Regressor Instruction Manual
chapter-462

Chapter 462: Cho Hyejin’s Instruction Manual (7)

‘This isn’t Cinderella…’

I already knew that Kim Hyunsung was looking for Bitch-erella.

No one told me about this, but it was already obvious, just by looking at his schedule.

In addition to training and work, other things had suddenly appeared, so it was natural for me to notice. However, that wouldn’t be happening anymore.

After receiving information that Bitch-erella had been living nomadically after leaving for the far-away United Kingdom, he no longer went out much. He had begun to accept the simple breakup.

Of course, I was delighted to hear that the complex incident surrounding me had now blurred.

Cho Hyejin was preparing for the final blow. I didn’t even know that he was still obsessed with those shoes.

‘He’s such a single-minded man.’

I wasn’t sure about this, but I had a guess as to why he was so obsessed with this situation.

It felt right to judge that his behavior was simply the result of his regret due to his mistake, rather than the result of his affection.

It was clear that he had broken a good relationship with a momentary mistake, and he felt the need to apologize and take responsibility for it. I didn’t know if it was because of the unique characteristic that the returner had, but it was undeniable that he tended to correct his mistakes somehow.

‘He shouldn’t be under stress in strict conditions…’

At that time, I was already concerned about his mental health. I naturally didn’t want to stress him with other problems during such an important period.

Putting in Cho Hyejin in this situation was quite good timing, but he was so lost in thoughts that he didn’t even notice that Hyejin’s presence.

‘Fuck.’

At that point, Cho Hyejin had become a little embarrassed. She had done so much for this, and yet he didn’t even take any curiosity in her.

‘She’s going to get hurt.’

She was aware that she had changed her appearance, but she still felt small due to an unknown burden. She didn’t say it directly, but when she opened the door, it was clear that she had expectations on how Kim Hyunsung would react.

Even though she dressed like a man, she was still a woman.

Not only were all the delusions in her mind quickly blown away, but I couldn’t rule out the possibility that she had gained an even bigger wound in her already low self-esteem.

“This is not a good start.”

I had to agree with Lee Jihye’s words. However, we couldn’t just give up here.

“Hyejin. Clear your throat lightly and start by greeting him as usual.”

-…

“Hyejin, can you hear me?”

-…

‘Fuck! Damn avatar malfunction!’

I thought it was bound to happen, but I never thought it would have a malfunction right from the very first order.

‘Shit!’

This was the worst thing to ever happen.

However, seeing Cho Hyejin gradually losing her confidence made me feel quite uneasy.

“He looks like that because he’s thinking about something else. He hasn’t even seen your face yet, so get back to your senses, and let’s try again. Try clearing your throat. He will react immediately. I said, try clearing your throat. Are you just going to stand still? At least greet him. Please.”

-G-Guild Master.

-…

The first attempt had resulted in failure.

-Guild Master?

-Oh, Hyejin?

Fortunately, the second try was a success.

As if he was surprised, he hurriedly shoved the shoes into the drawer.

It was a very natural motion.

At this, Kim Hyunsung began to look at the documents on his desks. I wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed, but he didn’t mention Cho Hyejin’s appearance, which was not what I had been expecting.

His lieutenant, who always wore armor, suddenly wore casual clothes and appeared with full makeup and outfit.

If you were a normal person, the normal thing would be to say something about the person’s change.

Saying that ‘you look pretty’ or ‘you look beautiful’ might be too much, but one had to at least say ‘you are dressed a little differently from usual’ to be rewarded for this effort.

Since he looked and acted like nothing was out of the ordinary, Jihye felt dumbfounded too. For some reason, she looked like she had been wronged.

Of course, Cho Hyejin had the same expression.

“First, sit down.”

-First, sit down.

-I already am…

‘What the…”

“You weren’t supposed to say that. Fuck. I’m telling you to sit down, Hyejin.”

-Oh… Oh! Okay.

-Yes?

“Stop talking, you stupid woman. Are you planning to screw me up?”

-It’s… nothing, Guild Master.

-You…

-Yes?

-You certainly…

-Yes.

‘Did he notice?’

-Seem to be not feeling well. I was worried that you didn’t come to the afternoon training… are you okay? Maybe you have a little fever… I think it would be better to go back and rest today. I can deal with the work on my own.

Certainly, Kim Hyunsung’s way of speaking and his tone truly showed that he cared about Cho Hyejin.

Even I would also think like Kim Hyunsung. The woman, who was usually on the ball, wasn’t just talking to herself but was also showing completely different behavior.

It wouldn’t be illogical to think that something was wrong with her, or that she had gotten sick.

Cho Hyejin looked bewildered for being kicked out unexpectedly. I bit my lips tightly when I saw her looking straight at the camera as if asking what to do.

“Tell him that it’s nothing. And don’t make such a heavy expression. For now, sit down and act as usual. Don’t do anything else. I won’t give you a mission. Think of it as literally just working.”

-…

Fortunately, my message was delivered exactly that time.

-No. Indeed, I’m not feeling well, but it’s not enough to stop me from doing basic work.

-But–

-I’m really okay. Rather, I apologize. To suddenly…

-No. It’s fine. It’s not that I can do anything about it if you’re not feeling well… and you also need a break. Are you going out somewhere?

‘Now.’

“Say that you are.”

-Yes.

-Your outfit looks a bit different from what you usually wear… I’m sorry if I’m meddling impertinently.

-N-No. You’re not.

-You look good. I was surprised by the unexpected change.

-Thank you.

‘Right. That’s right. If you really hadn’t mentioned anything, I would have been disappointed, Hyunsung.’

Lee Jihye also looked as if she had been relieved of a heavy burden. Cho Hyejin’s reaction was as obvious as seeing fire. She was blushing with her head bent slightly, looking really happy.

Anyone would’ve thought that she had just gotten engaged to Kim Hyunsung.

“Don’t show any joyful reaction to that kind of thing. His reaction is frankly obvious.”

Kim Hyunsung wasn’t stupid. If he hadn’t really mentioned anything, I would have thought he was no different than a psychopath when it came to love.

Even though I told her not to react, her face had already brightened up.

I thought about warning her again, but I thought it wasn’t all that bad.

That was because a smiling face was a hundred times better than an expressionless face.

It seemed that smiling like that changed not only her appearance, but also the atmosphere.

I had to clench my fists when I saw her sitting in her own seat and starting to work as she regained her confidence.

‘This is favorable.’

What was happening at that moment wasn’t bad.

Of course, she hadn’t really achieved anything. However, except for the worst first meeting, the start was good.

I had also succeeded in raising Cho Hyejin’s self-esteem and incorporating her changed image into Kim Hyunsung.

I didn’t know what he was thinking, but it was undeniable that a positive evaluation came out.

Just looking at Cho Hyejin’s reaction, I could see that he didn’t usually give her such a comment. It was still too early to celebrate, but a good start was half the battle.

Cho Hyejin and Kim Hyunsung were focused on their work. The only sounds I could hear were pen scribbling on papers. They didn’t talk at all.

“Don’t be conscious of him and act normal, Hyejin. I’m doing this to see his reaction. I’m trying to figure out a little bit about whether he’ll have other actions towards your changed appearance and what Hyunsung is thinking. It may be hard, but treat him like he’s not even there.”

However, nothing changed.

“Talk to him, and chat as usual. You don’t have to be shy now.”

-This is what I usually do.

She didn’t say that. However, I could see what she wrote between the papers she was organizing.

“Are you saying you don’t talk to each other during office hours?”

-It’s more efficient this way.

“…”

This was worse than I thought.

As if Cho Hyejin wasn’t lying, the way they continued to focus on work was quite annoying.

Sometimes, however, they did exchange words.

‘Would you like coffee?’

“Please pass me some documents.”

There weren’t any actual conversations. I had expected Cho Hyejin hadn’t accomplished much alone, but the situation was more serious than expected.

I wondered if I was giving an unreasonable order to a child who couldn’t even walk yet.

If the situation persisted, I wouldn’t get to see a reaction.

‘She can’t even say ‘you work very hard.”

I was starting to get nervous, for I could only hear the sound of papers flipping.

In the meantime, that stupid woman was making a happy face as if the current situation alone was good enough.

I couldn’t help but feel an unknown sense of crisis. It was a situation where I had no choice but to look in a different direction. I gave her another order, and Cho Hyejin reacted immediately.

‘She needs to be more active.’

“Remember you just told Hyunsung that you had an appointment? If you do, nod briefly.”

-…

“Go out for a while and then come back in 10 minutes later. If you look in your pocket, there will be two tickets to the theater. Say it’s a play that you were supposed to go to with a friend from Black Swan, but something suddenly happened to Black Swan, and she canceled. Suggest going together since there are two tickets, but you have nobody to go with. You can’t reject this. You must say it as instructed no matter what.”

-How can I say that?

“It’s not like you’re asking to go out on a date. Don’t mistake it for something like that. You haven’t reached that far. It’s just that the appointment has been canceled, so you need someone to go with you instead. Don’t feel overwhelmed and speak as naturally as possible. It would be nice if you can act like you’re a bit embarrassed.”

-Okay.

It was now time to use the arrangements I prepared faster than expected.

I was worried about Cho Hyejin’s poor acting skills, but this should be easy to deliver. It was a scene where she would only say the truth without the need for emotions, after all.

However, it seemed that my worries were unnecessary.

I wanted to even applaud her for being more natural than expected.

Rather, the problem occurred on the other side.

-So… There is one seat left, but w-would you like to watch it together?

-You mean the play?

-Yes, Guild Master. It’s a play that’s been popular lately. The title is Sleeping Forest Alchemist… I heard that it’s popular. There’s a theater company coming from the Crack Theater.

-Oh… that play.

-Do you know which one I’m talking about?

Right. Come on.

-Yes. I have heard of it. I think Kiyoung said it would be fun before, but I still have a bit of work left… if you’re okay, how about going with Kiyoung?

‘This, this, this… Thank you for thinking of me more than anyone else!’

My mixed feelings had now clashed together.