The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

[I called you to aid in your strategy. I’ve uncovered the human’s weakness.]

[A weakness?]

What the deity revealed was startling—a method so underhanded it seemed unbecoming of divine will.

[Every creature treasures its family. The Black Scythe has only one family member. I will give you their location. Take them hostage, and the Black Scythe will have no choice but to submit.]

[Using a hostage would indeed shift the balance in our favor.]

Gabriel’s lips curved into a malicious smile. Underhanded or not, this was no time for scruples. Gabriel was not one to care for such things anyway.

[This is an excellent strategy. Hehe.]

[Then our discussion is over. Report to Michael and depart.]

[Understood. Thank you.]

The void dissolved, and the heavenly light returned. Gabriel turned to Raphael.

[Let’s go.]

Before leaving, they informed Michael of the deity’s revelation. Michael, for once, looked visibly surprised.

[The deity suggested this?]

[It was not a suggestion—it was a command. And I agree this approach is the most appropriate.]

[Hmm…]

Michael hid his unease.

“The deity has intervened… This is becoming far more serious than I anticipated.”

Direct confrontation would have favored the Black Scythe, but with a hostage, the situation would drastically change. Gabriel and Raphael departed, leaving Michael deep in thought.

***

└ Content: Hello, I’m a father of a 24-year-old son. Recently, I discovered my son has joined an organization called the Death Church. He always used to stay in his room until midnight, but now he says he needs to leave the country for some mission and refuses to share details. He claims it’s an order from the Death Church and that revealing anything could jeopardize their safety. Is this organization trustworthy?

[Comments: 9 Total]

└ I’m a mother of a 20-year-old daughter. She’s also a member of the Death Church and had to leave for an overseas mission. Glad to see I’m not the only one in this situation.

└ So, it’s true that the Death Church sends its members abroad?

└ Seems like it.

└ My younger brother’s part of the Death Church too. He got a similar message, saying he had to leave but couldn’t disclose where because the Black Scythe warned that revealing their location would put others at risk.

└ At least my son wasn’t lying. Thanks for the confirmation.

└ I have a friend in the Death Church, and from what I hear, they seem trustworthy. Apparently, the strategies shared by the Black Scythe have helped many survive.

└ Seriously, people still doubt the Death Church?

└ It’s trustworthy. After all, the Black Scythe himself runs it. If he’s behind this, there must be a good reason. Just have faith and wait.

└ Heard the Black Scythe even helped protect the Death Church members in the 15th round. He wouldn’t lead them into danger.

As Ryu Won read through the comments on the community board for players, he nodded in agreement.

“There are lots of people worrying just like me.”

He had been searching online because his older brother had suddenly left home, only to find this post.

“So, it’s not because he went to meet a girlfriend?”

It made sense. Why else would someone who had stayed home during every round suddenly decide to leave?

“There’s nothing to worry about, then. Since he’s with the Death Church, he’ll be fine.”

Feeling a bit more at ease about his brother’s safety, Ryu Won closed the door to his room and lay down on his bed.

Click.

As he closed his eyes, he tried to relax, but his thoughts kept drifting back to his brother.

‘He’ll survive again, right? After all, he’s a prophet.’

Though he was still worried, it wasn’t as overwhelming as before.

‘Nothing will happen. The Black Scythe will protect him since he’s part of the Death Church.’

He believed that, as usual, his brother would return home safely once the round was over.

With that thought in mind, Ryu Won drifted off to sleep, unaware of the approaching danger.

[Muffled noises…]

‘What’s that sound?’

Just before falling asleep, faint murmurs reached Ryu Won’s ears. At first, he thought it was noise from the neighbors, but soon realized it was closer than that.

[Muffled voices…]

There were at least two distinct voices coming from the living room.

‘Could it be a thief?’

The idea of a thief sneaking in without making any noise sent a chill down his spine. He froze, unsure of what to do.

Crash!

The door to his room burst open, flooding the space with light.

[So, this is where you were hiding.]

What entered wasn’t a thief but angels.

Their appearances were dazzlingly beautiful—but Ryu Won was aware of the truth. The angelic image most people had was now overshadowed by tales of their atrocities. To the general populace, angels were more fearsome than demons.

Shivering uncontrollably, Ryu Won found himself unable to speak. The male angel smirked.

[Even a creature as insignificant as you can recognize strength, it seems.]

[Is this human the Black Scythe?]

[No, the Black Scythe is on the island. Which means…]

Gabriel’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

[This is the perfect situation to take the hostage.]

With that, Gabriel extended his hand toward Ryu Won.

“No, no!”

Ryu Won’s body was lifted off the ground and suspended in midair like a puppet.

[Instead of just taking him, maybe I should remove an arm as a warning.]

“No! Please!”

Ryu Won screamed, but Gabriel ignored him, brandishing his glowing golden chain.

Swish—

The chain coiled around Ryu Won’s arm like a snake, burning with a bright, fiery light.

Sizzle!

“Aaaaaah!”

The sound of sizzling flesh and Ryu Won’s agonized screams filled the room. Gabriel and Raphael both smiled at his suffering, but the smiles soon faded.

[What’s this? His arm isn’t severing.]

[Strange.]

Despite the intense heat and force, Ryu Won’s arm remained intact. Even more oddly, there wasn’t a single wound on his skin.

[No injuries?]

Though Ryu Won was screaming in terror, he slowly realized that he wasn’t feeling any pain.

[What’s going on, human? How are you resisting the Chains of Judgment?]

“…”

[Speak. I know you understand me.]

“I-I don’t know…”

Of course, he couldn’t answer. He had no idea why this was happening.

[Fine. I’ll rip it off myself.]

Just as Gabriel reached out to grab Ryu Won’s arm—

Boom!

Gabriel was hurled through the wall, crashing into the living room.

The chains binding Ryu Won unraveled, and he fell to the ground.

“Ugh…”

As he rubbed his sore backside, Ryu Won looked up, his eyes widening in shock.

Standing before him, protecting him, was a masked figure.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!