Infinite Regressor, Chapter 476 - I’m an Infinite Regressor, But I’ve Got Stories to Tell

3. At a time when everyone was amicably participating in the ritual of opening Pandora's box together. Surprisingly, the Undertaker was not present at the scene. It was truly a formidable evasive maneuver. Thanks to the instincts of the Sixth Sense that saved his life numerous times throughout his lengthy regression... or so it seemed, but that wasn't it. Frankly, it was quite difficult to avoid this impending misfortune, even for someone like the Undertaker. Could there be an alternate timeline where the fully-realized form of the Infinite Void-Mastermind didn't unleash a catastrophic attack with a "Die, now!" finale kill shot? The actual reason the Undertaker happened to miss the opening ceremony was: "Aah. I suddenly feel incredibly thirsty." This was also thanks to Oh Dok-seo, the filming director. The Undertaker tilted his head towards Oh Dok-seo, who was grumbling about her low HP while holding a camcorder. "Mm? If you're thirsty, you can always ask Yo-hwa’s assistants. They have drinks and ice creams of every kind in the icebox." "Sigh... how clueless are you, mister. What my parched throat is craving right now isn't cheap mass-produced goods. Specifically, precisely, I want a cup of coffee brewed by you." "Uh, here?" "Yes." "But, without equipment, how do I...?" "I saw a café on campus just earlier. Go and brew me a cup there." "You little..." "Oh, come on! I want iced coffee, with lots of ice floating in it! I've been filming with the camcorder all day, you can grant me this one wish!” There was no greater nuisance than this. However, Oh Dok-seo knew the truth. Even if she acted like a brat, eventually, the Undertaker would sigh or lament about his life and fate, but he would still indulge Oh Dok-seo. In the Regression Alliance, only three people—Lee Ha-yul, Sim Ah-ryeon, and Oh Dok-seo—were granted this privilege. However, although the privilege appeared the same, its essence was quite different upon closer inspection. At least, that’s what Oh Dok-seo believed. “The reason Ah-ryeon unni and Ha-yul’s whims are indulged is...well, no matter what, it’s close to the Undertaker granting and bestowing upon them.” In essence, a condescending generosity. From her perspective, neither "Undertaker-Sim Ah-ryeon" nor "Undertaker-Lee Ha-yul" seemed like equal relationships. Even feelings and emotions have power dynamics. From what she calculated, their relationship’s power distribution seemed like 7:3 at most. On the other hand. “Hmm. With me and him, it’s exactly 50:50.” There was nothing to be ashamed of. Without the Undertaker, the Saviour Literature Girl couldn’t exist, nor could a happy ending. Without Oh Dok-seo, today’s peace couldn't exist, nor a happy ending. Therefore. “I don‘t need to wrap our relationship with terms like ‘dad’ or ‘guild leader’ to cover any inequality.” Just, “Mister.” To some, it might seem impolite, but she didn’t care. After all, the Undertaker also treated Oh Dok-seo impolitely. The two, rude to each other, had a respect that would never melt away, and kind words or tenderness weren’t necessary. Carnal desire? To Oh Dok-seo, it was optional. Feelings like “not really necessary.” “Aren’t we already in a Platonic love state??” Writers often fancied ancient Greece. In ancient Greece, it was a virtue for an elder to become a ‘spiritual’ mentor and nurture the younger. In Oh Dok-seo’s view, Yu Ji-won was the only person breathing on a level similar to hers. “But even with Ji-won unni, it’s not a 50:50 relationship. More like 60:40?” Dok-seo’s triumphant victory! ――What can be gleaned from this is that Oh Dok-seo not only dichotomizes physical and emotional love but also hastily proclaims victories in her heart, self-justifying and accepting the process—a notably healthy way of thinking in a sense. There were countless points to critique in this mindset. Imagine a scenario where the Undertaker started favoring someone more than her. Oh Dok-seo’s mental state might become another textbook case of a poorly built structure alongside “Warrure Mansion.” Yet, what could be done? Underestimating others was a chronic habit Oh Dok-seo was born with. True end of a destructive enthusiast’s journey: it’s paving the way to regret, obsession, and deterioration. Regardless of how the future unfolded, Oh Dok-seo was currently in ‘enjoyment mode.’ “By the way, since you're making mine, could you also get everyone else’s coffee, please?” “Never thought I’d end up being a barista here...” Just before the box opening ceremony, she successfully managed to keep the Undertaker, the key player, out of harm's way. As a result, Oh Dok-seo didn’t have to busily maneuver the camcorder back and forth. Had the Undertaker been present, she’d have had to capture his expressions, hurriedly spinning the camera among alliance members and back to him. Thanks to this, when Pandora's box subtly opened, she could capture the moment perfectly through the lens. Steam rose like mist. The colorful vapors crackled with noise. Before the alliance members could react, the mist split into strands and seeped into their mouths and noses with a hiss. And thus. “Oh, aha,” The most iconic scene captured on the special camcorder she bought for this day was. “Ahahaha! Ahah-hahaha, ha—ahaha!” Laughter. It was the sound of Cheon Yo-hwa's laughter. 4. “Uh, unni?” “Aah. Hicc, sniff, haaa... ahah! Ahahal, heuh, heuaaa... haaa. Hmm, mm mmm. Mmm!” Cheon Yo-hwa wiped away her tears. A thoroughly refreshing smile spread across her lips. “Of course, it's me. Cheon Yo-hwa. You’re a true genius!” “......” "Absolutely. This sister doesn't give up on a world bound for destruction or a love destined for failure. The world might end? Then just send the Time Capsule over to a timeline where it doesn't, right? Love fails? Oh, well, then let’s all fail together by signing love letters from everyone. Wow, I’m such a perfect woman! I can't help but adore myself...!" "......" Silence followed. It was understandable, as everyone on the grassy lawn, except for the otherworldly Cheon Yo-hwa, had their eyelids trembling. They had just opened the chamber of ‘impossible memories’—memories of apocalyptic bad endings that were supposedly long gone and deleted permanently, including many bad endings that had never been observed in the main text. Surely, there were more than just a handful of forgotten failed timelines due to the regressor's failures? For example... the number of bad endings where the Saintess, Jeong Ye-ji, and the Undertaker ended up together was certainly not ‘one.’ There was even an ending where he ended up as the live-in son-in-law of Cheon Yo-hwa and her twin sister. These memories were vividly downloaded directly into the minds of the alliance members. Conversations exchanged with the Undertaker during isolated bad ending runs, whispers, holding hands tightly, believing they were soulmates, in a world where only the two of them remained... and such scenes! All of them! All of them! It naturally led to a momentary brain freeze as if infected by a virus! "......" In the deathly quiet that was colder than death itself, only the assured culprit, Cheon Yo-hwa, was gleefully laughing. Nearly a minute passed before. "Tha... that's..." The Saintess, Jeong Ye-ji, parted her lips. That she recovered her wits fastest even in such circumstances was indeed fitting for the Yongsan Control Tower, which had observed every conceivable sight throughout the apocalypse. "Isn't there… a possibility… that none of this is necessarily all true?" As the embodiment of reason and rationality (but serving raw ramen as a snack), the Saintess began with a fact-check. "This box is an anomalous artifact, created by the power of Infinite Void and Mastermind... that is, the Outer God ‘Laplace'. I think there’s a possibility that the Outer God crafted a false simulation to set a trap." "Oh." Cheon Yo-hwa laughed brightly. "A trap! A trap, you say. I like it-. So, what would be the benefit for the Outer God to lay such a trap, asset manager of the proud House of Dang?" "Hmm...perhaps to create division among us...?" "Heeee. The Infinite Metagame has been reduced to just a mere notebook, and even this Outer God’s only feasible tool right now is a box that has already served its purpose and will soon vanish. So, why go to such lengths to sow discord among us for some grand insight?" "For revenge... perhaps." "Well, revenge is possible. Though, I doubt the Outer God has such an emotional motivation." The corners of Cheon Yo-hwa’s mouth lifted. "If you're that worried, why don't you put the memories you received back in the box, Ye-ji?" "......" "Hurry now. I can feel it. Just a little longer and this time capsule will melt away and disappear. But right now, there's still a chance! You can store them back before they vanish completely." Cheon Yo-hwa looked around. "Don’t hold back, everyone! Please!” "......" “Come on, hurry up! Miss this last opportunity and you'll have to live with these memories forever. Manipulated by the antics of a pesky Outer God, linked to endings from forgotten timelines you didn’t even want, leading to a life where bad and happy endings are forever mixed. Alright. 10 seconds. 9 seconds. 8 seconds.” Even though Cheon Yo-hwa’s tone was clearly mocking and sarcastic, the silence abounded. It was all too natural. How could they throw these memories away? “3 seconds, 2 seconds... 1 second! Ding! Ding, ding, ding!” Thud. Cheon Yo-hwa snatched the box from Yu Ji-won’s hands and snapped the lid shut. Magically, as soon as the lid fell, the ‘Pandora's Box’ slid away, leaving no trace behind. "Whoops-?" Cheon Yo-hwa grinned mischievously. “Nobody put the memories back, did they?” "……." “Determining what is truth and what is false is the right of people. You’ve just chosen to accept these memories as truths. That's how I interpret it! Bang, bang! Judgment concluded!” "......" "In that case, everyone! I can now honestly love myself and, by extension, love the teacher. So, off I go to propose to the teacher――." Grab. Someone seized Cheon Yo-hwa by the shoulder. The same rational voice that had argued before. It was Jeong Ye-ji. “...You had it planned, didn’t you?” “Huh?” “Here, everyone is without a foundation abroad. But you alone, Cheon Yo-hwa, summoned your followers and even reserved hotels. Meaning, whenever you wish, you could confess to Go Yo-il in a fully prepared setting.” “Huh-what? Oh my, does it come to that-? How peculiar.” A beaming smile never left Cheon Yo-hwa's face. “I had no intentional designs at all! Maybe it’s simply because I've lived so virtuously that heaven itself is aiding me! Hm hm. But well, I am not a fool to reject such celestial luck. Yes, I will make good use of it.” “I hereby resign from my position as your asset manager as of today.” “Let’s discuss this calmly, Ye-ji unni.” With a single strategic move, the Saintess Jeong Ye-ji subdued her overzealous elder, Cheon Yo-hwa. As well as reining in the younger sibling. Consequently. While the Undertaker was engrossed in dutifully preparing coffee for everyone at the campus café, a secret pact was struck at this location. The agreed-upon terms were approximately as such: ◇ For the foreseeable future, the fact that they inherited memories of bad endings through the time capsule would remain a ‘secret’ from Go Yo-il. ◇ If anyone were to breach this secret, the rest would unite to purge the traitor. ◇ Each individual would be granted opportunities and freedom to a reasonably plausible extent, but standards of these reasonable opportunities and freedoms would only be established through unanimous agreement. ◇ If, in the undisturbed state of these ‘secrets’, Go Yo-il falls in love with someone, the entire group will gracefully concede. The final clause saw much debate, yet was somehow passed. In truth, the overwhelming majority gathered here lacked a particular type of confidence. They did not have the 'confidence to lose.' In the memories that had been imprinted in the minds of the alliance members, each saw themselves as the victor. High-definition mental video files played, showcasing how passionately the Undertaker had whispered sweet nothings to each of them. The thought of the Undertaker being enamored by someone else was unimaginable. In fact, some even clenched their fists with inner determination. "As disconcerting as it may be, with the revelation that Sim Ah-ryeon also holds identical memories to mine, neither Lee Ha-yul nor Oh Dok-seo can insist on being squeezed in with some trap clause demanding tolerance...!" "Heavens! Thank you! Thank you, unni! Thank you, Laplace! Finally, I can avoid the Sim Ah-ryeon cohabitation clause!" "This is better." "The guild leader totally adores me, so it doesn't really bother me." Glances were exchanged. As each mentally prepared themselves for a fierce battle, one person seemed particularly bewildered. "........." That was Dang Seo-rin. 'Oh...' Having absorbed even the memories of the utopian timeline, the great witch seemed as if her pupils were quaking in the wake of an earthquake. 'What happens to my world travels?' She sensed a threat to her existence. 'Could it be, perhaps...' 'If I lose here, will I never embark on world travels, just the two of us, with the Undertaker??' An absolute must-win battle. Commence.