The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 76

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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 76
76. Are There Any Further Questions?
‘Is he joking? That young man is a major shareholder?’
‘If he owns 31% of the stock, that means he invested hundreds of billions of won… does that even make sense?’
The shareholders’ reactions to Ryu Min were largely uniform.
They either regarded him with suspicious eyes or crossed their arms in refusal to accept it.
It was only natural for them to feel uneasy—after all, this young man had suddenly emerged as the chief executive officer, only to announce a complete change in business operations.
“First, I’ll explain the new business direction. The industry we’re transitioning into is…”
Ryu Min outlined the business venture exactly as he had discussed with Ma Gyeong-rok.
The shareholders’ eyes widened as they listened to the explanation.
‘He wants to create a social open market for Players?’
‘That only benefits the Players, doesn’t it?’
‘The company name is Player Place?’
‘What kind of cafe name is that?’
Complaints erupted, though none were voiced aloud.
With so many eyes watching, they exercised restraint.
Reading the shareholders’ thoughts, I couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
‘Of course they’re dissatisfied. These shareholders aren’t Players—they’re ordinary people.’
The assembled shareholders ranged in age from their thirties to their sixties.
All were ordinary citizens, and it couldn’t be otherwise—young Players no longer invested in stocks.
‘Why would they commit to long-term stock investments when they might die in the very next Round?’
If they needed money, they either found ways to exploit their abilities or gambled.
Some Players were tempted by the allure of crime.
‘A few robberies and they could easily get whatever they wanted.’
When your life itself hung in the balance, what was there to fear?
If given the choice, they’d sooner go to prison than face the next Round.
‘That’s the problem. In the eyes of ordinary people, Players are nothing but sources of social discord.’
Essentially, they were viewed as potential criminals.
So it was only natural that they disapproved of creating an intermediary platform for Players.
“Well then, I’ll conclude the explanation here and take questions. If anyone has concerns, please raise your hand…”
Before I could even finish speaking, hands shot up from all corners of the room.
Their eagerness to question me forced a bitter smile.
‘They’re certainly displeased.’
Wiping away the smile, I addressed the questions one by one.
“Why would you change a perfectly sound business operation? Where did this idea even come from?”
“It came from my own judgment.”
“What’s your intention behind this change? Are you trying to run the company into the ground?”
“What manager would want their company to fail? This change is made precisely because I believe it will lead to greater growth.”
“What evidence do you have that changing the business will succeed? Aren’t you just doing the Players a favor at the company’s expense?”
“It’s not merely a favor to the Players. If the company grows, wouldn’t all of you shareholders benefit as well? You’ll receive substantially higher dividends.”
“Why would you recklessly challenge this and risk the Company’s collapse? Wouldn’t consulting be sufficient?”
“I apologize, but I cannot be satisfied with consulting alone. It’s a dead end. The future belongs to Players. That’s why we’re changing our business sector. We must ride the current.”
Despite the barrage of questions raining down like artillery fire, Ryu Min remained unflappable, answering with composure.
As he answered every question without hesitation, the number of inquiries gradually dwindled.
“Are there any further questions?”
“….”
“….”
The once-clamorous hall fell silent.
‘What else could they ask?’
‘It seems like they’ve exhausted all possible questions….’
‘I thought his youth made him easy prey, but his answers are flawless.’
‘Does he truly have the confidence to grow this Company? His voice carries such certainty.’
The shareholders were inwardly astonished, but none more so than Ma Gyeong-rok, watching from the sidelines.
‘What’s this? Is this really the oracle I know? The atmosphere feels subtly different….’
I had taken him for a wet-behind-the-ears boy, yet he displayed unexpected boldness.
‘Though I suppose I caught a glimpse of it when he lectured me about not underestimating him.’
Still, today was quite surprising.
To endure such relentless pressure and respond to each objection methodically.
‘It’s hard to believe he’s barely twenty.’
Ma Gyeong-rok found himself recalling his own twentieth year.
Compared to Ryu Min, he had been remarkably immature back then.
‘If I could have responded with such composure at twenty… I would have earned Father’s recognition and inherited the successor’s position long ago.’
A sudden melancholy washed over him, but this was the Shareholder Meeting Hall.
Ma Gyeong-rok quickly regained his composure.
“Shareholders, if there are no further objections, we shall proceed to the vote immediately.”
For a special resolution to pass, shareholders holding 67% of the stock must vote in favor.
Since Ryu Min held 31% and Ma Gyeong-rok held 40%, their approval alone was sufficient to pass the agenda.
In truth, there was no real need to consult the other shareholders.
Yet the shareholder meeting was held and deliberated with them for the greater good.
‘If I changed the business sector and company name like a dictator, the other shareholders wouldn’t sit idle.’
Retaining the shareholders was also part of management strategy.
“Then, is there anyone opposed to the business sector change and company name change?”
“….”
“….”
Ma Gyeong-rok smiled and announced the result.
“With no opposing votes, I declare the agenda passed with 100% approval.”
Bang, bang, bang—
Ma Gyeong-rok tapped the gavel to conclude the matter.
Though they had voted in favor, the shareholders could not hide their lukewarm expressions.
They simply lacked the courage to raise their hands against the atmosphere, though in their hearts they wished to object.
But Ryu Min knew better.
‘In a few months, these people will thank me for not selling my shares. We’re about to strike it big.’
Everyone would soon be shouting with joy as the Company soared to unprecedented heights.
“Well then, let us conclude this interim shareholder meeting. Thank you all for attending.”
With Ma Gyeong-rok’s closing remarks, the shareholders began filing out one by one.
In that moment, Ma Gyeong-rok approached Ryu Min and spoke.
“Major shareholder. You did well. You didn’t even seem nervous, and your presentation was excellent.”
“Ha… All those practice runs at home for various scenarios finally paid off.”
In truth, I’d never practiced at all, but my remarks just now seemed to have eased Ma Gyeong-rok’s suspicions somewhat.
“Is that so? You certainly handled it well.”
“Either way, it seems everything worked out.”
“Yes. Now all that remains is to build the website and establish the system as quickly as possible.”
“I can leave that entirely to you, Director Ma, correct?”
“Of course. Major shareholder, please don’t worry and focus on surviving the next round.”
He seemed concerned because the Prophet class appeared weak.
‘He’s probably worried that if I die, he won’t receive any more prophecies.’
Well, Ma Gyeong-rok had nothing to worry about.
“You must be hungry. Shall we grab lunch together at the Hotel?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Ryu Min smiled and followed Ma Gyeong-rok.
Today’s tasks were complete.
‘Now there’s only one thing left to do: make use of Hwang Yong-min.’
As I contemplated how to utilize him, a dark smile crossed my face.
* * *
Player Cafe’s regular Sunday meeting.
-Hello everyone!
Yamtti appeared on the video chat screen with an energetic voice.
-…Hello, Yamtti.
But unlike Yamtti, the expressions of the others visible on screen were far from cheerful.
-Huh? Why is the mood so heavy? Did something happen?
-You haven’t heard the news, it seems, Yamtti.
-What news? Popo Ring?
-Two of our executives have been completely unreachable.
-What? Who are they?
-My Age is Thirty and Honey Made Jam. Since they haven’t contacted us since Round 5, it looks like they didn’t survive.
-Ah…
‘So that’s why the atmosphere feels so heavy. People died.’
I understood, but on the other hand, I found it strange.
They only knew each other through video chat, yet they were grieving so deeply?
‘Ah, they’re acting. Trying to look good in front of the Chairman.’
The Chairman who founded the cafe was undoubtedly the most powerful figure of all.
In professional life, it was only natural to appease one’s superior.
And that Chairman had consistently shown genuine sorrow whenever a player fell.
‘Then I can’t afford to lose either.’
Yamtti activated Woman’s Tears.
-H-how could this happen…. My Age is Thirty and Honey Made Jam…. Sob….
-P-please don’t cry, Yamtti….
-If you cry, Yamtti, I feel like I’ll tear up too….
The executives in the chat room synchronized with Yamtti’s tears.
‘Cunning bastards. Look at them clinging to this moment. Well, humans are naturally deceitful anyway.’
Yamtti couldn’t openly mock them because she understood that too.
That was when it happened.
-What’s the matter?
The Chairman logged in.
He adjusted his glasses and gazed at everyone with a startled expression.
-Why does everyone look so sad?
-Well, Chairman….
Lost Yak seized the moment and quickly made his report.
A hint of regret at being a step too late flickered across people’s faces.
-Sigh, how could such a thing happen….
As expected, the Chairman covered his face and showed a gloomy reaction.
He was always like that whenever a player died.
-Still, I’m grateful the others survived.
-Chairman, how did Round 5 go for you?
-If it went fine, then I’d be here, wouldn’t I?
He smiled at Simple Mukbang’s question, but thorns were evident in the Chairman’s words.
The problem was that the person who asked didn’t notice it.
-Hmm… Anyway, incidents keep happening like this. We’re down to six executives now….
-Chairman. Couldn’t we just recruit more executives this time around?
-I’d like to, but there aren’t any suitable candidates. The applicants from last time aren’t even answering calls.
He was referring to Black Scythe and two other executive candidates.
-Lost Yak. Are those interviewees still unreachable?
-Yes. I’ve called them several times so far, but they haven’t answered.
-I suspect they died during Round 5….
-I can’t speak for the other two, but Black Scythe is alive. Didn’t you see the Round 5 results? He passed in first place again.
-Then why is Black Scythe going silent after even submitting a membership application?
-I have no idea either.
-Could it be that he was trying to mock us….
-Or maybe it wasn’t actually Black Scythe to begin with? The reason we haven’t heard from him is because he died in Round 5.
-Hmm, that does sound plausible, Popo Ring.
-The Imposter, huh… That actually makes sense.
-I mean, there’s no way a big shot like Black Scythe would try to join ‘a cafe like this’….
Simple Mukbang seemed to realize the slip-up and closed her mouth.
But the Chairman’s expression had already turned cold.
-Simple Mukbang? Did you just say ‘a cafe like this’? What’s wrong with our cafe?
-….
-Our cafe, which serves as a bridgehead for a new era by bringing players together in collusion—what’s the problem with it?
-I, I’m sorry. Chairman… That’s not what I meant….
-Effective immediately, Simple Mukbang will be removed from the executive position. No, permanently expelled from the cafe.
-What?!
-When we can barely afford to unite our strength, I cannot trust and accept a member who disparages the cafe. From now on, Simple Mukbang will be added to the blacklist, so please adapt accordingly when the new era arrives.
-Ch, Chairman! Chairman…!
[Simple Mukbang has been forcibly removed from the chat room.]
One executive was gone, leaving five behind.
-Well, now that we’ve eliminated the reactionary, shall we continue with the meeting?
-A… Yes.
Tension settled across the faces of the remaining executives.
They were once again reminded that in this place, the Chairman’s word was law.
Then Lost Yak let out a sound of realization before his expression became visibly flustered.
-What’s wrong?
-Ah, well… A player just submitted an application to join….
-And?
-Th, their nickname is Black Scythe….
-…!
Everyone, including the Chairman, opened their eyes wide in shock.
-Black Scythe applied again?
-Th, the name is different from that Black Scythe back then.
-What’s the name?
-The previous Black Scythe’s real name was Kim In-hong, but this applicant is Hwang Yong-min.
-Hwang Yong-min, huh….
After a moment of deliberation, the Chairman reached a decision.
-Visit their home and check. I’m not sure if they’re really Black Scythe, but we have no choice but to meet them, don’t we?
-What if they’re not?
-If they’re not Black Scythe….
The Chairman spoke in an icy tone.
-They’ll have to pay the price for daring to toy with us.

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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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