Surviving was just the beginning; now, the obsession starts flooding in.

“Y-Yuto Are you really alive?”

“Yuto! You bastard, what did I say?! I told you you’d survive!”

“Sniff… Yuto, I’m so sorry… snff…”

Calm down, guys. Seriously.

A lot of them have gathered.

It’s so chaotic that I can’t even catch my breath.

The aftermath of the ‘Endless Hell’ hasn’t even worn off yet; a single nudge could knock me over.

“How the hell did you survive?!”

Ah, here it comes.

The impurities that appear in lower-tier time-space zones are monsters a single cadet can’t handle.

Their doubts were understandable. I gave them the response I’d prepared in advance.

“It disappeared.”

“Huh?”

“It went somewhere.”

“What?”

Even if they don’t believe me, they have no way to confirm otherwise.

I was the only one there, and claiming I defeated it by myself would sound even less believable.

“Disappeared? But the time-space distortion…”

Instructor Julia dropped her suspicion.

The creature had appeared without reason, so its disappearance could just as easily be unexplained.

“Instructor Julia, I understand how you feel, but I’ll escort Cadet Yuto to the recovery room.”

“Yuto, I’m sorry. It’s just so hard to believe…”

The group that had been clinging to me fell silent with awkward expressions.

I really am fine.

Thanks to you guys, my experience points have been shooting through the roof.

So keep up the good work.

Let me know if you’d like adjustments for style or tone!

“Hm?”

As I was about to head to the recovery room under the instructor’s guidance, I suddenly felt a blatant stare. Turning to the source, I flashed a smile.

‘You saw it, didn’t you? Regressionist?’

Of course, I wasn’t sure how she’d interpret it. But it was highly likely her perception of me had taken a 180-degree turn.

[The obsession of ‘Laura Freeze’ intensifies.]

…

[Your experience points have significantly increased.]

...

The system window had kindly informed me of this.

I learned a new algorithm: the stronger the target’s obsession, the greater the growth experience points multiplied.

Jackpot.

Including Ellie Ingrid, for whom I’d already laid the groundwork, things could only improve from here.

“Oh my, Cadet Yuto, was it?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“This is strange… The chart can’t be wrong, can it?”

The female healing arts instructor covered her mouth in surprise, looking at me with suspicion.

“Your physical condition is excellent. It’s so different from your profile at the time of admission.

Why is that…?”

Ah, I see.

The remaining experience points, which I’d dumped entirely into physical abilities to handle ‘Endless Hell,’ had resulted in me being slightly above average now.

Adjusting the shirt I’d been removing for treatment, I replied:

“It’s thanks to consistent training.”

“Is that so? But I heard you were restrained…”

“Even while imprisoned, I didn’t slack off.”

“Th-That’s incredible.”

My shamelessness truly was incredible.

Once the treatment was complete, I immediately left the recovery room. I had urgent matters to take care of and needed to act quickly.

‘There they are.’

Naturally, my business was with that ‘Regressionist.’

I’d gotten a bite; now, I just needed to reel it in.

But… who is she talking to?

‘Hold on… That tiny, feisty-looking kid…’

Snow-white pigtails and a catlike face.

I’d often seen her illustration featured under the title “cute” on gaming community boards.

‘Claretta Barriette…’

The small girl chatting with Laura Freeze was one of the main characters and a companion of the protagonist. While important, she became background fodder in the later stages of the story—a typical tank character that faded into obscurity.

‘Did my actions cause the timeline to accelerate?’

Approaching Claretta Barriette was premature.

She had countless unpredictable routes, making it unwise to engage with her recklessly. While she might fade into the background, she was still an essential asset.

But the Regressionist was already making a move. Whatever her reasons, it seemed prudent to intervene before this spiraled into an annoying route.

“Miss Laura.”

“……”

“Who’s this…? Your boyfriend?”

Let me know if you’d like further tweaks or edits!

When I raised my hand high, Laura Freeze shot me a look of near-revulsion. Following that, Claretta Barriette’s uncomfortable gaze came as a bonus.

“Miss Claretta, let’s postpone the conversation for now.”

“Oh, sure. I’m fine with whenever.”

What did she say? About what?

Tell me, too!

But Claretta Barriette soon left the scene, leaving only me and the Regressionist behind.

“Miss Laura. Do you trust me now?”

“Well, I’ve figured out you’re not a con artist.”

“Thank you for believing in me.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. That doesn’t mean I fully trust you.”

Yeah, yeah, I get it. Geez.

Did you eat cement for breakfast?

Talking to you feels like hitting a concrete wall.

“What can I do to earn your trust?”

“Figure it out yourself. Just don’t get in my way.”

Most of the messes are caused by you, but sure.

I held my tongue and glanced in the direction where the “tank girl” had disappeared.

“That person earlier… she was Claretta Barriette, wasn’t she?”

“...And you know that with your foresight as well? You even know she’s a candidate for my team?”

“I do. But I think your decision might have been a bit premature.”

Laura Freeze glared daggers at me.

“It’s none of your business. She’s a necessary asset.”

“I’m saying the way you approached her was wrong.”

I didn’t know what kind of conversation had taken place between them, but in the game, Laura Freeze’s method of recruiting Claretta Barriette was flawed.

The key to winning over the tank girl was in “building a relationship.”

If you didn’t understand that route, Claretta’s bad ending would only come faster.

“…I don’t know what future you claim to know, but Claretta was one of my closest allies in the previous timeline, too. I know her far better than you do.”

No, you don’t know a thing.

That’s why you sacrificed your allies.

The foolish protagonist.

The selfish protagonist.

The tragic protagonist.

That was the narrative of the protagonist, Laura Freeze.

And because I knew all of this, it was my responsibility to not leave her to her own devices.

The more I tried to advise her, the more she’d rebel and ruin things.

And that would make her even more useless.

Slowly, I planned to engrain that truth in her mind—a calculated gaslighting effort.

“Anyway, from now on, I’ll speak informally. I’m older than you.”

Laura Freeze’s arrogance was the cherry on top.

Her regression period was four years.

In Korean age, that made her twenty-eight.

Twenty-eight? Really? What’s she going on about?

“Suit yourself. But more importantly, please be cautious when interacting with Claretta.

The right time will come soon.”

“Stop meddling. Do you think you’re some kind of god, just because you’re a seer?”

Yeah, sure. Do it your way and enjoy the bitter taste of failure.

I was about to end the conversation when I felt a presence behind me.

“I-I finally found you!”

To my surprise, the person who had sought me out was none other than Ellie Ingrid.

“What is it, Miss Ellie ?”

Let me know if this translation style works for you or if you’d like adjustments!

Here’s the translated continuation:

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be out making money?”

Her appearance was pitiful.

The graceful air she once had was nowhere to be seen.

Dark circles hung heavily beneath her eye patch, her once-soft cheeks were sunken, and she looked noticeably thinner.

“E-Ellie…?”

It seemed the Regressionist was more shocked than I was.

Given that this version of her was the opposite of the Ellie Ingrid she knew, it made sense.

“Mr. Yuto… I hate to say this, but…”

“Go ahead.”

“Could you… perhaps adjust the settlement amount a little…?”

She couldn’t even lift her head, likely trying to preserve what little pride she had left.

Ellie Ingrid pressed her index fingers together while pursing her lips.

“No. I have no intention of changing it. Go back.”

“H-Heh……”

Ellie’s face fell, looking as if she’d just lost her country.

Not pitiful in the slightest.

She still has a long way to go, yet she’s already whining.

No, this isn’t nearly enough.

“Are you sure there’s nothing you can do…?”

Oh? The once-proud lady was now begging? This was getting interesting.

It might be a little early, but maybe it’s time to move to Phase 2.

“If you’re that desperate, I can refer you to a high-paying job.”

“A-A job like that exists?”

“Of course.”

“Wow! Oh, wow!”

She was ecstatic. Ellie Ingrid clasped her hands together, tears and snot running freely.

“Ellie…”

Laura Freeze approached Ellie Ingrid  with weak, hesitant steps.

“And… who might you be?”

Unlike the Regressionist, Ellie Ingrid  was meeting Laura for the first time.

Laura Freeze’s  lips quivered as though she wanted to say something to her.

Predictably.

‘You… you weren’t like this before.’

Probably spouting nonsense like that.

Who does she think she knows?

Ridiculous.

Your obsession with your companions is laughable.

“Miss Ellie. Let’s head out before it gets late.”

“Oh, yes.”

Leaving the dazed Laura Freeze behind, I exited the academy with Ellie.

As the twilight slowly spread its dark veil over the earth, the timing felt perfect.

Glancing at Ellie Ingrid, I smiled faintly.

“To the slums.”

She didn’t respond.

Let me know if you’d like further refinement or have specific preferences for style or tone!