281 - Regression Is Too Much

281 – Moving Forward Again (7) After returning to my room. “It seems... Jeter has high expectations of us.” “Yeah.” “Junho.” “Huh?” “Should we take a longer break now? There isn't much left until the 30th floor.” Even though I know it's quite immature to think this way. “Really?” I couldn't contain my happiness. ** This is Choi Ji-won's house. Honestly, my room was too cramped for two people, so I moved here under the logic that my own home would be more suitable for a proper rest. “No, Bungbung! This is too salty! What? It’s fine?” In the kitchen, Choi Ji-won was cooking. She insisted on trying out a stew recipe she saw on YouTube, but it seemed she and Bungbung were having a hard time agreeing on the taste. If it were me, I’d just ignore the sword's opinion and cook it my way. What does a sword know? “Hmm…” Meanwhile, I was browsing the internet communities. Sometimes to gather information, and sometimes just for fun. Time usually flies by when you're lying down and scrolling through your phone. Part of the reason is that information gets posted to communities very quickly. It's both informative and entertaining. There's really no reason not to do it. “Jiwon. Your home Wi-Fi is great.” “Really?” “Yeah. My place is so slow. It’s nice here.” “Is it because I barely use it? No, Bungbung!” I shifted my gaze back to my phone. As usual, the community was bustling with various topics, but the proportion of discussions about ‘Tops’ and ‘Players’ had notably increased. -Today’s idol status… Jpg -It’s Seoul Station in real time, but damn -I wish I could be called for a tutorial too -Any players here? Can a tutorial really last more than two weeks? “Hmm.” I gently clicked on the latest post. -His mother suddenly disappeared, and he might have been summoned to a tutorial. How long is this tutorial supposed to be? Does it take this long? -[Link] According to stats, a week is the Maginot Line. -Or maybe he’s just lounging on the first floor… Guess I won’t see this comment. -He might be dead. “Seup.” The author didn’t respond to the comments. It wasn’t a pleasant topic, so I quickly clicked on another article. -I also want to be called for a tutorial, acquire a trait, and enjoy life by doing YouTube and live streaming. I feel like this miserable life would improve as long as I have those traits. -This guy seems like the type who’d die first -No, you could survive by attacking them -But if I mix up Top content and curse at them, will I get sued? I can't see them anyway -A prosecutor who used to be a lawyer sues you, and a player who used to be a judge sentences you to jail “… Cih.” Every time I come across a post like this, an involuntary sense of disgust washes over me. Even though I know it's beyond my control, I reflexively click my tongue. Even now, somewhere, players are risking their lives climbing the tower. Take Michael Jeter, for instance—he's completely exhausted. But the general public... they don't know the battles. They lack understanding. So, when they see the traits as the result of these struggles, they spout absurdities like, "Wouldn't it be nice to be summoned to the tower?" I, too, once wondered how nice it would be if there were no regression traits. Why do I have to... He cried for the same reason. I no longer think that way. If it weren't for the regression trait, I wouldn't have the connections I do today. “Isn't it so? If it were a regression, wouldn't it be senseless?” Honestly, I think there are many who would willingly join the tower if given a regression trait. It's a powerful trait that everyone desires. Isn't it an almost invincible trait, allowing you to correct past mistakes and foresee future truths? “All done! Just a moment, please!” “Ah, okay.” Suddenly, a delicious aroma wafts through the air. I should quickly put my phone away. But first, a final glance at the post. -Why do I think there isn't a regression… Eu “Why wouldn't there be? There is.” I muttered this to myself while reading the text. -Frankly, if you had a ridiculous trait like regression, shouldn't you have reached the top already? If you sent me back, I'd probably clear it in half a year and hang out with beautiful women. If it’s not broken, there's no regression. -Or maybe he’s just incompetent. -If you've read novels, you'd know that if you have the ability to go back and can’t ascend within 10 layers, you're just an idiot. Others live once and fail 10 times, so does it make sense to not be first? How stupid must you be? “… “ I was tempted to write, ‘Have you tried it?’ but gathered that this person likely doesn't understand the mechanics of regression or has never been inside the tower. Didn’t he say that there's a brashness in ignorance? “Oh, this is infuriating.” But maybe it's because I'm narrow-minded. The more I ponder it, the angrier I become. Are you just going to find me? But what are you going to do once you do? Intimidate me, maybe. Only, you can't actually find me. Other people's reactions are all stressful, and I wonder how Choi Ji-won manages to withstand such pressure. Right, let's shift focus. After all, the compliments aren’t meant for individuals but are glossed over with comments like, ‘If there’s regression, they must be incompetent.’ “All done!” "I'll be right there." As I entered the kitchen, I was greeted by the rich aroma of a thick brown stew that filled the room. Just by the look of it, you could tell—it was going to be delicious. "But isn't this a bit much?" "Well... I kind of lost track of how much I was making." "Aha." The quantity had gradually increased. Given that players usually eat a lot, having a generous portion wasn't a problem. "I'm going to enjoy this." With a soft crunch, we sat down to enjoy the meal, discussing various topics while savoring the stew Jiwon had prepared, either on its own or with bread dipped into it. The dense broth was just perfect, and the meat was incredibly tender. “Jiwon.” Rather than eating, I posed a question calmly. “Hmm?” “Aren’t you overwhelmed by all the attention?” “It can be a lot.” Choi Ji-won smiled warmly. "But they’re strangers. It's fine." "You're really something else." I got stressed over a single internet article, yet Choi Ji-won could dismiss it so gracefully. Then again, that's just the way she is. “I feel incredibly lucky.” “… Suddenly?” “Not suddenly. It’s something I often think about. I feel fortunate both as a person and as someone who has experienced regression.” Many of the regressive characters I’ve encountered in stories have had far more tragic experiences than this. Even after endlessly looping through the world, I've never once faced an enemy I couldn't defeat. I haven’t endured the horrifying deaths of close friends. I’ve suffered the pain of having someone I love look at me with unfamiliar eyes... It's been a long time, but I overcame it. My mind hasn't shattered under the weight of unbearable karma. If there were an industry for regressors, I’d probably be considered someone who’s handled it exceedingly well. Other regressors would likely envy me. “On the other hand, Junho, you...” “The bar for regression is quite low, isn't it? Even if you just cross it, you come back.” “That doesn't happen as much anymore. It was more common in the early stages of regression. And you have a strong, amazing partner, right? Usually, stories don’t feature someone as overpowered as you. I’ve also become quite powerful.” “Puhha, what’s that?” “Not really. I enjoy a pretty stellar work-life balance.” When it didn't work out, it simply didn’t. Perhaps you could call it a balanced cycle? Regardless, it worked for me. Now that I've grown stronger, unexpected regressions have decreased. There’s no more despair from lacking strength. If someone wrote a story about someone like me, you could say the genre has transitioned to an overpowered character novel. "It's just... I'm fortunate. There are so many wonderful people around me. No, the world is full of great individuals. I'm grateful that the social order is maintained." “Hmm… Is that so?” “Well then, let's dig in.” What if Choi Ji-won were a major psychopath? Or what if the emperor, who holds the number one rank, had a penchant for massacring people? What if Michael Jeter harbored malicious intentions? Humanity would suffer a tremendous blow. While you might endure it, the damage would be irreparable. We're fortunate to live in a world where the strongest of humankind are kind-hearted individuals. I'm relieved we exist in a world devoid of terrifying villains. And I'm lucky that one of them, Choi Ji-won, is my beloved. “Once we reach the 30th floor… we’ve decided to prepare for the disaster." "Right?" “I remember the monster’s location... and we’ll figure out its weaknesses. Spread the strategy. There will be a lot of work to do. You might have to regress a few times." The task sounded daunting. My shoulders felt heavy. But. “Why is it that I don’t feel like we might fail?” Being with Jiwon. I couldn't even imagine feeling frustrated. Mistakes might occur. We might have to go back. But... we'll overcome them one day. There are so many good people around me, and as long as I don't give up, we will succeed. "Breaking through the 30th floor. Stopping those monsters. Climbing the tower again... I just think if I keep repeating it, one day, I'll find myself at the top." “That's essentially what training is. If you repeat your actions every day, you'll find yourself at a higher place before you even realize it." “I could climb the tower like that. After all, you've already endured everything you possibly could, right?” “Whew, that's right. Absolutely.” “I felt it last night while drinking. Just... as long as I strive to protect those around me, my sanity will remain intact.” I... I guess I'm fortunate. I'm just lucky as a person. With the traits, with Inbok. And beyond that. Above all else. I am a happy person. Now I realize that. Thanks again. “I love you.” “I love you, too.” The night before heading back. We cherished each other’s company. I felt truly blessed.