The Regressor Agonizes (6)
The Regressor Agonizes (6)
There's a saying: you only see the full picture once you reach a high place. I think I heard it in some motivational video. The idea was that since climbing higher broadens your view, you should work hard to get into a good school, then a good company—something like that.
I fully agree with the sentiment. Not because I endorse modern society's obsession with only the best schools and jobs, but because after actually climbing high, my view really did broaden.
The body tempered through the Tower is one thing... but the ability granted to me—Regression. That power truly opened limitless possibilities. Frankly, nothing is impossible for me anymore.
If a spear suddenly looks cool, I can just train with it. It would take a very long time, but eventually my spear mastery would surpass my swordsmanship.
If there's someone I want to get close to—or get rid of—I can just act on it. You might think their twisted personality or overwhelming strength makes it too difficult. Would it still be difficult after dozens or hundreds of repetitions? An existence on the level of the Heavenly Demon, who reached the Heaven Above Heaven realm, doesn't exist in reality. Meddling with other people's fates is trivially easy for me.
What about society, not just a single person? If I set my mind on becoming the Korean President, could I do it? Probably. Get rid of Michael Jeter and aim for the Player Association chairman's seat? That too would be possible.
Nothing is impossible. If I invest enough time, anything is achievable. My mental stamina isn't infinite? I simply have to give up my humanity. The price would be the warping of my very character.
It's no exaggeration to say the course of human history hinges on my will. Far too many things change depending on what I decide from now on. In other words, the direction of humanity lies in my hands.
But maybe because too much is possible, I've ended up overwhelmed by those infinite possibilities.
Back in the Tutorial, or when regressing inside the Tower, the burden wasn't so heavy. The only serious dilemmas came when deciding someone's fate or right before enduring countless regressions. The Tower is a closed space.
But living in reality, meeting so many people, I feel the weight of the burden I'm carrying. Even with Regression, I often agonize over whether it's really okay to decide things so easily. My actions affect humanity. I can't just empty my mind and do whatever I feel like.
It's the same right now.
"That... I don't think it's a question I can answer for you."
"...Is that so?"
William Smith truly possesses immense potential. He overcame cancer, considered the terminal station of modern humanity, and can perfectly heal missing body parts. Thanks to guzzling Experience Elixirs from the Tower, his level isn't low either. There are other excellent healers, but the greatest healer of humanity today is William Smith. He is a saint, a living miracle, a symbol of hope for mankind.
And now, that excellence, that virtue, that boundlessness of his ability—it's shackling him.
William Smith knows it deep down, too. That he should stop here. That if he keeps going like this, his body will break down further. That he might even die from it. That the rational, correct judgment is to stop.
The reason he still agonizes, though, is that his conscience won't leave him alone. The patients outside, desperately waiting for his touch on the brink of death, keep lingering in his mind.
Here stands William Smith at a critical crossroads. It seems there's only one thing I can say.
"...If there's one thing I've learned over time, I believe the right answer is to make the choice you'll regret the least."
"A choice I won't regret... It sounds like a simple platitude, but hearing it from you, Mr. Jun-ho, gives it a different weight."
William Smith gave a small nod.
"Actually, I already consulted those around me. My wife, my children, my friends. They all tried to stop me. Told me to be sensible."
He took a sip of the potion in his mug, then gently took hold of my hand.
"I, too, will make the choice I won't regret. Thank you. I apologize since you just gave me good advice, but could you give me some time alone?"
"...Understood."
With a sense that I already knew what choice he would make, I silently left the room.
The next day, an article ran stating that William Smith had resumed treating patients.
In the photo, William Smith was smiling brightly.
**
A month passed after we began staying in the United States. There was a minor stir midway when the Korean government found out Choi Ji-won was in America, but it didn't blow up thanks to Michael Jeter's appropriate handling.
During that time, we ate and slept in a building provided by the Player Association, simply passing our days. The maxim about seeing far from a high place applies here too. Staying in an Association building allowed me to observe the shifting political landscape more vividly than anyone.
Yes. The world is changing. Not just with superhumans and monsters appearing—the societal structure itself was showing real signs of transformation.
It began with the impeachment of the US President.
"The government is doing its utmost."
"Get lost!"
"Drop dead! You incompetent parasites!"
The President kept repeating that the government was doing its utmost, that the incident was beyond its capacity, but public opinion remained ice-cold, since the President had gone completely silent at the very beginning of the incident.
"According to this recorded transcript, you said, 'We are conducting research that will change the fate of the world.' I'm curious about your intent."
"What is this 'Book' you keep referring to? Have you been seduced by some cult? Where on earth did the budget go?"
"Explain yourself!"
Furthermore, when additional facts surfaced that the President had been embezzling tax money for suspicious research, the flames spread beyond anyone's ability to cover up. It was such political suicide that even ruling party members openly said, 'Has the President lost his mind?'
"...Perhaps I was mistaken. I apologize."
The President, who had been silently holding out in the White House, held a press conference one day and resigned. Rumor had it he gave up after learning the research he had backed so firmly—enough to embezzle taxes for it—had failed.
With the US government, which had wielded great influence over the Player Association, collapsing like that, the one who naturally seized all power was Michael Jeter.
"No one knows when or where monsters will appear. Every time a dragon appears in the sky, will you fire missiles over a city? Or send tanks into a narrow alley? I'm not saying the military is useless. Rather, strong players are far more 'appropriate' for taking down monsters."
Americans, grieving over countless victims, listened to Michael Jeter—the man who defeated the dragon in New York. And it wasn't just America. As time passed, monsters appeared in other countries, and people died each time. The incident in India, where they failed to subdue a giant elephant and had to fire multiple missiles, was one example.
"It's a matter of efficiency. The number of players must increase far beyond what it is now. If I may be so bold, I propose that the governments of each nation purchase the Tower's byproducts at a premium. We must give people the motivation to climb the Tower."
-Michael Jeter is right.
-Are we supposed to fire missiles into city centers every time? Fostering strong players is the right call.
-What would have happened without Michael Jeter? We probably would've had to fire nukes into our own skies.
Americans sympathized with Michael Jeter's speech. No, the entire world sympathized. At last, human society began crying out the necessity of strong players.
-Those parasites staying on Floor 1 without climbing the Tower should face disadvantages.
-Those working hard to climb the Tower should receive fair benefits.
Michael Jeter's 'Age of Players,' which had initially seemed somewhat outlandish, began to truly take shape. People who once viewed players as they would athletes or celebrities now looked at them as genuine heroes. It was only natural, since their lives depended on it.
-Countries with strong players are safer. Look at America. Didn't they overcome the worst crisis thanks to Michael Jeter? Now look at India. They bombed their own land.
And the finishing touch was the Player Association's 'Player Ranking' system. Just as the perception that nations with more strong players were safer was spreading, the Association announced the Player Academy system and the Player Rankings.
"The S-rank number 2 is... Choi Ji-won?"
"Our country is second in the world? Above all those countless other nations?"
Koreans were left reeling from the sudden surge of national pride. 'World's Number 2' Choi Ji-won. Just hearing it makes the pride overflow.
Honestly, since things had come this far, I intended to just watch how reality played out. The transformation of society was interesting, and the appearances of strong monsters had begun to grow sparse.
"Jun-ho."
But variables always arise from unexpected places.
"Could we... not regress now?"
The one who first proposed regression was Choi Ji-won.