The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player

Chapter 245: Postponement (Part 1)

“I need more time to think.”

“What?”

“I can’t make a decision right now.”

Ryu Min didn’t outright reject Min Juri’s confession.

Instead, he put it on hold, saying he needed time.

‘If I reject her here and now, Min Juri’s mental state won’t hold up.’

It was a confession made with courage, even with a glimmer of hope.

But if he rejected her coldly, how would she feel?

She wouldn’t just be disappointed; she’d collapse like a sandcastle washed away by the tide.

And if her mental state were shattered like that?

Would she even survive until the 20th round?

Ryu Min was doubtful.

‘She might even turn against the Black Scythe.’

A rejection was the worst outcome for Min Juri.

It could have negative consequences not only for her but for Black Scythe as well.

That’s why he hoped, if such a confession were to happen, it would come as late as possible.

‘But who knew it would be today…’

Determining that rejecting her now would be the worst choice, he decided to postpone it.

That was the best decision for both of them.

“You want more time…?”

“Yeah. This is all too sudden… I need time to sort out my thoughts.”

“…Alright. I’ll give you time. Just let me know when you’re ready to answer.”

With those words, Min Juri got up and left the café without looking back.

Watching her leave, Ryu Min tilted his head slightly.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

***

In the quiet room, Ryu Min’s gaze was fixed on the wall clock.

Tick-tock—tick!

The minute hand pointed precisely at 12 o’clock.

‘Only 12 hours until the 15th round starts…’

Looking at his phone, Ryu Min fell into deep thought.

‘The one who needs closure should reach out first, right?’

He scrolled through the messages exchanged with Min Juri.

-Three weeks ago-

[Min Juri: Have you finished thinking?]

[Ryu Min: Not yet…]

[Min Juri: I’ll wait for your answer.]

-Two weeks ago-

[Min Juri: Min, do you need more time to think?]

[Ryu Min: Yes, please wait a bit longer.]

-One week ago-

[Min Juri: What’s your answer?]

[Ryu Min: Ah, just a little more time.]

[Min Juri: It’s been over half a month, and still?]

[Ryu Min: Sorry. I want to make a careful decision.]

Three weeks had passed.

Since Min Juri’s unexpected confession, Ryu Min had been evading a response.

And now, with only 12 hours until the 15th round.

Ryu Min had to make a decision.

‘Today, I must meet her no matter what.’

He couldn’t keep postponing it.

‘I also have to hand her the invisibility potion while explaining the strategy for the 15th round.’

Under the name of the Black Scythe, Ryu Min had shared the strategy with the followers of the Death Church.

He had also handed invisibility potions to Seo Arin and Yamti.

‘The only one who hasn’t heard the strategy yet is Min Juri.’

Min Juri hadn’t even shown up at the regular gatherings of the Death Church.

This meant she was in a mentally unstable state.

‘Did I put this off too long?’

He felt guilty, but it was better than outright rejecting her.

Otherwise, Min Juri’s mental state might snap beyond repair.

‘By now, she must have noticed I’m avoiding giving a clear answer.’

She wasn’t foolish.

She was perceptive enough to understand.

Instincts, after all, were telling.

‘Still, the reason she keeps pressing me for an answer must be to get a clear yes or no.’

But he didn’t have the courage to say it.

As long as he postponed, there was hope.

If he rejected her, that hope would be lost.

‘If that happens, things could get worse. She might not even speak to me again.’

Not that it mattered if she didn’t speak to him in real life.

As long as her relationship with the Black Scythe wasn’t strained.

‘I want to keep our current camaraderie, but will Min Juri be mentally okay after hearing a rejection…’

That was what he feared.

Losing Min Juri as a comrade.

Losing her as a friend.

‘Anyway, I have to suggest we meet today. There’s no time if I delay further…’

Just then, a message arrived on Ryu Min’s phone.

[Min Juri: I want to meet.]

Ryu Min immediately responded.

[Ryu Min: Sure, let’s meet. How about the café we last met at, by 2?]

[Min Juri: Okay.]

‘Just when I wanted to reach out, she contacted me first.’

With a small smile, Ryu Min grabbed his coat.

***

It was 1:30 in the afternoon, the perfect time for coffee.

Normally, the café would have been bustling, but today it was quiet.

The view outside the window was similarly deserted.

‘The world has changed a lot.’

It was now harder to spot young people in the streets than finding a needle in a haystack in Seoul.

Cafés had all turned into unmanned stores.

‘This quiet atmosphere might be better for serious conversations.’

Despite sending nudging texts, he had been declined every time.

Today, however, there was a certain determination in Min Juri’s eyes.

‘I’m going to get an answer today.’

Her resolve to hear Ryu Min’s answer to her confession.

Min Juri wasn’t naïve.

She knew that Ryu Min had subtly hinted at his response.

‘Maybe I already know what the answer is. But still…’

Even so, she wanted to hear it from Ryu Min’s lips.

Otherwise, this endless torment of false hope wouldn’t end.

‘I’m probably going to be rejected…’

Her mind was in turmoil, but she was ready.

She’d had plenty of time to think and had come early to the meeting spot for that reason.

Jingle—

The door of the café opened, and the face of the man she loved appeared.

Her high school classmate, Ryu Min, whom she had loved for four years.

Having already taken the step of confessing, she wouldn’t turn back now.

“You’re here?”

“Oh, you came early.”

“Yeah.”

“What do you want to drink? It’s on me.”

“No. I can’t keep having you buy my drinks. I’ll get it this time. Sit down. Double espresso, right? With an extra shot?”

“Yeah.”

When she brought the coffee, Ryu Min took it with a slightly bewildered look.

“Here.”

“Thanks.”

For a while, they drank their coffee in silence.