The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 279

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Maxed-Out Player’s 100th Return – Episode 279
279. Round 17 Concluded
★ Round 17 Results Tallied ★
[Integrated Zone CA-EA001]
└1st Place. Black Scythe (Lv98 Reaper) Gold Spent: 100,000,000
└2nd Place. Democracy (Lv73 Buffer) Gold Spent: 50,000,000
└3rd Place. Krishi (Lv73 Priest) Gold Spent: 40,000,000
No player expressed surprise at the results.
It was precisely what everyone had anticipated.
They had already learned from Black Scythe that rankings would be determined by the amount of gold spent.
[This round’s ranking system is based on whoever spent the most gold!]
So no one nodded along to Angel’s supplementary explanation.
They already knew.
That everyone would survive if they won the war.
That substantial rewards would be granted.
But they didn’t know what those rewards were.
Not until the message appeared.
[As Round 17 clear rewards, all participants receive experience and gold.]
[Due to the Kingdom Alliance’s victory, acquired experience and gold are multiplied tenfold.]
[Experience +47.68%]
[Gold +3,000,000]
[As an additional reward for Kingdom Alliance victory, a God-tier material item ‘Condensed Ether’ is granted.]
[Condensed Ether has been added to your inventory.]
The players’ eyes widened in unison at the unexpectedly massive rewards.
“Three million gold?”
“Is that natural since we spent so much gold?”
“More than that, the experience is insane.”
“My level jumped up by ten at once!”
Players who had been in the 70s leaped into the 80s.
Even if it only meant twenty additional stat points, the fact that the first digit of their level had changed made them genuinely feel stronger.
‘It’s too early to be amazed. If I survive the next Round 18, I’ll gain twice as much experience as this.’
While rapid growth would delight most, it wasn’t the case for everyone.
Ryu Min was one of them.
‘At this rate, I’m guaranteed to hit max level next round.’
To advance from level 98 to 99 requires ten times more experience than before.
So fortunately, I had avoided the catastrophe of maxing out this round, but there was no way to avoid the experience I’d receive in the next Round 18.
‘I wanted to delay max level as long as possible, but there’s no helping it.’
Though people were excited from the rapid leveling, the reward they should have focused on wasn’t experience.
A God-tier material—something so notoriously difficult to obtain—had finally appeared.
“Condensed Ether?”
“God-tier materials? Really?”
“But what exactly is God-tier?”
The people still didn’t understand the true value of the items they’d received.
‘Well, you’d only know if you’d actually crafted a God-tier item before.’
During Round 11’s rewards, I’d used a material bundle and obtained a God-tier glove blueprint.
I remembered listing it on the Pul-Pul Market and selling it, so someone must have crafted it.
‘Or maybe they couldn’t make it because they lacked condensed ether?’
Other God-tier materials were relatively easy to obtain, but condensed ether was not.
A rare item had fallen into each person’s hands.
Yet the people didn’t seem particularly thrilled.
Did that bother me?
Angel took it upon herself to explain the items’ value.
[What incredible rewards for defeating the Kingdom Alliance in such a difficult battle! God-tier materials, no less! What’s that? You don’t know what God-tier is? It’s the highest grade of item you’d be lucky to obtain even once after struggling through Round 20!]
‘Not the highest grade, though. Eternal exists.’
But Angel didn’t mention that.
Whether she deliberately avoided it or genuinely didn’t know.
Either way, as Angel said, God-tier was as rare as plucking stars from the sky.
Yet I possessed six of them.
[Congratulations! You’ve achieved the Quest as the top ranker in this zone!]
[Your current ranking in this zone is 1st place!]
[As the 1st place zone ranking reward, you receive the ‘Infinite Material Pouch’!]
[As the 1st place zone ranking reward, you receive the ‘Special Reward Selection Box’!]
‘Another Infinite Material Pouch, as expected.’
Three material pouches in a row.
It seemed the system was deliberately giving me these items to encourage gathering materials for God-tier crafting.
Though I’d already graduated from God-tier and needed to create something beyond that.
[You may select one of the following special rewards.]
[Please touch your desired reward.]
└ 1. Temporary Skill – Sweep Clean (Limited to Round 18)
└ 2. Temporary Skill – Faction Change Right (Limited to Round 18)
└ 3. Information on Round 18
Upon opening the special reward selection box, a notable reward caught my eye.
‘Faction Change Right… So I’m finally going to use this.’
Originally, I would have chosen Sweep Clean to slaughter demons in Round 18, but circumstances had changed.
Killing Angels had become quite profitable now.
◀ ROUND 17 COMPLETE ▶
[Integrated Zone CA-EA001]
└Survivors: 286
[Your soul will transfer to your original dimension’s body shortly.]
[Round 18 begins at midnight on June 1st, 2023. Until next round. Congratulations on your survival.]

* * *
Michael sat before the table, his face taut with tension.
Soon enough, the Demon Archduke’s visage would materialize before my eyes.
‘Why does this make me so nervous….’
This wasn’t my first conversation with the Demon Archduke.
Having already endured six Cheon Ma Wars, whenever we needed to reconcile our differences, we would converse through the screen like this.
Yet I couldn’t help but feel the tension coiling within me.
‘Because so much hinges on this negotiation.’
Following Black Scythe’s plan, I had deceived God and escaped with my life.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
‘The outcome of the war depends entirely on how I conclude this negotiation.’
The 7th Cheon Ma War would commence once Round 20 ended.
Victory in that war was essential—not only to satisfy the gods who sponsored the Celestial Tribe, but also to ensure my own survival.
‘And then… I can become a god as planned.’
It was said that clearing Round 20 would grant the system’s wish-granting power, but in truth, this wasn’t limited to humans alone.
‘By wielding that Wish Orb—the artifact that fulfills the desires of all creation—I can ascend to godhood.’
For that reason, I wanted to keep Black Scythe alive until Round 20.
Based on his trajectory, he was the only candidate capable of seizing the Wish Orb.
‘But even that is contingent on victory in the war.’
Should I lose the 7th Cheon Ma War, my aspiration to become a god would evaporate like mist.
‘Even if I fail to obtain the Wish Orb, I cannot afford to lose the war.’
In the end, even if I had to abandon Black Scythe, I must lead the war to absolute victory.
That was why this negotiation with the Demon Archduke mattered so profoundly.
Then the Demon Archduke’s face appeared on the screen.
[Why do you keep summoning a busy person? How tiresome.]
Phlunikthos began his complaints the moment he appeared, but I offered a gentle smile in return.
No matter what anyone said, in this negotiation, the Demon Archduke held all the leverage.
[Thank you for making time for me, Your Excellency the Archduke.]
[Lord Michael. What did you wish to discuss? I hope this concludes swiftly.]
‘What a cunning fox. Pretending ignorance when he knows full well.’
I wanted to lash out at him as I had during the previous war, but instead, I smiled broadly.
[Understood. Since you’re a busy man, I’ll get straight to the point. You previously demanded that I bring Black Scythe to you… I was hoping you might extend the deadline just slightly….]
[No need. If you don’t bring him before Round 18, I’ll declare war immediately.]
[I’m not asking for much. Just a little more time….]
[I refuse.]
Phlunikthos remained unmoved.
He even crossed his arms and turned his head away.
It was as if he were saying negotiations were entirely out of the question.
‘He’s being so obstinate because if he starts the war now, he’s guaranteed victory.’
It was as expected, yet bitter nonetheless.
The reality that I had no choice but to beg an enemy to postpone war.
‘Still, it’s better than losing.’
I had already suffered defeat in the 6th Celestial Duel. If I lost again this time?
I would have no face to show not only Nemesis, but also the gods who were counting on the Celestial Tribe.
Not even Archangel Artaros.
‘I must buy time by any means necessary. If war breaks out now, defeat is certain.’
Michael’s resolute expression crumbled into one of desperate pleading.
[Please, Your Excellency the Archduke. It’s not that I refuse to give you Black Scythe. Just wait one more round. To be precise, 18 rounds. On the day of the friendly war, I will hand over Black Scythe as scheduled. I beg your mercy.]
Despite his earnest pleas, Phlunikthos merely snorted.
[Hmph, regardless, I cannot delay. A promise is a promise. If Black Scythe is not in the Demon King’s Castle when Round 18 begins, I will wage war as we agreed. And naturally, I will manifest my true power and participate in that war myself.]
[….]
Ordinarily, Phlunikthos cannot participate in the Celestial Duel.
His power is far too overwhelming.
‘According to rumors, he rivals even Archangel Artaros.’
For such a being to participate in the Celestial Duel with his true power?
The outcome was foregone.
The 7th Celestial Duel would end in the Celestial Tribe’s defeat.
[You were the ones who violated the rules first. I have every right to lodge a legitimate claim, and as compensation, I can wage war earlier and participate directly in that war myself. So do not complain. This is established by the regulations and agreed upon by the gods of both sides. Therefore, do not even think of negotiating with me.]
[….]
Negotiation was indeed impossible.
‘All I’m asking is to wait just one more round….’
Michael bit his lower lip and sighed helplessly.
[Sigh. There’s no way around this. Very well. I will give it to you.]
[Give me what?]
[Access rights to the Akashic Record.]
Phlunikthos’s expression, which had remained consistent throughout the conversation, shifted.
A look of surprise.
But only for a moment.
His lips curled upward—clearly pleased.
[You’re truly willing to concede access rights to the Akashic Record?]
[Until now, according to the regulations of both sides, only the Celestial Tribe could use it. But if you postpone the war, I will permit the Demon Tribe to use it as well.]
[No, no. Not the Demon Tribe ‘also’—the Demon Tribe ‘alone’ should have access.]
[That’s absurd. These are rights we obtained through great effort. I cannot simply hand them over entirely. Even if we lose the war, that is too much.]
[Is that so? Then at least allow us to share it.]
[Understood. I shall do as you——]
[However, the war cannot be postponed. I will only extend the deadline to within 18 rounds.]
[….]
As expected of the highest authority of the Demon Tribe—he was shrewd.
He did not bite at the bait so easily.
[So if you hand over Black Scythe in the 18th round, you’re saying you won’t start a war immediately?]
[That’s correct. As long as you also share the Akashic Record’s authority with us.]
Michael had to work hard to maintain his composure.
‘This is nothing short of highway robbery.’
The price for extending the deadline was far too steep.
‘There’s no choice. To delay the war, I have no option but to negotiate on these terms.’
Though it pained me to hand over Black Scythe, it wasn’t as critical as preventing a war.
[I shall do so.]
[Good. Is the negotiation concluded then?]
[Yes.]
[Don’t change your tune later. This entire conversation is being recorded.]
[I wouldn’t dream of it.]
Apparently satisfied with that response, Phlunikthos bared his teeth in a grin.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————