Chapter 72

 

The solution emerged in my mind.

 

Just one.

 

A solution as narrow as the point of a needle.

 

“But before I tell you, there’s something we need to clarify first.”

 

“...What is it?”

 

“Your punch… I need to know the exact conditions for its use.”

 

In truth, Kang Chan’s power, if we’re talking purely in terms of attack strength, is the strongest among all the players I’ve seen so far. In terms of the impact of a single blow, it’s comparable to the master of the city after activating the Heart of Lightning.

 

Naturally, his punch is also the key ability for conquering the floor 3-5.

 

For now, I’m only guessing that it can be used ‘about once,’ but understanding the detailed conditions for its use is also crucial.

 

“...Then, I guess I need to hear about you too.”

 

Kang Chan responds to my question with a question of his own.

 

“From what I gather... you’re not the type of regressor who goes back just once. You’re probably the kind who can do it repeatedly. I mean… You spoke to me right after entering the floor 3-5 without even looking around.”

 

“...”

 

“I need to know the conditions that change the point of your regression. Can you just do it as per your will? Or is it determined by some kind of condition? Can’t it be reset?”

 

Kang Chan raised an eyebrow, asking about my regression ability.

 

I had forgotten, due to his easy divulgence of his own power, but I had not revealed anything about my own return.

 

“...Why are you curious about that?”

 

“Aren’t you planning to regress anyway? What’s the problem in telling me?”

 

“...”

 

He had a point, and I had no counterargument. After all, once I regressed, those memories would vanish anyway, so there was nothing I couldn’t disclose.

 

But still... revealing that ‘I regress upon a mere injury’ felt somewhat uneasy. It was a kind of instinctual repulsion, not a rational thought.

 

“...I regress under certain conditions. The point of regression is set to the moment I first entered each level.”

 

“You ask me to reveal the penalties of my punch, yet you too hide the detailed conditions of your power.”

 

“...”

 

“Let’s just agree not to disclose our ability further.”

 

Kang Chan shrugged nonchalantly, then continued.

 

“...Next, I’d like to hear in detail about your experiences after entering the floor 3-5.”

 

“Why do you need to know that?”

 

“I need to assess whether your plan is realistic or not. I’ve already shared my story.”

 

“Um, guys...”

 

In the midst of this tense exchange, An Kyung-Joon interjected cluelessly.

 

“There’s a lady waiting for you... You should come now.”

 

“...Leave. I’ll be there soon.”

 

“O-Okay...”

 

Kang Chan swiftly silenced An Kyung-Joon with a look, then shifted his gaze back to me.

 

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. You can even lie. After all, if you ‘regress’, I’ll forget everything anyway. Ah, you could even regress right now if you want. I’ve got the information I wanted. But remember, you’re alone. Even plans that seem perfect to you might have flaws when seen through another’s eyes. I have advice to offer too.”

 

“...”

 

Kang Chan.

 

Contrary to my initial impression, this guy seemed quite sharp. And right now, he was being cooperative.

 

I wasn’t sure of his intentions, but... he might be of some help.

 

“...Let’s start from when I first entered the third level.”

 

So, I slowly unfolded the events that occurred after I entered the floor 3-5 to Kang Chan.

 

It was uncomfortable to reveal the facts of my regression and to share stories from the last iterations... but Kang Chan was right. A plan that seemed perfect to me might have flaws when seen through the eyes of a third party.

 

“...After seeing blood on the golem’s fist, I regressed.”

 

About 10 minutes had passed.

 

I finished my story, and Kang Chan, with a stern expression, seemed deep in thought. An Kyung-Joon, who had peeked in wondering why we hadn’t come yet, retreated back upon sensing the heavy atmosphere.

 

Kang Chan nodded, his face not completely expressionless but difficult to read.

 

“First... it seems I can only use the ‘punch’ only once on the third floor.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“To be honest, I’m reluctant to give too much information to a regressor. But this is no lie. Floor 3-5... is really not compatible with me.”

 

“...I see.”

 

Kang Chan seemed to understand what it meant to give information to a regressor. And he didn’t appear to be lying.

 

If he could use the ‘punch’ twice, things would be much, much easier. But if it’s really true that the ‘punch’ could be used just once... it’s inevitably disappointing.

 

“Besides, it seems the other three members, including you, are quite strong.”

 

Kang Chan turned his head, looking in the direction where Dok Su-Hee and An Kyung-Joon were waiting.

 

“...For me, the ‘fist’ is like a last resort. Using it is almost like walking around with my neck exposed.”

 

“But you used your power in the trap corridor, didn’t you?”

 

“That version must have developed trust… Trust that with you guys, he could use his power and still survive to the end.”

 

The past Kang Chan must have observed others closely, I assumed.

 

Kang Chan, who is almost like a corpse without his ‘intimidation’ trait, always had to watch others. From their personalities to their strength and way of thinking. After considering all these factors, Kang Chan concluded that our party was trustworthy and decided to use his power along the way.

 

Kang Chan must not be in a position to comfortably pass through the trap corridor either.

 

Moreover, having ‘intimidation’ as his last line of defense, he must have been confident about surviving most situations.

 

“...I just didn’t expect a golem immune to murderous intent to show up.”

 

However, that encounter hadn’t ended well.

 

“...With this, I believe I’ve laid all my cards on the table. Now it’s your turn.”

 

Kang Chan, with his dark eyes, looked directly into mine.

 

“Let’s hear your plan.”

 

“Alright.”

 

After a moment of contemplation, I began to explain.

 

My plan.

 

Its essence was simple.

 

It was about understanding what these four of us possessed, analyzing the obstacles ahead, and then utilizing our abilities where they were most needed.

 

It wasn’t a grand scheme. Just a simple shift in thinking.

 

“...A plan that heavily relies on your willpower, I see.”

 

That was Kang Chan’s reaction after hearing my plan to the end.

 

“The chances of success seem high. As long as you don’t break mentally.”

 

In fact, that was the biggest issue with this plan - The question of whether or not my willpower could endure.

 

But among the plans that had come to mind, this seemed like the only viable answer.

 

“...I’ll be rooting for you.”

 

After a small nod, Kang Chan slowly rose from his seat.

 

He loosened his shoulders, then squared up and fixed his gaze on me.

 

“Now, regress.”

 

A fist wrapped in light. A murderous aura emanating from the body.

 

These were the precursors to Kang Chan’s ‘punch.’

 

“...I was planning to regress anyway, but is this really necessary?”

 

I had indeed planned to regress, but his sudden change in attitude left me feeling a bit slighted.

 

“Not really. Try seeing it from my perspective.”

 

Kang Chan shook his head in disapproval.

 

“You might have used some special technique to peek into my status, or maybe you deduced my abilities and launched a psychological attack.”

 

“...”

 

“What do you think was my reason for openly sharing my past and abilities?”

 

Like a regressor, Kang Chan becomes vulnerable the moment his true nature is exposed. And his weakness…

 

Numbers.

 

Simply overpowering him with numbers can win the battle. There would be sacrifices, but without his one punch, he’s practically defenseless.

 

In other words, the moment Kang Chan revealed his abilities, he had no intention of letting me go easily.

 

“...If I’m not a regressor, you’ll be trapped on the third floor, right? You can’t progress without four people here.”

 

“Once my ‘true nature’ is revealed, I’m as good as dead. I’m taking a gamble too...”

 

Kang Chan stopped mid-sentence and let out a sly laugh.

 

“No, I’ll be honest. Initially, I was skeptical, and I gambled as I just mentioned... but now, I believe that you are indeed a regressor. It’s my intuition and the conclusion from observing your actions.”

 

“...Then why are you doing this?”

 

“I’m trying to score points.”

 

“...What?”

 

“Have you never thought about it from someone else’s perspective? What it feels like to encounter a regressor?”

 

“...”

 

“You’re like a natural disaster, or something inevitable. Unless there’s a way to seal you away forever, opposing you is akin to suicide.”

 

Kang Chan lifted one corner of his mouth in a half-smile.

 

“I’m appealing to you right now. I’m not some empty-headed fool. I can be of help to you, and beyond that, to humanity.”

 

Kang Chan was showing his insight.

 

He had grasped the situation in a flash. Asserting that he possessed a certain depth of perception.

 

He was basically saying that rather than exposing and utterly demolishing him, it would be more rational to leave him be and utilize him.

 

“...I did wonder why you were so readily sharing your story at first.”

 

There was a plan all along. I had thought he was just being thoughtless.

 

“No, it wasn’t just because I had no intention of letting you go.”

 

Kang Chan shook his head.

 

“There was also an intention to see how you would react to my story. Just as you were observing me, I was observing you.”

 

“...”

 

“And from what I’ve seen... you’re trustworthy.”

 

Again, he was indirectly saying that if he believed me now, his past self would have believed me too.

 

With that, Kang Chan showed a slightly awkward smile for the first time.

 

“...So, I’ll be rooting for you.”

 

The light from Kang Chan’s fist slowly faded.

 

“...Thanks.”

 

I nodded slightly and then began the regression.

 

 

 

***

 

“...Wake up. Greenhorn.”

 

“...Huff.”

 

Before executing ‘the plan,’ there was something I needed to test first.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

The golem…

 

I had to face that creature once again.

– – – End of Chapter – – -

 

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