Chapter 7
The 99th Floor (3)
Magic power.
A force that could not be explained by science.
It was a power unique to Hunters, one that had appeared alongside the Tower itself.
The very resource that transformed ordinary humans into superhumans—the foundation of martial arts, magic, and supernatural abilities—was magic power.
That was why those who retired on the 20th floor risked their lives to obtain magic stones from monster corpses.
Magic stones were the only efficient way to replenish depleted magical energy.
However, they could only restore magic power.
They could never increase its total amount.
“No matter how many magic stones you possess, you can never defeat a high-floor Hunter.”
The difference between an ordinary person and a 20th-floor Hunter was immense.
Yet the true gap between a Hunter who retired on the 20th floor and one who reached the 40th floor lay in a single thing:
The total amount of magic power they possessed.
Humans could only increase their magic power while inside the Tower.
That was why a 40th-floor Hunter was overwhelmingly stronger than a 20th-floor Hunter.
Magic power was the most important factor in determining a climber’s strength.
And now…
Jinhyeok had somehow obtained a ridiculous amount of it.
The magic power stat, so crucial to a Hunter’s growth, had increased by twenty points despite him being only Level 2.
“Huh… Is this really the Demon King’s magic power?”
There was only one possible explanation.
The power flowing through his body right now belonged to the Demon King.
Nothing else could explain such a sudden increase.
Is it some kind of reward for regression? No… there was never any mention of that.
Jinhyeok pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
There was no way magic power increased simply because someone died and came back to life.
If that were true, every Hunter who possessed the Right of Infinite Regression would have become the strongest being in the Tower.
“Ha… this changes everything.”
A smile spread across his face.
He still couldn’t be completely certain.
But the possibility alone was enough.
The agony of regeneration—the pain so unbearable that death often seemed preferable—suddenly felt different.
If the Demon King’s magic power was truly entering his body through each death, then enduring that pain was a small price to pay.
Honestly, this isn’t bad at all.
My chances just increased.
Until now, defeating the Demon King had seemed utterly impossible.
But now there was hope.
Even if the growth was slow, perhaps he could become stronger every time he died.
Pain no longer mattered.
That realization alone made his smile widen.
“Status Window.”
The screen appeared before him.
Magic Power: 20
“I’ve died twice so far. Does it increase by ten every time? No way it’s that simple.”
There was one problem.
A warning message remained displayed on the status window.
Magic Power Level Too High to Use
Just as it said, he possessed the power.
Yet he couldn’t use a single bit of it.
“Well, if this really is the Demon King’s magic power, I guess that’s only natural.”
“I have absolutely no idea how to use it.”
Jinhyeok let out a disappointed sigh.
Unbeknownst to him, however, the demonic energy residing within his lower abdomen was already transforming his body.
The source of the change was his starter weapon:
Unity of All Diseases.
Before it had fully bloomed, the weapon had fused with the Demon King’s demonic energy.
The fusion was gradually turning Jinhyeok himself into something closer to a demonic existence than a human one.
The day that weapon fully bloomed…
He might no longer be considered human at all.
The transformation was still too subtle for him to notice.
My magic power is increasing, but it’s still unusable.
I need another strategy.
The dramatic changes in his status window were exciting, but the truth remained:
He had learned almost nothing from his two deaths.
The interior of the Demon King’s castle constantly changed.
The Demon King always sat upon his throne, waiting.
And that was about all he’d discovered.
“We don’t even know what the Demon King looks like yet.”
The Demon King’s silhouette was vaguely human.
But his entire face remained hidden behind a veil of black darkness.
It was impossible to see his true appearance.
“Fine.”
“For this run, my goal is simple.”
“I’m going to see the Demon King’s face.”
Having set his objective, Jinhyeok strode toward the castle once more.
As if responding to his renewed determination, the gates of the Demon King’s castle swung open like the jaws of a beast ready to devour a hero.
This time, he didn’t hesitate.
The interior was already familiar.
Jinhyeok calmly walked forward, waiting for the Demon King’s voice.
A voice he had heard enough times to feel sick of it.
“Hero—”
“Wait!”
The instant the Demon King spoke, Jinhyeok loudly interrupted him.
An awkward silence followed.
The Demon King’s voice sounded slightly puzzled.
“…What is it?”
Information first.
That was the priority.
“Demon King.”
“We’re going to fight one-on-one soon, aren’t we?”
The Demon King nodded with satisfaction.
“Hm. A duel?”
“So that’s why you came alone.”
“Heh. I like this hero.”
With that, the Demon King slowly rose from his throne.
“Then I shall show you the same courtesy.”
Ugh…
No matter how many times I experience it, I’ll never get used to this feeling.
The Demon King was looking directly at him.
That gaze alone generated a pressure so overwhelming it felt suffocating.
Yet Jinhyeok forced his eyes open and stared back.
His build is roughly the same size as a normal human’s.
While seated on the throne he had seemed gigantic.
But standing, his height was only slightly above average.
Still…
His presence was on an entirely different level.
When will I ever be able to stand proudly before someone like that?
The Blessing of Light protected him.
The Demon King’s magic power was taking root within his body.
Without those two factors, Jinhyeok would have collapsed instantly.
Still, he pushed forward with the plan he had prepared.
“Take off your mask before the duel.”
“How can you hide your face during an honorable battle?”
If the black aura concealing the Demon King vanished, perhaps some of that overwhelming presence would disappear as well.
But instead of answering immediately, the Demon King fell silent.
For a long moment.
To Jinhyeok’s surprise…
It looked as though he was suppressing his anger.
“Hero.”
“You truly are arrogant.”
“You will not die peacefully.”
For the first time, the Demon King displayed genuine fury.
The respectful attitude he had shown until now vanished entirely.
What remained was pure malice.
Pure evil.
The killing intent pouring from him was so sincere that even Jinhyeok—who had fully expected to die—froze in place.
Wait…
Did asking to see his face really make him this angry?
Before he could process the situation, the Demon King extended a fist.
“W-Wait a second—”
“I shall inflict the greatest pain upon you.”
The fist twisted.
Just before reaching him.
And then—
It shredded his body apart.
Dragon Slayer Fist, Third Form
Blood-Shattering Dance
BOOM!
That was not the sound of flesh being struck.
It was the sound of a body being completely destroyed.
[You have died.]
[Infinite Regression Right Activated.]
[A certain energy is interfering with regeneration.]
[Climber Trait: Blessing of Light (SSS+) has been applied.]
Instant death.
Jinhyeok was torn apart in a single strike.
The Demon King approached the mangled remains.
“I intended only to rupture your organs and let you suffer endlessly.”
“To think you couldn’t even endure an attack like that.”
“How pathetic.”
“Urgh…”
“You’re still alive?”
“You worm.”
“Die.”
BANG!
[A certain energy is interfering with regeneration.]
BANG!
[A certain energy is interfering with regeneration.]
Again.
And again.
And again.
The Demon King continued attacking until nothing remained.
Only after Jinhyeok’s body had completely disappeared did he stop.
“Hmph.”
“All bark and no bite.”
“When will I finally meet a true hero?”
“How boring.”
“If you were even half as capable as the Dragon God, you could at least entertain me.”
“Tsk.”
His voice dripped with disappointment.
And endless boredom.
*
* *
[Regeneration Complete.]
[You are challenging the 99th Floor.]
[Defeat the Demon King.]
The fourth run began.
“Ugh…”
The pain grew worse with every death.
Still, Jinhyeok clenched his teeth and endured.
If pain equals magic power…
Then I can endure anything.
“AAAAARGH!”
…Though this time was admittedly much harder than before.
“Damn it.”
“It hurts like crazy.”
“I’ll never get used to this regeneration.”
Grumbling, he forced himself upright.
The very first thing he did was open the status window.
His heart pounded.
It hurt this much.
How much did my magic power increase?
“Let’s see…”
“The magic power is…”
“W-What?”
“Thirty-three?!”
His eyes widened.
The number was far beyond what he’d expected.
The sweetness of that number nearly erased all memories of the pain.
After dying twice, his magic power had reached twenty.
But this death alone had increased it by thirteen.
An absurd amount.
Especially considering that increasing magic power became exponentially harder at higher levels.
“So stronger attacks increase it more.”
That was the only conclusion.
Normally he died from a single punch.
This time, because the Demon King was enraged, he had been struck repeatedly.
The memory made him shiver.
“I shall inflict the greatest pain upon you.”
The technique had been horrifying.
A martial art that injected magic power into the victim at speeds too fast to perceive, destroying the body from within.
The magical energy used in those attacks had likely mixed into his body during regeneration.
“Still…”
“This isn’t even a proper reward anymore.”
“Am I supposed to ask him to hit me harder every time?”
The Dragon Slayer Fist.
The ultimate martial art personally created by the Demon King.
A technique powerful enough to slay dragons.
And somehow…
It had become the greatest gift imaginable for Jinhyeok.
A shortcut that dramatically increased his magic power.
“Well then.”
“What should I do this run?”
He reviewed everything he had learned during the third attempt.
The biggest discovery was the Demon King’s anger.
Until now, the Demon King had shown little hostility.
If anything, he seemed excited.
The castle gates always opened.
He eagerly anticipated their future battle.
Honestly… despite being terrifying, he seemed strangely honorable.
Not like a villain obsessed with causing suffering.
More like a battle fanatic searching for a worthy rival.
The only thing that had triggered genuine rage was one subject:
His face.
When Jinhyeok asked to see it, the Demon King completely lost his composure.
Even after killing him, he had continued attacking his corpse.
The Demon King has a complex about his face.
Important information.
Do not provoke him carelessly.
Jinhyeok couldn’t help feeling curious.
The reaction had been far too extreme.
Is he ugly?
Maybe he has scars or something?
He chuckled.
The Demon Kings he had seen in movies certainly weren’t attractive by modern standards.
Let’s organize everything.
The Demon King was bored.
He longed for a powerful opponent.
And he absolutely hated showing his face.
Those were the valuable pieces of information obtained from the third run.
Now then…
What should I gain from this one?
After a long period of thought, Jinhyeok made an unexpected decision.
Instead of heading toward the castle, he sat down on the ground.
Rushing in would only lead to another meaningless death at the Demon King’s hands.
This time…
His strategy was simple.
Endure.
