The scream of Brever, which had echoed down the canyon, soon faded away. No matter what happens, he won't come back to life. Whatever occurred here, this canyon will remain silent.

Whoosh—

As I stood up, a chilly wind brushed against my cheek. The vivid sensation reminded me that this wasn't a dream.

Thud!

I pulled out my sword from Bell's neck. The blade was still wet with fresh blood. Until just recently, I was merely an ordinary reader, but today, I committed murder. I even twisted the plot by killing Brever instead of the protagonist.

'I must be prepared for this in the future.'

I have to follow the main storyline but alter it to my liking. Otherwise, as an extra, I will surely be left behind.

'Now, the remaining issue is returning to Earth.'

Even though no one is waiting for me back there, this is not my world but a fictional one. For now, that's reason enough to return.

'The only method that comes to mind is seeing the end of this novel.'

I don't know exactly what the author's goal is, but from the comments we exchanged, it seems to be about creating a better ending. That's why I was possessed in this world. So, if I reach a better conclusion, maybe I'll naturally return to Earth.

'If that doesn't work, I'll have to use the Wanderer's Stone.'

The "Wanderer's Stone," a key setting that permeates the continent of Therame, is said to be imbued with miraculous power. With it, I could return to Earth by my own strength. Either way, it seems I have a reason to go to the Erestia Imperial University.

'Now, it's about time to arrive...'

I gripped my sword and surveyed the surroundings. The first episode hasn't ended yet. The fact that "Second Creation" is still ongoing is proof of that.

Tap—

I turned my gaze toward the presence I sensed nearby.

"...Huh?"

The woman who glanced around seemed flustered. Her red hair was tied in a ponytail, and her blue eyes resembled a lake. Her beauty could easily attract admiration from many men, but the aura emanating from her was intense.

'Finally, she's here.'

She is none other than Ellora, the protagonist of "Therame Continent." She is destined to become the strongest in this world and is the only regressor here.

"You're alive...? How is that possible?"

Ellora's eyes shook violently. According to the original story, only 30 minutes have passed since Ellora's regression. But the future has already changed, so she must be puzzled. Moreover, she hasn't done anything to influence this outcome, which would confuse her even more. Now is the opportunity. While she can't make a rational judgment.

I smiled slightly and said, "I've been waiting for you, Ellora."

Ellora flinched noticeably. Then she glared at me with eyes that had sunk deeply.

"...How do you know my name? I've never seen you before."

Ellora drew her sword from her waist and pointed it at me. If she deemed me a threat, she would charge at me immediately.

"Answer me."

Currently, Ellora's physical abilities are quite weak since only 30 minutes have passed since her regression. However, even with that, her abilities surpass those of Rai, whose "Second Creation" is activated. So, if we fight like this, I'm likely to lose. Even though I have the [Setting Camera], she has the overwhelming experience and skills of a regressor. Thus, it must not lead to combat here. Even if I were to win, I couldn't survive in this world without the protagonist.

"How about putting down that sword first? I plan to explain everything anyway."

"......"

Despite my words, Ellora continued to glare at me without lowering her guard. Her sword's tip, aimed at me, didn't waver. She was cautious and cold, just like the Ellora I knew. The problem was that this trait was disadvantageous to me at the moment. I sighed deeply and spoke.

"Yes, it must be strange. It's odd that I know your name when we've never met. And it's strange that I'm alive when I should have died."

"...Who are you? How do you know such things?"

"But there's nothing to be particularly surprised about. I'm in the same situation as you."

"What do you mean by that...?"

Ellora furrowed her brows. I had been thinking continuously until I met her. How could I make Ellora understand this situation? And at the same time, how could I manipulate her to my advantage?

'Should I reveal that I'm a reader of the novel?'

No, that's a foolish decision. She wouldn't believe it, and I don't want to tell the characters in the novel about it. So, in the end, there's only one way left. Deceive her with a mix of truth and lies. I slowly calmed my breathing and faced her with a clearer gaze.

"The truth is, I'm a regressor like you."

Gradually, a large ripple appeared in Ellora's blue eyes. Her unwavering sword tip began to shake. Seeing that, I smiled deeply.

"Ellora."

A brief silence fell over the area. Ellora was just opening and closing her mouth without saying anything. But she soon regained her composure and collected her expression.

"You're saying you're a regressor?"

"Yes."

"Don't be ridiculous. There's no way..."

"The 'Pendulum.'"

"......"

"Didn't you regress with that?"

Her mouth shut tightly. It was a bullseye. The ancient demon's artifact, the "Pendulum." When used, the user regresses to the point fixed by the artifact, which is exactly 30 minutes ago.

"...Are you really a regressor like me?"

"Yes. Otherwise, how would I be alive now? You know I was supposed to die here, right?"

"That's true, but..."

Ellora bit her lip. She still seemed unable to accept it. After pondering for a while, Ellora spoke.

"Then you're saying you survived here because you knew how you died in the previous life?"

"Yes. I only died from a fatal injury caused by an explosion before, so this time I avoided the explosion and took them down."

I pointed at the fallen bodies of Bell and Mud. Ellora's eyes sharpened.

"That's a lie."

"What is?"

"If what you say is true, you would have regressed just before dying from the explosion. But how do you know about me, whom you met after the explosion?"

It was a question I somewhat expected. If I regressed just before dying from the carriage explosion, I wouldn't have met Ellora, who appeared afterward.

"And most importantly, you don't have the 'Pendulum' now. It's an artifact that can't be obtained at this point in time."

She's right. The "Pendulum" exists in a place unreachable at this time. But I had already prepared answers for these.

"It seems you're misunderstanding something. I regressed from a future much later than you think."

"A future much later?"

"This is your first regression, right?"

Ellora stared at me for a while and reluctantly nodded. So it is her first regression. It's a relief that it hasn't changed from the original. I continued speaking.

"But that's your misunderstanding. Technically, this is your second regression. You just don't remember the first one."

"Explain it so I can understand."

"Sure."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"During your first regression, you barely saved me before the explosion here and took down Brever's group. You already knew Brever's criminal plan."

Of course, that never happened. In the original, when she arrived here, Rai had already died in the explosion. It was a fate that couldn't be changed.

"And then?"

"And then you decided to use me as a tool. You judged that you couldn't overcome 'that day' alone, so you tried to gather those who could help with your plan."

"......"

Ellora listened silently. "That day" refers to the point in time when Ellora regressed. To her, it was just 30 minutes ago.

"Anyway, I was used by you to overcome various disasters. The Demon Cult, Orcus, and so on..."

"......"

"And during that time, I witnessed many people dying. The enemies were that strong. So eventually..."

I looked at Ellora with a serious gaze.

"Even you died before me."

Ellora's pupils shook. I swallowed dryly without her noticing. This part was the critical point.

"That's nonsense... There's no way I wouldn't have used the 'Pendulum' before dying."

...She doesn't fall for it easily. Well, she would have used the 'Pendulum' without hesitation when she couldn't avoid death. She actually did just that 30 minutes ago.

"To be precise, you wanted to use it but couldn't. At the time of your death, you hadn't found the 'Pendulum.'"

"...I hadn't found it by then? Even though I had it before regressing?"

"No matter how much of a regressor you are, variables can always arise. Are you really sure you can obtain it again?"

"......"

Ellora remained silent. I didn't miss the opportunity and pressed on.

"Surely you can't be certain."

"......"

"In your first regression, you died without finding it."

A long silence followed. During that time, Ellora lowered her gaze and fell into thought. The longer her silence lasted, the more cold sweat formed in my palms.

"But how do you know these things?"

Got it!

I clenched my fist tightly, hiding my smile. It was almost as if she had fallen for it.

"I told you, I'm a regressor like you. After a long time passed since your death, I found the hidden 'Pendulum.'"

"Wait, then when you said this was the second regression...!"

Finally, she took the bait. I nodded, hiding the truth.

"That's right. Since you and I each regressed once, it's technically your second regression. But since you don't remember, it's practically your first."

It's not practically; it's clearly her first regression. I've never regressed even once.

"That makes some sense... The 'Pendulum' only allows the user to retain memories upon regression, so I wouldn't have memories of the first regression..."

Ellora slowly nodded. It was a perfect catch.

"Then when did I die?"

Ellora doesn't die. She is the protagonist who reaches the conclusion of "Therame Continent" through this single regression. But I can't say that.

"I can't tell you that."

"Why not?"

"It's a kind of insurance. There's a possibility you might kill me."

"Why would I?"

"To you, a regressor like me is the biggest variable. You wouldn't just leave me alone."

"......"

"I've been watching you closely, so don't you think I know your personality?"

I even know how you tie your hair. I don't know why, but it was all in the novel.

"So how about lowering your guard against me? If we work together, we might achieve a better outcome than before."

Ellora stared at me intently. Then she quickly turned her gaze away.

"I don't keep companions."

"I figured. To you, others are just tools right now."

"......"

"Well, I understand. It's not just because you were betrayed by others when you were young."

"How much do you know...?"

Ellora gritted her teeth. It was as if I had exposed her vulnerabilities.

"But a tool is enough."

I approached her slowly, holding my sword. I crossed the sunset light that stretched down like threads with my long legs.

"Use me as you always have. I'll use you too."

I stood firmly in front of her, who was also holding a sword. Then I saw her face, still unscarred and clean. Ellora, who was looking up at me, clenched her fist tightly.

"...I don't understand why you're doing this. From what I hear, it seems you were used by me in the past. Why do you want to be with me again?"

Ellora's blue eyes were filled with hostility.

"Are you planning to take revenge on me for the previous life?"

Well, it was a very her-like thought. Considering she was on the battlefield until just now, it wasn't a strange reaction.

"That's not it. I'm doing it to survive. You'll surely be a great help in the upcoming disasters."

"Anyone can say such a basic reason."

So that's not enough. What a troublesome protagonist.

"What I gain..."

I trailed off and closed my eyes. I gained a lot. With her, the difficulty of the episodes would decrease, and I could obtain other things using her. But if I had to pick the most important reason...

I opened my eyes and smiled slightly.

"Because this is the story I can be most satisfied with."

"What do you mean...?"

Ellora's pupils shook finely. Even if I explained, she wouldn't understand.

"So now you decide."

I urged quietly.

"Will you oppose me, or will you join me to get through 'that day'?"

Ellora swallowed dryly and fell into thought. And I stared at her intently. What is she thinking right now? It was easy to read when I saw it in the novel, but now there's no way to look into her mind. I could only wait for her to speak on her own.

"What's your name?"

Ellora didn't say directly that she would be my companion or join forces with me. But the meaning behind that question was so clear that I smiled broadly.

"Rai."

Translator Note:
The hangeul for Rai name is 라이 which can be romanized as Lai/Rai, however the author decided the name to be used as Lie. Do you guys prefer the original as author intended or keep it as Rai?