The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

[Player ‘Kobolt Blue’ has joined the ‘Holy Empire’ faction.]

[You have obtained the qualification of a commander in the Holy Empire faction.]

[You will be immediately transported to the command barracks.]

Having arrived at the barracks of the Holy Empire, Kobolt Blue smiled to himself.

This wasn’t a mistake.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

‘I betrayed Black Scythe.’

Not just Black Scythe, but the entire Death Church.

‘They probably all chose the Kingdom Alliance, except me.’

The Holy Empire was overwhelmingly stronger.

Yet despite that, the others had chosen the Kingdom Alliance.

Only because Black Scythe had instructed them to.

‘But I don’t think so. Black Scythe will definitely side with the Holy Empire.’

Black Scythe had forced others to choose the Kingdom Alliance.

Even though it was weaker, even though the odds were against it—he’d claimed the rewards would be greater.

‘He didn’t even explain how he plans to win the war, yet he’s pushing us to pick the Kingdom Alliance? He must be hiding something.’

From that moment on, Kobolt Blue started to doubt Black Scythe.

He was convinced Black Scythe was lying.

‘He’s throwing everyone else into the losing side while secretly aligning with the Holy Empire himself. I’m sure of it.’

How could he be so certain?

Because if it were him, that’s exactly what he would do.

If there was a time to stab someone in the back, it would be now.

‘Though, honestly, what reason would Black Scythe even have to betray them…?’

Kobolt Blue didn’t know for sure.

But he was sure there had to be some reason.

‘Like if the system rewards players who win against the odds with some massive bonus… or something like that.’

Of course, it was all just speculation.

Even his report to the Death Church leader about the “faction” incident had been based on a similar hunch.

‘To be honest, I didn’t hear anything clearly. I just overheard them chatting about something.’

Even so, he’d exaggerated his claims, saying they were forming a faction and adding his own assumptions to the mix.

It was only because the church leader was gullible that the lie had been believed and acted upon.

In the end, his report hadn’t earned him any rewards, not even a shred of acknowledgment.

‘Honestly, they should’ve rewarded me for that! Not a single thing in return. Tch.’

He had expected some form of compensation for his “tip-off,” but it had been a complete waste of effort.

‘This is why you can’t trust black-haired beasts.’

Kobolt Blue’s disdain for “black-haired beasts” extended to Black Scythe himself.

And so, he became convinced.

Convinced that Black Scythe was planning to betray them.

He chose the Holy Empire faction purely out of his own baseless suspicions and paranoia, betraying Black Scythe, who had called his name during the 16th round. 𝙧àꞐỌＢÊṡ

‘Some might say I’m insane for betting my life on such uncertainty.’

But Kobolt Blue didn’t regret it.

‘As long as I survive, that’s all that matters.’

In strategy simulation games, he considered himself unbeatable.

It was then that he noticed movement.

Tsssshhh—

A figure materialized before his eyes.

Someone else had entered the barracks.

‘Could it be… Black Scythe?’

He felt a thrill of satisfaction.

His suspicion had been correct. Black Scythe had deceived everyone and chosen the Holy Empire after all.

But that satisfaction quickly turned to disappointment.@@novelbin@@

It wasn’t Black Scythe. It was someone else.

“Oh? I didn’t think anyone else would be here.”

“And you are…?”

“My name’s Chris. My username is [Chris Tian].”

It was a name Kobolt Blue didn’t recognize.

At least the newcomer wasn’t one of the “black-haired beasts,” which was a small relief.

“So, why did you choose the Holy Empire?”

“Well, why did you?”

“I asked first.”

“Fair enough…”

As Kobolt Blue listened to Chris Tian’s explanation, a small smirk formed on his face.

It seemed they shared the same reasoning.

“You doubted Black Scythe, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Telling us to choose the weaker Kingdom Alliance… I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if we all just ended up dead.”

“So, you decided to trust your gut instead?”

“Exactly. Plus, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Black Scythe might actually side with the Holy Empire.”

In the end, Chris Tian had made the same gamble as Kobolt Blue.

Out of doubt and paranoia, they had both abandoned the Kingdom Alliance.

“But it’s just us here. What about Black Scythe?”

“He’ll show up soon, I’m sure of it.”

But contrary to their expectations, the system announcement revealed a different outcome.

[The faction selection period has ended.]

[Faction Selection Results:]

└ Holy Empire: 2 players

└ Kingdom Alliance: 286 players

“W-What? Aside from us, everyone chose the Kingdom Alliance?”

“Does that mean Black Scythe is on their side too…?”

Chris Tian was stunned, but Kobolt Blue quickly composed himself.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now. We’ll just have to kill them all ourselves.”

“You’re joking, right? How are we supposed to beat 286 people?”

“Why not? This is a strategy game, not a brawl.”

Kobolt Blue grinned.

In terms of strategy simulation games, he considered himself as skilled as a pro gamer.

“No matter how many outdated CPUs you slap together, garbage is still garbage. A high-performance CPU like me will outperform them all. Heh.”

But just as he was smiling confidently and looking at the battle interface, his face twisted in confusion.

“W-What the…?”

His eyes darted across the screen.

The enemy’s red markers were increasing at an alarming rate.

“This… this doesn’t make sense. Is the screen broken?”

He tapped the display, thinking it was a malfunction.

But the red dots kept multiplying in real time, almost like cells dividing.

“W-What is this? Why are the enemies multiplying?”

“I… I don’t know!”

“They’ve doubled our numbers already!”

The Kingdom Alliance, originally estimated at 300,000 troops, now boasted over 600,000.

Cold sweat trickled down both their faces.

‘W-Wait a minute. Is the Holy Empire really supposed to be the stronger side here?’

Kobolt Blue began to doubt everything, unaware that his suspicions had already brought ruin upon him.

At that moment, the Kingdom Alliance troops began their advance.

Chris Tian panicked and shouted, “T-They’re coming! Aren’t you supposed to be good at this? Do something! Come up with a strategy!”

“W-Well… uh… th-the thing is…”

How could he strategize? The enemy had double their forces and superior equipment. There wasn’t much strategy to come up with in such a lopsided scenario.

Kobolt Blue could only watch as the situation spiraled further out of control.

‘O-Our forces are being wiped out so fast.’

The disparity in numbers was staggering, but it wasn’t just that. The quality of the Kingdom Alliance’s weapons and armor also far outclassed their own.

Otherwise, their soldiers wouldn’t be falling so quickly, like blades of grass cut down by a scythe.

‘W-We’re doomed. If this keeps up, we’ll be annihilated.’

Kobolt Blue hastily gave the order to retreat. There was no time to think about terrain advantages or clever strategies.

The only priority was escaping.

The first battle of the Holy Empire ended in a devastating defeat.

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!