A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 2: Scattering Destiny (1)

"Deputy Manager Seo, what exactly is this...?"

"What are we looking at...?"

Director Kim and Deputy Manager Kang whisper to one another in shock.

However, I am far more concerned with the fox's saliva dripping right before my eyes than their confusion.

[A clever human among the herd; I shall refrain from mindless slaughter. Yet, a toll must be extracted if you intend to remain within my domain. To grant you temporary residence, one of you must surrender a limb. Who among you will make this sacrifice?]

Very well.

Since things have reached this point.

I will... give it up.

My left arm extends forward, trembling.

In my previous life, when I was completely ignorant, the mere sight of this fox sent everyone into a screaming panic.

Back then, everyone ended up dying as the fox, in its primal rage, tore their arms and legs apart to feast on them.

Simply surviving that ordeal was a miracle.

But now, I understand the protocol of the wilds and have managed to earn the fox's respect.

It won't be everyone's limbs.

Not even multiple limbs.

Only the limb of a single person is required.

Just one must be offered.

Even this injury will be mended by the cultivators who are set to arrive in two days.

[A truly wise human. I accept your offering, and I shall consume it with as little pain as possible.]

The fox unhinges its massive jaws and sinks its teeth into my arm.

!!! Ahhhhhhh! Aaargh! Aaaargh!

My flesh is shredded by those enormous fangs.

Vessels burst and bones are pulverized.

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

Snap!

Rip!

After a moment of chewing, the fox forcefully wrenches the arm from my shoulder.

Ah... Argh... Ahh...

Writhing in an agony that threatens my sanity, I fumbled for a handful of analgesic herbs I had gathered earlier.

I shove them into my mouth, swallowing everything, including the roots.

The grit and sand from the roots crunch between my teeth, but that is the least of my problems.

The suffering is overwhelming!

After eating the herbs for a while, the pain begins to dull as the medicinal properties take hold.

Crunch, crunch... munch.

Having swallowed my entire arm, the fox eventually licks its snout.

[I suspected the flavor might be unique due to your scent. As it turns out, you are not much different from a common human. Your blood vessels are thick with impurities, making the meat coarse and the aftertaste foul.]

...I offer this humble gift.

[I accept your tribute. You are permitted to dwell in my territory for seven nights. My divine power has touched you, ensuring you will not perish from this wound.]

With those words, the fox bounds away, vanishing into the thicket.

Hu, huuh... Hah, hah...

I masticate a hemostatic herb and press the pulp against the stump of my arm; the bleeding halts, and the throbbing slowly fades.

Gr... Ugh...

"Deputy Manager Seo!"

"Deputy Manager Seo Eun-hyun!"

Director Kim and Deputy Manager Kang rush to my side to assist me.

"What is happening? What was that creature?"

"...Let's get inside first. I will explain everything."

Leaning on the two of them, I make my way back to the safety of the cave.

There, I weave a narrative of truth and fabrication to explain our situation.

I tell them I encountered the fox early this morning while out, and it spoke to me...

They are going to discover the truth in a few days regardless.

I simply frame the knowledge I already possess as things the fox taught me.

I explain that this is no longer our world, but a realm of immortals, cultivators, and martial artists.

"...A martial world, is it? How intense."

"Hehe, I never imagined I'd see something like this in person."

Director Kim and Chief Oh attempt to make light of the situation with jokes about martial arts, trying to mask their fear despite their shock.

"Haha, Deputy Manager Seo. If we're talking about the martial world, I'm practically an expert. You see..."

Director Kim’s voice wavers, betraying his forced composure.

"Just don't die. If you die..."

It isn't genuine excitement for a fantasy world; it is a desperate attempt to look away from my agony.

As the elders of the group, Director Kim and Chief Oh are trying to keep our spirits up.

"...It's alright. I won't die. The fox promised that its divine power would prevent my death from this injury."

In my former life, when we failed to perform the tribute, everyone had limbs torn off.

Even though the pain made us beg for death, none of us actually passed away.

No, we were unable to die.

But what about the immortals and cultivators?

Just as Chief Oh begins to look confused by my mention of immortals and cultivators, Section Chief Jeon speaks up.

"There are stories called 'Xianxia', distinct from standard martial arts fiction."

Jeon Myeong-hoon begins explaining the Xianxia genre to Director Kim and Chief Oh.

"I see..."

"Section Chief Jeon, you certainly know some curious things."

"I've always had an interest in it, so I did some reading."

'I suppose he spent his office hours reading Xianxia webnovels instead of doing his job...'

That explains why he always dumped his workload on me.

I nearly flare up in anger, but I quickly suppress it to continue the conversation.

"Regardless, the master of this forest demanded a price for us to stay, so I gave my arm. This should guarantee our safety here for one week."

"One week? What happens when the week is up?"

"...Another tribute will be required."

At those words, every eye in the room shifts toward my shoulder.

Their complexions turn as pale as corpses.

"On another note, could someone bring me those pain-relief herbs? It's hurting quite a bit."

"Ah, of course. Is it this one?"

"Thank you."

I chew on another root from the medicinal plants I dug up earlier.

"I need to rest for a while. Please excuse me..."

Likely due to the trauma, I drift into sleep the moment my tension breaks.

Once the herbs dull the pain, I fall into a heavy slumber.

They say hearing is the final sense to fade.

Perhaps that is why, as I begin to wake, the voices of the others drift into my mind.

"What? A tribute? That’s insane..."

"We have to give up another limb like that in just a week?"

"We need to find a way out of this forest before the week ends."

"How could we let Deputy Manager Seo go through this..."

"Deputy Manager Seo was the first to run into that... thing and nearly got eaten."

"If anything, he was the first sacrifice."

In my groggy state, I continue to eavesdrop on their debate.

"But what if we are still stuck here after seven days?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon’s voice is chillingly cold.

Silence follows his question.

"Who is going to have their limb ripped off next?"

A heavy quiet fills the back of the cave.

'In three days... the immortals will arrive and take them away, so it doesn't actually matter.'

There is no reason to reveal anything about my regression.

Then, it happened.

An irritating sound reached my ears.

"Is Deputy Manager Seo sleeping soundly?"

"Yes... he’s completely out of it."

"Deputy Manager Seo, if you're awake, I need to speak with you. Please wake up."

I keep my eyes shut, feigning sleep.

Jeon Myeong-hoon confirms I am unconscious and then stands up.

"Everyone, come to the entrance for a moment."

"Huh? Can't we talk right here?"

"No, let's go outside."

Jeon Myeong-hoon eventually leads the group to the cave's mouth.

A moment later, hushed whispers drift back from the entrance.

At the same time, I hear voices condemning Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Section Chief Jeon! How could you even suggest such a thing?"

"Deputy Manager Seo gave up his arm for us..."

"Um. Section Chief Jeon. I really cannot agree to that."

"Um..."

Outside, Jeon Myeong-hoon’s voice rises in volume.

"Well, then who is going to volunteer their arm or leg to that monster fox next week?"

"Even so..."

"Chief Oh, what is your take? I think this is the only logical path."

"...I'm not sure. And Deputy Manager Seo is useful. He’s the only one who knows about the herbs and food..."

"Then we should learn everything we can from Seo Eun-hyun during this week..."

I couldn't catch every word from inside the cave,

But I can easily fill in the blanks.

'So they're thinking: since I'm already maimed, they'll just keep cutting off my limbs to feed the fox every week.'

It won't come to that, but the thought is revolting.

Deeply, deeply disgusting.

'Should I just kill him?'

Even with only one arm, the "violence" I mastered over fifty years in my previous life is formidable.

Killing someone like Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is still a soft product of modern society, would be effortless.

'...No. That won't work.'

The immortals appearing in two days aren't coming for "us" as a group.

They are appearing because they sensed "talented individuals."

'Chief Oh Hyun-seok, Deputy Manager Kang Min-hee, and Section Chief Jeon Myeong-hoon. Their innate potential is what drew them.'

If any of them are missing, I can't be certain the immortals will show up at all.

'Should I just beat him half to death? Leave him crippled?'

In the past, the immortals still took them even when their limbs were missing.

It's likely they would still come even if I broke this guy's legs.

However, I eventually dismiss the thought and shake my head.

'...Fear has probably paralyzed their judgment. They were decent people originally. The situation is just too sudden and surreal for them.

Besides, if I want to rely on Director Kim later, it wouldn't be wise to show a monstrous side right now...'

It is better to be viewed as someone to be protected or pitied.

Furthermore, if Director Kim is part of this scheme, his guilt will ensure he takes better care of me in the future.

'It’s actually for the best. Everything will be settled on the third day regardless.'

In two days, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and Kang Min-hee will be gone from my life forever.

Three days from now, Oh Hye-seo and Kim Yeon will also be separated, and Director Kim Young-hoon and I can exit the Ascension Path with the monster's assistance.

I continue to lie quietly on the floor, pretending to sleep.

After a while, the group returns to the cave with grim faces, as if they had just finalized a sordid pact.

"Hey, Deputy Manager Seo. Are you alright? Try to wake up."

Jeon Myeong-hoon wakes me up on purpose.

"Haha, Deputy Manager Seo. I'm sorry about before. I had no idea you were such a selfless person."

"..."

"We're all counting on you from now on."

Jeon Myeong-hoon beams at me with a smile I’ve never seen and claps me on the back.

I glance at the others. Everyone looks miserable.

'This piece of trash, I see how he used his silver tongue to sway everyone.'

For a second, a wave of irritation hits me, and I consider strangling the man currently hugging me.

'Endure it. Just hold on.'

"...Yes. We must all survive this together."

"Haha, exactly. So, about that fruit you found yesterday. Do you know where to get more?"

"..."

This bastard actually woke me up just for this.

"...I can show you. In fact, I was planning to teach you specifically, Section Chief Jeon."

"Ha, really? Thanks! I appreciate it!"

"Don't worry about survival. I will teach you everything."

I give him a subtle, knowing smile.

Yes, I'll teach you all of it.

After all, this is knowledge that becomes utterly useless the moment you join a cultivation Sect.

"Jeon Myeong-hoon. How many times must I tell you it's not that fruit? Are you even listening to me?"

"No, but surely..."

"The one with the split top is fatal. Eating it will kill you. Do you understand?"

"..."

While instructing Jeon Myeong-hoon on herbs and foraging, I stopped addressing him as "Section Chief."

He continues to learn about the plants with a grin, even as I berate him.

'I wonder how bitter he'll feel when he realizes these are just low-grade herbs meant for mortals.'

"No, Jeon Myeong-hoon. Can't you grasp this? I've explained it repeatedly. You have serious focus issues."

"...I understand."

Jeon Myeong-hoon’s face turns bright red.

He is being subjected to the same treatment he used to give me when I first started at the company.

He must be sucking it up only because he intends to milk me for knowledge for a week.

I'm sorry, but our paths part in two days.

"Look here. This is green-leafed ear; it has a distinct scent when chewed. You can use it to clean your teeth or ward off bugs."

"Green-leafed ear, green-leafed ear..."

"Hmm, I've never heard of these plants in Korea..."

Deputy Oh Hyun-seok tilts his head, looking puzzled.

"They are quite specialized, and since they aren't native species, it's natural you wouldn't know them."

Of course, they don't exist on Earth.

I am using herbal lore I acquired in this world.

But since Deputy Oh isn't an expert, he seems to accept the explanation.

"That makes sense. Please go on."

"This is blue baby's hand vein, also called blood-purifying grass. Hey, Jeon Myeong-hoon. You're spacing out again, aren't you?"

"...Sorry, I'm listening."

I continue to give Jeon Myeong-hoon sharp looks while dragging out the herbalism lesson.

The day ends in that manner.

And then, the next day.

We are confronted by a massive, two-headed red snake staring us down at the cave entrance.

"Hi, hiik..."

"Huuh..."

The others cower in terror, clutching sticks inside the cave, while I calmly address the serpent.

"...What is your business here?"

The snake speaks.

[The sovereign of this land has tasted a human with a rare scent.]

While not as terrifying as the fox, this snake is still quite daunting to me.

Of course, it doesn't compare to the trauma the fox caused.

[Naturally, since you have paid tribute to the master and gained leave to stay for seven days and nights, I will not molest you during that time. However...]

The snake flicks its tongues from both heads.

[If you permit me a small taste of your blood, I will refrain from bothering you even after the seven days are up.]

Compared to the fox that took my arm, the snake is relatively reasonable.

Even in my past life, when the fox hadn't acknowledged us, this two-headed snake simply bit Chief Oh, drank its fill, and left.

Now, it is actually asking for consent.

'It should be fine.'

As modern people, our bodies are loaded with fat and cholesterol.

In my previous life, the snake left after biting Chief Oh, complaining that his blood tasted terrible.

"How much blood do you require?"

[A handful. Just one handful of blood, and I shall depart.]

I turn to Jeon Myeong-hoon with a smile.

"Mr. Jeon Myeong-hoon. Would you mind providing this gentleman with some blood?"

"What? Me?"

"It's not like I'm asking for a limb; it's just a handful of blood. It will clot in no time."

"I, I..."

"Ah, Mr. Jeon Myeong-hoon. Don't you want to keep learning about the herbs?"

"...Fine."

With a red face, Jeon Myeong-hoon slices his hand with a crude stone knife he fashioned.

Drip, drip...

The snake eagerly laps up Jeon Myeong-hoon’s blood.

A moment later.

[This blood is full of filth. Even toxins. A disgusting flavor... the foulest human blood I have ever encountered.]

The snake shakes both its heads and slithers away.

The blood of a 21st-century salaryman, saturated with nicotine and cholesterol, is anything but a delicacy.

[Regardless, since you provided the blood, I will go.]

After the snake departs, I apply healing herbs to Jeon Myeong-hoon’s hand.

He looks visibly irritated, likely feeling violated by the snake's tongue.

"Mr. Seo Eun-hyun. I know I was hard on you when you first joined the firm, but isn't this taking it too far?"

"What choice did I have? I can't exactly ask the ladies or the senior executives like the Chief and Director to bleed."

"A handful of blood would have been nothing for you..."

"...My arm was literally ripped off yesterday. I'm already low on blood. Even a handful is too much for me right now."

"Kuhk..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon bites his lip, fuming in silence.

'What a hypocrite. He's already planning to toss me to the fox in a week.'

He’s only angry because I made him the sacrifice this time.

Regardless, he can't touch me.

'Well, I won't have to deal with him after tomorrow...'

I decide to make the most of the time left and start giving Jeon Myeong-hoon a harder time.

In this way, three days passed since we arrived in this forest.

Whoosh, whoosh...

The wind has been howling since before dawn today.

Zap, zap...

The very air feels charged and unstable.

I smile and wake Jeon Myeong-hoon early in the morning.

"Mr. Jeon Myeong-hoon, let's go gather some herbs."

"This early...?"

"Ah, come on, hurry up."

"...Fine."

I lead Jeon Myeong-hoon through the woods, hunting for plants.

A short while later.

"Oh, I found one!"

"Is this a valuable one?"

"Yes, it is."

"It looks a lot like ginseng..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon salivates as he looks at the plant resembling wild ginseng.

The plant is actually Yellow Bamboo Root.

It isn't incredibly rare.

However, its size is what matters.

Likely because it soaked up spiritual energy, this root—usually the size of a pinky—is as thick as my forearm.

"Hahaha, this is amazing! Is it really okay to just dig up wild ginseng like this?"

...

Jeon Myeong-hoon is clearly thrilled, but I am laughing internally.

'After all, you'll never get the chance to eat something like this in the future.'

Even though he is digging up these yellow bamboo roots with his own hands, he won't be the one consuming them.

To cultivators, yellow bamboo root is merely a low-tier herb for commoners.

'Of course, martial artists use it to boost their internal energy... I'll give it to Director Kim later.'

"You can try the ginseng later. For now, put them in here."

I hand him a makeshift sack I made from my clothes. Jeon Myeong-hoon carefully stows the roots away.

"Let's head back now."

It was time to return.

We went back to the cave, where I had Jeon Myeong-hoon light a fire before we sat down.

I was sitting quietly, watching the sky.

Kwagwang! Kwakwagwang!

Suddenly, a flash erupted, and something clashed violently in the heavens.

It looked like a collision of golden, black, and brilliant white lights.

And then, in that instant.

Kuhuk! Kua