The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Clank. Clank.

The chains rattled with every step.

“How far do we have to walk?”

[Stop whining. We’re almost there.]

“We don’t have much time.”

[I know.]

Michael recalled the conversation he had with Ryu Min 30 minutes ago.

— I’ll let you live. But how about this instead?

— What do you mean?

— Call for reinforcements. Summon about 75 battle angels.

— Why?

— To kill them all.

— What’s the benefit of that?

— That’s none of your concern.

— So if I sacrifice my subordinates, you’ll let me live? Ridiculous.

— Then die right here.

— If you were going to kill me, you would have done it already.

— I needed information before. Now, I don’t.

— You deceitful human.

— Call me whatever you like. So, what will it be? Die or call them?

— I’d rather die than sacrifice my men.

— Hmm… so you won’t cooperate…

— Just kill me already.

— How about this? What if I told you there’s a way for you to live? Would you cooperate then?

— The only way I survive is by taking you to the Celestial Realm.

— Then take me.

— …What?

— Take me to the Celestial Realm.

— Are you serious?

— You said it yourself—Plunictos, that Archduke of Hell, must be given the Black Scythe to prevent the war from breaking out too soon and to appease the gods’ anger. Am I right?

— Uh… yes, that’s true.

— Then take me. To the Celestial Realm. Not that I actually plan on getting captured—just pretending.

— Pretending?

— If you deliver me to the gods, your mission is complete, isn’t it?

— T-That’s true.

— Then bring me before the gods. After that, no matter what I do, they won’t blame you anymore.

— W-What exactly do you plan to do?

— Escape. And take down some battle angels along the way.

— Escape? How?

— It’s simple. You pretend to be taking me to Plunictos and pass through a place where battle angels are gathered. That’s when I break free, kill them, and escape to the other realm. As long as I return within an hour, I won’t lose my status as a player, right?—

— Well… that’s true…

— What’s the problem then? Are you worried about being punished for ‘losing’ me?

— I won’t deny that.

— But you’re the highest-ranked archangel. Do you really think they’ll kill you over this? Just say you let your guard down and lost me. They won’t be able to say much since you technically fulfilled your mission by bringing me there.

— …

— This way, I get to kill battle angels as I wish, and you get to save your life. A win-win situation, don’t you think?

— It does sound convincing. But…

— But what?

— What if I betray you and hand you over to the gods for real? No matter how strong you are, you’d be nothing more than an insect before a god.

— So you’re considering ratting me out once I’m in front of them? That’s fine.

— Fine?

— The moment you betray me, I’ll kill you right there. And while I’m at it, I might as well try taking on a god.

— You’re thinking of challenging a god? Are you insane?

— That’s why you better not betray me if you want to live.

— …

— Besides, don’t you have a goal? You wanted me to survive until the 20th round kill me and become a god, didn’t you?

— H-How do you know about that…?

— I have my ways. So don’t even think about betrayal. We’re in the same boat now.

***

Michael’s thoughts returned to the present as he stole a glance at the so-called Black Scythe beside him.

Even after standing before a god just moments ago, the man still looked completely at ease.

Not a single trace of tension on his face.

‘Does he already know I won’t betray him?’

Michael didn’t understand how this man had learned about his deepest desire, but one thing was certain.

He wasn’t just some mere human.

“How much farther until we reach your subordinates? I need to return within 20 minutes.”

[We’re here. We just have to pass by that training ground.]

Michael had no choice but to trust him.

Right now, cooperating was his only chance to survive.

[Huh? Lord Michael?]

[It’s Lord Michael!]

[W-Wait, really?! Where?]

At Michael’s arrival, the battle angels in training reacted as if they had just seen a celebrity.

Some of them looked so overwhelmed they didn’t know where to stand, while others stared in awe.

They had admired him their whole lives—without realizing they were about to be sacrificed by their idol.

[They’re fifth-class battle angels. There are about 100 of them.]

“Thanks.”

Ryu Min came to a stop and removed the chains wrapped around his body.

Of course, those chains weren’t actually prepared by Michael—they had been created using runes by Ryu Min himself.

[Now, as promised, you’ll let me live, right?]

“Of course. No doubt about it.”

The moment Ryu Min finished speaking, his fist shot forward.

BAM!

Michael was sent flying, knocked unconscious before he could even react.

“At least for now.”

Ryu Min smirked and turned toward the startled battle angels.

His gaze was that of a predator staring at its prey.

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!