The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 218

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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 218
218. The Treasure Vault of Elsorium
About three minutes had passed.
A flash of light erupted from the warp gate visible in the distance.
Soon after, someone came rushing over in a flustered state.
It was the Five Elders, the true power holders of Elsorium.
“Huff, huff. Y-you’re really Black Scythe, aren’t you?”
“Black Scythe has graced our Elf Village with a visit.”
The amusing thing was that despite meeting for the first time, these NPCs recognized my face.
It wasn’t mere pretense—when I read their thoughts, they genuinely knew who I was.
‘I saved the princess in Round 8, so it’s not strange that my face is known… but still, I didn’t expect them to recognize me with such enthusiasm.’
Faced with an attitude as if greeting a hero who had saved their homeland, I stopped trying to make logical sense of it.
In a world where people could be resurrected, trying to understand the reputation system logically was absurd to begin with.
“I apologize for the wait. Please, come this way! I shall escort you into the palace.”
“Very well.”
I followed along with my hands clasped behind my back, playing the part of a true hero.
If the elves wanted a hero, then I would oblige them.
“Please step onto this platform.”
The moment I stepped onto the warp gate, a brilliant flash transported me instantly into the palace interior.
“This way.”
Following the elders to the guest chamber, the attendants who had been resting there suddenly jolted awake in surprise.
“What are you doing?! An esteemed guest has arrived, and you haven’t even brought tea yet!”
“Y-yes! I’m so sorry, Elder!”
The attendants scattered hurriedly as the elder smiled warmly.
“Please, treat this place as your own home and rest comfortably. We shall bring you warm tea and refreshments shortly to warm your body.”
“Very well.”
I didn’t refuse and settled comfortably into the chair.
There was no reason to decline such hospitality.
Besides, I had already completed the quest, so I had plenty of time to spare.
‘I’ve visited Elsorium many times before, but it’s always fascinating. Elves living like humans.’
The elf society here was so similar to human civilization that changing only the race would make it seem like an ordinary kingdom.
‘That must mean they have extensive contact with humans. These items weren’t crafted here—they must have been procured from human society.’
Yet on the surface, elves and humans had little affinity for one another.
Elves who loved nature could hardly favor humans who destroyed it.
That was why humans were turned away at the entrance.
‘Yet they know human goods are convenient, so they’ve built these fine structures and live in them.’
Some players had likely chosen Elsorium for reputation farming.
But developing relations with elves was not easy.
‘Among all races, they’re the most difficult, I’d say.’
Unless one saved their lives in specific circumstances like I had, such treatment would be impossible to receive anywhere else.
“I’ve brought tea and refreshments.”
I accepted the cup from the maidservant and first inhaled its fragrance.
The rich scent of pine needles brought a sense of calm to my mind.
‘Occasionally, moments of rest like this aren’t so bad.’
Sip—
I drank the tea with a peaceful heart.
I didn’t suspect it had been poisoned.
There was no reason for anyone to target someone equivalent to a national hero, and besides, I trusted the reputation system.
Had I taken three sips?
The elders who had left the reception room were returning with someone.
It was Princess Yupinelsia and Knight Commander Yugrito.
‘So that’s where they went—to fetch the princess.’
They had probably discussed what would be appropriate to offer this unexpected distinguished guest.
What would be a fitting gift for such a visitor.
And the result was the princess I now saw before me.
‘By presenting the princess and maintaining good relations with me, they figure they won’t lose anything either.’
As expected.
Reading the thoughts of the elder approaching with a beaming smile confirmed it exactly.
“Black Scythe. How is it? Does the tea suit your taste?”
“Yes, the fragrance is quite pleasant.”
“It’s made from Tiberi leaves that we recently purchased at great expense from the Braham Kingdom. Drinking it refreshes the mind.”
“It certainly seems to have that effect. But it appears the elves, who revere nature, have quite active exchanges with humans?”
“We cannot remain at odds with the world forever, can we? If superior goods exist, we must accept them. That doesn’t mean we’re becoming friendly with humans. We still maintain our neutrality, but….”
The elder gauged my reaction.
“Unlike other humans, we wish to maintain the best possible relations with you, Black Scythe. Just as we do now.”
“I wish the same.”
Had I accepted that our relationship could potentially fall apart?
The elder, slightly taken aback by my words, broke into a hearty laugh and introduced the princess.
“Ah, forgive the late introduction. You’ve met before, haven’t you? This is Princess Yupinelsia.”
“It has been a while, Black Scythe. I am honored to meet you again.”
Yupinelsia lifted her dress slightly and offered a proper curtsy.
The princess who had seemed so young back then now appeared noticeably more mature.
-Heh heh, so even Black Scythe is human after all? He can’t take his eyes off the princess.
-It’s true what they say—humans can’t resist the beauty of our Elf Tribe.
The elders’ thoughts reached me in the meantime.
They were making strange assumptions just because I glanced at the princess.
“Then we shall take our leave, as we have pressing matters to attend to.”
“Enjoy your time together, you two.”
The elders tactfully withdrew, but I couldn’t let them leave like this.
“Wait. Aren’t you going to ask why I’ve come here?”
“Pardon? What reason?”
“Did you not come to see the Princess?”
The Five Elders waited for a response with vacant expressions, genuinely wondering if that was truly his intention.
Yupinelsia gazed at me with barely concealed anticipation.
‘There’s no need to disappoint the Princess unnecessarily.’
I smiled faintly and spoke.
“Of course, I came partly out of concern for the Princess’s safety. What knight would not worry when a delicate lady has been attacked?”
“Ah.”
Yupinelsia’s cheeks flushed crimson.
The saccharine words worked perfectly on a Princess who favored such flattery.
“But there’s another reason—I wanted to verify a certain piece of information.”
“Information, you say…?”
“Is it not true that Elsorium conceals a legendary Treasure Vault passed down through generations of elves?”
The Five Elders flinched in unison as though bound by an oath, their eyes darting nervously.
They clearly knew something.
“Where did you hear such information?”
“The source matters little. What truly matters is why you hid the existence of this Treasure Vault from me without uttering a single word.”
“H-hidden? We harbored no such intention! We never even considered such a thing!”
“Then you can guide me to it. To where the treasure lies.”
The Five Elders exchanged glances before reluctantly nodding.
-Where on earth did he learn about the treasure…?
-Is the Princess alone not enough for him?
-Truly, he differs from those humans who only seek carnal pleasures.
Reading their thoughts, I sensed their reluctance to surrender the treasure.
‘Understandable. The Treasure Vault contains the accumulated wealth of centuries.’
Even a hero would find it difficult to part with such riches.
Regardless of alliances, I remained an outsider to them.
When I deliberately cast a displeased look, the Five Elders shuffled forward as though pushed.
“Ah, we shall guide you. Th-this way…”
Had my reputation been poor, they would never have agreed to guide me based on mere mention alone.
They would have flatly denied it as mere rumor.
‘Yet I cannot simply go and break down the door myself. The system is designed to prevent that.’
The Treasure Vault was protected by a barrier that no attack could breach.
Even I, powerful as I was, could not force it open.
The system’s power was absolute, whether in reality or the Other World.
I knew this well from my attempts in previous cycles.
“This is the place.”
Following the Five Elders, I arrived at a vast stone chamber beneath the palace.
“Within lies the history of centuries that proves our Elsorium’s legacy.”
“I should like to see it.”
“Please wait a moment.”
The Five Elders gathered before the door and chanted an incantation.
A luminous ring composed of grotesque characters embedded itself into the stone door, spinning round and round.
It was a barrier that could only be dispelled when the Five Elders’ incantations combined.
Grrrunch—
The door opened of its own accord, and simultaneously a message appeared.
【Sub Quest – Elsorium’s Treasure Vault】
└Condition ▶ Open the Treasure Vault door with the Five Elders
[Sub Quest completed!]
[You may select 3 treasures as your reward.]
“Please come inside.”
I followed the Elder into the vault.
Brilliant gemstones and treasures illuminated the dark stone chamber.
‘Gems, enchanted swords, magical artifacts, grimoires, relics—quite the diverse collection.’
As I surveyed the treasures with keen interest, the Elder offered a subtle suggestion.
“These are treasures we at Elsorium have accumulated over the past five hundred years. You’re welcome to take whichever ones appeal to you.”
“Any number I want?”
“Well, yes, but since these items carry historical significance, perhaps three would be appropriate…?”
The Elders were anxious I might demand more, but I had no such intention.
‘I don’t need anything else. Three is sufficient.’
Even if I asked for more, the system wouldn’t allow it anyway.
“I’ll just select three then.”
“Thank you!”
I browsed the items and selected without hesitation.
Like someone who had already decided what to shop for.
[You selected the Rune Fragment of One Against Hundred.]
[You selected the Rune Fragment of Resistance.]
[You selected the Rune Fragment of Resilience.]
[All rewards have been selected.]
Once the three rewards were finalized, I smiled and spoke to the Elders.
“These will do.”
“You’ve selected the Mana Stones, I see?”
“Ah, an excellent choice indeed!”
Relief washed over the Elders’ faces—they had worried I might choose something far more valuable.
But they didn’t understand.
For a Player, nothing was more valuable than Rune Fragments.
I used all the Rune Fragments to inscribe Runes into my body.
[Rune of One Against Hundred]
-Effect: Stats increase by a percentage equal to the number of enemies within a 100m radius. Applies to a maximum of 100 enemies, increasing up to 100%.
[Rune of Resistance]
-Effect: Resistance to abnormal status increases by 50%.
[Rune of Resilience]
-Effect: Resistance to elemental damage increases by 50%.
After obtaining the three runes, Ryu Min broke into a satisfied smile.
All of them were on the essential rune acquisition list.
‘I’ve grown considerably stronger with this.’
I was already powerful enough, but with no way of knowing what enemies might emerge in the future, I couldn’t afford to rest on my laurels.
‘They say the more money you have, the better. The same applies to strength—there’s no downside to becoming even more formidable.’
My business with the Elf Tribe was now concluded.
“I’ve seen everything there is to see. Time to leave.”
“Yes.”
Exiting the stone chamber and ascending back to the surface, I recalled a certain person and activated my tracking skill.
[Face and name match. Tracking target location.]
[Target ‘Russell Daniel’ location acquired.]
[Currently 4,395 meters away.]
[Follow the arrow ahead to track the target.]
‘Should I head to the Dwarf Village with Russell now?’
It would be a good opportunity to help Russell grow while securing some God-grade materials in advance.
“I should be going. I have matters to attend to.”
“Huh? You’re… leaving already?”
“Yes. The tea was excellent, though.”
Leaving the visibly disappointed Yupinelsia behind, I stepped outside the palace.
‘Emergency.’
Whoosh—
As wings of darkness spanning over ten meters unfurled from my back, the princess and the elders who had come to see me off gasped in surprise.
“Until next time, then. Stay well until we meet again, Yupinelsia.”
“…Y-you as well, Black Scythe.”
Though Yupinelsia spoke shyly, I was already soaring far into the distance.

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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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