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 both speak in hushed, trembling whispers.

However, my attention is entirely fixed on the fox's saliva dripping right before my eyes, rather than their confusion.

[A wise human among this pack, I shall refrain from reckless slaughter. Nevertheless, a toll must be extracted if you intend to remain within my domain. To acknowledge your stay, one amongst you must surrender a limb. Who shall be the sacrifice?]

Fine.

Since things have reached this point.

I will be the one... to give it up.

My left arm extends forward, shaking uncontrollably.

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

Consequently, everyone ended up mutilated and dying, their limbs ripped apart and consumed by the beast in its rage.

Simply surviving that ordeal was nothing short of a miracle.

But now, I understand the laws of the wild and have secured the fox's acknowledgment.

It won't be everyone’s limbs.

It won't be all the limbs.

The price is the limb of just one person.

Only a single offering is required.

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

[A truly wise human. Your sacrifice is acknowledged; therefore, I shall consume it with as little pain as I can manage.]

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

!!! Ahhhhhhh! Aaargh! Aaaargh!

Massive fangs shred my flesh.

Blood vessels burst as my bones are pulverized.

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

Snap!

Rip!

The fox gnaws on my arm for a moment before violently tearing it away from my shoulder.

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

Writhing in agony and nearly losing consciousness, I fumble for the medicinal herbs I had harvested earlier for pain relief.

I shove them into my mouth, swallowing them whole, roots and all.

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

The agony is simply intolerable!

After a few moments of chewing the herbs, the pain begins to dull as the medicinal properties take hold.

Crunch, crunch... munch.

Having swallowed my entire arm, the fox licks its muzzle with its tongue.

[I suspected it might possess a unique flavor due to your scent. As it turns out, it isn't much better than a typical human. The blood vessels are riddled with impurities, making the texture coarse and the aftertaste foul.]

...I offer this humble tribute.

[Your tribute is accepted. I grant you permission to remain in my territory for seven nights. My divine power has touched you, ensuring you shall not perish from this wound.]

With those words, the fox bounds away, vanishing into the depths of the woods.

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

I chew on a hemostatic herb and press the juice 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.

Once there, I weave a narrative of truth and deception to explain our situation.

I tell them that I encountered the fox earlier this morning when I ventured out, and it spoke to me...

They are bound to find out the truth in a few days anyway.

I act as though the fox imparted the knowledge I actually brought back from my past life.

I explain that this is not our original world, but a realm of immortals, cultivators, and martial artists.

“...A martial world, huh? That’s actually quite exciting.”

“Hehe, I never imagined I’d actually see something like this.”

Despite their shock, Director Kim and Chief Oh crack jokes about the martial world, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

“Haha, Deputy Manager Seo. I’m practically an expert when it comes to martial world lore. You see...”

Director Kim’s voice wavers, betraying his struggle to keep his composure.

“Just don’t die. If you die...”

It isn't genuine excitement for the martial world; it's a desperate attempt to distract from the sight of my suffering.

As the seniors of the group, Director Kim and Chief Oh are trying their best to keep spirits up.

“...It’s alright. I won’t die. The fox promised that its divine power would prevent this wound from being fatal.”

In my previous life, because we didn't perform the sacrifice, everyone had their limbs mangled.

Even though the pain made us beg for death, not one of us actually died.

No, we were unable to die.

But what about the cultivators and immortals?

Just as Chief Oh expresses confusion at my mention of immortals and cultivators, Section Chief Jeon steps forward.

“There are stories known as 'Xianxia,' which go beyond simple 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 niche things.”

“I’ve always had an interest in it, so I did some reading.”

‘I suppose he spent his time at the office reading Xianxia novels instead of working...’

That explains why he always dumped his tasks on me.

Anger flares within me for a moment, but I quickly suppress it and continue.

“At any rate, the master of this forest demanded a price for our temporary stay, so I gave my arm. This should guarantee our safety here for one week.”

“One week? What happens after that?”

“...Another tribute will be required.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes shift toward my mangled shoulder.

Their complexions turn as pale as corpses.

“By the way, could someone fetch me more pain-relief herbs? It’s hurting quite a bit.”

“Ah, of course. Is it this one?”

“Thank you.”

I begin chewing on another root from the supply I gathered earlier.

“I’m going to rest for a while. Please excuse me...”

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

With the pain dulled by the herbs, I fall into a deep, heavy slumber.

They say hearing is the final sense to fade.

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

“What? A tribute? That is insane...”

“You mean we have to offer another sacrifice like that in a week?”

“We need to find a way out of this forest before the week is up.”

“How could we let Deputy Manager Seo go through this...”

“Deputy Manager Seo was just the unlucky one to meet that... thing first.”

“If anything, he’s just the first sacrifice.”

In my semi-conscious state, I continue to eavesdrop on their discussion.

“But what if we can’t find our way out in a week?”

Jeon Myeong-hoon’s voice sounds chillingly cold.

Silence follows his question.

“Then who is going to be the next one to lose a limb?”

A heavy stillness settles over the back of the cave.

‘In three days... the immortals will show up and take them away, so it doesn't actually matter.’

There is no reason for me to reveal anything about my regression.

That was when it started.

An incredibly grating sound reaches my ears.

“Is Deputy Manager Seo still asleep?”

“Yes... he’s completely out.”

“Deputy Manager Seo, if you can hear me, I need to talk to you. Please wake up.”

I keep my eyelids shut and continue feigning sleep.

After confirming I’m unresponsive, Jeon Myeong-hoon stands up.

“Everyone, come to the entrance for a moment.”

“Huh? Can’t we just speak here?”

“No, let’s go outside.”

Jeon Myeong-hoon eventually leads the group toward the cave’s mouth.

A few moments later, hushed whispers drift back from the entrance.

Simultaneously, I hear voices criticizing Jeon Myeong-hoon.

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

“Deputy Manager Seo literally gave up his arm for us...”

“Mm. Section Chief Jeon. I really can’t agree with that.”

“Um...”

From outside the cave, Jeon Myeong-hoon raises his voice in protest.

“Well then, who among you is volunteering to give an arm or a leg to that fox monster next week?”

“Even so...”

“Chief Oh, what’s your take? I think this is the only logical path.”

“...I’m not sure. Besides, Deputy Manager Seo is useful. He’s the one who knows about the food and the herbs...”

“Then we should just squeeze as much information out of Seo Eun-hyun as we can during this week...”

Even though the voices from outside are muffled,

I can easily fill in the blanks.

‘So their plan is, since I’m already crippled, they’ll just keep hacking off my remaining limbs to feed the fox every week.’

It isn't going to happen, yet the thought is revolting.

Deeply, sickeningly revolting.

‘Should I just kill him?’

Despite having only one arm, the ‘violence’ I mastered over fifty years in my previous life is formidable.

Ending someone like Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is still soft from modern life, would be easy.

‘...No. That’s not the way.’

The immortals who will arrive in two days aren't coming to rescue ‘us.’

They are coming because they sensed ‘talent.’

‘Chief Oh Hyun-seok, Deputy Manager Kang Min-hee, and Section Chief Jeon Myeong-hoon. Their innate qualities are what drew the immortals.’

If any one of them is missing, I can't be certain the immortals will even show up.

‘Should I just beat him half to death? Leave him crippled?’

In the past, the immortals still took people even if their limbs were missing.

It’s likely they would still take this guy even if I broke his bones.

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

‘...Fear has likely paralyzed their judgment. They are decent people at heart. The situation is just too bizarre and sudden for them to handle.’

‘Furthermore, if I want to rely on Director Kim later, it wouldn't be wise to appear overly bloodthirsty right now...’

It is far more beneficial to be viewed as someone who needs protection or earns sympathy.

Besides, if Director Kim is part of this scheme, his guilt will ensure he takes better care of me later.

‘This is 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 out of my life forever.

Three days from now, Oh Hye-seo and Kim Yeon will also go their separate ways, and Director Kim Young-hoon and I can depart the Ascension Path with the aid of a beast.

I continue to lie quietly on the floor, pretending to be asleep.

After a while, the group returns to the cave, their faces dark with the weight of their grim pact.

‘Hey, Deputy Manager Seo. Are you doing okay? Try to sit up.’

Jeon Myeong-hoon wakes me with deliberate intent.

‘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 flashes a smile I’ve never seen before while patting my back.

I scan the faces of those around me. Everyone looks miserable.

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

For a fleeting second, rage boils over, and I consider strangling the man who is currently hugging me.

‘Endure it. Phew, just hold on.’

‘...Yes. We all have to stick together to survive this mess.’

‘Haha, exactly. So, about that fruit you found yesterday. Do you know where we can get more?’

‘...’

This bastard actually woke me up just for that.

‘...I can show you. In fact, I was planning on teaching you specifically, Section Chief Jeon.’

‘Ha, really? Thanks! I appreciate it!’

‘Don’t worry about making it in the forest. I will teach you everything you need to know.’

I give him a subtle, knowing smile.

Yes, I’ll pass on all this knowledge to you.

After all, it’s knowledge that will be completely useless once you enter a cultivation sect.

‘Jeon Myeong-hoon. How many times do I have to tell you it’s not that fruit? Are you even paying attention?’

‘No, I thought for sure...’

‘The one with the split top is a different species entirely. Consuming that will kill you. Do you understand?’

‘...’

While instructing Jeon Myeong-hoon on herbs and foraging, I’ve stopped addressing him as ‘section chief.’

He continues to grin while learning about the plants, even as I berate him.

‘I can’t wait to see his frustration when he realizes these are just low-grade herbs meant for mortals, worthless to a sect disciple.’

‘No, Jeon Myeong-hoon. Are you incapable of understanding? I’ve explained this repeatedly. You clearly have a focus problem.’

‘...I get it.’

Jeon Myeong-hoon’s face turns a deep shade of red.

I am tormenting Jeon Myeong-hoon in the exact same manner he used to bully me when I first started at the company.

He must be gritting his teeth and bearing it, thinking he’ll extract a week’s worth of knowledge from me.

I’m sorry to say, we won’t be seeing each other again after two days.

‘Look here. This is known as green-leafed ear; it gives off a distinct scent when you chew it. It’s useful for cleaning teeth and keeping bugs away.’

‘Green-leafed ear, green-leafed ear...’

‘Hmm, I’ve never heard of these plants in Korea though...’

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

‘They are quite specialized plants, and since they aren’t native to our region, it’s natural you wouldn’t know them.’

Of course they don’t exist on Earth.

I am utilizing the herbalism knowledge I acquired in this world.

Since Deputy Oh Hyun-seok isn't an expert, he seems to accept the explanation at face value.

‘That makes sense. Please, continue.’

‘This is called blue baby's hand vein, also referred to as blood-purifying grass. Ah, Jeon Myeong-hoon. You’ve stopped listening again, haven’t you?’

‘...Sorry, you’re right.’

I keep shooting pointed glares at Jeon Myeong-hoon while dragging out the herbal medicine lesson.

The day concludes in that manner.

And then, the following day.

We are forced to face a massive, two-headed red snake staring us down at the cave entrance.

“Hi, hiik...”

“Huuh...”

The others cower in terror, clutching branches inside the cave, while I cautiously address the serpent.

“...What is it you want?”

The snake hissed in response.

[The sovereign of this land has sampled a human with a most peculiar scent.]

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

Though, compared to the fox, it doesn't trigger nearly as much trauma.

[Naturally, since you have paid your dues to the sovereign and received permission to dwell here for seven days and nights, I shall not harm you during that period. However...]

The snake’s two heads both lick their lips simultaneously.

[If you permit me a small taste of your blood, I shall refrain from bothering you even after those seven nights have passed.]

Compared to the fox that ripped off my arm, the snake is remarkably reasonable.

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

But now, it is actually seeking our consent for a drink.

‘It should be fine.’

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

Because of that, in my previous life, the snake left after biting Chief Oh, complaining that the blood tasted terrible.

“How much blood are you asking for?”

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

I turn to Jeon Myeong-hoon with a smirk.

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

“What? Me?”

“It’s not like I’m asking for your arm; it’s just a handful of blood. It’ll clot in no time.”

“I, I...”

“Ah, Mr. Jeon Myeong-hoon. Don’t you still need to learn about the herbs?”

“...Fine.”

Face flushed with anger, 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.

[The blood is thick with impurities. Poisonous, even. A disgusting flavor... easily the worst human blood I have ever sampled.]

The snake shakes both its heads in revulsion and slithers back.

The blood of a 21st-century salaryman, saturated with nicotine and cholesterol, is clearly not a delicacy.

[Regardless, since you provided the blood, I shall take my leave.]

Once the snake vanished, I applied hemostatic herbs to Jeon Myeong-hoon’s cut.

Jeon Myeong-hoon looked incredibly irritated, likely feeling grossed out by the snake’s tongue.

“Mr. Seo Eun-hyun. I know I gave you a hard time when you first joined the firm, but isn't this going a bit far?”

“What else could I do? I couldn't exactly ask the ladies or senior executives like the Chief and Director to bleed for a monster.”

“A handful of blood would have been nothing for you to give...”

“...My arm was literally ripped off yesterday. I’m a bit low on blood as it is. Even a handful is a lot for me right now.”

“Kuhk...”

Jeon Myeong-hoon bites his lip, struggling to breathe through his frustration.

‘Hypocrite. He’s already planning to sell me to the fox in a week.’

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

Either way, there is nothing he can do to me.

‘Well, I won’t have to deal with him after tomorrow anyway...’

I decide I should make the most of the remaining time and continue to give Jeon Myeong-hoon a hard time.

Thus, three days have passed since our arrival in this forest.

Whoosh, whoosh...

A powerful 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.

“Mr. Jeon Myeong-hoon, let’s go out and gather some herbs this morning.”

“This early in the morning...?”

“Ah, come on, hurry up.”

“...Fine.”

I lead Jeon Myeong-hoon around the area, searching for specific plants.

A short while later.

“Oh, I found some!”

“Is this a valuable herb?”

“Yes, it is.”

“It looks a lot like ginseng...”

Jeon Myeong-hoon salivates as he stares at the plant, which indeed resembles wild ginseng.

The plant is actually a variety of ginseng called Yellow Bamboo Root.

It isn't particularly uncommon.

However, the size is what makes it significant.

Likely due to the absorption of spiritual energy, this yellow bamboo root—usually the size of a pinky—is now as thick as a human forearm.

“Hahaha, wow, this is amazing. Is it really okay for us to just dig up this much wild ginseng?”

...

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

‘After all, you won’t have the opportunity to consume such things in your future.’

Even the yellow bamboo roots Jeon Myeong-hoon is digging up with his own hands will never be eaten by him.

To cultivators, yellow bamboo root is nothing more than a low-grade medicinal plant for commoners.

‘Of course, martial artists use it to boost their internal energy... I should make sure to give it to Director Kim later.’

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

I hand him a makeshift pouch I crafted from my torn clothing. Jeon Myeong-hoon carefully places the roots inside.

“Let’s head back now.”

It is about time to return.

We make our way back to the cave, where I have Jeon Myeong-hoon build a fire before we sit down.

I sit quietly, gazing up at the sky.

Kwagwang! Kwakwagwang!

Suddenly, a brilliant flash erupts, and something violently collides high in the heavens.

It appears to be a clash between streaks of black, golden, and shimmering white light.

And in that instant.

Kuhuk! Kua