The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player Novel - Chapter 312
Chapter 312 – Now Believe It.
At the end of the round, the players were transferred to a gray-toned space.
The angel waiting for them in the sky showed an expression of surprise.
“This is surprising. Exactly 72 people have survived. I thought the number would decrease more, but it seems the unity among you is quite strong.”
But that was not the only surprise.
“Huh? Moreover, everyone seems to be in good condition. Normally, they would be malnourished and weak from not having eaten…”
The angel could not hide his astonishment at seeing the humans with relaxed expressions, as if they were satisfied.
“This is strange. Anyway, it’s fine. Congratulations on surviving round 19. So, do we receive the rewards for the round?”
Following the angel’s signal, a message appeared in front of the players.
“As a reward for surviving round 19, experience and gold will be awarded to everyone.”
“Experience +0%”
“This player can no longer gain experience.”
“Gold +9,000,000”
Ryu Min, being at the maximum level, could not gain more experience, but the others were not in the same situation.
“I’m at the maximum level!”
“I finally reached the maximum level!”
“I also got a new skill!”
Except for Ryu Min, the other 71 players reached the maximum level and were enveloped in a shining effect.
It was a 1-minute invulnerability effect received as a commemoration for reaching the maximum level.
‘It would be good to use that invulnerability in the battle against the boss.’
Ryu Min had used it skillfully against Artaros, but the present people could only enjoy the visual effect.
Although he regretted it, there was nothing to do in that situation.
“I see from the effect that everyone reached the maximum level. Congratulations. Now, shall we review the results?”
“What is the ranking method?”
As always, the ranking method was not revealed in advance.
So, everyone waited for the answer with curiosity.
The answer was surprisingly simple.
“The ranking method for this round was the number of people you killed.”
“People?”
“Ah…”
“So, whoever killed the most people is first.”
However, it was not something to be proud of.
After all, it involved obtaining that position by killing others.
People looked at each other cautiously.
If someone was in the top ranks, it meant there was a slayer among them.
Naturally, they could not avoid worrying.
“Who will be first?”
“I’m not. I didn’t kill anyone, so I won’t even be in the ranking.”
“Maybe this time Black Scythe will cede the first place.”
“That must be. If he didn’t kill anyone.”
Those who spoke were sure they would see Black Scythe out of the ranking for the first time.
However.
★ Round 19 Results ★
[Unified Area CA-EA001]
1st. Black Scythe (Lv99 Reaper) Number of people killed: 63
2nd. None
3rd. None
The unexpected results left everyone surprised.
“Black Scythe…”
“Is first…?”
That meant he had killed people.
It was clearly written that he had killed 63 people.
The players looked at Black Scythe in unison.
Looks demanding an explanation.
They firmly believed he was not an evil person who would kill others to survive, so that was a natural reaction.
However, Ryu Min did not need to explain.
His companions, who believed in him, defended him like lawyers.
“It’s impossible for Black Scythe to have killed players.”
“It makes no sense that he killed 63 people alone.”
“Exactly. In fact, the condition wasn’t to kill humans, but people, right? It can include any intelligent being.”
“Does that mean killing demons also counts?”
“If we consider demons as people, then yes.”
“Then it makes sense he ranked first. They said he killed many demons to become the Demon King, right?”
People’s assumptions were reasonable.
The ranking condition wasn’t to kill humans, but people.
This included any intelligent being, like angels, demons, and gods.
That was why Ryu Min ranked first.
Of course, Black Scythe couldn’t have killed players.
I was foolish for misinterpreting him.
People looked at Ryu Min with these thoughts, but it wasn’t true.
‘Of the 63 people I killed, two were players.’
One was Heo Taeseok, who had turned into a demon, and the other was a player he had met by chance.
‘His nickname was Leonard, right?’
That guy seemed somewhat tired but was full of dark desires and malice.
He had already committed many murders.
That was why he killed him.
It was clear he would cause trouble if left alive.
‘Moreover, killing him made the number remain at 72.’
Of course, there was no need for the other players to know these details.
That is why Ryu Min said nothing.
He let everyone think he had only killed demons.
“Congratulations! You have completed the mission as the number one in this area.”
“Currently, ‘Black Scythe’ holds the number one position in this area.”
“As a reward for being the number one in this area’s ranking, you will be awarded a ‘God Rank Equipment Selection Ticket’!”
“As an additional reward for being the number one in this area’s ranking, you will be awarded a ‘Special Reward Selection Box’!”
The rewards were generous since it was the last round.
Ryu Min first used the God Rank Equipment Selection Ticket.
“Please touch the part you want.”
God Rank Gloves
God Rank Shoes
God Rank Necklace
God Rank Ring
The list did not include weapons or armor.
It seemed that, despite being first, they wouldn’t give the most valuable parts.
‘No matter. I only need one thing.’
Ryu Min chose option 4, the ring.
It was the only part where he didn’t have a God Rank equipment.
“You have selected option 4, God Rank Ring.”
“The item will adapt to your level.”
“Congratulations! You have obtained the ‘Ring of Death’.”
“Ring of Death”
Category: Ring
Rank: God
Effect: All stats +50, all rewards are doubled when killing a target.
Durability: 20,000/20,000
Usage restriction: Master Grade or higher
Description: A ring granted to those who understand death.
‘Wow! I can’t believe I got such an item.’
Although he had chosen rings as rewards before, he had never obtained one like this.
‘Since it adapts to the user’s level, I got a much better ring than last time.’
With a smile of satisfaction, Ryu Min used the Special Reward Selection Box.
“You can choose one of the following special rewards.”
“Touch the desired reward.”
Increase stats by 50% (limited to round 20)
Temporary skill – Invulnerability (limited to round 20)
God Rank Weapon Selection Ticket
This reward was clearly different from the previous ones.
‘There is no information about the next round.’
Normally, the third option included information about the next round, but not this time.
That was why Ryu Min unexpectedly disappeared in round 20.
‘Although, even if I had known, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.’
Knowing that at least five people were needed to enter the boss room wouldn’t help now.
You can’t revive players who have disappeared.
‘Luckily, I managed to keep so many people alive knowing this in advance; otherwise, it would have been a disaster.’
It wasn’t that it almost was a disaster; it already was once.
He had no intention of repeating the same experience.
‘I have a rough idea of what awaits us in round 20. I only lack information about the boss room.’
Therefore, Ryu Min was debating between options 1 and 2.
The God Rank Weapon Selection Ticket wasn’t worth considering.
He already had one.
‘If it had been an Eternal Selection Ticket, I would have considered it.’
Scratching his chin, Ryu Min was deep in thought.
If he chose option 1, his stats would increase by 50%, ensuring a crushing advantage over the boss.
‘It would also be useful if Artaros appeared.’
If he chose option 2, he could have invulnerability for unforeseen situations.
He didn’t know if he would face any danger, but it would be a kind of insurance.
‘What will be better? What will be more useful for facing the boss of round 20?’
Since it was the last chance, he wanted to be careful.
The outcome could change depending on his choice.
‘All right. It’s better to be prepared for any situation.’
He could already overcome Artaros without problems.
Therefore, he decided to be prepared for the unexpected.
‘I choose option 2.’
When he finished his choice, he heard the angel’s encouraging voice in his ear.
[So, everyone. Do your best in the last round!]
◀ END OF ROUND 19 ▶
[Integrated Area CA-EA001]
Survivors: 72
[Soon, your souls will be transferred to your original bodies in this dimension.]
[Round 20 will begin at midnight on August 1, 2023. See you in the next round. Congratulations on surviving.]
———————
[End of round 19, 72 players return!]
[72 transcendent beings return after 3 days of rest!]
[Who are the players facing the final round 20?]
[Of the 72, 17 are Korean players. Where are the others from?]
Numerous articles appeared.
All citizens paid attention to the 72.
They even considered them chosen.
Out of 1.8 billion humans, only 72 survived, so it was natural for them to receive attention.
But for Min Juri, that was of no importance.
She had a much bigger problem on her mind.
‘Is Ryu Min really Black Scythe?’
Seo Arin was completely sure about it, but Min Juri could not believe it.
Although she saw him transform with her own eyes, she still hadn’t assimilated it.
‘No, the fact that he can transform doesn’t mean they are the same person.’
She tried to deny it, but she couldn’t erase her doubts.
All the circumstances indicated that Black Scythe was Ryu Min.
‘Did Min not tell me his nickname and avoid meeting me in another world just to hide his identity?’
It was likely, but that’s not important.
The most important thing is to discover the truth.
There is no possible answer while she keeps thinking about this alone.
‘I have to meet Min.’
Min Juri’s fingers moved quickly.
Tok, tok, tok, tok-
[Min Juri: Min. I need to talk to you, can you make some time? It’s something important.]
[Ryu Min: Sure. See you in an hour at the automated café at Myeong-dong station.]
The appointment was quickly agreed upon.
In no time, the two met at the café and ordered their drinks while looking at each other.
“You’re going to order a Caramel Macchiato, right?”
“And you’ll order a Double Espresso, right?”
Normally, this simultaneous exchange would have made both smile, but they knew this meeting was not for laughing.
“I’ll bring them.”
When Ryu Min returned with the coffee and sat down, Min Juri spoke.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. What is it about?”
Although Ryu Min knew what was coming, Min Juri had no idea of his thoughts. She only showed the face of someone seeking the truth.
“I have something to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“You once told me jokingly that you were Black Scythe.”
“Yes.”
“Was that serious?”
Ryu Min remained silent, hesitating whether to speak or not.
Impatient with the lack of response, Min Juri asked again.
“Are you really Black Scythe? This time tell me the truth.”
“It’s not just this time.”
Ryu Min spoke seriously.
“Last time I was serious too.”
“That means…”
“It means I am Black Scythe.”
Ryu Min revealed his identity once again, but Min Juri still had difficulty believing it.
“Can you show me some proof?”
Ryu Min nodded and transformed his appearance.
With a flash, he adopted the form of Lostyark and pulled a white mask from his bag and put it on.
“This is Black Scythe’s appearance in the real world, right? And.”
He recited a keyword, and all the items in his inventory appeared equipped.
“This is Black Scythe’s outfit in another world.”
There were no customers in the automated café, so no one was surprised. Only Min Juri was open-mouthed.
Flap-
A pair of black wings emerged from Ryu Min’s back.
“These are the black wings. You’ve seen Black Scythe use them many times, right?”
“…”
“I’d like to show you some skills, but I can’t do it here.”
Ryu Min’s wings disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
“Is it still hard for you to believe?”
“No… now I believe you. That you are Black Scythe.”
Min Juri’s voice trembled, facing an undeniable truth.