The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 144

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Maxed-Out Player’s 100th Return – Episode 144
144. Travel Preparations
I spent several days conducting field training with the CPF Squad members.
Whenever an actual report came in, we’d activate the sirens and arrive at the scene as quickly as possible.
I’d rapidly sweep through the crime scene to grasp the situation at a glance.
Ideally, I’d confront the perpetrator there, but most of the time they’d already fled.
In such cases, I’d utilize my Surrounding Search skill to track the criminal’s traces.
If I found the perpetrator that way, all was well—but what if I failed?
I’d search for witnesses or visit nearby shops to conduct inquiries.
Of course, if another report came in during the process, I’d hand over the search to regular officers and leave.
Eliminating as many Criminal Players as possible was the priority.
Conversely, once I found the perpetrator, I’d subdue them and apply restraints.
Of course, these weren’t ordinary handcuffs.
“These are Player-exclusive restraints distributed to regular officers. You’d need roughly 150 Strength just to break free from them.”
After securing the criminals with the restraints the Squad Commander provided, I’d hand them over to the police for legal processing.
Worried about handing Players over to regular officers being dangerous?
The state had authorized the use of firearms against Players, so regular officers could sufficiently confront Criminal Players.
No matter how much of a Player someone was, they couldn’t dodge bullets.
Not yet, anyway.
Of course, even with firearms, an unrestrained Player remained dangerous.
Still, if they showed threatening behavior, summary execution was permissible, so an armed officer could manage them adequately.
‘I suppose the training can end here.’
I felt reassured watching the Squad members.
After several days of real combat, they’d begun solving cases without my intervention.
They’d killed multiple Criminal Players.
Though they appeared naive, having already gone through four rounds, these Squad members harbored less resistance to killing.
‘Besides, they became officers out of contempt for criminals.’
Not a single member hesitated over summary execution.
“You’ve worked hard this past week. That concludes all theoretical and practical training. I can leave with confidence now.”
“Pardon? Leave?”
“Did you think I’d stay behind indefinitely? I’m a busy person myself.”
I’d already informed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport a week ago that I’d charter a private jet to Nigeria.
Currently, I was just waiting for flight route approval.
I’d even prepared a passport under Lost Yak’s name.
My mind was already set on travel preparations.
“You won’t have problems apprehending Criminal Players without me, will you?”
“….”
Though true, no one spoke up.
Unspoken as it was, the Squad members had grown attached over the week.
As their Squad Commander, they genuinely trusted, followed, and respected me.
A spiritual pillar.
Learning that such a commander was leaving felt hollow and bitter.
“Don’t be too disappointed. I’ll stop by whenever I have time to check on how well you’re all doing.”
With those words, Ryu Min offered each team member words of encouragement.
“Go Nam-chul. You’ve completely corrected your dialect in just a week. Anyone would think you were a born-and-raised Seoul native.”
“Ha, you’re too kind, Commander.”
“Hwang Man-gi. Your performance has been excellent lately. Don’t forget that I always have high expectations for you.”
“Thank you, ha.”
“Kang Si-hyuk. You’ve always been doing well. Just keep it up. Hmm? Your eyes are red. You’re not crying because I’m leaving, are you?”
“No, no, how could that be?”
Despite his words, Kang Si-hyuk turned away and wiped his tears with his palm.
“Everyone’s worked hard. Continue operating on the three-shift, two-team rotation I set up. It’ll be difficult to maintain vigilante duties around the clock. If any problems arise, contact me anytime. Understood?”
“Yes, Commander! Thank you for your hard work!”
“Anyone watching would think I’m retiring from active duty.”
Behind his mask, Ryu Min smiled and turned away.
I had gained reliable team members.
* * *
[The newly established Anti-Player Unit CPF, launched for the first time this month, is showing unexpected success…]
[Newly established CPF unit handles 52 Players in a week! Easing the burden on police officers…]
[Is this the CPF effect? Crime incidents dropped 32% compared to last week…]
[Have you heard of the CPF unit? A newly established Player vigilante squad!]
[There’s a unit that summarily executes criminal Players? Everything about CPF!]
└Is this that Player-catching unit? They can execute on the spot?
└It definitely seems effective. The number of Players committing crimes has plummeted.
└Of course it’s effective. They kill you if you commit a crime.
└ㅁㅊ If you commit a crime and get caught, will you die? Hahaha, even if it were me, I would probably be stuck at home.
└They don’t just kill indiscriminately—only heinous criminals. They kill even for dangerous acts.
└The country’s gone mad. Players are people too, and they’re just killing them carelessly.
└Black———–Scythe
└There’s a criminal defending criminals above.
└If you leave them alone, greater damage will occur, so they eliminate them.
└Criminal vermin deserve to die. Period.
Should’ve done this from the start. Tsk. Anyway, the Government—always closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.
└Still, Assemblyman Lee Sung-hyun did accomplish something.
└The commander of this unit is supposedly the famous rank 1 among Players? His nickname is Black Scythe?
└If it’s Black Scythe, that’s probably the person who saved Assemblyman Lee Sung-hyun before.
So you got in through a congressman’s connections, huh lol
└What backing? The Police Commissioner has final authority over unit composition.
└Assemblyman Lee Sung-hyun actually recommended him. You can find the article if you search.
└His skills speak for themselves, and he has a track record of saving people, so they probably gave him special recruitment.
└Anyway, it’s all about connections. Tsk.
└Still, seeing how the squad handles operations without incident and processes things efficiently, the squad leader position doesn’t seem like just a title.
Ryu Min put down his phone after reading the comments.
‘Overall, the response to CPF is positive. They’re showing tangible results, so it’s only natural, I suppose?’
I smiled contentedly, but in comparison, my own reputation as Black Scythe hadn’t risen much.
Well, that was only natural.
No matter how much a single squad accomplishes, people merely see it as fulfilling their duty.
There’s no reason for the squad leader’s name to become a hot topic.
Unless I pull off something major on a personal level.
That’s why I’m going to Nigeria.
To pull off something major.
‘What if I apprehend a public enemy under the name Black Scythe? My reputation would skyrocket. At least far more than it is now.’
Then, if I ask Seo A-rin—who’s just hitting her stride—to promote it?
Without a doubt, the squad’s recognition and standing would rise even further.
And then the frequency of criminal players running amok would drop dramatically.
‘I’ll definitely need Seo A-rin’s help.’
I called Seo A-rin using Lost Yak’s phone.
I even showed the meticulousness to transform into his face to disguise my voice.
But then.
‘She’s not picking up?’
She doesn’t answer, probably because it’s an unknown number.
I tried calling several times, but the result was the same.
With no other choice, I sent her a text.
[Seo A-rin? It’s Black Scythe. I have something to tell you, so call me back when you see this.]
Had ten seconds passed since I sent the text?
Seo A-rin called back immediately.
So she really didn’t answer because it was an unknown number.
-Is this… really Black Scythe?
“Yeah, it’s me. You’ll recognize my voice, won’t you?”
-Ah yes, it really is you.
Seo A-rin remembered the voice of the real Black Scythe she’d met before.
The mask she wore made the memory stick even more.
-How did you get my number? I never gave it to you…
“I have someone higher up than me.”
-Ah, so you’re the CPF squad leader?
“You’ve already seen the article, I see.”
-Of course. There’s no way I’d miss an article with your name in it…
-…
-Oh, don’t misunderstand. I just happened to find out while browsing the internet as an occupational habit.
“I’m not misunderstanding.”
-Y-yes? But what’s this call about?
“I wanted to make you an advertising offer.”
-Pardon?
“I’m thinking of shooting a public service advertisement so our unit becomes more widely known to the public, and I thought you’d be perfect as the promotional model.”
-A p-promotional model? Me?
Seo A-rin was flustered, but only for a moment.
-I’ll do it. I want to.
She accepted so readily it was almost suspicious—as if she hadn’t even deliberated.
“You’re deciding this easily? You don’t need to think it over more?”
-What’s there to think about? If it’s something I can do to help Black Scythe, I shouldn’t ask questions or hesitate.
“Then the promotional model is settled.”
I had worried she might refuse, so I was relieved she accepted so readily.
“I’ll contact you once the schedule is set.”
-Thank you. For giving me a chance to repay you.
“Repay? I’m the grateful one.
-Um, w-well… if you’re grateful, could I ask you for one favor? Oh, is that too shameless?
At her sudden words, Ryu Min blinked.
“A favor? What is it?”
-C-could we have a meal together sometime? I-if you have time, that is. If you’re busy, I understand…
“Having a meal while wearing a mask… that would be difficult.”
-Oh right, the mask.
No matter how I’ve transformed into Lost Yak, I can’t reveal my face to Seo A-rin.
“And I need to be away for a while, so I won’t have time anyway.”
-Is that so? Where are you…
“I can’t say that much.”
-Oh, I-I’m sorry…
She was flustered in a way that made me wonder if this was really the same cold Seo A-rin from the meat restaurant.
“Well, I’ll contact you once the advertisement schedule is set.”
-Yes, understood. Black Scythe.
After ending the call, I chuckled to myself.
‘I’ve got the promotional model, and CPF is running well without me.’
Things were unfolding according to plan.
‘But how are things going with Player Cafe?’
The thought prompted me to call from my personal phone.
Yamtti’s delighted voice came through.
-Master! What brings this on?
“Are you at home?”
-Yes, I’m at home. Were you thinking of visiting our place…
“Don’t talk nonsense. How’s the management of Player Cafe going? Is everything running smoothly?”
-Yes. I’ve given the Chairman detailed instructions, so we’re accepting members without any issues.
“So all the members who joined recently have passed the character assessment test, right?”
-That’s correct. Thanks to you purging nearly a thousand existing members last month, all the murky water has drained out and been replaced with fresh water.
“That’s a relief.”
Through the efforts of Ma Gyeong-rok and myself, the trash infesting Player Cafe had been completely eliminated.
We filtered out the rotten water and now only accepted members of genuine character, achieving a complete transformation.
“Tell the Chairman to manage things so that the cafe members can be mobilized at a moment’s notice with just a word.”
-I’ve already given those instructions, so there’s nothing to worry about.
“By the way, I can charter the plane without any issues, right?”
-Of course. I booked the charter flight through the Nigeria route last week as you requested. We’ve already secured approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and all the airports involved.
The charter plane Ryu Min would be taking was none other than one prepared by Song Jae-gyeom, the Chairman of Player Cafe.
While he was overshadowed by Ma Gyeong-rok, he was still counted among the elite tycoons.
I had assumed that as the eldest son of the LC Group, he would naturally own a charter plane, and my assumption proved correct.
“So I can leave tomorrow as planned, then?”
-Yes. But what business do you have in Nigeria?
“That’s not something to discuss over the phone. We’ll talk about it in person tomorrow.”
-Sigh… a trip with just you and the master? I’ve been desperately hoping for this moment. I’m so happy I could burst!
“Don’t be dramatic. Just make sure you have your luggage and passport ready so we can leave tomorrow morning.”
-Understood, Master! Hehehehe!
After hanging up, I shook my head in disbelief.
‘Maybe I should have just told her over the phone?’
I hoped she wouldn’t get the wrong idea about this.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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