Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character

A theme park? Is this a joke?
Is this really the time to be strolling around a theme park like everything’s fine? I’m so worried about the kid I can’t even transform into Cover, and I’m already thinking about relocating—and now a theme paaaark?
Does this damn system exist just to screw with me?

The fact that it couldn’t even read the room and plastered that “Befriend the Villain” crap on my screen was infuriating beyond belief.
And on top of that, there’s a damn time limit. I’m supposed to go to a theme park within two days?
There weren’t even any specific instructions on how to clear it. Judging by that, it probably meant we had to stay at the park until it counted as “befriended.”

“Agh...”
A sudden migraine slammed into my skull, and I clutched my head, groaning.
Last time, I cleared the quest just by bathing with Cha Sahyeon. So why the hell did the difficulty spike so hard on the second one?

I can’t even ignore it, since failing increases the Seed’s progress.
If it were any other quest, I would’ve just taken the penalty and moved on. But if the Seed of Catastrophe advanced, it was a whole different matter. This one absolutely had to succeed.
But saying that was easier than doing it. I didn’t have to go running to the Yesung Guild building or anything, but this was a time when I needed to keep a low profile—especially after the chaos I caused at the front gate of the Royal Palace.

If the research lab figured out Cha Sahyeon’s whereabouts and planned to abduct him... then even a theme park wasn’t safe.
Those bastards pulled what they did at the front gate of the Royal Palace—what made me think they’d show any restraint in a theme park?
They wouldn’t care if it was a place of childhood dreams and joy—they’d come for him regardless.

It’s too dangerous for just the two of us.
At the very least, I needed someone strong who could protect Cha Sahyeon if something went wrong. I could only transform into Cover at night, after all.
Someone I can ask for help…

After eliminating every other candidate one by one, only a single person remained.
“……”
I looked up at the ceiling and let out a hollow laugh.
Seriously, this is the best option? After letting Cha Sahyeon’s favorability hit rock bottom just yesterday... and now I’m dragging them all to the theme park tomorrow? Does this even make sense?

Yep. It’s the best option.
I answered my own thoughts and sighed deeply. No matter how hard I thought about it, no better idea came to mind.
There was no helping it. The issue now was whether that person was available tomorrow, and how Cha Sahyeon would react.

“Hyung.”
“Hm?”
I was deep in thought, planning things out, when his voice interrupted me.

I looked down at the sound, only to meet eyes with Cha Sahyeon, who had already set aside his game console and was looking up at me.
His long lashes fluttered as he blinked, and his face was laced with concern. He must’ve heard me sigh just now.
It had slipped out without me realizing it, but now I just felt guilty for making him worry. I quickly forced a smile and opened my mouth.

“Squirt, wanna go out with me tomorrow? Like, for fun?”
“For fun?”
“You remember I promised, right? I said I’d take you to a theme park.”

Cha Sahyeon’s eyes twinkled, if only for the briefest second. He definitely reacted to the word theme park.
A kid is still a kid. The way his face lit up just from hearing about it made me chuckle without thinking.
“I mean, you didn’t exactly follow my instructions to stay put at home, but… I also left you with someone else and went to work. So I’ll let it slide this once.”

“Really?”
“Of course. Have I ever lied to you?”
I grinned as I asked, and Cha Sahyeon hesitated for a moment. He bit his lip, then nodded with a determined look.

“N-No!”
“……”
If you’re going to be that obvious, you might as well just say yes, you have.

“Ahem. Anyway, we’re going tomorrow.”
“Mm-hm.”
“You’ve been through a lot lately. Today, rest up. Tomorrow, let’s have a blast.”

Now that it felt real, Cha Sahyeon’s cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded enthusiastically.
He was practically glowing with excitement. I couldn’t help but tug lightly on his soft cheek. So damn cute.
I’ll try calling later when he’s in the shower.

I had to check if he was available tomorrow. Hopefully, he’d say yes. There really was no one else I could ask.
***
“All ready?”

“Yup!”
As I slipped my phone into my pocket, I gave Cha Sahyeon one last once-over.
His face was completely hidden under a cap and black mask. Just looking at him made me feel stifled, but there was no choice. The lab already knew what he looked like.

“I know it’s uncomfortable, but bear with it a little. I’ll let you take off the hat if the situation allows.”
“It’s fine. I like this.”
He wore this getup often when I transformed into Cover, so I knew how uncomfortable it could get. Yet he still answered cheerfully.

That maturity stung a little.
It was good that he was learning and adapting quickly, but he was also starting to shoulder my burdens more and more.
Isn’t he too young for that?

Well, I didn’t know his real age. His status window still listed him as 22 years old, so I had no clue what his actual age was.
But no matter how old he was, he’d spent his whole life trapped in a lab. What suited him far more than this forced maturity was the excitement and thrill of going to a theme park.
“Let’s go.”

I took his hand and stepped out of the office. The moment I closed the front door, I spotted a white card lying on the hallway floor.
A small card with a spider logo. On the back was the same address as before.
Didn’t /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ I say stop spying on me, you bastard…

Throwing this down the day after I got discharged from the hospital? The total lack of subtlety just made it more irritating.
The fake did say I’d be seeing Spiderweb again soon.
I folded the card in half and stuffed it in my pocket. I wanted to toss it in the trash, but I held onto it just in case.

After locking up the office and stepping outside the building, I saw a black car parked out front—and a man standing next to it.
“You’re here.”
The man, standing with perfect posture, gave me a polite nod. I returned it and took a good look at him.

Messy, unstyled hair. Thick horn-rimmed glasses. A gray checkered shirt and plain jeans.
It was such a different look from his usual that I spoke honestly, caught off guard.
“You look like a completely different person, Guildmaster of Yesung.”

“That’s the idea.”
“Did you dye your hair? I remember it being a bit more blue-toned.”
“I sprayed on black hair color in a hurry.”

“Oh.”
Thorough, as expected. That’s Kwon Taehyuk for you. I gave him silent applause and turned to Cha Sahyeon.
“Hey, Sahyeon, look. Doesn’t this hyung look totally different?”

“……”
Cha Sahyeon clung tightly to me, glaring at Kwon Taehyuk. Then he scowled and sharply turned his head away.
His reaction was even colder than I’d feared. Cold sweat beaded down my back.

Shit. I should’ve just come clean in the hospital instead of throwing Kwon Taehyuk under the bus.
At the time, it felt like the right move. Who could’ve guessed we’d be heading to the theme park together two days later?
“…Sorry. My little brother’s really shy around strangers.”

“It’s fine.”
He probably knew this wasn’t just about being shy, but he let it go without a word.
Yeah. You’re the adult here. You deal with it.

Kids can show their dislike however they want. While I was justifying my bias, Kwon Taehyuk opened the car door.
“Get in.”
He personally took the wheel as Cha Sahyeon and I climbed into the back seat. Well, calling for a chauffeur while disguised would’ve been ridiculous.

With Sahyeon still sulking beside me, I handed him a lollipop I’d brought just in case this happened, then turned to Kwon Taehyuk.
“By the way, Guildmaster of Yesung. It’s fine now since it’s just us, but once we enter the theme park, we’ll need to use different names.”
“Yes.”

“What would be easiest for you?”
If his identity was exposed and people swarmed, it’d be a disaster.
I softened my tone on purpose to ease him into cooperation. After hesitating a bit, he slowly spoke.

“I…”
And at that moment—
“Why do we need to use names?”

A sharp voice cut in.
Startled, I turned to see Cha Sahyeon, still holding the untouched lollipop, staring daggers at us.
“Why bother coming up with names? Is it really necessary? Can’t we just say ‘hey, you’ or something?”

“Uh, what?”
“It’s not like you’re going to be calling him that often, so why go through the trouble?”
“……”

“Right? I’m right, aren’t I, hyung?”
With a chilly expression, Cha Sahyeon looked at me expectantly. I swallowed hard.
When did he get so articulate? He usually just stared blankly and gave short answers.

Wait, no—this isn’t the time for that. One wrong answer and I’m dead.
The air in the car turned frigid. I sat there sweating bullets before finally nodding.
“‘Hey, you’… it is, Guildmaster of Yesung.”

“…Understood.”
Sorry. His stare was way too scary.