After Regressing, I Gained the Power of the Demonic Dragon - Chapter 16

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 16
Bulga-neungsajwa.
The hottest rookie drawing attention on South Korea’s PlayerNet in recent days.
Though their name and face remained unknown, they were ascending the tower one floor per day while receiving consecutive SSS ratings.
By now, people had begun gathering in front of the public leaderboard to anticipate when the next record would appear.
Today’s turn was the fifth floor.
As the anticipated time for the record to post drew near, the chat slowed to a trickle.
It was then, with everyone watching only the public leaderboard.
[Korea/Lv.42] SojuWithRice : 5th floor just dropped.
[Korea/Lv.37] StartClimbingTomorrow : Another SSS?
[Korea/Lv.42] SojuWithRice : No. This time it’s the Hidden Hall of Fame!
Shortly after, someone captured a screenshot of the Hall of Fame and posted it in the chat.
[5th Floor Hall of Fame]
[Test: <Corrupted Spirit Vein Corridor>]
[Classification: Hidden Stage]
[Achievement Record: First Complete Conquest]
[Conquest Rating: SSS]
[Achiever Public Name: Undisclosed]
[Affiliated Country: South Korea]
The fact that a hidden stage existed on the fifth floor had never been known until now.
The undisclosed player had achieved both first complete conquest and an SSS rating on the test the moment they discovered it.
[USA/Lv.61] IronJack : There was a hidden stage on the 5th floor?
[Korea/Lv.29] MiracleOfHangang : Corrupted Spirit Vein Corridor? Has anyone here seen it in a guide?
[Japan/Lv.55] Tsukikage : No. The 5th floor’s regular stages are only three types—Breach, Guard, and Survival.
[Korea/Lv.37] StartClimbingTomorrow : Why does this person find stuff nobody else knows about every single floor they enter. lol
[USA/Lv.61] IronJack : And it’s not just discovery. They’ve already claimed first complete conquest.
While questions about the hidden stage poured in, someone compiled all of Bulga-neungsajwa’s records so far into a single screenshot and posted it.
Two Impossible Achievements from the tutorial, the hidden stage on floor one, the consecutive SSS ratings from floor two onward, and the just-updated fifth-floor hidden stage—all listed in order.
[Korea/Lv.29] MiracleOfHangang : Two impossible achievements in the tutorial, hidden on floor one, and now hidden on floor five.
[China/Lv.68] BeijingBladeMaster : They’re leaving unprecedented records on every floor they enter.
[USA/Lv.61] IronJack : And they’re still climbing one floor per day.
[Korea/Lv.37] StartClimbingTomorrow : Bulga-neungsajwa did it again lol
[Japan/Lv.55] Tsukikage : Bulga-neungsajwa. Now that I see it, that nickname fits perfectly.
At first, it had been a nickname attached jokingly by low-level Korean players.
Now foreign players were beginning to call them Bulga-neungsajwa as well.
It was then that South Korea’s national status also updated.
[Hall of Fame Record Reward]
[South Korea Achievement Points +500]
Korean players reacted faster than when the hidden stage was revealed.
[Korea/Lv.42] SojuWithRice : 500 points came in!
[Korea/Lv.51] GangnamInvincibleFist : 500 points from one low-level hidden stage? Seriously? lol
[Korea/Lv.55] Chungwol : It’s first complete conquest though. They wouldn’t give the same points as regular floor five.
[Korea/Lv.33] NewbieguardForce : Bulga-neungsajwa alone just shaved 500 points off the deficit. Really grateful ㅠㅠ
[Korea/Lv.29] MiracleOfHangang : At this rate, foreign powers are going to come hunting for their identity.
[Korea/Lv.51] GangnamInvincibleFist : Exactly why the Association should find them first and protect them. We can’t lose them to an overseas guild.
With each floor Sang-hyeok climbed, the Achievement Points for South Korea accumulated alongside his personal records.
By that much, South Korea’s projected point deficit for this quarter shrank.
The Korean forum flooded with posts of encouragement for the next conquest.
Analysis boards in Japan and China were soon filled with posts compiling his records from the tutorial through floor five.
The public name field remained blank.
Yet the blank already had a name to be called by.
Bulga-neungsajwa.
While the chat churned, his records spread rapidly beyond PlayerNet.
The Korean Player Association and major guilds from each country immediately began analyzing the fifth-floor records.
While they examined only the public records, Ilseong was finishing its preparations to verify the object the record-holder had brought directly.
* * *
The same day, afternoon.
The chairman’s private security zone in the Ilseong Headquarters Underground Research Building.
The thick door closed as the last researcher left.
Kim Do-hyun sat in the seat of honor, while Kim Sang-jun leaned against the opposite wall.
Kim Seo-yoon’s gaze lingered on the metal case Sang-hyeok had brought as she stood before the empty examination table.
“You sent out all the researchers just to show me this?”
Sang-hyeok nodded and unlocked the case.
Click.
Two objects lay on black cushioning material.
A shard of black stone, jaggedly fractured, and a crystal suffused with deep crimson light.
Sang-hyeok withdrew the black shard first.
“This is a Collapse Core Fragment.”
Kim Seo-yoon’s eyebrows rose slightly.
Sang-hyeok set the crimson crystal beside it.
“And this is a Corrupted Spirit Vein Crystal.”
“Wait.”
Kim Seo-yoon’s eyes moved between the two materials.
Both names connected directly to the hidden records that had resurfaced on PlayerNet today.
“The Collapse Battlefield is where Bulga-neungsajwa achieved complete conquest on the first floor.”
“Right.”
“And the Corrupted Spirit Vein Corridor just appeared on the fifth-floor hall of fame a moment ago.”
“That’s right too.”
Kim Seo-yoon fixed Sang-hyeok with a direct stare.
“So why do you have items from those places?”
Kim Sang-jun’s gaze also turned toward Sang-hyeok.
Instead of answering, Sang-hyeok looked to Kim Do-hyun.
Before coming here, the two men had already settled on how much to reveal.
“I’ll explain.”
Kim Do-hyun spoke up.
“That private player has agreed to cooperate with Ilseong.”
“Bulga-neungsajwa, you mean?”
Kim Sang-jun pushed off from the wall and asked.
“Yes.”
“When did you make contact?”
“The contact method cannot be disclosed.”
Kim Do-hyun’s response was firm.
“Part of the agreement is that we don’t ask about that player’s identity.”
Kim Seo-yoon looked down at the two materials on the examination table.
“How exactly is this cooperation structured?”
“They provide materials and research data obtained from the tower to Ilseong. We research how to reproduce that power using real-world technology and equipment.”
“And what does Ilseong offer in return?”
“We’re transferring a portion of Ilseong’s equity. Any prototypes we develop go to that player first, and we also provide equipment and resources for their climbs.”
Kim Seo-yoon’s expression grew serious.
“This isn’t just a simple transaction for a few materials.”
“No. Ilseong grows from what they bring in, and they climb higher with Ilseong’s support.”
It was a cooperation where each side gave what the other needed.
Bulga-neungsajwa would exchange the materials and records obtained from the tower for equipment necessary for their climb.
Ilseong would secure research data that no other company could obtain, and do so first.
Kim Sang-jun looked at Sang-hyeok again.
“Still, why are you the one bringing the items?”
“Sang-hyeok is the dedicated liaison.”
Again, Kim Do-hyun answered for him.
“That player specifically requested him.”
“The youngest?”
“They said they need Sang-hyeok’s eyes and the recording stone. Sang-hyeok will examine what Bulga-neungsajwa brings first. He’ll select what’s worth researching for Ilseong and record the effects on the stone so the research team can review it.”
Both of them already knew of Sang-hyeok’s ability to identify flaws in Ilseong equipment.
It was no surprise that Bulga-neungsajwa had chosen him as liaison precisely because of that talent.
“So you’ll be bringing items like this going forward?”
Kim Seo-yoon asked.
“Whenever they obtain something worth researching.”
“And you’ll meet them directly?”
“No. I won’t meet them in person. The items are delivered separately, and we only communicate through agreed-upon channels.”
Sang-hyeok left it at that.
It wasn’t distrust of his brother and sister that kept him silent—there were secrets he couldn’t share with anyone, not even them.
Until Sang-hyeok grew strong enough to stand alone against foreign powers, it was safer for Kim Seo-yoon and Kim Do-hyun not to know.
Kim Seo-yoon studied him for a moment, then nodded.
“Understood. I won’t ask where they came from.”
She pulled on her gloves and drew both materials closer.
“But tell me what these things can do.”
Sang-hyeok pointed to the Collapse Core Fragment.
“This one weakens barriers and wards.”
“If we can harness that property, we could build equipment designed to break through barriers and wards entirely.”
“Exactly. That’s why Bulga-neungsajwa handed it over to me.”
“Right. Then I’ll analyze the fragment first and try to replicate that power using Ilseong technology.”
Kim Seo-yoon placed the fragment in a transparent storage case and engaged the lock.
Then she examined the Corrupted Spirit Vein Crystal.
“And this one?”
“All I know is that it’s a crafting material made from condensed corrupted mana. I still don’t know its exact purpose.”
“Then I’ll start by figuring out how this mana corrupts its surroundings—understanding the propagation pattern will help us find ways to use it.”
“That’s it exactly. Bulga-neungsajwa asked me to have you look into that.”
Though the power contained in each material was different, Kim Seo-yoon’s task remained the same.
To unveil the nature of that power and recreate it through Ilseong’s technology.
As she turned the crystal to examine it in different light, her gaze shifted to Sang-hyeok’s left wrist.
Beneath the rolled-up sleeve, a silver ring gleamed.
Inside its surface, a pattern carved there shed a soft, clear blue light.
“Sang-hyeok. Show me your wrist.”
When Sang-hyeok extended his left arm, Kim Seo-yoon examined the silver ring closely.
“This is Tae-sung’s Yeongmaek Ring, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“The one nobody could use because of the curse.”
“Not anymore.”
Kim Seo-yoon’s head snapped up.
“Bulga-neungsajwa broke the curse?”
“He did. He strengthened it through a Hidden Stage on the fifth floor and gave it back to me.”
“Why did he take your item all the way there?”
“Payment for handling contact and analysis.”
Kim Seo-yoon stared at the Yeongmaek Ring, still stunned.
“Is there a recording of it?”
“Just footage of it working.”
Sang-hyeok retrieved the Eye of Truth Recording Stone from his inventory.
He placed his hand on the closed-eye symbol and summoned the stored recording.
Whoosh.
The eye on the stone slab opened, and the blue-glowing Yeongmaek Ring rendered in sharp detail.
Faint mana from the surroundings gathered at the silver ring and seeped into the wearer—the entire sequence played out clearly.
[Ambient Mana Absorption]
[Mana Recovery for Wearer]
Kim Seo-yoon watched the same recording again and again in silence.
With each repetition, her calm eyes grew steadily brighter.
“If I study this properly, I could design equipment that not only operates but also recycles the mana that scatters during its use.”
Still fixed on the recording stone, she asked without looking away.
“Sang-hyeok. Can you share this recording with the research team too?”
“Of course. I’ll set it up so you can access it whenever you need to.”
“Perfect.”
She immediately opened a new document on her tablet.
Under her rapidly moving fingers, three research items were listed in sequence.
[Mana Recovery]
[Corrupted Mana Analysis]
[Barrier Dismantling]
“I’ll start with the Yeongmaek Ring. I need to verify whether the power that draws mana together can be applied to other equipment.”
Kim Seo-yoon tapped the remaining two items in order.
“For the crystal, I’ll first understand how corrupted mana spreads. For the fragment, I’ll examine whether we can replicate the power that weakens barriers.”
“You’ve already thought about what equipment to build?”
“Not yet.”
Kim Seo-yoon scanned the three items on her tablet and smiled.
“Still, I know where to start.”
Sang-hyeok found himself smiling at the sight.
It was as if the sister from his distant memories had walked back before his eyes, unchanged.
‘That’s right. This is who she is.’
She’d always been happiest when discovering new possibilities in equipment.
When absorbed in research, Kim Seo-yoon shone brighter than anyone.
Before the regression, he couldn’t afford to see her like that for long.
As Ilseong declined, funding and personnel were slashed first.
Kim Seo-yoon had to pour herself into damage control and salvaging what remained, rather than pursue the research she wanted.
Even so, she’d never let go of the Awakening conditions that Sang-hyeok himself had abandoned.
She’d visited the research facilities searching for data, and though she never found the answer, she’d actually apologized for it.
This time, it was his turn to help his sister.
He could bring the records and materials needed for her research directly from the Tower.
With those in hand, he’d rebuild Ilseong and let his sister pursue the research she desired freely.
‘This time, I’ll make sure you get to do every bit of research you want.’
Kim Do-hyun reviewed the three research projects listed on the tablet.
“We’ll separate those three new studies from the existing development team and run them as an independent project.”
Kim Seo-yoon looked up in surprise.
“Father, we’ve only confirmed the feasibility so far.”
“Exactly—that’s why we need to verify it now. You’ll oversee it. I’ll allocate personnel and equipment separately.”
Kim Do-hyun turned his gaze to Kim Sang-jun.
“Designate the research area as a security zone under direct executive control. No one may access or remove any materials or data provided by Bulga-neungsajwa without his approval.”
“Proceed with the share transfer as promised. The moment prototypes are ready, they go to Bulga-neungsajwa first.”
“Understood.”
As personnel, equipment, and security protocols were settled one by one, Kim Seo-yoon’s expression of surprise gradually softened.
When the final instructions ended, she nodded with a smile.
“Then I’ll do this properly.”
“Yes. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
“I’m not pressured. I’m excited, actually.”
Kim Seo-yoon immediately pulled the tablet toward her and began listing the personnel and equipment she’d need.
Sang-hyeok watched the list grow rapidly across the screen.
For now, he’d only brought one record and two materials.
As he brought more records and materials from the Tower, Ilseong’s research possibilities would expand accordingly.
There was no guarantee every project would succeed.
But if even a few actually became functioning equipment, someday people might whisper that Ilseong was hiding alien technology.
While Sang-hyeok imagined that future, Kim Seo-yoon reached the final item and was about to press save.
Bing.
Before her finger could touch the screen, the tablet lit up first.
Kim Sang-jun’s phone screen brightened simultaneously, and the same notification appeared before Sang-hyeok’s eyes.
「We inform you of the season end schedule for the Channel League.」
[Days until current season ends: D-36]
Once you reached Level 20 and obtained the entry pass to Floor 20 of the Infinite Tower, the Channel League automatically opened.
From Level 20 to Level 30, you were assigned to the Iron tier and participated in the Iron Rookie League, then moved to the Regular Channel League when you reached Level 31.
You could participate once per day, and if you entered alone, you were randomly grouped with players from the same country.
Players who coordinated beforehand could form fixed teams to participate.
Points earned in both the Rookie and Regular leagues were combined into the same national season score.
Kim Seo-yoon immediately opened the detailed status.
[Iron Rookie League Auto-unlock Conditions]
[Level 20 reached]
[Infinite Tower Floor 20 entry pass owned]
[South Korea Channel League National Ranking: 64th / 64 countries]
[South Korea Iron Rookie Fixed Team: None]
“Still no prepared team this time.”
Sang-hyeok’s gaze lingered on the auto-unlock conditions.
He was currently at Floor 5.
He needed to climb 14 more floors to obtain the Floor 20 entry pass.
If he maintained the goal of one floor per day, he’d have enough time to join this season.
However, each day he fell behind meant one fewer match he could participate in this season.
Kim Sang-jun checked the season end date.
“Bulga-neungsajwa is still at Floor 5?”
“That’s right.”
Kim Seo-yoon calculated the remaining days.
“At this pace, we can enter the Iron Rookie League with twenty-two days left before season’s end.”
“As long as nothing gets in the way.”
Kim Sang-jun’s gaze shifted toward Sang-hyeok.
“Did he really say he could maintain this speed?”
“He said it’s possible. The goal of one floor a day still stands.”
Kim Seo-yoon alternated between the remaining season time and the research plan she’d just outlined.
“Then I’d better hurry too.”
“The research?”
“Yeah. While he’s climbing the tower, I’ll push this research as far as I can.”
Sang-hyeok checked the Iron Rookie League standings again.
The opponents he’d face there were far from ordinary rookies.
Promising prospects directly sponsored by the Sixteen Seats were beginning to gather on that stage, one by one.
Thump.
The Apocalypse Dragon’s heart beat heavily within his chest.
Sang-hyeok burned the remaining days into his mind.
[Current Season Ends In: D-36]
‘Before I step into the Iron Rookie League, I’ll draw one more Divine Power from this heart.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————