Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character

As the strange tension that had wrapped around my body unraveled, I felt more at ease.
I quietly watched the guild members chatting away when Ryu Sunghyun placed a hand around my shoulder and said,
“Let’s go.”

Come to think of it, we’d been on our way to get food.
It was already past 1 p.m., nearly 2, and by the time we left the building, it was just the two of us.
As we headed toward the usual noodle shop near the guild, I asked Ryu Sunghyun,

“Hyung, you’ve seemed busy lately.”
“Hm?”
“You didn’t used to go into dungeons this often. Nothing’s wrong, right?”

Ryu Sunghyun wasn’t someone who liked fighting alongside strangers.
Unless it was a raid officially organized by the guild, he usually didn’t bother—but lately, he’d been taking mercenary gigs outside the official schedule.
I knew Ryu Sunghyun was on a completely different level than me, but that didn’t stop me from worrying.

It hadn’t even been a week since the last raid, and he’d already been to a new dungeon meeting today. It was hosted by Yesung Guild, so it should’ve been safe, but still...
Yesung…
Suddenly, my head started to throb again.

While I pressed at my temple to ease the dull ache, Ryu Sunghyun chuckled softly.
“There’s something I want to buy.”
“Something to buy? You?”

Spending time close to Ryu Sunghyun had taught me he wasn’t the type to want things.
He had no attachment to objects or status. He only held the position of vice-guildmaster because he was an S-rank—if he really wanted to, he could’ve joined a top-tier guild and rocketed to the top.
He didn’t care about money either. As an S-rank, he had access to high-level raids with massive payouts. Of course, most of that came at the cost of risking your life, so maybe he’d just been playing it safe.
The fact that Ryu Sunghyun wanted to buy something was both surprising and strange.

“That’s rare.”
“Is it really that shocking?” he said with a smile, tapping my cheek lightly.
“It’s not a big deal. I just want to move.”

“Move?”
“Yeah. The villa I’m in now is nice, but I want to go somewhere bigger. Preferably somewhere with good security.”
Wanting a bigger, more comfortable place—that was normal enough. And if anyone could afford it, it was Ryu Sunghyun.

He glanced at me with a crooked smile and asked casually,
“I actually found an apartment. It’s not far from the guild. You know why I liked it? There’s a supermarket nearby. I could go shopping without needing a car. It’s got a hospital and a convenience store too.”
“Wow, that’s great.”

“It has three bedrooms. Two bathrooms.”
“That’s huge.”
I nodded along, picturing his current place.

One living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms. But one of those rooms was so small, it was practically useless—meaning he really only had one functional room.
Even for a guy living alone, especially someone his size, it must’ve felt cramped.
He said it was fine when I asked last time, but… I guess it did bother him after all.

There was something adorable about how motivated Ryu Sunghyun was now, saving up and planning to move.
A big apartment was nice. It had elevators, better security than a villa.
Thinking about it made me want to support his plan wholeheartedly.

“If it’s you, you’ll save up in no time. Just promise you’ll invite me over. I’ll bring a gift.”
“No need for gifts.”
Ryu Sunghyun replied casually, looking at me with a complicated expression before turning away.

***
When we got to the restaurant and placed our order, we sat down.
I tried to ignore the faint headache while sipping water. Across from me, Ryu Sunghyun’s hand entered my field of vision.

He took out a spoon and chopsticks and placed them in front of me.
Just like earlier, his hands were bare.
That’s normal… so why…

Why did it feel so strange?
I drank water to wet my dry mouth and tried to sort through the chaos in my head, but nothing changed. If anything, the headache got worse.
“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”
Ryu Sunghyun looked at me as soon as I called. His gentle attitude made me hesitate, but I asked carefully,
“Have you ever… worn gloves or anything like that?”

At the strange question, Ryu Sunghyun tilted his head and shook it.
“Gloves? No.”
“Ah… sorry. I must’ve imagined it.”

Everything had felt weird since I woke up from that nap in the guild office.
The thing that felt most off… was Ryu Sunghyun.
His bare hands, his warm demeanor, even his eyes—all of it felt unfamiliar.

Even though I knew he was acting exactly the way he always had… something inside me felt unsettled.
And on top of that, the unease I couldn’t explain.
I was so frustrated with myself that I chugged the rest of my water.

When we left the restaurant, the midday sun was blazing.
I hadn’t figured out the reason behind the awkwardness by the end of the meal, and so I followed Ryu Sunghyun back to the guild.
Normally, I would’ve gone to my room or looked for Eunbok somewhere in the building to hang out with.

But today… I didn’t want to be apart from Ryu Sunghyun.
Is this because of that uneasiness?
Even though his kindness felt strange, I didn’t want to leave his side. It was a contradictory feeling.

“Seohu.”
After I followed him around for hours, Ryu Sunghyun finally looked a little confused as he asked,
“What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

It was the same question I had asked him earlier.
The difference was—unlike him, I didn’t have a proper answer.
“…I was bored, so I just followed you.”

After all that time, all I could say was something lame like that.
It was shameless, but I knew Ryu Sunghyun would never call me out for it.
“Well, if it’s you, I don’t mind.”

Just as I thought, he smiled like he couldn’t help himself and gently ruffled my hair.
“How about I finish this up, and we go out for a quick walk? Staying in the office too long gets stuffy.”
“Yeah.”

I didn’t care what we did.
I was the one clinging to him over nothing. I nodded quietly.
Then—there was a tapping sound on the office wall.

“Someone’s here for you. Seohu, can you go check?”
Ko Taeseong looked at me and gestured toward the hallway.
Someone came to see me?

Besides Circle Guild members, there wasn’t anyone I was particularly close with, so I couldn’t think of who it might be.
It’s just for a second… I can come right back.
I hesitated before getting up.

Ryu Sunghyun, still looking at dungeon data on his laptop, smiled silently and mouthed “Go on.”
Suddenly, I wished he would stop me.
The thought was ridiculous.

It wasn’t like I was going far—just a few steps outside. Whoever it was had probably just come to the wrong place or had something quick to say. Like dropping off a delivery or something.
I wouldn’t be gone for more than five minutes… so why did I feel so reluctant?
I scratched my forehead and forced myself to move.

I stepped into the hallway and started walking, glancing around.
And then—
“…!”

Shivers ran down my spine, like a cold wind had suddenly blown across my back.
I turned around quickly.
Something pitch black was flickering like smoke.

But it wasn’t smoke.
It was thousands of tiny particles, shifting constantly into different shapes.
It was an existence far beyond reason, and yet—it didn’t feel unfamiliar.

Of course it didn’t.
It was the monster I had faced right before I lost consciousness.
My heart sank.

The blood in my body turned cold.
I shut my eyes tight and covered my face with one hand.
A groan escaped my lips.

“…Ah.”
Once I realized what was happening, a wave of raw understanding hit me like a tsunami.
That’s why everything felt so strange.
That’s why I was anxious.

Because this place is fake.
Because this isn’t reality.
Because the “real” world had already—
“Why.”
The word burst out before I could stop it.

“Why me.”
So you came to wake me up?
I didn’t need anyone to explain—it was obvious that the being in front of me was the same monster that had trapped me in this fake space.

It was the one who made me wander inside a false world, and the reason I was only now regaining my memories.
Then why?
Why not just leave me there?

Why wake me up now?
Why not let me rot here?
Why come now, after everything?

I swallowed the questions and bitterness welling up inside me and bit down on my lip.
I regretted everything.
It hurt so much I could scream.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have left Ryu Sunghyun’s side.
I would’ve ignored the visitor. Said no. Stayed right next to him.
Gone for that walk he mentioned.

Seen Song Jiwoon again.
Had dinner with the guild members...
“……”

I should’ve hugged Ryu Sunghyun at least once.
I should’ve gone to see Song Jiwoon.
I should’ve talked to the guild members more...

I lowered my hand and opened my eyes.
Only darkness remained.
The Circle Guild building had vanished without a trace—just like a dream.

…This is why mental-type skills are so dangerous.
I let out a bitter smile, but even that quickly faded. My lips drooped.
I was exhausted.

My shoulders, which had felt relaxed inside the dream, tensed up all over again.
It felt like I’d just been through a battle.
If # Nоvеlight # I had to choose between a fake happiness and a painful reality… which would I pick?

I already knew the answer.
Because I had to protect this timeline’s Ryu Sunghyun.
And the Circle Guild.

My vision blurred for some reason.
I blinked a few times.
Pushing down the hollow emptiness and creeping fatigue, I asked,

“…How do I get out of here?”
If this thing had gone to the trouble of dragging me into a dream and then coming to wake me up, there must be another purpose.
First, I needed to wake up and figure it out.

The monster started to move.
The humanoid form raised an arm and pointed somewhere.
From within the darkness, a single door appeared.

So I just had to open that and leave?
I blinked again and walked toward the door without hesitation.
The monster didn’t move until I touched the doorknob.

Then it shifted form once more.
A thin stalk emerged. Something round sprouted at the end—and then it split into five delicate parts.
They unfolded.

I realized instantly what the monster had made.
It was a flower.
***

“Hyung.”
Even with my eyes open, all I could see was pitch-black darkness.
For a moment I wondered if I was still in the dream—

But then I heard Cha Sahyeon’s quiet voice calling out to me.
Even after waking, my vision was blurry.
I blinked up at Cha Sahyeon, who reached out and brushed my cheek with his fingers.

“…Why are you crying?”
“……”