The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

January 1, 2023. A new year had dawned.

While many people set goals like quitting smoking, studying, or exercising as the bell tolled the New Year, for players, such things were mere luxuries.

Their ultimate goal was, and always would be, survival.

‘As expected, Round 13 begins once again in the new year.’

Ryu Min sighed as he gazed at the dull, colorless space around him, which had long since grown tiresome.

‘To think the number of participants has dwindled to just this much.’

The vast space still contained nearly 10,000 people, but compared to before, it was noticeably fewer.

‘Too many died in Round 12.’

Because of the Cave of Trials, which required a summoner to clear, three-quarters of the participants had perished.

He couldn’t have explained every strategy to the masses standing before him.

‘Now that the numbers have decreased, it’s time to look after other players, not just those close to me.’

At the very least, he intended to take care of the followers of the Death God Cult.

That was why he had released the strategy for Round 13.

‘If half survive this round, and half survive the next, we’ll have close to 2,500 left.’

But the real problem was Round 15.

Only a quarter of the participants could pass through the cursed 15th round. Although there would be around 600 people left, the sheer difficulty of the round meant that fewer than 50 would survive.

For this reason, aside from the final round, the 15th was considered the most crucial.

‘I must save as many people as possible in Round 15. I can’t allow a shortage like in Round 12.’

Ryu Min resolved to save as close to 600 as possible.

The more people he had in the final round, the better his chances would be when facing the boss.

‘With no information about the final boss, it’s better to have as many survivors as possible. That’s why I’m focusing on the Death God Cult. I also need to prepare for Round 16.’

Korean players had to survive in significant numbers to clear Round 16 without suffering heavy losses. Hence, Ryu Min had released the strategy guide for Round 13, confident that following it would allow them to clear the round with ease.

‘If all goes well, every Korean player might survive this round.’

But it wasn’t just the Koreans he was helping.

He had also shared the strategy with players from other countries, like Christine, Jeffrey, Russell, Victor, and John Delgado.

“Black Scythe.”

The person who had just approached was Min Juri.

“You’re here? Death God Cult follower.”

“Haha… It feels strange to be called a follower. Please, just call me Democracy as usual… or you can just use my name.”

When she joined the Death God Cult, she had provided all her personal information. It wasn’t as if Ryu Min didn’t know her name, but he shook his head.

“Min Juri is less comfortable for me than ‘Democracy.’”

“Is that so?”

Min Juri smiled and followed Ryu Min’s gaze, observing the other participants. Though they were technically competitors, having made it through 12 rounds together gave them a bond of sorts—a sense of comradeship.

“It’s New Year’s, and instead of watching the sunrise, all these people are trapped in a survival game… It’s kind of sad.”

“That’s pretty sentimental of you.”

Her cheeks puffed up at Ryu Min’s sharp remark.

“Are you saying I’m not usually sentimental?”

“I never said that.”

Ryu Min, not in the mood to argue with her, turned his head, just in time to see Seo Arin and Heo Tae-seok approaching.

“Black Scythe!”

“Are you upset you couldn’t see the sunrise too?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Because of the time limit, none of us could’ve seen the sunrise anyway.”

Thanks to Ryu Min, everyone knew that the time limit for this round was 10 hours, which meant that by the time they returned to reality, it would already be 10 a.m.

“Aha, did ‘Democracy’ want to see the sunrise?”

“I… I never said that. I just…”

“Who did you want to see it with? A boyfriend?”

“I-I don’t have a boyfriend!”

“Huh? Someone as beautiful as you doesn’t have a boyfriend?”

“Don’t joke around, Leader.”

“I’m not joking…”

As more people gathered around them, the conversation became livelier, all while the man who had sparked the topic, Ryu Min, remained silent.

‘By the way, how’s the necromancer doing?’

Ryu Min had given John Delgado, who had become his slave, one crucial command: avoid meeting any other apostles in this round.

‘I can’t let the Messiah target Jeffrey.’

John had told him that the Messiah group was after Jeffrey. Fortunately, Ryu Min had already given John strict orders to reveal any suspicious activity.

‘They probably planned to capture Jeffrey in this round for interrogation, but that won’t happen. I already know their plan.’

Only John, who had been in a party with Jeffrey, could track his location. By making John deliberately avoid the apostles, Ryu Min could easily foil their plans.

Even though this might make John a target of their resentment.

“Black Scythe!”

Turning around, Ryu Min saw Eom Jun-seok, Ju Seong-tak, and Yamti approaching.

And now, Christine, Jeffrey, and Jo Yong-ho’s group were coming to see him too, swelling the crowd in an instant.

‘When Jo Yong-ho joins, the numbers really grow.’

As expected from the Mercenary King, Jo Yong-ho had brought over 30 mercenaries with him. All of them were Koreans and followers of the Death God Cult.

‘All I did was win over Jo Yong-ho, and now I have all his mercenaries on my side. Not bad.’

As the group exchanged cheerful greetings, a familiar figure appeared—the angel.

[Greetings, humans. You’ve come back once again today, I see!]

Even though everyone knew they hadn’t come by choice, the angel still mocked them.

[Oh dear! There are fewer than 10,000 survivors across all zones! Last round was a bit tough, wasn’t it? But don’t worry. In a few more rounds, that number will drop to double digits in no time. Kuhuhu.]

“Double digits?”

“Are they insane?”

The angel chuckled as they relished in the panic they had caused.

[Kuhuhu, well then, shall we see the quest? This one won’t be too difficult, so relax. I mean it.]

As if to encourage them, the angel flapped its wings and a message appeared.

◀ ROUND 13 ▶

└ Raise the reputation of a race to ‘Very Friendly’ within 10 hours.

└???? Multiple

[Unified Zone CA-EA001]

└Participants: 9,994

└Completion: 0/4,997

The quest was simple. For Ryu Min, it was the easiest quest out of all the previous rounds.

‘I’ve already completed it.’

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