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 fortress gate loomed ahead, but the battlefield was still drenched in blood.

The Reapers were relentless.

His blade carved through flesh, slipping past bone armor, striking at weak points with deadly precision.

His body moved like a specter, untouched by the chaos around him.

With every enemy that fell, the gate's seal weakened.

And he had 28 more to go.

The Players' Struggle

Screams filled the air as weaker players crumbled.

One man, a dual-sword wielder, barely managed to fend off a Reaper.

Another lunged from behind—tearing into his back.

His final scream was cut short as the Reaper bit down on his skull, crushing it like glass.

Another player—a spear-user—stabbed wildly, failing to pierce the monsters' defenses.

A clawed hand wrapped around his throat.

The Reaper lifted him effortlessly, ignoring his panicked struggles.

Then—a single twist.

His body went limp.

The Reapers didn't just kill.

Joon-ho remained unmoved.

The weak had no place in the Tower.

Ha-ri was barely holding on.

Her sword arm trembled as she swung desperately.

A Reaper lunged—too fast.

But Joon-ho was faster.

His knife flashed, slicing through the creature's eye socket.

Black blood splattered across the ground as it collapsed, screeching.

"Fight properly, or die."

Ha-ri swallowed, gripping her sword tighter.

She had no choice but to survive.

Joon-ho's Slaughter

The next Reaper charged.

Joon-ho sidestepped smoothly, dodging the first swipe.

His knife plunged into its exposed side.

The monster shrieked.

He twisted the blade—ripping through flesh.

[Enemy Defeated: Hollow Reaper]

EXP Gained: 5,500Enemies Defeated: 73 / 100

Another Reaper lunged.

Joon-ho ducked—slashed its throat open.

Blade through the heart.

A single, precise stab to the skull.

Every movement was lethal. Efficient.

[Enemies Defeated: 99 / 100]

Joon-ho turned toward the final monster.

And it stared directly at him.

This one was different.

Its blackened bones glowed faintly, its eyes burning with intelligence.

Joon-ho was the greatest threat here.

The Reaper let out a guttural snarl before vanishing in an instant.

Before she could finish, it reappeared behind Joon-ho.

A clawed hand swung down.

But Joon-ho… was already moving.

He leaned back, barely dodging, then spun—his blade cutting deep into its wrist.

The Reaper howled, stumbling.

One step. Then another.

The monster slashed wildly—desperate, reckless.

Joon-ho weaved between the attacks.

His knife sank into its chest.

The Reaper shuddered.

Its body convulsed.

The final enemy fell.

[Enemy Defeated: Hollow Reaper – Elite Variant]

EXP Gained: 7,500Item Drop: Hollow Core Fragment

The fortress gate trembled.

[Fortress Gate Unlocked]

The massive stone doors groaned open.

A howling wind swept through.

It was time to enter the fortress.

Would be even deadlier.

Chapter 11 – The Final 28 Kills