On a small mountain in Seoul.
I found myself hiking, something I'd never done before in my life. Thanks to my significantly enhanced physical abilities, it wasn't too strenuous, and I found it more enjoyable than I expected.
The tough parts of hiking were absent, and I could simply enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.
With brisk steps, I quickly ascended the mountain, and before I knew it, I had reached the peak.
"You've arrived."
"Nice to meet you."
Choi Ji-won and Park Chul-jin were waiting for me.
"You must have had a tough climb?"
"... It was challenging."
Choi Ji-won wore a hat, a large mask, and even sunglasses. Given the nationwide buzz around her, the peculiar fashion wasn't surprising.
"... Still, it's a price to pay. It's the path I chose."
Choi Ji-won's rise to fame was a result of her own doing.
When planning to clear the second floor, she wanted to become a hero.
She aimed to be a shining beacon for those stuck on the first floor, uninterested in climbing the tower, and wanted to improve the social climate disrupted by the crimes of the powered individuals.
So, her face got ridiculously popular... but from my perspective, considering the future, Choi Ji-won's face was bound to be famous. The government awarded her, hailing her as the 'Hero of Korea'.
I just gave it a little push. It wasn't my fault...!
"Junho, did you get a good rest?"
"You can speak informally. You're my senior after all..."
"Um... really? Can I?"
"Of course."
Just before clearing the second floor, Choi Ji-won, Park Chul-jin, and I exchanged contact details, leading us to meet on this mountain.
We shared a common goal different from others: 'Climbing the tower to solve this calamity'.
"By any chance... What diamond reward did you... I mean, did you all get?"
Park Chul-jin, who was gazing at the scenery below the mountain, casually asked.
"... I received the 'Heart of Lightning' ability."
Choi Ji-won responded.
"I felt that what I lacked was explosive power. I have solid fundamentals, but in a tower riddled with supernatural abilities, I believed I needed a sharp, decisive move."
I too thought that the 'Heart of Lightning' suited Choi Ji-won.
No matter how naturally talented she was in combat, she fundamentally fought using her body.
The 'Lightning Flash' which is suitable for surprise attacks, wasn't as fitting as the 'Heart of Lightning', a secret weapon for her.
"I chose the Elixir."
In truth, I had no other options. The other two abilities were already in existence, so I couldn't choose them. I had to pick the Elixir.
"... Being able to replicate by just watching, you didn't need to choose an ability, right?"
Choi Ji-won murmured something softly, but I couldn't catch it properly.
"I also chose the Elixir."
Finally, firefighter Park Chul-jin. Surprisingly, he too chose the Elixir.
"Wouldn't the 'Heart of Lightning' have been a better choice for you?"
"... My wife had cancer."
"... I see."
"Don't look so grim. After drinking the Elixir, she recovered as if she was cleansed. The doctors called it a miracle and even asked for tests. It's a happy situation, why the gloom?"
With a playful smile, he stood up and gazed at the trees swaying in the wind.
"There's a lot of talk about superpowered crimes these days... but isn't it that a poison can become medicine depending on how it's used?"
With the wind rustling the leaves, he continued.
"While working as a firefighter... there were times I saved people who would've been impossible to save without my abilities. In that moment, I realized this tower is an opportunity for me."
Clasping his fist, Park Chul-jin turned to us with a bright smile.
"I might be less skilled than both of you... but I plan to climb the tower with more dedication than anyone. For the people."
"Sounds good, right?"
Choi Ji-won smiled in agreement.
Although the peak was windy, the atmosphere between us was warm.
Of course, I felt a bit awkward seeing them get close so fast...
We continued to chat for quite some time.
"Oh, it seems we've spent quite a bit of time."
Park Chul-jin, glancing at his wristwatch, remarked. The reason we gathered on this mountain was singular.
If the third floor required multiple people to progress simultaneously like the second floor, it was advantageous to enter together.
"So... "
"We'll meet on the third floor."
Each of us opened a portal leading to the first floor.
We all hurled ourselves into the portal.
[You have entered the third floor.]
"Wow..."
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a massive stone door.
It was a crude stone door. Rather than appearing as a meticulously constructed artifact, it looked more like a gigantic rock had been placed there.
What was noticeable was that there were five identical stone doors placed side by side. Each door had one to five tally marks crudely etched above them.
"... The ambiance is a bit dark."
Looking around, all I saw were stones. Even our clothing had changed to the leather armor provided on the second floor.
This place seemed like a part of a long cave. In front, there were five stone doors, and behind was a winding cave path blocked by a pile of rocks.
What was peculiar was that the only source of light was torches. Although there were traces of human intervention throughout the cave, the crude workmanship was evident.
The first floor, which was like a paradise, and the second floor, which, despite the suffering, had a semblance of civilization, were in stark contrast to the third floor's barbaric atmosphere.
"Hmm..."
And I wasn't alone in this cave. About five people were pondering, staring intently at the doors.
"Alright. I'll go for the door with two tally marks."
A man, after contemplating, walked towards the door with two tally marks and disappeared with a 'pop!' sound effect.
It seemed like you had to choose one of the five doors, but nothing was certain until the floor's instructions appeared.
"Oh, you were here first."
"Did you find out anything?"
While I was observing the third floor, Choi Ji-won and Park Chul-jin arrived.
"... It's a bit eerie here. The air feels cold too..."
Firefighter Park Chul-jin made a face of discomfort. Then,
<3rd Floor>
- Clear condition: Choose one of the five stone doors and proceed to the end to clear. The number of tally marks on the door indicates the difficulty level.
- Clear reward: Varies based on difficulty.
A familiar message box appeared before my eyes.
So, the number of tally marks indicated the level of difficulty. Choosing more challenging tasks usually resulted in better rewards, a universally recognized notion.
Regardless, there are five difficulty levels, and one must choose among them. The third floor, in its intuitive design, expects one to...
"We should go for the door with five tally marks, right?"
"The door with four tally marks seems better, right?"
Choi Ji-won and I spoke at the same time, and we awkwardly looked at each other.
"... Shouldn't we obviously go for the five tally marks?"
I advocated for the highest difficulty level.
Let's look at our current members.
Choi Ji-won. Park Chul-jin. And me.
We are among the top 0.1% of players. If our party can't clear the highest difficulty, then the design is flawed.
Of course, there are uncertainties.
"... Firstly, there's no guarantee that we'll all proceed together in the highest difficulty level."
Choi Ji-won methodically explained, seemingly trying to persuade me.
She had a point.
Once we enter through the door, there's a possibility of being separated and given individual missions. Entering together might not offer any advantage.
It might be too ambitious to just dive into the highest difficulty level, assuming the synergy of all three of us.
"Also, I think the highest difficulty level has symbolic significance."
Moreover, the 'highest difficulty level' usually poses challenges on a different scale.
From our experience on the second floor, capturing the noble wasn't that tough, but aiming for the diamond reward saw a drastic spike in difficulty.
Hence, there's likely a vast difference between the fourth and fifth levels.
Of course, the reward will be phenomenal, but...
"Considering we received hidden rewards on the second floor, I don't think we need to take risks here. Everything is so dark, and the ambiance is different from before. Just because the first and second floors felt peaceful, we shouldn't let our guard down here." That's why I think Choi Ji-won's opinion could be considered the general consensus.
There were no suffering residents here. There's no need to take risks and embark on adventures.
Moreover, just because the first and second floors had a peaceful atmosphere, there was no guarantee that the third floor would be the same.
"... Shall we split up? You two can take the four-tally difficulty. I'll take the five-tally one."
However, that only applies when I don't have the option to regress.
With the mindset of "If I regress, so what?", diving into the highest difficulty carries no risk for me.
If the five-tally difficulty turns out to be more manageable than expected? I can regress and persuade Choi Ji-won and Park Chul-jin.
If the five-tally difficulty is insanely hard? I can regress and we all can enter the four-tally difficulty together.
Where others enter a floor without knowing its structure, I have the privilege to thoroughly experience the third floor and then make a decision.
It's not high-risk, high-reward. It's more like no-risk, high-reward. There's no reason not to take the risk.
"... Will you be okay, Jun-ho? I know you're strong, but..."
"... Jun-ho, even though there's a chance we might get separated, there's also a chance we might stick together..."
Both Park Chul-jin and Choi Ji-won had seen my capabilities in the tutorial, but they seemed hesitant and tried to dissuade me.
"It's fine."
However, I don't think it's best to reveal my ability to regress right now.
I can influence Choi Ji-won and Park Chul-jin's actions indirectly based on the information I've gathered. Arguing without any information is inefficient.
It's an obvious move. I should just enter the highest difficulty, gauge the feel of it, and then decide whether to regress.
"... Isn't that woman Choi Ji-won?"
"... It seems like it."
Perhaps because we were discussing loudly in the middle, others started to whisper and glance at Choi Ji-won. The cave amplified sounds.
"Well, I'll go in first."
It's best not to waste time here and proceed directly.
Being indecisive when I can always regress is utterly redundant and nerve-wracking.
As someone with infinite regression, I should always be decisive. I must pave paths others don't tread, and I mustn't fear death.
[Entering 3-5 floor.]
With the enthusiasm of a pioneer, I confidently walked up to the door with five tally marks and raised my hand.
"... Huh?"
Before a message box appeared in front of my eyes...