309 - Regression Is Too Much

Chapter 309 – The Returner's Battle (28) Immediately after I returned, I withdrew into hiding, almost as though I'd vanished from the face of the earth, following a brief exchange with Jiwon Choi. I turned down every arena match offered, confined myself to my room for meals, and cut off all communication with the outside world. It felt like I had become a recluse, never stepping out. Eventually, when I ran out of money, Jiwon brought me food, like a mother placing a meal in her son's room when he refuses to emerge, and it was deeply pitiful. “…” Was this sudden introversion of mine a reaction? Or had I gone mad from the shock of Cheonma's betrayal? Perhaps the hermit within me had finally broken free? No, this was an experiment. Cheonma had betrayed me, wounding me deeply. In that process, I felt betrayal, pain, irritation, and anger. Certainly, I tried to contain it, but perhaps I experienced 'intense emotions.' To be honest, I usually believed I could manage my emotions quite well, and the possibility seemed slim. But it would be too grievous to simply dismiss it as 'unlikely.' If Cheonma truly still retained his memories, it would pose a significant problem. Caution was essential. So, how to determine if he has regressed or not? “…Just observe.” If I hadn't influenced the world, it shouldn't change. The only ones capable of affecting it are Choi Ji-won and myself. We, untethered by time, are exceptions. When we return to the past, history should unravel the same way. It's a fundamental law. Therefore, if the future alters, it’s due to Cheonma. It would imply that someone else has influenced it, and none other than Cheonma would have the power to do so. Let’s assume I am Cheonma, retaining my memories intact. What would my course of action be? “…” First, he would seek me out. He'd search for someone called Kim Junho. Given that his return coincided precisely with my death at his hands, wouldn't he deduce that I was the reason for his regression? Simultaneously, he'd realize he hadn't taken such actions in previous cycles. He merely lived peacefully, and it was I who approached him. Thus, he'd understand that rash actions wouldn't be prudent. “Regression is a deception from the start.” Moreover, Cheonma would be suspicious. Why did he go back with me? Can regression be a power inherently held by humans? Are there no limits to how often he can return? His mind would be burdened with so many complexities, it might well burst. Regardless, Cheonma could only adopt one of two stances. He might realize that I am a regressor and attempt to cooperate belatedly, or he might decide to eliminate the obstacle known as the regressor. Whether the former or the latter, I had no intention of collaborating with Cheonma. I planned to invest my time in observing Cheonma’s behavior across three cycles, altering his actions to test whether he was acting. Caution was essential for the future plan. I then concealed myself for about three months, during which Cheonma eventually regained his original power by killing humans. Judging by the terrifying aura I could sense even from afar, it seemed he had indeed recovered his true strength. Since he didn't make any agreements with me this time, I assumed he intended to kill humans and then leave the tower. “Hmm…” It progressed just as it did when I hadn’t intervened. I wasn't certain yet, so I resolved to wait a bit longer before returning. “I intend to escape the tower. The situation you're worried about won't occur. Cooperate with me.” “How should I cooperate?” This time, I approached Cheonma similarly and decided to work alongside him. Cheonma regained his strength in the same manner, recounting his past stories to me. As expected, it mirrored the appearance of Cheonma in my memory. It seemed he hadn't regressed at this point, but to be cautious, I decided to regress one last time. “Huhh…” This time, when Cheonma was engaged in a match with another player, I sat in the front row of the audience, arms crossed, staring intently at him. I also unleashed my magic power intensely. Occasionally, he glanced back, possibly worried about me, but ultimately, he focused more on the opponent before him. I didn't approach him at all and only observed from a distance, but Cheonma didn’t come near me either. Initially, he responded, but soon he ignored me as if I were just livestock. Three months passed, and Cheonma had regained all his power. Finally, I could rest easy. “From Cheonma's perspective, there is no memory of the ‘original’ round.” From my view, the pattern was that Cheonma regained his power within three months, but for Cheonma, retaining his memories, it never happened. It was a memory that didn’t exist. No matter how hard Cheonma tried to act ‘natural,’ he couldn’t fully replicate his unconscious self. Unless he could erase his own memories. “…Can everyday memories be erased?” No. Such a thing doesn't exist. Moreover, there's no certainty that erased memories would even return. We can set aside that possibility. Anyway, after confirming that Cheonma lacked any recollection, I reached out to Jiwon. Having left me thrice to iron out a few variables, she seemed delighted. Once we exchanged updates about recent events and completed various tasks, I filled Choi Jiwon in on what happened with Cheonma. “Cheonma is limited… and is concealing his power…” “Ahaha…” Choi Jiwon, who nodded and listened attentively, suddenly furrowed her brow. “But Junho… if that's what you're saying, aren't we facing a huge problem?” “Hmm.” “Collaboration is impossible. And we can't win a fight either. What are we going to do…?” Exactly. I couldn't win against Cheonma in a direct confrontation. I couldn't collaborate with him. However, I also couldn't simply leave him alone. He was an enormous obstacle that couldn't be either confronted or ignored. I understood what needed to be done, but he was like an immovable boulder blocking the path no one could bypass. It truly was a hopeless situation. “NO.” Still, I had an advantage. “An information advantage.” I knew about Cheonma. I understood Cheonma. I knew who he was, his past, and his personality. Although it seemed like I was cornered, I could clearly see a way out. I couldn't fight him. I couldn't flee. But… I might be able to kill him. “How?” “Using the Boongboongi method.” I wasn't idle while observing Cheonma. I was busy crafting plans, running through various scenarios in my mind. This was a plan that came to me during those times. A plan with the highest odds and potential for success. I was further refining the Boongboongi plan. The Boongboongi plan was once deemed impossible. Has anything changed now? Yes. I had also gathered trivial information about Cheonma and understood how he became stronger. In reality, the ability itself wasn’t critical. What was crucial was my understanding of Cheonma as a person. “First of all… Cheonma is arrogant. And he's quick to anger.” “You mean he's quick to anger?” “Yes. When people whom he deems 'evil' according to his standards irritate him, he often resorts to killing.” Having a foul personality is a blessing. It means it’s easier to trigger the 'intense emotions' needed for regression. “And Cheonma has a high sense of pride. Should I call it narcissism? He’s the type who can tolerate insults towards 'Guntar' but cannot abide any directed at ‘Cheonma’." Cheonma also harbors a great pride in himself. He possesses an extreme form of self-love. It's part of his innate temperament, but Cheonma takes it very seriously. “The reason the Boongboongi plan is so difficult is because it would be too easy for Cheonma to discover that Kim Junho is the one responsible for the regression.” Ultimately, to deceive Cheonma, I must prevent him from realizing he's being fooled. Yet, to return things to their rightful course, both parties need to feel strong emotions towards each other. For argument's sake, even if I manage to do it, keeping it hidden from Cheonma is a significant challenge. But if Cheonma has a flawed personality? I can work this out. I can handle this through a web of deceit and misdirection. Furthermore, I have delved into Cheonma's past. I've thoroughly studied his story. With this knowledge... it's possible to toy with Cheonma's emotions. “It’s a risky plan, indeed.” If I fail, Cheonma will realize that I've undergone regression and break free. Perhaps... he'll even find a way to 'seal' me. There's a multitude of risks involved. Yet, without it, I see no method to defeat Cheonma. There's no conceivable path to victory. Cheonma is that powerful. Thanks to my regression, I've always fought without risk. While others staked their lives and gambled dangerously, I watched safely from the sidelines. Now is the time. Now is the moment for me to take that risk. This moment... it's time to place a bet. The core of the plan is simple. Leverage the difference in information to the fullest extent possible, to truly maximize it. So I dare to say it. I boldly state it. Cheonma. “You'll experience it too.” Now you are a regressor. I will show you the overwhelming burden of excessive regression.