The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Ryu Min had previously placed the “Hero’s Protection” skill on his younger sibling.

This skill granted invincibility for 10 seconds upon being attacked—a broken protection ability.

And now, that skill had activated.

The meaning was clear.

“My brother… is in danger.”

Ryu Min had never expected that the precautionary skill he set up would actually come into effect.

[Time until choice: 00:00:09]

“I don’t have much time.”

He didn’t know who was attacking his sibling, but there was only one certainty:

[Please choose one of the following:]

└ 1. Teleport to the target.

└ 2. Summon the target.

[Time until choice: 00:00:08]

“I have to choose one right now.”

Option 1 allowed him to teleport instantly to the target, with the added benefit of immediate retaliation.

“But there’s a risk my sibling could get caught up in the fight.”

On the other hand, Option 2 would bring his brother to him, completely removing them from danger.

“Option 2 is safer, but immediate retaliation becomes impossible.”

[Time until choice: 00:00:06]

There was no time left.

It was decision time.

Ryu Min’s lips moved.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

***

Ten Minutes Before the 16th Round Began

[Gabriel, are you sure it’s wise for just the two of us to go?]

Gabriel’s elegant brow furrowed at the words that pricked at his pride.

[What are you implying, Raphael? Are you doubting my abilities?]

[No, of course not. I just thought… involving Michael might make things more definitive.]

Raphael trailed off, seeing Gabriel’s expression darken to something fearsome.

[You already upset me by convincing me not to go alone, and now you think two of us aren’t enough? Do you find me that unreliable?]

[My apologies if I offended you.]

Though he was irritated, Gabriel wasn’t entirely unsympathetic.

[I understand. The human wielding the Scythe has proven unexpectedly dangerous, even to us archangels.]

[…]

[But a human is still just a human. No matter how high a lizard climbs, it will never become a dragon. Nothing will go wrong.]

[I don’t doubt that. After all, I witnessed your brilliance firsthand during the Fifth Heavenly Demon War. Moreover, you have the ability to foresee your opponent’s movements.]

[Calling it foresight is an exaggeration. It’s merely predicting the enemy’s actions.]

[Still, that ability earned you the titles of Hero and Archangel of Prophecy, didn’t it?]

[If you know that, why are you speaking as though you’re worried?]

[Because previous attempts by other archangels have failed. I wanted to ensure that this time we bring the matter to a complete and decisive close.]

[Don’t worry. With the two of us together, it will be.]

It wasn’t empty reassurance.

Though Raphael lacked combat abilities, he was the third-ranked archangel, bearing the title “Archangel of Healing.” With his support, Gabriel feared nothing.

[We don’t need Michael to overwhelm him. I guarantee it will only take a minute—no, ten seconds—to kill him.]

[Not subdue, but kill?]

[This is a human who has already slain four archangels. Summary execution is more than warranted.]

Raphael nodded, though the decision was entirely Gabriel’s. Michael had ordered them not to kill, but to capture.

“There’s no way I’ll let that filthy worm climb to the heavens.”

Gabriel intended to crush the human’s head on sight using his divine power. While he doubted it would work given the fates of the other archangels, it wouldn’t matter.

“Even if my initial strike is blocked, killing him will be easy.”

If questioned later, he would simply claim that the human’s death was unavoidable due to the threat to his life. Michael would have no choice but to accept his reasoning.

[Gabriel, the 16th round has begun.]

[Since the stage is set in the human realm, descending requires no divine cost.]

Gabriel smirked and drew his golden chains.

[Good. Let’s end this quickly.]

[Understood.]

[Wait!]

Just as they were about to descend, Gabriel suddenly stopped.

[What’s wrong?]

[A revelation.]

[What?]

[The deity is calling me.]

It wasn’t surprising. As the “Archangel of Prophecy,” Gabriel occasionally heard the voice of the divine.

[We’re to meet the deity together.]

[Who exactly are we meeting?]

[You’ll see when we arrive.]

Gabriel led the way, and Raphael followed closely. They passed through the highest realms, arriving at a location shrouded in a barrier.

Passing through, they entered a void so still it seemed time itself had frozen.

[Aah…]

[There is no need to fear.]

Gabriel’s voice was calm, but Raphael trembled. What lay before him was a presence far beyond his comprehension.

Gabriel, maintaining his composure, bowed deeply.

[May I ask why you summoned us?]

[A certain human is proving troublesome. So I did a little investigating.]

[Investigating?]

[The strength and weaknesses of the human called the Black Scythe.]

[Ah…]

[Would you like to know the results?]

[Yes.]

After a brief pause, the voice from the void continued.

[The two of you alone cannot handle him.]

[…]

Even together, the second-and third-ranked archangels were no match for a single human? It was a blow to their pride, but Gabriel didn’t show it. In the presence of such a deity, even pride must be set aside.

[You would have lost in direct combat. Without my intervention, you would have ended up like the others—your bodies destroyed, reduced to nothing.]

[…]

[Excuse me for saying so, but we are confident. We will avenge our fallen comrades and restore the honor of heaven…]

[You sound just like the archangels who’ve already died.]

[…]

[Do you think they lacked confidence? No. They died because they were outmatched in strength. They underestimated their opponent.]

[…]

[The ignorant are always overconfident. If you cannot accurately gauge your foe’s power, how are you any different from those already fallen?]

[I’m sorry. My thoughts were short-sighted.]

Gabriel bowed his head, but the deity remained composed.

[Raise your head. I did not summon you to quash your confidence.]

[Then…]

[I called you to aid in your strategy. I’ve uncovered the human’s weakness.]

[A weakness?]

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