Infinite Regressor, Chapter 464 - I’m an Infinite Regressor, But I’ve Got Stories to Tell

0. Click. "Ji-won, stop for a moment." "Hm? We still have to pedal for another 20 minutes to reach our destination." "No. Just look at that sunset." ……. "It's beautiful..." "Yes. It really is." ……. "Truly―― beautiful." "……." [1. With the reincarnated one murdered, the world's destruction is inevitable. Live the rest of my life for the girl before me.] [2. I fight with you. Till the end.] Click. [2. I fight with you. Till the end.] ◀ Click. [ERROR.] [This choice is unavailable.] Click. [ERROR.] [This choice is unavailable.] Click. [ERROR.] [This choice is unavailable.] [This selection clearly involves altering the past and severely violates the cause-and-effect principle.] [Even if the player selects this option at this point, no meaningful conclusion can be reached.] [Please select a different option.] "Ji-won." "Yes, Mr. Matiz." "I don't think this route is wrong. No. I will not let it be deemed wrong." "Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean." "You killed Go Yuri for my sake. Her death may not be right, but at least your heart, which thought of me, cannot be wrong." "……." [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "Deciding whose heart is right or wrong ultimately comes down to actions. I want to prove that you aren't mistaken." "……." "We, too, will probably fail miserably. The Reincarnate Project has collapsed, so I have no chance of awakening as a Returner. The strategy information I heard from Go Yuri would mostly be useless." "Yes. I believe so." "Even so, would you live with me?" "……." [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "Let's live this one life, which remains neither in the reincarnated one's memory nor in the Returner's records, together in a meaningless struggle." [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "Your hand." [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "Would you hold my hand, Mr. Matiz?" [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "――Yes, I feel it. Very clearly." [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "Fear. Worry. Affection. Despair. Trust. Ice that might melt under the summer sun. Crystal-clear―― transparent ice." "……." "Indeed. This must be our future as seen by you, Mr. Matiz." [ERROR.] [Please select a different option.] "I think it's beautiful." ……. "With you, Mr. Matiz." ……. "Even the most meaningless world and the most useless life will always be the most beautiful music to me." [I fight with you.] [Till the end.] 1. There were no land aristocrats on the Korean Peninsula. Though, of course, there existed a certain group referred to as local lords or landowners. But compared to the real local lords on the neighboring Japanese Archipelago, one might react with, "Oh, how adorable." However, this did not signify the fall of the aristocratic class in Korea. Quite the opposite. They simply transcended the extremely "material" condition of land into a more "spiritual" ascension. Some indiscreet rebels called this spiritually transcendent noble group "cult leaders," but it didn't matter. After all, how fitting would it be for the dignity of nobles to respond to the rudeness of those below them? "Young Lady." "Yes?" "I have a report on the investigation you ordered last time." The successor of a family reigning as even more spiritual aristocrats from Sejong, the spiritual capital of the Republic of Korea, Cheon Yo-hwa, didn't particularly listen to the opinions of the common folk. "An order? Ah, you mean Teacher Go Yuri?" "Indeed. We sought cooperation from the police and conducted a search centered at her residence, but we couldn't find any trace of her." "None at all?" "Yes. We confirmed her entering her home on a certain date, and even cross-verified it, but her whereabouts are unknown after that." Cheon Yo-hwa rested her chin on her hand and murmured, "She went home and disappeared. Simple thinking suggests there's just a hidden passage in her house, right? We have plenty in our home, underground secret passages." "Well, it's rather..." The discussion was left unfinished by the subordinate. "We searched the house thoroughly after dismissing the police, even the yard. But we really found no trace." "No other visitors?" "There were none." "What? So did she really vanish into thin air?" "I apologize......" In the backseat of the limousine, bugs had been installed per her father's order, who was the cult leader, but it didn't matter. After all, she never discussed with her subordinate the kind of content that absolutely shouldn't be overheard by her father. Regardless, Teacher Go Yuri was a benefactor among benefactors who taught her and her sister the way to gain freedom. More importantly, the teacher's disappearance was a significant concern not only for the twin sisters but also for her father. While working hard like this, if her father heard of her efforts, it would only earn her points, not cause a demerit. 'Or could it? Maybe because it seems too blatant that I'm exploiting the bugging devices, it might be taken as a negative?' After carefully assessing her father's twisted personality, Cheon Yo-hwa allowed a smooth curve to play over her lips. “Really. Do try harder, Uncle. Teacher Go Yuri isn’t just an ordinary tutor, you know? Haven’t you heard the rumors?” “Well, Young Lady, if you're referring to rumors……” “About this. This thing regarding our father.” Cheon Yo-hwa chuckled slyly. “No.” The subordinate's face flushed with confusion. "That must be nonsense. Young Lady. It hasn't been long since the attendant who spread those rumors was dealt with..." "Oh, I don't really know the truth either. But considering all those nasty rumors going around, yet Teacher Go Yuri didn't get even a scratch, she must have gained at least one favor from Father, right?" "I'll pretend I didn't hear that just now." The subordinate cleared his throat. "The Cult Leader is very wary of such baseless rumors. As you know, Young Lady... They're the biggest obstacles preventing young people from joining the sect." "Ordinary people? Ah, the 'Outsiders'? Who cares? Whether or not those who haven't even been chosen by the Taeguk (Laplace) come in." "Miss, the Cult Leader would be furious to hear you say that..." "Yeah, yeah. It's always the same lecture." Cheon Yo-hwa swallowed a smile that was much more sly than the one she showed on her face. This much was appropriate. Through this conversation, it was implied that Cheon Yo-hwa was entirely unaware that "there were bugging devices installed in the limousine." Moreover, it showed the tendency to "distinguish traditional believers from new members." 'This should be just the right flavor for my super control-freak father.' Cheon Yo-hwa's range of activities and way of thinking as the heir remained under her father's control. The so-called 'Cheon-Hwa-chan is still pure Papa’s girl >_<)!!' strategy. It would be difficult to end her father's pathological suspicion with a single confidential conversation, but small drops make mighty oceans. The preservatives to extend the shelf life of trust would undoubtedly get stronger over time. The limousine suddenly came to a rather abrupt stop. "Oof." Cheon Yo-hwa, sitting in the backseat, wobbled slightly. The subordinate sitting across from her lost his balance entirely and, for a moment, found himself on his knees on the limousine's floor. "What's happening... Hey, what’s going on?" The subordinate shouted, his face flushed in embarrassment at his own indiscretion, before making his way outside. "Do you have any idea the Young Lady is currently onboard? What?" "I'm, I'm sorry. Some madman suddenly jumped into the road..." "What?" "Really. Look, it's that person over there." Noise and commotion filled the air as Cheon Yo-hwa discreetly lowered the window to take a peek at the commotion outside. She had always been a romanticist who preferred the extraordinary to the ordinary, war to peace, and the pursuit of dopamine over enlightenment. To commoners, it might seem like she merely liked causing chaos, but the ears of the shadowy young lady Cheon Yo-hwa would never succumb to such base slander. "A person jumped in front of us? Are they out of their mind? Or perhaps some fool who poured all their wealth on my dear father? I wonder what the scenario is." Upon looking through the lowered window, it was clear it was not someone out of their mind. "Oh." The person's face, belonging to their head, rather stood out amidst the scene. "Quite a handsome face, actually." But Cheon Yo-hwa never considered herself someone swayed by looks alone. Especially since this person had blocked their vehicle, nearly caused an accident, and, as a result, was currently being subdued by her security team, it became all the more challenging to judge them by appearance alone. "Cheon Yo-hwa! Please, listen to me!" "What are you doing, damn it! Subdue him! Subdue him now!" "No, he's scrawny-looking, where does he――." "Overwhelm him! Overpower! Now!" In the chaotic scene, the man who appeared to barely be a college freshman was putting up quite a fight, even while surrounded by four of her guards. He was, of course, fighting a losing battle. These were not ordinary guards but elite ones selected to protect her as the heir, all capable of wielding some degree of divine power. "Young Lady! Cheon Yo-hwa!" 'Hmm.' Cheon Yo-hwa leaned on the window frame, resting her chin, smiling a bright yet nonchalant smile. 'Is it the scenario where he's gambled everything away and is now pleading for justice? Since he knows my name and destination, he must not be completely clueless. He might be pleading for some injustice to be righted.' Her eyes narrowed slightly. 'He looks fit, too.' 'I'm not sure how much he donated to my father, but... Should I just take him if it's under 300 million?’ It wouldn’t be a bad idea. The sight of him struggling, worm-like, trying to escape while being held and tossed onto the concrete path by the guards, wasn't unpleasing to her eye. In fact, it was becoming even 'less bad' the longer she watched. "Cheon Yo-hwa!" 'Hmm. Even has a nice voice.' She wasn't particularly a sadist obsessed with torture. The prospect of inflicting pain on someone already subdued, in a state of overwhelming superiority, didn't align with the refined hobbies of the shadowy young lady. However, she was well-versed in the techniques of torture. As professional and dutiful as any farmer cultivating his crops, she trained in these practices to certify her qualifications and discipline as an heir, garnering acknowledgment and respect from her father and fellow believers alike. 'Something about that man makes me... want to mess with him. Yes.' Thus, it was intriguing. Despite this being her first encounter with the man, she felt strangely compelled――or maybe not. A first encounter? Cheon Yo-hwa's brows furrowed ever so slightly. Was this truly their first meeting? ‘Strange. I feel like I’ve seen him from somewhere before….’ "My name is Go Yo-il!" Blink. Cheon Yo-hwa blinked. "I'm Go Yuri's younger brother, Go Yo-il! The one who scored perfectly on the college entrance exam and got into a prestigious university, who practices Taoism! Interview! I was supposed to follow in my sister's footsteps and become a tutor for you!" ‘……Oh.’ At that moment, all became clear in Cheon Yo-hwa's mind, brightly illuminated enough that she couldn’t help but clap her hands. Yes. That's right! He was the successor recommended by Teacher Go Yuri, who sang his praises at every opportunity! ‘The high school ID photo guy!’ To clarify, this was because the photo Teacher Go Yuri had braggingly shown, claiming her brother was handsome, was none other than his ‘ID photo.’ Naturally unenhanced and rigidly formal, his hairstyle was as ordinary as could be. Yet it was a face understandable enough to justify why Teacher Go Yuri would brag so much, which left a dusty but distinct impression in Cheon Yo-hwa’s mental library. 'Wow. He's much better in person?' "Young Lady Cheon Yo-hwa! Please!" 'Or maybe he blossomed after entering college...' "Please, talk to me, even if just for a moment!" 'Is college really the ultimate natural cosmetic clinic and dermatologist...?' "Young Laaady!" Ah. Cheon Yo-hwa realized that she had been too absorbed in the show. The man named Go Yo-il was already being roughed up by the followers. She lightly opened the rear door. "Uncle. Stop hitting him." "Y-Young Lady?" "He claims to have clues about Teacher Go Yuri's disappearance. We were just discussing that, so this is timely." "But such an unidentified man...!" "Oh, this is tiresome. Enough. Uncle, please take another car. Bring the guest here." The cult's administrator fell silent. For Cheon Yo-hwa, the expression 'tiresome' served as a warning. A boundary. Making more noise now wouldn’t be enjoyable. Not wanting his innards to be 'harvested,' the administrator had no choice but to bow his head. “...Understood. Hey. Escort the guest.” “Yes, ma'am.” A short while later. The limousine resumed its journey along the asphalt road. Inside, Cheon Yo-hwa and the man sat facing each other. The man's appearance, to put it kindly, was a complete mess. He had been dragged on the pavement and crumpled by punches. Covered in cuts and bruises, with his lip scraped against the asphalt, bleeding. "Hmm." Cheon Yo-hwa crossed her legs. "You're bleeding. I don't know what kind of crazy stunt you pulled to try to talk to me, but shouldn't you clean up your mouth first?" "Oh." The man casually wiped his lips with the back of his hand. Little spots of blood stained his skin, but after a slight glance with downcast eyes, he dismissed it. "No, it's fine. I've already lost my manners by the way I addressed you." He looked directly at her, lips slightly stained with blood, his eyes penetrating even through the wounds and bruises. "Then at least I should show my sincerity." Thump. "……." What? 'Hmm?' 'Hmmm…? Hmm? Hmmm?' Cheon Yo-hwa's smile wavered a bit. What is this? Could it be that I have a weakness for looks?