The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 77 (Part 1)

Chapter 77: Who Am I? (Part 1)

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Not long ago, Ryu Min found himself in a local internet cafe, of all places. But he had a specific mission in mind—to join the enigmatic Players Haven Cafe. However, there was a catch; he was doing this under the identity of Hwang Yong-min.

You see, this cafe didn’t require any pesky real-name verification, making it a haven for identity impersonation. The reason behind this covert operation? Well, it was born out of necessity.

“Somebody has been masquerading as the enigmatic ‘Black Scythe,’ and PHC’s top brass can’t just sit idly by,” Ryu Min mused. His grand plan was to use Hwang Yong-min as bait to draw out the PHC executives.

Choosing the nickname “Black Scythe” was no arbitrary decision. Ryu Min believed it would grab more than just attention. It would potentially serve as an entry point to confirm Black Scythe’s authenticity through an interview, perhaps even a visit to Hwang Yong-min’s residence.

That’s why he had meticulously listed Hwang Yong-min’s home address when signing up, right down to the villa’s plot number and unit details. Little did he know, that Hwang Yong-min had undergone quite a change of scenery, having moved from his previous torment-ridden abode.

“Seems like he’s taken this step to gain independence from his family, but one can’t help but wonder where he got the funds,” Ryu Min pondered with a hint of irony.

“Wherever these guys go, they’re in my palm,” he smirked, confident in his tracking skills, which could unveil anyone’s whereabouts. This was one of the perks of being a player in this realm.

While Ryu Min could understand the Café executives’ power-hungry drive, he vehemently disagreed with their methods. In their quest for supremacy, they forced members to commit murder, shunned regular folks, and treated them like slaves. Their actions were causing a dangerous rift between the general public and players, a division that could ultimately lead to societal collapse.

This was precisely why Ryu Min felt compelled to act. He believed that the Café villains, who could be considered the architects of this impending chaos, needed to be eliminated. However, he also saw an opportunity to harness the might of the Café rather than dismantle it.

“Players Haven Café is too valuable to be eliminated,” he thought. Though it was still in its infancy, the café was on the path to becoming a formidable organization, with over 30% of the country’s players joining its ranks. Despite their often-terrorist-like behavior, they were undoubtedly the most influential player organization around.

So, rather than tearing it apart, Ryu Min decided to find a way to utilize it. He already had a plan in mind, one that would save him precious time. His plan? To seize the existing top leadership position within the Café, taking on the role of Chairman.

You see, Ryu Min recognized that no matter how strong he was individually, controlling a vast number of players required more than just raw power. It demanded a well-structured organization, something he couldn’t build from scratch given the ticking clock.

But if he could take over an already-established leadership role, everything would become more manageable. And that’s where the position of Players Haven Café’s Chairman came into play.

“[Chairman], that guy doesn’t hold any special significance. What truly matters is the role he has created,” Ryu Min concluded.

That’s why he had infiltrated the café—to bring down the higher-ups and claim the Chairman’s seat for himself. Hwang Yong-min was simply a pawn to draw them out.

With a sly grin, Ryu Min shifted his stride, heading toward Hwang Yong-min’s villa.

***

Following the mayhem of the 4th round in this nightmarish realm, many players had grown desensitized to murder. They no longer hesitated to take the lives of ordinary people, and player misconduct had reached alarming levels.

In a way, it was a natural progression. With enough repetition, even the most daunting tasks become second nature. Hwang Yong-min was no exception. He had adapted to the chaotic lifestyle that had become his daily reality.

The shrill sound of a bell echoed as Hwang Yong-min entered a lottery shop. He approached the counter, where the owner had been engrossed in reading a newspaper. Finally looking up, the owner inquired, “What brings you here today, good sir?”

The moment the owner spotted the unexpected guest, his words failed him. It was as if he had encountered a bank robber, the stranger wearing a mask that concealed their identity.

With a sudden, brisk movement, Hwang Yong-min tossed his bag onto the counter, his voice laced with a steely edge. “Put all the cash you have in this bag. If you don’t want trouble.”

The owner hesitated, his confusion palpable, and in response, Hwang Yong-min’s fist came down hard on the counter.

Thud!

Despite the punch being seemingly ordinary, it sounded more like a blow from a sledgehammer, leaving a lasting impact.

“What are you lagging for? Do you think this is a joke?”

‘Is this a player?’ It was only now that the owner recognized the truth.

Such incredible strength could only be attributed to a player. Thoughts of a recent newspaper headline flashed through the owner’s mind:

“[Convenience Store Owner Resists Player, Struck with Blunt Object and Killed].”

Resisting a player was foolish, especially in South Korea, where firearms were a rarity.

“What’s the hold-up? Hurry and fill the bag. Do you really want to risk it?”

“I-I’ll do it right away!” The owner swiftly collected cash from the register and presented the bag, anxiety clear in his eyes.

“Here…”

“Is this all you’ve got?”

“Well, lately, business hasn’t been great. Lottery ticket sales have been suspended, you see. I do sell various items like a convenience store, but revenue…”

“Who asked for your life story? You’re aware there’s a safe, right? You think you can fool me? Go get everything from there. Understand? Go!”

“Y-yes!” Confronted with a raised fist, the owner reluctantly retrieved the money from the safe. It was about ten million won.

“That should suffice.”

Content, Hwang Yong-min turned to leave but abruptly pivoted back.

“You know, if you ever think about reporting this, think again. I’ll break out of jail, and when I do, I’ll come for you.”

“….” The owner, now considering reporting the incident, swallowed hard. After all, the mask concealed the intruder’s identity entirely.

Hwang Yong-min quickly retreated to a nearby alley, minimizing the chances of being recognized.

“Phew.” After removing the mask, he checked the contents of the bag. A smile involuntarily spread across his face.

“Heh, today’s haul is quite the catch. This should sustain me for a month.”

In the real world, he could manage, but what about the other world? Could he endure the next round?

Such thoughts cast a shadow over his face. “Damn… If only it weren’t for that penalty.”

The permanent stat reduction penalty had not only hindered his growth but also sapped his motivation.

“I managed to defeat around 300 orcs this time, but can I survive the next round?” The more he pondered, the heavier his sighs became.

“Damn you, Black Scythe… It’s all because of that bastard.”

It was due to Black Scythe that he had lost his friends, suffered stat reductions, and resorted to robbery.

“It’s all that bastard’s fault!”

He shouted in the alley before making his escape. He had threatened to break out of the jail and kill the owner if he ever reported the incident. However, he had no intention of doing so.

Once back home, he can curse that bastard as much as he wants.

Click!

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