The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player TL

15. Who's That?

Galleria Forest in Seoul Forest.

"Woooow..."

Ryuwon kept exclaiming in admiration at the luxurious 45-story residential-commercial complex.

"This place looks really nice."

"It's much better than our old house."

"I didn't realize when I saw the photos, but it's truly amazing."

As his brother couldn't close his mouth, Ryumin told the security guard about their move-in.

"Your luggage? Didn't you bring any?"

"No. We threw everything away."

After checking their IDs, they went inside.

A security staff working separately inside checked their identities once more in front of the elevator.

Ryuwon exclaimed in admiration at the sight.

It seemed like ironclad security.

"Wow... There's even separate security staff?"

"This place has better security than others."

They soon arrived at the 43rd floor and entered their new home.

"Woooooow..."

Ryuwon, who entered the house, couldn't close his mouth the entire time.

"B-brother. How many pyeong is this place?"

"100 pyeong."

"Gasp..."

Moving from a 10-pyeong multi-family house to a 100-pyeong luxury apartment.

Ryuwon wondered if he was dreaming.

"Brother, is it okay for us to come with just our bodies like this?"

"Of course, why not?"

Though they said they were moving, the brothers came in without any particular luggage.

"It might look a bit empty, but all the necessary appliances are built-in. We can buy daily necessities downstairs, and I've already ordered the furniture, so it'll arrive today. Look around the house in the meantime."

"Okay!"

Ryuwon walked around to see the house.

"Wow... How many rooms are there?"

"Four. Four bathrooms too."

"Gasp! There really is a bathroom for each room."

Ryuwon, who kept being surprised, looked out the window.

The nearby Seoul Forest was visible at a glance, and even the Han River was in sight.

Being on the 43rd floor, close to the top, the view was certainly good.

"Brother... Isn't this too big for just the two of us?"

"We have a lot of money, so we should live in a house like this."

"How much did you contract it for?"

"500 million won deposit with 22 million won monthly rent."

For a moment, Ryuwon's eyes nearly popped out.

"Wh-what? The monthly rent is over 20 million...?"

"With management fees and utilities, it'll be an additional 2 million won."

Including 1 million won for living expenses, doesn't that mean almost 25 million won will be fixed outgoing every month?

For Ryuwon, who used to tremble buying a 5,000 won convenience store lunch box, he couldn't help but be shocked.

"Isn't it too expensive? Wouldn't it be better to live in a cheaper house?"

"No. This level of expenditure is necessary. The security is that good."

Players fall into narcolepsy every 1st of the month.

The most vulnerable time for players is when they're asleep.

'No matter how skilled you are in the other world, if you die in reality, that's the end.'

There's no guarantee that accidents like fire, earthquake, or natural disasters won't happen while sleeping.

That's why players need to prepare to cross over to the other world in the safest place possible when the time comes.

This was the reason Ryumin moved to an expensive apartment.

'Later on, players will start targeting each other.'

Of course, players can't directly target each other since they sleep and wake at the same time, but...

'It's possible to request murder from ordinary people.'

It happened in previous regressions.

A player who hired an assassin to eliminate competitors.

This was why nicknames had to be hidden no matter what.

"How is it? Does the house seem nice?"

"Is that even a question? It's amazing!"

Ryuwon shouted excitedly.

Seeing this, the corners of Ryumin's mouth naturally lifted.

"I'm glad you like it."

He luckily got rich overnight through a dream and bought an expensive house.

That's what his brother would think, but he wouldn't know.

That this wealth wasn't obtained without any price.

That he was preparing for the final game after paying the price of 99 deaths.

Did he read the bitter look behind Ryumin's smile?

Ryuwon, who had been rejoicing, wiped the smile off his face.

"I shouldn't be like this... I'm sorry, brother."

"For what?"

"Next month, you'll be dragged to the other world to fight again. Yet I'm just being happy... I'm sorry. I was too short-sighted."

"It's okay."

He understands the immaturity.

His brother was still only a middle school student after all.

Rather, Ryumin had matured too early for his age.

'No, it's not that I matured early, but that I've aged so much?'

Though he looked 20 on the outside, Ryumin was actually over 110 years old.

Seeing his brother looking so dejected, Ryumin patted his back.

"Why are you looking like you're about to die? Are you afraid I won't come back from the next round?"

"...It's possible."

Ryumin chuckled.

Failing in Round 2?

For him, who had uniquely gone up to Round 20, it was a laughable statement.

"Don't worry about unnecessary things. Let's go downstairs and eat while looking around the shopping area. I heard there's a good Korean restaurant on the second floor of the complex."

"Okay."

They walked around the shopping area in the complex to cheer up his brother.

Buzz- Buzz-

Meanwhile, Hwang Yongmin's call came in, but he lightly blocked it.

'He must have found out I moved by now.'

He already knew from past experience that he would come looking for revenge.

Also that they wouldn't encounter each other in reality anymore.

'Unless it's in the other world.'

Ryumin smiled and put his phone in his pocket.

* * *

Ryuwon, who was walking around the shopping area, couldn't shake off his gloomy mood.

'I forgot because I was so caught up in the lottery. That brother will be dragged away next month...'

It wasn't something to be simply amazed about that his brother had become a player.

It wasn't something to be simply happy about that they moved to a nice house.

Survivors are dragged to the other world every month to be tested.

Next month too, and the month after that.

It's truly a life with a time limit, not knowing when they'll die.

Though his brother acted nonchalant, it was like the calm before the storm.

'He's not showing it, but he must be very worried and struggling. He probably feels like he's standing on the edge of a cliff.'

In reality, Ryumin wasn't worried at all, but Ryuwon blamed himself again.

'You stupid idiot! Your brother is in danger, yet you're grinning because we moved!'

How could he help his brother?

Reflecting on his actions and falling into contemplation, Ryuwon thought of one thing.

'I'll help with housework. This is all I can do right now.'

Ryuwon decided to take charge of household chores so his brother could rest comfortably for the remaining time.

"Brother, give me all your laundry here. I'll wash it all!"

"Brother, rest in your room because it might be noisy while I clean!"

"Brother, I was thinking of going grocery shopping outside, can I have some living expenses..."

"Won."

Ryumin, who couldn't stand it anymore, smiled and said.

"I appreciate you helping with housework, but you don't need to try so hard. We can solve meals by eating out so there won't be dishes, and laundry and cleaning once a week is enough."

"But I should help somehow..."

"There's no need to do that, I'm telling you. It's enough to live as usual. You'll need living expenses though, so I'll give you a card."

Ryumin held out a card from his wallet.

"There's 50 million won in it. It should be enough for living expenses. But don't spend recklessly."

"Gasp. Th-thank you, brother."

Though his brother received the card, Ryumin knew.

That he wasn't the type to spend money unnecessarily.

Rather, knowing he would use it sparingly because it was a large sum, he wasn't worried.

'He'll probably keep trying to do housework anyway.'

Even if told it's not necessary, his brother is the type to keep taking charge of household chores.

It hadn't changed for 99 regressions, so it would be the same this time.

'Thanks to that, it was convenient not having to worry about housework.'

Ryumin, relieved of worry, looked at his coin account.

The 14 billion won he had put into coins had risen to 16 billion in a few days.

He had made a 2 billion won profit just by sitting still.

'I need to buy lottery tickets this weekend too.'

He'll mark 100 games with the same number as before.

And without fail, he'll win first place and get close to 15 billion won.

The world will be shocked, but he doesn't care about public opinion as he needs to grow money immediately.

'I'll focus on accumulating money for this month.'

A deep smile appeared on Ryumin's lips.

* * *

The day after moving.

Ryumin made a puzzled expression seeing his brother up early in the morning.

He was wearing outdoor clothes.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, I ordered rice cakes, so I'm going to pick them up."

"Rice cakes?"

Ryumin furrowed his brow at his brother's different pattern from before.

'This hasn't happened before.'

Just because he repeats regressions doesn't mean the same situations always occur.

Sometimes he's in a good mood, sometimes depressed.

Behavior patterns changed slightly depending on the emotions at the time.

'Of course, the main trunk is the same. Only the branches differ.'

It was like when Ryuwon felt sorry for him.

That part always appeared every time he repeated regressions.

Ryuwon always tried to be supportive of him participating in rounds.

So he often saw cases of cleaning from the morning or buying simple snacks.

'But it's the first time buying rice cakes?'

It seems the change in mood created a new branch.

"What's the occasion for rice cakes?"

"We moved, so shouldn't we give rice cakes to the neighbors? That way people around will view us favorably..."

"Ah."

Ryumin quickly understood his brother's intention.

'You're trying to create a good image in the neighborhood.'

If they give out rice cakes, at least they won't be called impolite.

He probably came to this conclusion after constantly thinking about what he could do.

'There's no harm in raising our reputation.'

The certain thing is that it's an aspect he doesn't pay attention to.

Unlike his brother, Ryumin didn't care about others' gazes.

"Giving rice cakes to neighbors... That's a good idea."

"Right? We'll often run into neighbors in the elevator anyway. If we talk about the rice cakes then, the awkwardness will disappear and also..."

Was he happy to be acknowledged by his brother?

Ryuwon talked excitedly.

Ryumin was looking at him fondly.

"I'll receive the rice cakes and hand them out, so you stay at home, brother."

"No. It's better to greet the neighbors together."

'How can I leave this to my brother alone.'

He had nothing particular to do anyway, so this worked out well.

"Let's go pick up the rice cakes."

* * *

After picking up the rice cakes, the brothers visited each house.

They decided to visit all the houses - downstairs, next door, upstairs - but there weren't many units anyway.

Ding dong-

When they rang the doorbell, a voice came from the intercom.

-Who is it?

"Hello. We're the new neighbors who moved in yesterday."

After a while, the door opened and a refined-looking woman in her 50s peeked out.

Ryuwon politely bowed his head.

"Hello. We're the new people who moved into unit 4302. We hope to get along well with our neighbors."

"Oh, nice to meet you. You two look alike, are you brothers?"

"Yes. This is my older brother."

"Hello."

Ryumin bowed his head and the woman bowed back.

"Nice to meet you."

Perhaps because she was rich, she exuded class.

Ryuwon quickly held out the plate of steamed rice cakes.

"Please try these rice cakes. We picked them up this morning, so they're still warm and delicious."

"Wow, even this... Thank you. I'll enjoy them."

A smile bloomed on the woman's face.

The brothers turned around with satisfied faces, having accomplished something.

They certainly left a good impression on the neighbor.

"Brother, let's go to the next door like this too."

"Okay."

Together with his brother, he went to the next door and rang the doorbell.

Some houses had no response, but most were home since it was morning.

"We're your neighbors. Please try these rice cakes."

The neighbors all thanked them and received the rice cakes.

The givers were pleased as the receivers were happy.

The brothers headed to the upstairs house last.

"This is the penthouse. It uses both the 44th and 45th floors."

"Wow... Then only extremely rich people would live there?"

"Well, I don't know the details, but they say corporate tycoons or celebrities live there."

Listening to his brother's words, Ryuwon pressed the doorbell.

But there was no particular response, as if it were an empty house.

"Are they out?"

Ryuwon tilted his head and pressed again.

They waited, but still no answer.

"Seems no one's home. Let's go, brother."

Just as they were about to give up and turn around.

"Huh?"

Ryuwon couldn't help but be surprised.

A woman with looks that could be believed to be an angel was looking this way with rabbit-like eyes.

Next to her, a well-built man in a suit was frowning.

"Who are you? Are you fans?"

"Huh? W-we're the people who moved in downstairs..."

"Downstairs?"

The man who saw the rice cakes inferred the situation and frowned.

"What is it now."

"Please try these rice ca..."

"That's enough. She doesn't eat such things. Let's go in."

As the man opened the door, the woman glanced at them and went inside.

As the front door closed, Ryumin was dumbfounded.

"I don't know who that guy is, but he's very rude."

Ryumin muttered and looked to the side.

His brother had a blank expression as if shocked.

"To think such a guy lives in the penthouse. Won. Don't mind what that kind of guy says."

"Huh? I'm fine. More importantly, did you see that just now? It's amazing..."

"What is?"

"What do you mean, what? You saw too, brother. Seo Arin."

"Seo Arin?"

Ryumin said with an indifferent face.

"Who's that?"