Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character

Song Jiwoon, who had approached the king—an entity classified as an S-rank demon-type in this world—without fear, did not leave the mountain afterward.
Ever since the king learned about Song Jiwoon’s skill, he found himself constantly thinking about him.

On quiet reflection, he realized Song Jiwoon bore a resemblance to an old friend—an upright knight who once clutched him and shouted that he would go in the king’s stead.
That was why, every time the king met Song Jiwoon, he taught him things—starting with how to regulate energy. What began with a few words turned into an hour, then a day, and then a week.
Eventually, the two spent every day together, conversing about much more than just skills, and around that time, Song Jiwoon began to call the king “teacher.”

The king learned that Song Jiwoon had left his home and entered the mountains to protect his only remaining family—his grandmother.
Song Jiwoon, in turn, discovered that the king had crossed over from another world through a rift.
[Teacher, what’s this?]

[Your growth is so fast—it felt wrong not to give you something.]
It was the tenth year since they’d met. The king handed Song Jiwoon a blue cloak.
[It bothered me that I’d never given you anything. Take it.]

[But this cloth is…]
[It’s fine.]
The cloak had been part of the armor the king wore when he first fell into this world. He shortened it so Song Jiwoon—who now acted as guardian of the mountain and often descended to help others—could move freely, and fastened it with a jewel that had originally adorned the armor.

It was practically the only item left connecting him to his homeland, and yet the king had repaired it himself to give to Song Jiwoon.
After refusing it several times, Song Jiwoon finally accepted it with a sorrowful expression under the king’s firm insistence.
The king understood the reason behind his reaction. Song Jiwoon must’ve thought the king had given up hope of ever returning home.

And he was right. The king had long abandoned that hope. He just couldn’t bring himself to fully accept it.
After giving away the cloak, the king gathered his remaining armor and jewels, sold them to a trader, and used the money to renovate a temple in the mountains.
He had reached out to people he’d met while wandering the worlds for help with the renovation, and surprisingly, they had not forgotten him and agreed to assist.

The once-abandoned temple changed drastically. It looked more like a house now than a temple, and it was there that the king and Song Jiwoon lived together as family.
The king would occasionally tell Song Jiwoon that he had mastered energy control and should visit his grandmother—but every time, Song Jiwoon would shake his head.
[I’ll stay just a little longer.]
[…Alright. If that’s what you want.]

In truth, the king was relieved by that answer. Being left alone on the mountain was the one thing he didn’t want.
Time passed quickly. In those peaceful days, twenty-three years had passed since the king fell into this world, and fifteen since Song Jiwoon entered the mountain.
And then—the king noticed something strange.

His energy was clinging to his disciple. At first, he didn’t think it was a big deal.
But then he noticed that the humans saved by the mountain guardian were freezing up. That’s when he realized it wasn’t something he could ignore.
The king was a demon-type. His energy came from another world. For that energy to attach to Song Jiwoon was not a good sign.

Because he wasn’t human, the king could fully control his energy.
But Song Jiwoon, even if he could regulate his own, couldn’t suppress the king’s energy. It leaked out with every breath and began slowly freezing other humans.
[No.]

The king was afraid. And he realized just how foolish he had been.
Now, Song Jiwoon could no longer descend the mountain. He couldn’t live among humans. He would never be able to see his only remaining relative again—his grandmother…
[I can’t let that happen.]

Hadn’t he already experienced the agony of being alone?
He had to remove his own energy that had merged with Song Jiwoon. He had to return him to how he was before.
[I have to fix this before his family dies.]

Even a newborn could die in a blink—how much time would an elderly human have?
There wasn’t much left. Growing anxious, the king descended the mountain in Song Jiwoon’s place to search for a solution.
But there was no other human who had lived with a demon-type long enough for their energies to merge. No matter how far he searched, no useful information surfaced.

The king felt a despair like what he’d experienced when first being abandoned in this world. But he couldn’t allow himself to fall into chaos again. If he gave up—who would save Song Jiwoon?
It was then, while desperately scouring for information, that someone approached him.
[Are you looking for information about a human infused with demonic energy?]

[…Who are you?]
[Ah, I should’ve introduced myself. I apologize. I work at a small research lab.]
A man in glasses smiled gently as he handed over a business card. It was an ordinary smile—but the longer the king looked at it, the more his thoughts dulled, his judgment blurred.

He absentmindedly accepted the card and read the name: Nox Bio…
[Here, take this.]
[What is it?]

[What else? It’s the information you wanted.]
Information? This was just a gem—an unnaturally bright emerald.
[If «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» you press it to your forehead, the information will spread through your brain. Oh? You don’t believe me? Still… it’s worth trying, isn’t it?]

[……]
[You’re desperate, aren’t you? Right?]
He wanted to say “This is insane,” but his lips wouldn’t move.

Like a puppet on a string, the king took the jewel from the man’s hand and pressed it into his forehead.
[This should… suffice… The seed is already sown in the mountain…]
Muttering with a satisfied face, the man watched as the king staggered away. His feet moved of their own accord, taking him back to the mountain.

A fierce winter wind howled. All sound around him blurred and faded.
And then, darkness fell.
***

He should never have accepted Song Jiwoon.
He should’ve taught him how to regulate energy—and sent him away.
None of this would’ve happened then.

Even if he had lived on the mountain for so long, he was still human. A being who had to live among others of his kind.
The king knew why Song Jiwoon insisted on saving the humans who entered the mountain, even though the king warned they were dangerous. He always went to help with a bitter expression.
It was because he was lonely. He didn’t seem to realize it himself—but the king, who had suffered the same pain, recognized it.

He had to resolve this before Song Jiwoon began to suffer. He wanted him to be reunited with his grandmother.
Before it was truly too late… somehow…
“Ah, divine power works now.”

A strange voice pierced his thoughts. A warm sensation touched his forehead, and the pain that had been clouding his mind disappeared completely.
“I’ll remove the gem now.”
The massive stake embedded in his skull was pulled out. The nauseating energy that had wracked his brain vanished, and his mind cleared.

It was a peace he hadn’t felt in a very long time. Like he had finally emerged from a never-ending tunnel.
“You won’t go berserk anymore.”
“Thank you so much, Hunter Cha Seohu.”

After that unfamiliar voice came a familiar one, trembling with emotion.
“How can I ever repay this favor…?”
“Oh, you want to repay me? That’s perfect, I actually have something to suggest!”

“What…?”
“Now, now, hear me out. So the thing is…”
As the quick-witted voice continued and Song Jiwoon reacted in confusion, the king’s consciousness began to blur again.

No, my disciple. The man in front of you is a fraud.
Even just from the sound of his voice, the king knew he wasn’t a decent person. He tried to wake himself, forcing his mind to resist, but it was no use.
While the king groaned, fighting off sleep, the voices continued.

“Is he sick? Why’s he moaning like that…?”
“Huh, you’re right. What’s going on? I’ll try using more divine power.”
Touched again by the warmth on his forehead, the king fell into unconsciousness for real this time.

***
When the king opened his eyes, he was no longer in a cold cave.
Not a hard floor, but a soft couch. A warm, fluffy blanket draped over him. Bright sunlight streaming through the window, and the scent of fragrant tea wafted through the air.

Meow.
A cat, perched triumphantly on his chest, let out a leisurely cry and climbed down from the sofa.
Still looking dazed, the king stared after the cat, then slowly sat up.

When he turned his head, the view outside came into focus.
The snow and blizzard had vanished without a trace. In their place, lush green forest stretched out endlessly. The king began to wonder if he was still dreaming.
“Ah, you’re awake.”

Someone approached and spoke to him as he stared out the window in a daze. It was the voice he’d heard before blacking out.
The man, pale and pretty like a courtesan, walked toward him with a casual gait. The king’s brow furrowed at the sight.
“You conman.”

“…Excuse me?”
“Are you trying to scam my disciple?”
“…What? Me?”

“Teacher!”
From behind the confused man tilting his head, the king’s beloved disciple came running.