The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 370

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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 – Side Story Episode 15
15. Christine’s 101st Cycle (Part 1)
“Lord, hear our prayers, guide us, and strengthen us further in faith….”
Christine had heard Father’s prayer countless times since childhood.
A devout prayer offered beneath the window where light streamed through.
That dignified figure, somehow magnificent to behold, became the catalyst that drew Christine toward the path of theology.
“Becoming a theology student means you can dedicate your body and soul to God. Can you do this?”
“Yes, Father. I can.”
“Our Christine. You are truly good and admirable.”
The warmth of Father’s hand stroking my head was incomparable.
To earn that praise, I grew ever more determined to walk this path.
Given the environment in which I was raised, faith naturally blossomed within me.
‘When I grow up, I will become a wonderful clergyman just like Father. Absolutely!’
Young Christine, having already chosen her dream at such a tender age, wished to become like Father.
Father was a devout clergyman, and he also owned the building that housed the largest Church in Dallas, Texas.
Yet he was far removed from the unscrupulous landlord portrayed in typical media.
I could stake my life on that.
Otherwise, he would not have provided shelter and sustenance for a child with nowhere else to go.
“This child is Jeffrey Bishop. He has nowhere to go, so he will be staying here from now on. You must become good friends with him. Do you understand, Christine?”
“Yes, Father.”
After Father left, Christine asked him a question.
“How old are you?”
“Eleven years old.”
“You’re older than me. I’ll speak respectfully to you.”
“Please speak however feels natural to you, Christine.”
“?”
Something seemed odd, but young Christine did not notice.
It was only after growing older that I asked Jeffrey about it.
“Jeffrey. Why do you always speak formally to me? You can speak more casually.”
“No, Christine. I am comfortable this way.”
Jeffrey consistently used formal speech with me.
At first it felt awkward, but thinking he used it as a sign of respect toward the daughter of a clergyman, I accepted it.
“Jeffrey. Study with me.”
“Study…?”
“Theology! I’ve been neglecting it lately with school. There are things I don’t understand—could you teach me?”
Christine, having just entered middle school, proposed they study together without fully understanding the implications.
Jeffrey, though busy with his own theology studies, helped me without the slightest reluctance.
He answered every question I had.
“Wow. You understand this better than I do, and I’m a clergyman’s daughter?”
“I haven’t missed a single day of study since I came to live here.”
“Then, what does this part mean? Looking at the Revelation written here….”
Studying with Jeffrey was enjoyable.
It felt like having a private tutor by my side.
And while the two of us seemed to grow closer, it lasted only a few days.
“Christine. I can’t help you study anymore.”
“What? Why?”
“I have my own studies to focus on. If you have questions, ask Nathan.”
“You find Jeffrey more comfortable than Father?”
“….”
At her bold remark, Jeffrey took quite some time before responding.
“Ah, well, understand it that way and don’t come looking for me anymore.”
“…?”
What had been a burden for him?
Was it a burden to teach, or was it uncomfortable to grow close with the homeowner’s daughter?
Looking back now, it felt like the latter, but either way, I found myself studying alone.
“Studying alone isn’t fun….”
Though it stung that he was pushing me away, I also felt curiosity about Jeffrey stirring within me.
‘What circumstances brought him here?’
I wondered that at first, but not anymore now that I’m an adult.
Father explained the situation to me.
“Jeffrey? He had difficult times in the past.”
“What kind of incident?”
“There was a mentally ill person living next door. He suddenly opened fire, and in an instant, Jeffrey became an orphan. With no relatives, he had no choice but to wander homeless. A truly pitiful child. That’s why I took him in.”
Father Nathan explained in detail the reason he had taken Jeffrey in.
“Jeffrey was negative about life. He believed God had taken his parents from him. He wanted to know why. So I told him—why not study theology and seek the answer to that question yourself?”
Only then could I understand.
Why Jeffrey had devoted himself so intensely to theological studies.
And how he had come to hold the position of deacon today.
‘Deacon Bishop worked desperately with the conviction that he would find God.’
I felt infinitely small, having grown lazy in my theological studies lately.
Receiving unexpected motivation, I threw myself back into theological studies with renewed dedication.
No longer wondering about Jeffrey’s past.

* * *
Christine had now become a proper adult.
Yet she harbored one particular problem.
She was far too consumed by theology.
-Christine. Get some fresh air, will you? How long are you going to bury yourself in that room studying?
“Why? I enjoy it. Besides, there’s no end to theological study. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to master it all.”
-Ugh, you’re impossible. So you’re not coming to my birthday today?
“Of course I’m coming. How could I miss a day like this?”
-Really? We’re drinking together today, right?
“Yes, yes, I got it.”
-Okie dokie! Then I’ll see you at 7 PM in front of Wake Town. I’ll be waiting.
Christine set down her phone after confirming plans with her friend.
She closed the theological texts she’d been studying.
Theology—something she’d grown weary of doing at Father’s behest.
Surely taking a day off wouldn’t hurt?
‘I’m human too. I’m tired of doing nothing but studying.’
Christine smiled faintly and began preparing to leave.
Seeing this, her father Nathan narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Where are you going, Christine?”
“To a friend’s birthday party.”
“Going out is fine, but you need to come home early?”
“Understood. Don’t worry.”

* * *
“Come on, lighten up. Yeah?”
Misha, my best friend since High School, tugged at my arm persuasively.
“It’s my birthday. Yeah? Christine.”
“You’re going to a club on your birthday?”
“We’re just going to drink, just that.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Ugh, why are you like this? Come have fun with us too~”
Even the friend beside her chimed in, and a sigh escaped Christine’s lips.
They’d said they were throwing a birthday party, only to head straight for the Club.
They’d hidden it from me until we reached the Entrance.
How could I not be upset?
“Why did you deceive me?”
“Well… if I’d said we were going to the Club from the start, I knew you wouldn’t come…”
Christine exhaled deeply once more and made her decision.
“Since it’s Misha’s birthday, I’ll let it slide just this once…”
“Yes! Christine agreed!”
“Nice! We’re finally going to the Club with Christine?”
“First time? Going to the Club together?”
Watching my friends celebrate, I found myself laughing despite the sigh.
Could they really be that happy?
‘Yeah, of course. There’s no way these guys are just drinking.’
Every time they’d invited me to the Club, I’d refused with excuses about my theology studies, but this time I’d decided to indulge them.
It was Misha’s birthday, and I felt a sudden urge to break free myself, just for tonight.
“Let’s go!”

* * *
Boom- Boom-
As darkness descended.
The Club in Wake Town was packed with patrons.
Deafening music and dizzying laser lights.
The press of bodies and stale air didn’t suit me, but….
“Hahaha!”
“Come on, dance with us!”
“Like this?”
“Hehehe!”
My friends seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Watching them, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Oh? I know this song!”
“We have to dance to this!”
“Christine, come dance with us!”
At my friends’ urging, I waved them off.
“I’ll pass. I’ll just stay here and keep the snacks company.”
“Only a devout believer would say something like that.”
“Alright then, let’s go without Christine.”
As my friends swept away like a receding tide, I sat alone and quietly picked at some fruit slices.
I hadn’t accepted any alcohol to begin with, so I didn’t touch a drop.
Simply being here was enough.
My friends were happy, and that was what mattered.
‘It’s Misha’s birthday, after all. Spending the evening like this should be fine.’
Father would probably worry, so I should send him a message.
With that thought, I reached for my phone when someone sat down beside me.
At first, I thought my friends had already returned from dancing, but they hadn’t.
“Wow, you look even prettier up close.”
An Unknown Man was sitting next to me.
“W-who are you?”
“How old are you? Did you come looking for a guy? How about we get a room together tonight?”
The man stated his sinister intentions bluntly while reaching out to touch my hair.
Smack!
I swatted his hand away with a look of disgust.
“I’m not interested. Please leave.”
“Heh, playing hard to get is cute too. That’s what makes a woman interesting. You’re beautiful. I like you.”
“I said go.”
“Come on, just play with me for a bit?”
His hand wrapped around my waist.
Goosebumps erupted across my entire body.
It felt like a snake slithering into my space.
Christine, unable to contain herself, shot to her feet and spoke with unmistakable firmness.
“Move aside.”
“Where are you going? Oh, you want to go out with me? Looks like you’re quite the fiery one? Changed your mind already?”
The man spoke with brazen confidence, seizing Christine’s wrist and dragging her toward the exit.
“L-let go of me!”
“Why are you like this? You said you’d come with me.”
“I never said that! I hate this!”
“Even if you hate it now, once we get close, you’ll come to like it. Hehehehe.”
The man chuckled wickedly, yanking Christine forward with brutal strength.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t match his raw power.
“Hey! Someone help me!”
Christine screamed out to the people around her.
“This man is forcing me away!”
For a moment, the startled man hesitated.
But Christine’s desperate cries fell on deaf ears.
The music drowned out everything else in noise.
The man, momentarily flustered, soon smirked and resumed pulling her along.
“Come on, beautiful. Let’s go.”
“Let me g—huh?”
As she wrenched her arm with all her might, it suddenly slipped free.
Confused, she looked back to see someone from behind choking the man by the throat.
“Gack, gaaack!”
The man thrashed for a moment, gasping for air, then crumpled limply to the floor.
“Oh.”
Christine stared at the person who had just saved her from danger.
But the moment he incapacitated the man, her savior turned away as though his business was finished.
“W-wait!”
She tried to call out, wanting at least to thank him, but her lifesaver vanished faster than she could speak.
“I didn’t even get to say thank you…”
The darkness made it impossible to see his face clearly, but one thing was certain.
Her rescuer had been an Asian Man.

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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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