325 - Regression Is Too Much

Chapter 325 – The Past (4) The information about the Elixir was revealed later than expected. Even Michael Jeter, who could be considered to have the best information network in the world, was delayed in realizing its existence, and there were several reasons for this. Firstly, the fact that the Elixir itself was an extremely valuable item played a significant role. Its value was so immense that even a fool could recognize it, and if it became known that they possessed it, they were more likely to face threats rather than be praised. (They knew how fortunate they were to receive the Elixir as a 'reward for survival.' And that they had boarded the bus.) And So, two weeks passed. Those who possessed the Elixir suffered, unable to tell anyone, and kept it to themselves. "I have to sell this." "Hey, honey. Could it be dangerous if I sell it..." "Does that matter now? Our daughter is about to be discharged from the hospital? Let's take this chance to pay off the overdue surgery bills and buy a house. Honestly, I'm too scared to climb higher anyway. Let's seize this opportunity to change our fate." "... If it's you..." It was also the time needed for people cornered to make rash decisions. Overcome by greed, they wanted to sell this potion to the executives of large corporations, but there was no way an average person had such connections. Then, what about auctions? However, official auctions take a long time, and the process of receiving the settlement money is quite complicated. They needed quick cash. In the end, the path the man chose was the path of darkness. After scouting around, he found a notorious underground auction house. "Shoot." "Okay, wait!" – Tudadadadadadang! They were turned into beehives. The man, and even his family. Similar operations were repeated three times around the world, and a week later, the 'Panacea from the Tower' was put up for auction. Naturally, the potion was sold at a very high price. So, did Michael Jeter not know about this? He did. He knew the effects of the potion, its selling price, and who purchased it. However, what he actually didn't know was the 'source.' Rumors about the potion spread considerably, and a few soft-spoken individuals leaked information about Choi Ji-won. (Most of them were buried without much notice.) "Do you know about a player named Choi Ji-won?" "I do." "SHe managed to save all the humans on the 4th floor. That potion was her reward." "…" "And more importantly, there was a man who managed to clear the 4th floor a step ahead of Choi Ji-won. And he did so in precisely the same way." "What's his identity?" "I don't know his name or identity, but he's an Asian man." Others could not reach here amidst the sea of information. There were simply too many false rumors about the tower, and in general, no ability to separate the wheat from the chaff. However, since it was Jitter's personal organization, they could filter through quality information. "Choi Ji-won. Choi Ji-won." Choi Ji-won. That's the name I remember. SHe clearly demonstrated remarkable results on the second floor and transformed the entire floor. That's why SHe was called a hero. SHe managed to save all humans on the fourth floor? And did so by escaping from the wave of monsters as soon as the first floor began? "… Is that possible?" Jitter recalled his own memories of completing the fourth floor. He vividly remembered using his adaptive traits to kill countless monsters, and he recalled making the best choices at every moment. However, as soon as the tower began to illuminate... did he flee? Was there any basis for it? No. Were there any clues? Absolutely none. With the keen senses and clear mind of Jitter, it was impossible for him to miss it. Yes. Let's say he was incredibly lucky, extraordinarily so, and made the decision to escape from the fourth floor. Let's say he had some strange confidence in himself, and he convinced all the other humans to cross the cold snowy fields. Up to this point... it could have been a coincidence. But what about the other man? The one who managed to clear the fourth floor faster than Choi Ji-won, and in the same manner? That was entirely out of the question. It was beyond mere possibility. "What was the difference in time taken to complete it?" "Estimated to be around half a day to a day." The objective of the fourth floor was to survive for 5 days. If the time difference was merely a day, it was impossible to convey the information. Firstly, the tower cannot recognize information from floors it hasn't entered. All circumstances suggested that 'this wasn't a coincidence,' yet, in reality, it could only be coincidence. "... Characteristics." Jeter was convinced that there was some sort of intervention here. He was absolutely sure, viewing it as a 100% chance. Afterward, other players speculated that there must be some telepathic trait, but a different scene appeared in Michael Jeter's mind. The scene when the president affirmed that Dia could locate the time traveler. His eyes were filled with an unusual intensity. "…" But still... it was only a possibility. A possibility that could not be ignored. ** Once again. Time passed. Mahesh and Jeter thought together and concluded that the stone statues on the 15th floor meant "the time of the statue raid." Jeter immediately conveyed this information to the President, and naturally, the President didn't grasp the gravity of the situation. "Monsters will attack." "I can't hear you." "… In a year, a significant disaster will occur." "What significant event is happening? Explain it properly." "…" They knew something was happening, yet they couldn't see the actual situation, which left both feeling frustrated. From Jitter's demeanor, the President could discern that something was at play, but it was just information. No matter how powerful the President was, Dia could not command other nations to "mobilize their military forces because something might happen." Politics didn't work that way. There was no justification. It should have been A year later. Knowing that countries around the world were struggling with turmoil, it was quite unreasonable to propose the idea of preparing a year in advance. There's a vast difference between saying, "Let's prepare for an enemy" and "I don't know what it is, but something feels off, so let's get ready." Jitter eventually abandoned the idea of getting presidential assistance and began gathering players. He posted red letters relating to the 15th floor in advertisements worldwide, asking anyone who saw it to contact him. During that time, Jitter met with various players. From shameless criminals who contacted him just to see what was happening, to powerful individuals whose names were unknown. "…Emperor." "Why? Didn't you ask me to reach out?" And strained relationships from the tutorial. But the most memorable encounter was "Hello. I am Michael Jeter. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Choi Ji-won." "…" "And… Mr. Kim Jun-ho." Choi Ji-won and Kim Jun-ho. There were two individuals. He knew Kim Jun-ho's name. Choi Ji-won had been seen with a man on the 13th and 14th floors, and Jitter had already learned his name and personal information through a background check. His ability might be swordsmanship, and he was reputed to be quite strong. Some even mentioned an unknown aura of cold surrounding him. "About 10 months from now. Earth might be in danger." However, upon meeting Kim Jun-ho in person, there was something more. Michael Jeter, with his sharp senses, could feel it. It was something… a sense of unknown pressure. Or perhaps, calmness. Jitter was certain then. The man who obtained the Elixir on the 4th floor was certainly Kim Jun-ho. The two who won the Elixir were Choi Ji-won and Kim Jun-ho. And if a regressor truly existed… it would be one of Choi Ji-won or Kim Jun-ho. If a regressor truly existed. Is this the first time for me? Is this the first time I've met them both? Did I say the same things before time went back? What are the conditions if I am time traveling? When will I time travel? Is there a limit to how many times I can time travel? Is there a depletion of magic? If you don't have enough magic, can't you time travel? Or is time travel triggered by something else, regardless of your desire? Is time travel possible even in the future? Have I revealed too much information already? Countless thoughts raced through Jitter's mind, yet he smoothly articulated what he intended to say. His brain could easily imagine scenarios like this. Oh, he needed to drink a lot of water because he was overthinking. Nonetheless, Jitter, who returned to the association's headquarters after successfully completing the interview, continued to ponder deeply. The experiment the President previously mentioned. That's what was on his mind. This experiment would require the full cooperation of the President. It would also demand a considerable sacrifice, enough to wager the future of the United States. Could the President be persuaded? He could. For Jitter, who possessed the 'Adaptive' trait, manipulating the human mind wasn't a major issue. But what if neither were regressors? Then... What about the future of the United States? The Players Association? Earth? Humanity? The burden on the other side of the scale was too heavy. The President's experiment was a gamble that shouldn't be attempted without confidence. "…" However, confidence… isn't something one waits for. Confidence is something one creates. Jitter immediately devised an efficient plan. The chance of success seemed high. ** Again. Inside the White House. “Your Excellency.” “Yes?” "The experiment you mentioned some time ago." "That never happened..." "I've reconsidered it, and it seems like a good idea." The President was ensnared in Jeter's dazzling rhetoric, and his judgment grew increasingly hazy. In the same place, only his position had changed entirely. "But… you said it couldn't be done…" "I thought it over again. I'm convinced this experiment is worth undertaking." "… It still can't be done. The risks are too high." "You said earlier that if a time traveler exists, they're like a god. This is a chance to confirm the existence of a god. Do you plan to let this opportunity slip by?" “…” The President's resolve wavered. At this moment, he was the person closest to being the ruler of Earth, a man with more power than anyone else. Yet, he could not escape the limitations of being human. As expected from a human, there was a gap in his heart. "This is an opportunity." And Jetter's inhuman insight couldn't overlook that gap. The President swallowed hard without realizing it. If we could observe the presence of a god with human eyes, how incredible would that be? “… NO.” However, the President couldn't simply accept it. It was too great a gamble. If it failed, it meant handing over America's future to the history books. “What about this?” Of course, Jetter had anticipated this far. He had a trump card to persuade the President. “I have a way to maintain your authority, Mr. President. I have a plan to secure the future while determining if there is a regression or not.” “Wow, wow…” If there was no regressor, it would be deemed mere happenstance. But if a regressor truly existed, it would surely be detected. “You… what on earth…” “I’m just thinking efficiently.” It was an incredibly devious idea.