The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - RMLP Chapter 116: The Commotion

“Eom Jun-seok?”

Ryu Min remembered his nickname.  

He was the one who had caught the boss’ attention during the High Orc battle.  

Not intentionally, but because he had been frozen in fear.

“You, you remember my nickname?”

“I just saw it briefly, but it seems I’m right.”

After all, he played a significant role in achieving a 1-second record in the time attack.

‘But why is this guy approaching me?’

He had never spoken a word to Ryu Min before, yet here he was, approaching nervously.

-Oh, Black Scythe-nim remembers me… I did good speaking to him!

Ryu Min read his thoughts and saw no ulterior motive.  

It seemed like a simple greeting.

Even knowing this, Ryu Min bluntly asked, “What do you want from me?”

“Ah, well, you saved me back then, and I’ve been feeling guilty for not thanking you.”

Eom Jun-seok bowed solemnly and seriously.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

‘I should be thanking you for drawing the High Orc’s aggro.’

Ryu Min swallowed these words and simply nodded.

“Alright, you can go now.”

Although it was a dismissal, Eom Jun-seok didn’t move, looking disappointed.

‘Ah, wait. Don’t tell me?’

Ryu Min glanced back and forth between Heo Taeseok and Um Jun-seok.  

Their gazes seemed similarly devoted.

‘It feels like I’ve gained another follower…’

Ignoring Ryu Min’s offer to leave, Eom Jun-seok continued, “It’s an honor to party with Black Scythe. I’m looking forward to working together.”

“Hold on. You’re Eom Jun-seok, right? What do you mean Black Scythe-nim saved you?”

“Oh, that was when…”

Interrupted by Heo Taeseok, Eom Jun-seok detailed the perilous situation he had faced.

“Ah, that time when Black Scythe-nim appeared.”

“Yes. It was truly fortunate. But you are…”

“Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Old-Man-No-Gay. Are you interested in religion?”

“Religion?”

“I’m recruiting people for a new cause…”

The two continued their conversation, leaving Ryu Min aside.

‘He’s trying to recruit followers even now.’

Heo Taeseok, usually awkward, was eloquent in front of Eom Jun-seok, especially when it came to Black Scythe.

‘Let them be. More followers for me isn’t bad.’

Although their whispering felt a bit like being a third wheel, it didn’t matter to Ryu Min as long as they didn’t bother him.

Then, Elf Yugrito used the wind spirit to announce to everyone, “We will start moving now. Please take care of us, warriors from the other world.”

With that as the signal, the caravan started moving.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The white horse pulled the wheel-less carriage.

Following the procession of 30 carriages, about 700 players also moved, naturally dividing to escort the carriages on both sides, vigilant for any monster attacks.

Despite their appearance, these players had survived up to the 7th round.

The forest was beautiful, but they weren’t lost in appreciation, aware that anything could emerge in this otherworldly realm.

However, Ryu Min was distinctly relaxed, as if on a neighborhood stroll, already knowing when and what monsters would appear.

‘Harpy, Lizardman, Werewolf. These three types will attack alternately, every 10 minutes.’

Like the Dwarf Guild, there would be 30 attacks, but with half the number of monsters, stronger than orcs.

‘We should kill at least 10 per player. It won’t be easy for the others.’

Despite the medium difficulty, only Ryu Min knew the tough journey ahead.

“It’s a monster! “Everyone be careful!”

“Squee!”

“Squawk!”

Harpy attacks began, catching the players off guard facing flying monsters for the first time.

But soon, seeing Ryu Min effortlessly slaying Harpies, they realized they could attack when the monsters descended.

‘Since they use their beaks and claws to attack, you just need to slice them when they get close.’

Inspired by Ryu Min’s prowess with his Death Scythe, players wielded their weapons and skills to protect the elves.

Heo Taeseok and Eom Jun-seok didn’t idle either.

Chains and black arrows restrained and pierced the harpies, while Eom Jun-seok’s sword cleanly sliced through them.

“Thank you, Jun-seok.”

“Be careful, No Gay.”

“By the way, have you considered my proposal?”

“Let’s finish this and talk.”

The harpy hunt ended smoothly.

Though swift, they were manageable compared to orcs and even gave more experience points.

Players sighed in relief after the unexpected flying monster attack.

“Whew, flying monsters, what a surprise.”

“But they weren’t that tough, right?”

“Experience points are so little though.”

“With 740 of us, what can you expect?”

Discussions continued, including admiration for Black Scythe’s role.

“Did you see Black Scythe in action?”

“He split them right in two.”

“It’s the first time I felt sorry for the monsters.”

Amidst the chatter, Ryu Min knew, ‘This ease will soon turn to sighs.’

If they could wish, they would long for a rest, but a grueling journey awaited them.

‘Soon they’ll realize.’

About three minutes into the walk, Lizardmen ambushed like thieves.

After battling them, and before they could rest, Werewolves attacked.

“Huff, puff…”

After defeating them, Harpies and then Lizardmen struck again.

“Isn’t this insane? So many monsters are attacking us?”

“Must be like game respawns.”

Hunting was fine, but they needed breaks.

Every 10 minutes, a new wave of monsters appeared, leaving no time to rest between battles and marches.

Players only realized the relentless nature of the mission after five waves.

“Pant, pant. Are you alright, Black Scythe-nim?”

“As you see.”

Ryu Min, unlike his exhausted followers, was energetically distributing stat points, not from leveling up, but from the beads of eternity.

‘One stat point per 100 monsters. Is there a better item than this?’

Considering the slow leveling at higher ranks, it was a treasure.

His stats from the beads were even surpassing his level-up stats.

In any case, Ryu Min was pleased.

‘With so many monsters and the ability to recover durability… I’ll be busy allocating stats.’

Ryu Min was evenly distributing the four types of stats, considering the Rune of Balance.

‘Even without the rune, balanced stats is the key.’

Through trial and error in his regresses, he found out that balanced stats were strongest.

Just as Ryu Min finished allocating stats, Yugrito urged, “We have a long way to go, warriors from the other world. The monsters seem cleared, let’s move.”

“Damn, no rest.”

“Monsters will probably appear again soon.”

Players grudgingly stood up and resumed escorting the guild.

Failing to protect the Elf Guild meant player extinction.

Despite their reluctance, they had no choice but to move.

It wasn’t just the escort group moving.

‘The traitor group is starting to make their move too.’

Realizing they could be eliminated first, four traitors plotted to strike the Elf Guild amidst the monster chaos.

‘It won’t be easy. These aren’t ordinary elf merchants.’

The merchants driving the carriages were knights guarding the princess.

Moreover, the carriage carrying the princess was protected by two spells.

‘One spell creates wind blades if the handle is touched, and the other throws intruders into the air.’

But what if they successfully capture the princess?

‘That’s game over.’

Threatening to kill her would be enough to make the elf knights comply.

Capturing the princess would surely swing the victory to the traitors.

‘Just threaten to kill her and you will stop the guild.’

Targeting the princess was the most efficient way.

‘The traitors won’t know she’s inside, though.’

They suspected that the decorated carriage contained valuables.

‘Well, the princess is valuable, so they’re on the right track.’

As long as you reach Seoul, the path doesn’t matter.

The traitors agreed to target the princess’s carriage.

‘And isn’t the next monster to appear the Werewolf?’

Timing their attacks with the monster’s appearance could create the desired situation.

‘They might not succeed, but I should be prepared.’

Ryu Min subtly moved to a spot out of sight.

Then, shouts erupted.

“Monsters!”

“Werewolves!”

As the Werewolves appeared, Ryu Min activated his skill.

‘Night Death.’

Darkness swiftly enveloped the forest.

Players initially flustered, calmly faced the monsters, knowing it was Black Scythe’s skill.

‘Looks like Black Scythe used his skill, but it doesn’t matter.’

‘I can see still fight, even in the dark.’

But they overlooked one thing.

Werewolves become 30% stronger at night.

“Awwooo!”

Their eyes turned red, and their claws grew bigger.

“Uh?”

As they moved more agilely, the players panicked.

For the traitors, though, it was an opportunity.

‘Black Scythe used his skill for us to operate in the dark.’

‘You’re the best Black Scythe!’

They rushed to the decorated carriage, suspecting valuables inside.

‘It must contain something to threaten the elves!’

Approaching the carriage, they went unnoticed in the darkness.

But that was short-lived when one of them touched the carriage handle.

Whish! Swoosh!

“Ahh!”

His hand was sliced off by the wind blade.

“Aaaaah!”

His scream alerted the elves, and Yugrito, the elf knight captain, rushed to the princess’s carriage.

“What’s happening?”

“A warrior dared to attack the carriage!”

Another traitor tried to open the carriage, triggering a reverse-gravity spell that threw him into the air.

“Wha?”

He plummeted to a gruesome death.

Yet, two traitors remained.

Opening the carriage, they found the princess, Eufinelcia, with rabbit-like eyes.

“We thought it was valuables, but…”

“Something better! Hehehe.”

With the princess captured, the game seemed over.

“The princess is in danger!”

Hearing the commotion, Yugrito drew his sword and ran over.

“What are you doing! Protect the princess…!”

He stopped mid-sentence, seeing the two traitors already lying on the ground.

“What happened…?”

The darkness had lifted, and sunlight bathed the carriage.

A man was kicking the traitors with his foot as if to check if they were unconscious.

It was none other than Black Scythe.