The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 209

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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 209
209. The Parking Lot
Since Ryu Min was already abroad, he decided to meet Russell in person.
There were things he wanted to discuss face-to-face, and he was curious about Russell’s financial situation.
“Mr. Ryu! It’s been so long!”
Russell waved enthusiastically as he approached at New York JFK International Airport.
Ryu Min smiled and walked forward to shake his hand.
“Did the flight take a long time?”
“Ah, not at all. I watched a movie and took a nap, so it went by quickly.”
The journey from England to the United States took seven hours.
Given the considerable distance, Ryu Min had intended to travel to meet Russell, but Russell had insisted otherwise and came to meet him instead.
“You must be hungry, right? Should we grab lunch and chat?”
“Oh, how did you know I was starving? Let’s do it!”
Ryu Min took him to a steakhouse in the airport and ordered various dishes.
“You look quite hungry—you can finish all of this, right?”
“Oh, absolutely. If I’m going to work the forge, I need to fuel up properly.”
“Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll cover everything.”
“Come on! What are you saying? Of course I should pay. I’m already getting free prophecies—I can’t mooch a meal too. Do I look poor to you?”
The mention of money brought back the advice I had given him before.
“By the way, did you sell the stocks?”
“Of course I did! I sold them right away. Thanks to that, I made some real money. It’s the first time such a large sum has ever hit my account.”
“How much did you make?”
“Forty thousand pounds.”
Russell’s initial investment in Ma Gyeong-rok’s Company had been 14,000 pounds.
Now it had nearly tripled to 40,000 pounds.
In Korean currency, that was 65 million won.
Now he could work the forge for several years without struggling to make ends meet.
“That’s quite a sum you’ve secured.”
“Me, who had no capital, now holding such a fortune… It’s all thanks to you, The Seer. So about the account….”
Before he could finish, Ryu Min shook his head.
As if he already knew what Russell was about to say.
“You keep all that money, Russell.”
“What? But you provided the initial capital, didn’t you? Since I borrowed it, I should naturally repay it….”
“Do you remember what I said when we first met?”
Russell thought for a moment, then nodded.
“You said you were investing in my potential.”
“Yes. I’ve placed investment funds with you. I have no intention of withdrawing them until you reach the pinnacle of blacksmithing. Besides, I’m not someone who needs money.”
“….”
“Money should be held by those who need it. So use it, Russell. If you feel burdened by the debt, keep just the principal. Spend the rest freely. In a sense, it’s money you earned through your own investment.”
When you thought about it, both the initial capital and the investment information had come from Ryu Min, so it couldn’t truly be called Russell’s earnings.
However, since The Seer wished to hold it under the guise of an investment, Russell could only accept it with gratitude.
“I understand your intentions perfectly. Though it may be presumptuous, I will use this money wisely for my living expenses. Thank you, truly.”
“There’s no need to thank me for such a sum. More importantly, I have something crucial to discuss with you.”
“Ah, is that why you called me here? Please, go ahead.”
As Russell leaned in attentively, Ryu Min opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“Have you heard of the nickname Black Scythe?”
“Black Scythe? Of course!”
Russell was certainly aware of the player ranked first.
“In the next Round 13, Black Scythe will come looking for you.”
“What? Black Scythe?”
It was shocking enough that the top-ranked player would seek him out, but how could someone he’d never met find him?
“How would they know of me?”
“They wouldn’t. But they will soon. I intend to tell Black Scythe to meet you.”
“Pardon?”
The implication was unmistakable.
“You don’t mean… you know Black Scythe in real life too?”
“Yes. We’ve formed a connection through circumstance.”
Russell’s bewildered expression gradually shifted to understanding, and he nodded.
If The Seer could see the future, they would certainly know Black Scythe’s true identity.
It wasn’t particularly strange for them to know each other.
“To have such a fearsome Black Scythe as an acquaintance… Haha, you certainly have nerves of steel, don’t you?”
“Is Black Scythe frightening?”
“Of course. While others have barely completed one lap around the track, that person is already on their tenth lap alone. And they’re clearing Rank 1 as if it’s nothing. They’re frightening in every sense of the word.”
I suppose from another’s perspective, it would feel that way.
“But what am I supposed to do when I meet Black Scythe?”
“To grow in Round 13, you’ll need Black Scythe’s assistance. To be specific…”
Ryu Min explained the strategy for Round 13 and the specific tasks Russell would need to undertake.
“Ah, so that’s why Black Scythe… I understand now.”
“I’ll speak to Black Scythe later and ask them to find you and help.”
“Do you think Black Scythe will readily agree to help me?”
“They’ll likely help because I’m asking. But just in case, when you meet, prove your worth to them.”
“My worth?”
“If you apply buffs from the Blacksmith class, they’ll definitely see the necessity in helping you.”
“Ah, I understand.”
As Russell nodded in agreement, Ryu Min smiled secretly to himself.
‘I’ve now established a connection between Russell and Black Scythe.’
By playing matchmaker, I had created a link between myself and Black Scythe.
‘The Blacksmith is a class specialized in support, just like Buffer. If they travel together until Round 20, they’ll be invaluable.’
As Ryu Min smiled, his phone rang.
The caller was Ju Sung-tak.
‘It’s begun, then.’
I couldn’t remain seated.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“Oh, take your time. Feel free to chat.”
After excusing myself to Russell, I stepped aside and took the call.
“What is it?”
-Ma Gyeong-rok just arrived at a deserted warehouse. He’s pacing outside, smoking, as if waiting for something.
“He’s waiting for the bait, it seems. What’s the location?”
-Bongbae Mountain, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Hearing the location confirmed it.
It was Ma Gyeong-rok’s favorite workshop.
“Good work. Send me the exact coordinates by phone. Then keep watching, and when the time comes, rendezvous with Jeffrey and move as instructed.”
-I’ll proceed as ordered.
After hanging up, I immediately contacted Jeffrey.
“Jeffrey. Where’s Christine?”
-She just arrived in Korea.
“Perfect. Lure her to the location I’m sending. You remember what to say, don’t you?”
-Of course.
“Then do it right after I hang up.”
-I await your command.
After sending Jeffrey the location via text, I called Seo A-rin as well.
Speaking in the voice of Black Scythe.
* * *
Ma Gyeong-sang and Ma Gyeong-su had never been particularly close.
Raised under a stern father’s business tutelage, they viewed each other as competitors.
They bickered like ordinary brothers, but only because of the succession struggle.
Having grasped that money alone governed the world, their brothers were merely obstacles to be removed.
But their mutual wariness and antagonism lasted only until last year.
As Ma Gyeong-rok’s company began to grow steadily, the two grew anxious.
When it seemed he would soon meet their father’s conditions, they joined hands.
A temporary alliance to eliminate their common enemy.
“Hyung, have you thought about the plan?”
“Yeah, I’ve thought about it. I think we should go with the plan you suggested, Gyeong-su.”
“Right? The one I proposed is the most practical and feasible, isn’t it?”
“Seems that way.”
The plan presented by the youngest, Ma Gyeong-su, was remarkably simple.
Kidnap Ma Gyeong-rok on his way home from the company while wearing masks, and propose a duel.
The conditions of the duel would be arranged in their favor.
Impossible to lose.
He would naturally refuse such unfavorable terms, but Ma Gyeong-rok would have no choice but to listen.
If he threatened to kill him outright, what choice would he have?
He would accept it through tears.
“Brother. If you do exactly as I say, we can cleanly remove Ma Gyeong-rok from the picture. Since the loser of the duel steps down from the successor position, it’s almost certain we’ll win anyway.”
“So if we just accept the duel, it’s all over?”
“That’s right. It’s as good as our victory. And if we add the condition that he doesn’t reveal this to anyone, Ma Gyeong-rok can completely exclude him from the succession.”
“Then after that, we’ll have a fair competition between ourselves, right?”
“Exactly. Until then, we absolutely cannot betray each other. Got it, brother?”
“Hey! Do I look like that kind of guy? You’d better not stab me in the back.”
“I know, I know. I’m just saying it out of an abundance of caution, so don’t take it to heart.”
Ma Gyeong-su spoke words of reassurance, but internally he was barely suppressing a sneer.
‘Once I deal with Ma Gyeong-rok, you’re next, you bastard.’
They had merely joined forces to eliminate Ma Gyeong-rok as a common enemy, but the successor position would be his—the youngest brother’s.
By whatever despicable means necessary.
“But what if Ma Gyeong-rok resists? Do we really have to resort to blades between brothers?”
‘Pathetic bastard. And here I thought the second son had some brains, but his head’s clearly full of flowers.’
Ma Gyeong-su found the question pitiful, but he didn’t let it show.
After all, Ma Gyeong-sang was a useful older brother to manipulate.
“We’ll have to. Ideally we don’t kill him, but if he resists so fiercely that subduing him becomes difficult….”
A murderous glint flickered in Ma Gyeong-su’s eyes.
“Then we kill him. Even if he is the eldest.”
“Hey, isn’t that going too far? No matter what, killing is….”
“What, you’d rather kidnap him?”
“Wouldn’t that be better than murder?”
“Brother. Do you really think you can inherit the Oseong Group without that level of resolve? Or are you laying groundwork to back out later? After you’ve already gotten your hands dirty?”
“Ah, no. It’s not like that. I just wondered if there was a better way than killing….”
“That’s exactly why I’m giving him a chance to live. If he accepts the duel challenge, Ma Gyeong-rok can save his own life.”
“But here’s the thing. Can the two of us really beat Ma Gyeong-rok?”
“Why couldn’t we? We’re all at similar levels, aren’t we? You think the two of us would lose?”
“Still. There’s this feeling, you know? Didn’t you sense it?”
“Sense what?”
“Ma Gyeong-rok. Sometimes his eyes give me chills. When I see that look, I think even serial killers would pale in comparison.”
“What are you talking about, brother? What’s so scary about Ma Gyeong-rok? Are you chickening out and just making excuses?”
“Ah, no, who’s chickening out? I’m just saying there are times when he looks like that.”
“Don’t worry, brother. Ma Gyeong-rok isn’t Black Scythe. The two of us can’t subdue one guy?”
“Y-you’re right, I suppose.”
Unlike the confident Ma Gyeong-su, Ma Gyeong-sang seemed somewhat anxious.
‘Ugh, what a pathetic second brother. Getting scared over nothing. Clearly I’m the only one fit to be successor.’
With that thought, Ma Gyeong-su soon arrived at Ma Gyeong-sang’s Apartment Underground Parking Lot.
“Brother. Should we save the detailed meeting for tomorrow?”
“Yeah. We have plenty of time. Just text me what time tomorrow.”
Ma Gyeong-su nodded and climbed into the car, prompting Ma Gyeong-sang to wave goodbye.
“Drive safely.”
“Got it, hyung. Huh? What the hell.”
As Ma Gyeong-su started the Porsche, he noticed a warning light on the dashboard and got out of the car.
“What’s wrong?”
“Looks like I got a flat tire.”
“Just now?”
“No idea. Ah, here it is. There’s a hole right here, dammit.”
“That’s what I keep telling you—drive more carefully. Are you still sneaking out at dawn to race with those club members?”
“Come on, I quit that ages ago.”
“Then why is a perfectly good tire punctured?”
“Yeah, seriously.”
“Did someone deliberately stab it?”
“Looks like it. Damn it, whoever that bastard is….”
Ma Gyeong-su sighed and looked at his brother.
“I guess I’ll have to borrow your car instead?”
“Ugh, what a hassle…. Fine, wait here. I’ll go grab the keys.”
While Ma Gyeong-sang headed up to the apartment, Ma Gyeong-su waited, smoking a cigarette.
Click, click—
“Damn it. Why won’t this light….”
Suddenly, his danger sense picked up someone approaching, and Ma Gyeong-su looked up.
“Hyung, you’re back alrea….”
Crack—!
Ma Gyeong-su was struck by a shield and lost consciousness. Three minutes later, Ma Gyeong-sang appeared.
“Gyeong-su. Where are you? I brought the keys. Huh?”
Looking around, Ma Gyeong-sang found a cigarette and a Zippo lighter where his brother had been standing.
“What? This is Gyeong-su’s….”
The moment he picked up the items, his danger sense detected someone rapidly approaching from behind.
Thinking it was his brother, he turned around, only to have a shield slam violently into his face as well.
Thud—
An Sang-chul, having knocked out both brothers, transferred them to a van and picked up his phone.
“We’re ready, sir. Yes. I’m taking them now.”
Soon after, the van carrying An Sang-chul sped out of the parking lot.

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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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