The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Ryu Min opened the door that had been closed.
On the floor, one person was sleeping soundly under a blanket.
It was his younger brother, Ryu Won, who was in his third year of middle school.
He was Ryu Min’s only family.
“Won-ah, wake up.”
As Ryu Min shook him, Ryu Won tossed and turned before finally opening his sleepy eyes.
“……Hyung?”
“Get up, it’s morning.”
“What time is it?”
Ryu Won looked at the wall clock as he spoke.
“What? It’s not even 6 o’clock yet.”
“You won’t have time to sleep more.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain later. Put your clothes on first. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going? If you want to watch the sunrise, I’d rather sleep more….”
“Listen to me, Hyung.”
At Ryu Min’s low voice, Ryu Won closed his mouth and looked at his older brother.
The serious atmosphere of his older brother that was different from usual made Ryu Won’s expression serious as well.
“Why are you like this, Hyung? What’s going on?”
“This is not the time to sleep peacefully. The world is in chaos.”
“Why? Did something happen when you went to see the ceremonial bell ringing?”
“First, come out. I’ll talk while we walk.”
The brothers passed through the narrow kitchen and went outside.
The cold air of the yet-to-be-risen dawn made Ryu Won shiver.
“Let’s walk a bit.”
“Okay.”
The brothers walked in silence through the dimly lit alleyway.
Ryu Won turned his head and glanced at his brother.
‘What’s going on that’s making him look so serious?’
He had never seen this side of his brother before, but he didn’t dare ask him anything.
He thought that his brother would explain everything on his own, but his atmosphere was strangely different from before.
‘No, he’s completely different.’
His jaw was clenched, his eyes were full of strength, and his stride was determined.
He looked so different from his usual small and timid self.
After they walked for a while, Ryu Min spoke.
“Do you know what’s happening in the world right now?”
“Of course, I don’t. Why? Did something happen while I was sleeping?”
“Check the internet news.”
Ryu Won did as he was told and pulled out his phone to look up the news.
“Holy… what’s this?”
Ryu Wn stopped in his tracks and couldn’t take his eyes off his phone for a while.
“Is this for real? People were taken to another world by angels?”
“Well, only their souls were taken,” Ryu Min nodded.
“I can’t believe this. Could it be Hyung too?”
Ryu Min nodded his head.
“We managed to catch 100 goblins in that other world and barely made it back alive.”
“…Wow.”
Although Ryu Min spoke the truth, his younger brother still seemed skeptical.
“Why wasn’t I taken too?”
“Because you’re not yet 15 years old.”
Although Ryu Won was going to be in his third year of middle school this year, he was still only 14 years old.
It was fortunate for him, considering the desperate situation.
However, Ryu Won continued to read the article, unable to fully comprehend the situation.
The comments section was full of lamentations from people who had lost their siblings and children.
There were too many witnesses for this to be a lie.
“Why… how could this happen…” Ryu Won sighed and looked back at his brother.
It was amazing how his brother, despite his small stature, managed to survive.
“Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“How can I not worry? You’re the only family I have left.”
It was since the day when their parents had passed away in a car accident and Ryu Min had comforted Ryu Won as he sobbed with tears and snot.
‘To me, Hyung is like a father figure.’
Although he was too shy to say it out loud, Ryu Won looked up to his brother and relied on him like a father.
But the truth was, Ryu Won was still worried.
“Mental strength and fighting ability are two different things.”
Although he admitted that his brother had strong mental strength, it didn’t mean he was good at fighting.
Moreover, he was physically small and had been beaten up before.
“Every time that happened, he told me not to worry because he could handle it himself.”
But how could he not worry? If something happened to his brother, he would be all alone.
As Ryu Won was lost in thought, Ryu Min spoke up.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry. In that other world, there’s a system called ‘stats’ that renders physical conditions meaningless. Even girls can fight goblins on equal footing.”
“Really?” Ryuwon was surprised.
“And later, when you see me in action, you won’t have to worry about me too. More importantly, do not interfere.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If you want to know, come with me.”
“I don’t want to. I won’t take a single step until you tell me where we’re going.”
Despite his younger brother’s stubbornness, Ryu Min just chuckled quietly to himself.
He had already experienced this kind of response in the previous episode.
“Wanna know?”
“Hey, stop jokin…”
“Bae Taegyu.”
The mention of the name made his brother’s face freeze.
“We’re going to the hideout of your bullies.”
“What?!”
“You were getting bullied lately at school by a guy named Bae Taegyu, right?”
Ryu Won was shocked. He had never been bullied before in his life, and he even enjoyed going to school and hanging out with his friends.
But he didn’t want to burden his older brother, who was already working hard to support them both. So he kept it to himself.
However, somehow, Ryu Min knew.
“Did you know about it all along?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
Ryu Won bit his lip. He thought he had hidden it well, but it turned out that his brother had known all along.
“I…I didn’t think you knew.”
Ryu Min didn’t actually know about this, it all happened in the first regression.
It wasn’t until several hours after returning from the first round that Ryu Min learned the truth about his brother’s bullying.
Ryu Won had come back home with a swollen face, and it turned out that he had been beaten up by Bang Taekyu and his gang.
Ryu Min was shocked and angry that he hadn’t been able to protect his little brother.
He felt guilty that he had let his own weakness burden Ryu Won.
But he knew he had to do something. After all, Ryu Won was his only family.
“By the way, what did you say earlier? That we’re going to his hideout?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think?”
Ryu Min smirked.
“I can’t just let someone who bullied my little brother get away with it. I’ll break his arm if I have to.”
Arm? One arm won’t be enough
He wanted to make sure that Ryu Won would never be bullied again, and that meant putting Bang Taekyu in his place.
“I’ll teach him a lesson he won’t forget. He won’t dare bully anyone ever again.”