A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 859 Chapter 856: Side Story - Island Survival (1)

Now, let us commence the 44th Cuttlefish Game from this very moment.

Piiiieeek!

A jarring sound erupts. Simultaneously, Kim Hae-sol jolts awake, his head throbbing with an intense headache. "Ugh... where is this place..." He recognized the woman before him: Kang Min-hee, the Director of the Anomalous Phenomena Management Bureau. She was the same person that Kim Yeon referred to as 'an unnie she knows' from university. Kim Hae-sol inwardly cursed his predicament, lamenting how he was coerced into this bizarre island and a deadly game due to her "part-time job offer." He clicked his tongue, a surge of anxiety washing over him. "Fuck... will I really make it out alive..." Kang Min-hee had assured him that an insider would be present in the Ghost Island death game, guaranteeing his survival. Yet, standing here now, his unease grew. "An unknown island... a place for debtors... a terrifying game involving influential people..." The more he considered it, the more he felt he had stumbled into the wrong situation. "M-Money. They promised a substantial sum, which is why I came, but... am I going to die? Fuck, fuck, fuck...!" Compounding his fears, the other individuals stirring around him were, without exception, intimidating figures exuding a palpable aura of danger, their eyes glinting menacingly. "Hey, you there! Who are you people!? Send me back! This is kidnapping, you understand?" A man with a hostile expression got to his feet, his voice laced with aggression. Only then did Kim Hae-sol fully regain his senses and begin to truly observe his surroundings. "This place is..." He found himself inside a cubic room. It resembled a small gymnasium, surprisingly spacious. Around him, a diverse array of individuals, seemingly abducted from various locations, were awakening and looking about in confusion. Standing sentinel around them were figures clad in pure white, expressionless masks, brandishing firearms. "G-Guns...!" The sight of the weapons instantly instilled fear in Kim Hae-sol. However, the man with the unsettling gaze, as if he had consumed something foul, approached the armed individual, his irritation palpable. He seemed to believe the weapons were fake. "Hey, do you even know who I am?? I admit I have some debts, but I'm not someone you can just grab like this. Just because I'm a little late on a payment or two, you think you can, huh, snatch a person like this, huh?" As the man's anger escalated, a figure in a suit, wearing a pierrot mask, emerged from behind the gun-wielding personnel. "Haha, sir. Please calm yourself. If I recall correctly... the 'Cuttlefish Game' was clearly explained in the solitary room, and wasn't it also clarified that choosing the red pill would result in your return home? You yourself selected the blue pill, sir, thus you are automatically participating in the Cuttlefish Game." "Wh-What, you bastard!" Faced with the pierrot's seemingly polite explanation, the man's confidence surged, and he bellowed even louder. "How old are you, you bastard, huh!? Do you actually think what you're saying makes any sense right now!? Hey, you bastard. If you're going to argue about consent or non-consent over me just taking some pill, then why is there a contract, and why are there lawyers involved!? Without a signature, huh, all of this is invalid, you bastard. I was out of it earlier, half-asleep, so I just swallowed whatever, and you brought me here because of that? The moment I get out, I'm filing a lawsuit immediately..." As the irate man gestured wildly, his finger nearing the suited man's attire. Taang! A gunshot echoed through the space. One of the masked agents fired, striking the man and ending his life. The pierrot in the suit tutted, chiding the agent. "Hey now. How could you kill a person? My suit is now splattered with blood." The agent who fired bowed his head in what appeared to be an apology. The pierrot clicked his tongue, then nudged the fallen man with his foot to shove him aside before continuing. "Honestly, people these days truly lack patience. It's a real problem. Ahaha, isn't that so, everyone? Now, first, it seems some of you may not fully grasp the situation, much like our departed friend here. For those individuals, allow me to briefly reiterate: you have debts. You borrowed money from others and failed to repay it.

"Is there any chance of repayment? Absolutely zero. Every single one of you here frequented gambling dens, squandered funds that didn't belong to you, initiated bizarre business ventures only to disregard all advice until they inevitably collapsed, or indulged in pointless luxuries, thus missing the opportune moment to settle your debts. Even so, are your organs or blood types considered rare? No. If your physical appearance were striking, it might offer a slight advantage. But if even that isn't the case, at the very least, you should demonstrate diligence!"

Kim Hae-sol surveys his surroundings.

Despite being pitiful individuals brought here due to their outstanding debts, he senses an unsettling aura from each of them from the very first moment he lays eyes on them.

As if his premonition isn't mistaken.

Everyone who has been corralled into this location appears to have led lives that were subsequently ruined and reached a dead end.

"Regardless, for all of you who have succumbed to gambling, illicit substances, debauchery, and sloth, displaying no will, capability, or inherent value to settle your dues, we have devised a unique arrangement. It is designated as the Cuttlefish Game. You were previously informed of this during your solitary confinement, but all participants in this game will have their debts completely exonerated. Furthermore, the ultimate victor, or the winning team, stands to receive prize money amounting to 20 billion. Just as we presented you with the choice of a red pill or a blue pill in isolation, you are now in a position where your agreement to participate has been established. Consequently..."

The clown, attired in a suit, applauds with evident cheerfulness and continues speaking.

"Your lives and your fundamental human rights... from the moment you ingested the blue pill, have been transferred into our possession. Henceforth, you are to understand that you are no longer considered human beings, but rather beasts who can only survive by adhering strictly to our directives. Should you fail to comply with our instructions, even if the agents present terminate your lives at any given moment, they bear no culpability. Do you comprehend? Naturally, to ensure complete understanding, we shall distribute pamphlets detailing the Cuttlefish Game."

The suit-clad clown kindly dispenses pamphlets to the assembled individuals, and Kim Hae-sol also accepts one, attempting to read its contents.

The pamphlet contains information identical to what the clown had just articulated.

Kim Hae-sol hastily tucks the pamphlet within his clothing and swallows audibly.

"Now that all pamphlets have been distributed, we shall commence the inaugural match of the Cuttlefish Game. The first trial is straightforward. It is a game known as [Towel Passing]. You are all familiar with it, are you not? To begin, everyone, form a circle and seat yourselves accordingly."

Complying with the clown's instructions, Kim Hae-sol takes a seat in a circle along with the others.

Beside Kim Hae-sol sits a woman possessing silver hair, reminiscent of a foreigner. Curiously, Kim Hae-sol's impression of her does not strike him as negative, unlike the general demeanor of the others present.

'Why is that?'

Since his youth, Kim Hae-sol has possessed a unique form of intuition.

It is an innate sense that allows him to instinctively discern dangerous individuals, those of questionable character, and honorable people upon initial observation.

This intuition has proven accurate in nearly 99% of instances. Even just now, as he observed the other debtors surrounding him, he experienced no favorable feelings. This was subsequently validated, as the clown in the suit had indicated, confirming they were not diligent individuals.

However, this particular woman, for an inexplicable reason...

Yet, this woman, for some unknown cause...

He finds himself unable to ascertain anything definitive.

When he attempts to focus his gaze upon her, it feels as though his mind becomes a blank slate.

Such occurrences are not entirely unprecedented.

For instance, during his childhood, when news reports indicated the approach of a typhoon towards the Korean Peninsula.

Upon viewing images or depictions of the typhoon on the television.

Or when a storm struck, and he witnessed lightning descending from the heavens.

During seismic events, and so forth...

He recalls frequently experiencing a sensation of mental blankness when encountering phenomena akin to natural disasters.

But now, Kim Hae-sol experiences this identical sensation when observing a person.

'What manner of human is she... ah.'

Abruptly, Kim Hae-sol realizes he has been staring at her with excessive intensity.

As if sensing his protracted gaze, she is now looking directly at him.

"Ah, I apologize. I was staring rather intently..."

"..."

The silver-haired woman observes Kim Hae-sol silently for a moment before suddenly uttering a statement.

"Your eyes are quite beautiful. They are... eyes that are rarely encountered on Earth."

"Pardon?"

Kim Hae-sol suddenly feels an intense heat rising to his face in response to those words.

His heart pounds erratically, and his face flushes crimson.

An unfamiliar sensation, akin to his previous interactions with the woman known as Kang Min-hee, inundates Kim Hae-sol's consciousness.

Could this be...?'

Kim Hae-sol finds himself in a state of bewilderment, contemplating if the reason for his current reaction is that he has experienced love at first sight.

It is precisely at this juncture.

"My name is Ji... no, it's Yang Ji-hwang. And yourself?"

"I, I am Kim Hae-sol..."

"Ah, th-th-that's..."

Kim Hae-sol appeared to be under a spell.

Much like the first time he encountered Kang Min-hee, it felt as though his body was moving of its own accord.

Before he knew it, he was being drawn in by Yang Ji-hwang as she brought her face nearer, and he ended up whispering into her ear the reason for his presence and the individual who had dispatched him.

"Hmm... so that's why you've come. Understood."

Yang Ji-hwang gently stroked Kim Hae-sol's head, a smile gracing her lips.

"This is valuable information. Thank you."

"...Hee..."

Under the touch of her caress, Kim Hae-sol lost his bearings and offered a smile.

With the sensation of being acknowledged by a significant entity, his entire being felt at ease.

An unfounded sense of confidence and courage swelled within him, creating the illusion that he was invincible.

***

Ji Hwa pondered.

'Kang Min-hee has already dispatched individuals to quell the situation. Judging by this kid's eyes... she likely intends to rescue only those deemed virtuous and worthy, right?'

A cold smile spread across her face.

'That certainly simplifies matters for me. Instead of expending energy contemplating before I eliminate, I merely need to avoid the individuals this brat is accompanying and eradicate everyone else.'

Ji Hwa cast a glance towards Kim Hae-sol's head.

Tok tok—

To ensure Kim Hae-sol remained unaware, she discreetly activated the communication device concealed within his ear.

It appeared Kang Min-hee had planted it on Kim Hae-sol, but the ambient energy on Ghost Island was interfering with the signal, preventing any incoming communications.

With Ji Hwa's power breaking through the signal interference, Kim Hae-sol flinched in surprise at the sudden voice in his ear. However, he remained still, focusing intently on the words.

—Kim Hae-sol. Can you hear me? If you can, scratch your head three times with your left hand. I repeat, Kim Hae-sol. Do you hear me? If you hear me..."

'Ah, it must be the informant.'

Kim Hae-sol promptly scratched his head, and from within the communication device lodged in his ear, he heard a sigh.

—So you can hear. Remain calm and simply listen. I am Kim Runi, an operative affiliated with the Anomalous Phenomena Management Bureau. I am currently disguised and have infiltrated this death game as one of the internal administrators on Ghost Island, observing the unfolding events. Listen carefully. Our objective is to ensure the survival and extraction of as many individuals as possible beyond Ghost Island. However, we are powerless to halt this brutal game itself. Therefore, the decision rests with you.

Kim Hae-sol was utterly bewildered by these words.

'What did he just say? Leave the judgment to me?'

—Those who falter in the game, based on the votes from the 'VIPs' remotely observing from another location within Ghost Island, may either perish or be granted a chance to live through a losers' revival match. As an internal administrator, I can persuade these VIPs to the best of my ability and save up to three individuals. However, the choice of whom to save is yours.

'What?'

—Trust your instincts. Select those who you deem worthy of life. Then, when their name is put up for a vote, send me a signal, and I shall ensure their survival, employing any means necessary to sway the decision.

'What kind of preposterous talk is this!? You're telling me to choose who lives!? How is that any different from choosing who dies...?'

As Kim Hae-sol spiraled into panic, Kim Runi's composed voice cut through.

—For your information, there is no obligation for you to bear the weight of this decision. While this is termed a death game, it does not involve actual fatalities.

At that precise moment,

The Towel Passing game reached its conclusion.

Fortunately, the towel did not reach Kim Hae-sol and Ji Hwa's area, allowing them to remain seated until the game's end. However, the man who lost, finding himself the last one standing, trembled as he addressed the host, a clown in a suit.

"Wh-What will happen to me...!? P-Please, save me. Spare me! I-I don't want to die!"

As the man attempted to resist, agents swiftly intervened and restrained him. The pierrot, dressed in a suit, calmly addressed the agitated man.

"Please, calm yourself. Our Cuttlefish Game does not result in needless deaths. Naturally, if you continue to struggle, we will be compelled to resort to firearms. However, for the time being, please compose yourself."

"Th-Then...?"

"From this moment forth, esteemed sir, you shall receive the judgment of the 'audience' who are observing this spectacle. It bears resemblance to the customs of the Roman Colosseum. Should the crowd desire your salvation, you will be granted a chance for a revival match, albeit for a loser. However, if the audience 'wishes for your demise'... ah, do remain calm. Even when 'kill' is the verdict, it does not signify your actual end. Nevertheless, if the audience decrees 'kill,' then a 'most peculiar punishment' shall be your fate from this point onward."

"A, a peculiar punishment...?"

"Indeed, precisely so. But rest assured, your life will remain entirely unaffected. You shall merely serve as a test subject for a specialized 'elixir' we have developed."

Upon hearing these assurances, the man appeared somewhat appeased. Soon after, the attending agents escorted him onto a raised platform.

Behind the platform, an illuminated red electronic board and a blue electronic board ascended.

And then, directly into Kim Hae-sol's ear, Kim Runi's voice transmitted a message.

—Will you choose to spare that individual? If your intention is to save him, please scratch your head thrice with your left hand.

Kim Hae-sol gave a subtle shake of his head, conveying his refusal.

'This feels exceedingly ominous...'

Kim Hae-sol's premonitions have consistently proven accurate.

Individuals who evoke such unsettling feelings within him invariably harbor significant flaws or are fundamentally deceitful beings.

Furthermore, considering that actual death is not the consequence...

For the present, Kim Hae-sol resolved to postpone his final judgment.

Ttiriririririk!

The two screens behind the man illuminated, displaying the number 36 on the red screen and 4 on the blue screen.

"Ah, what a regrettable outcome! The audience cast a staggering 36 'kill' votes, with merely 4 in support of 'Mr. Kim Deok-su.' Well... who could possibly feel sympathy for a scoundrel who borrowed our funds, orchestrated a voice-phishing scheme, only to be so foolishly apprehended by the authorities and have his life crumble around him?"

'So, he's a voice-phishing ringleader...'

Kim Hae-sol clicked his tongue, then continued to observe the man's impending fate.

"Now then, proceed with the administration."

Before the man could utter a single word, the agents swiftly moved in, secured him firmly, and administered a peculiar injection into his upper arm.

A short while later.

"...Ugh uuaaaagh... Kgh... Kuaaaaaaaagh!"

Bulge, bulge!

The man's arm contorted and transformed into a lengthy tentacle.

Beginning with this limb, the man rapidly mutated into a grotesque, starfish-like monstrosity adorned with tentacles.

Peobeobeong!

The garments the man wore were ripped asunder, and confronted by this horrific transformation, every individual within the hall stood frozen in disbelief.

The clownish figure in the suit offered a round of applause, exclaiming,

"My, my! How most unfortunate. It appears the reagent did not agree with you exceptionally well. However, fret not. Our institution shall bear complete responsibility for your situation. Now then, with this participant's exit, we shall recommence the game."

Witnessing the ghastly and unnatural spectacle, Kim Hae-sol felt his sanity on the verge of shattering. Yet, the subsequent words from Kim Runi allowed him to regain his composure.

—Steady yourself, Kim Hae-sol. There is no cause for guilt. Even a human subjected to such a transformation will eventually be restored to their original state through a process known as 'damage recovery,' facilitated by the Director.

Woo-woong—

Did he mention an ability to influence the audience somehow?

As though possessing an innate gift for persuasion, Kim Hae-sol's mind gradually settled upon hearing Kim Runi's pronouncements, leading him to accept her words as the absolute truth.

'...Yes, the Director spoke as if every problem had a solution when she dispatched me here... I bear no responsibility; the Director will rectify everything herself.'

Kim Hae-sol resolved to fulfill his role by simply selecting, with a clear conscience, those individuals who were truly deserving of salvation.

'From this juncture onwards is