279 - Regression Is Too Much

279 – The Return to Action (5) After that initial meeting, I couldn't see the 'Boy Holding a Book' again. Jeter concurred. If it was a deceptive nature, he'd definitely want to keep it under wraps. "Anyway, thanks to that 'book', the government is now certain. The tower truly emerged... You must climb that tower." "... " "So, we've decided to create something called the 'Player Association.' To protect and manage the players." The President of the United States was on the cusp of middle age and old age. He led the discussion with a polite tone. "If everything I sense is correct, the world order will change forever." The President was a member of the Republican Party, and he was a figure who was both liked and disliked because of his frequent use of what were dubbed 'juicy' remarks in public appearances. "I believe America needs to lead this change. We cannot let leadership slip into the hands of China, Russia, or the EU." However, the president engaged in direct dialogue with Jeter was not a 'brainless politician.' He was a person with flexible thinking, deep contemplation, and, if we were to be honest, a scholar. He was a person driven by cold logic, not heat. The concept of harsh words seemed like a smokescreen to garner votes. "... " At the same time, Jeter was inwardly surprised. He instinctively analyzed everything, from others' perspectives to minor actions. As a result, his head felt hot and slightly dizzy, but the fever subsided after a while. It seemed all due to the activated 'adaptation' trait. It wasn't uncomfortable. It was unusual. "That's nonsense." "I suppose not." "How about this?" "That's okay." Jeter and the President of the United States. The two conversed extensively. The talking didn't end until the sun set and rose again. They shared sympathies, clashed, and ultimately reached an agreement. "The position of association president. Can you take care of it?" "I will. For the country." And around this time, the two made a promise. A promise that later materialized thanks to a contract obtained by the 'Emperor' being true. This was the moment when Michael Jeter was appointed as the president of the association. ** Time passed quickly. Even Jeter, who often worked his brain too hard causing time to drag, felt the same way. "Jeter, are you alright? I heard you almost got roasted on the coals?" "Don't talk about it. It's a story worth making a film out of, so I'll write it and post it online." 〈The experience on the second floor was extremely unpleasant. I was almost killed by the city owner.〉 If you're a friend who can read this, it means you've completed the second floor, right? First, I'd like to congratulate you. Is the poster I attached well? I think it would be quite the tragedy if I fell. Friends, I believe that the second floor I experienced will be quite different from the second floor you all may encounter. Besides the gold reward, I received a platinum prize. Oh, it was a very frightening experience. ... Oh, I'm not fond of the gloves I received as a reward, but if anyone has a B-class item or potion or higher, please get in touch with me. I'm willing to trade. Jeter was nearly killed by the city ruler, yet he maintained the mentality to face it cheerfully. "Get up! If you keep your head straight, you can rise again. This isn't even the toughest challenge. Didn't you enter because you were confident?" He possessed the leadership ability to control the group on the third floor. "I won't say we can save everyone. That's a lie. But... Let's do our best. Give it our all, and if it doesn't work out, move on and rethink. What could be worse than guessing without trying and saying it won't work?" While he couldn't save everyone on the fourth floor, he was a person with strong mental resilience who saved more than half. -Did you hear about Jeter? -Jeter on the 4th floor... -I heard some kind of player association is being formed. It would be great if Jeter, the president of the association, leads it. Jeter was a hero. He was a star. He was a celebrity. Everyone knew Jeter. There were martial artists climbing the tower for power, scoundrels committing crimes after losing themselves in the tutorial, and idiots climbing the tower just for fun... I recognized someone named Michael Jeter. -A new player association is scheduled to be formed, with Michael Jeter as the president. Later, when the news spread that he would be inaugurated as the president of the player association, there was a reason why no one opposed it. People believed Jeter could be trusted, and the same held true for Michael Jeter himself. "It seems I have to climb the tower." So, he made a quick decision. The position of association president required authority. And, as the general public may not know, among the players, it was very likely that the level they currently aimed for would soon be regarded as authority. However, once the 'Association' began its activities in earnest, there would not be enough time. He needed to climb the tower as swiftly as possible. Increasing the number of floors was more efficient. Jeter sorted out his affairs. He had prepared in advance to ensure no issues would arise from his brief climb up the tower. Around this time, the leader of the prophets, Mahesh, joined. All preparations were complete. Jeter aimed to ascend the tower to the 10th floor, or even higher if possible. It might have seemed unreasonable, but there was a clear basis for it—the deceptive trait of 'adaptation.' It was possible to morph one's body into the most efficient form suited for battle situations. In truth, the more I became accustomed to the trait, the broader and more profound the changes evolved. Jeter wasn’t just hopeful; he was confident. "Be…careful." "What?" "The tower." "Hmm. Everything will be fine. Because it’s me." Even though the recently-joined Prophet Mahesh cautioned him, Jeter believed in himself. If it was a floor he couldn’t break through, then it was a floor impenetrable by most of humanity. And wasn't it just the 5th floor? "I’ll be back soon. How about some leader’s curry for dinner? I think it’d be fun to compare it with the one from my homeland." "I’ll be waiting." Despite his words, Jeter remained cautious, though unwavering. He wasn’t disappointed; he held onto his confidence. - Entering the 5th floor. "Let’s see what comes next." Jeter entered the fifth floor with confidence. And the fifth floor was the layer that changed everything for Jeter. ** "Congratulations!" "Congratulations!" "To all climbers who have tirelessly worked without losing spirit in the face of the trials of peak climbing. I, the Archangel Raphael, dare to speak to you. Thank you very much for your hard work." Though the Archangel Raphael’s greeting was ‘Congratulations’, and even if a message window appeared before your eyes saying, ‘Thank you for your hard work’, Jeter didn’t let his guard down. It wasn’t over until it was truly over. He must not release the tension until he returned to the first floor. ‘What will appear?’ Angels? Giants? Or something shaped like a great archangel? I didn’t know. However, I was sure that I would win, regardless of what emerged. - Clear condition: Defeat the enemy before you. And then it appeared. Jeter’s alter ego. "...Huh?" "...Oh?" The fifth floor was typically an easy floor. The clone had a weak mentality since the tutorial, while players on the fifth floor had reached a certain level of control. With increased levels, enhanced physical abilities were a bonus. But Jeter’s case was different. Very different. Michael Jeter was already a complete warrior when he entered the tutorial. He was a fighter who had crossed lines of fire. Because the trait he possessed was 'adaptation', allowing him to freely change and transform his body, it could be said that there was no difference in his physical capabilities. "…Thank God." Jeter assumed the worst and moved accordingly. The situation was indeed the worst he had ever imagined, perhaps even more dismal. When you split time, your opponent splits time too. When you change the shape of your arm, your opponent mirrors that change. Jeter had to adapt faster and more intensively than his adversary to secure victory. At a certain point, Jeter realized something crucial. There was no victory without sacrifice. And his alter ego was prepared to sacrifice. No one knows exactly what transpired with Jeter that day. However, it's only plausible to assume that he pushed his abilities to their limits to defeat an opponent who could also utilize the 'Adaptation' ability. Perhaps he transformed his internal organs into barrels for combat endurance. Perhaps he didn't only stop at splitting time but slowed his perceived time to the point of causing nosebleeds. Perhaps, for efficiency in the battle itself, parts of his brain responsible for emotions and memory were repurposed to enhance movement and cognition. Excessive 'adaptation' led to permanent deformities. Michael Jeter instinctively sensed this, but he likely made the wrong choices to ensure victory. Regardless, Michael Jeter survived. He escaped the fifth floor alive. "Jeter? Are you alright?" There were a few minor changes, like the drastic reduction in his speech, the disappearance of his usual spontaneous jokes, and the lack of facial expressions... He might be cursed to experience each moment of his life 10 times as slowly... "It’s fine." Jeter simply 'adapted'. In the trials God presented to humanity.