The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

The sky above the sky, the god of battle, the only hope, the highest-ranked archangel.

Michael carried countless titles, but none of them could truly satisfy him.

‘In the end, I’m just another pawn moving at the gods’ command. There’s no real difference between me and my subordinates in that regard.’

Even though his subordinates revered him as the heavens themselves, Michael felt empty.

After all, it was just a league of their own.

He was well aware that they were nothing more than frogs in a well.

Perhaps that was why he yearned for something greater.

A once-in-a-lifetime feat—becoming a god.

‘But in the end, even that is a futile endeavor.’

He had turned a blind eye to the deaths of his fellow archangels, using them as sacrifices, but it was no longer possible to delay the inevitable.

‘And now, my turn has finally come.’

To personally kill the Black Scythe.

To extinguish with his own hands the greatest opportunity of his lifetime.

[Haa…….]

Michael let out a sigh without realizing it.

His plan to keep the Black Scythe alive until the 20th round and achieve his ambition of becoming a god had come to an end.

‘No… strictly speaking, it’s not over yet.’

But for all intents and purposes, it might as well be.

The gods were watching from behind the scenes.

Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance, as well as an even darker god, were pressuring him to bring in the Black Scythe immediately.

‘Is it truly impossible to delay this any further…?’

There were no more archangels left to send.

No more excuses to make.

If he failed to hand over the Black Scythe to the demon Grand Duke Plunictos before the start of the 18th round…

‘Plunictos will find an excuse to manifest himself, and in the end, we’ll lose the Celestial-Demonic War.’

Not only that, but he would also earn the wrath of Nemesis and the other gods.

[Damn it, how did things end up like this?]

Looking back, it was all because of Gabriel.

— If we use the Demon’s Resurrection Book that we picked up during the last Celestial-Demonic War, we can make the Black Scythe a sacrificial offering. We don’t even need to act ourselves. We can use other players who already hold a grudge against him. ṛάΝÒ𝐁Ё𝙎

Trying to buy time by following Gabriel’s plan had been the worst possible move.

‘If only I hadn’t been swayed by his suggestion to use the Demon’s Resurrection Book… things wouldn’t have spiraled out of control like this.’

But regret, no matter how early, was always too late.

The plan had failed, and as a result, Plunictos had grown displeased, drawing the gods into the matter.

In a way, it was his own decision that had led to this disaster.

‘No… could this all have been Plunictos’s scheme from the start?’

Had he deliberately left behind the Demon’s Resurrection Book to give himself justification to intervene?

Had he anticipated that the angels would use it and planned to use that as an excuse?

‘Damn it! We fell for the demon’s trick. How could we be so foolish?’

Even as he clutched his head in self-reproach, nothing changed.

At this point, there was only one solution.

He had no choice but to subdue the Black Scythe and hand him over, as Plunictos demanded.

Even if it meant postponing his ambition of becoming a god.

‘Losing the Celestial-Demonic War is not an option. If that happens, even my current position will be in jeopardy.’

Becoming a god could wait. For now, he had to deal with the immediate crisis.

With that thought, Michael looked down at the Black Scythe in another realm.

Using the celestial orb that granted him clairvoyance.

‘To avoid unnecessary complications, I should strike when he’s alone…’

As he was waiting for the right opportunity—

As if the heavens themselves were aiding him, he saw the Black Scythe leave his encampment alone.

‘Where is he going?’

Watching closely, he saw him head to a mercenary camp and then use a warp device to enter a dragon’s lair.

‘He’s leaving the kingdom war to his allies and focusing on hunting dragons instead?’

As expected of the Black Scythe.

Not a single moment was wasted.

Though he was nothing more than a lowly human, Michael couldn’t help but feel admiration.

‘Well, it’s only natural. He wouldn’t have made it this far without that level of effort.’

But this was as far as he would go.

Though he lacked Gabriel’s ability to foresee the future, Michael could already tell.

That the Black Scythe would soon be kneeling before him.

‘And entering the lair worked out perfectly. There’s also a 25% stat debuff in effect.’

Not that he needed the debuff to subdue him, but there was no harm in taking advantage of his weakened state.

After watching closely, he found the perfect moment.

Having just defeated the dragon, the Black Scythe dismissed his mercenaries and was checking the system alone.

‘Now’s my chance.’

Whoosh—

In an instant, Michael warped into the other realm, spreading his massive wings as he waited inside the cave.

And finally, he came face-to-face with the Black Scythe.

[I’ve been waiting for you, Black Scythe.]

The moment he appeared, the Black Scythe’s expression shifted into one of surprise.

Well, of course.

How could a lowly human ever anticipate the arrival of an angel?

Especially not one with twenty wings.

But the real surprise was on Michael’s side.

“So, you’re Michael.”

‘He… knows my name?’

And not just his name.

“The sky above the sky, the highest-ranked archangel.”

Frankly, Michael was astonished.

A mere insect knew about him?

[You must have coerced my subordinates for information.]

“Well, technically no, but believe what you want.”

At first, the Black Scythe had looked surprised, but now, his expression had turned calm.

‘He can remain composed in front of me? Even archangels tremble before me, yet he…?’

That smug smile irritated Michael.

“What’s wrong? Does my smile bother you?”

[…]

“Relax a little. A lowly insect should at least be allowed to smile in the presence of such a noble being, right? Why let it get to you?”

Now, he was even mocking him.

Michael let out a hollow laugh.

[Hah… I was always curious about what kind of person the Black Scythe was, but this… You’re nothing more than a lowly, insolent brat.]

“Yeah, yeah. But I don’t see why I should care about what a birdbrain like you thinks.”

[…]

[Now I understand how the other archangels fell to you.]

‘They must have let their guard down after being provoked by his nonsense.’

It was obvious.

The reason he was taunting so blatantly was clear.

‘He’s trying to make me drop my guard since he can’t win with skill alone.’

But Michael was different from the other archangels.

He wouldn’t fall for such a pathetic trick.

He had already seen through it.

‘Arrogant human. Does he think he’s special just because the system chose him?’

He was wrong.

Up until now, he had simply been lucky enough to kill archangels.

Now that he faced an opponent beyond his league, his fate was sealed.

[Do you have any idea why I’ve come?]

“You’re here to kill me, aren’t you?”

[I won’t kill you. Just subdue you.]

“To do what, exactly?”

[You must face judgment for disturbing the heavens.]

“Judgment? And who the hell do you think you are to pass judgment on me?”

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!