362 – Regression (10)

Let’s take a moment to objectively re-evaluate my situation. Sure, I had regression, and because of that, and my various eccentricities inside the tower, my ‘achievement level’ was bizarrely high. But usually an achievement is a thing someone would cheer when attaining.

Many people hadn’t even glimpsed the achievement system, and while several of the vanguard had achievement levels open, they were usually around 5-10.

But currently, my achievement level was 92. Unlike the levels of typical players, my achievement level, which boosted all of my stats, meant that while I might be a bit weaker or slower than others, my stamina was high and my magic pool was much more abundant. You could say I was a massive hexagon, in terms of stats.

So, just by looking at my status window, I was among the top players, and someone whose status showed the distinct advantage of a high magic pool. The sheer amount of my total stats would put me at number one, and if you factor in my actual combat abilities, I was within the upper echelons without a “Hero” characteristic, at best. I didn’t think I could beat heavyweights like Michael Jeter, Choi Jiwon or Kang Chan. If I did…I’d win, I guess.

“But that’s talking about the future.”

Right now, I’m a rule-breaker, a munchkin, or whatever other label you want to slap on someone this strong. The monsters on the lower floors are no match for me. I could go toe-to-toe with the ‘city lord’, the one they supposedly made to be fought, and toy with it.

But what if, after winning, I meet the Archangel? If she, or he, approaches me like before to give me the ring?

A status window that shouldn’t exist on the 2nd floor. A powerful physique. Overflowing magic. (In my opinion) honed momentum.

This is just the 2nd floor. Is it even possible for a human who’s just gotten past the tutorial to be this strong? No way. Absolutely not. It’s clear I used an abnormal method.

Yeah, meeting the Archangel, it’s almost certain my regression will be discovered. Even if they don’t find out about ‘regression’ itself, it’s guaranteed I’ll draw the Archangel’s attention.

The risk is clear. The Archangel might find out about my regression. I don’t know if that will be a good or bad thing, but the problem is, it creates a huge variable that’s out of my control. No matter how much I boast, I’m nothing to an Archangel. In the first place, it’s impossible for me to appear from one place to another, instantly, across space.

On the other hand, what about the return? First off, I could get the ring that ends my regression. And the elixir is a bonus with the diamond reward. (Since I already know about the Thunder’s Heart and Flash Step, they don’t matter.) Actually, you could say the ring is the biggest reason.

Then what if I don’t meet the Archangel? What if I’m satisfied with an average reward, and just move on? The reward might be disappointing, but I can avoid touching a huge variable like the Archangel. Or rather, can I really avoid touching it?

“…Hmm.”

Compared to the other Archangels from other floors, who are all “out of place,” “busy at the moment,” and not showing their faces, Raphael is the only one who has revealed their true form. To put it a little less directly, Raphael isn’t out of place. And this guy is the Archangel in charge of floors 1 to 5.

Can I hide it if I want to hide it? I could probably manage to not attract attention. But I’m going to get the elixir on the 4th floor anyways. In that case, won’t he, at least once, pay attention to me? Or rather, maybe he’s been watching me even before I actually regressed?

“No matter what I do, there’s a chance I’ll get caught.”

If I really do nothing, and silently clear up to the 5th floor, I might not get caught. But if that were the case, I’d have to give up the elixir, and the connections with other players, like Kang Chan, and if I get caught after keeping such a low profile, I’d feel so incredibly cheated.

Archangels are different from humans. They’re not beings you can deceive just because you want to. If I have to do it anyway,

“…The direction should be giving as little information as possible.”

Let’s induce an misunderstanding.

-You have entered the 2nd floor.

I contacted Choi Jiwon, and we entered the 2nd floor at the exact same moment. (Park Cheol-jin, the firefighter, was a bonus.)

＜2nd Floor＞

-Clear Condition: Gain the approval of the city residents, and bring back the token proving that approval. However, you must not leave the city limits. Climbers, please be kind to one another!

-Clear Reward: Varies depending on the rank of the token.

“Oh, hello! Climber! Welcome!”

“Huh, long time no see.”

“Uh, yes! Long time no see! Have we met before?!”

“No.”

“…?”

I greeted the signboard angel Anael, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, and took a sweeping look at the scenery of the second floor, also after a long time. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this city. Memories, along with some bitter recollections, came flooding back. I really struggled a lot here. But if I clear the second floor in a different way, will Anael continue to be in charge here? I don’t know.

Anyway, having looked around the second floor, I naturally went through the city and collected bronze and silver tokens. I’m genuinely strong, and since I’ve got my traits stacked with reverence, hero, and other helpful effects, persuading the citizens was simple. There were a few other players trying to pick a fight, but a glare was enough to suppress them.

“Just follow that woman.”

“Ah, I understand. Noble one.”

“Let’s go!!!”

“Woooaaah!!!”

And just like that, the plan to incite a rebellion by hiding behind Choi Ji-won succeeded. Everyone gathered in the central square, the signboard angel Anael was bewildered and panicked, and other players were watching from behind, observing the situation.

“Welcome. I am the owner of this city.”

Finally, the city’s owner appeared. He was speaking to me, who was standing behind Choi Ji-won, as if he knew who the real powerhouse was, but when I didn’t react, he finally turned his gaze to Choi Ji-won.

“Now, I’ll give you this diamond token… just drop that sack and go. Or would you rather fight me and win back the freedom of the residents?”

“I will fight.”

“You will fight? …Very well.”

The city’s owner entered the fight against Choi Ji-won with a stiff expression, but he never stood a chance from the beginning. Choi Ji-won was not weak enough to be completely overwhelmed, and since I was subtly supporting her with cold energy from afar, the city’s owner couldn’t exert his full strength. How could he fight, with his knees and arms constantly stiffening up as he moved?

– *SPLAT!!!*

“Kuh…!”

“I, I won!!!”

“I can’t believe my eyes…”

Just like that, Choi Ji-won naturally claimed victory. While she was gasping for air, completely worn out, I subtly released my magic, knocking every player still awake unconscious.

-[Astonishing Achievement Alert!]

-Successfully neutralized the hidden boss, ‘Master of the City’!

-A special reward will be granted to [Kim Jun-ho] for making the greatest contribution!

“I can’t let my name be seen.”

It should be attributed to what Choi Ji-won did; I can’t let my name be inserted into the mix.

“Congratulations!”

While I was spreading my magic, a dazzling pillar of light rose in the center of the plaza, baby angels blowing trumpets appeared in the air, and the Archangel Raphael walked out from the pillar.

“Well then, let’s do some healing… though, it seems I don’t need to.”

Raphael smiled with pleasure as he looked around the plaza. In the original world, he was the one who knocked the other players out, but this time, I did it instead.

“Well, it worked out for the best. Come here.”

“H-Hieeeek…!!!”

“Stay still. If you’ve sinned, you should at least make amends.”

“Don’t punish her. Let’s just talk.”

“…Alright, let’s.”

After saving Anael just like before, I treated Raphael with as much nonchalance as possible. That was my intention.

My current strength is an inexplicable kind of power. Unnatural stats and skills. So, of course, Raphael is going to be suspicious of me.

But what if I act like it’s nothing? What if I don’t give him any evidence? Act like it’s natural, like it’s always been this way?

Raphael will realize I’m special. That much is certain. But he won’t know I’m a ‘regressor.’

I can’t hide my special nature completely. But I don’t want him to find out I’m a regressor. So if I give him as little information as possible, Raphael won’t be able to be certain of anything. He won’t be able to be sure if I’m a regressor, a returnee, or a monster the gods have arranged.

‘Alright, how’s he gonna play this?’

If I act like a normal player who struggled to clear the tower, how will Raphael react? Will he come right out and ask about my identity? Or will he try to test me? Divine power? Will he try to read me with divine power? I was inwardly tense, but outwardly I showed absolutely nothing and continued my conversation with Raphael.

And surprisingly enough.

“Change the second floor.”

“The part you don’t like is probably the part where you’re forced to commit evil acts to get good rewards, right? I’ll revise the rules. I’ll get rid of the token boxes… and rewards of gold grade or higher will only be obtainable by proving you have a certain level of strength. Ah, by getting rid of the token boxes, I mean I’m going to leave the residents as so-called NPCs.”

My meeting with the Archangel Raphael was almost identical to the way I remembered it. The only difference was that I didn’t try to forcefully pry into the Archangel’s intentions, and the Archangel didn’t think anything of it either.

I got the ring, was promised a diamond reward, and changed the second floor. I got everything I wanted when I started the negotiation in the first place.

“Well, I think that covers everything… It was a productive time, Junho-nim.”

The Archangel ascended with a pillar of light. I stared at the spot he disappeared from with a hollow feeling.

“…”

The unexpected situation I had been so worried about didn’t happen, I got the ring unscathed, and successfully cleared the second floor and changed it. The situation couldn’t have gone any better.

Maybe I should just be grateful for the luck. Perhaps I should nod contentedly and prepare to conquer the third floor. Maybe the Raphael I just saw wasn’t the real one, and that’s why he couldn’t properly sense my power.

“It’s strange.”

But maybe it’s because I’m a bit twisted, or because I’ve been through too much in this tower, or maybe it’s because I don’t trust the Archangel lot. I couldn’t accept this stroke of luck as just luck. There’s something very unsettling, a good luck that doesn’t sit right. I feel a strong sense of unease.

It’s like I’ve experienced this situation before. A very similar feeling, where it’s too strange because there’s nothing strange… like…

As I pondered, I realized when I’d felt this way before.

From the 28th floor, that same feeling as when I tricked Cheonma.

“…”

It’s certain.

The Archangel Raphael just gave a performance of ‘not noticing a single thing.’