Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Checkpoint! Why Isn't It Working Again!
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Lunch was ordinary.
Irene Rock announced the end of class, and everyone headed straight to the cafeteria.
Just like before, Han Ye-seo guided me and Ja-an to the cafeteria.
Whether you could really call it "guiding" when she was dragging us along by clamping our sides was debatable.
It was the same as always.
Ja-an and Han Ye-seo gave me strange looks when I ordered seasoned eggplant, and I immediately countered that being picky was bad.
You poor souls who don't know the beauty of seasoned eggplant!
You're living half a life!
"By the way, Ivy, why'd you choose the name Ivy Lane?"
"Huh?"
It was the same question.
All ability users are orphans, so they pick their own names. I'd already explained this.
Ivy for the clinging vine, Lane for rain.
"It means I'll stubbornly survive."
"I see. The city we were born in..."
"Seoul, right? So most people pick Korean names."
"Yeah!"
Han Ye-seo turned to Ja-an this time.
This had already happened.
Next, Ja-an would say he chose Ja-an because of his purple hair and eyes. Right?
Then Han Ye-seo would explain her name came from Hanja characters, and she'd made up a family name because she wanted to pass one down someday.
Boring. So boring.
It felt like replaying a story I'd already pushed through.
And as the meal was wrapping up...
I spoke up right away.
"Hey, how about we exchange contacts?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
Ja-an and Han Ye-seo looked at me in surprise.
Did I really come off as such a loner...? I thought I was acting pretty sociable.
"...You don't want to?"
"No, that's not it!"
Han Ye-seo started making excuses first, while Ja-an stayed silent as ever.
"Here! My contact! Write down your numbers and save them!"
"Okay."
I checked my contact card on my phone.
Ivy Lane's number was there at the bottom.
First time I'd checked it.
I copied it straight to Han Ye-seo's phone, wrote it down, and hit save.
Ja-an glanced at me, then quietly slid his phone over.
"H-here."
...Stuttering?
"Okay."
"Don't get the wrong idea. It was just so unexpected..."
"It just takes time to get close. Until then, I'm quiet."
"So, does that mean we're a little closer now?"
"Yeah."
For some reason, Ja-an's expression brightened at my reply.
I entered my number into Ja-an's phone.
Han Ye-seo and Ja-an exchanged theirs too.
For some reason, it looked like they were watching my reaction.
Maybe they felt bad for treating me like a loner earlier?
I gave them a casual smile.
Meaning it was fine.
But they must have misunderstood, because Han Ye-seo and Ja-an looked troubled.
'...What's that about?'
And just like that, lunchtime ended.
***
A body with no combat ability.
Vulnerable to ambushes.
I needed to prepare for tomorrow's sparring, but more urgently, I had to prevent my death today.
Back at the dorm, I called Ja-an right away.
He picked up after just a few seconds.
His ridiculously handsome voice came through the phone. Whoever designed him was an artist.
[What's up?]
"Oh, um... do you have plans to go out today?"
[Huh? Probably just shopping at the mart.]
"I was thinking of heading to the market. Wanna go together?"
[Sure. That's fine.]
Surprisingly easy acceptance...
Good, I guess.
"I'll wait out front of the academy dorm."
[Got it. Be there in 10.]
I hung up.
'Checkpoint!'
Checkpoint saved.
I confirmed the status window notification, then got ready to head out.
I didn't forget to change my stockings.
The runs were uncomfortable, and after Irene Rock pointed it out, the blatant stares had gotten on my nerves.
Men's lust... tsk.
Not great being objectified as someone's plaything.
I opened the door and headed to the dorm entrance.
.
.
.
I sat on the stairs.
Exhausting.
Even standing for long was too much for this body.
Ja-an arrived soon after.
"Thanks."
"Yeah. But... mind telling me why you called?"
"Suddenly got scared to go out alone."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just... going far by myself feels off."
He gave me a strange look.
A bit burdensome, even.
'Was my excuse too lame?'
I gauged his reaction and added,
"Pretty weird, right?"
"Huh?"
"A grown adult scared to go out alone. Weird, huh?"
"Not at all."
Without a hint of hesitation or falter, Ja-an replied just like that.
As if it wasn't weird in the slightest.
His unshakable attitude made me—the one who'd lied—feel embarrassed instead.
His gaze felt a little shameful.
I turned sideways and faced forward again.
The empty academy stretched out before us, devoid of people.
To break the awkward vibe, I forced a conversation.
A calculated move—building rapport now would help.
"Guess it's dinner time, no one's around."
"Kinda weird."
"Huh?"
"Usually some cadets wander around in the evening. Like us."
"Really?"
I thought for a moment, then spoke again.
"Still, no people is better than crowds."
"Why?"
"It's quiet. Plus, what would other cadets think seeing us two alone like this?"
"Th-that so..."
Ja-an stuttered, looking flustered.
Huh, not the reaction I expected.
I glanced back at him.
His face was a bit redder than before.
'No way, right?'
I don't remember turning you into such an easy guy! Snap out of it! I don't wanna be gay!
Then, a voice.
A person's voice.
"Well, then."
"...?"
A suspicious man appeared without a sound.
Instinct told me.
This was the guy who'd jabbed a syringe into my neck last round.
He was standing right there.
"Looks like phase one was a success... or so. Right here..."
Why do villains always monologue their plans?
Phase one success?
What?
Thanks for the dumb soliloquy, but it gives me zero clues.
Ja-an fired a question at the man from beside me.
"Who...?"
"Ah, sorry for the late greeting."
The man bowed slightly and began introducing himself.
"First, before I give my name, there's one thing I'd like you to know."
"......"
"I'm not here at the academy to fight you all."
Ja-an immediately readied for combat.
'This guy's unarmed. Can he win?'
Honestly, a bit worrying. But if I regress via checkpoint, it's fine. Calmed me right down.
Best not to die if possible.
But if it's hopeless, I'd accept it.
That's all.
Whew.
Deep breath.
The man eyed Ja-an's stance, then continued in a fluster.
"I-I'm not here to fight, okay?"
"Illegal intrusion into the academy is a serious crime. If you're a civilian, leave now."
"Wow... straight out of the textbook. Didn't think people still talked like that these days."
Ja-an scowled.
Annoyed, probably.
The man spoke again.
"Just here to scout. Academy defenses, facilities, cadet levels... that sort of thing."
"......"
"Scouting's done. Time to go. Well, the most important task seems already handled by my past self."
My past self handled it...?
'He knows about regressions, and he's not hiding that he knows.'
No, he's flaunting it.
Wants me to know?
Ja-an would take it as provocation or a declaration of war, but to my regressor ears, it rang totally different.
"Why tell us?"
"Pardon?"
"Why reveal your plan?"
Ja-an's tone and vibe shifted.
'Used a choice already.'
Abusing his power so soon wasn't great.
"It's not much of a plan."
"Only one reason comes to mind for scouting defenses and cadet levels."
"An attack...?"
"Am I wrong?"
"Are you insane?"
Ja-an paused briefly.
"Then...?"
"This is the nation's top facility. Even I barely got in! And sure, they're retired, but the faculty's packed with frontline heroes! Full assault or raid? Impossible."
More realistic than expected.
'But the main story has an academy raid arc. Bluffing?'
Or maybe something worth a full war was inside the academy?
Most likely...
While I pondered, Ja-an sprang into action.
Ja-an's ability.
The Road Not Taken
Multiple unseen paths appear before the eyes, calculating success probabilities for each and providing them to the user. Correctly choosing one applies corrections to actions until completion.
A visual novel protagonist optimizer, basically.
Ja-an vanished from my sight, reappearing in front of the man.
He swung a big fist.
Whoosh.
But Ja-an's fist sliced empty air.
The man had vanished clean from the spot.
A sound came from behind me.
He slipped a hand into my jacket pocket, dropped something with a clink, and pulled it out fast.
My body froze solid.
Terror—I couldn't move.
Dying really is scary.
Ja-an cautiously spoke.
His eyes fixed on my back.
"A hostage."
"Yes. My ability needs prep."
"......"
"Quid Pro Quo. Babble info at the opponent, get one teleport. Simple, right?"
Quid Pro Quo
Babble information to the opponent for one-time teleportation.
So that's why he spilled info on purpose!
"Oh, can't teleport with others. Don't worry."
"......"
"Means you just report my vanishing to the academy. Act like a student."
The man winked with one eye.
Ja-an scowled.
And the man vanished in an instant.
My legs gave out.
My body pitched forward.
"Ivy!"
Far off, someone was running toward me.