Solo Max –Level Newbie – Chapter 656

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Thud…

The mask rolled away.

Under it was a face he knew all too well.

His own.

[You have achieved the impossible feat of ‘Defeat your past self’!]

[The final reward for the first to conquer the Tower is being calculated!]

[…….]

More status windows popped up, but he couldn’t focus on any of them.

It didn’t make sense.

His head felt like it was about to split.

He’d been sure the being called the man was his own data from when he’d climbed the 50th floor in the past. There had been too much evidence for any other conclusion.

But if the man wasn’t his past data, then was the one lying defeated in front of him his data from when he conquered the 50th floor?

The man: Me who cleared the 50th floor of the Tower of Trials in the past.

Unknown: An alter ego created by that past me.

…That hypothesis had just turned to dust.

Then…

Just what was the identity of the one called the man?

A third party he didn’t know? But then why did he know so much about this Tower? He didn’t fit the label of player, and calling him a resident made even less sense.

At the very least, unless he’d been near the top of the Tower, nothing about the man’s actions so far could be explained.

“This is really dizzying.”

Kang Jinhyuk let out a laugh without realizing it.

It felt like every calculation he’d made had collapsed, but he didn’t have the luxury to chase answers right now.

The long battle was over, and the enemy’s leader had fallen.

Now he had to minimize the damage to his allies, then drive out what remained of the enemy.

And the first step was—

Announcing Unknown’s death.

[Player Jinhyuk is using a large megaphone!]

[The current screen is being broadcast externally.]

“My name is Jinhyuk. I am the leader of the Veteran Corporation.”

Jinhyuk spoke so everyone could hear.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

The war ended.

With their center of power gone, the Operators and Primordial Beings had no choice but to retreat.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Shade Reaper were defeated by Chun Yoosung. Celestial Order also returned to where they came from, having achieved nothing.

As the major battles concluded, the wars finally came to a close.

And now—

Jinhyuk and Chronos stood alone atop Olympus.

“Partial Regression…”

The ancient god who governed time stroked his chin.

With the pocket watch he possessed, turning back some time and space wasn’t impossible.

But what Jinhyuk was asking for wasn’t a short rewind. It was about a week, across an unimaginably vast area.

“Too many people have died.”

The Covenant and the Primordial Beings had devastated the world. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say more than 90% of the seven billion had vanished.

Most of the survivors had either abandoned their humanity or were grievously injured. In practical terms, humanity had already entered a post-apocalyptic age.

“I understand, but it’s impossible for me. Perhaps no god can do what you want.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going to give you a little help.”

Jinhyuk pulled an old gear from his Subspace.

It was one of many items he’d obtained after dealing with Unknown.

[Special Item ‘Double Cross Line’ x 2]

Difficulty of Acquisition: Limited to the first conqueror of the Tower of Trials.

Contents: A special item with the power to distort history. When used by an ability user with abilities related to ‘time’ or ‘memory’, it can increase their ability stats by 1,500%. However, this item is one-time use and cannot be reused once used.

[Fountain of Oblivion]

Difficulty of Acquisition: Unmeasurable

Contents: Allows for ‘mass memory manipulation’ targeting all players around the world and ordinary people outside the Tower. The duration of the distorted memories depends on the level of completion of the Fountain of Oblivion. (Current completion rate 7%)

Truthfully…

He hadn’t planned to use the Fountain of Oblivion at this timing. He’d meant to save it—use it to secure a decisive advantage in a more dramatic situation.

But this incident changed everything.

[Some settings of the item will be changed by System Manipulation.]

[Player Jinhyuk’s and Veteran Corporation’s achievements will be included in the memory manipulation range. In addition, 127 detailed memory manipulations have been selected.]

[The memories of certain individuals will not be damaged.]

Using System Manipulation and Double Cross Line, he maximized the completion of the Fountain of Oblivion.

He would revive humanity. Rebuild the shattered civilization…

Then erase everyone’s memories.

Everyone’s, except for a few people he cherished.

“Why are you doing this? If they knew they were revived, all of humanity would be grateful to you.”

Chronos tilted his head.

Even if they’d been deceived by the false being Unknown, Jinhyuk was saving them. If he revealed that, his value would rise higher than ever—fed by gratitude and guilt.

A great epic of salvation.

He would be revered forever as a hero.

But—

“No.”

Jinhyuk quietly shook his head.

He had worked himself to the bone for people, and what came back was criticism and blame.

They trampled their benefactors just to survive, baring their ugliest selves. Of course, some hadn’t—but most had turned their backs on the Veteran Corporation the moment things got bad.

“You’re feeling jaded.”

“Yes. And considering the battles ahead, it’s better if not too many people know me. There’s a high chance the Primordial Beings will take hostages again—or use people as leverage to draw me out.”

“Well, that’s true. Those proud bastards got beaten senseless by you. They’ll come at you with everything they have.”

“I’m prepared for that too.”

With the final act approaching, he’d have to face them head-on no matter what.

There was a lot to prepare, but he’d already bought enough time.

“I understand. If that’s what you want… with this much, it should be possible, as long as the item helps.”

[Chronos activates the special Sacred Relic ‘Pocket watch of Time’!]

The giant clockwork spring spun violently.

In an instant—

A strange sensation washed over him, and his vision blurred.

“Even if people forget you, I… we will remember you.”

With Chronos’ words, the world partially regressed.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

Half a year had passed since the Covenant.

[The current temperature in Seoul is 24 degrees Celsius and it will be very sunny with some daily temperature range….]

[A ranked member of a famous overseas guild was caught drunk driving on the Olympic Expressway early yesterday morning….]

[As the 39th floor of the Tower of Trials is being cleared, it is expected that there will be significant results in this 5th large-scale raid.]

Breaking news rolled endlessly across the massive electronic display.

The past where humanity had nearly been wiped out was gone. In its place, a false truth had been woven in—an apocalypse that was still threatening, but manageable.

New heroes emerged. New guilds colluded with forces inside the Tower to build power.

In an absurdly short time, the world had changed in dramatic ways.

And now—

The Veteran Corporation had gathered on the first floor of the Shilla Hotel.

“It’s peaceful. This world is.”

Alice sipped black tea, dressed in elegant finery.

“Can you even drink that right now?”

Jinhyuk let out a deep sigh.

His head throbbed.

No matter how popular this place was on Instagram, it was impossible not to stand out when you dressed like a medieval European noble.

A white dress with frilly lace. A parasol she was casually using indoors. Even the gaudy jewels.

No one would call this normal.

“Oh my, look at that.”

“Are they filming a drama or something?”

“Is she a celebrity from abroad? She’s so pretty.”

Whispers rose as people stared.

“Still, it’s nice to have everyone together like this for once. Is this the first time all the members have gathered since the war?”

Teresa, also in a sky-blue dress, smiled brightly.

She was drawing attention too.

“Everyone’s been so busy. I couldn’t take any more leave of absence, so I’ve been preparing to go back to school.”

Chun Yoosung added.

Come to think of it, he was still a college student.

Fighting all day while taking those brutal pre-med classes…

He was the real monster.

“Still, it’s all thanks to Hyung that everyone gets to live normally… It’s kind of a shame no one knows.”

“Well, it was Oppa’s decision. I’m sure he had a reason….”

Across the table, Lee Tae-min and Yoo Yeonhwa shrugged.

“Everyone must be happy. Only I’m ruined. Hahaha. Rent, labor costs, taxes, maintenance—over a hundred million won a month… and zero new members! Yesterday, the loan shark from next door bought me a meal because he felt sorry for me. Does that make sense? Huh? Ptooey. Dirty capitalist world.”

With Jinhyuk’s name erased, the Black Crow Guild had effectively gone bankrupt.

Only the figurehead CEO, Kim Hee-woong, was gulping down soju instead of tea.

An employee told him alcohol wasn’t allowed here, but he didn’t hear a word.

“Excuse me, customers, but I’d appreciate it if you could lower your voices a little. You’re disturbing the other guests.”

“It is an honor for ordinary humans to share a space with me, but they should be grateful I’m enduring the inconvenience of associating with such lowly beings.”

“Yes?”

The manager’s eyes widened.

He looked like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

“B-but, ma’am… there are etiquette and rules in the hotel….”

“Rules? Are those standards set by the owner of this hotel?”

Alice’s brows knitted.

When the manager fell silent, Alice took it as confirmation.

Her Subspace opened, and treasures poured out.

“Thanks to someone that turned time even partially, my various department store VVVVIP privileges have disappeared. But it doesn’t matter. Such things are insignificant before my wealth.”

If the privileges were gone, she could simply buy them again.

No one could compete with money when it came to Alice, who had regained her fortune.

If her wealth had once been enough to break a country’s economy…

…Now it was enough to shake the world.

“Alice, that’s not how it works. If you want to become the owner of the hotel, you have to buy the shares.”

Teresa, apparently, had been studying modern economics.

“How is that? You stupid saintess.”

“I-I’m not stupid! Anyway, after you download a stock app on your phone and deposit money…”

“Hoo. And then?”

“If you start collecting shares by pressing the buy button like this, you can become an owner of the company.”

“Is it enough to buy everything that’s piled up in this something-or-other price chart?”

“Yes. That’s right. Buy low and sell high. That’s the basic principle of stocks.”

“How interesting. But I don’t care buying low and selling high like a fool. I’ll buy everything at the highest price.”

(T/N : Sana ol, lol. Im sure PH readers will know this reference )

“That’s a great idea.”

Alice and Teresa squealed in perfect sync.

You’re really teaching her something wonderful.

Jinhyuk pressed hard against his throbbing temples.

At a glance, Alice’s balance easily sat in the trillions.

Tomorrow morning, the KOSPI was going to do something truly insane.

And then—

“I used to like this place because relatively cultured people gathered here… but now some strange things are ruining the atmosphere. Spouting nonsense while wearing fake jewels.”

“That’s right, ma’am.”

A sharp voice cut in from the opposite side.

Chapter 656

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