Absolute Regression - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: My Temper is Even Worse.

“Demon Lord. Name: Gu Cheonyang. He is the younger brother of Blood Sky Demon, Gu Cheonpa. He has been the Demon Lord for eight years, having completed various dangerous missions, and has raised the Demon Corps to a prestigious, elite organization recognized by all.”

Seo Daeryong was also well-versed about the Demon Lord.

“He did his job well.”

“Yes.”

“Can I see the anonymous letter that was sent?”

“Yes, here it is.”

He showed me the letter.

The content, written in a deliberately sloppy handwriting to disguise the writer’s identity, was very simple.

― Serious corruption in the Demon Corps. Investigation requested.

As I stared at it for a while, Seo Daeryong asked.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Let’s imagine something. There’s corruption within Huangquan Pavilion. You find out about it.”

I looked at Seo Daeryong and asked.

“Would you send an anonymous letter?”

“I wouldn’t.”

Seo Daeryong’s answer was immediate.

“Right? Because it has nothing to do with you.”

“No, that’s not the reason.”

“Then?”

“Because sending an anonymous letter wouldn’t change anything.”

His casually uttered reply exuded a sense of defeatism.

“Huangquan Pavilion exists to change the cult, doesn’t it?”

“Precisely, we are the sword used by those who want to change the cult. We are not the ones in charge.”

“Unless the higher-ups change, the cult won’t change?”

“I never said that.”

But his expression seemed to ask, “Isn’t that right?” Given his already melancholic demeanor, these cynical and pessimistic thoughts suited him well.

“Anyway, this person sent the letter. They think they’ll die if caught. You can tell from how they disguised their handwriting. So why did this person send the letter? Like you said, nothing changes even if they do.”

In place of the silent Seo Daeryong, Ian cautiously offered an answer.

“It’s unlikely they sent it out of a sense of justice… Perhaps they have a grudge against the person involved in the corruption?”

“Sounds plausible.”

I nodded and handed the letter back to Seo Daeryong.

“Anyway, we must find this person. If we appear weak, they’ll never reveal themselves.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“How about it? Can you handle it?”

“I have to. I’m here because I was ordered to be.”

“What I mean is, this is a really dangerous task. The Demon Lord might be involved. Aren’t you scared?”

“No.”

“You know the last investigator was killed, right?”

“Yes. The investigator who died was my direct senior.”

“Ah, I see.”

“He was my mentor.”

His calm words carried a hint of sorrow. Maybe the reason he memorized all the information about the Demon Corps members was to avenge his dead senior?

“Does thinking about him make you sad?”

“He died too senselessly.”

“It wasn’t a senseless death. His death brought you and me together. And you should be scared. They are the ones who killed a Huangquan Pavilion investigator and even eliminated their accomplice. In short, they have nothing to lose.”

“I don’t want to be afraid of such vile people.”

From his words, it was clear. He wanted to avenge his senior. Within that small body, a great fury was dormant.

“Alright, shall we go investigate?”

As I was about to leave with Seo Daeryong, Ian tagged along.

“Young master! Please take me with you.”

She thought investigating the Demon Corps was dangerous.

“No, this is an official mission. Take this opportunity to rest.”

She needed to distance herself from me.

As Ian worriedly watched us move away, she suddenly looked around. I had used my energy to lightly pat her head.

Don’t worry, Ian. I have walked a very long road for these days.

* * *

The Magnyong Institute, where the Demon Corps resided, was located in the western district of the main cult. True to its elite status, the building was large and the facilities were excellent.

When Seo Daeryong and I arrived at the entrance of the Magnyong Institute, two guards blocked our way. True to the Demon Corps’ reputation for their large builds, these guards were twice the size of an average person.

“Where are you from?”

“Huangquan Pavilion Special Investigator, Seo Daeryong. Step aside!”

Despite his small stature, Seo Daeryong exuded authority.

However, the two guards were neither nervous nor intimidated by his demeanor. Instead, they mocked him.

“Special Investigator? He doesn’t look very special.”

One of them muttered under his breath, but it was loud enough for us to hear.

Before either Seo Daeryong or I could respond, the other guard spoke up quickly.

“No one enters without permission from the higher-ups.”

Seo Daeryong presented the investigation order for this case.

“The higher-ups are here. Here’s the order.”

“Wait a moment. We’ll report to the higher-ups.”

“We’ll meet your superior ourselves. Step aside.”

I was observing how Seo Daeryong handled the situation from behind.

“No entry without permission.”

“This order is the permission!”

Their voices grew louder.

“What nonsense is that? You follow our rules here.”

“Nonsense?”

Without hesitation, Seo Daeryong kicked the guard blocking his way in the shin.

Whack.

“Ugh!”

The guard grabbed his shin and raised his fist.

“You little…!”

Seo Daeryong stood his ground and glared at him.

“Are you going to hit a Huangquan Pavilion investigator?”

The guard dared not strike Seo Daeryong. No matter how arrogant the Demon Corps might be, assaulting a special investigator from Huangquan Pavilion would mean immediate imprisonment.

“Ugh, should we just beat this tiny guy up and pay the fine?”

This summed up the Demon Corps’ attitude perfectly.

But then again, it wasn’t just the Demon Corps. Many within the cult lived recklessly, acting purely on their impulses.

We have no demonic path.

Maybe there was one once, but as of now, the cult has lost it.

There is no contemplation about why the cult exists in the martial world or what it should pursue in the future.

A collective of villains united by the mistaken belief that cruelty and strength are justice and truth. If someone criticized the cult this way, I would have no argument against it.

Seo Daeryong raised his voice.

“Move aside!”

Whack.

The big brute was taken down in one hit.

Seo Daeryong looked at me in shock. He hadn’t expected me to blatantly beat down a Demon Corps member.

“What are you doing? Lead the way.”

“Y-Yes, let’s go.”

Seo Daeryong led, and I followed behind him.

Before we entered the main building, a group of warriors had already blocked our path.

“Move!”

No one moved, so Seo Daeryong held up the order and shouted.

“Can’t you see this? You’re obstructing an official investigation. Do you all want to rot in the dungeon?”

Despite his raised voice, they just sneered, not showing any sign of fear. Especially because of Seo Daeryong’s small stature, they looked down on him even more.

A man pushed through the group and walked out.

“Who the hell is causing trouble here?”

“Special Investigator Seo Daeryong. Identify yourself.”

“I’m Go Dang, first squad leader of the Demon Corps. Satisfied, you little shit?”

At that moment, Seo Daeryong quickly sent me a telepathic message.

—This man is effectively second in command. He is known to be the worst among the Demon Corps.

Go Dang must have seen his lips moving as he sent the message.

“Does this guy have a death wish, sending messages right in front of me?”

Like the guards at the gate, these guys were unbelievably arrogant. They looked down on me because the Demon Corps was an organization that supported my brother. The Demon Lord’s brother, Blood Sky Demon, was known to be my brother’s backer. Hence, they openly disrespected me.

“Squad Leader Go, I am an official special investigator from the Huangquan Pavilion. Watch your mouth!”

Seo Daeryong stood firm even in front of Go Dang.

‘I like this guy.’

After dealing with the trashy disciples of Blood Sky Demon and the arrogant Demon Corps, Seo Daeryong felt like a breath of fresh air.

Go Dang glared at Seo Daeryong, displeased with his attitude.

“Watch my mouth? What if I don’t?”

“Then I will arrest you all for obstructing an investigation and insulting an investigator.”

“Arrest? Hahaha!”

As Go Dang laughed loudly, his subordinates joined in.

“Try it if you can!”

These were the kinds of guys who would behave this way even if we had enforcement martial artists with us.

Seo Daeryong looked back at me, unable to do anything more.

It was my turn to step in.

“Squad Leader Go, it’s been a while.”

I walked up to Go Dang with a friendly smile and grabbed his hand as if to shake it.

“When was the last time we saw each other? Was it at the last banquet? It’s good to see you.”

Unlike my cheerful demeanor, Go Dang’s expression was far from pleasant.

“I urgently need to see the Demon Lord, so let’s cut the territorial nonsense and make way.”

With that, I walked in with him.

The path naturally cleared, and Seo Daeryong and I walked in together, still holding hands.

Go Dang’s subordinates looked puzzled, wondering why he had so easily made way after showing such bravado.

We walked down the corridor and parted ways at the stairs.

“I’ll treat you to a drink next time.”

Seo Daeryong, surprised by how easily we had gained entry, asked with a stunned expression.

“Do you know Go Dang?”

“No. I just met him today.”

“But how did you…”

“That guy will be eating with his left hand for a while. I broke his hand when I shook it earlier.”