Chapter 10: The Regressor Who Carries the Memory of a Doomed World

I deliberately spoke coldly.

"Didn't I clearly tell you to wait at home until I came back?"

"A, well, that's..."

"Kang Yebin. You're not someone who acts without thinking, so why did you do this?"

"..."

She needs to understand the situation more clearly.

"If our claims are proven, which section of the newspaper do you think it will be featured in?"

If the predictions of someone from the future come true, what kind of impact will it have?

I can assure you, we will be prominently featured in the economic, political, entertainment, social, and comprehensive sections of the newspaper.

"But when we recorded the broadcast, we made sure it couldn't be dismissed as just barking. Given the number of people who already believe us and the widespread attention we've received, various interests will inevitably focus on us."

If you think that all this attention is just positive, you'll be truly in trouble.

Just like a moment ago.

"Still, I thought it would be okay for now..."

For now? We hit 4 million views in just one day, and you still think it's okay.

I nodded at the phone she was holding.

"Do you use SNS?"

"Mutual follow...?"

"Since it seems like you do, pull over for a moment and check your DMs."

"Yes..."

Having been through this before, she obediently followed my advice.

She picked up her phone and tapped the screen.

"Kiaaaah-!"

She immediately threw the phone.

Having anticipated this, I easily caught the phone she threw.

I looked at the screen she had been looking at.

The first thing I saw was a photo of a man, almost completely naked, with only a scrap of cloth left.

Below it were filled with malicious comments.

└Yebin, ♡ will the future where I date you be spring?

...

└If I cut your Achilles tendon, can time be reversed and replayed?

...

└Give me the lottery numbers, you bastard.

And so on.

Of course, not all messages were like this, but the provocative wording made such comments stand out.

"Aaaah..."

Kang Yebin unbuckled her seatbelt and hugged her knees.

For someone who has lived as a civilian, such malice would be unfamiliar.

She looked quite dazed.

"I'll drive."

I walked around to the driver's seat.

Approaching the passenger seat, I offered her some hopeful words as she hugged her knees.

"Five days. Just five days, and you'll be fine."

"Yes?"

"Once five days pass, everything will be resolved."

"It won't get worse? It won't get worse as time goes on?"

Ultimately, the person responsible for her is the clan leader, me.

It's like giving medicine to treat an illness, but if she understands the situation, it's also my duty to encourage her with positive words.

"In five days, you will be proven to be a prophet. Do you think the government or the association will leave you alone?"

"Oh..."

"From now on, all such things will be pre-screened, and an awakened person will always be assigned to protect you and prevent access from other countries."

This is not just a wish.

In the past, or rather, in the future, such measures were taken for S-class awakeners, and I am very confident that the same will apply to her, who will bear the title of prophet.

'No, rather, even more.'

The care will be no less, and possibly even more, than for an S-class awakener.

S-class hunters will continue to emerge over time, but the prophet will always be her alone, so it has to be this way.

So, we just need to hold on for five more days.

How?

"And trust our clan."

"Our clan?"

"Not only will we not leave you alone, but we have also planned your growth in preparation for such situations, based on future information, with only the best people involved."

For example, the educational magic circuit I conceived this morning, or the unexplored gate with generous rewards that hasn't even been discovered yet.

"Growth? For me, who is non-combat?"

"Yes. Growth. The kind of growth that can handle such matters with ease."

This was also sincere.

I hope she doesn't remain at the S-class like in her previous life.

The excellent ability to stop time on the battlefield is too precious to be limited to the S-class.

I truly hope for that.

"..."

She herself may not yet realize her potential.

There was no immediate response.

Kang Yebin, looking out the window as if trying to gather her thoughts, seemed quite flustered, her young face reflected in the glass.

She continued speaking after about a minute.

"Did you think this far when you suggested we record the video?"

"Yes."

"Even when you suggested we record the video casually?"

"Yes. Since the prophecy video was recorded before the Gate Break, it was bound to become public knowledge anyway."

"Then, did I just make things worse-"

I cut off her self-reproach.

"This isn't all bad. If many people know, it also reduces the suspicion of manipulation, and ultimately, what we want is the attention of hunters and social status, so widespread attention is not a bad thing."

"..."

"If I thought it was bad, why would I have remained silent? I agreed, and you did well, so don't worry about it."

"Thank you for saying that."

Her face, which had been leaning against the window, looked brighter than before.

"I just told it like it is."

"Still, thank you."

So, I made a proposal to her, who had a better understanding of the situation.

"So, how about turning this crisis into an opportunity?"

* * *

Thirty minutes later.

Kang Yebin looked at Park Shinhyuk, who was driving.

Actually, it was the first time she met him yesterday. But-

'I must be crazy.'

She followed his suggestion and applied for leave from the association.

Ding-

The association president's call came just then.

- Kang Yebin, Ph.D. You're taking leave now?

Yes, I am. I plan to spend a few days with Park Shinhyuk.

"Yes. I'm sorry, President."

- After causing such a mess? Do you know that reporters are already lined up in front of the association? Where do you plan to go?

"I'm not running away. I'll write a statement or a report as soon as my leave is over, so please approve it. I can't focus on my work right now, so from the association's perspective-"

-Right. About the broadcast. What was that broadcast all about? You, who have been researching magic power, suddenly talking about time slip abilities on the air?

The president seemed to view the content of the broadcast as a provocation.

It's not bad that he thinks so right now.

"I'll explain that when I return. I'm in a bit of a complicated situation right now. Anyway... can I assume it's approved?"

-Hmm. Tsk tsk. Don't cause more trouble before you return to the association. Keep quiet, got it?

"Yes. Thank you."

I quickly ended the call to avoid further conversation.

Park Shinhyuk, who had been listening, asked.

"Did it go well?"

"Yes, fortunately."

I observed Park Shinhyuk's expression. He was very calm. Despite spending five days with a beautiful woman while waiting for the prophecy video to be proven, there was no hint of joy on his face.

'Well, that's why I accepted his proposal.'

There were several reasons for accepting his proposal.

From the morning's situation, it seemed safe to be by his side.

His growth plan was quite impressive.

Most importantly,

"Then, which gate are we going to?"

With unfiltered attention pouring in, the idea of disappearing from people's sight by entering a gate was very appealing.

After all, how could they find her in a gate disconnected from reality?

"I know several gates that others don't. I plan to move from gate to gate, starting from the south, and then head north again."

"Oh. That gate, I mean, that gate, is from your future memories?"

"Yes. There won't be people, guard posts, or CCTV around there. It will be a good place to hide, and as an unexplored gate, it offers good rewards."

My face flushed from the slip of the tongue, but fortunately, he didn't make a fuss.

'Oh, how embarrassing.'

I opened the window to cool down.

The winter wind ventilated the car.

It was a bit chilly, but more refreshing than cold.

The unpleasant morning events seemed to fade with the heat.

"Good."

Although the leave was forced, her mood wasn't entirely bad.

She had never gone on a trip despite her age, and it felt like a trip.

The lightness of leaving the daily routine.

'And the companion is this good...'

He was the best-looking person she had ever seen, smart enough to complete a circuit, considerate from the morning's events, and trustworthy.

Of course, since they had only met yesterday, she needed to observe him more.

'Park Shinhyuk.'

Come to think of it, she only knew his name.

She asked him.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-two."

"Eh?"

Younger brother?

He was five years younger than she expected.

"No..."

His face wasn't old, but there was a certain aura.

The aura was completely that of an older brother, or even a father, but he was a younger brother by two years?

"Younger than I thought?"

But I like it.

What would it be like to hear "sister" from his mature mouth?

If we get closer during the leave, maybe I can hear it.

"I'm twenty-four."

"Is that so."

The end?

"I'm your older sister. By two years. Two years is a big difference at our age, don't you think?"

"Yes. Clan member Kang Yebin. I was just about to suggest this, but since I'm the clan leader, can we be informal?"

Look at that?

"Out of the blue? I'm your older sister. And who talks informally just because of a higher position? In our lab, we respect each other regardless of position-"

"Then let's do that."

"…! Why did it end up like this?"

"Kang Yebin, clan member? Your words are short."

I got played.

I can't even get my revenge.

"Shall we just keep it as it is...?"

"Yes. Let's do that."

Sigh. Why do I feel like I'm being held back when talking to this guy?

It's been like this since yesterday. It's as if he knows everything about me and is countering me.

It's as if he's looking down on me from above.

"Kang Yebin."

"Yes?"

"If you're bored, get some rest now. We'll be camping in the gate for five days. I'm used to it, but it won't be comfortable for you."

"Camping? Oh..."

Oh, that's why he seems like an older brother or even a father.

* * *

How long had I been asleep?

Knock knock. I woke up to the sound of someone tapping on the window.

Looking that way, I saw Park Shinhyuk outside the car, gesturing for me to come out.

"Have we arrived?"

"Yes. We can only go this far by car."

'I must have slept quite deeply.'

Stepping out of the car, I found myself on a side road of a mountain.

I had slept on this bumpy road.

"Thank you for driving. I slept very well thanks to you."

Park Shinhyuk nodded and took a box out of the trunk, placing it in front of Kang Yebin.

"From now on, we need to move on foot. It will take about thirty minutes, so change into something comfortable."

Opening the box, I found a pair of sneakers.

White sneakers.

I thought he only knew military colors since he had been wearing them recently, but these white sneakers not only prioritized comfort but also matched my taste.

His attention to detail was evident.

When did he buy these? Did he stop at a rest area while I was sleeping?

Kang Yebin took off her shoes and tried on the sneakers, feeling satisfied.

"They fit perfectly?"

I had never told him my shoe size, yet he somehow knew and bought the perfect fit. He has a good eye.

Feeling satisfied, I bounced on the ground and stood up.

"Thank you. I'll take good care of them."

"You're welcome. Shall we start? Or do you want to stretch a bit since you just woke up?"

"No, you said it would take thirty minutes, so I can stretch on the way. We can start now."

"Alright then. Let's go."

Park Shinhyuk led the way, and Kang Yebin followed.

On the first afternoon of her leave.

They headed to an unexplored gate hidden in a mountain in Milyang.