The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Chapter 221: The Two Archangels (Part 2)

[Found you, black scythe.]

[So here you are, worm.]

With their many wings and imposing presence, Ryu Min knew these angels were no ordinary opponents.

From 20 meters away, he could already sense their thoughts.

‘One is Uriel, the Archangel of Light and Fire, ranked fourth. The other is Raguel, the Archangel of Justice, ranked fifth.’

Though they weren’t the strongest angels, facing two at once was enough to make him tense.

‘Is this because I killed another archangel? I’m dealing with more angels than in previous regressions.’

Ryu Min couldn’t help but wonder if the top-ranked archangel might show up next.

While he observed them, the angels exuded a relaxed demeanor, as if confident in their superiority.

[Uriel, as we agreed, I’ll handle this first. Don’t interfere.]

[Fine, fine. Just make sure you can finish it without my help.]

[Worry not. Who do you think I am? I’m the one who makes demons tremble in fear.]

[Then prove it by defeating him without getting scratched. That’ll save face for the higher-ups.]

Raguel, brimming with confidence, drew two swords from his waist. They were gleaming longswords with golden blades, and curiously, he wielded one in each hand.

‘A dual-wielding angel?’

Most angels would use a sword and shield, but this one seemed to favor an aggressive style.

‘I’ll need to gauge his skill level.’

As Raguel approached, Ryu Min noticed Uriel standing in the back with his arms crossed, seemingly unconcerned.

‘It looks like they’ll take turns fighting. Fine by me.’

Ryu Min readied himself, prepared to unleash his Death Form if needed, as Raguel drew closer.

[You, the black scythe. No, there’s no need to call you by name. I’m here to judge you, and you already know the crime, don’t you?]

“What crime? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

[Do you really not know, you filthy human?]

“You’ll have to speak clearer, you devilish angel.”

[You insolent worm…]

Though Ryu Min hadn’t meant to provoke Raguel much, the angel’s face contorted with rage.

‘So easily provoked.’

It was easy to see why he was called the Angel of Justice—his lack of composure made him an easy target.

‘He’s a predictable opponent.’

Smirking, Ryu Min allowed himself a soft chuckle.

[What’s so funny, human?]

“Oh, nothing. I just thought of something amusing.”

[What’s so amusing, worm?!]

“I remembered when Remiel and Sariel begged for their lives. The way they pleaded was quite… entertaining.”

That seemed to be the last straw.

With a roar of fury, Raguel charged at him.

[I’ll kill you right here and now, you insect!]

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Raguel’s attacks came swift and fierce. He aimed for Ryu Min’s head, but Ryu Min easily blocked it with his scythe. The second sword went for his side, but he twisted his body to evade it.

[I’ll crush you, you filthy human!]

The sound of metal clashing echoed as Raguel relentlessly swung his dual swords. However, despite the intensity of the attack, Ryu Min was unimpressed.

‘Is this really the level of the 5th ranked archangel?’

He expected far more from an archangel of Raguel’s rank, but the angel’s skills were sorely lacking.

‘No, it’s not that he’s weak. It’s that I’ve become absurdly strong.’

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Raguel continued his assault, but his strikes lacked precision. He was attacking recklessly, likely due to his earlier provocation. Ryu Min easily parried each blow, noticing all the gaps in Raguel’s form.

‘His strength is greater than Sariel’s, but his attacks lack sharpness. He’s not a real threat.’

While Ryu Min continued to block, he couldn’t help but glance toward Uriel, who had uncrossed his arms and was now watching the fight with a slightly surprised expression.

‘If this is all Raguel can do, then Uriel won’t be much of a problem either.’

Raguel, oblivious to Ryu Min’s thoughts, smirked as if he had the upper hand.

[So, you’ve managed to block my attacks so far. I’m impressed. I didn’t expect a lowly human to keep up with me.]

‘If you only knew how disappointed I am.’

[Let’s see if you can handle this!]

Raguel jumped back, putting distance between them, and crossed his swords. The golden blades hummed with power as they began to vibrate and glow more intensely.

A smirk crept across Raguel’s face as he prepared his ultimate attack.

‘He’s going to level the entire area.’

Ryu Min’s foresight ability allowed him to see what would happen in the next few seconds. Raguel’s attack was going to cause massive destruction, reducing the surrounding area to ashes.

‘It won’t be a problem for me to dodge, but the others…’

The other mercenaries, including Kaltz, were too close to Raguel’s attack zone. If he didn’t act quickly, they would be caught in the devastation.

Without hesitation, Ryu Min acted.

“Everyone, get out of here!”

He swiftly used his Grip of Death ability, pulling the nearby mercenaries out of harm’s way. At the same time, he lunged toward Kaltz, knocking him aside just as Raguel’s swords released their full power.

A pillar of light erupted from the ground, forming a giant X-shaped crater. Trees were reduced to ashes, and the ground was scorched beyond recognition.

“H-Holy…!”

The mercenaries, barely saved from the blast, stared in horror at the bottomless pit left in Raguel’s wake.

“We… we would’ve been destroyed…”

“Thank you, warrior from another world. You saved us…” Kaltz gasped, still reeling from the close call.

But Ryu Min wasn’t paying attention to their gratitude. His eyes were fixed on the system notifications floating in front of him.

[Hero’s Rune Stack: 73/100]

[The Hero’s Rune effect increases all stats by 73.]

‘I gained 3 stacks for saving them.’

The reason Ryu Min saved the mercenaries wasn’t purely out of goodwill. He needed to stack the Hero’s Rune, and by saving others, he could increase its power.

‘If I save the rest of these mercenaries, I can easily reach 100 stacks.’

To achieve that, he would need Raguel’s help.

The archangel, meanwhile, was staring at him with a confused expression. He seemed more shocked by Ryu Min’s actions than by the fact that his attack had been evaded.

[What are you doing, human? Why would a player like you bother saving these mercenaries? They mean nothing to you.]

“These people did nothing wrong.”

To anyone else, Ryu Min’s words might sound noble, but to the archangel, they were nothing short of absurd.

Raguel saw him as a criminal, a murderer of angels. To him, Ryu Min’s concern for the mercenaries was akin to a mass murderer caring for a stray dog.

[Ha! The irony. A filthy sinner like you saving others.]

Raguel’s look of disbelief quickly morphed into a sinister grin.

[Well then, how about this? I’ll kill every one of these mercenaries you care about. Let’s see how you feel about that.]

Ryu Min smiled inwardly.

‘What a simple-minded fool.’

He had successfully baited the archangel into playing right into his hands.