Chapter 150: 42%
150. 42%
[System Notification: Still, you should be more careful from now on.]
Even though things had worked out so well, Sipsam still seemed dissatisfied.
[System Notification: ...It's because Kang Hajin gets hurt. There's no guarantee things will always end this positively.]
The timid addition was purely out of concern for him, so Hajin nodded obediently.
"I know. This was the hopeful scenario."
This time, with the Loving You team's incident coinciding at just the right moment, everything had wrapped up favorably. But there was no guarantee similar situations would always resolve so neatly in the future.
Yet Hajin actually thought this was perfect timing precisely because of that.
"We needed some catalyst to shift the fandom's mood before debut anyway. I was prepared to take some flak for speaking up... Going forward, I'll look for safer and more effective methods."
Once they debuted, even bigger issues would arise. He couldn't keep picking fights with fans like some belligerent rooster every time.
Come to think of it, realizing debut was truly right around the corner, Hajin straightened up from his sprawled position on the sofa. Anyway, he had separate business coming to this unconscious space today.
"Let's talk business now. First, the rewards."
Hajin manipulated the system window briefly, pulling up the most recent quest notification.
[System Alert: Sudden Quest!]
Objective: The foundation of idol groups is teamwork!
Clear any uncomfortable feelings between teammates,
and take time to hear each other's honest thoughts.
This might become an opportunity to reflect on your own feelings too?
Success Rewards:
- Beautiful harmony from perfect teamwork♬
- Unexpected Luck ^♡^
- 1x Neutralization of side effects when entering the Unconscious Space
[System Alert: Would you like to claim the remaining rewards? (Y/N)]
When Hajin nodded, a loading screen appeared indicating the rewards were being claimed. But the side effect neutralization would be single-use, and that "Unexpected Luck" reward was too vague to get excited about.
"Well, Cat's Gratitude didn't turn out badly last time..."
He probably wouldn't lose out this time either.
In fact, he suspected this situation had resolved so smoothly precisely because of that "Unexpected Luck."
But seeing it still unclaimed suggested this outcome had just been genuine good fortune.
"So we just wait for this one. Now for the main agenda."
Hajin crossed his arms, lifting his legs onto the sofa in a cross-legged position as he looked at Sipsam.
"Dan Ha-ru seems to be the Fixed Regressor. So what do we do now?"
Though he couldn't say with 100% certainty, Hajin's suspicions were heavily leaning toward Ha-ru now.
With a prime suspect identified, it was time to consider the next steps.
[System Notification: The most crucial thing is seizing time management authority from the Selective Regressor.]
[System Notification: To do that, we must first draw out the Selective Regressor's personality.]
Having to lure out someone who'd been expertly evading the time administrators' notice all this time already sounded difficult.
Hajin tilted his head back with a groan.
[System Notification: Once the Selective Regressor's personality surfaces, I'll formally register it within the System.]
[System Notification: After that, there are several approaches.]
[System Notification: The simplest would be forcibly deleting the Selective Regressor's personality, but...]
[System Notification: Since we need to capture both the Selective Regressor and the Looper, it'll likely become an intricate battle of wits.]
Regardless, the conclusion was that drawing out the Selective Regressor's personality for dialogue took top priority.
The question then became how to drag that cowardly bastard out of hiding...
As Hajin rolled his eyes thoughtfully, he slowly lifted his head.
"The Fixed Regressor doesn't know my true identity yet, right? That I'm regressing alongside him and aware of all the regression timelines."
[System Notification: Given how desperately the Looper tried concealing your existence, that seems likely.]
[System Notification: Had he known, that infinite regression incident last time wouldn't have occurred.]
"Then it's time to give him a hint."
[System Notification: ...Huh?]
[System Notification: (๑•̌.•̑๑)ˀ̣ˀ̣]
Sipsam looked at Hajin with a "What's this bastard scheming now?" expression, but Hajin remained unfazed, resting his arm on the sofa and propping his chin with a smirk.
"All roads lead to Seoul. Rather than provoking Dan Ha-ru trying to force out the Fixed Regressor personality, it's better to make the Fixed Regressor want to talk to me first."
[System Notification: Hmm... That does make sense.]
"Revealing my identity to the Fixed Regressor is the most likely approach... The problem is whether the Looper will stay quiet. Honestly, him being this silent makes me uneasy."
Hajin tapped his fingers habitually as he spoke.
Though it seemed this "Finding the Fixed Regressor" arc was nearing its climax, Hajin's mind remained full of question marks. It felt like reaching the culprit reveal in a mystery novel only to realize none of the clues had been properly resolved.
"Usually in these situations, it's one of two outcomes. Either all the answers come pouring out at the ending, or what you thought was the ending turns out to be just before a major incident where the culprit escapes."
The former would be ideal, but the latter would spell trouble.
'I need to meet the Fixed Regressor before the Looper pulls some stunt.'
As various scenarios flooded Hajin's mind, his expression grew serious.
He tapped his fingers absently, lost in thought, when Sipsam cautiously floated another message.
[System Notification: Um... There's something else I need to tell you.]
"Yeah? What is it?"
[System Notification: After seizing authority from the Selective Regressor, your role in this matter will conclude.]
"I know that."
Hajin tilted his head quizzically at Sipsam bringing up something already known. Sipsam calmly continued.
[System Notification: The end approaching means the time for your choice is also near.]
"......"
My choice?
Before he could voice the question, Sipsam displayed the two options he'd seen before:
SAVE OR DELETE
[System Notification: 'Fixed Regressor' Kang Hajin and 'Base Personality' Kang Hajin.]
[System Notification: Have you thought about which one to keep?]
The erasure of 'me' versus the restoration of 'me.'
Another massive question mark was cast into Hajin's sea of thoughts.
42%.
Seeing that number, the man called the Selective Regressor showed a hint of puzzlement.
'Truly... fascinating.'
The boy's anxiety levels, which had been soaring toward 99%, had plummeted below 50% in an instant.
This was definitely something he'd never experienced before.
'In previous timelines, this would've been enough to make me reset time already.'
The Selective Regressor turned off the faucet with slow movements, drying his freshly washed face with a fluffy towel. Returning to the room, he noticed a sheet mask placed on the bed, seemingly left for him.
'...How thoughtful.'
His new roommate, assigned after merging rooms when the previous one left the dorm, was remarkably kind-hearted. It was almost tragic how someone so naturally kind to the world had withered under the world's cruelty in countless previous timelines, never able to blossom.
'Could this timeline truly be different?'
Was that possible?
But he'd long since abandoned any expectations from the world.
He was only enduring this timeline because he'd taken a liking to this "child," but if the world ever rejected this "child," he was prepared to abandon the world first.
'...I'm tired.'
Come to think of it, the time for his promised meeting with "him" was approaching.
The Selective Regressor collapsed onto the bed, closing his eyes briefly.
He was gradually realizing - the end was drawing near.
"Hey? Ha-ru?"
As the door opened, his new roommate Taehyun entered.
At the voice calling him, the Selective Regressor—no, Dan Ha-ru—slowly opened his eyes and turned his head.
"No, I was just resting my eyes."
"Hyung left a sheet mask here. Did you see it?"
"Ah, I saw it... But I'm too tired to even lift a finger."
"Ugh. You didn't do your skincare either, did you? Come here."
With an "I give up" expression, Taehyun took out skincare products from his pouch and approached Ha-ru's bed. As Taehyun sat on the edge, Ha-ru naturally rested his head on Taehyun's lap and closed his eyes.
Soon, a cool sensation spread gently across Ha-ru's face.
"You never do it yourself because I always do it for you."
"...Hng. Busted."
"I'll let it slide because you're cute, seriously. You and Hajin hyung. The people with best skin care the least, I swear."
At Hajin's name, the corners of Ha-ru's mouth stiffened subtly before quickly relaxing again.
Kang Hajin. Kang Hajin.
Of all the countless people he'd met across countless timelines, the one who had changed "Dan Ha-ru" the most in the shortest time.
The variable that kept shaking up Dan Ha-ru's world.
"There. Keep this on until it dries. You can sleep if you're tired. I'll remove it when I get back from practice."
"Hng, hyu gng t prctc gn? (Hyung going to practice again?)"
"Ah, you didn't move your lips. Hold on."
Taehyun carefully adjusted the sheet mask that had stuck firmly to Ha-ru's lips before getting up and propping a pillow behind Ha-ru's head.
The affectionate care was both nostalgic and welcome, so Ha-ru didn't resist, relaxing completely as he watched Seo Taehyun.
"Just... The elimination ceremony is coming soon. Staying in the room just makes my head messy, so..."
"But hyung is ranked first. You'll debut."
"If only that were true, I'd have no other wishes."
Taehyun's bitter smile faintly reflected all his past failures.
The loneliness in that smile surely stemmed from his setbacks with Boyhood Under Heaven and the department head, but...
"You definitely will."
But Dan Ha-ru knew.
The countless failures and frustrations Taehyun had endured—things even Seo Taehyun himself didn't remember.
In the immeasurable spans of time Ha-ru had reset, the dozens, hundreds of times Taehyun's dreams had crumbled.
"...Let's debut together, hyung."
"Yeah. I'll definitely debut with our precious Ha-ru. You had a rough day, get some rest."
"Okay. Don't practice too late, hyung."
"Sure~"
Taehyun smiled as he gathered his practice gear and left the room.
Heavy darkness and silence descended.
Dan Ha-ru forced his eyes shut, trying to forget the tidal waves of memories crashing over him.
The only comfort in this moment was knowing that when morning came, the one greeting that beautiful sunrise wouldn't be his tattered self.