The Regressor Can Make Them All
Chapter 362

Chapter 362

The Towers of Heroes have been restructured...?

Se-Hoon frowned as he read the notification message. He was only casually attempting to alter the structure of the pillar, yet it had led to an unimaginable result. It left him even more astonished than when he heard a Tower of Heroes had been destroyed back before he regressed.

Furrowing his brow, Se-Hoon fixed his gaze on the pillars as he tried to process the changes.

Woong!

A black pillar now faintly glowed side-by-side with the golden pillar, looking as though it had always been a part of the skeletal structure.

I’m certain the power of Boundaries led to this. The only question is how exactly...

If the change was positive, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but if not, then he would have to shut down every Tower of Heroes in the world immediately. Otherwise, a catastrophe of unimaginable scale could unfold.

Realizing the urgency, Se-Hoon opened his mouth to speak, but a calm voice spoke up before he could.

“There’s no need to worry.”

Having noticed Se-Hoon’s thoughts, Ludwig reassured him with quiet confidence.

“Both pillars are perfectly stable right now. As of now, the concern you likely have won’t come to pass.”

“...I see. That’s a relief.”

Slightly relaxing at those words, Se-Hoon could calmly respond with an eyebrow raise when Ludwig added, “More importantly, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Se-Hoon followed Ludwig’s gaze to the space where he had been looking earlier—the spot where the notification message had appeared.

“Did you see anything unusual in the notification message?”

“Huh? Ah... Did it not appear for you, Chairman?”

“Apparently not.”

Se-Hoon was taken aback. He had assumed that since the skeletal structure of the Tower of Heroes was Ludwig’s creation—shaped by his very own powers—the notification would appear for Ludwig as well. Yet it turned out that the notification had only popped up for him.

Does that mean my contribution to this structural change is overwhelmingly significant?

Stealing another glance at the two pillars, Se-Hoon shared the details of the notification messages with Ludwig.

“Restructuring, Path of Divergence, and Unknown Rest...”

Ludwig let out a dry laugh. He had indeed been hoping Se-Hoon would lead to a breakthrough for the stagnant research, but never had he expected results of such magnitude in just a day.

I thought I’d grasped his potential well enough.... Seems I was too complacent.

Revising his assessment of Se-Hoon, Ludwig fully turned to examine the twin frameworks of the tower.

“First, we need to figure out what exactly has changed. You take the black pillar. It appears to be more influenced by Wurgen’s power than mine.”

“Understood.”

Working in tandem, the two began analyzing the respective pillars. And it didn’t take long before they uncovered several key details.

“Chairman, it seems this pillar operates purely based on the power of Boundaries.”

“Hmm. Does it also affect the trials?”

“Yes, that seems to be the case. Every condition aligns when I consider the nature of the power of Boundaries.”

Gush-

With a wave of Se-Hoon’s hand, the black pillar’s shape fluidly changed, almost like a shadow. It was quite a distinct characteristic compared to Ludwig’s own creation, making Ludwig fall into deep thought.

“Hm. It appears you’ve established a new standard.”

“A new standard? Are you saying I caused this?”

Se-Hoon had a look of disbelief. He had been assuming the changes were due to Wurgen’s powers, not his own.

“As I’ve said before, these pillars represent the skeletal structure of the Tower of Heroes—or more precisely, its essence.”

The Tower of Heroes, one of many mysterious structures, encapsulated its power and purpose in the pillars.

“For fifty-four years, countless heroes have ascended and descended the tower, with only seven individuals reaching its summit. Yet, despite all that, the essence of the Tower remained unchanged. It’s the same today as it was when it first appeared,” Ludwig began, tapping on the golden pillar. Then, turning to Se-Hoon, he continued. “If the Towers of Heroes exist solely to create Perfect Ones, doesn’t that strike you as odd?”

“...Now that you mention it, yes, it does.”

Comparing the Towers to factories and Perfect Ones to finished products, one would naturally expect adjustments and improvements based on the successful results. Yet the Towers of Heroes churned out seven Perfect Ones without any of that, not a single change in its core.

“It is evidence that the Tower lacks adaptability. Rather than designed to produce more Perfect Ones, I believe it simply selects candidates based on fixed criteria.”

Despite its ability to create overwhelmingly powerful beings, the Tower mechanically repeated its selection process. The thought inadvertently made Se-Hoon think of the entity behind the tower: the Golden Ring.

Perhaps...

The Golden Ring, venerated as the Pilgrimage Church’s God, also operated mechanically, devoid of concepts like good and evil. And the Tower of Heroes seemed to mirror that nature perfectly.

Apostate did call the Towers of Heroes selection facilities.

Both Ludwig and the Apostate—individuals with vastly different philosophies—reaching the same conclusion unsettled Se-Hoon, whose suspicion was now no longer a mere hypothesis.

“Of course, one can argue the Tower just changes once it has produced seven Perfect Ones. But isn’t it too much of a coincidence that it occurred the moment you made your attempt, and so drastically at that?”

“You’re right.”

“That’s why we must reconsider. Why did the core react to the power of Boundaries, and why only to your version—not Wurgen’s?”

Se-Hoon’s usage of the power of Boundaries was, at best, an imitation. Without utilizing the Hero’s Ring, it couldn’t even be fully replicated. Yet the Tower of Heroes had responded.

Lost in thought, Se-Hoon mulled over it, eventually unconsciously muttering his suspicion aloud, “...Because I understood the power to imitate it?”

“Precisely.”

Ludwig smiled, pleased by Se-Hoon’s realization.

“While we Perfect Ones possess these powers, we have never truly understood them. Strictly speaking, we wield them without comprehending them.”

Just as a storm doesn’t analyze its own motions, Perfect Ones didn’t dive into the theory behind their powers just to use them. Unlike a storm, however, they could articulate their powers to others, though Ludwig deemed such explanations meaningless.

“The Whitespace is right there in-between spaces, so just touch it; life and death are separated by a boundary, so just sense it; pray to the divine, and you’ll receive blessings—do you think any of these are proper explanations for how our powers truly operate?”

“Um... haha... not really.”

“The theories behind our powers are subjective and unhelpful. That’s why, in decades, not a single person has successfully understood them.”

For a skill to truly be a “skill,” it had to be teachable and understandable by others. By that logic, the Perfect Ones’ powers were more akin to mysticism. When Se-Hoon came along, however, that was no longer true.

“That is, aside from you. While you may not yet be able to explain them perfectly, just the fact you have grasped is monumental.”

“I... suppose that’s true.”

With a nod, Se-Hoon acknowledged he was finally on the same page about how his approach could have reshaped the very foundation of the Tower of Heroes.

“Now, where do you think those understandings lie within you?”

“...Oh!”

Everything clicked into place.

It used my synesthetic mindscape!

Even if a realization didn’t show outwardly, it often left an indelible mark on one’s synesthetic mindscape. With its ability to harness synesthetic mindscapes, the Tower of Heroes could absorb those marks—his understanding of the Perfect Ones’ powers—creating a new standard for selecting Perfect Ones.

This is ridiculous...

While the originators of the powers couldn’t even influence the Tower, he—who could only imitate them imperfectly—had left a mark. Of course, that wasn’t a bad outcome, considering his value had clearly risen. It was just so absurd that all he could do was chuckle dryly.

“So... does that mean restructuring the Towers of Heroes is entirely my responsibility now?”

“Yes, that seems to be the case for now. To be certain, we’d need to bring another Perfect One here. However... I would rather avoid that.”

Ludwig’s research lab, where the core of the Tower was exposed, was the most critical location in Babel. It was a place Ludwig had zero intention of allowing anyone in. Even Se-Hoon had been a decision made after much deliberation after hearing that he had nullified Wurgen’s power, and he had still done it reluctantly.

“Of course. Bringing someone else would indeed be risky. It could even cause problems for the Tower of Heroes.”

“Exactly. It would be quite the headache if it were to collapse.”

Although Ludwig was lightly joking, Se-Hoon could only offer a grim smile. It was but a hypothetical scenario to most. Se-Hoon, however, had witnessed the collapse of multiple Towers. He, of all people, couldn’t take the matter so lightly.

I got lucky this time, but I’ll need to be more cautious.

Getting buried along with the Tower of Heroes would be a death of the worst kind. Resolving to avoid such a fate, Se-Hoon looked at Ludwig, who seemed satisfied with the progress made.

“Do you think this restructuring will benefit your existing experiments?”

“Hmm? Ah, you needn’t worry about that,” Ludwig said, waving his hand casually in response.

Woong!

The two pillars began glowing—one golden, the other black—and the entire lab trembled.

“...What is this?”

“We couldn’t draw more power from the Tower previously because the previous pillar had its limits.”

An overwhelming force seemed to pour in from above, beyond the lab’s ceiling. The pressure was so immense that Se-Hoon thought the sky itself was collapsing, leaving him wide-eyed in astonishment.

“But thanks to you, the number of pillars has doubled. Thus, the amount of power we can draw has also likely doubled—or perhaps even more than that.”

The pillar Ludwig created served as a conduit connecting to the outside world. By increasing the number, the strain on each pillar was reduced, allowing for more stable power extraction.

Woong-

The lab was suffused with an invisible yet palpable energy. Feeling it, Se-Hoon thought that while he couldn’t see it from the lab, the entire Tower of Heroes was likely bathed in a golden glow.

“This should suffice for the second semester’s evaluation tests. You can return now and focus on your studies. Let me know once you master a power to an extent on par with the power of the Boundaries.”

“Ah yes.... Okay.”

Though Se-Hoon nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed slightly in dissatisfaction. While it was true his work here was done, he had contributed significantly. Wasn’t it only fair to receive something in return?

I didn’t think he would just brush this off...

Whether it was seizing the Chairman’s position or conducting his own research using another Tower, Se-Hoon resolved to not let the matter go unaddressed.

Just as he turned to leave, however, Ludwig suddenly remembered something.

“Ah! I nearly forgot to give you this.”

“Yes?”

Quickly spinning 180, Se-Hoon reflexively caught a golden key that flew toward him and examined it. It was scratched and worn, looking like a relic that seemed more suited for an antique shop than practical use.

Narrowing his eyes, Se-Hoon scrutinized it closely.

Is this...?

Though its appearance was unimpressive, Se-Hoon could sense a faint trace of Whitespace emanating from within.

“Try to use it only when absolutely necessary,” Ludwig remarked nonchalantly.

Then, as if the conversation were over, Ludwig waved his hand and Se-Hoon found himself back in his dormitory.

Ludwig had so hurriedly sent him away, making it feel almost like he was being kicked out. Frowning, Se-Hoon shook his head before returning his attention to the key in his hand.

Hmm... Is this something like the Ascension Ring?

Artifacts imbued with a Perfect One’s power were always valuable, but for someone like Se-Hoon, who could wield such powers himself, it wasn’t as much.

I guess it’s better than nothing.

Lowering his expectations, Se-Hoon brought up the key’s information message.

[Key of Whitespace]

[Tier: Legendary] [Quality: Awful]

[A key handcrafted by the first Perfect One, Ludwig Schubert.

It consumes mana to summon a lock hidden in Whitespace.

*Consumes mana to summon a lock hidden in Whitespace, that if one tries to force open, will destroy the key]

...?

The description wasn’t what he had expected. Staring at it, Se-Hoon was wracking his brain over it when the word “lock” suddenly sparked an epiphany.

No way...

Without hesitation, he infused the key with mana and held its tip up in the air.

Woong-

Immediately, a golden keyhole appeared—looking exactly like the one Ludwig occasionally conjured. With wide eyes, Se-Hoon immediately inserted the key.

Click-

The key slid in with some resistance. He could tell that forcing it might destroy the key, but Se-Hoon quickly figured out what needed to be done.

Swish-

As mana flowed through the key, the resistance melted away, allowing Se-Hoon to turn it with confidence.

Click!

The sound of a lock disengaging rang through the air as the keyhole rotated, opening to reveal the Whitespace. And although he hadn’t been given any specific instructions, having observed Ludwig’s use of it, Se-Hoon intuitively understood its purpose.

“Could you give me any legendary material you can spare?”

At first, nothing happened, making Se-Hoon think he might have been mistaken.

Whoosh!

But just as he was about to try something else, an object was suddenly flung from the Whitespace as though someone had tossed it out. Catching it instinctively, Se-Hoon looked down and found himself holding a brilliant ore that shimmered like starlight.

“Nova’s Tear...”

Seeing the Legendary-tier material he had encountered only once before, back when Ludwig took multiple things out of his vault, Se-Hoon reaffirmed his allegiances.

Ludwig all the way!

No matter what happened, he vowed to remain by Ludwig’s side until the Demon Force was completely wiped out.

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