I clenched my fist.
I guessed that 'Please take good care of me for a while' meant that Ryu Gunwoo would not use his body for a long time.
However, I thought it would be an ethical story that he was sorry to take his hyung's body, but why did he say that he would die next summer?
For that reason, explanations such as 'next summer, I will die as a human being and return to the past' started popping up in my head.
Would he be the only one who would return to the past?
"What are you talking about when those who were originally dead lived well beyond that point?"
"Hyung, it doesn't mean that I will die."
The guy shook his hand. And he answered rather gloomily.
"Just… It means that after the days I lived as a human being, it will be difficult to continue as a human being."
I understood the words in an instant.
Therefore…
"Are you going back to the status window?"
"Yes."
The guy on the other side lowered his head. I asked while holding back my saliva.
"Why is that?"
"It's because I, not the system, gave missions to the status window and implemented rewards."
Yes. This guy was implemented because I received a 'conversation with Park Moondae' as a reward using my new characteristic, 'Mission constitution.'
"Why?"
"You saw it. Even if you return to the past, the life you lived before does not disappear, it remains and does not change. And when the past trip is over, you will receive the life you originally lived… That's it."
"… …"
"I guess that's how it works. So, likewise, when this journey through the past, where I live in a human body, is over, I get my life back."
The guy swallowed.
"To the status window."
"Wait a moment."
I raised my hand.
"Then if I call the status window now, does the status window not appear? Because you're here."
"Oh, no. As a human, I am here, and the affected parts of the system are still there. It will float."
"It means it's separated."
"Yes… …"
I called the status window as a test.
[Receiving reward]
It was real.
'Come to think of it, even after I returned to my original body, there was no pop-up like 'reward received'.
Then I… It was as if I was still receiving the reward for a 'conversation with Park Moondae'.
After all, this guy was maximally extending the 'award period' as a trick, but the limit was next summer.
'Hoo.'
I held my breath and organized the story in my head.
And I came up with the first solution. It was a similar idea to what I had thought before.
"I can do the mission again and get the same reward as now."
The 'Mission Constitution' characteristic would not have suddenly disappeared.
Then, this time, wouldn't it be enough if this guy received the mission with a reward for permanently using Ryu Gunwoo's body?
However, Keundal shook his head.
"That is… Perhaps by the time I become the status window, it will be difficult for me to separate myself as a human and enter the body in that way."
"Why?"
"I feel that the part that has been assimilated with the system is getting stronger. It seems to have some effect even if I move to another body."
Keundal swallowed.
"Perhaps when I go back, we will be fully united."
"… …"
I closed my mouth. The guy on the other side grinned.
"But hyung, I'm really fine! There are still several months left. And even if it's the status window, I'll try to talk to hyung… …"
"No, be quiet."
"What?"
I rubbed my chin and came to a conclusion. It was clear.
"Let's get rid of the system."
"What? Wait."
"If the system disappears, I think part of the system that assimilated with you will also disappear…"
"It could be, but… No, I guess…"
"I was trying to get rid of it in the first place. This system creates too many variables. It's an industry with a lot to consider, but it gets in the way."
"Getting rid of the system just because it interrupts your activities!?"
I came up with a reasonable conclusion at best, but why was this guy freaking out?
He even hit the table to see what came to mind.
"Oh, come to think of it, hyung said something like that! With those regressors!"
"Regressors?"
"People who have returned to the past!"
He was professional names casually. Anyway, I nodded.
"That's right. The system has been tracking them since before. You should have seen it in the status window as well."
"That is… That's it!"
The guy on the other side jumped up. And muttered with a slightly uneasy expression.
"Hyung… No, I really wanted to say this to you since I was in the status window…"
"What."
"Don't touch the system, hyung…"
Keundal looked at me seriously. For a moment, I thought he had some kind of sympathy for the system, but I read a familiar feeling in his eyes.
It was fear.
"That… It's really weird. This isn't some kind of fantasy or sci-fi movie, it's weird? It's like some kind of AI, and it's also like a ghost…"
"I heard you were also influenced."
"So I know what I'm talking about!"
It was self-deprecation, but he screamed out loud.
"Actually, even if I had an influence, I don't know what or how… You called the system a mental parasite. I really think so too… … . Like a super-powerful supercomputer parasite…"
"… … ."
"Just… Hyung, can we not do that? I'm kind of scared."
After contemplating, I nodded.
"Well, I'll consider it."
"You mean you're ignoring that?!"
He's had a lot of experience as the status window. I ignored the words as he expected. He was frustrated.
"Really… I mean, it's dangerous. No way, really…"
"Let me ask one more question."
"Yes?"
I asked calmly.
"Is it possible to use the original status window function instead of this 'receiving your reward' window? Like checking someone else's stats or using my traits."
The guy on the other side blinked.
"That… I think I can do something about it."
"Really?"
"Yes. I've done some of that before. If I 'connect' to the status window and operate it…"
He forgot his frustration for a moment and fell into it. His expression disappeared as if he was concentrating.
It seemed like he was trying to hack.
Just in case, I lowered the status window and waited for him.
And after a while, the guy whose expression returned brightly opened his mouth.
"Hyung, this is… !"
That was the moment.
Knock knock.
A knock on the door.
And the door to the restaurant room opened softly. Keundal sat down immediately.
"Oh, I guess you were talking."
Ryu Chungwoo, who had left, returned.
I immediately checked his face. It was calm.
'Did he hear?'
'Ryu Gunwoo' just called 'Park Moondae' his hyung.
If Keundal doesn't add useless noise, then I…
"Yes, yes! You're here."
If he was going to open his mouth, he shouldn't be serious. But he also shouldn't laugh awkwardly.
"It's been a while since I've met someone I used to know… I can't speak well. Hahahahaha."
No. At this level, he really looked like a successful longevity student who spent several years replacing his social skills with studies.
I was rather relieved. And, of course, Ryu Chungwoo just smiled awkwardly at him.
"Anyway, the test is a fight against oneself. I also had a similar experience… Ah, hyung, you are already good enough."
Didn't this guy seem a bit pitiful?
"Me, me? Thank you. Actually, it's strange that I got an interview… Hahaha."
"Hyung, please sit down."
"Ah, yes."
I immediately cut off the conversation and sat down. Just eat and shut up.
I was going to organize some plans.
• * *
After that, without any problems, we each ate the noodles we ordered and talked about TeStar.
Although Ryu Chungwoo was a little taken aback by the guy who boasted a fairly wide range of TeStar knowledge, from albums to concerts.
- You know about us very well. Are we getting in the way of you studying for your exams? …
-No. I gained a lot of strength… …
It was certainly heartwarming.
It was inevitable for Ryu Chungwoo to make a diagnosis like, 'He must be good at talking only in areas he is interested in,' while looking at a person who was no longer awkward.
"Thank you for today."
"I was so grateful… !"
Anyway, after successfully exchanging numbers, we left our seats. I parted ways and made eye contact with him.
'Details on the phone.'
'I'll definitely go to the concert!'
It didn't seem to work very well, but there was no problem with texting, so it was okay.
Moreover, it seemed that Ryu Chungwoo had completely hardened his impressions at the last minute when he even signed autographs.
It was becausee he got into the car and started the engine and said this.
"If I had known it would be like this, I would have brought the other kids' autographs."
"That's true."
It was done. Even if he was doubtful, he could understand the situation. I relaxed my shoulders and leaned against the backrest.
From now on, I had to make a plan for him to keep his butt attached to Ryu Gunwoo's body...
"Ryu Gunwoo hyung, it seems that his impression has changed a lot."
I stopped thinking for a moment.
"… … Impression."
Could it be that it reminded him of the memory of meeting me when I was young? Once I shut my mouth and searched my memory, the explanation continued.
"Like when we saw that video of him at my house. You saw it too."
"… Yes."
Oh, that. The video at Ryu Chungwoo's house where I caught Ryu Gunwoo's whereabouts.
I leaned back on the backrest.
"Originally, they say that humans are animals of the environment. He must have changed."
"That's right, isn't it?"
Ryu Chungwoo answered comfortably.
"However… Rather, I think he resembles you."
"… !"
"The person in the video has a similar look to you."
Ryu Chungwoo glanced back at me, then stared straight ahead.
"It's not the appearance, it's the facial expressions and movements."
"… …"
"Such things can't change easily unless they are purposely corrected. I also know well because I've been scolded a lot while doing archery and corrected my posture and gait."
Ryu Chungwoo did not explain further. I knew from that attitude.
I was sure of this guy.
And I missed the timing to make a natural excuse.
-Left turn 50M ahead.
However, after the words of the navigation system rang, Ryu Chungwoo opened his mouth again.
"You have a situation, don't you?"
"… …"
"I have no intention of digging it out. Well, I just wanted to say that you don't have to worry about whether you've been caught or if you need to deal with it. It's no different from the last time we climbed the mountain."
Ryu Chungwoo added with a slightly embarrassed tone.
"I was worried about whether or not to talk because I was afraid that it would make things awkward."
"… …"
"That's all."
And I realized.
It wasn't that this guy was asking me for a convincing explanation, but that he was just trying to convey the words 'I noticed a change in the situations between you two'.
It was nothing more than that.
And that… Much more than I expected… No, it was a ridiculously accommodating attitude.
'Does this… make sense?'
It was not an invitation to enroll in a mental hospital, but an implicit understanding.
I inadvertently looked at the guy driving.
Although I could see a strange tension disguised as tranquility, I could see the underlying emotion.
It was a sense of security.
In other words, trust.
"… …"
After the lights changed and the car stopped for a moment, Ryu Chungwoo opened his mouth again with a slightly embarrassed face.
"Um, but I'm sorry if it was more burdensome because it was useless. That… Well, let me call you by the right honorifics then."
(TN: Chungwoo starts talking to Moondae in a more formal/respectful way here)
I opened my mouth.
"Hyung."
"… ?"
"Just drop the honorifics. It feels strange to hear such respectful words all of a sudden."
Ryu Chungwoo looked surprised for a moment, but eventually smiled and turned the steering wheel.
"Haha, is that so? I felt a bit weird too."
"Yes."
After thinking about it, I added briefly.
"And… Thank you."
"… What."
Ryu Chungwoo seemed to smile a little while looking at the front. And he shrugged his shoulders and said.
"Again, tell me if you need help."
Ah. Yes.
I was in a slightly pleasant mood and opened my mouth.
"I have one now."
"Huh?"
"I would like to hear your advice."
In fact, around the time dessert was being served in the restaurant room, the status window called again was classified as a pop-up with the 'Receiving Reward' window.
And it was possible to use the existing functions through the main window.
'Good.'
According to Keundal's own expression, 'connection' was successful.
And the reason I asked for this back was not simply to check the status windows of competitors while being active and to come up with countermeasures.
I meant to write another one.
[Attribute: Mission Constitution (S)]
This was it.
And for each of the 'reward' candidates I came up with, the same mission content appeared.
This.
[Mission: Breaking a KPOP record]
"What KPOP records do we have to break?"