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Chapter 9
There’s a saying called the Butterfly Effect.
The idea that something as small as a butterfly flapping its wings could eventually lead to a hurricane on the other side of the world.
It sounds like a joke, but for Jang Sunam, who has experienced regression six times, he knows all too well that this saying is no exaggeration.
Through countless loops, he has witnessed firsthand how the smallest actions could completely alter the future.
In the first loop, a man became a guild master. Yet in the second, that same man lost the position simply because he had once shared a drink with Sunam.
In the third loop, a beggar starved to death. In the fourth, that same beggar survived because Sunam gave him a single coin—later becoming a wealthy tycoon.
In the fifth loop, a naïve hunter became his party member. But in the sixth, left unattended, that very hunter became his worst enemy.
“All of it… every change in fate… it was my doing.”
No matter how many times he regresses, the world itself flows the same.
But the presence of Jang Sunam—and every single one of his choices—becomes the butterfly’s wingbeat that shifts history entirely.
“I wonder how this meeting will twist the future this time…”
Just arriving here after staying in the tutorial zone for 100 days must have already shifted the path he once knew.
These people before him were new NPCs, yet their armor and clothing were familiar to him.
They wore the attire of the Rynsis Empire.
“Would you… like to make a purchase?”
The younger of the twin maids asked cautiously.
It looked as though they had shown him a hidden inventory out of gratitude, but in truth, the reason lay elsewhere.
It was due to the effect of a title Sunam currently possessed.
[Title]
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Trusted by Princess Aria
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Effect 1: Gain access to secret shops of NPCs friendly to Princess Aria.
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Effect 2: Greatly increases favorability with NPCs friendly to Princess Aria.
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“Yep, the effect is working perfectly.”
Though they revealed hidden items, the twins still wore uneasy expressions.
And no wonder—because the price of a single Skill Enhancement Stone was a staggering 120 coins.
Even if they wanted to show gratitude, the shop prices were system-regulated. They could only sell at a high price, which made them visibly guilty.
But for Sunam…
“This is a must-buy.”
Skill enhancement stones were invaluable. No matter how expensive, if the opportunity presented itself, he had to buy them.
And besides, 120 coins meant nothing to him.
“Since you saved our lives, we can offer a 10% dis—”
“Are you out of your mind?”
Smack!
“Ahk!” “Ouch!”
Sunam flicked both twins on the forehead at once.
The younger sister looked betrayed—‘Why me? I didn’t say anything!’—but he ignored her.
“If you throw away your commission just to thank me, you’ll starve all over again. Is that what you want?”
There was no point in saving them if they couldn’t sustain themselves.
Besides…
“No need. The discount will happen automatically.”
[Title]
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Savior of Strangers
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Effect 1: All NPC shop prices 10% discounted.
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Effect 2: NPC favorability never decreases.
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As soon as he switched, every price in the shop window dropped by 10%.
“Unbelievable! The shop prices… they’re actually discounted?! How is this even possible…?”
Since titles were invisible unless the system allowed it, the maids had no way of knowing.
“It’s just something I have.”
Sunam purchased the stone for 108 coins.
But he didn’t stop there. He quickly tested other titles, throwing bait for more hidden inventories.
Sure enough, the younger maid hesitated… then revealed another secret shop.
This time, another skill stone appeared—priced at 200 coins.
Too expensive to show before, but with his discount…
“Perfect.”
With a switch back to Savior of Strangers, the price dropped to 180 coins.
He bought it without hesitation.
“Open the menu. I’ll upgrade my skills.”
With practiced motions, Sunam upgraded both Absolute Map and Phantom Summon to +3.
His summoned creatures instantly grew stronger.
For example, a goblin that once clumsily waved a sword could now execute basic sword techniques.
“Now the tide guardian I left with Aria can properly serve as her bodyguard.”
Satisfied, Sunam opened the map.
[Absolute Map (SSS+3)]
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Range: 700m radius
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Displays monsters
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Displays hunters
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Displays dungeons, towers, gates, and bases
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“Finally… now this is worthy of being called a map.”
At that moment, one of the armored men stepped forward, clanking as he moved.
“I am Raoul, of the Rynsis Imperial Guard. And these are my comrades…”
One by one, ten guards introduced themselves.
Soon after, the twin maids gave their own names.
“I am the elder, Rina Lanes. A handmaiden of the Imperial Palace.”
“And I am the younger, Risa Lanes.”
The guards bowed deeply, while the maids gave a more noble curtsy.
Clearly, the twins were of noble blood.
After a bit of talk, Rina suddenly asked, her eyes serious.
“By any chance… have you heard news of Princess Aria Rynsis?”
It was a question Sunam had heard countless times across six regressions.
And each time, he had seen despair and madness consume them after learning she was dead.
Now, for the first time, things would be different.
“Words won’t do. Meet her yourself.”
“Huh?”
With a wave, Sunam’s tide summon understood and opened a portal.
And through it… a familiar princess stepped into view.
“Sunam? Why did you open—wait… Rina? Risa? Guardsmen?!”
“Your Highness!!”
Tears welled in the soldiers’ eyes as they rushed forward. Their reaction made it clear—Aria was truly beloved by her people.
Sunam quietly observed.
“If Aria is the only royal left… then her power is mine to monopolize.”
It wasn’t pleasant to think, but reality was reality.
If no other royals appeared, then the entire empire’s loyalty would be bound to Aria—and through her, to Sunam.
At that moment, Rina once more bowed deeply.
“We have heard of your countless acts of kindness from Her Highness herself. We shall never forget the grace you have shown us.”
Suddenly, a system notification appeared.
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked:
‘One Who Bestows Grace Upon NPCs 3 Times in a Row’]
“…What?”
It was his first time ever seeing such an achievement.
And then—
[Title]
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Benevolent Saint
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Effect 1: Title effects can be toggled without equipping.
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Effect 2: All owned title effects stack together.
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“All titles… stack?!”
Up until now, only one title could be active at a time. He had painstakingly swapped them to maximize efficiency.
But now—every single title effect he possessed applied at once.
“This… this is broken. If titles had ranks, this would be EX+ tier without question.”
Memories of countless abandoned quests flooded his mind.
Like the choice-based treasure chests, where only one item could be drawn depending on the active title.
But now…
“With this, I can pull them all.”
The possibilities were limitless.
Knowing he had struck gold, Sunam decided to deepen the goodwill even further.
He handed 1,200 coins to Aria, one hundred for each of her twelve subjects.
“Use this for them.”
“Sunam… thank you!”
The princess held his hands warmly, shocking her maids.
But Sunam didn’t care about misunderstandings.
He only thought of the future.
“…Good. With this, Aria has her first guild.”
And with that, she led her twelve loyal NPCs back through the portal.
Soon after, Sunam finally reached his destination—Seongshindan, once a famous bakery in Daejeon.
Now, it had transformed into a massive tower, looming ominously.
The sweet scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
But the source was sinister.
“Krrrk!”
“Screeech!”
Monsters roamed the area—abominations made of pudding, cakes, and pastries.
The Necro-Bakery.
Their grotesque forms revealed human organs embedded in pudding, or severed limbs protruding from whipped cream decorations.
Yet despite their horror, they gave off an appetizing smell—a cruel mockery.
“From here on… things won’t be easy.”
The bakery tower was a crossroads.
From this point, the ending could very well be decided.
Sunam raised his eyes to the towering structure.
“Zombie Apocalypse… First, I’ll put a stop to that.”
