Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 68

Chapter 68. System Update (3)

[System Notice: Sarin-nim’s fixed event was “retirement from the music industry.”]
[System Notice: The cause was the pressure she experienced while promoting, combined with her condition not fully recovering after childbirth.]
[System Notice: However, in this timeline, watching your performance became the trigger that ended her long slump.]

Images from the recording flashed through my mind—Sarin wiping her tears, our stage replaying on the monitor.

Ending the Ballad Queen’s slump…

Yeah. We accidentally pulled off something way bigger than expected.

[System Notice: Of course, a fixed event changing does not automatically indicate regressor involvement.]
[System Notice: Repeated regression itself is rare.]

The slide flipped with exaggerated effects.

The screen filled with a familiar phrase:

Colorful butterflies burst from the monitor, fluttered through the air, and vanished.

I got distracted for a second.

The system’s dry text snapped me back.

[System Notice: Human free will is stronger than you believe.]
[System Notice: No one can predict what choice someone will make, where, or how that choice will ripple outward.]

So if something significant enough to shift a fixed event happens, either it’s an extraordinary act of will—

—or that chosen-regressor bastard is involved.

“This is too much exposition at once. Even novels get boring when they dump worldbuilding like this.”

[System Notice: But it was necessary!]

“Fine. I understand how it works now.”

And I understood what I needed to do next.

“Then I should start collecting suspicious people as companions.”

If I can view their past timelines, I can dig for anomalies.

And if I dig long enough—

I’ll find him.

“But I’ve got one more question.”

[System Notice: Questions are welcome!]

“If a fixed event changes… what happens?”

[System Notice: Nothing happens.]

“…What?”

I blinked.

Nothing?

The system displayed a cheerful smiley.

[System Notice: There is no such thing as something that ‘must’ happen.]
[System Notice: There are only ‘inevitable outcomes’ created by accumulated choices.]
[System Notice: If different choices produce a different result, that is not an error.]
[System Notice: You simply live a life in which that event did not occur.]
[System Notice: Time continues regardless.]

Still complicated.

But after living five lives, I understood at least part of it.

“Alright. Then I’ll look forward to seeing what kind of butterfly effect Sarin creates.”

Preferably something big.

I stood up.

“That’s enough for today. I’ve got chicken to eat and performance videos to monitor.”

[System Notice: Before that, there is one more important matter.]

“Teacher, are we covering the entire history of mankind on this test?”

[System Notice: Fixed events may change due to variables… however—]
[System Notice: There is one thing that does not change easily: nature’s law.]

“Nature’s law?”

Life. Death. Aging. Illness?

[System Notice: I will explain in detail next time!]

“Good. We’re done for today.”

[System Notice: The exit is that way → 👉👉]

An arrow lit up in the dark space. A massive door stood on one side of the studio.

“So I just leave?”

[System Notice: Have a safe trip!]

“Wow. Kicking me out immediately? Are you upset? Sad I’m leaving?”

I stepped toward the door—then paused.

“One more question.”

[System Notice: ? What is it?]

“What’s your name?”

[System Notice: Pardon?]

“We have names for the chosen regressor and the returner. I can’t keep calling you ‘System.’ And you said you’re not really a system.”

[System Notice: ‘Returner’…? You mean—]

“I’m not calling him ‘the one who goes back’ every time. That’s too long.”

[System Notice: It is ‘the one who returns’…!]

“Yeah, yeah. What about you?”

Silence.

[System Notice: Administrator Number 13.]

“…Thirteen?”

[System Notice: Thirteen.]

So no name.

Just a number.

Makes sense. Administrators aren’t part of human society.

“Fine. I’ll call you Thirteen.”

[System Notice: …I feel strangely offended.]

“Why? Thirteen’s not bad.”

I grinned.

“And when I scold you later, I can call you Thirteen-little-brother.”

[System Notice: I object—]

“Alright. I’m leaving.”

I grabbed the handle and opened the door.

Blinding light swallowed everything.

The sensation of surfacing from deep water hit hard.

My consciousness snapped back.

“…Hrk.”

I opened my eyes to the familiar old ceiling.

Immediately—

The room spun violently.

Nausea surged.

“Ugh—!”

I rolled off the mattress and staggered toward the bathroom.

My parents’ door opened down the hall.

“Hajin? What’s wrong?”

But I couldn’t respond.

I barely made it to the toilet before vomiting up acid.

The dizziness lingered.

“What… is this…?”

After what felt like forever, the spinning eased.

I rinsed my mouth at the sink.

And then—

A blue window popped up.

[System Notice: …Ahem.]

“What now?”

It pulled up the update list again.

Under item 2—tiny sparkles appeared.

A new line revealed itself in microscopic print.

※ Using the Space of the Unconscious may cause minor physical side effects. Temporary. Not harmful. ※

“….”

[System Notice: Ahahaha… w-why is that text so small…]
[System Notice: System error.]

“….”

[System Notice: The system detects intense anger.]
[System Notice: The system panics.]

“You don’t think you should’ve told me that clearly?”

Next time I enter that space—

I’m materializing Thirteen first.

I need to wring that little bastard out with my own hands.

“Hajin! Are you okay?”

My parents’ worried voices cut through.

I shut the window.

“I’m fine! Just indigestion!”

“Do we need to go to the hospital?”

“You look pale!”

“I’m okay. I just felt nauseous.”

Mom touched my forehead, still worried.

“Did they feed you properly? Are you sleeping?”

“Mom. You could drop me in a desert and I’d start a plumbing business.”

She ignored that.

“I’m making rice porridge.”

“…What?”

“Chicken is cancelled. You said indigestion.”

My heart shattered.

“My chicken…”

It was gone.

And I knew exactly who to blame.

[System Notice: ……………… ………………. (◑_◑);;;;;;;;;].]

“Thirteen.”

[System Notice: …Yes?]

Silence filled the room.

I smiled.

“What are you giving me as compensation?”