tryingnomad

Kang Joon-ho was the first and only person to ever conquer the Tower, defeating the Floor Guardians, clearing every challenge, and reaching the top—only to find himself alone. The world was gone. Every player, every country, every life… erased.

At the summit, the enigmatic Tower Owner gave him a final choice.

“What do you wish for?”

Joon-ho’s answer was simple. “I want to climb the Tower again.”

And so, his wish was granted—but with a cruel twist. Instead of restarting at the base of the Tower, he was thrown back years before it even appeared—back to his ordinary room in Korea, stripped of all his strength, skills, and achievements. Everything he had suffered for was gone.

But Joon-ho is no ordinary regressor. He remembers every boss pattern, hidden quest, broken exploit, and ultimate skill. And when the Tower inevitably descends, forcing humanity into its brutal trials, he won’t just survive—he will dominate.

This time, he’s not climbing just to win. He’s climbing to break the system, destroy the Tower Owner, and prevent the end of the world.

With his past knowledge, overwhelming tactics, and the cold resolve of a man who has already lost everything once before—Kang Joon-ho will carve his own path to the top.

The Tower’s Final Regressor

The battlefield was a graveyard in the making.

The sky burned crimson as the monstrous horde closed in, their guttural shrieks echoing across the landscape. The weaker players had already begun to fall—torn apart, devoured, or simply trampled beneath the frenzy of combat.

Joon-ho sprinted toward the obsidian fortress, his knife flashing as he cut down anything that got in his way.

Ha-ri followed, panting heavily, her blade slick with black blood.

Behind them, dozens of players—those who understood their only chance of survival was to follow the strong—pushed forward.

And they weren't going to let their prey escape so easily.

The New Nightmare Arrives

A deep, inhuman growl rumbled from the distance.

Joon-ho didn't stop running, but his sharp eyes locked onto the creatures emerging from the darkness.

Their previously flickering, shadow-like bodies had solidified, revealing hulking, sinewy forms covered in jagged bone armor.

[New Enemy Detected: Hollow Reapers]

Threat Level: HighAbilities: Advanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Bone ArmorWeakness: Neck or Heart (Reinforced, but Killable)

So the real trial begins now.

One of the Reapers lunged forward, covering 20 meters in an instant.

The player closest to it—a spearman—didn't even have time to react.

The Reaper's claw pierced straight through his chest.

For a moment, the man just stared down at the claw buried in him, mouth opening and closing.

Then, with a violent twist, the monster ripped him in half.

Blood splattered across the battlefield.

"W-We can't fight these things!" someone screamed.

Some players tried to turn back, running toward the entry point.

From the shadows, Reapers burst forth—cutting down the deserters with savage efficiency.

The cowards die first.

A Dance with Death

One of the Reapers charged toward him.

He sidestepped at the last moment, narrowly avoiding a claw that could have easily split his skull open.

In that split second, his knife slashed out—aiming for its throat.

The blade bounced off the bone armor protecting its neck.

It reacted instantly—swinging a massive arm at him.

A gust of wind blew past his head, carrying the force of a killing blow.

His body moved like a shadow, weaving through the monster's attacks with surgical precision.

Then he exhaled—his eyes narrowing as he spotted an opening.

The joint of the armor—just beneath the armpit.

Without hesitation, he struck.

His knife plunged deep into the weak spot, piercing straight into the creature's heart.

It **staggered, screeched, and convulsed violently—**before collapsing.

[Enemy Defeated: Hollow Reaper]

EXP Gained: 5,500Item Drop: Reaper Bone Shard

Dozens more to go.

The Fortress Beckons

The fortress was close.

A massive stone gate loomed ahead, its surface carved with glowing runes.

It was sealed shut.

Ha-ri, barely keeping up, gasped for breath.

"We're—almost there!" she panted.

Joon-ho ignored her, instead focusing on the massive sigil embedded in the center of the gate.

[Unlocking the Fortress Gate]

Requirement: Defeat 100 Enemies within the Fortress PerimeterEnemies Defeated: 72 / 100

Joon-ho's grip tightened around his knife.

Another wave of Reapers surged forward.

The final battle for the First Gate's Fortress had begun.

Chapter 10 – The Fortress of the First Gate