A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 537: Goodbye, Daoist Seo

"Haah...Haah...! Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol...! Get a hold of yourself...!"

Oh Hye-seo pants heavily as she glances back at the ominous [something] chasing from behind.

Kugugugugugu!

A moon!

A mass of Gang Qi the size of a small moon is pursuing her and Seo Hweol.

It is Seo Eun-hyun's Gang Sphere clone.

Just from the aura it radiates, it feels equivalent to the Quasi-Star Shattering level. If it were to borrow Seo Eun-hyun's power, it could easily reach the mid to late stage.

Oh Hye-seo grits her teeth and drags Seo Hweol along as she flees.

The distance between Seo Eun-hyun's Gang Sphere clone and Oh Hye-seo continues to shrink.

'I-I can't shake it off...'

Oh Hye-seo's pale complexion shows as she bites her lip tightly.

But she cannot allow them to be caught.

So she thinks of another plan.

Wo-woong!

Pabababatt!

The light of the Glass Peacock seems to radiate from her body endlessly. Then, Oh Hye-seo splits into dozens of figures, scattering in all directions across the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

Whether fortunate or not, as she predicted, the moon-sized Gang Sphere fragments into dozens of smaller pieces, each chasing after her afterimages.

The once moon-sized Gang Sphere has suddenly shrunk to the size of China as it continues to pursue her.

'Good, its speed has slowed...!'

Oh Hye-seo exhales in relief and starts moving even faster.

With her increased speed, the Gang Sphere clone gradually falls behind. Eventually, Oh Hye-seo successfully shakes off the Gang Sphere clone and manages to return to Lofty Dragon Star with Seo Hweol where her main body is.

Underground of Lofty Dragon Star.

There, as she waits for Seo Hweol, her face brightens upon seeing Seo Hweol and her clone return.

"Seo, Seo Hweol...! You're back! Th-The plan...how did it go...?"

Oh Hye-seo cautiously asks Seo Hweol.

The Taiji ripples flickering around Seo Hweol have also shrunk in size, and he gazes at Oh Hye-seo with increasingly vacant eyes.

Seo Hweol stares blankly at the woman babbling in front of him.

It feels as if he cannot understand a single word she is saying.

No, it's noise he doesn't need to hear.

Because it's meaningless.

Seo Hweol...remembers what he just witnessed.

Though he did not [completely] witness it...he once again succeeded in glimpsing the Akashic Records.

And...he saw it.

The [answer] he had been seeking.

"Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol?"

Slap, Slap!

Oh Hye-seo lightly smacks Seo Hweol's cheek with her palm, and Seo Hweol stares at her with vacant eyes.

"Seo Hweol, are you okay?"

Is he okay.

That's the meaning of her words.

And Seo Hweol smiles as he replies.

"...I'm fine, Hye-seo. Please...don't worry about me."

But Oh Hye-seo continues to look at Seo Hweol with uncomfortable eyes.

Oh Hye-seo is someone who grew up constantly reading others from a young age.

For her, observing Seo Hweol, who has regained his emotions but lost all his strength, is not difficult.

"...You're not okay."

"...Hye-seo. What are you saying?"

Seo Hweol clutches his chest tightly as he speaks.

"I am fine. I'm fine, so don't worry about me. Don't worry about me! You don't need to know!!"

Flinch!

At Seo Hweol's sudden outburst, Oh Hye-seo flinches momentarily, but that's all.

She continues to stare at him with a confused expression.

"Ah..."

Seeing this, Seo Hweol clears his throat and smiles again.

"I apologize...for getting emotional. Just...please give me a little time to think. For now, the plan...has failed. We need another strategy. A new plan to escape from Seo Eun-hyun's grasp..."

At Seo Hweol's words, Oh Hye-seo nods.

"Got it. But...Seo Eun-hyun's clone? There was a massive sphere that seemed like one chasing after us."

Seo Hweol flinches slightly at her words.

"...We'll likely be pursued again soon. If it's Seo Eun-hyun's clone, it will soon find Lofty Dragon Star."

"What? Th-This place isn't safe?"

"It is safe. There's an escape route here that leads directly to a distant dimension. In the core of Lofty Dragon Star, there's a dimensional teleportation formation that connects to the True Devil Realm. Even if Seo Eun-hyun's clone follows us, as long as we activate the teleportation formation and destroy the formation on the opposite side in the True Devil Realm...it will be impossible for even Seo Eun-hyun to follow."

"Ah...! I see. Th-Thank goodness...thank goodness..."

Oh Hye-seo buries herself in Seo Hweol's embrace, trying to steady her breathing.

Seo Hweol looks down at Oh Hye-seo, and while her gaze isn't on him, the smile fades from his face, leaving behind an empty expression.

'...What have I...been pursuing...?'

He recalls the 'answer' shown to him by the Akashic Records.

Kuuuung!

Just then, the entire Lofty Dragon Star begins to shake violently.

Seo Eun-hyun's Gang Sphere clone has arrived at Lofty Dragon Star.

Oh Hye-seo quickly wraps herself and Seo Hweol in the light of the Glass Peacock, erasing their presences, before digging deeper underground.

Seo Hweol, despite still maintaining cultivation around the Four-Axis stage, knows he can't help her in his current state, so he silently follows her underground.

Meanwhile, on the surface of Lofty Dragon Star.

Seo Eun-hyun's Gang Sphere clone lands softly, surveying the charred remains of the palace on the surface of the ground. As it slowly walks towards the ruins, it transforms into a human form.

Seo Eun-hyun clears away the palace ruins.

Traces of familiar spiritual energy remain.

And...beneath the palace debris.

There, lying charred and fused together, are the ash clumps of Hon Won and Yeon Wei.

Seo Eun-hyun looks at them and, with a deep sigh, kneels on the ground to mourn his fallen friends.

Oh Hye-seo's presence on this star is already confirmed.

Since it is clear that escape is impossible anyway, it is only right to pay respects here and then go after them.

Meanwhile, deep underground, as Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo approach the core, Seo Hweol predicts Seo Eun-hyun's actions.

'By now...he must be mourning over Hon Won and Yeon Wei's corpses on the surface. He probably thinks he can capture us anytime...which means we have enough time to activate the teleportation formation...'

Dozens of schemes arise in Seo Hweol's mind.

However, suddenly, Seo Hweol sees himself no longer wanting to think of such schemes.

He understands what kind of situation this is.

'So that's it. I...can no longer find a reason to live...'

He recalls the answer.

Seo Hweol gazed at the Akashic Records and wished.

He wished to know who his origin is, where it lies, and with what intentions he was born.

The Akashic Records, though it couldn't fully answer due to him being pulled away by Hong Fan, still revealed what Seo Hweol needed to know.

The truth is horrifyingly hollow and agonizing for Seo Hweol.

Seo Hweol's origin does not exist in this world.

The Akashic Records judged on the 'soul', basing it on 'who gave him their heart', But in this world, there is no such existence who gave Seo Hweol their heart.

Therefore, Seo Hweol, who was loved only by virtual personas in Agate's dream from the very beginning, has no meaning behind his existence.

And by that logic...

The first being to ever give Seo Hweol their heart was...

The very Yu Oh who Seo Hweol believed had corrupted his main body.

Therefore, Seo Hweol's name carries no meaning, as no one had ever given him their heart.

What holds meaning in this world is—

The name [■■], which Seo Hweol himself erased in collaboration with Oh Hye-seo.

That's right.

The answer to the meaning of himself that Seo Hweol had sought all his life is something he personally annihilated and erased with his own hands.

'...The name...■■'s name...I can't remember it...'

As Seo Hweol moves towards the core with Oh Hye-seo, he realizes he has been shedding tears without even himself knowing. 

'...I am ...■■. In truth, I was essentially the same being as ■■ from the very beginning.'

Seo Hweol separated himself and ■■, thinking of himself as the victor and ■■ as the loser.

But...from the start, the two were 'two different Seo Hweols, split into two possibilities.'

Because of that, if they wished to become one, they could merge into a single personality at any time.

It's not a matter of who takes dominance—it's simply returning to being one.

After all, they were one from the start.

However...

Seo Hweol erased the name and existence of ■■, the only one in his life who had received love and could proudly speak of their worth of existence, with his own hands.

He destroyed his own dream with his own hands.

Seo Hweol unknowingly asks Oh Hye-seo a question.

"Hye-seo. There's something I'm curious about."

"What is it?"

"...Do you think there's any reason for us to be alive?"

"Aha..."

Oh Hye-seo looks at Seo Hweol and speaks.

"Do you want to kill yourself, Seo Hweol?"

"You're sharp. Yes."

"That makes sense. I used to think about suicide almost every day back on Earth. If I had managed to take control of everything in the company...I probably would have killed myself because there'd be nothing left to do."

"And yet, you are still alive. Why haven't you killed yourself?"

"Hmm... The reason I didn't kill myself back on Earth was because I...wanted to sit in the CEO's chair of my company at least once. That's it. Pretty modest, right? But after coming to this world, things changed a bit. In that world, no matter how much I struggled, the highest position I could reach with the time and resources given to me was limited. But this world is different, isn't it? Here, with enough effort, lifespan, resources, and life itself increase dramatically. I became curious about how far I could go, and what I could see. So...I haven't killed myself yet, Seo Hweol."

"...Hye-seo. You..."

Seo Hweol asks with a hollow expression.

"What meaning does any of that have?"

At those words, Oh Hye-seo stops and looks directly at Seo Hweol.

She is acting as if she is 'a little tired but holding onto hope,' but upon closer inspection, one can see that she also possesses emotionless eyes.

"I don't know."

"...What?"

"So I'm searching. I've been searching for a long time. I enjoyed finding out how many teeth people I know have, their illnesses, their records, their lives, and everything about them. It was because I wanted to know—what is the meaning of it all?"

"Then, have you found it? That meaning?"

"No. I'm still searching."

"What clue are you searching with?"

"You."

Oh Hye-seo points at Seo Hweol.

"It used to be coworkers back in the company...but now, I'm searching using you as the clue. For that meaning..."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"When I'm with you..."

Oh Hye-seo finally arrives at the core of Lofty Dragon Star.

She arrives at the teleportation formation area.

The teleportation formation zone is built from solid, pitch-black rock, with skulls embedded throughout that emit an icy chill, creating an incredibly ominous feeling.

Faint devilish energy wafts through the air, and grotesque life forms grow in various places, making it a truly terrifying sight to an unfamiliar observer.

And there, in that chilling and dreadful atmosphere, Oh Hye-seo's face flushes red without her realizing it.

"When I'm with you, there's never a dull moment. My suicidal urges decrease, and there's rarely a moment where I feel like my life is in danger. You take care of my basic needs, assist with my cultivation, and somehow, though I can't fully explain it, there's a softening feeling deep in my chest. When I'm away from you, it's the opposite. My suicidal urges grow, I get scared, and I want to lean on you. The inside of my chest feels cold and hollow."

As her explanation continues, Seo Hweol lowers his eyes coldly.

"Meaning... Back on Earth, I read countless psychological and philosophical books and came up with my own definition. I think 'meaning' is something that has a positive influence on oneself. You...are a presence that positively influences me, Seo Hweol. So...I will find meaning through you."

"..."

Seo Hweol slowly caresses Oh Hye-seo's cheek.

Then, his pupils slit vertically.

"You've gained emotions, Hye-seo..."

"It seems that way. Though I still don't fully understand the definition of emotion..."

"...Hye-seo."

Seo Hweol looks directly into Oh Hye-seo's eyes and asks.

"It seems you love me."

Love.

Seo Hweol doesn't fully understand its meaning.

To be exact...

In Agate's dream.

In his first life, he thinks he vaguely understood it.

But in the lives that followed, he could no longer feel any resonance with the word love.

Especially now, after realizing through the Akashic Records that his entire life has no meaning.

Thus, with his vertical pupils narrowing further, Seo Hweol thinks.

'This works out well.'

Until now, Seo Hweol has been racking his brain over how to shake Oh Hye-seo off while descending underground.

'Seo Eun-hyun wants both me and Oh Hye-seo. And we both seem quite important to him.'

Therefore, if Seo Hweol leaves Oh Hye-seo behind in Lofty Dragon Star and heads to the True Devil Realm, Seo Eun-hyun will capture Oh Hye-seo and temporarily put his pursuit of Seo Hweol on hold.

If Seo Hweol can plant 'false information' about himself into Oh Hye-seo's mind on top of all that, all the better.

When Seo Eun-hyun interrogates Oh Hye-seo or uses his senses of Earth to read history, he will be misled about Seo Hweol's whereabouts.

'I must abandon Oh Hye-seo here to survive.'

Seo Hweol frantically begins establishing dozens of plans once again.

Just moments ago, he had dismissed these plans as meaningless...

But why?

Seo Hweol began devising plans again after hearing Oh Hye-seo's words.

'Yes. That would indeed be best.'

After quickly turning the gears in his mind, Seo Hweol forms the optimal plan.

It is to seize Oh Hye-seo's body.

Beyond simply using her body as bait, but using Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to turn it into a configuration and putting it into his own body. One part of Seo Hweol will flee to draw Seo Eun-hyun's attention, while the main body, inhabiting Oh Hye-seo, will be dragged beneath Seo Eun-hyun.

Seo Eun-hyun will certainly conduct an inspection, but it doesn't matter.

If it's the few possibilities he discovered in the Akashic Records regarding Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, hiding even under Seo Eun-hyun's eyes is feasible.

Seo Eun-hyun will likely attempt to refine Oh Hye-seo.

If she is captured and refined, Oh Hye-seo's personality will surely collapse. But Seo Hweol is confident he will endure.

In this way, he will hide indefinitely under the lamp known as Seo Eun-hyun, waiting silently and unnoticed.

And...someday, when Seo Eun-hyun dies or becomes a great being.

When Seo Eun-hyun stands at the crossroads of those two outcomes.

Seo Hweol will emerge into the world once again and infect the universe with himself.

'Yes, that will do.'

Suddenly.

A question surfaces in Seo Hweol's mind, saying 'If I infect the universe, what meaning does that have?'

But Seo Hweol forcibly ignores the question and grips Oh Hye-seo's shoulders, asking,

"If you love me, good. Then I will ask for one favor. First, with my blood—"

"Seo Hweol. Before that, wait a moment."

From the moment he woke up from the dream, Seo Hweol has worn a mask his entire life. Oh Hye-seo suddenly holds Seo Hweol's cheek and speaks.

"There's one thing I'm curious about."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"I..."

At her following words, Seo Hweol narrows his eyelids.

"I'm curious about your real face."

"...What?"

"I'm talking about your true heart, Seo Hweol. You said you've regained your main body now, right? So...show me your true heart."

Seo Hweol suddenly realizes he's heard this question somewhere before.

'Was it Jeon Hyang...?'

—Your Majesty the Sea Dragon King. I love you. Kiss me.

—If you don't want to kiss me, Your Majesty, then show me your true face.

—Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty...Seo Hweol. I want to see your true heart. Please...show me... If you don't, I will detonate what I received from [Heaven] right here.

Seo Hweol recalls the moment he ambushed and killed her.

Even as she was dying, she clung to him and begged.

If he didn't show her, she seemed ready to lose her mind completely and lash out with suspicious spells. In the end, Seo Hweol had no choice but to reveal his true face to Jeon Hyang.

The devilish spell Tainted Soul Deadly Gaze.

It's a devilish spell that forces the target to witness the 'reality they can least accept' and amplifies the emotions tied to that denial.

Of course, this only works when what is shown isn't an illusion but 'real.'

After a brief hesitation, Seo Hweol reveals Tainted Soul Deadly Gaze to Oh Hye-seo.

At the same time, he shows her that horrifying pain, the hatred that 'Seo Hweol least wants to admit'.

'...How strange of me. Is it because of Seo Eun-hyun's Filling the Heavens Governing View? Why did I show her such a thing?'

Seo Hweol remembers Jeon Hyang's final moments.

Jeon Hyang, who claimed to love Seo Hweol, saw his pain.

The moment she saw the horrifying loathing and hatred embedded in Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, she wept and ran away from Seo Hweol.

Just moments before, she had asked for a kiss, but upon witnessing his monstrous face, she couldn't endure it. Trembling in agony, she ultimately took her own life.

That was Jeon Hyang's end.

'Oh Hye-seo...won't be able to accept it either...'

It's just when he thinks so.

The next moment, Oh Hye-seo presses her lips against Seo Hweol's.

Their lips meet.

After a while, Tainted Soul Deadly Gaze naturally fades away, and Oh Hye-seo pulls her head back from Seo Hweol.

"It must have been hard, Seo Hweol."

"..."

"My stepfather used to do this for me when I was little. He said this is what you do when someone is struggling. Of course, my stepfather