The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 118 (Part 1)
Chapter 118: Human Guild (Part 1)
When Ryu Min arrived at the waiting area alone, the angel Ariel was startled.
[“You survived alone?”]
“Yes.”
She hadn’t expected the traitor group to be already dead.
[“To die without even reaching the human guild. Such useless creatures.”]
‘I thought they’d at least survive a bit longer to entertain the higher-ups.’
Ariel, hiding her true thoughts, shook her head in dismay.
[“Well, what can you do? You’ll have to complete the mission alone. Black Scythe. You do know this is your last chance, right?”]
“I’m aware.”
[“If you fail to complete the traitor quest in the human guild, it’s instant annihilation. We don’t show mercy just because you’re ranked number one.”]
‘I know. I’m fully aware that everything is systematically controlled.’
[“For your information, there are 1,201 people in the human guild. In other words, it’s a battle between your survival or the survival of 1,201 people.”]
He knew that even without saying.
As much as the quest is at odds, one of the groups is bound to be annihilated.
[“If you win, 1,201 people will be annihilated, but well, what can you do? You must survive, even if it means abandoning the majority, right?”]
“……”
[“It would be interesting to see the top ranker annihilated, but I hope you survive. It seems more amusing to see that many get obliterated, kehehe.”]
With those words from the angel, Ryu Min’s surroundings changed.
* * *
Far away, mountains can be seen.
Lush trees are also visible.
A neatly maintained road for carriages is also in view.
But more than those, what caught Ryu Min’s attention was the players.
Over a thousand players were buzzing with activity.
‘The human guild is indeed the most popular.’
The reason for the crowd was no other than the fact that it’s easier to deal with humans than other races from different worlds.
Familiarity feels more comfortable and easier than novelty.
‘But the human traders are the toughest.’
The players will suffer from the appearance of strong monsters like trolls, gargoyles, skeletons, and minotaurs.
‘The ratio might be one per person, but it won’t be easy. They are not at the right level to handle these kinds of monsters alone yet.’
If they were over level 50, maybe, but for players in their early to mid-30s, these monsters are a challenging level.
‘But with their high numbers, they’ll somehow manage it. Especially with the archbishop here.’
If the elf guild had a princess, the human guild had an archbishop.
‘Although he lacks combat ability, the archbishop will protect the merchants and the players.’
The archbishop’s wide-ranging buff will increase the players’ combat and survival abilities.
Unlike other guilds, it’s a relief to be able to proceed with the help of a non-player character.
‘It means that this guild is the most difficult, but it’s comforting to have such help.’
Of course, to Ryu Min, all of this was irrelevant.
Even though his stats were reduced by 20% twice, allowing him only to exert 64% of his original power; he was confident.
‘Even with reduced power, the monsters here are still easy pickings for me.’
If they barely qualified as a post-meal workout before, now they would barely make him sweat, even at 64% of his strength.
‘Without the stat debuff, it would have been even easier.’
While thinking this, Ryu Min turned his head.
There was a sound of someone approaching.
“Excuse me, are you Black Scythe?”
As Ryu Min looked over, the other party covered their mouth in surprise.
“Oh my, it’s true! You’re Black Scythe!”
” Black Scythe?”
“Black Scythe came to the human guild?”
The murmuring grew louder, and soon people began to gather.
It felt like being a monkey in a zoo with everyone peeking curiously.
Ryu Min made a visibly displeased expression.
“Black Scythe-nim! Could I have your autograph?”
“Me too, please! I’m a real fan of Black Scythe-nim!”
“Can I shake your hand just once?”
There’s always someone who doesn’t read the room.
Ryu Min had no choice but to draw his scythe.
“Don’t come any closer. You’ll die.”
His threatening glare made the approaching players flinch.
“Get lost.”
At his word, the players began to disperse, one by one.
It was understood that there was nothing to gain from aggravating the Black Scythe.
“Black Scythe-nim.”
Despite being told to get lost, someone still approached him, prompting Ryu Min to turn around irritably.
But it was a familiar face.
“An Sang-cheol?”
“Ah, so it is you, Black Scythe-nim. I didn’t expect us to choose the same guild. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Sure.”
An Sang-cheol was smiling, but Ryu Min didn’t respond warmly.
He remembered how An Sang-cheol had stabbed him in the back during the 7th round.
Even if it was just an illusion.
Ryu Min knowingly asked.
“Why are you alone?”
“Seo Arin went to the dwarf guild. She said it seemed easier…”
It wasn’t just that it seemed easier; An Sang-cheol knew it was easier but kept quiet.
He still couldn’t reveal anything about the prophecy.
‘He blurted it out without hesitation in the illusion. Is that just an illusion after all?’
Ryu Min felt a bit relieved.
Unless An Sang-cheol had gone mad, he wouldn’t betray him.
Ryu Min needed him for the prophecy until the last round.
‘If he betrays me, it must be the work of Ma Gyeong-rok. This guy is not the type to act on his own.’
Yet, it was strange that he chose the human guild, knowing it was the most difficult.
He dug into An Sang-cheol’s true intentions to find out why.
‘Ah. So that’s why?’
He wants to become stronger.
But the purpose of gaining strength wasn’t for himself.
‘He’s trying to get stronger because he’s worried I might become an enemy to Ma Gyeong-rok.’
There can’t be two kings under the heavens.
An Sang-cheol, wanting to crown Ma Gyeong-rok as king, considered the possibility that Black Scythe might become an obstacle in the future.
He wanted to become stronger to protect his lord’s side in preparation for that time.
‘I didn’t expect him to be on guard against me.’
The thought of catching up to him was laughable, but he decided to watch.
To see how much An Sang-cheol could grow.
Then, another person Ryu Min was acquainted with approached.
“Oh? Black Scythe-nim?”
It was the Mercenary King, Jo Yong-ho.
“You’re in the human guild as well.”
“Yes. It seemed like a lot of people would gather here.”
Jo Yong-ho was surrounded by more people than before.
About twenty in total.
‘Last time, there were five. He increased the number of his mercenaries.’
Mercenaries receive bonus stats for contracting with the Mercenary King.
There was no reason for them not to follow Jo Yong-ho.
“Do you remember what I said before? If you need help, I’ll offer it.”
“I remember.”
“Do you need anything now?”
“Not now. Let’s postpone it.”
“Haha, understood.”
Jo Yong-ho’s laughter contained not a trace of wariness.
‘Here’s where An Sang-cheol and Jo Yong-ho differ in character.’
One internally guards against Black Scythe, while the other fully recognizes him as an ally.
Despite both having received his help, their thoughts were so different.
“Then, I have things to do, so I’ll be going. It was nice to see you.”
“Sure.”
Jo Yong-ho blended into the crowd with his group.
Seeing him talk to this and that person, he seemed to be looking for players with the mercenary job.
‘With so many people in the human guild, he’ll quickly expand his forces.’
Then, as if on cue, a message appeared before everyone.