The 100th Return of the Max Level Player Episode 14
14. Ma Kyung-rok’s wish
Ma Kyung-rok opened his eyes right after entering So-won’s room.
‘Where is this?’
I don’t know how long I was unconscious.
I’m just curious where this place is.
The answer came from the system.
[Hello. Welcome to the room of wishes.]
[If you have any questions, please ask.]
[It doesn’t matter whether you ask in your mind or out loud. I will answer with all my heart.]
It was natural for Ma Kyung-rok’s eyes to open.
‘Wish? Come to think of it… … .’
There was a saying that if you cleared all 20 rounds, your wish would be granted.
And the round he conquered was… … .
‘How far did it go…?’
Was it 10 rounds?
I don’t remember very well.
At that moment, the words of the system came to mind.
‘You told me to ask you anything I was curious about, right? So, are you going to answer this too?’
Ma Kyung-rok asked the question that people are most curious about at the moment.
“Did I win the round?”
[Yes. Player ‘Cheonma’ passed the 20th round and reached the final round before touching the Wish Stone. Thanks to that, he was able to enter the Wish Room.]
‘You came here after conquering the final round?’
It appears that Black Scythe and his men have finally succeeded.
When I saw you in the wish room.
‘But why don’t I remember? I don’t even remember touching the Wish Stone or anything, let alone the final round.’
[It is believed that the player in question has lost his or her memory due to the current system phenomenon.]
“The phenomenon of the system? Explain it in simple terms.”
[After examining the records, I found traces of the effect of the Rune of Enchantment. The starting point is after round 10.]
“Rune of Enchantment?”
[A rune that can permanently control the mind of a person by bewitching them. Its effect has been removed because it has now entered the Room of Wishes.]
Ma Kyung-rok couldn’t help but be shocked when he found out the truth.
‘I was… … mind controlled?’
From what I’ve heard, it seems like you were taken advantage of without anyone knowing by a player who had the Rune of Enchantment.
“Who did this to me? Me?”
[There is a record of being dominated by a player named ‘Yamti’.]
By the way, among the Black Scythe’s companions, there was a player named Yamti.
‘That’s what happened to me? Me?’
It looks like you’ve been used like a puppet all this time.
‘Ha, that’s ridiculous. So that’s why my memory stopped at round 10?’
Ma Kyung-rok tried to recall his last memory.
‘At that time… … yeah, I was at the company.’
I remember meeting Ryu Min, who was the major shareholder.
After that, a woman also came in.
‘I see now. That woman was Yamti. She had the rune of enchantment.’
The one who brought that woman was none other than Ryu Min, the Black Sickle.
I vaguely remember a woman calling out to the black scythe, “Master.”
‘Could it be that the Black Sickle is betraying…?’
I wasn’t sure if it was Yamti’s own act or not, but either way, it was certain that the Black Sickle was involved.
‘Damn it. I have to get revenge on that bastard… … .’
[That’s impossible.]
The system that was reading other people’s thoughts arbitrarily gave an answer arbitrarily.
[Right after entering the Wish Room, the current world line was completely separated. The world line you return to after fulfilling your wish is a new world line, so returning to your original world line and taking revenge is virtually impossible.]
“What are you talking about? I asked you to explain it in simple terms.”
Ma Kyung-rok soon heard an explanation about the world line.
When I heard it, it was simple.
When a wish is granted, each person is trapped in their own world line.
As if opening a new document window.
‘Are you saying that in that document window, each person writes down their own story of their wish coming true?’
It wasn’t difficult to understand.
It’s just hard to accept.
‘Damn it. Even though I knew the whole situation, I couldn’t take revenge on the Black Scythe… … .’
We already knew that the Black Sickle was clever, but who would have thought it would hit the back of the head like this?
[Please tell me your wish. Then, I will create a new world line that applies your wish.]
At the words of the system urging his wish, Ma Kyung-rok fell into deep thought.
‘Wish? What was my wish?’
It was something I couldn’t help but worry about.
Because he had achieved wealth and fame, he had few wishes.
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‘I won the fight for succession. The chairmanship has already been decided.’
So, there is no need for money or fame.
‘I have no desire to be friends with my estranged brothers anymore.’
Restoring his relationship with his family was also not something he had hoped for.
‘I don’t want to change Christine’s mind because she already likes the Black Scythe.’
Love, too, was just a trivial emotion in his life.
So what should I wish for?
‘Should I ask you to take away the evil within me?’
The urge to kill.
If you get rid of it, you won’t have to live your whole life killing people.
You can live a normal life like everyone else without suffering from insomnia.
but.
‘I don’t want to do that.’
He himself had no intention of suppressing his impulses.
‘Why would you quit something this good?’
Having already experienced the pleasure of killing, I see no reason to stop it.
[Please state your wish.]
Upon hearing the system’s voice again, Ma Kyung-rok made a decision.
“My wish is… … .”
* * *
Ma Kyung-rok opened his eyes and looked around.
It was a hotel room no different from usual.
Immediately after, his right-hand man, Sang-cheol Ahn, opened the door and came running.
“Representative!”
“Not really.”
“Finally… … It’s finally over! We did it!”
“Is that so?”
Ma Kyung-rok with an indifferent expression.
But Sang-cheol Ahn did not express any doubts.
Because I know you’re not the type of person to express your emotions well.
‘I’m sure you’re happy.’
However, contrary to Ahn Sang-cheol’s thoughts, Ma Gyeong-rok was not very happy.
This world is a new world line that has been created.
That is, because it was fake.
* * *
Even though it was a new world, it was completely the same as the previous world.
The only difference is that players don’t remember the Room of Wishes.
To be exact, I don’t even know what granting a wish is.
‘I guess I’m the only weird one.’
When I went to the surviving players and asked them about my wish, they all responded that it was their first time hearing about it, so it felt strange.
‘I’m not in a position to say anything. I don’t remember either.’
I have no memory after round 10.
Even though it is clear that you have gone through many hardships and adversities to get here.
‘Are you saying this is all because of the black sickle?’
Even though he directed his seething anger at the black scythe, it only looked at him with bewildered eyes.
“Why are you like that, Mr. Ma?”
“no.”
“But why do I want to see… … .”
“I have a few questions to ask.”
“What do you have to ask? I’m not a prophet or anything anymore.”
Black Scythe, who had been leading the fight and controlling the rounds until the 10th round, has now been reduced to an ordinary person.
Maybe because I knew that, I didn’t feel the same force or fear as before.
All I can feel is anger towards him.
‘Does this guy remember the time he was ruled by the Rune of Enchantment?’
This was the part that Ma Kyung-rok was curious about.
Only the memory of the wish was erased, but don’t you remember the other parts?
That’s why I called you here.
“After the 10th round. That’s when you came to me, right?”
“10 rounds? Well, didn’t you come here every time? Because I was the major shareholder.”
“Yes. But think about it carefully. I remember you came with a woman at that time.”
As Ma Kyung-rok spoke, he kept a close eye on Ryu Min.
To make sure I know if you’re lying.
Fortunately, Ryu Min seemed to remember what happened back then.
If you look at the momentary flinching of the shoulder.
“Oh, that time? I remember. I came with a woman named Kim Ye-dam.”
“Kim Ye-dam?”
“I was a player who played with you. Don’t you remember me?”
“Are you talking about Yamti?”
“Oh, you remember.”
Ma Kyung-rok raised the corners of his mouth at Ryu Min’s words.
This makes it certain.
‘So those two were in cahoots after all.’
It was also true that Ryu Min had taken control of his mind.
“Why did you come then?”
“It’s nothing to worry about. I just came to introduce you to a colleague.”
Ryu Min continued to lie shamelessly, not even knowing that everything had been revealed.
As for Ma Kyung-rok, it was simply astonishing.
‘Don’t make me laugh. Wasn’t that the woman you brought here to control my mind?’
I wanted to push him like that, but nothing changed.
There is no evidence anymore, and this is a new world line that is a copy of the previous world.
I couldn’t be sure that the Ryu Min here was the same Ryu Min back then.
‘All the players here are fake. They’re just NPCs who say certain things. The real ones are probably touching the wishing stone and living in a new worldline, fulfilling their wishes.’
Further questions are pointless.
With that judgment, Ma Kyung-rok gave up his revenge and bit Ryu Min.
I didn’t want to talk to that guy anymore.
It was the same for Ryu Min-do, and he never came to visit again after that.
* * *
Ma Kyung-rok was the sole successor to the Oseong Group.
He was the only one in the group to survive past round 20 and into the final round.
‘The brothers are dead.’
I thought he was alive, but he wasn’t.
I don’t remember what happened after round 10, but I was certain I was dead.
You said that the funeral has already been held.
‘That’s good. They were already useless. Thanks to them, my wish came true.’
After much thought, the wish that Ma Kyung-rok came up with was none other than this.
Receiving recognition from Ma Dae-cheol, the group’s representative and father.
Even if I become the successor, I am not sure if I will be recognized, so I made a wish for sure.
Other than that, I didn’t really have any wishes.
‘I am proud to say that I have lived diligently so as not to disappoint my father’s expectations. And now.’
Ma Dae-cheol was smiling brightly, as if he had lived up to expectations.
Looking at myself with eyes that were very proud of me.
It was a truly remarkable change, considering my father’s blunt personality.
What is most surprising of all is this.
“Kyungrok-ah.”
“… … !”
The point was that in a public setting like a company, people were called by their names.
“Now that there is no Gyeongsang or Gyeongsu, you are the only bloodline of the family. You are also the only successor.”
“Are you talking about the successor?”
“Yes. I know that you have been working hard all this time. I just pretended not to know so that you could become stronger. Since ancient times, isn’t it true that weeds that endure the wind and rain have deeper roots than greenhouse plants? I wanted you to become stronger. And so I wanted you to proudly prove your qualifications as the successor.”
The chairman, no, the father, got up from his chair, approached Ma Kyung-rok, and suddenly hugged him tightly.
“You have proven yourself. Now I can leave the group to you with peace of mind.”
“Are you really giving it to me?”
“Then. He is my only son. If not you, then who else would I give him to?”
My heart was pounding.
Is this what it feels like to have your father’s approval?
A deep smile appeared on the lips of Ma Kyung-rok, whose wish had been granted.
* * *
Ma Kyung-rok, who was recognized as the group’s successor, withdrew from Cheonma Consulting from then on.
He took over the group’s shares and began to take charge of management.
“You told me to do it like this here. Do you think what I’m saying doesn’t make sense?”
“I’m sorry, Director Ma.”
As a director, Ma Kyung-rok took control of the company by acting as a prickly boss.
Because I know from experience that this is the only way to run a company without looking down on yourself.
‘If we take care of the things below, the company’s problems will be solved, but… … .’
The urge to kill could never be quenched.
‘Did I make the wrong wish? I can’t stand it.’
Three months without committing a murder.
A series of tiring days, plagued by insomnia.
Ma Kyung-rok couldn’t stand it any longer.
‘It won’t work. I’ll do it today.’
Unable to control his desire, Ma Kyung-rok called his subordinates.
* * *
“Not really.”
“yes.”
“Are you ready?”
“Ah… … yes.”
Sang-cheol Ahn’s answer is not refreshing.
Something feels off.
“What’s the problem?”
“Oh, no.”
“Who is the prey you caught today? A vicious criminal or a petty criminal?”
“… … You will know when you see it for yourself.”
As he said this, Sang-cheol Ahn led Gyeong-rok Ma to the warehouse.
Early morning.
As I open the warehouse door without hesitation, moonlight seeps in.
It was the moment when Ma Kyung-rok, who was looking at the silhouette of the criminal, pulled out his sword.
‘huh?’
The criminal, who was usually thought to be tied up, is sitting on a chair.
Then suddenly he got up and came towards me.
“Director Ahn. Why didn’t you tie it up… … .”
“Kyungrok-ah.”
Ma Kyung-rok was startled by the thick, low-pitched voice.
“Oh, Father?”
The person in front of me was not a criminal, but my father, Ma Dae-cheol.
Confusion arose in Ma Kyung-rok’s eyes.
‘Did Director Ahn betray me?’
With that thought in mind, I glared at Sang-cheol Ahn, but my father’s words were faster.
“You can’t blame Sangcheol. He created this place for you.”
“Father. There’s been some misunderstanding… … .”
“There’s no excuse. I’ve already heard it all.”
As he said that, Ma Dae-cheol placed his hand on Ma Gyeong-rok’s shoulder.
“It must have been very difficult.”
“… … .”
His father’s words pierced Ma Gyeong-rok’s heart.
I felt like the malice that had been hidden for so long was fading away.
“I’m sorry I didn’t know until now. As a father, I didn’t even know that my son had this disease… … .”
Ma Dae-cheol sighed and apologized sincerely.
“If you ever feel that urge, let’s work it out together. Don’t hide anymore. I’ll help you.”
“Ah, father… … .”
On this day, Ma Kyung-rok felt it.
That his wish truly came true.
