The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 27

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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 27
27. Min Ju-ri
Min Ju-ri and I headed to a nearby park.
“Sit here.”
The moment I settled onto the bench, Min Ju-ri suddenly thrust an envelope toward me.
“Take it.”
“But this is the money I gave you.”
“I can’t accept such a large sum, so please take it back.”
Ten million won was a substantial amount for Min Ju-ri and her mother.
Of course, for someone like me with assets in the hundreds of millions, it was pocket change.
‘Ten million won is certainly an amount that would burden her. Well, she’s offering it knowing I’ll refuse anyway.’
I’d already anticipated her rejection of the envelope.
‘No matter how poor she is, she’s the type who won’t live in debt.’
Her personality, preferences, favorite foods, family circumstances—
I pride myself on knowing Min Ju-ri quite well.
We’ve grown close enough for that.
That’s why I was confident I could bring Min Ju-ri to my side.
“Come on, take it. My arm’s getting tired.”
Min Ju-ri shook the envelope she was holding.
But I had no intention of accepting it.
‘If I take the envelope, my relationship with Min Ju-ri ends there. I need to keep the connection going using the lottery as a pretext.’
I simply shook my head with a resolute expression.
“I won’t take it.”
“What?”
“Like I told the owner earlier, this money comes from a place of apology. It’s the bare minimum of my conscience.”
“But the amount is too large…”
“Regardless of the amount, I’d like the owner to accept it. Otherwise, I’ll keep thinking about it and feeling sorry.”
That’s what I said, but truthfully, I felt no particular guilt toward the owner.
Once the next round begins, there will be massive dropouts and economic turmoil anyway.
‘In the end, the lottery market naturally collapses within a few months.’
I simply accelerated that timeline by monopolizing the winnings.
When you think about it, using future information isn’t exactly wrong, is it?
Of course, I’m not entirely without guilt.
‘After all, people did suffer damage because of the impact I caused.’
That’s why I intended to give ten million won as compensation.
Even if Min Ju-ri continued to refuse.
“It’s my conscience, so take it back home.”
“Still, this is too much! It’s too burdensome.”
‘That’s exactly why I’m giving it to you.’
I laughed inwardly, but maintained an expressionless face outwardly.
To get Min Ju-ri’s help, I had no choice but to create a debt, even if it was in this roundabout way.
“Tell the manager it’s not a large sum for me, so don’t feel burdened.”
When I stubbornly refused, a sigh escaped Min Ju-ri’s lips.
“Were you always like this? Why are you so stubborn… sigh.”
“If we’re done talking, I’m leaving?”
As Ryu Min stood up, Min Ju-ri panicked.
“Wait, just a moment! Then ten million won is too much, so I’ll just take one million won. That works, right?”
“Why are you deciding that? You should ask the manager.”
“Dad wouldn’t want to receive that much money either.”
“Dad?”
Ryu Min feigned surprise as if I had no idea.
“The convenience store manager is your father?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow… I use this place often, but that’s surprising.”
“I find it surprising too. A lottery jackpot winner in the same class as me….”
‘Friends….’
We hadn’t spoken much, but being in the same class did make us friends in that sense.
Though it was hard to call it friendship in any genuine way.
“But did you really not know I was in your class? I figured it out the moment I walked into your convenience store.”
“Sorry. I’m really bad at remembering faces. And this is the first time we’ve talked like this anyway, right?”
“That’s… true.”
The two of us had been in the same class for a whole year, but we’d never had the chance to talk.
It wasn’t easy for boys and girls to become close, and since we were both introverted, it was difficult to strike up a conversation.
Of course, the Ryu Min from back then and the Ryu Min now were different.
Different enough to seem like a completely different person.
But Min Ju-ri, meeting me for the first time, wouldn’t notice the change.
“So you didn’t even know my name until today?”
“Sorry, but that’s right.”
….
Min Ju-ri’s lips parted as if she’d been shocked.
She apparently hadn’t expected me to not even know her name.
‘I’m sorry for pretending not to know, but there’s no helping it. This way, she’ll take an interest in me.’
Sure enough, Min Ju-ri’s eyes changed.
It wasn’t the look of disappointment and resignation from learning I didn’t know her name.
Rather, her pride ignited, and her eyes grew sharp with determination.
“Like I said before, my name is Min Ju-ri. I’m in your class and as you can see, I look like this… can you remember me?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t answer half-heartedly. Look carefully. Remember me properly.”
Min Ju-ri leaned forward as if telling me to look closely, then pulled her head back with an awkward expression.
“Phew… I’m suddenly hit with reality. What am I doing? We’re about to graduate, and here I am exchanging names with a classmate… it feels kind of sad.”
“You could have at least told me now. It’s not like you couldn’t contact me after graduating.”
Min Ju-ri’s eyes flickered at those words, but I didn’t notice.
“So, could you give me your number?”
“My, my number?”
For some reason, Min Ju-ri looked startled.
A question mark appeared on my face.
“What? It’s not strange to ask a classmate for their number.”
“R, right. I’ll enter it. Give me your phone.”
When I handed over my phone, Min Ju-ri entered her number.
The moment I called the number, her phone vibrated.
“That’s my number. Save it.”
“Y, yes.”
“Meeting like this is fate, so let’s stay in touch often.”
“O, okay.”
“Then I’ll head out first. I have something urgent to take care of.”
“W, wait. The envelope….”
I waved my hand dismissively and left as is.
Min Ju-ri simply stood there, watching my departing figure in a daze.
* * *
‘In the end, I didn’t even return the envelope.’
Min Ju-ri, who had been staring blankly at my distant silhouette, placed a hand over her chest.
Thump, thump, thump—
Her heart was pounding as if it were broken.
‘He suddenly asked for my number….’
Her heart was racing so much it embarrassed her.
Of course, she understood he’d asked as a friend.
‘The problem is that I don’t see him as just a friend….’
Though she’d never told anyone, Min Ju-ri had feelings for Ryu Min.
When she first saw him, she hadn’t paid much attention.
He was quiet and unremarkable, so she’d simply thought he was just a reserved boy.
Then she happened to see it.
Ryu Min being bullied by Hwang Yong-min and his gang in an alley.
‘I couldn’t bring myself to step in back then and just called the police… He still doesn’t know I was the one who reported it, does he?’
He wouldn’t know.
She’d only watched from behind as the police came and handled it, never stepping forward.
After that, Min Ju-ri secretly followed Ryu Min.
‘What was I thinking back then….’
Was it because she felt sympathy for him?
Or was it a sense of responsibility as the one who’d reported it?
‘Looking back now, they feel like the same thing.’
Min Ju-ri followed Ryu Min to make sure he made it home safely.
If the Delinquent Gang appeared again, she was prepared to call the authorities once more.
But after dusting off his pants, Ryu Min headed not home but to a small Meat Restaurant tucked away in a secluded Alley.
Watching him work there as if nothing were amiss, Min Ju-ri found herself thinking.
‘He’s stronger than he appears. Appearances truly are deceiving.’
Though outwardly diminutive and fragile-looking, his inner strength surpassed anyone’s.
That was Ryu Min—that was how he lived his life.
‘It started then. That’s when I began to notice him.’
During breaks, I’d watch what he was doing, and on the way home from school, I’d even follow him in secret.
Through that process, I accidentally discovered he had a younger brother and saw new sides of him.
‘He seems close with his brother.’
Seeing Ryu Min look after his sibling made me even more interested.
I developed feelings for him.
Following him around like that, the Delinquent Gang appeared several more times, and while I reported them, I never stepped in myself.
‘…I lacked the courage.’
I only watched from a distance and helped in my own way.
If I’d had courage, I would have talked to him long ago.
‘It’s too late now to approach him. I’ve already fallen for him beyond the point of no return….’
What began as chance interest had blossomed into genuine affection.
Watching Ryu Min live so steadfastly, like a tree that never bends, filled me with admiration and made my heart race uncontrollably.
But lacking courage, I stopped trying to talk to him.
‘Still, I wanted to have a conversation with him before graduation….’
Being in front of the person I liked made things impossible to control.
Helping Father with the Convenience Store kept me so busy I never had the chance.
‘But to think I’d meet him here.’
I never imagined running into my crush at the Convenience Store.
I never expected him to ask for my number so directly.
‘It was unexpected. I didn’t think he’d be so proactive just because we’re friends….’
My instincts had been right after all.
Just because he looks small and weak doesn’t mean he’s timid in personality.
There was another surprise.
‘Could he really not know my name….’
Even if we’re different genders and never had the chance to talk, he doesn’t know the name of a classmate?
That’s more than just a lack of interest.
It was impossible not to feel a sting to my pride.
‘He can’t remember faces? Then I’ll make sure he remembers mine.’
Under the guise of being friends, I’ll spend time with him and imprint my face on his memory.
So he never forgets my face.
I’ll keep in contact and make absolutely certain he remembers.
So he never forgets my name.
‘I need to muster up the courage to take action now. This is an opportunity heaven has given me.’
Before, I lacked the courage and missed my chance, but not this time.
I couldn’t possibly let slip this rare opportunity to grow closer to someone I care about.
‘I have so many questions. How did she spend the break? Is the Delinquent Gang still bothering her? How did she win the lottery jackpot? Was catching goblins difficult? How much did she level up….’
It was a shame we couldn’t talk more, but there would be plenty of opportunities.
After all, Min Ju-ri’s number was right there in my phone.
‘I can’t just pretend I didn’t receive ten million won.’
While I’d like to return it, since she won’t accept it, I decided to consider myself in her debt.
‘That way, I can keep contacting her using the ten million won as an excuse.’
A pleased smile blossomed on Min Ju-ri’s lips.
* * *
[Min Ju-ri: Have you eaten? I have something to talk about. Can we meet around 1? I’ll buy lunch!]
[Ryu Min: Sure, let’s meet. I’ll treat you.]
[Min Ju-ri: No way, if anyone’s paying, it should be me. haha]
[Ryu Min: I have plenty of money lol]
[Min Ju-ri: That doesn’t mean I can shamelessly freeload. What do you like?]
[Ryu Min: What about you?]
[Min Ju-ri: I eat anything, so just pick whatever you like.]
Ryu Min, exchanging messages with Min Ju-ri, broke into a grin.
‘Just as I thought—she’s trying to buy me lunch because she feels indebted.’
It was a good sign.
If I continued to build a natural rapport with Min Ju-ri this way, I could make her an ally.
‘I wasn’t able to pay attention before, but this time is different. No matter what it takes, I’ll keep Min Ju-ri alive and bring her along.’
All the way until Round 20.
‘It’s about time I head out.’
Ryu Min checked the time and changed into his going-out clothes.
His younger brother, seeing this, asked.
“Where are you going, hyung?”
“To meet a friend.”
“Don’t tell me it’s a girl?”
“Why would you think it’s not?”
Ryu Min smiled faintly at his younger brother’s dumbfounded expression.
“I’ll eat out, so make lunch for yourself. You still have the card I gave you, right?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Then I’m off.”
As Ryu Min left, Ryu Won, standing by the entrance, muttered under his breath.
“Could it be a thing…?”

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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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