The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 253

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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 253
253. Consolidation
Ryu Min received word that the foreign players he had rescued wished to join the Saesin Religion.
While saving their lives seemed to have earned their goodwill, Ryu Min’s thoughts ran differently.
‘They must have realized it belatedly. That their survival chances are far greater if they stick with me.’
Having demonstrated his support for the Saesin Religion in Round 15, they likely sought membership even more eagerly.
Some probably joined hoping he might share strategies for conquering the next round.
‘Regardless, this works out perfectly. If I can consolidate all the players under the Saesin Religion, nothing could be better.’
Going forward, there would be many cooperative Quests, making it crucial to unite the players as one.
The Saesin Religion would prove an invaluable instrument for that purpose.
‘Let me see how many have gathered.’
When Ryu Min entered the courtyard of the Saesin Religion, all eyes converged upon him.
It made sense—people wearing white masks in reality were hardly commonplace.
“That’s Black Scythe!”
“Black Scythe!”
Due to extensive media exposure, people recognized him by the mask alone.
“High Priest Heo.”
“Welcome, Black Scythe.”
“Why are there so many people? Didn’t you say ten on the phone?”
“The numbers have grown since then. Haha…”
There were roughly twenty people in the courtyard.
All of them were players from different nations.
“Very well. Let us proceed with the interviews.”
“Understood.”
Heo Tae-sik turned swiftly, leaving me no opportunity to read his thoughts.
I simply took my seat in the prepared space and began the interviews.
“Those wishing to join, please form a single line.”
At Um Jun-seok’s words, the people moved with perfect coordination.
“Welcome. I am Cardinal Um Jun-seok. I will provide you with membership documents—please read through them carefully and check the consent form. If you could also fill in some basic personal information, I would be most grateful.”
Those who had diligently completed the paperwork approached the masked man in line.
Ryu Min spoke in fluent English.
“You wish to join the Saesin Religion?”
“Yes!”
“Why?”
“I was deeply moved by the sacrifice Black Scythe displayed in the last round. I felt that I could trust and follow someone like you, so I came without hesitation…”
The man elaborated at length, but his true reason lay elsewhere.
-I can only survive by parasitizing myself to Black Scythe.
Though I knew his true feelings differed, I did not reject him.
Clinging to the strong for survival was an entirely human response.
“I grant you membership.”
“Th-thank you so much!”
Since he didn’t seem like a bad person, I coolly granted his request.
“Next.”
As I continued conducting interviews one by one, new players kept arriving.
The moment they opened their eyes, they appeared in Korea like links of sausage, having boarded flights immediately.
‘It seems they’ve felt the urgency after experiencing Round 15.’
Since an increase in members was a good thing, I proceeded with the interviews without complaint.
Two days passed like that.
I told my Younger Brother I’d be staying out and lived entirely at the Saesin Religion.
Whenever I had a moment to rest, new applicants would appear, so I simply stayed overnight and continued the interviews.
By the fourth day, over 150 new members had joined.
‘If only 25 more would come, that would be perfect.’
If 25 more joined, every player in the world would be registered.
Most importantly, among them were the Grand Archmage Alex and the Divine Archer Dorothy.
‘I’d like to bring at least those two with me….’
I briefly considered that they might not come, but quickly dismissed the thought.
‘No, they’ll have to come. If they want to survive the next round.’
I waited patiently.
It wasn’t until the sun passed its zenith that the players appeared.
“Is this the Saesin Religion?”
“Yes, it is. Are you here to join?”
“Yes. Is there any chance I could meet Black Scythe….”
“Of course. Just fill out the membership form here, and you can have a one-on-one interview with Black Scythe.”
The man who had filled out the form handed me the documents.
My pupils trembled slightly as I read his personal information.
[Name: Alex Pearson]
[Nickname: Alex]
[Nationality: Germany]
[Level: 69]
[Occupation in the Other World: Grand Archmage]
[Age: 25]
[Date of Birth: September 24, 1997]
[Reason for Joining: For survival.]
‘This person is the Grand Archmage Alex?’
He had a stocky build and wore glasses.
It was quite different from the agile appearance I’d seen in the Other World, so I was inwardly surprised.
“Your nickname is Alex?”
“Yes, it is.”
“What’s your reason for joining the Saesin Religion?”
“I’ll be honest. I thought my chances of survival would be higher if I were with Black Scythe.”
They say you shouldn’t judge people by their appearance.
Though her looks and bearing suggested endless laziness, the determination burning in her eyes was unmistakable.
As for Alex’s talent, there was no question about it.
“Understood. You’re accepted.”
“….”
Alex stared at me with a dazed expression, seemingly surprised at how quickly I’d made the decision.
“What are you doing? Move aside so the next person can come in.”
“Ah, um, before that—could I ask just one question?”
The desperation in her eyes told me this was something she’d been wondering about all along.
“Go ahead.”
“I’d like to know why you called my name in Round 15.”
‘Because you’re the kind of talent who survives until Round 18.’
I couldn’t speak that truth aloud.
Right now, I wasn’t The Seer—I was Black Scythe.
“Just.”
“Pardon?”
“You simply caught my eye. That’s all.”
“I see….”
She looked taken aback, but reading her true feelings, she wasn’t disappointed.
-That’s a bit anticlimactic. I thought there might be some deeper reason, but it was nothing special after all?
She accepted her own misunderstanding calmly and chose to think positively about it.
Alex’s character had always been sound, both then and now.
“Thank you for the answer. I’ll be going then. Perhaps we’ll meet again.”
“We will.”
After Alex left, I interviewed a few more candidates.
Then I finally met someone I’d been expecting.
[Name: Dorothy Clayton]
[Nickname: Dorothy]
[Nationality: Netherlands]
[Level: 69]
[Other World Occupation: Archer]
[Age: 22]
[Date of Birth: December 24, 2000]
[Reason for Joining: I admire Black Scythe.]
‘She’s here as expected. The archer who survives until Round 18—Dorothy.’
The archer class, unlike the Grand Sorcerer, is a common occupation.
It’s neither a unique class nor rare in proportion—archers are as common as warriors or assassins.
‘But that’s precisely what makes her remarkable. To display the highest talent with such an ordinary profession.’
For ordinary people, the bow is a difficult weapon to master.
Most would never have touched one in their entire lives.
But if I switched to the Archer class, there would be nothing to worry about.
The first thing I received upon class advancement was the [Marksman’s Rune].
‘The Marksman’s Rune is a rune that exponentially increases accuracy when wielding a bow. Anyone who becomes an Archer class becomes a marksman.’
However, accuracy only increases to a certain extent—it’s never 100%.
While skill improves dramatically, as if one had trained as an Olympic archer, accuracy ultimately depends on the individual.
That’s why the Archer class was both popular and difficult.
To have survived until Round 18 with such a profession?
That’s no ordinary talent.
There’s a reason the epithet “Divine Archer” was attached to her name.
“You’re hired.”
“Pardon? But you didn’t ask me anything…”
“I know.”
I don’t need to ask to understand.
With the Rune of True Heart, I can see through a person’s character.
“Your first impression passes, Dorothy. You can be pleased.”
“Th-thank you so much.”
Dorothy simply stood there, bewildered.
After that, the interviews proceeded at lightning speed.
Within four days, all 175 people I had saved joined the Saesin Religion.
In other words, every player in the world had now joined the Saesin Religion.
‘Excellent. This is going very well.’
Now came the crucial part.
I had to clear the rounds while keeping as many of my people alive as possible.
The moment the last person to join left the Saesin Religion, Heo Tae-sik and Um Jun-seok approached me.
“You’ve worked hard. Black Scythe.”
“You too, Patriarch Heo. And you as well, Cardinal Um Jun-seok.”
“Thank you, Black Scythe.”
For a moment, Heo Tae-sik’s eyes flickered with something subtle, but I had already turned away.
“I’ll be heading back now. Take some rest until I contact you.”
“Understood. Safe travels.”
“Right.”
I spread my wings behind my back and soared high into the sky.
On my way home, a sudden thought made me land briefly on a nearby building’s rooftop.
‘I need to meet Min Ju-ri soon. I can’t keep things awkward between us forever.’
I needed to improve our relationship as quickly as possible.
We had to return to being comfortable friends like before.
Otherwise, the strategy would suffer.
Tap, tap, tap—
I quickly typed out a message, and a reply came back immediately.
[Min Ju-ri: Yeah, let’s meet.]
After sending a brief reply, I felt a twinge of unease.
‘Should I craft some items to ease the awkwardness?’
I rummaged through my inventory.
I needed to use the Infinite Material Pouch anyway.
‘God-tier items are difficult without Ether, but a Legendary item would make her happy.’
My Luck stat was absurdly high, so I’d definitely get quality materials.
[You have used the Infinite Material Pouch.]
[Congratulations! 5 material items have been obtained!]
[Items have been added to your inventory!]
Ryu Min tilted his head as he examined the materials.
‘Not even Legendary-tier materials—just a bunch of unfamiliar ones?’
Not a single God-tier material either.
I couldn’t craft a Legendary item right now.
‘Can’t be helped.’
Setting aside my disappointment, I flew toward the meeting place.

* * *
Rumble—
The door to the Transdimensional Information Collective opened.
[Welcome, Michael.]
[Rubahi.]
Michael’s expression was grim as he visited the Akashic Record after so long.
[A problem has arisen.]
[Is it because of the Demon’s Revival Scripture?]
[You know well.]
[It seems the gods’ displeasure weighs on you.]
[No.]
Michael shook his head firmly.
The gods’ displeasure could be soothed again.
[That doesn’t matter. The problem is the gods want Black Scythe brought to them before Round 18.]
[By giving Demon Archduke Phlunikthos justification to intervene, the gods naturally fear his involvement most of all.]
[Is there no way?]
[….]
[I skipped Round 15 trying to find a solution. I’m out of excuses. If I keep delaying, Gabriel and Raphael will grow suspicious.]
[Then we have no choice but to ambush Black Scythe in Round 16.]
[Including myself?]
[How could you personally intervene? Will you pretend to lose to Black Scythe again?]
[….]
[If even you fail, the gods will suspect something. For now, send Gabriel and Raphael.]
[Send two of them? Not just one?]
[Raphael isn’t a combat angel, so the two of them have no choice but to step forward, don’t they?]
[Still, if it’s those two, wouldn’t they be an almost unbeatable combination?]
[Don’t worry. With Black Scythe’s skills, he should be able to stop them even if there are two.]
Michael’s expression showed slight surprise.
[Is he really that strong? Black Scythe, at this moment?]
[Yes. He’s killed countless angels by now—isn’t it time you believed in him?]
[That may be true, but Gabriel and Raphael are skilled warriors of a different caliber than other archangels. If things go wrong, Black Scythe could die….]
Rubahi laughed silently.
[Trust in Black Scythe, Michael. The concern you harbor will absolutely never come to pass.]

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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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