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Regression Is Too Much
Junho Kim
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718 chapters
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Kim Jun-ho enters a mysterious Tower with an extraordinary regression ability: even a minor injury can reset his progress. To survive the Tower’s deadly trials, he must learn from repeated attempts, master swordsmanship and find ways forward without taking a single hit.
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Audio chapters (359) · 1–30
1
Chapter 1
Kim Jun-ho wakes up in a forest clearing alongside a large crowd of confused humans. A winged tutorial fairy appears, mockingly greeting them before explaining that humanity must climb the Tower to avoid extinction. After the fairy vanishes, the crowd begins whispering and panicking. A man loudly shouts 'status window,' successfully triggering a system interface, which prompts others to try the same. Kim Jun-ho accesses his own window and discovers he possesses the EX-rank Regression ability, which allows him to return to the start of any floor upon death. Excited by this power, he impulsively runs into the nearby undergrowth to test it but immediately takes a minor cut from sharp leaves. The damage triggers an automatic regression, snapping him back to the exact moment he first woke up in the clearing. Confused and realizing that even a tiny scratch forces him back to the start, Jun-ho grimly understands that escaping the clearing will be extremely difficult.
8:21
Chapter 1
Kim Jun-ho wakes up in a forest clearing alongside a large crowd of confused humans. A winged tutorial fairy appears, mockingly greeting them before explaining that humanity must climb the Tower to avoid extinction. After the fairy vanishes, the crowd begins whispering and panicking. A man loudly shouts 'status window,' successfully triggering a system interface, which prompts others to try the same. Kim Jun-ho accesses his own window and discovers he possesses the EX-rank Regression ability, which allows him to return to the start of any floor upon death. Excited by this power, he impulsively runs into the nearby undergrowth to test it but immediately takes a minor cut from sharp leaves. The damage triggers an automatic regression, snapping him back to the exact moment he first woke up in the clearing. Confused and realizing that even a tiny scratch forces him back to the start, Jun-ho grimly understands that escaping the clearing will be extremely difficult.
8:21
2
Chapter 2
The protagonist tests the Tower's regression mechanics by inflicting varying degrees of pain, discovering that even a minor cut from grass triggers a reset to the tutorial's start. After confirming the rules, he observes the chaotic clearing where players react to the tutorial fairy's announcement. Some panic about their daily lives, others clamor for status windows, and a few experiment with weapons or dig for hidden loot. The fairy explains the two clear conditions: find a Golden Marble or defeat the Goblin Shaman. Faced with the choice, most players abandon cooperation and head into the forest to hunt for marbles or form parties. The protagonist, unable to risk injury, stays behind to practice swordsmanship alongside a focused pony-tailed woman, while a middle-aged man digs frantically nearby. As evening approaches, a sudden scream signals the first death, confirming the tutorial's deadly stakes.
9:34
Chapter 2
The protagonist tests the Tower's regression mechanics by inflicting varying degrees of pain, discovering that even a minor cut from grass triggers a reset to the tutorial's start. After confirming the rules, he observes the chaotic clearing where players react to the tutorial fairy's announcement. Some panic about their daily lives, others clamor for status windows, and a few experiment with weapons or dig for hidden loot. The fairy explains the two clear conditions: find a Golden Marble or defeat the Goblin Shaman. Faced with the choice, most players abandon cooperation and head into the forest to hunt for marbles or form parties. The protagonist, unable to risk injury, stays behind to practice swordsmanship alongside a focused pony-tailed woman, while a middle-aged man digs frantically nearby. As evening approaches, a sudden scream signals the first death, confirming the tutorial's deadly stakes.
9:34
3
Chapter 3
Kim Jun-ho spends his first day practicing sword swings in a clearing, quickly realizing his physical strength and technique are severely lacking. As night falls and hunger sets in, a young bob-cut girl approaches him asking for food, but he has nothing to offer. The next morning, Park Cheol-jin, a muscular firefighter with gray-streaked hair, rallies the group to search for a water source, leaving most of the clearing behind. Kim Jun-ho remains, enduring thirst and hunger until the pony-tailed woman who had left earlier returns carrying a massive supply of calorie bars and water. She explains she obtained the loot by killing a monster. When Kim Jun-ho dramatically begs to become her disciple to protect the remaining people, she coldly rejects him, slashes his nose as a warning, and triggers his regression back to the start of Floor 0.
7:28
Chapter 3
Kim Jun-ho spends his first day practicing sword swings in a clearing, quickly realizing his physical strength and technique are severely lacking. As night falls and hunger sets in, a young bob-cut girl approaches him asking for food, but he has nothing to offer. The next morning, Park Cheol-jin, a muscular firefighter with gray-streaked hair, rallies the group to search for a water source, leaving most of the clearing behind. Kim Jun-ho remains, enduring thirst and hunger until the pony-tailed woman who had left earlier returns carrying a massive supply of calorie bars and water. She explains she obtained the loot by killing a monster. When Kim Jun-ho dramatically begs to become her disciple to protect the remaining people, she coldly rejects him, slashes his nose as a warning, and triggers his regression back to the start of Floor 0.
7:28
4
Chapter 4
Kim Jun-ho regresses to the start of the tutorial after failing to extract information from a pony-tailed woman. He attempts to survive the clearing by wrapping himself in the jackets of fellow tutorial players, using the thick clothing to protect against the Tower's sensitive damage-triggered rewind mechanic. While teaching the basics of sword stance to a nervous man and another player, the tutorial fairy initiates the stage. Kim Jun-ho ventures into the tall grass, where he encounters goblins. He kills one with his bare, wrapped fists and receives a wooden box containing lip balm. However, he is ambushed by multiple goblins, takes damage, and regresses again. He repeats the attempt with a sword and then with companions, but the relentless swarm and awkward movement force another regression. Frustrated by his inability to clear the stage without taking a wound, he resolves to either endure the grueling combat or befriend the skilled pony-tailed woman to survive.
7:50
Chapter 4
Kim Jun-ho regresses to the start of the tutorial after failing to extract information from a pony-tailed woman. He attempts to survive the clearing by wrapping himself in the jackets of fellow tutorial players, using the thick clothing to protect against the Tower's sensitive damage-triggered rewind mechanic. While teaching the basics of sword stance to a nervous man and another player, the tutorial fairy initiates the stage. Kim Jun-ho ventures into the tall grass, where he encounters goblins. He kills one with his bare, wrapped fists and receives a wooden box containing lip balm. However, he is ambushed by multiple goblins, takes damage, and regresses again. He repeats the attempt with a sword and then with companions, but the relentless swarm and awkward movement force another regression. Frustrated by his inability to clear the stage without taking a wound, he resolves to either endure the grueling combat or befriend the skilled pony-tailed woman to survive.
7:50
5
Chapter 5
The chapter opens with the Tutorial Fairy explaining the Tower's purpose and distributing weapons to the new players. Kim Jun-ho observes the pony-tailed Choi Ji-won, noting her professional-grade sword and intense demeanor. After the fairy finishes, players begin shouting commands to open their status windows. Choi Ji-won reacts with shock upon viewing hers. Jun-ho tests her awareness by staring intensely, which earns him a sharp slap and a curse. He regresses, waking up and cursing his location. He then deliberately tests her hearing by loudly complimenting her figure from a distance. Choi Ji-won instantly closes the distance, kicks him brutally, and dismisses him as trash. After another regression, Jun-ho realizes her trait grants her exceptional situational awareness. He then stands before the crowd, introduces himself, and attempts to win her favor by acting as a 'nice guy'.
7:15
Chapter 5
The chapter opens with the Tutorial Fairy explaining the Tower's purpose and distributing weapons to the new players. Kim Jun-ho observes the pony-tailed Choi Ji-won, noting her professional-grade sword and intense demeanor. After the fairy finishes, players begin shouting commands to open their status windows. Choi Ji-won reacts with shock upon viewing hers. Jun-ho tests her awareness by staring intensely, which earns him a sharp slap and a curse. He regresses, waking up and cursing his location. He then deliberately tests her hearing by loudly complimenting her figure from a distance. Choi Ji-won instantly closes the distance, kicks him brutally, and dismisses him as trash. After another regression, Jun-ho realizes her trait grants her exceptional situational awareness. He then stands before the crowd, introduces himself, and attempts to win her favor by acting as a 'nice guy'.
7:15
6
Chapter 6
The chapter opens with a vocal crowd member urging cooperation to defeat the Goblin Shaman boss, but the group remains skeptical and divided. Choi Cheol-sun, a firefighter, argues for staying put and waiting for rescue, dismissing the Tower's announcements as illusions. Kim Jun-ho, playing the role of a naive idealist, proposes teaming up but receives only indifference and mockery. He then feigns a reckless attempt to face the boss alone, prompting Choi Ji-won to intervene. She questions his intentions and, despite her sword Bung-bung's warnings, impulsively offers to teach him swordsmanship. The scene highlights the tension between survival instincts and the protagonist's calculated performance, setting up a mentorship dynamic.
8:16
Chapter 6
The chapter opens with a vocal crowd member urging cooperation to defeat the Goblin Shaman boss, but the group remains skeptical and divided. Choi Cheol-sun, a firefighter, argues for staying put and waiting for rescue, dismissing the Tower's announcements as illusions. Kim Jun-ho, playing the role of a naive idealist, proposes teaming up but receives only indifference and mockery. He then feigns a reckless attempt to face the boss alone, prompting Choi Ji-won to intervene. She questions his intentions and, despite her sword Bung-bung's warnings, impulsively offers to teach him swordsmanship. The scene highlights the tension between survival instincts and the protagonist's calculated performance, setting up a mentorship dynamic.
8:16
7
Chapter 7
The protagonist attempts to hide his true swordsmanship from a pony-tailed girl to gain her cooperation, but she quickly sees through his act. After exchanging names, she begins instructing him, but her sharp observation leads her to suspect he is concealing his abilities. Frustrated by his evasive answers and lies about his background, she strikes him unconscious, triggering a regression to the start of Floor 0. The cycle repeats several times as the protagonist tries different excuses and displays of skill, only to be rebuffed or knocked out again by the girl, who remains unconvinced by his claims of being a novice. Eventually, he admits he has never held a sword before, which finally satisfies her enough to let him continue the lesson. She critiques his lack of natural talent and warns him against relying on his existing knowledge, setting a long-term goal for him to master swordsmanship under her guidance.
8:26
Chapter 7
The protagonist attempts to hide his true swordsmanship from a pony-tailed girl to gain her cooperation, but she quickly sees through his act. After exchanging names, she begins instructing him, but her sharp observation leads her to suspect he is concealing his abilities. Frustrated by his evasive answers and lies about his background, she strikes him unconscious, triggering a regression to the start of Floor 0. The cycle repeats several times as the protagonist tries different excuses and displays of skill, only to be rebuffed or knocked out again by the girl, who remains unconvinced by his claims of being a novice. Eventually, he admits he has never held a sword before, which finally satisfies her enough to let him continue the lesson. She critiques his lack of natural talent and warns him against relying on his existing knowledge, setting a long-term goal for him to master swordsmanship under her guidance.
8:26
8
Chapter 8
Kim Jun-ho regresses to the start of Floor 0, where a sprite-like guide delivers a briefing. He automatically repeats his routine speech to rally the crowd, then trains under Choi Ji-won. After taking damage and regressing again, he laughs maniacally mid-swing. Ji-won observes him, commands him to get up, and delivers blunt coaching feedback, noting his moves are merely 'not bad.' Jun-ho collapses in despair, realizing his ordinary limits. Ji-won converses with her sentient sword, Bung-bung, who points out that Jun-ho's sluggishness is an illusion caused by her newly sharpened senses. Realizing she misjudged him, Ji-won prepares to apologize, but Jun-ho self-harms and regresses once more. This time, he resolves to do nothing and laze around. He ignores the guide, watches a middle-aged man dig, and interacts briefly with nearby players. Choi Cheol-sun leads the group away to find water. Ji-won returns with food, and Jun-ho peacefully eats a calorie bar, testing whether the clearing is truly a safe zone.
6:58
Chapter 8
Kim Jun-ho regresses to the start of Floor 0, where a sprite-like guide delivers a briefing. He automatically repeats his routine speech to rally the crowd, then trains under Choi Ji-won. After taking damage and regressing again, he laughs maniacally mid-swing. Ji-won observes him, commands him to get up, and delivers blunt coaching feedback, noting his moves are merely 'not bad.' Jun-ho collapses in despair, realizing his ordinary limits. Ji-won converses with her sentient sword, Bung-bung, who points out that Jun-ho's sluggishness is an illusion caused by her newly sharpened senses. Realizing she misjudged him, Ji-won prepares to apologize, but Jun-ho self-harms and regresses once more. This time, he resolves to do nothing and laze around. He ignores the guide, watches a middle-aged man dig, and interacts briefly with nearby players. Choi Cheol-sun leads the group away to find water. Ji-won returns with food, and Jun-ho peacefully eats a calorie bar, testing whether the clearing is truly a safe zone.
6:58
9
Chapter 9
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won spend several days in a safe clearing, resting and observing the other players. Baek Da-hye and Kim Se-in join them, with Da-hye cheerfully introducing Se-in and sharing gossip about Ji-won. The group settles into a routine of waiting for Ji-won to return with supplies. Tension rises when the ground begins to shake, prompting panicked warnings from Se-in. A massive bull-headed monster crashes into the clearing, causing damage and triggering a regression to the start of Floor 0.
7:40
Chapter 9
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won spend several days in a safe clearing, resting and observing the other players. Baek Da-hye and Kim Se-in join them, with Da-hye cheerfully introducing Se-in and sharing gossip about Ji-won. The group settles into a routine of waiting for Ji-won to return with supplies. Tension rises when the ground begins to shake, prompting panicked warnings from Se-in. A massive bull-headed monster crashes into the clearing, causing damage and triggering a regression to the start of Floor 0.
7:40
10
Chapter 10
Kim Jun-ho endures the excruciating pain of death and regression, reflecting on the psychological toll of repeating the tutorial. He awakens to the Tutorial Fairy's cheerful but deadly briefing and quickly decides to leave the safe zone rather than camp. His first attempt to clear the dense brush using fire fails due to the moist summer environment, prompting a regression. After realizing his mistake, he switches to cutting the vegetation with a sword, a task that exhausts him but proves his growing skill under Choi Ji-won's training. Baek Da-hye briefly approaches to ask about his efforts, explaining her own allergy to plants. Choi Ji-won returns with supplies and tells him to eat. Finally, goblins ambush him, but Jun-ho effortlessly dispatches them, marking a significant step in his combat readiness.
6:39
Chapter 10
Kim Jun-ho endures the excruciating pain of death and regression, reflecting on the psychological toll of repeating the tutorial. He awakens to the Tutorial Fairy's cheerful but deadly briefing and quickly decides to leave the safe zone rather than camp. His first attempt to clear the dense brush using fire fails due to the moist summer environment, prompting a regression. After realizing his mistake, he switches to cutting the vegetation with a sword, a task that exhausts him but proves his growing skill under Choi Ji-won's training. Baek Da-hye briefly approaches to ask about his efforts, explaining her own allergy to plants. Choi Ji-won returns with supplies and tells him to eat. Finally, goblins ambush him, but Jun-ho effortlessly dispatches them, marking a significant step in his combat readiness.
6:39
11
Chapter 11
Kim Jun-ho spends another grueling day hacking through dense tutorial grass, killing dozens of goblins and growing accustomed to the violence. Exhausted, he returns to a clearing where Choi Ji-won has quietly prepared food and water for him. After eating and resting, he checks his status window, noting that leveling up does not instantly heal wounds or restore stamina, making it useless for mid-combat exploitation. Venturing out of the grassy safe zone, he finds the landscape open but eerily quiet until a woman's shriek draws his attention. He discovers her and two men ambushed by a pack of intelligent, spear-wielding goblins. Weighing the high risk of regression against the moral imperative to intervene, he hesitates until Ji-won appears and instantly decapitates the goblins with a single, impossibly fast strike. Jun-ho attempts to explain his delay, but Ji-won cuts him off with a sharp rebuke and strikes him with her scabbard before the Tower triggers a regression.
6:41
Chapter 11
Kim Jun-ho spends another grueling day hacking through dense tutorial grass, killing dozens of goblins and growing accustomed to the violence. Exhausted, he returns to a clearing where Choi Ji-won has quietly prepared food and water for him. After eating and resting, he checks his status window, noting that leveling up does not instantly heal wounds or restore stamina, making it useless for mid-combat exploitation. Venturing out of the grassy safe zone, he finds the landscape open but eerily quiet until a woman's shriek draws his attention. He discovers her and two men ambushed by a pack of intelligent, spear-wielding goblins. Weighing the high risk of regression against the moral imperative to intervene, he hesitates until Ji-won appears and instantly decapitates the goblins with a single, impossibly fast strike. Jun-ho attempts to explain his delay, but Ji-won cuts him off with a sharp rebuke and strikes him with her scabbard before the Tower triggers a regression.
6:41
12
Chapter 12
Kim Jun-ho regresses and checks his status, confirming he remains at Level 3. He realizes he can manipulate the timeline by acting earlier, so he waits near the ambush site instead of cutting grass. A group of five players—four men and one woman—approaches. The blond thug pressures the glasses-wearing man to break their agreement on sharing Golden Marbles, arguing that resources are scarce and they must act now. The glasses man reluctantly agrees, and the thug sends Jun-woo away to create a distraction while he stalls the others. Jun-woo returns with a dozen goblins following him, revealing a monster-controlling trait. Kim Jun-ho observes the unfolding betrayal and the goblins' appearance, realizing his actions have altered the timeline and that the goblins are not random but tied to a specific player's ability.
7:23
Chapter 12
Kim Jun-ho regresses and checks his status, confirming he remains at Level 3. He realizes he can manipulate the timeline by acting earlier, so he waits near the ambush site instead of cutting grass. A group of five players—four men and one woman—approaches. The blond thug pressures the glasses-wearing man to break their agreement on sharing Golden Marbles, arguing that resources are scarce and they must act now. The glasses man reluctantly agrees, and the thug sends Jun-woo away to create a distraction while he stalls the others. Jun-woo returns with a dozen goblins following him, revealing a monster-controlling trait. Kim Jun-ho observes the unfolding betrayal and the goblins' appearance, realizing his actions have altered the timeline and that the goblins are not random but tied to a specific player's ability.
7:23
13
Chapter 13
Kim Jun-ho observes a goblin squad and their human leader, Park Jun-woo, hiding in the brush. Weighing his options between stealing the Golden Marbles or allying with the survivors, he chooses the latter to gather information before Choi Ji-won arrives. As Jun-woo lures his companions—a thug with telekinesis and a female survivor—toward the goblins, Jun-ho launches a surprise attack. He targets the thug first, dodging a telekinetic strike and killing him in a single clean cut. The female survivor screams in terror. Faced with Jun-ho's calm demeanor and lethal skill, Jun-woo immediately surrenders, begging for his life. Jun-ho accepts, securing an alliance and the opportunity to acquire a new trait.
6:45
Chapter 13
Kim Jun-ho observes a goblin squad and their human leader, Park Jun-woo, hiding in the brush. Weighing his options between stealing the Golden Marbles or allying with the survivors, he chooses the latter to gather information before Choi Ji-won arrives. As Jun-woo lures his companions—a thug with telekinesis and a female survivor—toward the goblins, Jun-ho launches a surprise attack. He targets the thug first, dodging a telekinetic strike and killing him in a single clean cut. The female survivor screams in terror. Faced with Jun-ho's calm demeanor and lethal skill, Jun-woo immediately surrenders, begging for his life. Jun-ho accepts, securing an alliance and the opportunity to acquire a new trait.
6:45
14
Chapter 14
Kim Jun-ho pauses in the Tutorial after killing a thug, noticing a status window offering him a trait. Time freezes as he contemplates the choice, observing the terrified emotions radiating from a scrawny kid, a girl, and two other applicants. He instinctively perceives the scrawny kid's fear, revulsion, and awe, ultimately selecting awe to gain a trait that balances strength with social utility. After checking his status and confirming the Awe trait, time resumes. The scrawny kid pleads for his life while the girl, flushed and trembling, remarks that he looks cool. Kim Jun-ho questions her, prompting her to clarify that his overwhelming power inspires both admiration and fear, revealing that the trait he chose inherently includes a fear component.
8:37
Chapter 14
Kim Jun-ho pauses in the Tutorial after killing a thug, noticing a status window offering him a trait. Time freezes as he contemplates the choice, observing the terrified emotions radiating from a scrawny kid, a girl, and two other applicants. He instinctively perceives the scrawny kid's fear, revulsion, and awe, ultimately selecting awe to gain a trait that balances strength with social utility. After checking his status and confirming the Awe trait, time resumes. The scrawny kid pleads for his life while the girl, flushed and trembling, remarks that he looks cool. Kim Jun-ho questions her, prompting her to clarify that his overwhelming power inspires both admiration and fear, revealing that the trait he chose inherently includes a fear component.
8:37
15
Chapter 15
Kim Jun-ho encounters a group of survivors who rescued him from goblins but politely decline his offer to join their party. The group's leader, Ahn Gyeong-nam, explains how they obtained two Golden Marbles by ambushing a powerful, tattooed goblin using dominated monsters and telekinesis. Jun-ho then questions the scrawny kid from the group, Park Jun-woo, who reveals his unique status window featuring two separate levels and a stats pane. Jun-woo explains that his second level came from a 'Legendary Venture' achievement after landing the killing blow on the giant goblin. This prompts Jun-ho to check his own status window, where he discovers a wall of hidden messages stating that the gap between him and normal monsters is too great for him to gain experience, confirming that his Regression trait is the cause of his stalled progression.
8:44
Chapter 15
Kim Jun-ho encounters a group of survivors who rescued him from goblins but politely decline his offer to join their party. The group's leader, Ahn Gyeong-nam, explains how they obtained two Golden Marbles by ambushing a powerful, tattooed goblin using dominated monsters and telekinesis. Jun-ho then questions the scrawny kid from the group, Park Jun-woo, who reveals his unique status window featuring two separate levels and a stats pane. Jun-woo explains that his second level came from a 'Legendary Venture' achievement after landing the killing blow on the giant goblin. This prompts Jun-ho to check his own status window, where he discovers a wall of hidden messages stating that the gap between him and normal monsters is too great for him to gain experience, confirming that his Regression trait is the cause of his stalled progression.
8:44
16
Chapter 16
Kim Jun-ho examines the Tower's status window, noting that his EX-grade Regression skill prevents him from gaining normal levels or experience, which he views as an unfair restriction despite the power's long-term potential. He questions his goblin subordinate, Scrawny, about the loot from a strong goblin, learning that it dropped Golden Marbles, experience points, and provisions like water and chocolate bars. This reveals that Choi Ji-won has likely been hoarding Golden Marbles by selectively hunting powerful monsters. Concluding his interrogation, Jun-ho sets out to locate the tutorial's hidden boss, the Minotaurus, and map out the remaining marbles. He follows a foul smell to a massive, toxic purple swamp surrounding the tutorial island, realizing the area is too dangerous to enter. After stepping forward and inhaling the poison, he is immediately forced to regress back to the start of Floor 0.
7:59
Chapter 16
Kim Jun-ho examines the Tower's status window, noting that his EX-grade Regression skill prevents him from gaining normal levels or experience, which he views as an unfair restriction despite the power's long-term potential. He questions his goblin subordinate, Scrawny, about the loot from a strong goblin, learning that it dropped Golden Marbles, experience points, and provisions like water and chocolate bars. This reveals that Choi Ji-won has likely been hoarding Golden Marbles by selectively hunting powerful monsters. Concluding his interrogation, Jun-ho sets out to locate the tutorial's hidden boss, the Minotaurus, and map out the remaining marbles. He follows a foul smell to a massive, toxic purple swamp surrounding the tutorial island, realizing the area is too dangerous to enter. After stepping forward and inhaling the poison, he is immediately forced to regress back to the start of Floor 0.
7:59
17
Chapter 17
Kim Jun-ho regresses to the start of Floor 0 and immediately tests his new Awe trait by bluffing the crowd as a former secret agent. The experiment fails, as the newcomers remain indifferent rather than fearful or respectful. He deduces that Awe only amplifies pre-existing feelings, which explains why the scrawny kid and survivor trio from previous cycles reacted so strongly. To verify this, he demonstrates his swordsmanship to a group of players, successfully triggering their awe and prompting them to ask for lessons. When he demands their traits as payment, their hesitation confirms his theory. Dissatisfied with the results, he shifts focus to Choi Ji-won, aiming to extract information about her background and traits. He approaches her and asks if she has a boyfriend, only to be met with a swift, painful elbow strike, forcing another regression.
8:52
Chapter 17
Kim Jun-ho regresses to the start of Floor 0 and immediately tests his new Awe trait by bluffing the crowd as a former secret agent. The experiment fails, as the newcomers remain indifferent rather than fearful or respectful. He deduces that Awe only amplifies pre-existing feelings, which explains why the scrawny kid and survivor trio from previous cycles reacted so strongly. To verify this, he demonstrates his swordsmanship to a group of players, successfully triggering their awe and prompting them to ask for lessons. When he demands their traits as payment, their hesitation confirms his theory. Dissatisfied with the results, he shifts focus to Choi Ji-won, aiming to extract information about her background and traits. He approaches her and asks if she has a boyfriend, only to be met with a swift, painful elbow strike, forcing another regression.
8:52
18
Chapter 18
Kim Jun-ho repeatedly attempts to build rapport with Choi Ji-won by guessing her university, but she responds with cold hostility and swift violence, forcing him to regress. He reflects on her unyielding nature and considers alternative strategies, such as following other survivors or testing her limits. The narrative then shifts to Kim Jun-gyu, who, along with two companions, recklessly hunts a mutant goblin. His overconfident junior friend is killed instantly, and Jun-gyu flees in terror, eventually collapsing. A mysterious savior intervenes, slaying the goblin and offering Jun-gyu comfort and guidance toward a safe haven, leaving Jun-gyu shaken but grateful.
7:43
Chapter 18
Kim Jun-ho repeatedly attempts to build rapport with Choi Ji-won by guessing her university, but she responds with cold hostility and swift violence, forcing him to regress. He reflects on her unyielding nature and considers alternative strategies, such as following other survivors or testing her limits. The narrative then shifts to Kim Jun-gyu, who, along with two companions, recklessly hunts a mutant goblin. His overconfident junior friend is killed instantly, and Jun-gyu flees in terror, eventually collapsing. A mysterious savior intervenes, slaying the goblin and offering Jun-gyu comfort and guidance toward a safe haven, leaving Jun-gyu shaken but grateful.
7:43
19
Chapter 19
Kim Jun-ho spends a day wandering the Tower, urging ordinary climbers to return to the clearing. He encounters various exhausted and fearful individuals, some desperate for food and shelter, others arrogant and dismissive. He rescues several climbers from goblin attacks, earning their tearful gratitude and triggering the acquisition of multiple FFF-grade traits like Relief, Faith, and Respect. Realizing these traits are too weak, he fuses them into a single F-grade Hero trait. He reflects on his level progression, achievements, and the psychological toll of looping, deciding against killing people to preserve his sanity. As night falls, he tries to calm his mind by imagining a cute manul cat, but is interrupted by Choi Ji-won, who confronts him about sending people back to the clearing.
9:52
Chapter 19
Kim Jun-ho spends a day wandering the Tower, urging ordinary climbers to return to the clearing. He encounters various exhausted and fearful individuals, some desperate for food and shelter, others arrogant and dismissive. He rescues several climbers from goblin attacks, earning their tearful gratitude and triggering the acquisition of multiple FFF-grade traits like Relief, Faith, and Respect. Realizing these traits are too weak, he fuses them into a single F-grade Hero trait. He reflects on his level progression, achievements, and the psychological toll of looping, deciding against killing people to preserve his sanity. As night falls, he tries to calm his mind by imagining a cute manul cat, but is interrupted by Choi Ji-won, who confronts him about sending people back to the clearing.
9:52
20
Chapter 20
Choi Ji-won tracks down Kim Jun-ho and confronts him about his presence away from the clearing. She questions his motives, and he deflects by claiming he moved weaker players to safety because he recognized her as the strongest protector. She presses him on how he knew she would distribute food, and he offers a plausible guess. Convinced of his good intentions, Ji-won asks for his help managing the growing population and food shortages. They return to the clearing together, where they distribute rations among the thirty survivors. Afterward, Kim Jun-ho asks why she stays to protect the weak instead of pursuing stronger rewards like Golden Marbles. Ji-won explains that she was taught it is the duty of the strong to protect those nearby. Kim Jun-ho recognizes this as a core part of her character, likely tied to a past mentor, and resolves to uncover the identity of that person to gain her trust.
9:04
Chapter 20
Choi Ji-won tracks down Kim Jun-ho and confronts him about his presence away from the clearing. She questions his motives, and he deflects by claiming he moved weaker players to safety because he recognized her as the strongest protector. She presses him on how he knew she would distribute food, and he offers a plausible guess. Convinced of his good intentions, Ji-won asks for his help managing the growing population and food shortages. They return to the clearing together, where they distribute rations among the thirty survivors. Afterward, Kim Jun-ho asks why she stays to protect the weak instead of pursuing stronger rewards like Golden Marbles. Ji-won explains that she was taught it is the duty of the strong to protect those nearby. Kim Jun-ho recognizes this as a core part of her character, likely tied to a past mentor, and resolves to uncover the identity of that person to gain her trust.
9:04
21
Chapter 21
Kim Jun-ho wakes to find Choi Ji-won training nearby. She hands him a shovel to help clear grass in the cramped camp, and a few local men volunteer to assist before being dismissed. Over the next three days, Jun-ho acts as her errand runner, fetching supplies and enduring brutal sprint training. During these runs, Ji-won reveals her trait allows her to sense powerful enemies from afar, though she cannot detect the boss or anything weaker than a certain threshold. She also shares a Golden Marble with Jun-ho, comparing his ambition to that of her late father. On the sixth day, Park Cheol-jin, the firefighter who previously led a clearing group, approaches them. He acknowledges their strength and asks for their help, revealing that his group has successfully located the floor's boss.
9:14
Chapter 21
Kim Jun-ho wakes to find Choi Ji-won training nearby. She hands him a shovel to help clear grass in the cramped camp, and a few local men volunteer to assist before being dismissed. Over the next three days, Jun-ho acts as her errand runner, fetching supplies and enduring brutal sprint training. During these runs, Ji-won reveals her trait allows her to sense powerful enemies from afar, though she cannot detect the boss or anything weaker than a certain threshold. She also shares a Golden Marble with Jun-ho, comparing his ambition to that of her late father. On the sixth day, Park Cheol-jin, the firefighter who previously led a clearing group, approaches them. He acknowledges their strength and asks for their help, revealing that his group has successfully located the floor's boss.
9:14
22
Chapter 22
Park Cheol-jin leads Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won through the forest to a clearing with three wooden cabins. Cheol-jin explains that Kim Gun-do, a digger from the original clearing group, found a goblin tunnel that led them here. Inside the empty cabins, Cheol-jin questions Ji-won and Jun-ho about their advanced sword skills. Ji-won reveals her father was a kendo instructor named Choi Cheol-sun, prompting a brief, somatic exchange with Cheol-jin who recognizes the name. Jun-ho claims his skills came from a Tower trait. Cheol-jin then leads them to the boss area, where they find the Goblin Shaman—a frail, sickly goblin standing on a sigil. Cheol-jin explains that killing it opens a portal, but the real danger is a Minotaur sealed beneath the sigil, which the Shaman is barely keeping contained.
8:26
Chapter 22
Park Cheol-jin leads Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won through the forest to a clearing with three wooden cabins. Cheol-jin explains that Kim Gun-do, a digger from the original clearing group, found a goblin tunnel that led them here. Inside the empty cabins, Cheol-jin questions Ji-won and Jun-ho about their advanced sword skills. Ji-won reveals her father was a kendo instructor named Choi Cheol-sun, prompting a brief, somatic exchange with Cheol-jin who recognizes the name. Jun-ho claims his skills came from a Tower trait. Cheol-jin then leads them to the boss area, where they find the Goblin Shaman—a frail, sickly goblin standing on a sigil. Cheol-jin explains that killing it opens a portal, but the real danger is a Minotaur sealed beneath the sigil, which the Shaman is barely keeping contained.
8:26
23
Chapter 23
Kim Jun-ho, Park Cheol-jin, and Choi Ji-won observe a massive Minotaur sealed inside a glass-like sphere, bound by a purple rope connected to a dying Goblin Shaman. Cheol-jin explains the dire situation and asks Ji-won if she can defeat the beast; she admits the matchup is unfavorable. Jun-ho suggests cutting the Minotaur's neck while it is sealed, but Cheol-jin reveals they have already tried everything and urges Jun-ho to touch the sphere. Upon contact, Jun-ho confirms the protective seal. Cheol-jin worries about the Tower's cruel design, which forces players into selfish conflicts over Golden Marbles and allows a survivor to kill the boss and escape via a portal, leaving others to die. Frustrated by the god's malice, Cheol-jin and Ji-won step away to calm their emotions. Jun-ho remains with the dying Goblin Shaman, recalling past timelines and realizing he has about 20 hours before the goblin's natural death triggers the boss's release. The goblin suddenly gasps for help, sensing a human nearby.
9:11
Chapter 23
Kim Jun-ho, Park Cheol-jin, and Choi Ji-won observe a massive Minotaur sealed inside a glass-like sphere, bound by a purple rope connected to a dying Goblin Shaman. Cheol-jin explains the dire situation and asks Ji-won if she can defeat the beast; she admits the matchup is unfavorable. Jun-ho suggests cutting the Minotaur's neck while it is sealed, but Cheol-jin reveals they have already tried everything and urges Jun-ho to touch the sphere. Upon contact, Jun-ho confirms the protective seal. Cheol-jin worries about the Tower's cruel design, which forces players into selfish conflicts over Golden Marbles and allows a survivor to kill the boss and escape via a portal, leaving others to die. Frustrated by the god's malice, Cheol-jin and Ji-won step away to calm their emotions. Jun-ho remains with the dying Goblin Shaman, recalling past timelines and realizing he has about 20 hours before the goblin's natural death triggers the boss's release. The goblin suddenly gasps for help, sensing a human nearby.
9:11
24
Chapter 24
Kim Jun-ho encounters the Goblin Shaman, an elderly blind goblin leader who repeatedly calls him human and explains that a Minotaur demon was accidentally freed from an ancient labyrinth beneath the island. The Shaman, whose lifespan is nearly exhausted from maintaining the seal, begs for help to kill the monster. Choi Ji-won interrupts to privately discuss the consequences of killing the boss, noting that their situation differs because she can hold off the Minotaur while others escape through the portal. Kim Jun-ho firmly rejects the sacrifice plan, citing both logical reasoning and personal refusal to let her die. He asks for until tomorrow morning to find another solution. After Ji-won leaves to gather people, Kim Jun-ho returns to the Shaman and asks about the Minotaur's protective barrier, proposing a plan to gather strong players to push the barrier into the swamp.
9:16
Chapter 24
Kim Jun-ho encounters the Goblin Shaman, an elderly blind goblin leader who repeatedly calls him human and explains that a Minotaur demon was accidentally freed from an ancient labyrinth beneath the island. The Shaman, whose lifespan is nearly exhausted from maintaining the seal, begs for help to kill the monster. Choi Ji-won interrupts to privately discuss the consequences of killing the boss, noting that their situation differs because she can hold off the Minotaur while others escape through the portal. Kim Jun-ho firmly rejects the sacrifice plan, citing both logical reasoning and personal refusal to let her die. He asks for until tomorrow morning to find another solution. After Ji-won leaves to gather people, Kim Jun-ho returns to the Shaman and asks about the Minotaur's protective barrier, proposing a plan to gather strong players to push the barrier into the swamp.
9:16
25
Chapter 25
The group finalizes a risky plan to roll the Minotaur into a toxic swamp to avoid sacrificing Choi Ji-won. Park Cheol-jin coordinates gathering volunteers from the clearing and his own group, while the dying Goblin Shaman warns that rolling the beast will break its mana seal, causing a massive explosion. To prevent this, the shaman demands Golden Marbles to reinforce the barrier, offering a three-second window to attack the monster instead. Kim Jun-ho decides to trust the goblin and bet on everyone's survival rather than relying on the marbles for escape. As the group prepares, a scrawny young man with a Hardening trait offers to solidify the sinking ground, followed by Baek Da-hye providing buffs. United and emotionally bolstered, the climbers push the Minotaur's protective barrier toward the swamp, enduring physical strain and the shaman's deteriorating condition as they race against time.
10:30
Chapter 25
The group finalizes a risky plan to roll the Minotaur into a toxic swamp to avoid sacrificing Choi Ji-won. Park Cheol-jin coordinates gathering volunteers from the clearing and his own group, while the dying Goblin Shaman warns that rolling the beast will break its mana seal, causing a massive explosion. To prevent this, the shaman demands Golden Marbles to reinforce the barrier, offering a three-second window to attack the monster instead. Kim Jun-ho decides to trust the goblin and bet on everyone's survival rather than relying on the marbles for escape. As the group prepares, a scrawny young man with a Hardening trait offers to solidify the sinking ground, followed by Baek Da-hye providing buffs. United and emotionally bolstered, the climbers push the Minotaur's protective barrier toward the swamp, enduring physical strain and the shaman's deteriorating condition as they race against time.
10:30
26
Chapter 26
The chapter depicts the climax of the battle against the Minotaur. Players push a protective barrier through a toxic swamp, counting down until the barrier sinks and seals the monster. The Goblin Shaman, who aided them, releases the final seal and collapses from exhaustion. After the Minotaur is defeated, the exhausted players return, celebrating their victory and praising the protagonist. The protagonist approaches the Shaman, who accepts his impending death and gives him a voice pebble. As the protagonist prepares to kill the Shaman to open the portal, the creature vanishes in an illusion, revealing he stole the Golden Marbles and escaped into the swamp. The players realize they have been tricked, and the portal appears in the toxic swamp instead of a safe location.
10:10
Chapter 26
The chapter depicts the climax of the battle against the Minotaur. Players push a protective barrier through a toxic swamp, counting down until the barrier sinks and seals the monster. The Goblin Shaman, who aided them, releases the final seal and collapses from exhaustion. After the Minotaur is defeated, the exhausted players return, celebrating their victory and praising the protagonist. The protagonist approaches the Shaman, who accepts his impending death and gives him a voice pebble. As the protagonist prepares to kill the Shaman to open the portal, the creature vanishes in an illusion, revealing he stole the Golden Marbles and escaped into the swamp. The players realize they have been tricked, and the portal appears in the toxic swamp instead of a safe location.
10:10
27
Chapter 27
The chapter opens with the protagonist processing the Goblin Shaman's tragic confession and final apology. Despite the emotional weight, he resolves to regress, believing he can exploit the emotion-gaining mechanic to grow stronger. However, he is struck by despair upon realizing the survivors are fracturing into violence and starvation, and the Goblin Shaman has sabotaged their food supply by forcing the goblins to commit mass suicide. As he contemplates regression and the heavy burden it places on regressors, Choi Ji-won finds him brooding. She reveals the goblins' fate and listens as he confesses his regression ability. Instead of disbelief, she accepts his claim, citing his unnatural swordsmanship as proof. She then pulls him up and leads him to their old training spot, promising to teach him everything she knows about the sword from this point forward.
9:36
Chapter 27
The chapter opens with the protagonist processing the Goblin Shaman's tragic confession and final apology. Despite the emotional weight, he resolves to regress, believing he can exploit the emotion-gaining mechanic to grow stronger. However, he is struck by despair upon realizing the survivors are fracturing into violence and starvation, and the Goblin Shaman has sabotaged their food supply by forcing the goblins to commit mass suicide. As he contemplates regression and the heavy burden it places on regressors, Choi Ji-won finds him brooding. She reveals the goblins' fate and listens as he confesses his regression ability. Instead of disbelief, she accepts his claim, citing his unnatural swordsmanship as proof. She then pulls him up and leads him to their old training spot, promising to teach him everything she knows about the sword from this point forward.
9:36
28
Chapter 28
Choi Ji-won patiently instructs Kim Jun-ho in fundamental swordsmanship, allowing him to finally acquire the Swordsmanship [F] trait. Afterward, they sit to discuss their relationship and her past violent behavior toward him. Ji-won explains that her SSS trait, Sword and Soul as One, has awakened an ego in her sword, Bung-bung. The sword is mentally immature and reacts impulsively to suspicion or anger, which caused her to strike him previously. Jun-ho demands an apology directly from the sword. Ji-won temporarily cedes control, and Bung-bung speaks through her, offering a blunt apology while deflecting blame onto Jun-ho's own traits. Jun-ho accepts the apology, recognizing the sword's youth. Ji-won then proposes they get to know each other better to build a stronger emotional bond, suggesting they share their life stories to prepare for the future.
11:19
Chapter 28
Choi Ji-won patiently instructs Kim Jun-ho in fundamental swordsmanship, allowing him to finally acquire the Swordsmanship [F] trait. Afterward, they sit to discuss their relationship and her past violent behavior toward him. Ji-won explains that her SSS trait, Sword and Soul as One, has awakened an ego in her sword, Bung-bung. The sword is mentally immature and reacts impulsively to suspicion or anger, which caused her to strike him previously. Jun-ho demands an apology directly from the sword. Ji-won temporarily cedes control, and Bung-bung speaks through her, offering a blunt apology while deflecting blame onto Jun-ho's own traits. Jun-ho accepts the apology, recognizing the sword's youth. Ji-won then proposes they get to know each other better to build a stronger emotional bond, suggesting they share their life stories to prepare for the future.
11:19
29
Chapter 29
Choi Ji-won opens up to Kim Jun-ho about her late father, a respected kendo instructor who died saving others in a fire. She confesses her initial resentment and confusion over his sacrifice, which led her to isolate herself. Experiencing the Tower and fighting alongside Jun-ho has helped her understand his mindset, realizing that some moments demand stepping up despite the risks. Jun-ho shares his own unremarkable life story, finding comfort in their mutual vulnerability. The conversation shifts to a critical decision regarding a Golden Marble. Jun-ho proposes they both swallow their marbles to advance to the next floor, accepting that the remaining players will likely perish. Ji-won laughs at his conflicted expression, noting his tendency to overthink, and agrees to consider the choice. They acknowledge their opposing personalities yet find strength in each other's perspectives. Ultimately, Jun-ho decides against regressing to preserve their bond, choosing to face the next stage together. The chapter concludes with Jun-ho's emotions triggering a regression, storing Ji-won's memories for future retrieval.
11:03
Chapter 29
Choi Ji-won opens up to Kim Jun-ho about her late father, a respected kendo instructor who died saving others in a fire. She confesses her initial resentment and confusion over his sacrifice, which led her to isolate herself. Experiencing the Tower and fighting alongside Jun-ho has helped her understand his mindset, realizing that some moments demand stepping up despite the risks. Jun-ho shares his own unremarkable life story, finding comfort in their mutual vulnerability. The conversation shifts to a critical decision regarding a Golden Marble. Jun-ho proposes they both swallow their marbles to advance to the next floor, accepting that the remaining players will likely perish. Ji-won laughs at his conflicted expression, noting his tendency to overthink, and agrees to consider the choice. They acknowledge their opposing personalities yet find strength in each other's perspectives. Ultimately, Jun-ho decides against regressing to preserve their bond, choosing to face the next stage together. The chapter concludes with Jun-ho's emotions triggering a regression, storing Ji-won's memories for future retrieval.
11:03
30
Chapter 30
Kim Jun-ho wakes in the tutorial clearing and reflects on the emotional toll of regression, particularly his complicated feelings toward Choi Ji-won and the necessity of avoiding attachments to prevent future heartbreak. He resolves to maintain his humanity and sanity rather than becoming a numb, ruthless climber like other regressors. Determined to clear the floor without regrets, he formulates a plan to save every player, defeat the Minotaur head-on, and maximize his growth by testing trait duplication and achievement bonuses. He begins executing his plan by approaching a scrawny young player to test his theories.
9:11
Chapter 30
Kim Jun-ho wakes in the tutorial clearing and reflects on the emotional toll of regression, particularly his complicated feelings toward Choi Ji-won and the necessity of avoiding attachments to prevent future heartbreak. He resolves to maintain his humanity and sanity rather than becoming a numb, ruthless climber like other regressors. Determined to clear the floor without regrets, he formulates a plan to save every player, defeat the Minotaur head-on, and maximize his growth by testing trait duplication and achievement bonuses. He begins executing his plan by approaching a scrawny young player to test his theories.
9:11
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