It's really good. Sadly I haven't been able to find anything else like it. Challenges, grinding, and all that jazz. Is there something similar? Maybe a better novel?
are you talking tower climbing stories or just something with game stats? Second Life Ranker, SSS-class Suicide Hunter, and The World After the Fall all have towers, though i don't think SSS will be releasing chapters any time soon so you'd have to MTL somewhere. i'm sure there are more tower stories but my brain is blanking. it seems like most translated Korean stories have grinding and game elements.
There are plenty of novels with towers, dungeons or similar things. Korean novels have them as a matter of course. I haven't read any similar novel that's as grim or has the same emphasis on psychological trauma or anything, though. Even if I have, it's usually short lived. For example, the start of Arifureta is actually fairly grim. But that lasts all of like 5 chapters, and the novel quickly turns into a happy-go-lucky harem power trip. I guess you might like Dungeon Defense, if you haven't read it yet. Not exactly the same themes, but close enough.
If you like gaming aspects: Overgeared Legendary Moonlight Sculptor Ark Emperor of Solo Play Arena A Certain Middle-Aged Man’s VRMMO Activity Log Praise the Orc! If you want something with less gaming aspects: I am the Monarch The Book Eating Magician
A Monster Who Levels Up Everyone Else is a Returnee Seoul Station's Necromancer Solo Leveling / I Alone Level Up The Skill Maker Master Hunter K
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/stop-friendly-fire/ Is highly recommended for grinding and good story!! And the novel is about to end like 20 chapters less
Monster who levels, the names are annoying as fuck to remember Seoul station was dope and super wierd DO NOT read Rebirth of the thief Who Roamed The World. It's Garbage. But for real, Legendary Moonlight Sculptor IS A MUST Overgeared IS A MUST. Similar to Moonlight and you will 100% love it if you binge it and don't stop. Also Ark The also started making anime of Shield Hero and reborn as a slime, but those novels are super good. Overlord is really good Re:Monster, IS A MUST