The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 56

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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 56
56. The Interview
The conditions for obtaining the Doppelgänger Rune were straightforward.
Commit murder at a Hidden Location while impersonating someone else.
Of course, it was far easier said than done.
‘How often does someone actually commit murder while impersonating another person?’
But today, that very thing would come to pass.
That bastard impersonating Black Scythe would commit murder and obtain the Doppelgänger Rune.
‘Though the perpetrator himself remains oblivious, naturally.’
Ryu Min read the imposter’s thoughts.
-Hehehehe, they actually believe I’m Black Scythe? Idiots. This is almost too easy to pull off.
Outwardly maintaining an expressionless facade while inwardly reveling in mockery.
‘Not a flicker of emotion in that face? He could make a decent actor.’
The imposter currently masquerading as Black Scythe had the real nickname [Kukuru Ppingppong].
He would accidentally obtain the Doppelgänger Rune and eventually earn the alias Doppelgänger.
‘Right now he’s nobody special, but after obtaining the Doppelgänger Rune, he’ll become infamous.’
And not in a good way.
Because he would abuse the Doppelgänger Rune for all manner of crimes.
‘Fitting enough. He’s garbage with a history of fraud to begin with.’
Loan fraud, pyramid schemes, dine-and-dash scams, spam coins, impersonating hacked exchanges, voice phishing—the list went on.
He was an experienced and professional con artist who had tried nearly every scam that turned a profit.
‘And now that scoundrel has become a Player and is impersonating Black Scythe…’
The bitter reality that even criminals could wield the power of the Other World gnawed at him, but only briefly.
As Ryu Min observed the imposter before him according to plan, he allowed himself an inward smile of satisfaction.
‘I’ll use him to claim the Doppelgänger Rune.’
This was his chance to obtain Hidden Piece.
“Well then, since everyone’s introduced themselves, let’s verify some personal information. Shall we start with you, Kkokkomaggokmark?”
“Huh? Yes, yes.”
Ryu Min’s expression tightened like that of a recruit fresh from enlistment.
“Your legal name is Kim Seung-hyun, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Your age?”
“Nineteen.”
“And your current occupation?”
“None, I just graduated from High School…”
“Nineteen, unemployed…”
The Interview Officer murmured to himself as he jotted down the information on his form.
“On your registration questionnaire, you listed yourself as a Level 13 Assassin. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And you’ve also reached Rank 4 in your district rankings?”
“Yes, yes.”
Even as I answered affirmatively, I couldn’t suppress an inward smirk.
‘In truth, it’s all lies.’
There was only one thing I hadn’t lied about.
The nickname itself.
‘Kkokkomaggokmark is a real nickname that actually exists.’
In other words, I was also impersonating another player.
‘That’s the only way I’ll meet the conditions to obtain the Clone’s Rune.’
The Interview Officer would be astounded if he knew.
There were two imposters right before his eyes.
‘No matter what lies I tell, they have no way to verify them.’
That said, it wasn’t entirely without discomfort.
My identity remained hidden, but my face was exposed.
‘Well, it’s fine. There’s no risk of my face being leaked through these people.’
I turned my gaze toward the Black Flame Dragon and the imposter.
-Ranking 4th in the district? The little anchovy is doing better than expected?
-Hmm. I’ve never managed 4th myself… We shouldn’t underestimate him if he looks like cheap food.
As I read their thoughts, the Interview Officer shifted his attention.
“Understood. Next, I’ll ask a question for Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand.”
“Before that, may I ask something?”
“Yes. Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand, what would you like to know?”
“Why don’t you have one-on-one conversations? Why do you expose everyone’s personal information in front of others? Is there a reason?”
At the somewhat disgruntled tone, the Interview Officer’s expression grew slightly stern.
“Well, the idea was to conduct this openly so you all learn about each other and become closer… Does it bother you to have your personal information heard by others?”
“Is there anyone who wouldn’t be bothered?”
“Eventually, once you all become members and grow closer, you’ll know everything anyway, right? Besides, it’s not grand information—just name, age, occupation, level in the Other World, and class.”
“…”
Though he attempted to convince, the Black Flame Dragon’s dissatisfaction didn’t fade.
The Interview Officer let out an audible sigh.
“Phew, if you’re truly displeased, we can skip Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand’s interview…”
“No, it’s not quite that bad. Let’s just proceed.”
Though the Black Flame Dragon answered half-heartedly, I knew the truth.
He was quite flustered inside.
‘Of course he is. He applied with the intention of devouring players, so he’d naturally want to pass the interview by any means.’
For the Black Flame Dragon, who possessed the Absorption Rune, the Player Union Cafe was no different from an all-you-can-eat buffet.
“Then I’ll ask: your real name is Shim Hyung-taek, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And your age and occupation?”
“I’m 15 years old and a middle school student.”
“Oh, you’re the youngest among the applicants.”
On the surface, he wore a smile of praise, but his true feelings were quite different.
-This pig bastard. I thought he’d be an adult, but he’s a middle schooler?
-Kekeke, X got censored.
Even the imposter who had maintained a poker face was barely suppressing his laughter.
But I couldn’t laugh.
I knew what the Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand had done.
‘If they knew he had brutally murdered a classmate, could they mock him so openly? Of course, they weren’t really friends—just people he used to tease and bully.’
I could understand because I had experienced something similar.
He must have wanted to kill them.
Having experienced countless murders in the fourth round, he would have been confident.
‘But to brutally murder ordinary people just because they bullied him? That’s something an average middle schooler couldn’t do.’
What even most adults would struggle to do, the Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand had planned and executed methodically.
‘He’s definitely not ordinary. No matter how much the Absorption Rune helps.’
That’s why I had checked him five times in the fourth round.
Because his very existence was dangerous.
“Is it true you’re a level 10 Warrior and ranked 3rd in your district?”
“That’s correct. Did you think I was lying?”
When the Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand spoke irritably, the Interview Officer seemed slightly flustered.
“Ahem, I was just confirming. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
“….”
“Next, your name is….”
“Kim In-hong. Age 28. My profession is fund manager. I’ve never lost first place in my district, and my level is 30. You’re well aware I’m a Reaper class, right?”
“Ah, yes! Of course.”
“Is that enough? Anything else you need me to prove?”
“Nothing! Thank you for confirming.”
Black Scythe, who had spoken indifferently, crossed his arms again.
True to form for a con artist, his words flowed like silk.
‘That bastard opens his mouth and it’s nothing but lies.’
The name Kim In-hong he mentioned wasn’t even his real name.
Let alone Black Scythe’s actual information.
‘Making a living by bleeding others dry, and he calls himself a fund manager.’
The reason he was impersonating Black Scythe was entirely about money.
‘He plans to use the Black Scythe’s reputation to borrow money from players. That’s why he’s trying to join the cafe.’
Even if the economy collapses and a dystopian era arrives, money doesn’t disappear.
Its value merely diminishes.
“That concludes the basic information verification. Now we’ll proceed with the formal interview.”
The three of them focused on the Interview Officer’s words.
“First, I have a common question for all of you. Please tell me, one by one, why you wish to join our Player Cafe. Let’s start with Kkokkomaggokmark.”
“Ah, I….”
Naturally, having repeated the rounds, I already knew the answer they wanted.
The purpose behind the Player Cafe and what kind of players it sought to recruit.
“The world’s become dangerous these days, hasn’t it? It’s scary to live alone, and I thought it would be good if players like us could unite, so I applied for membership.”
“I see. Next, Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand?”
“Hmm….”
Shim Hyung-taek fell into brief contemplation.
He couldn’t exactly tell the truth—that he’d come here to kill players.
“I have… similar reasons to Kkokkomaggokmark. I can’t leave High School anymore, and I’m worried about the next round, so I thought it would be good if we could share our thoughts and support each other….”
‘He’s just riding on my coattails, as expected.’
Whenever I gave the model answer, Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand would follow suit.
It was something he’d been doing repeatedly since previous rounds.
‘Players can only set the world right when they unite. That’s this cafe’s slogan and motto.’
If you spoke about player cooperation as the topic, you could consider the first interview as good as passed.
Of course, there were exceptions.
“And you, Black Scythe?”
“I just saw the cafe existed and decided to apply. Thought it might be fun.”
“…Ha ha, is that so?”
With someone like Black Scythe, any answer would be a free pass.
How could they possibly reject someone of Black Scythe’s caliber for joining?
‘This is just a formality anyway.’
The desire to declare immediate acceptance was written plainly across their face without needing to read minds.
“Excellent. All three of you have given quite satisfactory answers from the cafe’s perspective. Now I have one more question. Kkokkomaggokmark?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever been bullied while attending High School? Or is there someone you’d like to kill?”
“Pardon?”
Though I’d anticipated the question, I feigned surprise.
“What do you mean….”
“It’s a necessary question for the interview, so please just answer.”
“Well, I was bullied…but not to the point of wanting to kill anyone….”
“Hmm, is that so? Do you have any personal grudges against anyone? Tell me now while you’re at it.”
“No, I don’t.”
As Ryu Min waved his hand dismissively, the Interview Officer’s expression seemed disappointed.
“I understand. Then I’ll ask Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand the same question. Were you ever mocked while attending High School? Did anyone bully you? Or is there someone you’d like to kill?”
“….”
Looking at Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand, he seemed to be deliberating on what answer would get him through the interview.
-What kind of stupid question is this? What do they want? Damn it. Should I just honestly say I killed them all?
Watching Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand struggle, I laughed inwardly.
‘Go ahead and be honest. If you say you’ve committed murder, you’ll probably get a free pass.’
But he wasn’t crazy enough to confess crimes to a stranger, so Black Flame Dragon in Right Hand shook his head.
“Bullying? I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
“Ah… you haven’t?”
The Interview Officer sighed again, looking disappointed.
“What about Black Scythe?”
“Why? Are you asking because you want me to kill someone for you? What’s the point of such a pointless question?”
When Black Scythe pushed back, the Interview Officer’s eyes widened.
He appeared startled by the defiance, but that wasn’t actually the case.
“Oh, how did you know? That’s right. I was asking because I wanted to kill someone for you. To be precise, I was suggesting we kill together.”
“What?”
People stared at him with expressions of sudden confusion.
It was understandable—he was casually discussing murder.
“Why are you all so surprised? You all experienced murder in the 4th Round, didn’t you?”
“….”
“Well, I understand. Murder in the Other World and murder in reality must feel different.”
“….”
“Now that I’m revealing it, the final hurdle of this interview is committing murder. You must kill to pass the final interview. That’s why I asked you all if there was someone you wanted to kill.”
“M-murder…?”
Ryu Min opened his mouth in shock, his expression a masterful display of surprise.
“Why would you do such a thing…?”
“Hmm? It seems Kkokkomaggokmark doesn’t understand.”
‘Am I the only one? The others look confused too. Give us an explanation.’
As if answering Ryu Min’s thoughts, the Interview Officer nodded.
“Very well. I should help you understand why. Those who’ve seen the news know that the Government is already showing signs of regulating and rejecting Players. They fear our power, which transcends humanity.”
It wasn’t wrong.
The Government is preparing various bills in response to Players whose overwhelming power cannot be countered by force.
‘But from the start, laws can never constrain Players who ignore them in the first place.’
Moreover, such policies only breed resentment among Players.
Couldn’t you see it just by looking at the Interview Officer before me?
“We are different from ordinary people. We are no longer weak and inferior beings. I say with certainty—the future belongs to a world led by Players. If we unite our strength, that transition will accelerate even faster. That is the very purpose of this Cafe!”
The Interview Officer spoke with such fervor that he resembled a fanatic trapped in a cult….
‘But I can’t refute it because it’s actually happening.’
Having experienced a world led by Players, I couldn’t simply laugh it off.
“Therefore, we have no need to remain within the bounds of law. We must resist and confront the Government’s regulations. We must show that only Players are the law.”
“So murder is…?”
“Exactly. Murder is a form of resistance to demonstrate the will of us Players to the Government. It shows that laws cannot bind us.”
“….”
“Do you understand now, Kkokkomaggokmark?”
“Ah, yes….”
“Our Player Cafe is only passing those with the resolve to oppose the Government and lead the future world through the interview. If any of you are unwilling, you may stand and leave now. However, those who leave now should not expect our Cafe’s assistance in the future.”
Euphemistically stated as assistance, but in reality, it meant being blacklisted.
In a sense, it was nothing short of coercion.
Did he notice that fact?
No one rose from their seat.
“Hehe, it seems you’re all sufficiently prepared. Excellent. Then I’ll proceed with the understanding that you’ve consented to the final interview.”
“Proceed with what—murder?”
At Black Flame Dragon’s retort, the Interview Officer replied with perfect composure.
“Precisely.”
“But there’s no one worth killing here. How do you expect us to proceed?”
“You needn’t concern yourself with that.”
The Interview Officer’s smile turned suddenly glacial.
“I’ve already identified suitable candidates for precisely this contingency.”

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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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