The Legendary Regressor Devours the Tower - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49
[Congratulations! Tower Climber (Republic of Korea – Seoul) has cleared the first floor of the Tower of Ruin with an SSS+ Grade!]
When Seong-un emerged from the Golden Tower, a notification reached every Tower Climber, including him.
Someone had cleared the first floor of the Tower of Ruin with an SSS+ Grade.
‘Who on earth?’
He had to admit, it caught him off guard.
EX Grade was already a score Seong-un had claimed—something no one else could reach now.
Even if he’d finished with EX+ or higher, it would be the same.
Which meant SSS+ was, for all practical purposes, the highest score a later climber could possibly achieve.
“Seong-un!”
Despite the appearance of an SSS+ Grade climber, Jang Byeong-jun paid it no mind and checked on Seong-un’s condition instead.
“Thank you. You were waiting here on purpose, weren’t you?”
Seong-un offered his gratitude.
Jang Byeong-jun shook his head at those words.
“Not at all. You said you wanted to focus on climbing, didn’t you? I thought it best not to intrude unnecessarily.”
“I appreciate that. Going forward, I’d like the same arrangement. I’ll reach out directly if I need anything.”
“Of course. Though—I heard something from Seo Jae-pil. The boss of this tower was a Vengeful Spirit, was it?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, so that’s why the Artifact didn’t activate. When I heard you’d nearly fallen to that creature’s power, I was genuinely shocked.”
The Key Ring on Seong-un’s belt.
That was the Artifact in question.
But when he’d been attacked by the Vengeful Spirit, the Artifact hadn’t triggered at all.
“It appears it can’t detect Spirit Energy.”
“Hmm, it’ll need refinement then.”
The Artifact was still relatively new, fresh from development.
There were bound to be gaps and shortcomings.
“Yes. By the way—what’s going on with those two?”
Seong-un glanced toward Han Geon-u and Seo Jae-pil with a slight tilt of his head.
Both kept their distance and refused to meet each other’s eyes.
“Well… that is…”
Jang Byeong-jun scratched his head, deliberating how to explain.
“Did they fight?”
The direct question made Jang Byeong-jun laugh awkwardly and nod.
“Yes. It seems some trouble arose between them.”
“Let it be.”
“You’ll let it be?”
Jang Byeong-jun’s eyes widened slightly.
“Why? Is it that strange to let it go?”
“I naturally assumed you’d discipline Han Geon-u for this.”
It was unexpected, to be honest.
Given that trouble had arisen with one of his allies because of Han Geon-u, Jang Byeong-jun had expected Seong-un to call him aside and give him a dressing-down.
“It’s fine. If you force mismatched puzzle pieces together, they’ll only shatter.”
As long as it didn’t derail the plan, it didn’t matter.
And it was their problem, ultimately.
He had no desire to interfere and forcibly reconcile them.
A fracture that’s already formed can’t be perfectly sealed just by holding it in place.
“I see. Then I, too, will refrain from commenting on this matter.”
“Yes. More importantly—an SSS+ Grade emerged in Seoul.”
“Yes. Aren’t you curious who it is?”
Seong-un shook his head.
“Not really. Is there any reason I should know?”
Unlike his past life, high Grades were beginning to surface rapidly now.
The broadcasts had certainly played a role, but reaching those Grades was purely the result of their own capabilities.
If they wished to express their gratitude, he wouldn’t stop them, but he felt no particular curiosity.
“Ah, actually—the Tower Climber who achieved this SSS+ Grade is someone who recently joined the Association.”
Jang Byeong-jun pulled out his smartphone, as if he’d just received word.
“A climber who joined the Association?”
“Yes. Pyo Ji-hun, they call him. He’s the only son of Pyo Byeong-u.”
Pyo Byeong-u, the Sword Saint.
The only child of the world’s eighty-seventh ranked leader of Jingeom—what a coincidence.
“What’s a heavyweight like that doing leaving Jingeom to join the Association?”
Seong-un had a general sense of who Pyo Ji-hun was.
‘I heard he died on the lower floors.’
The exact reason eluded him.
All he’d encountered was a news article about his death.
And now this same Pyo Ji-hun had cleared the first floor with an SSS+ Grade?
It was surprising enough, but what truly caught him off guard was that Pyo Ji-hun had chosen the Association over the guild his own father led.
“I’m not certain of his reasons. From what I’ve gathered, he seems eager to observe you from close quarters.”
“Is that so? Is there any possibility he’d return to Jingeom?”
Since his father was the guild master of Jingeom, there was a distinct chance he’d rejoin them before long.
Jang Byeong-jun shook his head and added to his answer.
“No. According to what I’ve heard, he even had a clause written in the Association contract stating he wouldn’t return to Jingeom.”
“Really?”
That was unexpected.
Joining his father’s guild would have been a straight path to success, yet he’d thrown it away?
“We’ve already concluded discussions with Jingeom. The Sword Saint apparently took the matter quite seriously and personally announced to the Association that he would provide no support whatsoever for Pyo Ji-hun.”
“Well, for now just play it carefully.”
“Play it carefully, sir?”
“Yes. We’ll see how things unfold naturally when the time comes.”
“I see…”
Jang Byeong-jun exhaled slowly, his expression troubled.
He’d brought up Pyo Ji-hun in the first place hoping Seong-un might agree to speak with him at least once.
The young man had inherited the talent of the Sword Saint Pyo Byeong-u and earned the title of genius; recently, after receiving an invitation, he’d completed the Tutorial with an SS Grade.
He then came to the Association pleading for admission, and resolved to earn acceptance by soloing the first floor alone—finishing it with an SSS+ Grade.
While not quite an Irregular like Seong-un, he promised to become a formidable asset if successfully recruited.
Yet Seong-un showed no inclination to meet him.
“Sir! What were you two discussing?”
Han Geon-u, who’d been listening to the entire conversation from a short distance away, interjected urgently.
Jang Byeong-jun’s brow tightened for a moment, but he quickly smoothed his expression and stepped back.
“How dare you interrupt when others are talking?”
Seong-un glared at him reproachfully.
“I-I apologize…”
At his rebuke, Han Geon-u bowed his head, sweat beading on his brow.
“Apologize for what?”
“For barging into your conversation…”
“Then why did you do it?”
“I thought you might… that you might take a liking to that guy instead of me, and I just…”
Hearing that some lunatic with an SSS+ Grade wanted to meet Seong-un, a sudden anxiety had seized him.
The possibility had flashed through his mind that he, who served as the right hand, might be cast aside.
“Maybe I would?”
“!”
Han Geon-u gasped sharply, his breath catching.
“Then prove it with results.”
“…Understood, sir.”
At those words, raw desperation flickered across Han Geon-u’s face.
He looked ready to ascend the tower that very instant.
“Get in the car first.”
Now that the major event was concluded, it was time to head back to Seoul.
“Yes, sir.”
Han Geon-u obediently climbed into the vehicle, and Seong-un approached Seo Jae-pil, who stood alone gazing out at the sea.
“Not coming?”
“Oh, you’re here?”
Seo Jae-pil turned his head toward Seong-un, snapping back to attention.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Ah, I just don’t like that bastard.”
Seo Jae-pil shot a glare at Han Geon-u in the car, then clicked his tongue dismissively.
“Is that so?”
“I’m not saying you should get rid of him, but his manners are absolutely shit.”
“Then don’t hold back on my account. Hit him if you want.”
“Really? I’ve been holding back out of respect, but if you’re giving the go-ahead, I might just beat him to death next time.”
“Kill half of him. I’ll use him as a shield later.”
“Treat him like a human being, at least.”
“You were saying you’d kill him just now.”
“Yeah, I suppose being a tool is worse than that.”
“So—you getting in the car or not?”
Seong-un gestured toward the vehicle with a tilt of his chin, and Seo Jae-pil hesitated before answering.
“Go ahead. We’ve come all this way to Jeju Island, but I think I’ll rest a bit longer.”
“Fair enough. Give my regards to your mother.”
“My regards to—what?”
Seo Jae-pil’s expression went blank in an instant.
“Going now.”
Seong-un chuckled softly, patted him on the shoulder, and turned back toward the car.
* * *
Seo Jae-pil, left alone, felt a tremor ripple through his gaze.
‘Did I ever tell him?’
No. There was no way.
He’d only found out recently himself.
He’d come to Jeju Island a day early precisely because he’d heard his mother was now running a guest house there—he needed to see it for himself.
The problem had started there.
‘Welcome.’
The guest house had an owner on-site, but instead of the woman he’d seen in photographs, there was a middle-aged man standing in the doorway.
For a moment he thought the address was wrong and turned to leave, but then he saw a middle-aged woman walk in with a girl who looked to be in middle school, and he froze.
‘Mom! Who uses these things anymore?’
The girl was holding a tablet.
Not the top-market fruit-brand model, but a domestic Korean tablet.
Her face was clouded with displeasure.
‘I told you those are too expensive.’
‘But all my friends have them. What if they make fun of me when I bring this?’
‘Ugh, fine. Let’s just use it sparingly. Mom will get you something better next semester—’
The middle-aged woman, sighing as she tried to soothe the girl, suddenly locked eyes with Seo Jae-pil and froze in shock.
In that moment, Seo Jae-pil’s rigid body went slack, and he let out a hollow laugh before fleeing the guest house like a man escaping a fire.
‘She threw me into an orphanage and went on to build a new family. Living well.’
Something bitter rose in his throat.
What was this metallic taste?
Spite?
No……
Her tender face. Her gentle voice.
Ah, now I understand.
Revulsion.
If he’d watched any longer, he would have vomited everything inside him.
‘Mom, where are you going?’
Was he five years old?
He’d been deep in sweet sleep when a rustling sound woke him.
His mother was preparing to leave.
‘Oh—you’re awake?’
Her voice had trembled badly, though her expression had fought to maintain composure—he remembered that clearly.
‘Where are you going?’
‘I have something to do. I’ll be back soon.’
‘When will you come back?’
‘Just five nights, sweetheart. You can wait five nights, can’t you?’
‘……Yes.’
His small heart had wanted to cling to her, but at her promise of just five nights, he’d let her go.
That was his last memory of his mother.
“Five nights…… damn it.”
After five nights had passed, the count had always stopped at four.
Once it reached five, his mother would become a liar.
The number five had never been recorded in his heart since.
“I shouldn’t have come looking for her at all……”
Seo Jae-pil stumbled to a distant lodging, spent the night there, and then reunited with Seong-un.
He thought he’d sorted out his thoughts while wandering through the smaller towers, but as the time came to leave Jeju Island, his feet would not move.
“Ha…….”
Stupid of him.
What was he clinging to when he didn’t even have the confidence to hold a conversation?
Seo Jae-pil turned away, berating himself silently.
“Yeah, going back is better.”
Not now.
No matter how much he thought about it, returning would only lead to something painful.
Buzz—
At that moment, his smartphone vibrated once.
The sender was Seong-un.
[Actually, I dug up some info after joining the Association. I called the guest house and got your location, so go meet her and come back.]
“This crazy bastard…….”
There’s a limit to sticking your nose in.
Why was he meddling in someone else’s family business like this?
Seo Jae-pil tried to leave hastily, but he found himself frozen in place, as if bound by invisible chains.
“Is that you, Jae-pil……?”
Because the mother who had abandoned him was slowly approaching.
The Ultimate Returnee Devours the Tower (Serialized)
Author │ Yeon Yi-yo
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyeong
Published by │ J-Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyeok
Address │ 401, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Ace Techno Tower 8th)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Yeon Yi-yo 2026
※ This work is published by J-Plus Media Co., Ltd. in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder, and the contents may not be used in any form or by any means without the permission of the company and the author.
Violation of this will result in civil and criminal legal liability.

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