The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 107 (Part 1)
Chapter 107: What’s Your Name (Part 1)
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Before Yamti kidnapped the congressman, Ryu Min, disguised as Lostyak, found himself a bit puzzled.
He was pondering when the right time would be to rescue Congressman Lee Seong-hyun. His conclusion: perhaps it was best to save him after the kidnapping had occurred.
You see, Ryu Min had a particular strategy in mind. He figured that dealing with Yamti and the rest of the miscreants prematurely might not be the wisest move. Who would appreciate his efforts if no one even knew about the kidnapping?
This situation presented an opportunity, a golden chance to thrust the name of the enigmatic “Black Scythe” into the public’s awareness. While Black Scythe was a renowned entity among players, it was virtually unknown to the general populace. In fact, some voices in the public sphere were quick to criticize players as a whole.
Among those voices stood Congressman Lee Seong-hyun, leading the charge against criminal players. Yet, Ryu Min, having built a friendship with him in the past, understood the congressman better than most. He knew the hardships his one and only son had endured and the complex feelings he harbored towards players. This insight enabled Ryu Min to grasp the nuances of the situation better than anyone else and discern the right course of action.
“It’s imperative to change Congressman Lee Seong-hyun’s perspective,” Ryu Min thought. He aimed to make people see that not all players were villains. He wanted to demonstrate that utilizing the abilities of players for noble purposes was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“Why?” You might ask. Well, Ryu Min had a vision. He foresaw a day when he would stand as the representative of players, and he knew that securing the support of the general public was crucial for this endeavor.
If Congressman Lee Seong-hyun came to his aid, Ryu Min believed that ordinary citizens would readily rally behind Black Scythe. Consequently, he bided his time, refraining from taking action until the kidnapping unfolded.
Or so it seemed on the surface. In truth, he was quietly orchestrating events from behind the scenes. His current mission? Shadowing Song Jaegyeom, the chairman of Player Haven Café.
Ryu Min was well aware of the critical point when Congressman Lee Seong-hyun would become vulnerable – when the six criminals hired by the chairman would spring into action.
The Chairman’s script dictated that they would intervene only after these criminals publicly executed the congressman. As a result, Ryu Min had no reason to fret as long as the cabin remained free of criminal activity.
Ryu Min’s decision to use the invisibility skill and tail Song Jaegyeom stemmed from this understanding.
What’s the chairman’s role? To pick up the criminals.
“Hey there, boss. Are you seriously tripling our payment once the job’s done?”
“Indeed.”
Suspicion crept in, and one of the criminals asked cautiously, “You’re not planning to scam us at the last minute, are you?”
A sly smile played across Song Jaegyeom’s face as he reassured them, “If you can’t do it, just say so now. I’ll transfer the 25 million won to someone else.”
Laughter erupted from the criminals. “Haha, you’re quite impatient. I was just asking a question.”
“When have we ever said we wouldn’t do it?”
“In today’s world, taking a life is hardly a big deal.”
Money matters dominated the conversation, flowing effortlessly from the lips of the criminals. After all, their lives had spiraled into ruin, and in their eyes, racking up 100 million won by ending a single life seemed like a steal.
Ryu Min couldn’t help but sigh at the realization. Whether they were players or regular folks, there always seemed to be trash lurking around.
With such thoughts in mind, Ryu Min patiently awaited the opportune moment.
Then, suddenly, a soft chime signaled that the time had come. It was a call for Song Jaegyeom. “Yes, yes, Yamti-nim,” Song Jaegyeom responded, “I understand. I’ll take him now.”
Upon ending the call, Song Jaegyeom directed his bodyguards, “Gather everyone here and follow me.”
The bodyguards acknowledged the order, but before they could react further, they faltered and collapsed, much to their shock.
“What’s happening… Ugh?” one of them managed to groan before losing consciousness.
Ryu Min had swiftly dealt with them, leaving Song Jaegyeom and the criminals dumbfounded. Song Jaegyeom, who recognized Ryu Min’s face, was especially taken aback. “Lostyak?!”
With a grin, Ryu Min quipped, “Well, now it’s your turn to faint, Chairman.”
Poof! Thud! Song Jaegyeom joined the ranks of the unconscious, and Ryu Min turned his attention to the bewildered criminals.
“Now, what should we do with you lot?” he inquired.
“Hey, Hay!” was all that one of them managed to say, realizing that Ryu Min was no ordinary human.
It was an unexpected turn of events, and they beat a hasty retreat.
‘A player! You can never hope to win against one of them!’ the criminals conceded.
Realizing that he couldn’t simply let those who conspired to commit murder walk away, Ryu Min unsheathed his scythe. In an instant, the six criminals were reduced to a gruesome scene of crimson splatter.
‘Just in case these guys try to hold me back,’ Ryu Min thought, as he knew that, ultimately, the criminals’ fates were sealed the moment they accepted the mission from Player Haven.
Maybe they never thought they’d meet their end without even collecting the contract fee.
Regardless, Ryu Min, who quickly cleaned up the scene to eliminate all traces, drove off with the unconscious chairman. Carefully placing the body as if it were a discarded object, he had a plan in mind: “Even if the chairman wakes up later, it won’t matter. By then, the situation will be firmly under control.”
Ryu Min steered the car towards their designated rendezvous point, an old cabin. Upon entering, he was greeted by three junior officers who recognized him. They respectfully nodded, saying, “Hello, senior.”
“Hey there. Has Yamti-nim arrived yet?” Ryu Min inquired.
“Yes, she’s expected to arrive with the congressman shortly,” they replied.
“Alright then. I’ll maintain my watch outside as planned.”
While Ryu Min was outside, he noticed Yamti’s arrival with the congressman. “Finally, they’re here,” he thought.
From this point on, the plan was clear-cut: get inside, rescue the congressman, and eliminate all officers except Yamti. Why spare Yamti’s life? The reason was simple: “If I can enslave Yamti, Player Haven will naturally fall under my control.”
Though the chairman was the nominal leader of Player Haven, Yamti wielded the real power behind the scenes. Ryu Min believed that if he could control Yamti, he could effectively steer the organization.
But there was more at stake – Ryu Min coveted the enticing Rune of Enchantment. This Rune held immense power, perhaps even surpassing that of a territory representative’s authority.
“In fact,” Ryu Min mused, “it’s superior. It knows no boundaries, dominating players and regular individuals alike.”
However, Ryu Min had struggled to approach Yamti until now. How could he compete with someone who could captivate people effortlessly? “Of course, ending her wouldn’t be difficult. I could sneak up invisibly and finish the job swiftly.”
But from the start, Ryu Min had never intended to kill Yamti. It was more practical to utilize her. “That’s why I needed the 7th Round sub-mission Rune.” Thanks to the Rune of Mental Barrier, Ryu Min could finally confront Yamti. “The Rune of Enchantment might be powerful, but it can’t pierce through the Rune of Mental Barrier.”
Once inside the cabin, Ryu Min dealt with the three junior officers swiftly. Then, he pressured Yamti to release the congressman from her charm. Yamti complied as planned.
However, to avoid any misunderstandings in front of the congressman, Ryu Min decided to lure Yamti outside. “I’ll make him think I spared her out of mercy.”
Seeing Yamti show signs of remorse, Ryu Min released her. He then used his doppelganger ability and turned invisible to tail Yamti, maintaining a distance of more than 30 meters to avoid detection.
“Never seen such a sucker in my life. Haha,”
Ryu Min chuckled as he watched Yamti mock him.
Seeing Yamti’s scornful expression, Ryu Min was sure of one thing – mere threats couldn’t control people.
“In that case, there’s only one way,” Ryu Min thought.
He decided to use the one-time-use Reality’s Dominion on Yamti. “I’m not sorry to see it go. Dominating Yamti will grant me another Authority anyway if not a better one without the restrictions.”
“Yamti, become my slave.”
As Yamti’s eyes glazed over, a message appeared.
[All uses of Real World’s Dominion have been exhausted.]
[Temporary Skill – Dominion]
– Remaining Uses: 8
– Targets: Black Scythe, Yamti
[Unused Authority can be employed in the otherworld.]
[Temporary skill ‘Dominion’ is hidden from the skill window.]
With this, Ryu Min not only gained access to the potent Rune of Enchantment but also control over Player Haven.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Master,” Yamti said, bowing slightly, “Please give me an order, master. I will do whatever you tell me….”
“Never call me ‘Master.’ Don’t bow to me in front of anyone else, either. Just act naturally,” Ryu Min instructed.
“Alright.”
“If you get too carried away with your words; someone might find it strange.”
“I… I understand.”
Although Yamti didn’t add another word, Ryu Min could read her inner thoughts.
‘She genuinely sees me as his Master. She’s completely under my control.’
“Run down this path as fast as you can. The police will arrive soon. Tell the chairman that Lostyak betrayed him.”
“Alright… Um, Master, I mean, Black Scythe?”
“Don’t even mention Black Scythe. I will kill you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I mean, I apologize.”
Yamti’s face showed embarrassment.
“So, what should I call you from now on…?”
“Just use my name, Ryu Min.”
A faint smile graced Ryu Min’s lips.
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