Chapter 122

The theory is that even my duplicate isn’t experiencing this for the first time.

It’s still just a theory. But there is a way to prove it.

First, I bit down hard to trigger the regression.

***

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations!"

The black cube imprisoning me disappears, and as soon as the angels sound the fanfare—

"Goodbye!"

I sprint full-force towards the outside of the temple. The floor is cushioned with fluffy clouds, but they should be solid enough to step on.

[You cannot advance beyond this point.]

Ah, the archangel has blocked it. I’d hoped to escape somewhere into the clouds and see if the duplicate could find me. The plan to flee outside the temple has failed.

"Then, how about this?"

This time, I dash across the vast temple toward the direction where the duplicate usually appears. Thanks to having regressed four times already, I know exactly where it will emerge.

"Huff, huff..."

Though the temple is absurdly vast, it’s not so immense that a superhuman sprint can’t cover the distance. I reach roughly the spot where the duplicate will appear and catch my breath slowly.

“Climbers, what do you believe to be the ‘greatest trait of humanity’? Naturally, there could be many answers. But I have one answer in mind.”

I focus on the faintly echoing voice of the archangel, Raphael, in the distance. Having heard the speech multiple times, I already know when it will end.

“Then, I hope you continue to strive forward. I shall take my leave.”

How long had I waited? Finally, Raphael’s voice faded.

-Vroom.

Right in front of me, something in the shape of a black cube materialized. It resembled the design of what I encountered every time I entered the 5th floor. 

Most likely, my duplicate is inside.

"…"

I move cautiously around to the back of the box, making sure not to make a sound. As soon as this black object disappears, I plan to catch the duplicate off guard.

And at last, the box vanishes.

"Hyaah!"

Whoosh!

I swing my leg with all my strength, aiming at the duplicate inside.

"…"

However, as if it had anticipated this all along, the duplicate is already facing my direction.

Crack!

It dodges my kick and immediately stomps on my supporting foot, shattering the nails.

"Ah..."

***

Once again, Raphael's long speech ends and the duplicate stands before me.

"Sigh..."

My toe still throbs with pain. But this is conclusive. My duplicate, too, is repeating regressions.

If both my duplicate and I have the power of regression... Anyone who’s read a bit of science fiction would realize how complex this problem is.

If one of us regresses, what happens to the other? A parallel world? Multiverse? Or does that one regress as well? Time and space are already confusing enough; digging deeper only raises more questions.

But I’ve been given a few clues, and one theory I derived from them is this: ‘My duplicate and I cannot perceive each other’s regressions.’

When I first entered the 5th floor, my duplicate was in a terrible state. Its eyes were glazed over, and its mouth was muttering something unintelligible. I initially thought it was because “it’s just a duplicate, not a perfect copy.” But what if that wasn’t the reason?

What if the duplicate I saw upon entering the 5th floor had actually undergone hundreds or even thousands of regressions? What if that’s why it was so broken?

If this is true, then the sequence of events is predictable.

In the first cycle, my duplicate and I confront each other. I don’t know how the duplicate perceives the situation, but perhaps the archangel set it up so we’d have to fight. My duplicate and I clash, and I quickly subdue it, given my superior stats and skills.

Then the duplicate regresses, entering its second cycle. But it’s still not strong enough to defeat me. Regression. Regression. Regression.

The duplicate, repeating regressions over and over, finally arrives at the conclusion: “If I’m injured, I regress too.” From then on, it targets the back of my sword-wielding hand.

“Huh?”

This was my first regression. But, just like me, my duplicate cannot perceive my regressions.

So, how did I respond after my first regression?

Initially, I held back, assessing the situation. But later, I used every skill I had, stabbing forward. From the duplicate’s perspective, it must have been jarring to see my behavior change so suddenly.

In any case, the duplicate regressed again, repeating it over and over, trying to find a way to defeat a “vigilant Jun-ho.” I can’t even guess how many times it has regressed, but I know it’s been an incredible amount.

Clang!

“Aaagh!”

But after countless regressions, it finally beat me—A triumph of human perseverance against a powerful foe. Given the massive difference in physical abilities between us, my duplicate must have put in a staggering amount of effort.

Still, I bring a new strategy: “I win by doing nothing.”

In a situation where both would lose from any injury, the one who moves first is at a disadvantage. For a regressor whose entire body is a weakness, any attack means exposing those vulnerabilities.

I don’t know if it regressed just before being defeated by my tactic, or if it gave up halfway and chose to regress. Either way, the duplicate keeps regressing to try to break through.

In fiction, you’ll see a frail old man overpowering a strong young man with just a finger. But reality isn’t that forgiving. Unless there’s a massive difference in skill, the stronger one wins.

So, how many times has the duplicate regressed, and how much effort has it put in to overcome this insurmountable physical difference?

Of course, it eventually succeeded. Showing almost miraculous skill, it twisted its sword mid-swing and struck me down. After an eternity of suffering, it finally achieved its goal.

“Heh…”

I’m suddenly struck by the absurdity of regression. The effort the regressor puts in vanishes into the cracks of time. Only the result remains. To an outsider, a regressor seems to grow insanely fast, reaching impossible heights in no time. Maybe that’s how others see me too.

“Hey.”

“…”

“What are we supposed to do with this?”

If my theory is correct, then we’re basically locked in an invisible game of ping-pong.

Neither of us can perceive the other’s regression. Time flows for the one who loses, while time halts for the one who wins. The loser regresses over and over, eventually achieving victory, but at that moment, time resumes for the winner, and they’re forced into the same loop. It’s an endless marathon of “losses” for both of us.

“…”

“It’s not responding.”

Under these circumstances, no one can truly win. No result of “victory” can last. If one of us claims victory, the other will regress, erasing that win. The loser keeps regressing until they achieve victory, but the moment they do, everything resets.

It’s like an endless purgatory. An unwinnable game. You could say we’re both trapped on the 5th floor forever.

“…No.”

There’s still a way out. I might just win. Why? Because, in the end, it comes down to strength.

“…”

The duplicate is already in a severely deteriorated state. It mutters with a haunted look, like a worn-out protagonist in a tragic story.

Meanwhile, I’m relatively intact. Of course, after tumbling through the 3rd and 4th floors, I’m no normal person, but I’m better off than the duplicate, who’s likely regressed thousands of times. Thanks to Ji-won, I’m holding up okay.

So, the reason for my confidence is simple: the duplicate is in a much worse position than me.

To match my progress, it has to work tens of times harder. The two of us may have the same potential, but it’s unlikely that it can overcome our strength gap so quickly.

‘It has low stats, making any slight improvement in my technique even more dangerous.’

For every one of my regressions, it might experience dozens.

If a long time passes here… whose mind will break first?

Who will be the first to lose their sanity under the weight of time?

If it eventually lies there, unable to think or move, then I can consider it subdued.

It’s cruel, but it’s the only way for me to win.

I’ve steeled myself to continue this endless marathon-

“I’m sorry, my friend.”

-Until my duplicate’s mind is completely broken.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

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