The Tales of an Infinite Regressor

[Translator - Jjescus]

[Proofreader - Gun]

w

Chapter 200

──────

The Wicked One III

4

Have you ever heard of the term “the paradox of reading”? Of course, you haven’t, because I made it up.

As mentioned in this episode, Oh Dokseo of the 888th turn had fallen into an unprecedented slump. Relying on AI to do her thinking because she couldn’t write? In all of literary history, finding someone as disgraceful as “Author Oh Dokseo” would be as difficult as getting Seo Gyu to speak without using profanity.

But what if we were talking about “Awakened Oh Dokseo”?

“Mister.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to Seoul for a bit.”

A 7-year hiatus.

The readers of SGnet fell into grief and despair, and Oh Dokseo was declared a public enemy in the world of martial arts.

Whenever the “Literature Girl” appeared on the SGnet forum, readers would rush in to curse together, bonding over their shared animosity.

Oh Dokseo responded by displaying the typical cliché of a protagonist in a martial arts novel targeted as a public enemy.

She had truly “awakened.”

“Why Seoul all of a sudden?”

“Just going to raid Sauron’s Tower lightly.”

“…That place is pretty tough, you know?”

“Even better.”

Oh Dokseo. Hobby: Void hunting.

With the casualness of someone going for a stroll, Oh Dokseo left the Inunaki Tunnel and actually returned after single-handedly destroying a Great Void.

“Agh. There were rumors of One Piece treasure in Sauron’s Tower loot, but it was all a lie.”

“…….”

“Ahh-. After crushing a Void, there’s nothing like sipping an espresso made by you, Mister. That’s what life is all about, I think.”

“Oh Dokseo.”

“Yes?”

“That coffee cup is expensive, so please don’t use your aura carelessly. If it breaks, I won’t be able to replace it.”

“Ah-! Sorry, sorry, Mister. I’ve been running my protective aura 24/7 lately. I’m not as used to it as you are, so I’m a bit clumsy!”

“No……. You’re really doing well. I’m sure you can guarantee a win against Cheon Yohwa.”

“Hey! I’m not that good yet! Hehe.”

As Oh Dokseo grinned widely, a blood-red aura shimmered and fluttered around her entire body in real-time.

It was the very essence of Conqueror's Haki.

I felt as if I’d heard that a friend who signed up for the gym to take care of their health suddenly entered the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding competition.

Several guild members discreetly exited in the presence of that overwhelming aura.

“…Guild Master, I’ll be leaving first…….”

“…Oppa. Bye.”

Even Sim Aryeon, who used to mock Oh Dokseo at every turn a few years ago, couldn’t meet her gaze now.

The survival instinct had kicked in, warning her that she might die if she provoked her.

Hayul was the same. Both of them trembled like small, cute creatures.

Oh Dokseo, on the other hand, glanced at the two retreating women and let out a “hmph” of disdain. Despite the obvious mockery, Sim Aryeon and Lee Hayul didn’t dare to retaliate and fled even more pitifully…….

I looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

‘How did it come to this?’

It wasn’t like this from the start.

-Mister. I’m going to the Void.

-The Void? All of a sudden?

-Yes. I think what I lack as a writer right now is overwhelming experience.

Seven years ago, Oh Dokseo spoke with determination.

-Only by entering a battlefield where life and death, reason and the anomalies, sunlight and darkness clash violently, can I, as the Literature Girl, finally type away at the typewriter…….

Like many authors, Oh Dokseo was also caught in the misconception that as long as intense “experiences” were input, an equally amazing work would be output.

Oh Dokseo roamed the Voids like a madman. The Great Voids, places no sane person would enter even for a fortune, were places Oh Dokseo willingly sought out.

-If only I could get out of this damn slump! I’d sell my soul!

It was a crazy act that would require more than ten lives, but I was there with her.

Oh Dokseo was the first and most frequent listener of my tales. There was no one else who could be called my direct disciple in the field of the anomalies.

When things got truly dangerous, I’d save her myself, sometimes alerted by the Saintess.

And so,

-Mister.

-Hmm?

-I’m not afraid of the anomalies anymore for some reason.

For some reason, Oh Dokseo, whose muscles had visibly solidified and whose aura had taken on a terrifying hue compared to other turns, declared with a blank expression.

-These days, when I see anomalies, I can’t help but think, “Who do these trashy things think they are to dare challenge a human?”

-…….

Oh Dokseo’s Paradox.

1. When “Author Oh Dokseo” focuses on writing novels based on my tales = She has less time to train herself, so “Awakened Oh Dokseo” becomes weaker.

2. When “Author Oh Dokseo” falls into a slump and doesn’t write much and roams around = “Awakened Oh Dokseo” grows stronger.

And as we’ve seen earlier, Oh Dokseo of the 888th turn had fallen into a record-breaking long-term slump.

In other words?

-Ah. Staying at home is making me restless. My muscles are itching. This won’t do. Mister! Find me a suitable anomaly nearby, and I’ll go beat it up!

-…….

-Last time, I fought an alien anomaly one-on-one and beat it to death, so this time I’ll try fighting two at once!

The longer the hiatus,

as it stretches from 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, to 7 years,

Oh Dokseo’s aura burned more fiercely, like a wildfire.

Even Seo Gyu, who had uncontrollable anger issues, started to avoid Oh Dokseo.

-Hoo…….

At some point, the overwhelming aura that had been overflowing from Oh Dokseo’s entire body vanished without a trace.

It wasn’t that the aura had disappeared.

It had simply been perfectly “contained.”

Oh Dokseo calmly opened her eyes.

-Mister. No, Master.

-…….

-I think I finally understand what aura is. So, this is the level you were looking at, Master.

Indeed,

Oh Dokseo of the 888th turn had degenerated into an FFF-grade author―.

But at the same time, by sacrificing the resentment, hatred, and curses of the readers, he had ascended to the level of an SSS-grade Awakened……!

5

One day.

A notice was posted on the peaceful novel serialization board of SG Net.

[Literature Girl] It’s me. (5 minutes ago)

[Literature Girl] This is Oh Dokseo… I’m going to take a break to recharge for a while and go on hiatus… (7 years ago)

The readers were shocked.

The author, who had shamelessly gone into hiding for the past 7 years and occasionally posted nonsense on the free board, had written a new notice!

“Could it be a re-serialization?”

“Is it really a rule for authors to return after 7 years?”

Thump-.

The readers quickly clicked on the notice. Despite having cursed the author to death, these loyal readers couldn’t forget the unique flavor of this series and had re-read it three, four times over.

They didn’t think too deeply about why the author, who always started titles with “This is a misreading…”, had suddenly changed their tone to “It’s me.” This wasn’t the time for such considerations.

Soon, after reading the entire notice, the readers began to doubt the performance of their own eyeballs.

――――――――――

[Literature Girl] It’s me.

I apologize for going silent and pausing the serialization for 7 years.

I’m an unworthy author.

But I want to rest more.

――――――――――

?

A question mark popped up in the readers' heads.

Regardless, the notice continued.

――――――――――

I don’t want to make long-winded excuses.

I want to rest, and some of you probably want to beat me up and make me resume serialization.

What does it take to get what you want?

Smooth talk? Brilliant connections? Ingenious strategies?

All wrong.

The answer is 'fists'.

――――――――――

??

――――――――――

Starting next Monday, for four weeks, I’ll be at Babel Tower Square in Busan from 6 AM to 11 AM.

[Translator - Jjescus]

[Proofreader - Gun]

w

Let’s have a one-on-one fight.

I’ll accept one challenger per day on a first-come, first-served basis for 28 days.

If even one reader manages to beat me, I’ll immediately resume the next chapter of The Epilogue of the Regressor the very next day without any excuses.

I’m not saying I’ll write just one chapter and stop. I don’t play around like that. I’ll start a consistent serialization right away.

If no one manages to beat me, The Epilogue of the Regressor will officially be ‘suspended’ after this long hiatus.

This is a life-or-death battle.

Your desire for the serialization to resume.

My desire for it to end.

Let’s see whose resolve is stronger, at the boundary of life and death.

With only our fists.

――――――――――

???

Even after finishing the notice, the readers couldn't erase the question marks from their minds.

Only, there were now a lot more words attached to those question marks.

“What the hell is this crazy bastard saying?”

The readers were baffled.

The notice reeked of the unmistakable smell of iron weights from barbells and dumbbells.

Originally, since the nickname "Literature Girl" combined "literature" and "girl," it seemed far from steel reinforcement. After all, these were words favored by people with small physiques.

A commotion immediately broke out on SG Net.

-Anonymous: Is this a hack?

The first theory to emerge was the ‘hacking theory’.

However, unlike the weak and soft pre-apocalypse civilization’s internet environment, in the end-times internet, hacking tricks were no longer feasible.

SG Net accounts were thoroughly linked to the user’s soul. The hacking theory was quickly refuted.

-Anonymous: This bastard is smart, lol. After going silent for 7 years, she probably felt too guilty to just return without saying anything, so she’s creating a pretext, lol.

└[Baekhwa]12th Grade: Ah, I get it now! Totally makes sense! >_<)!!

-Anonymous: For real, our author is probably planning to let us beat her up a bit to make up for the 7 years of waiting, haha.

└Anonymous: Yeah, if we waited 7 years, she should at least take a few punches, lol.

└Anonymous: A cracked-headed reader vs. a soon-to-be cracked-headed author… My heart is swelling with excitement…

-Anonymous: Literature Girl is kinda smart, lol.

Next, the ‘pretext theory’ gained traction.

This theory posited that this was a kind of publicity stunt or event—a sophisticated way to regain interest in The Epilogue of the Regressor, which had faded over the past 7 years.

The pretext theory quickly became mainstream since this was a perfectly rational interpretation.

Existing readers saw this as a ‘fan meeting’ of sorts, while newcomers understood it as an ‘interesting author’s ad.’

-Anonymous: Incheon) Anyone going to Busan with me??

-Anonymous: I’m kinda excited to see the author in person, hehe.

-Anonymous: Attention Regressor readers! Recommended value accommodations in Busan! ☆Also includes a list of delicious eateries☆.

For the first time in a while, the readers of Literature Girl stopped their barrage of curses and chattered cheerfully.

Even after having experienced the taste of the anomalies, these poor citizens still believed human affairs operated rationally.

Of course, there were a few dissenting opinions.

-[National Road] Officer: Everyone, it’s fine to gather, but the author stated that they will only accept one challenger per day for 28 days. The reader side can only send out a maximum of 28 champions. Shouldn't we also discuss how to select these 28 champions and the method of selection?

└Anonymous: Lol, what?

└Anonymous: Dude, why so serious, haha.

But when have rational minority opinions ever been adopted in this land?

Besides, the few dissenting voices, who splashed mud during a rare festive atmosphere, were only met with scorn and disregard.

The loyal readers of The Epilogue of the Regressor on SG Net eagerly gathered at Babel Tower Square in Busan.

Monday. 6 AM.

The author appeared at the square as promised.

“Author!”

Fans, who had been camping out at the square since the night before, flocked to the author.

It might seem crazy to cause such a commotion at 6 AM, but the concept of time was quite different in the post-apocalyptic era.

The faces of the modern people, forcibly instilled with a healthy lifestyle, were lively.

“Wow, are you really Literature Girl?”

“I’m a fan! Author!”

“Please shake my hand!”

“……”

The author looked around with a skewed expression.

Standing firmly on two feet, with arms crossed, and wearing an old, worn-out cap, the author observed the twenty-something readers surrounding them.

Standing firmly on the ground with crossed arms, wearing a worn-out cap backward, the author faced a group of around twenty readers.

"Who is your representative?"

"What?"

"The representative who will face me. As promised, today I will duel with one of you."

"Oh..."

"Me! Me, me! Author, pick me!"

A sharp-witted fan quickly raised their hand, proud of their quick reflexes.

The other readers sighed in genuine regret. ‘I could have raised my hand first!’

But why did our author's tone sound so strange? Wasn't it kind of lame? No, our author had always had that charmingly awkward vibe.

"Hmm."

Ignoring what others thought, the author scanned the volunteer from head to toe, chewing gum nonchalantly.

"Nine seconds."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"I'll give you nine seconds. It means I'll allow you to attack nine times first."

"Oh, that. The typical move in martial arts! Haha! Got it!"

The naive fan thought to themselves, ‘Our author is giving me nine chances to hit them! I better go easy, or they'll get upset!’

"Come at me with the intent to kill."

"Haha! Okay! Yiaaah!"

With a shout, the fan leaped forward but only gave the author a light slap on the cheek, as if swatting a mosquito.

Slap.

It was a gentle tap, too mild to be called a real punch. But both the fan who delivered it and the onlookers went wild.

"Ahhhh! They actually hit the author!"

"That's too much!"

"Sorry, author! Eight more to go!"

Click, click.

Everyone was laughing, some taking pictures and videos to upload to SGnet, eagerly anticipating the return of their favorite series after a seven-year hiatus.

"Hmph."

Only the author remained silent.

"Are you done?"

"Yes!"

"Then it's my turn. Here I come."

"Haha, I..."

BOOM!

A thunderous sound echoed.

The fan likely tried to say "yes."

But before finishing this most common Korean word, they were flung so far from the square that their voice couldn't reach back.

The spectators blinked.

"Huh?"

"What?"

The fan was now embedded in the distant building wall, leaving behind a comical "silhouette-shaped" imprint, just like in American cartoons.

A deadly silence fell over the square.

"I didn’t kill them."

The author continued to chew gum.

"I wrapped their body in aura before sending them flying, so nothing should be broken. They probably just fainted from the sheer speed."

"..."

"I won't be so lenient next time. Come back tomorrow."

Pop—the gum balloon burst.

None of the gathered readers knew that the author had meticulously controlled their aura to forcibly inflate a gum bubble that shouldn't have been possible to blow, and then popped it in the most beautiful shape.

Nor did they care to know.

Because they had just learned something too shocking for the human brain to process, causing them to short-circuit.

"The author..."

"Hit a reader?"

"Not just any reader."

"One who waited years for their return and even camped out overnight to see them?"

"And it was..."

"An awakened attacking a regular person?"

"And all because..."

"They simply didn’t want to continue writing the story they’d put on hold for seven years?"

The readers were filled with conflicting emotions.

"Is this..."

"Really a human being?"

The author walked away, the morning sun casting long shadows behind them as it spilled across the horizon.

Her name was Oh Dokseo—

A writer unmatched in martial arts, yet unparalleled in disgrace.

[Translator - Jjescus]

[Proofreader - Gun]

w