The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 214

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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 214
214. Black Scythe’s Request
A remote village in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
What appeared to be an ordinary house bore a signboard with Chinese characters carved into it.
Saesin Religion.
Anyone else would have reported it as a cult, but fortunately, the villagers paid it no mind.
In fact, most didn’t even know a residence was being used as a religious facility.
Except for the followers of Saesin Religion.
“Master.”
“Ah, Cardinal Um.”
“What troubles you so?”
Heo Tae-sik, who had been sitting at his desk deep in thought, let out an ostentatious sigh.
“Finances, what else.”
One wouldn’t think much money was needed to run such a humble house masquerading as Saesin Religion, yet surprisingly, it required quite a bit.
‘During the week, I’m traveling across the country recruiting new followers. On weekends, I hold gatherings and social events to keep them from leaving… The expenses pile up relentlessly.’
When one factored in the occasional overseas recruitment trips, the required funds were unexpectedly substantial.
Particularly, social gatherings incurred considerable costs—taking multiple people out drinking and hitting second and third venues easily burned through five hundred thousand won.
‘Repeating this every week, it’s no wonder the coffers are empty.’
And here he was, the master himself, lounging about like an idle nobleman with no work to show for it.
“This is my fault. I’ve been too complacent. My enthusiasm outpaced my grasp of reality.”
“Is the situation truly so dire?”
Heo Tae-sik answered with another sigh.
“Selling items has reached its limit. I’ve sold everything worth selling and spent it all on living expenses and operational costs. And now, even Pul-Pul Market is on the verge of shutting down….”
Heo Tae-sik had relied on selling equipment from Pul-Pul Market whenever funds ran short, but that avenue was closing.
Of course, he could sell through cafes like secondhand marketplaces, but they were far less convenient than Pul-Pul.
“Sigh….”
“Hmm….”
Watching the master do nothing but sigh, Um Jun-seok came up with an idea.
“What about collecting donations?”
“It’s not that I haven’t considered it. I’d love to collect donations. But what if the followers I’ve barely managed to gather abandon me because of it?”
“If you explain our situation honestly to the followers, they’ll surely step up.”
“Do you really think so?”
Heo Tae-sik was skeptical.
Humans found it easy to spend others’ money, but the moment it came from their own pockets, they turned away.
No matter how sincerely one laid bare their circumstances and pleaded, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t leave.
If followers had to spend both time on religious activities and money as well, who would stay?
“I can’t promise anything since I don’t know how the followers will react.”
“Sigh….”
Both were sighing simultaneously when it happened.
Creak—
The sound of the front gate opening echoed through the air, and my presence detection caught someone approaching.
“Who could that be? Our regular meeting isn’t until tomorrow…?”
Since no one was expected, Heo Tae-sik stepped outside, wondering if perhaps a passing resident had become curious and wandered in.
But what he saw made his eyes widen in shock.
“Gasp—B-B-Black Scythe!?”
The treasure and spiritual pillar of the Saesin Religion had graced them with his presence.
“You recognized me as Black Scythe at a glance. If I recall correctly, this is our first meeting in the real world?”
“Of course I recognize you! How could anyone miss that outfit?”
Though Ryu Min’s face was hidden, he had deliberately appeared in the same attire he wore in the Other World to make his identity unmistakable.
Heo Tae-sik, having partied with Black Scythe multiple times before, could not possibly fail to recognize him.
Though what his purpose was in coming here remained a mystery.
“To think I’d meet Black Scythe in the real world! I’m truly honored! But what brings you to such a humble place….”
“You’re calling the sect I founded for me humble?”
“Ah, I apologize. I didn’t mean it that way—it’s just that, as you can see, it really is quite modest….”
“Your financial situation seems rather dire.”
“…That’s correct.”
“How many followers does the Saesin Religion have?”
“Originally, excluding myself and Cardinal Um Jun-seok, we had thirty members, but now we’re down to ten….”
“Many must have died in the 12 Rounds.”
“Yes.”
The current number of players remaining in South Korea was 175.
Just through Round 11, there had been 690, but in the 12 Rounds, an unexpectedly large number failed to advance and perished.
“Are all ten of those members players?”
“Yes.”
As Heo Tae-sik answered, he carefully observed Black Scythe’s expression.
‘Could he have come to conduct an inspection?’
Like a military officer conducting a surprise inspection of the squad with hands clasped behind his back, had he come to see how things were operating?
Such thoughts were unavoidable.
After all, he was asking probing questions while surveying the surroundings.
‘No, that can’t be it. He probably just wanted to see the place since he heard the Saesin Religion had been established.’
But all of Heo Tae-sik’s assumptions proved wrong.
“I sought you out because there’s something I need to ask of you.”
“Pardon? A r-request?”
A request, when an order would have sufficed?
Heo Tae-sik waved his hands frantically, appearing overwhelmed by the honor.
“There’s no need to ask. Whatever it is, please just command me.”
“I can’t do that. You’ve even established this sect for me. Well, though it’s hardly grand enough to be called a sect.”
“Y-Yes, that’s true.”
“So I’d like you to relocate to a different location.”
“Pardon?”
Relocate?
You mean abandon this place and move somewhere else?
“But as I mentioned, we’re not in a position to….”
“I’ll secure a building for you. I’d prefer to construct a new one, but we don’t have time for that. It would be best to purchase an available church building. I’m thinking Seoul for the location—what do you think, Cult Leader?”
“….”
Heo Tae-sik was momentarily stunned speechless.
He was going to secure a church building in Seoul for him?
“D-did I just mishear that? You said you’d secure a building for us….”
“I’m not giving it to you. I’ll purchase it under my name. Either way, Seoul would work, wouldn’t it?”
“Seoul would be ideal, but it must be expensive….”
“It shouldn’t exceed 2 billion won, right?”
Heo Tae-sik’s mouth fell open again.
He was speaking of 2 billion won as casually as if it were a thousand-won bill from his wallet.
“What do you say?”
“Pardon? W-what….”
“If I secure a building in Seoul, are you willing to relocate?”
“Ah, w-well….”
Heo Tae-sik, troubled by numerous concerns, couldn’t give a straightforward answer immediately.
Of course, Ryu Min, who could read minds, knew exactly what he was worried about.
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover all the operational funds you need. While we’re at it, I’ll give you 100 million won right now for one year’s operating expenses.”
“Pardon? 100 million won?”
“Stop being amazed and give me your account number.”
As Black Scythe pulled out his phone and prepared to make the transfer right then and there, Heo Tae-sik could only feel bewildered.
The sudden fortune seemed almost surreal.
“Tell me your account number.”
“Ah, yes. Nonhyup Bank 291….”
Upon hearing the account number, Ryu Min transferred 100 million won on the spot.
Of course, since it was under Lost Yak’s name, there was no risk of his real identity being exposed.
Heo Tae-sik stared in astonishment when he confirmed that 100 million won had actually been deposited.
“Is it really alright to give such a large sum so readily….”
“It’s fine. Don’t burden yourself with it and use it for the cult’s operational expenses. It’s a trivial amount to me.”
With 10 billion won being generated annually in interest alone, 100 million won was pocket change.
“Th-thank you so much. Thank you!”
“You don’t need to thank me. It means I’ll be involved in managing the Saesin Religion going forward.”
“Involved?”
“I’ll give you my email. Send me a summary of your monthly expenditures. I need to verify that money isn’t being wasted unnecessarily. You can do that much, right?”
“Of course! With 100 million won, there’s nothing we can’t do!”
Though it was essentially money that could be spent freely regardless, I decided to check the expenditure records so it wouldn’t feel like free money.
People tend to mistake continued goodwill for their right to it.
“If you ever need more, just ask.”
“Ah, no! 100 million won is more than enough! And you’re even providing a building… *sniff*.”
Heo Tae-sik wiped away tears that were beginning to spill.
It seemed he had been through quite a lot.
“I apologize. As the cult leader, I’m ashamed to show you such a pathetic side of myself. Our financial situation has been truly dire lately. Now I feel like I can finally breathe.”
“It’s not mere charity. As I mentioned before, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Anything, anything at all. Please tell me.”
Despite not having issued a duel challenge, Heo Tae-sik fawned over me like a slave.
The power of money was truly formidable.
“You should have a skill called Black Seed that you learned at level 40. When you plant the seed in the ground, it randomly summons a Demon.”
“Yes, I do have it.”
“Now that you’ve reached level 60, that skill should have been enhanced. The Demon it summons has probably become much stronger. Correct?”
“That’s correct as well.”
“I want you to plant that seed at a location I specify, and when I give the signal, use the skill to summon the Demon. Can you do that?”
Heo Tae-sik nodded without the slightest hesitation.
It wasn’t a difficult request.
It was simply a matter of using the skill at a designated location.
“But how did you know about my skill? I don’t think I’ve ever used it in front of Black Scythe….”
“I saw another dark mage use it.”
Of course, that was a lie.
I had learned about the skill from the vision I witnessed in the 7th Round.
‘Back then, Heo Tae-sik had planted a seed in Min Ju-ri’s body and threatened to detonate it.’
Since it was merely a vision created by the system, I harbored no ill will toward him.
Heo Tae-sik, who had even founded a religion of his own volition, would never betray me.
“Is that truly all I need to do?”
“Yes. That’s all I ask of you. If you do exactly as I say, I’ll not only set up a building for you in Seoul and support its operations, but I’ll also help you gather followers.”
“Followers as well?”
“Ten is honestly too few, isn’t it? You should have at least 100.”
Heo Tae-sik’s mouth fell open as if he couldn’t even imagine such a number.
“Is, is that even possible?”
“It’s possible. With the power of money. Or rather, with the power of Points.”
“Points? What do you mean….”
“Do you know about the cafe called ‘Players Change the World’?”
Black Scythe asked the question instead of answering, but Heo Tae-sik responded readily.
“Player Cafe? Of course. I’m even a member.”
“Post promotional posts there to attract people. Say you’ve established a new sect in Seoul.”
“I’ve already tried that. But fewer people came than I expected.”
“Well, of course people won’t come if you just ask them to.”
“Then how….”
“Tell them you’ll give them Points. Say you’ll give 10,000 Points to everyone who joins.”
“Eh?”
Points are more precious than gold.
And they’re distributing points as a sign-up bonus?
There’s no way people won’t come.
Especially not in a situation like this where even a small amount of points is desperately needed.
“Everyone already knows from the Round 11 settlement results that I have twenty million points. If Black Scythe personally handles the transaction and distributes them, there’s no reason for anyone to stay away.”
“Y-yes, if you’re really offering points, they’ll come flooding in like crazy.”
“Then the problem of gathering followers is solved.”
If a hundred people came, I’d lose a million points, but that didn’t bother me in the slightest.
After all, points were something I had in abundance.
‘The more followers I have, the better. They’re people who follow me, so gathering them makes them easier to control.’
Besides, I hadn’t summoned these followers without reason.
To obtain the Hero’s Rune according to my plan, I needed a large crowd around me.
More than a hundred people.
‘Surely I’ll gather at least a hundred? I’m giving away points, after all.’
But I didn’t know.
That far more people would come than I expected.

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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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