt it

Amir: sent

Smirking, Se-Hoon typing a quick response of “Thanks ^^” before opening the files Amir sent.

They were completely encrypted so that no one could read them without the right decryption method. It was complex, but having learned from the Frost Dog in his previous life, Se-Hoon could scan through the files with ease.

“It seems they were involved with the black market at some point. When investigated, though, they had already covered their tracks, leaving little to find. However, some signs of illegal dealings were uncovered later, which are still under investigation.”

“Hmm. I guess that’s not enough to strike the root, then.”

“My apologies...”

“Don’t worry about it. If it had been an easy task, I wouldn’t still be sitting around, would I?”

Stopping Se-Hoon from apologizing, Helena continued calmly. “The fact that you’ve been keeping an eye on them is enough. I won’t ask for more.”

“Thank you.”

Then, giving him a dismissive wave, she gestured for him to leave.

And when he stepped outside and glanced back at the closed door, Se-Hoon thought to himself, Did she say that her son was murdered...

Despite how Helena had taken him under her wing to assist in her vengeance against the Barmuth family, she seemed like she wasn't overly fixated on the matter given how rarely she brought it up, but Se-Hoon saw it differently.

She probably just wants to be thorough with it, regardless of how long it takes.

Recalling how he had also once prepared his revenge with a similar mindset before the regression, he understood the patience required.

The Barmuths... I'll have to deal with them soon, too.

He could actually dismantle them now if he wanted, but that would mean dipping into illegitimate methods. And if humanity were still in a war against the Demon Force, he might have done just that, but since they weren’t, it was better to stay within the bounds of society.

I'll get back to it when I have more time.

For now, the project with Ludwig was his top priority.

Heading out of the building, ready to head to his next destination, Se-Hoon suddenly got a new message on his phone.

Luize: Hey, is this for real?

Seeing a link to a recent news article attached to the message, Se-Hoon clicked on it and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Announcing it to the public the second it’s signed... he’s really eager, isn’t he?

With the bait dropped by Ludwig for the whole world to see, everything now depended on how the Sacred Craftsman would react. Judging from Helena’s earlier reaction, she seemed a bit skeptical, but Se-Hoon, having met the old man himself in his previous life, was confident.

He definitely will take the bait.

Se-Hoon was certain there was no way that stubborn old man would back down from such a direct challenge.

***

Mount Huangshan, located in Anhui Province, China, was once known as one of China’s top scenic spots, attracting visitors from all over the world. However, the mountain now stood abandoned with not a single tourist roaming the once-renowned peak, as though humans had forgotten the mountain entirely.

Except for one spot.

Clang! Clang!

Near the summit, tucked into a cliff, a workshop carved from the rock emitted constant smoke from its vents, which was accompanied by the sound of pounding metal reverberating from within.

The isolated workshop was the only sign of life on the desolate mountain, and from its entrance, a small girl around five years old came trudging out.

“Hmm...”

Holding her cellphone high above her head, trying to catch a signal, she wandered around the entrance, waiting for one. Then, when her phone finally connected, the girl’s eyes sparkled, and she eagerly started tapping at the screen.

“Ooh...”

Though the child knew how to use the phone, having never played games or watched videos, she just searched for words she knew and read whatever came up instead.

As usual, she was getting absorbed in her random searches, but just then, a strange line of text caught her eye.

“Hm?”

Curious, she stared at it for a moment before hurrying back to the workshop.

Fwoosh!

Entering, she was immediately met with the intense heat from within, sweltering enough to make most heroes uncomfortable, but the girl didn’t blink an eye and just continued running straight ahead.

Clang! Clang!

The further in she went, the louder the metal pounding became until it was almost deafening. Pausing, the little girl stuck a small black puff into each of her ears, and then resumed hurrying undeterred until she finally reached a large forge set deep within the mountain.

“What is it?”

Sensing the little girl, the old man who’d been hammering metal, turned to look at her.

With his white hair, brows, and long beard, the elderly man looked almost like a sage. However, his blood-red robe and towering height of over 190 centimeters gave him an imposing, somewhat sinister aura. Just his atmosphere alone would make people think twice before approaching him, but the girl was unfazed.

“I found something strange on the news,” she said.

“Something strange?”

“Here.”

The girl held up her phone to her grandfather, who looked at it with a puzzled expression. What could she have found that she’d run over to show him during his break? Curiosity piqued, he glanced at the screen.

“Babel plans to host a student tournament in the Gehenna Special District in three weeks. Prize: ‘The Most Perfect Weapon forged from Iron.’”

“Lee Se-Hoon: The Sacred Craftsman’s techniques are now outdated. My techniques will become the new standard in the field of blacksmithing.”

“...”

The old man, Sacred Craftsman Li Kenxie, looked at the headline with disbelief.

Is that guy... insane?

He’d heard that Se-Hoon was getting quite popular, but to think someone he’d never even met would dare challenge him so boldly. For a moment, something hot surged in his chest, but Li Kenxie quickly regained his composure and coolly continued reading.

If it’s Babel... this is definitely Ludwig’s doing.

He’d cut off contact after making it clear he had no interest in such research, and now they were taunting him in this petty way. His first impulse was to ignore it—because what they wanted him to do was to respond.

However, just as he was about to turn away, his young granddaughter, Li Fei, tugged at his robe.

“Grandpa?”

“What is it?”

“Are you... outdated?”

She repeated the words from the article without understanding their meaning, an innocent curiosity in her eyes.

But at her pure, guileless question, Li Kenxie’s eyebrow twitched.

“...Pack your things.”

The giant, who had secluded himself in Mount Huangshan for years, decided to rise to crush the arrogant upstart who didn’t know his place.