#24 #Regression #Inventory #Orc Corpses Rolling in the Center of the 6th Floor Village

Orc corpses lay scattered across the center of Aritas Village. The sight of dozens of rebar rods piercing through their armored bodies like a rain of steel was utterly gruesome.

Jin So-yul leaped down from the H-beam, breathing heavily. Glancing at her left arm, she saw blood seeping out—now that she focused on it, the pain surged in. Did I graze it dodging that orc's axe?

"...It's over, Constellation."

"Pfft..."

Jin So-yul began retrieving the rebar rods embedded throughout the village. There was no rush—the scenario was already cleared.

Was that a bit much? A twinge of embarrassment crept in from a corner of her mind. The NPCs here would handle cleanup, but had she made extra work for them?

She circled the village, inspecting the fences. The northern barrier was completely smashed from the orcs' breach, one house had cracks in its outer wall, but the well was intact.

Still, not bad.

Especially effective had been ejecting from her #Inventory against the warriors. Even if it couldn't pierce heavy armor, it was plenty. This method would work on floors 7 and beyond too—heavy armor gets pinned down, light armor gets one-shotted. Her overall strategy sharpened into focus.

As she reviewed each moment and recovered the last rod, a house door creaked open. The Village Chief's eyes widened at the carnage below.

"This... these are orcs?"

"Yes."

"Such massive brutes... taken down by a lone traveler?"

"I wasn't alone."

I have my Constellation. Of course, she didn't say it aloud. They wouldn't understand even if she explained.

More precisely, it's the cognitive distortion the Tower imposes.

The Village Chief bowed deeply. Relief slowly spread across his wrinkled face.

"Traveler, thanks to you, the village is safe. Truly, truly grateful."

"Glad to hear it."

"But... I have a feeling this won't be the last. Do you know anything? Even a trifle."

A memory from the past overlapped. Same time, same question. But unlike then, no fear tainted his expression now. Only steely resolve.

"...They can come again."

"I figured as much."

As she echoed her past reply, the Village Chief raised his hand to the villagers.

"Everyone, come out! It's over! The village is safe!"

At his shout, villagers emerged—checking orc corpses, surveying building damage. Their relief was universal, methods aside.

Karunda strode out from the smithy, glancing at the fence wreckage before fixing on Jin So-yul's one-handed sword.

"Impressive, traveler. But that sword must've taken a beating."

"It held up."

"I'll be the judge of that. Bring it by when you have time. I'll reinforce it properly."

"...Thank you."

Karunda chuckled dryly. Then Leisha hurried over, eyes locked on Jin So-yul's left arm.

"You've got a wound... Let me apply this."

"It's shallow."

"Shallow or not, salve prevents infection."

"...Then I won't refuse."

"Good. Never refuse care like this."

As Leisha finished first aid, a few villagers whispered from afar, watching Jin So-yul. Visions overlapped again.

"Dear...! Please open your eyes...!"

"Aaaah! Jason! Jason—!!"

Past gazes held sorrow and resentment. She'd saved the village, so hatred never formed—just festering ambiguity.

Blinking, reality overlaid the past. Now, every meeting brought bows of awe and gratitude.

Yes, this time was different. And it would stay that way.

Bam! The Village Chief's door flew open, a small shadow bursting out.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Sis! Is it over?! Did we win?!"

As expected, it was Yerina. The girl ran up panting, her flushed face sparkling with excitement.

"Sis is so strong! The orc went boom, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠then splat...! Wait, no, stuff poured from above! What was that?! Super loud!"

She mimicked the fight with wild gestures.

Not good for her emotions. Even as worry flickered, Yerina punched air, pretended falling debris, jumped—and tripped on an orc's thick arm.

Jin So-yul reached out instinctively. She steadied the girl in under a second. The warmth from her small arm proved they were alive.

"You okay?"

"Yeah! Fine! But sis, that rain earlier—"

"Wasn't rain."

"Then what?!"

"...Secret."

"Aww...! Tell me! I wanna do it too!"

"No. Dangerous."

"Grown-ups always say 'dangerous' or 'no' but never the real reason!"

"It is really dangerous, Yerina."

Yerina pouted, full of complaint—but true to form, her attention shifted, scanning beyond the corpses.

"Whoa... so huge. Eight of these came?!"

"Yeah."

"Weren't you scared?"

"...A little."

Yerina's eyes rounded at the honest answer.

"Sis gets scared too?"

"Everyone does. You don't, Yerina?"

"Hmm... I do!"

"What? I'm curious."

"...Secret! But we won, so it's fine! Win next time too!"

Jin So-yul smiled. Mature for her age. Though she wished the girl wouldn't poke the corpses.

"Yerina, stay close to the traveler. The adults have cleanup."

"I'll help!"

"Helping is staying by her."

"Huh? That's not work!"

"It is. Very important work."

Yerina puffed her cheeks but followed obediently, clutching Jin So-yul's sleeve as she walked.

Thank you, Constellation. For giving me this chance to fix the past. Truly grateful.

The sun had fully set. A bonfire blazed in the village center, and the Village Chief's promised dinner arrived. Hearty, if not lavish.

Relaxed chatter rose among villagers. Faint bloodstains marked where orcs had been cleared; Karunda's wooden planks patched fence gaps.

Jin So-yul sat near the fire, Yerina glued to her side. The girl's cheeks puffed as she blew on her soup.

"Tasty?"

"Mmph? Mmmph... gasp, yeah! Tasty. Sis, eat more! Gotta eat big for strength."

"I've had enough."

"No way! Should I ask Uncle Karunda for seconds?"

"...I'm good."

"My bread then?"

"You eat it. You need to grow—in my eyes, at least."

"Gave up on height. Village Chief's tiny too."

A snicker escaped at the bold gossip—unbidden.

"...Hey, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you laughed."

"Didn't."

"Did! I saw!"

Yerina beamed, pointing at Jin So-yul's mouth corner.

Soon, Karunda returned with the one-handed sword.

"Reinforced it best I could. Sharper and tougher now. With your skill, it'll last awhile."

"...Thank you. Quick work."

"Urgent needs speed. Can't fight without it, right? Next time, something better—if materials allow."

Already talking sequels. Yes, there would be next times—this wasn't the end.

Villagers' faces glowed with hope, steeling Jin So-yul's resolve as she scanned them.

Karunda headed back to the smithy. Villagers dispersed to homes. Only Jin So-yul and Yerina remained by the fire.

Yerina pulled grass blades and tiny white flowers from her bosom—kept safe even indoors. She began twisting stems meticulously. Tongue poking out, utterly focused.

Jin So-yul watched quietly. Identical to the past. Though back then, blood had stained it—the knot's shape lingered in memory.

"Sis."

"Yeah."

"What's your name?"

Jin So-yul's shoulders twitched. Yerina picking flowers in the grass. Turning mid-meal. Chasing from the village edge.

"Traveler Sis, what's your name?"

Jin So-yul never answered. Turned away, feigned ignorance. Forum info warned: names build bonds. Bonds break when you fail them. Pushing away was right.

So ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she never told. Yerina died namelessly, murmuring "sis" with cold lips.

"...Sis? What's wrong?"

Silence made Yerina droop. Then add:

"Don't wanna say...?"

Jin So-yul knelt to meet her eyes. Black pupils reflected her own face—familiar now, matching memory.

No, a little different. At least now—

Unlike her haggard past self, this one brimmed with life. Early twenties. Nine years ago, nine years hence. After endless time, reunited.

So now, time to part from that pain-riddled past.

"...So-yul. Jin So-yul."

Nine years to utter those words.

Yerina's eyes widened. Bonfire light danced in them, sparkling. Mouth agape, cheeks flushing, joy blooming across her face.

"So-yul Sis!"

"Yeah, Yerina."

"So-yul! Sis!"

"Yeah."

"Jin So-yul Sis!"

"Right here."

"So-yul Sis! So-yul! So-yul So-yul So-yul!"

"Why call so many times."

"Wanna! So-yul Sis! So-yul So-yul!"

The girl's voice echoed through the village, repeating the name. Each time, something frozen in Jin So-yul's chest thawed slowly.

The Constellation was smiling. He couldn't know what three syllables meant to her, yet he smiled along.

Yerina grinned wide, humming as she wove—now chanting "So-yul Sis."

The clumsy tune tickled Jin So-yul's ears. She reached out naturally, atop Yerina's head. Softness flowed through her palm. Slowly, gently, one stroke.

Yerina looked up, eyes round again.

Fix it one by one. The broken past...

Yerina's mouth opened, closed, opened—then beamed.

"Ehehe."