The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 145

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

The Maxed-Out Player’s 100th Return Episode 145
145. To Nigeria
Now that the 9th round had ended.
Approximately 650,000 players remained across the globe.
By the logic that one in five is garbage, there were still 130,000 trash players in the world.
‘Just because I’ve dealt with the garbage at Player Cafe doesn’t mean the world is safe.’
Criminal players who contributed to the world’s destruction were as useless as pests.
‘I’m going to Nigeria both to exterminate those vermin and to recruit the Alchemist.’
Nigeria was home to the Alchemist, a unique class.
If I could bring them to my side, it would be a tremendous help in clearing round 20.
‘But the Alchemist isn’t the only thing I’ll gain.’
The runes I need from reality—I can fulfill their conditions there.
I’ll be able to acquire miscellaneous items as well, and I can raise Black Scythe’s reputation too.
“That’s everything.”
Ryu Min stood up after packing all his luggage into the suitcase.
Assuming it would take up to a week, he’d packed clothes and essentials.
“Brother, brother!”
The door burst open with a quick knock.
Ryu Won stared at Ryu Min’s duffel bag with startled eyes.
“Y-you’re leaving already?”
“Yeah. I’ll be back soon.”
Ryu Won had heard last night that his brother would be leaving on a trip suddenly, but he hadn’t expected him to leave this early in the morning.
“You said you’re going to Japan?”
“Yeah. I’ve been exhausted lately, so I’m planning to take a week-long hot spring vacation.”
Someone who’d been cooped up at home suddenly going on a trip?
Naturally, Ryu Won couldn’t help but be suspicious of his brother.
“Brother, did you get a girlfriend? If that’s the case, don’t hide it and tell me. No one would say anything about a couple going on a trip together.”
“What are you talking about? I’m just going for some rest.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Then take me with you.”
Ryu Min slowly shook his head.
“It’s a world where it’s hard enough just keeping myself alive. If you come too, it could be dangerous.”
“Are you really going alone?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Ryu Won couldn’t ask any further.
If his brother said so, he had no choice but to believe him.
“I’m sorry to you, but I’ll be back soon. Stay home while I’m gone. Make sure you eat properly too.”
“Don’t worry. Delivery food is so good these days.”
“Let me know if you run short on spending money.”
“It’s useless anyway. Just be careful on your way.”
“Got it. Take care of yourself. I’m heading out.”
Ryu Won watched his older brother pull the suitcase out through the entrance with envious eyes.
Click—thud.
The moment the door closed, Ryu Won’s expression grew noticeably sullen.
“I want to go on a hot spring trip too….”
He grumbled quietly, but I understood.
The world was still dangerous for ordinary people.
Just look at the recent Meat Restaurant incident.
“Can’t be helped. My brother’s right about that.”
While I envied my brother for going out and even taking hot spring trips, I couldn’t say it was unfair.
He was the one who’d supported me as the head of the household while juggling High School.
People need rest after working—that’s just how it is.
“Without my brother, I wouldn’t be living in such a luxurious place.”
Just nine months ago, I was living in a shabby one-room apartment, hesitant to even order a single bowl of jjajangmyeon.
This wasn’t the time to complain about eating delivery food.
“I’m so ungrateful, really ungrateful!”
I smacked my own head, reflecting on myself, and licked my lips.
“Now that I think about it, I want to eat jjajangmyeon.”
I’d have to order some as soon as lunch came around.
Jjajangmyeon never got old, no matter how many times you ate it.
* * *
At the Parking Lot, Yamtti was waiting in front of the Lamborghini.
“You’ve arrived? Um, not, Ryu Min?”
“Yeah, let’s go right now.”
The two of them loaded the suitcase into the trunk and departed immediately.
On the way to Incheon Airport.
As they merged onto the expressway, Ryu Min broke the silence.
“You asked me yesterday why I’m going to Nigeria.”
“Yes.”
“Nigeria is a place where all kinds of crimes run rampant. The public enemy IS is even stationed there.”
“IS—you mean that terrorist organization pursuing Islamic extremism?”
“That’s right. Among the people they’ve kidnapped, there’s an alchemist I want to turn into an ally. My objective is to extract that alchemist.”
Ryu Min laid bare his purpose without hesitation.
Yamtti was, after all, a slave bound to absolute obedience to him.
There was no reason to keep it secret.
Once I silenced her, she’d keep it even if it killed her.
“Ah, so that’s why you’re taking me? To use the Fascination Rune to control the alchemist.”
“No. I’m taking you because I need the Fascination Rune, but I won’t use it on the alchemist. I need to keep that option open.”
“And after that?”
“I need to eradicate these trash and build up Black Scythe’s reputation. That’s also why I took on the title of Squad Commander in the Counter Player Force.”
The Squad Commander had gone to Nigeria and destroyed the IS organization, a public enemy.
If that fact became known, it was certain that the name Black Scythe would become famous.
“Ah, so that’s why you needed the National Police Agency Director’s endorsement? To leave a record that Black Scythe had left the country.”
“Exactly.”
Nigeria was a dangerous country, as I’d mentioned.
The security situation was so poor that it was classified as Level 3 travel advisory.
Naturally, they wouldn’t let people in for simple tourism.
Unless there was business or another legitimate purpose.
But if one could prove they were strong enough to protect themselves?
Entry and exit became possible.
That was why I moved under the title of Squad Commander in the Counter Player Force.
To pass through immigration easily.
And to leave a record that Black Scythe had gone to Nigeria.
So who would vouch for Black Scythe?
‘The National Police Agency Director, naturally. We’d already arranged it.’
Because of this, I wasn’t worried about the departure screening.
“Phew. Hearing all this, it sounds like quite the arduous journey.”
“You shouldn’t complain about something this simple.”
Soon after arriving at the airport, I parked the car and transformed my appearance.
Ripple—
In an instant, I became Lost Yak, and Yamtti’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Wow, you’ve grown taller too? This is the first time I’ve seen you transform, sir.”
“Enough admiring. From now on, call me Black Scythe.”
“Yes, Black Scythe.”
The two of us retrieved our luggage and found the charter airline counter.
“Welcome, sir. Did you have a charter reservation?”
“Yes. Here’s my ID.”
Naturally, I presented Lost Yak’s identification.
Since I was traveling under Black Scythe’s identity, forging credentials was essential.
“I see we have one charter aircraft standing by. The destination is confirmed as Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Nigeria… One moment, please.”
The staff member checked something and handed over the ticket.
“Confirmed. Here’s your ticket. It’s a direct flight to Nigeria with an estimated flight time of 17 hours. You’ll go through security screening over there, complete boarding procedures, pass passport inspection, and then proceed.”
“Yes, thank you.”
There was one reason I was taking the Player Cafe Chairman’s charter aircraft.
‘I can save time with a direct flight.’
Normally, Nigeria could only be reached with connections, averaging around 25 hours.
Rather than waste all those hours in the sky, it was better to take a charter and get there quickly.
After checking my luggage, I took the ticket and went through security screening, completing the boarding procedures and passport inspection.
“You’re going to Nigeria?”
“Yes.”
The immigration officer glanced sideways at the two of them.
“Nigeria is currently a dangerous zone. Are you aware of that?”
“It’s fine. I’m the Squad Leader of the Counter Player Force. I’ve already received all the necessary approvals, so please verify with the National Police Agency Commissioner.”
“The Counter Player Force Squad Leader…? One moment.”
The officer stepped away and returned a few minutes later.
“Confirmed. The National Police Agency Commissioner vouched that you are indeed the Counter Player Force Squad Leader. He said there’s no issue with your credentials, so both of you are cleared to go.”
“Is that so?”
“Here are your passports. Have a pleasant trip.”
Ryu Min smiled as I passed through the security checkpoint with Yamtti.
Having the National Police Agency Commissioner’s backing certainly made it easy to pass through even a dangerous zone smoothly.
Shortly after, the two of us boarded the chartered flight without delay.
The only passengers were Ryu Min and Yamtti.
The captain’s voice came through the speaker.
[Welcome. This is Captain Seo Tae-suk. Our aircraft will fly direct to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, with an estimated flight time of 17 hours. We hope you have a comfortable and pleasant flight.]
Ryu Min lay down on the first-class seat arranged like a bed and stretched out comfortably.
“Yamtti.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Get some rest. Once we arrive, there won’t be time to sleep.”
“Understood.”
After organizing my tasks in Nigeria in my mind, I closed my eyes.
Sleep gradually overtook me.
* * *
Nigeria is located in West Africa, which is considered a dangerous region even by African standards.
Muslims who practice Islam make up 50% of the population, and the northern regions are filled with notorious Islamic extremists.
The security situation is dire—robberies occur frequently even in broad daylight, and crime between organizations never ceases.
Murder, kidnapping, rape, and human trafficking happen as if they were everyday occurrences in this entirely different world.
‘So the Alchemist of the Century is in a place like this?’
After 17 hours of flight, Ryu Min’s party arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and went through immigration.
Just by looking at their age, it was clear they were Players, so they passed through without issue.
After retrieving the luggage, Ryu Min suddenly recalled the captain’s advice from when I had disembarked from the chartered flight.
-I don’t know why you’re visiting Nigeria, but be careful. Especially avoid airport taxis at all costs. Countless travelers have been threatened and robbed after boarding them without knowing better. Well, since you look young, I doubt anyone would try to scam Players, but it’s still better to be cautious.
It wasn’t meant as a joke or needless scaremongering.
It was a dangerous country, serious enough that even knowing they were Players, the captain had genuinely worried.
“Master, where should we go now?”
“First, let’s change our appearance. Wait here.”
Ryu Min, who had brought tools in the luggage beforehand, entered the airport restroom.
When I emerged, my face was completely transformed.
With the slightly aged face of Lost Yak and a thick beard plastered on, I looked exactly like a man in his forties.
“Like this, they won’t know we’re Players.”
“What about me?”
“You should be fine as you are.”
Yamtti had already applied makeup that made her look older.
There was no need to touch it up further.
“To foreign eyes, you’ll easily pass for someone in your thirties.”
“Ugh, that’s harsh.”
Ignoring Yamtti’s complaints, I looked around to catch an airport taxi.
Taxis were soliciting from all directions, knowing we were travelers, but I didn’t just grab any of them.
‘Not this one, not that one either.’
I read the taxi drivers’ true intentions and checked their character before moving on to find another taxi.
And then, finally.
‘Found one.’
I tapped on the trunk of a taxi.
“Open it for me, please.”
“Okay, okay!”
When I spoke in English, a Taxi Driver who appeared to be in his forties readily opened the trunk.
After loading the luggage with Yamtti, I got in the back seat.
The Taxi Driver asked with a bright smile.
“You speak English, so you must be a tourist? Where are you headed?”
“To Ibadan, please.”
“Okay. It’ll take about two hours.”
I noticed the Taxi Driver glancing at us through the rearview mirror.
When our eyes met, he smiled brightly and spoke in English.
“You look East Asian. Which country are you from? China?”
“No. Korea.”
“What brings you to Nigeria?”
“Business-related matters.”
“What company do you work for?”
“Just a small company that sells cleaning supplies and such.”
“Well, our country certainly needs cleaning.”
Just by turning my head toward the window, ramshackle slums came into view.
Deteriorated infrastructure, crowds of people like swarms of ants, traffic congestion, people armed with rifles, slums and shanytowns.
Lagos was Nigeria’s largest city with over twenty million people concentrated there, yet it consistently ranked among the most polluted cities.
“Is the beautiful woman next to you your girlfriend?”
“She’s a work colleague.”
“Come on, the look in that lady’s eyes says otherwise.”
As we exchanged idle conversation, two hours passed.
Yamtti asked me with an anxious expression.
“When will we arrive?”
“We’re almost there.”
But even after three hours, the car continued moving.
The Taxi Driver, as if knowing this, brought up a subject without being asked.
“I’m sorry. The traffic was so bad that I had to take a detour, and it’s taking longer. I’ll step on it as much as I can.”
But the car didn’t stop until another two hours had passed.
“We’re here.”
After five hours, I arrived at my destination.
Or so I thought.
Looking out the window, I saw some dilapidated village.
It was a different place from my destination.
“This is Ibadan?”
“Just get out for now.”
The Taxi Driver said that and got out first.
Before Ryu Min could even follow and demand the taxi fare, I saw the Taxi Driver making contact with an Armed Thug wielding a gun.
“I brought them.”
“Two of them?”
“Yeah. One man, one woman. Perfect, right?”
“There’s no tail, right?”
“Have I done this job once or twice? Pay me quick. I’m going to grab dinner. I’ve been driving for five hours and I’m starving.”
The Thug with cloth wrapped around his face slung the assault rifle over his shoulder and pulled out a stack of bills from his pocket.
“Good work.”
“Heh, thanks.”
As the Taxi Driver counted the money and flashed a sly smile in my direction, Yamtti felt a chill run down her spine.
She didn’t know what they were saying since she didn’t speak English, but anyone with sense could figure it out.
That she had been sold to a Human Trafficking Organization.
The Thug holding the rifle tilted the muzzle and spoke.
“You speak English, right? Both of you, come here. Unless you want to die.”
“….”
“Why are you hesitating? You bastards. Haven’t you figured out the situation yet?”
“The one who hasn’t figured it out is you.”
“What?”
Ryu Min chuckled and peeled off the fake mustache stuck to his lips.
The Thug’s eyes changed.
Though his expression was hidden by the cloth, his thoughts were readable.
Shock at the youthful face revealed.
The Taxi Driver beside him was equally startled.
‘As expected, they brought me to the Human Trafficking Organization.’
It looked like I’d been captured, but really I’d let myself be captured.
It didn’t take long for the man with the rifle to realize this fact.
Splat—!
The Taxi Driver’s head burst open like a watermelon being split.
Whoosh— Clang!
After retrieving my scythe, I issued a warning toward the Armed Thug.
“Come closer. Unless you want to be torn apart.”

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