Transmigrator. Cowards. Regression (2)

A rustling sound rang out.

Heads shook from side to side.

Slowly, carefully, the regressor was making his way back to the apartment complex with the shopping bag in his hands, pressed snugly around his chest.

Another rustling sound rang out.

Symphonia's streets that were laden with beautiful trees in bushes on the sides in addition to the already beautiful and colorful buildings had a person hidden deep between them. Holding up tiny branches in both his hands and a small black cat atop his head, Ativan continued spying on the regressor.

As much as he disliked it at the moment, he needed the regressor. At least before Lutein could get him, he had to bring that man to his side.

Tying themselves together was the best option in his mind. He also had to keep in mind the fact that he was no one but that Ativan right now.

He had an entire underground organization full of backstabbers on his payroll. He had to make the most of his money and reputation.

The regressor finally reached his apartment complex. With a nervous gait, he hunched his shoulders further in and passed through the gate before leading himself up the stairs.

Ativan tossed the branches, grabbed the cat on his head, and started moving ahead.

Once the regressor closed a door, he would never open it. Ativan buried his footsteps the best he could as he climbed up the stairs behind the regressor. The cat placed its paws on its mouth.

Just as soon as they reached the third floor and the regressor opened the door, Ativan dashed ahead.

"Eh? EH! AHHH!"

The regressor scrambled with his keys as he twisted the lock open. His screams still loud, the door swung open and he shoved himself inside, but before the regressor could close the door, Ativan shoved his foot in between.

"W-w-w-what… What Who How Why!?!"

"Woah," Ativan scoffed.

'At least ask your questions properly.'

The more the regressor spoke, the more Ativan doubted if he even needed him.

It was his turn to be friendly. His plan was simple, so he had to be as friendly as he could. Unfortunately, neither Ativan nor the office worker he previously ever knew how to smile.

His lips curled in an unsightly fashion that resembled the movement of a hundred worms, with a fierce cold gaze that never left, Ativan slightly showed his teeth through his jagged smile.

Demon.

The regressor thought of him as nothing but a demon.

It was time for him to bring the hook, Ativan widened his smile that had fallen straight out of hell and spoke.

"Someone is going to kill you."

A loud thud sounded out in the room.

"Ah…"Ativan's gaze turned to the ground. "He fainted…"

"Mraaaow!"

***

The regressor's eyes fluttered.

A muffled groan spilled from his picturesque lips as he slowly pushed himself up. His long white hair was in a mess and his neck and arms throbbed after sleeping on them. As he rubbed his eyes as his gaze swept over the tiny apartment filled with books and papers, he realized he had fallen asleep on the floor again.

"Took you a while to wake up."

A screeching sound resounded in the room. The regressor's heart trembled in fear as he turned to his side.

With a knife in his hands and an apron studded over his shirt, the devil was smiling at him.

"Etymology and Rhetoric? Are you a scholar of some sort…?"

The devil's chilling smile and cracked voice shook the regressor from within.

"Do you want some soup?"

"Hehe…" A resigned laugh left the regressor.

It was over. All over.

"S-sir… there's no cash here, but I'll gladly give you my credit card—"

"I don't want that," the devil shook his head.

"There's no treasure either…" the Regressor continued, his hands quaking. "I am not hiding any ability or anythin—"

"Yeah, I already know you're a regressor. As I said, I am here to help you…"

The regressor's eyes widened. He was in luck!

"You misunderstand! I am not anything like a regressor or someone! Please, please let me go…"

"Huh?" Ativan frowned. "Who're you lying to? I already told you I know your skills. This is about someone out for your life, consider me a… well just someone who was given a task to help you. Yes, let's call it a task from god to keep my life as well."

'Given' a task made the regressor curious, but there was something more important.

He was fucking scared.

At least there was room for conversation. This person who looked like a 4K HD render of a demon was sensible.

"Status window," he called out. With a flick of his finger, his status window was revealed to Ativan.

{Name: XXXXXX

Class: XXXXX}

"Blank?" Ativan stopped.

"I-it has always been that way! I am so out of the tower's radar that I didn't even get a single stat, please, please let me go!"

Ativan lowered his gaze. For someone claiming something like that, the villain of the story found this gag character to be quite shameless. After all, his skills…

{Stats: XXXXX

Skills: All Trans- -tion (A+)

XXXXX (XX)}

"What the fuck? Why is this blank too?"

The regressor crawled closer to Ativan and smiled. "See. I am complete trash. Even your cat is more valuable than me. Just let me go for now and I promise I'll hang myself! Just let me live a little more, please!"

"Could it be a skill that hasn't awakened yet?"

Ativan didn't seem to be listening, but words didn't stop.

"I am total trash! I'll sit next to the garbage bags on the streets! You don't have to dirty your hands with me!"

"There was nothing like this in the novel."

He continued blabbering as Ativan leaned on the couch and closed his eyes. His figure still as cold and regal as the devils.

When the words didn't stop. Ativan raised a finger.

"Shut up for a second, I am trying to think."

In front of the icy glare, the poor man had no choice but to shut up."

"Oh!" Ativan suddenly exclaimed. "Maybe it's something that pops up after it is used once?"

"Sir…?" A chill ran down his spine.

"Right, that's possibly it!"

Ativan sat up straight and stared down at the other's purple eyes. It was probably it. No, it had to be it. It would also save him an entire day since the other was sleeping for a total of 24 hours.

So, without a shred of hesitation, Ativan raised his hand holding the knife.

"Ah…"

And stabbed the regressor's neck.