Regression: Reclaiming the End-Chapter 27: The Number 1 Ranked Vassal - Astraia

[Blank has cleared the 6th Floor of the Labyrinth!]

[The 7th Floor of the Labyrinth will open in 1 hour.]

[20 days have been added to the Annihilation Countdown.]

[Time Remaining Until Annihilation: 139 Days, 20 Hours, 09Minutes, 34 Seconds]

-

The humid air of Davao settled around me again, thick and heavy, smelling faintly of salt and earth. The distant hum of the coastal highway pierced the quiet.

I took a steady breath, muscles still humming with residual fire from the Emberfang Style. The Ogre King’s Core throbbed softly as I put it inside my inventory — a reminder of the battle just passed.

’No time to rest.’

I started walking, boots crunching on the cracked pavement as I headed inland. The heat pressed down, mingling with the sweat on my skin.

The city was waking, distant traffic stirring to life as early morning light filtered through thick, humid clouds.

The familiar streets guided me like muscle memory, each step a silent beat echoing through the quiet. My destination was clear: Third Floor, Room 307.

The apartment building loomed ahead — a tired concrete monolith weathered by years of storms and neglect. But inside that unassuming shell was my sanctuary, the one place the endless trials of the Labyrinth couldn’t touch. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

I unlocked the door with practiced ease and stepped inside.

The cool, stale air was a sharp contrast to the sweltering heat outside.

Sitting down heavily on the cracked leather chair, I flexed my hands, still feeling the ember’s heat lingering beneath my skin.

I sank deeper into the worn leather chair, the tension in my muscles slowly unwinding. The fight on the 6th Floor had pushed me harder than usual, but victory was a familiar companion.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone, the screen flickering to life with a cascade of notifications.

The Astral Community was blowing up again.

My recent post — the video walkthrough of clearing the previous Floor — had gone viral overnight. Comments, likes, shares, and endless messages poured in from challengers all over the world, hungry for tips, advice, or simply to witness the spectacle.

I scrolled through the flood of replies, the names and avatars blurring together in a tide of admiration, questions, and awe.

Then, amid the noise, one message stood out — from Astraia.

Tokyo, Japan.

I paused, heart skipping a beat.

’I’d been hoping to hear from her.’

Opening the message, I smiled softly at the words glowing on the screen.

"Blank. I saw your video. Incredible work. I’ve been watching your progress. There’s something... I want to discuss with you. When you have time, message me back."

Astraia.

The name alone sparked something deep inside me — a flicker of connection in a world otherwise defined by isolation.

I tapped my reply, fingers steady but eager.

"I’m here. Let’s talk."

Almost instantly, her reply popped up. "Can we meet in person? There’s much better to discuss face-to-face."

I hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Meeting someone in person, especially from so far away, wasn’t something I was ready for—not yet. Too many unknowns.

I typed back carefully. "I appreciate it, but I’m not up for an in-person meeting right now. Let’s keep it here for now."

Sent.

I glanced at my phone as another message popped up from Astraia.

"Blank, I have an offer for you," she wrote. "I want you to be the Vice Guild Master of my guild. Your skills and reputation would bring us great strength."

I frowned slightly, fingers poised over the keyboard but shaking my head to myself.

I typed back, "Thanks, Astraia, but I’m not interested. Guilds aren’t my priority right now. They’d only slow me down."

There was a pause—long enough for me to wonder if she’d give up. But then her message came again, more insistent.

"I understand, but think about the resources, the support. You’d have an army behind you. We could take on the Rift floors faster, safer."

I sighed, replying firmly. "I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got my own path. Building or joining a guild now would just be a distraction. I need to stay focused."

Her next message surprised me "Then tell me this: what must I do for you to see you in combat, in person? I want to witness your strength firsthand."

The question hung in the air, loaded and serious.

’Nice timing.’

I tapped a quick response. "What floor are you at right now?"

Almost immediately, her reply came through "Floor 5. I’m handling the boss fight as we speak."

Her words carried the weight of someone deep in the thick of battle — a reminder that she was no ordinary challenger.

"Once I clear this boss, I want you to pause your progression," she added. "Let’s meet inside the Labyrinth itself. Face to face."

I stared at the screen, fingers frozen above the keyboard.

Pause my progression.

The thought echoed loudly in my mind, rippling through the plans I’d meticulously crafted for climbing the Rift floors. Every minute counted. Every clear pushed me closer to the goals I’d set — goals that couldn’t afford detours.

Yet meeting Astraia inside the Rift could mean more than just a simple handshake. It could be an alliance, a chance to gauge her strength firsthand, or a potential distraction that could unravel everything.

I leaned back in my chair, eyes closing briefly as I weighed the risks.

Could I afford to slow down? Or was this the moment to show her why I moved the way I did, why I kept the distance?

Opening my eyes, I typed slowly, deliberately. "Meeting inside the Labyrinth... it’s not a small thing. It’ll affect everything — my momentum, my position. What guarantees do I have this won’t cost me more than I’m willing to lose?"

Her reply came almost instantly, calm but confident. "Nothing’s guaranteed in the Rift — except that I want to see your strength, Blank. And maybe, just maybe, this is the start of something neither of us can achieve alone."

I stared at the screen a moment longer, then typed "What do you mean?"

Her reply came swiftly, with a confidence that cut through the quiet room."Whether you like it or not, being solo has its pros and cons. Sure, you’re fast, unpredictable, and free — but eventually, you’ll reach a point where going it alone won’t be enough."

Her words hit harder than I expected.

"You’ll need a strong, reliable group — people you can trust to watch your back, to fight alongside you when the stakes get too high."

I leaned back, eyes narrowing as the truth settled in.

’That’s one of the reasons I respected her even before I regressed—she was always sharp and perceptive. And this time, she was right.’