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 moment the Guardian's whisper faded, the darkness surged.

Joon-ho's instincts screamed. His body tensed as the black mass rushed toward him, swallowing the air, warping the space around it. It wasn't just movement—it was consumption.

[Phantom Step – Advanced] Activated.

His form flickered, vanishing just as the void collapsed where he stood. The ground beneath him ceased to exist, devoured into an endless abyss.

Joon-ho reappeared several meters away.

But the Guardian was already there.

A tendril shot out, cutting through the air with a high-pitched wail. He twisted, narrowly avoiding the attack. The sheer force of it shattered the stone wall behind him.

"It's faster than before."

Joon-ho didn't hesitate. He retaliated, whipping the Chain of the Forsaken forward. The golden links coiled through the air, snapping toward the Guardian's shifting mass.

The moment the chain wrapped around the dark flesh, light erupted. The Guardian's form trembled, its endless red eyes flashing with pain.

Joon-ho yanked the chain with all his strength.

The Guardian lurched forward.

[Crimson Fang] Activated.

Joon-ho's dagger flashed. He twisted his body, aiming for the closest eye—and struck.

The blade sank deep.

A terrible screech filled the chamber. The Guardian convulsed, shadows writhing like living things.

Then, the darkness exploded.

A shockwave blasted outward, sending Joon-ho hurtling back. He twisted midair, flipping to land on his feet, sliding across the stone. His dagger vibrated in his grip.

The Guardian reformed.

Its wounds were already closing. The abyss devoured the damage, knitting its mass back together like nothing had happened.

"So, it can regenerate instantly."

Joon-ho exhaled. Then I'll have to destroy it faster than it can heal.

The Guardian's many red eyes focused on him.

"You fight well, but your struggle is meaningless."

It raised a hand. The darkness thickened, condensing into a shape. Joon-ho's heart pounded as the void solidified into a massive, jagged spear.

The Guardian thrust it forward.

[Spectral Shift – Advanced] Activated.

He split into two. His afterimage flickered a step behind—the perfect decoy—just as the spear shot forward at impossible speed.

The attack passed through the false Joon-ho.

But the real Joon-ho was already in the air, dagger raised, aiming for the Guardian's central mass.

This time, he wouldn't just cut it.

His free hand snapped forward, gripping the Chain of the Forsaken.

[Judgment Ignition – Forced Activation.]

A wave of golden fire erupted.

The Guardian screamed.

The divine flames burned through its form, searing away the abyssal corruption. The countless red eyes widened in agony.

Joon-ho landed, his breath coming fast. He wiped the blood from his lip, eyes locked on the Guardian's writhing form.

"You said my struggle is meaningless."****"Then why are you the one screaming?"

The chamber shook.

Darkness poured from the walls, flooding into the Guardian's form. Its wounds closed instantly. The abyss itself was healing it.

"Damn it. Unless I destroy its core, this will never end."

Joon-ho flexed his fingers around his dagger. Then I'll find its core—and I'll burn it to ash.

The Guardian's voice rumbled through the void.

"You think you are strong. But in the end, all light succumbs to the abyss."

Tendrils shot toward him—dozens of them, from every direction. There was no escape.

"Then let's see if you can swallow a star."

He charged forward.

Chapter 17 – The Wrath of the Abyss