Returner Curse is a list of curses that Jeff can invoke on his targets.
While browsing through the list, Jeff found a particularly interesting curse—one he could afford to invoke with the reward he just earned from completing the fourth quest.
"Congratulations, Turd. You're about to become a legend."
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[RETURNER FANTASY SYSTEM]
[The One-Minute-Man Curse has been invoked on Trud]
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"Man, this place really is a bang as the rumors say!"
"You won't believe what the hostess did for me!"
Two of Trud's henchmen, Henry and Francis, stepped out of their rooms at the Mountain Nest Hotel, fully satisfied after an hour with the hostesses Trud had generously booked for each of them.
Trud, on the other hand, sat sulking in the hotel lobby, still trying to comprehend what had just happened with his session—his very expensive session—with the most erotic and high-end hostess in the hotel.
He took pride in his muscular body and what he believed was his "big rod." In his mind, every woman he'd slept with was left breathless, drowning in pleasure from having him inside them.
Unbeknownst to Trud, the women he paid simply faked their pleasure. It was all an act—to keep him coming back and spending more. After all, his wealth came from his rich parents, not from any merit of his own.
"Wait, why are you already here, big boss?"
"Aren't you supposed to be banging the top hostess for at least another hour with your… I mean, big rod?"
Henry and Francis feigned surprise at their boss's early return. In reality, they both knew the truth: Trud's rod was embarrassingly small, and his stamina was laughable.
Sure, he looked good, was ripped, and had money—but none of it was really his. That's why the two of them stuck to him like leeches—mooching off his leftovers, both in cash and in women. Deep down, they knew their boss was a pathetic, clueless loser.
"I'm just saving my stamina for my girlfriend tonight."
"Right… your new girlfriend. What was her name again? Doesn't matter—she's hot. Like, model-level hot."
"So… when do we get our turn with her, big boss?"
"You wish, losers. With a girl that hot? I'll never get tired of doing it with her."
'Says the guy who hasn't even gotten a hug or kiss.'
'You're not even her boyfriend, you delusional idiot.'
Hiding their true thoughts, the two followed Trud out to the parking lot, where his luxury sports car was supposed to be. Instead, they were greeted by a pile of scorched metal, still smoldering.
"What the fuck happened to my car?!"
Furious, Trud stormed back inside, yelling at the guard and hotel manager, demanding compensation.
But the manager calmly reminded him that he had signed a waiver upon check-in, releasing the hotel from any liability for damage to personal property. The best they could offer was the CCTV footage from the parking lot—footage the manager "hoped" might help identify the arsonist.
The video showed a man in a gray hoodie and black cap setting the car on fire. He moved with precision, staying out of sight from all the cameras—hidden and otherwise—as if he knew their exact placements.
"FUCK! I'm going to kill that bastard when I find him. And I'll make sure this place goes out of business!"
"What now, big boss?"
"Are we still going to your girlfriend?"
"Of course, we are! I'm gonna fuck that girl no matter what!"
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[RETURNER FANTASY SYSTEM]
[Quest 4 – Interference (Complete)]
[Reward – Returner Curse]
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"What's with that look? Don't tell me you actually robbed a bank or something?"
"Do I look like someone who would rob a bank?"
"More like someone who could."
Among his group of friends, Jeff was always the one they joked about being capable of pulling off a bank heist.
And now, with his latest scheme executed flawlessly—escaping from the Mountain Nest Hotel in a getaway car he'd arranged in advance—he might as well have been a villain.
It took an hour before his ride arrived.
His getaway driver? None other than Nubia, his high school senior, two years older than him.
"Thanks for picking me up, Nubia-senpai," Jeff said, feeling a bit nostalgic while looking at her.
"Consider this my way of making up for missing your birthday yesterday."
In his timeline before his regression, Nubia had been one of his dearest friends. She stayed by his side through his illness, even raising money for his treatment—despite facing the collapse of her own family's company.
She had supported Jeff financially and emotionally, all the way until the day he died… and was sent back 12 years into the past.
This time, Jeff vowed, those who mistreated his beloved senpai would suffer.
"Shit… That look on your face. Don't tell me you murdered someone?" Nubia teased, half-joking, half-concerned, as she glanced at Jeff leaning against the window with a murderous look in his eyes.
"If you're going to involve me in your crime, at least let me know."
"Don't worry, Nubia-senpai. I'd never do that."
"Do what? Involve me in your crime, or murder someone?"
Their banter continued as they drove to East Coast City, arriving at the beach resort just before noon.
After parking her sports car, Nubia handed Jeff a parcel before he stepped out.
"Here's the thing you asked me to buy."
Jeff opened the bag—and blinked.
Inside wasn't the item he had asked for. Instead, it was a much more expensive box—something way beyond what his entire savings could afford.
"Nubia-senpai…"
Before he could finish, Nubia interrupted.
"You only propose to a woman once. So you better make it count," she said, referring to the engagement ring inside.
"But I already proposed to Jess once… and kinda forgot the ring…"
"What are you doing, idiot —smack!—"
She whacked him upside the head the moment she heard that.
Though Jeff appreciated her gesture, he struggled to accept such an expensive gift—especially after everything she had already done for him in his timeline.
Seeing his hesitation, Nubia offered him a deal.
"Then how about this, in exchange, give me your girlfriend."
Despite how misleading her words sounded, Jeff understood her meaning. Still, he couldn't help but tease her.
"What? You're into girls now, Nubia-senpai?"
"Idiot! —smack!—"
Grinning, Jeff agreed to her terms, waved goodbye, and dashed off toward the beach—where Jess was waiting.
After all, another quest from the Returner Fantasy System had just begun.
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[RETURNER FANTASY SYSTEM]
[Quest 5 – Lucky Pervert]
[Reward – Trud's Archive Update]
[Objective – Save Jess From Sexual Harassment]
[Countdown – 30 Minutes]