51. The Next Stage of This Ability
[All Information on Ivy Lane x1]
[Overwhelmingly Potent Syringe x1]
[Elevated Authority Over Me x1]
[Clue to the Next Stage of This Ability x1]
[One Stat Rank Up x1]
Even after returning to the dormitory, the dilemma persisted.
I couldn't easily choose just anything.
Raising one desired stat by a rank... it wasn't a dud, but it didn't particularly appeal to me in comparison.
I'd only just learned that this ability had a next stage, and this was the first clue to it.
'If I get it, I might reach a higher realm before even the protagonist...'Well, maybe it'd give me some ultimate technique like in a famous comic.
Like deploying a domain... or unfolding a unique barrier... or manifesting imagined objects...
What's the ultimate move for a regression ability?
Turning back time over and over until the opponent notices something off while pretending to negotiate a deal?
'But that requires the opponent to be on a level where they can sense the regressions. No one's been like that so far.'...Has there really been no one?
Ja-an's behavior. Didn't I feel a slight sense of incongruity?
It peaked during the Gangbuk raid incident.
He came to save me just because he had a bad feeling.
If he's one of the rare few who can sense regressions on a physical level... then maybe we could wipe out all the monsters together?
I closed my eyes.
"...First things first, the reward."
I muttered to myself.
I don't think this was my original personality, but lately, I've been talking to myself a lot more.
I couldn't tell if it was Ivy Lane's body influencing me or just the immense stress I'd been under recently.
Let's think about the rewards.
Something I can't obtain right now.
The syringe?
'I said it doesn't appeal much relatively, but I can't deny it's an attractive option.'Well, not choosing it this time.
I already have the black syringe and the clear one, so I still have ways to lose consciousness.
All information on Ivy Lane is a dud.
I've already figured it out from past experiences and rewards.
So, only two options left.
[Elevated Authority Over Me x1]
[Clue to the Next Stage of This Ability x1]
Back to square one.
'If I calculate it, it's about 50-50.'I have no way of knowing if elevating authority over "me" means authority over Ivy Lane, over the Status Window, or over myself.
If it's authority over Ivy Lane?
The odds of that are low. More likely it's over the Status Window. Worth the gamble?
I'm a regressor.
With the mindset that I can just regress anyway, gambling is no problem. In fact, it's recommended.
But this isn't something regression can fix.
I only have one coin.
Even if it's a very low probability, if there's a chance of an accident I can't block with regression, I won't choose it.
I have to go as safely as possible.
Clue to the next stage of this ability.
'...A clue.'In other words, it won't take me straight to the next stage.
It's an investment for the long-term future, not immediate gain.
[Elevated Authority Over Me x1]
Low risk of accident, but definite authority gain.
[Clue to the Next Stage of This Ability x1]
No accidents, but no immediate return—just a clue.
Obtaining all info on Ivy Lane and losing consciousness.
Those were the most dangerous actions in my current situation.
In the past, before erasing my memories, how did I erase them?
And what did I do to reach that distant place I haven't gotten to yet?
If I took the orthodox route, it means they followed similar steps to reach this point.
'No, wait a second.'I might have a huge misunderstanding about the Status Window.
I naturally interpreted it as a possessor perk, like an isekai cheat, but what if it's not?
'Actually, I thought of this once before. It just got buried.'Let's develop that old thought now.
If the Status Window is someone else's ability, it must be incredibly complex.
Just the functions I've seen so far number more than a few.
Viewing information, providing unknown info, crafting items from thin air, unaffected by regression.
Extremely multifaceted.
'If the hypothesis that the Status Window is someone else's ability is true... what should I do?'It's like being under 24-hour surveillance.
The Status Window has been guiding my actions in a specific direction.
If someone is intentionally manipulating me, I've just been going along with it.
Why remind me of the academy cadets' and faculty's deaths?
What intent behind collecting my info?
Why does the Status Window know things even I don't?
If elevating authority lets me use the Status Window more diversely... what's the risk? What's the return?
'The safe choice is the clue to the next stage of this ability.'I can't keep picking only safe options forever.
I know that well.
But I won't move until it's 100% certain.
That's my creed.
I felt a sensation on my shoulder. My dulled senses couldn't properly identify the object touching my skin.
Yet, somehow, I instantly knew the touch on my shoulder was someone's hand.
At that moment, I realized it was a hallucination I'd created.
Crunch. My shoulder muscles were pressed.
Muscle pain. ...A new symptom.
It's clearly worsening.
But I can still endure it.
"Is that so."
"...Ah, aren't you tired of this?"
"I appear because you call me."
"I didn't call you."
"Really?"
I looked behind me.
Nothing there.
'This pattern is new.'I turned my head forward again.
The voice came from behind once more.
"You never take risks."
"What about Gangbuk?"
"Death? Just regress—that's what you thought, right? Do you really think that counts as taking a risk?"
I don't.
For a regressor, death is a means, a process. Never the result.
That's why it's risk-free play.
With my senses dulled by the drugs, death doesn't scare me much now.
The sensation upon waking is still unfamiliar... but bearable.
"Right. You don't see death as taking a risk."
"So?"
"Taking risks to protect people—that's what makes a hero. What if something happens to you, even at very low odds? So what?"
...So what?
"You mean take a real risk of dying?"
"Yes. Take it. Everyone else—other heroes—live taking those risks every day. Only you! You, parasitically extending your worthless life by borrowing someone else's body and powers—you're the only one who doesn't!"
Of course.
"Everyone hates risking death by nature."
"They do it anyway—that's why we call it noble!"
Dad wouldn't say that. He doesn't know such words.
He's the man furthest from nobility.
So, this is just an image my brain forcibly conjured.
A childish tantrum crafted to effectively erode my mental strength...
Yeah. That's not my father.
"I'm certain now."
"What?"
"I won't take risks. I'll only make safe choices. And I'll save everyone safely."
My father's hallucination finally appeared fully in front of me.
His face was clear.
He was scowling fiercely.
"You're being stubborn."
"I know."
"A limit will come someday. A situation where you absolutely can't save everyone, where you must take risks. What then? Pray? Hope Ja-an saves you like last time?"
It hits me anew, but I'm the heroine.
No, I'm not the heroine.
This body, Ivy Lane, is.
"So... doesn't matter, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Wait for the protagonist to save me. That's Ivy Lane's—the heroine's—role, originally."
I grinned.
Yeah, still no desire to take risks.
"You can never save everyone!"
"No, the Ja-an I know can. Even if I can't, he will."
Trust. Yeah. The reason I want to be a hero is to stand proudly beside my friends.
My close friends are already heroes.
Clue to the Next Stage of This Ability x1
A single sheet of paper fell before me.
My father's hallucination slowly faded.
Keywords: Expansion and Target.
This ability brazenly defies the laws of physics and science.
The power of this ability is forcing your will on the world itself.
...Ah, fuck.
If I'd known, I would've just taken the risk.