The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 198

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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 198
198. Position
◀ ROUND 12 ▶
【Main Quest】
└Clear five trials in the Cave of Trials
[Integrated Zone CA-EA001]
└Participating Teams: 7,880
└Cleared Teams: 0/3,940
“Five trials?”
“Is that why we’re forming teams of five?”
“Ah, so one person from each team has to step up and clear each trial.”
Angel chuckled softly at the murmurs of several players and spoke.
[You’ve gained some experience, so you’re already picking up on things just from reading the Quest, huh? That’s right. This round is about clearing five trials—your team of five must work together to overcome them. Of course, the details of the trials remain confidential.]
Before Angel even finished speaking, the players sprang into action.
The moment they heard it was a team event, they began thinking about who to partner with and started moving.
If they hesitated, they could end up as the unlucky last two.
[Since survival is on the line, everyone’s moving fast. I like that energy. Go ahead and form your teams while you listen.]
Angel continued her explanation without missing a beat.
[As I mentioned, you need to form a five-person party to start the game. You all know how to form a party from Round 6, right? All five of you hold hands and simultaneously chant the activation phrase ‘Form Party.’ Oh, the first party just formed the moment I said that.]
Angel spoke while gazing into empty space, as if watching results come in in real time.
[Parties can be formed regardless of nationality—anyone can join anyone. They say yesterday’s enemy becomes today’s ally, right? Or is it the other way around? Anyway, forget about last round and form parties amicably. Oh, and to make teamwork smoother, I’m adding a translation feature for you.]
The moment Angel finished speaking, a message appeared.
[Round Feature ‘Translation’ activates.]
[You can now communicate with races from the Other World.]
[You can converse with all players without language barriers.]
The translation function I’d received every time I went to the Other World was now active.
Though everyone could now understand and read each other’s languages, people still wouldn’t look at foreigners.
The impression from the last round had embedded itself in their minds: foreign players are dangerous.
Some even harbored prejudices like racial conflict.
[Now that you can communicate, feel free to talk and form parties. Don’t worry about getting stabbed—of course, party members can’t harm each other.]
Despite Angel’s encouragement, players only formed parties within their own countries.
Those who fell behind would eventually have no choice but to join hands with foreigners.
[As you can see from the Quest, only the 3,940 teams that clear the trials fastest will survive. Individual rankings will be announced based on personal performance. Of course, the criteria for ranking are a secret. That covers everything, and once all parties are formed, we’ll begin immediately. I wonder who’ll be the unlucky two? Kuhuhuhuh.]
Behind Angel’s ominous laughter, Seo A-rin looked at Black Scythe.
“Black Scythe. Have you found members for your party?”
“Not yet.”
“Then, would you perhaps consider forming one with me…?”
Though Seo A-rin spoke shyly, I showed no particular reaction.
I’d said “not yet,” but I’d already decided on the members in my mind.
“Oh? Come to think of it, there happen to be exactly five of us gathered here. How about we form a party like this?”
Min Ju-ri chimed in from beside me, but I had no intention of forming a party with these people.
‘The others don’t know about the trials, so they’re just grabbing anyone to form a five-person party, but….’
As someone who knew the strategy, I didn’t need to do that.
I couldn’t just assemble any random group.
‘I need to form a party with people suited to each trial. That’s the core of this round.’
There was a reason five trials were given.
Everyone here knew it, not just me.
The prophecy had explained everything.
‘That’s why they’re suggesting we form a party like this. We happen to be five, and our job classes are perfectly suited to tackling each trial.’
But among these people, the only one I needed to form a party with was Min Ju-ri.
I didn’t need anyone else.
I could replace them with more trustworthy people.
‘Besides, Ma Gyeong-rok and An Sang-chul have no intention of forming a party with me anyway.’
There was the matter of the Labyrinth Forest, and they knew I had rescued Christine.
As her fiancé, he couldn’t help but feel awkward about it.
His heart had already drifted away, so it was too late to patch things up.
“Black Scythe? What do you think? Would you be willing to form a party with us….”
“I’m sorry. I’m planning to form a party with Democracy instead.”
“What? Ah….”
At that declaration, Min Ju-ri and Seo A-rin’s reactions diverged like heaven and hell.
Min Ju-ri was moved by Black Scythe’s consideration, while Seo A-rin didn’t show it outwardly, but felt disappointed.
“Ms. A-rin. Let’s try to find another party.”
“….”
Even at An Sang-chul’s words, Seo A-rin couldn’t bring herself to leave.
In the meantime, someone approached Black Scythe.
It was Christine.
“Ah, Black Scythe. You were here….”
Christine, who had come looking for Black Scythe to form a party, was momentarily startled when she saw Ma Gyeong-rok.
He had the same nickname as her fiancé.
“Cheon Ma? Could it be that you….”
“Hello, Krishi. This is our first time meeting in the Other World, isn’t it?”
Ma Gyeong-rok tactfully used his nickname instead of his real name.
Because Black Scythe was present.
Christine also didn’t make the mistake of using her real name in front of others.
“I never expected to see you here, Cheon Ma.”
“Neither did I.”
Even without using English, the translation function seemed to work, and our conversation flowed naturally.
“Were you looking for Black Scythe?”
“Yes… I couldn’t find anyone nearby to form a party with. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Christine was making excuses, feeling guilty about something no one had even asked.
“I’m not offended. It’s natural to want to form a party with someone who saved you. I feel the same way, honestly. The problem is that Black Scythe won’t accept us.”
“Pardon?”
Christine looked at Ryu Min.
Her eyes held a question: would he not add her to his party?
“I’ve decided to form a party with Democracy here. I haven’t considered partnering with anyone else yet.”
Faced with an answer that defied her expectations, Christine’s expression mirrored Seo A-rin’s disappointment.
Her face fell like someone who had confessed their feelings only to be rejected.
Then another person appeared.
“Black Scythe!”
It was Yamtti, Black Scythe’s acquaintance from reality.
Beside her stood a man with a familiar, imposing build.
None other than Victor Zafarile, the alchemist from Nigeria.
His appearance and nickname were identical to his real-world self, making him unmistakable.
‘She brought him just as instructed.’
Ryu Min had already given Yamtti her orders.
To meet Victor by chance and bring him here.
Since his face and nickname matched his real-world appearance, finding him wouldn’t be difficult.
“Victor? This is Black Scythe.”
“Are you… really Black Scythe?”
Victor had seen him in reality, but only while he wore a mask.
It was only natural he wouldn’t recognize him.
“It’s good to meet you, Victor. This is our first time in the Other World.”
“You’re… Black Scythe? You really are Black Scythe?”
“Can’t you tell from the nickname? Haha.”
Victor seemed overwhelmed with emotion at meeting his lifesaver in the Other World.
“It’s wonderful to meet you. I’m so glad. I’ve wanted to see you so badly.”
Beside Victor, who spoke with an expression somewhere between tears and laughter, stood a similarly featured woman.
Ryu Min caught on immediately upon seeing her nickname.
“Could it be…?”
“Ah, you recognized her from the nickname? My apologies for the late introduction. This is my younger sister, Sophia.”
Sophia’s nickname matched her name, so Ryu Min had identified her at once.
Though he hadn’t expected her to come with Victor.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Black Scythe. I heard you rescued my brother from that hell. Though it’s late, I truly cannot thank you enough. Truly…”
“It wasn’t particularly difficult.”
“That’s not true. What you did isn’t something anyone can accomplish. There are many powerful people in this world, but you were the only one who saved my brother. It’s only right that I express my gratitude.”
Sophia’s gratitude toward Black Scythe was genuine.
He was the greatest benefactor, having reunited her with Victor after he’d endured so much suffering at IS’s hands.
“Haha, I found out later that my sister is actually a Black Scythe fan. She collects every article about you from Korea.”
“B-Brother! Why would you say that!”
“What are you embarrassed about? It’s the truth.”
Ryu Min laughed as he watched Victor bicker with Sophia.
It reminded him of watching himself and Ryu Won.
The other players observed the exchange in silence, uncertain of the situation, yet they could read between the lines.
Black Scythe was a lifesaver to those two.
“Are you looking for a party, Black Scythe? Why not join us instead?”
Victor spoke with confidence, and those watching anticipated his response.
They expected Black Scythe to accept.
But Ryu Min shook his head once more.
“I’ll be partying with someone else.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”
Victor and Sophia showed their disappointment but turned away without complaint.
It seemed like they were leaving empty-handed, but Ryu Min’s words weren’t finished yet.
“Instead, why don’t you party with Yamtti, Victor?”
“Pardon? With Yamtti?”
Yamtti was the one who had received help alongside Black Scythe.
Though they were acquainted and not uncomfortable with each other, confusion was understandable.
Of course, Ryu Min hadn’t paired Yamtti with Victor thoughtlessly.
‘Victor will need Yamtti to clear this round easily.’
Regardless of any confusion, it was a proposal with no downside for Victor.
“If it’s Yamtti, I’d be delighted. What do you say, Yamtti?”
“I’m fine with it!”
Yamtti glanced at her master but moved toward Victor without hesitation.
A slave could not disobey her master’s command.
And so Victor, Sophia, and Yamtti formed a team and disappeared to find the remaining party members.
“Well then, since Black Scythe is going solo, shall we form a party among ourselves?”
At Ma Gyeong-rok’s suggestion, An Sang-chul, Christine, and Seo A-rin exchanged glances.
They were recalling the prophecy about the 12 Rounds that Ryu Min had shared with them.
-The 12 Rounds is a round where five people form one team to conquer five trials. Of course, not just anyone can form a team of five, and you must select people from job classes suited to each trial.
The people needed for each trial, as Ryu Min had explained, were as follows.
First Trial: Tank
Second Trial: Melee Dealer
Third Trial: Ranged Dealer
Fourth Trial: Support
Fifth Trial: Summoner
To conquer each trial, one needed people with the following positions.
‘An Sang-chul is a tank, Ma Gyeong-rok is a melee dealer, Christine is a support, and Seo A-rin is a summoner—they’re perfectly suited.’
They formed an optimal party with non-overlapping positions.
All four of them knew this fact from hearing the prophecy, so they couldn’t bring themselves to part ways.
“Let’s form a party with just the four of us? It’s perfect.”
“You think so?”
The four of them could only nod at Ma Gyeong-rok’s proposal.
There was no better composition to be found.
Seo A-rin and Christine had wanted to place Black Scythe in the melee dealer position instead of Ma Gyeong-rok, but since he refused to party with them, there was no choice.
“Now we need one ranged dealer….”
“Who should we pick….”
As they whispered and discussed, they soon spotted a suitable candidate.
“Greetings, O Divine One!”
It was Heo Tae-sik, the leader of the Saesin Religion and a dark mage.
Apparently shameless now, he had sought out Black Scythe and was openly proclaiming him as a god.
“Would it be possible for this humble one to have the opportunity to party with the Divine?”
“Your concept is well-crafted, but I have no use for you. I’ve already decided on my party members.”
“Ah… what a shame.”
Heo Tae-sik’s expression drooped as if he’d been rejected by a girlfriend, but Ma Gyeong-rok’s face lit up like he’d spotted prey.
“No Poe-in No-ge-i. If you don’t have a party, why not join us? We happen to have exactly one spot open.”
“Uh, w-well, should I?”
Since they had some acquaintance, Heo Tae-sik had no reason to refuse and joined Ma Gyeong-rok’s team.
Watching this unfold, Ryu Min felt no regret whatsoever.
‘In fact, I was hoping they’d form a team like this.’
I desperately wanted Christine to survive this round, if nothing else.
With such a solid party composition following the strategy, we should be able to get through this round safely.
“Now let’s go find our team members.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
Min Ju-ri honestly couldn’t understand why Black Scythe had rejected the others.
‘I’m grateful he picked only me, but why?’
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure out the reason, but the truth was surprisingly simple.
‘I didn’t want to lose Min Ju-ri to Ma Gyeong-rok’s team.’
I already knew that Ma Gyeong-rok coveted Min Ju-ri.
I didn’t want to hand her over to his team, and truthfully, I didn’t want to party with Ma Gyeong-rok either.
‘For the strategy to work, it’s best to form my team with my own people.’
After walking a few more steps, I encountered the people I had in mind.
“Jeffrey, you stupid bastard. So you two were together.”
It was Jeffrey and Ju Sung-tak—my slave and a perfect ally.
“You’ve arrived, Black Scythe. We’ve been waiting.”
“Who are these people…?”
“People who will party with me. They’re all quiet and kind, so you can rest easy.”
After briefly introducing the two to Min Ju-ri, I moved on once more.
One spot remained.
I had already decided who would fill that summoner position.
‘The Necromancer. I’ll accept him into my team.’
I needed him to clear the sub-quests.

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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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