The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Ding-a-ling—

Ryu Min opened the door to the café and glanced around.

Seeing Min Juri sitting there, he raised his hand slightly in greeting.

Sitting across from her, he felt slightly relieved by the determined look in her eyes.

‘Thankfully, she seems okay.’

She wasn’t lowering her head or avoiding his gaze as before. Instead, her eyes carried a determined confidence, as if she was ready to tie up loose ends.

“You already ordered my coffee? Thanks.”

“It’s nothing.”

“…….”

The awkwardness between them lingered.

Although Ryu Min was the one who rejected her confession and suggested they remain friends, he never thought it would be easy.

‘If we keep meeting like this, things will gradually improve. Juri doesn’t seem to want to leave things awkward between us either.’

That must be why she so readily agreed to meet him today.

“Min-ah.”

“Yeah?”

Juri fell silent after being called. Her lips quivered slightly as if she was internally debating something. After a moment, she seemed to make up her mind and spoke.

“You told me before that you wanted us to remain friends, right?”

“I did.”

“I was honestly confused back then, but now I’ve made up my mind.”

Her eyes sparkled with determination.

“Let’s stay friends. But…”

She dropped her gaze slightly, as if embarrassed.

“Let’s pretend my confession never happened. Can you do that?”

“Of course. Absolutely.”

Did he answer too quickly?

Juri’s eyebrow twitched slightly, her expression showing a hint of bruised pride.

Before any misunderstandings could deepen, Ryu Min added quickly.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“I might have answered too fast, but don’t misunderstand. It’s not that your confession didn’t mean anything to me. Forgetting it completely would be impossible. But if that’s what you want, I’ll do my best…”

“No.”

Her eyes flared with pride.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t forget it. Don’t erase it from your memory. I confessed to you, and you rejected me. That’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Her voice trembled slightly. It felt like she was speaking impulsively, driven by hurt pride.

“Let me be honest. I haven’t given up yet. The reason I agreed to remain friends is because I don’t want to lose you. Think about it. Do feelings fade so easily? I still… like you.”

Her voice softened as she finished, and her gaze dropped to the table.

“I’m not going to give up. I’ll make you like me. So let me stay by your side as a friend. And give me a chance to become something more. That’s how I truly feel. Can you at least do that for me?”

“…….”

Ryu Min’s lips didn’t part easily. He wasn’t hesitating because he was thinking of rejecting her.

‘Rejection isn’t an option. I can’t lose my buffer.’

He was just caught off guard by her raw sincerity.

“Alright.”

“Huh?”

“Do as you like.”

“Really?”

“One way or another, we’re friends.”

“…….”

Though his words drew a boundary, Juri didn’t back down. She recalled the advice of the Black Scythe: ‘Keep challenging him.’

“That’s enough for me.”

Finally, a smile spread across Juri’s face.

“That settles it, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now let me tell you about the strategy for the 16th round.”

To change the atmosphere, Ryu Min hurriedly shared the strategy details. During his explanation, Juri’s eyes widened.

“Is the next round really going to play out like that?”

“Yeah. So you need to be careful and try not to get caught up in it. The Black Scythe will probably gather his followers soon to share the strategy.”

“You told the Black Scythe about the future?”

“I did.”

“I was wondering if you two share information…”

“We’ve always shared information.”

“Then why does the Black Scythe use his rewards to gain information about the next round? He could just ask you.”

“I can’t predict the future at will. If there’s a round I can’t foresee, the Black Scythe uses his rewards to fill in the gaps.”

It was a bold-faced lie, but Juri nodded as if it finally made sense.

“That’s a relief. I was worried you two might not get along…”

‘Not get along? We’re practically one and the same.’

He couldn’t reveal his true identity to her yet. Right now, it would only create unnecessary problems.

‘If she finds out I’ve been deceiving her all this time, she might feel betrayed.’

There was nothing to gain from revealing the truth, so he kept it tightly hidden.

“Sorry about earlier.”

Juri’s sudden apology made Ryu Min tilt his head.

“For what?”

“For… losing my cool.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

From Ryu Min’s perspective, he was just glad they seemed to be back on friendlier terms.

‘Technically, it’s different.’

In a way, he had given her another chance while putting her confession on hold.

“But Min, you’re part of the Death Church too, right?”

“Huh? Yeah, I am. Why?”

“I haven’t seen you around much lately.”

“I’m just a nominal member. If people found out about me, it would cause problems.”

“True. If they knew you were a Prophet, they’d cling to you.”

“Exactly.”

Juri sipped her coffee and studied him with curious eyes.

“If you have any more questions, just ask.”

“Oh, it’s nothing… But were you called by the Black Scythe in the 15th round? Your nickname was Lost Yak, right?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

“Then why don’t I remember hearing it?”

‘Because I never called that name.’

Ryu Min replied calmly.

“You probably didn’t hear it. Otherwise, how would I still be alive?”

“Hmm, I guess so…”

Since it was impossible to remember all 576 names, Juri brushed it off without suspicion.

“Shall we wrap up now?”

“Sure.”

Outside the café, the two exchanged a wave.

“Thanks for the strategy details. Let’s meet again soon.”

“Sure. I’ll stay in touch.”

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!