The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 274

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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 274
274. An Item I’ve Never Seen Before
A cascade of countless reward messages.
I glanced through them casually, and a single skill cast brought forth this deluge of notifications.
‘It’s only fitting. I just slew a dragon, after all.’
Some might consider it excessive, but the opponent was a dragon.
Even a party of maxed-out players would struggle to defeat it—the dragon is the ultimate boss monster.
In other words, it’s a creature impossible to defeat in Round 17 without reaching max level.
‘Having slain it first, it’s only natural that the rewards come pouring in.’
Ryu Min scanned the reward messages with practiced eyes.
These were all rewards I’d already received in my previous run.
[Title – Dragon Slayer]
-Acquisition Condition: Obtained upon slaying a dragon for the first time.
-Effect: All stats doubled against draconic races. Monsters instinctively fear you.
This title held little value for me.
With no future dragon hunts ahead, what use would stat increases against draconic creatures serve?
‘Though having monsters instinctively fear me would make hunting more convenient…’
An ability with no practical use for someone who would never hunt again.
The newly acquired rune was equally superfluous.
[Rune of Memory]
-Effect: Never forget anything you’ve seen once; remember all things perfectly.
My intelligence stat was already formidable enough that my memory was unparalleled.
‘Still, they’re offering it—I can’t very well refuse.’
What truly captured my attention was something else entirely.
[Dragon Slayer’s Pendant]
-Classification: Necklace
-Grade: Godly
-Effect: All stats +50, Skill Damage +50%, All Elemental Damage Resistance +30%
-Durability: 20,000/20,000
-Usage Restriction: Master Grade or higher
-Description: A symbol bestowed only upon the dragon slayer who first slew a dragon. Crafted from dragon claws.
‘Finally obtained it. A Godly-grade necklace.’
The effects were as formidable as the Godly designation suggested.
‘The stat and skill damage increases are excellent, but the elemental damage resistance boost is particularly valuable.’
Even I cannot evade every skill attack.
Should I take a wide-area skill during a boss fight, the consequences could be dire.
‘This elemental resistance will prove invaluable in such moments.’
A satisfying haul, yet the rewards did not end there.
Condensed ether, dragon scales, horns, and teeth.
With my high Luck stat, an abundance of miscellaneous materials had dropped as well.
They were all materials whose purpose I didn’t know.
‘But then again, I don’t know the use of every material either.’
The last time I used the Infinite Material Pouch, didn’t it spill out nothing but unfamiliar materials?
‘God-tier items are exhausted, so I don’t need condensed ether. As for dragon-related materials… I have no idea what they’re for.’
Though the situation felt bleak, at least a blueprint had appeared.
It was a blueprint I’d never seen in all my lives.
‘Aura of Death? What is this?’
[Blueprint: Aura of Death]
-Classification: Consumable
-Description: An item containing six combination formulas for crafting Eternal-tier Aura of Death. It’s recommended to prepare to take notes before using it.
My eyes widened as I read the information.
It was written that I could craft a tier I’d never heard of before.
‘Eternal-tier?’
Without a doubt, it was a tier higher than God-tier.
Didn’t the description of Refined Ether also mention that it could create items of God-tier and above?
‘Then the materials must definitely require Refined Ether.’
Either way, I had to try crafting it.
At the very least, I wouldn’t lose anything.
‘But first…’
I turned my head.
I needed to deal with the 21 pairs of eyes staring at me uncomfortably.
“To take down a dragon in a single blow…”
“Truly, truly impressive, my friend.”
“Say, wouldn’t you consider working exclusively for our Mercenary Group? We’ll pay handsomely.”
I shook my head without hesitation.
I had no intention whatsoever of working under NPCs.
“No thanks. Just give me the reward.”
“Hmph, if you insist, there’s nothing I can do.”
Shortly after, the dragon subjugation reward was distributed.
[You have completed the Subjugation Quest!]
[Experience +2.38%]
[Gold +100,000]
The reason I accepted such a meager reward was that I knew this would make the mercenaries leave.
“Since I’ve given the reward, you should head out now.”
“I have something to attend to, so I’ll leave later.”
“Very well then, take your time.”
The mercenaries left the Cave, leaving me alone.
Though I was alone, there was a warp gate on the way back, so returning to the Barracks posed no problem.
‘But first, let me slowly combine some materials.’
Without delay, I used the blueprint.
The instructions said to prepare to take notes, but there was no need for that.
My intelligence was high enough, and the Rune of Memory would remember everything anyway.
Whoosh—
The scroll with the blueprint vanished, and golden letters unfolded before my eyes.
[‘Blueprint: Aura of Death’ has been used.]
[Using the following combination formula, you can create the Eternal-grade item ‘Aura of Death’.]
【Combination Formula】
[Primary Material]
-Dragon Scale
[Secondary Materials]
-Refined Ether
-Condensed Ether
-Demon’s Pendant
-Demon’s Heart
-Turbid Energy
‘This is…?’
Ryu Min’s eyes gleamed as he examined the materials.
‘I have all of them…!’
As expected, Refined Ether was among the required materials.
Moreover, Dragon Scale and Condensed Ether were items I’d just received.
‘The Demon’s Pendant is equipment I already owned, and the Demon’s Heart and Turbid Energy came from the Infinite Material Pouch.’
I had initially thought the heart and energy mentioned at the end were useless items I’d never seen before, but I was wrong.
‘Turns out they’re incredibly useful?’
Perhaps all the other unfamiliar items from the material pouch could be used to craft Eternal-grade items as well.
With a racing heart, Ryu Min placed all the materials into the combination window.
I happened to have the materials, but without the blueprint, I never would have been able to craft it alone.
‘I didn’t even know Dragon Scale was the primary material.’
Realizing anew the importance of blueprints, I pressed the combination button.
[Combining Eternal-grade item…]
[The item’s grade is high, so crafting will take time. Please wait with patience.]
[Combining materials…]
[Analyzing user’s soul…]
[Synchronizing resonance…]
Unknown messages appeared and time dragged on, but Ryu Min felt no impatience.
‘The message said it himself. High-grade items take longer.’
Anticipating the magnificent item that would emerge, I waited with eager excitement, and then—
[Combination successful!]
[‘Aura of Death’ has been created.]
One item entered my inventory.
[Aura of Death]
-Classification: Armor
-Grade: Eternal
-Defense: 5,000
-Effect: All Stats +200, All enemies classified as hostile have their stats reduced by 50%
-Durability: Infinite
-Usage Restriction: Black Scythe (Soul Bound)
-Description: A soul-bound item that exerts its influence by overlaying the user’s soul rather than their body. It cannot be transferred to others. It can be equipped simultaneously with other equipment items.
Ryu Min read through the Item Information with widened eyes, his attention drawn to the final line.
‘It can be worn together with other equipment? Even with a God-grade item?’
Since it was classified as armor, I would normally have to unequip Thanatos’s Black Demon Armor that I was currently wearing before putting this on.
But.
‘Equip.’
As I issued the command to equip the item, the Aura of Death was equipped without anything being unequipped.
There was no need to even check the equipment window.
The change was immediately felt throughout my body.
A creeping, unpleasant yet familiar aura flowed from every inch of Ryu Min’s being.
This was the effect of equipping the Eternal-grade Aura of Death.
‘This is no joke.’
The fact that it could be equipped simultaneously was already broken, but now my defense increased by 5,000 and all my stats rose by 200.
Most importantly, I could apply a debuff that reduced the stats of enemies I classified as hostile by 50%.
‘Does that mean the debuff doesn’t apply to those I consider allies?’
To be precise, it meant I could control whether or not to apply the debuff to an opponent.
‘This is excellent.’
A smile spread across Ryu Min’s face.
I had obtained an item that exceeded my expectations.
‘If there’s armor in the classification, then there must be other types too, right?’
Weapons, helmets, gloves, boots, and so on.
I might be able to craft every piece.
‘Since I’ll need refined ether, I should be able to make one more.’
Of course, I would need blueprints, but I had no idea where to obtain them right now.
For now, assuming I had the materials, all I could do was try combinations at random.
‘It’s a brute-force method, but there’s no help for it.’
Ryu Min loaded materials into the combination window to attempt crafting another Eternal-grade equipment without a blueprint.
Naturally, I added refined ether as a sub-material and filled the rest with unfamiliar materials.
Radiant Brilliance, Dazzling Wing Feathers, Essence of Negation, Piercing Gaze, and more.
All were materials that came from the Infinite Material Pouch.
I swapped dragon horns and fangs for the primary material, diligently searching for the right combination.
[This is not a valid combination.]
[This is not a valid combination.]
[This is not a valid combination.]
[This is an incompatible combination formula.]
…
…
…
But even after dozens and hundreds of attempts, every single one failed, ultimately forcing Ryu Min to give up.
‘It seems like the secondary materials need to have condensed ether in them….’
Refined ether and condensed ether.
Since both types were used, there was a high possibility they would be incorporated into other Eternal-grade equipment as well.
‘I should attempt the combination after this round ends. The round reward will grant me one condensed ether.’
Not just me, but everyone will receive one.
Then everyone would be able to equip God-grade items.
Finding other God-grade materials should be relatively easy anyway.
‘But I need to focus on creating Eternal-grade equipment at an even higher tier.’
In this final 100th return, I discovered a grade whose combination formula I didn’t know—a grade I’d never seen before.
‘If my Luck stat hadn’t been this high, the blueprint wouldn’t have appeared.’
All of this was a harvest gained thanks to the transcendent stats I accumulated by hunting Archangels.
I felt regret that I hadn’t killed the Archangels sooner, but time that has already passed cannot be undone.
‘There’s no helping it. From now on, I can only continue to learn.’
With that thought, Ryu Min turned and walked through the Cave.
The feeling of discovering a realm unknown to me wasn’t so bad.
I suddenly wondered if there was any need to grow stronger than I already was….
One can never be too careful.
‘The 1st-ranked Archangel might be far stronger than I can imagine.’
I would meet them either this round or the next, so I needed to prepare for that encounter.
I had to grow even stronger.
But Ryu Min had no time for that.
A halt—
Because the meeting happened much sooner than expected.
[I’ve been waiting for you, Black Scythe.]
Ryu Min, who had stopped in his tracks, instinctively recognized it.
That figure blocking his path was none other than the 1st-ranked Archangel.

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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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