The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player Novel - Chapter 313
Chapter 313 – Donation
“As expected, she seems to be in shock.”
Ryu Min had anticipated that Min Juri would be stunned. After all, the Rune of Future Sight had shown him her reaction 7 seconds in advance.
‘Still, I had to tell her. The evidence is too clear. And besides, I needed to tell her to obtain the Rune of Reality.’
In reality, there are five runes that can be obtained. He had already secured four of them. The last one, which was also the eighteenth on his list of essential runes, was planned to be obtained after the 19th Round.
‘To obtain that rune, I had no choice but to reveal my identity.’
So, even though he knew Min Juri would be affected, he decided to tell her the truth. The problem was that the impact seemed to be greater than he had imagined.
“Black Scythe…? Ryu Min…? My friend is Black Scythe…”
Min Juri muttered for a moment before looking up and meeting his eyes. Her eyes reflected betrayal and disdain.
Ryu Min did not avert his gaze. He knew he had no right to do so.
“You must have had a lot of fun. Acting like someone else all this time.”
“…”
“Do you enjoy deceiving people? Do you enjoy playing with people’s emotions?”
“I’m sorry. I had no other choice if I wanted to protect those around me. Please understand.”
“Protect? From whom?”
“From those who were searching for Black Scythe. Although now it’s no longer a problem.”
“Oh, so that’s why you’re revealing it now. You deceived everyone and now that there are no more risks, you decide to tell?”
“…”
Ryu Min knew what Min Juri really thought, he could read her thoughts. Although her words were harsh, she was suffering inside.
Min Juri’s words were like a child’s tantrum. She knew it well herself.
Still, she couldn’t help but blame him. She needed to protect herself from the emotional pain she had received.
“You could have told me your identity before.”
“I didn’t even tell my brother. And, as I said, keeping my identity a secret was the safest way to protect everyone.”
“I understand that, but… why do I feel so betrayed?”
“…”
“I never imagined you were Black Scythe. I thought you were a completely different person…”
Min Juri let out a long sigh and stood up without even touching her coffee.
“I’m leaving.”
“Where are you going?”
“Home. I need time to sort out my thoughts. So…”
Min Juri gave one last cold look before turning away.
“Don’t contact me first.”
With those words, Min Juri left. In the silent café, only Ryu Min’s sigh remained.
‘Huh… I knew this would happen, but experiencing it in person is much more painful.’
Ryu Min understood her feelings. Two people she had trusted turned out to be one. Her faith and values had been shattered.
‘The greater the trust, the greater the sense of betrayal.’
Seo Arin, Christine, and Ryu Won also knew his identity, but they had not reacted so strongly.
‘Is it because Min Juri has loved me for 3 or 4 years?’
Min Juri’s love for the real version of Ryu Min had cemented a firm image in her mind. But today, that image had been completely destroyed.
Since Min Juri valued trust between people above all else, the emotional impact would be even greater.
‘Should I have told her earlier? Or maybe I should have insisted seriously by showing proof when she took it as a joke?’
Maybe that would have reduced the impact.
‘Or should I have revealed it early like Min Juri said?’
No matter what the best choice would have been. It’s already water spilled.
It’s too late to collect it.
‘Still, it’s better than denying it until the end. The longer it is hidden, the more excuses pile up, and the worse the situation becomes.’
He couldn’t keep hiding it.
It was necessary to reveal it to obtain the last rune.
‘Maybe she’ll feel better after sorting out her thoughts.’
Min Juri needed time.
If given enough time to accept the truth, she might smile again as before.
‘For now, I’d better plan how to obtain the rune.’
Ryu Min, sitting alone and drinking coffee, looked at the seat in front of him.
Min Juri had left without taking a sip of her coffee.
‘It’s a shame to waste it…’
It seems someone will have to drink the caramel macchiato.
—————
“Brother?”
The café door opened, and his sister, Ryu Won, entered.
“Why did you ask me to come here? Couldn’t you tell me at home?”
“I have something important to tell you.”
“Something important?”
“Sit down first.”
Ryu Won sat down and looked at the coffee in front of her.
“Did you already order my coffee?”
“Yes. Do you like caramel macchiato?”
“Yes, I love it.”
“Perfect.”
Ryu Min, in a nonchalant tone, dropped a bomb while his sister took a sip of coffee.
“I’m going to reveal my identity.”
“What?! What did you say?”
She almost spat out the coffee.
“I’m going to reveal my identity to the public. That I’m Black Scythe.”
“What? What do you mean? Are you going to take off your mask?”
“Yes, I’m going to take off the mask and also reveal that my name is Ryu Min.”
“Why? Why do you want to do that?”
His sister’s eyes reflected the confusion of why he wanted to reveal his identity and create unnecessary trouble.
‘I also know. But…’
To obtain the last rune in reality, he had to give up everything.
“I’m going to reveal my identity and make a donation under my name.”
“Donation? Suddenly?”
“Yes. I’m going to donate everything except the money needed to live.”
Currently, by selling his shares, he had over one trillion won in cash.
“With 100 billion won, one can live well for a lifetime.”
“Are you going to donate everything except 100 billion?”
“Yes.”
Ryu Won was visibly shocked.
The idea of donating 99% of his wealth was astounding.
“Are you serious, brother?”
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“Why do you want to make such a large donation all of a sudden…?”
“One never knows what will happen in the future. I can’t be sure if I’ll come back alive after the 20th round.”
These words surprised Ryu Won even more.
That Black Scythe, the invincible, would express such a lack of confidence was unheard of.
Although Ryu Won didn’t know that this was just an excuse to obtain the rune.
“Why are you saying something so worrisome? As a time traveler, you should know what happens in the 20th round.”
“I don’t know much about the 20th round. I’ve only reached it once.”
“So there’s a chance you could fail…?”
“Yes, it could be.”
Maybe because his words lacked conviction?
For the first time, Ryu Won felt a vague sense of unease.
“If something happens to me, I’ll make sure all my fortune goes to you. So don’t worry about money…”
“How can you say that?”
“Eh?”
“That I shouldn’t worry about money? Do you really think I’m worried about money right now?”
In Ryu Won’s eyes, there was concern.
But it wasn’t at all about the money.
It was for her only relative, her family, her older brother who was like a father to her.
“You could die, and you think money is the issue!”
“Come on, don’t exaggerate. Who said I’m going to die? Do I look like someone who’s going to die?”
Ryu Won shook her head.
There was no way that Black Scythe, whom even angels feared, would die in the 20th round.
“If I were to give up now, I wouldn’t have gone back 100 times. I will survive. I will survive, so…”
Ryu Min smiled.
“Don’t worry too much. Understand?”
“Then don’t talk about leaving me an inheritance.”
“Still, I have to do it. It’s a kind of insurance. We don’t know what could happen.”
Even Ryu Min didn’t know what would happen.
He didn’t know how strong the boss of the 20th round would be.
Not even reading the minds of Plunictos or Artaros gave him any clues.
‘It was as if something blocked all the information about the round.’
That’s why he couldn’t guarantee he could pass the 20th round.
He had only gone through that round once.
And he had disappeared right in front of the most important boss’s room.
‘So I have to give my best. To obtain even one more rune.’
Donating 99% of his fortune was part of that plan.
“If you’re done eating, let’s go.”
“Yes…”
Ryu Won, who didn’t know that truth, was only trying to calm her restless heart.
——————–
Clicks, clicks, clicks-
Cameras flashed as Ryu Min stepped onto the podium.
Black Scythe, under the world’s spotlight, appeared at the press conference.
He wore his usual white mask.
“Hello, I’m Black Scythe.”
Clicks, clicks, clicks-
He had barely said a few words of greeting, and the cameras were already non-stop shooting.
It was natural, as in front of them was the most influential man in the world, known as the living hero.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
“Everyone must already know why I have called this press conference.”
I am going to reveal my identity.
With that announcement, the press room was fuller than ever.
They would see the face of the enigmatic Black Scythe for the first time.
Who would want to miss that exclusive?
“I know everyone is anxious, so I will proceed to show it.”
Without hesitation, Ryu Min took off the white mask.
Then the bronzed face of Lost Yak appeared.
-Oh, so that’s Black Scythe’s face.
-He has a manly look.
-Did he have to be so handsome?
Besides the camera flashes, he could hear people’s thoughts.
Some reporters blushed.
However, it wasn’t just Lost Yak’s face that Ryu Min was going to reveal.
“I know you think this is my face, but I have another real face.”
“Another real face?”
“What does he mean?”
Instead of answering, Ryu Min changed his appearance.
Although his physique didn’t change, his bronzed skin turned white, and his hairstyle transformed into a more orderly one.
His face, which previously had a masculine look with sharp features, changed noticeably to one with a softer appearance.
“Oh!”
“What, what is this?”
The commotion in the press room increased.
It was natural to be surprised to see how his appearance changed right before their eyes.
“My name is Ryu Min. I am 20 years old, and this is my true appearance. As you can see, I have the ability to change my appearance.”
While some reporters were stunned by his unexpected power, others were writing frantically on their laptops.
It was such a big scoop that it should be on the front page of every news portal.
“I know many are surprised. Not only am I revealing my identity suddenly, but I also have the ability to change my appearance.”
The journalists nodded in agreement.
Even the confession of a famous celebrity wouldn’t be so shocking.
“And you must also be wondering. Why has he decided to reveal his identity now after hiding it for so long?”
Everyone was curious.
With that same curiosity, everyone fixed their eyes on Black Scythe’s lips.
Ryu Min looked around, pausing, and then began to speak slowly.
“I can’t guarantee that I will survive the next round. That’s why I have decided to reveal my identity and make a donation.”
“A donation?”
The murmur grew again.
Ryu Min raised his hand, and the noise diminished.
However, what he said next made the noise irrelevant.
“I, Ryu Min, have decided to return to society a fortune of 9,900 billion won.”
A burst of flashes exploded, accompanied by a murmur.