episode_0032

Upon regaining consciousness, the sight before me was very familiar.

A countryside mutt always chained up in the spacious courtyard.

It was my hometown.

“Why am I here?”

I stood there like a ghost. Like a dead person.

“Is this my memory?”

As the knight said, it was a memory unknown to me.

I haven’t been to my hometown recently.

Even if I did, it was only once or twice a year, so I didn’t recognize this scene.

“Hello, ma’am. Yes, yes, it’s Chang-gi.”

“Hahaha! Oh, don’t worry about me! I’m doing well~!”

“How about the lady?”

“Oh, really? That must be tough~!”

Amidst my confusion, an unfamiliar situation unfolded in my memory.

I was holding a phone in my hometown when I should be in the tower.

In front of none other than myself.

…And calling her “ma’am”?

Did I have someone I called so affectionately?

I never called Bridgette Noonim “ma’am.”

Even if I did, was there a reason to call her “ma’am” like that?

“Is she doing well these days?”

“It’s Seong-yeon speaking.”

“The one who used to call me every day hasn’t been in touch lately.”

“Oh, really?”

“No wonder! She hasn’t been picking up!”

A phone call about someone’s well-being in the flow of the conversation.

Then Seong-yeon’s name came up, which surprised me.

Is my conversation partner Seong-yeon’s mother?

Why?

I haven’t been in touch with her since childhood, let alone seen her face.

“Wow, she’s amazing. How did she get there so quickly?”

“She’s really talented. I never expected someone to excel like that among my friends.”

“Shall we send her some fruit as a congratulatory gift? It’s in season now.”

“Oh, come on, no need to be so formal between us!”

In my memory, I was excitedly talking about something.

Calling my mother and laughing heartily.

Looking at my body, I was much slimmer than I am now.

In my memory… wasn’t I a hunter?

“…Yes? Yes, what about Seong-yeon?”

“-With me?”

“What the heck is this? Huh? No, that’s nonsense–”

Boom!

After that, my head exploded.

“……?”

It exploded.

I.

“……??”

My head.

Burst.

What did I just see?

“…Huh?”

I came back to my senses.

The knight was lying on the ground, looking down at me with a red feather in his mouth.

“You’re dead.”

The knight said plainly.

As if stating the truth.

There’s no reason to lie.

“Just a moment, what about me?”

“How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? You’re dead. I don’t know which death it is, but what you just saw is one of your many deaths.”

“What are you talking about!”

“There’s more to come, so watch.”

“Wait a minute…!?”

The view darkened again, then a new scene appeared before my eyes.

This time, it was a bedroom.

I was naked in a pink-lit corner of the room like a love hotel.

“Who did I come here with?”

After the act was over, I sat on the bed and smoked.

There were clear nail marks on my back, and there was a woman next to me…

…Ceres?

“Can I call you oppa?”

“Are you trying to act cute at that age?”

“Yes. At least in front of you, I want to.”

“Well, you’ve been through a lot. You must have had a hard time.”

“…Oppa.”

“It’s okay. You can always be like that in front of me.”

“Thank you. Really.”

Wait, what the hell is this?

Why is Ceres calling me oppa?

How did I end up in a situation where I’m having sex with the cold European butler’s younger sister!?

“So, about the question I asked last time…”

“You’re asking now?”

“…Sorry. But I was really curious. You know the answer, right?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me. What is the ■■■■■■■?”

“That is… ■■■….”

-Boom!

“Huh?”

“Oh, Oppa? Oppa? Oh, ooooooh, huaaaaa!!!!”

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!”

My head exploded again.

Serres cried as she was hit by a fountain of blood.

Horror in its purest form.

*

“-Crack!”

My head again….

Wooooosh!!

“What’s happening, why does my head keep exploding, I don’t understand at all-!”

When I came to my senses, the leisure from earlier was nowhere to be found, entangled in the knight’s departure.

It’s a filthy sight. It feels like it could become a trauma.

“You know the ‘information’ you shouldn’t know, so ‘The Top killed him.’ Ironically, you have to find out for yourself, but in the previous two cases, you relied on others’ power.”

What nonsense.

What do you mean I knew something?

Why are you trying to kill me over some secret!

“You’re still alive?”

“I died and came back. Let’s call it regression in your words. Do you understand now?”

Regression.

With hunters running rampant, it has become a genre famous even in novels.

It was famous in novels and webtoons, and since I loved comics so much, I understand clichés to some extent.

“A-Am I a regressor?”

“No. Not you, but someone around you. There must already be a place where the straw is being grasped, right?”

“……….”

Cold sweat trickled down.

The one who revealed this strategy was Jutso… but behind that is Sungyeon.

Even though Jutso couldn’t say anything, he told me to trust Sungyeon….

Wait, so really?

Is Sungyeon the returnee?

“So, if I know some unknown information and my head explodes… Sungyeon brings me back to life?”

Wasn’t it right from the start that I came back to life?

Isn’t it just turning back time?

The dead me and the alive me are not the same person?

I don’t know.

How did they bring me back to life in the first place…?

“Are you okay?”

“Just a moment. I’m feeling dizzy right now. You’re not playing a prank on me, are you?”

“I don’t lie to my comrades. Moreover, these memories given as a clear reward, how could I lie about them.”

“How many times have I died?”

“About 18 times? We can’t know the exact number either. It’s blocked by Tower Authority.”

“Tower Authority?”

While I was bewildered, the tower moved.

As if the world was in turmoil.

“…What?”

“It has begun.”

It moved.

[To all the hunters residing in the Golden Tower,]

[Today at 4 p.m., the gate of the 10th floor of the Golden Tower was breached.]

[Clear participant: 1 person.]

[【Scavenger】 Hong Chang-gi.]

My name is revealed.

As if pushing me into an unknown English situation.

“In the first memory you showed… you weren’t that hunter, right?”

“No. It was a world where I lived an ordinary life.”

“But you died?”

“Mm.”

Nodding.

“The second one?”

“Was it a world with a blonde? I must have been a hunter back then.”

“Why was I with that person at the hotel?”

“……”

“You can’t say more?”

“Because of the Tower’s authority. I also want to erase you from my mind and make you happy, but this situation is truly difficult.”

Becoming anxious.

Just moments ago, I felt relaxed after clearing, but now it feels like a fire has been lit under my feet.

“Are you going to die again?”

“If you’re careful with what you say based on today’s memories, you won’t die.”

The knight grabbed my shoulder.

With sincerity, he removed his smile and earnestly revealed his intentions.

“Do not forget my words. The returnee must have figured out who they are, so cooperate with them but do not dig into secrets recklessly. As time passes, you will realize your identity based on today’s memories, but you must not reveal it openly. Conquer this tower before lifting your curse.”

“What if I speak?”

“…You won’t die immediately, but I don’t know how the Tower Lord will react. She has a dirty personality. There is a high chance she won’t even keep the promises she made. Then your friend will cry. They will weep and start all over again.”

He swallowed his saliva.

It was clear that he meant my friend.

The returnee is a bride.

Cursed, even I?

So, does that mean the story of regression is because of me?

“To lift the curse of my head suddenly flying off, I have to cooperate with Sungyeon?”

“From the start, climbing the tower was for that.”

“Did you know I would come here from the beginning?”

“I don’t know everything. This side is also within the grasp of the tower’s will. So, comrade, cheer up. There’s no need to act frustrated. You can hit me coolly. You must be feeling guilty too, so express your anger and release your resentment together. It’s okay to say you understand about regression, so don’t burden yourself unnecessarily.”

“What should I believe in you?”

“I am a knight of pure love. I support you sincerely with pride in my seat and name. ”

Excited, serious, changing his tone abruptly to speak the truth, an unknown knight.

After his serious request, the vibration of the tower stopped.

[Announcement once again.]

[Today at 4 p.m., the 10th floor gate of the Golden Tower has been breached.]

[Clear participant: 1 person.]

[【Scavenger】 Hong Chang-ki.]

[All transition points within the 10th floor have been opened.]

[In addition, entry to all floors below the 20th is allowed.]

[Challenges for the 20th floor gate will be accepted starting tomorrow, so please be aware of this.]

[Announcement once again──]

“…Starting from tomorrow?”

“I also need a day off. Let’s celebrate the breakthrough with a drink and get back to work from tomorrow! Wahahaha!”

His tone returned, and his body began to shine.

When entering the Golden Tower, transitioning, the particles of light enveloped the knight as they did back then.

“Oh my, the Tower Lord is calling you. You must be trying to punish me for speaking out of turn. Hoho, let’s meet on the 20th floor next time.”

“Did I speak out of turn?”

Could it be that even if I knew about regression, my head exploded as it was supposed to?

Did the seat assure me that I was safe?

“Oh right. Let me give you this to clear my mind. I almost forgot to give it to you.”

With his lower body halfway disappearing, he inserted a card into my chest.

“Here’s the clear reward. It’s not much for the 10th floor, but with that, our cheeky Tower Lord can talk back to you!”

“Yes, yes… I don’t know if I can go up to the 20th floor again, but let’s meet again.”

“Make sure to come~! Definitely! I’ll be waiting for you while drinking burdock tea~!”

Wahaha!

He laughed loudly again, and his head was swallowed up.

Usually, he was a clown I didn’t want to be close to, but when he was serious, he was an infinitely noble knight.

He disappeared happily.

[To all hunters residing in the Golden Tower.]

[Today at 4 p.m., the 10th floor gate of the Golden Tower has been breached.]

[Clear participant: 1 person.]

[【Scavenger】 Hong Chang-ki.]

With a loud voice ringing several times, I returned.

Of course, with Seres and his group waiting for me on the 9th floor.

-That guy, it’s him.

-D rank! Hong Chang-ki!

-Did he clear the 10th floor!?

-The rumored gimmick?

-Is it a lie!?

-What the hell is he doing…?

As expected, the square in front of the 1st floor was bustling with hunters who had just rushed in.

With onlookers mixed in where crowds were already gathering, chaos ensued.

Whether they came from outside or looked like reporters, they were taking pictures, hurting my eyes.

What are they trying to do in an area where information is controlled…?

“Chang-ki, come this way.”

Seres had been brief since the clear, leading me to a safe place first and then heading towards the guild corner in the square.

“Oh, you really did it~! Impressive, brat!”

“Ugh, Lady Bridget!”

The first to greet me was Lady Bridget.

Dressed in my usual jumpsuit, with freckles scattered across my chest, I was embraced and praised.

Seems like the people around me are guild members.

Thanks to them, I was able to barely hold back the crowd pushing towards me.

“How was it? That damn knight sure talks a lot, huh? They say listening to him messes with your head~?”

“Yes. He’s really strange to the point where you wouldn’t know if you didn’t meet him.”

“Hehe. You really did well against that guy. I was skeptical when they said he was tough, but you really pulled through. Hey, what cheat did you use? Tell me, even an old lady like me wants to know~!”

Bubibubibubi~!

The milk is cold and refreshing.

I feel like my libido is rising, but I’m disappointed that I couldn’t act on it today because of work.

“Oh, I just received a lot of help from those around me. They kindly taught me how to strategize, so I couldn’t help but succeed.”

“Haha, is that so? There were plenty of people who couldn’t beat him even after hearing that, but you did great! Let’s go have a drink first! Today, it’s on the house from me and Ian!~”

That sounds good.

Having a drink squeezed between the Grand Witch and Master Tool is the ultimate honor.

I want to wash my hands and go drink right away at the Boiling Brook.

But…

“Wait, there’s something I need to do.”

“What is it?”

“Sungyeon is going to come and mess things up.”

That’s my top priority.

And as expected, a smile bloomed on Nun’s face at my declaration.

“Shall we go with the old lady?”

“That sounds good. Would you mind escorting me so I don’t get swept away by the crowd?”

“What can’t the old lady do against our Gyeomdung? Hey, guys! Did you hear!? Guide us to the Bamboo Guild Home~!”

As Bridgette Nun shouted, the guild members happily cleared the way.

Truly a reliable person.

After a tumultuous but short encounter, we headed home.