The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 164

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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 164
164. International News
【International News】
[Women Kidnapped in Nigeria Speak Out About Black Scythe…]
-The Korean player known as Black Scythe, who is reported to have driven the IS leader to suicide and murdered squad members, has now been revealed to have dismantled a Human Trafficking Organization as well.
Nigeria has long been plagued by various organized crimes—human trafficking, drug smuggling, prostitution rings, organ trafficking, baby factories—but those dark days appear to be ending.
According to the Nigerian Government’s findings, twenty-two criminal organizations that were under surveillance have all vanished without a trace in just days.
What happened?
It was the work of the one calling himself Black Scythe.
Subina, a thirty-year-old woman who was actually kidnapped by the Human Trafficking Organization, testified to this.
She described spending each day in agony, confined to a small iron cage with no light, waiting like livestock to be slaughtered.
She endured the organization members’ sexual harassment while eating gruel that even pigs wouldn’t touch, surviving only because she lacked the courage to take her own life.
In that prison of despair, a single ray of light descended—Black Scythe himself.
He eliminated the organization members and rescued every captive woman without asking for anything in return.
The women who reported the kidnappings spoke in unison.
Without Black Scythe and the Asian Woman who appeared to be his partner, they would still be trapped in that horrific prison.
I am neither a human rights activist nor a humanitarian, but hearing the stories of the countless women saved by Black Scythe, I could be certain of one thing.
Black Scythe’s actions deserve not condemnation but rightful praise.
(This article is a direct translation of the original Nigerian article.)
└Wow… I’m speechless.
└He saved dozens of kidnapped people.
└He rescued them without asking for anything and then disappeared silently.
└That’s incredible….
└He’s a true hero.
└If this is real, he’s brought real honor to the nation.
└It’s actually true. I searched it and found the original article.
└But the comments here are clean. On other articles, there were tons of people ranting that Black Scythe is a murderer who should be punished.
Haha, all those guys talking trash about him being a murderer and stuff just shut up real quick, didn’t they?
└Bastards. If you see this and still talk about criminal rights, you’re not human, seriously.
└The real non-humans are the scumbags running human trafficking. I’m furious.
└Black Scythe did the right thing a hundred, a thousand times over~
└(Comment deleted after being reported.)
└But who’s the woman who seemed to be his partner?
└Isn’t she Black Scythe’s girlfriend?
Lol, would Black Scythe be crazy enough to take his girlfriend to a dangerous place?
└She’s probably his actual partner.
└Savior! I believed in you. You truly are the savior of this age. Sa! Vior! Nim!
A satisfied smile played across Ryu Min’s lips as he read the article.
‘The tide has turned.’
Thanks to the women he’d rescued in Nigeria coming forward, Black Scythe had transformed from a serial killer into a hero who saved lives.
As articles emerged defending the victims’ positions, many people began sympathizing with the victims and supporting Black Scythe.
‘Good. This should be enough to make a public appearance without issues.’
Ryu Min picked up Lost Yak’s phone.
As expected, hundreds of calls had come in.
‘Interviews, public service advertisements, presidential commendations—I’ll accept them all.’
Ryu Min decided to promote himself like a celebrity from this point forward.
He intended to elevate Black Scythe’s reputation by any means necessary.
To make Black Scythe a figure of state-level prominence, he first needed to become famous.
So that every ordinary person would know the name Black Scythe.
‘When I’m in such a good mood like this, maybe I should use that?’
Ryu Min pulled an item from his inventory.
It was a rune bundle he’d received as a reward from Round 10.
Using it when he was in a good mood like this meant he wouldn’t feel too disappointed even if a mediocre rune appeared.
‘Use it.’
The bundle in his hand vanished in a brilliant flash of light.
Simultaneously, a rune he’d never seen before emerged, and a message illuminated his vision announcing it had been inscribed upon his body.
* * *
Nine months had passed since the world changed.
Of the 1.8 billion people aged 15 to 29 at the start, only 130,000 remained.
Among them, fewer than 700 were Korean players.
Globally, the population had decreased by more than 22 percent.
It was a population deletion significant enough to shake the economy.
—We’re ruined. Our company is finished.
Ma Gyeong-rok had witnessed many company owners lamenting their circumstances in this manner.
He understood.
As someone in business himself, he could feel the anguish in their words.
But he couldn’t empathize.
‘I’m living well and thriving, after all.’
As long as I prosper, that’s what matters.
‘No—as long as my company prospers, that’s what matters.’
With such a mindset dominating Ma Gyeong-rok’s thoughts, he understood the laments intellectually but couldn’t feel them emotionally.
His company hadn’t failed like the others.
‘Just as the Oracle predicted, converting to a VVIP site really did prevent our revenue from declining.’
Upon returning from the round, Pul-Pul Market had restructured its site into an exclusive VVIP platform as previously prepared.
To secure existing customers more firmly, they’d packed in generous events and increased the auction inventory.
‘The good items the Oracle provided also helped maintain the market.’
One week after returning from the round.
Though the customer base had shrunk to a quarter, transaction volume had inevitably decreased, yet revenue fluctuations remained minimal.
Players gripped by survival anxiety were pouring their entire fortunes into acquiring better items, launching aggressive trading offensives.
The site designed to appear exclusive to VVIPs had also played its part.
‘It was wise of me to heed the Prophet’s words. Heh.’
Ma Gyeong-rok smiled faintly.
He took pride in his choice not to doubt the Prophet.
Of course, the Prophet’s counsel played a significant role.
But the Prophet merely illuminated the path.
The choice itself remained mine alone, did it not?
‘I was the one who discerned and accepted the Prophet’s advice wisely. Well, I’ll admit the Prophet is a blessing, but still.’
I no longer feared the Company would collapse.
I possessed the confidence to manage it well even without the Prophet’s guidance.
The real question was whether I could seize this momentum and achieve the kind of success necessary for a KOSPI listing.
‘I should begin preparing for the listing soon. To earn my father’s recognition, nothing is more certain than a KOSPI listing.’
Setting aside Company concerns, Ma Gyeong-rok’s thoughts turned to another worry.
‘So the next one is finally the deadly Round 11?’
Of course, I harbored no concern for myself.
It was my fiancée who might die in Round 11 that troubled me.
‘She must come through unscathed.’
There was no tenderness in the sentiment.
Merely pity born of compassion.
Ma Gyeong-rok had never been interested in romance.
This was nothing more than a business arrangement forced upon him by his father’s persistence.
On the surface they were lovers, yet they had never even shared a kiss.
Someone might mistake him for preferring men, but the truth was simpler—Ma Gyeong-rok cared only for himself and the Company.
And yet, he could not help but feel concerned now.
‘What if Christine dies exactly as the prophecy foretold? Surely the blame would fall on me as well?’
If I knew danger awaited and failed to prevent it, I could not escape criticism.
Having just become engaged, her death would certainly damage my image.
‘I should protect Christine by her side. Besides, I hear Round 11 will be integrated with other nations.’
I could learn the details from Ryu Min, the Prophet.
‘He should be arriving soon anyway….’
Just then, a knock sounded, and the CEO’s Office door opened.
The person who entered was not Ryu Min, contrary to expectation.
It was Christine, a blonde Caucasian woman.
“Welcome, Christine.”
“I apologize for dropping by so suddenly.”
“Ha, what’s there to apologize for? We’re not just acquaintances—we’re lovers. It’s good to see each other often, isn’t it?”
Ma Gyeong-rok always performed a warm, affable smile in Christine’s presence.
Unaware that Christine was actually more guarded because of it.
“You already know why I’ve come, don’t you? I heard about it over the phone.”
“Of course. Since today is the meeting day anyway, please wait a moment. Coffee?”
“That sounds good.”
Ma Gyeong-rok brought coffee from the break room and engaged Christine in casual conversation.
How was the weather, did you have any trouble getting here, how is your father doing—the usual pleasantries were exchanged.
Or discussions between players: what level are you, wasn’t Round 10 difficult, isn’t prophecy truly remarkable—such exchanges also occurred.
It was a conversation devoid of the sweetness typical of lovers.
Then Ma Gyeong-rok received a call from one of his subordinates.
“Ah, I see. Understood.”
“Who was that?”
“He’s arrived.”
“I see.”
Ma Gyeong-rok rose from his seat and left the office to prepare to receive him.
Moments later, a short man entered the office.
The Prophet.
He was the reason Christine had come to Korea.
“CEO Ma, hello.”
“Major shareholder, you’ve arrived?”
Ryu Min greeted them, then noticed Christine standing beside him.
“So your fiancée is here as well?”
“Hello, Ryu Min.”
“Hello, Christine.”
“You remember my name.”
“Of course. I even know why you came to find me.”
Christine looked at Ma Gyeong-rok with wide, startled eyes.
Her gaze questioned whether he had revealed her purpose, but Ma Gyeong-rok simply shook his head.
“CEO Ma hasn’t told me a thing. I foresaw it all myself. Shall we talk somewhere quiet?”
“Yes.”
As Christine followed Ryu Min outside, she stopped Ma Gyeong-rok from coming along.
“I’m sorry, but I’d like to hear this alone.”
“Ah, I understand. I’ll wait here, so please feel free to talk.”
“Thank you.”
Ryu Min and Christine sat on a bench in front of the building.
“This is a nice spot. But why did CEO Ma ask you not to come?”
“It seemed easier to discuss this way. After all, it’s a grave matter involving my life, and if multiple people hear it, the future might change, you know?”
“Well, that’s not wrong.”
Ryu Min smiled slightly, then asked directly.
“You came to Korea because you’re worried about Round 11, didn’t you?”
“Yes. More precisely, I wanted to meet you and hear your advice.”
“Advice… I thought I told you everything back then.”
“That’s not what I think. You know but you’re hiding it. Who saves me, and who threatens me.”
“…”
“Forgive my rudeness, but please tell me. You said there’s a group that doesn’t acknowledge me—who exactly are they?”
“I don’t know either. I’ve told you this before.”
“I understand. But please, even the smallest clue would help. You witnessed that scene, didn’t you? If we can prepare in advance, wouldn’t that be better? It might even help us in a crisis.”
“I can’t remember right now. I’ve forgotten everything.”
“….”
Christine found herself at a loss for words.
There was nothing she could do against such steadfast refusal.
“What about the person who saves me? You saw their face, didn’t you? You remember, right?”
“I know, but I cannot tell you.”
“Because you’re afraid the future will change if you do?”
“You understand well.”
“Still, couldn’t you tell me? I’ll be careful so the future doesn’t change.”
“How can you guarantee that? If Christine dies because of it, how am I supposed to face Ma Gyeong-rok?”
“….”
“I understand you came rushing here out of curiosity and anxiety, but there’s nothing I can do. There are limits to the information I can provide.”
“Sigh….”
Even an iron wall had its limits, but this was something else entirely.
Though frustrated, Christine understood.
If the future changed, the prophet’s credibility would naturally be shattered.
“I’m sorry. I think I got too excited and pushed too hard.”
“Not at all.”
“Since you said something will happen in the next round, I suppose I was anxious and more on edge. Please forgive me.”
Christine spoke with utmost courtesy and asked for confirmation.
“Then is there nothing for me to do but wait to be saved by someone?”
“Yes. For now, that would be best.”
“Phew….”
“Don’t worry too much, Christine. Everything will be fine.”
The simple yet warm reassurance eased Christine’s anxiety somewhat.
“Thank you, Prophet. Hearing you say that gives me confidence.”
“Right? Then shall we head back up? Ma Gyeong-rok is waiting, and while we’re at it, you can hear the prophecy for Round 11 as well.”
“Understood.”
The two rose from the bench and entered the Company.
Neither of them noticed someone watching their retreating figures with murderous intent.

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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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