Chapter 2: Small Sacrifice

Actually, my birthday wasn't that bad…

Just take off the part that my parents died during the international flight from America to Korea.

'Well, it's not like I want to save them but..'

'If I save my parents would it cause a butterfly effect in the future?' Was what was in my mind.

It's not like I'm planning on taking the path to becoming an idol anyway so it wouldn't affect my past image as a person who lost their parents at such a young age, however…Those words damn it.

A person on YouTube once said that time is like a flowing river. If you try to block the path another path will be made which is filled with unexpected turns.

What if another person dies because I saved my parents?

'It's unlikely but…'

I still can't shake off the gut I'm feeling right now.

And worse, it's telling me not to save them.

'If I do save them then…What would happen in the future? Would it be distorted or…' I looked at my phone nervously

"…My parents…."

I inhaled and exhaled sharply trying to control my tears

"…I'm sorry"

'I can't do it. Who knows what would happen if I didn't let the universe run its course? Many people could die because of my selfishness, and I can't let that happen.'

So instead of stopping my parents from leaving, I opened my WeChat and texted them my last and final words which I wasn't able to do in the past.

'They're probably at the airport' I glanced at the time and nodded as I back-read my messages to my parents.

'5:21 AM. Their flight is due at 5:30 as stated here' I mumbled to myself and went ahead to type my words.

It may affect the future but at least it won't be that massive since my actions are relatively small. Let's just tell this to them in the simplest way possible but also not that blunt...

[Youngyoung: Mom, dad. Have a good tri|

'No, no, no. It sounds as if I'm jinxing the plane crash'

[Youngyoung: Thank you for visiting mom and dad. I love you both for freeing up your schedules and coming to my birthday.]

"…. It's childish but I guess it could work"

I sighed helplessly and pressed the send button.

There was no 'make sure to sleep well during the flight' or 'safe travels' because of my knowledge of the plane crash already.

[Youngyoung: Thank you for taking care of me during my eighteen years of life.]

This was it. 

The last message that I wanted to say. 

The last simple two words that I've always dreamt of saying to my parents after their death.

'Thank you.'

Tears flowed out of my eyes and began dripping down to the phone I held tightly which was on the verge of breaking.

My parents still haven't responded to my message nor seen it yet but I was already on the verge of crying.

'This wasn't an easy decision to make but it was worth it' I told myself countless times while crying

I bit the bottom of my lip trying to calm down when suddenly a large system notification appeared in front of me.

Ding!

[Congratulations! You have proven yourself to be worthy of becoming a 'regressor'! As a reward, you are given a new bonus talent which is [Endless Possibilities]! Click the name of the skill to find out more!

Name of the past mission: Small Sacrifice

Details: Sacrifice your parents to show your worth of the title of being a regressor.

Progress: 1/1

Reward: New skill [Endless Possibilities]]

I looked at it in confusion before realizing

"Ah... That's right I haven't checked the status window properly."

I clicked on the new talent I got which immediately showed me all of its details.

[Skill: Endless Possibilities

Rank: S

Details: You a regressor, have unlocked your new talent as a regressor without even having to see the details of your title! Congratulations!

This skill allows a person to overcome their limitations and go even higher!

※This skill is a growth rank skill. Every rank unlock makes the skill even more powerful. 

Details of rank upgrade:

Missions will be given. Are you willing to accept? 

[Yes | >No ]

I looked at the details carefully before lowering my head.

'As expected… my decision was correct'

As a leader of a boy-band group, it was always right to trust your instincts while also thinking about the situation logically.

But still…. It hurts.

Ding!

[The system has temporarily set the [Details of rank upgrade] to be put on hold due to your unstable emotions.]

I didn't even notice the system giving another notification as I gripped my chest in sadness and guilt.

"... I'm sure my parents are proud of me for choosing this"

As expected, my usual habit began.

Gaslighting myself was one of my ways to cope with this kind of situation. No matter how bad the way was to get the result, the result was all that mattered. 

That was how my group became one of the best K-pop idols out there.

If it weren't for me blackmailing them, we would have never gotten this far.

But it also resulted in our relationship becoming tattered.

We soon grew distant but acted close in front of cameras. 

Truly the perfect idols to exist.

I shook my head trying to erase all my thoughts when another system notification sound even louder than before rang again in my ears surprising me.

"...!"

[You have unlocked the title 'Nurturer'

Would you like to check the title?

>Yes | No]

'Yes' I wiped my tears away and looked at my status window suspiciously

'A title was given to me at a random time? It's not just any title either like something nonsense'

[Title: Nurturer

Brought up talents skills: Caregiver (C) | Guide (A) | Truth (D)

Title details: You who have been the leader of the famous K-pop group 'Forever' have gained your teachings over the past five years of being together! To share this blessing that your group mates have received, we have assigned you a mission to clear your thoughts after completing the mission to get the skill [Endless Possibilities]

Would you like to check the mission?

>Yes | Yes]

'….' 

I stared at the screen for a long time dumbfounded.

I wasn't expecting the system to give me this kind of choice. After all, we just met. Can't you be a little kinder?

Regardless, I repeated the options confused by it

"Yes and yes?" 

Unbeknownst to me, looks like I triggered the options to be chosen as a new window popped up in front of me.

[>Yes< | Yes]

[You have chosen Yes!]

[New mission has begun!]

[Mission name: Senseii Please go easy on us!! ( 人ゝд∩ )

Task: Please help a trainee idol to become an Idol. 

Progress: 0/1

Failure: Death

Reward: New activity on the status window will be opened!]

"…Huh?"