The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 205

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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 205
205. Certificate of Achievement
[Congratulations! You have achieved the Quest as rank 1 in this zone!]
[Your current ranking in this zone is 1st place.]
[As a reward for ranking 1st in this zone, a ‘Rune Bundle’ has been granted!]
[As a reward for ranking 1st in this zone, a ‘Special Reward Selection Box’ has been granted!]
At this point, claiming first place so consistently has become tedious.
‘Though I’d feel disappointed if I didn’t receive it.’
I used the Rune Bundle, treating it as my rightful share.
[You have used the Rune Bundle.]
[Congratulations! The ‘Rune of Swift Wind’ has been drawn!]
[The acquired rune is automatically inscribed into the player’s body!]
[Rune of Swift Wind]
-Effect: Attack speed and movement speed increase by 100%.
‘Hmm, that’s actually a decent pull.’
My attack and movement speeds are already sufficiently fast, but having it is better than not.
‘As far as runes go, this one has above-average performance.’
There’s no harm in becoming stronger, and I may need to prepare for what lies ahead.
‘Since I can’t gauge how strong Michael, the Archangel ranked first, truly is.’
When I saw him before, I felt a strength as fathomless as an abyss, but I wonder how he compares now.
‘I need to grow stronger in preparation for facing Michael.’
I’ve already eliminated those ranked 6th and 7th, so it’s time to meet the 5th, though I held no great expectations.
I’d dispatched the 6th and 7th with ease, so I wondered how much stronger the 5th could possibly be.
‘Still, I should remain cautious. An Archangel might descend into the present world.’
The Other World poses no significant problem, but if an Archangel were to appear in reality, even I would need to be vigilant.
‘They might even target my Younger Brother.’
Thinking I should prepare for contingencies, I pressed the Special Reward Selection Box.
[You may select one of the following special rewards.]
[Please touch the reward you desire.]
└ 1. Double Experience Buff (Limited to Round 13)
└ 2. Mercenary Group Rank Increased by One Level
└ 3. Information about Round 13
‘There’s no need to deliberate—option 2.’
I’ve been deliberately avoiding leveling up, so experience is unnecessary.
As for information about Round 13, that goes without saying.
‘If my Mercenary Group rank increases, I’ll have the opportunity to hunt dragons.’
The moment I touched option 2, a message appeared.
[Your Mercenary Group rank has risen from ‘Professional’ to ‘Veteran’.]
To hunt dragons, I only need to raise it one more level.
◀ ROUND 12 COMPLETE ▶
[Integrated Zone CA-EA001]
└Survivors: 9,994
[Your soul will transfer to your body in the original dimension shortly.]
[The 13th Round will commence at midnight on January 1st, 2023. I shall see you in the next round. Congratulations on your survival.]
* * *
‘Thank goodness. I managed to secure a ranking reward this round.’
Ma Gyeong-rok, who had placed 2nd in the 12 Rounds rankings, rose from his bed with a satisfied expression.
It was only five in the morning, but sleep eluded him.
Clink—
He gazed at the hotel’s night view while holding a whiskey glass with ice floating in it.
During the 11th Round, even looking out at the expansive Han River had filled him with despair, but now he could finally breathe easier.
‘I thought I’d fall behind everyone else with zero points, but I managed to perform well.’
The prophecy he’d received from The Seer about the strategy had been crucial.
‘He said individual rankings are determined by the number of monsters defeated, so I needed to hunt the golems as much as possible on my own.’
Thanks to that, I was able to defeat all 100 in the second trial and secure 2nd place.
Though I still couldn’t surpass Black Scythe’s threshold.
‘Tch, damn bastard. How did that melee dealer manage to hunt 200 on his own and take 1st place?’
It seemed he’d cleared the second and third trials solo, which meant he must have learned magic as well.
‘Or perhaps he possessed a ranged weapon like a bow?’
Much as I hated to admit it, with Black Scythe’s physical strength, even a weak weapon would suffice for him to hunt effectively.
‘Ugh, infuriating bastard.’
The anger from the 11th Round hadn’t yet faded, making Black Scythe’s presence thoroughly unwelcome.
‘We could have formed a party of five, yet he refused and only took Democracy.’
Initially, he could have partied with me, An Sang-chul, and Seo A-rin, but he’d refused and singled out only Democracy.
Though he hadn’t said anything, it certainly felt irritating.
‘Come to think of it, he’s been constantly with that Buffer. Are they dating?’
Unlikely.
Who would fall for someone who speaks casually to strangers and possesses such an insufferable, prideful personality?
‘Ah, there is someone.’
The person Ma Gyeong-rok recalled was Christine.
Though she tried not to show it, Ma Gyeong-rok’s perception was sharp.
He was well aware that Christine harbored feelings for Black Scythe.
‘It’s understandable. He saved her life, after all. It’s natural for personal feelings to develop. But…’
Ma Gyeong-rok chewed his lower lip.
‘Why does he flirt with others while keeping his fiancée by his side?’
Their relationship couldn’t be called bad, but neither could it be called good.
It seemed like mere formality for public appearance, so it was only natural to perceive it that way.
‘But they’re engaged. They’ve promised a future together. In such circumstances, one shouldn’t look elsewhere.’
Honestly, Ma Gyeong-rok cared little about whom Christine favored.
Just a month ago, he’d believed she didn’t need to like him at all.
But this time, I finally understood it clearly.
No matter what, I couldn’t stomach the sight of Black Scythe and that woman together.
‘The sole representative of the zone, monopolizing first place in the rankings with nothing to spare—and now he’s going to steal someone else’s woman too?’
He was the benefactor who saved Christine’s life, yet negative emotions overwhelmed any gratitude I felt.
‘If I’d known this would stress me out this much, I would’ve saved her myself, damn it.’
Perhaps The Seer had known all along?
That Black Scythe would be the one to save Christine.
‘Damn that Seer bastard.’
Now even the innocent Seer had begun to grate on my nerves.
‘There’s one way. If I can prove to Christine that Democracy is my girlfriend, she’ll give up her one-sided feelings.’
It wasn’t a one-sided crush but admiration, though Ma Gyeong-rok had no way of knowing that.
Through his cynical lens, even respectful glances looked like longing stares.
‘But how the hell do I prove Democracy is my girlfriend?’
I didn’t know her real name, her face, nothing.
Black Scythe was in the same boat.
Besides, what if she wasn’t even my girlfriend?
‘With abilities like that, she’d have to stick with someone.’
A buffer who nearly doubled all stats, attack speed, and movement speed.
She was undeniably a talent to covet.
‘I’d love to keep her by my side and reap the benefits of those buffs constantly.’
That’s why I’d been grilling Ma Gyeong-rok so relentlessly about Democracy’s identity and home address.
‘If only that buffer were at my side, she’d be useful in so many ways….’
But I’d have to give up searching.
Ma Gyeong-rok downed the whiskey in one gulp, his brow furrowing.
Whether from this damnable mood or something else, the alcohol tasted bitter tonight.
‘A perfect night for work.’
Killing a criminal when stressed like this always lifted my spirits.
‘This is why I can never quit murder.’
Sleep wouldn’t come anyway—might as well pick a target.
I sat before my laptop, spending hours selecting which criminal to kill.
Perhaps I’d been too absorbed?
I noticed daylight had broken, but I’d missed breakfast.
‘Has it really gotten this late already?’
Breakfast service had ended, but that was no concern.
I’d just head downstairs and ask the hotel chef to prepare something for me.
Drring— drring—
My phone rang, and when I checked it, of all things.
A call came from somewhere I hadn’t expected.
“Yes, speaking. This is Ma Gyeong-rok. Really? Truly? Haha, thank you. I understand. Yes, please come in.”
After the call ended, Ma Gyeong-rok’s face had brightened considerably.
It was a call informing him that the KOSPI listing application he had submitted earlier had been approved.
“Haha, just as The Seer predicted. To think we’d make it onto KOSPI in just six months.”
How shocked would his father be—the man who had never harbored any expectations for him—upon hearing this news?
Eager to share the news, Ma Gyeong-rok hurriedly made a phone call.
His joy was so overwhelming that even hunger had abandoned him.
* * *
There were numerous conditions attached to a company’s KOSPI listing.
The company had to be established for over three years, generate revenues exceeding one hundred billion won, and maintain capital of at least thirty billion won.
‘And on top of that, net profits had to exceed six billion won over three years.’
Yet Ma Gyeong-rok’s Player Place had pierced through such stringent conditions and passed the KOSPI listing examination.
Now he had gained the opportunity to transcend his small-to-medium enterprise status and emerge as a legitimate conglomerate.
‘Most importantly, I’ve finally earned Father’s recognition.’
Despite being the eldest son, Ma Gyeong-rok had grown up without his father Ma Dae-chul’s approval.
Even compared to his younger brothers, he lacked nothing in ability, yet he was treated as though he did.
‘Father’s expectations for the eldest son were simply too high.’
His father always spoke these words when reproaching him.
-Do you know what I accomplished by your age to earn your grandfather’s recognition? I took a pittance of capital and multiplied it, building and developing a venture company. That became Osung Electronics as it exists today, commanding sixty-five percent of the market capitalization!
There were a few more lectures after that, but the conclusion was always the same: as the eldest son, he should know how to build a major enterprise like his father had.
‘And yet what he kept saying was that I should start a company.’
He would provide capital—all I had to do was grow the company and rank within the top thirty of KOSDAQ within five years.
If I managed that, he would publicly acknowledge my abilities, confirm me as his successor, and bequeath all his wealth to me.
But even after four years, Cheonma Consulting had stalled at around eighty-fifth place on KOSDAQ, and with only one year remaining, Ma Gyeong-rok had nearly given up.
‘And then, as if the world itself were collapsing, a massive upheaval occurred….’
But wasn’t it said that if you never give up, opportunity will come?
By meeting a noble soul named Ryu Min and pivoting the business to Pul-Pul Market, I achieved the remarkable feat of listing on KOSPI in just six months.
‘This is all thanks to The Seer.’
Freshly grateful, Ma Gyeong-rok suddenly recalled the curses he had hurled that morning.
An unexpected pang of guilt washed over him.
‘I should give him a rousing welcome when he arrives later.’
He had summoned Ryu Min to the company, mentioning good news, so he would arrive soon.
“Congratulations in advance, Chairman.”
As An Sang-chul bowed beside him, Ma Gyeong-rok broke into a broad smile.
“Haha, Director An, you’ve endured much hardship by my side all this time.”
“What have I done to deserve such praise?”
“No, without you, Director An, could I have come this far? Every time I needed to relieve stress, it was you who helped me.”
The stress he referred to here was murder.
Director An was the steadfast support who handled all the cleanup after each killing.
“Did you also summon the Chairman to the company?”
“I did.”
“Does he know about the examination passing?”
“I’ve already informed you of everything over the phone. You seemed skeptical, as if you couldn’t believe it.”
How shocked must he have been, achieving the remarkable feat of surpassing the 30th position on KOSDAQ and listing on KOSPI?
“Why didn’t you share this wonderful news with The Seer?”
“He seemed to know without being told. You can tell just from the fact that he said he’d come congratulate us willingly.”
“That’s fortunate. Everything has unfolded exactly as The Seer predicted.”
“Indeed. Hehehehe.”
Ma Gyeong-rok’s lips never ceased their smile.
His joy was so profound that he personally prepared a celebration dinner with the company’s employees.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve skipped breakfast as well?”
“After achieving my long-held dream in five years, I haven’t even noticed my hunger.”
As Ma Gyeong-rok beamed with satisfaction, the awaited guest arrived.
“CEO, the Chairman has arrived.”
Before An Sang-chul could finish speaking, Ma Gyeong-rok had already seen him.
Chairman Ma Dae-chul entering the room.
“Welcome, Father….”
Ma Gyeong-rok’s expression, which had been smiling moments before, suddenly turned rigid.
His second and third brothers—inferiors to no one—were following behind him.

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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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