Infinite Regressor, Chapter 474 - I’m an Infinite Regressor, But I’ve Got Stories to Tell

Dang Seo-rin was happy. "Even if the Outer God pretended to be 'me' for millions of years, acting throughout countless cycles, burning my lifespan every day and dying over and over, ultimately leaving my memories as hazy afterimages, I reached a happy ending, so I'm happy...!" Indeed. Imagine if you were Dang Seo-rin, and more specifically, the eldest daughter of the Busan Dang family, who finally reached the route of a happy ending. She merely cooperated with a literary girl claiming, "I've played this game!" for a few weeks. But when she came to her senses, she found herself suddenly leveling up and powering up like crazy. Just listing the skills she acquired―. 'Mental strength from overcoming the trauma of losing family,' 'But actually, the family was fine, strengthening family love even more,' 'Political connections built through the Busan mayor,' 'Business avenues opened by exporting flowers worldwide,' 'Voluntary "slaves" asking to work for free,' 'Courage to face world destruction without a blink,' 'Reliable comrades sharing that courage,' 'Lee Ha-yul's cuteness,' 'Bravery to laugh off monsters appearing at midnight’... Extraordinary life experiences, one and all! It was a nourishment and network for life that couldn't be found again, even for a fortune. It would've been troubling if she could. Most importantly. "Undertakeeer~♪" She found love. “What are you up to today? Do you have time?” “Sorry, please wait a bit.” “Why? What are you doing?” “I’m making affogato for you.” “Kyaa!” Love. That's the noblest miracle permitted in life, no, in the universe, as Dang Seo-rin could feel. The greatest enemy of love was time. Whether this love would last a year, ten years, or fifty years, no one knew. Life was an actual battle. But Dang Seo-rin had beta-tested it for not just fifty years, but for tens of thousands of years. This alone was reason enough for the game to receive praise as a "God-tier game." ‘This is destiny. This is romance!’ She wanted to applaud herself from her past life, which now existed only as a vague feeling, back when she was in her fourth incarnation. Because it was Dang Seo-rin who took in the Undertaker, who had lost all his comrades and was sinking into despair. Thanks to this, she successfully made a low-cost investment in a stock that was soon to soar. Perhaps some random individuals like Noh Do-hwa or others might call her devious for this. ‘If you're so annoyed, why didn’t you [save] him yourselves?’ Ah— Dang Seo-rin had no shame looking up at Hecate. In dating sims, the most classic strategy for conquering a route is to flirt when the other person is at their lowest point. Dang Seo-rin had no intention of ending this romance with mere flirting. “Undertaker, this is so good!” “Hmm, do you still often call me Undertaker?” “Oh, um. It's just not quite sticking yet.” A mix of truth and falsehood. The current Dang Seo-rin was a super account, inheriting only the best experiences from previous incarnations. Where did all the experience from once establishing the largest guild in Busan and commanding the entire Korean Peninsula go? All awakened beings were nothing but lunatics. Dang Seo-rin, the tactical genius, was the one who organized these crazies into an army and commanded them impeccably. ‘Here, the title [Undertaker] is more competent for me than [Go Yo-il].’ Flash. The sinister brilliance of the greatest witch's strategic mind, which even mocked the gods, lit up. ‘With this man... the people who interacted with him under the name Go Yo-il are quite numerous.’ Using a dating sim analogy again, the strength of a relationship was determined by how long they had known each other. The longer they had known each other, the stronger the bond became. Are childhood friends, who often get teased as perpetual losers, truly losers? They're often the strongest contenders, enduring intense focus and various schemes. In that sense, Dang Seo-rin had three candidates she could never let her guard down against. Cheon-hwa: "Huh? When did we start knowing each other? Oh, we took classes together with a teacher during high school." Yu Ji-won: "We've lived in the same neighborhood since childhood. Our direct connection started around middle school." Go Yuri: "A bond from a past life. Siblings. Since birth." ...There seemed to be one pink-haired anomaly using a sneaky trick, but anyway! ‘No matter what anyone says, the one who saved [Undertaker] from the depths of despair and raised him into a proper returnee is I, Dang Seo-rin.’ It was truly so. Go Yo-il's university days? She didn't know. Childhood? She didn't know that either. Past-life siblings... What is that, you geek? However, if it was [Undertaker], the story completely changed. ‘Undertaker is the head of Fan Club #1 for me, set up a radio channel for me, and I taught him how to pick clothes, groom his hair and eyebrows, spray perfume, maintain humanity even against dire despair, manage organizations, and win the hearts of city's citizens. You must respect me...’ Literally. Dang Seo-rin made the Undertaker a 'person.' The opposite held true as well. The Undertaker also made Dang Seo-rin a 'person.' So who would dare deny it? ‘We are connected by a red thread!’ Clearly the conqueror of the route. The protagonist. Therefore, Dang Seo-rin, with confidence and without letting her guard down, was preparing the final blow to bring this long battle to an end. “Oh, Undertaker. Doesn’t it seem like it’s time to fulfill the promise you made to me?” “Promise?” “The world trip!” “Oh.” “Surely you haven’t forgotten?” “I wouldn’t. It’s just...” The Undertaker gave a smile, both knowing and unknowing. "The fact that I might truly fulfill a promise I made with you suddenly feels quite new." "……." Her heart thumped. Every time Dang Seo-rin saw the smile of that man, which seemed to distill tens of thousands of years of poignant sentiment, she felt as if she might go slightly mad. If there were a world competition to find a man whose smile suited him best, the Undertaker would win 17 times in a row, make the competition itself dull, then retire gracefully... At this point, it wasn't necessary to hide it. Dang Seo-rin had a bit of a rose-tinted view when it came to him. If she could describe this rose-colored view with the endearing term "love goggles" that had the thickness of battleship armor... 'This isn't just a world trip.' 'This is a journey permitted the most romantic name in the world, a "honeymoon."' The AI installed in Dang Seo-rin's brain began to spin gloriously. Questions like whether she'd even formally engaged or dated the guy she had a crush on, DangGPT deftly ignored. AI was supposed to prioritize the user's stellar reviews over logical facts. Honestly speaking, what problem would there be just because there was no formal engagement or dating? 'Well, it’s going to happen now.' It’s a world trip! A world trip! At least two years of traveling around together awaited them. Time solved many things. A span of two years was ample to cover a dating+engagement package along with one more additional item. ‘No one can argue with this world trip; it’s the most fundamental promise since the fourth incarnation.’ She planned to gently edge out the bothersome Go Yo-il family and embark on a romantic... literally romantic journey. It was a perfect plan. ‘Ihihihi.’ As Dang Seo-rin wore the smile of a great witch, the Undertaker casually checked his notebook. "Oh, but before we embark on the world trip, there's a place I want to stop by first." "Huh? Where?" "America. Ji-won is planning to study abroad at Stanford University." "…?" Yu Ji-won? Stanford? Suddenly? "Stanford... You mean the prison phenomenon?" "Originally, it was an experiment that appeared as a phenomenon. Yes, that’s the place where that experiment was conducted." The Undertaker gave a wry smile. "But it’s quite famous for classical studies related to ancient Greece. Ji-won has been preparing to study abroad there for a long time." "Heeee…." Dang Seo-rin listened as if it were a story about another country; well, it was literally about another country, so she let it wash over her. In fact, Dang Seo-rin had no particular interest in academics. Since childhood, she had only planned to inherit and expand her family's flower shop. She once had an interest in politics, but... not after receiving the “memories of regression” to some extent. After trying it once, she lost interest. She wanted to enjoy her private life more freely. "Isn't studying abroad in America expensive?" "Yo-hwa said she would help." "Oh, then there really is no problem." "By the way, Yo-hwa recently told me she’s been managing money as efficiently as if she entrusted it to a fund managed by the Saintess." "Hie all..." A fund manager? The Saintess, meaning Jeong Ye-ji? Recalling the face of the Saintess, who stayed shut in her room manipulating a computer, Dang Seo-rin's expression turned peculiar. 'Does... that suit her?' But upon hearing from the Undertaker about the grand return rates as a fund manager, Dang Seo-rin decided without hesitation to entrust her own retirement plan to her. ‘I’ve met the benefactor of my fate...!’ Achieving such a return rate without the "cheat" of Bitcoin or lotto? The Saintess was divine and invincible. "Although Ji-won said she would go alone, I think it’s right to accompany her to California and stay until various trivial matters are settled." "Hmm." Dang Seo-rin pondered. Once more, her AI resumed its frenetic workings. Evil Seo-rin: "Why ponder? One of the most troublesome ones is offering to remove herself voluntarily." Angel Seo-rin: "Still, if you're worried, why not go with the Undertaker? There are many restaurants and such. It’s a good opportunity to practice how in tune you are with the Undertaker when traveling." Evil Seo-rin: "So let's intrude into their precious study abroad settling period. Kikiki!" Angel Seo-rin: "Ihihi!" Hmm. Both sides made such reasonable points that an integrated stance was inevitable... "Then I'll come along too!" "You too?" The Undertaker blinked. "There won’t be many fun things since you'll mostly be dealing with study abroad-related matters..." "Uh-huh. I'll treat it as a personal vacation. And California is close to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, right? I’ll visit all of them while I'm at it." "Hmm." "What? Do you mind me coming along?" "No. Not at all." The Undertaker responded immediately. Consequently, Dang Seo-rin succeeded in tagging along with the group. With the ticketing conveniently handled by the Undertaker, Dang Seo-rin packed her luggage with a spring in her step, free of worries. And so, on the day of the trip. Incheon Airport. "……." "……." "……." "……." "……." "……." "……." "……." "……." It wasn’t at all a cheap trick to fill space like the 'Level up! Level up!' parade in fantasy novels from rental shops. In order from the top: Yu Ji-won, Jeong Ye-ji, Sim Ah-ryeon, Cheon-hwa, Yo-hwa, Oh Dok-seo, Lee Ha-yul, Noh Do-hwa, and Dang Seo-rin. As for where the Undertaker went? He skedaddled, saying he'd fetch coffee. “This is crazy.” That was Dang Seo-rin. "Why are you all here?!" "Uh, why is the guild leader of the Samcheon Worlds here?" “Samcheon Worlds doesn't exists and I’m not a guild leader!” “Oh. In that case, the guild leader isn’t called the Undertaker anymore either…" Dang Seo-rin swallowed down a curse. Trying to match wits with that old-age villain was foolish of her. At that moment, Cheon Yo-hwa (unlike the Undertaker, Dang Seo-rin didn’t have the mystical ability to discern whether she was the older or younger sister just by looking) raised her hand. "Ah, hold on. I paid for all the plane and hotel expenses for this trip." "……." "All the flights are first class, and I've booked spacious rooms in five-star hotels. I even considered a private jet, but that seemed too conspicuous." Dang Seo-rin swallowed a curse. Trying to pick a fight with someone from a titanium spoon cult, born as an ordinary commoner, was foolish of her. [Of course I'm coming.] Lee Ha-yul raised her sketchbook. The supreme confidence written on her chin indicated she found no need to explain further. Lee Ha-yul was a different league. “But if all of you go… Sniff. Who’ll do my laundry, cook, and clean…?” Sim Ah-ryeon mumbled. An aura of reluctance enveloped her entire being, one that made any attempt to inquire about her reasons moot. Honestly, she could just stay behind. Not that Dang Seo-rin begrudged her presence; she accepted that everyone shared similar intentions for the trip. “But, Noh Do-hwa, what about you?” "Damn it. Leaving me behind while everyone else goes off felt like bullying. That damn guy forcibly took my passport to book a ticket. No matter how much I told him I didn’t mind being left out, it's frustrating. Isn’t this illegal?" Ah, classic Undertaker meddling. 'You know, traveling as a group might not be so bad after all.' When she thought about it. The people here at the airport were essentially a party of heroes who saved the world. Comrades bound by ties thicker than blood. They were destined to spend their lives together, so why not embark on a group trip? It wasn't because of the allure of experiencing first class for the first time (for free, no less) (important). 'Yeah, let’s just enjoy this! Plus, as long as I avoid sitting next to Sim Ah-ryeon, it should be fine!' Upon boarding the plane, she was amazed to find that seats near Sim Ah-ryeon had deliberately been left empty. Once again, Dang Seo-rin praised Cheon Yo-hwa's insightful discretion. As she settled in for the flight, a sense of supreme comfort washed over her and she gradually fell asleep. 'Well, with this many eyes watching, what could possibly go wrong?' However. She should've thought a bit more. About that final clue. A prophecy that hadn't been completely resolved, even now, as the protagonists had reached the after-story after the after-story. Prophets who left behind will drafts for future generations, dying first in every incarnation before reaching the happy ending――. The meaning of the cryptic last messages they left. S U The prophets were wise. Realizing they couldn’t leave much information, the prophets crafted messages laden with "complex interpretations." SU could also refer to the original name the reincarnate carried. It was the key to finding a crucial strategy guide on SG Net later. Whether it also meant "Beware of Seo Kyu" was uncertain. But above all. Stanford University Where they were currently heading, and where long ago, a girl with unrequited love buried a “time capsule,” sacrificing a world to do so. Finally. S U R A J A N G Surajang (修羅場), or "Pandemonium." A single word that accurately hinted at the chaos to come. To create such layered meaning with merely two alphabets, how could one not admire the prophets for fulfilling their dignity and duty? However, Dang Seo-rin had no inkling of any of this. Not only Dang Seo-rin but also the majority on the plane were blissfully unaware, simply soaking in the excitement and anticipation of the journey. Regrettably――. Since ancient times, "prophecy" had rarely been effective at preventing the tragedy of the future. "Travel, this is going to be fun!" Pandemonium. Standby. Just 25 hours ahead.