Chapter 53: I Want to Go Back (3)
53. I Want to Go Back (3)
My memory ended there.
Though 'that person's' face remained silhouetted from start to finish, making it impossible to see, it was easy enough to guess whose memory it was.
"That's it? It's over?"
'Must be the memory of that damn Chosen Regressor. The reason that bastard started regressing.'
Right—regressions like this usually have a clear purpose. Thinking back on all the regression stories I'd read, they all boiled down to:
Apparently, the question I'd thrown at the System wasn't multiple-choice but open-ended. A sweet 'opportunity' arriving at the most miserable moment. Even without seeing what happened to that person afterward, I could guess.
[You'll fail even if you go back. That's your future.]
[Don't you want to live in happy memories?]
A life lived within happy memories. A life where, when misfortune and hardship strike, you can turn back to yesterday without hesitation. Looking at it that way, the chaotic merry-go-round of my regression—spinning randomly without pattern—started to make sense.
Though the memory had ended, I couldn't return to reality. In this bright, transparent space—the polar opposite of the vast darkness I'd experienced just hours ago—a familiar blue window appeared.
[System Notification: To facilitate smooth communication with Fixed Regressor (Kang Hajin), we have terminated the memory playback early and borrowed your subconscious. Time is limited!]
So, in other words, ask whatever I want to know quickly. I didn't understand how any of this worked, but I knew now wasn't the time for panicked questions like "Wh-what the hell is going on?"
"Was that memory from the Chosen Regressor?"
[System Notification: Correct.]
"I've been wondering—can't you just tell me who that bastard is?"
Honestly, forget quests and all that—just tell me who they are and where they live. But apparently, it wasn't that simple. The System even displayed a sweat-drop emoji as it hesitated.
[System Notification: The 'Chosen Regressor' has been crossing countless timelines, fleeing from 'Fate.']
[System Notification: Due to excessive entanglement of timelines, the original timeline and records of the 'Chosen Regressor' have been lost!]
"Explain it simply."
[System Notification: We don't know who they are either!!˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º·˚]
"Impressive how you deliver such devastating news with such cheer."
What the hell is this System? Are you even helping me, the Fixed Regressor?
"Then what the hell are you? Who are you people? You and that red thing."
[System Notification: ...To put it simply, we are Timekeepers.]
Within the transparent space, threads of light unfurled gracefully, each carrying its own hue. Some streaked like dying meteors, while others pulsed with new life. Countless timelines bloomed and withered in an endless cycle.
[System Notification: Life flashes, panoramas, déjà vu, the sense of familiarity—these are all our doing.]
[System Notification: We oversee every timeline that comes into existence. Our role is to ensure they progress as they should.]
As it spoke, blue lights flickered in the space. Countless timelines intertwined, collided, and were untangled. Some crossed, others severed.
Watching it was... surreal.
[System Notification: The 'entity' you encountered earlier was once a Timekeeper like us. We are still investigating why it created the 'Chosen Regressor'!]
"Then what about me? How the hell did I get dragged into this insane time war?"
At my question, the aurora-like space cleared, and two new threads appeared—one yellow, one purple. They tangled so intricately at one point that they looked like a single knot.
[System Notification: The exact reason is still under investigation... but for some reason, the Chosen Regressor's timeline began intertwining with yours.]
[System Notification: So whenever the 'Chosen Regressor' regressed, your timeline regressed as well!]
[System Notification: Originally, we planned to find the 'Chosen Regressor,' stop the regression, and erase your memories once the timelines were restored...]
I could guess the rest without hearing it.
"But you failed to find the Chosen Regressor and couldn't fix the timelines."
The voice from our first encounter echoed in my mind.
[I asked if you could stop them.]
—At this point, the only thing I can't do is re-enlist.
[Haha, you're funny.]
[Alright, then I'll place a bet too.]
—What the hell are you talking about? Speak clearly.
[I'll give you a chance. To set everything right.]
—What?
Now, the System's workings finally made sense. So in the end, you outsourced this mess to me because you couldn't handle it yourselves?
"Then what about all that 'access denied' and 'insufficient permissions' nonsense earlier?"
[System Notification: What we show you under the guise of this 'System' is classified personnel data from the Timekeepers' records. Of course, ordinary humans can't access—]
"......"
[System Notification: Th-there are things too vast and profound for humans to comprehend! For your own protection, access to records must be restricted...!]
"......"
[System Notification: B-but! Within the bounds of causality and the rules of the human realm, we'll do our utmost—!]
"......"
[System Notification: ...We tried our best! But from now on, we solemnly swear to do better in facilitating your quests and missions!!!!]
"Yeah, sure, thanks. But next time, make that 'utmost effort' a little more concrete."
[System Notification: ......ㅗ. (I'll burn myself to ashes for you!（〜^∇^)〜)]
Oh, the speech bubble changed, you bastard.
[System Notification: A-anyway, once you leave this subconscious space, the rules of the human realm will restrict our communication again.]
[System Notification: If we need to guide you further, we'll borrow your subconscious like this!]
[System Notification: We must close the space soon. Any final questions?]
Like waking from a dream, I could feel my consciousness slowly returning to reality. If I had one last question... various thoughts swirled in my head, but I settled on just one.
"How the hell am I supposed to find the Chosen Regressor when even you don't know who they are? And even if I do find them, how would I recognize them?"
♪♩―♬♩♪―
The familiar ringtone of my phone sounded. Probably Seo Tae-hyun. The soundproof walls of the private practice room gradually came into view. After a brief pause, the System answered.
[System Notification: You'll recognize them.]
[System Notification: Human timelines don't intertwine so easily.]
[System Notification: ...Or so we've been told.]
"By who?"
And then—I woke up.
I pushed myself up from the floor of the cramped practice room where I'd apparently collapsed. My whole body felt sluggish, as if I'd just woken from a deep sleep.
♪♩―♬♩♪―
Before I could even adjust to reality, I grabbed my phone, which had been ringing incessantly. Three missed calls from Seo Tae-hyun. When I answered, his calm voice came through.
—Hyung. Sorry, but I'm not about to scour the eight provinces looking for you.
"What are you talking about?"
—You didn't run off because you lost to Han Seong-woo and were embarrassed, did you?
What the hell, kid?
"Are you me?"
—You disappeared saying you needed time alone, then didn't pick up. What else was I supposed to think?
"...Must've had it on silent during filming. Didn't hear it. Sorry."
—As long as you weren't running away. Hurry back—they said you're up right after me.
"Got it. Be there soon. Thanks."
After hanging up, I quickly made my way to the interview room.
On the way back to the waiting room, I tried summoning the System, but all I got was a message saying it was temporarily unavailable for updates. So much for their "utmost effort"—starting with a closing notice. Can't trust a single damn System.
"Seong-woo-ssi, great work!"
"Thank you, writer-nim. I'll head in now."
"Oh no, you worked hard— Huh? Hajin-ssi, you're back already? The writer just went up to call you."
As I headed toward the waiting room, I spotted Han Seong-woo and the writer leaving the interview room—his session must've just ended. Right, this problem was still unresolved.
"Ah, I was just taking a call. Hyung, you finished your interview?"
"Yeah. I talked about you a lot—you're in trouble."
"Haha, it's fine. I'll be talking about you plenty today too."
I deliberately moved closer, slinging an arm over Seong-woo's shoulder—he was about a head shorter than me. Playing the friendly joker, I laughed, but I could feel him stiffen uncomfortably, trying to push me away.
"...!"
Ignoring it, I tightened my grip, locking him in place. He stared up at me with a what the hell is wrong with you expression. Hold still, bastard. I've got something to say to you.
"Oh my, are you two close?"
"He was my team leader in B-Class. Took care of me from day one."
"Ah, really?"
"But I think he felt more comfortable with me. The age gap wasn't as bad as with the others... Hyung always struggled wrangling those kids—herding them, making them clean..."
What I meant was: How fun was it playing drill sergeant to high schoolers at 22? Not sure if it landed.
"I'm probably the only one in B-Class who speaks casually to him."
"Ah, really? Just Hajin-ssi?"
"Yeah, we agreed on it."
Of course, Han Seong-woo and I had never agreed on any such thing.
"H-Hajin-ah?"
"Hyung, I heard you talked about me a lot to the B-Team guys too."
"......"
Translation: I know you tried to screw me over by sweet-talking the B-Team.
"Ah, writer-nim. Seong-woo hyung has a nickname. Did you know?"
"A nickname? No, what is it? Something the trainees call him?"
"It's more of an insider thing... Ah, but it's kind of a derogatory one."
"Oh my, now I'm even more curious!"
"Ah, can I say it? Can I, hyung?"
Seong-woo stared up at me with a what the hell are you saying look, so I flashed him my brightest smile. Playing it up like I was seeking permission, I leaned in and whispered in his ear:
"Nepo baby."
"...!"
"It's you. You're the real nepo baby."
"......"
"Can I say it?"
And this—you damn ticking time bomb—was me warning you: I'm about to blow you the hell up.