Chapter 68: System Update (3)
68. System Update (3)
[System Notification: The Fixed Event for Saryn was 'Retirement from the Music Industry.']
[System Notification: The reason was the pressure she felt during her career and her inability to fully recover her condition after childbirth.]
[System Notification: However, in this timeline, she witnessed your performance, which helped her break free from her long-standing slump.]
The footage from the last recording session intersected with our stage performance. To think we ended the Ballad Queen's slump—yeah, we really pulled off something even bigger than I expected.
[System Notification: Of course, just because a Fixed Event changes doesn't necessarily mean a Regressor is involved.]
[System Notification: After all, repeated regressions like this aren't something that happens often in the first place.]
With a flash of dazzling effects, the screen transitioned, filling with a familiar keyword:
Butterfly Effect
Colorful little butterflies fluttered out from the monitor, beating their wings rapidly before vanishing.
For a moment, I was captivated by the beautiful sight—until the blue screen's businesslike text snapped me back to attention.
[System Notification: Human free will is far more powerful than you think.]
[System Notification: No one can predict when, where, or what choices someone will make—nor what changes those choices will bring.]
So, if a Fixed Event changes to that extent, it's either a historical event shaped by someone's incredibly strong will or there's a high chance a damn Regressor is tangled up in it.
"Isn't this too complicated? Even in novels, if the world-building is this convoluted, it just gets boring."
[System Notification: But these explanations were absolutely necessary!]
"Anyway, thanks. I think I get it now—how things work."
And I even had a rough idea of what to do next.
"First, I should start collecting suspicious bastards as Comrades."
That way, I could peek into their past timelines. Eventually, I'd find a clue.
"Oh, one more thing I'm curious about."
[System Notification: Permission to ask granted! (^_ㅡ)~☆]
"What happens when a Fixed Event changes? It means something that was supposed to happen didn't, right?"
[System Notification: Nothing happens.]
"Huh?"
The unexpected answer caught me off guard. Nothing happens?
But the System remained unshaken, displaying only a calm smiley emoticon on the monitor.
[System Notification: There's no such thing as an event that must happen.]
[System Notification: There are only 'inevitable outcomes' formed by the accumulation of choices!]
[System Notification: Even if different choices lead to different results, there's no issue.]
[System Notification: You'll simply live a life where that event never occurred.]
[System Notification: Time keeps flowing, after all.]
...Still a tough concept to grasp.
But after living five lives over, I felt like I was starting to understand life's convoluted mechanisms a little.
"Alright, then. I'll just look forward to seeing what kind of butterfly effect Saryn overcoming her slump brings this time."
Might as well hope for something even bigger while I'm at it.
With that pointless thought, I stood up. It was about time to return to reality.
"Let's call it a day for now. I've got chicken to eat and performance videos to monitor. Busy schedule."
[System Notification: Ah, just one more thing before you go.]
"Teacher, you're going too fast. Is the exam scope from the dawn of humanity to the present or something?"
[System Notification: Fixed Events can change due to various factors, as mentioned earlier...]
[System Notification: However, there's one thing that rarely changes—the laws of nature.]
Laws of nature. Like the cycle of life and death?
[System Notification: We'll discuss this in more detail next time!]
"Yeah, let's stop here for today. How do I get out?"
[System Notification: The exit is that way→. (❀╹◡╹) 👉👉]
An arrow lit up like an LED sign in the dark space. A suspiciously massive door had appeared in one corner of the studio.
"I just walk out?"
[System Notification: ★☆Have a nice dayyy★☆ ( ღ'ᴗ'ღ )]
"Kicking me out the second I'm done? Hey, System, you're making me sad."
A few steps later, I was already at the door. Just as I was about to push it open without hesitation, a thought struck me, and I let go of the handle.
"Hey, one last thing."
[System Notification: ? . ? What is it?]
"What's your name?"
[System Notification: Huh?]
"The others have names—Regressor, Looper—but you don't. I can't just keep calling you 'System.' You said you're not even the System, right?"
[System Notification: Regressor is one thing, but... Looper? Seriously...?]
"This isn't a movie—I can't keep calling you 'The One Who Returns' or whatever. 'Looper' is close enough."
[System Notification: It's The One Who Cycles...! (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º]
"Yeah, yeah. Tell that guy to keep cycling or whatever. Just don't show up again and mess things up."
Tch. Just thinking about how that red bastard toyed with me still made my blood boil.
"Anyway. What do I call you? You don't have a name? Aren't Administrators supposed to have those? Fine, give me your prisoner number or something."
[System Notification: I'm not a prisoner!?]
"Then give me the last digits of your phone number. C'mon, hurry up. If you don't answer, I'll just call you 'Bluey' or 'Sparky' or something."
[System Notification: 1, 13!]
"113?"
[System Notification: 13! Administrator Number 13!]
I had a feeling, but it seems they really just go by numbers.
Well, I guess they don't operate under human social structures if they're managing humans.
"Alright. From now on, I'll call you Sipsam. Hey, Sipsam."
[System Notification: ...Somehow, that feels insulting?]
"Why would it? Sipsam. Sipsam. It's got a nice ring to it, like 'System.'"
Hmm, the pronunciation's a pass. Sipsam. Next time I need to threaten him, I'll just call him Little Sipsam.
"Okay. I'm heading out now. See you in reality."
With a lighter heart, I grabbed the doorknob again. It wasn't particularly heavy—just a turn, and the door swung open. A blinding light flashed, and my consciousness wavered.
Like being dragged up from deep underwater, the harsh sensations of reality crashed over my entire body.
"...Hhk."
The first thing I saw upon opening my eyes was the cracked ceiling and the familiar fluorescent light.
The moment I realized I'd woken up, my vision spun violently, and a wave of nausea hit me.
"Ugh—!"
Dizziness surged as my sight reeled.
I crawled up like I was rolling off a mattress, only for the nausea to worsen. Staggering out of the room, I saw my parents rush out from across the hall, startled by the noise.
But I didn't have the presence of mind to reassure them. The urge to vomit overwhelmed me, and I barely made it to the bathroom before emptying my stomach into the toilet.
Closing my eyes against the spinning only made the vertigo worse.
What the hell is this...?
"Son, are you okay? Are you sick? What's wrong?"
I couldn't even muster the energy to say I was fine.
After what felt like forever, the dizziness finally subsided, and my vision stabilized.
You little earworm bastard, can't even do your job right?
Fuming, I rinsed my mouth at the sink—only for the blue screen to reappear before me.
[System Notification: ...Ahem.]
"...What now?"
Without warning, it pulled up the update log I'd seen earlier.
[Kang Hajin (Fixed Regressor) Permission Update (1.0) Log]
※ Requires keyword assignment ※
※ Note: Time flows differently in Unconscious Space compared to reality ※
"And? What's your point?"
I skimmed it again—then noticed a tiny, blinking line under the second note.
Upon closer inspection, there was an additional warning in minuscule font:
※ Use of Unconscious Space may cause minor physical side effects, but these are temporary and harmless. Please bear with them. ※
"......."
[System Notification: Ahaha, wh-why is this in such small print...?]
[System Notification: System error]
[System Notification: System error]
"......."
[System Notification: The System detects intense rage within the Fixed Regressor's silence!]
[System Notification: The System is flustered by the Fixed Regressor's fury!]
"...You little bastard, you didn't properly disclose this?"
Next time I enter that Unconscious Space or whatever, I'm materializing Sipsam first. Feels like I'll need to wring that punk's neck before this anger subsides.
"Hajin! Hajin! Are you okay?"
"...I'll deal with you later."
Sipsam tried to say something else, but I shut it down at the sound of my parents' worried voices outside. Quickly rinsing my mouth once more, I wiped the cold sweat off my face and opened the bathroom door.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Must've been indigestion. Weird."
"Are you sure? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
"You haven't eaten since lunch. Your face is all flushed."
"Nah, I'm good now. Just felt queasy for a sec, but throwing up fixed it."
I forced a smile to reassure them, but Mom still checked my forehead and hands with concern.
"Mom, I'm fine."
"Did you sleep well at work? Eat properly? You need to take care of yourself..."
"C'mon, Mom, you know I'd dig a well even if you dropped me in a desert."
"No, this won't do. I'll make you porridge for dinner."
Huh? Porridge?
"Wait, Mom, you promised me chicken."
"Chicken? After throwing up? You shouldn't eat greasy food when you're sick."
My desperate excuse just cost me my precious chicken!
As my world crumbled, Mom was already rolling up her sleeves and pulling out the rice cooker.
"Sweetie, want me to blow on it for you?"
"...No. Just call me when it's ready. I'll sleep a bit more."
"Alright, rest well. You need sleep when you're sick."
Once Mom got started, no one could stop her. She'd already turned on the gas. Defeated, I trudged back to my room and shut the door.
"My chicken..."
I'd lost my chicken. The sheer emptiness and frustration of that loss directed my rage toward one obvious target.
[System Notification: ................... (◑_◑);;;;;;;;;]
"Sipsam."
[System Notification: ..................Yes?]
Silence settled over the tiny room.
"How are you gonna make this up to me?"
I smiled. Just a little.