323 - Regression Is Too Much

Chapter 323 – The Past (2) “What about the ability to go back in time?” "…" “Since they return to the past, they would know all the information about the future, and if it's dangerous, they could return to the past again. Having already experienced it, they could handle things better. If they had this ability, wouldn’t they become powerful enough to rule the Earth someday?” There was a writer who claimed that a ‘time traveler’ might exist. Among all the writers present, he was the least informed, and his appearance was somewhat disappointing. Of course, if someone had the ability to go back in time, it would be extremely, extremely threatening. It would be an almost undefeatable power. It’s also a popular idea. “We’re not foolish, so we don’t talk about time travelers, right?” “Why did you bring that person up?” It was an ability that all writers here had thought about at least once, but didn’t specifically mention out loud. “Why are you reacting like this?” The President, who was relatively unfamiliar with this type of argument, couldn’t comprehend their intense reaction. What’s wrong with time-related abilities, and why are you so upset? “Your Highness. Let me explain.” Then, one of the veteran writers stepped forward. “Let’s assume there’s someone with that ability. Let’s assume he rewinds time.” “I see.” “Now, is there a way for us to perceive it?” "…" The President pondered carefully. Ultimately, he had no choice but to nod. Yes. Even if there were someone with superpowers somewhere in the world who could manipulate time at will. We would never be able to sense it. No matter how many times he experienced setbacks. Be it the first time, the second time, or the 9,999th time. For us, time appears to flow in a straight line. “Well, if there’s someone who could go back to the past just once... that’s easy to handle. Just make a plan, and if the plan fails, simply change it.” “Why is that?” “Because having returned to the past, he would know everything that’s going to happen in the future. Then, the time traveler would make plans based on the information he knows. In doing so, he would interfere with the US government.” “… If he realizes this intervention, he will act differently.” “That’s correct.” The way to counter a regressor is to act differently from the future. If all the information he has turns into scraps of paper, the regressor would flounder, unable to do anything. His ability would become worthless. “But if he can go back to the past numerous times, all these arguments become meaningless. That’s... almost like a deity.” However, if there are no limits, then no matter what we do, we won't be able to stop it. Because we are not free from time. “We're here to confront 'potentially lethal abilities.' But what if we talk about an ability that is impossible to confront?” Other abilities can be managed to some extent. Teleportation? Just eliminate the space where teleportation can occur. For instance, make that pathway extremely narrow. A powerful, invisible user? You can deal with them using scent particles or invisible lasers. An invincible physical power user? You can exploit their mental aspects. Every power has weaknesses that can be exploited, even if subtly. Creative works often exploit these vulnerabilities. However, when it comes to time travel, there’s no way other than to kill them before they use their power. The conditions for acquiring that power might differ. Most importantly, there’s no way to know who the time traveler is. Okay, let’s assume you know it. Assume you’ve noticed the regressor. So? What’s next? What will you do? Will you write a note on your phone mentioning who the time traveler is? Or will you make an effort to remember it? If Time keeps moving, everything returns to the way it was. Humans cannot defy time. “Hmm.” Only then did the President understand why the other writers were so furious. If they came with an “invincible power” and asked how to stop it, there was nothing more to say. You just have to accept it. “I might be able to do it.” The confident voice he heard then. The sound of footsteps clacking. “My ability is adaptation. If I adapt to that time travel, wouldn’t that be enough?” Michael Jeter, the President of the Players' Association, entered the conference room with a confident smile. The President had called him as an on-site advisor of sorts, but he was a bit late because of his tight schedule. “That... I don’t know if that’s possible.” “It’s possible to recognize success in adaptation, but isn’t it impossible to recognize failure?” “Because we don't even know if all the abilities we mentioned really exist or not…” “…” However, contrary to his confidence, the writers’ responses weren’t very enthusiastic, and Jeter sat down, feeling a bit awkward. Jeter was still emotional at that moment. “Alright, let’s discuss things that hurt more. How far have we progressed?” Nevertheless, the meeting with Jeter proved quite fruitful. Thanks to the information from Michael Jeter that "players entering the first floor must exit through the same spot," they managed to set up traps to capture players hiding in the tower, and they also came up with the idea to curb crime through players acting as guardians. The conclusion regarding the assassination of politicians was that it couldn't be stopped unless the same players were used. Still, isn't an achievement still an achievement? Pax Americana. Even as the world trembled, America stood firm. And... it should remain so in the future. ** Time passed. The Player Association system was successfully established, and the ‘player heroes’ championed by Michael Jeter progressed smoothly. Thanks to the efforts of many patriots, the crime rate didn't decrease but actually increased. The number of criminal players being killed rose day by day. Order. Order was maintained. The people praised the President for responding appropriately, and they respected the dedicated President of the Player Association. Everything was proceeding as planned. Just as predicted in the book. This was also the case again in the secret research laboratory. The laboratory, which borrowed the book from Ronald as a long-term loan, could only conduct experiments on certain days due to Ronald's physical limitations. “Have you obtained the information you need?” “Yes.” They had acquired all the necessary information for the international situation. The book wasn't too valuable when trading information about ordinary people without a status window. This also became the reason why the President was confident he could maintain his leadership in the future. The information he had just acquired would be a beacon showing the direction to take in the coming days. However, even though he had obtained all the necessary information, he still had quite a bit of gold left. What he intended to do next was not to gather necessary information but to conduct various experiments on the book. Today's topic was ‘To what extent can the book provide answers?’ He had solved all the Millennium Problems. The book had provided answers to all of them without demanding significant sacrifice. The questions he would pose from now on were somewhat abstract. “If God exists, what is the essence?” “Why does God allow evil and suffering?” “Does the existence of God affect the origin and purpose of the universe?” “Is there an absolute standard for ethics?” “Are mathematical truths something humans created, or are they something we discover?” “I would like to know an example of a perfect social system.” The scientists posed their prepared questions, and the book remained silent. Given that they asked questions beyond human comprehension, it was only natural for the book to remain mute. “Could it be that we don’t have enough gold?” “That’s quite possible. If this book is truly omnipotent.” “If only I had a way, I’d sacrifice the entire planet to hear its answers.” “… Those are frightening words.” The President stroked his chin as he listened to the scientists chatter. These were not questions he expected the book to answer from the start; they were asked with an ‘just in case’ attitude. That’s why no one was disappointed. “Book.” The question the President then asked wasn’t one he had high hopes for either. “Is the book affected by changes in time?” So, just a trivial query. Merely an offhand remark. It was a comment that suddenly came to him as he recalled past discussions he had with the novelists. – The book is the only thing. And then, in an unexpected burst, the book opened and provided an answer. “Eh, eh?” “Time?” “Wait…” The book’s answer suggested that ‘time does not always flow forward.’ “Gold! Check the gold!” “It’s nearly gone!” “Are you sure?” “Yes! Only about a ton is missing!” To the President, the world seemed to move in slow motion. “That… I suppose this is a question about the fundamental nature of the book, so the sacrifice required wasn’t much.” “I didn’t question time… How did you come up with this idea? You’re amazing.” “Time can reverse or accelerate…” “…” He was a very rational man. He would get angry whenever he saw journalists, but his demeanor tended to be cool and static. “Oh.” But even a President like that... The excitement of this moment... was hard to contain. He had just discovered the hem of God's garment. ** Once again. Time passed and continued to pass. The President's authority had become absolute. The image of the President as seen from the outside remained unchanged, but his political control now reached the level of an emperor. Other leaders had to attend endless meetings he chaired, and when deciding on a direction, they first considered the words of the American President. He could do whatever he wanted. That was the kind of authority he had gained through the book. He had... truly become the leader of Earth. So one night. In a bar at the White House. “Jeter.” “Yes, Mr. President.” The inebriated President asked Michael Jeter, who had suddenly become candid. “Isn't there a book? The Book of Truth.” “Go on.” “The book... it is said to be the only one, even if time goes back.” “Yes.” “And the book, besides just providing information, also ‘trades.’” “Yes.” “Then.” Bang! The glass fell to the floor and shattered, but no one cared. “If we make a sufficient sacrifice... wouldn’t it be possible for us to leave a ‘small trace’ on this book?” The President's eyes shone brightly. “If you mean a trace.” “So. At a specific location in the book, wouldn’t it be possible to leave a tiny, almost invisible dot?” “…” Jeter observed the President closely. From his assessment, the President was in high spirits. “What would we do with that dot?” “A time traveler. Remember? The one whose existence is akin to that of a god.” “Impossible.” “Hehe.” He exhaled in excitement. “If the book allows us to leave even the smallest trace. If we can mark a dot on the cover of the book.” “…” “Even if time rewinds... that mark will remain.” “…” “…” “At the place we promise... wouldn’t there be a sign we didn’t put there? Even though I didn’t do anything?” The President. “I might be able to prove the existence of God.” He was seized by a strange passion. “Mr. President.” “What?” “Be quiet.”