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Regression Is Too Much
Junho Kim
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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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Dropped into Murim with an Instant Kill Skill
Audio chapters (359) · 181–210
181
Chapter 181
The chapter opens with the South Korean President broadcasting a televised apology for the Namsan tiger massacre, while the American President faces a hostile press conference over the delayed military response to a dragon attack in New York. Public outrage mounts against the U.S. leadership. Meanwhile, Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won visit Kang Chan's guild office to discuss the global monster outbreaks and Chan's newfound hero status. Chan probes Jun-ho about his traveling companion, Dok Su-hee, prompting her to enter and request a private audience. After Ji-won and Chan leave, Su-hee reveals she possesses Jun-ho's pink watch, which contains the intense emotion required to trigger joint regression. She uses this leverage to propose reconciliation, successfully forcing Jun-ho to acknowledge the possibility of their shared regression cycles.
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10:03
Chapter 181
The chapter opens with the South Korean President broadcasting a televised apology for the Namsan tiger massacre, while the American President faces a hostile press conference over the delayed military response to a dragon attack in New York. Public outrage mounts against the U.S. leadership. Meanwhile, Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won visit Kang Chan's guild office to discuss the global monster outbreaks and Chan's newfound hero status. Chan probes Jun-ho about his traveling companion, Dok Su-hee, prompting her to enter and request a private audience. After Ji-won and Chan leave, Su-hee reveals she possesses Jun-ho's pink watch, which contains the intense emotion required to trigger joint regression. She uses this leverage to propose reconciliation, successfully forcing Jun-ho to acknowledge the possibility of their shared regression cycles.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
10:03
182
Chapter 182
Kim Jun-ho reflects on his companion regression theory, realizing Su-hee likely recovered memories of her betrayal after he regressed following Floor 4. Su-hee confronts him, revealing she deduced his ability through his predictable actions on Floors 3 and 4. She offers her services as a regression companion, citing her Inventory ability and her new status on Michael Zetter's team. Jun-ho dismisses her, and she leaves. Kang Chan and Choi Ji-won enter; Jun-ho asks Chan why he traveled with Su-hee. Chan explains he was initially following Michael's orders but grew sympathetic to her apparent reform, viewing her as a misguided high school student. Jun-ho contemplates the dangers of regression, fearing that villains could regress alongside him and exploit the returned time. He considers emotionally detaching himself from everyone to prevent negative emotions from triggering unwanted regressions, lamenting his fate as a regressor.
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8:25
Chapter 182
Kim Jun-ho reflects on his companion regression theory, realizing Su-hee likely recovered memories of her betrayal after he regressed following Floor 4. Su-hee confronts him, revealing she deduced his ability through his predictable actions on Floors 3 and 4. She offers her services as a regression companion, citing her Inventory ability and her new status on Michael Zetter's team. Jun-ho dismisses her, and she leaves. Kang Chan and Choi Ji-won enter; Jun-ho asks Chan why he traveled with Su-hee. Chan explains he was initially following Michael's orders but grew sympathetic to her apparent reform, viewing her as a misguided high school student. Jun-ho contemplates the dangers of regression, fearing that villains could regress alongside him and exploit the returned time. He considers emotionally detaching himself from everyone to prevent negative emotions from triggering unwanted regressions, lamenting his fate as a regressor.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
8:25
183
Chapter 183
Choi Ji-won and Kim Jun-ho discuss Dok Su-hee's potential as a companion, with Ji-won advocating for giving her a chance while Jun-ho firmly declines. Ji-won leaves Jun-ho to think, then returns with a message from Michael Zetter requesting they meet William Smith in America. After teleporting to California with Dok Su-hee, they find a massive, desperate crowd of patients outside a white building. A Player Association agent guides them through a secret passage to meet William Smith. The healer, visibly aged and exhausted from overusing his powers, asks Jun-ho for advice on whether it is a sin to stop healing when his body can no longer endure the pain.
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9:10
Chapter 183
Choi Ji-won and Kim Jun-ho discuss Dok Su-hee's potential as a companion, with Ji-won advocating for giving her a chance while Jun-ho firmly declines. Ji-won leaves Jun-ho to think, then returns with a message from Michael Zetter requesting they meet William Smith in America. After teleporting to California with Dok Su-hee, they find a massive, desperate crowd of patients outside a white building. A Player Association agent guides them through a secret passage to meet William Smith. The healer, visibly aged and exhausted from overusing his powers, asks Jun-ho for advice on whether it is a sin to stop healing when his body can no longer endure the pain.
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9:10
184
Chapter 184
Kim Jun-ho reflects on the heavy burden of his Regression ability and the weight of his choices in reality. He visits William Smith, who agonizes over whether to stop healing due to exhaustion. William seeks Jun-ho's advice, who suggests choosing the path with the least regret. William decides to continue healing and asks for privacy. Meanwhile, the US President faces intense public backlash and press scrutiny over a failed, heavily funded research project, ultimately resigning. In the power vacuum, Michael Zetter addresses the public, advocating for the development of strong players over traditional military responses. His message resonates globally, shifting public perception of players into heroes and prompting governments to consider supporting them. The Player Association announces a ranking system, placing Choi Ji-won second globally and boosting Korean national pride. Surprised by the rapid societal shift, Ji-won suggests to Jun-ho that they regress to return home.
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9:11
Chapter 184
Kim Jun-ho reflects on the heavy burden of his Regression ability and the weight of his choices in reality. He visits William Smith, who agonizes over whether to stop healing due to exhaustion. William seeks Jun-ho's advice, who suggests choosing the path with the least regret. William decides to continue healing and asks for privacy. Meanwhile, the US President faces intense public backlash and press scrutiny over a failed, heavily funded research project, ultimately resigning. In the power vacuum, Michael Zetter addresses the public, advocating for the development of strong players over traditional military responses. His message resonates globally, shifting public perception of players into heroes and prompting governments to consider supporting them. The Player Association announces a ranking system, placing Choi Ji-won second globally and boosting Korean national pride. Surprised by the rapid societal shift, Ji-won suggests to Jun-ho that they regress to return home.
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9:11
185
Chapter 185
Choi Ji-won initiates a serious discussion about Kim Jun-ho's regression, expressing her frustration with feeling powerless despite public praise and support. She argues that waiting ten months in the real world is pointless and proposes they regress immediately to climb the Tower rapidly, aiming to reach Floor 30 and rebuild their strength to face future threats like the Namsan tiger. Kim Jun-ho agrees, recognizing the strategic advantage of accelerating their progress. They then shift to practical preparations, checking the timing of upcoming monster appearances in India versus Japan, with Ji-won confirming Japan is slightly ahead based on a contact. Jun-ho notes his headache from processing the information while reviewing player reports and the Grim Reaper's list of targets. After a brief kiss and a self-inflicted cut to trigger the regression, the chapter concludes with the system notification returning them to the start of Floor 15.
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8:53
Chapter 185
Choi Ji-won initiates a serious discussion about Kim Jun-ho's regression, expressing her frustration with feeling powerless despite public praise and support. She argues that waiting ten months in the real world is pointless and proposes they regress immediately to climb the Tower rapidly, aiming to reach Floor 30 and rebuild their strength to face future threats like the Namsan tiger. Kim Jun-ho agrees, recognizing the strategic advantage of accelerating their progress. They then shift to practical preparations, checking the timing of upcoming monster appearances in India versus Japan, with Ji-won confirming Japan is slightly ahead based on a contact. Jun-ho notes his headache from processing the information while reviewing player reports and the Grim Reaper's list of targets. After a brief kiss and a self-inflicted cut to trigger the regression, the chapter concludes with the system notification returning them to the start of Floor 15.
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8:53
186
Chapter 186
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won bid farewell to the old guide on Floor 15 before entering Floor 16. Ji-won struggles with the mental fatigue of reliving known events, but they quickly prepare and step through the portal. The new floor is an autumnal forest leading to a large Buddhist temple, a stark shift from previous Western fantasy settings. Inside the temple courtyard, they encounter a massive stone marked with deep gouges. After observing a previous player's failed attempt, Jun-ho strikes the rock with his sword, but it fails to cut. An angel sitting atop the stone suddenly speaks, posing philosophical questions about humanity and training. The angel reveals itself to be Anael, who recognizes Jun-ho and expresses shock at his presence.
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8:42
Chapter 186
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won bid farewell to the old guide on Floor 15 before entering Floor 16. Ji-won struggles with the mental fatigue of reliving known events, but they quickly prepare and step through the portal. The new floor is an autumnal forest leading to a large Buddhist temple, a stark shift from previous Western fantasy settings. Inside the temple courtyard, they encounter a massive stone marked with deep gouges. After observing a previous player's failed attempt, Jun-ho strikes the rock with his sword, but it fails to cut. An angel sitting atop the stone suddenly speaks, posing philosophical questions about humanity and training. The angel reveals itself to be Anael, who recognizes Jun-ho and expresses shock at his presence.
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8:42
187
Chapter 187
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won encounter Anael, a white-haired angel acting as a stand-in on Floor 16, who explains the floor's unique objective: players must scratch a divine rock by growing stronger since entering the floor. Anael reveals the original rock was stolen by a player with a subspace ability, prompting her temporary assignment. After the briefing, Jun-ho and Ji-won explore the temple complex, discovering that previously cleared players have already uncovered most hidden martial arts scrolls, which Ji-won dismisses as low-level. They learn about basic amenities from a passing player. As they prepare to train, Ji-won questions the exact definition of 'strength' on this floor. Jun-ho realizes a critical flaw: because the floor measures growth from the moment of entry, his regression ability means his baseline strength increases with every cycle, causing the threshold to clear the floor to rise indefinitely. He resolves to clear the floor as quickly as possible to avoid this trap.
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8:33
Chapter 187
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won encounter Anael, a white-haired angel acting as a stand-in on Floor 16, who explains the floor's unique objective: players must scratch a divine rock by growing stronger since entering the floor. Anael reveals the original rock was stolen by a player with a subspace ability, prompting her temporary assignment. After the briefing, Jun-ho and Ji-won explore the temple complex, discovering that previously cleared players have already uncovered most hidden martial arts scrolls, which Ji-won dismisses as low-level. They learn about basic amenities from a passing player. As they prepare to train, Ji-won questions the exact definition of 'strength' on this floor. Jun-ho realizes a critical flaw: because the floor measures growth from the moment of entry, his regression ability means his baseline strength increases with every cycle, causing the threshold to clear the floor to rise indefinitely. He resolves to clear the floor as quickly as possible to avoid this trap.
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8:33
188
Chapter 188
Kim Jun-ho reflects on his regression strategy, realizing that training raises the floor's strength benchmark. He devises a plan to avoid training entirely, instead gathering information and letting Choi Ji-won test the threshold through repeated cycles. Ji-won questions the arrogance of attempting multiple clears, but Jun-ho insists on a single, perfect run. He tasks her with gauging the floor's power ceiling while he remains idle. A week passes, and Jun-ho checks his status, noting trait upgrades and the new Right Mindfulness trait. He observes that Floor 16 players trade insights for items, often poorly, and learns Michael Zetter cleared it in a day. Jun-ho explores the sealed temple and barrier, noting that killing is permitted but rare. Other climbers resort to lethal sparring to grow stronger, flocking to Ji-won for breakthroughs. She flees to a cave, overwhelmed by their demands, and Jun-ho guards her. The chapter ends with Ji-won's frustrated scream as she hits a wall, prompting Jun-ho to reconsider his approach.
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8:37
Chapter 188
Kim Jun-ho reflects on his regression strategy, realizing that training raises the floor's strength benchmark. He devises a plan to avoid training entirely, instead gathering information and letting Choi Ji-won test the threshold through repeated cycles. Ji-won questions the arrogance of attempting multiple clears, but Jun-ho insists on a single, perfect run. He tasks her with gauging the floor's power ceiling while he remains idle. A week passes, and Jun-ho checks his status, noting trait upgrades and the new Right Mindfulness trait. He observes that Floor 16 players trade insights for items, often poorly, and learns Michael Zetter cleared it in a day. Jun-ho explores the sealed temple and barrier, noting that killing is permitted but rare. Other climbers resort to lethal sparring to grow stronger, flocking to Ji-won for breakthroughs. She flees to a cave, overwhelmed by their demands, and Jun-ho guards her. The chapter ends with Ji-won's frustrated scream as she hits a wall, prompting Jun-ho to reconsider his approach.
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8:37
189
Chapter 189
Choi Ji-won struggles to damage a rock on Floor 16, exhausting her traits and items without success. The protagonist, Kim Jun-ho, observes her frustration and converses with her sentient sword, Bung-bung, who speaks on Ji-won's behalf. While waiting, Jun-ho watches other climbers on the floor, including a despairing man stuck for weeks. Jun-ho asks the angel Anael about a contract that allows players to leave the Tower by forfeiting all their progress, but declines it. To pass the time, Jun-ho gives sword stance advice to another stuck climber, who successfully clears the floor and becomes a minor local celebrity. Jun-ho is then swarmed by other climbers wanting his help and flees. Later, Jun-ho accidentally clears Floor 16 by tapping the rock, realizing his evolved Awe trait has made him strong enough to pass without significant effort. He checks on Ji-won, who remains stuck.
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9:51
Chapter 189
Choi Ji-won struggles to damage a rock on Floor 16, exhausting her traits and items without success. The protagonist, Kim Jun-ho, observes her frustration and converses with her sentient sword, Bung-bung, who speaks on Ji-won's behalf. While waiting, Jun-ho watches other climbers on the floor, including a despairing man stuck for weeks. Jun-ho asks the angel Anael about a contract that allows players to leave the Tower by forfeiting all their progress, but declines it. To pass the time, Jun-ho gives sword stance advice to another stuck climber, who successfully clears the floor and becomes a minor local celebrity. Jun-ho is then swarmed by other climbers wanting his help and flees. Later, Jun-ho accidentally clears Floor 16 by tapping the rock, realizing his evolved Awe trait has made him strong enough to pass without significant effort. He checks on Ji-won, who remains stuck.
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9:51
190
Chapter 190
Kim Jun-ho consults the angel Anael about a new 'Specialization Acknowledged' qualifier on his Swordsmanship trait. Anael explains that traits are interconnected, suggesting his recent awakening to a Fortuitous Encounter enhanced his swordsmanship. After parting ways, passing players greet Jun-ho and tease him about Choi Ji-won. Jun-ho then checks on Ji-won, who has been stuck on Floor 16 for months despite her immense strength. He shares his findings that the floor's clear condition is vague and unrelated to raw talent or level. Ji-won realizes the floor's standard is subjective, based on one's own subconscious expectations. Because she holds herself to impossibly strict standards, she has been unknowingly trapping herself. This realization finally allows her to break through her stagnation.
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9:15
Chapter 190
Kim Jun-ho consults the angel Anael about a new 'Specialization Acknowledged' qualifier on his Swordsmanship trait. Anael explains that traits are interconnected, suggesting his recent awakening to a Fortuitous Encounter enhanced his swordsmanship. After parting ways, passing players greet Jun-ho and tease him about Choi Ji-won. Jun-ho then checks on Ji-won, who has been stuck on Floor 16 for months despite her immense strength. He shares his findings that the floor's clear condition is vague and unrelated to raw talent or level. Ji-won realizes the floor's standard is subjective, based on one's own subconscious expectations. Because she holds herself to impossibly strict standards, she has been unknowingly trapping herself. This realization finally allows her to break through her stagnation.
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9:15
191
Chapter 191
Kim Jun-ho reflects on his pragmatic view of strength versus Choi Ji-won's lifelong dedication to kendo. He recalls their conversation about regression, where Ji-won admits she set her standard too high by comparing herself to Michael Zetter. Jun-ho encourages her to lower her expectations, but Ji-won asks for time to process. A month later, Jun-ho finds Ji-won practicing a radically new, boundless sword style that breaks free from traditional kendo limits. She declares she can now surpass Zetter without compromising her principles. Anael applauds from a portal, and Ji-won suggests they leave to eat, ending the chapter with Jun-ho's quiet gratitude for having met her.
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9:07
Chapter 191
Kim Jun-ho reflects on his pragmatic view of strength versus Choi Ji-won's lifelong dedication to kendo. He recalls their conversation about regression, where Ji-won admits she set her standard too high by comparing herself to Michael Zetter. Jun-ho encourages her to lower her expectations, but Ji-won asks for time to process. A month later, Jun-ho finds Ji-won practicing a radically new, boundless sword style that breaks free from traditional kendo limits. She declares she can now surpass Zetter without compromising her principles. Anael applauds from a portal, and Ji-won suggests they leave to eat, ending the chapter with Jun-ho's quiet gratitude for having met her.
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9:07
192
Chapter 192
Choi Ji-won and Kim Jun-ho discuss her newly refined swordsmanship and the optimal timing for their next regression. Ji-won explains that she needs combat experience rather than isolated training to fully absorb her breakthrough, suggesting they head straight to Floor 17. Jun-ho raises concerns about wasting the four-and-a-half months they have already spent on Floor 16, proposing they use the remaining time to investigate a secret American warehouse and a mysterious book linked to a failed presidential research project. Ji-won agrees but notes she only has a rough location and needs time to contact her American source for precise coordinates and guard details. While Jun-ho struggles to recall an old email account to reach out to the Grim Reaper, Ji-won returns flustered, revealing that her American contact refused to share the warehouse location. The information had leaked that she was stuck on Floor 16, causing her reputation to plummet and leading her allies to withhold further assistance.
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9:19
Chapter 192
Choi Ji-won and Kim Jun-ho discuss her newly refined swordsmanship and the optimal timing for their next regression. Ji-won explains that she needs combat experience rather than isolated training to fully absorb her breakthrough, suggesting they head straight to Floor 17. Jun-ho raises concerns about wasting the four-and-a-half months they have already spent on Floor 16, proposing they use the remaining time to investigate a secret American warehouse and a mysterious book linked to a failed presidential research project. Ji-won agrees but notes she only has a rough location and needs time to contact her American source for precise coordinates and guard details. While Jun-ho struggles to recall an old email account to reach out to the Grim Reaper, Ji-won returns flustered, revealing that her American contact refused to share the warehouse location. The information had leaked that she was stuck on Floor 16, causing her reputation to plummet and leading her allies to withhold further assistance.
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9:19
193
Chapter 193
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won prepare to regress after reviewing the Grim Reaper's report on two monitored criminals. Ji-won questions Jun-ho's distracted expression, but he brushes it off. They spar lightly on Floor 16 to test their readiness, with Ji-won noting Jun-ho's unconscious aiming habits. Jun-ho clears the floor by teaching her the Awe trait, then they regress to Floor 16's entry point. Upon returning, Jun-ho is immediately transported to a void where a faceless man questions his self-awareness before the world snaps back to a thatched village on Floor 17. Jun-ho suffers severe mana backlash and dizziness, finding other players writhing in pain. An unfamiliar, composed angel descends to explain the floor's focus on awakening Ki, but Jun-ho interrupts to point out that he has already cleared Floor 17. The angel is shocked to see the clear notification and a blue palm mark on the central rock, confirming Jun-ho's unprecedented instant clear.
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8:46
Chapter 193
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won prepare to regress after reviewing the Grim Reaper's report on two monitored criminals. Ji-won questions Jun-ho's distracted expression, but he brushes it off. They spar lightly on Floor 16 to test their readiness, with Ji-won noting Jun-ho's unconscious aiming habits. Jun-ho clears the floor by teaching her the Awe trait, then they regress to Floor 16's entry point. Upon returning, Jun-ho is immediately transported to a void where a faceless man questions his self-awareness before the world snaps back to a thatched village on Floor 17. Jun-ho suffers severe mana backlash and dizziness, finding other players writhing in pain. An unfamiliar, composed angel descends to explain the floor's focus on awakening Ki, but Jun-ho interrupts to point out that he has already cleared Floor 17. The angel is shocked to see the clear notification and a blue palm mark on the central rock, confirming Jun-ho's unprecedented instant clear.
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8:46
194
Chapter 194
Kim Jun-ho converses with an angel on Floor 17, who is surprised by his ability to handle mana. The angel explains that mana adaptation is a gradual process for souls, comparing it to high-altitude acclimatization, and notes that Earth's recent arrival in the Tower means most players lack this adaptation. The MC asks why Choi Ji-won handles mana so well, and the angel deduces it is due to her sword-like body trait, which naturally resists and amplifies mana. The angel then explains that Floor 17's ground absorbs mana and exerts pressure on climbers to force them to awaken to it, causing the nausea and dizziness the MC initially felt. The MC realizes the potential to use this mana pressure to train his own resistance and decides to regress to repeat the process.
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8:50
Chapter 194
Kim Jun-ho converses with an angel on Floor 17, who is surprised by his ability to handle mana. The angel explains that mana adaptation is a gradual process for souls, comparing it to high-altitude acclimatization, and notes that Earth's recent arrival in the Tower means most players lack this adaptation. The MC asks why Choi Ji-won handles mana so well, and the angel deduces it is due to her sword-like body trait, which naturally resists and amplifies mana. The angel then explains that Floor 17's ground absorbs mana and exerts pressure on climbers to force them to awaken to it, causing the nausea and dizziness the MC initially felt. The MC realizes the potential to use this mana pressure to train his own resistance and decides to regress to repeat the process.
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8:50
195
Chapter 195
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won discuss a plan to regress on Floor 17 to train mana resistance while avoiding the stationed angel. Ji-won agrees after some deliberation. Jun-ho regresses and enters a void where a disembodied voice repeatedly asks how much he knows about himself. After failing to block the mental intrusion with physical mana barriers, Jun-ho realizes the soul is the true source of mana control and protects it, successfully resisting the entity. Upon returning to reality, the floor's guard angel arrives, panicked by the mana disturbance. An administrative angel in glasses appears, checks the system, and informs Jun-ho that he has not officially entered Floor 17, leaving him unable to clear the floor normally.
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9:59
Chapter 195
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won discuss a plan to regress on Floor 17 to train mana resistance while avoiding the stationed angel. Ji-won agrees after some deliberation. Jun-ho regresses and enters a void where a disembodied voice repeatedly asks how much he knows about himself. After failing to block the mental intrusion with physical mana barriers, Jun-ho realizes the soul is the true source of mana control and protects it, successfully resisting the entity. Upon returning to reality, the floor's guard angel arrives, panicked by the mana disturbance. An administrative angel in glasses appears, checks the system, and informs Jun-ho that he has not officially entered Floor 17, leaving him unable to clear the floor normally.
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9:59
196
Chapter 196
Kim Jun-ho encounters a system error upon entering Floor 17, prompting a management angel and a haughty angel to investigate. The management angel requests his status window to diagnose the issue, discovering a judgment error likely caused by a severed mana connection. After confirming the anomaly, the angel explains that an archangel must resolve it, leaving Jun-ho to wait. During this limbo, Jun-ho experiences a regression sequence where a mysterious familiar voice questions his self-knowledge and demands proof. Upon returning, Jun-ho demonstrates his mana control to the angels, clears Floor 17, and returns to Choi Ji-won. He explains his discovery that mana originates from the soul and that soul damage is permanent. Jun-ho reveals his plan to deliberately sever his connection on Floor 18 to test regression mechanics, prompting Ji-won's alarmed reaction.
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9:00
Chapter 196
Kim Jun-ho encounters a system error upon entering Floor 17, prompting a management angel and a haughty angel to investigate. The management angel requests his status window to diagnose the issue, discovering a judgment error likely caused by a severed mana connection. After confirming the anomaly, the angel explains that an archangel must resolve it, leaving Jun-ho to wait. During this limbo, Jun-ho experiences a regression sequence where a mysterious familiar voice questions his self-knowledge and demands proof. Upon returning, Jun-ho demonstrates his mana control to the angels, clears Floor 17, and returns to Choi Ji-won. He explains his discovery that mana originates from the soul and that soul damage is permanent. Jun-ho reveals his plan to deliberately sever his connection on Floor 18 to test regression mechanics, prompting Ji-won's alarmed reaction.
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9:00
197
Chapter 197
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won test a regression strategy to scout Floor 18 by exploiting the Tower's entry criteria. Jun-ho attempts to sense a soul or Mana thread upon entering, but detects nothing, concluding the plan fails. They climb a misty, rocky mountain path and meet a composed angel at the summit. The angel explains that Floor 18 equalizes all physical abilities and focuses on the discipline of practice itself rather than raw strength. He distributes two puppets to the pair, marking the start of the trial.
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8:25
Chapter 197
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won test a regression strategy to scout Floor 18 by exploiting the Tower's entry criteria. Jun-ho attempts to sense a soul or Mana thread upon entering, but detects nothing, concluding the plan fails. They climb a misty, rocky mountain path and meet a composed angel at the summit. The angel explains that Floor 18 equalizes all physical abilities and focuses on the discipline of practice itself rather than raw strength. He distributes two puppets to the pair, marking the start of the trial.
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8:25
198
Chapter 198
Kim Jun-ho wakes up on a stream bank, disoriented and physically weakened, after being struck by an unseen force. He is confronted by a shaggy, unkempt bandit wielding a massive dao who demands he get up. After a brief, tense exchange where the protagonist mocks the bandit's poor stance, he disarms the man by catching the blade with his bare hand, only to immediately regress due to taking damage. Upon resetting, the protagonist realizes his physical stats have been forcibly equalized to a low baseline, stripping him of his gear and abilities. He quickly subdues the bandit again, this time by punching him and throwing the weapon away. During the subsequent interrogation, the protagonist learns that this world operates on a low-power wuxia system with no major sects or supernatural martial feats, leaving him to navigate a heavily handicapped environment.
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8:51
Chapter 198
Kim Jun-ho wakes up on a stream bank, disoriented and physically weakened, after being struck by an unseen force. He is confronted by a shaggy, unkempt bandit wielding a massive dao who demands he get up. After a brief, tense exchange where the protagonist mocks the bandit's poor stance, he disarms the man by catching the blade with his bare hand, only to immediately regress due to taking damage. Upon resetting, the protagonist realizes his physical stats have been forcibly equalized to a low baseline, stripping him of his gear and abilities. He quickly subdues the bandit again, this time by punching him and throwing the weapon away. During the subsequent interrogation, the protagonist learns that this world operates on a low-power wuxia system with no major sects or supernatural martial feats, leaving him to navigate a heavily handicapped environment.
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8:51
199
Chapter 199
Kim Jun-ho navigates a vast, wuxia-inspired world where martial artists are persecuted as lunatics. He encounters a shaggy bandit who explains the imperial court's hostility toward them, then continues his journey alone. After a week, he meets a Western-faced player who enthusiastically praises the floor's mana-rich environment for training, revealing a misunderstanding about mana scarcity. Jun-ho realizes his own stats are unusually high due to past achievements. He travels to a nearby city, works odd jobs, and buys jiaozi at an inn. As he prepares to eat, a scruffy man with heavy calluses sits beside him and asks for a bite. Jun-ho recognizes him as a martial artist and the first Overseer he has met on this floor.
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10:06
Chapter 199
Kim Jun-ho navigates a vast, wuxia-inspired world where martial artists are persecuted as lunatics. He encounters a shaggy bandit who explains the imperial court's hostility toward them, then continues his journey alone. After a week, he meets a Western-faced player who enthusiastically praises the floor's mana-rich environment for training, revealing a misunderstanding about mana scarcity. Jun-ho realizes his own stats are unusually high due to past achievements. He travels to a nearby city, works odd jobs, and buys jiaozi at an inn. As he prepares to eat, a scruffy man with heavy calluses sits beside him and asks for a bite. Jun-ho recognizes him as a martial artist and the first Overseer he has met on this floor.
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10:06
200
Chapter 200
Kim Jun-ho encounters a beggar-like man named Jang, who is revealed to be the Floor 18 Overseer. Despite his shabby appearance, Jang speaks with philosophical depth, claiming to be a Taoist practitioner focused on mastering inner energy through the principle that softness overcomes hardness. Kim buys him dumplings to build rapport and learns that Jang's goal is to recreate this principle, possibly requiring rare elixirs. After Jang departs, Kim attempts to gather herbs on a mountain but is immediately confronted by turf-warring bandits who aggressively defend their territory. Realizing direct hunting is too dangerous due to the sheer number of opponents, Kim abandons the idea of fighting them and decides to instead earn money to purchase the necessary elixirs from the market.
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9:26
Chapter 200
Kim Jun-ho encounters a beggar-like man named Jang, who is revealed to be the Floor 18 Overseer. Despite his shabby appearance, Jang speaks with philosophical depth, claiming to be a Taoist practitioner focused on mastering inner energy through the principle that softness overcomes hardness. Kim buys him dumplings to build rapport and learns that Jang's goal is to recreate this principle, possibly requiring rare elixirs. After Jang departs, Kim attempts to gather herbs on a mountain but is immediately confronted by turf-warring bandits who aggressively defend their territory. Realizing direct hunting is too dangerous due to the sheer number of opponents, Kim abandons the idea of fighting them and decides to instead earn money to purchase the necessary elixirs from the market.
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9:26
201
Chapter 201
The protagonist uses regression to climb the social ladder of Floor 18 by gathering information. He starts by returning a wealthy merchant's elegant cat, earning a guest retainer position. Through repeated regressions, he leverages gossip about inspectors and business dealings to rise from a simple retainer to a trusted adviser and eventually the head of the merchant company. He uses his growing power to eliminate traitors, fend off assassins, and amass wealth and influence. After months of careful planning and information gathering, he successfully acquires a thousand-year snow ginseng elixir, achieving his goal for the floor without needing to engage in combat.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:00
Chapter 201
The protagonist uses regression to climb the social ladder of Floor 18 by gathering information. He starts by returning a wealthy merchant's elegant cat, earning a guest retainer position. Through repeated regressions, he leverages gossip about inspectors and business dealings to rise from a simple retainer to a trusted adviser and eventually the head of the merchant company. He uses his growing power to eliminate traitors, fend off assassins, and amass wealth and influence. After months of careful planning and information gathering, he successfully acquires a thousand-year snow ginseng elixir, achieving his goal for the floor without needing to engage in combat.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:00
202
Chapter 202
Kim Jun-ho enters a noisy tavern and approaches Jang, a round-faced Taoist Overseer, offering a thousand-year snow ginseng in exchange for passage or a reward. Jang is initially flustered by the gift's value and refuses to accept it freely, instead demanding a spar as a condition. They fight on a quiet hillside using branches. Kim Jun-ho pushes his current body to its limits, using dirt to blind Jang and launching a desperate thrust, but Jang effortlessly halts the strike with a touch. Impressed by the protagonist's effort and mindset, Jang acknowledges his potential, returns the ginseng, and Kim Jun-ho clears Floor 18. An angel congratulates him and returns the ginseng, prompting Kim Jun-ho to reflect on Jang's words about the world not being black and white before considering his next move.
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10:00
Chapter 202
Kim Jun-ho enters a noisy tavern and approaches Jang, a round-faced Taoist Overseer, offering a thousand-year snow ginseng in exchange for passage or a reward. Jang is initially flustered by the gift's value and refuses to accept it freely, instead demanding a spar as a condition. They fight on a quiet hillside using branches. Kim Jun-ho pushes his current body to its limits, using dirt to blind Jang and launching a desperate thrust, but Jang effortlessly halts the strike with a touch. Impressed by the protagonist's effort and mindset, Jang acknowledges his potential, returns the ginseng, and Kim Jun-ho clears Floor 18. An angel congratulates him and returns the ginseng, prompting Kim Jun-ho to reflect on Jang's words about the world not being black and white before considering his next move.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
10:00
203
Chapter 203
Choi Ji-won returns after clearing Floor 18 and discusses the protagonist's encounter with the Immortal Sage and his consumption of a thousand-year snow ginseng. They decide not to regress immediately and proceed to Floor 19, where the task is to write a book detailing one's realizations. The protagonist struggles to articulate his mastery of chill mana but eventually completes his manuscript, 'On Handling Chill,' and passes the floor's angel. Meanwhile, Ji-won spends three months perfecting her swordsmanship into a book. After clearing the floor, the protagonist contacts the Player Association and decides to travel to America to utilize his regression knowledge for future advantages.
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8:35
Chapter 203
Choi Ji-won returns after clearing Floor 18 and discusses the protagonist's encounter with the Immortal Sage and his consumption of a thousand-year snow ginseng. They decide not to regress immediately and proceed to Floor 19, where the task is to write a book detailing one's realizations. The protagonist struggles to articulate his mastery of chill mana but eventually completes his manuscript, 'On Handling Chill,' and passes the floor's angel. Meanwhile, Ji-won spends three months perfecting her swordsmanship into a book. After clearing the floor, the protagonist contacts the Player Association and decides to travel to America to utilize his regression knowledge for future advantages.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
8:35
204
Chapter 204
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won review a plan to raid a secret American warehouse in the desert, having obtained intel through Michael Zetter. They travel to a remote location, navigate through a desolate wasteland, and locate a hidden bunker entrance buried under sand. Inside, they descend into a maze-like underground facility that transitions from a rusty military bunker to a modern, brightly lit laboratory. Despite the active power and clear signs of recent maintenance, the facility is completely empty of people and the expected elixirs. Ji-won confirms via mana detection that no one is present. Jun-ho concludes that a butterfly effect from their previous floor activities caused the warehouse's contents and guards to vanish. They decide to regress immediately to avoid suspicion and gather information later.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
8:44
Chapter 204
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won review a plan to raid a secret American warehouse in the desert, having obtained intel through Michael Zetter. They travel to a remote location, navigate through a desolate wasteland, and locate a hidden bunker entrance buried under sand. Inside, they descend into a maze-like underground facility that transitions from a rusty military bunker to a modern, brightly lit laboratory. Despite the active power and clear signs of recent maintenance, the facility is completely empty of people and the expected elixirs. Ji-won confirms via mana detection that no one is present. Jun-ho concludes that a butterfly effect from their previous floor activities caused the warehouse's contents and guards to vanish. They decide to regress immediately to avoid suspicion and gather information later.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
8:44
205
Chapter 205
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won spend two months investigating why the American warehouse and its contents vanished after Floor 19, suspecting Dok Su-hee or Michael Zetter's involvement but finding no concrete answers. Frustrated by the lack of progress and the worsening global instability, they decide to climb the Tower to gain power and gather information from the future. Kim Jun-ho enters Floor 20 alone, where he meets a thought-form of Archangel Raguel. Raguel instructs him to read an oath pledging to use his power for justice and protect it. After completing the task, Raguel explains that the Tower's design intentionally pushes players to become stronger to test humanity's stability, comparing it to democracy's balance of power versus dictatorship's volatility. Kim Jun-ho accepts this revelation and resolves to conquer the Tower before society collapses.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
10:39
Chapter 205
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won spend two months investigating why the American warehouse and its contents vanished after Floor 19, suspecting Dok Su-hee or Michael Zetter's involvement but finding no concrete answers. Frustrated by the lack of progress and the worsening global instability, they decide to climb the Tower to gain power and gather information from the future. Kim Jun-ho enters Floor 20 alone, where he meets a thought-form of Archangel Raguel. Raguel instructs him to read an oath pledging to use his power for justice and protect it. After completing the task, Raguel explains that the Tower's design intentionally pushes players to become stronger to test humanity's stability, comparing it to democracy's balance of power versus dictatorship's volatility. Kim Jun-ho accepts this revelation and resolves to conquer the Tower before society collapses.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
10:39
206
Chapter 206
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won discuss the Tower's creators and decide to rest before continuing. Upon entering Floor 21, Jun-ho finds himself in a modern Korean parallel world resembling his pre-Tower life, complete with an iPad and confused bystanders. He observes everyday scenes—a couple, a family with a puppy, and a rushing businessman—before realizing the timeline is subtly altered and no other players exist. After failing to secure lodging due to his armor and lack of identification, he checks the iPad, which plays a video from a mysterious angel. The angel poses philosophical questions about human courage versus animal instinct and announces that the trial begins the next day at 9 a.m. Jun-ho resolves to defy the angel's expectations, relying on his own survival instincts rather than traditional bravery.
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9:02
Chapter 206
Kim Jun-ho and Choi Ji-won discuss the Tower's creators and decide to rest before continuing. Upon entering Floor 21, Jun-ho finds himself in a modern Korean parallel world resembling his pre-Tower life, complete with an iPad and confused bystanders. He observes everyday scenes—a couple, a family with a puppy, and a rushing businessman—before realizing the timeline is subtly altered and no other players exist. After failing to secure lodging due to his armor and lack of identification, he checks the iPad, which plays a video from a mysterious angel. The angel poses philosophical questions about human courage versus animal instinct and announces that the trial begins the next day at 9 a.m. Jun-ho resolves to defy the angel's expectations, relying on his own survival instincts rather than traditional bravery.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:02
207
Chapter 207
Kim Jun-ho rests on a park bench, muttering to himself about his strategy for the upcoming floor. He plans to stay in the city initially to gather information, intending to use regression only if the disaster proves unmanageable. His nap is interrupted by police officers responding to a report of a suspicious person. After they leave, he wakes up and checks his iPad, discovering a massive, coordinated media campaign featuring a missing child's photo across news, newspapers, and YouTube. The timing feels deliberately suspicious. As he wonders about the connection to his survival mission, the exact girl from the posters staggers toward him, begging for help. Jun-ho realizes this desperate approach is the Tower's version of survival, and he prepares to meet her, distinguishing true courage from mere instinct.
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7:29
Chapter 207
Kim Jun-ho rests on a park bench, muttering to himself about his strategy for the upcoming floor. He plans to stay in the city initially to gather information, intending to use regression only if the disaster proves unmanageable. His nap is interrupted by police officers responding to a report of a suspicious person. After they leave, he wakes up and checks his iPad, discovering a massive, coordinated media campaign featuring a missing child's photo across news, newspapers, and YouTube. The timing feels deliberately suspicious. As he wonders about the connection to his survival mission, the exact girl from the posters staggers toward him, begging for help. Jun-ho realizes this desperate approach is the Tower's version of survival, and he prepares to meet her, distinguishing true courage from mere instinct.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
7:29
208
Chapter 208
Kim Jun-ho encounters a frail, trembling girl fleeing government pursuit in Seoul. Recognizing her as a high-value target, he cautiously approaches and offers to help, carrying her away from prying eyes. As they move through the city, bystanders notice his armored appearance and comment on filming the scene. Jun-ho sheds his armor to blend in better, carrying the exhausted girl on his back while navigating public spaces. They board a bus to Gangwon Province, escaping the city before dusk. Once in the mountains, Jun-ho questions the girl, who introduces herself as Areum and admits to having no memory of how she escaped or why she is being hunted. As they rest, a sniper on a nearby ridge fires, wounding Jun-ho and severely injuring Areum's legs. The attack confirms the government's involvement and their intent to capture Areum alive. Triggering his regression ability, Jun-ho returns to the start of Floor 21, resolving to protect her from the state's forces.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:05
Chapter 208
Kim Jun-ho encounters a frail, trembling girl fleeing government pursuit in Seoul. Recognizing her as a high-value target, he cautiously approaches and offers to help, carrying her away from prying eyes. As they move through the city, bystanders notice his armored appearance and comment on filming the scene. Jun-ho sheds his armor to blend in better, carrying the exhausted girl on his back while navigating public spaces. They board a bus to Gangwon Province, escaping the city before dusk. Once in the mountains, Jun-ho questions the girl, who introduces herself as Areum and admits to having no memory of how she escaped or why she is being hunted. As they rest, a sniper on a nearby ridge fires, wounding Jun-ho and severely injuring Areum's legs. The attack confirms the government's involvement and their intent to capture Areum alive. Triggering his regression ability, Jun-ho returns to the start of Floor 21, resolving to protect her from the state's forces.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:05
209
Chapter 209
Kim Jun-ho reflects on the sniper attack, concluding it was meant to disable rather than kill, and realizes he likely triggered an abnormal difficulty spike on Floor 21. Determined to save Areum first, he secures funds by doing construction day labor, where a skeptical foreman hires him after witnessing his superhuman strength. After buying clothes and renting a motel room, Jun-ho rushes back to the riverside to meet Areum before the time limit expires. She appears at a different location than expected, claiming she felt compelled to find him. Jun-ho carries her on his back, covers her face with a mask to evade surveillance, and heads toward an amusement park in Jamsil, believing it to be an ideal place to hide a child and adult together away from police scrutiny.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
8:29
Chapter 209
Kim Jun-ho reflects on the sniper attack, concluding it was meant to disable rather than kill, and realizes he likely triggered an abnormal difficulty spike on Floor 21. Determined to save Areum first, he secures funds by doing construction day labor, where a skeptical foreman hires him after witnessing his superhuman strength. After buying clothes and renting a motel room, Jun-ho rushes back to the riverside to meet Areum before the time limit expires. She appears at a different location than expected, claiming she felt compelled to find him. Jun-ho carries her on his back, covers her face with a mask to evade surveillance, and heads toward an amusement park in Jamsil, believing it to be an ideal place to hide a child and adult together away from police scrutiny.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
8:29
210
Chapter 210
The protagonist and Areum hide in a crowded amusement park to evade pursuit, blending in as relatives while waiting in a long line. A bystander questions their relationship, but the protagonist deflects. Suddenly, a missing child announcement plays, and plainclothes agents confront them in a restroom, forcing the protagonist to trigger a regression. Repeated cycles reveal that no matter where they go, the agents track them down instantly, likely due to a hidden tracker in Areum. Realizing escape is impossible, the protagonist decides to negotiate. He orchestrates a public livestream from the park, where Areum and a host demand the government apologize for persecuting her. The broadcast catches the attention of the local police chief, who receives an urgent directive from the President of the Republic of Korea to handle the situation immediately.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:09
Chapter 210
The protagonist and Areum hide in a crowded amusement park to evade pursuit, blending in as relatives while waiting in a long line. A bystander questions their relationship, but the protagonist deflects. Suddenly, a missing child announcement plays, and plainclothes agents confront them in a restroom, forcing the protagonist to trigger a regression. Repeated cycles reveal that no matter where they go, the agents track them down instantly, likely due to a hidden tracker in Areum. Realizing escape is impossible, the protagonist decides to negotiate. He orchestrates a public livestream from the park, where Areum and a host demand the government apologize for persecuting her. The broadcast catches the attention of the local police chief, who receives an urgent directive from the President of the Republic of Korea to handle the situation immediately.
Guest access includes first 36 of 359 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
9:09
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