The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Lost in thought, Victor stared blankly at the ceiling.

So engrossed that he didn’t notice the tapping at his window.

Thump-thump-thump-

“Huh?”

Hearing the noise belatedly, Victor looked at the window and was startled.

‘Black Scythe?’

Following the gesture to come out, he hurried outside and there indeed was Black Scythe standing.

“Hello. What brings you to our home… Oh! Perhaps you need a potion…”

As he fumbled through his inventory, Black Scythe shook his head with his mask on.

“No. I have something to tell you.”

“Something to tell? Not about KF, I hope…”

“Don’t worry about KF. It’s already taken care of. You’ll hear good news through the media tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s a relief. Then the message is…”

“Victor Zaphiel.”

Black Scythe captured the mood with a serious tone.

“…Don’t give up.”

“Pardon? I didn’t catch that?”

“Don’t give up on life.”

“…”

“I know what you went through with KF. You must have endured terrible suffering. But.”

Pausing for a moment, Ryu Min looked around the house and continued.

“Don’t you have a family to protect?”

“I don’t know why you’re saying this all of a sudden… but there’s no problem with my family. My sister too, they’re living just fine without me. I’ve achieved my purpose, and now I have no regrets…”

“That’s arrogant.”

“Pardon?”

“Achieved your purpose? Do you think life is a simple game that ends once you clear a mission?”

“…”

“Life is a game that doesn’t end until you die. Like the survival game we’re playing. It doesn’t end until you either complete the 20th round or die. You have to keep moving until then. And you say you’re done because you met a small goal? That you have no more regrets? How lightly do you take life to say such things? Isn’t that the height of arrogance?”

Victor just listened silently.

There was nothing incorrect about those words.

“Don’t give up on life. If you give up the survival game, what do you think will happen to the family that remains?”

“Who knows. They might live just fine without me…”

“Do you really think your family was fine without knowing whether you were dead or alive? Don’t you think they spent every day waiting anxiously at the door, wondering when you would return?”

“…”

“They could bear it because they had the hope and expectation that you, Victor, could return. If you die in the next round, that hope is gone. What about your family then? Can they live normally?”

“…”

Sensing it was time to conclude, Ryu Min drove the point home.

“Victor. You just want to rest. After a year of hardship, you now want to rest in peace through death.”

The impact hit Victor like a hammer.

“I understand. But that’s not the way to look out for your family. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. It’s a selfish decision that only serves yourself.”

“…”

“I hope you keep fighting until the 20th round. Your sister, Sophia. You know she’s a famous ranker in Nigeria. But do you really think she can make it through 20 rounds without you?”

Seeing Victor’s heart waver like a leaf, Ryu Min believed the persuasion was nearly complete.

“Protect Sophia. As an Alchemist, a class specialized in support, you’re unique in this world. If you’re with her, she won’t drop out before the 20th round. I’ll help you with missions if I can. Let’s call it fate. So, survive.”

“Thank you for your words, but I’m not sure if someone like me can protect her…”

“You can. Let me show you this as proof.”

Ryu Min pulled an item from his inventory.

Victor was shocked to see the item information.

A legendary item, a Life Potion, capable of reviving dead players.

“I obtained this item by chance. It means you can protect Sophia if you use this. It says an Alchemist can make any potion, right? But, as you can see from the usage restrictions, you need to be at least level 60 to craft this potion. That means you need to reach at least level 60 to qualify to make it.”

“Ah…”

It was as Black Scythe said.

If he reached level 60, he might be able to create a Life Potion.

Then, even if Sophia died, he could protect her.

“If you want to protect Sophia from death, reach level 60. If you don’t have a goal, find a new one. Don’t give up on life like an old man who has seen everything. Because you didn’t.”

Victor’s eyes lit up with a new purpose as he looked at the potion.

“Thank you. I’ve been feeling confused and unclear, but now it feels like things are in order. No one but you, Black Scythe, has said such things to me. I’m truly grateful.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“How do you understand my feelings so well?”

“I have a knack for understanding people. Call it insight, if you will.”

Insight?

Such a simple word hardly seemed sufficient.

It felt like finding light in the darkness.

Like being rescued from a mire.

‘Black Scythe is truly a remarkable person.’

“I’ve said what I came to say. It’s heartbreaking to see someone I saved disappear without motivation.”

“I’m sorry… for showing you my worst side. Don’t worry anymore. I have a new goal now.”

“That’s good to hear. I’ll trust your word.”

As Ryu Min saw Victor’s mind completely change, he smiled behind his mask.

“Before I leave, one last piece of advice: be open and honest with your family. It will resolve any feelings of suffocation.”

Victor’s eyes widened.

“You even knew I hadn’t told my family… How exactly…?”

Just then.

“Brother!”

Sophia suddenly appeared, armed with a sword and shield.

“Who are you talking to at this hour?”

“Oh, this person is… Huh?”

Victor turned his head, but Black Scythe had already disappeared.

“Brother, who was it? You were just with a suspicious person wearing a mask.”

Pondering Sophia’s question, Victor whispered softly.

“…Scythe.”

“Huh?”

“…It was Black Scythe.”

“What?”

Seeing Sophia’s surprised face, Victor made up his mind.

He would take Black Scythe’s advice.

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!