The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Commander.

A temporary skill useful in the 17th round.

‘Others might be tempted by Option 2, the 5 million gold, but I have no reason to be.’

He had just surpassed 7 billion gold after defeating first-tier angels moments ago.

With so much gold, he was more worried about when he’d even manage to spend it all.

‘That’s why my choice is Option 1, Commander.’

When he selected the temporary skill, a conclusion message soon appeared.

◀ END OF ROUND 16 ▶

[Unified Zone CA-EA001]

[The 17th round will begin at midnight on May 1, 2023. See you in the next round. Congratulations on surviving.]

***

Michael strode through the grand hall with an exceptionally grave expression.

He had been summoned by none other than Nemesis, the Goddess of Vengeance.

‘Damn it. Gabriel and Raphael are dead, too.’

Ordinarily, he might have welcomed their deaths, relieved that the Black Scythe had not fallen.

But…

‘This leaves only me.’

The fact that there were no other archangels left to take the reins left Michael in an agonizing bind.

Clunk, creeeak—

As he pushed open the grand doors and entered, the purple-skinned goddess Nemesis glanced at him briefly.

[You summoned me, Nemesis.]

[Michael. Have you heard the news?]

[Yes. Even Gabriel and Raphael were defeated without much resistance.]

[That mere human is putting up more of a fight than expected.]

Nemesis’s face betrayed no signs of anger as she said this.

She simply looked down on him with a pitiful gaze.

[…I apologize.]

[There is no longer any honor left in the Heavenly Realm. Time is short, and so are our opportunities.]

Letting out a sigh, Nemesis’s eyes sharpened.

[Archangel Michael, it is now your turn. You are all that remains.]

[…]

[When the 17th round begins, descend to the human realm and subdue the Black Scythe. That will be your one and only chance. To ensure that Plunictos receives the Black Scythe before the 18th round begins.]

Michael wanted to refuse, wanted to come up with excuses.

But…

[Understood. I will follow your command.]

Michael could only comply. He had no grounds left to make excuses.

***

Returning home, Min Juri felt strangely unsettled.

Typically, when she returned from the Otherworld, she would find herself staring at her bedroom ceiling. But not this time.

This time, she could simply take a plane ride back home.

“I’m home.”

“My daughter! You survived again!”

Maybe it was because she had been overseas?

Her father greeted her even more warmly than usual, but Min Juri couldn’t bring herself to smile wholeheartedly.

“What’s with your expression? Did something bad happen?”

“Not really… I’m just feeling a bit off.”

“Why? What is it? Tell me, Juri.”

After hesitating for a while, Min Juri cautiously opened up.

“I’m glad to be alive, but… seeing my teammates vanish right before my eyes makes it hard to feel happy.”

Just a few hours ago, players who had fought alongside her as one team were erased with a single word from the Black Scythe.

‘It wasn’t Black Scythe’s fault. It was inevitable.’

She understood that, but witnessing their eradication up close still left a bitter aftertaste.

“I’ve seen others disappear so many times before, and I usually just felt a little pity… But this time, it felt different.”

“How was it different?”

“I guess… I feel guilty for surviving? Like I owe an apology to the ones who died.”

It was only natural for her to feel that way.

This time, her survival wasn’t thanks to her own efforts. She had lived because the Black Scythe chose her.

Her father, Min Dohun, was at a loss for words, unsure of how to comfort his melancholy daughter.

“Why don’t you go rest in your room for a bit? You’ll feel better after that.”

“…Okay.”

Click.

Closing the door behind her, Min Juri changed clothes and lay down on her bed.

Staring at the ceiling for a while, she placed her hand on her chest.

The spot where her heart had been pierced was now perfectly healed.

There wasn’t even a trace of pain left.

It felt like a dream, as though she had never died in the first place.

‘If not for Black Scythe, I would’ve been…’

No matter how she looked at it, meeting the Black Scythe had been a stroke of luck.

The image of herself in the Black Scythe’s arms flashed in her mind.

Blushing furiously, she pulled the blanket over her face.

‘I’ve lost it. What am I even thinking…?’

The Black Scythe was her benefactor, someone who had saved her life. Nothing more.

‘The Black Scythe is a hero. The leader of the Death Church. I need to think of him that way.’

As she cooled her flushed cheeks by tossing aside the blanket, a new thought crossed her mind.

‘But what about Min?’

When the Black Scythe had ranked the players from 1st to 288th, Min Juri had strained her ears to hear.

She had been fully prepared to catch the name “Lostyak,” Ryu Min’s nickname.

‘But I didn’t hear it.’

What could have happened?

Did the Black Scythe deliberately leave the Prophet’s name out?

The thought gnawed at her, and as soon as the round ended, she searched for Ryu Min on the island.

The results? Nothing matched.

The system kept saying his name and face didn’t align—a ridiculous claim.

‘Then what about now?’

With a glimmer of hope, Min Juri tried searching for Ryu Min again.

And then…

‘Huh?’

[Name and face match confirmed. Tracking target’s location.]

[Target “Ryu Min” is located 16,488 meters away.]

[Follow the arrow to pursue the target.]

The tracking system was working.

‘What’s going on?’

On the island, it had shown a mismatch. But now, it matched perfectly?

‘So he survived the 16th round…?’

Yet the Black Scythe hadn’t called out his nickname.

She was certain—she had listened carefully.

‘This doesn’t add up.’

She resolved to ask Ryu Min directly.

When she sent a text to arrange a meeting, his reply came soon after.

[Ryu Min: Now’s not a good time. Let’s meet later.]

[Min Juri: Why? What’s going on?]

[Ryu Min: My house got destroyed, and I’m busy sorting it all out.]

[Min Juri: What?! How did that happen?]

[Ryu Min: I don’t know the details either ㅠㅠ]

Worried, Min Juri decided to call him.

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