The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 221
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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 221
221. Two Archangels
Ryu Min joined the Mercenary Group and accepted a Subjugation Quest.
As a veteran mercenary, he was assigned a more difficult Quest than others.
“This is the Demon Beast Forest at the edge of the Lutus Mountain Range. The Hormos Merchant Alliance has been suffering because demon beasts occasionally emerge and attack the roads.”
Kaltz, the commander of the Subjugation Squad, continued his briefing while surveying the mercenaries.
“Our mission is to eliminate Blood Orcs, the species with the largest population in the Demon Beast Forest. Those creatures go berserk at the sight of blood and become stronger in combat, so try not to get wounded. Now, let’s move out.”
“Yes, sir!”
As the Subjugation Squad moved forward, Ryu Min stared into empty space.
【Sub Quest – Eliminate Blood Orcs】
└Condition ▶ Eliminate 100 Blood Orcs
└Reward ▶ Small increase in Mercenary Group rank experience, 30,000 Gold and experience points
└Blood Orcs eliminated so far (0/100)
The rewards weren’t particularly noteworthy.
I had no further desire for gold or experience points.
‘The real value is in raising my Mercenary Group rank.’
If I estimated correctly, clearing about twenty of these Quests should bring me to Master rank.
Crunch, crunch—
Numerous mercenaries advanced, trampling through the undergrowth.
Counting heads, there were forty in total.
According to the setting, the party consisted of veteran mercenaries, but aside from Ryu Min, they were all NPCs.
‘I need to quickly dispatch a hundred of them and move on to the next Subjugation Quest.’
There were ten Subjugation Quests in total in the Demon Beast Forest, so I could immediately receive the next one upon completion.
This chaining system was one of the advantages of Subjugation Quests.
[You have located the target ‘Blood Orc’.]
[It is currently 210 meters away.]
Ryu Min used his tracking ability to locate the monsters.
Using a nearby detection skill, several red dots appeared at the expected location as anticipated.
“Squeal! Squeeeal!”
The mercenaries who spotted the Blood Orcs drew their weapons and prepared for combat.
But Ryu Min’s scythe moved first.
Crack—!
Sizzle—!
Thud! Thud!
I severed its head with my scythe and burned its body with lightning.
I scattered shadows of darkness in succession and cleaved the body in two with my scythe once more.
[You have defeated a Blood Orc!]
[Experience points increase by 1.5x due to title effect.]
[Experience +0.24%]
[Gold +800]
[Additional Gold +400]
[Current Kill Count: 10/100]
[All stats increased by 10% due to Massacre Rune effect.]
[44 enemies detected within 100m radius.]
[All stats increased by 44% due to One Against Hundred Rune effect.]
In an instant, I dispatched five creatures, then eliminated another five that appeared in succession.
It all happened in the time it took the mercenaries to blink five times.
“Wait, what just happened?”
“There was a flash of light, and suddenly they were all dead.”
“Warrior from the Other World, did you do this?”
Ryu Min nodded at the mercenaries’ question.
There was no reason to hide it, and I intended to complete the Quest quickly by displaying my full capabilities without reservation.
Everything that followed proceeded smoothly.
[Sub Quest completed!]
[Experience +4.8%]
[Gold +30,000]
[Mercenary Group rank experience increased slightly.]
[Demon Beast Forest Quest remains. Would you like to accept the next Subjugation Quest? Y/N]
In less than twenty minutes, after slaying one hundred Blood Orcs, a linked Quest notification appeared.
Pressing Y would display another subjugation quest available in the Demon Beast Forest, while pressing N would return me directly to the Mercenary Group.
‘Obviously yes.’
Upon accepting the linked Quest, I immediately moved on to “Eliminate 100 Trolls.”
I finished that just as easily, then proceeded to eliminate Poison Slimes, Ancient Trees, Fallen Vampires, and all manner of monsters, and before I knew it, two hours had passed.
[Blood Golem defeated!]
[Experience increased by 1.5x due to title effect.]
[Experience +0.21%]
[Gold +700]
[Additional Gold +350]
[Level increased!]
[Current Kill Count: 503/100]
[All stats increased by 100% due to Massacre Rune effect.]
[28 enemies detected within 100m radius.]
[All stats increased by 28% due to One Against Hundred Rune effect.]
‘My level went up from doing Quests non-stop.’
Now level 92, Ryu Min checked the time and decided it was about time to head back.
As I tidied up the surrounding area with that thought in mind, the mercenaries’ jaws dropped anew.
“Haha, your skill never ceases to amaze me. Truly, a remarkable warrior has joined us!”
Subjugation Squad Commander Kaltz and the mercenaries praised me without end.
It was only natural—I had slaughtered the monsters of the Demon Beast Forest to the point of near extinction.
Not that I was one to be swayed by NPC praise, though.
‘I need to finish the Blood Golem quest and hurry to meet Russell….’
That was when it happened.
Two red dots appeared on the surrounding detection skill I had activated.
‘Did monsters respawn?’
That seemed unlikely.
They were approaching at a speed faster than expected.
‘Those aren’t… monsters.’
As the two dots drew within 100 meters, the message changed.
[There are 30 enemies within a 100-meter radius.]
[All stats increase by 30% due to the One Against Hundred Rune effect.]
Two enemies had been added to the previous twenty-eight.
Whatever they were, two enemies were approaching at high speed.
Directly toward my position.
‘They’ve entered within 60 meters.’
As they entered my perception range, I could read their movements.
‘The sky.’
My gaze lifted upward.
Winged creatures flew above the trees.
They were none other than Archangels.
“Look! There’s something up there!”
“Those wings—they’re Angels!”
“Oh, merciful heavens!”
The mercenaries couldn’t hide their shock at the sacred aura that radiated even from a distance, their faces lost in rapture, but I remained expressionless.
After all, I knew why they had appeared.
‘Are they sending two of them to kill me now?’
The Angels descended to the ground as gracefully as feathers, their gaze fixed precisely on me.
[Found you. Black Scythe.]
[So you were here, you insect.]
Judging by the numerous wings and massive forms, they had sent formidable opponents.
From twenty meters away, I read their true thoughts.
‘One is Uriel, the Archangel of light and flame, ranked fourth in the hierarchy. The other is Raguel, the Archangel of justice, fairness, and harmony, ranked fifth.’
Fortunately, no stronger ones had appeared, but the presence of two still made me tense.
‘Is this because I killed one Archangel? I’m facing Angels in ways incomparable to previous cycles.’
I wondered if even the first-ranked one might eventually appear, observing the two as I assessed them.
Unlike my tension, the Archangels’ demeanor was utterly composed.
[Uriel. As promised, I’ll handle this one first. Don’t interfere.]
[Understood, understood. Just make sure you don’t mess it up.]
[There’s no need for such needless worry. Who do you think I am? Aren’t I the arbiter of justice before whom even Demons tremble?]
[If you’re so capable, then subdue them without a scratch. That would preserve the dignity of those above us as well.]
[Leave it to me. I’ll show you what true justice looks like.]
Raguel, wearing a confident smile, folded her wings and drew the sword from her waist.
It was a longsword with an impressive golden blade, but what stood out was that she wielded two of them—one on each side.
‘An angel who fights with dual blades?’
Normally, a single-handed sword paired with a shield would be standard, but seeing her wield dual blades suggested an aggressive fighting style.
‘I should test just how skilled she is.’
As Ryu Min decided to conduct a probing exchange, he watched Uriel standing behind with arms crossed, and couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
‘It looks like they’re planning to come at me one at a time. That works perfectly.’
Preparing to use Reaper Transformation if needed, Ryu Min was approached by Raguel, who spoke first.
[So you’re Black Scythe? No, a mere insect like you doesn’t deserve a name. I’ll pass judgment on you now, and you should understand the charges without me spelling them out, shouldn’t you?]
“Charges? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
[You pathetic human. You don’t even know what you’ve done?]
“Then explain it clearly, you demonic angel.”
[Y-you… ignorant human trash…]
Despite barely provoking her, Raguel’s forehead flushed crimson as her cheeks trembled with rage.
‘She reacts so intensely to such mild provocation.’
Now I understood why she was called the Archangel of Justice.
‘An Archangel without composure. Easy to shake.’
Having formulated his strategy, Ryu Min deliberately let out a laugh.
“Pfft. Hehehehe.”
As expected, the reaction came immediately.
[What’s so funny? Human?]
“Nothing, just an amusing thought crossed my mind. Hehe.”
As he laughed in a mocking manner, Raguel’s face flushed like an active volcano.
[…How dare you laugh before me, you insolent human?]
“Sorry, sorry. But I can’t help it if it’s funny.”
[What exactly is so funny?!]
“I just remembered when Remiel and Sariel died. The sight of them begging for their lives was so hilarious. Hehehehe.”
Was that the trigger?
Raguel rushed at him like a beam of light.
Her expression was so twisted with fury that she had completely lost her mind.
Clang—!
Ryu Min blocked the attack aimed at his head with his scythe, then twisted his waist to evade the sword thrusting toward his ribs.
[I’ll kill you right here, you wretched insect!!!]
Clang—! Clang! Clang!
After parrying several attacks, Ryu Min felt a moment of internal shock.
‘This is the level of the fifth-ranked angel?’
She was weaker than he’d anticipated.
‘Or have I become absurdly strong?’
Clang— Clang— Clang clang—!
She unleashed a barrage of attacks, but her accuracy was abysmal, likely due to her frenzied state.
Gaps in her defense were everywhere.
If I wanted, I could thrust through and kill her in a single breath.
‘Disappointing. She’s stronger than Sariel, but she lacks sharpness. She’s not a threat.’
As I continued defending, I noticed Uriel uncrossing her arms.
Her expression showed surprise that I was blocking better than expected.
‘If the fifth-ranked is this level, the fourth-ranked probably isn’t much different.’
Raguel wore an impressed expression, unaware that I was disappointed by her underwhelming strength.
[A mere insect managing to block some of my attacks. I’m honestly shocked.]
‘I’m shocked too. You’re weaker than I thought.’
[Let’s see if you can block this as well.]
After clashing blades for a while, Raguel suddenly retreated and crossed her sword before her.
Uuuuung—
The golden blade trembled and vibrated, its radiance growing intensely brighter.
-Tsk tsk, you foolish human. If you can’t dodge, you’re as good as dead.
I heard her thoughts, and my future sight revealed what would happen in seven seconds.
‘She’s planning to level this entire area.’
I knew she was preparing a powerful technique, but I wasn’t particularly worried.
I could simply dodge.
‘But if I do nothing, the Subjugation Squad leader and the mercenaries will be caught in it.’
My thoughts were brief, but my actions were swift.
“Get back!”
I quickly used Death’s Grip to shove the mercenaries within range away, then threw myself forward and pushed Kaltz.
In that instant, the blade flashed, and a fountain of light erupted from the ground.
Kuuuaaaaa—!
Trees turned to ash in a moment, and a deep X-shaped chasm carved itself into the earth.
“Ah, ahhh….”
Kaltz and the other mercenaries, barely escaping thanks to me, stared into the bottomless chasm and clutched their chests.
If I’d been even a moment late, they would have ceased to exist.
“Th-thank you. Warrior of the Other World.”
I didn’t respond to Kaltz’s gratitude.
My eyes were fixed on the message floating in the air.
[Hero’s Rune Stack: 73/100]
[All stats increase by 73 due to Hero’s Rune effect.]
‘My stack increased by 3 for saving three people.’
I hadn’t saved the mercenaries for any other reason.
It was to build my Hero’s Rune Stack.
‘If I save all the mercenaries here, I should be able to reach 100 easily.’
For that, I need Raguel’s help.
Conveniently, she was staring at me with a strange expression.
She seemed more shocked that I’d saved the mercenary than that I’d dodged her skill.
[What are you doing? You, a player, saving humans from the Other World who have nothing to do with you?]
“These people have done nothing wrong.”
To anyone else, it would have sounded like a statement overflowing with righteousness, but my opponent was an Angel.
In his eyes, I was no different from a criminal who had ruthlessly slaughtered people while doting on a pet dog at his side.
[Ha, this is absurd. A worthless creature who murdered an Archangel now saves other lives.]
His bewilderment was short-lived.
[Thanks to you, an amusing thought has occurred to me.]
A cruel smile spread across Raguel’s face.
[I shall slaughter every human here except you. Let’s see you try to stop me.]
At those words, Ryu Min silently exulted.
‘Such a simple creature.’
I had obtained the Archangel’s assistance exactly as planned.
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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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