The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player
Chapter 41: Rune Of Inner Thoughts (2)

“I bet you can’t understand why I went to such extremes. You and I have absolutely no connection.”

Silence hung in the air.

“Actually, we do have a connection, Jang Seok-hyun. We’ve met before.”

A flicker of surprise flashed across Jang Seok-hyun’s eyes.

“You… know my name?”

Jang Seok-hyun cautiously spoke up.

“Could it be… related to the woman?”

“That’s not it. There’s no connection between me and that woman.”

“Then…”

“You kidnapped my brother. And you blackmailed me, demanding information about Hidden Peace.”

“M-Me? I didn’t… do that…”

“Of course, you haven’t done it yet. It’s an event that hasn’t occurred. It’s both the past and the future to me.”

Whether Jang Seok-hyun understood or not, Ryu Min continued speaking.

“If I hadn’t intervened, you would have obtained the Rune of Inner Thoughts.”

“The Rune of… Inner Thoughts?”

“There’s a hidden rune in this place.”

“Really?”

Jang Seok-hyun’s eyes widened at this previously unknown fact.

“The manifestation condition for the Rune of Inner Thoughts is listening to the sincere voice of the other person.”

“The sincere… voice?”

“A voice that comes from the heart, filled with utmost sincerity.”

“….”

“If I hadn’t intervened, you would have heard the sincere voice of that woman begging you to spare her life while you raped and tortured her.”

“….”

“And after obtaining the Rune of Inner Thoughts, you would have used it for further crimes, thinking it granted you control over your own world.”

Jang Seok-hyun couldn’t refute it.

Ryu Min had an accurate understanding of his behavior and personality.

“This fact has been verified through multiple incidents. Even without that, the fact that you are a repeat offender with 12 prior convictions is reason enough for you to deserve death.”

“If… I deserve to die… then kill me quickly…”

Ryu Min lowered his head.

“I won’t lay a hand on you.”

“What…?”

“In fact, why do you think I would bother explaining all this? I’ve been waiting for you to die on your own.”

Chin-

Ryu Min’s scythe closed Jang Seok-hyun’s gaping mouth.

“No matter what, you will die from excessive bleeding. Suffer and slowly meet your end.”

“Ugh! Ugh!”

Jang Seok-hyun attempted to bite his tongue and end his life, but his intentions were thwarted.

The scythe pressed against his jaw was preventing him from opening his mouth.

“Ughhh…”

Even when he remained motionless, his entire body throbbed with excruciating pain from the punctured wounds.

He desperately wanted to break free from the relentless torment, but escape was impossible.

“I-I can’t even utter the words ‘kill me.’ I can’t even speak the words the other person wants to hear! Then what’s the point of all of this!”

Since he couldn’t speak, he had to communicate his plea through anguished eyes.

“You’re trying to speak now! You sincerely want to be killed! And wondering what’s the point of all of this if I won’t let you speak?”

Did Ryu Min comprehend that gaze?

Jang Seok-hyun’s eyes widened.

“Why are you looking like this?”

Ryu Min replied.

“You’re wondering how I knew? It’s thanks to the Rune of Inner Thoughts.”

“What?”

It wasn’t a mere understanding of the gaze.

“Well, despite not being ideal, I already obtained the rune.”

He was delving into Jang Seok-hyun’s thoughts.

“Remember? You already asked to be killed. Sincerely.”

‘Now that I think about it, I did beg him earlier…’

“The rune responded to your sincere voice.”

“Even though I already obtained it, I pretended not to…”

“I tested its capabilities, and as you can see, it works quite well.”

“Now that I have what I desired, it would be good to end your life…”

“No. You shouldn’t die so easily.”

Ryu Min’s voice, behind the mask, sent chills down the spine.

“It’s because the victims would feel unjust.”

“You… you devilish bastard…”

Jang Seok-hyun, uttering his final curse in a desperate manner, trembled.

His consciousness grew faint, and his eyes lost their luster before his breath ceased.

Observing this, Ryu Min nonchalantly remarked, “He’s dead.”

A concise observation.

His voice lacked any emotional tone.

After all, he had taken his life countless times before.

“Nevertheless, inflicting maximum pain and ensuring a slow death each time feels good.”

Even if it took some time.

“Anyway, I have plenty of time.”

He had acquired the desired rune.

He possessed ample leisure.

He briefly worried that the woman he had rescued might have reported the incident to the police, but…

“There were no one nearby.”

His senses didn’t detect anyone.

He could rest assured.

“Even if I were reported, it wouldn’t matter since I’m wearing a mask.”

Ryu Min’s gaze shifted to the message that had popped out earlier.

[Hearing the sincere voice from the other party.]

[The activation condition has been fulfilled.]

[Discovered the hidden rune ‘Rune of Inner Thoughts’ at the designated location!]

[The obtained rune will be automatically engraved on the player’s body!]

Recalling the message that appeared as soon as he heard Jang Seok-hyun’s plea for death.

Ryu Min accessed the information about the newly acquired rune.

[Rune of Inner Thoughts]

Effect: Reads the thoughts of the visible target. With careful observation, it can also vaguely discern inner thoughts. Can only be used within a 30-meter range.

It truly was a rune that allowed him to delve into thoughts.

By persistently observing, he could even penetrate the depths of one’s innermost thoughts.

“Even if the other person remains indifferent.”

Whether for gathering information, adapting to various situations, or identifying enemies—the rune had limitless utility.

It was not unworthy of being included in the list of the 18 essential runes.

Ryu Min’s gaze returned to Jang Seok-hyun, lifeless before him.

“Now that I’ve obtained what I wanted, let’s clean up the aftermath.”

He utilized an additional skill he had acquired.

And then…

As if in an illusion, Jang Seok-hyun’s corpse vanished.

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