Prologue
[Infinite Regression Ticket Activated.]
[Challenge: 99th Floor.]
[Objective: Defeat the Demon King.]
The 99th Floor.
The penultimate stage of the Tower—a place regarded as the true final gate before conquering all one hundred floors.
Standing there in complete stillness was a man who was only Level 2.
The Flame Emperor. The Tiger King. The Dragon God. The Blood Demon.
Countless legendary beings from countless dimensions had reached this floor before him.
Compared to them, the man’s appearance was pitifully ordinary.
“Phew… Shall we start again?”
Yet, strangely enough, he seemed completely at ease.
No one who had ever stood before the Demon King had worn such an expression.
Beyond composure, there was even a trace of boredom in his eyes.
“…Welcome, climber.”
The Demon King lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment and fixed the challenger with a fearsome gaze.
But the man paid that gaze no attention.
“Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Demon King.”
“I am stronger than every Demon Lord’s army you have faced until now. Hero, are you prepared to risk your life?”
The man pondered the question for a moment before letting out a chuckle.
“Prepared to risk my life? After mastering the Void, it took me about eight hundred and ninety regressions to get here. I’d say that’s more than enough preparation.”
“The aura you’re giving off is impressive, but to face Master at full strength… you really are—”
His thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To think that the day before his military discharge, he had been dragged into a mysterious tower while trying to save a girl…
Then transported to the hundredth floor…
And ultimately trapped on the ninety-ninth floor.
The man ignored the Demon King’s words and simply spoke whatever came to mind.
Faced with such shameless behavior, the Demon King let out a hollow laugh.
“You bastard. Have you lost your mind? Though, considering you’ve stared into the endless void, perhaps that’s only natural.”
The man stared at the Demon King.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The laziness from moments ago vanished completely.
“It’s not ‘bastard.’ My name is Yoo Jin-hyuk. Though you’re not entirely wrong about me being crazy.”
A dark power surged from Yoo Jin-hyuk’s body.
Sensing the shift, the Demon King also released his own overwhelming aura.
“Still, this is the first time you’ve reacted like this, Master. You noticed it immediately, just like in the previous regression. Have you finally succeeded in controlling your demonic energy?”
“Master? What nonsense are you talking about?”
Jin-hyuk let out a deep sigh.
Words alone wouldn’t convince him.
This reminds me of the old days… when we’d kill first and explain later.
In the end, there was only one way to prove it.
“Yoo Jin-hyuk. Heir of the Void. And the sole disciple of the Demon King.”
“I formally introduce myself.”
As he spoke, black energy spread from his body.
The same power.
The same darkness.
The very same Void energy wielded by the Demon King himself.
The Demon King’s eyes widened in disbelief.
For the first time, the ruler of demons looked genuinely shocked.
“W-What…?”
“Heh. This is exactly why I can never quit regressing. Surprised?”
“How can a mere human… possess my demonic power?”
Smiling, Jin-hyuk extended his hand.
“It would take far too long to explain.”
“Instead, use your power and see for yourself.”
“See how a mere human came to inherit the same power as the Demon King.”
