The Tales of an Infinite Regressor - Chapter 256

Chapter 256

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The Mastermind VII

The Mastermind’s true identity had been fully unveiled. Now, all that remained was to defeat it.

However, before launching a full-scale assault, it was necessary to weaken the Mastermind’s power as much as possible.

Consider it a preliminary skirmish.

“First, I’ll take control of all the simulation universes in this Divine Realm.”

Infinite Void cocked its head at my command. “All of them? There are over 5,000, you know.”

“It doesn’t matter. We have unlimited time here.”

– Affirmation: Strictly speaking, this space is disconnected from reality and the 107th simulation universe. There is no need to be bound by the flow of real-world time.

The unprecedented collaboration of Outer Gods moved as one.

It took us two years to hack all the simulation universes. You might think that’s excessive for a preliminary skirmish, but if you saw the results, you’d understand.

Squirm, squirm, squirm.

Before us lay over 5,000 “brains,” each writhing inside its tank. The tanks were interconnected by countless wires, and those wires stretched like railway tracks, all leading to the USB port of the laptop, the Admin of the Infinite Metagame.

“Activate simulations in all universes except the 107th.”

– Affirmation: Specify the scenarios to be applied.

“The protagonist will be Dang Seo-rin.”

The laptop screen whirred to life as the Admin input data into all 5,000 universes according to my instructions.

Squirm, squirm, squirm!

The fleshy brain masses around us seemed to writhe in resistance, emitting a foul stench.

Infinite Void smirked silently and snapped its fingers. The brains couldn’t attack us and were forced to remain subdued while the Admin and I continued our work.

“Set the timeline to the 664th cycle,” I commanded. “That’s when I traveled through the Uyuni Salt Flats, so Dang Seo-rin would already know about Anomalies from parallel worlds.”

– Scenario: Set the Undertaker’s perspective to the 664th cycle.

“The cause of the world’s destruction will be aliens. Have far more UFOs than the Undertaker knows of descend suddenly, leaving no chance for resistance as Earth is annihilated.”

– Scenario: Alien invasion. Increase the number of UFOs from one to 9,999. After visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats, replace the Great Monsoon Anomaly with the alien invasion.

“Begin.”

– Affirmation: Starting simulation.

The simulations activated.

The 5,000 brains dreamed identical dreams, exactly as programmed.

The Admin edited and condensed the simulations into video form, displaying them on the laptop screen for me to watch.

“It’s slow. Speed it up. You can skip most of it until the moment of destruction approaches.”

– Affirmation: Accelerating to 1,000x speed.

In an instant, the lifespan of the Undertaker and the cycles of the world flew by on the laptop screen.

The “Undertaker” on-screen gathered companions, met other Undertakers on an airplane, and wandered the mirror-like Uyuni Salt Flats with Dang Seo-rin, enjoying the view.

Then, contrary to their expectations, they gazed up at an endless barrage of UFOs raining down like meteors, their numbers far exceeding anything previously imagined.

The Undertaker had been pushed to the brink of collapse by aliens transported by a single UFO. With the sudden arrival of 9,999 ships embedding themselves across the globe, what choice would “the Undertaker” make?

“…As expected.”

Because I was the Undertaker, I could predict his actions precisely.

The on-screen Undertaker fled with Seo-rin, trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the aliens.

Infinite Void tilted its head, intrigued.

“Huh, fascinating. How did you know he’d run away with Dang Seo-rin? You didn’t input that command, did you?”

“It’s simple. I have a tendency in every cycle to choose one companion to protect until the end.”

“Oh?”

“…The destruction of the world always takes a mental toll on me. To minimize the impact, I need someone else by my side to witness the end.”

Infinite Void chuckled softly. “To trick yourself into thinking you’re not alone in the world’s final moments?”

“It’s not a trick. Dang Seo-rin’s lifespan carries over between cycles, and the Saintess halts at a specific endpoint.”

“Hahaha! How cute. Fighting against 999 reasons to die with just three reasons to live.”

I turned to Infinite Void. “Does that frighten you?”

“Huh? Frighten me? No. If anything, I feel like I just hit a nerve.”

“A person can build a boat with just a handful of reasons and sail across an infinite ocean. No matter how many waves of despair your kind throws at them.”

“…”

“In the end, you’re nothing but the fangs and claws of ancient beasts.”

Infinite Void’s lips curled into a crooked smile. “That’s just your opinion, not humanity’s collective will.”

“…”

“The ocean always exists, sunbae.”

As we spoke, the simulation reached its climax.

Undertaker and Seo-rin had fled to an uninhabited island. Knowing the aliens’ weakness to water, they sought refuge in the sea, using it as a shield.

All of humanity, save for those two, had been wiped out.

“Now. Stop time.”

– Affirmation: Time stopped.

“Infinite Void, retrieve Dang Seo-rin.”

“Got it.” Infinite Void reached out toward the laptop. “Sorry. I’m not in a great mood right now, so this might hurt a bit. Apologies in advance, junk laptop.”

– Observation: Failing to understand an object’s proper use is a common trait among immature humans. However, this entity is not petty enough to take offense at the ignorance of those who are literally “parentless.”

“Hahaha. Shut your mouth.”

– Rebuttal: Impossible. This entity lacks a mouth and thus cannot “shut” it…

Squelch!

Infinite Void’s hand plunged toward the laptop screen.

The laptop wasn’t pierced. Instead, Infinite Void’s fingers entered “into” the screen.

It reached into the frozen simulation, lifting Seo-rin onto its palm.

“Got her.” Infinite Void yanked its arm back.

I couldn’t comprehend what happened, but from the Admin of the Infinite Metagame’s perspective, Infinite Void’s actions must have been outrageously forceful. Static crackled from the speakers, accompanied by mechanical groans and bursts of smoke from the laptop.

When Infinite Void’s hand finally emerged from the laptop, the screen was left with a gaping hole. Blood seeped from the hole, dark crimson fluid dripping onto the keyboard and pooling at my feet.

– Mockery: Your arrogance will surely earn you a place in hell.

“Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you.”

The party members were bickering, but I paid them no mind. Any discord among the Outer Gods worked to my advantage.

My attention was elsewhere.

Splat!

The 5,000 brains inside the tanks swelled before bursting open.

Each exploded brain transformed into a figure resembling Dang Seo-rin.

I could only assume I had undergone a similar process to escape the 107th simulation.

The Dang Seo-rins broke free of their tanks, collapsing to the ground. Groans echoed throughout the area.

– Uh… what…?

– Where are we?

– Wait, who are you?!

– Ugh, what’s that smell… blergh!

The chaos grew louder as the 5,000 Dang Seo-rins reeled from the grotesque scene of the Divine Realm and its overwhelming stench.

For a fleeting moment, I felt a pang of emotion.

Hadn’t I spent the last two years surrounded only by Outer Gods trying to manipulate me?

But I quickly quelled the feeling.

“Everyone, listen up.”

I amplified my voice with Aura, drawing the Dang Seo-rins’ attention.

Facing thousands of Dang Seo-rins simultaneously was a first, even in my long life as a regressor.

“You’re probably feeling confused. But if you remember our trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats, you’ll realize this situation isn’t so different.”

– …

“The exponential increase in UFOs, originally just one, follows the same logic. We’ve been gathered here to defeat the Outer God behind the Anomalies of the parallel worlds. I’ll need your full cooperation.”

– Wait.

– Wait.

– Wait.

– Wait.

All 5,000 Dang Seo-rins shouted “Wait” in unison, startling even themselves.

Of course, it was only natural. They were identical copies created from the same simulation, sharing the same experiences, thoughts, and speech patterns. Even their timing for interrupting me was identical. As such, convincing one would mean convincing all. There was no need for individual explanations.

“No questions.”

– …

“The reason is simple. As you can see, you came from a different worldline than me. The Undertaker you knew and the one standing here are not the same person.”

Silence fell.

“Therefore, I don’t consider you to be Dang Seo-rin. Likewise, you probably don’t see me as the Undertaker you knew. All I’m asking is for your cooperation in defeating this Outer God. I’ll need your help.”

The expressions on the Dang Seo-rins changed.

Their gazes sharpened, no longer filled with confusion or sentimentality. Instead, they bore the cold, calculating focus of someone who had led the Awakener Alliance of the Korean Peninsula.

It was clear that the Mastermind’s simulation had meticulously accounted for every detail of Dang Seo-rin’s character.

“Now, I’ll explain the plan. There are 5,651 of you here. Naturally, that means you collectively possess the same amount of lifespan. I need you to use that lifespan to continuously cast the Cursed Song Incantation. The lyrics and melody for each verse are as follows…”

REAPER SCANS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Editor: echo

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I began issuing instructions to the Dang Seo-rins.

Now that we regarded each other as business partners, unnecessary questions or objections were eliminated. Each Dang Seo-rin functioned like a disciplined soldier, executing my plan without hesitation.

Once I finished explaining, I pointed to the Seo-rin closest to me.

“For the final step, I’ll take one question. You may ask on behalf of everyone else.”

– Sure. I was just curious—why is Cheon Yo-hwa here?

I paused, choosing my words carefully.

“It only looks like Cheon Yo-hwa. This is a completely different being. Its name is Infinite Void. Its cooperation was essential to infiltrating the Divine Realm of this Outer God. In fact, it’s thanks to Infinite Void that you were brought here.”

– Hmm.

“Any other questions?”

There were none.

Instead of speaking, the chosen Dang Seo-rin parted her lips and began to sing.

In perfect synchronization, the rest of the Dang Seo-rins formed groups of dozens and began chanting their respective melodies of the Cursed Song Incantation.

――――Ah――――

――Ah――Ah―――

―――Ah――Ah――

The haunting melodies resonated throughout the grotesque Divine Realm, a realm of writhing brain folds and fleshy tendrils that desecrated human souls.

The harmonized voices attacked the essence of the Mastermind itself, specialized in denying and eradicating Anomalies. Soon, the Cursed Song Incantation would consume a staggering amount of lifespan, tearing the Void apart.

I turned to Infinite Void.

“Let’s go. To the upper levels.”

It let out a derisive laugh. “Sunbae… You really are uncompromising.”

Infinite Void’s ethereal form dissipated like smoke. Moments later, the ceiling of the Void ripped apart with a deafening roar. Infinite Void’s claws had carved a path through the barrier.

As the Dang Seo-rins continued their chant, they paused briefly, startled by the sight of the Void’s ceiling tearing open. But they quickly resumed, unaffected, as I had already explained this part of the plan during the briefing.

The massive, eye-like sun above stared down at us.

I couldn’t help but reflect for a moment.

‘The Seo-rins here aren’t even treated like human beings.’

They were nothing more than simulated data created by the Mastermind. The only entities deemed alive in this realm were me and “Cheon Yo-hwa’s body,” which Infinite Void had commandeered.

That’s why the Mastermind Syndrome could continue to manifest, breaking through one simulation layer after another.

―――Ah――Ah―――

Even so, the data-simulated Cursed Song Incantation felt profoundly real.

The Dang Seo-rins actively attacked this Divine Realm, the Mastermind’s creation, and even the god that had brought them into existence.

Yes, if you thought of them as data, they had become “malicious code.”

– Report: Repairs complete. It is inadvisable to ascend without this unit.

The Admin of the Infinite Metagame leapt into my arms. Somehow, it had repaired the damage inflicted earlier. The laptop was pristine with its screen as good as new.

I held the Admin close and climbed onto Infinite Void’s hand. Like an orbital elevator, it carried us higher, toward the “heaven above.”

――Ah―――__……

The chants of the Dang Seo-rins grew fainter as we ascended.

Leaving the choir behind, we traversed the vast expanse of the simulated universe.

This was just the first phase of my plan.

Operation Virus.

If it was impossible to deny the Mastermind’s treatment of the world as mere data, then corrupting that data was the next best option.

We would continue like this, extracting a “virus” from one simulation and releasing it into the next. One layer at a time, we’d repeat the process until the Mastermind’s system collapsed under the strain.

‘It’s bound to work.’

The Mastermind relied on two things to sustain its simulations.

First, the “fog of war”—unobserved areas where it could move freely.

Second, the souls it harvested from those unobserved regions: the brains.

The Admin of the Infinite Metagame had once said that the spectacle of “brains in vats” would disquiet me, given my moral compass.

It had been correct. The sight was indeed disturbing. But at the same time, it revealed the Mastermind’s weakness.

To run simulations, the Mastermind requires human brains.

Conversely, this meant…

Without human brains, the Mastermind cannot compute its simulations.

The implication?

The Mastermind cannot exceed the computational capacity of the brains it possesses.

And as the Admin of the Infinite Metagame had stated earlier:

The Mastermind’s brain composite comprises 8,214,949,873 humans. This number only accounts for physical bodies. Including simulated personalities increases the total exponentially.

It was an enormous figure, one guaranteeing immense computational power. But no matter how vast it seemed, it wasn’t infinite.

Even the countless grains of sand on a beach could eventually be counted, one by one.

Anomalies always operated within the constraints of their own rules.

The Mastermind would know this. That’s why it didn’t claim to have infinite computational power. Instead, it focused on repairing and recovering itself.

However, even those resources had limits. How long could it endure?

– Query: What virus will you deploy in the next layer of the Divine Realm?

I smiled. “The kind best suited to throwing the world into chaos—a joker card.”

– Clarification: A joker card?

“I have a certain customized bomb I always try to avoid.”

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I thought I saw a flash of pink hair and a mischievous grin in my mind’s eye.