TLWD 28

Chapter : 28. Variable (1)

If Ian had a regression ability…

There would be no reason for him to say “this is the end” to me.

After all, he could just go back in time and meet me again.

“What if Ian didn’t know he had the regression ability?”

That would make sense.

If he didn’t know he had such a power, then his words about this being the end made perfect sense.

“…That’s not it.”

But the possibility was very low.

So low that I could confidently say it was practically impossible.

Because of the translucent messages appearing right before my eyes:

==「Possessed Skills」==

• ◆ Solo Leveling [EX]

  The player can accumulate experience to level up. Each level-up grants 1 stat point.

• ◆ Player’s Will [EX]

  Grants immunity to all effects that exceed the player’s mental resistance (e.g., curses, illusions, brainwashing, hypnosis, suggestions).

• ◆ Predation [S+]

  Consume the heart of a living being to absorb and convert its abilities into skills. Consumes mental energy.

• ◆ Regeneration [B-]

• ◆ Toughened Skin [D]

• ◆ Nutrient Synthesis [C+]

• ◆ Promote Metabolism [E+]

• ◆ Dragon’s Claw [A]

This neatly displayed all the abilities the [Player] possessed.

And these weren’t my abilities.

They were Ian’s.

In other words, just like my own abilities were shown to me, Ian’s abilities must have been fully displayed to him as well.

Which meant Ian definitely knew he had the regression ability.

There was no way he didn’t know.

So then, why did Ian still say it was the end?

“Did Ian try to transfer his regression ability to me?”

That was a possible conclusion.

Because Ian knew about my Predation [S+] skill.

He also understood exactly how Predation worked.

I only truly understood the ability after I met Ian.

In some ways, Ian understood my Predation [S+] better than I did.

So it wasn’t just the regression ability.

Ian had tried to give all of his abilities to me.

Why he would think of doing such a thing… I didn’t really know.

But if that really was Ian’s intention, then I ended up acquiring “Solo Leveling [EX]” and “Player’s Will [EX]” just as he intended.

However—

A variable arose.

“I didn’t acquire the regression ability.”

Because Predation [S+] isn’t a perfect skill.

You can’t obtain all of a target’s abilities with a single predation.

For example, I only got Dragon’s Claw [A] from Gelu Drake.

So, Ian, who returned to the past…

As soon as he opened his eyes, he must have realized:

—“Adrian didn’t receive the regression ability.”

Because he still had it.

The fact that Ian had returned to the past meant I hadn’t inherited regression.

So Ian would’ve thought:

—“I have to find Adrian.”

But in the previous life, I ran away from the Whitewolf County.

If Ian thought I didn’t get the regression power…

Then of course, he’d expect me to act the same way as before and wouldn’t even think I might still be at the Whitewolf estate.

“So…”

Even now, over a month later, Ian hasn’t shown up.

Because he assumed I wouldn’t still be at the Whitewolf estate.

Then…

“I have to find Ian.”

I need to be the one to seek him out.

After all, one thing is certain: Ian did return to the past.

So I should be leaving Whitewolf estate right now, but…

“That would be too rash.”

Now that it was almost certain Ian retained his memories of the past…

His whereabouts became even more uncertain.

Just as I acted differently than before, Ian may be acting differently too.

Bottom line—right now, I have no idea where Ian is.

Leaving the estate without a plan to search for him aimlessly isn’t wise.

Especially since I haven’t yet dealt with Seraphia, the Lord of the Bitter Cold.

Whenever, wherever, however Seraphia may fall to corruption—I can’t be sure.

Therefore, leaving the estate right now isn’t an option.

“Then… I need to let Ian know I’ve regressed too.”

The best course of action is to inform Ian of this.

Make him come to me at the Whitewolf estate.

“The problem is… how do I let Ian know?”

I don’t know where he is.

And if my guess is correct, Ian assumes I fled the Whitewolf estate again, like in the previous life.

He’s probably searching the entire continent for me.

So then, there is a way.

I can create an organization that will gather information and locate Ian for me.

“I’ll have to form a trading company.”

A “trading company” was ideal in many ways.

As a former commander of special operations, I had experience in not just special missions but also intelligence gathering, analysis, and espionage.

“There’s no organization more sensitive to information than a trading company.”

Through the company, I could access continental intel swiftly, monitor the emperor and the empire’s activities,

And, not just that—secure the funds needed to form an allied army in advance.

By creating a company, I’d be able to:

• Find Ian

• Monitor the empire

• Raise funds for the alliance

The benefits were massive.

But forming a company isn’t something you can just say and make happen.

“I’ll need startup funds.”

I immediately set off.

And just then—

◆ A Domain Quest has arrived.

== [Though Its Beginning Is Humble, Its End Shall Be Glorious!] ==

[Objective] – Establish a trading company and successfully complete your first trade route.

[Reward] – Unlocks 「Management Mode」

[Failure] – Expulsion from the County

“A domain quest?”

…What the heck is this?

* * *

“Domain funds… you say?”

Bernard, the chief steward, blinked in disbelief.

Understandably so—Adrian had just suddenly shown up and asked for estate funds.

“Yes. Around 10,000 gold should suffice.”

10,000 gold?

Bernard didn’t even know how to respond.

That was a huge sum.

A family of four could live for a month on just 200 gold in Whitewolf territory.

“Impossible.”

He couldn’t allow it.

Winter was fast approaching.

10,000 gold was essentially the lifeline of the county’s people. It couldn’t and shouldn’t be used frivolously.

“What if I order you with the authority of the young lord?”
“Even then, I must refuse.”

According to royal law, estates are inherited by the firstborn unless a will specifies otherwise.

In such cases, royal arbitration is required.

The will must be verified by the royal court before taking effect.

Until then, the family’s heir maintains authority as the young lord.

Still, Bernard was the chief steward of the Whitewolf estate.

He managed finances, estate governance, and acted as proxy in the lord’s absence.

“As acting lord, I overrule your order as young lord.”

Even if Adrian was technically the young lord, Bernard had the authority to override him.

* * *

Bernard’s stance was firm.

‘I expected this…’

The image of the “wastrel heir” hadn’t disappeared yet.

A single month couldn’t undo over 10 years of disgrace.

Still, Bernard was even more stubborn than I expected.

Honestly, I wanted to just ignore him.

Part of me wanted to use force to get the money.

Even without the domain quest, I needed that money to find Ian.

But I couldn’t use violence.

If I did, Kai would be the first to get in my way.

And it wasn’t just Kai.

Most of all, the royal family wouldn’t overlook it.

The steward holds the second-highest authority after the lord.

In the absence of my father, the steward had more power than I did.

So stewards were usually second or third sons of noble families who wouldn’t inherit land.

They’d leave their families and either serve as royal knights or find work as stewards.

Being hired by a great lord, especially a count or higher, could even earn them a title.

“Even if you serve, serve under a great lord.”

That saying existed for a reason.

In that sense, Bernard was rather pitiful.

Despite decades of loyal service, my father hadn’t even granted him a baron’s title.

Still, Bernard stubbornly remained here—not out of loyalty, but because of principles.

Which meant—if I gave him the proper justification according to his principles…

“As far as I know, private inheritance isn’t under the steward’s authority.”

I could make him my pawn.

I knew my father had considerable private wealth.

He left all of it to Seraphia.

That’s why I ran from the family in my past life.

Father didn’t leave me a single coin.

But since it was private inheritance, Bernard couldn’t intervene.

It was a matter for Seraphia and me to resolve.

And that matter had already been resolved.

“Seraphia has entrusted all of Father’s private wealth to me.”

I took out the document she gave me earlier and handed it to Bernard.

He cautiously took it, then—

“T-This is…!!”

Moments later, his eyes widened.

Of course they did—it was the same memorandum Seraphia had handed me earlier.

It stated that she relinquished her rights to both the estate and the inheritance.

‘Good thing I kept it.’

Even though I didn’t plan to become the lord, this was why I held onto the document.

“Are you saying… Lady Seraphia really gave up all inheritance rights?”
“It says so in the document, doesn’t it?”

Bernard said nothing.

He couldn’t deny what was written right before his eyes.

It wasn’t forged.

It was written by Seraphia herself, and the seal at the bottom was hers.

“As the rightful heir, I will now take possession of my father’s private wealth.”

Naturally—

“……”

Bernard had no words.

And no choice but to comply.