Chapter 191 — I'm an Infinite Regressor, But I've Got Stories to Tell

Chapter 191

The narrative begins by contrasting the idealized image of Jo Yeong-su’s journey to conduct a nationwide public opinion survey with the grim reality: he died lost in the Void after three days, stranded near the Hwangsan River. The citizenry reacted to his death with indifference, quickly returning to their daily struggles. The narrator, Mr. Undertaker, reveals to the Saintess (Sim Ah-ryeon) that he deliberately altered the timeline to ensure Jo Yeong-su’s success in the new cycle, having been intrigued by the Saintess’s previous interest in the activist. In this revised cycle, Mr. Undertaker personally sees Jo Yeong-su off from Busan. Using his influence, he secures Jo Yeong-su passage with a caravan and gifts him a mobile yogurt cart, ensuring his safety and mobility. The Saintess monitors him from afar while Sim Ah-ryeon, the Saintess of the North, grants him monk status to traverse North Korean territories. Over the course of 2,211 days (approximately six years), Jo Yeong-su surveys the entire peninsula, from Busan to Sinuiju. His journey is driven by a deep-seated shame over his Pungyang Jo ancestral lineage, whom he blames for Korea’s historical ruin; he seeks to validate the nation’s continued existence through the voices of its people. Upon completing the survey, Jo Yeong-su does not return to Busan but travels by boat to Seoul. He reunites with Mr. Undertaker, who is fishing near the National Assembly Building. Though frail and aged, Jo Yeong-su insists on entering the building, which Mr. Undertaker warns is a Void. Undeterred, Jo Yeong-su proceeds inside with the Undertaker’s assistance, dodging minor creatures. Inside the empty assembly hall, Jo Yeong-su conducts a mock parliamentary session. He distributes survey papers to the vacant seats, announcing that over 99.99% of the 3.1 million respondents believe the Republic of Korea has perished. Only 33 citizens voted that it had not perished. Delegated authority by these 33 individuals, Jo Yeong-su officially declares the Republic of Korea dead, striking a gavel. The narrator alone hears phantom applause and flashes, realizing Jo Yeong-su has performed the funeral rites for the nation. Following this declaration, Jo Yeong-su ceases his activism, living out his final days in poverty. He dies, and Mr. Undertaker serves as the chief mourner. Noh Do-hwa visits, criticizing the modest funeral but eventually joining the Undertaker for beef soup. Jo Yeong-su is cremated, and his ashes scattered in a sea tomb, marking the final epilogue to the Korean nation.

Chapter ID

aac7rhd2lc

Chapter number

191

Duration

21:22

Views

0

Likes

0

Media

Audio + video