How To Use Regressors

15 – Episode 15 – Pursuit (2)

As soon as Seo Yoojoo finished speaking, she swiftly ran towards the back.

After a while, sounds of people shouting and the clash of weapons started coming from behind. Soon, people also started popping out from the front and sides.

Three people in the front, and four on each side.

“… These crazy bastards. Did they say there were a total of 13?!”

If Seo Yoojoo mentioned that there were about 6 people behind her, then that adds up to a total of 13.

If there were this many people pursuing us, then I couldn’t understand why Seo Yoojoo was the only one who noticed.

“With such a large number… Is there any chance that we didn’t know?”

One person from the front stepped forward and began speaking. He seemed to be the leader of the group.

“… How the hell did you notice the pursuit? It should have been impossible to know.”

I immediately opened his status window.

[ Name: Park Tae Soo ]

[ Age: 34 ]

[ Occupation: Shadow Sorcerer (Rare Grade) ]

[ Title: None ]

[ Unique Ability ]

Shadow Field (Grade Measurement) – Creates a shadow field. The presence of oneself and others within the shadow field is significantly reduced. The range and performance of the shadow field are influenced by the user’s magical ability.

[ Abilities ]

Fundamentals of Spear Technique (Normal Grade) – Increases understanding of spear techniques.

[ Stats ]

Strength – 17 Agility – 12

Stamina – 15 Luck – 13

Magical Power – 07 Resistance – 10

“So that’s why he didn’t notice.”

His unique ability stood out. While his stats weren’t incredibly high, excluding the magical power, it wasn’t until the shadow field ability that the presence of those in front of him couldn’t be felt.

The reason why Seo Yoo Joo only sensed the six people behind her was probably due to this ability.

The group’s expressions began to stiffen upon realizing that there were as many as seven of the pursuers, excluding those behind. Without being able to see the status bars of these individuals, it seemed that they were anticipating a difficult fight.

Mr. Howon raised his shield and spoke to us, who were positioned behind him.

“…. Be cautious, everyone. And Iseo, prepare your bow.”

“….. Already prepared, sir.”

Fortunately, it appeared that none of the seven individuals who appeared in front of us were armed with bows.

However, there was one question that arose from knowing that these individuals amounted to thirteen.

The fact that thirteen of them pursued us meant that they were aware of our presence and purposely pursued us. It wasn’t a spontaneous pursuit.

‘… The information leaked.’

If they had been pursuing us all along, there is no way we would not have noticed until now. Even if others didn’t know, Seoyuju, at the very least, would have been aware.

This was the first time these individuals had pursued us.

There must have been a specific reason why they were able to acquire our information.

To obtain information, I began questioning the person in front.

“…. They pursued us deliberately. How did they find us?”

The person who seemed to be the captain spoke, slightly surprised.

“… He’s a quick thinker. He has good instincts.”

The others in the group looked bewildered, unable to grasp what I was saying.

“…. You guys, this isn’t the first time you’ve tracked us, right? Isn’t that so?”

Their leader nodded.

“That’s right. How did you know?”

“If you had tracked us on another day, we would have known.”

“Hmm… Was it because of the woman who ran back earlier? We gathered more people to catch her, but got caught in the process. Regrettable.”

‘They know that Seo Yujoo is strong.’

“Still, isn’t she too confident on her own? Facing six of us alone is foolish. Her subordinates must adore her. Her appearance is not to be underestimated.”

“…. How did you know about us?”

“We didn’t know about you. We only knew about the woman who ran back earlier. You had some guys who left your camp a few days ago, right?”

I realized where the information leaked from.

‘Those guys Taewoo mentioned, who got jobs and went exploring together.’

“We killed those guys before they could come back. Before they died, we heard that there’s a camp where people gather, led by a woman. Heard the camp has plenty of food. We’ll kill you and head to the camp.”

I wondered why those guys who went exploring separately from the camp hadn’t returned. Now it seemed like these guys had taken care of them. Well, judging by their status bars, a couple of them had acquired jobs, but due to these guys’ unique traits, they probably didn’t stand a chance and fell victim.

“Did your curiosity get satisfied before you die? If you surrender and join us, I’ll spare your lives and treat you generously. I’m quite compassionate, you know.”

The leader of those guys was grinning as if he had already won and began to speak.

It felt like I knew the reason for his arrogance. On our side, there were only three women, and even two of them were children.

Even though they claimed to have one less member, we must have appeared more formidable to them.

The guys who had leaked information about us probably didn’t know our existence, so they would have just heard stories that Sir Yuju was strong enough to capture monsters.

But Yu Lim, Yu Hyun, and the three of us had all been trained. At least in catching idiots, we were more experienced than those arrogant bastards.

“…. Huh…”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the guy’s stupidity.

As I suddenly erupted in laughter, our group stared at me as if I had gone mad.

Their leader, upon seeing me laugh, seemed to be in a really shitty mood and began speaking with a stern expression.

“Why are you laughing? Did you go crazy because death is approaching?”

“Heh… you moron.”

“What?”

“This guy here, this isn’t even Earth, and he thinks women and children would be weaker than him? Huh?”

“What…?”

“At the very least, gather some mages or guys with bows. This idiot brings in healthy adults and is bragging about capturing us, where’s the sense in that?”

After coming here and going through so much trouble, it seems that stress has accumulated until now.

The guy, who had been sitting still for a while, suddenly turned red and shouted.

“Kill these bastards!”

“Stupid bastards.”

They started rushing towards us. I immediately activated the magic I had prepared.

“Ignite, flames.”

The guy who was running towards us at the front began to glow and go crazy with the flames.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

Between the burning guy and the guy who was running alongside him, there was a moment of hesitation, maybe they were surprised by me using magic, and in that short moment, an arrow from a strong bow struck his head.

Seeing the chaotic scene of them rushing in, I could be sure. These bastards were not accustomed to fighting.

Perhaps because they had only ever frightened weaker guys until now, those idiots hesitated.

Furthermore, the decisive difference between them and us was the presence of long-range attack means. These stupid bastards didn’t have archers or wizards, yet they had the audacity to do something like this.

After the leader of the bastards realized that something was wrong only after two of them had died, he thrust his spear at me.

But our sturdy Mr. Howon couldn’t just sit still. Before the guy’s spear could reach me, it was blocked by his shield.

Thunk!

“Damn it!”

As the guy launched an attack and Mr. Howon blocked it, Soonghaeun finally began her first heroic feat after retiring.

“Spriff!”

The flying spirit threw something with the wind, and one guy’s arm was severed.

“Ah! My, my arm!”

They couldn’t regain their senses, as if it was their first time witnessing supernatural powers like magic or spirits.

As I summoned a spirit and witnessed the true capabilities of a spirit mage’s attack, I became extremely tempted.

I wondered if what Mr. Howon said about his experience with Kangiseo and Hyunjin in a similar situation was true. Hyunjin skillfully thrust his sword into the guy whose arm was severed.

Swoosh –

“Kuaaak!”

Perhaps this person had already killed someone in a similar situation before. Although there didn’t seem to be a complete lack of aversion to killing people, it was definitely a ruthless act for a first time.

Among the remaining four, two were dealing with Kangiseo and An Taewoo, while the other two swung their axes and swords towards Yurim and Yuhyeon, who seemed easy to handle.

“Safeguarding Shield.”

Ping –

Before the swords and axes could reach Yurim and Yuhyeon, they bounced off a transparent barrier.

“What, what is this?!”

As their attacks were blocked by Yoo Hyun’s deployed shield, Yoo Rim immediately swung her dagger, swiftly severing the throat of one of the assailants.

“Crk… G-gasp…”

Finally, the man lying beside them, upon realizing he was not up against ordinary opponents, collapsed to the ground, pleading for his life, grasping at every breath.

“…. S-save me, please…”

Yoo Rim bit her lip and suddenly glanced at me.

Seemingly unable to bring herself to kill someone who begged for mercy when facing her, she appeared to be asking me what she should do.

‘….To survive in a place that is not Earth, one must become ruthless.’

It’s a cruel but inevitable truth.

For the sake of Yoo Rim herself, if not for me, and for Yoo Hyun, she needed to become ruthless.

I slightly nodded and steadfastly stared at Yoo Rim.

Her pupils violently trembled for a moment, and then she closed her eyes tightly and thrust the dagger into the man’s throat.

“Crk…! S-save…”

Moments later, I approached Yoo Rim, who was blankly staring at the corpse, and placed my hand on her shoulder.

“You did well, Yurim. In order for both you and Yuhyun to stay safe here, you have to toughen up. Be strong-willed.”

“Yes… oppa.”

I smiled slightly and let go of Yurim’s shoulder.

Checking the situation with Mr. Howon, I saw that the boss had started cursing after witnessing his subordinates being killed.

“Damn it! What the hell! Why is this…!”

Once the guy confirmed that I was approaching to help Mr. Howon, he suddenly turned around and started running away.

“Damn it! Aaargh!”

Everyone was momentarily stunned by the sight of him fleeing, and in the meantime, Seyuju suddenly appeared in front of the guy and swung her spear at his throat.

“… Huhk… You… bastard..”

The guy grabbed his throat with both hands, staggered, and then fell to the ground, gasping for breath.

After Seyuju took care of the guy, she turned around and, seeing that we were all unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief and opened her mouth with a slight smile.

“It seems like everyone is safe. Thank you for your hard work.”