302 - Regression Is Too Much

302 – The Returner's Battle (21) At this moment, I have two options. First, I could approach Cheonma while utilizing my Hanki. By doing so, I would be able to get closer while counteracting the black magic, spears, arrows, and numerous ranged attacks he throws. This time, I can employ my magical powers to move swiftly, but the challenge lies in the fact that Cheonma will never let his guard down. Second, I could use Hanki abruptly after depleting all of Cheonma's skills. In this scenario, I would need to exhaust all my abilities without relying on any magic power. Alternatively, I could create a situation where Cheonma can’t use his ranged weapons. Just because I’m not using magic doesn’t mean Cheonma won’t launch ranged attacks. As evidenced in the battle with Choi Jiwon, he will actively engage in assault. He wouldn’t grit his teeth and maintain his distance; rather, he would eventually exhaust his dark skills. Cheonma doesn’t know that I will retreat if I get hit even once. He will try to exploit this information gap. "Whew." The first option is certainly difficult, but I could triumph if I manage to break through his dark skills. The second would undoubtedly take longer, but the odds of success are higher. I can’t swing my sword and create a sword curtain like in martial arts novels, but my heart leans more toward the latter. ‘But what exactly is that chilling energy?’ I have some doubts regarding this power referred to as ‘chilling energy’. However, I'll let it rest for now. Who would have thought that the chilling energy from someone shivering on the 10th floor would have an effect on the terrifying Cheonma on the 28th floor? For the moment, I’ll use it since it’s available, but later I’ll delve into understanding the source of this power. In any case, I've resolved to confront Cheonma ‘without using magic’. But making that a reality is another story. It will take an extremely long time. I will grow to such an extent, but it will be far more painful. “At least the conditions are favorable this time…” Fortunately, the 28th floor offers a very conducive environment for repeating regressions. There’s no need to starve in the middle of freezing weather. Food, clothing, and shelter are provided as basic necessities, with plenty to enjoy. If necessary, you can return to the real world and rest well. Should I say there are no fatal limitations? Or not? Is it harder because there are no limitations? If I had no choice but to defeat Cheonma, maybe I’d be more desperate. Maybe I’d become more desperate to survive. However, the reason I fight now is for the future of humanity. If I were an extremely selfish person, I could simply ignore Cheonma and move to the next floor. After all, I wouldn't be the one dying, and I could keep an eye on those who come later. You might think, "I’ll destroy the tower if I overcome it~" No. On the contrary, leaving Cheonma alone might be better. Given his impact in the real world, eliminating newcomers could become a definite advantage. No players beyond this point would surpass the 28th floor, and only those who have already done so would continue to progress. In terms of power, Cheonma could act as a formidable sentinel. "...Can the Great Angel return, even if delayed?" However, since the Great Angel is a variable, this will remain an unknown factor as well. What's the point in pondering this? It only serves to make one dizzy. "Ouch." The reasons are lengthy. It feels like I’m just indirectly saying I don’t want to do it. It doesn’t feel real because I haven't witnessed the destruction of humanity with my own eyes, nor have I seen Cheonma massacre all the players. “I must do it.” But I must do it. Because I have to. Because I must win. First things first, the sword. Against Cheonma, who doesn’t rely on magic, I need to gain an advantage in swordsmanship. It will work out if I keep at it. I’m certain of it. ** Cheonma used a sword at the beginning of the story. According to Choi Jiwon, it was because he was most confident in his swordsmanship. But as mentioned earlier, this individual does not use magic. He fights purely with the combination of the physical prowess of the water tribe and his sword skills, but those skills are so incredible that even seasoned players fall without being able to counter. Choi Jiwon employed the 'Heart of the Lightning' to counter this. She overpowered Cheonma, who couldn’t use magic, with her overwhelming force. I can’t do that. If I use magic, he’ll realize it and retreat. So, it’s swordsmanship vs. swordsmanship. We must engage directly. My physical specs without magic are… my weak advantage. The water human tribe is inherently quick and strong, but I am a player. Thanks to my achievement levels, I’ve never been told that I would lose with this body alone. The fact that Choi Jiwon was pushed to her limits is proof of Cheonma's exceptional skill. I must approach him humbly. He is not an opponent who can be easily defeated. “…” With that mindset, I held my sword defensively. As expected, the sword didn’t quite feel right in my hands. I had always focused on attacking, thinking I would just retreat if I got hit. Most of my battles ended with a single strike, so my swordsmanship was essentially offensive. Even though Choi Jiwon taught me sword skills, my fundamental approach hadn’t changed. How could a man who only knows how to attack face the strongest Cheonma…? That thought suddenly entered my mind, and my confidence waned. Without magic power or the chilling energy, I felt I didn’t have much as a human. “…” “…” Cheonma silently observed me as I struggled. He narrowed his eyes while gripping his sword. -The match begins. “Let’s go.” Alright, let’s clear my mind. Let’s do what I can. Even though I lack magic power, I still have the experience I've accumulated up to now. Take a deep breath. Lower your stance. “Hah!” Put your entire weight into the strike. -Chae -ae-aeng!!! Sparks flew. The wind lashed past my ears. My eyes, unblinking, stung. Attack, attack, attack. I focused all my nerves on the assault, and Cheonma calmly blocked my strikes. I felt it instinctively. Cheonma must have already understood my martial arts. Choi Jiwon would likely adapt her swordplay in response, but I didn’t possess such talent. "This is... odd." Cheonma remarked, tilting his head. Our swords clashed again. He twisted his blade to drain my energy, then used his free hand to strike my exposed side with his nails, having lost my balance. “Ouch…” "I can't comprehend this." This was the beginning of countless setbacks. [You have taken damage.] [You return to the moment you first entered the 28th floor.] *** ‘I was too tense.’ Choi Jiwon’s voice echoed faintly. “You’re too tense because you’re not using magic. Trust in yourself as a man. So what if your opponent is Cheonma? Is there a guarantee that you’ll definitely lose? And so what if you do lose?” What did I say back then? I think I patted my chest for confidence. What happened next? I charged at Cheonma, and my stomach was pierced by a counterattack. Then... I tried to strike him without giving him a chance, and my wrist was completely severed. Next, I attempted to defend myself, and Cheonma stabbed through me. Then Cheonma criticized me for lacking talent. I ended up crying while drinking, lamenting that I couldn’t defeat Cheonma with my lack of talent, that I was nothing without magic power. Jiwon comforted me. Then... Then... I calmed myself and charged Cheonma again. I lost. I lost again. I kept losing. Believing that there was no easy answer, I started relying on my magical power. I accepted the reality that no matter what I did, I would inevitably be hurt by that secret weapon. I fought again, struggled anew, returned to the real world, and then came back to fight once more. I couldn’t afford to be hit even once by someone so much stronger than me. No one would claim this to be easy. It was painful. I wanted to give up. I was frustrated. Why did I have to do this? Couldn't Jiwon handle it? Or couldn’t Kang Chan ascend to the 28th floor and punch Cheonma to death? I cursed fate. Cheonma was a monster. Within ten minutes, he absorbed my swordsmanship and realized I wasn’t accustomed to defending. He saw that though the quality of my attacks was high, my defense was lacking. Once he noticed this, he toyed with me with ease. Truly, he was a genius. When I felt weak, I wanted to lean on Jiwon, but Choi Jiwon had to undergo countless regressions to defeat Cheonma. In the process, we’d drain the emotions called love… and the worst could happen. I had no choice but to grit my teeth as I watched Choi Jiwon embrace me and cheer me on. That's why I couldn’t give up. There was a way for an ordinary person. I learned and learned. What was the best move I could make? What type of attack would be most challenging for the opponent? During the reprieve before facing Cheonma, I reviewed previous battles and contemplated the best moves repeatedly. At the same time, I realized it. I am not a genius. Choi Jiwon could only provide answers that came easily after stretching her mind. What took a genius 10 seconds would take me 6 hours or more. Time kept rewinding. The world reset to its initial state. In that process, time continuously accumulated in my soul. My defense improved. I elevated my immature defenses to a respectable level. My attacks became sharper. I could wield heavy swords, sharp swords, and elegant swords. All based on Cheonma's sword style, modified to suit my taste. What initially followed thoughtlessly, gradually reached a level of comprehension. With Choi Jiwon, a great teacher by my side, and Cheonma, the strongest teaching material, battling against me. “Ah.” And at some point, I realized. Just how remarkable my swordsmanship had become. Why Choi Ji-won held back from excessive teaching? A clone. That man had walked the same path as I am now. In a disadvantageous situation, he twisted his body to devise strategies to win by any means necessary. I came to realize that fact. I stopped following the Sky Sword. I ceased adding one or two defensive techniques to my existing swordsmanship. Instead, I decided to further develop my own sword style. However, following the Sky Sword wasn't entirely in vain. As time passed and experience accumulated. Gradually. The Sky Sword began to manifest.