Jun-ha walked home from work, the weight of his stressful day heavy on his shoulders.

The city was bustling, but he felt isolated, as usual. His mind was occupied with thoughts of his past—his mother's tragic conviction, his childhood scars, and the loneliness that had followed him into adulthood.

As he crossed the street, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden commotion. A child, no older than five, was about to run into the path of an oncoming truck.

Without thinking, Jun-ha dashed forward, pushing the child out of the way. The truck swerved, but it was too late for Jun-ha. The impact was swift and brutal.

In those final moments before everything went dark, Jun-ha felt a strange mix of relief and regret. He had finally done something selfless, something that mattered, but it came at the cost of his own life.

As he lay on the ground, his vision blurred, he thought about his past—the isolation, the missed opportunities, and the loneliness he had endured.

As Jun-ha lay on the ground, his consciousness drifted through a haze of memories. In the moments before everything went dark, flashes of his past played out before him.

He remembered being a young child, his mother's trial dominating the news.

The label of "murderer's child" was thrust upon him, a cruel tag that stuck with him through his formative years. The other kids at school avoided him, and their parents made sure to keep their children away.

The whispers and the stares, the way they pointed fingers—these were his constant companions.The isolation grew sharper as he moved through school.

Even when he tried to reach out, to make friends, he was met with cold shoulders and silent judgments. The cruelty of his peers and their parents had forced him into a shell. He learned to keep to himself, to avoid drawing attention, and to navigate life alone.In high school, the bullying became a routine part of his life.

The taunts, the pranks, and the exclusion—these became the norm. Jun-ha built walls around himself, not out of choice but out of necessity. Friendships seemed like a distant dream, something that others could have but he was denied.His adult life wasn't much different.

As an office worker, Jun-ha remained isolated. Despite colleagues trying to be friendly, he was always on edge, self-conscious and uncomfortable. His past had created a barrier he couldn't easily cross. Even when people extended gestures of kindness, he recoiled, convinced that they were merely pitying him or that he didn't deserve their attention.

He had grown accustomed to solitude, to the loneliness that wrapped around him like a second skin. His social interactions were minimal, his relationships shallow. The weight of his past—of being branded and bullied—had shaped him into someone who couldn't escape his own insecurities.And then came the moment of his final act of redemption, saving the child from the truck. In that fleeting instant, he had found a purpose, a chance to make a difference.

But it came at a price, and now, as he lay there, he was forced to confront the loneliness that had defined his existence.

As Jun-ha's consciousness faded, he felt a strange sensation of floating, his body weightless and detached. It was disorienting, like being pulled through a tunnel of light.

When he finally became aware again, he found himself in a completely different place.He was in a large, high-ceilinged room with walls that seemed to shimmer faintly. The space was filled with a soft, ambient light, and the atmosphere was charged with a mix of confusion and awe.

Around him, people were milling about, their expressions mirroring his own bewilderment.The room was a waiting lounge, and as Jun-ha looked around, he noticed the diversity of the people there.

They were from all corners of the globe: tall, broad-shouldered individuals from Russia, sleek and agile figures from China, and others from Korea, Japan, and beyond. They all appeared as lost and disoriented as he felt, but there was something different about each of them.

He could sense the aura of some, the confidence and poise that marked them as exceptional. They were the ones who had likely been chosen for their talents and skills, individuals who had shown great potential or had achieved remarkable feats in their lives. Their presence was imposing, and Jun-ha felt a pang of inadequacy.

Among them, a few stood out distinctly. A young woman with a fierce gaze from Korea, from where Jun-ha was also from, seemed to radiate a quiet strength, while a tall, serious-looking man from Russia carried himself with an air of authority.

They exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves, clearly aware of their unique circumstances.Jun-ha, on the other hand, felt out of place. He was just an ordinary man who had been caught in a tragic accident—a mere coincidence in the grand scheme of things.

It became clear to him that he wasn't supposed to be here. His death had happened at the wrong time, when the tower was in the process of collecting individuals from Earth. His fate had thrown him into this world by sheer chance, not because of any special talent or skill.As he tried to make sense of his new surroundings, a voice echoed through the lounge, calm and authoritative.

"Welcome to the Tower of Regrets. You have been brought here for reasons known only to fate. Each of you will face trials that will test your strengths and reveal your true potential. Prepare yourselves, for the journey ahead will be both challenging and transformative.

Just keep in mind, there are 100 floors to climb and it will or will not cause your life, it's up to you"

The announcement was met with murmurs and varied reactions. Some of the talented individuals seemed eager, their eyes shining with determination. Others looked nervous but resolute. Jun-ha stood quietly, his thoughts swirling.

He felt the weight of his own inadequacy but also a flicker of determination. Maybe this was his chance to change, to prove that he was more than just a product of his past.He glanced around, taking in the faces of the people who would be sharing this journey with him.

Despite his insecurities, he resolved to embrace whatever came next. Fate had brought him here, and now he had to find a way to make the most of this unexpected second chance.

The waiting lounge began to fill with the hum of anticipation as people prepared themselves for the trials that awaited. Jun-ha took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead, hoping that this strange twist of fate might offer him the chance to finally confront his past and forge a new future.

The group quickly divided into teams. The talented individuals took charge of organizing the defense, their previous experiences giving them a natural command. Jun-ha, feeling out of his depth, was assigned to a small squad tasked with fortifying one of the barricades.

The creatures began to emerge from the surrounding darkness. They were grotesque and alien, with glowing eyes and sharp, clawed limbs. As they advanced toward the crystal, the air filled with a cacophony of growls and screeches.

Jun-ha's team readied their makeshift weapons—simple swords and shields provided by the tower. The initial wave of creatures crashed against the barricades, and the battle began.

Jun-ha's hands shook as he gripped his sword, the weight of his own insecurities nearly overwhelming him.The clash of metal and the roar of the creatures filled the air. Jun-ha fought alongside his teammates, each swing of his sword fueled by a mixture of fear and determination.

The creatures were relentless, their attacks coordinated and fierce.

Jun-ha struggled to keep up, his movements clumsy compared to the more experienced fighters.Despite the chaos, Jun-ha noticed a pattern: the creatures seemed to target specific weak points in the defense. He began to anticipate their moves, his instincts slowly catching up with the urgency of the fight. As he fought, his status window reappeared, showing updates:

[ STATUS WINDOW ]

Name: Jun-ha

Level: 1

Skills: None

Achievements: None

Current Floor: 1

Experience: 30/100

Skill Unlocked: Basic Combat (Level 1)

HP: 120/180

MP: 80/80

Strength: 14

Stamina: 12

Dexerity: 10

Mana: 8

Jun-ha's efforts were starting to make a difference. He was no longer just reacting but was beginning to actively contribute to the defense. His strikes grew more precise, and he began to work in tandem with his teammates, covering each other's gaps.Hours seemed to stretch as the waves of creatures continued.

Each assault was more intense, pushing the group to their limits. Jun-ha was exhausted but driven by a newfound resolve. He fought with everything he had, fueled by the hope that he could make a difference.As the final wave of creatures was repelled, the air grew still.

The crystal's glow intensified, a sign that the defense had been successful. The team's efforts had paid off, and the crystal remained unharmed.The voice echoed once more, acknowledging their victory. "Congratulations on defending the crystal. Your teamwork and resilience have earned you valuable experience. Prepare for the next challenge, as each floor will demand more from you. No casualties? Tsk tsk, such a shame~"

Everyone in the room patching up their injuries froze as they realised what they were here for. "ENTERTAINMENT! GIVE THE VIEWERS A GOOD SHOW!" the voice echoed in the room again but more aggressively.

It wouldn't take a genius to access the situation they were in, getting dragged into a whole new world where they had to fight monsters not knowing what else they could possibly do to survive...all just to keep the "viewers" entertained. The viewers who were like constellations, watching and keeping an eye on what was happening inside the tower.

The towering landscape of the first floor began to settle as the constellations' lights faded. A gentle chime echoed through the air, signaling the end of the initial trial. The group was given a brief respite—a 24-hour period before the next trial on the second floor began. Jun-ha and the others gathered in the central area near the crystal, their bodies bruised and exhausted.

The previous battle had been intense, and the brief pause was a welcome relief. They were now faced with the opportunity to rest, regroup, and reflect on their performance.Jun-ha checked his status window, eager to see the updates:

[ STATUS WINDOW ]

Name: Jun-ha

Level: 2

Skills: Basic Combat (Level 1)

Achievements: None

Current Floor: 1

Experience: 80/200

Skill Unlocked: Basic Defense (Level 1)

The new skill, Basic Defense, appeared in his status window, a welcome addition. It would improve his ability to protect himself and others during the upcoming trials. Jun-ha felt a mix of relief and anticipation.

The defense skill was a crucial asset, especially in a world where survival was a constant battle.The 24-hour period provided a unique opportunity. Jun-ha decided to use the time wisely.

He sought out quieter areas of the floor to practice his newly acquired skills and reflect on the previous trial. His previous performance had been shaky, but he had made progress. The skill improvements were a testament to his effort.

He found a secluded training area where he could practice combat and defense techniques. The space was equipped with basic training dummies and a few simple weapons. Jun-ha spent hours honing his skills, pushing himself to improve his reaction time and precision.

The other participants also took advantage of the rest period. Some rested and recuperated, while others engaged in strategy discussions, trying to prepare for the unknown challenges of the second floor. The atmosphere was a blend of camaraderie and competition, as everyone knew that the trials would only get tougher.

While Jun-ha just sat against the wall trying to figure out what had just happened in the past hours, first he got hit by a truck trying to save someone and when he finally thought he was free, he gets pulled into an unknown world with different individuals from all over the world.

As he gets deep in thought, he suddenly finds himself in a room full of darkness. In a distance he sees his mother, he tries to stand up and walk but he feels his body as tiny as a 6 year old.

His eyes widens as he realises what's happening, but maybe it was too late. He sees his mother stabbing his father, again, again, again and AGAIN! His past that has been stuck to him as a nightmare.

As his father lays motionless on the ground and the sound of sirens, officers running into the house to arrest his mother. Everything was as clear as day to him because he had been having his nightmare for as long as he can remember.

Finally his world starts shaking as his tiny body falls down, was it an earthquake? Oh.

Jun-ha snaps out of his dream as he sees a big tough looking guy waking him up. Jun-ha seems terrified and confused as he jumps back.

"We are in the middle of death and life, and you are here taking a nap" The man says as he steps back.

His appearance was obvious, he was Russian. But somehow, they both could communicate without worrying about the difference in language. As if the language barrier was gone.