A Regressor's Bucket List Chapter 89

The role of an Attendant Priest could be summarized in the short phrase 'to attend the Hero'. But that single phrase didn't encompass the full weight of the role; it wasn't that the Attendant Priest's importance was minor or small. Especially for a Hero candidate from a Lower Plane, who lacked 'experience' and 'common knowledge' about the Upper Plane more than anything else. The role of the Attendant Priest was to fill those gaps, allowing the candidate to focus solely on 'completing requests' and 'growing'. Therefore, while it varied slightly from case to case, the Attendant Priest's role was most prominent during the 'Hero candidate' stage, when the Hero's knowledge and fundamentals were at their lowest. In fact, the best proof of this was a question she had asked her senior Attendant Priests back when she was still an apprentice. ‘When do you feel the most pride?’ The answer they gave to her innocent question was, ‘When the Hero candidate I'm attending becomes a Hero.’ The sense of accomplishment and relief they felt at that moment, they said, was so overwhelming it couldn't be put into words. …That was why. ‘…….’ That was why Eliya couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt. The image she had imagined of herself as an Attendant Priest when she asked that question simply did not exist. [Hero candidate, ‘Seo U-jin’s’ merit has reached the threshold.] [The conditions for ordination as an official Hero have been met.] When U-jin acquired his 1-Star qualification. She hadn't been involved in the 'acceptance of the request' or its 'completion', and she wasn't even on the scene. A sense of accomplishment? Relief? She didn't have a chance to feel any of that. When she simply read those sentences as if being notified, the honest emotion that settled in her heart was 'bewilderment'. It was true that U-jin had obtained his 1-Star qualification, but the extent to which she, his Attendant Priest, had been involved in the process was practically 'none' at all. But. Still. Up until that message appeared, it hadn't been so bad. She certainly didn't welcome him accepting and completing requests without her knowledge, but… ...come what may, she could at least feel a sense of pride in attending a Hero who was far superior to other candidates. The real problem started after that. When she arrived on the Shandong Peninsula, bewildered after confirming the message about his 1-Star qualification, U-jin already had handcuffs on his wrists. Before she could even grasp the full situation, U-jin was put on trial for the crime of 'Hero-Slaying'. Just like that, his Hero candidate status was immediately revoked, and before she could do anything, he was given a 'suspended death sentence'. The second-most severe punishment after the highest legal penalty, the 'death penalty'. “……” Of course, Eliya, unable to accept the verdict, had immediately filed for an appeal, but it was an undeniable fact that the situation was not optimistic. For one, the crime of Hero-Slaying fell under the category of a capital crime against the Commandments. And although she didn't say it in front of U-jin, Eliya also believed that the best outcome of the appeal would be a reduced sentence. ‘…….’ The entire process was different. Different from what she had imagined. Everything she was currently experiencing. …If there was one thing that was similar to the stories she'd heard from her seniors, it was the feeling of being 'so overwhelmed it couldn't be put into words', though the nature of it was completely different. Other than that, the only things Eliya could experience while attending U-jin were unexpected, unfamiliar events and the feeling of being flustered. The 'unpredictable developments' she had felt since their first meeting in the Gateway Zone had only continued to pile up without a single resolution as they went through Kunlun and the Shandong Peninsula to arrive back here. And even right now. She couldn't understand why Louis Burton, an Inquisitor, would tell U-jin his expected sentence, or why U-jin could accept it so matter-of-factly. …If what Eliya knew was correct. Louis Burton was not the type of person to utter such words lightly, which made it all the more confusing. That wasn't all. The very existence of this territory and the Guild House was part of those incomprehensible developments. She couldn't understand 'how' U-jin knew about the Order's defunct 'Guild' system, or 'why' he had asked for something like a Guild House. Of course. ‘…Just how on earth…’ …the fact that this person named J. J. had actually acquired it just because he was asked was even more incomprehensible. “…Amazing. To think you could make this with a lower-grade cut used for bacon…” “…Brother, are you truly a god?” “The taste is the same as ever. This meat was the problem back then, too…” The numerous doubts that had piled up thanks to U-jin ultimately converged on these three household members, who were exclaiming in admiration as they ate the meat U-jin had grilled. J. J., Shim Cheong, and Kim Sia. These three, whom U-jin had told to 'be well' when he was imprisoned, were getting along so naturally that Eliya felt as if she were the one intruding. …It went without saying that none of the three were ordinary. First, J. J. ‘…I’m pretty sure he’s the one who got the Guild House.’ It was an incident from 100 years ago; all Hero guilds, except for the seven major guilds of the continent, had been disbanded. The territories that had been bestowed upon them were known to have been returned to the Order upon dissolution or classified as undeveloped land. So, it was only natural that Eliya had no idea that a place like this... ...a 'third territory that belongs to the Order but not to the jurisdiction of a Constellation', still remained, transferred to a dormant status. Of course, simply being classified as a dormant territory and receiving official permission from the Order to be recognized as a 'Guild' were two different things, but… ...even so, this was clearly a remarkable feat. It was called a Guild House, but acquiring this Guild House meant acquiring all the vast surrounding land as well. And buying and selling an entire territory required a level of financial power that even a considerable tycoon couldn't easily muster. …To buy such a thing at the request of a travel companion he met on a train was beyond remarkable; it was practically a contradiction in terms. Adding to that, the fact that he commanded numerous Beastkin slaves only deepened his extraordinary aura. She didn't know for sure, but she suspected he might be a high-ranking official or a shadowy power broker of some great nation. …Next was Shim Cheong. This one was no pushover either. ‘…3-Star.’ Unlike J. J., who exuded an extraordinary aura, Shim Cheong's appearance was quite ordinary. To describe her based on Eliya's first impression: An oriental-style girl who seemed oblivious to the ways of the world. A girl whose innocent aura emanated not just from her appearance but also from her words and actions. If you were to open a map of the Murim Empire and point anywhere, she seemed like the kind of twenty-year-old girl you'd be likely to find there. …But based solely on the information Eliya had, she found this girl's identity more suspicious than that of J. J., who was presumed to possess immense wealth and information networks. ‘…Just what kind of innocent young girl has a 3-Star Trait at the tender age of twenty?’ A shocking sentence that had appeared in the summary of U-jin's request completion. [■Subordinate, Shim Cheong’s temporarily blooms.] That sentence was clear proof that this innocent-looking girl possessed the ability to, at least temporarily, manifest a 3-Star Trait. To put it crudely, 'it's a 3-Star'. 3-Star was not a level one could take lightly. As a simple example, the absolute upper limit a typical 1-Star Hero could conceive of was a 3-Star Hero. One might casually think that a Hero candidate becoming a 1-Star Hero required the same level of difficulty and effort as a 1-Star Hero becoming a 2-Star, but… ...the system of the Upper Plane was not so lenient. Going from 1-Star to 2-Star wasn't just about raising a single level, but a 'Promotion'. It was something only possible by achieving an absolute rise in one's given rank. Just like the joke that circulated among Heroes, 'one well-raised Silver is worth ten Bronzes'. If the difference in level was jokingly referred to as being tenfold… ...the fact that she could temporarily use a 3-Star level ability at the age of twenty was something that couldn't be described as simply 'amazing'; anyone would nod in agreement. Even now, if you offered a 3-Star Trait, there would be Heroes all over the Upper Plane willing to offer up their livers and gallbladders and come running like dogs. ‘…Heavenly Demon.’ At least with this one, she had a guess. She knew well about the 'Heavenly Demon' of the Demonic Cult, who was said to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Emperor of the Murim Empire. She had a thought in her mind that it might be related to that. However… she couldn't figure out what connection she had with the already-fallen Demonic Cult. And since she couldn't guess what the word 'Subordinate' at the beginning of the summary meant… ...her suspicion remained undiminished. ‘…….’ And finally, Kim Sia. At least with this one, some time had passed, and she had exchanged a few words with her. And since she was a 'Hero candidate' like U-jin, there were some parts she could understand. But it was an undeniable fact that she too had aspects that were incomprehensible. She must have an assigned Attendant Priest and duties to perform, yet she had been following U-jin around ever since leaving the Gateway Zone. Of course, it could be out of gratitude to U-jin for getting her away from (?) the 'Demonic Species' during the incident in the Gateway Zone, but… ...if what Eliya was sensing wasn't wrong… ...there were times when she caught a glimpse of something like a 'hierarchical relationship', as if she were being blackmailed. …Of course, she wouldn't know the exact circumstances unless U-jin told her. Shake shake— ‘…First, let me eat some of this. I have to find out this time.’ Shaking her head with a sigh, Eliya cast off the thoughts that filled her mind and focused on what was in front of her. The only thing she knew for sure at this moment was… ...that the barbecue U-jin personally grilled was exceptionally delicious. Her chopsticks reached for the plate, which had been refilled with the now-empty meat. Picking up a piece, Eliya brought it to her mouth. Chomp— U-jin's meat did not disappoint. The smoky charcoal flavor deeply infused in the pork, the savory taste and slight bitterness from being seared in sizzling fat. And the aroma of the grilled garlic that she had unintentionally picked up with it created a divinely blissful combination. Chew— One bite of impulse. Chew— One bite of curiosity. Chew— One bite of suspicion. Chew— And finally, one bite of conviction. After those four chews, Eliya found herself swallowing without realizing it. “…Wow.” An exclamation rising from the depths of her chest couldn't help but escape her lips. …Because, without a single lie, it was the 'most' delicious thing she had ever eaten in her life. In that moment, her heart swelled with a sudden richness, and Eliya's hidden 'altruism' kicked into gear. “Don’t just eat the meat, try it with this too!” “……” “It’s my first time eating it like this too, but it’s surprisingly delicious.” She began to preach 'the benefits and effects of grilled garlic' to Jerry, who was conspicuously picking out only the meat next to her. It was a bit of a stretch to say they had become friends, but they had at least gotten acquainted while she occasionally helped with the Guild House's upkeep during U-jin's imprisonment. Her altruism, stemming from a truly pure heart, led to her spreading the gospel of grilled garlic to Jerry. “I thought garlic’s main features were its strong aroma and sharp taste. But when you grill it, those things surprisingly disappear, and along with a sweet taste…” “…I'll pass.” Once. “Just close your eyes and try it once. I’m telling you, I used to hate garlic too!” “…I believe I have politely expressed my refusal.” Twice. “I know. So just try one bite, and if you don’t like it—.” And a third time. At Eliya's persistent recommendation despite his clear refusal, Jerry turned his head to U-jin, pleading for help. “He says he doesn’t want it, so that’s enough, Eliya.” “……” “Food torture is still a form of torture.” U-jin did not ignore Jerry's gaze. “What? This is food torture? Even if he’s a picky eater, he can at least try one piece of garlic. How can you call this torture…” Shrug— “He may be a half-blood, but that guy is a direct descendant. A fake like me is fine, but for a pure-born vampire, just looking at garlic up close is probably enough to make him gag.” At U-jin's answer, Eliya covered her mouth with an 'Ah!', then bowed her head repeatedly toward Jerry. “I really didn’t know you were a direct blood descendant of a vampire…” “……” “I was so rude without even knowing…” And just as she was about to bow for the third time. “…Eh?” Noticing something strange, Eliya let out a dumbfounded sound. “…Eeeek!!!” An ensuing scream followed as she fell backward out of her seat.