The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 191

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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 191
191. The 12 Apostles
The Despair Cult was not an official religion.
Because it was a pseudo-religion, it remained relatively unknown even in the United States.
It was only natural that John Delgado harbored suspicions.
“How did you find me?”
His tone toward the Spaniard had become more respectful.
Upon learning that the man was the founder of Messiah, he realized he needed to mind his manners.
There was also the thought that this was a fellow traveler who could help him kill Black Scythe.
“While investigating the top-ranked player in the United States region, I met someone who knew your real face. He was a follower of the Despair Cult. Thanks to him, I was able to track your location.”
“That rat dared to sell my face without permission. What kind of bastard would—”
“His nickname is Berber.”
“Berber?”
John’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
That man was his most trusted subordinate, someone he had faith in above all others.
“Please don’t be too upset. He didn’t betray you—he simply revealed your location because he knew it was a proposal you’d appreciate.”
“Tch, that bastard. I’ll have to scold him later regardless.”
“Ah, we’ve arrived.”
John, who had been grumbling, stepped out of the car alongside the Spaniard at his words.
They had arrived at a sparse Forest.
“Let’s head in. We need to go quite deep.”
After walking through the Forest for about thirty minutes, a small Cabin came into view.
“You’re holding a meeting there?”
“Yes.”
“There are many Cafes and other venues available. Why here specifically?”
“Since the strongest of the strong are gathering, it’s better to remain inconspicuous, wouldn’t you say? And if disagreements arise, they might end up fighting each other.”
“True, if they started using skills and crossing blades, it would get rather noisy.”
Since this was the first meeting, no one could predict what might happen, so caution was essential.
“So the strongest players from each country are gathered inside right now?”
“Yes. Four days ago, with you as the final recruit, all the 12 Apostles have been brought in. However, not everyone could attend. Some countries found it difficult to send representatives to the United States due to circumstances.”
The Spaniard, speaking thus, opened the Cabin door.
Creak—
Six people sat before a wooden table inside, their expressions bored.
They were top-tier players from various countries, each with different hair colors and ethnicities.
“How much longer are you going to make us wait, Spaniard? Do you want us to die of boredom?”
“Ha ha, I apologize for the long wait.”
“Is this the final Apostle?”
“Yes, everyone, allow me to introduce him. This is the top-ranked player in the United States region and the leader of the Despair Cult, the Necromancer John Delgado.”
At the Spaniard’s introduction, all eyes turned toward John.
Rustle—
The first to stand was a massive man who appeared to be over two meters tall.
“I’ve heard much about you already. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m First Warrior.”
John Delgado grasped the extended hand, his brow furrowing slightly.
The man’s grip was absurdly powerful.
“Your accent suggests you’re British?”
“That’s correct. I also ranked fifth in this round as a Sword Master.”
“Fifth place, impressive. You must have earned quite a few points.”
“It’s nothing compared to Black Scythe, though.”
Once the introductions concluded, the next person rose and extended his hand.
“India’s representative, Swingman. I’m a level 49 martial artist.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“I hear you have the ability to raise corpses.”
“Yes.”
“If you ever need bodies, come visit our country. We have corpses rotting everywhere.”
John shook hands with the next person, offering a wry smile.
It was an East Asian man who looked like a gaming addict.
“I’m Dark Soul. From Japan, and I’m a sniper.”
“I didn’t know there was a sniper profession.”
“I’ve never seen a Necromancer before either.”
“Where did you learn English?”
“I didn’t formally study it—I taught myself by watching American dramas. Though I can’t manage long conversations.”
England, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico—each person came from a different nation.
Because of this, they could only exchange simple English pleasantries; longer conversations were impossible.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, John.”
Most shook hands with John, but one person remained motionless.
‘What’s this guy’s problem?’
An East Asian man sat with his arms crossed, showing no intention of greeting anyone.
“Yang Chui-wen, we’ll be working together going forward. Shouldn’t we exchange greetings?”
“Why should I?”
The Spaniard’s expression grew uncomfortable at the Chinese man’s audacious attitude.
“Who is that person?”
“He’s Yang Chui-wen, who ranked second in Round 11. He’s a top-tier Chinese ranker and holds the position of first-in-command within the Triad.”
‘The Triad?’
John was certainly familiar with organizations like the Mafia and Yakuza—criminal syndicates with notorious reputations worldwide.
It was simply absurd that a mere criminal would display such contempt.
“What are you staring at, you flat-faced bastard?”
“What did you say? If you have something to say, speak English.”
I found his muttering in Chinese while capable of speaking English utterly distasteful.
“John, you should greet the remaining Apostles as well. Though they couldn’t attend in person, they’re connected via video call.”
Four faces were displayed on the laptop sitting on the table.
Only after John exchanged greetings did Spaniard summarize the introductions.
“Well, I believe the introductions are complete, so shall we take our seats? I’d like to have a proper discussion now.”
John suppressed his irritation and sat down.
Eight powerful players of different nationalities gathered at a single table.
“Since we have a new member, allow me to introduce myself as well. I am Spaniard, a level 50 Gladiator from Spain. As you know, I am the founder of Messiah, and I believe you all understand the reason behind its establishment.”
“To counter Black Scythe.”
Spaniard nodded at John’s words.
“Precisely. We have gathered here to stop Black Scythe, who ranks first. We can no longer tolerate his unchecked dominance. While we cannot stop him alone, together we can restrain him.”
“How do you intend to stop him?”
“Isn’t that why we’ve assembled here to discuss?”
“This is not something to approach so vaguely. You saw it yourself this time. He earned a staggering 20 million points.”
“Indeed. He must have leveled up tremendously using experience packs and equipped himself heavily with items from the Special Shop.”
“He may have even reached the maximum level by now.”
Various opinions were voiced, but the conclusion remained the same: Black Scythe must be stopped.
“If anyone has a good idea on how to stop Black Scythe, please speak freely without reservation.”
At Spaniard’s words, one person quickly raised their hand.
It was Yang Chui-wen from China.
“Why are we even worrying about this? We should go to Korea and kill Black Scythe.”
“Kill him? Isn’t that a hasty judgment?”
“Hasty? Then what, should we just watch? Watch as that bastard monopolizes all the rewards?”
Yang Chui-wen’s eyes gleamed with killing intent.
“We have to kill him. There’s no other way. If we hesitate, he’ll take everything.”
“I agree.”
John quietly expressed his agreement.
Though the Chinese player displeased him, he could not disagree with the merciless opinion to kill.
“It does seem as though Black Scythe is monopolizing the rewards alone.”
“After all, for us all to survive together, power must be distributed evenly, must it not?”
“Correct. If Black Scythe alone monopolizes everything like this, it destroys the balance. It’s as if he’s killing other players.”
“I agree.”
“I also support the opinion to kill him.”
Most raised their hands in favor of assassinating Black Scythe.
Though a vote was unnecessary, Spaniard formally asked for one.
“Then shall we vote simply? Is there anyone opposed to killing Black Scythe? Please raise your hand.”
“….”
“….”
As expected, no one raised their hand.
“Then I take it we are unanimously in favor of killing Black Scythe, and we shall now discuss the method of assassination. Please speak freely on how we should find and kill him.”
Then, as if waiting for this moment, the Japanese player Dark Soul raised his hand.
“My profession is Sniper. If we can locate his position, I can shoot him in the head from 2 kilometers away. I even ranked third in Round 11 with this ability.”
“Ah, truly a profession optimized for assassination.”
“Hmph, you’re still beneath me regardless.”
Yang Chui-wen snorted in Chinese before speaking in English.
“I am a hunter. Whether in reality or the Other World, I’m a professional at killing humans. Two days is all I need to track down that bastard’s location and end him.”
“If you’re so capable, why did you join Messiah? You could have dealt with Black Scythe alone.”
As Swingman grumbled, Yang Chui-wen’s brow furrowed like crumpled paper.
“Why are you here, you weakling? Go eat some curry instead.”
“Does anyone here speak Chinese? It sounds like profanity—could someone translate what he’s saying?”
“Let’s stop this.”
The one who silenced the group was none other than John Delgado.
“Has anyone here directly encountered Black Scythe?”
When everyone fell silent, John Delgado spoke with a grave expression.
“I have. Just four days ago in the Other World, he severed all four of my limbs.”
“….”
“Do you know what I felt in that moment? Helplessness. The gap in power between us was so vast I couldn’t even gauge it. Thirty Undead Servants I summoned were annihilated without landing a single strike.”
As the memory surfaced, John Delgado’s eyes trembled slightly.
What he felt was not fear.
It was pure rage.
“He is undoubtedly a formidable opponent. But we cannot simply endure this. I will mobilize every force of the Despair Cult to crush that bastard. Even a tiger gives its all when hunting a rabbit. So stop your whining about whether I should step forward or not. We only have a chance if we strike together.”
“But it’s an ambush….”
“No matter how much of an ambush it is, he won’t fall easily. He didn’t reach level 90 carelessly. He might already be level 99. We must never be complacent.”
John Delgado’s words carried conviction.
It was the most realistic thing they’d heard, enough to sway the hearts of the 12 Apostles.
“You’re right, John Delgado. We gathered here to combine our strength, not to show off our individual abilities. It seems best that we cooperate together.”
With the founder Spaniard saying so, the rest had no choice but to nod in agreement.
“Then let’s go to Korea together and devise a concrete operation. First, we need to figure out how to find Black Scythe.”
“I have an idea about that.”
Everyone’s attention turned to Dark Soul.
Thinking it was quite a sound plan, their expressions brightened.
“That sounds good.”
“Agreed.”
“Let’s proceed with it immediately.”
“We’ll need to find a smuggling ship to Korea first—moving openly could cause problems.”
“Let’s do that.”
A sinister smile spread across the faces of the 12 Apostles.
* * *
Through Ma Gyeong-rok’s arrangement, Ryu Min had met with Christine.
The conversation itself was unremarkable.
‘It was all exactly as Jeffrey had told me.’
When asked about Black Scythe’s location, she subtly shook her head and offered a prepared response.
I know nothing about it.
I’ve seen him in the future, but I don’t know his true identity or location in reality.
-It’s clear that he’s unwilling to reveal his identity. Otherwise, he wouldn’t wear a mask. If you try to find him, he’ll only take it badly.
-That would be the case, wouldn’t it?
I remember being surprised that she agreed so readily, contrary to expectations.
‘Christine knew about it too. She only made a show of trying to find Black Scythe because of her father.’
But her desire to learn about the Necromancer’s information was genuine.
There were far too many fallen comrades to bury the feelings of revenge like this.
Of course, Ryu Min revealed not a shred of information to her.
Except for the prophecy about Round 12.
‘Revenge is a luxury Christine can’t afford. I can’t let her fall into danger again.’
It had been a week since my return.
The Necromancer that Christine was searching for would already be enrolled in Messiah by now.
‘I know well what kind of organization Messiah is from experience.’
An international cooperative organization created to counter me, Black Scythe.
That organization, composed of the strongest from each country under the name of the 12 Apostles, would soon enter Korea to assassinate me.
‘Do I have about a week before they make their move?’
I don’t know the exact timeframe.
The time of assassination shifted slightly with each return.
But their approach method remained consistent every time.
‘They’ll surely target the CPF Unit members again this time.’
Their plan was to make contact with the members and lure out the unit commander—Black Scythe.
The sacrifice of unit members followed in that process, but….
‘I have no intention of letting it happen again this time.’
I should prepare early in case variables arise.
Preparations to welcome foreign guests, that is.

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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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