The Regressor Can Make Them All-Chapter 388

The power of the Destroyer of Perception—the Harbinger of Destruction born from Doppelganger—started with imitations of the techniques of others.

By observing the form of a technique with its eyes, the Destroyer of Perception analyzed the flow of mana through physical impact and then replicated the foundational synesthetic mindscape in it.

After that, the Destroyer of Perception’s power ended the moment its opponent was defeated and absorbed—when it seized the very essence of the martial prowess its foe had painstakingly built up.

Its power sounds similar to Doppelganger’s unique skill, but it’s completely different.

Taking equipment as an example, the difference would be that Doppelganger killed the blacksmith once they perfected their weapon and stole it, whereas the Destroyer of Perception took the materials, facilities, and blacksmith who made it on top of the weapon.

What it steals reinforces and complements each other, too.

With all of those, the Destroyer of Perception could evolve a technique from an ordinary C-rank hero into something capable of killing an S-rank hero in a single strike—which was the very ability that had enabled it to kill both Jason and Baek-Yeon before his regression.

The Destroyer of Perception had only that ability, but it made it exceptionally powerful in direct combat.

However, there was one notable exception.

Thunk!

There was a certain efficiency-driven pragmatist, who didn’t care about beliefs or principles as long as the technique was useful. That person was someone who saw battle as nothing more than labor, caring little for enlightenment, and only sought to finish things as quickly as possible.

Clang!

The Destroyer of Perception was a being that imitated and stole the essence of the martial prowess of its opponent. So only before a certain blacksmith—one whom countless heroes constantly criticized for being devoid of fundamentals—did the Destroyer of Perception’s power lose its brilliance.

Boom!

Even now, after returning through time, that truth remained unchanged.

“Urgh...!”

Se-Hoon staggered backward, barely parrying the incoming spear and dagger with White Light and Golden Origin.

And at that moment, when he had lost his balance, another wave of attacks rained down. Swords, hammers, spears, and axes—each strike varied in the equipment used. The Destroyer of Perception was always opting for the most efficient attack method, constantly shifting its weapons and techniques.

The downpour of weapons was chaotic and disorienting, but far from weak.

“You seem to know more useful techniques than I expected...!”

Clang!

Se-Hoon was driven back by its precise, machine-like movements with not a single wasted motion. Against that, any normal hero would have been decapitated in an instant.

But fortunately, Se-Hoon wasn’t a normal hero.

Hmm... its attacks are efficient, for sure.

Though he was acting like he was struggling, Se-Hoon was still calmly deflecting every incoming attack. He avoided unnecessary risks and only made movements that maximized his gains.

And logically, that was the most rational approach.

However, the world of martial arts followed a different set of rules. If someone swung a sword overhead to attack the one before them, common sense dictated that such an obvious attack wouldn’t land. However, by adding one’s synesthetic mindscape and mana, space itself could be twisted to bring the strike directly to its target—an illogical yet effective technique.

But I’m not like them.

If normal heroes expended ten units of energy to achieve a result of a hundred, Se-Hoon simply used ten at the right moment. So in terms of results alone, it became a bizarre paradox where the Se-Hoon appeared more inefficient, at a ratio of a hundred to ten.

And that was precisely how Se-Hoon weakened the Destroyer of Perception.

When it comes to efficiency, the one with more resources ultimately wins.

While their physical abilities were evenly matched, Se-Hoon had powerful pieces of equipment like the Sin Eclipsing Blade and, more importantly, the powers of the Perfect Ones—things the Destroyer of Perception could never steal.

I could actually just end this in ten seconds using the Veil of Whitespace.

Whether the Destroyer of Perception realized that too, it continued its relentless assault regardless.

Clang!

Deflecting its desperate attacks, Se-Hoon felt an odd mix of emotions. Was he really that weak without his weapons and powers? The thought embarrassed him somewhat, but at the same time, it gave him a sense of pride.

I guess this just proves how amazing those things are.

With that thought, Se-Hoon refocused on the battle. He had been too relaxed, getting lost in thought for a moment, due to his overwhelming advantage.

Defeating it is easy.... The real problem comes after that.

If he were fighting the real Destroyer of Perception, he wouldn’t be hesitating to kill it like he was now. The monster had clearly split itself into multiple clones before the battle started, meaning that even if he killed the one in front of him, it was meaningless unless he eliminated the remaining three as well.

More importantly, he was wary of triggering an ‘awakening’ of the Destroyer of Perception during that process.

Why the hell is it attacking in this half-baked state anyway...?

Compared to the Destroyer of Perception before his regression, it was only at fifty percent of its strength. Se-Hoon entertained the idea that it could be due to having fewer stolen techniques in its early stage, but he suspected a deeper issue—that there was something wrong with Doppelganger itself.

For some unknown reason, the Doppelganger wasn’t allowing the Harbinger Shard to fully awaken it as a Harbinger of Destruction. And as a result, its abilities were weakened.

But there’s no guarantee it’ll stay this way forever.

Once someone stepped into a certain domain, even the smallest trigger could push them forward. Right now, the Destroyer of Perception was teetering on that very threshold. Its battle with Se-Hoon, or even the death of one of its clones, could serve as the catalyst.

Maybe it divided itself intentionally for that reason.

Unable to grasp what the Destroyer of Perception was aiming for, Se-Hoon considered his options. The first was to take the risk, kill the clone in front of him, and adapt to whatever happened next.

As for the second...

BOOM!

The thunderous sound of an impact from nearby cut off his thoughts, making him instinctively turn toward the source. There, he spotted Jake being overwhelmed by one of Destroyer of Perception’s clones wielding a massive black greatsword.

Jake, barely holding his ground, was completely covered in blood. Seeing him, for the first time since the fight began, Se-Hoon’s eyes widened in alarm.

Slash!

A rapier’s blade narrowly grazed Se-Hoon’s cheek.

Having dodged by a hair’s breadth, Se-Hoon quickly stepped back and turned his gaze to the Destroyer of Perception clone in front of him.

“Getting distracted in the middle of battle? You must be quite confident.”

In truth, Se-Hoon actually was so relaxed that he was even contemplating how to finish the battle. But he kept his thoughts hidden and smirked instead.

“I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“Oh? Are you waiting for your allies to create an opening for you?”

The Destroyer of Perception clone briefly assessed the battlefield.

Jason, while struggling to hold his ground, was effectively keeping his opponent in check. Kwang-Soo was slowly gaining the upper hand, thanks to his superior techniques. And Jake was on the verge of defeat.

Focusing on Jake, the Destroyer of Perception spoke in a calm voice. “I can see why you’d be concerned now. Your friend might actually die soon.”

“...”

“So what’s your plan?” Despite the apparent stalemate, the Destroyer of Perception nonchalantly continued to press Se-Hoon for an answer. “Will you wait for an uncertain opportunity? Or will you sacrifice someone to seize victory?”

Though unaware of just how disadvantaged it was, the Destroyer of Perception had correctly picked up on Se-Hoon’s intent: he was waiting for something. But could an opportunity truly appear in such a situation?

The Destroyer of Perception thought it highly unlikely.

“Show me the path you pursue.”

As the Destroyer of Perception fully embraced its instincts, Se-Hoon recalled Jake’s battered figure.

“Why would I?”

Then, with another smirk, he raised White Light and Golden Origin once more.

“This time, it’s not my turn.”

***

BOOM!

A devastating impact crashed into Jake’s entire body. The force of the blow tore through him, reopening old wounds and sending fresh blood spraying into the air.

He wasn’t fatally injured, but his condition was critical enough that continuing the battle was dangerously reckless.

“Hngh...!”

Yet, despite the peril, Jake didn’t retreat. Instead, he gripped the Windchaser Sword even tighter—that it nearly shattered in his hands—and swung it at his enemy.

Running wasn’t an option. If he fled, his absence would only endanger his allies.

“Pathetic.”

Clang!

But no matter how many times he slashed, his attacks never landed. His sword techniques, acknowledged even by Se-Hoon, had been crushed over and over since the moment the battle began.

Even the Windchaser Sword—his strongest weapon which he trusted to win head-on clashes—couldn’t break his opponent’s greatsword.

In less than ten minutes, the Destroyer of Perception had completely overwhelmed him.

Struggling to endure, Jake clenched his teeth hard enough to nearly crack them.

Why...?

On paper, the two were on equal footing. Their physical abilities were evenly matched and their mana output was nearly identical. In fact, Jake was supposed to have the upper hand, as he wielded legendary-tier equipment, the Windchaser Sword.

So why was he losing so badly?

Unwilling to accept the unfair reality, Jake lunged forward with renewed ferocity.

“Ugh?!”

Slash!

But his impatience only created an opening.

A sharp pain tore through his right shoulder, weakening his grip involuntarily. Alarmed, Jake staggered backward.

“Huff... Huff...”

He finally had a moment to catch his breath. But rather than feeling relieved, he was only more confused.

The Destroyer of Perception remained still, merely watching, despite having had the chance to press forward.

Jake tensed, wary of its unreadable intentions.

“I don’t understand.”

The Destroyer of Perception mutters, laced with curiosity, resounded.

“Why do you fight like that?”

“...What?”

“If you simply swung your sword properly, you wouldn’t be struggling this much. Are you deliberately holding back to gain some kind of enlightenment?”

What was it talking about? Jake couldn’t even guess, let alone understand.

And that sight made the Destroyer of Perception wavered slightly.

“...I see. So you aren’t even aware of it.”

“What nonsense are you spouting—”

“Enough. You’re no longer worth fighting.”

Woong-

Sword energy condensed once more around the Destroyer of Perception’s greatsword. The black blade pulsed menacingly, darker and heavier than before.

“I won’t kill you. That’s not my role.”

With a forceful stomp, the Destroyer of Perception then lunged faster than before.

Immediately, Jake gritted his teeth and swung the Windchaser Sword to meet the attack.

BOOM!

The cyan blade clashed violently with a pitch-black greatsword. Compressed sword aura erupted, sending razor-sharp fragments scattering in all directions.

Splurt!

Each shard that grazed Jake drew blood.

In contrast, the Destroyer of Perception’s wounds closed in an instant, as if nothing had happened.

Slowly but surely, the accumulating injuries tipped the battle even further out of Jake’s favor.

At this rate...

He was using his Blood Art to suppress the bleeding, but that had its limits. His stamina and mana were running dry, and the Destroyer of Perception’s attacks broke through his defenses nonstop.

His desperation rising, Jake strained his mind, searching for an answer.

What am I missing?

It was foolish to listen to the enemy. But right now, he couldn’t afford to dismiss even the smallest clue.

What was the “unawareness” the Destroyer of Perception had mentioned referring to?

BOOM!

As he fought, Jake examined himself, analyzing his own movements.

His sword technique combined his family’s techniques with the Windchaser Sword’s power. Although Se-Hoon had praised it, he had also criticized it for not having any synesthetic mindscape imbued in it.

Could it really be due to the absence of a synesthetic mindscape?

Was his synesthetic mindscape already complete, and that was what he was unaware of? If so, the revelation could turn the tide of battle.

Grasping onto what could be his only hope, Jake frantically began trying to perceive his own synesthetic mindscape mid-fight.

Slash!

But enlightenment wasn’t something gained from a single remark. His focus only created openings, which the Destroyer of Perception ruthlessly exploited.

Splurt!

His chest, thigh, then side—even though he was twisting his body to avoid fatal wounds, he was reaching his limit.

His vision was already blurring from excessive blood loss as chills ran through his body.

“There are no miracles in enlightenment.”

At the icy voice of the Destroyer of Perception, Jake felt as though his last hope had completely slipped through his grasp, each strike criticizing his foolishness.

Because of that, Jake even momentarily forgot that the Destroyer of Perception was the enemy. Shame and frustration left room for nothing else.

But... what else can I do...?!

He lacked his sister’s prodigious talent. He had no grand philosophy to embody in his swordsmanship. He wasn’t as extraordinary as his friends.

Was it truly so wrong to wish for a miracle?

Whoosh!

Unfortunately, even as despair consumed him, the Destroyer of Perception closed in.

Just then, his consciousness wavered. The amount of blood lost had triggered a near-death experience.

Struggling, Jake gazed at the Destroyer of Perception’s blurry blade slowly approaching—

Wait... Why is it so slow?

At first, he thought the sword simply seemed sluggish. But then, the Destroyer of Perception’s greatsword stopped moving altogether, as if time had frozen.

Baffled, Jake instinctively shifted his gaze toward the Destroyer of Perception.

What... am I searching for?

As if answering his question, a single trajectory traced itself across the frozen world: the shortest path to cut down his opponent—he had finally caught a glimpse of the gap.

If I can trace that path...!

He suddenly had a strong feeling that he could cut down the shadow mimicking him in an instant

At long last, the miracle he had been wishing for had appeared before his eyes, making Jake’s eyes gleam with newfound hope.

But just as he reached for it, the world resumed its motion.

Swish-

The moment the Destroyer of Perception moved again, the trajectory vanished. The change in stance had shifted the gap elsewhere.

Yet, instead of despairing, Jake pushed himself harder.

I have to visualize it again!

He knew it was no time to lament the world’s unfairness. There was no time to lament his own weakness.

Jake devoted every ounce of his energy to finding the gap once again.

Drip-

But maintaining that level of focus was difficult even in peak condition. With a blurred consciousness and body on the verge of collapse, it was essentially impossible.

No matter what he tried, his senses kept slipping before he could grasp the gap.

My concentration isn’t enough.

Even if he found the opening, his focus shattered before he could react.

But how could he fix such a thing? Alas, Jake had no answer once again.

I guess there’s just nothing I can try...

His only points to leverage were his Windchaser Sword and his abnormal grip strength. Yet, how could he use those to sharpen his focus and find the gap?

As Jake tried to grasp onto anything, an old memory surfaced.

“The reason for your abnormal grip strength. Mana compression isn’t easy to control as it happens unconsciously, almost like an instinct.”

Unlike when Se-Hoon first told him, the words Se-Hoon said when they were forging the Luminescent Sword in spring hit him like a lightning bolt.

What am I compressing with my mana?

Despite the Destroyer of Perception’s greatsword bearing down on him, that question consumed him.

Then, at long last, the answer surfaced.

My own sword.

In order to manifest the blades for both the Luminescent Sword and the Windchaser Sword, he had to grip their hilts with all of his strength. Until now, he had always assumed it was simply due to his lack of control over his own strength.

He figured it out at last.

I was just compressing it.

To manifest the sword engraved in his synesthetic mindscape, he instinctively compressed everything into his grasp, projecting it into the real world.

Finally awake, Jake locked eyes with the Destroyer of Perception once more.

Soul Sword Manifestation

His sharpened senses intentionally compressed into a single blade that pierced through the gap.

Slash!

The entire process of retrieving his sword and swinging it was omitted. The cyan blade traced a perfect arc in an instant, cutting through the greatsword and even straight through the Destroyer of Perception’s clone.

“What...?”

Although the Destroyer of Perception’s vision was tilting downward, it wasn’t the pain of being cleaved that shocked it.

Rather, it was the sheer impossibility of what Jake had just done.

How... How did this fool, who couldn’t even visualize his own synesthetic mindscape, execute the power of Premotion...?

Never before had the Destroyer of Perception been so shaken.

Even the other three remaining clones, which had each been acting independently, momentarily froze—stunned by the death of one of their own.

“An opening!”

Whoosh!

Se-Hoon seized the moment. Using the power of Perception and Metamorphosing Dreams, he bypassed all attacks and reached for the Destroyer of Perception’s throat.

“Agh!”

Though he had only grabbed the clone in front of him, the sensation resonated across all three remaining bodies.

It was as if... all were bound by a single boundary line. The realization struck the Destroyer of Perception like a bolt of lightning.

But before it could do anything, Se-Hoon swiftly summoned a weapon from the Netherworld.

Shing!

A massive scythe, drenched in the Netherworld’s mana, gleamed.

Reappearing in the world, the legendary-tier weapon once wielded by the Eternal Nocturne himself—the Grim Reaper—had been summoned.

“You shouldn’t have let your guard down.”

Slash!

The Destroyer of Perception’s head fell to the ground.