The Legendary Regressor Devours the Tower - Chapter 53

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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 53
Pyo Ji-hun stepped out of the Association director’s office and sank into a chair in the break room, his mind churning.
‘Not right now, but I’m planning to establish a guild.’
He would create a guild.
‘And then?’
‘You’d join the guild. Of course, that’s just one of many options. You understand, don’t you? The Phoenix Tear is worth whatever price you name it.’
‘So what else do you have?’
‘Get stronger in the meantime. When the time comes, I’ll spar with you again.’
‘Now that I like.’
So far, so good.
‘Yes. And from now on, drop the formality. Call me brother.’
For a moment, Pyo Ji-hun doubted his own ears.
Wait—by any measure, that guy was younger than him. How could he claim the position of older brother?
‘Cut the crap. Anyone can see I’m the older one, right?’
‘Then beat me and prove it.’
‘…….’
‘This is part of the deal too. Treat me as your brother from now on.’
‘Damn it…….’
In the end, Pyo Ji-hun found himself bowing to Seong Un as his senior.
‘Now get out of here. I’ll contact you when I need anything else.’
‘Yes…….’
Damn it all.
Fine. Whatever.
He said he’d spar with me anytime once I got stronger.
When that time came, he’d crush him and settle this ridiculous title business once and for all.
Pyo Ji-hun pulled out his smartphone and made a call, his resolve hardening.
[Yeah.]
The person who answered was none other than his father.
Pyo Byung-woo.
“Father, I’ve met that Irregular.”
[……So you finally did.]
He could hear his father’s voice trembling slightly on the other end.
A flicker of pride rose in him—he had met and sparred with an Irregular that even Sword Saint had never encountered.
“Yes. But he mentioned something about the Phoenix Tear, Father.”
[So you were the one who took it.]
A soft sigh drifted through the phone.
“You’re lying. You already knew I took it, didn’t you?”
An SS Grade treasure.
When he thought about it clearly, that treasure had vanished from the warehouse, and the fact that his father hadn’t contacted him all this time could only mean one thing—he’d known all along.
[So what are you curious about?]
“I heard this item can’t be used by anyone except its true owner.”
[……The Irregular knows that?]
Even through his voice alone, Pyo Ji-hun could sense how bewildered his father was.
“Yes. I don’t know why, but he knew the details. But here’s the thing—I used the Phoenix Tear on the first floor. It was thanks to it that I could achieve an SSS+ Grade rating.”
[So it was you after all.]
“You knew?”
[How could I not?]
SSS+ Grade.
Overwhelmingly superior talent, combined with possession of the Phoenix Tear.
Since this person had emerged from Seoul, Pyo Byung-woo was certain it was his son, Pyo Ji-hun.
“……When did you designate me as its owner?”
[From the beginning. The Phoenix Tear would only acknowledge two people as its rightful owners.]
So he’d intended all along to hand it over to him.
The reason he’d stored it in the warehouse was to ensure his son wouldn’t become dependent on it—zero reliance from the start.
“I didn’t know that when I wagered the Phoenix Tear and challenged him to a match.”
[What did you say?!]
For the first time, his father’s voice rose sharply.
Pyo Ji-hun chuckled and continued.
“The result went exactly as expected. I lost cleanly.”
[Wait—if you lost, what happened to the Phoenix Tear?]
“I handed it over. What else?”
A brief silence fell between them.
[Really?]
“Actually, I was lying.”
[You bastard!]
At his father’s curse, Pyo Ji-hun burst into laughter.
“Ha ha, Father.”
[Why!]
“I’ll grow stronger. Until I land a blow on that dog of a man.”
[A lesser bird that follows the greater will tear its legs trying.]
One of Pyo Ji-hun’s eyebrows arched.
“Are you saying I’m the lesser bird?”
[You sparred with him, so you should know.]
“…….”
He couldn’t deny it.
Unlike himself, who’d been battered senseless, his opponent had moved with ease.
The Blade Aura that had come at him before his memory loss—
They’d lowered it to Level 5, and he’d even worn protective gear.
His body wouldn’t have been severed, but the security guard who’d acted as referee had stepped in, so he’d managed to finish without serious injury.
If they hadn’t adjusted the level and stats…….
A chill ran down his spine.
Just thinking about it was horrifying.
[So, do you like the Association?]
“For now, yes.”
[Good. Even if you come back, you won’t have a place here anymore. Do well there.]
His father was a man of his word.
Since Pyo Ji-hun had stubbornly insisted on joining the Association, even if he returned, his position wouldn’t be waiting for him.
Not that he’d ever planned to go back anyway.
“When did you start manifesting Blade Aura, Father?”
[Why the sudden question?]
“The Irregular manifested Blade Aura. Even with his power limited, it was perfectly executed.”
[What……?]
He didn’t know how many more times his father could be surprised.
Well, it made sense.
Anyone with a skill could manifest Blade Aura.
But maintaining it was another matter entirely.
With clumsy control, power drained away constantly, but this Irregular was different.
He clearly wore a power-limiting artifact brace on his wrist.
In other words, even under those constraints, he’d executed the Blade Aura perfectly—meaning his control ability was monstrous.
“Impressive, right? And in no other country but South Korea was such a monster hiding.”
[Indeed. If that monster joined the Jingeom Guild, it would be a tremendous asset.]
Regret dripped from Pyo Byung-woo’s voice.
Recruiting the Irregular in the current situation was like plucking a star from the sky.
“Let me pull some strings?”
[……Forget it. For god’s sake, just don’t cause any more trouble. This is exactly why I tried to stop you from leaving.]
“What trouble have I caused?”
[Betting the Phoenix Tear like some lunatic—what was that about?]
“But knowing the gap between him and me was more important.”
[There’s no end to your nonsense.]
“Anyway, I’m hanging up now.”
His father offered more advice after that, but Pyo Ji-hun answered halfheartedly and cut the call.
A strange restlessness gnawed at him.
He’d only climbed the first floor so far.
The Irregular was already challenging the seventh floor—he had no time for this.
He had to grow stronger quickly, narrow the gap between them somehow.
* * *
When Seong Un returned to the apartment, Seo Jae-pil was waiting for him.
“Why did you come back so early?”
“Just……. It didn’t seem like we needed to stay long.”
Seeing Seong Un’s bitter smile, he sensed at once that the meeting hadn’t gone well.
“Let’s go inside and finish this conversation.”
There were too many eyes watching here.
Seong Un ushered Seo Jae-pil into the house and pulled a cola can from the refrigerator, holding it out to him.
Seo Jae-pil glanced at the can and shook his head.
“Only zero sugar for me.”
“Picky bastard. If you don’t like it, just get out.”
“……This one time, I’ll drink the original.”
Seo Jae-pil took the can.
Crack—
As he downed the cola in one go, soothing the burn in his throat, Seong Un asked carefully.
“Was it really that bad?”
“Completely caught me off guard.”
“Caught you off guard?”
“Man, I wish I hadn’t gone. Should’ve just pretended not to know for the rest of my life.”
“If you hadn’t gone, you’d have regretted it even more.”
……
Seo Jae-pil sat on the sofa without a word.
“Anyway, now that you’ve had your drink, get going. I need to tackle the seventh floor.”
“In such a hurry? ……Thanks.”
“Huh?”
Seong Un looked at him with surprise in his eyes.
He’d expected complaints, but this guy’s head worked better than he’d thought.
“What? Why are you reacting like that?”
“No, I just didn’t think you’d actually say thanks.”
“You……. What exactly did you think of me?”
“Honestly, I was being nosy. And since the result wasn’t great, I thought you might blow off some steam at me.”
“Even up until I got on the plane, I was furious. But then I realized—if it weren’t for you, I probably never would’ve gone to find her.”
He’d thought it through: if Seong Un hadn’t stepped in, Jeju Island would have been reduced to rubble, and he would never have laid eyes on his mother while she was alive.
As that realization settled in, his anger began to subside, replaced gradually by gratitude.
That’s why he’d come straight to find Seong Un—to express his thanks.
“I envy you, though.”
“Huh?”
Seo Jae-pil tilted his head at the word envy.
“I don’t have anyone to regret or meet.”
“Ah…….”
Seo Jae-pil fell silent, understanding dawning on his face.
He’d requested information on both his mother and his friend Seong Un.
But he’d found nothing about Seong Un’s family.
In short: an orphan with no one in the world.
“So don’t be too hard on yourself.”
“……I’m sorry.”
Seo Jae-pil apologized, gnawing at his lip.
“If you’re sorry, then do me one favor.”
“A favor?”
“Really get out of here.”
“……Damn it, fine.”
* * *
[You are entering the seventh floor of the Tower of Destruction.]
The seventh floor’s theme was endurance.
He would have to push through countless hallucinations.
That’s why he’d drunk the Paramyeongro that Choi Hyuk had given him.
[Paramyeongro]
-Type: Consumable
-Grade: A+
-Attribute: Darkness
-Upon consumption: For 12 hours, resistance to all hallucinations and mental interference-type magic increased by 50% (effectiveness may vary depending on the user’s capability)
-[Mirror Mind Water] applied: When striking phantoms within hallucinations, small chance to pierce through to the source of the hallucination and awaken the ‘Eye of Truth’ (effectiveness may vary depending on the user’s capability)
It was different from typical Awakening Agents.
Developed by Woo Min-chul himself, it even allowed for a cursory grasp of the Mirror Mind Water ability.
[Would you like to start a Sponsored Broadcast?]
Next came the sponsored broadcast.
But Seong Un found himself unable to begin it as he normally would.
The reason stood right before him—the Administrator.
‘Is that the Administrator?’
Perhaps because Leonias had experience climbing towers in the past, he recognized the figure immediately.
“A hallucination?”
His last conversation with the Administrator had been a wager.
If he finished the first ten floors at EX Grade or above, the Administrator would hand over one of his items.
But if he fell short of EX Grade even once, he’d forfeit one of his received rewards.
“Not a hallucination.”
The Administrator approached with a crooked smile.
“Why have you appeared again?”
He wasn’t anywhere near the tenth floor yet.
“I wanted to clarify something.”
“What’s that?”
The Administrator raised a single finger.
“You climbed the Tower of Miracles, yes?”
“Yes. But why?”
“That’s the problem. I clearly told you to finish floors one through ten without dropping below EX Grade. But because you climbed the Tower of Miracles, there’s no record for floors three through five.”
Ah, so that’s why he showed up.
“It seems you don’t know anything about the results from the Tower of Miracles.”
The Administrator burst into laughter.
“Right, you didn’t fall for it. That’s correct—the Tower of Miracles is a free pass.”
“Stop wasting my time with this.”
“You cleared the Small Tower this time, didn’t you?”
The big event that had occurred on Jeju Island.
Seong Un was the one who had shut down that Small Tower.
“And?”
“I came to say thank you.”
At the expression of gratitude, Seong Un’s brow twitched slightly.
“Thank you? What do you mean by that?”
“Things have started becoming very interesting because of you.”
“……Could it be a difficulty adjustment?”
“Bingo!”
This was the worst.
To think Jeju Island had been nothing more than a test stage for difficulty adjustment.
Though his mind reeled at the revelation, Seong Un kept his composure and fixed the Administrator with an unwavering stare.
This wasn’t the sort of being who appeared merely to offer thanks.
There had to be another reason.
“All right, I understand. Will you please leave now? I’m eager to begin climbing.”
Seong Un deliberately walked past the Administrator with a deliberate stride, as if to show him he was done listening.
Then, as if he’d been waiting, the Administrator’s cold voice cut through the air from behind.
“……You’ll regret it if you just leave like that.”
There was definitely something more coming.
Chronicles of an Elite Returnee Devouring the Tower (Serialized)
Author │ Yeon Yi-yo
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ 401, Ace Techno Tower 8, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong)
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 its contents may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher and author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil 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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