A Regressor's Bucket List Chapter 99

‘…He's Hero-class.’

Gilbert, a third-year Convict, had been secretly watching the newcomer from behind a tree.

He was utterly astonished by the incredible event unfolding before his eyes.

It wasn't that rare for a new Convict to enter the Underground Prison, and there had been occasional times when a new one arrived while he was on watch.

But this was the first time a Hero-class person had arrived.

Gulp-

Of course, unless the man was wearing a Hero's medal, judging by appearance alone was a rash move.

The people imprisoned in this Darkest Dungeon were all big shots in the outside world at one point, and just because someone could handle mana didn't mean they were classified as Hero-class.

Nevertheless, Gilbert was inwardly convinced that U-jin was Hero-class.

The reason was simple.

There were a few others in his Camp who could handle mana, but not a single one of them could have dealt with a Monster Tree so calmly, without a hint of nervousness, right after arriving.

‘…What should I do?’

Having spent three years in this bizarre forest, he could have handled an ordinary Convict with ease.

But perhaps because he was now certain the man was Hero-class.

Gilbert found that the words wouldn't leave his mouth.

- Kkwae… Kkwaaae…

But he didn't have much time.

The Monster Tree's distinctive cry was fading, and it had begun gushing blood.

If he just stood by, the tree would die and the man might just wander off somewhere.

If that happened and some problem arose because of that man, or if the man went to another Camp, the responsibility for neglecting his watch duty would fall on him.

…And that was something he had to avoid at all costs.

Squeeze-

Clenching a fist to calm his anxious heart, Gilbert finally made up his mind and stood up.

Then, he walked toward the man in the distance, feigning a relaxed voice.

Ahem, ahem-

“H-Hey, newbie-.”

Not bad.

It didn't sound too nervous, a natural condescension that showed off his two years of seniority.

‘…Nice.’

He had stuttered a bit at the beginning, and it bothered him that the man's lips had curled up into a slight smirk at the same time.

But well, that could just be a smile of relief at having met another person.

Swallowing his nervousness, Gilbert continued walking until he reached the man.

Then, putting on a brazen face, he said.

“Hmm… First off, you passed the experimental test.”

“……”

“You’re pretty competent for a newbie.”

Of course, there was no such thing as an experimental test.

Gilbert hadn't even known there was a Monster Tree there.

However, he judged that in order not to be overwhelmed by the difference in ability of a Hero-class individual, he needed to seize the upper hand socially first, so he used his wits.

‘…I’m a genius.’

Admiring his own quick thinking, Gilbert let a faint smile grace his lips and leaned his face close to the dead Monster Tree as he continued.

“But letting it scream was a mistake.”

“……”

“There isn't just one or two of these monsters in this Underground Prison, and not all of them are immobile like this one. A few are probably already on their way, having heard the noise.”

“……”

“There's no safety net here to protect you like there is on the outside, so the first thing you must avoid is getting cornered.”

After muttering nonchalantly, Gilbert pulled a dagger from his belt and plunged the blade into the center of the bleeding tree trunk.

“So you have to subdue it in one go like this-.”

Kkwae-

“…Ugh-aaack!!!”

…The problem was that the tree wasn't quite dead yet, and it opened its maw again and snapped.

Of course, he had pulled back quickly, and it didn't have much strength left, so all it could do was clack its maw on the spot.

But Gilbert shrieked and fell over ungracefully at the unexpected situation.

Pfft-

Watching him, U-jin wore the same smile as before.

“L-Look at this. You couldn't even finish it off properly. Y-You still have a long way to go.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Even just now, if I hadn't stabbed it right between the eyes like this, like this, you might have been, no, you ‘would’ have been attacked the moment you turned your back.”

Shrug-

“It didn’t seem like it could move, though.”

“Anyway!!!”

Brush, brush-

Quickly getting up and brushing off his clothes, Gilbert tried his best to act unfazed, rambling excuses as he turned away.

“A guy like you will be dead in a day here. I’ll be kind enough to speak to the Camp I’m staying at, so follow me!”

And with that, he began walking quickly toward somewhere.

“……”

Still smiling, U-jin watched him for a moment before shaking his head once and following behind.

* * *

Trudge, trudge-

On the way back to the Camp, Gilbert constantly warned U-jin.

“And just in case you’re wondering… don't even dream of doing anything rash.”

“……”

“I don't know how much this will sink in for a greenhorn like you, but I've already survived for three years in this hellhole.”

“……”

“And in the Camp we're heading to, there are people who have survived much longer than me and lead the Camp. Forget five years, there are even people who have been here for nearly ten.”

The reason he was rattling on like this was simple.

It was to distract U-jin so he couldn't get any funny ideas, and to deliberately create tension.

“I don't know how great you were on the outside, but if you want to survive here where the rules are different, you'd be wise to quietly follow their words.”

Of course, contrary to his intentions, all U-jin did was nod and listen, but Gilbert felt he himself would get anxious if he just walked in silence, so he kept chattering nonstop as he led U-jin.

After walking for some time.

Trudge, trudge-

Trudge- trudge-

Gilbert's pace, which hadn't slowed even while he was talking up a storm, began to decrease.

Thud-

He finally stopped and pointed ahead.

“Well… we're here.”

In the direction he pointed, a makeshift living area had been formed, one that was a bit too shabby to be called a village.

Log cabins built haphazardly between shabby trees.

A flimsy thornbush fence encircled the area to ward off nearby enemies, smeared with a dark, unidentifiable liquid.

It was a miserable sight devoid of any sanitation, but Gilbert nodded his head as if proud.

“You might not be impressed now, but you'll soon realize. Just how hard it is to build a place like this in this godforsaken forest.”

Clank. Squeak-

Gilbert undid the flimsy lock and pushed the gate open.

Kreeeak-

The fence gate swung open with a groan.

“……”

Beyond the open gate, people with dark circles under their eyes stopped what they were doing and looked this way.

Everyone looked so haggard that anyone would have flinched in shock at the desolate scene, but a smile remained on U-jin's lips.

“It's a Special Newcomer!!!”

Gilbert shouted loudly at the men, who were staring with quizzical eyes.

After tilting their heads for a moment as if they had misheard, they let out surprised sounds of 'Huh?' and began to mutter in a flurry.

- A Special Newcomer?

- If it's a Special Newcomer…

- Wait a minute, this…

Then, a moment of silence fell.

“Waaaaah!!!”

A thunderous cheer erupted.

Whatever was so joyous about a Special Newcomer, they hugged each other in delight, their eyes having changed in an instant.

Seeing their reaction, Gilbert wiped his nose with a *sniff* and said to U-jin.

“…Are you surprised?”

“……”

“As you can see, you have to give up quite a lot to live here, but it's not a place where we live having thrown away our humanity.”

“……”

“That is, as long as you follow the Camp's rules properly.”

With those words, Gilbert took a step forward and added.

“Follow me.”

“……”

“You’ll meet the Village Chief, and there will be a small welcoming ceremony.”

The cheers and whistles of the people continued as they cut through the crowd, and a fervor and interest reminiscent of a red carpet was showered upon U-jin.

It was a reaction so different from when the gate first opened that it felt jarringly contradictory.

At the end of the path they walked, an old man extended his hand and welcomed U-jin.

“Welcome to the Camp. I'm the one in charge of this Camp, humble as it is, the Village Chief.”

White hair and a staff in one hand.

He was a man whose appearance matched the title of 'Village Chief' perfectly, without a hint of suspicion.

Ssk-

Instead of answering, U-jin extended a hand and grasped the old man's, shaking it lightly.

Waaaaah-

The crowd's cheers amplified once more.

The Village Chief gave U-jin a good-natured smile and asked.

“Seeing as you came with Gilbert, can I take it that you've decided to join our Camp?”

U-jin nodded at the Village Chief's question.

Nodding back, the Village Chief then raised his left hand for all to see.

“There are a total of three rules you must follow in our Camp.”

“……”

Then, he explained the rules, unfolding his fingers one by one.

“First. Do not cause disputes among Camp members.”

Flick-

“Second, carry out your assigned duties.”

Flick-

“Third, do not disturb the implicit order based on years of residence.”

Having explained the three rules, the Village Chief asked U-jin.

“Can you promise to abide by these three things? Unfortunately, life here is not so easy, so for you to become a member of our Camp, there are things we must uphold for each other.”

“……”

“I don't think they'll be too difficult… Is that alright?”

U-jin nodded in response to the Village Chief's question about making a promise.

Showing another good-natured smile, the Village Chief tapped his staff twice—*tok, tok*—and said.

“Then, please close your eyes for a moment and extend both hands forward. I have a gift prepared for you.”

“……”

“It's a humble affair, but a welcoming ceremony for a newcomer is a joyous occasion for us too, so we must take good care of it. Hohoho.”

U-jin nodded at the Village Chief's words, slowly closed his eyes, and extended both hands forward as instructed.

Then.

“……”

The Village Chief's eyes changed in an instant.

Swish, swish-

After waving a hand in front of U-jin to confirm his eyes were fully closed, the Village Chief turned his head and gave a look to a man who seemed to be his aide.

And.

Clank-

With the metallic sound of machinery engaging, a familiar coldness enveloped U-jin's hands.

Was that some kind of signal?

The surroundings, which had been filled with cheers, fell silent in an instant.

And through the silence, sneers and snickers leaked out.

- Dumbass~ *Kekek.*

- Wow. I don't think I've ever seen someone fall for it this easily. Is he really special?

Amidst the completely reversed atmosphere, U-jin opened his eyes again.

On his hands were Mana Restraints that looked identical to the ones he had thrown off at the entrance.

Under the pretense of giving him a gift, the Village Chief had locked Mana Restraints on both his hands.

U-jin stared at the Village Chief with a blank expression, as if demanding an explanation.

The Village Chief scratched his head.

“…Hohoho.”

“……”

“My apologies, I seem to have forgotten one rule. In fact, this fourth rule will probably be the most important one for you.”

Then he added slyly.

“Fourth.”

“……”

“Those with less than three years of residence work like dogs… is what I mean.”

At the Village Chief's words, a burst of laughter erupted from the surroundings, as if they had been holding it in.

Kikik-

Guffaw-

Chuckle-

The voices laughing in all sorts of ways were all directed at U-jin.

And in the midst of such ridicule.

U-jin, who was staring intently down at the Mana Restraints.

Pfft-

“How is it that, then and now…”

He muttered under his breath, the corners of his mouth lifting.

“…your repertoire hasn't changed a bit.”