A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 817 Chapter 814

Previously on A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation...

Hong Fan, the Future King, devised a meticulous process to create Enders by splitting the Absolute of Miracle, scattering its fragments across otherworlds to form personalities bound by contracts in the Audience Chamber, and repeating the cycle endlessly to harness its variables through cultivation systems he invented. Seo Eun-hyun, absorbing these memories from the deceased Future King's body, emerges in the Audience Chamber and briefs the supreme deities on thrones about Mount Sumeru's recent influxes, attributing them to the ingrained history repetition of Ender production now extending beyond the Gestation World. As distortions form in spacetime, potentially inviting external threats, Bong Hwa identifies a Gate linking to Earth, born from coincidences like the discarded source of Omnipotence, and tasks Seo Eun-hyun with intercepting the incoming Neo-Enders to sever the repeating history by binding them in prolonged existence.

In the shadows of a dimly lit chamber,

A woman with silver locks and a gaunt expression hammers away at her keyboard.

"Archer, hit that ult, ult now! I told you to use your ultimate!!"

The majestic Mount Sumeru and its Thirty-Three Heavens.

The Eight Seats upholding the world's righteousness, known as the Radiance Eight Immortals!

The entity who turned against those Radiance Eight Immortals to ally with the mountain divine spirit opposing Radiance Hall—the Crystal King Star Genesis Supreme Deity Seo Eun-hyun—and rose to the rank of [Sword Extreme Heavenly Venerable].

One of the powers that shattered the world's equilibrium.

A top-tier Governing Immortal of Mount Sumeru, the untouchable [Silver Snake].

The Sword Extreme Heavenly Venerable Ji Hwa!

At this moment, this mighty figure is deeply immersed in an Earthly entertainment: loot farming.

"Listen up, you idiots, before I blast your skulls with a shotgun, I said stay on the raid, damn it!"

Within the guild she established in the game,

Ji Hwa bellows furiously at the members of [Loot Farming Heavenly Lord].

'I've already quit the firm where Oh Hye-seo once labored. That immortality soap outfit controlled by the Lizard Race in their human disguises—it's far too perilous for me to stay. With creeps like them around, they'd spot that I'm not Oh Hye-seo but another extraterrestrial possessing her form and strike without warning, so why risk it?'

Ji Hwa, breaking out in a cold sweat, concentrates on defeating the raid boss.

After departing from the company,

With her funds running low for daily needs, she resorted to earning a livelihood by vending game items via the Earth custom of 'Loot Farming' in virtual realms. That's the routine of the current Sword Spear Heavenly Venerable Ji Hwa.

To put it simply, for Ji Hwa, who has no other means to cover her costs, the rare drop from this raid boss carries the weight of her entire month's expenses.

'I've dumped every potion and scroll boosting drop rates into this run. If we just take down the boss, I'm 99.9999 percent sure to snag that item...! But...'

Clenching her jaw, Ji Hwa yells at the [Loot Farming Heavenly Lord] guildmates.

"You worthless dogs!!! Concentrate, I said!!!"

Ding!

Mid-raid, Ji Hwa erupts in fury at the guild members flooding her with private messages.

-ID Ahseo: Unnie, after this raid wraps up, you'll introduce me to that SJD friend for real, right?

-ID NorthernTakbu: Sorry, Guild Leader-nim, but can I have this raid's item?

-ID ILikeCurry: Noona, you're joining the guild offline gathering, aren't you?

-ID EnricoEmporio: Noona, you promised to come to the meet-up, yeah? I'll cover it, so any restaurant you fancy...

-ID Rihyunjok: Noona, I've wanted to tell you for ages, but I like you. How about this weekend, we could...

"These freaking idiots..."

Even as she battles the raid boss, Ji Hwa rapidly types responses to the persistent guild members messaging during the fight.

-Yes,IwillintroducyoutothefriendJeonMyeong-hoon,sowe'lldiscusssomemorelater.

-Whybringthatupnow,wealreadysettleditemsharesbeforetheraid.

-I'min!!OurDPSisshort,sodealmorehurry.

-Ieatanythingsohealquicker!!

-Ihavealover,sodon'ttryanythingjusttankanymore.

Dududududu-

Ji Hwa's fingers fly over the keys like divine inspiration, scolding the guild members brimming with irrelevant cravings while unleashing assaults on the raid boss at the same time.

Yet...

Due to the disruptive antics from the [Loot Farming Heavenly Lord] guild, more fixated on side distractions than the main prize,

Ultimately, the guild wipes out in a flash against the raid boss.

Ji Hwa resists fiercely, maneuvering her avatar with masterful precision right up to the last,

But beyond her exceptional handling, the avatar's responsiveness fails to match her commands...

And finally, Ji Hwa's character gets engulfed in the raid boss's inferno and perishes in flames.

Ji Hwa gapes blankly at the monitor.

Ding!

-ID DivineSword PalaceLord: Guild Master-nim, aside from the meet-up, you seem local... I just want to treat you to coffee, so how about Café ** once...

-ID ChaebolHouseMelon DirectorPOV: Guild Master-nim. This raid went south a bit. All of them trolls... Shame on this one, but let's target the next shot... I snagged two tickets to the Melon House script preview screening, coincidentally.

***

"...Hah, damn it."

Ji Hwa genuinely considers muting the mic and booting every one of these thick-headed guildmates.

They're decent players, and since they avoid greed in Ji Hwa's loot runs, she recruited them into the guild, but...

Once they caught wind of Ji Hwa's voice, the five likely guys went nuts trying to pursue her relentlessly.

Of the two probable women, one started chatting with Ji Hwa and learned of her ties to Jeon Myeong-hoon, then hounded her nonstop for an intro.

The remaining one steers clear of off-game hassles with Ji Hwa, but as a fellow loot farmer sustaining life through items, they constantly butt heads with her on loot splits.

Still...

She gets it.

'These jerks... All of them have jobs or solid backgrounds, so meals are no issue for them...'

Sure, Ji Hwa doesn't fret over food either.

But since arriving on Earth, she's encountered tons of novel stuff that sparks her shopping urges, leaving plenty she craves to acquire.

Plus, essentials like rent, utilities, power, water, and the like demand payment.

In contrast to Ji Hwa's situation, the other seven guilders are pretty comfortable financially.

And despite their affluent status as humans...

'My whole month's budget...! You lot squandered it by bombarding me with chats during the raid...!?'

Ji Hwa's limbs shake, her anger boiling over.

"Huuuuk... Huuuuuuk..."

As she quivers in wrath,

Diririririk-

Her smartphone buzzes with an incoming call.

Caller unidentified.

Number blocked too.

Knowing the source of such calls, Ji Hwa picks up with her temper easing a touch.

"Hello, what's the deal, messaging straight from Mount Sumeru? Bringing your true form? Hehe, this time we'll pick a date for sure and... ah... not the main body? Got a request? Tsk..."

Whether from disappointment or otherwise, she shoves back into the drawer the handcuffs, blindfold, bunny suit, and such that she'd eagerly pulled out moments ago.

"What request? Oh... for real? A door appeared? Ah... yeah... lately on Earth's end, a portal linking to other realms popped up, so weird and freaky beasts keep invading. The Lizard Race is bad enough, and then otherworldly ghosts or monsters slip through too, driving me nuts...

to no end..."

Tsking her tongue, Ji Hwa boots a wandering spirit that just entered her space and shoos it away.

Lately, some outer god from another dimension had risen.

As a side effect, a [Door] linking to foreign worlds emerged on Earth.

Via that Door, shards of worlds the Future King demolished, along with odd and grotesque beings from Creator God corpse remnants, sporadically pour in.

"What do you mean!? The Lizard Race doesn't inhabit Earth!? Clearly, even in your avatar form, you fell under the vile Lizard Race's media indoctrination. I warned you to wear an aluminum foil hat, remember!? It shields against lizard broadcasts. Seriously, have you seen the thorough proof compiled on Oh Hye-seo's PC!?!"

Exchanging banter with the caller, soon Ji Hwa catches the core of their talk.

"Ah... so you're asking me to round up seven fitting youngsters and ship them to Mount Sumeru?"

At Ji Hwa's irritated tone, the voice on the line—the exalted Mount Sumeru divinity, Crystal King Star Genesis Supreme Deity Seo Eun-hyun—replies with mild concern.

-Hey, Ji Hwa. Just to be safe, don't snag random innocents and dispatch them. Pick folks genuinely craving a fresh world, or those fed up with Earth... and with real talent and promise...

"Sure, no sweat, I've got eyes on some like that already. I'll dispatch them shortly."

-Wait, Ji Hwa, don't rush them over, take it slow...

"If you're skipping the main body, I'm hanging up~ And for saddling me with this hassle, I get to toy with your clone a little, yeah? You're grateful? Honored? Right back at you, keep up the good work~"

Fancying the chance to rightfully claim Seo Eun-hyun's clone meant for Kim Yeon-ui's side, Ji Hwa grins ear-to-ear while swapping outfits.

Then she enters a group chat on her phone and messages the [Loot Farming Heavenly Lord] guilders.

-Everyone, to make the guild meetup enjoyable.

-I've spotted a themed cafe. It's one that immerses you in a xianxia realm, interested in heading there?

Shortly after, the guild members respond in unison, all eager to join.

"They all want in willingly, eh. Alright then, let's see..."

Mulling a bit further, she soon launches a poll their way.

***

-A Mount Sumeru World Awaits You!-

-Upon entering Mount Sumeru World, what realm, race, and clan lineage would you prefer to start with?

The options...

Among the [Loot Farming Heavenly Lord] members Ji Hwa assembled.

A 25-year-old lad with the handle [Rihyunjok].

'Lee Hyun-ah' gazes somewhat sullenly at his phone.

"Confession bombed... *uck..."

It was an attempt he'd mustered real guts for, in his fashion.

The guild head of [Loot Farming Heavenly Lord], [Silver Snake].

When she set up a loot-focused guild and scouted recruits, he'd hopped in casually.

His sibling, older sister Lee Seo-ah—Lee Hyun-ah's kin—had prodded him to join and connect, so he'd gone along reluctantly.

But in a prior raid, hearing guild master [Silver Snake]'s voice for the first time, Lee Hyun-ah tumbled headlong into infatuation.

How could a voice sound so enchanting?

And then...

When sister Lee Seo-ah, sharing her gender, glimpsed [Silver Snake]'s features via Gram ID and got to know her looks.

Lee Hyun-ah fell utterly smitten once more by that visage.

That countenance, utterly stunning!

That timbre, utterly captivating!

*gram ID and he had first

Moreover, her dedication to loot farming, and her vibe of just getting by on gear sales...

Though not full chaebol, as a 'third-gen semi-chaebol' sort, Lee Hyun-ah figured he'd catch her interest.

Thus, in this crucial raid she stressed, he'd fired off one private message.

He realized mid-raid chats were impolite, but...

'If it's only from me' firing a single note, the guild master, famed for divine piloting skills, ought to take it in stride.

However, that session, the team's synergy went haywire, and guild master Silver Snake's edge lingered throughout.

Plus, learning from Silver Snake about her partner, Lee Hyun-ah's thoughts fractured, derailing his raid focus.

That led to the wipe, and from Silver Snake's mic came keyboard smacks multiple times before voice cut out.

'She's... likely furious...'

Truth be told, even now, the confession flop's sting lingers for Lee Hyun-ah.

He barely wants to show for tomorrow's guild event.

Yet...

'B-But... I still crave seeing her...'

Frankly, post-failed advance, meeting could turn stiff.

But...

Regardless, Lee Hyun-ah yearns to encounter the guild master anew.

And...

'Truth is, even with a lover... Folks often call me cute... And my folks... we've got decent funds...'

Of course, as a gaming fiend, frail in body, diminutive, and brooding in nature, even family elders dismiss Lee Hyun-ah...

Still, sizing himself up fairly, he aims to chat with the guild master.

'Crap... I'm such a loser...'

As pathetic tears gather, Lee Hyun-ah completes and submits the cafe survey from guild master Silver Snake.

-Starting realm: Penglai Island (former Head Realm) (tutorial area)

-Starting race: Human.

-Starting Guide: Makli Clan.

-Spirit Root aptitude: Wood Spirit Root.

-Gender: Male.

-Righteous/Devil: Devil.

-Constitution selection: Ghost Path Body.

-Fate (not required): ...

"This oughta do...?"

A few extra choices exist, but with many labeled (not required), Lee Hyun-ah skips them and submits.

"Ah, shoot, this is mortifying..."

He flushes at the confession mishap, and...

Hunts for tomorrow's guild meetup attire.

***

"Hey, Lee Hyun-ah, what's up with that getup?"

"Wh-What? Why? What's off about it?"

Lee Hyun-ah retorts sulkily to his sister Lee Seo-ah, prepped sharply for the guild event.

"Didn't I say wear a skirt out? "

"Ugh, drop it! I'm male! "

"You're so petite... Cross-dressing fits you perfectly, I'm saying."

His sister emits a faintly dark snicker, pats Hyun-ah's shoulder, and he sighs at his feminine air as they head to the spot together.

"Sis, where'd they say to link up?"

"Hold on, checking their outfits... Ah, those folks there?"

"Ah, yep, those waving are [DivineSword PalaceLord] and [ILikeCurry], right?"

"Yep. Next to them... [NorthernTakbu] and [EnricoEmporio]? And that one's [ChaebolHouseMelon DirectorPOV], I bet."

Lee Hyun-ah and Lee Seo-ah spot the crew from afar across the avenue.

The Loot Farming Heavenly Lord folks notice too, and promptly cross over to greet.

"Hi, you must be [Ahseo] and [Rihyunjok]? Glad to meet ya, heh heh... I'm [Chaebol House Melon DirectorPOV], the new guy. Call me Park Sung-hyun, or Chaebol-jip if you like."

"Ah, yeah... hello... Nice to meet you."

Eying the jovial-looking man in his forties, Lee Hyun-ah offers a greeting.

Quickly, the rest of the guilders emerge behind Chaebol-jip.

A dark-haired lass in ebony garb, brooding and reclusive-looking, [NorthernTakbu]. True name Ahn Geum.

A plumpish fellow in dark attire, bespectacled and somber, [ILikeCurry]. True name Ahn Gyeong.

A gangly tall dude with bleached blond locks, faking outgoing vibes clumsily, [EnricoEmporio]. True name Jegal Mikhail.

A guy without standout traits save red frames, [DivineSword PalaceLord]. True name Kim Shin-ju.

"Hahaha, so now we hunt for the guild master? Word is she's at the cafe already..."

Chaebol-jip, Park Sung-hyun, radiating cheer, beams amid Lee Seo-ah and Ahn Geum, suggesting they seek guild master Silver Snake, Ji Hwa.

"Yeah, yeah, she's close by, I hear."

"Ah, know the spot? You're Seo-ah, right? Mind leading us?"

Park Sung-hyun latches onto Lee Seo-ah with a grin, and the other guilders' faces sour slightly at the display.

"By the way, everyone fill out that survey? Ahaha, a cafe themed on otherworld travel, can't wait. What do you call it? Another world? Isekai? You kids these days love that isekai stuff, huh?"

Park Sung-hyun hovers near Lee Seo-ah, occasionally Ahn Geum, chuckling as he chats solely with them.

"Especially you, Mr. Ahn Gyeong, that isekai vibe? "