Chapter 243: The Variable (Part 2)


    “How much did she even drink…”


    Ryu Min mumbled as he carried Christine on his back. Cocktails were still alcohol, and drinking too much could catch up to anyone.


    “I should’ve realized when she chose high-proof cocktails… ha.”


    He sighed openly, but Christine, sleeping soundly on his back, was oblivious.


    ‘I need to get her back to the temple. It would be awkward to wake her now.’


    It would take about 20 minutes to walk to the temple—not far at all, which exined why she’d felt safe enough to drink.


    But perhaps she’d felt too safe.


    “Whistle—Hey, Chinese guy.”


    This situation had attracted some thugs.


    “Stop right there if you know what’s good for you.”


    Ryu Min halted. Behind him, three white men approached confidently. They’d been following him from the bar.


    ‘I can’t let scum like this follow me to the temple.’


    This was why he stopped willingly, though the men mistook it for fear.


    “Looks like the monkey knows some English.”


    “But is he Chinese or Japanese?”


    “Does it matter? As long as we get the girl.”


    “Hey, you Asian monkey. You’ve got quite the catch there, huh?”


    “Looking for a motel at this hour? Let us help you out.”


    They didn’t even bother surrounding him; they just drew guns from their pockets.


    “Put the girl down and disappear if you don’t want holes in your lungs.”


    “We’ll take good care of her and send her home safely. Don’t worry.”


    Judging by their behavior, they were ordinary people, not yers.


    ‘If they were yers, they wouldn’t be carrying guns.’


    Even faced with their threats, Ryu Min made no move to put Christine down. Instead, he nced back at her.


    ‘Her thoughts aren’t readable—she’s fully out cold.’


    Good. It would be better if she remained unaware of what was about to happen.


    “Why isn’t this guy saying anything?”


    “I thought he understood English when he stopped.”


    “Wait a minute. He looks pretty young. Could he be a yer?”


    “So what? You think yers have steel bodies?”


    “There’s no human that can beat a gun.”


    The men were confident. Three of them had guns aimed at someone carrying a woman, unable to use his hands. But they were blissfully ignorant of what it meant to face a true yer.


    “You should consider yourselves lucky.”


    “What?”


    “Dying without pain is a mercy.”


    “What the hell are you…”


    Before the thug could finish, their heads hit the ground, one after another.


    Thud—thud—thud—


    Dark knives had severed their necks almost simultaneously.


    He had aimed for their necks to avoid waking Christine with gunshots.


    Thud—thud—thud—


    Before the blood pooling from their bodies formed a puddle, Ryu Min erased all traces of the crime.


    ‘Good. She’s still out.’


    He confirmed that Christine was still unconscious and resumed walking,forted by the fact that she hadn’t woken up. The scent of blood wafted on the quiet night breeze, tickling her nose.


    Afterying Christine on a pew in the temple, Ryu Min left and made a phone call.


    “Gather the followers of the Despair Cult immediately. I need to check for any variables.”


    -What should I tell them?


    “Tell them…”


    Ryu Min outlined in detail what John should say to the followers.


    -As youmand.


    Spreading his wings, Ryu Min flew towards Florida, where the Cult’s secret meetings were held. The journey spanned over 1,500 kilometers.


    ‘Running would be faster than flying.’


    He retracted his wings and stepped into the air, using the Boots of Thanatos to sprint as if running on solid ground.


    Boom—!


    The sonic boom that followed sounded like a jet passing overhead, disturbing the peace of the night. But at least he would reach Florida in under 30 minutes.


    ‘Looks like the followers are already gathering.’


    Watching people enter the warehouse, Ryu Min descended into a nearby alley and put on the Feathered Cap of Hermes.


    ‘Invisibility.’


    His appearance and presence vanishedpletely. Enhanced by the Rune of Stealth, he was undetectable, making it perfect for surveince.


    Inside the warehouse, the Despair Cult followers had assembled.


    ‘All 22 are here, including John Delgado.’


    As instructed earlier, John was addressing his followers.


    “The Death Church is poaching yers even in foreign territories. This is a tant overreach. From now on, we will consider the Death Church our enemy and target their leader, the ck Scythe. However, until the 15th round is over, no threats should be made.”


    “Wait, Leader.”


    Cardinal Berber immediately raised an objection.


    “What do you mean, no ns? I suggested kidnapping the Saintess at the council meeting.”


    “That n is on hold. It’s too dangerous.”


    “Dangerous? There’s no better way to pressure the ck Scythe!”


    “Do you think he wouldn’t anticipate that? He probably has hundreds of guards around her. Our 22 men wouldn’t be enough.”


    “Then what are we supposed to do?”


    “It would be more practical to wait until after the 15th round and strike then. By that time, half of the Death Chruch’s forces will be decimated.”


    “But we’ll be depleted too. How can…”


    “Have you forgotten who has the final say? The decision is made. No more arguments.”


    “…”


    While John Delgado gave his speech, Ryu Min silently read the thoughts of each follower.


    ‘Most are loyal to John. Loyal enough to die for him. But…’


    There was one exception who harbored resentment: Berber.


    -Son of a bitch. Acting like a real leader just because I yed along. This cult might go down because of him. I should kill him and take over as leader. It’s the only way to save the Despair Cult.


    Seeing Berber’s treacherous thoughts, the invisible Ryu Min smirked.


    ‘Found it. The variable.’