The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 319

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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 319
319. Round 20 Begins
Seventy-two humans materialized in the Monochrome Space.
The numbers were meager for a final round, yet Ryu Min found himself satisfied with even this.
‘When I first arrived, I was alone.’
But in this second experience of Round 20, I was not solitary.
So many participants stood shoulder to shoulder with me that I need not fear being cut off at the entrance.
[You’ve finally made it here.]
At the sudden voice, I lifted my gaze to find Angel Millen wearing an expression of profound emotion.
[I wondered if you might come this far. I thought at most one or two would survive, yet I never imagined so many would remain. You’ve truly exceeded my expectations.]
The participants stared at her with expressions that seemed to question what she meant by being “impressed,” but the Angel paid them no mind.
After all, these were humans she would never see again once she guided them to the end.
[Having come this far to the final round, I cannot help but ask for your thoughts. Who would like to share?]
No one opened their mouth at those words.
Only hostile gazes met her inquiry.
It was only natural—no one here had come because they wished to.
[Why do your expressions look like that? Are you not pleased? If you clear only this round, you can achieve your desires. If all 72 participants pass, all 72 will have their wishes granted!]
“Enough. Display the Quest window.”
At Ryu Min’s command, Millen flinched before offering an awkward smile.
[Haha, you must be curious. What the highly anticipated Round 20 Quest is. W-well then, shall we check right away?]
As the Quest window materialized, the participants could not conceal their shock.
◀ ROUND 20 ▶
【Quest】
└?????
[Integrated Zone CA-EA001]
└Participants: 72
└Achievers: To be determined
“W-what? It’s just question marks?”
“The Quest isn’t showing up?”
“It’s not just me who can’t see it, right?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as confusion seized them.
Among them, only Ryu Min—who had already experienced this—remained unperturbed.
‘I was confused at first too. The uncertainty was suffocating.’
Believing I had to uncover the Quest alone, I scoured the entire continent like a madman.
As a result, I discovered the Temple containing the boss chamber, but had that not been the case, I would be panicking like the others now.
‘The problem is that the boss chamber might not be the final Quest.’
Even until I was annihilated before the boss chamber’s entrance, the Quest remained undisclosed.
This meant that even the current me did not know precisely what the Round 20 mission entailed.
The bewildered participants turned their gazes toward the Angel as if seeking answers.
[Hehe, you seem startled. Because the Quest isn’t visible. Unfortunately, this round’s Quest is confidential. It will naturally be revealed as you progress through the round, so there’s no need to worry too much… Kyaaah!]
Ryu Min leaped across the sky, closing the distance in an instant, and seized Angel by the throat with a death grip.
[Gasp, cough!]
“Tell me honestly. What is this 20th Round Quest? If you don’t, I’ll break your neck right here.”
[Cough, I, I can’t speak if you don’t let go!]
I released the struggling creature with a shove, and it gasped for breath with ragged coughs.
“Now speak. Don’t give me any nonsense about confidentiality.”
[I, I don’t know either! I’m merely following the system’s guidance…]
Millen began to speak but inhaled sharply.
Ryu Min’s eyes, fierce enough to tear her apart on the spot, bore down on Angel’s body.
“Don’t lie to me. You think I don’t know you’ve pulled this stunt more than once?”
[I, I really don’t know! I, this is my first time serving as a guide, I truly don’t know!]
The trembling Angel was utterly terrified.
All the more so because her opponent was a notorious figure who had slaughtered Angels.
‘She’s not lying.’
Reading her thoughts, Ryu Min withdrew his killing intent and descended.
“I believe you. Now explain.”
[Y, yes!]
Angel, massaging her bruised throat, continued with the explanation she hadn’t finished.
[A, as I just said, I don’t know the mission either. Guides are always assigned to Angels experiencing this for the first time… But if you just clear this round, everyone can survive. You’ll all receive your wishes too. O, of course, I don’t know the detailed process, so even if you ask, I have nothing to tell you. I can only relay what I’ve heard from the manual…]
Millen, frightened by Ryu Min’s intimidation, rambled on with excuses unlike her usual self.
[For reference, this round’s stage is the Fantasy World, and the Quest objective is unknown. Because of that, I also don’t know what criteria determines success, and there are no Sub Quests.]
“So, so that means…”
“We know absolutely nothing?”
“Sigh…”
Sighs escaped from everyone’s lips without exception.
[If I can offer any useful information, in this round, even if you hunt monsters, you won’t accumulate experience or gold. So humans who haven’t reached max level don’t need to waste time hunting…]
“That’s not a concern. We’re all maxed out.”
At Ryu Min’s words, Millen offered an awkward smile.
[W, well that’s fortunate then. That works out, very well indeed.]
“Any other information?”
[Uh, what else was there? Right. In this round, you’re all a party. The mission’s true nature is unknown, but at least it’s not a mission where you kill each other.]
“Ah.”
“That’s a relief.”
Sighs of relief could be heard from various corners, as if they’d been secretly worried.
[That concludes the explanation. Ah, it must feel overwhelming with no information, but since this is the final round, p, please do your best. Then I’m off!]
Angel vanished in a flash of light as if fleeing, and the moment she did, a message appeared before everyone.
[The 20th Round will begin shortly.]
[Due to the nature of this round, defeating monsters yields no rewards whatsoever.]
[You will be transported to the Fantasy World in 30 seconds.]

* * *
When the players moved to the Fantasy World, they were not scattered.
Everyone arrived in the same place, at the same location.
“Where is this?”
“It’s all trees, so I can’t tell where we are.”
The players looked around uncertainly, but Ryu Min knew.
It was the exact same starting point as the previous cycle.
“This is a place called the Demon Beast Forest. It’s at the edge of the Lutus Mountain Range, and the Braham Kingdom is nearby.”
“Ah.”
The players nodded, though they couldn’t hide their anxiety.
What good was knowing the location?
The most important thing—the Quest objective—remained unknown.
That’s why everyone relied on Black Scythe, their de facto leader.
“What should we do now? Black Scythe?”
“The Quest is hidden. What should we start with?”
“Since we were summoned here, doesn’t that mean we should try hunting monsters?”
Everyone offered their theories and opinions, but Ryu Min shook his head.
The direction was already decided.
“Let’s explore the surroundings first. There might be clues about the Quest.”
“Should we all split up and search?”
‘Why would I split up when I know the way?’
Ryu Min swallowed the thought and shook his head.
“No. We have no way to communicate, so splitting up is dangerous. We move together.”
“Understood.”
“Let’s go.”
The party followed Ryu Min through the Demon Beast Forest.
Since I remembered where the boss room’s temple was located, I took the lead.
Of course, to the others’ eyes, it probably looked like I was walking aimlessly.
‘If we walk for about an hour like this, we’ll reach the Ruined Ancient Temple. That’s where the boss room is.’
Since I couldn’t reveal that fact to the others, I walked while looking around as if exploring.
“Black Scythe.”
Then Min Ju-ri approached my side and asked.
“Since we don’t know what might happen, should I cast buffs on everyone beforehand?”
“Yeah. Thanks. We’re a party anyway.”
I had planned to ask her in front of the boss room, but there was no harm in doing it now.
“Um….”
Min Ju-ri hesitated, then spoke with an awkward smile.
“I’m sorry about before.”
“Sorry about what?”
“For not recognizing your face. I saw the news—you revealed your face to the public. But I didn’t recognize you at the Cafe….”
“What’s the big deal about that?”
“Now that I think about it, I realize I was being too harsh, questioning why you pretended to be an ordinary person when you didn’t recognize me. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
Ryu Min turned his head with an expression that suggested he truly didn’t mind.
Yet beneath that emotionless facade, his heart ached.
‘It seems my memories have been completely erased after all.’
Only memories of Black Scythe remained, and treating her like a stranger stirred a bittersweet feeling within me.
On the other hand, there was a sense of relief that she had forgotten the pain.
Then.
“Grrrrr.”
A group of monsters, oblivious to the atmosphere, blocked the path ahead of the party.
True to its name, the Demon Beast Forest occasionally revealed monsters.
Whoooosh—
With Ryu Min present, none of them posed a threat.
[Experience +1,200]
‘My experience increased?’
Experience came from a monster I had expected to yield nothing.
‘Is it because of the Transcendence Rune?’
It must be thanks to the rune that allowed me to gain experience from all enemies.
Though the amount was small, I was satisfied.
The fact that I alone could gain benefits others couldn’t.
‘Moreover, when experience rises, my stats increase through the Growth Rune.’
Furthermore, once enough experience accumulated, I could level up through the Transcendence Rune.
‘I wish I had time to leisurely hunt monsters, but unfortunately I don’t.’
Though there was room to grow further, I focused on reaching the destination rather than hunting.
The mission might have a time limit, so it was better to hurry.
“Huh? Have we finally left the forest?”
After walking for a while, we emerged from the Demon Beast Forest.
“Now that we’re out of the forest, should we pick up the pace?”
Looking at my nodding companions, I broke into a run across the open plains.

* * *
The destination I’d estimated would take an hour was now within reach in thirty minutes.
By hurrying alongside the Players’ Group, I’d managed to shave off considerable time.
“What… what is this place?”
“Looks like some kind of abandoned temple, doesn’t it?”
Between the Demon Beast Forest and the Labyrinth Forest stood the Ruined Ancient Temple.
This was precisely where the boss room lay hidden.
Ryu Min approached the temple, feigning discovery by chance.
“A suspicious location I hadn’t noticed before. We should investigate it.”
I hadn’t seen it only because I hadn’t looked—it had existed in previous rounds as well.
I simply hadn’t been able to access it.
‘The system seals it with a barrier until round twenty.’
Therefore, the shortcut of opening the door early wouldn’t work.
No method could breach the barrier—it was impenetrable by any means.
Only now, in round twenty, was entry possible.
‘I found this temple in thirty minutes when it took two hours in my previous cycle.’
Unlike before, I’d gained some time.
‘The boss room is here.’
Though the ruins were scattered as if bombed, the true entrance lay elsewhere.
“Everyone, come over here.”
As I cleared away the debris with feigned casualty, hidden Underground Stairs emerged.
The boss room awaited below.
“Something’s definitely down there—we should venture in, shouldn’t we?”
My companions nodded at my words.
“Then let’s all prepare before we enter.”

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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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