Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 73. Special Arena – Nature’s Decline (4)

TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader

Shimun looked at Dranis, bound in ashen chains.

‘It seems even the Galaxy Arena is having quite the headache.’

Considering what Dranis said at her first appearance. It was unlikely that she had joined the arena through the official route, as suggested by the constellations.

Moreover, wasn’t it that four high-ranking constellations had staked their claims on him?

From the perspective of the Galaxy Arena, this was not an issue to be taken lightly. Yet, one thing puzzled him.

‘Why did the Galaxy Arena refer to Dranis as a hidden boss?’

Why didn’t they introduce Dranis as a player from the beginning?

Before long.

‘I see.’

Shimun’s eyes deepened.

‘There must be a dragonkin in the council side of the Galaxy Arena.’

He had encountered the Arena Council through messages a few times before. The thought that the reach of the dragonkin extended even there was strong. Eventually.

[The council has concluded its discussion. Agreeing with the wishes of the constellations, player General Dranis is to be expelled from the arena.]

A decision was reached by the Galaxy Arena. Despite having connections. It seemed they couldn’t ignore the claims of the four superior constellations.

[Oh, no! I will release my manifestation! I won’t fight anymore!]

Dranis’s form began to blur.

[Just let me have a conversation with that person! I need to know something!]

Desperately, Dranis shouted as signs of reverse summoning appeared.

‘Right. We can’t just let Dranis go like this.’

Shimun agreed with Dranis’s intention. The Naga princess Ashaz he met during his debut match in the gold rank.

Hadn’t she said something?

-Do not leave a single dragonkin alive who has witnessed your eyes.

The identity of the eyes. Ashaz wished for the dragonkin not to know whether the eyes existed. More precisely, she hoped it would not reach the ears of the dragon emperors. Furthermore.

‘I can’t tolerate foul play.’

Apart from his own powerlessness. He had no intention of letting go of the fact that they introduced him as a hidden boss, allowing an intrusion into the arena. Therefore.

‘Dranis must die here.’

But how?

Truthfully, Dranis wasn’t that strong for an evolved dragonkin. If he set his mind to it, dealing with him would be quick. However, in the current situation where the constellations unanimously protested for his sake.

If he were to easily kill Dranis with his own power?

‘It might give the Galaxy Arena side something to talk about in a similar situation later.’

That’s how precedents work. Especially if there’s a dragonkin informant in the council, it would almost certainly happen. Hence, he must handle it in a way that gives them no grounds at all.

Then.

‘I can use someone else’s hand.’

Glancing at the sky, Shimun.

Click.

Deactivated his dragon form. He also deactivated all enhancements related to the issue and body tempering. Immediately.

“Ugh!”

Shimun, clutching his forehead, swayed.

[Hmm? What’s this all of a sudden?]

Not only Dranis, who was restrained.

[Constellation holders Zeus and Chi Ma tilt their heads in confusion.]

[Constellation holders Black Goat and Odin look at you with questioning eyes.]

The protesting constellations all expressed their curiosity at once. Ignoring them, Shimun even relaxed the strength in his legs and collapsed, then briefly looked down at his chest.

“Cough!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood. Soon, collapsing to the floor, Kim Shimun struggled to mutter, “Black Goat… the wound from earlier…”

A brief silence. Then.

[The constellation of the Black Goat roars, ‘You worthless bastards! Because of your incompetence, my child is!’]

Her eyes reddening with fury. An immediate uproar followed. What Kim Shimun hadn’t anticipated was.

[Galaxy Arena regulations prohibit direct execution of a player by…]

[The Black Goat seethes, ‘Are you kidding me? Kill that damn lizard wench now! Otherwise, you’ll face the wrath of the Matron of the Void herself! Do you understand?!’] It thunders in rage.

[The Black Goat’s fury shakes the realm beyond.]

[The Constellations of the Void turn their gaze towards the Matron’s anger.]

Even though it was only conveyed through messages. It felt like things were escalating significantly. It wasn’t an illusion.

[Dear member, Galaxy Arena always prioritizes fairness…]

For the first time in both his past and current lives, Galaxy Arena sent a message in a softer tone.

[The Black Goat rises from its constellation, ‘Fair? A Platinum from a higher rank invades a Special Gold Arena, and you call that fair? Who do you take me for?!’]

[Observing the situation, the Void Constellations gather.]

[The gathered Constellations of the Void emit murderous intent.]

Before the enraged Black Goat, it seemed futile.

[We will discuss this matter. Please, we ask for your generous patience.]

Eventually, Galaxy Arena bowed down to discuss.

Soon after, [Galaxy Arena empathizes with your concern and deeply regrets, however, please understand that we are unable to directly intervene due to regulations.]

Galaxy Arena offered their resolution, and

Kim Shimun, from the part about ‘unable to directly intervene,’

‘Nice.’

He instinctively knew his plan had worked.

Thus, [The Black Goat declares, ‘Since you’ve admitted your fault, bear all consequences of this matter!’]

It issued a warning. With the last roar of the Black Goat, the world darkened with a rumble.

* * *

In a universe without a single star. In such pitch-black space.

[The other side…! Why all of a sudden the other side!]

Dranis’s voice trembled immensely. Her once proud demeanor was nowhere to be found.

[This, this is a violation of the rules! Galaxy Arena! Are you listening?]

She was nothing but a shivering mass, overtaken by fear.

[You filthy serpent. Dare to tamper with my child with your vile deceit?]

A voice capable of searing the soul itself. It flowed throughout the entire dark world where not even an inch ahead was visible.

Though no form could be seen, Kim Shimun instinctively knew the voice belonged to the Black Goat. Interestingly, ‘Why does it feel comforting?’

To Kim Shimun, it felt as cozy as a mother’s embrace might feel. But it seemed, that comfort was exclusive to Kim Shimun.

[Nidhogg! The dragon lords will not stand idly by if a Constellation targets a player like this…]

[Shut your mouth.]

Crunch.

Dranis’s limbs twisted in horrible shapes as they were consumed by the black dimension.

What was astonishing was, Despite Dranis being twisted and shedding bloody tears, no sound could be heard.

[How dare you discuss those damn lizards before me? You will suffer slowly, over eons, soon enough. And…]

The previously icy tone of the Black Goat suddenly warmed.

[You’ve done very well, my child. Sly as can be, just like me.]

A sensation hard to describe, both soft and cushiony, enveloped Kim Shimun’s entire body. Enough to nearly lull him to sleep. However, Shimun, who had been stoically enduring, couldn’t help but ask.

It was a question that needed to be asked, given the circumstances. The Black Goat’s manner of speaking was unmistakable.

“You knew?”

It was evident from the way she looked that she knew Shimun was only pretending to be in pain.

[Haha, of course, I’m not a fool.]

“Then the other constellations must have noticed as well.”

[Well, being higher-ranking constellations, they would’ve already realized that the Philosopher’s Stone was producing counterfeit blood a long time ago.]

“So, the Galaxy Arena backed off because they didn’t know?”

[Yes. That place is mostly filled with dimwits, after all.]

Could it be that only high-ranking constellations such as themselves were capable of noticing? Shimun let out a sigh of relief amidst overwhelming drowsiness at the Black Goat’s assertive statement.

‘Next time, I might have to go as far as injuring the inside of my mouth.’

He thought, making a more meticulous vow.

[Child, choosing to mention me rather than the others was a very wise move.]

A sweet voice accompanied by a gentle touch caressed Shimun’s head.

[Unlike me, those guys have a lot to be cautious about. Idiots. Sitting on a throne yet living so complicatedly. They should just exercise their power.]

The Black Goat openly scorned the top three constellations with his cynical remarks. This made Shimun crack a slightly awkward smile, understanding why the other constellations couldn’t be as straightforward as the Black Goat.

‘Well, that’s why I mentioned the Black Goat after all.’

From what he had seen so far, wasn’t it clear what kind of personality the constellation of the Black Goat had? In some ways, it was reassuring. To have such strong and fearless support from a constellation was comforting.

[Child, you’re going to revive the World Tree, right?]

“Yes. I plan to save the High Elves as well.”

[Haha, I had my suspicions when you didn’t immediately deal with the High Elf. Unbeknownst to you, you’re quite remarkable.]

Continuously, the mysterious gentle touch stroked Shimun’s head, causing him to nod off like a child resisting sleep.

[And with the Dwarf matter as well, this would deal a significant blow to the Black Forge. Nidhogg would be quite upset.]

Between the overwhelming drowsiness, the excited voice of the Black Goat could be heard.

[It’s quite ironic. None of us managed to deal such a blow to them, yet a human…]

The voice became muffled, as if underwater.

[Therefore, I’ve prepared a little gift for you.]

With those fading words from the Black Goat, Shimun’s consciousness broke off.

* * *

“Ugh…”

With a trembling brow and a soft moan, Shimun woke up.

“You’re awake.”

He was greeted by a dazzling sight of platinum blonde hair, flawless skin, and eyes that seemed to melt nature into their green depth. A beauty so stunning, it took his breath away.

“Ah!”

However, the reason for Shimun’s shock wasn’t the beauty’s appearance. It was the soft sensation on his head and nape, realizing that what he was feeling was the legs of the woman looking down at him.

“Wh-what on earth!”

Jumping up, Shimun looked around with a confused expression.

“Don’t be too alarmed. You were unconscious, so I took care of you.”

The woman spoke softly, trying to calm him down.

“H-High Elf?”

“Yes.”

The High Elf, Ernen, nodded, her vibrant eyes and voice full of life, and a subtle scent of flowers enveloping her. The dragon-like green scales that once covered her body were nowhere to be seen.

“Revealing herself as Ernen, a companion of the World Tree, Dragon Force.”

The transformation was undeniable proof of her true identity as a High Elf. Reactivating his special ability, Shimun inspected the High Elf’s condition.

“The Dragon Force that was consuming me has completely vanished. Hehe, it is all thanks to the benefactor. The benefactor removed the source of corruption… Cough!”

Ernen, who had been speaking gently, suddenly coughed up blood.

“Oh no!”

At that, Shimun quickly approached to try and alchemize the Staff of Asclepius. However, Shimun’s hand, which was about to perform the alchemy, lowered.

‘It’s not because of an injury.’

Even during the battle with the corrupted Ernen, he had refrained as much as possible from inflicting injurious blows. Therefore, the reason the High Elf was coughing up blood now was because of

“The absence of the World Tree’s spirit.”

“Yes, that’s right. The corruption spread by the Five Dragon Emperors… Cough! My body has also become frail.”

Ernen answered with difficulty. At that, Shimun flicked his finger to the side.

Thud.

The dry ground reshaped, bringing something that had fallen onto it. The fragment of the World Tree lost when summoned into the domain of the Black Goat.

It was the Fragment of the World Tree’s seed.

“Though it’s just a fragment, it could be of help, why didn’t you use it earlier?”

Ernen hesitated for a moment. Seeing the fragment of the seed in Shimun’s hand, she smiled wryly and laughed.

“It belongs to the benefactor. How could I possibly use it recklessly.”

“…”

Shimun fell silent for a moment. It was an answer he hadn’t expected at all.

‘Were elves always such a scrupulous race?’

Whether it was a characteristic of their race or not, Elves, who claimed their souls would be tainted and thus never lied, seemed to belong to a different realm regarding honesty and integrity.

The elves he had encountered in his past life all wore such thick-skinned faces. And yet, she left it untouched because it wasn’t hers?

‘And it’s a fragment of the World Tree’s seed, of all things?’

Especially in a situation directly linked to her survival.

‘Is it just the High Elves, or did the elves from my past life change for some specific reason?’

Well, whichever it was, ‘I like it.’

Shimun, seeing the scrupulous side of elves for the first time, smiled lightly and offered the fragment of the World Tree seed.

“Please use it.”

“… Are you serious?”

“Of course. That’s why I alchemized it.”

Shimun forcibly placed the fragment of the World Tree seed into Ernen’s hesitating hand.

“Please survive. It would be great if you could revive the World Tree, and also rebuild your strength.”

That would clear the special arena. And it would also bring harm to the dragons.

“…”

Holding the fragment of the World Tree seed cautiously, the High Elf stared blankly at Shimun. Having met elves before, Shimun knew that her gaze was her way of discerning truth from lies and quietly met her eyes.

After a moment, “You’re sincere.”

Her face a mix of surprise and smile, she offered back the seed.

“I am truly grateful for your kindness, but I cannot use this.”

Ernen’s answer darkened Shimun’s face.

“Why not? If it’s because it’s just a fragment, I can keep shaping more in the future…”

“No, benefactor, it’s not that.”

Ernen gently shook her head and wrapped her hand around Shimun’s.

“There can only be one companion to the World Tree. Even if it has perished, I, who once was a companion to the World Tree, cannot accept another.”

“That’s troubling!”

Did even the Philosopher’s Stone not know this?

As Shimun repeatedly sighed in disappointment, “However.”

Ernen carefully pushed Shimun’s hand holding the seed towards his chest. The target was the very center of Shimun’s chest.

“A mediator’s role is possible.”

“A mediator…? Wait. Does that mean—!”

The High Elf smiled lightly and nodded.

“Yes. If the benefactor becomes the World Tree’s companion, everything will be resolved.”