The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Chapter 247: Dark Illusion (Part 2)

‘It’s invincible, so I can’t kill or push it…’

But Ryu Min, with his overwhelming speed, intercepted the creature before it could strike.

‘…but I can disrupt its hunt.’

Just as its claws were about to pierce the player, Ryu Min scooped her up.

“Kyah!”

The woman shrieked as she was lifted into the air, only to realize it was the infamous Black Scythe setting her down safely.

“That was close. Are you alright?”

“M-Me?”

The woman turned to see the Dark Illusion glowering at her.

“Th-Thank you, Black Scythe.”

Ryu Min nodded and shouted to the crowd:

“Listen up, everyone! I’ll tell you how to beat this round!”

The crowd’s attention shifted to him at the promise of a strategy.

“There may seem to be dozens, but there is only one true Dark Illusion. That one over there.”

Ryu Min’s scythe pointed directly at the real one. From its perspective, losing its prey and being revealed must have been infuriating.

“All the others are clones. Only worry about the one I just pointed out!”

“Clones?”

“That’s impossible. How can that be?”

“What nonsense is this?”

Players found it hard to believe. The pain they felt was too vivid to be fake. Was it really possible that this pain was all an illusion?

Reading the doubt on their faces, Ryu Min shouted again:

“It’s an illusion! All the pain you’re feeling is fake. Don’t be deceived!”

“An illusion…”

“I can’t believe it…”

The players stared at him in disbelief as clones attacked again.

“Ahh!”

“It hurts! It really hurts!”

“How can this be fake?”

“I can see the wounds, the blood…”

“Stop talking nonsense…”

But Ryu Min had anticipated this.

“Trust me! Look at the death count! How many have actually died?”

The players glanced at their quest screens with uncertainty.

[Survivors Remaining: 2,303]

[Time Until Next Mission: 00:27:12]

“What?”

“Weren’t there 2,304 of us?”

“Why has only one died?”

Despite all the attacks and injuries, only one person had died?

“It’s like I said. They’re clones. The pain you’re feeling is false, and only one is real. Recognize that, and you’ll be free of the pain.”

The players who dismissed Ryu Min’s words now listened closely, doubt turning to realization. And, just as he said, the pain vanished like a wave receding from shore.

“Wait, it was really an illusion?”

“All this pain I felt was fake?”

With this realization, even the Dark Illusions in the air seemed like mere shadows. The attacks now only caused a brief sting, dissipating once they were perceived as false.

Seeing this, Ryu Min’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

‘Breaking illusions is simple. Realization is the key.’

Once someone accepts it’s an illusion, it no longer holds power. While this didn’t mean they could identify the real one automatically, it was enough.

“Ignore the others! There’s only one real threat!”

“Which one is it?”

“Say it again, Black Scythe!”

The Death Mark was visible only to its caster, so only Ryu Min could see the health bar.

“That one.”

He pointed his scythe at the true Dark Illusion.

Uuuuuuuu—

Enraged, the creature lunged.

Swoosh—

Ryu Min dodged effortlessly and continued to inform the players, “Avoid this one! This is the real one!”

Thanks to his guidance, players managed to evade the true monster, effectively stalling for time.

‘Great. At this rate, surviving for 30 minutes is a breeze.’

Since they knew which one to avoid, players could move around and buy time easily. The result? Despite 20 minutes passing, only one death occurred. For the Dark Illusion, this was infuriating.

Uuuuuuuuuu!

Desperation drove it to repeatedly wail and cast fear. But each time, Ryu Min thwarted its attacks by intercepting its prey.

Uuuuuuuuuu! Uuuuuuuuuu!

No matter how many times it shrieked, the result was the same.

‘There will be no more casualties.’

And so, after 30 minutes of relentless disruption—

Ssssh—

The Dark Illusion and its hundreds of clones dissipated into smoke.

[The time limit has ended.]

[The first mission has been completed successfully.]

[Survivors: 2,303. Deaths: 1.]

[Congratulations! The second mission will begin shortly.]

“Phew! Finally, it’s over.”

“Nice! Only one person died!”

“It’s all thanks to the Black Scythe!”

Players cheered, with some bowing their heads in gratitude toward Ryu Min.

‘Saved quite a lot this time.’

Given that previous attempts had seen hundreds dead, it was indeed a commendable outcome. However, there was no time for complacency.

The second mission would be painted in blood.