The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 58

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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 58
58. The Doppelgänger’s Rune
When confronted with an unbelievable reality, humans freeze—their bodies rigid with shock.
Words fail to form as intended, and their pupils dart frantically in every direction.
That was exactly what was happening now.
“W-w-what…”
The Interview Officer’s eyes trembled as he alternated his gaze between Black Scythe’s corpse and Kkokkomaggokmark.
“What have you done?! You killed Black Scythe!”
He never imagined that the renowned Black Scythe could die so easily, nor did he expect Kkokkomaggokmark to suddenly accelerate like this.
“Have you lost your mind?!”
“Ah, quit your damn whining.”
A low voice and piercing gaze turned toward the Interview Officer.
The Interview Officer swallowed involuntarily as the atmosphere shifted violently.
‘What… what is that look?’
It was the gaze of a predator—one that crushed the spirit of anyone who met it.
Gone was any trace of the shy young man in his twenties that Kkokkomaggokmark had been.
As the bewildered Interview Officer fell silent, Ryu Min’s gaze shifted toward empty space.
[You have committed murder while impersonating another player.]
[The activation condition has been satisfied.]
[You have discovered the hidden rune ‘The Doppelgänger’s Rune’ concealed in this location!]
[The acquired rune is automatically inscribed upon the player’s body!]
Upon receiving the message about obtaining the Doppelgänger’s Rune, I couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
‘Excellent. All that acting was worth it.’
The condition had been fulfilled by impersonating Kkokkomaggokmark.
Now Kukuru Ppingppong, the doppelgänger infamous for his notoriety, no longer existed.
I had killed him just moments ago.
Since he would become a villain in the future, I felt no sympathy whatsoever.
“K-Kkokkomaggokmark! Say something! Why did you kill Black Scythe?!”
“Why? Because that bastard impersonated me.”
“Impersonation? What do you mean…”
Instead of answering, Ryu Min retrieved a prepared mask and put it on.
It would be problematic if the unconscious woman woke up and witnessed this scene.
Just to be safe, I also placed a black bag over the woman’s head.
The Interview Officer continued to shout with a wary expression.
“You should have killed the woman, not Black Scythe! That’s what I’m saying!”
“Why? Because he’s trash. And you’re trash too.”
“What did you say?!”
The Interview Officer’s brow furrowed before his eyes suddenly blazed with killing intent.
He wasn’t the type to remain silent after being called trash.
Shhiiing—
A long curved blade had found its way into the Interview Officer’s hand.
“Say that again. What did you just say….”
His voice suddenly dropped as if he’d muted himself.
His eyes widened in the bargain.
“I said garbage. Why? Did I get it wrong?”
The reason being that Ryu Min now wielded an enormous scythe.
‘What, what is that scythe? Is that Kkokkomaggokmark’s main weapon?’
The Interview Officer suddenly felt self-conscious about his own hands.
The curved blade he held looked pathetically inadequate.
‘I’ve never heard of or seen a player who carries around such a massive scythe….’
Actually, now that he thought about it, he had heard of one.
A player who wielded a large scythe as their main weapon.
In that instant, like puzzle pieces clicking into place, Kkokkomaggokmark’s words came flooding back.
-Because that bastard’s an imposter of me.
‘An imposter? Wait, could it be….’
The Interview Officer’s gaze darted between the lifeless Black Scythe and Kkokkomaggokmark.
“Do you understand the situation now? Who is Black Scythe?”
“You… you were Black Scythe all along?”
“My apologies for the deception.”
Despite the words of apology, a cynical smile played across his face.
Wielding the massive scythe, he emanated an entirely different presence than before.
‘That’s right. This person isn’t the Kkokkomaggokmark I’ve seen until now. He really is Black Scythe.’
He could sense it instinctively.
The young man before him was undoubtedly Black Scythe.
And he would not survive this encounter.
Thud—!
The Interview Officer dropped to both knees without hesitation.
If the opponent truly was Black Scythe, resistance was futile.
“B-Black Scythe! I apologize for not recognizing you. Your acting was simply too convincing….”
“Why are you suddenly kneeling?”
“Huh? Well, because I respect Black Scythe….”
“You didn’t kneel once to the imposter who pretended to be me, yet now you do?”
A soft chuckle escaped Ryu Min’s lips.
“Stop with the pathetic theatrics. Just beg honestly. Beg for your life.”
“P-please spare me.”
“I’d rather not.”
The Interview Officer’s pupils trembled, not expecting such an instant refusal.
It would be his last action in life.
Thunk— thunk—
The Interview Officer’s head, severed like a grape from a bunch, bounced against the floor.
The severed head rolled to a stop at Black Flame Dragon’s feet.
‘Ugh!’
The moment their eyes met, Black Flame Dragon felt his blood run cold.
The expression of someone who hadn’t even comprehended their own death.
That, paradoxically, was what terrified him most.
He himself hadn’t comprehended it either.
‘T-this is really Black Scythe. The difference in caliber is… incomparable.’
He hadn’t even seen when the blade was swung.
In the blink of an eye, he’d only witnessed the Interview Officer’s head separate from his body.
That’s why Black Flame Dragon was trembling uncontrollably.
Facing an entity beyond all reach—the terror it inspired was beyond words.
“So it’s just you and me now?”
“….”
“Can you guess what I’m about to do?”
“….”
“If you have any last words, speak them.”
Ryu Min offered the opportunity, and Black Flame Dragon, overcoming his terror, finally managed to open his mouth.
“I-I won’t waste breath with the cliché plea for mercy.”
“Oh? Then?”
“T-there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you if we ever met.”
“You’re curious why I killed you five times in the 4th Round?”
As Ryu Min read his innermost thoughts with precision, Black Flame Dragon’s pupils dilated to their limit.
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“The reason is simple. I was eliminating threats.”
“Threats? But why me….”
“Among everyone present, you seemed to have the most potential. I needed to eliminate the competition.”
“Ah….”
In that instant, it felt like a three-day constipation had finally been relieved.
The mystery had been solved.
“Anything else?”
“….”
“No regrets now, even in death?”
“….”
Black Flame Dragon honestly wanted to beg for his life.
But having just witnessed the Interview Officer perish the moment he pleaded, something told him that wouldn’t end well.
“M-may I ask just one more thing?”
“What is it.”
“W-what is your reason for killing me….”
The answer came swiftly.
“You’re garbage.”
“M-me? What did I even do…?”
“Didn’t you follow me here to kill that woman?”
“B-but I haven’t actually done anything yet….”
“Haven’t done anything? You’ve been standing by and watching the whole time.”
Complicity is a crime too.
That’s what Ryu Min was saying.
“Now do you understand why you deserve to die?”
“….”
He didn’t answer, but his expression still showed he wasn’t convinced.
Ryu Min let out a long sigh.
“Fine, alright. Unlike those other pieces of trash, your only crime is standing by. I’ll give you a chance. A chance to live.”
“R-really?”
“But.”
Ryu Min tapped the ground with his scythe, tap-tap.
“Hand over everything you’ve got.”
“….”
It was the kind of thing a third-rate mugger would say, but Black Flame Dragon obediently pulled items from his inventory without complaint.
Of course, one’s life was always worth more than mere items.
‘Hoh.’
Ryu Min’s eyes gleamed as Black Flame Dragon laid out item after item.
‘He’s got some pretty decent stuff.’
Orange mana stones, yellow mana stones, equipment that could be resold at shops—and more.
He didn’t have anything as rare as black adamantite, but the items were better than expected.
Black Flame Dragon, noticing Ryu Min’s gaze, spoke carefully.
“I-I’ve handed over all my equipment and even my axe. This is truly everything I have. There’s nothing more.”
“Who said anything? You’re making me think weird things.”
It seemed Black Flame Dragon thought Ryu Min’s expressionless face meant dissatisfaction.
In reality, I was 99% satisfied.
‘If I sell all the items this guy bought from shops, I’ll get at least 2,000 gold.’
Ryu Min picked out just the mana stones and a few pieces of equipment, stashing them in his inventory.
“Y-you’re not taking the rest?”
“Don’t need it. You use it.”
The axe and some other equipment weren’t purchased from shops, so they couldn’t be resold.
While Black Flame Dragon gathered up the equipment scattered on the ground, Ryu Min looked at the other corpses.
The Interview Officer and the Imposter.
‘Those two wouldn’t have had anything worth taking anyway.’
I already knew from repeated cycles that they didn’t carry good items.
That’s why I killed them without mercy, unlike Black Flame Dragon.
‘Of course, I could have squeezed out a few pennies. But if I’d extorted items from them before killing them, Black Flame Dragon wouldn’t have handed over his things so willingly.’
If you’re going to die either way, who would willingly give up their items?
The inventory opened because there existed hope—a glimmer of possibility that I might survive.
“S-so you’re saying you’ll spare me now, as promised….”
Black Flame Dragon gazed at me with eyes that mingled anticipation and anxiety.
Ryu Min scratched his chin as if deliberating, then nodded with an air of benevolence.
“Yes. I’ll spare you. A promise is a promise, after all.”
“Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”
Black Flame Dragon, apparently shocked that I would actually keep my word, bent forward repeatedly as if preparing to kowtow a hundred and eight times.
“Stop. You’re making this awkward.”
“Ah, yes. My apologies.”
“Live decently from now on. Deal with the corpse yourself or leave it—I don’t care.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll take the woman with me.”
Ryu Min limped away, supporting the unconscious woman.
“P-please, let me help you.”
Black Flame Dragon approached to assist, but was rejected with a dismissive sound.
“Forget it. How could I trust someone like you? Get lost.”
“Yes, yes.”
Watching Black Scythe’s retreating figure as he supported the woman, Shim Hyung-taek felt relief wash over him.
‘Phew, I’m alive. I was certain I’d die, but he actually spared me.’
When he first demanded I surrender all my items, I thought: what kind of reckless bandit is this….
‘But he actually had a conscience?’
I expected him to take all my equipment, but he didn’t.
He only took some mysterious stone and a few pieces of gear I’d bought from a shop.
‘Thank goodness it ended here. Losing a few items and keeping my life—that’s a steal.’
When I severed the lives of those two people earlier, I felt no hesitation whatsoever.
The terror that consumed me prevented me from even thinking of escape.
‘Yet he spared me so readily.’
It seemed he let me go because, as a mere bystander, my guilt was lighter.
‘If I’d stepped forward to assault that woman, I’d have had my neck twisted like that Imposter who died before me.’
Grateful for his mercy, Shim Hyung-taek exhaled in relief once more.
But then….
‘What is this hollow feeling?’
The emptiness gave way to creeping irritation.
Even a trace of anger surfaced.
‘Did I do something so wrong? I’m having my items extorted just for standing by?’
It felt unjust.
This reality where one could only bow to those with power.
And above all else.
Limp, limp—
Black Scythe’s limping silhouette kept catching my eye as he walked away.
Completely defenseless.
‘Even Black Scythe would die if I split his skull open with an axe from behind, right?’
I already had an axe in my hands.
Right now, there was a chance.
‘What should I do?’
Shim Hyung-taek stood at a crossroads of choice.
Should I risk it and ambush the defenseless Black Scythe, or should I safely turn back?
The deliberation didn’t last long.
‘If I kill a high-level player like Black Scythe… how many stats would I gain?’
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lay before my eyes.
A chance that would never come again was about to slip away.
‘If I don’t seize this chance, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.’
A gleaming hunger ignited in Shim Hyung-taek’s gaze.
My grip on the axe tightened.
Creep, creep—
I crept as cautiously as possible toward Black Scythe’s back.
I hadn’t gone far yet.
My movements were sluggish because of the woman I was supporting beside me.
‘Don’t notice. Please don’t notice.’
If I closed the distance just a bit more, I could kill him.
Ten more steps and I’d have the perfect angle to shatter his skull in one blow.
Even after approaching carefully to within five steps, Black Scythe didn’t turn around.
He seemed completely unaware of my presence behind him.
‘Now! This is it!’
I raised the axe high.
The distance was perfect.
This was the ideal moment to crush his skull.
‘Die, you bastard!’
I spat out a silent curse and brought the axe down with all my strength.
Crack!
A familiar sensation transmitted through the handle.
It matched the feeling of a skull splitting open.
It wasn’t just a feeling—it was real.
Thud—
Black Scythe, his skull cleaved in two, collapsed limply alongside the woman.
“Ha, haha… Did I… Did I really kill Black Scythe? This easily?”
A sense of anticlimax washed over me.
At the same time, an obvious realization struck me.
No matter how level 30 you are, if your skull gets crushed, that’s the end.
“Ha, haha… Hahaha! Hahahaha! Kekekekekeke!”
A thrilling rush of pleasure caused Shim Hyung-taek to burst into raucous laughter.
“Is this real? Black Scythe died to me, a mere level 10? To me? Kuhehehehe, krkrkrkr!!”
I had killed Black Scythe.
Unbelievable, yet it was reality.
“Damn it, you idiot! Why’d you turn your back on a bastard like me? I’ve never seen such a fool. Kuhehehehehehe!”
I ridiculed and mocked the corpse with its split skull to my heart’s content.
Since this was the man who had killed me five times over, I felt no shred of sympathy.
“Krhehehehe, you fool! What good is a high level when you’re this stupid? Thanks to you, I’ll happily absorb your stats. Krhehe.”
My stack had already risen considerably from killing similar-leveled opponents, but how much would it climb from slaying Black Scythe?
Anticipation swelled across Shim Hyung-taek’s face.
“Hm? But why isn’t the stack increase message appearing?”
A message should appear immediately upon crushing the skull.
Yet strangely, no message materialized before Shim Hyung-taek’s eyes.
“What’s going on?”
“What’s going on, indeed.”
Startled by the sudden voice, Shim Hyung-taek whipped his head around.
His eyes and mouth opened wide simultaneously.
“Why are you so shocked? Did you see a ghost?”
Shim Hyung-taek could only stammer, unable to form coherent words.
Because the Black Scythe he had killed was standing right before him, perfectly intact.

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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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