The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Ryu Min nodded, listening intently.

This was the first time in all 100 regressions that he had learned such high-level information.

[But because the gods are in such an absolute position, they grow bored easily. So, they wanted to play a game.]

“A game?”

[They wanted the angels and demons—who already held grudges against each other—to fight. They promised to protect the victorious side. To the gods, it was nothing more than entertainment. That was the start of the First Celestial-Demonic War.]

There was an unmistakable bitterness in Michael’s voice.

The thought of being reduced to nothing more than the gods’ entertainment disgusted him.

[The angels and demons fought with all they had. They already despised each other, but with the gods watching, they had no choice but to go to war. Especially since the winning race would receive the gods’ protection. But…]

Michael’s voice wavered with emotion.

“How?”

[The losing side would now be allowed to recruit humans as mercenaries. The gods wanted humans to act as a variable that could change the outcome of war.]

‘Humans… as mercenaries?’

[But humans were weak—far too weak. Compared to angels or demons, they were as insignificant as insects.]

At the word “insects,” Ryu Min’s expression darkened.

Noticing the shift in his gaze, Michael carefully continued.

[So, the gods developed the system. To make humans stronger—so they could be used as mercenaries in the Celestial-Demonic Wars.]

Hearing that, Ryu Min’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“So you’re telling me that all these rounds, the entire fantasy world—was just a training program to raise players for war?”

[That’s right.]

“Ha…”

Faced with this shocking truth, Ryu Min let out a hollow laugh.

“Then the claim that angels created the system was a lie?”

[The system is the gods’ creation. Angels have no authority to modify or control it. All we do is find human planets, put them into survival games, and serve as guides—so that we can raise mercenaries for the next war.]

“In other words, you threw us into this damn death game just to train soldiers for yourselves. And yet you treat us like insects?”

[That’s because…]

Michael hesitated, but Ryu Min’s sharp gaze made him speak.

[Because we find it unbearable that creatures once as lowly as insects could rise to stand as equals beside us, all because of the system’s blessing.]

“…That’s it? That’s the reason?”

Ryu Min didn’t even get angry.

Even among humans, people discriminated against each other over skin color.

The angels’ disdain for humans stemmed from a similar mindset.

[St… Still, it’s not like all angels completely despise humans. If that were the case, the guides wouldn’t have spoken to you so politely.]

“Don’t lie. You think I don’t know that the system forces them to use honorifics?”

[…]

“The claim that you can have any wish granted upon clearing the 20th round—was that a lie too?”

[That part… is true.]

“Really?”

As a murderous aura radiated from Ryu Min, Michael became flustered.

[I-I swear it’s true! It’s a system setting established by the gods themselves as a reward for humans so that part is legitimate!]

“Then after the Celestial-Demonic War, do you angels and demons just keep raiding human planets to recruit players as mercenaries, repeating the cycle endlessly?”

[That… is correct. We had no choice. The gods were so invested in the war that they even placed bets on the outcomes and demanded it continue.]

“They placed bets?”

Ryu Min was already furious about the angels throwing billions of humans into a death game, but what angered him even more was the attitude of the gods.

‘They waged war and played with lives just to alleviate their boredom—and even placed bets on the results?’

All living beings were nothing more than pawns in the gods’ amusement.

“The Celestial-Demonic War you speak of—does it happen during the 18th round?”

[No. The battle in the 18th round is just a rehearsal for the real thing. A kind of friendly match.]

“Then the real war begins after the 20th round?”

[That’s right…]

“You seriously think humans who survive up to the 20th round will willingly fight for you angels?”

[They won’t have a choice. The system will force them.]

“What happens after the war ends?”

[That… even I do not know. There have been very few humans who cleared the 20th round.]

“So some have managed to do it?”

[Yes, but they were all humans raised by the demons. I’ve never heard what happened to them afterward.]

Reading his thoughts, Ryu Min confirmed he was telling the truth.

“Alright, I’ll believe you. Then tell me—why are you targeting me?”

[To restore order in the Heavenly Realm…]

“Bullshit. Give me the real reason.”

[…Does it even matter anymore? None of this will change anything.]

Michael sighed heavily, speaking as if everything was meaningless.

But Ryu Min refused to let it go.

He needed to understand everything.

[The Demon Grand Duke, Plunictos, filed a complaint with the gods who support the angels. He claimed that the use of the Demon Resurrection Scroll and the killing of his avatar violated the rules.]

“A violation?”

[Before the Celestial-Demonic War officially starts, angels and demons are forbidden from interfering with each other. But because of that Resurrection Scroll, the demons lost one of their means of attack.]

“Then why did you use it?”

[Because I thought it would work… If we sacrificed your soul, I believed Plunictos would be satisfied. But now that I look back on it, it was a mistake.]

Michael lowered his head in regret.

Ryu Min, however, was unfazed.

“So what happened next?”

[Because of that incident, Plunictos threatened war before the 18th round unless we captured you. It was a clear rule violation, and we had no valid counterargument. If war breaks out now, the angels will definitely lose. Not to mention, we would incur the wrath of the gods who support us.]

“So you chose to capture me instead of facing defeat in war.”

[Exactly… I never expected you to be this strong, though…]

Now that he understood the full picture, Ryu Min nodded.

[Now, what will you do with me? Are you going to kill me?]

“Hmm…”

Ryu Min had no immediate intention of killing Michael.

‘There’s no benefit in doing so.’

He hadn’t killed enough angels to activate the Demon’s Blessing.

If he killed Michael now, he might be able to complete his “Soul Binding” quest, but he wouldn’t receive a massive gold and stat reward.

‘What should I do?’

Ryu Min stroked his chin, contemplating for a moment, then made a proposition.

“I’ll let you live. But in exchange, how about this?”

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!