Chapter 2

#2. What if Regression is Read Backwards?

After completing a few safety checks, I recalled the events around 2009 with a mix of euphoria and relief.

But Sara's voice came before my brainstorming.

I paused to think about her advice.

The future events, World War III. If we consider the two countries Sara mentioned as the safest from that disaster, they would be ideal.

However, I shook my head.

“I won’t emigrate. Even if I avoid World War III, if Gaia goes berserk, it’s still a matter of extinction.”

[So you should build your strength in a safe place! We need to prevent Gaia, that bipolar AI, from becoming the World Tree AI!]

“That’s why I’m staying here.”

[??]

Sara, who had been floating around like a cryptogram, tilted her head at my words.

Patriotism? Even if I regress a thousand times, I won’t have that kind of sentiment.

I felt it deeply while wandering in a foreign country after Korea’s downfall.

How much a stateless person is ignored in a foreign country.

Even if you naturalize, you still face invisible discrimination. Racial discrimination is rampant, and even among East Asians, there’s a hierarchy based on whether their home country still exists.

Despite how pitiful I once found this country, I felt sorrow when it was gone.

But that doesn’t mean I have any patriotism.

I know better than anyone how terribly this country has failed.

“If there’s something I can use, I should use it, right? I plan to use this environment to build my strength. I just need to become strong enough to avoid discrimination based on my nationality before Korea disappears from history.”

Sara didn’t argue further after hearing my words.

After quietly instructing Sara, I began to recall my memories.

Though they are from a long time ago, my brain is now a 2.0 version, with a neuron density five times higher than that of a 1.0 human (an original human without any enhancements).

I could recall old memories as easily as using a search function.

Despite regressing nearly a century, I adapted quickly.

‘Ah… This is the time, isn’t it?’

Recalling the events from this period, I headed towards the desk calendar.

October 11, 2009. I looked at today’s date, which Sara had told me.

It was a long time since I had seen Hangul, let alone Korean!

After Korea’s downfall, China claimed Hangul as their own and used it in daily life.

‘Damn bastards! This time, I’ll make sure to eradicate them! I’ll turn them into a minority!’

Though my patriotism is close to zero, the thought of China raises my blood pressure.

After the coronavirus and World War III, anti-China sentiment intensified globally, including in the United States.

Discrimination against Asians worsened to the level of Middle Easterners after the 9/11 attacks.

If I were to list the racial discrimination I faced due to China, it would fill ten books and more.

That’s why I want to do business in Korea, not abroad.

“Phew…”

I calmed myself and continued to recall the calendar and my memories.

‘The 244th lottery and Rubo are already over. Smartphones are already available in the U.S., but not yet in Korea, right? Starting next year, maybe?’

At least I won’t have to see the mad cow disease propaganda again, which was a dark chapter in the nation’s history.

I sighed inwardly and flipped through the calendar and my memories.

‘I still have some coins left. But 2017 is eight years away, and holding onto coins until then would be foolish. Besides, mining coins at home isn’t profitable right now.’

As I flipped through the desk calendar, I glanced at the clock.

It was Sunday, and my self-employed parents wouldn’t be home for another five hours.

My only brother is in the military.

‘Lucky. If I had seen my family right after regressing, I might not have been able to control my emotions. I might have added a kick-the-bed narrative.’

Even with a 2.0 upgraded brain, I’m still human.

Seeing the faces of my long-dead family without preparation would surely stir my emotions.

I might end up in a typical cliché of post-regression drama and emotion.

I need to simulate everything thoroughly before seeing them to respond skillfully.

“First…”

[Oh! You already have a first goal? Of course, emigrating is the answer! Or maybe go to the U.S. and play Powerball or Mega Millions? I don’t know the lottery numbers of the fallen country, but I remember the U.S. winning numbers perfectly…]

As I opened my mouth, Sara started chattering.

“First, I’ll join the military.”

I cut her off and turned on the computer.

I then accessed the Military Manpower Administration website.

Sara looked at me as if I were an alien life form.

* * *

Beep-beep-beep.

While I was browsing the Military Manpower Administration website, I heard the front door open.

‘Phew…’

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Son? Were you studying?”

“Oh, our Seoul National University! Here, this is what’s left from today’s sales. Are you hungry?”

My parents, who run a chicken restaurant, had just come home.

Their clothes were covered in batter stains and the smell of fried chicken.

Despite their fatigue, they forced a smile in front of their child, which made my heart ache.

“…I’ll help with the store from now on.”

It’s been decades since I last saw my parents. Yet, my first words to them are these. How should I evaluate this? ‘Good, it was natural?’ Or ‘Lack of sensitivity?’

Sara, sensing my thoughts, started to act up. I ignored her as usual.

She looked shocked that I ignored her. By the way, was the term ‘binge’ used back then?

“I’ll help even when it’s busy. I can come on evenings or weekends.”

“Really? What’s gotten into you? Do you need pocket money?”

My mother’s eyes widened in surprise.

Before regressing, I disliked the chicken restaurant. Seeing my hardworking parents made me irritable.

This was before delivery apps and third-party delivery services. We had to handle deliveries ourselves.

My father continued to deliver even after injuring his leg, and my mother kept frying chicken despite the visible burn marks on her hands and arms.

Back then, I found the chicken restaurant so distasteful that I never paid attention to it.

“You can’t! If it were your brother, it might be different, but I can’t use a Seoul National University student for this!”

“But I could at least take orders or help with cooking…”

“Your hands are not ordinary hands! They’re the hands that touch computers at Seoul National University! I’ve heard that for programmers, hands and wrists are important. You can’t risk them on this!”

My parents, knowing how difficult and risky self-employment can be, prevented me from working at the chicken restaurant.

But they still made use of my brother.

Unlike me, who excelled in studies, my brother had no interest in academics.

Even before joining the military, and even when on leave, he often helped our parents for pocket money.

“Study hard instead of helping us!”

“…Okay.”

I gave up trying to persuade them.

The only way to help is to gather as much money as possible quickly to shut down that damn store. At the very least, I need to switch to a less risky business.

But before that…

“Oh! And… I plan to enlist right after finishing my first year.”

I’ll take care of my brother first.

* * *

Ring-ring.

My phone rang.

It was a black Chocolate Phone, a gift from my brother before he enlisted.

I realized how early it was for smartphones to be popular in Korea.

—This is a KT collect call.

I took a deep breath and pressed the call button.

—Hey! Seoryu! Can you hear me?

After a moment, my brother’s voice came through.

“Yeah… Brother.”

I tried to steady my trembling voice.

Sara, sensing my thoughts, was unusually quiet, understanding why I wanted to enlist despite lacking patriotism.

—Mom told me! You’re going to enlist after your first year?

As soon as the call connected, my brother asked about my enlistment plans.

It seems my mother had already told him about my recent situation.

—Where are you going? Hey, you have to go to the Army! Man, the three-month difference is huge. I’ve been shedding tears of regret every day…

I interrupted him with a question.

“Brother, you’re almost a sergeant, right? One of the higher ranks among soldiers?”

—Not the lowest, I guess.

“Plus, you’re a duty soldier, so you’re close to the officers?”

—Yeah, that’s true. Why? Does one of your friends want to join the Navy? Hey, tell him not to get on a ship! He should go for a desk job or supply. No, better yet, don’t join the Navy at all!

Despite the call, I could feel the sincerity in Seongseok’s voice, which made me wonder.

Why did my brother, who regretted so much, join the Navy? He didn’t have any particular connection to the Navy.

Recalling a past conversation, he had said something like this:

‘If you’re going to be drafted, why not do it in style? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it should be special. You can ride a warship and wear a white uniform! Plus, you might even get to travel abroad.’

His mindset was on a different level from mine.

If I had to regress, I wish they had sent me back before he enlisted. Now, I’m stuck with a raw, unfiltered military experience.

Sigh.

I took a deep breath and spoke.

“I’m going to join the Navy.”

—…What??

I could hear my brother’s laughter through the phone speaker.

—Why suddenly?!

His sighs continued, clearly unable to understand.

—You! Have you forgotten all the complaints I’ve had since I was a private? There’s a harsh practice called sniping. If you do it wrong, you can end up with a broken hand!

I know, brother. How many times have I heard your military nightmares?

—Why are you going to the Navy, which is three months longer than the Army? You could have gone for industrial service or a special term…

‘…’

My brother’s frustrated voice. I’m the one who feels wronged. Two years. At the time, Army service was 21 months, and Navy service was 24 months.

It’s frustrating and annoying to waste two years during the dawn of smartphones and 4G.

Worse, this was a time when physical abuse and harsh practices were rampant.

Soldiers couldn’t bring their phones or MP3 players into the barracks.

We were overworked under the guise of a sacred national duty, not much different from forced labor during the Japanese occupation.

Even after discharge, we had to serve as reservists for six years, receiving only 5,000 won for transportation.

At work or school, people would mock us for taking a break.

Despite being exploited by the state, there was almost no compensation after discharge.

As time passed, even the meager benefits like the Love Korea Card and the military rank system were criticized as reverse discrimination by feminists.

Eventually, the military rank system was abolished, effectively removing the last bit of gratitude the government had for young men’s service.

I have to walk into this country’s military myself. It’s impossible not to feel like shit.

“Brother!”

I interrupted him, the joy of our reunion completely gone.

—What? Yeah.

When I called him with frustration, this kind, naive brother was taken aback.

“What was the name of the ship you’re on?”

A fact I already knew too well.

But I asked, hoping it hadn’t changed due to my regression.

—Cheonan. Why are you asking about our ship all of a sudden?

Damn. I have to go, no matter what.