Infinite Regressor, Chapter 480 - I’m an Infinite Regressor, But I’ve Got Stories to Tell

The chaotic impromptu surgery that nearly transformed the Undertaker into an undertakeress was an event that unfolded just hours ago. Although it was enough for a new entry, [Phobia: Dang Seo-rin], to be added to the Undertaker’s character sheet, he opened the door willingly. Why? The reason was simple. “Um... Sorry. Undertaker. I got too worked up earlier...” In truth, for thousands of years, the label [Precious Bond: Dang Seo-rin] had been etched in red on his character sheet. To put it bluntly, even if Dang Seo-rin actually managed to castrate him, the Undertaker's affection wouldn't have waned one bit. For the Undertaker, who was prepared to accept even the end of the world for Dang Seo-rin’s sake, his own existence didn't hold much value compared to the world. “It’s okay. I understand. It’s not easy to maintain your composure when memories you couldn’t even recall for yourself come flooding in like a tidal wave.” “Uh, right. Now that I think about it, you've probably had similar experiences like ours long ago…” What Dang Seo-rin referred to as ‘experiences’ obviously pointed to the incident involving reincarnators, specifically with Go Yuri. Recalling that event, Dang Seo-rin exhaled a sigh of relief inwardly. ‘…He’s not just saying it’s okay.’ In matters one has personally experienced or wronged in, people tend to become more understanding towards others. Strangely enough, Undertaker had experiences of accepting ‘memories that didn’t exist’, as well as having been someone of different gender. There were very few situations on Earth that the Undertaker couldn’t comprehend. To genuinely surprise him, the likes of Sim Ah-ryeon would be necessary. “...Hmm. It’s so quiet here, should we go for a walk around the hotel and have a chat, just the two of us?” “Sounds great.” In his mind, the Undertaker instantly recalled the geography around the hotel. Thanks to preemptive map understanding, anticipating such walk proposals during travels. “There’s the sea a little ways off.” “Oh, the sea. Is it pretty?” “Well, the water's just so-so. It’s not a beach, just a stretch of piers one after another.” “Hmm…” “Still, you can watch people coming and going, and you can hear the waves crashing, so it should be nice enough for a walk, right?” “Yeah! Let’s go!” Dang Seo-rin soon became excited. Her earlier worry as she lingered in front of the Undertaker’s door washed away in an instant, as if by a small magic. Indeed, for the Undertaker, this process was entirely natural. It was a habit to scout around the places he stayed, and with Dang Seo-rin, he always sought out places like eateries she might like to visit. As they stepped out of the hotel and strolled through the streets―. Dang Seo-rin suddenly realized. “…” That part of it. ‘Walking with the Undertaker is always fun.’ Nothing extraordinary had happened. Dang Seo-rin liked the sea. She liked walking. She liked watching people on the streets. Stopping by a café for delicious coffee or desserts would be perfect, but even sitting on an old bench somewhere was fine. ‘While planning our trip… maybe even to walk with me.’ Sneakily. As they walked beside each other along the harbor streets, Dang Seo-rin stole a glance at her companion. ‘I guess he thought about whether there might be a walking course I’d like… and just, glanced at the map again.’ Just. ‘Cheon Yo-hwa arranged the entire travel itinerary, so there was no need for him to check the map.’ Just. “…” Her heart throbbed. Dang Seo-rin simply liked his side profile. She knew well that in love, the word ‘just’ wasn’t used when there was truly no reason. It might be different for encounters where you separate at the crossroads after a brief meeting. But for love that insists on intertwining paths, stopping together when signals blink, crossing intersections, and when reaching a beach where no more roads continue, sitting on a bench and promising to watch the sea together. ‘Just.’ If one were to fall in love like that, people would share countless ‘justs’ as they walked along. Treading upon them, the answer sheet that once responded to why one lives with ‘just because’ unexpectedly changed. ‘I live for you.’ In matters of love, the blank marked with [just], in fact, always had [you] hidden behind it. ‘I think it’s just fine to wake up early for you.’ The sound of waves accompanied with the sight of his profile as the tide ebbed. ‘It’s just nice to stroll about when it’s a convenient time for you.’ ‘I’ll stay up just until you come back at night.’ ‘Even if everything I have now disappears. If everything is lost. As long as I can be with you, I feel like I can start over anytime.’ ‘Just. That’s how it seems.’ Dang Seo-rin. ‘You feel the same, right?’ Unthinkingly, she extended her hand to grasp the Undertaker’s right hand. “…” In response, the Undertaker turned to look at her. He seemed somewhat surprised, as his eyes widened slightly. “…” However, it wasn’t long before the Undertaker’s gaze softened. And the touch of Dang Seo-rin that lightly brushed fingertips grew larger, as the Undertaker embraced her entire hand. “…” “…” Dang Seo-rin’s face warmed slightly. She walked with her head slightly bowed. The conversation between them had ceased, with only the breadth of clasped fingers and warmth of their palms filling her mind. The silence wasn’t burdensome. It was just as it was. So she gathered a little more courage and raised her head, meeting the Undertaker’s eyes. Dang Seo-rin burst into a smile. “Fool.” “Why?” “Dummy.” “That’s an unacceptable slander for me.” “Shall I tell you something scary?” “Ominous, considering it might be more frightening than nearly losing a body part.” “That Sim Ah-ryeon, as soon as she got in the hotel, took a shower and a bath…” “Insane.” “She said she’ll wear a swimsuit and go to the pool when you visit…” "That's truly terrifying. Gives me chills..." When it comes to gossip subjects, nothing topped talking about Sim Ah-ryeon in moments like these. Is it too much to gossip about a colleague? What's that phrase again… Villain of neglect. "Ugh. Enough, enough." "What's enough?" "Just everything." Dang Seo-rin decided to make it official. 'Don't hide anything from me. Treat me as the most precious. Travel with me whenever I want.' With such conditions, Dang Seo-rin thought she could accept it, even if their relationship seemed bizarre to outsiders. Of course, emotions are unpredictable, not something one can fully understand from the start, which means feelings might change once this whirlwind relationship sets sail. If things changed, they'd discuss them then—at least, that was her thought. 'As for Sim Ah-ryeon… I have no idea. Let's assume she's an alien wearing human skin.' Her extraordinary understanding was made possible due to once having been devoured by a god of isolation. And so, as Dang Seo-rin opened her mouth to share her decision― "Wait a moment." "Uh?" "Hold on." Thud. The Undertaker cornered her. It sounded odd, but to put it more bluntly, it was the proverbial 'wall slam' position. 'Huh?' Dang Seo-rin looked up at the shadow-casting face of the Undertaker looming over her. They were backed against the large wall of a harbor building. His expression was utterly serious as he looked down at her, slightly askew. "Wh-what are you doing?" It was so sudden that Dang Seo-rin stumbled over her words unwittingly. But who could blame her? Even though she initiated the hand-holding earlier, the Undertaker had never engaged so boldly in physical contact like this before. True, memories of the events that transpired in 'Utopia' flooded back when Pandora's box opened today―but even in those episodes, he had never gotten this boldly face-to-face, had he? "Dang Seo-rin. I can pretty much guess what you're about to say." "Uh, uh, yeah...?" "But I'm not such a fool to let you say it first. So, could you wait a few more days? I've received some personal advice. There's something I want to try." "Wait for what...?" "For whatever it may be." Then something startling happened. The shadow drew closer. It deepened. Until, close enough to see the other's eyelashes, something soft brushed against Dang Seo-rin's left cheek. 'Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?' To put it in simpler terms, as her brain laggingly tried to make sense of it: The Undertaker had just backed her against the wall, leaned down, and lightly kissed her cheek. '???' It was happening too fast. Before she could even declare anything officially, the Undertaker had already gone ahead with a cheek kiss, and Dang Seo-rin was left bewildered! Because, well, because...! 'You, you! While you flirt effortlessly like breathing, you've never ever initiated this kind of physical contact first before!' In truth, the Undertaker had been a steadfastly reserved man until now. Even when it came to holding hands, she had to make the first move. Kicking playfully under the café tables? Again, she was always initiating first. First, first, first. In matters like planning a walk route today, or other logistics, he would comfortably handle things on his own, yet! He'd never, ever! History recorded no instance of him sending the first sign when it came to physical affection. Thus, Dang Seo-rin learned just how convenient and easy it was to be around a 'man with no libido'... and how incredibly frustrating it could be! She only realized these things after meeting the Undertaker. The most sincere practitioner and believer in platonic love, he was nothing short of a lunatic in that regard. As a person who sometimes longed for holding hands or more, it unfairly made her feel like she was overly greedy, leaving her wondering if she was the only one feeling this way, making her honestly, no—really, rather let down. "Will you wait?" "Uh, uh, uh..." For the first time ever, the Undertaker took a step forward and made an advance, and Dang Seo-rin's mind spun. The surprise attack was not something she'd anticipated. Perhaps because of that― "...Yes, I'll wait." Dang Seo-rin replied, her face blushing with intense embarrassment. A little later― After finishing their walk and sending the Undertaker upstairs, Dang Seo-rin sat in the hotel lobby alone, staring blankly at the chandelier above. She thought dazedly. 'Wha-what on earth is happening?' How could Dang Seo-rin have guessed? That the mastermind behind all these unfolding events was Seo Gyu. 8. Obsession. For the Undertaker, it was an unfamiliar theme. However, he was a man who didn't know the meaning of giving up, and most importantly, he was someone who took others' advice seriously. He resolved to ‘attempt’ to become someone who could 'obsess about other people.' Given that efforts statistically tend to flow in the opposite direction, it was certainly peculiar. So, as the first step of this effort― “Yo-hwa.” “Oh, Teacher!” The Undertaker sought out Cheon Yo-hwa. “To personally call me out like this. Oh my! I never imagined the Teacher would approach before I even started charming you. But of course, I’m okay! How about we move to that private room we’ve booked?” “It’s not that. I have a favor to ask.” “Huh? What is it? If it’s a request from you, I could even fetch One Piece.” “Time capsule. Pandora’s box.” The Undertaker continued. “It’s not really gone, is it?” “...” “Since the power transferred to you, you must have some degree of control over it.” Taking advantage of the confusion, Cheon Yo-hwa had whimsically shouted timeout, but in truth, there was no time limitation. Being more familiar with the remnants of the Outer Gods than anyone else, the Undertaker easily saw through Cheon Yo-hwa's deceit. “Give it to me.” “Wh, What?” “The memories contained in Pandora’s box. Open it right here so that I can receive them too.” “Me…mories, you say. Um, whose memories are you talking about? I can pick and choose as you want.” “All of them.” “...” Indeed. The solution the Undertaker found in his efforts was simple. "Hand over every single memory, from all the bad endings, that 'I' have experienced, without leaving anything out." Can't become obsessed, can he? Then the answer was simple: summon every single version of himself that had ever fixated on others. ――Super Gigachad Undertaker, fusion complete. ---TL NOTE: Okay it might not have exactly said "Gigachad" in the original translations but who could resist adding it when prompted with "Super Giga Undertaker?" It just feels incomplete lol.---